Study Skills #1

This week we looked at academic referencing. It all seems pretty straight forward and similar to the style of referencing i have used in A Levels. Figures (images) are references separately to the bibliography in a 'figure listing' at the beginning of the document. Long quotes are put on a separate line and indented (much like how I formatted the Exodus passage). Short quotes are inserted into a sentence and italicised. All of which still need a footnote. Sources in a bibliography are in alphabetical order with the author, date, title, publisher and place for books, and date accessed for websites. However, only 10% of sources can be internet based- if you have 10 books, you can only have 1 web source. Honest opinion, I really don't like this. Yes it shows you're well read, have done research and books are good sources, but so are internet sources! If a source goes on for two pages, you need to reference it as "p.p. 98-101". All of this and more can be found on the VLE/Moodle.

Skills Audit Grid

Visual Culture #2

This week we looked at 'Visual Language and Faith', with close reference to Christianity and Islam. And also how differently they interpret the following Bible passage:

"You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself and image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth." - Exodus 20:3-6.

The Gothic church celebrates nature with its spectacle of colour and decoration. 

http://manapop.com/film/crimson-peak-2015-review/

Pagan celebrations turned Christian; the Pagan's 'midwinter' celebration soon evolved into Christian's 'Christmas'. Gothic churches also had various architecture of body parts as a test so people do not lust. It could also be meant as a joke. Christians found creativity in the religious doctrine and the Gothic to celebrate God ('iconistic'). Catholic cathedrals were built next to Mosques which were huge in comparison. 

Islam interpreted Exodus very differently and took it very literally. They did not use any images to convey the word of God ('aniconistic'). The conquering of the 'moors' which was nearly all Islamic, meant it was now nearly all Christian. The Muslims of Spain were called "An Andalus" who reintroduced Greek ideas of science and art. The Bible was read by the educated elite, where as the Qur'an was learnt by all. It is their duty to larn all things and how to read. They were encouraged to read everything, however to read anything other than the Bible was punishable by death in Christian Europe. 'Moorish' decoration was introduced with it's aniconistic an geometric patterns. They didn't include any icons to follow Exodus as well as for people to focus on God. 

In Dianne's session we looked at religion in cinema and our choice of film we put on the VLE. I chose three; Life of Brian, Horns and L'age d'Or (my focus film). 

 


L'age d'Or is particularly controversial especially the ending of Jesus and his disciples raping virgins. But there is also a seemingly random scene just before this where someone throws the Pope out of the window, suggesting the downfall of religion. 

Introduction to Film-making #2

In the morning session of Introduction to Film-making, we created synopsis' using 'story grids'. By picking coordinates at random, we were given a character, a place and a scenario. At first, we chose randomly. Then we did another but choosing our own. I found it easier to write a story when we chose them randomly. 

We then looked at Genre and Mise-en-scene. I learnt that in early cinema, there was two genres- documentary and drama. Later, drama evolved into melodrama but without sound. Then with the invention of sound in cinema, the musical was born. Genre's depended on social, cultural and economic factors in early cinema, for example, escapism from the war. Drama offered this escapism.

Genre is often a paradox as audiences want something familiar each time, but also something different so it is not just the same film. 

http://cleowho.tumblr.com/post/74527408418/you-step-on-a-butterfly-martha-asking

• Spectator- cinema watcher
• Viewer- other media

Mise-en-scene acts as 'foreplay'- before the real pleasure of the narrative. It should not draw attention to itself (unless it is a parody). 

Production Skills #1

On the morning session, we learnt the importance of Health and Safety on set. After being scarred for life by watching various movie accident videos, we filled out a risk assessment of a scenario given to us: a knife fight outside of Church Square.

http://bladeapprentice.com/2014/05/14/the-winter-soldier-knife-fighting-scene/

We then talked briefly about our first assignment: Me, Myself and I. It has to be 3 minutes including titles and the credits and has to be filmed using Super 8- a type of camera with tape inside. We also learnt the 3 buddy system- no one should film alone. At least 3 should be on set at all times. A blog and 1000 word evaluation should also accompany the film. 

On the afternoon, we got given a brief of the idea of being "Trapped". A camera would be set in the middle of the room at a random angle and we were not allowed to move it. We could bring props in and it could be about anything. Our group thought outside the box and went with the idea of being mentally trapped, so we set it in a psychiatrist. A patient would be silently listening to the psychiatrist. Then we would cut to the patient inside their head, looking lost and small, with some breaking of the Fourth Wall by looking into the camera. 

http://www.sidereel.com/posts/336919-news-5-reasons-we-love-watching-supernatural

There is then a knocking, the patient taken aback asks; "Who's there?". 

Visual Culture #1

For the visual culture module, I will need to write a 2000 word essay on a question/topic of my choice with a research journal. The deadline will be Monday 15th Feburary, 12:00. The research journal will just be for the 11:30 sessions.

Visual culture is the consumption of images and messages. This includes all forms of creativity, not just my chosen subject (film). In this module we look at the historical, social, cultural, political, anthropological and stylistic influences and theories of different works. 

In Dianne's session later, we started looking at Religion and Faith in film, giving us an article, focusing on The Wicker Man, to read and research as a group for us to deliver our findings next session. 

Introduction to Film-making #1

In Dianne's morning session, we learnt about Narrative Structure. I learnt how time can be manipulated in film ('temporal duration") and also how events do not have to be linear ('temporal order'). 

http://www.hercampus.com/school/st-johns/6-lessons-doctor-who-has-taught-us

Here's some more key words I learnt:

• Story: The series of events.
• Plot: The order of events.
• Temporal order: Presentation of events out of order.
• Temporal duration: Plot time of the overall film, e.g. 160 mins.
• Temporal frequency: Frequency of events. Flashbacks.
• Diagesis: Specific world a film creates, such as mise-en-scene, characters, etc.

Furthermore, I learnt that the motivations of characters are essential for a narrative and how agents of cause and effect (the characters) drive a narrative forward. Beginnings are also essential as it sets out what is to come.

In Mike's session, we did various observation games, where we would find out what is missing from a table in front of us. We then looked at continuity in films, such as Pulp Fiction. We then did a fun task called the Alphabet Game where we had to film different letters of the alphabet in one shot. Some of ours had multiple words.

N- Nosey, Nostril

M- Macarena 

O- Octopus

P- Patch, Papperazzi, Picture

Q- Queen

R- Ringing

S- Sarah, Screaming, Statue

BAFTA Mentoring

On Wednesday 17th June 2015, I was lucky enough to be on set of a new rom-com series called Together with special mentoring from the director: Annie Griffin. I got this amazing opportunity after being specially selected in my group for the BFI Film Academy national course I participated in. The film of which can be found here- https://vimeo.com/123769171 (I have also embedded this on my blog on this post here.)

I went down the day before so I could get there early the next day (had to be at base for 7am). We were filming in Watford (luckily I had been here before to go to the Harry Potter Studios last year so I knew my way around already). 

7am and off to a bad start- I ate some crunchy nut cornflakes thinking they were normal cornflakes and unlabelled, but my allergy to peanuts started to kick in. Luckily I was fine, but please, label your cereals, production/catering!! We then drove to the house we were filming at and I was given a call sheet and script (the only thing I can properly prove I was there as phones needed to be turned off during the shoot).

I was a bit star struck when Katy Wix came on set being a big fan of Not Going Out but I kept it professional.

Annie Griffin was lovely and patient with a newbie like me. She got really excited on set when her delivery of sheep skin sandals came bless her. Anyways, I was given a task to go socialise with the crew and write their name and jobs down and report back to Annie at lunch. She told me it is always important for the director to know the crew. It was interesting to see how close the script supervisor/continuity person was to the director. 

I learnt a few jargon words used on set too including 'dirty' meaning someone is out of focus and having 'AFS' on the clapperboard meaning 'after false start'.

It was also a fab experience to see everyone set up and how exactly a high budget feature is produced. 

One shot was particularly memorable as I was sat on the grate thing on the floor, next to a open window, on a boiling hot day, with lighting outside, for over an hour. Probably my worst experience of the day (yes over the cornflakes) but still loved every moment.

Thanks again to the BFI and BAFTA for letting me have this fab experience!

I will link the trailer for the show here. It was also interesting to see it on the T.V. all edited. Looks so sleek compared to the shoot.

It's All About Me

Who Am I?

"Just a small town girl. Living in a lonely world."

The name's Sarah Joy Maher. From a small village called Blackhall. I study Creative Film and Moving Image Production at CCAD in Hartlepool. I am obsessed with the supernatural, anything weird and many 'fandoms'. Favourite film is The Lost Boys. Favourite TV series is Supernatural (surprise, surprise). Music is my other passion and I enjoy the link between the two arts. 

My Career Aspirations

"I believe the film industry in the North East is underdeveloped and I would like to help change that."

Ideally I would like to be a director (film or TV, I am not fussed!) but I am happy with any role. Start from the bottom, work my way up!

My Favourite Area of Creativity

"If all the world's a stage, then I want to direct it."

Time for some shameless self promotion. This is the film I am most proud of (at the moment anyway!), which I directed and edited. Directing and editing are my favourite areas of creativity but I am open for anything!


IMPACT from Kids for Kids UK on Vimeo.


My Creative Strengths

"I like to think I am a good leader but I don't want to blow my own trumpet."

Organisation is one of my strengths. I am always super punctual.  I can work well in a team. I was on the school council at secondary school and Head Girl in primary school, so I like to be involved (this is quickly becoming a CV isn't it? Lets stop it here before it does actually become a CV).