Emperor's New Clothes

So a few days ago Panic! At The Disco's new video premièred. I was completely in love with it! It is so visually stunning so I decided to research it further and how exactly they did it. 

Apparently it was filmed in 12 fps to give it that eerie, jumpy and jerky movement. Because of this, they had to slow down the music to half it's original tempo on set. I have just watched back the video like this and you can see that they did this and sounds really weird and must have took ages to film.

I would love to film something like this one day (in 12 fps) as it looks stunning. 

Radio Advert

On Friday I edited my version of the advert we recorded on Monday. After a few technical difficulties of not being able to open the door, not being able to find the files on the shared space and my audio not working, I finally made an advert in 30 mins before I had to leave the editing suites.

Production Skills #6

This session we looked at the AVC cameras (hurray no more tape camcorders!!). I'm going to do the same with my notes as I did when we learned about the Cannon and Panasonic cameras and just type up my words in note form because ain't nobody got time for full sentences.

• iris button= auto or manual. Scroll below it= aperture.
• focus and iris button changes ring on lens
• Zoom= manual or servo. Servo= buttons. Manual= rings on lens. Rings lock when switched to servo. Do not force rings. 
• Focus button= auto, manual, ∞. 
• ∞ can focus anywhere and fast.
• Focus assist= quick one button focus.
• Bars button= turns off display and shows colour bars
• Input 2= mono sound. Channel 2 select= input 2 and inside mic only. 
• Counter button, then reset. 0:00.00 for production log.
• OIS= optical image stabiliser
• LCD= brightness of screen. Doesn't effect footage.
• EVL DTL= electronic viewfinder detail. Sharpness. Doesn't effect footage. 
• WVF= waveform. Changes LCD screen.
• Headphone vol.= audio near the eye piece.
• Very top zoom servo= same speed no matter how hard you press. Turn this on at the top of the camera.
• Don't force the SD card slot.
• Scene file= F1 standard. Changes how sensor sees light. Can make more filmic.
• Interlaced and progressive record format. Keep on PH.
• PC mode= playback. Format card before shoot.
• 50htz= British standard.

We then looked at three point lighting again but this time first hand as we got set loose on the lights and gels. We first learnt how to calculate wattage. 

volts x amps = watts

When recording in the studio, the sockets each hold 13 amps. The extensions can hold 10 amps unwound. The UK standard of volts in the circuits is 240 volts. So that means we can have 3120 watts maximum. Each red head is 800 watts.  The generator at Green Lane has 9.5 amps inside. 

We then looked at the actual studio lights on the ceiling. The blue toggle (is that the word?) on them is to pan the lights, white is to tilt them, yellow is to focus and red is on and off (red toggle are only on the 2k lights). Do not rig/put up lights with lights on (common sense really). We were most impressed with the blinds in the control room being inside the glass and the magnets that control how they go up and down.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/dbaumann/25-times-family-guy-was-spot-on-n002

We then experimented with the red heads and also the blonde since one of our red heads was dodgy. We put a red gel on the blonde and a green gel on the fill light which gave a really spooky and 3D feel to it. The back light did not have one on to give the characters some colour and highlights.

Study Skills #5

Last compulsory Study Skills this week!! I can finally stop wasting Wednesday's now! The lecture was on evaluations but again I already knew how to do a strong evaluation from doing A Levels. Sue didn't even have any crazy banter for us. I was very disappointed. 

MM&I - The House

One of my shots in my MM&I requires a Gothic house. I have researched many different houses in the North East I could film and it has been harder than I thought! My first best bet was Tunstall House in Hartlepool. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanhowe/7659271668

However, when I researched it further, it looks like it has been demolished!! Such a shame for such a lovely building. I am also wanting a building that has a 'lived in' feel so yeah not ideal!

I then remembered the place I could have moved into for Uni but someone else bought the flat. It is Park Tower also in Hartlepool. 

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-29864646.html

It has history and is an idea but it is a bit too big and industrial. I want it in the countryside surrounded by forestry. I might use it as a backup idea.

I then found this beauty of a house in Newcastle. It is called The Banqueting House.

http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/the-banqueting-house-4863#tabs=Overview

You can even stay in it! I absolutely love it. The only possible trouble is asking permission to film and also getting there. Otherwise it is perfect. This is my main favourite! 

I then thought about houses in Sunderland (which I can get to on my bus pass). I found a very strange building called The Elephant Tea Rooms.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_Tea_Rooms

I would obviously just film the top of the building and not the bank. It's a very strange building and is an idea. Even though it could be argued that it is not gothic, it has been described as 'Hindu-Gothic'. 

There also seems to be another like it in Sunderland. I'm not quite sure where this picture was took though.

https://knoji.com/high-victorian-gothic 

https://knoji.com/hindu-gothic-the-bizarre-architecture-of-the-elephant-tea-rooms

Apparently this one has Gothic gargoyles and niches on the building, but also with Indian elephants. I will definitely have to find out where this is first-hand!

I then remembered Cherry Knowle Asylum in Ryhope. I have been there once but never saw this building! It has been described as the most haunted hospital in the UK.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn/2106093779

I have just found out it has been demolished. What a shame.

I also remember this. This is the Sunderland High School.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/theunderstudy/2581463895 

The only issue with this building is filming there since it is a High School and full of children. 

UPDATE: I have got permission to film here! :D Yay!

I have also found the Sunderland General Post Office.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davewebster14/2674670401

Again, I'm not quite sure where this is so I will have to try and find it one day. However it looks like good news!

Visual Culture #6

This week we learned about The English Renaissance (1550-1660). Malcolm's lecture was mostly about architecture and art so I found it hard to link it to Film.

The Elizabethan period was a transition between Medieval and the Renaissance era.  The Renaissance emerged due to the constraints of Gothic and the power of Catholic Rome. England became powerful in their own right which is shown in their art and architecture. 

Little Moreton Hall is a key example of English Renaissance architecture in a style called 'vernacular' with patterned timber framing. I absolutely love the look of this building in particular. 

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Moreton_Hall

Hardwick Hall is another example of English Renaissance architecture, but is more modern in it's appearance, such as having glass to show their wealth as well as columns, taken from earlier periods, but making it their own. They are pretty much paying homage. Hardwick Hall has also been in Harry Potter as Malfoy Manor.

http://architectboy.com/hardwick-hall-architecture-history/

The upper floor of the buildings and the tallest floor was seen as the most important and upper class. This reminded me of the film High Rise where the further up you go in the building, the more upper class you get.

https://bcfan71.wordpress.com/2015/09/16/tom-hiddleston-high-rise-gif/

People become part of the display in English Renaissance buildings. Servants would fall asleep on the main staircase and instead of people saying 'what lazy servants', they would think 'wow look how rich the owners are! They can afford servants to do nothing!'. So basically, all this era was about was showing off.

http://rebloggy.com/post/gifs-megamind-presentation/56460059887

The 'Long Gallery' part of the house was also very important as it is where the owners would display their valuable paintings and was also a 'exercise yard' for women. The Great High Chamber (the bedroom) was the most important and the most prestigious part of the house. I guess the bedroom is where everything happens.

http://theberry.com/2013/01/29/movie-tv-tidbits-31-photos/

Lets go back to showing off. In the late 16th century, there was a huge consumer boom which made people change their hospitality. The Queen used her status as a magnet for other's spending. People would give the Queen gifts and never spend money herself. This is called 'emulative spending' or 'life goals'.

Bess (the owner of Hardwick Hall) was also a very rich woman of the era and spent a lot on Elizabeth I. She even gave her a really expensive dress as a gift. Elizabeth I had a painting commissioned of her wearing it and gave it to Bess. We would see this today as a sign that Elizabeth I loved her dress and gave the painting as a thank you. However, it is more likely that the painting was a warning to back off and stop showing off her wealth as Bess is competition for the wealthiest woman of the UK.

Paintings were full of symbolic meanings and messages in this era. Here's a list of a few symbols and meanings behind them:

• Ruby- blood (of Christ)
• Pearls- purity, chaste, unmarried, religion
• Serpent- wisdom
• Ruby heart- emotions 
• Serpent plus ruby heart- wisdom controls emotions
• Rainbow- peace and the sun
• Eyes and ears- ever watching (of Catholic treachery) 

The Rainbow Portrait is a key example of all of these symbols.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/255579347575254337/

The Armada Portrait also shows key symbolic meanings. Elizabeth I has her hand on a globe, which could suggest that she is deciding the future of England. Since she is facing more towards the bright ships and with her back turned on the dark ones, it could suggest her change is for the better. The mermaid in the back represents women and how they can be powerful but also destructive. The Ostrich feather fan suggests Elizabeth I's power in trade and wealth. 

https://www.pinterest.com/thetudortutor/the-fun-in-tudor-history/

James I's (or Jacobean) architecture had a lot of arches to symbolise a 'New World'. 

In Di's session, we looked at The Birth of Television (not quite sure how this relates to Malcolm's lecture). We first went through the different Visual Culture essay questions. It's a good thing we did as it turns out question 7 means something completely different than what I thought it was! So I'm going to have to pick another question as I'm not confident with it any more. The max. word count is 2200. Make sure I include a filmography as well as a bibliography with the key film examples I have used. 

We then looked at past TV clips on http://www.screenonline.org.uk/. TV challenged cinema with it's episodic narrative whereas cinemas had a definite ending and narrative. Cinema then fought back the audienc with the introduction of the multiplex.

Digital Production #2

Today we looked at sound and recording it with a Field Memory Recorder and also how to edit using Editshare and Pro Tools.

The Field Memory Recorder is pretty easy to grasp once you have the hang of things. If recording in mono, use the left channel. If switching to mono or stereo, switch the power off and on. The standard recording preferences are 48htz in 16bit. 20 on the level bar is recommended with peaks at 12. 

The pre-record button is a 'safety record' and is typically used for documentaries. The record standby button turns everything on so you can hear. 

http://marketeer.kapost.com/kapost-content-metrics-dashboard/

Always format the CF card before a shoot. Go to Menu-Disk-Format. CF cards are used as they are less likely to break than an SD card and are cheap. 

Always backup work in 3 locations just in case: usually in Editshare, home and another location. 

Always open Editshare before Pro Tools or it confuses the Mac.

http://gemini-dragon-gifs.tumblr.com/post/15715844979

If using a blank template on Pro Tools, make sure the audio is .wav format, in 48htz and 16bit (or whatever you recorded in).

It is recommended to rename clips inside the software as you edit. 

Log out of Editshare before logging out of the Mac or it could misbehave for whoever is on the Mac next!

MM&I - The Poem

My Mam wrote me a poem just for my MM&I (I didn't ask for it but I'm not complaining!) So I had an idea of having someone to read it as a narration throughout the film. The poem has one line with an ellipsis at the end. I could read that line and someone else (preferably male) would read the rest. It sounds great in my head but I just need someone male with a nice reading voice now. I have sent an advertisement on Facebook looking for one so fingers crossed!

18

18 feels...

Like stepping stones, borders and decisions.

Put away childish things.

Alcohol, voting.

Responsibility, choking. 

We live in a world...

Where nothing is shocking.

Not injustice or gore.

They want to see more.

The future is...

Seen through a colour filter.

Joy, success.

Heading towards some happiness.

We cannot predict...

What will become of tomorrow.

The cards, the dice.

Promising paradise.

We are victims of...

Our own successes.

Applause, adulations.

Fulfil their expectations.

And first love...

Like a punch to the heart.

Something lost, something found.

See you around.

But the music though...

Is ours to perfect.

Dance Dance, drum and sing.

The voice, the lyric, everything.

Childhood...

Potential we should store in a flask.

Wasted energy, shyness device.

Why isn't everybody nice?

What is left to be dreamed...

A house, gothic, warm with cats.

Money earned and stored.

Effort, reward.

And what of the soul...

Souls tell stories.

Pointy shoes and thieving magpies.

Darkness, lies.

The last word...

The world wants to be filmed.

Make your own movie.

I will film you, filming me.

Create, be.

- Ruth Maher

I have recorded it to see if I could get it within the three minute mark. I have managed to get it to 1:53 which is about perfect as I will add credits at the end. I have managed to find someone at CCAD who would do the verses and I am waiting for him to quickly send me one of the verses to see what he sounds like.

The Sarah Show

I also helped out the Level 5's on Friday by being a presenter for their chat show. I did mess up my lines by calling a 'porch' a 'gazebo' because you can totally get trapped in a gazebo. I also helped pack some lights away and just observed. 

MM&I - The Pitch

Production Skills #5

Ah now this is where my blog could get confusing. The top heading is called 'Digital Production' which is the pathway lesson. This session is 'Production Skills' where everyone from both pathways gets a look at the equipment (the basic essentials for us to start filming). 

http://gifsoup.com/view/1125545/bliss-live-muse.html

This week we looked at Lighting (3 point lighting to be precise). The 3 points being key lights, fill lights and back lights. I was already aware of this from A Level Film and Media but I had never set up any lights before so today was a learning curve.

The little silver and black tripods/holders are for the REDHEADS ONLY!!! As they can only hold so much weight. If I am using a bigger tripod to a big height, sandbag it down. All lights must have a grill on. When handling 'barn doors' when the lights are on/hot, always wear gloves (note to self: might need to buy these. Garden gloves will do). Lights will take about 20 mins to cool when switched off. Leaving them on is a fire hazard and a waste of electricity. 

http://www.indefilms.net/html/techlingo.html

'barn doors'

If using an extension, look at the wattage. Some extensions cannot contain the same amps as a light and could catch fire. If they do, make sure the extension is fully unwrapped. Every building should have a 'RDA tester' which tests whether the electricity is safe. If they do not give you one, always bring one. 

Always keep lights 1 m (minimum) away from curtains.

When using gels, you can put them on with metal bulldog clips (just be careful when handling them when the light is on) or wooden pegs (again be careful of the metal strip). Scrim (tracing paper like) can also be put on lights to give it a softer, diffused look. Always white balance before putting gels on. Blue gels- daylight. Orange gels- indoor light. Avoid fluorescent light. Gobo's can print on a gel, such as patterns of leaves or prison bars.

NEVER put lights in bathrooms. NEVER touch lights while naked and wet. NEVER be a gaffer unless you want to die (jk seems pretty cool just be sure what you are doing). 

Key lights tend to go on the left hand side. Fill lights tend to have scrim on. 

Make up can also effect lighting. Foundation can leave more of a matt finish on the actor and the light won't catch on their faces, giving a shiny look to it. 

I was the make up model for this.

Study Skills #4

I'm getting kind of sick of saying this but I have not learned much new in this lecture since I have already done all this in A Levels. We looked at 'defining feedback' and also PDP (Personal Development Plan). At the end of each module there will be a critique to present your work. And a PDP is to reflect on your own learning (much like this blog). Also, when doing an essay, paste it into Turnitin to check for plagiarisation (if that's a word). If it flags over 10% then you will have plagiarised. 

Visual Culture #5

This week we learned about The Continental Renaissance (1350-1650). The word 'Renaissance' means 're-birth' and came about after the Black Death in the 14th Century and the decline of the medieval world in the 15th Century with the birth of a new era- The Renaissance and the 'awakening' of Europe to the power and understanding of Greece. The whole classical thought of the Greeks and Romans 'disappeared' in the Dark Ages. 

The Renaissance era started in Florence, Italy with its social and civic customs, political structure and migration of Greek scholars, and spread through trade. It introduced the early Christian theology, arts, drama, books and banks (the Medici Bank). 

Humanism was also introduced with the belief of science and emotions and questioning the world. However, it was still hugely Christian as without this belief it would be seen as treason. Paintings also still hold the doctrine of the Church, but depicted more emotion. The Scrovegni Chapel is one of the most famous examples. Illusion and perspective was also introduced to paintings to give hidden meanings. High Renaissance art was called 'Mannerism' which had a sophistication to it with compositional tension. 

Religion was celebrated through classical allegory (symbolising ideas). Renaissance art evokes the wonder of Christianity, especially shown in the Sistine Chapel with the Creation of Adam.

http://bbs.boingboing.net/t/gif-bank-for-the-bbs/66050?page=19

There was a shift from religion in Renaissance art to mythology and portraiture. However, even though paintings looked like they contain Roman gods, they focus on hidden meaning since Christianity was seen as the only true religion, it would have been like treason to paint any other God. For example, if an artist painted Venus, it would symbolise beauty, not the God. Themes of love and lust were also portrayed with a scallop shell representing the vulva.

http://artkicksass.com/2010/01/11/botticelli-the-birth-of-venus/

There are two types of allegory- social allegory and Christian allegory. If we look at Botticelli's The Birth Of Venus, the social allegory would be Venus looking embarrassed. However Christians could interpret it differently. It could suggest Venus' purity is about to be shrouded (possibly by greed). The flowers symbolise rebirth and the carnation in particular represents the divine. The allegory removes the pagan meaning and portrays nudity as purity (not sex). 

Penis' were also symbolic believe it or not. Having a small penis was suggests that men are intellectual and not animals. Our lecturer puts this as 'penile racism'. 

The understanding of the human body was also discovered further with dissection and Da Vinci's drawings. 

Buildings also had many optical illusions called 'trompe l'oeil' which was a flat wall with panted columns or holes or cabinets, which was actually more expensive to have painted than buying a real one. 

http://doctorwho.tumblr.com/post/21946123701/big-day-for-fans-of-walls-liisakee-i-bet-the

The spread of Protestantism and Humanism gave birth to 'Antwerp Mannerism', rejecting the classic style of painting and it's imagery. 

In Dianne's session, we 'linked' what we learned to the British, French and Italian New Wave. Yes, the new wave is a type of re-birth but I didn't see how we could link it to Mannerism, for example. 

"Reality has come to seem more and more like what we are shown by cameras. It is common now for people to insist upon their experience of a violent event in which they were caught up — a plane crash, a shoot-out, a terrorist bombing — that "it seemed like a movie." This is said, other descriptions seeming insufficient, in order to explain how real it was."- Susan Sontag, "The Image-World", p. 161.

'Social Problem' films soon gave away to the New Wave, which deals with Realism. Realism plays on perception and senses ('empirical knowledge' - gained first hand). For example, we are told not to touch a flame when we are little because it's hot but how do you know? We know because of the consequence of what will happen if we do touch it. It is a mediated fidelity of representation, much like what is shown in the news. We believe them because of their integrity. 

Realism peaked in the 1930s-50s with shared adversity, spirit and refusal to give in from the War. It acted as a positive propaganda. The first film that came to mind when this was said was Modern Times (1936). After studying it last year, I know all about its themes of adversity and acts as a clarion call for workers to unite. 

http://chaplinfortheages.tumblr.com/post/47531064579/jamie-frasered-buck-upnever-say-die-well-get

The challenges realism faced were anxieties of the war, Americanisation, commercialisation and the decline of traditional values. Cinema was seen as an escape and warmth from the outside world. 

New Wave films indiscriminated rage against archaism, conformism and conventional morality. Films also focused on the accentuation of social/cultural trends, the expansion of youth culture, consumerism and class conflict. They address social issues and realist themes with identifiable locations and people (usually amateur actors to show that it could be any body and to put across raw emotion much like City Of God or La Haine). Also, film makers chose to film in black and white to show the darkness of the themes and also having grainy and handheld footage to act as 'suture'- we are in the narrative with them, almost like a documentary. The narrative of these films have 'peaks and troughs' with no clear beginning or end to show the monotonous tone of life. 

Woodfall Studios was the birth of realism. We watched some of A Touch Of Honey in the lecture to understand the different themes and how film's had a distinct style. 

Digital Production #1

A+ if you have noticed the switching of headings. That is because we have chosen our pathways and had a timetable change. No more 'introduction to filmmaking'! We basically got shown the course handbook and what we would be doing in this lesson. I was very shocked to find that only 5 people chose the digital pathway (including me)! We also got an added bonus to see the smoke machine being tested! 

As homework, we need to think what roles we would be interested in such as camera or sound. I would be interested in anything really but mostly directing, editing, camera.

24 Hour Film Challenge

Tuesday-Wednesday this week was the time of our 24 hour film challenge. We got given the genre 'Musical'. Luckily, Beth has pretty much a whole musical written out during Dianne's session on Monday. We basically did a musical about a group of film students given a brief to film a musical (inception!). We struggled to find actors at short notice so just used some people from our team and anyone in CCAD we could get our hands on (the cafeteria scene has two lovely illustration students featured- Jess and Hannah. Thanks again guys for putting up with us.) And also a big shout out to Jacob for being a main actor and Mike for dancing. 



I learnt that it is hard to film something in 24 hours but it is doable. We did it in about 5 hours somehow. I think most of the time saved was Beth already having an idea on hand. We have formed a bond and work well as a group and have a great film at the end of it. Yeah we have a few copyrighted songs in it, but it was a last minute idea and since no one can sing, we improvised. 

Finally, after a whole year, I have managed to get it back and upload it!

Crimson Peak - Review

May have just put my signature of Tom in to show off...

Crimson Peak (Guillermo Del Toro, 2015) - Review *spoilers up ahead*

I have been waiting for this movie to be released for a long time being a fan of both Guillermo and Tom Hiddleston. I had my doubts it wouldn't live up to the hype but I was wrong.

The film is the most beautiful film I have ever seen. Each scene is a masterpiece. The mise-en-scene is really impressive especially the house. The house is pretty much another character. My favourite part had to be the most beautiful and heart-wrenching with Thomas Sharpe's ghost appearing.

https://www.instagram.com/crimsonpeakfans/

What I really found rude when I was watching this at the cinema was these Japanese girls a few rows in front of me on their phones the whole time through the film! I'm not sure if they found it boring (how?!) or they were just plain ignorant, but it really ruined the film for me. Please put your phones away and look at the beautiful Tom Hiddleston shots.

I'm not quite sure what Guillermo has with his eye gore scenes. This film had two really gory scenes. One with Jim Beaver's character and his face being smashed on a sink (Pan's Labyrinth vibes here with that glass bottle scene) and one of Tom Hiddleston's character having a pen stabbed into his eye.

Apart from that, I seriously think the film was marketed wrong.

The trailer makes the film look like a horror film. I think it's more of a gothic romance. The relationship between the characters and the setting are by far more focused upon. (lets not talk about the incest)

A perfect, stunning film. Would not be the same viewing it on DVD at home- a must watch at the cinemas for the whole visual experience. This film has everything- blood, sweat and tears. Something for everyone. Do not be put off by the horror feel of the trailer.

10/10

Production Skills #4

Today we got loose on the toys! ;-) We got to use the tracking dolly and jib. First we looked at how to correctly clean and use a tripod. I now know the difference of balancing (camera and tilt) and levelling (using the spirit level) a tripod and can do both confidently. The tripods we use have small teeth on the side near the handle so I have to be careful not to put them too close or wear them down. The tripods we use are made out of aluminium (making a note of this in case I film in an environment where you can't use aluminium which did happen once to someone). 

We also have monopods which we can use in harsh environments and are handy for quickness (and can double up as a walking stick). 

Only zoom in documentaries. If I want to zoom in dramas, use a tracking dolly. It adds a sense of depth and realism to it. The tracks are like a big train set. There are small and big corners (the big ones go on the outside). Put a white 'sleeper' in at every joint and a 'stopper' at the end so the trolly doesn't roll off. When attaching a tripod to the dolly, strap it in with 3 bungees.

When using the jib, make sure the silver pin is unlocked to put the camera on. Make sure the screws stick out on the outside so levers can still function. If some screws are fully flushed with washers on both sides and are hard to get out, leave them alone! The ball head puts the camera on. If I'm struggling to put the camera on, Lee can help us out and do it. Bless. 

We also learned a few camera tricks like hair pulling and punching. The video of all activities we did can be found here. I also added appropriate music.

Good Grief

I helped out the Level 5's on Friday with their web series called 'Good Grief'. I played Anger as well as observed how live streams work.

https://instagram.com/makamagica/ 

Study Skills #3

Again, haven't learnt much new here. Seminar was about time management but I'm already well organised with my blog, notes, and from doing A Levels last year. I did learn a new expression: "you can't eat a elephant whole" suggesting that you should do one thing at a time.

Visual Culture #4

This week we looked at Imperial Japan. Japan used to be a 'Sakoku' (a locked country) until they opened their boarders in the 19th century to modernise. Which they did at a rapid rate. Even with this, Japan still has its distinct 'Japaneseness' whereas 'Britishness' can change.

Buddist alters and buildings are more decorative to celebrate religion, where as cathedrals like St Paul's was built to be impressive (and oppressive). However in Buddist paintings, message was more important than the image and found that less is more (wabi sabi). 

• shibayama - the use of shells in decoration
• wabi-sabi - Perfection without perfection. Knowing when to stop.
• ukiyo-e/ye - woodblock painting. 'Floating world'. Everyday life. 
• sirimono - ceremonial prints
• shippo (or cloisonne) - enamels 
• pangoda - Buddist building.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagoda

Kimono colours also hold importance and different messages. 

• Black - formality and grace
• Light blue - seas that protect and sustain
• Purple - undying love
• White - fidelity and purity
• Red - alluring and love (transient)
• Blue - repel snakes and flies 

Designs on the kimono are also placed there for a reason.

• Crane - good fortune and longevity
• Peony - good fortune
• Long sleeves - single
• Short sleeves - married

In Di's session, we linked what we learned to films we have suggested in relation to Japanese cinema vs. Hollywood cinema on the VLE. I suggested Lost In Translation.

The film directly parodies Japan and their influence on Hollywood, clearly shown in the trailer. Bob (Bill Murray) is an American actor and travels to Tokyo to appear in commercials. The 'binary opposites' (a term coined by Levi Strauss) between the two cultures is clearly shown with the "American in Tokyo" motif. Hollywood is clearly better of with Bob finding love in a hostile environment. 

http://www.hollyinspec.com/my-favorite-movie/