Minor Ideas

My initial idea for the Minor module was looking at 16mm since I missed out on it last year for the Digital Pathway. However, with further consideration, as well as a delay in recieving the briefs, I don't think it fulfils the Learning Objectives. It does expand my 'personal practice', but it not very experimental (since last year did it, but it would be experimental for me) and would not link to my Final Major and would not act as a foundation. I have also lost a bit of enthusiasm towards it and I am not sure if I would finish it, recieve and process the stock in time for the November deadline.

I had a good think and brainstorm last night of other possible ideas and I have a very strong backup. One thing that let Circus down last year was mise-en-scene in the very last scene. It's also something I find very interesting. I will be looking at how mise-en-scene can tell emotionally driven narratives, with a focus on props. I was debating whether to hire out a room (maybe half the studio, so lessons can still continue) so I can present it at the end like an exhibition, and also control the lighting and have a projector to show the film compared to the props. By doing this, I can show how film has brought the props to life and analyse why. Can props itself have emotion, or is it the factors outside it that brings it to life (e.g. camera work, lighting). Example, Hamlet's skull. Is it the actors performance that makes it tell a story, or it it the history behind it (André Tchaíkowsky wanted his skull to be used in Hamlet). Or are props best left unsaid and slowly draw the viewers attention to it? My notes seem a bit all over the place at the minute, but it'll become clear when I pitch on Friday (see below). 

Dissertation Ideas

Might be a bit early to be thinking of dissertation, but I want to get a head start and just have a post up so I can jot ideas down.

Vampire Films

I've already done something similar for my A Level Film coursework and (kinda) my Visual Culture journal in level 4, but it's what I love, passionate about and can rant for hours about. But what exactly about vampire films? I'm interested in cinematography so I could talk about the visual look of different vampire films (maybe spread it out a bit and say horror films), but I feel I can only talk so much about that. I feel more confident talking about the context of vampire films. I can research it more in depth at this level. I could link to different theories like the male/female gaze, context, apotheosis/religion, etc.

Fandom

Does fandom sell a film and spread the word? Why do people cosplay? I can talk for a while about this topic too being a member of loads of different fandoms and it will be interesting to find out if fandom saved a film with word of mouth. I can also talk about cosplay, comic cons, and social media. I could talk about theories like hyper-reality, and also link it to context, whether this is a new thing, or if it's been around for a while.

Live Project - Team Politics

We brainstormed what happened and was fashionable in the 80s with Di today. I was quite impressed with what we knew, but Di wanted us to look further into the politics, literature and design aspects of the 80s. We were given politics to look at. 

Beth and Janice took one for the team and pitched it while me, Jack and Ryan presented our actual pitches for a rehearsal. Beth and Janice did really well and was a good detailed presentation (despite Mike saying it was crap before they even got started properly). 

1980s Politics from LokiDoki9

Live Project - Inspiration

As soon as I heard Dance Floor and our group came up with the roller disco idea, my first thoughts were Xanadu. 



It's cheesy, very 80s and my brother's favourite film. It revolves (possible pun) around roller skating and had loads of bright colours.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1125464

For Hot City Nights, we were thinking something similar to Take On Me.


Being so iconic, people are bound to pick out similarities in our idea to Take On Me- girl meets boy, one is from a different world, they don't fit. 

For Dance Floor also, we were thinking of make up similar to Adam Ant and David Bowie.

http://adamantgifs.tumblr.com/page/5

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/523543525402654057/

Ran Out Of Love will also have a lot of Bowie references revolving around a maze. She could also be wearing red shoes to emphasise the influence of Bowie.

In Hot City Nights, we wanted the band/drums to drum up paint and colours, to later reveal a stencil of the band logo. We were looking for a aesthetic like the Blue Man Group.

http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-ao-exit-interview-12-years-in-the-blue-man-group

However the actual paint maybe a problem with locations (we will have to check and see where we could film and also clean up).

Alternatively, we could use sand or powder instead. Paramore to this in their video Now which is quite similar to the band's look and feel- bright colours, fun, enjoyable.

https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/paramore-now-gifs

As soon as I heard the songs and the fact the band was based on 80s vibes, I automatically thought of Gerard Way's video Millions.

I thought we could edit some videos like this, the cheesy low quality 80s visuals. 

https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/millions-gif

The band sent a link to Muse's Madness video for ones they wanted it to be like. However, being an avid fan of Muse, I thought it was a bit dark for their songs and came up with better alternatives.

We could have the band in Hot City Nights on the TV screens following the protagonists around much like in Knights of Cydonia.

http://elitesexfinder.com/124/dl

Panic Station is a much better example for the group's vibe and also similar to our video ideas. 

There is also an example of a city maze that we were after for Ran Out Of Love (it doesn't have to be a garden maze). 

http://gifsoup.com/view/4727049/muse-panic-station.html