Hey. I am Zayyena Anwar, and this is my blog. I will be posting everything related to my AS Media Studies course over here. Enjoy!
My mock video project
Why I chose this topic
As practice for my final component, I made a video alongside the help of my friend. The title of this video was ‘Crushed can, crushed soul’. I titled it that as the video basically talks about how drinking and driving can affect someone else’s life too; not just the drunk. ‘Crushed can’ symbolizes an alcohol can being thrown out of a car window and being driven over, and ‘crushed soul’ symbolizes the family’s hearts being broken after the incident.
How I could have made my video better
In my opinion, I could have improved this video by doing many things such as, filming using a better quality camera and using a microphone to make the dialogues clearer etc. However, I think this video helped me realize my mistakes, so I can make sure not to repeat them again in my final video.
Editing, sounds and mise-en-scene
To edit my mock video, I used a software called ‘iMovie’. On this software I did all my editing, added voiceovers and non-diegetic sounds. In this video, the diegetic sounds are dialogues and the music playing in the car. On the other, the non-diegetic sounds are the car brakes, the voice-overs and the birds chirping. The birds chirping, the heartbeat and the the car brakes were all edited sounds to add effects to the appropriate scenes. Using this software, I also added transitions. The transitions I used in this video are ripple effect and fade out (to white). As per mise-en-scene, I tried my very best to make sure that the actors’s costumes matched their character. For Tahavvur (the brother), I made sure he was wearing a comfy sleep wear during the late night shot. He was also wearing a pair of glasses while studying to give him more of a ‘studious look’. As for Aiza (the sister), I made sure she was wearing something towards the hip side with makeup on to make it look like she’s ready for a party. For Sameer, (the father), I made him wear a traditional arab man’s outfit to give him the ‘dad-vibe’. In my opinion, the glasses just added on to that, and so did the newspaper.
Meet the actors
Bloopers
Summary slideshow
Case study
Guardians of the galaxy
release date
USA 21 July 2014 (Los Angeles, California) (premiere)
UK 24 July 2014 (London) (premiere)
Canada 29 July 2014 (Fantasia International Film Festival)
Argentina 31 July 2014
Australia 31 July 2014
Azerbaijan 31 July 2014
July 21, 2014 (Dolby Theatre)
August 01, 2014 (United States)
Switzerland 13 August 2014 (French speaking region)
France 13 August 2014
Luxembourg 18 August 2014 (Kirchberg & Belval, Luxembourg) (premiere)
Director and producer
James Gunn and Kevin Feige, respectively
Production companies
Marvel Studios, Marvel Enterprises MPC
DIstribution
Walt Disney Studios motion picture
Budget and box office
$170 million and around $170 million respectively
cross media and synergy
For cross media convergence, there are many video games on Xbox, PS4, Gameplay etc. Adding on, there are many comic books that came out way before the movie. As per synergy, there is a lot of merchandise being sold in official Disney stores, such as costumes, hats, t-shirts, water bottles, action figures etc. Lego also produces ‘Guardians of the galaxy’ themes lego sets.
Media techniques
Camera shots, Angle, Movement and Composition
Shots: Establishing shot, master shot, close-up shot, mid shot, wide shot, long shot, two shot, aerial shot, point of view shot, over the shoulder shot, etc.
Angles: Low angle, high angle, canted angle.
Movement: Pan, tilt, track, dolly, steadicam, hand-held, zoom, reverse zoom.
Composition: Framing, rule of thirds, depth of field (deep / shallow focus and focus pull).
Shot analysis
Mid shot
Close up shot
Over the shoulder shot
Low angle
Hand-held shot / Tracking movement
Preliminary exercises
Component 2: Section B (Summary)
https://prezi.com/wfuvsnwjwctx/component-2-section-b/#
This was a summary of Section B of our exam paper. This was when we had completed studying section A’s portion and moved on to Section B.
Done by: Selena Aburas, Amna Ashfaq and I.
Two shot
https://zayyenablog.home.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Two-Shot-2.pdf
We were learning about all the different camera angles and shots. My friend, Selena, and I got the topic ‘Two shot’ to present. I learnt a lot about this shot and studied / presented a few examples to make the shot’s concept clearer.
Done by: Selena Aburas and I.
Zoom and Reverse Zoom
https://zayyenablog.home.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Zoom-Reverse-zoom-shot.pdf
The next shot Selena and I had to present about was ‘Zoom and Reverse zoom’. I learnt a lot about this shot, the effects, how it works etc. I also gave a few examples to make it easy to understand.
Done by: Selena Aburas and I.
Focus Pull
https://zayyenablog.home.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/The-Focus-Pull.pdf
The last shot that my friend Selena and I had to present was ‘Focus pull’. I learnt when this shot was used, how it was filmed, what effect and emotion it created etc.
Done by: Selena Aburas and I.
Insert editing
https://zayyenablog.home.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Insert-Editing.pdf
This was presented by Selena and I when we started learning about ‘Editing’. The topic we were assigned to present was ‘Insert Editing’. I learnt about what insert editing is, when its used etc.
Done by: Selena Aburas and I.
Importance of a studio in film making
https://zayyenablog.home.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Importance-of-a-studio.pdf
In my class, almost each student was assigned a topic to present. I was assigned the top ‘Importance of a studio in film making’. In this presentation, I learnt and talked about how having a studio is so important in filmmaking. To help my audience, and myself understand a bit better, I included ‘Universal studios’ as an example.
Dissolve transition
https://zayyenablog.home.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Dissolve-transition.pdf
When we started learning about the different types of transitions, our teachers assigned us each a transition. The transition that I was told to present was ‘Dissolve transition’. I talked about what this transition is, when its used, the effect it creates, etc.
Sound mixing
https://zayyenablog.home.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Sound-mixing.pdf
As for sound, I carried out a presentation on ‘Sound mixing’. I talked about how its done, why its done, etc. I also added a few examples.
Storyboards
Done by: Tahavvur Khan, Amna Ashfaq, Ibrahim Nanjiani and I
Done by: Tahavvur Khan and I
We also learnt about storyboards and the importance of making them. Our teacher had made groups for the first story board. She had also given us a full movie script from which we had to create our own story board.
For the second storyboard, our teacher had put us into pairs. She had also given each pair a genre. Tahavvur and I got ‘Sci-fi’ as our genre. We then made an alien related script and made a storyboard.
Video games: Case Study
Later on, our teacher put us into pairs. Each pair was assigned a media type (my partner was Ali Pirzada). We then had to choose a real life example / case study of that specific media type. The media type that our teacher chose for us was ‘Video games’. Ali and I chose ‘Fortnite’ as our case study since its the most popular video game at the moment.
Done by: Ali Pirzada and I.
My final courseworks’s inspirations and research
My coursework is about anorexia.
‘To the bone’
Synopsis
Ellen is an unruly 20-year-old anorexic girl who spent the better part of her teenage years being shepherded through various recovery programs, only to find herself several pounds lighter every time. Determined to find a solution, her dysfunctional family agrees to send her to a group home for youths, which is led by a non-traditional doctor. Surprised by the unusual rules, Ellen must discover for herself how to confront her addiction and attempt self-acceptance.
For me, the movie ‘To the bone’ was my biggest inspiration. This movie is also about a teenage girl suffering from anorexia. I got my movie opening idea from this movie itself. I really liked how they used a voice over of the girl. In my opinion, it really makes the audience feel connected with the character. The movie also shows how the girl is super obsessed with her coffee, and is mainly all that she has. In order to re-create that idea, I made Hana have a cup of coffee with her when she was sitting and working on her laptop. Another important point would be that anorexic people prefer to wear baggy clothes to hide their body shape. So to recreate that, I made Hana wear a baggy denim jacket.
RESEARCH
In order to make sure everything I portray in my video is true and exact, I had done quite a bit of research on anorexia. It is a very sensitive topic so I wanted to make sure all of my information was correct. I used a lot of trusted websites on google to find my information.
I had also come across a few quotes which sort of gave me a glimpse of what anorexic people are thinking/feeling.
“Another page turns on the calendar, April now, not March.
-Laurie Halse Anderson, Wintergirls
………
I am spinning the silk threads of my story, weaving the fabric of my world…I spun out of control. Eating was hard. Breathing was hard. Living was hardest.
I wanted to swallow the bitter seeds of forgetfulness…Somehow, I dragged myself out of the dark and asked for help.
I spin and weave and knit my words and visions until a life starts to take shape.
There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn’t matter anymore.
I am thawing.”
“I am forever engaged in a silent battle in my head over whether or not to lift the fork to my mouth, and when I talk myself into doing so, I taste only shame. I have an eating disorder.”
–Jena Morrow, Hollow: An Unpolished Tale
My final coursework
Why i chose my topic
My topic is called ‘ Deeper than the surface ‘ which is about anorexia. I chose this topic because it is very personal to me and I think it meeds to be talked about a lot more as it is a serious issue, especially in today’s day and age. With this movie opening, I would like to raise a little bit more awareness to the topic.
Meet the actors
How I could have made my video better
In my opinion, I could have used a mic to make the audio clearer and cut down the background noise a bit. I could’ve also tried to make the shots a bit less shaky, even though I had used a tripod for most of my shots. Other than that, I think the editing, Miss-en-scene and the camera shots/angles were done decently.
Editing, Sounds and Mise-en-scene
To film my video, I used a Nikon camera and to edit, I used a software called ‘iMovie’. On this software I did all my editing, added voiceovers and non-diegetic sounds. In this video, the diegetic sounds are dialogues and the sound of ‘Monica’ throwing up. Using this software, I also added transitions. The transitions I used in this video are ‘Fade to black’, ‘Fade to white’ and ‘Dissolve’. As per mise-en-scene, I tried my very best to make sure that the actors’s costumes matched their character. For Hana (Monica), I made sure she was wearing a casual outfit as she was just sitting at home. I also made Hana (Monica) change to gym clothes when she was going for a run with her friend. As for Wagd (Janice) , I made sure she was wearing something casual as well. However, she had also changed into a comfy shirt for the ‘running’ scene. As per props, there was a coffee mug, notebook, laptop, bag, etc to make it more realistic.
Editing process (video)
changes made in my video
I had made a few changes to my video after I had recorded my ‘Editing process’ video. I removed my ‘rough title’ from that part and added a new title at the end of my video. I did this because I left my movie opening at a cliff hanger and thought it would be interesting to add my title at the end so the movie starts from a whole different story to keep the audience guessing about what happened at the cliff hanger. The next thing I changed was I elongated Janice’s freeze-frame so the audience have a bit more time to read her name, as well as get familiar with what she looks like. Adding on, I have added another voice over to the scene where Monica is just sitting alone and drawing. I added this voice over because it felt like there was something missing in that scene. I’m glad I added it because now the scene doesn’t look like it has something missing. Lastly, I extended the heart beat sound under the title name at the end.
Behind the scenes
Hana Raza – Garden scene
Story board
Bloopers
Struggles I faced
There were many struggles I faced filming my final component. For example: My friend, Selena and I’s reflection kept coming up in the window behind the main actor, Hana. I had to set the cameras at angles where my reflection wouldn’t be too visible. Another struggle I faced was getting the actors to film on time without wasting any. In my opinion, filming with the camera in my hand was quite difficult. This is because there were a ton of shaky movements. It took a while to get the right shot. For some scenes, I just edited out the shaky movement.
Example
previous filming attempts
On an important note, my final video was my third attempt at shooting this video. I had filmed twice with a different script and different actors before this one. However, I did not like the script or camera angles in the first two attempts. This is why I rewrote the script and filmed it all over again, with different actors.
creative critical reflection (q1) – How my video talks about social issues
https://www.emaze.com/@AOCWZRLLR/ccr-question-1
creative critical reflection (q2)- How my media type can be distributed (podcast)
My video has actors that are around the age of 16 and 17. I have used actors of this age group so that a wider audience can relate to my movie. The most common age of onset is between 12–25. Although much more common in females, 10 percent of cases detected are in males. I have also used female characters since, as mentioned before, around 90% of the sufferers are females. However boys/men suffering from anorexia should also be able to relate to my video. In another aspect, my movie engages my audience because, as mentioned earlier, I have left my movie opening at a cliffhanger to keep the audience guessing as to what is going to happen next. The suspense will attract a wider range of audience.
creative critical reflection (q3)- Development of my skills
I have learnt so much from filming my movie opening. I learnt that filming and editing is not as easy it looks. There are so many little elements that need to be taken care of. I have also learnt how to film different shots at different angles. I had never realized how many takes it would take to get the perfect shot because of the littlest things being ‘off’. After all the preliminary exercises I had done, I learnt a lot about different camera shots, camera angles, lighting, sound, mise-en-scene. I tried to apply most of these in my video. However, before the subject, I had no clue about proper filming and the different media keys. All my class activities and presentations helped a lot. My pre-production stage consisted of a lot of research and planning, from finding out more about my topic, to making a script. I had done my research into what genre I would want to do. The genre I chose was drama because I quite enjoy movies under the ‘drama’ genre. A few movies I came across that came under this genre were ‘Forest Gump’, ‘Titanic’ and ‘To kill a Mockingbird’. However, after watching ‘To the bone’, I got pretty inspired to do a video brief about something so serious and close to my heart; anorexia. I had initially made one script and attempted to film it twice, both times with different actors. However, I wasn’t too happy with both the results. Later on, I decided to change the script and re-film it with new actors. Thankfully, this time, the video turned out well in my opinion. I wasn’t content with my first 2 filming attempts because of how the costumes looked on the characters, the camera angles, the lighting, and mainly the script. So in attempt to have a better final video, I made sure the lighting was good and suitable for the scene, the costumes were as accurate as possible and the story was good too. To add on, I tried using as many camera shots as I could.
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