We have spoken to Gametron Exchange in Cambridge city centre about shooting in their shop. Will will likely be able to use the shop but will have to check back when we have worked out a date.
The following is a short clip of our initial test shots which were primarily a test for my camera's compatibility with the Macs.
Friday, 29 January 2010
Camera: Cinematography is used to punctuate the difference in the two scenarios presented in '10 Minutes' the introductory scene in Rome which follows an Asian tourist is shot in a way that makes it seem upmarket and smooth, almost like a tourism video. In contrast, when the film switches to war-torn Bosnia a documentary style handheld style is used, making the scene feel more real and gritty. This simple technique of using different shooting styles for the two environments works to great effect. The entire film consists mostly of long duration shots
Editing: There is nothing cut out between shots, the real-time editing style is used to reflect the 10 minute period the film is based on. This style is key to the film.
Mise en Scene: Rome is presented in a way that shows all the beauty of the city, people dine at tables on the well kept pavement outside of restaurants and the Tourist enters a modest, welcoming photography shop, all with a yellow hue, reflecting Rome's Mediterranean beauty. Bosnia on the other hand is steeped in poverty and decidedly grey. The characters look as worn-down as the decaying buildings and burnt out cars that surround them. All light in Bosnia as natural, sunlight breaks into the tower blocks creating contrasting light and dark areas.
Sound: Overtly Italian music is used in the introduction in Rome, the music gives way to the conversations of those walking the streets. I also noticed that he Asian tourist uses English to talk with the Italian photography shop owner, it struck me as strange that two non native English speakers were communicating through English in a non-English speaking nation. The music in the Bosnia segment is more emotive and instrumental but also quite docile and relaxing. The music stops abruptly as the shelling starts, explosions and screams dominate the audio and the audience is forced to listen.
We, as a group, also admired the Ceon Brothers' vignette from Paris, Je t'aime. Isolation is a key theme in the film as Steve Buscemi's character feels lost and alone in a foreign country, similarly our character feels lost and alone in his attempt to write a screenplay. We particularly liked the use of sound in this film, the busker's guitar persists throughout the scene and gives it a whimsical quality.
Why did we like Trappedinfreedom? - It's surreal style is reflected in it's unhinged voice-over to great effect. Urban environments are beautified through use of filters and colour effects, heightening the overall effect of the piece. The gentle loser protagonist is an enjoyable character who can be easily related to. We are hoping to create a similar feel to our character in our film showing him as a reclusive creative, lost in his own creativity (or lack of it). Both our film and Trappedinfreedom deal with entrapment and freedom as themes, the character in our short film will feel as if he is stuck in a rut.