A Trip Through Paris

 What is your opinion regarding this new trend in restoring, colorizing, and raising the frame rate to 60fps? Does it help make people interested in the past? Is it unethical? Is it lying to the viewer? What do you feel when you watch them?

I think it's positive thing. I think that it helps people relate to the videos more, because they can see everything clearer, and it's easy to realize these were actual people back then. When watching old footage, it's sometimes hard to realize those were real people. I don't think the original versions should just be forgotten though. I think it's important to show them side by side, because I think the original is important to help people interested in the past. I don't consider it lying to the viewer, as long as it's clear they're restored. As long as it's not restored using AI, I think it's a great thing.

Louis Le Prince

 Who was Louis Le Prince? What was his contribution to cinema? After reading about him, what surprises you about reading this article?

Louis Le Prince was the first person to shoot a moving picture. He invented the first motion picture camera. What surprised me is how he just disappeared from the face of the world. I don't think it's possible for someone to just vanish like that, and I doubt he had any reason to do something like take his life, knowing he had just invented the moving picture camera. I'm almost sure that someone took his life. 

Early Film Scavenger Film Pt2

 

Why do you like this next early silent film? What is so interesting about it? What are two common things that you noticed about the films you saw while searching for your video on YouTube?

I like this early short film because it conveys a story. I like that it doesn't use dialogue either (because it wasn't invented yet), but it still shows the story well. Like yesterdays film, I noticed that their performances were almost theatrical again. All the movements were exaggerated. Something new and interesting about this film though, was the use of editing to "teleport" the character back and the witch hat in the woman's hand. 

Early Film Scavenger Hunt

 

Why do you like this early silent film? What is so interesting about it? What are two common things you noticed about the movie you saw while searching for your video on YouTube?

    Something I like about this early silent film is the costumes and the setting. I think peoples style back then is really interesting, and it's cool to see it in a video. It's one of my favorite things to observe when looking at older films. Something else I noticed that's common with other films of its era is that the performances are almost theatrical. Their movements are very large and exaggerated, almost like theater. Something else that's similar is that people's movement is slightly sped up. 

Lumiere Brothers

 What was their major contribution to cinema? How was their device different than Edison's?

The Lumiere brothers offered an amazing contribution to cinema with the invention of the cinematographe. Unlike Edison's invention, this device didn't require electrical power, and was much more compact. The cinematographe could be taken anywhere, as it was also much lighter than Edison's device. 

Qualities of Early Films

 What qualities do these early films share? Why do you think the filmmakers shot these? How do they differ from modern movies?

The qualities these older films share, is that they're all quick actions performed by people. A lot of them are putting on a sort of performance, but some are doing basic things, such as sneezing. I think filmmakers shot these because they only had around 20 seconds, and it's hard to convey a story in such a short time, especially without sound. This differs greatly from modern movies, as now movies usually have a story, and a lot of sound. 

Muybrudge's Contributions

 What were Muybridge's contributions to motion pictures?  What breakthroughs did he make?  Why are they significant?  What part of the story did you find the most interesting?  Why?

I'd consider Muybridge to be the closest invention to film, before film came to be. It's pretty much film, but just all in one frame. He made a breakthrough in taking freeze frame pictures of a horse galloping and made the discovery that all 4 legs of the horse come up off the ground at once. I found it interesting how people didn't believe him, and even mocked him. 

Marey's Motion Studies

 After reading this article and viewing the images that Marey captured, write a reflection on what you think Marey's motion studies contributed to the development of the motion picture.  What makes his work so interesting?

What was so interesting about Marey, was that he shot his photos through a gun. This allowed him to get 12 frames per second, and photograph fast events in a stop-motion like manner. His photographic gun had a revolving cylinder with photographic plates. This invention, invented in 1882, would then influence the motion picture camera. I can imagine that this is the closest people got before the invention of actual film, because they shot an imagine in 12 fps. 

Diorama Theatre

 What was a Diorama Theatre?  Why do you think it was a precursor to cinema?

I think the Diorama Theatre was an important invention that led to cinema because it was pretty much the same experience. People would walk into a dark theatre, sit down and watch a show with light, music and sound. The Diorama was a work of painting techniques, light tricks, and sound. They used lights to create the passage of time as well. People would then gather in a Diorama Theatre to watch the show.

Invention of Photography

 Why do you think we wouldn't have filmmaking without the invention of photography?  Pick three of these innovations on this list and explain their historical importance and why you think it led to the invention of motion pictures.

1) The Autochrome, invented in 1907 brought color to film. This has heavily influenced the photography industry, then the film industry. It also brought jobs such as colorists to film. The addition of color to film was able to add a new layer of emotions to photos, then movies. 

2) The invention of the Flexible Roll Film made it able to more easily access photography. It was so much lightweight and resilient than the glass plates they used to use.

3) The Camera Obscura was the very first invention that would lead to the invention of modern day film. This invention was so important, because inventors began using biconvex lenses to brighten its images, and view it easier. 

Phantasmagoria

What was the Phantasmagoria?  After reading this article, write a reflection on what elements of the Phantasmagoria became adopted into the development of movies.

Phantasmagoria loosely translates to "a gathering of ghosts." These spooky shows were inspired by Paul Philidor’s magic lantern shows, but they added a slight dark twist to them. Multiple layers of painted glass panes were added to give the illusion of moving monsters, projected on the wall. The elements of these shows were adopted into the development of movies, as music made by glass harmonicas were used during these shows to enhance the visuals being shown. 

Early Humans Made Animated Art

 What role does lighting play in the caves?  How might these paintings have been used by primitive man?  What are the two techniques that the early artists used to paint on the walls of the cave?  Why do you think they painted with these images?

Lighting played a very important role in these caves. Nowadays, we look at the cave paintings with bright, white light. But, back in the day, the paintings were looked at by campfire light. This gives a complete different feel, and may even "add movement" to the paintings, by making it appear that the legs of the cattle painted were moving! These paintings may have been used to aid with storytelling, or may have been for religious purposes. techniques such as juxaposition and superimposition were used to lead a sense of motion in these still images, that were then brought to motion by the fire-light that was in the caves. I think they painted these images to tell stories and to express themselves. It might've been for entertainment purposes as well- to spend time to create these stories and paintings, and to tell them too. 

Cinema History Intro

 How do you think the history of cinema has influenced the way we tell stories today? Are there any examples of films or techniques that might have been inspired by the past?  What are three things you'd like to learn during this unit?

The earliest days of cinema has influenced the way we tell stories, in that the shots and angles and "rules" have all ben thought up of since back in the day. I'd love to learn about how editing has changed throughout the years in more depth. I also want to earn about the largest influencers in film history. Lastly I'd love to learn about how sound was first introduced to film. 

Evolution of Film

 After watching this video, what are some of the aspects of the history of film that stood out to you?  What makes them seem significant?

Something I noticed, is that throughout the years, budget increased obviously. As the popularity of film increased, the budget and the amount of money invested in the industry grew. I also saw more people on set as the industry grew- there were more actors on the screen. I also saw more explosions and special effects. This is significant, because film became more popular and more people were interested in acting, and the budgets were higher. In the earlier days, I also noticed some Disney movies, but as of more recently in the video, I've been noticing more superhero movies. Although now, people are filming live action Disney films. 

Things To Keep In Mind

 What are three things to keep in mind when getting started with creating a PSA?

1) Do research. The worst thing you can do is include misinformation in your PSA, so do research and get comfortable with your topic. 

2) Depending on your target audience, you'll have to use different techniques to engage them in the PSA. Consider things that may lead the target audience away from your video, and be sure to avoid them. 

3) Highlight the major and minor points you'd like to make. PSAs are short, and you want to keep your video short, engaging and concise. Don't clutter the video with unnecessary things. 

Formatting AV scripts

What are 3 key things that this article says are important about formatting an AV script? 

1) There should be a standard font and margins for all scriptwriting
- Margins should be one inch on each edge of the page
- Courier New 12 point font

2) Each page will have a header including the page number at the top right margin, maybe followed by a period, like in screenplays.

3) Capitalize every word that isn't spoken!

Effective Video Scripts

 What are the four parts of an effective video script?  What do each of these parts do for your final video?

1) The Hook

    Introduce the video topic to your viewer and tried to grab viewer's attention. Let people know why they would watch your video.
2) Introduction (Not required)

    Say who you are, or any other "need to know" information

3) Body of Video

    Content on your video - what the viewer came to watch

4) Call To Action

    Tell your viewers what you want them to do. Ex) Buy a product, click a link, etc. Ask a question, guide the viewer into commenting. 

3 Goals From Fall Semester

  If you remember, we blogged about your goals at the beginning of the fall semester. Revisit those goals when you first enter the spring semester.

Look back at the goals that you set in the fall, did you achieve them? Why or why not? How can you take steps or make corrections to achieve these goals? Where will you need to look to gather help or resources?

My first goal was to learn to setup a tripod quickly and efficiently. I think I achieved this goal as I passed the skills test, and I've been able to set it up consistently with no issues. My second goal was to learn how to effectively write dialogue. We haven't touched that topic yet, so I'll have to learn how to do that still. I think I'll look at outside resources, but I'm guessing we'll learn about this along with the sound unit. My final goal was to learn to write stories that are more meaningful and complex. I think I'm still working on this because I still need to understand the "why" aspect of the story. For example, the chase sequence. That was a good example on what I'm struggling with. I need to write stories that make more sense.