Movie Rating

 Hello! Today in class, we were assigned to pick out a short movie based on our choice. Then we would rate it based on a movie analysis. For my choice, I've decided to choose a short horror film called "Don't Look Away" by Christopher Cox.

Case Study - Mise en scene

Hello! Today, my class is doing a case study on mise en scene. With this case study, we are supposed to choose a scene from our favorite show and make an analysis using mise en scene. In our analysis, we have to identify the mood that the scene creates, find elements that are used to portray something, and  explain the way the audience would respond to the scene. For my scene, I’ve decided to go with a show called Abbott Elementary.

Moodboard

Hello! Today in class, we were asked to make 4 mood boards based on our choice of location, Afterwards, we then got to explain the reasoning behind the choices we make on each of the mood boards, including elements such as location, props, setting, props and so on. For my 4 mood boards, I decided to go with a picnic date, a funeral (cemetery), a wedding, and an arcade. 

1. For my 1st mood board, I went with a picnic date as my setting. In this mood board, I decided to include images such as a couple wearing casual clothes, grassy fields, a picnic basket and food. Picnics are usually outside on the grass, so I added images that have a lot of natural lighting along with grass fields; green symbolizing a connection to nature. Food is definitely essential when it comes to a picnic, so I put an assortment of food. I wanted to audience to view the characters in the mood board as loving, affectionate, and romantic since its a date; feeling a wave of warmth and joy of the atmosphere.

Sound Art Project

 Today in class, we are asked to do a sound art project, where we would make our own narrative and make a scene of our own by just using sound. During the process, we were also asked to make foley sounds to add to our project. I will be doing with one of of my classmates, Kamryn. The scene what we wanted to interpret through sound is going fishing in the middle of the night. 

Scene: Going fishing at night

1. Getting on the boat

- footsteps

- crickets chirping 

- leaves (garlic skin) 

-walking on a wooden deck

- boat creaking

 

 2. Fishing

- water paddling (water + wooden spatula) 

- fish rod whip

- fishing rod reeling fish

- fish flopping in water (water)

- fish thrown in bucket  (water-filled glove + bucket)

 

The audio:

Video of making our foley sounds:

Case Study

Hello! Today in class, we were assigned to look for a 2 minute opener of a movie based on our choice. We were then asked to identify any camera movements, shots, angles, and focuses that we see throughout the scene. For my opener, I've decided to pick one of my favorite movies to watch, "The Help." 

Camera Movements

Hello. During today’s class, we are learning about camera movements and filmed videos that represent each of the movements we were taught. These are the videos that I took at the library with my friends.

Classmate Commentary

Today, we were assigned to make commentary on our classmates blogs based on the pictures we took from the last assignment we did about camera angles. I will be reviewing some of the pictures that I personally liked from the selection of pictures my friends Veronica and Kamryn took.

Veronica's Blog Pictures

Veronica's Camera Shots

1. This picture is a low-angle shot. My friend took a picture of this classmate in the library. I like how the low angle gives him somewhat of a dominance and enhances his height very well, making him very tall. From this angle, it also makes him seem like a model in my opinion.

2. This picture is a two-shot angle of my friend and our classmate. I like that the picture clearly shows the whole interaction between the two of them at the table. It seems as if they are either studying or reading a book together. 

3. This is a POV shot. This picture was taken by bringing the camera lens of the phone close to my friend's glasses. I do like the idea of them using their glasses as it seems as if we are looking throughout the library that is clearly shown from their perspective. While I do think this picture was done well, I would've liked it if the glasses weren't laying on the table and more in the air to make it seem as if she was wearing the glasses.

Kamryn's Blog Pictures

Kamryn's Camera Shots

1. This picture is a mid-shot picture of my friend with a mustache on. I find the picture quite humorous as the person in the picture was wearing a fake mustache while acting all serious for this picture. I like that the picture is taken from the head to the waist, as a mid-shot should be.

2. This picture is a long shot, showing the surrounding of book shelves with two student trying to look for book in the library from a far distance. I like this picture because the picture shows the array of books on the shelves in their surrounding, indicating where they are and giving the picture a nice pop of color.

3. This is a POV shot that my friend took of me typing my own blog on a computer. She took the picture while holding the phone near my face to capture the picture. I like this picture because it seems as if we are actually looking from my own perspective as I type, making it look really cool and trippy. 

10 Camera Shots/Angles

1. Close-up: I took a picture of my friend doing work

2. Point of View: I took a picture my friend doing notes from her face

3. Two shot: I took a picture of my friends looking a computer together

4. Long: I took a picture of my friend sitting on the couch from a far distance

5. Aerial: I took a shot of my group's table scattered with school supplies

6. Establishing: I took a shot of the library

7. Mid-shot: I took a picture of a painting from the library

8. Wide-shot: I took a picture of my friends discussing about something

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9. High-angle: I took a picture of my friend sitting with her head down on the floor

10. Over the Shoulder: I took a video of my friend reading a book from over her shoulder

All About Me

 Hello, my name is Suri Nguyen. I am currently a senior attending Hollywood Hills High School, being a part of SGA and the AICE program. My favorite pastimes are playing video games, singing terribly, reading romance novels, watching anime and eating for sure. My main goal that I would like to achieve this year is to hopefully graduate. When I do end up going to college, I would like to focus on becoming a sterile processing technician. The reason behind it is because I love to clean. Yes, I love to clean. As a kid, I really loved watching medical-related videos and film. As I grew older, I became fond of cleaning as it seemed relaxing to me, so that’s why I wanted to become a sterile processing technician. If that doesn’t work, my backup plan is to become a surgical technician. I’m taking this class specifically as to hope of meeting the requirements to receive the AICE diploma, which I likely won’t but I’m going to try to get the Bright Futures scholarship (wish me luck..). What I hope to learn from this class is to understand more about films in depth and be able to create a film of my own by using the techniques learned in this course.