Cinema Language

Contrast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=wlLU05hmXyA

9mins

Can help define the focal point of a shot as well as create Depth in the composition. 

The eye is attached to what is different.

Light objects stand out if everything else is dark.

Contrast between objects can affect the emotional response of the viewer.

The Shirley Temple  https://vimeo.com/68803061 9 mins

experimental storytelling

 

Godfather https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=f0YhSKwfjdg

6 mins 

 Light images feel closer to us while Dark images recede. With Color images, warm colors feel closer and cool colors recede.

This is confusing, since the range of light to dark is much lower in objects that are far away. Distant objects are lighter due to atmospheric perspective.

To add depth to a scene, we need to add a foreground element, Middle ground  and a background.

Overlapping images

ASPECT RATIOS

Horizontal and Vertical information based on projection size of the final image. You need to know this information, especially in post production to keep ratio constant.

1.33:1

Also known as 4:3 aspect ratio for TV 16mm/35mm Academy aperture.

1.43:1

Traditional IMAX screening

1.66:1

Common European Widescreen standard; Walt Disney Feature Animation uses this format.

1.78:1

Also known as 16:9. Most common Widescreen format for video games and commercials.

1.85:1

US and UK widescreen standard for Theatrical films

2.35:1

Also known as 35mm anamorphic projection, Panavision or Cinemascope

(Star Wars and Lawrence of Arabia)

Changing the Aspect Ratio will squeeze or cut off the edges of the image applied to a different Aspect Ratio. In the past, Widescreen format films had to (Pan and Scan) to show certain important visual information

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMJhM3So4y8    4.5mins

LA Pet Owners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rPJtxuz8cU  3mins.


 You place the Camera where you place your Audience.

3 Basic Shot choices

  1.       Wide Shot

       2.       Medium Shot

3.       Close Up

From these basic shots an infinite number of variations can be made.

Extreme Wide Shot EWS:

Wide Shot (WS): Long Shot

Full Shot (FS):

Cowboy Shot: Medium FS

Good, Bad and the Ugly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP9cfQx2OZY

 8mins

Medium Shot (MS):

Close Up Shot (CU):

Choker Shot

Extreme Close Up (ECU):

Over the Shoulder Shot (OTS):

Casablanca Clip  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBJGHvt7I3c
 2mins

Point of View Shot (POV):

Reverse Shot:

https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/cinematic-shot-reverse-shot/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Ey0a6LJRA


Reaction Shot:

Green Goblin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0xiCIMIwLY  2mins

Insert Shot: An insert shot

Simple Conversation coverage: 5 tips for filming dialogue https://youtu.be/MAVTlrTJ7GI?si=av24JF1prGfIh48G  3:42

180 Degree Rule Broken and Distroyed: 

Can you spot the parts where the 180 Degree Rule has been broken?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p10R_AEFiKQ   2 mins.

Breaking the 180 Degree rule: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4KFM_CLoQ0

VIEW:

Munro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNgiWU9LY7A     8:30  mins

Unicorn in the Garden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1teJjX-smdE   6:30  mins

 wizard of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB7FgPKj5kg

The Collector: https://youtu.be/_HBa58vtRbg

View and Review:

I like this film, but can you explain why it begins with a fire at the beginning?
Petals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HucxxbKX7t0    6:30 mins.

I like the look of this film, but find the story confusing. Where did the guy with the wizard hat come from and the woman with him? The guy in black is killed by the dragon and transformed into the baby dragon again?
Dragon Lullaby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgAZkrmDOXE   3:40

The Story Graph

Making a story for an animated or live action short film takes a lot of time and thought. Below is a Story Graph which helps show how your story is constructed. While you are working up a story, use this story graph to place the parts of your story before you begin drawing the storyboard. You need to see how your story will fit together and make sense, otherwise you will jump into boarding a story that doesn't make sure or has other problems.

Take a look at the commercial below and then study the Story Graph underneath to see how everything fits together and builds to the conclusion.

The story graph sets up the beginning of your story by establishing the normal world and introduces your main characters. The first thing that changes the "normal world" is called the Inciting Incident, which sets the story in motion. The character then encounters the first plot point, which is the first turning point in the story. Conflict occurs to stop or delay the character from their goal. Without Conflict there is no story and we don't get to see how the is something the character must overcome or solve to get to the next plot point. When we come to the 2nd plot point, this is where something happens to the character which is the lowest point in the story and it looks like the character will not get what they want afterall. However, this is where the character might learn from his past mistakes or there is a twist and we come to the climax, the highest point in the story! And now, we have the end to our story called "the Resolution,"

Here is another story breakdown for a short called "The Saga of Bjorn".

Here is the actual film which is broken down showing the plot points below. 

Use the Story Graph to help figure out your story first, before moving onto boarding it. Its a great tool for building a story with a solid beginning, middle and end. You can also use this formula to plot story points in other shorts as well.

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About Storyboard Pitching

Things are going good at Animateducated! 

• The recent posting of the Sergio Pablos Interview had over 500 views and is still growing!

• Our "All time Views" are up to 11040!

         October = 648, November = 397, December = 577, January = 1781

• November 1st, we added ads to the site to see if any extra income could be generated. So far, viewers are clicking on the ads to support this blog; however we'll let you know when Google sends the first check, which could be in a few years. So please, click the ads if you like the posts. 

                               Thank You and keep clicking!

• "Meet the Patels" is now out on Netflix, Youtube, VUDU, Amazon Video and Itunes. Its a very funny and touching documentary with animated segments that did the character designs for.

• "Animation under the Microscope" is a great source to analyze animation frame by frame.

•  The WatchCat Files blog is going to celebrate its 5,000 blog view on Friday, February 26th (Tex Avery's Birthday) at 7:00pm PDT. A live streaming "BlogCast" where you will be able to ask questions and get answers on the WatchCat Films Youtube channel.

Storyboard Pitching

Storyboard pitching was developed by the Walt Disney Studios, but the process also has been used by live action Feature films, videogame companies and advertising agencies. Here's how an ad agency develops a commercial using this process. The Client contact the Agency to produce a commerical featuring their new product. The Creative Director assigns his Copywriter and Art Director team, to come up with a funny situation to sell the Client's product. The "Creative Team" brings to brainstorm ideas and eventually they produce 3 storyboard concepts which they present or "Pitch" to the Creative Director.

The process of pitching a board in advertising begins with the Art Director describing the visual information or action. When finished, the storyboard is now described a second time by the Copywriter, who reads what is being said, known as "the Copy".

Whichever concept board sells the product best will be chosen. Revisions will be made and eventually a new board will be produced and presented again. Once the Agency has several boards developed and have been reviewed "In House'. Its off to the Client's meeting room to present the presentation boards to the Client for the first time... 

Here are a few videos about how to pitch a storyboard by the great story artist Joe Ranft and Animation Director, Eric Goldberg. Here's a link to how to pitch a storyboard.

Animation Director Eric Goldberg pitches a storyboard for "Trouble Shooter", a Disney short that was never made.

Looking for new artists and animators for future posting. If this sounds like you or you know someone who would be interested in a quick and painless interview, please contact: heyjimr@gmail.com.

Happy Year of the Monkey!