Editing

Elements of

Onscreen & Offscreen space

Spacial & Temporal Relations

Continuity Editing breaks down scenes into multiple, in a way that is legible. It is economically productive & time efficient providing visual interests because of usage of different angles.

The 180 degree rule, for instance,

is prevalent in any given scene where there will be an axis of action

Eyeline match is when a character is looking out of frame at something or someone and we know exactly where.

Match on action is when the action flows into the next cut and our eyes naturally follow the action.

Parallel Editing

suggest simultaneity within multiple cuts and cross/inter cutting

MIS.EN.SCENE

FRENCH FOR STAGING.

These are visual elements placed in front of a camera before filming begins.

Elements composed of (to name a few)

.props.character blocking.lighting.

&

COLOR

The colors in a scene or throughout a film, have the ability to shape it, to give us insight into whats going on within the minds of our characters,

what their motives are or next move may be. The color red could be read by anyone as one of love or lust. Where color could also be used to foreshadow upcoming events, red blood could be used to give us clues into a murder or future death.

"Light is the paintbrush of a Cinematographer"

It organizes our gaze within the image by purposefully highlighting & lowlighting different aspects of the frame. Hard or Soft light can achieve different emotions, such as the feeling of "magic hour" in the above photograph.

Three Point Lighting combines the key, fill, & backlighting to blend naturally the distribution of a light in a scene. Where the Key light is the main source, bright with few contrasts. The Fill light can be used to balance out the key lighiting or emphasize other spaces or objects in a scene. And the Back light or edgelighting, illuminates a person from behind, giving a silhouetted glow.

Does anyone hear "Fight the Power!" when they see this image?

Props: Short for property; an object that functions as a part of the set or as a tool used by the actors.

These brass knuckles Radio Raheem used throughout the film Do The Right Thing, worked as a prop specifically placed throughout different scenes to visually clue us in to the stories underlying themes.

Character Blocking

is the arrangement of characters in relation to each other.

Are they touching?

Far a part?

High?

Low?

Does architecture impede placing between characters?

Are they blocking each other?

All of the these can, without verbally stating, tell us what sort of relationship the characters within a scene share.

The placement of each implies something to the viewer,

each angle and position are purposeful.

While the rest of these elements that make up Mis-en-scene (i.e. sets, settings, & costumes) tie into these mentioned above, each serves its specific and necessary purpose.

Sidenote: All of these photographs & video were uploaded via google images so copyright to them.

The Piano.

Cinematography.

. camera distance. camera angle. aspect ratio. depth of field. lenses .

. frame composition. camera movement. shot duration .

All of these elements are just a short distance from the world I am used to.

but each intertwine like the black and white keys on a piano.

In this weeks screening of The Piano.

I was inspired to do a shoot, in an attempt to recreate a similar scene created by the relationship between Aida and her piano, Aida and Flora, & Aida and Banes. Low dim lighting, as vibrant and warm as I could pull from the candle light, as much skin as my muse could bare; as his fingers flow across the keys the soothing sounds ease tensions. Comparing back to one of Banes and Aidas most heated encounters, he sternly forces her to play anything she pleases, while he strips away layers of her clothing, he strips away layers of her fears, layers of bottled up emotions, and she begins to release as he frees her of these heavy burdens she bares.

and as the first sights of her pale skin peak through, she slowly becomes liberated.

As she escapes back to Banes to give more & more "piano lessons", we observe as she lets her hair down, becomes more playful with her daughter Flora, and plays her piano as if she is finally comfortable with her sexuality and unique means of communication.

The colors of the film turn from a cool gray to a warm and fiery palate of reds and golds suggesting the shift and growth beginning to take precedence in Aidas life.

As I began to think of how to compose this shoot, Feist came on shuffle. (For those of you have never heard of her, I suggest looking her up) her album Let it Die's cover photograph is what inspired the feel for how the photographs would pan out, their grainy texture represents the rawness that embodies the story line of the film, while the deep red screams heat, sex, and passion (& as we find out later in the film, sometimes blood).

My CuriosiTea

In a world full of barriers. . . this seems to transcend them all.

A Halo & a Hang. . .

No language, can keep us from understanding.

No race, can hinder the way they are played.

No gender, is dominant.

A mesmerizing sound. Drawing the listener in with such ease,

luring you into a cool and calm meditative state.

With controversy, this "drum" is rare and played by a selected few.

But with that comes added curiosity. . .

After a two hour session of listening, observing, and learning at pines park with a new friend, I spent hours clicking through different artists (via youtube) from around the globe, tap to a similar beat. The street musicians, were the most interesting to watch. Not only was their music captivating in itself, but to observe their passerby's different reactions, left me with such intrigue. These were outsiders looking in. Some turned on and some off, many of whom stood around - captivated, in a trance like state, while others stepped quickly past with nothing more than a quick glance of acknowledgment.

It just got me thinking. How something so small can have such an impact, be it positive or negative, big or small. So many different views, tastes, and perspectives in this world we live in. . .

This is Colin.

He, is one of these "few".

One who not only plays a Hang but a Halo too.

My Curiosity. . . led to our collaboration. Where he played while I captured silent frames. But mostly, I just sat there like a sponge. . . absorbing every sound he so graciously shared.

To meet someone with passion is magestic.

But to witness their passion, is truely something special.

Explaining to me the rarity of this instrument, Colin expressed how he waited three long years to finally obtain one of his own. And although its left him eating rice cakes and pesto, in my eyes, anyone who is willing to wait and make a sacrifice for something they had yet to even try is more than respectable.

And as they afternoon went on, he played and played and played. . .

As I'm sure he'll be doing for a long time to come.

Curiosity is meant to be pursued.

Whether like Colin, who waited three long years just to get his hands on this instrument,

Or like myself, who after seeing one picture of this "drum" couldn't seem to shake my intrigue of what this was about.

To anyone who's inspired, interested, or just plain curious as to what this sounds like

check out Colin playing his Halo & Hang @

Halo-Hang

www.youtube.com

My first attempt at playing both. They are very different scales but if played carefully I can get a full G-Aeolian My Halo, Raga Noel AKA Khyberi (on my right): (C) F# G Bb C D Eb F# G My Hang, 2nd Gen (on my lap): (D) A Bb C# D F G A Combined, a G-Aeolian AKA G natural minor (C) (D) G ...

A big thanks to Colin Foulke!

To wherever your curiosity may take you, let it be as fulfilling and enjoyable of an experience.

Silence.

It is the only adjective I have to describe the ambiance of shooting under water.

But through that silence. . .

. . . a sense of freedom can be found . . .

Sensuality

& Clarity

A sense of Funk

& Desire

feelings of bliss that make you want to hold your breath

whether in a kimono style robe

a classic suit

or an old Misfits Tee

. . . an astronaut . . . taking off with a helmet full of bubbles

it comes to be that all possibilities, wonders, and dreams imaginable are endless

fluid like mermaids

the Silence is broken

and sounds of laughter and smiles of joy fill the air

bringing us back to the surface

bringing us back to youth.

Thank you to my lovely models!

Elise Streeter,

Chelsea Meintel,

& Rylee Hawkins