Animatics.

Before filming we spotted a small problem. We noticed that the font was illegible because it was too small, thin and fancy so it was problematic to read, especially when we wouldn't be holding the camera on the shot long enough. Therefore to solve this problem, we redid the storyboard and used a pencil with a blunter lead so the font would come out thicker than the previous one, we also made sure that our font was bigger compared to the initial one so it would be easier to read. We solved this problem quickly and effectively so we were able to start filming straight away.

We filmed the storyboard in the classroom so there would obviously be a lot of distracting sound in the background. The flip we used to film was attached to the computer I use so we could remove the sound off completely. 'Final Cut Express' was used for this problem. The first step was to lock the bit we wanted to keep (the pictures), leaving the sound to remain unlocked making it easy to delete. This was simple and straightforward. We then had to render it in order to watch the pictures, to do this I pressed 'cmd' and 'r' to achieve what we wanted. Again, it did not require any challenging/time consuming steps. 

This is our animatic video:     

The benefit of doing an animatic is that it is a quick and effective way of telling your story without having to spend excessive time. We could also use this when struggling on what to film next so you can say it is almost used like a template. I think our animatics will help us greatly even though it could also be improved (e.g. better drawing, clearer details, etc). Although the small problems are noticeable, it was not a concern as we know that it doesn't have to look perfect as we don't get marked on our drawing skills and if our animatics can tell the story, then that would be enough.

Friday 13th January.

Today we filmed our animatics (storyboard) that will be published on a separate blog. We will be using this for guidance as it is like a template for our trailer. We then decided to take the sound out so in order for us to that, we used 'Final Cut Express' to do the job. Firstly we had to lock what we didn't want to be deleted (the shots) and then delete the sound, we then rendered it. It did not take a long time and it was a very easy process as we did this last year for our AS coursework.

After editing the animatic, I then contacted my friends to keep them updated (start filming next Friday). My group and I then planned on what we want to include in our poster(s) and magazine cover, we researched on 'Photoshop effects' and saw this 'Mafia look' very arresting as it reminded us of the 'Reservoir dogs' poster. It was in black and white (proficiently contrasted) with the red tie showing. I think it was effective and symbolic as the black and white makes it seem like a film noir film and the red represents blood and vengeance.

Font.

It is often the case that people do not pay enough attention to fonts, but choosing the correct one is vital for the project; be it an advertising campaign, Christmas card or in mine and my group's case, mugshots in the late 1950s. The font is a subtle and unconscious persuader, personally I think that the use of fonts make/break the outcome of your product, so it is completely essential that you make time for it. Not only is that the case, it also attracts attention, sets the style and tone of a document, helps readers interpret the words, and defines the feeling of the page (usually without the reader recognising a particular font).

Changing the font can be fun as you can go from casual to formal, silly to serious, staid to stylish, old fashioned to modern, depending on your mood or what your project is on. The font can reinforce your image as a company or an individual. If you use it consistently enough, people will start to associate you with certain fonts (you can say it is kind of 'auteuristic'). The font also has an effect on you even if you do not consciously notice it. You can use this 'power' to your advantage to attract attention, strenghten your message, and improve your image, or you can even overlook it and work against yourself. The right font can also encourage people to read your message. The wrong font however can make your message go unread.

In the last couple of lessons, my group and I used the Internet and Microsoft Word to search for the font that tells the audience what era it is. We wanted to look for a fairly plain font as it would be easy to read for the audience yet bold so it does not look boring. We found 'Ayuthaya' and 'Letter Gothic Std' the most arresting but we have not yet chosen the definite one as we do not want to rush into it as we are not filming yet. With the amount of time we have at the moment, I am confident we will find the correct font that will be used in the mugshots.

Monday 9th January.

Today we decided to work on the props which will be used within our trailer and our poster(s). We worked  on the mugshot cards in which I will explain the importance of them and why they are used in another blog. This took more time than expected because we had to think about the most appropriate font as the era in which our media work would be set in is in the late 50's, therefore the font must be old yet striking. Not only was finding the right font time consuming, we also had to think of names and other information such as the code, name of prison and date. I found today's progress enjoyable as we all had a say and although it took a long time to make and we had to research on a lot of things, it was not challenging.

Friday 6th January.

Today we learned how to use Photoshop for our poster(s). This was beneficial as our group did not have the knowledge or skill to make the poster look proficient. We spent the whole of the two lessons photoshopping photos to gain some expertise. I learnt how to create a new layer, erase the background that was not needed, use the move tool and use the transform tool. By having some sort of understanding, I could ask for more advice/guidance to gain more knowledge or even go online. I think when we are about to photoshop our poster, it would be fairly challenging to an extent as it is always hard to make something look like how you visualised it to be. Therefore we must keep in mind that it will be time consuming yet rewarding.

Wednesday 4th January.

We all worked individually today to do what we wanted to do and we made a promise that on Friday, we will film the storyboard and upload it. Today, I was just publishing my blogs and researching about gangsters in more depth. By working on your own, it is easier to concentrate and not get distracted. I was able to work solely on my own without any guidance or helping others. I think working individually when work needs to be done would be beneficial as it works.

Scarface.

I will be focusing on the iconographic conventions within the gangster genre in Scarface and not any other conventions. This is because my group and I will be producing a trailer, which would be short and arresting. Therefore we must ensure that every shot that is used within the trailer will be recognized and eye-catching. Iconography is very important as it helps tell the story and it tells the audience their personality traits. I’m particularly interested with iconographic conventions and sound in trailers as I personally think they are the factors to make the target audience decide whether the film will be successful or simply just a failure.

Scarface is directed by Howard Hawks.

Audiences have/expect specific conventions when they watch a certain genre i.e. the film Scream always has a killer with a weapon (knife). The conventions are usually known and recognised by the audience and if the film follows their expectations, they would be satisfyingly confirmed.

According to McArthur, in terms iconography in the gangster genre, these pleasures are caused by patterns of imagery that are put into three categories, those surrounding the physical presence, attributes and the dress of the actors and the characters they play. Therefore, by drawing focus on these three categories, a successful gangster film will be made.

The main gangsters in films are important to the gangster genre narrative structure to show their success through crime and due to the production code their deaths stating crime does pay.

The way in which the gangsters dress is the most vital part when it comes to iconography within the gangster genre as the appearance is what we see and judge when we first see someone we do not know. For example in Scarface, Tony is boasting about his new wardrobe to poppy (who is portrayed as just a sex object, who is either at home, doing leisure, or at work even if its gangster work), saying that he has shirts in different colours and that he only wears each one once. To the audience, they would perceive him as a typical arrogant and rich gangster. The gangsters’ clothing is a vital statement that shows he has achieved ‘the American Dream’.

The gangster’s weapon (i.e. machine gun) is important to what is called ‘patterns of visual imagery’. The guns are how the gangsters take the law into their own hands, it goes against the law which is why it is not surprising why the gangsters stand by their guns. The machine gun becomes an object of veneration in Scarface. An example of this is when Tony gets his first gun he reacts with joy because the gun decides who gives the orders.

Surprisingly, the telephone could also be seen as a weapon. It is used to carry out business calls or to threaten those who oppose them. The telephone has on occasions, been used as a weapon in gangster films because they are usually used to intimidate the weak. Technology represents modernity, which is one of the steps to achieve ‘the American Dream’. This is compounded by the humour of the consumption scenes in Scarface, which offer an excessive version of the iconography of gangster consumption, going beyond just buying a sharp suit.

The gangster’s car also acts like a weapon. Just like the gun, the gangsters worship its automobile as well. In Scarface the gangster gets around in a Ford. The car enables the gangster to do business doing illegal things or even to run over an enemy. The car is significant to the gangster genre’s iconography as it shows the problematic status in society. I think it is one of the major icons in the gangster film as it used almost like their clothes.

Not only are the clothes and accessories they use important, but also the use of time and space. There is an example in Scarface because during the 1930’s was the time of the great depression where poverty was a serious problem in the USA, the audience will understand to an extent as to why the gangsters in the film act the way they do.

In conclusion to what I have written above, I feel that by using these visual images in my group’s coursework and mine, it would be very successful but evidently we would have to put a lot of effort and time into it.