Angela's Media Studies Class 2024-2025

Hey everybody! This week I learned about mise-en-scène and what goes into the formation of a singular scene. So, I’ve made a mood board for 4 different locations of sets. 1) Zoo I chose to add photographs of zoo scenery that includes directional signs, a large “Madagascar” archway, two children looking and petting different animals, and a group of individuals holding cups of a popular ice-cream among kids, “Dippin’ Dots.” I chose these sets of images because they are nostalgic elements of childhood and I would want the audience to reminisce about their memories of a fun trip to the zoo they might’ve taken wit their family or friends. The audience should make the assumption that the actors are rambunctious teenagers and kids enjoying their time together at the zoo, perhaps they’re a little rebellious as well. 2) Cat Caf é I chose to add "warm" looking photos of the interior of a cat c af é. This includes a counter with baked goods for display, seats and tables, tasty-looking m...

Hello again! Here, I'm going to provide my rating for the movie I analyzed in my last blog post. Here are the categories I will be considering: Tells a story which holds the audience's attention Demonstrates camera work and editing which enhances the story Contains dialogue, narration, and/or background music which enhances the story Has compelling and interesting actors The movie I chose in my last blog post was "The Platform." The overall points I would award this movie would be 75 out of 80.   Firstly, I'd say the director is an expert in telling a story that holds the audience's attention, so I'd award them 20 points in the first category. The story told in this movie is unlike any I've seen in other films or literature. It differentiates itself from other thriller, dystopian movies like "Bird Box," another similar movie I also enjoyed, by its unique plot elements. For example, in the movie's opening scene, a group of chefs prepar...

Hello!  My newest media studies assignment required me to analyze several varying technical elements of a film, of my liking. So, for this assignment, I've chosen the dystopian, thriller movie, "The Platform"! Since this movie's entirety takes place in the same setting and establishment, film producers had to get creative with distinct shots and plot elements to keep viewers engaged. "The Platform" is about a vertically-shaped prison where captives compete for food and face off against each other in the cruel reality of their eat-or-get-eaten world. "The Platform" (2019) Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia 1. After the movie's opening scene, two characters including the movie's protagonist, "Goreng," can be seen talking. The older actor's character, "Trimagasi," explains how the vertical prison works. This provides information to not only the protagonist but also the viewers. These scenes of the characters are medium c...

Hi! I'm super excited to share my sound art project regarding foley sound-making and audio recordings.  In this group project, I worked with my classmate, Alexander Maguire to create our audio scene. Here are the steps to our scene that takes place in a kitchen and restaurant: Scene: Inside a kitchen/restaurant In the kitchen a. Sizzling/frying of food on a pan b. Knife cutting something on a cutting board c. Chefs talking in the background d. Plating e. The ding of a bell f. Door swooshes open      2. Restaurant dining area a. Door swooshes open again b. People talking over dinner c. Footsteps      3. At table a. Plate being placed down on table c. Pouring water d. Glass clink e. Customers saying “Santé” Here is the audio recording file of the scene: Here are some foley sounds my classmate and I had a lot of fun creating: 1. The first clip shows Alexander dropping a coin into a metal tin. This sound was made to replicate ...

Welcome back to my blog! This week I learned about composition ! More specifically, framing and depth of field.  Here are some of my clips showcasing the different framing styles and focus depths I learned. 1. This is my example of a standard focus scene. Here, the background is slightly blurred as opposed to a shallow focus. As the subject sits alone on a bench, the light blur of the background enhances the feeling of solitary. Being surrounded by a few other students, yet not having them pull away from the main actress's attention, helps the audience feel the same sense of tranquility and the demure display of the subject as she looks off into the distance. 2. This is my example of a shallow focus scene. Here, the background is heavily blurred compared to a standard focus. As the two individuals converse, all else occurring around them is left in the distance. This provides a more intimate feel of the conversation they're having at the table, across from each other. The aud...

Hey there!  This week, my media studies class decided to comment on each other's clips for our blogs. I've decided to express my thoughts about the clips my classmates, Johansen Rey and Alexander Maguire , took. First up: Johansen Rey  My favorite shots that Johansen took were the point-of-view shot (#1) , the establishing shot (#3), and the full-body shot (#5).  Firstly, the point-of-view shot shows two little kids appearing to be one or two years of age, playing and walking around. The camera is set in a position so viewers feel as if they're looking down at the children instead of being at eye level with them. The clip may evoke a sense of superiority and responsibility, or on a completely different note, a feeling of kind-heartedness and love. Secondly, the establishing shot denotes a pan of a house's front yard. This clip was filmed at night, resulting in an eery and still vibe. No people or actions are in the clip, so it may portray a sense of loneliness or a...

Hi again! This week I learned about the different camera shots and angles there are. Here are some examples of my favorites: 1. I took an establishing shot at eye-level of my media studies classroom. 2. I took an over-the-shoulder shot at shoulder-level of my classmate reaching for and opening a book off the bookshelf. 3. I took a wide shot (WS) at knee-level of my classmates discussing a book and showcased the loneliness and separation of my classmates who sat farther away. 4. I took a medium-full shot (Cowboy shot) at a low angle of my classmate to attempt to make him seem superior. 5. I took a medium shot (MS)  at eye-level of my classmate eating in front of a "No Food, No Drinks" sign to showcase irony and comedic effect. 6. I took a full shot (FS)  at a high angle of my classmate dropping to his knees to showcase a feeling of inferiority. 7. I took a close-up shot (CU) and ground-level of my classmate kicking a plastic water bottle. 8. I took a two-shot (TS) a...