24.9.2024(week1)
QIULIHUA/0365036
VIDEO & SOUND PRODUCTION/Bachelor of Design (Honours)in Creative Media
LEST
INSTRUCTION
LECTURE
WEEK 5
Video color grading vs. color correction
Color Correction vs. Color Grading
Color Correction: The process of fixing colors in video footage to match how they appear to the human eye. This involves normalizing footage, adjusting saturation, brightness, contrast, and white balance, and ensuring skin tones look natural.
Color Grading: The creative process of altering colors in footage to achieve a specific stylistic look. This can enhance the narrative mood (e.g., darker tones for horror) and is done after color correction.
Color Correction Process (5 Steps)
- Normalize footage.
- Fix saturation.
- Adjust brightness and contrast.
- Set white balance.
- Check skin tones.
Color Grading Process (5 Steps)
- Normalize footage.
- Complete color correction.
- Choose desired look and style.
- Adjust colors in the editing program.
- Verify skin tones and use a vectorscope.
Key Tools for Color Editing
Software Options: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve, and Magic Bullet Colorista are recommended for effective color grading and correction.
Understanding LUTs
LUT (Look-Up Table): A tool used to quickly apply specific color grades to footage, saving time while allowing for customization.
Summary of Color Theory Concepts for Image Makers
Color Theory Overview
Definition: Color theory is both a scientific principle that explains how colors are created and a creative discipline examining how color influences emotional effects in visual art.
History: Although color has existed since the beginning of time, modern scientific theories began developing in the 18th century with contributions from artists and scientists like Isaac Newton.
Key Components of Color Theory
- Color Wheel: A visual representation of colors that helps understand relationships between different hues. It includes:
- Original Colors: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet (ROYGBIV).
- Compounded Colors: Created by mixing original colors.
- Color Schemes: Patterns of color combinations used for effective visual storytelling:
- Monochromatic: Variations of one color.
- Analogous: Colors next to each other on the wheel.
- Complementary: Opposite colors on the wheel.
- Triadic: Three colors spaced evenly around the wheel.
- Tetradic: Four colors forming a rectangle on the wheel.
- Color Temperature: Refers to the warmth or coolness of a color, which influences the mood and tone of visual media.
Practical Applications in Film
Color Grading and Correction: Understanding how to manipulate colors in film to achieve desired emotional and aesthetic effects.
Directors’ Color Palettes:
- David Fincher: Muted blue-gray tones to create atmosphere.
- Stanley Kubrick: Bold reds and blues for thematic depth.
- Zack Snyder: Monochrome mixed with complementary colors.
- Guillermo del Toro: Often employs triadic color schemes.
- Akira Kurosawa: Deep, saturated colors with complementary and triadic themes.
- Wes Anderson: Bright, audacious colors that create whimsical worlds.
Resources
Free Ebook: "How to Use Color in Film," offering over 50 examples of movie color palettes, focusing on hue, saturation, brightness, and their emotional impacts.
WEEK 6
Key Points on Mise en Scène:
1. Definition and Importance:
- Mise en scène refers to the arrangement and visual presentation of all elements in front of the camera, encompassing set design, lighting, actors, and their positioning.
- It directly impacts the look and emotional feel of a scene and is essential for directors, producers, and viewers who want to understand visual storytelling.
2. Core Elements of Mise en Scène:
- Location: The physical setting where the scene is shot, crucial for establishing context and mood.
- Color: Use of color schemes to evoke specific emotions or themes.
- Sets and Props: Physical items that make up the environment and contribute to storytelling.
- Costumes, Hair, and Makeup: Character appearance that reflects their personality, era, or status.
- Lighting: Techniques that shape the mood and visibility, influencing how the scene is perceived.
- Camera Choice and Placement: Determines perspective and narrative focus.
- Frame Rate: Affects the motion quality and can be used for dramatic effects.
- Composition and Framing: How elements are arranged within the frame to guide attention and convey meaning.
- Depth of Field: Controls what is in focus and highlights key aspects of the shot.
- Sound Design and Music: Adds an auditory layer to complement the visual elements.
- Performance and Blocking: The actors’ movements and positioning in relation to each other and the set.
- Background Action: Secondary activities that add realism and depth to the scene.
- Post-Production: Final touches that can alter or enhance the visual presentation.
3. Purpose and Impact:
- The overall purpose of mise en scène is to create a cohesive visual experience that supports the story, influences viewer perception, and evokes the intended emotional response.
What is Mise en Scene
How Directors Like Kubrick Master the Elements of Visual
Storytelling
- Define scene scheduling: scene scheduling refers to the art of arranging all the visual elements in a shot, including sets, props, costumes, lighting, actors' positions and so on.
- Importance of Visual Narrative: Scene scheduling not only affects the audience's visual experience, but also conveys emotion and theme and enhances the narrative.
- Kubrick's techniques: By analysing Stanley Kubrick's work, the video shows how he used scene movement to create atmosphere, direct the audience's attention and deepen a character's inner conflict.
- Composition and Symmetry: Kubrick often used symmetrical compositions to enhance visual impact and balance, a technique seen in many of his classic scenes.
- Colour and Lighting: The use of colour and lighting effects play a key role in emotional expression and narrative progression, influencing the viewer's emotional response.
- Dynamic and Static Elements: The video highlights how the interaction between dynamic (e.g. actors' movements) and static (e.g. set design) elements enhances the narrative.
- Example analysis: Through the analysis of specific clips, the video illustrates how the scheduling of scenes can convey different emotions and messages in different contexts.
Tim Burton's Eccentric Set Design and Art Direction Explained
- Burton's stylistic features: The video emphasises the grotesque and surreal elements of Burton's work and how his unique narrative perspective is reflected through his visual style.
- Visual Narrative: Burton uses sets and props to enhance the emotion of the story, constructing fantastical and dark worlds that allow the viewer to gain a deeper understanding of the characters.
- Colour and Contrast: Burton often contrasts bright colours with dark backgrounds to create a unique visual impact that conveys the emotions and themes of his characters.
- Asymmetry and Distortion: He likes to use asymmetrical compositions and distorted architectural designs, elements that enhance the work's sense of fantasy and unease.
- Sources of Inspiration: The video explores Burton's many influences, including childhood experiences, classical gothic art and various works of literature.
- Examples of classic works: By analysing specific scenes from films such as Edward Blade Runner and Big Fish, the video shows how Burton incorporates his design ideas into the narrative.
- The relationship between character and environment: Burton's designs often reflect the psychological state of the character, and the interaction between environment and character deepens the narrative.
How Location Affects Your Scene
- The Impact of Location: Location not only affects the atmosphere of a story, it also enhances emotional communication and character development.
- Culture and Context: Different geographic and cultural contexts provide unique perspectives on the story and add richness to the narrative.
- Authenticity and Immersion: Choosing the right location can help to enhance the immersion of the audience and make the story more authentic.
Colour in Film
- The psychology of colour: Colour evokes an emotional response and is often used by directors to suggest a character's internal state or the mood of the story.
- The use of colour palette: Uniform or contrasting colour schemes can enhance the visual narrative and increase the tension or harmony of the plot.
- Emotional expression of a scene: The choice of colours in different scenes has a direct impact on the audience's feelings, e.g. warm tones can convey a sense of happiness, while cool tones can convey loneliness or depression.
Costume & Make-up
- Characterisation: Costume and make-up are important elements of characterisation, conveying the character's personality, social status and inner conflict.
- Reflections of History and Culture: Appropriate costume design can enhance the authenticity and history of a story, making it easier for the audience to become involved in the plot.
- Visual Symbols: Costumes and make-up can be used as visual symbols to convey implied themes and emotions, for example, by changing costumes to reflect a character's growth or fall.
Lighting
- Functions of Lighting: The type, direction, and intensity of the light source can have a significant effect on the atmosphere of a scene, shaping the emotional tone.
- Shadows and highlights: Through the use of shadows, the director can enhance the layering and drama of a scene, allowing the audience to focus more on the characters or events.
- Combination of Light and Colour: The use of different colour temperatures in combination with the use of colour can have a significant impact on the audience's emotional response.
Camera Placement
- Camera Placement and Effects: Camera placement directly affects the perspective of the narrative and determines the audience's understanding of the characters and events.
- Dynamic vs. static shots: The movement of the camera (e.g., pushes and pulls, pans, etc.) can enhance the rhythm and tension of the narrative.
- Emotional Connection of the Audience: Through different camera angles, an emotional bond or isolation between the audience and the characters can be established.
Composition
- Principles of Composition: Good composition is the basis of a visual narrative, where elements are arranged to direct the viewer's attention and focus.
- Balance and Symmetry: Balance and symmetry in a composition can enhance the beauty and harmony of an image, while asymmetry can create tension.
- Space and Depth: The clever arrangement of foreground, midground and background enhances the three-dimensionality and hierarchy of the image.
Acting
- Depth of Acting: An actor's performance is not only dependent on his lines, but also on his body language and facial expressions, which are also important tools for conveying emotion.
- Character Understanding: Successful acting requires the actor to have a deep understanding of the character's background and inner motivations, which makes his/her performance more realistic.
- Directing: The director works with the actors to create a style of acting and emotional depth that matches the needs of the play.
Blocking
- Actor Positioning: The position and movement of the actors in the scene directly affects the audience's understanding of the plot and their emotional involvement.
- Space Utilisation: Reasonable blocking can enhance the narrative effect of a scene and make the interactions between characters more meaningful.
- Visual balance: By adjusting the position of actors and props, a visual balance is created to help the audience better capture key information.
WEEK 7
Essentials of Sound Design in Film
What is Sound Design?
- Sound design refers to the process of creating and manipulating audio to enhance the mood, atmosphere, and overall experience of a film. It's used to immerse the audience and amplify visual storytelling.
Sound Editing vs. Sound Mixing
- Sound Editing involves the creation and recording of sounds, often through foley artists, to fit the visuals.
- Sound Mixing is the final process where all sounds (dialogue, music, sound effects) are balanced and optimized in relation to the picture.
Voice Over
- Voice-over (VO) is a technique where a character’s voice is heard but they are not seen on screen. It often provides context, backstory, or internal thoughts of the character.
Diegetic vs. Non-Diegetic Sound
- Diegetic Sound is sound that originates from within the world of the film (e.g., dialogue, footsteps, ambient sounds).
- Non-Diegetic Sound refers to sound that doesn’t come from the world of the film, like the musical score or sound effects meant only for the audience (e.g., voice-over narration or dramatic music).
Film Score
- A film score is the original music composed specifically for a film, designed to enhance emotional impact, establish tone, and underscore narrative themes.
Techniques for Using Sound Effect in Filmmaking
Create Ambient Sound
Ambient sound effects (e.g., wind, water, street noise) provide the
backdrop that helps establish the setting and create a realistic
atmosphere. Great examples include films like Avatar and The Lord of the
Rings where ambient sounds make fictional worlds feel grounded.
Establish Realism
Adding the right diegetic sound effects helps to establish realism. For
instance, in Avatar, the natural sounds of the fictional environment make
the otherworldly setting feel authentic.
Nonverbal Storytelling
Sound effects can convey emotions and narrative elements without dialogue.
For example, in Ridley Scott's Alien, the sounds of the environment
(creaking ship, distant noises) create tension and communicate the threat
of the unknown, often more powerfully than spoken words.
Building Tension Through Sound
Sound can be used to heighten suspense, even when there’s no action
happening on-screen. For example, in horror films, distant noises (like a
heartbeat or creaking floorboards) create an ominous feeling and build
tension.
Shifting Audience Emotions
Just like music, sound effects can manipulate emotions. Filmmakers can use
sound to change how a viewer perceives a scene (e.g., distant thunder to
suggest danger, or calming birdsong to indicate peace).
How to Use Sound to Influence the Audience
- Manipulate Perception:
- Nonverbal Communication:
Resources for Sound Effects
- Finding Sound Effects:
While free libraries like Freesound and SoundBible are convenient, they
can be overwhelming due to the sheer volume of available sounds. For
higher quality or more specific sounds, filmmakers may use professional
sound libraries or subscription services.
- Creating Your Own Sounds:
Many filmmakers prefer crafting their own sound effects using foley
techniques, ensuring they get the perfect sound for their scenes rather
than relying on generic libraries.
EXERCISE
Project 2A : Production Shoot
This task required us to work with the team on Mr. Martin's film "Everything, Everywhere,All at Once."
Crew list
- Producer : Stephanie Lebon
- Director : Chang Yu Rou
- Assist. D. : Qiu Li Hua
- D.O.P : Stephanie Lebon
- Assist. Camera: Liu Chen Hui
- Lighting crew : 1. Feng Shi Wen 2. Liu Chen Hui
- Art Director : Lin Qianyue
- Location Sound: Liu Yi Tong
- Boom Operator: Feng Shi Wen
- Main actors :1. Sun Qing 2. Sahibur
- Extra : Sun Qing / Sahibur
Post-production
Once the shoot was complete, the producer sent us the clips and audio files for personal editing. I downloaded these files to my laptop and edited them, and Mr Martin mentioned that there are three ways to automatically synchronise audio and video:
Merge: Select the audio and video clips, right-click and select ‘Merge Clips’ and make sure the ‘Audio’ option is ticked.
Sync: Drag the audio and video clips to the Timeline, roughly align them, right-click and select ‘Sync’, again make sure the ‘Audio’ option is ticked.
Manual Sync: Manually align the waveforms in the Timeline.
Video（without color grading ):
After week 6, I learned how to correct video colours
Quiz /week5 :https://forms.gle/BCWoC6VgriAKenzW8
Video（ color grading ):
Quiz /week6 :
WEEK 7
Quzi:https://forms.gle/pZkR82iSXnYAeM5U7
Project 2B
video
REFLECTION
Experience
I discovered the importance of detailed observation during the production process, and that every adjustment of visual or auditory details could bring about significant changes. For example, the contrast between light and dark colors can enhance the tension of the picture, and the position of a prop in the set may also provide hints about the plot. This reminds us to cultivate keen observation skills. Modern film and television production is highly dependent on technology, but technology is only a tool. What really determines the quality of a work is the creator's artistic vision and expressive intent. It is necessary to find a balance between technical operation and artistic expression. Through color, composition, and scene design, creators can shape the audience's emotional experience and guide them to deeply understand the inner world of the character or the development of the plot. For example, the transition between warm and cool tones can be used to express changes in a character’s emotions or turning points in events.
Observations
i uses color correction and grading as a starting point to reveal the profound impact of visual language on the narrative of film and television works. By analyzing classic works by directors such as Stanley Kubrick and Tim Burton, it shows how to convey emotions and narrative core through elements such as scene design, lighting, and costumes. For example, Kubrick's symmetrical composition and cold colors enhance the tension of the picture, while Burton's bright colors and fantasy settings enhance his grotesque style.
Findings
Different tones can directly affect the audience's emotions. For example, warm tones can convey warmth or tension, while cold tones are often associated with loneliness or depression. I also discovered the importance of scene scheduling. Every element in the scene can promote the narrative. The lighting angle, prop placement and character position need to be carefully designed to enhance the visual impact and emotional transmission. I also know the integration of technology and art. Modern film and television production requires fine-tuning with the help of tools (such as LUT), but at the same time, creators need to maintain artistic sensitivity to ensure that technology serves the purpose of narrative.
Comments
Post a Comment