Midterm Critique

MidTerm Citique/Presentation

The critique provided by Rees, Morry, and, name Emily Moss.
Rees- His enthusiasm as our professor during class leading up to the midterm critique has been well orchestrated, informative, and useful. When I started the semester, my thesis concept was that of great proportion. In class teachings by Rees, assigned readings, and supplementary videos has allowed me to grasp my thesis concept and focus; "Rees is in my head!"

Moray- Had a grasp the dynamic relationship between acting participants and director mid way through the presentation. Though I was not artiqulate with this aspect it was present in the visuals

Emily Moss - She was fairly light on her critique as a guest.


The Good:

-presented in a direct and formative way within the allocated 10 min with time for questions and feed back

-Better focus and scope of thesis

-Replaced thesis project name "ProjectX" with "HLADEKA"


The Bad:

-There are a details that need to be resolved as to the process of HLADEKA, the user and audience and the actor/director relastionship

-Need to practice difficult names such as "Sergeyevich Stanislavski" (dislecsia is a bitch)

-Broke the rule: "Never respond to a retorhical question except with "Ah, very interesting point" directed back to the askie") by responding to a rhetorical question. Though she brought up a point that is indeed part of the in my head on a psychological level it did not support the process of "HLADEKA" and moving the presentation off topic



The ugly:

Overkill with Russian Thematic font (will re-review Rees/Morry supplemental vid #7)

User Reaction

Overview:

The use of class time to execute our paper prototypes was productive as it provided an economic means for the class to explore each others thesis project on an interactive personal level. Not all paper prototypes were perfect; it was just as important to critique the effectiveness of the each paper prototype as well during user interaction. Our group included Tim, Justyna,Chris and Joseph. Our time was devided into 40min sessions for each group member. Visual narrative was the dominating theme for each project with emphisis on charater development.

User Reaction:

Tim_

Tim's prepared paper-prototype consisted of animal character renderings and a preliminary story board for a short animation. His stylized animals with human qualities such as a shark, pig, crow, and others are in a state of purgatory (a drinking tavern) playing poker while "Death" orders a drink at the bar. Tim's concepts for the characters and their role in the narrative are well developed. There is needed improvement of aesthetic continuity among the characters to achieve a convincing world within the animation. Tim's proficiency in multimedia comp and editing programs will prove to be a great asset in bringing his animated world alive. I recommend that Tim view the animated works by Ralph Bakshi namely Fritz the Cat (1972),
Coonskin - Aka: Street Fight (1975), and Wizards (1977). Though Tim is developing his own illustrative style, examining Bakshi's work will expose him to the metaphors behind characters and how they are represented, achievement of visual/sound continuity, and perspective of comedic driven story line covering heavy and controversial issues.


Justyna_

Justyna's prepared paper-prototype consisted of character renderings and a preliminary story board for a short animation describing various scenarios faced by collage students from heartbreak, partying, dorm mates, and the class room. Her concept is solidifying as she draws inspiration from various sources for visual aesthetics and narrative form. I recommend examining the organization of information in the "Worst Case Scenario" and the anatomy of a comic strip as how they modulate the different scenarios and stories to achieve balance between subject and situation moving the time-line forward. She needs to push character development forward and take advantage of the story board process and read the book "Screenplay" for an overview plot structure.


Chris_

Chris presented an online script to describe his narrative. He aspires to produce a "Jungian psychological" story loaded with metaphors depicted by non-animate forms juxtaposed by animate ones. Chris should decide how far to push the "Jung" concept for it has been applied to numerous science fiction, horror, and noir films or create his own variation of "Jung-Freudian" pop psychology. Chris does have the capacity to articulate a story well, he will need to manage his time well and focus on section of the story, a scene or two in completed form to represent his theme for future presentations.

Overview/Case Study Questions

Hello "chosen fallen" comrade.
Please take time to read the following, answer questions, and forward this letter back to the me as soon as possible.



Welcome to "Project-X".
Project-X is an exercise defying the conventions of independent film production examining the physical production, character development, and use of cyberspace for the feature length film "chosen fallen". The completed project will be displayed as an installation in a public space exposing the pre and post production by ways of digital projection, printed archives, and live displays of the props and available acting participants first showing in New York May 2008. The completed film "chosen fallen" will initially be submitted to various film festivals within the United Stated and abroad. Secondly, we hope to have the film released for theatrical viewing.


The process-

"Project-X" relies heavily on the acting participants engaged in the character development starting with a bio portrayal on-line profile introduced by the director. This provides a new form of method acting that will enrich the character prior to filming.

1. A bio is developed for a character.

2. A potential individual is hand-picked and invited to portray the character online as well as on screen at a later date.

3. Acting participants are encouraged to portray and network their characters in cyberspace as well as in real life creating dialogue content to be introduced into the script's time-line.

4. Acting participants' correspondence online is archived in chronological order to be analyzed by Producer/Director and dialogue is extracted and direction in character development provided to acting participant when necessary.




Case Study Questions-

Please answer the following as it will be used as analytical data for the Project-X. There is not a right or wrong answer and will not affect your involvement in the project.
____________________________________________


Name:

Location:

Character Portrayed:


Do you have formal training acting:


How do you perceive your role as an acting participant:


Deciding factor/s to want to be a part of the project:


Ideas, expectations and goals regarding the project:


Briefly describe your process as to identify with the "Character Bio" provided to you:


What is your feeling about the project's non-conventional approach towards film production to proceed forward with a voluntary production crew and acting participants:





_____________________________________________

Thank you for your time,
Joseph Hladek
Producer/Director

_____________________________________________



Hey Joey,

Here's my answers for ya...."Caterina" was out in quasi-character this past saturday....lolol

Hope all is well!


k


Case Study Questions-

Please answer the following as it will be used as analytical data for the project. There is not a right or wrong answer and will not affect your involvement in the project.
____________________________________________


Name: Katherine Brown

Location: San Antonio, Texas

Character Portrayed: Caterina marrone




Do you have formal training acting: No




How do you perceive your role as an acting participant:
Caterina, my character, is quite opposite in every way of myself....she allows me to be a bit more harsh as far as the online cyberspace interaction, overly sure of herself and explore art in an approach quite different to my real work. Caterina has a few pieces that will be on exhibit at the Vivo/Alive Exhibition....so interested to see the reaction to her pieces which will be a bit more erotic and or violent.


Deciding factor/s to want to be a part of the project:
When Myriam and Joey talked of changing the caracter (who was a male previously) into a cold calculating female....that she was to have Italian roots and a passion for the arts that was used as her front....


Ideas, expectations and goals regarding the project:

I am just very interested in the entire evolution of this film as it is quite diverse with the cyberspace interaction with those who actually feel the characters are 'real'. Also, the fact that Caterina is actually donating a piece or two for a 'real' arts benefit. I am excited to see what happens.


Briefly describe your process as to identify with the "Character Bio" provided to you:

Being that Caterina is quite a cold and demanding person...I have to constantly remind myself of that. When I write to people via cyberspace, if they have asked me a stupid question or ignore something written in my profile regarding the character via myspace, I must have a "0" tolerance ....so typically respond to people who have emailed me regarding dating, money, where I live in Miami with a bit of a harsh response.



What is your feeling about the project's non-conventional approach towards film production to proceed forward with a voluntary production crew and acting participants:

I feel it is awesome...but I also feel that some of the characters are not keeping up with their dialogue....maybe they are a bit 'lost' or second guessing what dialogue they need to use....???

________________________________________________



-Name: Myriam Lanau

-Location: San Antonio, TX

-Character Portrayed: At this time, no character has been assigned though we are in discussion about it :)

-Do you have formal training acting: No i do not

-How do you perceive your role as a Producer & Production Manager: Isee my goal as keeping you up to date on goings on here in SA and online w/ the characters as well as keeping you on track :)

-Deciding factor/s to want to be a part of the project: Cutting edge idea, friend, and creative contemporary :0

-Ideas, expectations and goals regarding the project: At this juncture I feel where we are is good in character development. I figure a few more months of this. catreina has already been out and about and some shots of her have been taken.


-Briefly describe your process as to identify with the "Charater Bio" provided to you: N/A at this time

-What is your feeling about the project's non-conventional approach towards film production to proceed forward with a voluntary production crew and acting participants: As an artist w/ photography as my primary training, I am fasicanted w/ the approach. I feel like it's a living photo series.

Hope these help. I'm utterly exhausted and I'm crashing ;)

ttys~m
_______________________________________________________



Name: Clayton Hodges

Location: San Antonio Tx

Character Portrayed: Morgan Wore




Do you have formal training acting: Formal, no. But I do have plenty of experience with creating personas just to mess with people. When you come back during spring break, remind me to introduce you to Sergei, Jack Dolan, and Philip McCrotch.




How do you perceive your role as an acting participant: I've been given a REALLY important role and I respect that position; hence the fact that I'm taking so long to start working with it. I'm still trying to get this cat down and solid.




Deciding factor/s to want to be a part of the project:
The idea of letting a story 'evolve' from the characters. This could be the truest form of 'letting a story tell itself'.



Ideas, expectations and goals regarding the project:
I'm basically rolling with the punches with this.



Briefly describe your process as to identify with the "Charater Bio" provided to you:
I've been asking questions of myself as to why Morgan has become the person he is. I've been slowly building a history that will culminate in a full actualization of the character.



What is your feeling about the project's non-conventional approach towards film production to proceed forward with a voluntary production crew and acting participants: To put it in the vernacular: IT FUCKIN' RAWKS!!!
______________________________________________________

User Case Scenario

The Audience for ProjectX are the acting participants engaged in the character development and portrayal of on-line profiles and on screen.


1. a bio is developed for a character.


2. A potential individual is hand-picked and invited to portray the character online as well as on screen at a later date.


3. Acting participants are encouraged to portray and network their characters in cyberspace as well as in real life creating dialogue content to be introduced into the script's time-line.


4. Acting participants' correspondence online is archived in chronological order to be analyzed by Producer/Director and dialogue is extracted and direction in character development provided to acting participant when necessary.

Script

This is the container for the abstract script for "chosen fallen". It is designed to be carried on ones back by means of a stylized military pack frame. The altered guitar case holds various items: Script sketch book, Mac11 (prop), black charger die cast model.

Paper Proto

Sketches and notes

Costume/Props

Props for the production range from hand-made fabricated materials to online purchased components. All prop weapons (firearms) have been modified depicting the original. There are three classes of firearm props used:

Low-grade- inexpensive $4-$40 non firing w/minimal moving parts- Great for quantity and background scenes.

Medium-grade-pricier from $40-$140 range-moving parts and simulated blow-back w/open chambers-Used for mid/foreground shots.

High-grade-expensive from $140-$400 these are blank firing replicas of the original firearm-eliminates the need for CGI for gun flash and shells-used for close-ups.

Precedence & Insperation

Precedence:

Matt Daemon and Ben Afflact's "Project Green Light", although the completed films finished at the end of each "Project Green-light" failed at the box office, the documintaion of the process of the production of a feauture lenghth film was the first of its kind.

DaDa and Art deco is a great influence induced into my work.
I have adopted the deconstructive ways of the movement from 1914 into the 1960s, and I am especially interested in the concept of "Anti Art". The emotion and use of shape, line, color, form, and materials form the Art Deco movement from the 1920 and 1930s as I will be taking design cues for set design in the "chosen fallen" project.

Danny Boyle's film "28 Days later" for his use orchestration and utilization of accessible Digital/Audio capturing and editing equipment. I've studied this film frame by frame for it was shot with the same DV camera that I use (Canon XL1). He really pushed the envelope by representing a cinematographic quality after tricking out the DV footage in post production.

Neo's film "Irreversible" for the uniqueness of camera motion to hijack the viewer placing them into the composition and forces one to become the witness in first person to the events that continuously infold.

Documentation, collection of data, and comparative statistics of world events from revolution and war to innovation and peace.



Inspiration:

Joseph Heller's movie adaptation of his novel "Catch 22". The dialogue and composition of the film worked seamlessly.

Early cinema before. The way early cinematographers worked the camera, namely Joan of Arch (1929)

The movie "Irreversible". Phenomenal work with the DV Camera and great direction by the director.

Beat Tekishi, a Japanese actor, director, and writer has always inspired me. It is his ability to take on many roles within the production of a film.

19 century art mostly from the romantic period. The way the oil paints cover the canvas.

Viola's experimental film work.

Orson Wells, "Citizen Kane" Need I say more!

The state at which technology is in at the moment is inspirational. With DV capabilities and nonlinear editing platforms filmographers can edit on the fly and if we do not like the result we can redo the take.

Key Words

Mete Analysis

Network

Cyberspace

Precedents

Information Explosion

Usability

Audience

Chosen Fallen Comrades

Brain Storm

Developing new production methods for a feature length film in a Dadaist fashion disregarding conventions of cinematographic production Integrate and transform the physical production with cyberspace.


utilizing cyberspace as a way to connect, develop and ...interface


to develop a fully conceptualized script and a feature length film. This will happen by...


Using one fictional character identity, with that is produced as it is organically created by the participants in the production.


Having real people organically create movie script dialogue through real life cyberspace interaction. This progress will be represented through Meta analysis, which will include: the physical production, character development through the use of cyberspace.

To distort the fictional context of the characters as they interact with real people online via MySpace profiles for the feature length independent film "chosen fallen". The completed project will be displayed as an installation in a public space exposing the pre and post production by ways of digital projection, printed archives, and live displays of the props and acting participants. Spectators will be able to interact with the online character profiles and explore the information documentation of the process. The intended result for the "chosen fallen" project is to produce a methodology defying the conventions of traditional independent film production.

Bibliography - 1

Bibliography - 1


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Title: Non Zero: The Logic of human Destiny
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Author: Garrett, Jesse J..
Title: Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web
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Title: Film budgeting
Publication info: Los Angeles, CA : Lone Eagle Pub. Co., c1996.


Author: Field, Syd.
Title: Screenplay : the foundations of screenwriting Syd Field.
Publication info: New York, N.Y. : Dell Pub., c1982.


Author: Richter, Hans
Title: Dada : Art and Anti-Art
Publication info: New York, N.Y. : Thames and Hudson., 1965 and 1997.


Author: Faigin, Gary.
Title: The Artist's Complete Guide to Facial Expression
Publication info: New York, N.Y. : Watson-Guptill., 1990.


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