Battle Royale Film

Short Film Commentary

Section 1:

From Battle Royale

From Battle Royale

From Battle Royale

From Battle Royale

From Battle Royale

From Battle Royale

During the production for Battle Royale, my role in the making of the film was the director and the cinematographer. I did most of the film work besides when I was in the beginning of the film introduces the main character Jonathon. Also at times I had to capture the audio while filming simultaneously. In the scene where Junior tells Jonathon about this fighting, I thought of putting the camera under the table looking through it at Junior to make him look superior with a hint of mystery. For the ending of our film, it didn't turn out the way we, as a group, wanted it to end, but it turned out better then we thought. The ending we predicted and wanted to film would have took a lot of time and effort to get it done. We also ran out of time because of the post production steps(the script and location diagrams). Because of the delay, the time we expected to have didn't follow through for the last scene. The last scene was suppose to be a big fight scene under the theatre where lots of action would have happened and would of had a big group of extras. When it comes to filming, we need to manage our time better when we have a dead line to hit.

Section 2:

From Battle Royale

The actors that were casted for this film where part of the group. We didn't have the time to shoot out of class and get other people to play the roles because we were all busy in sports. On the other hand, these actors were definitely appropriate for the personalities and physical attributes of the character they are portraying. These actors, Luke and Edgar were able to portray their roles in a believable manner. In one scene where Luke's character gets picked on he smiles in one scene which wasn't suppose to happen but there was miscommunication when filming the shot. I think that both the actors have distinct personalities that give each character a clear distinct identity. The reason I think this is because Luke looks like someone who is shy which his character happens to be. Edgar looks like someone who knows his way around the school and the people and has a little bad boy edge to his style which his character happens to be too. There happens to be no physical and personality contrasts between the characters that I can see of.

From Battle Royale

These characters are capable of involving the audience emotionally. During the ending scene, the characters play the role realistically so that the audience feels the same as they do, how you would feel if you were being dragged away and etc. I honestly have to say that I don't think the characters are able to lose themselves into the character because its just a role they have to play for a little amount of time for a project. The talent pacing and energy level was positive. There wasn't a lot of trouble when having to put the characters in their mood. They knew what they had to do and what had to be done and they accomplished the tasks at hand. The actors read there lines correctly, but at times there was need for improvising.

From Battle Royale

The script is believable and relevant to its setting and characters. The dialogue is closely related to this characters and the actions that are going on in the scenes. This film meets the standards for a film noir film because of the betrayal that is portrayed at the end of the film between Jonathan and Junior. Also, this film meets the standards for film noir because of the lighting in the scenes and the changes in editing. The story and plot make sense through out the film because of the actions and words that are said between the two characters.

From Battle Royale

The wardrobe and makeup is what a normal teenager would wear. Since the main characters were boys, there was no need for makeup. Although, their wardrobe was what an average teen would wear at high school. Most of the film is took place in a high school surrounding, so we didn't want them to look out of place or too in place. We tried to make sure that between scenes continuity was occurring.

The music that is played in the movie is put at an appropriate sound level and so that it's not to high. In the scenes with sound the music isn't to low, but not high enough to wear it hurts your ear drums and that you can't hear the dialogue. The music brings attention to the audience because at the times of mystery the music is mystery type music. The loudness of the music fades in and out at the appropriate times when there may be no dialogue or during the credits.

From Battle Royale

The staging and props of this film were all found at our high school. We didn't have much props besides: money, a bag of chips, and a weight. The weight was taken out of the weight room to use at the end of the film and the money and bag of chips came from one of the group members. We used high school materials for props since our film was based at a high school. The set supports the characters rather than trying to get the attention. The set is not to overwhelming, but its neutral. The set also allows the characters, props, and wardrobes to stand out individually.

From Battle Royale

The lighting remains even and appropriate throughout the film. There wasn't a lot of lighting changed when close ups were made. We defiantly made sure that there was no extra shadows through out the film that would distract the audience from what is happening in the film. The sun was a major role when lighting occurred. We shot mostly outdoors. The sunlight remained constant through out the film except for the last scene which we wanted to look gloomy and dark. On that day of filming that scene the day was dark and gloomy and the perfect environment for a killing scene.

Type styles are appropriate to the nature of the production and to film noir. The credits and titles are legible and play within tittle safe from being cut off. There is no subtitles that occur through the film that may of distracted the audience. We felt that subtitles were not needed for this film. All of our titles and credits appear long enough on the screen for people to evaluate it. The type of font that was used is appropriate too.

From Battle Royale

The framing of each shot demonstrates our knowledge of the rules of composition. We made sure that we remembered the 180 degree line when two people are talking to one another and the camera angles change constantly. The zooms, tilting, and panning are smooth and motivated, as well as being appropriate to the pace of the production. From what I can think of, there is no camera movements that draw attention to themselves. There might of been one, but that scene was cut out of the film because it wasn't a scene that was necessary. The unnecessary and awkward camera movements have been minimized and adjusted for this film. The microphone placement provides for a consistent sound perspective. We made sure that the microphone was placed in the perfect location for the best quality of audio. At times we didn't need the microphone but for only background noise. There isn't really any noticeable differences between background sound levels and audio levels between successive shots. The audio is definitely clear and distinct in the film. We double checked that we were getting a good signal from the boom stick.

All cuts and transitions are placed in good positions where there can be a smooth change from one scene to the next without any difficulty. Consistent visual perspectives are maintained so that the audience isn't confused. Also, when editing the film and changing location, there is no jump cuts to where it makes the audience feel uncomfortable. The changes in locations are smooth and easy going. The information that is needed to know to reach the climax is shown at each moment in the film. The shots do constitute logical visual statements. The edit decisions are most effective for the story development and variety in spacing because of the smooth editing. Both technical and general continuity jump cuts have been avoided in conclusion for an easy going story line for the audience. The editing is smooth and fluid to the point that it becomes virtually transparent because if the cuts were jumpy then the film would be disturbing to watch. All the scenes that are not essential to the goals of the production have been removed. There was one scene that we thought we should keep in, but by taking it out it made the film more easily going and not as confusing and on going. The length of the scenes are limited to the time it takes for the average view to grasp the essential information because the scenes don't drag on, but they make a direct statement.

From Battle Royale

The narrator of the story is the characters that are being portrayed in the film. There is no voice over narrative, but the story tells it's self through the actions and words of the characters. The implied narrators of this story is that characters once again. The spectators supply the emotion to the story and the characters in the film. The information that we provide in order to fill in the narrative gaps are not much at all but the common sense of the human mind on the word betrayal. The time is presented chronologically by the beginning starting with the new kid at school getting introduced my the principal on his first day of school leading to his unlikely death. I think the genre of this film is mystery and the common genres in a film noir film. The film says about the time period that it was based on is the teenage high school life. The dialogue is extremely believable for the age group that the actors are trying portray and the time period. The point of view that i telling the story is from 3rd person. The person is uninvolved in the story and never seen. The story is seen through the eyes of an outside source.

From Battle Royale

We differentiate the good guys from the bad guys by establishing the new kid in the beginning and seeing his "friend" taking bets for a fight. Women aren't portrayed as any different from the men in films, but in this film there were no women involved besides the role of the principal. The film's tone is mystery and threatening which creates a mystery that is being hidden from the audience. The tone reinforces the values of the characters because we are unsure through out the phone if Junior is a good guy or bad guy until the killing finally takes place.

Section 3:

From Battle Royale

From Battle Royale

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From Battle Royale

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From Battle Royale

This film connects to film noir because it addresses the theme of betrayal through out the film. The theme of betrayal is a key component when it comes to film noir films. Also the black and white filter changed the lighting and it makes the film look more mysterious. The aspect of mystery is incorporated through the film because we wonder why Junior killed the new kid at the end of the film and why he takes bets in the middle of the film. Through out the film there is a moment of curiosity that keeps the audience on their toes. Also, the shot angles are also an important component in film noir films. Shots from under the table, high and low angled shots were used through out our film. We tried to use different locations that no one at our school used to shot footage at. This would cause the audience to wonder where these locations are located. What the group and I could of done to make to make the film better was to incorporate scenes that are more dramatic and using different lighting tools that are film noir influenced. Another idea would be to have a female fatale, a female that has a dramatic role in the film and brought more attention towards the mystery. This female would shoe dominance over the other characters. Foreshadowing the new kids death would have been another way to use lighting that would have an effect on the soon coming climatic moment.

Script Analysis

1. The film starts at a dramatic moment in the middle of the drama by revealing the conflict to us.
2. The terrific scene that will open the film is a scene of the new kid standing in the middle of the hallway as others around him are movie rapidly showing the viewers that he is the new kid at school and there will be a conflict involved with him. The memorable scene that will end the film is the big fight between the head fighter and the new kid who doesn't realized he has been used this whole time.
3. The charatcers attitude towards these events are confuesed but aware of his surrondings. The characters positions towards these events are that he is the target in the film.
4. We introduce our character by having the new kid stand in the middle of the school hallway as others around him are moving rapidly passed him showing that he is the new kid at school and he is alone. If the characters isn't centeral to the action, then what they witness that is are the conflicts he goes through on his first day of school.
5. How I can help the audience discover what is happening rather then just telling them everything is by little things. These little things can just be a word on a paper that is zoomed into or an action someone does from another to help them out of trouble.
6. How I can reduce things to a minimum and still have an impact is by not necessarily making scenes long, but making them short with a lot of meaning and emotion to it. Emotions are the main thing that hits a viewer when watching movies and etc.

Film Noir Treatment

Title: Battle Royale
Genre: Thrill
Producers: Luke, Jen, Edgar, Jonny, & Richard.
Log line: A new kid arrives at school and is befriended with a kid named Junior who secretly is taking bets on a fight between the new kid and the number one fighter, and doesn't know till he gets thrown into the fight.

Treatment:
Scene 1: New kid at school.
- Next to office, vending machine in front of library, stairs.

There is a new student at school and his name is _____. He walks out the office and the principle tells him that he is happy that he came to his school. That whole first day he was shy and didn’t talk to anyone. Later on that day _____ is hungry so he goes to the vending machine. While he is at the vending machine two boys start messing with him. They come and take his food. Then some random guy comes up and tells the guys the new kid is cool so leave. After they leave the new kid goes up to the guy who helped him and says, “Thanks man, but why did you do that?” The guy says, "I don't know just trying to help a new kid out." The two start to talk and the new kid asks him what his name was. the guy said, "My name is Michael but people just call me Junior." The new kid tells him his name is _____. After that Junior shows to his next class.

Scene 2: Battle Royale
- Hallway, spirit court.

The next day Junior runs into . While they are talking, Junior is seen taking bets for someone named "fresh meat". questions him about the bets and Junior tells him about the "Battle Royale". Looking throughout the spirit court there are various people texting. Those people have received a text about the location and time where the "Battle Royale" is being held at. Many people are running to the location of the fight. Junior insists on to go with him, but he denies. tells Junior he "promises" he will go with him next time because he has to go finish unpacking. leaves school while Junior watches him leaves and starts heading to the fight.

Scene 3: The text and fight
- Spirit court, dark room "Under the stage" (theater).

After 2 days, another "Battle Royale" was going to happen. All that was needed was the text for when and where. Junior made sure to be with when he got the text message. When he received the text, he told he promised to go. ended up going. When they arrived people were staring and saying comments like, "he's dead meat", "I feel sorry for him" and etc. As got closer to the center, he kept getting pushed farther and farther in. He was finally pushed into the center of the circle under the light. People started chanting "fight, fight, fight". Then came out the head fighter that was undefeated named " " . looks off to the side and sees Junior taking bets once again and realizes that he was set up to be beaten up. There is no way out and is forced to fight. gets brutally beaten up. When he gets thrown on the floor he feels to weak to even get back up. " " grabs an object and during last's breath, he gets hit in the head. ends up dead. Everyone disappears from the room while the dead body lies there helplessly while a puddle of blood starts to form.

Chinatown- Analysis

My overall opinion on our project is that we did good. There was some key details that we left out and didn't talk much about that we should of, but the rest was good. I think that we had good observations on our scenes/examples that we picked out. Another positive thing that we did was that really focused on the aspect of picking scenes from the movie that related to Film Noir. One negative thing that we did was we didn't talk a lot about how the certain scenes related back to the idea of Film Noir. We covered most of our key terms and we related the scenes with our overall topic of betrayal. On struggle that we ran into was the struggle of picking our scene and defining what about it related to betrayal and what happened in it that lead to betrayal. One thing that I would change about our project is that, I would go back and try to talk more about how it relates to Film Noir and not repeat some of things that we said as much. Overall though, I thought our project was good and shows that we really understand the Film Noir theme of betrayal.

Chinatown- Story Analysis

In the movie Chinatown, there isn't a narrator or a voice-over narration. The story tells itself through the lives of the main characters. None of the characters are directly the narrators because none of the narrate what happens. They all kind of take sides in the story. I think that the implied narrator of the movie would be J.J. Gittes. I think this because he is the mainly the main character and we see him most of the time. The camera kind of follows him around in the movie. There practically isn't one scene that doesn't have him in it. The spectators supply emotion to the story. The spectators supply the mystery feeling to the movie, especially when he was spying on Mr. Mulwray and the scared feeling when Mr. Gittes almost got caught spying on him. The information that we provide to fill the narrative gaps are questions that we ask ourselves about what's going on and any confusions that we have about what's going on. Time is presented in this movie chronologically. The story is told with the present moment and not with flashbacks or anything. This is realistic because this could happen in real life. The genre of this movie is mystery and thrill. It's mystery because of the spying and killings that have happened. Also, its thrill because each time something new happens it keeps you wanting to know more and more about what's going to happen. The movie doesn't really give a lot of information about the period it was made in. From what we can see, we can recall that it was very old fashioned. The social context is told by the way they talk in the movie. They talk with a lot of manners in the movie. The narrative embodies universal human traits. It can't be mythical concepts because the story line of the movie could actually happen in real life. Nothing about this movie can be a mythical conception. It all is based on real life things that could happen. 

Film Blog #1

The short film that I watched is called "Bullet Proof Vest". This story is told by nine-year-old twins Mustapha and Jyeshria and their mother. They tell the story because they live in a not so safe city and they feel like they need to be protected when harm is near. The spectators supply an emotion that the viewers feel after the story has been told. Being able to feel the same way as the story is being told helps grab the viewers attention. The information that they provide in order to fill in the narrative gaps is interesting footage of the town that Mustapha and Jyeshria live in and the sounds that are being heard when walking around the city. Also, their living environment is shown in between narrative gaps. Time is presented formally through flashbacks when the two twins were playing on playgrounds and just other happy times. The movie tells us that the period of time it was made in was today's society from a couple years ago. We know this because of the footage of the city and the text information that is given at the end of the film. The genre of this film was biographical of the families lifestyle and their situation.Also, the narrative embodies universal human traits by the way the twins talk about how it feels to get shot and there opinion on the situation they are in. The narrative provides us with a human feeling of sorrow for the twins and their mother and wanting to help.