ljohns
Ok so ….Friday High Fidelity
couldn’t bring you fun Tshirt ideas…this year..
they were wicked…they were awesome…they will keep …
but meantime
Perhaps a bit of VOKI magic will work it’s charm…..
FRiday night S2f2 2010
Shanghai Community International School
Hong Qiao Campus
6,30pm
To begin at the beginning….
A HUGE HIGH FIVE
to the entire S2F2 community!
230 entries submitted ; this is a recording breaking year!
80 entries JUST in Elementary/Primary division
15 Overseas entries;… the numbers double each year.]
and
8+ Shanghai schools who are united by a community of truly amazing, dedicated, creative, zany and fun film-making teachers:
HIGH FIVE
to the amazing work happening in our schools….
HIGH FIVE
to the beautiful, beautiful long pan shot, but the sound didn’t work out..
HIGH FIVE
to the fantastic story but the camera was so shaky and you didn’t ‘Mark” your tripod
HIGH FIVE
to the wicked ideas and funky work but your movie exceeded the time frame as stated in the S2F2 rules
High FIVE
to each and EVERY single person who supported or contributed even just five nano seconds to a S2F2 creation…
HIGH Five
to the “extras’ in your movies
It has been great to see fun cameo appearances from teachers and families
HIGH FIVE
to the support crews
the “behind the scenes” technical experts~ like the ‘rock steady teacher’ who found time to lay down a perfect ” drum riff’ after a quick sandwich and in ONE take listening to the sound for the first time!!!!!!!
This is how we as students and teachers learn together the language and craft of digital story telling. We live in an age where anything is possible.
Students work is getting REALLY interesting and innovative; telling real stories, playing with remixing, reflective, and always pushing and challenging technical issues….
High Five
to the great teams who have created such strong competition..
Film making requires a community of people who share their expertise and work collaboratively with a common passion to tell a story or create a journey. …!
The Final
High five
must go to
to the external Judges
Last Friday University Film-making lectures had the unenviable task to make the final decisions…….
The envelopes ARE sealed….. I know NOTHING!
(drum roll)
Meantime…..
This week at our school we’re creating a Databank based upon David Crawford’s fantastic Middle school Rubric that was used for the first round of selections…
We’re doin’ a bit of Judgin’ of our own!
At an Elementary school many students are still making language connections with filming making concepts like: Documentary, PSA, Narrative and Video Art; but as 21st Century learners; visual literacy DEFINITELY overcomes all lanaguage acquisition…way before English,Chinese and/or our first language.
The value of our inschool Judging/evaluation has been the opportunity to gain ‘evidence’ of 21st Century learners as bilingual VISUAL learners…
; how quickly even Year 1 students have picked up how to assess and evaluate:
Lighting, Sound, Photography, Editing, We also addded; Story/Content
1 to 5; 5 being the top score
It was touching also to observe students score and rate their peers movie very generously. It makes you think as a CURRICULUM coordinatator…
Students now KNOW how hard it is to make a movie!
Students also LOVED the task of watching movies made by kids for kids!
What a fantastic experience…and the best is yet to come!
See ya this Friday
6.30pm
Shanghai Community International School
Hong Qiao Campus
Hey S2F2 Students….
You’ve just finally uploaded your entry; but there’s a kind of a hollow feeling ?
FACTOR IN all the effort that went into your project!!!!!!!
It’s normal to feel a little deflated after all that work.
‘Consider’ your creative journey…..
How much do you know now that your didn’t know last year?
This is probably THE most useful experience beyond any Inquiry process that will start to prepare you for the creative/media world.
Welcome to the world of real artistry,………
The Film industry is a tough industry YET…..we live in an age where it’s possible to share our Web 2.0 ideas beyond the commerce
There are always winners and losers in the game of art and life…yet creativity, it’s possible to take every step bravely..and with integrity.
If you truly believe in ypur concept and continue to work on themes and ideas that drive your Creative visions; they WILL stand the test of time.
Here’s the Oscar speech from Russell Crowe receiving the award for “Gladiator”..
that I feel speaks to all students and teachers of “film making” as a speech to inspire, spark and resonate,,,,,,,,,
Russell Crowe said
“I’d move to Los Angeles if Australia and New Zealand were swallowed up by a huge tidal wave, if there was a bubonic plague in Europe, and if the continent of Africa disappeared from some Martian attack.”
“If you grow up in the suburbs of anywhere, a dream like this seems kind of vaguely ludicrous and completely unattainable. [But] this moment is directly connected to those imaginings. And for anybody who’s on the downside of advantage, and relying purely on courage, it’s possible.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Consider YOUR imaginings………..
Dear students..
Only one week left…
We’re at that crazy time where logistics and technology doesn’t often work with us
“Compromise” is a weird lesson to learn when one is trying to bring together a “dream concept”.
Take any glitch as a ” giant learning curve” that you will factor into your next project…
Let’s take a break and shift the ” High Five” reflection of previous blog entries to contemporary Shanghai film making….
check out this music doco
http://www.idcreations.com.cn/tv.asp?id=14
How fun is that!!!!!!!!
~~~~~~
now for something completely different………..
“the random check list”
1. Title of your film?
2. Credits?
3. Sound track- is it ‘freeware?
4. Have you edited OUT every last glitch?
5. Does your movie have pace and sequence?
6 Surely there is a ‘lame’ scene or two you can cut out?
7. If you are an Elementary student…is your movie within 3 minutes?
8. If you work within a networked PC school have you FINALLY got your head around saving everything to the D drive!!!!! when working with MEDIA files???
Have you checked that the last compression/conversion actually works>
9. Wow you got this far…….
Welcome ! to the next level
See you at awards night
Here are a bunch of Great film making book titles just in time for ordering for next school year’s library budget 
Go to
www.dubois.co.nz
Media
Great books titles await…
Here is another fun Elementary/Primary introduction to Film making website
www.filmstreet.co.uk
Finally here’s something really interesting….
Suddenly the UK has caught onto Visual /Digital literacy and launched an exciting after schools programme called Film Club.
Back in 1944 TES (Times Education supplement) said
“No Educator can afford to neglect the cinema any more than he can ignore the influence of radio and the daily press.
The old fashioned teacher may try to blind himself by despising the cinema, by sneering at the rubbish which he thinks is shown there, and by deploring this vast public habit from which he thinks is shown there, and by deploring this vast public habit from which he keeps himself aloof.
But by assuming these attitudes he becomes more and more of a recluse, out of touch with the bright eagerness in the hearts of his boys and girls. And he loses the chance of a lifetime to do part of his job.”
Sadly Gerald Kelly Editor of the Film Club’s magazine TES, wasn’t able to provide a direct reference to this quote!
Still it’s exciting to think kids in the UK are being offered a state run programme to learn more about film making….
The website provides an excellent reference library
The Film club are working inconjunction with the British film institute , Film Education , First light Movies and Skillset to develop film as the centre of children’s Film culture..
Visit for the curriculum vision stuff….
www.21stcenturyliteracy.org.uk
What a great National wide scheme.
These last few days I’ve noticed as students are about to upload their movies ….that the “title’ of the film is the last thing on students minds…
It got me thinking that the “Title” of one’s film is a really powerful “hook” .
The naming of a film can allure audiences and cleverly condense the essence of a story…all in one..
Consider this random list of 1930s films made in Shanghai…
I wish I had the resources to provide the links to these fabulous sounding movies…. what an untapped gold mine !
Shanghai Express
Shanghaiied lovers
Shanghai Bond
Streets of Shanghai
Shanghai lady
Shanghai Rose
Ship from Shanghai
Shanghai madness
Shanghai shipmates
Daughter of Shanghai
Shanghai Alibi
Half way to Shanghai
Shanghaied love
Boat to Shanghai
All film titles hint mysteriously of a city few in the West had hardly heard of, nor probably even knew existed in those days; and yet each variation of “Shanghai’ suggests a story line or type of movie: adventure, romance, mystery..
Consider some of the greatest book titles ever written for children
“Harold and the purple crayon”
All titles are unusual and interesting; they also cleverly sum up the story…
Max mets the Wild things…
Sam finally convinces the Old guy to try Green eggs and ham
The secret garden is just that; just one of many secrets held back for a long time.
Go Harold! How lucky he is to own a “purple” crayon….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It’s worth taking the time to brainstorm with your film crew and conduct a couple of lively discussions to consider a “title’ worthy that befits your work.
Are you struggling to create the perfect sound track for your movie
Take a lot at the top five… alternatives if you don’t have Garage band
1. Audacity (basically a recording site with funky effects
3. Tone matrix
http://lab.andre-michelle.com/tonematrix
You can also down load the virtual studio
4. Cake walk
http://www.cakewalk.com/Mac/
It’s a little complicated….used to be great to use..
still…it’s a useful tool
5. Hyperscore
http://www.hyperscore.com/
IT’s easy to use and caters for all levels of musicianship skills…
Friday High Fi
Many Greetings S2F2 students…
This is a specific message to Film Directors and Student Team Leaders
We are at that crazy point of time where work needs to be done.
Team members need to “pitch in” and everyone probably needs a reminder to focus on the THEME or objective of the film project…
It’s not always easy; often at these times certain personalities will challenge you.
Ironically
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ironic
the most talented and “hard to work” with colleagues are also your most valuable resource….
If you are directing a project or are a team member of a project; keep your common aspiration for the project firmly set in your head and keep sharing it with your team.
Keep positive with your team members and celebrate the progress you are making.
It’s important to remain open minded and flexible and also celebrate any innovative ideas team members bring to your project.
We all want to do our best; team members need support and encouragement. and feedback for the great work they are doing!
Celebrate and reflect; always give positive feedback before the negative!
Keep up the great work….
How’s the master piece going?
I have a feeling it’s FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~
Sincere
Best wishes
Keep up the great work!
Here’s some ideas to get you thinking about your sound track..
Every “character” in a story has a theme tune; Opera composers were doing it for years.
Wagner just before he created total chaos and destruction to 19th Century Western harmony took it to a another level……
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fktwPGCR7Yw
but that’s another story…meantime enjoy
Here’s a sample of classic cartoon characters theme tunes that wooed a whole generation.
Ok me and my brother and sister!
1. Felix the Cat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGb6lP4FVeg
2. Woody woodpecker
Love that big band sound…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuhRhFyu-Bs&NR=1
3. Adam Ant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dURNEcIyCKM&feature=related
4. Beanie and Cecil
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOxNtOMTpSo
5. Clutch Cargo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFnLirXjjto
Check out Clutch’s lips; just darn creepy!
6. Secret Squirrel
Another James Bond character
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg6EjC7EzcA
7. Marina “Aqua” Marina
Here is she is swimming..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD96RQ1-wnY
Marina never spoke a word.
Apparently her character was modeled on a famous French movie star
Brigette Bardot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkJjWgjtVlE
8.Huckeberry Hound
He always sang “Oh my darlin Clementine” Catch him whistle it half heartedly as he enters the scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GceKnYK1VsE
9. Top cat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykRZbOb1c5c
8. Porky Pig
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x07BOja7eog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyljNfQUu5A
Porky Pig has the last word “that’s all folks”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH7qq7OjJO8
Think about those moments in a movie when the sound track or even the ‘refrain’ of a DVD before you pushed play to watch that movie…
How many times has a tune moved you. Not many huh?
Maybe you haven’t been listening…maybe you’re not tuning in..
Maybe it’s time
Sound tracks are specifically engineered or written with the objective to complement and enhance story telling but NEVER compete;……. yet sometimes a haunting melody will subconsciously transport the viewer and cleverly transform the story telling…
Think about SOUND tracks or a fragment of a ” movie moment” that enraptured or encapsulated for a nano second your very being…
Music is a very powerful tool~
~~~~~~~~~~
1. Sunset boulevard
~
There are times when a scripted music moment sets the scene; like for instance when Joe in Sunset Boulevard wakes up to the sound of a BACH fugue
that just grows and grows as he wakes up properly and he realizes he’s become trapped! The organ is played by Max the enigmatic butler/real life director. As Joe wakes up to the horror that all his possessions have been shifted into this weird house; the fugue expands and becomes more complex. Joe runs down the stairs as the melodies also run downwards.. Joe has been captured into a creepy tale! To make it even more creepy Max is playing the organ in his gloves!
http://www.56.com/u88/v_NDc3OTQ5ODk.html
To find Max doin his stuff Fast track the movie to
27.34
2. The Blues Brothers ~ Aretha Franklin; " Think"
Aretha’s husband is going to leave her to join the Blue’s Brothers band; so she’s pretty mad! There’s a great “song sequence” the body language of dancers and singers tell the story. At the end of the song her husband throws down his apron; and it’s a classic comic moment that wouldn’t have been so funny without the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE41YPdPuis
3. American Beauty~
the flying bag scene
This is a very memorable and beautiful sound track by Thomas Newman. Newman and Howard Shore are contemporary Hollywood’s most prolific and in demand movie composers.
This scene focuses on an insignificant but very specific moment in time.; just before a snow fall and it’s just a plastic bag.
The theme tune and this scene summarizes the ‘essence’ of hope after the sad events in this story
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002353/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu8_8TJC9E8
4. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid
Bert Barcarrat was a proliflic song writer; as well as “Raindrops keep falling” he also not often credited for the fact he wrote “Say a little prayer ” that Aretha Franklyn (Blues brothers) is also well known for.
The lighthearted mood and playful nature of this moment is a stark contrast to what happens to Butch and the Sundance kid later in the story. The film maker is creating an empathy for viewers and setting us up!; making us want to like them; therefore when the horrible stuff happens…we feel really sad thus making the final impact of the tale more devastating for the viewer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STKkWj2WpWM
5. The River Queen directed by Vincent Ward
Boy sings out to his mother across the river. Boy has been kidnapped by his Maori family and his Scottish/ Paheka (weigou ) mother has been blind folded along her final river journey to find him. She has been trying to find him for many years.
She has been lead to him and is camping across the wide river and he knows she is camping there. They both know they must wait until morning to see each other as they must follow cultural protocol. He sings "Danny boy" a quintessential Irish song to all Colonial New Zealanders yet he sings it in Maori.. So the song is also paying respects to the other culture he lives in.
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