Cierra's favorite things

 One of my favorite sports to play and watch is football. Although I'm terribly short I'm a pretty awesome receiver and I can throw a mean spiral.  What I like about this picture is it veers from the typical LS that football is usually depicted in and goes for a CU. I also like how it shows the texture of football, right down to the dirt.

 BMW'S are my favorite car. Its something about the way they ride that has taken over my life. I like what this picture implies. To me it screams: RACE. The lines in the road give this shot alot of depth as it meets the top 1/3rd on the horizon. I also like how the cars are angled in a 3/4 profile so you can see their bodies. Yes, cars are people too. My BMW was named Roman.

 I could eat my bodyweight in crawfish. Everyday. I love the shallow depth of field in this picture. It too aslo veers from the typical shot of crawfish boils you may encounter. Though I wish there were corn and potatoes in this picture to really encompass the whole experience, I like the neatness of this one. Huge mounds of crawfish aren't as aesthetically pleasing on camera as they are in person.

 I lived in Destin, FL for three years and I spent most of my time on the water for this very reason. ITS BEAUTIFUL.  The water is a more brilliant blue than the sky! Not to mention I love boats. I also love how the water takes up 2/3's of the frame as it is the focus of the picture.

 My favorite color is green so this one doesn't need much explanation. The reason I chose this particular picture was I liked the depth the walkway added in the frame.

This shot takes me back to high school. I was on the drumline all 4 years and I played the snare. When we watched drum corp videos I always loved the angle they shot the snares at. As in this picture, they'll get drum level and take you down the whole line. In this particular shot, I love the layers in the depth of field. 

 I love to ride horses. We have 7. That's more people that live in my household, but if the apocolypse comes: we're set.  I like how the subjects come from off frame and meet in the middle. Its very interesting to me. They might be in-horse-love. Who knows!

 I think pitbull puppies are the cutest things ever! What I like about this picture is that it isn't your typical puppy shot. Obviously he's a model! I love how they framed him in a headshot. He even has eye light! #DontBullyMyBreed

 I really love music, as I'm sure everyone else does, but what I like about this picture is the framing and composition. The subject is abiding by The Rule of Thirds, the DOF is shallow, the light is bright and revitalizing, and it has layers. I also like the eye level approach to this one. It captures the relaxation music can bring.

 Basketball was my first love. My little sister was named after MJ because he was my favorite, only with a not-so-slight spelling change (Jourdyn). This low angle shot captures the essence  of MJ. Even though he is in the center of the frame it works because he isn't facing dead center, he las lead room to his endpoint, and you can't really pinpoint from where he started. The beauty of flight.

These are pictures that I took (on my iPhone before my t3i)

 I took this picture on the way home around the time my grandma was passing. I knew what I was going home for and this scene really seemed like God's way of foreshadowing what was to come. There was a beautiful sunset. I really like the colors in it as well as the depth the lines in the road provide. The dutch angle also  speaks on the outcome of the trip.

 I took this on a cruise to Mexico. I like the rich colors in it and the depth the sun's reflection adds. There was a hugh patch of clouds that made taking the picture possible because the sun was way too bright without them.

 One of my absolute favorite places to be is at the family property on Fowl River in Mobile. The colors in this picture are amazing to me. This was before my composition and framing knowledge but I think I did pretty good capturing the beauty and essence of The River.

 As I told you earlier, pitbull puppies are the cutest! My dog Rajah (yes, like off of Aladdin) decided the couch was a very dangerous place this particular day. So he kept me and spongebob safe. Peep the look room.

I love to play beer pong. I am a champion, hence the confetti. In this picture I liked the colors and the framing of the cups. I didn't feel like I needed the whole frame to let you know what the deal was.

Darian's Ten Favorite Images

Hello All! Here are my ten favorite Images. 

Thought it would help you get to know me a little better! I'll start with my favorite movie in the world Moulin Rouge!

Context 

Title -  Moulin Rouge!

Director - Baz Luhrman

Cinematographer - Donald McAlpine

When -  2001

Budget - 50 million dollar budget

Place - 20th century France

Distributor - 20th Century Fox

Why - profit and entertainment

Content

Genres - Musical

Theme - Truth Freedom Beauty and Love

Thesis - An English writer falls in love with a courtesan. Their love is impossible because she must love whom ever pays for her. However their love is strong and ultimately "overcomes all obstacles".

Message - Love Conquers All

Form

Aesthetics - Medium Long Shot, profile two shot, soft focus with high contrast, vibrant colors

Film Form - Romantic comedy and it is a musical. The musical selections are shot like dreams. They have a lot of visual effects such as bright lights as well as smoke and uncomfortable close ups.

Context 

Title -  Kill Bill Volume I

Director - Quentin Tarantino

Cinematographer - Robert Richardson

When -  2003

Budget - 55 million dollar budget, shared with Volume II

Place - United States, Japan

Distributor -  Miramax Films

Why - Entertainment, Profit, and Artistic

Content

Genres - Action

Cinematography

Theme - Martial Arts Film

Thesis - An ex assassin goes on a journey to kill her former team mates because they killed her bridal party and tried to kill her.

Message - Skilled fighter

Form

Aesthetics - Long Shot, vibrant colors, 

Film Form - Made like a Japanese, Martial Arts film so the shots are in focus because most of the time what is happening in the background is just as important as the foreground.

Context 

Title - The Notebook

Director - Nick Cassavetes

Cinematographer - Robert Fraisse

When -  2004

Budget - 29 million

Place - Southern United States, 1940's

Distributor - Miramax Films

Why - Entertainment and Profit

Content

Genres - Romance

Theme - Love overcoming class barriers

Thesis - A young couple falls in love during the 1940's. Their love has to survive war, social class differences, and ultimately Alzheimer's and old age

Message - Young Love

Form

Aesthetics - Medium Shot, soft colors, natural light, 

Very Little Contrast

Film Form - Romantic Love story set in the 1940's, the focus is never harsh and the objects of importance are in focus. Natural Light

Context 

Title - Pan's Labyrinth

Director - Guillermo del Torro

Cinematographer -  Guillermo Navarro

When -  2006

Budget - 19 million

Place - Mexico, Spain

Distributor - Warner Bros./ Picturehouse

Why - Entertainment, Profit, and Artistic

Content

Genres - Dark Fantasy

Theme - Rebellion, self discovery, imagination

Thesis - Young Ofelia must complete three tasks to return to save her mother and return home to her real father.

Message - The Faun must tell Ofelia what she must do.

Form

Aesthetics - Medium profile two-shot, Dark, Cool colors, Important contrast on Ophelia because she is most important in the shot. Everything else blends together.

Film Form - Dark Fairytale. In this shot the Faun and Ophelia are in focus and the background makes them seem caged in. The entire movie is very dark giving it a mysterious and thrilling feel.

Context 

Title - School Daze

Director - Spike Lee

Cinematographer - Ernest Dickerson

When -  1988

Budget - 6.5 million

Place - Historically Black College, Late 80's

Distributor - Miramax Films

Why - Entertainment, Profit

Content

Genres - Drama

Theme - Racism within the African American community

Thesis - Spike Lee plays a pledge trying to join Gamma Phi Gamma Fraternity. He shows the hardships  in the African American community from hair texture to skin color and everywhere in between.

Message - Shows Julian trying to break Half-Pints spirit.

Form

Aesthetics - Big close- up two shot, Soft focus (made in the 80's)

Film Form - This film is depicting experiences Spike Lee had in college. The shots colors are very realistic as if the viewers are in the scenes as well. This close up is important to show Half-Pint (right) and Julian's (left) expressions.

Context 

Title - 300

Director - Zack Snyder

Cinematographer - Larry Fong

When -  2006

Budget - 65 million

Place - Sparta

Distributor - Warner Bros. Pictures

Why - Entertainment, Profit, Artistic

Content

Genres - Action

Theme - Gory through battle.

Thesis - King of Sparta, Leonidas, leads 300 Spartans into battle to defeat the Persians.

Message - Strength isn't always in Numbers.

Form

Aesthetics - Medium shot, Dark, Monochromatic accept the color red. Height Contrast, over exposed back ground.

Film Form - 300 makes 

Leonidas and his soldiers look like Gods. The heavenly halo of light around his head makes him look like he just came from the sky or is about to return there. Also the soldiers in the background make 

Leonidas look ready for anything. The only vibrant color in the film is red. The color or blood and the Spartans Uniforms, make them both all the more important.

Context 

Title - Enchanted

Director - Kevin Lima

Cinematographer - Don Burgess

When -  2007

Budget - 85 million

Place - New York City

Distributor - Walt Disney Pictures

Why - Entertainment, Profit

Content

Genres - Romantic Comedy

Theme - True Loves First Kiss

Thesis - Ella gets sent to New York City by the Evil Queen. There she finds true Love and a new out look on life.

Message - She is an innocent naive princess.

Form

Aesthetics - Medium close -up, Bright colors, natural look

Film Form - The film in real life depicts a classic fairy tale, the colors are just as vibrant as they would be in a cartoon. Saturated tones where the most important objects the brightest.

Context 

Title - Edward Scissorhands

Director - Tim Burton

Cinematographer - Stefan Czapsky

When -  1990

Budget - 20 million

Place - Fictional Suburban Community

Distributor - 20th Century Fox

Why - Entertainment, Profit

Content

Genres - Romantic Fantasy

Theme - self discovery and isolation

Thesis - An unfinished creation Edward Scissor hands makes his way out of his home into a suburban town where he is first feared then he finds his place in the little community. However, he soon realizes he is too different to fit into the outside world.

Message - Edward has ruined his hands, therefore he wont ever be normal.

Form

Aesthetics - Close up, Face in focus, Dark

Film Form - In this image Edward's creator has just died and he has ruined his chance at ever being completely normal. The Cinematographer chose to put Edward face in focus to show his expression at this life changing moment.

Context 

Title - Phantom of the Opera

Director - Joel Schumacher

Cinematographer - John Mathieson

When -  2004

Budget - 70 million

Place - Paris, 1870

Distributor - Warner Bros. Pictures

Why - Entertainment, Profit

Content

Genres - Romantic Fantasy

Theme - Unrequited love

Thesis - The Phantom of the Opera falls in love with Christine and hopes to woo her without her ever seeing his face. When it doesn't work he kidnaps her however her lover saves her in the end.

Message - The Phantom of the Opera is always there

Form

Aesthetics - Close Up, two shot, dark, low contrast, soft focus

Film Form - In this Romantic fantasy it is very dark to show the darkness of the phantom. In contrast Christine is always light to show her innocence.

Context 

Title - Secret Life of Bees

Director - Gina Prince-Bythewood

Cinematographer - Rogier Stoffers

When -  2008

Budget - 11 million

Place - Carolina, 1964

Distributor - Fox Searchlight Pictures

Why - Entertainment, Profit

Content

Genres - Romantic Fantasy

Theme - Good in everyone, Love, Race, Civil Rights

Thesis - Rosaleen and Lilly flee to Augusts house to find clues about Lilly's mother. There they find solace and the beginning of a better life.

Message - Good in even a tiny bee

Form

Aesthetics - Medium close-up, soft colors, shallow depth of field, natural light

Film Form - Soft Intimate film with little Contrast and soft colors. The film is a little ethereal because of the use of nature through out. The colors are realistic.

Ten Things About Doc Raimist

10. My father was the original "Doc Raimist" but since I am now also a Dr. Raimist and my Dad has passed away, I like it when my students call me "Doc"

Clifford Raimist holds an oar, long before he was my Dad.

9. My Dad used to take me fishing when I was a girl, but I always gave him a hard time. Now I LOVE <3 Jeremy Wade <3 and his show River Monsters, and sometimes dream of running away from my life as a professor to be his videographer.... so if I don't show up to class you know where I am.

8. I also love The Walking Dead. I think the characters are just awesome and I want a sword like Michonne. Super excited for the return tonight!!!

7. My favorite romantic comedy is Say Anything. I <3 Lloyd Dobbler.

6. I also am a Vampire Diaries addict. TEAM DAMON. I think I've watched every episode many, many times.

5. One of my favorite places is Strawberry Fields in NYC.

4. I love the music video "Drop" by the Pharcyde. Directed by Spike Jonze. 

3. I think that Be Kind Rewind was totally underrated.

2. I am a hip-hop feminist. Google me.

1. My #1 most important role (and I play many) is being a Mom. My kids rock the sure shot.

Welcome to TCF 312 Advanced Videography!

New course, new semester... same blog!

This blog is the COURSE blog where I will share assignments, links, and other materials for class. It is also the hub for your all of your individual course blogs. -------------> see the right sidebar