The scene I decided to analyze is from the movie Kung Fu Hustle, which is directed by Stephen Chow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOMP58-DILA (44 seconds to 3:58)
Some context: This movie is a comedy that pays homage to Hong Kong martial arts cinema. Stephen Chow (both the lead actor and director) blends together intense drama, super precise fight choreography and his own brand of slapstick physical comedy.
The scene opens with Stephen walking out the door of a run down living complex in 50-60's Shanghai. The place is an obvious slum which is made clear through the dirty buildings, lack of decorations and small living spaces. The shot then goes to the old couple that took him in, (they were both accosted by the gang which is outside of the house, and he is currently protecting them.) He steps out and a point of view shot is used to show how large his adversary is. There are hundreds of axe-gang members outside and they have taken up all the space in the complex. The gang leader looks in awe as Stephen Chow is still alive. An extreme close up is used to convey his emotion of excitement and surprise. Then one of the gang members commands the others to kill him, and the fight begins. Stephen is always at the center of the camera, and many extreme close ups are used to show his composure and effortlessness as he fights the many gangsters. His attacks are comically overpowered, as he sends them flying mid air in a comic book style. Soon, a birds eye view close up is used to show him stepping on the feet of his enemies. The circle formed by his enemies create a perfect line that draws the eye to the center of it, which is Stephen Chow. Every so often, the camera cuts to the gang leader, who looks down on the fight and is laughing to himself, only to be shocked by a body flying towards him. Slow motion is frequently used to show the raw energy and power behind Stephen's attacks. (Again, a blend of comic physics and martial arts). An over the shoulder point of view shot is used to show Stephen running through the hallway while the gang members make a last ditch effort to resist him. The scene then cuts to the gang leader watching as nothing but punching sounds are heard. In a moment of mise en scene perfection, gang members are hanging out the ceiling, walls, windows and on the floor in a scene that is only ever seen in cartoons. Juxtaposed with the serious emotions and dramatic tension of the gang leader and Stephen Chow, the scene is powerful and dramatic without being overwhelming.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Production Plans On Story
Story Project: New Kings (Moravian Academy Gaming Team)
The story and struggle of the underrated, under-appreciated gaming community at Moravian Academy. Then show my personal journey from beginner to ranked Gamer with Moravian Academy Team, NEW KINGS (name of team). (As mentored by the following)
Key people:
Dom Fonte (Number 1 starcraft 4v4 team in America)
Peter Philips (2300 Elo League Player)
Tim Sonier (Top 50 call of duty player in the United states)
George (Top 200 ranked FIFA players in the united states)
(Shooting)
1)Begin with a concept of how gaming has grown legitimized over the years. (Call 1million USD, League of Legends 5million USD, FIFA 400,000 etc)
2)Give brief summary of current situation (professional gamers etc)
3)Interview Moravian gamers
4)Show myself playing and self interview to explain how I feel
5)Show that gaming is universal and the appeal should be encouraged as it brings people together.
Shot ideas:
Interviews: Done in classrooms or at houses. Preferably with gaming equipment and computers. (remember to recording lots of "clacking" of keyboards and "clicking" of mice. Zoom in on specialized gaming computers and equipment.
Self Interviews: in computer room, playing game.
-Get shots of me playing and laughing with others.
-Talk about statistics and rankings. About teams and teammates. (Maybe get some footage of me playing with New Kings, The Moravian Academy gaming team)
-Periodic updates on gaming ability.
-possibly get some actual in game footage with screen capture.
School: show kids playing games in the library. Also, discussing strategies, statistics, concepts, tournaments and upcoming games.
(Picture montage/slide show for explaining gaming history. )
Random shot ideas:
extreme close up of fingers on keyboard showing fast typing speeds.
extreme close up of hand on mouse
The story and struggle of the underrated, under-appreciated gaming community at Moravian Academy. Then show my personal journey from beginner to ranked Gamer with Moravian Academy Team, NEW KINGS (name of team). (As mentored by the following)
Key people:
Dom Fonte (Number 1 starcraft 4v4 team in America)
Peter Philips (2300 Elo League Player)
Tim Sonier (Top 50 call of duty player in the United states)
George (Top 200 ranked FIFA players in the united states)
(Shooting)
1)Begin with a concept of how gaming has grown legitimized over the years. (Call 1million USD, League of Legends 5million USD, FIFA 400,000 etc)
2)Give brief summary of current situation (professional gamers etc)
3)Interview Moravian gamers
4)Show myself playing and self interview to explain how I feel
5)Show that gaming is universal and the appeal should be encouraged as it brings people together.
Shot ideas:
Interviews: Done in classrooms or at houses. Preferably with gaming equipment and computers. (remember to recording lots of "clacking" of keyboards and "clicking" of mice. Zoom in on specialized gaming computers and equipment.
Self Interviews: in computer room, playing game.
-Get shots of me playing and laughing with others.
-Talk about statistics and rankings. About teams and teammates. (Maybe get some footage of me playing with New Kings, The Moravian Academy gaming team)
-Periodic updates on gaming ability.
-possibly get some actual in game footage with screen capture.
School: show kids playing games in the library. Also, discussing strategies, statistics, concepts, tournaments and upcoming games.
(Picture montage/slide show for explaining gaming history. )
Random shot ideas:
extreme close up of fingers on keyboard showing fast typing speeds.
extreme close up of hand on mouse
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Pre Production Plans
Location: Kitchen, Garden (House in general)
Lighting: Natural lighting + house (tungsten) lights.
Audio: (at2020/ seperated audio resynch) (or in camera mic depending on situation)
Shot variety:
Extreme Close up: Phone calls with extended family. Cooking/Cleaning.
Wide shots: house.
Medium: walking about, organizing house.
Close Up: Hugging Courtney
My mom is originally a lawyer but gave up her career to raise me and my sister. She currently works as a home maker and personal chauffeur. Cooking, cleaning, organizing and keeping the family in check are only some of the things she does around the house. She is a strong figure in her family and often helps to manage extended-family affairs.
Lighting: Natural lighting + house (tungsten) lights.
Audio: (at2020/ seperated audio resynch) (or in camera mic depending on situation)
Shot variety:
Extreme Close up: Phone calls with extended family. Cooking/Cleaning.
Wide shots: house.
Medium: walking about, organizing house.
Close Up: Hugging Courtney
My mom is originally a lawyer but gave up her career to raise me and my sister. She currently works as a home maker and personal chauffeur. Cooking, cleaning, organizing and keeping the family in check are only some of the things she does around the house. She is a strong figure in her family and often helps to manage extended-family affairs.
Nanook of the North:
Nanook of The North is an avant garde (for its time) documentary film. Although, realistically, it is difficult to define as a documentary because most of the characters are played by actors. One of the most interesting aspect of the film, above all else, is the unique camera work. Even though it used a large scale film camera, cuts are frequent implying that much work and planning went in to capturing the shots. Every minute detail is carefully contrived. The storyline of the film is fairly romanticized; bringing the inuit people to western light by telling the story of Nanook. Although this can be seen as sacrilegious to documentary filmmaking, the wide spread of Nanook of The North and the knowledge it brought the world far overpowers the minor problem of of not conforming to modern standards of documentary filmmaking. Overall, the movie did have moments that tapered onto the risque side, but never failed to tell the legitimate, harm-warming story of Nanook and his people.
Nanook of The North is an avant garde (for its time) documentary film. Although, realistically, it is difficult to define as a documentary because most of the characters are played by actors. One of the most interesting aspect of the film, above all else, is the unique camera work. Even though it used a large scale film camera, cuts are frequent implying that much work and planning went in to capturing the shots. Every minute detail is carefully contrived. The storyline of the film is fairly romanticized; bringing the inuit people to western light by telling the story of Nanook. Although this can be seen as sacrilegious to documentary filmmaking, the wide spread of Nanook of The North and the knowledge it brought the world far overpowers the minor problem of of not conforming to modern standards of documentary filmmaking. Overall, the movie did have moments that tapered onto the risque side, but never failed to tell the legitimate, harm-warming story of Nanook and his people.
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