Wednesday 23 November 2016

Narrative - Fugitive Car Camera Placements & Lighting

Yesterday Thomas and I were trying to achieve the lighting we need to create the sense of the car streamlining through the night. It looked alot brighter through renders in Maya, uploading them online seems to have dulled the images quality slightly. strange, Anyway there is still work to be done and the cone lights we applied to the headlights have seemed to have fallen away.

We also had the idea of adding streetlights overhead of the car that would intermittently light the interior with each passing. To better symbolize the fact this car is travelling through space.


Wednesday 16 November 2016

Narrative - Fugitive Animatic V#1

This is the altered animatic with sound.

The music for the video is copyright free and is called:
'Sad Urban Noir Background Instrumental | Royalty Free Music'

Monday 14 November 2016

Opposing Characters - Batman vs Superman (2016) Review

 
Figure 1 - Batman vs Superman Theatrical Poster
 
Captioned the greatest superhero match up of our generation, Batman Vs Superman Dawn of Justice (2016) is a film that brings both characters to a single film as they bout for the victor. The audience has a subtle hint to the outcome through graphic novels and story arcs from the past of the DC universe that Warner Brothers brought to life onscreen. The society in this film believe there should be no Superman because of his alien like actions and Batman is the one who agrees and will also take Superman down. While Superman fears that Batman's actions are wreckless and fearing others. Meanwhile behind the scenes of this conflict, Lex Luthor is plotting something that will destroy mankind. This is what ultimately would pull the two unlikely allies together to face a common foe and save humanity. "Snyder has brought a different edge to the superhero genre, one that questions what drives these men of steel and creatures of the night to do what they do and believe what they believe. There is something to admire in that." (Pejkovic,M)
 
In this review I will be focusing on the opposition to these main characters. What really drives a wedge between their own personal outlooks of the world they both reside in and if any similarities may rise to highlight them. This will be done by reiterating the use of binary oppositions and applying that concept into film.
 
 Figure 2 - Batman
 
Batman is the assumed persona of Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck), an orphaned Billionaire and heir to Wanye industries and a massive fortune. Left without parents from the actions one fateful night, he was forever scarred by the incident and never found resolution. Born and raised in Gotham City, he was taught to care for the people of this degrading city and the Waynes were a part of that society that sought to fix what was broken. So for Bruce to lose his family to what they attempted to amend was unacceptable and he grew dark and disconnected. His fear was Bats and for him to don that as a symbol was a mastery of fear and he wanted to impose that print on those whose wrongdoings affected the innocents. His journey throughout the film is a development of his views toward alien visitors and their dominance to what man can achieve. From not being to trust Superman is here to save humanity, to coming to common ground with an individual that is, like him driven to save others. A scene that captures this change is when Batman is about to take out Superman with a Kryptonite spear. "Why did you say that name? Martha? Why did you say that name? WHY DID YOU SAY THAT NAME?" (Batman), at this pinnacle point Batman then begins to realize that Superman has undergone a similar origin to him where their families sought to protect and were wronged, that they would do anything to accomplish the task of saving others from that fate.
 
Figure 3 - Superman
 
Superman is the mantle that Kal-El (Henry Cavill) son of krypton possesses. Sent to earth in a pod while the rest of his race is torn apart from its own planets mass, he is an orphan to not just a family but to an entire race. Raised by Martha and Jonathon Kent on a farm in Kansas, Kal-El is given the name Clark Kent and is shielded from everyone and his abilities kept secret, in fear of what people would think. He then leaves the farm after the passing of his father and goes on a journey of discovery to learn the roots to his origin.
 
In this film which is a direct continuation of that journey, Now known to the world as Superman 'A beacon of hope' he now has the attention of the planet on his shoulders and is asked the question why does a man dressed in a Batsuit go unopposed while there is a man capable of godlike feats around? Superman's journey throughout the film is not being able to accept that a man who is clearly conflicted mentally should govern crime to his choosing unchallenged. There is a scene that perfectly shows his acceptance to the concept though, and that at this particular point of the film Superman no longer cares about his conflict with the Batman, but instead to save his human mother, Martha.
 

Figure 4 - Superman & Lex Luthor
 
Pictured above (Figure 4) is the confrontation between Superman and Lex Luthor, Lex learns of the truth behind the man of steel and has unmasked him. Taken his mother from him as a hostage and has pitted Superman to travel to Gotham where the Batman is waiting for a bout to the death. Superman for a moment is unhinged and is about to incinerate Lex which is a move that would stun and shock audiences of the cult fiction. Its a move that Superman would never do. Its this sense of desperation and outrage that gives Superman an incite to how Batman operates, Batman is a seasoned Anti-hero who has policed a city long enough to realize that cleansing is better than rehabilitating. 
 
 
 
 Bilbography List

Batman (2016) Batman Vs Superman. Accessed at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2975590/quotes on 14.11.16
 
 
Illustration List
 
 

Narrative Structure - Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) Review

Figure 1 - Star Trek Into Darkness Theatrical Poster

Directed by J.J.Abrams and the sequel to the 2009 revitalisation of the iconic series. 'Star Trek Into Darkness' (Figure 1) is the introduction to one of most proclaimed villains in the franchise and Abrams next step to boldly reimagining the series. After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk played by 'Chris Pine' leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction.

In this review we will be focusing upon the Narrative Structure of the film and whether the film fits with the three act structure I feel it can be dissected into. Following Gustav Freytag's Pyramid of Structure.
Figure 2 - Freytag's Pyramid
 
 
Before beginning our investigation into Narrative Structure within this film selection, it would be applicable to mention the Freytag theorem. Pictured above (Figure 2) is a demonstration of Gustav Freytag's theory behind structure. Behind every story there is an inciting incident and need for some sort of action, follows through the same lines as a prologue. It expresses the need toward a resolution of the situation. This introduces the concept of the three act structure within film, the Exposition, the Climax and the Denouement. There are of course rising and falling actions in there aswell to consider but we will now apply this knowledge to our review.
 
 
Figure 3 - Captain Kirk
 
Act 1
 
We are introduced to Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise as they are attempting a planetary wide rescue by interrupting an active volcanoes wrath and violating the Prime Directive. "Do you know what a pain you are? You think the rules don't apply to you. There's greatness in you, but there's not an ounce of humility. You think that you can't make mistakes, but there's going to come a moment when you realize you're wrong about that, and you're going to get yourself and everyone under your command killed."(Pike, C) Kirk is soon after grounded and de-ranked as the results of his efforts to save the planet and his First Officer. Kirk feels the need to express his maturity to Starfleet by once again going under the Wing of his superior Admiral Christopher Pike. This is included to show the audience that whatever is going to take place following the actions of the prologue will be a redemption of not the crew of the Enterprise entirely, but by Captain Kirk himself and his actions critiqued by his subjects. His legacy.
 



 Figure 4 - Khan Noonien Singh
 
It is also in the First Act we are introduced to Khan Noonien Singh.(Figure 4) The main anti-protagonist of the film. Someone who is represented to be manipulative and a devious man, someone crafted to be the man that Captain Kirk must overcome to have resolution in not just the story but for himself. Khan Noonien Singh kills leaders of Starfleet and is a wanted fugitive for his actions under the false pretence of 'John Harrison'. This is what drives the act and brings Captain Kirk to the first step of his redemption. Piloting the Enterprise to pursue and capture the fugitive and bring him to swift justice. "That being said, Khan Noonien Singh is the most dangerous adversary the Enterprise ever faced. He is brilliant, ruthless and he will not hesitate to kill every single one of you." (Spock,A). With the audience armed with this narrative the structure continues into Act 2.
 
Act 2

Captain Kirk is emotionally compromised by the events that took place when Khan decimated Starfleet command and seeks to bring him to justice for the heinous crime that has been committed. But he is ordered by Admiral Marcus (Figure 5) to deploy torpedoes onto his position in orbit. An action that would probably end in the beginning of a new war between Starfleet and the Klingons. Instead of listening to his orders. Kirk chooses to capture the fugitive and bring him aboard for questioning. Disobeying a direct order from a superior in the process.

Figure 5 - Admiral Marcus
 
Captain Kirk learns from Khan Noonien Singh that everything to that point had been orchestrated to escalate the tension between two societies that would end in all out war. The Enterprise sabotaged and stranded on the edge of Klingon Space armed with to the brim with warheads. This is also the point where the film meets its unexpected climax in being that Khan is no longer the main threat, but it is now the chain of command that kirk himself follows. "The Midpoint, that link in the chain of dramatic action that connects the first half of Act II with the second half of Act II, is what moves the action forward and creates a new dramatic subtext.” (Field,S). This quote strengthens that the actions displayed in this Act is crucial to come to a climax that fuels the audiences need for resolution in the piece. Using the subject matter as an example, the conflict now resides between Kirk and Marcus who both have different views on what is best for those who follow beneath them. An iconic Kings of the chessboard approach.
 
Act 3
 
Captain Kirk's Journey through the film is displayed as showing trust in others and letting them take the risks he himself should have undertaken. In a classic reenactment of the franchise's lore, Captain Kirk re-aligns the warp field that would have traditionally have been a job for Spock to accomplish, sacrificing himself for the crew.

Figure 6 - Captain Kirk's Death
 
In his death (Figure 6), Kirk pushes the story into the Final Act. How his legacy will affect those beneath his chain of command. Spock is filled with rage and chases after Khan after all if it wasn't for his actions that led to the death of his friend, Spock wouldn't feel helpless and lost from his emotionless persona of Vulcan heritage. Initially Spock doesn't try to apprehend Khan but instead kill the man responsible for his pain, it isn't until after the Doctor of the Enterprise realizes that Khan is the answer to reviving the Captain. It is this resolution that compels the audience to shout "Don't do it!" as Spock throttles Khan by the neck as we know that Khan's blood is what can save the Captain.
 
Ultimately the resolution is the trust in the Captain being re-rooted in the crew of the Enterprise and the Captain to be aware of the constant scrutinizing that is done by those beneath his command and how he is looked up to. The films journey from turning Kirk from rebellious and unhinged, to coordinated with his crew and resolved in the knowledge that he joined Starfleet to help others than to fuel his own ego.
  
Bibliography List

Pike, C (2013) Star Trek Into Darkness at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1408101/trivia?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu Accessed on 14.11.16

Spock, A (2013) Star Trek Into Darkness at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1408101/trivia?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu Accessed on 14.11.16
 
Field, S (1994) Four Screenplays, Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group 

Illustration List