Friday, December 14, 2012

Editing Software

You should be in the editing stage of your movie project.  If you don't want to use iMovie, there are some option without having to spend money.  You can download a number of different editing programs in a "trial" basis.  The trial versions are usually fully functional and will work for 30 days after installation.  Below are some links to the more popular programs and most are available for Mac or PC.  Make sure you select the right one for your system:

AVID:  Avid creates the programs that are often used in Hollywood.  Their basic versions would be good for this project:  AVID DS or AVID Media Composer.

ADOBE PREMIERE PRO CS6:  This is a very powerful program; big learning curve though.  This is a free trial.

VEGAS MOVIE STUDIO:  Sony has several versions of its movie-making software--all available for a free trial.

PINNACLE STUDIO

AVS VIDEO EDITOR:  Basic program

POWER DIRECTOR 11:  A basic video editing program.


Here is a FREE program (shareware) that can be used as well:

Wondershare Video Editor


Also, checkout CNET for more programs.

Monday, December 3, 2012

First Semester Midterm

Your midterms are this week.  Miks' midterm is on Tuesday and is the essay portion.  Janu's midterm in on Wednesday and will be about 50 questions, multiple choice.

The review sheet for Janu's mideterm can be found here.


Monday, October 22, 2012

Film Study Quiz

Tomorrow, October 23, we will be having a quiz over Film Study.

You will need to know the following items:

History of Film
  1. Persistence of vision
  2. Development of Photography
  3. Thomas Edison
  3. Lumiere brothers

Film Techniques and Language
  1. Shot v. scene
  2. Types of shots
  3. Transitions (ie, cut, dissolve, wipe, etc)
  4. Mise-en-scene v. mise-en-shot
  5. Types and uses of Camera movements
  6. Types and uses of focus 

  7. Types of lighting
  8. Objective v. Subjective camera

Films:
Great Train Robbery
Citizen Kane
  1. Background information
  2. Plot and characters
  3. Film techniques
Pink Floyd’s The Wall

The Dark Knight

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Citizen Kane

If you  missed any of Citizen Kane or if you would like to watch it again, it is available online:


 

CAT Scene Analysis Template

In order to complete your scene analysis, a Word document is available as a template.

To use the template:

1.  Click here to take you to the document.
2.  Under "File" click "download"

Now you can open the document in Word and fill it out with your analysis.

The analysis needs to be word-processed so this can make it a little easier in regards to formatting.  Or, if you prefer, you can create your own chart by going into Word (or any word processor) and create a table.  That table wil become your chart.

If you need help in this, please see me.

A copy of the assignment can be found here.

The assignment is due on November 9.  Remember, you need to pick a film from the list.


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Scene Analysis Assignment

For the scene analysis, you will need to pick a movie and analyze a scene from that movie shot-by-shot.  The scene needs to be at least 20 shots long.  Click here for a description of the paper.

Every person in class has to do a different film.  You can sign up for the films below.  Note:  It is first come, first served.


When you sign-up, use the code "kane"

If you want to do a film that is not on the list, see me for approval and I will add it to the list.  Remember, it needs to be a film before 1970.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Pink Floyd The Wall

Over the last couple of days, we watched Pink Floyd The Wall.  We will be having a graded discussion later in the week over the film.  If you missed the movie or would like to watch it again, here it is:

Also, there is a sheet that will help you break down the scenes.  You can download that sheet here.


Thursday, September 13, 2012

Why Doesn't Batman Kill the Joker?

As we watch The Dark Knight in class, you will need to read the article entitled, "Why Doesn't Batman Kill the Joker?"  A copy fo the article will be handed out in class.  However, if you are not going to be here on Friday, you can download the article online.

Click here to download the article.

Be prepared to discuss the movie in class on Tuesday.


Monday, September 10, 2012

Review for Sociological Theory Exam

Your CAT quiz over the sociology portion of the class is on Wednesday, September 12.  If you need another review sheet, click here.

There are also flashcards available to help you study.  Click on the links below:

Sociological Thinkers flashcards

Sociological Theories flashcards

The quiz will broken into three sections:

1.  Matching section for thinkers and their ideas.  You will have an idea and you will need to match it with the correct thinker.  Some of the people may be used more than once--it is not a one-for-one matching.  Some may not be used at all.

2.  Matching section for sociological theories.  Match the idea or scenario to the correct theory

3.  Multiple choice questions.  These questions are based on lecture, readings and discussions in class.

There are 30 questions in all.  60 points total.

(Plus, two extra credit Frank Sinatra questions as well)


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Schedule August 22-24

Wednesday, August 22

1. Intro to Course/ Course objectives
2. Lecture: What is Sociology?

Homework, Read “The Promise” by C. Wright Mills. Be prepared to take a quiz over the reading tomorrow

Thursday, August 23

1. Quiz, “The Promise”
2. Discuss the reading
3. Discussion: the aesthetics of Beauty

Friday, August 24

1. Introduction to Clifford Geertz
2. Thick description and cultural interpretation


Welcome to the 2012-13 iCat Class!

Welcome to Integrated Contemporary American Texts.  This class is taught by Mr. Janu and Mr. Miks and is a unique class that combines history, philosophy, sociology, literature and popular culture.  A senior-only course, this class was designed to get you to think and be prepared for college.  Welcome.  We are glad you are here.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

CAT Scene Analysis Assignment

As part of the alternate to the movie assignment, you need to do a scene analysis.  The scene needs to be at least five minutes long.  Each shot needs to be identified with the following:
  • Shot number
  • Shot Duration
  • Type of Shot (Long, Medium, closeup/Type of angle)
  • Description:  this is a description of the composition of the shot, lighting, camera movement, etc)
Before listing the shots, you will need to provide a brief synopsis of the film and a description the scene that you are analyzing.  Remember, you need to use the correct film language.  There is a reference packet that was given out at the beginning of the year for all of the film terms. Also, we have made a template available which can be downloaded here.

Here is an example:


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Moneyball Discussion

Here is the video from DP/30 in which the director, cinematographer, editor and sound designer discuss the film, Moneyball.