Written Statement Of Intentions

I Mohammed Moossun, will be making an animation which includes different styles and influences from different artists and film directors. I plan to make an animation that last thirty seconds to a minute that will include different techniques from different artists, for example, the use of ‘chiaroscuro’ (used by artists and art historians for the use of effects representing contrasts of light, not necessarily strong, to achieve a sense of volume in modelling three-dimensional objects such as the human body.)

As part of my animation I have chosen to use different types of genres to express the characters emotion towards a character that has been buried. One of the genres that I have chosen to use is “Film Noir”. This in my opinion would be a good way to express the characters feelings about the person who has passed away because the colour black can sometimes connote something that is negative and does not have a nice implication. I have been inspired to choose this genre because of the film “Citizen Kane”, which is a film that used black and white throughout the film, to create a mysterious atmosphere due to the use of heavy lighting and shadow. Hollywood cinematographers, like Greg Toland, was influenced by the use of heavy lighting and shadow by the artists in Germany who revolutionised film using German Expressionism, which is the use of dramatic lighting and shadows that have been designed like different shapes. All so that it gives the particular shot, deeper meaning.

In addition I am going to include lighting techniques that will give a certain message to the audience. In order for this to be achieved, I will have to use the lighting technique called ‘Chiaroscuro’. The term Chiaroscuro originates from Italian, which mean light-dark. This term is used in art for the contrast between light and dark. This is used to show bold contrast in the picture that affects the whole picture, however this is used mostly by artist and artist historians for effects representing contrast of light to achieve a sense of a three dimensional figure, such as the human body.

Chiaroscuro is also used in Cinematography to indicate the low areas of light and darkness that are in a film, this has mostly been done in black and white films such as "The Hunch Back Of Notre Dame" 1939. However the best example of Chiaroscuro, in the world of modern film making is "Cinema Paradiso" directed by Giuseppe Tornator.

Take at least 8 pictures in varying light conditions and with different framing techniques. Explain the effect of the framing and light on the picture

First Shot



I have chosen to take this picture when it is mid day and rather cloudy because then the colour of the wall matched the colour of the sky. I have also chosen to take it from a low angel shots because it connotes that someone might be looking up at something at the top of the wall. The fact that someone might be looking up at something and the colour of the shot is rather dull suggests that some bad is going to happen or the mood of the person.
In addition, this shot also has some influences on German Expressionism, this is because of the shadows that are inside the arch of this wall. This could also connote gothic horror because some horror films have been influenced by German Expressionism, for example “Sweeny Todd” directed by Tim Burton.


Second Shot



This shot was taken at mid day, when the natural light was not bright and sunny. I have chosen to do this because it gives the image a mysterious feel to it because of the framing. The connotations of this image is that It looks like someone is looking through a fence trying to find something in the grass ahead, but what makes it difficult is that it is so tall that you cannot see what is on the floor. However the image could also be interpreted as someone trying to look into the doors ahead, but is obstructed by the fence and the grass.

Third Shot



This shot was taken in the afternoon when the sun was on the right side of this particular tree. I have chosen to do this because it gives the whole image a artistic feel, due to the bright and vibrant colour that stand out because of the sun. This can be compared in terms of similarities to the way in which Vermeer used colour in “Girl With A Pearl Earing”

Fourth Shot



I have purposely taken this picture in bright day light because it makes the different colours that we can see, really stand out so the audience can appreciate the beauty of the different types of leaves. However this could also show how nature is being destroyed by a urban society and the carelessness of the people who within the society.

Fifth Shot



This shot was taken at 12:30 at night time, when nobody was outsude on the road. I have chosen to blur the image and use the yellow tinted road lights to give the image a horror theme. The dark foreground and the yellow tinted background could connote the them of horror because in a stereotypical horror film you would expect shots that seem out of the ordinary.

Sixth Shot



This shot was purposely taken at 12:00 at night time, to create a mood of suspense. This has been achieved through the use of “The Rule Of Thirds”, that draw the audience’s attention to the second window. This could connote that there is something mysterious happening in the second window, however the lights are off in the first and second window since this is where their attention should be. But there attention is drawn towards the top window because the light is turned on, therefore adding to the element of mystery.

Carravaggio, Rembrandt and Vermeer.

The Influence of Rembrandt

For cinematographers, as well as generations of art lovers, Rembrandt is the acknowledged master of light and shadow. His chiaroscuro technique has influenced some of the most important light-cameramen in cinema history. In her study of the relationship between painting and the cinema, ‘Moving Pictures’, Anne Hollander argues that without the paintings of the 17th century Dutch master, many of the masterpieces of the cinema would not have been possible.

Chiaroscuro

The term Chiaroscuro originates from Italian, which mean light-dark. This term is used in art for the contrast between light and dark. This is used to show bold contrast in the picture that affects the whole picture, however this is used mostly by artist and artist historians for effects representing contrast of light to achieve a sense of a three dimensional figure, such as the human body.

Chiaroscuro is also used in Cinematography to indicate the low areas of light and darkness that are in a film, this has mostly been done in black and white films such as "The Hunch Back Of Notre Dam" 1939. However the best example of Chiaroscuro, in the world of modern film making is "Cinema Paradiso" directed by Giuseppe Tornator.



In terms of Photography, Chiaroscuro is often effected by the "Rembrandt Lighting". Although in an high photography process, the term "Rembrandt Lighting" is usually called ambient or natural lighting. However this does not enable it to look naturalistic.



Crucifixion of St. Peter by Caravaggio

German Expressionism

German Expressionism

German Expressionism is the ways the filmmakers, especially in Germany, produced their films in the 1920s. During the recovery period after World War 1, the German film making industry was at its all time high.

However as the economy of the country was poor due to the war. German producers found it hard to produce extravagant films that could be compared to the films that Hollywood were producing. As a result of this, the German film makers decided to create their own style of film making, this involved using symbolism and Mise En Scene to create a particular mood and give the film deeper meaning.

Although the first film that used the Expressionist style was the film " The Cabinet of Dr. Calligari" directed by Robert Wiene, in 1920 .



The European cultures of the time embraced the ethic of the change and was willing to look further then what was already known, for example using bold, new ideas and artistic styles. The Expressionist sytle was produced on a small budget by using set designs with widely non-realistic, geometrically absurd sets, along with designs drawn on the walls and floors to representing lighting shadows and objects.

This storylines of this type of film making were usaully known as stories that dealt with madness, insanity, betrayal or other intellectaul topics (in comparision to the typical set genres that is used by Hollywood, for example action, adventure,romantic and Sci-fi films.

Formailsm Vs Realism

Formalism VS. Realism

The terms 'Formalism' and 'Realism' is production techniques that is used by producers when they are making a film. Realism does not use any form of special effects that are generated by a computer or 'Green Screen', Mike Leigh uses this technique in the film 'Life Is Sweet' to give it a realist feel.

However the term 'Formalism' is shot in a way that things are 'staged', planned carefully and edited in a way that it has a certain affect on the audience. Formalism also uses special effects to make the film more dramatic. An example of a film that uses 'Formalism' is the film 'Kill Bill' produced by Quentin Tarantino.

Kill Bill