The following is an analysis of an animated children’s film (Kiki’s Delivery Service), the idea of the reviewing of such a genre of film is because we needed to get in the frame of mind of how to create such a film.
Colours
The colours used in the animation tale are very bright and warming from the moment the film starts. Sunny weather helps in creating a friendly atmosphere for young viewers.
Characters
The main characters are friendly and seem to be happy all the way through the opening of the film; this I feel is to get young viewers to build a positive relationship with the main characters from the begging.
Settings
The film opens on a lake surrounded with green fields on a sunny day and then moves on to Kiki’s home with again is a pleasant place and every character seems positive.
Sound and Music
The music used is the opening is in a very positive and fits well with the whole presentation of the characters and the surrounding.
Dialogue
The dialogue through out is very easy to understand, which is so that young viewers and older ones are able to understand what is being said. There is also no use of language that is in anyway offensive or demeaning throughout the whole of the film. (which is why the film is rated at U).
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Planning for filming part 2
Our planning for the children's film started with a mindmap to collect ideas. This mindmap is the source of our final idea, and is the second picture in the post below. After about 20 minutes of brainstorming we examined the ideas. Taking small pieces of all the ideas, we came up with our final plan. Our movie is going to be about a boy who gets in an accident, and can then read minds. Reece is going to play the main character, while michael will play the person who causes the accident.
After establishing an idea, we then worked out the storyboard. The clip will begin with Michael skateboarding, while credits will be made of real life objects. Reece will be speaking in a voice-over during this clip, while a song would also be played at a low volume. Eventually Michael and Reece would collide, which is the 'accident' that will cause reece to develop his 'special abilities.'
Michael, Dan and Reece looked into music for the opening sequence, while Vicky began to work on the storyboarding of the idea. In terms of music, we have decided we're going to use 'Stay away - Nirvana' for the opening scene. The beginning of this song seems perfect for the portrayal of Michael's character.
The storyboard is not yet finished, but will be finished in time for us to film next week. :)
After establishing an idea, we then worked out the storyboard. The clip will begin with Michael skateboarding, while credits will be made of real life objects. Reece will be speaking in a voice-over during this clip, while a song would also be played at a low volume. Eventually Michael and Reece would collide, which is the 'accident' that will cause reece to develop his 'special abilities.'
Michael, Dan and Reece looked into music for the opening sequence, while Vicky began to work on the storyboarding of the idea. In terms of music, we have decided we're going to use 'Stay away - Nirvana' for the opening scene. The beginning of this song seems perfect for the portrayal of Michael's character.
The storyboard is not yet finished, but will be finished in time for us to film next week. :)
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Analysis of a Children's Film
Five Children and It (2004)
Rated U
"Five children and It" is a film about four children whose discovery of a grouchy and ancient sand fairy leads them into a world where wishes are always granted, but at a cost. Set in World War One the film is a heartwarming comedy about the mishaps and adventures of the children, as they learn to be careful of what they wish for.
The film rating of U was given because of the moral messages included in the film, and because of the positive lessons the children learn throughout.
Editing / Camera Shots / and Angles
In the first sequence clips of articles are shown, and these fade to reveal a simple title, “Five Children and It” and then fades again to reveal the scene of a crowded train station in 1917. The shots have then been cut so that the target audience can follow the action easily.
Mid-shots are used so that the main character is in the centre of the screen from the beginning and, although he is not seen at first because of passers-by, the camera is always in line with his head. Mid-shots are the only shots used to establish the setting so that the audience is aware of how crowded the station is, because the camera is always being blocked from view.
Sound/Music
The opening music is a light hearted orchestra piece and plays underneath the narration, alongside the sound effect of an aeroplane propeller (which links in with the idea of war) and another, wand like sound effect which suggests that the film will contain magic.
Setting / Colour and Filters look
From the character’s narration and from the backdrop of newspaper articles, which layer up and overlap and fade over each other at the beginning of the film, the audience learns that the setting is at a time during world war one.
The first few seconds of the film are in a sepia tone but gradually fades into colour. The lighting is soft and natural because of the setting.
Characters / Narrative / Dialogue
One of the main characters provides the narration at the beginning of the film and introduces the dilemma of the parents going away to work or to fight in the midst of WW1, revealing that the children are to be sent away to stay with their “mad” uncle.
The main character is shown to be deeply upset about being sent away, and acts out against his older brother who bosses him about from the outset. However the dialogue is not inappropriate and no words are exchanged between the characters in an angry or violent way and the arguments between the children are glossed over by the kind words of the mother as she takes control of the situation.
Costumes / Props
Costumes are typical of the era the film is set in and all of the characters and extras have been dressed appropriately for that genre. The trains used in the film are old fashioned steam trains and the set which has been used fits in well with the genre. A newspaper from the decade is in the hand of an extra and items such as brief cases and stereotypical tweed suits, carried and worn by the extras have been incorporated into the background to paint a small picture of what life is like within that time.
Rated U
"Five children and It" is a film about four children whose discovery of a grouchy and ancient sand fairy leads them into a world where wishes are always granted, but at a cost. Set in World War One the film is a heartwarming comedy about the mishaps and adventures of the children, as they learn to be careful of what they wish for.
The film rating of U was given because of the moral messages included in the film, and because of the positive lessons the children learn throughout.
Editing / Camera Shots / and Angles
In the first sequence clips of articles are shown, and these fade to reveal a simple title, “Five Children and It” and then fades again to reveal the scene of a crowded train station in 1917. The shots have then been cut so that the target audience can follow the action easily.
Mid-shots are used so that the main character is in the centre of the screen from the beginning and, although he is not seen at first because of passers-by, the camera is always in line with his head. Mid-shots are the only shots used to establish the setting so that the audience is aware of how crowded the station is, because the camera is always being blocked from view.
Sound/Music
The opening music is a light hearted orchestra piece and plays underneath the narration, alongside the sound effect of an aeroplane propeller (which links in with the idea of war) and another, wand like sound effect which suggests that the film will contain magic.
Setting / Colour and Filters look
From the character’s narration and from the backdrop of newspaper articles, which layer up and overlap and fade over each other at the beginning of the film, the audience learns that the setting is at a time during world war one.
The first few seconds of the film are in a sepia tone but gradually fades into colour. The lighting is soft and natural because of the setting.
Characters / Narrative / Dialogue
One of the main characters provides the narration at the beginning of the film and introduces the dilemma of the parents going away to work or to fight in the midst of WW1, revealing that the children are to be sent away to stay with their “mad” uncle.
The main character is shown to be deeply upset about being sent away, and acts out against his older brother who bosses him about from the outset. However the dialogue is not inappropriate and no words are exchanged between the characters in an angry or violent way and the arguments between the children are glossed over by the kind words of the mother as she takes control of the situation.
Costumes / Props
Costumes are typical of the era the film is set in and all of the characters and extras have been dressed appropriately for that genre. The trains used in the film are old fashioned steam trains and the set which has been used fits in well with the genre. A newspaper from the decade is in the hand of an extra and items such as brief cases and stereotypical tweed suits, carried and worn by the extras have been incorporated into the background to paint a small picture of what life is like within that time.
Planning stages of children's film
This is the mind map of our first ideas yesterday (On Wednesday) The writing that has been highlighted in green is the ideas that we decided to keep.
Monday, 10 October 2011
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