Happy Holidays

So, at long last we say goodbye to the term. Well done to the AS folks whose editing tasks could teach Hitchcock a thing or two about suspense, still have to see Paul Brown's after the break. Don't forget to work on your creative journal task over the break. Also, keep an eye out for good films on TV or at the cinema. here are a few you might want to stay in for:

Bad Santa - Fiver -21 December
Mary Poppins - ITV1- December 26
Miracle on 34th Street -More 4 - December 20
The Wizard of Oz - probably on every channel every day.

As for me I'm off to Hollywood- well, I'll be passing through... whatever you're up to I hope you enjoy the holidays
Ms D

Congratulations!

Just want to say congratulations to Callum, in case you didn't know he won CCEA's best alternative short film at the Foyle Film festival. As well as that he was also shortlisted in the cinemagic best short film 15-18 category. This is a great achievement for Callum considering this was his first ever short film. I can't wait to see what he and all the rest of you super talented folks are going to produce next year.

This has been such a busy month I have barely had time to blog.

The AS folks have been making good progress with their study of the language of film and are currently working on how cinematographers have been influenced by the work of fine artists. Don't forget your illustrated essay is due in on Monday! I was impressed to hear Michael say how valuable books were for his research, especially as he had just told his dad a few days before that he thought they were pretty useless!!

As for the A2 folks they have been revising expressionist and surrealist film making and are about to start work on a very detailed analysis of Amelie. They have also started working on ideas for the coursework, so don't forget to bring your creative journals with you on Monday.

Below are a few links for Amelie





On another note, I am going to see Quantum of Solace this weekend and was just wondering what you've all been watching recently? Leave a comment.

The Language of Film

At this point you should all be confident in using the specialised film of language, you should know your ECU from your LS and the difference between low key and high key lighting.

If you need some help at brushing up on your vocab check out some of the following sites.





AS students don't forget you have your presentations on 1. props, 2. acting and 3. costumes due in on Mon 10th. Remember to have your clips ready to go and to provide a commentary as you do so.

Screenings

Hi all, just to remind you we will be having screenings of our the year 13 experimental films inspired by surrealism today after school, we also look forward to seeing what the year 14s have made. Their films were inspired by their viewing of 'Citizen Kane' and its use of multiple viewpoints,look forward to seeing what they have come up with.

Also just wanted to say congratualtions to Callum whose AS film 'Capture' was screened during one of the teacher training days for moving image arts, it was used as an example of outstanding level 5 work, well done Callum! I was especially proud as last year was our first year of studying MIA, so just think of what we are capable of this year!!

One month in...

Hey all, it's hard to believe we are already into our second month of term.

Year 13 should be working on editing their surreal films, also don't forget to polish up your presentations on the history of film for tomorrow.

Year 14 should be filming 'Perspectives' a short inspired by their study of Welles' Citizen Kane, we will edit those next week and hopefully have a screening next Thursday in film club of both year 13 and year 14 films.

In the mean time was just wondering if you had any films you would recommend your class mates should watch, leave a comment on the blog about your top three films. I'll start with mine No.1. Blue Velvet 2. Fight Club 3. Marnie

Greetings

So, here we are again at the start of a new term. This year we have nine fabulous year 13 students studying MIA, and two fantastic year 14s, I wish them you all the best for the coming year.

So far the year 13s have been learning a little about the history of film, we have just completed a case study on the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, and are working at cutting out first film. Everyone seems to be getting to grips with using the macs which is great, remember you are more than welcome to use my room when you are free or after school.

Year 14s have started the year studying Orsen Welles' Citizen Kane, 'the best movie ever made' according to many. Their practical work sees them starting the term by storyboarding their own 'News on the March', looking forward to seeing those on Friday.

Result!

Just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS to the Moving Image Arts students who all did brilliantly well is their AS exam. None of you got below a D and two of you got an A, whoa!!! I am proud of you all.

Special mention goes to Matt who leaves us to go and study Film and TV production at Edgehill, we wish you all the best. I also want to wish Cahal Og good luck in his new career, hopefully he won't give up on his animation experiments, the world needs more 'Bold Donkey'!

I also want to welcome back Lee, Stuart and Callum who worked really hard last year and are hopefully ready for all that A2 involves.

Revision

So, all the coursework has been sent away and the only thing remaining for you to do is get your head down and revise like crazy for the exam.

Today we will have a class on tips for the exam. You should be 1)reading over all your notes on film language 2) reading over your mock exams and the mark scheme 3)check these links out:

http://www.filmsite.org/filmterms1.html
http://www.filmeducation.org/secondary/concept/filmlang/docs/frameset.html
http://www.rumney.cardiff.sch.uk/~jw/menu.html
http://www.filmreference.com/encyclopedia/Criticism-Ideology/Expressionism-EXPRESSIONISM-AND-FILM-HISTORY.html



ALSO REMEMBER TO BRING A SPARE SET OF HEADPHONES WITH YOU.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE

Film Screenings

Well, at last all the hard work is almost over.

Today we had the test screenings of our films. Unfortunately 'Bold Donkey'didn't make it as Cahal was having 'technical difficulties' burning his film to disc. A crowd of sixth formers were our audience. On the whole the reception was positive, although a few expressed concerns about the mental health of the group as so many of the films reveal a dark sinister undercurrent. Anyhow, well done to all. At this point we only have a few last minute 'tweaks' to make to the films and get all the written material finished and printed.

Have a good weekend.

What's your take on Cassavetes?

hey all, I hope you are working hard on editing your five minute films.This week I intend to ease our way back into our study of cinema verite. I want you all to research American director John Cassavetes and produce a fact file on him for Thursday's class. I also want all of you to watch a Cassavetes film ( I will bring my box set in tomorrow- Tuesday)so come to my room and get your hands on one,it's pretty interesting stuff, don't know what Matt will make of it though!

Happy Easter Cinephiles

I hope you have a great break and the Easter bunny comes to each and every one of you. Just remember though that this is going to be a very busy holiday for you. Here's some advice DO NOT LEAVE ALL YOUR FILMING UNTIL THE LAST WEEK. If you are having technical troubles make sure you get in touch, there is NO excuse for not having your films (almost) completed by the time you get back. I can help you out equipment wise if you're having difficultes or offer moral support and advice if the whole thing starts to crumble.

Enjoy the hols, can't wait to see the finished products when you get back.

P.S. Just wanted to post this here for Lee, was watching it and thought you might like it. The white screen reminded me a bit of your ideas for the video. Enjoy.

One minute film countdown

Hi all, the blogs are looking pretty good at the moment, and almost everyone has finished their statement of intentions - so well done. At this stage you should be finishing research, drawing storyboards and starting work on your ONE minute film. Aim to have these finished for the end of the week. I have also uploaded more planning resources onto the MIA shared resources folder to help you get ready for the BIG SHOOT over Easter.

Meanwhile, don't forget to do some research on Jean Luc Godard for Thursday's theory class in which we will be finishing our work on cinema verite and Dogme and starting work on the French New Wave, yum!

Dogme: http://www.flickerings.com/2003/films/dogma.html

Statement of Intentions

Hi all, hope all the planning is going well. By this stage you should all have finished your treatments, scripts and research and be ready to start writing your statement of intentions. In my room I have samples of other students' work that you can have a look at for ideas. In addition I have also put some resources up on shared resources under MIA, this can be used to help you write your statement of intention. This should be finished by this time next week and in the mean time you should be getting ready to make your one minute films.

Lee and cahil og need to get their blog/ website address to me ASAP.

Hope you have all been checking out the oscar action as well, what did you think of the nominatations, the winners and the dresses?

"No Country for Old Men"

Best actress
Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose"

Best actor
Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood"

Best supporting actress
Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton"

Best supporting actor
Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"

Best director
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old Men"

Best foreign film
"The Counterfeiters," Austria

Adapted screenplay
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old Men"

Original screenplay
Diablo Cody, "Juno"

Animated feature film
"Ratatouille"

Art direction
"Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

Cinematography
"There Will Be Blood"

Sound mixing
"The Bourne Ultimatum"

Sound editing
"The Bourne Ultimatum"

Original score
"Atonement," Dario Marianelli

Original song
"Falling Slowly" from "Once"

Creative Production Blogs

Most of you have decided to use a blog to plan for and keep a record of the work you do on your film. I think this is a really good idea but you must remember to keep updating them!

Below are the links to the blogs, make sure you check what the rest of the group are doing every now and then.

Kevin's blog: http://partybot1999blog.blogspot.com/
Matt's blog: http://area700hc5.blogspot.com/
Callum's blog: http://capturethefilm.blogspot.com
Lee's blog: http://bespokenvideoproduction.blogspot.com
Stuart's blog:http://miafilm.blogspot.com/

Creative Productions

Well, at this stage you should all have made a start on your creative productions. This week you should all be working to finish your treatments and writing your script.

You should try to watch as many short films as possible, here are a few links to get you started.
http://www.rssmediastudies.co.uk/main/2008-advanced-productions/

2008- Here we go...

Welcome back from the Christmas break, hope you all had a great time and watched lots of films.

This week we are learning about animation. On Tuesday 15th be ready with your powerpoint presentation on an animator/ school of animation.

In addition this month we will also be experimenting with some creative film making tasks, hopefully you will be able to use some of these for your coursework. Talking of coursework, from here on in you should be giving some serious thought to what you might want to do, we are aiming to start work on this at the end of the month.