Luca Kerrison TV and Film blog

Continuity: throughout the short film the continuity doesn't seem to be broken. the 180 degree rule manages to be followed by keeping the birthday boy on the left of the screen from the establishing shot all the way to the end, and any POV shots match up with eyelines and camera positions. the one counter-shot over the birthday boys shoulder signifies an important change is coming in the film. Fades or Dissolves: All fades and dissolves in the video are representative of where they're placed and not just thrown in on top. for instance, the film opens on a blinding white fade in from the title card to the establishing shot, while the film fades from black into the credits from the final shot of the birthday boy on the floor. cross fades are used to show time passing and character changes in the gift giving. Shot Distancing and angles: Throughout the film different shot distances are used for effect, including a dolly shot moving towards a character acting as a punch...

 This image represents strength. this effect is shown by the use of a medium shot to make the subject look tall by taking advantage of the fact we can't see how high off the floor they are. the subjects strength is also shown by all the books around them, giving the connotation that 'knowledge is power'. there is lighting all around the subject making it seem like they give off a natural radiance of power.  This image represents fear itself, shown by the lack of light all around except for the up lighting shining underneath a mysterious figure, the subject of our picture. This image preys on the human condition giving us a natural fear of the unknown. 'who or what is lurking in the shadows?' we ask ourselves, conflicting our own minds with a mix of bad and good thoughts, not knowing which to believe. the image is also a close-up, giving us not much to go on in figuring out whether or not the subject is big, menacing or dangerous... or maybe even friendly, per...

A film that has had a strong impact on me was 2003's 'School Of Rock', written by Mike White, directed by Richard Linklater and starring Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack and various child actors, most notably Miranda Cosgrove, who would go on to star in the Nickelodeon shows 'Drake and Josh' and 'iCarly', the latter starring her as the primary protagonist. School of Rock follows the story of failing musician Dewey Finn (Jack Black) pretending to be substitute teacher Ned Schneebly (Mike White) to earn money to pay his rent and become a Rockstar, a motive shared with a fictionalised version of himself in 2006's 'Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny'. Finn later finds his class are talented musicians and trains them to become a good enough rock band to win the 'Battle of the Bands' competition. The role was practically made for Black as he executes the performance of Dewey Finn perfectly, pushing the film beyond its potential and setting ...