Capstone in Digital Media Arts

  Chapter 13     My film will have a first-person point of view and narration.  While there are speaking parts scattered throughout the film, some scenes will have some text over them such as names of cities.  A title card will help bridge sequences.  "Sometimes you need narration to set the stage for a scene that can play out on camera without interruption, or to make a transition from one sequence to the next" (Bernard 214).  The introduction narrative and early shots will provide the tone for the rest of the film.  "In the film's opening minutes, you want to set up the questions that will drive your story forward.  You then want to anticipate the audience's needs and almost intuitively seed information in..." (Bernard 220).   Chapter 14     Since my film is about a visit to Japan, it is providing a new perspective on the country.  The audience may pick up on new things or places they've yet to see.  If the mat...

  Chapter 9     The outline is an important step in the planning stage of a film.  It helps the filmmaker decide each of the sequences and gets the ideas on paper.  The main characters and scenes of the story can be carefully plotted in an outline.  "...the key difference between an outline and either a pitch or simply a research report is that an outline breaks your film into sequences.  This helps you clarify, in story terms, why your filming one event and not another, one individual and not another"  (Bernard 141).  Each sequence is similar to a book chapter.  There is a beginning and end to each sequence.  For my documentary, each sequence is set in a specific location in Japan.  Each city or province is discussed in terms of dining, transportation, and tourist spots.  The narrator will be heard as a voice-over describing the sequences of the film. Chapter 10          "A treatment is essential...

 Chapter 5     Telling a story has a beginning and an end point.  By discussing the subject matter in the basis of structure, the audience has a sense of time chronologically.  For the documentary project, the events are told in chronological order and give explanation for each photograph or video clip.  While every detail of the trip cannot be included due to time constraints, the main points of the trip are highlighted through a first person view.  The narration is important as it keeps track of the film's time period.  In some cases, interviews can be helpful by getting fresh takes on a particular subject. Chapter 6     The approach to the material in the documentary will be driven by the narrative.  This film will be an exploration of the country's offerings and cultural landmarks.  The visuals will also drive the story and keep audience engaged.  The background music can set the right tone and complement the visuals i...