Key Concept Are the ScreenUnlike theatre, for example, where the audience can look where it wishes even if you use methods to direct their attention to one place, in film/TV the director decides exactly what the audience can and cannot see at every momentThis is a great power that should be used but not over used or abusedAudience AssumptionsThe audience subconsciously assumes that there is a reason for what they’re seeing and that the images and sounds match the message being communicatedThey will assume this until you seem to be an incompetent or indulgent storytellerEx: the 30 second shot of the ashtrayAs the AudienceYou have the right and expectation to assume images, lighting, depth of field, colors, sound, music, dialogue, actions, framing of shots, type of pacing of editing have an intended meaningAs the CreatorYou have to be aware that the audience will process all elements of the image and sound based on conscious and subconscious assumptionsTherefore, there should be a reason why you chose the production elements you didWAYSAWKey to that is always having the one-sentence answer to the question “What are you saying about what?”In writing the script, you write toward that WAYSAW. If you find that you’re veering off that WAYSAW you need to come up with a new one, adjust previous writing as well as new writing to that new WAYSAWLet Clarity Be Your First MuseWAYSAW = you are always clear about it in your head and on the screenIf you start out unclear, it seldom if ever will get clear in amateur or professional productionsThe “clarity can” just gets kicked down the roadSomething Is Always Being SaidVisually and aurally whether or not you’re aware of it as an audience member or creatorAs a creator you especially need to maintain and embrace the fact to earn and maintain the audience’s attentionDefault ChoicesLighting - evenly lighted or with dramatic elements?Size of Image - over-the-shoulder shot; different size actorsClose upsFraming - where in the frame, taking up how much space?Eye level/high angle/low angleEditing sequence/paceEven the default choices communicate somethingSo be sure it is communicating what you want to be communicatingNon-Default ChoicesHave a purpose?When should they be used?When should they not be used?The best answer? IT DEPENDS.IntentionalityAnother key element is intentionality, i.e., what did the creator have in mind when creating that series, writing that episode, casting that actor, applying the visual elements s/he didFor years that is what I did in my research. Went and watched and asked the creators how/why they did what they didBut with DVD extras, online extras, podcasts, YouTube extras the general population can now find out about these elementsAnd these extras can add to your appreciation of TV and film both as a viewer and creatorZettl - Media AestheticsChapter 1: Media Aesthetics - Life and MediaDefining AestheticsDictionary definitionsThe branch of philosophy that deals with the nature and expression of beauty.”“The branch of metaphysics concerned with the laws of perception.”“The study of the psychological responses to beauty and artistic experiences.”“A conception of what is artistically valid or beautiful.”“An artistically beautiful or pleasing appearance.”For us, aesthetics is a study of visual and auditory perceptions due to elements, such as lighting and frame composition, and how these perceptions can be most effectively clarified, intensified, and interpreted through television and film.Why Study Aesthetics?When you produce a project on film, video, the web, for radio, a painting, an ad design, a poster, you are paying attention to aesthetics.Before you begin any project, you have a vision, or an ultimate goal for that project.You are practicing Applied Media Aesthetics.You need to have a fundamental knowledge of aesthetics in order to produce quality media.Applied Media AestheticsUseful to evaluate the effectiveness of existing media elements as well as gives power to create effective new media products (analysis & synthesis)How does the soundtrack of a movie affect you, and what songs would you choose if you were making a movie?What emotions do the movements of the camera convey? The framing? The angle?What can we learn about the scene from the lighting?Fundamental Media ElementsLight & colorTwo-dimensional spaceThree-dimensional spaceTime/motionSoundThe study of these elements should provide you with an aesthetic vocabulary and language that will allow you to speak with clarity and impact about the media you both consume and create.Contextualistic AestheticsThere is a relationship between art and lifeAesthetic experiences are part of everyday lifeBeauty is all around usRelationship between art and lifeAesthetic experiences are part of everyday lifeBeauty is all around us:Art draws on life for creation.The inspiration for all art exists within the real worldExamples on slide 21Art draws on life for creation.The inspiration for all art exists within the real world – no matter how abstract the work is.Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889 & Georges-Pierre Seurat, Evening, Honfleur, 1886 From the Museum of Modern Art, New York From the Museum of Modern Art, New YorkSlide 23Life’s experiences are not art...But, there is an intimate, purposeful relationship between art and life.Everyday experiences serve as the raw material for the creation of art.As practitioners of the television and film media, our responsibility is to interpret the experiences of life so that others can participate with us in the communication experience on a deeper level.When we do this, it enables our viewers to become more aware of themselves and their surroundings.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPhq_zrwEgYDid the French dialogue inhibit your understanding or appreciation for the video?Perceiving and looking at the worldContextEach unique individual has their own perceptions and ways of seeing things.Two people seeing the same event from the same location can actually see two very different things depending on point of view.Your point of view is formed by previous experience, perceptual sensitivities, and expectations.Where do you focus when looking at this picture?Slide 27Robert Pattenson and Kirsten StewartWhere do you focus when looking at this picture?Slide 28We perceive what we want to perceive.We seek out information that is consistent with our expectations and prejudices.Art is one way to combat this selection.We
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