7. Written Reflection on the Video Joke Assignment

For our video joke assignment we chose two very different scripts, one a silent film and the other a mockumentary.  Since there was affinity with the actual material of the story between the two scripts, we wanted a contrast in the approach and look of the videos.  In our first approach to the train joke, the silent film, our writer/director Dan really focused on using the rule of thirds to direct the viewer’s eye where he wanted it to go.  By using the rule of thirds, he developed a point of interest, which is used to create movement.  Movement was tricky in both videos, as camera moves were not allowed, so creating any type of movement was vital.  The visual framing used also created a distinct rhythm in the piece.  Throughout the video, the boy is on the left, which contrasts the mom who is always shown on the right, this further highlights the differences between the mother and the son and their battle of wills.  In our second video, writer/director Max chose a mockumentary style, which was a stark contrast to the silent film feel our first video was going for.  Though the style and format of the video were very different, the requirement to use non-synchronous sound resulted in both video didactically telling the audience the information, as there are screen cards in the silent film and a narrator in the second approach.  At first, it seems that the audience will have to actively figure out the plot and story line for themselves, but then the narrator or cards come in and hand the information to the audience.  Movement, and especially character movement is also used in the second video.  Max did put as much focus on the rule of thirds and but did pay a lot of attention to the primary and secondary movement of the characters.  The son plays with his train, kicks his legs and is thrown into his room, while the mother washes dishes, grabs and throws the son, and snaps the belt.  The mockumentary focused more on space, both deep and flat space were explored.  The mother was dressed in cooler colors so she receded and the son was in warmer colors, so he advanced and became the focus.  Size and horizon line were also used to demonstrate the authority of the mother.