Aesthetics in visual media

AESTHETICS IN VISUAL MEDIA

Renald Sanrelus

Matt Couto

Char-Asia Johnson

Wayne Clark

Tatyara Shead

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: ONCE MORE WITH FEELING

Once More With Feeling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2vihYpsE1Y

Mathew Couto

SIGHT SOUND AND MOTIONSPACE

ASPECT RATIOAspect ratio is an image projection attribute that describes the proportional

relationship between the width of an image and its height.

2 types: Standard 4x3 and High definition 16x9.

Standard 4x3 ratio most used. (screen of video)

Advantage of 4x3: width and height are balanced.

Appropriate for CU and ECU. Does not leave screen space on the sides.

Relates to the video as it is displayed in a 4x3 screen.

PILLAR-BOXINGThe pillar box effect occurs in widescreen video displays when black bars are

placed on the sides of the image.

Becomes necessary when film or video not originally designed for widescreen

is shown on a widescreen display.

Fitting a full-sized 4x3 image in center of a wider screen (16x9), covering the

top and bottom portions of the frame within the picture space.

The Leftover empty sides are shown, known as side bars or dead zones,

resembling pillars, hence the name.

FRAMING USED: CLOSE UP AND DIALOGUE PARTNERS:

Close Up: A photograph or a film or television shot in which the subject is tightly framed and

shown at a relatively large scale.

Close Up: in a 4x3 ratio, a person can be framed without crowding the frame or leaving unused

screen space, whereas in a 16x9 ratio, there is a lot of unused space on the sides.

Extreme Close Up: the 4x3 ratio can also manage an ECU without leaving unused space at the

sides, as opposed to the HDTV frame(i.e. close up of character’s face.)

Framing Two Dialogue Partners: Filming two characters facing each other is rather simple in a HD

screen. It gives the appearance of comfortable distance between the two individuals. On a standard

screen, however, the two subjects appear to be closer to each other, leaving minimal breathing room.

VECTORSDefinition: In media aesthetics, a vector is an element with magnitude and a direction.

Think of it like a line. The length would be the magnitude and the direction would be its

orientation, or which way it’s pointing, similar to a compass needle.

2 types used in the video: Continuous and Converging vectors.

Continuous vectors are when two or more vectors point in the same direction. In this case,

when you see two or more people facing a specific direction, their gaze constitutes a

continuous vector.

Converging vectors, on the other hand, point or move towards each other. For example, a

conversation between two individuals on screen.

SIGHTS, SOUND AND MOTION:

TIME/MOTION

Wayne Clark

TIME AND MOTION

“Systematic observation, analysis, and measurement of the separate

steps in the performance of a specific job for the purpose of

establishing a standard time for each performance, improving

procedures, and increasing productivity” – Webster Dictionary

Frequently assumed to be interchangeable

Frederick Winslow Taylor

CONNECTION TO VIDEO

Each step was perfectly correlated

Seems to take place in the night time

Smooth

Steps

Certain points of the song required a certain move

Special effects make it more entertaining

Not a lot of time passes

SIGHTS, SOUND AND MOTION:

LIGHTING AND COLOR

Tatyana Snead

Color is measured in hue, value (or brightness), and intensity.  In the first 25 seconds of the clip, the demon is wearing an all red suit, and

the background is all black. The black gives the audience a dark, dramatic feel. Black is associated with

power, death, evil, and mystery. The bright red creates a distinct contrast.

COLOR

Red also represents the devil. It is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, rage, anger, danger, and strength.

(side note* it also represents love, passion, power, and war, but these are not relevant to this particular clip in my opinion.)

At 26 seconds, the demon's suit changes color. Color change is another effect used to capture

the audiences' attention

LIGHTING

As you may notice, there is little lighting in the clip.

You can see the characters, but only because there is a spotlight

being used.

Darkness is "black", therefore it represents many of the same things

as the color itself, including mystery and danger. The darkness gives

the clip an eerie vibe, the audience is aware that this demon is in no

way, shape, or form a positive thing.

SIGHTS, SOUND AND MOTION:SOUND

Char-Asia Johnson

Sound: "The element of sound is of high importance as it adds emotion and rhythm to a film, commercial, video etc… It also provides a tone towards the story/characters. The most effective use of sound can be described as its ability to foreshadow any change in moods, or events."

Sound: The element of sound is of high importance as it adds emotion and rhythm to a film, commercial, video etc… It also provides a tone towards the story/characters. The most effective use of sound can be described as its ability to foreshadow any change in moods, or events.

From the very beginning of the video we see how the music is used

as an exclamation point. As the girl (Dawn) slides in there is a huge

crescendo that stops abruptly signifying the something big is about to

happen.

Also during the call and response section, we notice how the

dominant section (sweet’s portion) is darker but has a direct tone,

while the less dominant (Dawn’s portion) is signified by a soft spoken

section.

CLOSING REMARKS

When it comes to aesthetics we notice:• Sights are set up so everything can be seen• Everything is even toned as to prevent visual distress• And colors have a purpose• Things move in a way together to emphasize certain points• Sound and lighting have the ability to set a tone or mood• There is emphasis in everything• It all ties in together to make things worth watching