About Kamel Zara

Kamel Zara

Kamel Zara is a Palestinian born male aged 23. He is currently living in Qatar and has lived here all his life. He is sponsored by Quicksilver and DC shoes in Qatar, he graduated in 2014 from CNAQ.

Location Planning

Ceri-Beth and i talked about locations that we will use in our documentary, this is our list.

All locations are in Qatar and each are very identifiable by architecture, they are also major hot spots will this will interest the local audience.

Analysing editing

         Kilian Martin: Searching Sirocco

This short film is made by Brett Novak a filmmaker and skateboarder. The short film explores Kilian Martin a freestyle skateboarder traveling all over from the urban city, to a desert and even a snow climate. The juxtaposition of the locations compliments the visual pleasure and interesting the audience. 

The editing used throughout is very fluid using continuity editing. An example of continuity editing is the creative traditions. From the beginning to 0:25 Kilian is shown in an isolated snow climate, he them gets stuck in the snow and the camera pans down and out and Kilian is seen falling into a desert climate. This is a vast contact in terms of location. This visual transition is continuity because it flows while the location is very obviously changing at 0:30. This is not the last time this type of transition is used and i feel its very effective in making the film more visually pleasing and making the film more interesting for the viewer, i would like to recreate transiting like this in my work.

The use of ramping (ramping is the process of progressively speeding up or slowing down the frame rate in your video footage) amplifies the trick (1:45). With the use of non-diegetic sound it creates a cereal moment which feels life time is slowing down even more than it has been. The slow motion makes the trick seem more elegant and the tricks seem to flow. The whole flowing vibe that is also found in his skating style is helped by the cinematic shots edited in-between the tricks amplifies this vibe by using slow camera movement like pans.

2:02 is another example if the creative transitions. This time he goes from a vast, isolated desert to an urban translation then into the city. This mass contrast is present throughout the different locations giving a mew fresh feel to each new scenery. Non-diegetic sound also changed when the scenes change. In the desert it is more of a magical soundtrack, somewhat mysterious and unknown. The song is very mellow and adds to the loneliness of the location creating a personal connection with the skater and really showing his passion for the sport. And on the other hand when he transitions to the urban landscape, the volume increases (beat drops) adding to the juxtaposition.

A huge part of making the transitions work is framing them correctly, they did this by making the skater do the same running and jumping on the skateboarding in the two locations. Another key rule is not to break the 180 degree rule which they haven't above.

The continuity editing helps tell the story to the viewer making it easy for them to follow. It does this by implying a spacial relationship and ensuring a smooth flow from shot to shot. This helps to create realism making the editing invisible so the tricks seem real and not constructed. Using this editing technique will allow our subject to be portrayed even more casual while enhancing the viewers experience and amplifying the tricks.

Match on action is used to help tell the story. The film shows the skater traveling to different locations, using match on action helps tell the story, showing the subject skating to new areas. This helps the film flow and works well with the continuity editing, taking the viewer on the journey with the skater.

Most transitions used apart from the major location changes are cuts. This is common when filming skateboarding to help the viewer keep up with the tricks. If cuts aren't used non-continuity will be present and that breaks up the storyline which isn't good.

3:42 a fade transition is used when Kilian jumps over a drain in the city into a salt lake. The fade helps to imply a passage of time and location. Promoting a dreamy effect by the use of smoke and a fade, exaggerating perhaps what a character is thinking or even a dream. 

Sound editing

Visual
Time	2:47-2:56	3:44	5:05- 5:15
Image	Skater performing a trick.	Skating	Slow motion pan up to sky, with birds flying
Music	The music is arranged to collaborate with the start of the skaters trick. The music mellows and a traumatic narration that is already in the music narrated via a female voice, then the music is begins again after the small cinematic section.	The volume increases playing a non-diegetic song. The song is more prominent than the diegetic sounds produced by the skateboard.	Music slowly fades and left with an extended note on a guitar.
Effect	This working with the slow motion makes the trick more dramatic by impacting the viewer and making it more interesting. This collaboration makes the trick more dramatic. Once the music dulls and the narration is played it created tension, the woman’s voice sounds distressed and is a complete juxtaposition of the slow motion visuals. Once the music starts again the first image seen is the skater performing a new trick just like the beginning. This adds pace to the skateboard trick and makes it seem more exciting for the viewer.	Because the song is upbeat and has a magical tone, it makes the tricks seem more elegant and smooth, creating a cereal atmosphere that grasps the viewers and draws them into an ‘out of this world’ experience because of the magical sound track and synergy with the skateboard tricks. The positive atmosphere created by the music is very effective in intriguing the audience and making it more interesting, also makes the tricks seem more flowing.	This helps the viewer understand that it’s the end and actually makes it more dramatic. Kind of like the end of a rollercoaster; once you’ve completed the ride you have those few seconds that you move slowly before getting off, you reflect on the ride, amplifying positivity and makes you leaving wanted to go again! (in this case re watch it)
Diegetic/non-diegetic sound	Non-diegetic	Non diegetic song mixed with diegetic sounds produced by the skateboard. If the diegetic sound via the skateboard was absent it makes the tricks seem weird. But having the song more prominent really enhances the viewers experience by combining both visual and sound.
Dialogue	No dialogue just a woman’s voice that is a part of the non-diegetic music.	No dialogue

Logo

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 - 0

2 - 1

3 - 5

4 - 1

5 - 4

6 - 1

The most preferred colour scheme for our logo was number 3. 

Moodboard

Audience Profile

For our short film we need to analysing our audience, this will help discover information that can help to build 
common ground between us and the audience and target them via Mise en scene and advertising such as the postcard and where to show trailers etc. 

Our demographic is based on the skateboarding audience, this audience is stereotypical male because its a male dominated sport. Even though skateboarding is mostly male we will also target women in our sub demographic that will be target because Qatar is being represented. 

The skateboarding audience is 12 - 20 year old males, this is the age where skateboarding seems to peak, this includes the skaters and also customers that buy skate related apparel. We are going to target the male and female demographic by the inspirational story and the relatable subject that connects to the audience emotionally. Hard core skaters will be interested in the raw skate-footage like the tricks and the motivation to get back up and keep trying, even if your body is wounded much like whats seen in 'WE ARE BLOOD'. In our focus group this aspect seemed to attract the audience the most, male and female. This will be a good way to connect to both genders and expand our demographic.

Male

Kareem, age 13, student. Kareem has be skateboarding for 8 years and lives in Qatar, Kareem will be targeted via his knowledge of tricks and will look up to the subject and relate to the story being told of skating in Qatar; its positives and negatives.

Female

Ceri-Beth, age 17, student living in Qatar. Ceri-Beth will be target via cinematography and will be interested in the emotional story being told. She will relate to key locations the documentary will be filmed in.

Focus group video

Collaboration: 

Joe: filmer 

Ceri-beth: Questions

Questionaire summary

Our target audience shown from this data is 16-20 year olds. And a large 60% are interested in documentaries, this means we have a large target audience to work with.

The vast majority of our audience seem to think a unique story line is the most important thing and makes a documentary more interesting. Exploring skateboarding in Qatar is a very unique topic and hasn't really been explored before. Especially an in depth exploration of a local skater with their ups and downs.

A casual interview was the most preferred style of interview and i feel it will suit our over all theme better and the skateboarding culture in general. Because its an emotional topic that the subject will be exploring a casual interview will work best and will make the story line more believable and create a personal connection with the viewer. The audience decided a mix between the documentary being about the skaters life and the location will work the best, and we agree. 

Ceri-Beth wrote the questions and was then sent out via social media for our target audience to answer.

Synergy in a documentary

We are blood 

IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4542660/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Website: http://www.weareblood.com/

Story

Beginning

Who: Kamel Zara a Palestinian skateboarder who has been in Qatar all his life. He is currently working for a engineering company working long hours and receiving minimal pay. His dream is to follow is passion of skateboarding and turn it into a career.

Interview style introducing himself with the editing style of the short documentary skateboarding in Madagascar.

This shows the skater, his name and also a video of him skateboarding. I hope to create the same kind of visual effect when introducing Kamel.
Where: All footage will be captured in Qatar and the audience will be made aware of this by cinematic establishing shots of the city skyline and iconic architecture. Much like the establishing shots seen in we are blood;

Middle 

Skateboard short film website

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBUkCsyTOZY&feature=youtu.be

Brett Novak is a independent film maker and produces cinematic short films based on skateboarding featuring iconic skaters. He uses his website as a place to promote not only his skateboarding shorts but also a place visually showing his portfolio and any contact details. Brett has links to all social media sites that are under the same brand 'Brett Novak', he also has further contact details such as a Facebook fan page and his Email for clients.

I really like his website with the minimalistic but clean layout which is constantly changing which new content being published, he has a section dedicated to 'new content' keeping viewers updates with his most recent work also advertising his work. 

Brett is an established film maker in the community and gets extra helps publicising his work by large companies such as thrasher and the berrics. they share his work on both their social media sites and their websites.

There is no real colour scheme just a compilation of photographs that relate to the section they're advertising.

Youtube channel;

Skateboarding film festival

http://intlskateboardfilmfestival.com/

The international skateboard film festival is a place that allows film makers that specialise in filming skateboarding because they're passionate about it to have the chance to get recognised and win awards.

I really like their minimalistic logo. Even though it is basic it looks professional and reflects on the genre. The font used is like hand writing and promotes grime, much like skateboarding. When making our logo i want to keep this idea in mind and using a neutral colour like they have (grey) and a vibrant colour that personalises the logo and makes it stand out (red) 

They also have buttons to take you to sponsors and other skateboard websites like the Berrics. 

They also have a small section for their social media sites like Facebook and twitter. showing their most recent post and allowing people to follow them on their social media to keep updated.

Narrative analysis

Symirroretry: http://symirroretry.com/

Before planning our film we decided to look into narrative conventions of a documentary to full fill expectations for our film.

We looks at different narrative theories to help structure our film such as Todorovs narrative theory. This theory suggests that all narratives follow a three part structure. They begin with equilibrium, where everything is balanced, progress as something comes along to disrupt that equilibrium, and finally reach a resolution, when equilibrium is restored

1. Equilibrium (everything as it should be)
2. Disruption (by an event)
3. Recognition of disruption
4. Attempts to repair disruption
5. Return to equilibrium

Story = a sequence of events, known correctly as the plot

Narrative = the way those events are put together to be presented to an audience.

Symbolic Codes;

These are the signs contained in the narrative that we decode as being significant and having meaning 

- for example a ragged coat worn by a character may mean that they are poor and possibly hungry. Think of them as clues that have to be followed, and different viewers/readers will follow clues in different ways.

Equilibrium: 

• noun a state or situation in which opposing forces or factors balance each other out and stability is attained
• noun within a narrative, the absence of tensions in need of resolution.

source: http://www.dictionarycentral.com/definition/equilibrium.html

Equilibrium -  The equilibrium traditionally is at the beginning of the film, showing how life is settled and calm. In the short film Symmirroretry it begins calm, everything is normal, showing off skateboarding skills. A voice over about how passionate they are about skateboarding. Use of establishing shots, and along side movement with the skateboarders.

Disruption - The disruption begins when another skateboarders joins the main character, even though they haven't realised there is a disruption you can see it beginning to unfold as the characters are wearing black balaclavas and skating as though they are on a mission. This is at the cycle stage of their film. 

Recognition of disruption - The recognition of disruption is within the artistic side of the short film where you can see how uncomfortable and on edge the main character is, surrounded by this person in big clothing, lots of jewellery and their painted body. Although this is a different take on the common Todorov's theory it relates to a wider range of audiences. This is at the dying stage of their film.

Attempts to repair disruption - As they discuss their passion of skateboarding it beings to repair the disruption of the equilibrium. On behalf of the artistic side this is at the rebirthing stage of their film.

Return to equilibrium - The use of symmetry, artistic close ups, movement, sinking and the return of the two men comes back into the film. As though they are running from their fears and continuing life. The "grim reaper" drowns and leaves the sheets, it becomes peaceful. The voice overs come back discussing about how it is difficult to create films and be a skateboarder due to the limitations other people put onto the producer, but he expresses he makes films that he wants to make. 

Short film website analysis 2

A view from a blue moon 

http://viewfromabluemoon.com/

A view from a blue moon is a short film based on a pro surfer called John florence who was brought up on one of the most iconic surf locations in the world, the north shores of Oahu. The film was shot completely in 4k giving it the most amazing cinematic look with an addition of crazy slow motion because of the high FPS they were shooting at. With the help of a award winning studio called Brain farm who also work with major companies in the action sports industry.  

The website itself flows with the theme of the stunning cinematography with a small show real of breath taking footage all in 4k. The video in the background i feel is very effective and in present in most action sport short film websites like symirrortry. We are also planning to design our website like this with a moving video as the background as we feel its more visually pleasing and gives the viewer a hint of whats to come.  

The very modern logo is present throughout the video making it easy to identify what the film is called. I really like the minimalism of the logo and the font they've used that fills in the o's. This font is also present throughout the movie making it easy for the viewer to link the two together. 

The page is very basic in terms of layout and colour scheme but it definitely doesn't ruin the professionalism of the website. I feel the minimalism is very stylish and fits in well with the elegant filming shown on the video in the background. The colour scheme is black and white which is what we will be using for ours. I find it very easy to navigate and easily read.  

The layout is very sleek and is easy to navigate with five clear options; synopsis, frames, shop, media and your cart. These are also found if you scroll down, so its like one long page but the top just help the viewer get to what they want quickly and with minimal effort. 

A button to watch the trailer is present all the time bellow the logo which is very easily identified.

I have two improvements for this page, the first is the home button, its in-between frames and shop which isn't very clear that it takes you back to the home page but it does fit well with the theme using the two dots found in 'moon' using the iconic font. The second improvement is they option to buy the film, it is at the very top with a black background and white text, i feel this blends in and is easily identified as an ad, the improvement would be to use a eye catching colour like red, because this is the most important link for the website and there fore should be easily found and prominent to the viewer. 

Short film website analysis 1

Website: http://www.weareblood.com/
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVus4Ua1EFQ

Website conventions

Conventions of a Film Festval post cards

http://www.slideshare.net/papajoegriffiths/conventions-of-a-film-festval-post-cards