Reading ch 12-14 Synopsis and answers to questions

The idea of lighting techniques being used  as a way to give meaning to shots was something I previously only thought of in terms of a more chiaroscuro sense where high contrasting lights and dark would contribute to the drama of a shot. My attention to lighting has now expanded to the use of motivated lighting and it is something I feel I will now be able to analyze more in depth when viewing films. Using lights with sources in the set of the scene can be used to mimic the thoughts and feelings of characters. I also liked the idea of using unmotivated light to go against the audiences preconceived understanding of a character like illustrated in the Professional, as if to clue us in to the contradictions of what we think we know about a character or a situation. As far as what I generally noticed about prop use being a reflection of a characters personality or mental states, in reading I realized props could be used to symbolize deeper concepts or mark changes in the overall themes within a film. The clipper illustration made this especially clear to me.                     

      Synopsis

Ignored by her family a young girl must seek out an adventure of her own in the garden of her backyard. She meets colorful creatures along the way that fill her with joy and wonder. When she leaves the imaginative garden she brings back a piece and inspires someone in her family causing them to momentarily leave the real world and enjoy a piece of her world.

1) Who is the main character? Give a brief description.

Maggie is a girl who is imaginative and seeks adventure in the outdoors. She sees wonder in the small things                                      

2) Who, if any, are the other principle characters? Give brief descriptions.

Her older sibling who she shares a piece of her adventurous world with. She is usually occupied with her phone.

3) What does the main character want?

The main character wants to find adventure and for her family to pay attention to her.

4) What is getting in the way of what he/she/it wants?

Phones and her family’s distracted behavior prevents them from spending time with her in the outdoors.

5) What is the central conflict of the story?

The conflict is that Maggie must find her own entertainment.

6) Where does the story take place?  Describe the environment.

The environment is that of a backyard garden with flowers and little critters

7) When does the story take place?

Contemporary suburban environment

8) Over what time frame does the story take place?

Around an hour or two with lapses of time in between

9) Why will the audience care about your main character(s)?

They will care because they will want to cheer Maggie on in her explorations as a result of her family ignoring her.

10) Why will the audience care about the conflict your main character faces?’

They will care because I feel the audience will relate to sometimes feeling ignored or not payed attention to with the influence of phones and computers that sometimes distract loved ones.

11) Does your main character change in any significant ways over the course of the story?

There isn’t much of a change of her character but she does receive the reward of sharing in her experience with her sibling after following her will to explore and have fun in the outdoors.

12) If your story follows the Classical story structure, describe which portions constitute the Exposition, Complication, and Resolution.

Exposition and complication is introduced as her family ignoring her in the living room. The resolution is getting her sibling to pay attention to her and have fun with her.