Minority Report

I thought I would take a break from films and try watching a new TV series. Sunday night I began watching FOX new show "Minority Report" starring Megan Good. Initially I mistaken the show for the 2002 film "Minority Report" starring Tom Cruise, the films storyline handles themes of guilt, freewill, and advancements in technology; overall the film was visually appealing and intriguing to the audience.

"Minority Report" the show is almost exactly the same as the film with the themes of guilt, and technology but lacks some of the surprising elements the film had. I wondered if the show could have been created purposely to reenact the film?

Anyhow, the show opens ten years after canceling of the PreCrime Division; a group of individuals specifically created to see crime before it happened. Lara Vega (Megan Good) is a cop that meets a man named Dash (played by Stark Sands) who is connected to the old program. Dash has the ability to see glimpses of a crime before it occurs and sketch it out, but without his other companions he cannot solve the crimes. The pilot was very action filled and extremely fast paced, I quickly lost my interest once I couldn't understand the characters actions. I also noticed that because the show was so fast pasted, the characters lacked development. I have a five episode rule, so far I'm three episodes and my verdict is that it's just another cop show.

My Personal Top Five Favorite TV Series

Top Five TV Series: Krystal’s Edition

• Sex and The City (1998-2004)
• This TV Series is will always and forever be a lifeline for me. I really started watching the series in middle school and then the underlying lessons like female self-assurance, confidence, and sexuality I relate and understand as an adult. This show illustrates different kinds of women and situations that women face.

• CSI: Miami (2002-2012)
• Investigation crime shows are definitely my kryptonite, and annual summer binges. This show is not just great because it’s based in my hometown but because of the great storylines that keep the show going. There’s not just one main bad guy there's many, I feel like the series (even though it is dramatized) taught me how to handle myself in certain situations. It’s shot great, the golden color corrections do remind me of home, and the series does take after the most badass investigative crime unit.

• Charmed (1998-2006)
• This was the one show that literally played from 3- 5pm Monday- Friday religiously. I remember coming home from school and instantly sitting down and watching charmed till either dinner was ready or it was time to do my homework. The idea of three sisters discovering that they are the charmed ones, and have to fight evil to protect their loved ones, and the world is pretty much spot on when it comes to grasping the audience's attention. But it was really the empathy that you can feel for each sister, coming to terms with their lives and their struggle to overcome obstacles

• Power (2014- )
• The double life is attractive and interesting to watch. The leading character is one of the wealthiest men but also a drug kingpin. When his business partner gets too hungry, an old enemy is released, and the temptation of an old flame arises James St. Patrick struggles to keep everything under control. This TV Series is very new but took the audience by storm, and enjoys leaving everyone at the end of their seat every episode. PS: This season finale literally left me overjoyed but anxious for the next season! Too much ahead.

• How to Get Away with Murder (2014- )
• Viola Davis is nothing short of exceptional and a legendary actress in my book. So naturally as her being the lead character in this TV series is enough to sell me on a great show! I have a love and attachment to each character even through their annoying stages. (If each character can appeal to you- it’s a great show) The thought of law students and a defense professor for crimes becoming tangled in a murder plot is a strong enough storyline to carry over for not just one but several seasons.

Color Palette in Hell on Wheels

              Hell on Wheels and particularly the pilot episode of the first season is a strong example of how the use of color palette can enhance the quality of your footage. As the show opens on some of the scenes from the first episode for any trained eye the color palette is evident, for the common viewer this may be a subtle effect on the subconscious (or anyone's subconscious for that matter).  It is no coincidence that these colors showed up on the screen and is rather a design scheme. The make up of the scenes below are essential to establish the overall essence/feeling of what the show is aiming to convey. As the show is set during the civil war these opening scenes are additionally establishing the class of these soldiers compared to the everyday soldier who might be constructing the transcontinental railroad in the mid to late 1800's. Additionally the depth of field shown in this screen shot below is a magnificent example that brings dimension into the establishing shots of not only the episode but the TV series as a whole.

             The main character is a former confederate soldier who journeys to the West in search of work with the construction of the transcontinental railroad. While also seeking vengeance against the Union soldiers which killed his wife and son he is to be depicted completely different then the elite running the war behind the scenes.  The beige colors integrated with the black coats on these characters significantly set apart the individual from the background ultimately highlighting the prominent class and their power in the war as opposed to the common man of those times. A small detail which I believe adds to this scene is the bright liquids in the glasses. This contrast with an exceptionally neutral color palette calls attention to the subject at the table adding to the impact of the interaction taking place on screen. Although color may be the last thing on your mind when getting caught up in the many other duties associated when producing a TV show, film, documentary etc... it is not something to dismiss. The color palette can be any range of colors and often defines the feeling of your film, unlike that of framing your shot correctly, lighting or incorporating props that will aid you in telling the story, color selection is a theme (maybe not true for all movies but usually). Lastly as I attended the lighting demo a few weeks ago I remember the presenter mentioning how to make the actors believe their actually in the environment they are depicting. Similar to his example of pouring liquor around the bar set (to recreate the feel of actually being in a bar environment) color palette can be just as sensitive of a selection with actors if not more crucial in the process. Overall the set design and color palette doesn't only benefit the audience when trying to tell the story but it also puts your cast in an environment that is essentially a catalyst for their actions and in turn may lead to better acting (especially in the case of a student productions). Just some food for thought as we endure the intricate process of creating our own films.