The film I created for Deliberate Film is titled ‘On the Run‘, and although it wasn’t what I expected to make going into this studio, creating it has definitely been a great learning curve in my filmmaking. The scene follows two characters, Matt and Jenna, who whilst in hiding for a crime they have committed, fail to see eye to eye on their position in the situation and discuss whether turning themselves in is the right thing to do or not. I chose this script because I thought it had an interesting plot that gave the viewer room for their own interpretation, and in addition it included interesting descriptions of sound and a range of audio possibilities. Therefore, as it was difficult in Covid-19 circumstances to carry out camera work to usual standards, I thought that I would try to work creatively with sound and editing, in order to use these techniques to lift the film and focus the viewer’s attention away from the Zoom quality.
After weeks of planning, which included working on markups, a floor plan, storyboards and test shoots, my group and I were familiar with the Zoom directing/acting process, and became confident to begin creating our films. After many edits experimenting with grading, sound and shot selection, I was really pleased with the final film I had created. I did not a few weeks ago think that in isolation I’d be able to create this piece, however I think the earlier weeks of online classes in Deliberate Film helped me to gain confidence in creating films in this new online setting.
From creating this film, I have realised how possible it is to improve skills and create films even in the most unprecedented circumstances. I also think this film helped me to improve my directing skills, as over Zoom it was even more challenging to try and frame a shot, communicate with the actor, and ensure that the shots would work when edited together in post. Thus, although it would have been great to have been able to create films in a face-to-face setting this semester, I am grateful for the lessons filming in this pandemic have taught me, and I think there is a lot I have been able to take out of this semester.
Final Film