Throughout this semester for the True To Form studio, I have certainly experienced heaps of ups and downs in creating an idea for this final Project Brief and the process after the idea have been developed.
From the beginning of the semester, I have jumped started learning about heaps of technicalities, equipment handling, studio expertise exercises, collaboration with other classmates and also working individually. Such work has been done all through this semester until this week, for all project briefs. However, I felt like I have learned the most from the plan, process and submission for this final project – Project Brief #4.
The things that I have learned from this project starts off from the very beginning, which is the planning stage of the initial idea – in which is, simply my ‘Camera Angles Experiment’.
First off here is what my research question/statement was:
“To Explore the ways in which a simple camera technique or element, such as a ‘Camera Angle’ could symbolise a meaning or value in the process of filmmaking”
When I started off becoming interested in the ideas of ‘angles’ as an important element of filmmaking, I didn’t exactly know where I was going with it. But, I wanted to learn more about it. It was an odd idea that crossed my mind, yet it was an intriguing one to gain more knowledge about. The reason for this is because I felt like every time I watch a scene, a sequence or any short documentary, an aspect that arises to me was the fact that every frame was a different angle, thus, tells a different story and sometimes a scene like an interrogation scene where you badly want to see a different perspective shows that the focus or subject should be filmed in a variety of angles. The purpose is to show different modes of expression for example if an actor is a focus. But also, a completely different space, background, framing and more. As a result, an ‘angle’ and the frame within it then become something that has somewhat kind of value.
After a few research such as an inspiration from ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ movie scenes – specifically the Bradley Cooper ‘reading a book’ scene that was shown before our Pitch presentation on Week 7. I found myself experimenting with ‘Camera Angles’ with a group of classmates (namely, Adelle, Eve and Eva) on Week 4. Following another one with Grace on Week 6. These experiments right before the presentation to me was an important stage as I was able to develop my idea with some of my classmates who also thought that it was an ‘interesting’ idea that I should get more into.
However, during the few weeks, I began my idea from Week 4 until Week 12 of experiments I have definitely experienced some pitfalls. This occurred from not being able to utilise a ‘park’ for the very first experiment, a post-production or editing malfunction for the second experiment to scouting locations that took too much of time, missing footages (such as, transitional scenes that became a burden) and lastly, audio confusion. The ride this semester was most certainly bumpy. But, at least, the knowledge and mistakes that I have obtained were worth the bump.
Even though I wasn’t too sure or fond of this simple idea of ‘Camera Angles’, I have surely become more comfortable in being able to handle cameras and equipment. Not only, I was able to learn about using the filming equipment, I certainly also have learned to be able to notice a good ‘frame’ in which do not incorporate too many flaws. Thus, being able to acknowledge small elements and technicalities of the use of a camera to capture the right frame or in this case the right ‘angle’. This will mean to be attentive towards zoom, background, focal length, depth/shallow, frame, lighting, focus and consistency on each shot.
To sum up, the work that I aim to show or the point I am trying to make for this project in relation to my research statement is that in filmmaking, ‘Camera Angles’ like one out of many elements is significant to pay more attention to in order to create or construct a ‘fault-less’ composition. As audiences may not be engaged, if a film is just filmed in one angle. The need of being able to inform audiences about landscape using ‘angles’ is important, as well as, the need to inspect the space, envision what will look best then, actually, collate it all together in a frame for producers is also as crucial. It is the way for audiences to engage to a particular composition in any form. This is because it enables them to feel like they were there and it is real, simply, genuine and true to form.