01 June 2017: ‘Summary of work’
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.
Week 8
21 April 2017
The first studio after coming back from the break involved us planning for next few weeks leading up to this time, week 12 – our final submission for our also final project brief, Project Brief #4.
Paul gave us a few pieces of A4 paper and told us to write some of our plans from Week 8 until Week 12. Some of the things I wrote incorporated several aims for my ‘series of experiments’ project for PB#4. Here is a glimpse of what I wrote:
Week 8
Monday
- Maintaining same location – lincoln park?
- Testing out camera equipment – AV Loans
- Canon 5d Mark IV – DSLR
- Creating 1st draft
- Run through of all actions – visualised
- Written down as notes – so that it is easier to direct the intended actor
- Run through of all actions – visualised
- Action – noting down
- Walking to a park and sitting on a bench
- Reading a book?
- Looking up to the sky – final scene?
- Walking to a park and sitting on a bench
Week 9
Wednesday
- Angles experiment
- Maintain location
- Though, different action
- Conduction of Action 1 experiment
- Every action conducted repeatedly
- Depending on Angles and shots
- Maybe experiment with focal length? or depth of focus?
- Depending on Angles and shots
- Every action conducted repeatedly
Week 10
Monday
- Angles experiment
- Maintain location
- Though, different action
- Conduction of Action 2 experiment
- This time focus on details – close ups
- Hands, phone, etc.
- This time focus on details – close ups
- Putting everything all together in one timeline including last week’s shots/clips
Week 11
Wednesday
- Angles experiment – final
- Maintain location
- Though, different action
- Conduction of Action 3 and collection of other relevant materials for final submission
- Final scene wrap up – looking at the sky?
Week 12
Monday and Wednesday
- Finalising all clips and experiments conducted from the last few weeks
- Post – production process
- Collating all these clips together on Premiere
- Create a short – 1 min
- Cut irrelevant shots
- Decide on audio ideas
- Music or atmos sounds
- Getting ready for submission of Project Brief #4!
28 April 2017
This week, I have been trying to put my idea altogether again. Although, I had a rough patch starting off because I didn’t know how to approach my idea exactly. I decided to roam around the city of Melbourne, specifically, on the Carlton suburb area.
From the last post, this location I am going to go in detail about has been mentioned. This location is the ‘Lincoln Square’. This location was one of the locations that I felt more comfortable filming in. This is because filming in Lincoln Square was not only convenient but also, is not too crowded. I felt like when scouting for locations the past few weeks, it was difficult to find one that has a good open space, not too crowded areas and good lighting or exposure from the sun (since it is an outdoor filming).
During my first visit in Lincoln Square, I had already visualised what I wanted to film with my focus or subject – in this case, the actor. The main objective was ‘to get as much camera angles shots as possible’, I have envisioned some actions in a specific area of the park where my character could sit on this specific bench.
The action that I am trying to aim for is as simple as walking to a park and sitting on a bench. It might sound simple but the main idea behind this simple project was to capture a simple action in a short sequence in a variety of different angles and learn the little elements that could impact a shot in a film. Thus, to acknowledge frame, lighting, exposure, space, background, zoom, etc. in every shot.
Week 9
04 May 2017
All through this week, Paul has scheduled all of us to have a consultation with him to update what we have planned so far and what we’re going to do for the next 3 weeks until week 12. From the last post – I have so far scouted a specific location to film in for the series experiment that I wanted to create.
Before talking about the consultation time I had with Paul. Let me tell you, what my initial plan was for this week. So, I went to scout some location around Melbourne City where there isn’t much of any ‘filming restrictions’ present or is a ‘filming-friendly’ spaces. And I found Lincoln Square about a week ago. I planned to film some footages to start off this project/series of experiments so I could get a more vivid or clear idea and visual of how this project/series of experiment will turn out and how I was going to engage with the skills I get to put into for this project, as well as, learn more about it. Unfortunately, from some specific circumstances, I wasn’t able to do that this week. This is due to the unavailability of my actor/character.
I had a little difficulty with arranging a specific schedule with my friend, Meita – who is supposed to be the ‘character’ in my sequence. Evidently, just like any uni students, after the break, we are all rushing to finish projects and have heaps of new ones to be taken care of. Initially, Meita and I wanted to shoot my first sequence in the Lincoln Park this Wednesday. But, she couldn’t make it because she is caught up with her own university assessments. So, the plan changed after I met up with Paul for the consultations.
During the consultations, I told Paul about my difficulty with scheduling and the frequent mis-scheduling that happens with at least for my project, an important subject/focus. Paul then suggested that I instead of stressing out about it and not do anything to progress, to go visit the location one more time and draw/sketch where the lighting – in this case, where the sun hits on the specific spot – to give a clearer idea of how I am going to film the subject correctly with time used wisely.
So that was what I did.
Here is my sketch:
06 May 2017
After Thursday’s consultations, I have finally rescheduled my meeting with my friend, Meita, to finally start filming and make some more progress towards the end of the semester. We have planned to film and meet up on Friday this week.
For the equipment that I am going to be using, I have decided to use the DSLR camera since, the beginning of the project because it is more handy and convenient to walk around with. So, for this one, I used the Canon 5D Mark IV DSLR camera.
Here are the glimpse of my raw footages of the filming this Friday:
These are stills of the raw footages that I got before editing them all together. Since I don’t have Premiere or Final Cut on my laptop I’ll have to edit most, if not all of my footages that I have collated in next week’s class or on my own in the editing suites. So the plan I have is to edit all of them on Tuesday and continue on filming another round until eventually, forming more of my ‘series of experiments’ for the True To Form studio this semester.
Week 10
10 May 2017
After last week’s unfortunate difficulty that I had to experience, I finally got to shoot some footages or actually, quite a lot of footages for my continued angle experiments. Since I had a visual in my head that I am going to prepare a one-minute sequence, in the end of the semester, I didn’t notice that when I was filming, I needed ‘transitions’ scenes. Which was another problem and mistake that can only be seen during post-production in this case, ‘editing’.
As a result, I ended up creating two separate sequences at the same time. Here are what it looked like:
#1: (Rough) Angle Experiment – Password: angleone
#2: (Rough) Angle Experiment – Password: angletwo
One of the things, I noticed from this experiment was that, not only I needed ‘transitions’ scenes so that each footage will be connected to one another within the different angles, I also needed a clear audio. During the pitch presentation for Project Brief #3 on Week 7, I mentioned to Paul that I am going to use music to cover up the audio part of my little ‘angle’ idea. But, Paul suggested to not use music as it will not match what the sequence is going to be like and will confuse the audience instead of, engage them. Therefore, I am hoping to be able to at least record some audio footages for the next time I film. Audio footages including atmos sound around the park and more.
12 May 2017
After the last experiment that we did, Paul had split the class in two this week to learn more about lighting in our classes. The purpose was so that we had a good experience and enough knowledge to use more of this skill in our respective ‘series of experiments’ or projects towards the end of the semester.
Paul first showed us a couple of clips from an episode of a TV show – which indicated specific types of scenes where different ‘lightings’ was incorporated. One of the things that he mentioned was the importance of shadows and lighting for an ‘interview’. We used a couple of techniques that incorporated these lighting elements for an exercise during class. We used equipment such as reflectors and more.
Additionally, we also attempted and learned on how to prepare an ‘interview’ or a scene with a proper equipment including, cameras, projectors/ screen, lighting using reflectors, the importance of shadows especially in the subject’s face, etc. For me, I have never used equipment like these before so it was an important session or class for me. This is because I was able to learn the new use of lighting equipment but also, I was able to gain more knowledge upon setting camera exposure and focus using the right tools.
After, this class Paul suggested that some of us may use these new techniques of lighting and exposure to be utilised in our own projects for Project Brief #4. In my case, he suggested for me to use reflectors as I am going to film outdoors where the sun may hit the subject (actor) inappropriately that will result in a different lighting for each shot. Since my idea was to use different angles in each shot the natural lighting the sun produces, may not result in the same way for every frame or angle that I take. This is because being able to shoot a different angle means being able to film the subject in a completely different frame and position. As a result, the lighting of the shot will not be balanced, equally similar or consistent without the use of a reflector or some lighting equipment and balanced exposure setting.
Week 11
16 May 2017
This week I plan to shoot another round of experiments but with a couple of inspirations that I wanted to try to incorporate.
For this next experiment, I did a couple of research that inspired me to do a little bit more than usual. Which is what it will end up becoming for the very last scene of this short sequence I will collate. These scenes and my initial idea were inspired by some scenes from the movie ‘500 Days of Summer’.
From the scenes that were in the movie, the location was almost exactly similar to what I have envisioned. Although, the shots and framing took a different turn (at least for me). In the movie, some shots were filmed with different focal length and depth, yet was shot in identical angles as my idea. I did want to replicate the scenes from the movie but I also wanted to be able to capture a similar idea or perspective that the movie has with a slightly different twist.
Which is why I wanted my character for this experiment ‘looking at the sky’ to end the sequence/experiment. However, I wanted this time to experiment with a slightly different technique where I used post-production or editing element to make the scene look a little more unique. I wanted to experiment with the idea of ‘stop-motion’ on the very last scene for this sequence, I am going to film this week. Additionally, I plan to be taking pictures of every little action to capture the ‘stop-motion’ idea using the same canon 5D Mark IV DSLR camera and this particular action will end this week’s experiment/sequence.
Although I was still experimenting with this idea, I wanted to explore more of these techniques in order to make audiences understand the differences angles can make in a particular action not only in ‘still shots’ but simply in ‘stills’. Therefore, I hope to be able to work on this idea and experiment further this week on the next round of my series of experiments towards the end of the semester.
19 May 2017
This week, I have filmed another round of experiment and plan to again edit another part of my idea with a different approach.
From the last experiment that I did, some footages were what I have envisioned but it wasn’t as best as I wanted them to look like. This is caused by some lighting mistakes that I made, inconsistent camera framing (such as, inappropriate focus and exposure, etc.) and audio. So this week, I have decided to film another round to give it another try.
Still looking for the same if not similar objectives in which is a variety of camera angles with the same action – in this case, ‘walking to a park and sitting on a bench’. But, with a more vivid intention and an idea of what exactly I am looking for, here is what I collated together:
From the last post, I have mentioned doing more of small post-production experiments in which I incorporate in this experiment. I used the stop-motion animation and filmed some scenes that were inspired from the movie ‘500 Days of Summer’. The only thing that kept on bugging me while editing was that I wasn’t able to shoot ‘transitional’ scene. As a result, when editing some scenes together I used a blank ‘black’ transition to separate the sequences and thus, I wasn’t as satisfied as I could have been because of the fact that it could not be a complete one sequence. Along with, the audio that also became a huge problem for me. Audio for the past experiments has been a huge problem for me because it sometimes confuses the way I look at the sequence if the original audio was still attached. This leads to me deciding to mute all of my audio recordings for all of my sequences or experiments that I have done since Week 7 (if not, the very beginning I made this idea).
But, although it was not perfect, I was able to minimise as many flaws as possible then the last experiment I did and I went out on the field knowing what I was looking for. Since I did some research a couple of days before from the movie ‘500 days of summer’, it helped me envisioned what I wanted my experiment to look like for this week getting near to Week 12. I still hope to at least be able to come back to where I filmed – ‘Lincoln Square’ – once more to be able to record some atmosphere sound or audio recordings, as well as, to be able to experiment even further before the actual assessment submission on Week 13.
Week 12
24 May 2017
This week is the last week for university this semester! We have definitely come a long way to ending this semester’s media studio – True To Form. This time, Paul had us to consult with him on our perspective projects individually. My consultation was on Tuesday this week.
I’ve shown Paul what I’ve been working on for the last few weeks leading up to this week and he also explained to me about a screening and media studio presentations for semester 2 that will happen around Week 14. Unfortunately, I am not going to be able to be present in any of them since I will not be in Melbourne after this week. So, I have decided to progress as much as possible around this week and use my time here in Melbourne as wisely as possible.
After showing Paul the two or three sequences I have been working on and the problems I have been experiencing, here are my notes and what he suggested I should do:
Notes on Week 12 Consultations:
- Transitional scenes – DOES NOT MATTER!
- Quick transitions doesn’t have to connect with an action and another
- As long as ‘angles’ are clearly presented as an ‘idea’ or main objective
- Audio
- NO music!
- Clear atmosphere sound of park
- Record 1-minute audio recording of the park itself without irrelevant sounds.
- Try to use that instead of, incorporating music
- It will distract the intention of your idea to your audience
- Try to use that instead of, incorporating music
- Do another experiment – if possible
- This time try another location or spot in the park
- Maintain your idea but use ‘location’ as your focus this time
- It may be another interesting aspect that might extend your idea further
- Why not sitting on the grass this time?
- It may be another interesting aspect that might extend your idea further
- Maintain your idea but use ‘location’ as your focus this time
- This time try another location or spot in the park
26 May 2017
After a consultation session with Paul a few days ago, I have decided to do another experiment, hopefully, the final experiment that will end my ‘series of experiments’ this semester for this studio. I have decided to put together Paul’s suggestion and my own inspiration from the last experiment for this last sequence.
This time, I focused on ‘location’ or spot for a different frame and shot. Not until this experiment, I realised that frame and the location or space within it matters in experimenting or investigating about angles. Which I think was a great knowledge to learn for the last experiment! I was intrigued by Paul’s idea of using the grass as another spot for my camera angle idea and experiment. So that’s exactly what I did, I focused further on being able to capture the significance of a space and/or location within a frame and how bringing this into a short montage (and later sequence) in a variety of different angles is actually pretty fascinating.
Here’s a glimpse:
I ended this experiment being able to learn the meaning behind what the use of camera angle could mean in film or in this case – series of experiments. Which is:
Camera angles have an importance of capturing different space within a frame that signifies a different look of the subject including their mode of expression. Some angles emphasise the subject’s action (such as the front angle for this one) but others emphasise the space the subject is in. Every angle is a different frame which simply means it paints a different picture. Thus, being able to understand the picture means that I have to be able to acknowledge the space and capture the right angle.
Week 13
29 May 2017: ‘Collaboration’
This week there are no classes in uni and is the final week for the submission of our PB#4 in True To Form. Looking back, I actually have made quite a lot of work with many of my classmates in this studio.
Most of the time after Week 7’s Proposal and Pitch presentation, I have done a collaboration with one of my classmates, Grace. She and I have worked and helped each other out in order to film our respective individual project. She was actually one of the actors that played in one of my experiments in the beginning of the semester before my initial idea was being thought of and presented to the whole class on Week 7. She was actually also the one who suggested for me to use DSLR camera for this project. An advice, that I took throughout the semester and through the process of making this project and/or ‘series of experiments’ possible.
I think that the collaboration although, minimum and occasional occurrence in this studio, I have definitely learned a lot not only from Grace but all the other classmates and of course, Paul, who have been openly suggesting on helping out with production and post-production from the very beginning stages of approaching Project Brief #4. I developed my ideas further by looking at the inspiration outside and also inside our class, which I think was very helpful. Throughout this semester I’ve worked with Adelle, Eve, Eva and Grace, I developed my idea when we had a group exercise (with Adelle, Eve and Eva) and that was when I became intrigued with my own idea. Furthermore, I made an experiment and was given the helping hand of Grace with filming and playing a role, in my short experiment. As well as, my own friend, Meita, the girl in all of my final experiments who also collaborated most with me during the construction of putting my visions to real life.Being able to look at someone else’s work I feel like motivated me to be able to understand and give a little bit more effort for my own.
I have certainly also been aided and inspired by other classmates in the studio with their own respective work. This is because being able to look at someone else’s work results in me feeling motivated to be able to understand, research and give a little bit more effort for my own. Thus, the collaboration and work for this studio have definitely become something that was done together, even if, the final submission is submitted individually.