Over the course of this semester I feel that I have picked up many new skills, and improved the ones which I had already gained from my previous classes during this degree. I learnt how to use the Sony X200 which I must say, was a lot easier to navigate than the Sony camera I used last semester. Perhaps I found it easier due to the fact that I had already been taught the ins and outs of using that Sony from last semester. Even though I didn’t use the Sony X200 for my artist profile, I was able to trial using it when we created our street art videos which was good hands-on experience, albeit, brief. I only ended up not using this camera due to the weight of it as I was already lugging a lot of heavy gear around with me to the shoots I conducted with Spencer Lai. Using the Canon 6D and Canon 5D MKII I found really easy and I’m really pleased with how the footage came out – aesthetically pleasing, crisp visuals.

I want to rewind to the first week of this course for a moment and recap on the goals which I set myself for this semester. I am extremely glad to, safely and proudly, say that I definitely achieved all three to some degree.

1. Consider appropriate aesthetics when filmmaking and editing
   In my previous video works I have completed during this degree so far, I have mainly had a “using what’s there” attitude when filmmaking. However, this time around was different. When researching my artist, Spencer Lai, I noticed particular colour themes and a fashion-responsive aesthetic within their work. Once I first met Spencer I knew that I definitely both wanted to, and felt it necessary, to create something which rang true to their art. Where I would consider certain textures and colours to incorporate which were reflexive of the works involved. I ended up focusing on some of the clothes which Spencer wears and made a montage type sequence as well as capturing the detailings of some of these favourite clothes. I did this because the clothes Spencer wears are too, expressed within their work. I used a pink velvet backdrop which we hung in their living room for the interview. I chose pink because it correlates with the colours on Spencer’s website Initially, I had Spencer sitting on a big pink chair which was already at their house. After recognising that this interview footage was not what I wanted and knew I needed to add more in order to achieve this goal I had set, I re-shot with Spencer and put a lot more concentration on getting my ‘imagined aesthetic’ perfect – using the textured backdrop to make for a more captivating visual which flowed with the nature of Spencer’s work. I found this aspect was especially important as Spencer works from his bedroom with smaller pieces and then brings them into studios or other gallery spaces, so we didn’t have the option of a classic studio-backdrop.
2. Gain better editing skills by spending time in the edit suites trialling Premiere Pro’s tools and effects etc.
   I cannot express how pleased I am to have taught myself more in the editing realm. This semester I decided to retire from editing on my small, slow laptop; which resulted in feeling much less frustrated while doing so. I had never compiled an entire film project in the suites before, but I am really happy that I did. The computers are so much bigger and it is so much easier to perfect finer details. I learnt about elements such as colour keying (creating interesting title overlays), fixing audio and colour adjustments.
3. Get out of my comfort zone more in consideration of the entire filmmaking process (networking, researching through physical exploration / gallery visits, testing my technical abilities etc.)
   In this studio I have definitely taken a step out of my comfort zone. Asking random people off the street to be involved in vox-pops for our street art videos was the first push. I then had some serious troubles trying to meet with the initial artist I was assigned for our artist profile short documentaries. Extraordinarily last minute before the profile brief (#2) on him was due, he did not seem enthusiastic to be a part of the project so I had to cut my losses with trying to contact him. This was so disheartening for me and made it really difficult to consider having another artist assigned to me, where perhaps the same thing would happen again. Although I made it a goal to get out of my comfort zone, in this case I was very short on time and needed someone who was going to cooperate. I requested to seek another person independent from the assigned artist list which was granted, given my circumstances. My mother, an artist herself, was a very easy option to have made my video profile on. However, sticking true to aiming for this third goal, I instead requested she let me know if she knew any artists who would be willing to participate. Initially suggesting our family friend, I thought that would also be too inside my comfort zone. She then suggested someone she knew on a base-level whom I’d never met before, Spencer Lai. I looked them up, and loved their work so I decided to go with this. Even though there were closer ties to Spencer than there were with my initial artist, I still found myself really nervous as I lugged my gear over to their house for our first interview. Once we met, everything was easy. By the end of it all, I even feel like I’ve made a new friend to some degree, whose work is really interesting and inspiring. I definitely think I have managed to step out of my comfort zone, through many aspects, at some level which is so good! I feel more confident in my skills both networking and on the technical side of filmmaking.

   I also managed to do more physical research than I have usually done with projects. I made conscious efforts to get really involved this time around. I went to Healesville to see Spencer’s collaborative installation at TarraWarra Museum of Art, where I hadn’t been before. I also went to Fort Delta where Spencer is represented, this allowed me a better understanding of the way in which Spencer worked with the space in the show which they spoke about in the interviews. I’m pleased I managed to adventure to these places for research, I feel it made the entire process more interesting as well.

I have also learnt a lot about organisation, teamwork and collaboration. Although I didn’t manage to help with Fiona’s filming as I was busy when she organised to meet her artist, I was able to help with both Serena and Rob’s pieces. This was great as it made for interesting experiences seeing other artists’ work as well as meaning we got to work in a film crew fashion. The nature of both of these shoots meant for excursion and adventure too, which was refreshing and got us all out of our comfort zones. Helping others with their work meant that we could take the stress off the person conducting the interview which I think was massively appreciated by anyone who was helped in the class.

I feel like I really concentrated on getting my film to, visually, appear just as I imagined it to be; despite all the disheartening mess arounds with sourcing an artist and muck ups with my audio over the process. I’m not 100% happy with my final product, but I think that’s because I spent so much time solidly editing it, got tired of it and then time ran out and I had to submit it. I just always feel like my work is unfinished. Asides that minor issue, I consider this to be a project which I have been the most invested in during my degree so far and I’m sure I’ll look back on it in a few weeks time and be very proud of myself for what I’ve created! All in all, a successful and fun semester!