Budgerigar:

The screening began on a high. This film was my favourite of the night in terms of technical choices. The lighting, colors and mood of the whole piece were really beautiful, particularly the dark, blue scene with the two Michaels. The ending was great; the fact that they are not just disturbingly similar to each other, but he may be in love with his doppelganger. I thought that was really funny and original.

Milk:

Second film of the night and again, setting the bar high. My favourite film in terms of story. It was simple, but so effective. The humor in it was golden, and I particularly liked the use of music. The music is what made the film. It wasn’t just a story about a guy running late to the store, it was a play on an action type film, and the situation felt so much more dramatic and desperate. Overall, it was just so much fun to watch.

Pranking Frank:

It came a long way from the rough screening. When I first saw it I actually couldn’t follow it, but it turned out great. The timing was really well done and the scenes flowed after another easily, even though initially the two characters are seemingly unrelated. My favourite part was cut out though, when Charlie makes a prank call to his boss and then his boss comes in and leaves, and just before the scene ends it becomes a wide shot and you see there is another person sitting there like “…what?” I understand why it was cut, as it isn’t really necessary, but in the test screening I could not stop laughing. It was the funniest thing I’d seen in any of these films. Regardless, the final film was really good.

Strange Noises:

One of the funniest of the night, just a really fun concept. Like Milk, the fact that the story was simple worked in its favour. Exploring what a mother thinks her teenage son does when shes not around was hilarious, she seemed like a real mother prancing around just being worried. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Question 2

I have found that through this course, I have more of a sense of what makes a good film. I can better identify problem areas, and although my groups film, ‘A Love Lost,’ is finished, published, and looks great, I can still find aspects about it I would change to make it even better. In this way, I found my analytic skills improved naturally and unexpectedly. Through the process of making my own film, I not only gained more technical skills and confidence, but I am more aware of lighting, camerawork, composition, acting, directing, casting, etc. Overall this subject has been my favourite of the semester. Usually group projects are not all that enjoyable, but I was lucky enough to have a really great group, and we were making a piece of work I was excited about. I found myself really wanting to do extra work and put in extra time for the sake of the project and the group. The experience has been invaluable.

Question 6

In the directing lecture, important points were covered. Two that stood out to me as important were actually things that I had already picked up on during the shooting of our films. First, it is incredibly helpful to have a test shoot. A week before our actual shoot we shot the entire film without actors, and it looked pretty awful, it was a mess. A good mess for a first attempt but if that was the footage for our final thing, i would weep for us. I think in the future it is definitely worth doing when possible. It makes an enormous difference.

The lecture also highlighted another thing; how important it is for the mood to be good and the impact that has on the actors. The story about that group who’s actors badmouthed them with their lapel mics recording still haunts me, so on the shoot i was extra aware of the actors and whether they were happy. After our shoot was done both our actors complimented us on how professional the experience felt and how we had a good energy about us. That was pleasing to hear, I’m glad they didn’t pick up on the stress the crew and I all had inside during the shoot, especially since the actors we hired were really professional and mature and more importantly, weren’t being paid for their time. A positive and comfortable environment gave us the best performance out of them.

Question 7

The sounds are all very crisp and excellently timed in ‘blood simple.’ The movement of the paper is so clear, and the texture of the fish as they slide across the table has been communicated beautifully through the texture of the sound. Sounds such as these have been layered over the scene and continue during the shot reverse shot changes. This maintains the diagetic space in the scene. Even as the shot focuses on one person, you are still able to hear the actions, eg. the creaking of the other persons chair off screen.

Question 8

After looking through the shortcuts, one in particular makes me feel like an idiot. Cmd+A. Honestly, how did i not know this. Cmd+A has always meant ‘select all’ so i don’t know why i bothered highlighting everything the slow way in all my other projects. Ill have to have a go on premiere to test this out, but if Cmd+A selects all the clips in the sequence…. i feel like an idiot for not using it.

Another thing, i knew there was a shortcut for this but I haven’t edited enough this semester to have known it, though i know my film group obviously knew this and used it. Hitting return to render. I was surprised reading that because it’s so easy, just, return. But now that i know these commands, ill definitely use them. It is impossible not to. Clearly, i need to edit more to figure these things out. I really need to edit more.

Question 1

Lighting techniques were covered in the lecture. This is relevant to our film because we had wanted to recreate a specific feel from the dinner scene of ‘Oceans Eleven,’ which is achieved completely through the warm glow of the lighting. The technical use of light in that scene is beautiful and exactly what we wanted for our dinner scene. Thankfully, after reviewing the footage, the dinner scene looks great; very Oceans Eleven.

We could’ve only achieved this by reviewing the footage from our practice shoot; something that was also covered in the lecture. Our practice shoot was done a week before our actual shoot and it really opened my eyes to how important they are, honestly the footage from the practice shoot had enormous problems and looked pretty bad. We lit things from the wrong sides, didn’t white balance correctly, everything could be improved upon. Because of this, I am so thankful we had such an extensive practice shoot, it was tiring, but definitely worth it to get the lighting etc right.

Question 2

In the week 6 reading about developing a crew, I found a few ideas stood out to me. I find that my film crew this semester fortunately works well together, and this reading highlights a few reasons why. Firstly, as explained in the reading, ‘first and foremost, everyone you recruit must understand and accept your commitments to the project,’ and ‘no crew functions well unless roles and responsibilities are clearly defined.’ I think these are the main reasons why this group assignment has run so smoothly thus far; because in one of our very first meetings (or possibly our first one from memory), we each specifically stated that this subject and this assignment was our number one priority, and because of this, we have been able to trust that each person will do their work on time and in most cases, early. Also in our first meeting or two, people quickly fell into their own roles. While some were more clearly defined than others, we each accepted certain responsibilities and were happy with them. This is another reason why i have been able to trust that each crew member contributes, as well as making sure that all jobs are done well.

It was also interesting that the reading outlined not only the jobs associated with each role, but the personal traits that make a good producer, art director, D.O.P, etc. These traits are potentially why we fell into our roles so easily, but although I enjoy organizing and scheduling, i hope to explore more technical aspects of film making as well. Hopefully next semester I can explore sound or camera work, and am not limited by the traits required to ensure I do the job well. At the end of it all, i thin hard work speaks for itself, and as long as the crew works hard, it doesn’t matter so much that I’m naturally more suited to producing than sound.

Question 3

Great care would’ve been taken in the choreography of ‘Blowout.’ The pans of the camera are timed perfectly with the movement of the actors. The movement of the camera also sometimes occurs before the actors movements, so as to foreshadow, such as when the male character sat down and the camera moved back toward the chair just before he did. In that same shot, he was framed by metal bars; the camera moves so as to frame the shot with parts of the room, such as the wooden structuring. Also, instead of having the actors in the shot, occasionally just a reflection of them from across the room is used, such as just before the female is handed the phone, creating a more interesting shot.

Question 7

The point about light sources was interesting, how we have to coordinate all light sources and make them work for us and not just think about the one that are plugged in. Even productions with no extra lighting, for example, ones shot outdoors with natural light, require some form of planning in regards to light and how to use it.

Its easy to forget about lighting because the point is for what is on screen to look natural, like editing, its one of those things that is usually not supposed to grab your attention, but instead makes things easier to view. It was useful being reminded of this, as the camera does not see what the human eye does, light is very important and although something may look unnaturally lit in person, on camera it may appear just like sunlight would to the eye.

Question 8

Lenny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niw5v2ZYQLo&feature=youtu.be

We learned a lot after filming our Lenny. Some problems we found with it were:

• Consistent framing: We found that some of our tracking shots were inconsistent in their movements, but can overcome this  by aligning the corner of the frame with the subjects head.
• Ending: We found this problem during the editing process, the actors actions in the two shot were not the same as in the over-the-shoulder close-ups, so we were unable to finish on a two shot as we had wanted to. We can overcome this through more careful planning and direction of the actors.

Some things that went well were:

• The shots all looked really good: Colour/ exposure/ white balance/ composition etc.

• The shoot itself was efficient and we got all the material we needed quickly.

Question 3

We shoot to edit because:

1. In using multiple angles and shots, we are afforded a wider selection of choices during the editing process. We are able to change things around when there are lots of shots to choose from and it just makes the editing process much easier. While on the shoot, if we methodically gather many different shots and angles, we have a better chance of finding the right flow to the piece.

2. We gather these multiple angles one at a time. Just because the storyboard calls for and angle change, it doesn’t mean we have to begin filming from a different angle. The entire sequence can be shot from one angle before changing, then it’s cut up and edited accordingly afterwards. This saves a lot of time and energy.

Question 1

The atmosphere of the film is immediately set by the soundscape along. the metallic screeching sound is unsettling, and the lack of visuals create mystery and suspense. The following scene also uses sound to build tension,, such as the dull ‘thump’ noise when the character sees the clown. Throughout the film there is also a quiet, uneasy high pitched noise that drifts in and out. This is common in horror films in suspense scenes, it makes the viewer fell scared and uneasy.

Question 2

Creating the sound design. InAlten, S. Audio in media, (p.266-286). Belmont: Wadsworth, 1994.

In this reading, i found it particularly interesting to learn how sound producution in film has grown over the years. From an area where there was only really one credit for in the film, to a huge crew of designers etc. I think on of my weakest areas is possibly sound design, and how to create a soundscape, so i hope to learn more and explore this area more in my productions this semester.  Like camera work, sound needs to be designed and motivated. I remember hearing once that sound is the most important thing in film, even if the camera is low quality, its important that the sound quality and production is to a high standard. It was also interesting reading about  how our hearing is selective, and a seemingly quiet, uninteresting soundscape such as a park, actually has a lot going on. Animals, distant chatter, wind, leaves, distant traffic; it all is important in creating a soundscape, so it is important to really make the effort to listen to these sounds and include them.

Question 4

There were a few technical problems with ‘rolling,’ for example the change in light in the beginning, which appears to be the camera automatically readjusting itself. I liked the part directly after the title, where we are introduced to his house/ apartment and the amount of toilet paper gradually becomes apparent. It shows that the toilet paper is an important part of the story without words or dialogue. Some of the supermarket shots were oddly framed, however. Their conversation was framed awkwardly, with them being in the center of the farm, as well as it appearing that the male character was looking above the girls head whilst talking to her. The shot was from a low angle, due to her height, but he was looking straight forward, so it appeared he was looking above her head. This may ave been to emphasise the awkwardness of the conversation, and his nervousness, but the shot feels uncomfortable.

Question 1

Throughout this semester, i hope to develop my skills as a film maker, particularly in the technical area. I find ideas quite easily, though i have a difficult time figuring out which ones are good and which are bad, so perhaps i will learn that too. Technically, i am still a novice, and have little idea about how to make a film, and more importantly, what makes a good film. When i am confronted with film to analyse, it is easier for me to find themes and meanings than to determine whether it is technically good or not. “Does this shot work?” who knows, certainly not me. If i have enough time, such as when writing an essay i can generally figure it out, but my analytic skills could also be developed. So i hope to become more natural and comfortable with film techniques, terms and practices.

Question 2

“Do not write as if it is real life, as real life is boring.” We all know this in some way, but i took it down as a note because sometimes when writing ideas we tend to forget, and our characters end up being uninteresting. You don’t aim for your character to be boring, but if you are focused on the plot aspect, you may forget about your character. The same goes the other way, if you are really character based, you may come up with a really mundane plot, so something with potential to be really interesting seems like real life again. It was also useful to know, specifically, what makes a good character. A character with a dramatic reaction to something that affects them, they want something, they react outwardly. These are all things that i know in the back of my mind, but forget to consider when i am coming up with ideas. Having these points from the lecture noted will be really beneficial to me as i think they are really strong, universal ideas, and as outlined in question one, i struggle with differentiating a good idea from a bad one.

Question 3

Slogans for the screenwriter’s wall. In Mackendrick, A. On film-making, (p. 40-43). New York: Faber & Faber, 2004.

In this reading from week two, i found each of the points from the “Screenwriters wall” useful and to the point. Particularly how movies show, and then tell. They are first and foremost a visual medium, and the visuals alone should be enough to get the point across to some extent. Movies can still be brilliant if there’s no sound or dialogue, or, as the reading suggests, if they are in a foreign language.

This also ties in with the point raised about student films being too long, and i think in many of those cases, perhaps the students didn’t utilise the visual aspect as well as they could have. there is a reason films are much shorter than books, a picture says 1000 words. This excites me because it makes me want to create something short, with as little dialogue as possible, and just focus on the visual aspects of film instead. It could really develop my awareness as a film maker.