In this studio, I did several individual exercises. This is the most proud thing for me in this whole semester, even though those exercises not so perfect, but I keep learning knowledge about camera coverage in the filming process.

In the previous classes, we mainly did some group exercises. In some degree, those exercises foster the cooperation ability between group members. Also, basically, those group works gave me a kind of systematic way to shoot a scene. In addition, because this studio is combined with media 3 and media 5, the student who come form media 5 know more skills or knowledge than us. So, generally, through the series of group works, I learn lots of things from my group members. For example, before I study this studio, I have not use the record gear. However, in the group work filming process, they teach me how to use sound mixer in a right way. Robin asked us individually edit the same footages which due to the group scene we have done, it is so interesting. As a result, we recognized the charm of montage. Also, personally, trough the editing work I have done, I find the problem that I got rid of editing rhythm usually. How lucky I am for that I got a chance to fix it gradually. We wrote the found scenes in our blog too, this is useful way to help me in further know the camera coverage, and mise-en-scene. For example, after I analyzed one scene form Happy together, I realized the usage of using mobile framing could increase the information about space. I also got inspirations from the hand-held shot and the different angels that Wong Kai-Wai used in this film. Those works both make a basis for my individual scene filming.

I researched the dialogue scene in my individual project, because I realized that there are majority of scenes are dialogue scene which between different people. So this is a really significant and basic proportion of film. I want to successfully and creatively design dialogue scene in this semester. However, I am unable to construct a dialogue scene in a professional way, I often feel struggle about how to film the dialogue scene in my own way depending on some professional criteria. So I keep investigating them in a specific way.

Firstly, I researched some basic knowledge about dialogue scene on YouTube, such as the framing and angels. Rule of thirds is simply divides the screen to three equal parts vertically and horizontally. We need frame our subjects on those lines or in one of the third proportion screen. This rule can make the shot balance better. There are some basic angels in dialogue scene, such as the wide shot of both subjects, two over the shoulder shots, move to each other’s shots. Those angels have been used in my individuals project. However, actually, I cannot use those angels as a stereotyped formula. On the contrary, I have to consider what part i want to emphasize. For example, in the exercise which I did in week 8, I use two over the shoulder shots to show their daily conversation between two girls. This composition not only depends on rule of thirds, but also because I want to emphasize their reaction when they say the lines to each other.

 

This is a normal way to shoot a daily conversation between two people. However, how to design a composition more than two people in dialogue scene? I got an inspiration from the scene in one famous film, which named Flipped. The director uses a triangle and ‘L’ shape for characters position. This position provides a good perspective for viewers to see every character’s reaction. I utilized this position in my week 8 scene. I think it is suitable and worked.

However, This scene also has some problems. The most obvious one is the continuity. I have not notice the consistency or similarity about background in different cut. In addition, when I cut the dialogue between people, I forgot to maintain the similarity of frame size. As a result it looks a bit of weird. So I fix those problems in week 9 scene. Besides, Robin shared one meaningful clip with me, which talk about how to use a panning present the dialogue between people. So I choose to try this method in the week 9 scene. I felt that compare with cutting shot, the panning one truly underlined actor’s state of mind.

Through the exercises, I learned how is important about the role of 180 axis of action in dialogue scene. This rule mainly talks about the positions of camera and two characters in a conversation. For example, if something on the left side of the screen should stay on the left side of the screen, even if the camera moves. Also we have to notice the consistency of eye line in dialogue scene. In week 10 scene, I have crossed the line in one shot. As a consequence, specters would feel confused.

Week 10 and week 11 scenes depend on a same script, which is a crazy plot from Infernal Affairs 3. Except the daily normal conversation, I also want to challenge some mysterious, suspenseful dialogue scene. In those scenes, director use special perspective to show some clues. This dialogue scene shows the illusion of one character. So I design some medium close up for single person to imply the clues, and change shots in large context to show the reality. Also, I found that using pov shot might add the mysterious feeling.

To be honest, I am so struggle with the usage of angel, I am so afraid to use high angel or low angel in an unnecessary way. I realized that the usage of high angel or low angel is usually emphasizes some specific emotion in the scene. So in my last week scene, I decided to choose a scene, which contains strong emotion. The script of this scene is the plot of divorce between a man and his wife. I tried to use some special angels in this scene, such as the low angel for character’s face, the low angel for gesture and props details. I felt those special angels and perspectives shows the depressed and struggle emotion of characters in an obscure way. In this semester, the thing that I learned how to achieve pulling focus shots is very amazing. Personally, I feel this types of shots have a different beauty. Audiences are won’t distract by other stuff, they may focus on the ‘right’ thing.

In conclusion, I am so happy I can keep researching, exploiting and trying the different way to construct the dialogue scene. Trough those exercise, I am able to know what concrete reason design the different shot and how to design it in a specific way. I am so lucky I choose this studio in this semester, I met a group of good partners, and got numerous useful suggestions from Robin. And one more fantastic thing is that I got a chance to challenge myself. Even the works I have done not so perfect, but at least, I have a very fantastic start.

 

 

This is the last week of whole semester. I helped Evelyn and William filming their scene in weekend. They both did a good job. In the scene of Evelyn, the usage of dolly is pretty good. The smooth movements of camera leading viewers gradually watch the actions of characters in a mysterious way. William did two creative long takes. These two long takes is similar with action film, I think it is pretty cool. He shoot the Actor’s action in a fluent and tightly way.

In addition, I shoot my final scene in the end of this week. In this scene I come back to the two people dialogue shot, however, I firstly use the lighting. This scene is a divorce situation between a man and his wife. I want to emphasize the depressed, intense atmosphere in this situation, so I turn off the light in my home, getting a black background, and I choose one yellow light to build shadows in action’s face. However, in the second shot, the lighting looks a little bit dark. In addition, as I said with robin, through this experience, I realized that it is not easy to use light, especially more than one light, I am so lucky because I haven’t choose more light.

In this scene, I tried to use some low angel shots for characters and props. I found this type of shot, which cooperates with light might shows the depressed and struggle emotion of characters.

     

Also, I designed one pulling focus shot for the woman and man. Compare with other shots, I think this shot can be more cooperates with lighting to clearly and show their both reaction in the same time when they say the key lines. In this case, viewers may feel the emotion of them.