This Monday tutorial: we were 3 as a group and went out for a individual shot. Although this is still a practice, we had our own shot. May be by the reason that was my first time to create my own shot, i don think that is a good footage. Due to the immaturity technical problems, and the shot is out of my expect. That clear my mind, “doing" a film is really a thing different from “thinking" a film.

Today tutorial:  Paul gave us some tips for how to manage the audio stuffs. After that he showed us some shot film fragments to introduced how audio works in a film, i think it was quite useful instead of just talking about it. And i really enjoy the shot he played. Showing a fantastic example is always a good way to explain things. Then we divided into 4 groups as 3/4 per groups doing a group practice. Our group went out side and found a table, because it is a audio practice, so we let the group member doing paper folding, we set 3 position for each shot and we swap the crew roles as well(by the way, this is part of Paul’s introduction of First AD)

For my part, i was doing the camera operator and audio, both roles looks fun to me. Especially the audio, even this is a small practice, i  still enjoy of it. At the same time, i found it is hard to make the three shot completely the same when i recorded, because we are out of room in the public spaces. So in this case, i might make a marks for that. At the end of the class we went to the edit room at the base ground. As i mentioned in the first post, i wish i could do better in edit part,because this is my weakness.

Mondays tutorial was the first class in this semester. We were given the chance to become more familiar with the cameras and this is the first time for me to  further on knowing a camera. As i mentioned at last post, i was a camera operator for the live show studio last semester, the only thing i should know about is zooming that lead to some technical problem, like i don’t know that would be out of focus when i changing the focal length. Problems like that has been given answers in our first film class.At beginning, we looked at how to operate the cameras on a basic level, like how to set up the tripods, and how to set up a shot using the rings on the lens to adjust focal length, focus and exposure.After that, we were arranged into group of 3 to go out and shoot a 10-20 second shot footage. I was with Ella and Kenton, we decided to started at building 9 where out of our classroom, the design area. I focused on plant of post cards in the showcase, by zooming in slightly on the one of post cards. Because of my frame was back of light so i tried to adjust the exposure at very beginning, then changed the focus a little bit.

After an individual practice, we went out side and found a places where just beside building 9 to shot a traffic flow. Due to the sunshine day, the exposure was hard to control, we found a good place to set the tripod, to adjust the exposure really took sometimes until every group members happy with it.

We had the second tutorial on Friday. First we viewed each group’s work, I really like the group which shooting the tram. I feel the line of the frame were lively. Paul and other classmates thought our groups shot was a bit over exposure. I think i would tare care of that next time. Then we were divided into 2 big groups, Jess and i in the audio group, our tasks was go out and record a pice of 50 second sound. I thought tram would be a highly recognized sound so after a rough plan, we got  our first recording however it seems too mature then we tried it again. To me, it is hard to record a specific sound, because there’s so much happening inside and out it’s difficult to capture specific sounds without the rest of the environment.That happened in our recording as well. when we back to  building 9 i have a better idea–to record the bathroom, yet it is out of time, may be next time.

I am glad in this course. Last semester i was in the group for doing a live show, as a media student my main interests is in the Television industry, However when i saw the outcomes from film studios which are really amazing, this changed my mind and my friend recommended that be part of this course can allow us involving more practice which has been proved in last week’s lessons, so i am happy with that and can’t wait for this week’s lessons. On the other hand, i believe that some techniques would be the same, or even more. For example, as a camera operator in the live show the only skill i have learned is zooming. Comparing with that, in film 3 class i have a general understanding about shoot a short film in the very first class.( for instance, exposure, white balance and focusing ) To be honest，this kind of technical problems i might be ignore before.

What’s my understanding of this course would be two aspects. First is the techniques,Paul has introduced that we have to work within a crew, to produce, direct, edit, to write for film, to work with lighting and sound. That seems a lot of fun for me and could be a rare experience. In addition, i think we can get a comprehensive understanding that the difference between dram & documentary. Moreover, i could be able to critically analyse a film, to establish and broadly accept project development and industrial production methods.

My goals are that by the end of this course, i can fairly practiced with a camera and editing stuffs. Also,i want  to find what’s my strengths and weaknesses in this field. In groups, i hope i can get the valuable experiences in planning, producing and the methods of collaboration with other group members through this semester.