Category Archives: project brief
PB3 Reflection
I definitely tried to be a bit more risky with this project brief; playing with audio and new equipment. I was never clear about exactly what I wanted this film to look like in the end, as it was more of a work in progress type task for me. A surprising amount of it was improvised; but of course that just made it more fun. For example with the interviewing I had a set list of questions in mind until our conversation directed me into a different idea where I’d focus more on my subject’s rebellious side.
The idea of calling the the interview “Ambiguous” came from the ‘one word’ exercise I thought of to get warm up for the actual interview. I randomly said a few words, then Charlotte would respond with a single word that she thought of first. I think this exercise revealed a lot about her without having too say much; which ties in nicely with the theme of ambiguity. I had so much fun with her during the one word interrogation that I decided to keep the recordings and use it as a way to casually introduce her to viewers; just like I had been introduced to her.
It’s also a great (sort of planned) coincidence that aspects of her room reveal so much about her. Such as the bursts of orange, the rainbow flags. guitars and action hero figurines.
I feel like I could have made a 10 minute video about Charlotte from all the interesting things. The time limit forced me to select the most significant things that from her responses and cut them together like they were one question. I learned a lot about cutting to the point.
Playing with found footage was a new challenge. I found that I could link some of it with what Charlotte was saying for example when she spoke about her fears I showed a snake even though she was talking about being scared of vulnerability.
PB3 Narrative
- What is the ‘controlling idea’ (Robert McKee) of your portrait? In other words, what is the most interesting thing about your participant/interviewee that you want to communicate?
Charlotte has always been quite the outspoken character, I met her in highschool. She was the one always speaking over teachers, putting up posters and treading on the line of uniform rules. Not only is she good on camera but she’s always had a clear message in everything she says and does. Charlotte lives by the idea of being able to express yourself beyond the limits of those who judge you. In this case, I wanted to focus specifically on gender roles and how her endeavors in blurring historically distinct line between male and female.
- How is your portrait film structured? (Remember there might be multiple forms of structure employed) E.g. Discussion and depiction of an event or process? A Journey? Use of voiceover narration? Other?
The narration will mainly be from Charlotte’s own voice and I will play little part in voicing questions. The structure is more of a recap of her journey so far with anecdotes. A lot of her answers come with a story so it is more of a retelling of her journey up until the present.
- What do you want your audience to make of your interviewee? (e.g. What are you saying through them and/or human nature, human folly, or noble human inspiration?)
I’d like to portray Charlotte as vibrant yet chill with use of colour and sound. She appears to be a very easy going person but she has had her fair share of conflicts. Her most distinct traits would be resilient, eccentric and bold.By emphasising her lack of conformity to social norms I’d like to use her as a pioneer in the journey for allowing oneself to not be defined by gender roles, but instead what makes you happy.
- How is your portrait being narrated? Why? How does it affect the structure?
The portrait is being mainly narrated by Charlotte as she answers the questions. Her answers will include an implied question so it will still feel like a question and answer video.
- What role will the ‘found footage’ play in your portrait? For example, reinforcement? Ironic counterpoint? Contrast? Comparison? Other?
Found footage from creative commons online and her own childhood videos are used in my film to show what we are familiar with in terms of people’s aesthetics, then contrast it to what she says.
- Does your portrait have a dramatic turning point?
There is no dramatic turning point, instead it’s more about how she has become who she is today.
- When does this turning point in your portrait and why? At the beginning? At the end? Two-thirds through?
The turning point is towards the end where Charlotte makes a statement about how she has become comfortable with herself.
- How does your portrait gather and maintain momentum?
It maintains momentum with voice layering. The music is a big part of creating mood and allowing viewers to be smoothly carried to the next answer to a question.
- Where will your portrait’s dramatic tension come from? The gradual exposition of an overall situation? A volcanic, climactic moment? An impending change or crisis? The contrast between what the interviewee talks about and the found footage?
The beginning is meant to seem conversational and friendly to allow viewers to warm up to her. Then it quickly delves into an emotive montage of the issues of gender and sexuality.
- Does the portrait have a climax and/or resolution? Outline them.
The resolution is that she has found what she is comfortable with but willing to continue changing as ‘constantly changing’ is a part of who she is.