PB4 – Reflection

 

 

 

 

 

This semester is a great journey of fashion，and it also satisfies my dream of making  and directing a fashion film . I was very satisfied with our studio, because my intension of choosing this studio was to create something different and unique, and to expend it.  I learned lots of things which could be used in my future career as well. Although it is a fashion film studio,  Christina would alway invited many guests to class to share their experience and professional thoughts and skills, it is really helpful. To hear their successful experience also inspirited me to become better.

One of the most important reason I like about the studio was the flexibilities and freedom. As I know, most studios are doing lots of  academic staff like lots of readings, and writing. Personally I like doing something more practical, and I felt that I could  learn more skills  and gain more experience from it. And I think doing something practical  is faster and better than learning something from readings. Basically, we made two films, one was the more like a exercise video, and other one was the final film. Honestly, I already have something in mind when I chose this studio, and I knew I need to make something different and to create my own style. And I really want to be a director, and direct my own fashion film. So I started to think about ideas and prepared things since I saw the studio brief.  For the brief two, I worked with Rachel and Rebecca, it was great to work with them. I came up w with an idea, and explained to them, they were happy to use my ideas. We had very happy shooting experience, and work together very well.

I have learned so much thing from PB3. It contains both happiness and sadness.  I felt  like that I have achieved another level of my skills after finishing the final film. First of all, it really improved my communication skills, as a director I need to communicate with my team and designer and models. My English isnt good, but I need to push myself to talk with others. The first problem is to explain my concept to my group and Christina, which took me some time to think of, because my idea is  really hard to explain well  just like implicit knowledge, you know it, but you cannot present it to others clearly. Luckily, Rebecca knows some Chinese, so I told her in Chinese, then  she explained it to Rachel in English. Thanks for their understandings. I know I need to overcome this problem, so I spent more time on writing down my concept, so I could present it better. Secondly, since I want to be the director, so I work so hard to think about ideas and also I asked many friends for help to find a fashion designer who like to join. Luckily, I contacted a designer and present my concept to her, and she was very happy to let me use her dress, and loves my ideas. I felt it was very interesting to talk with different people, so I could get more new information.

Secondly, I have improved my technique skills, such as  camera skills and editing skills.  Basically, we only have two scenes, one is in studio, the other one is in forest. As for the studio, it was a big challenge for both Rachel and me. because we dont have previous studio shooting experience, so the setting and lighting were the biggest problem. Therefore, we booked a studio twice before the real shooting to test lighting and camera. I really wish to have a lighting class, because I have no idea how to create a beautiful lighting. First time we spent 2 hours adjusting the lighting, and it didn’t come out a good result. I did many researches and watched tutorial on Youtube, and also I asked my friends for help. Fortunately, the lighting issue finally solved with my friend’s help. As for that experience, I realized that it is so important to having friends’ help, because we have limited abilities.  Talking about editing, it is the hardest part of this project. I like it and hate it.  We spent almost 3 weeks on editing, it drove us crazy. I had high expectation for myself,  and I want to squeeze and push  myself to achieve anther level. Therefore, I worked so hard. I did about 10 versions , and until I cannot think about anything else, then I stopped. Although I have high demand for myself, I respect Rachel’s work as well.  Although I was so exhausted during the project, I felt it is also an interesting process to redo editing again and again, because every time I redo it , I did better than last version which makes me so happy.

Anther thing I have learned is to insist on my thought and ideas properly.  I cares about thoughts from others , so I was so easily influenced by others.  I was influenced by feedbacks from class and lecturers , because I felt there all good advices. I was in a deilemma, and I start to question myself , which way is the right way for me. After all, I still want to insist on my original plan, because no one knows better than myself, if I want to do it then just make it happen, no matter about the result.  After doing these two films, I realized that I need to believe in myself,  follow my hearts, and listen to my real thoughts.  It is also very important for a director to insist as well, because director is the one who do final decision, so director needs to think fast.

I never regrets about any decision I made, I am so happy with the result. I am proud of myself Thanks for Rachel, Rebecca, Lulu and KK. And specially thanks for Christina, I love this studio.