Hurt

ZHENUncategorized

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=712uSJ514rc

<pre-production>

(Figure 1: screenshot of monologue scene in the film called I killed my mother, source by Zhen)
  • The first idea came to me is the black scene with strong emotions when I think about “hurt”. When I think about those films I have watched, the monologue scene of I killed my mother impresses me a lot. Thus, I watched this part again to see if I can get more ideas. I found that Xavier more focused on the details when he wanted to show the emotions and it worked well. Thus, I also want to do it in my film. Then, the basic idea structured at that time.
(Figure 2: storyboard of the short film called Squabble, source by Zhen)
  • Then I write a script and draw the storyboard in a simple way. This process requires the ability to concrete visualization. After I had the storyboard, I start to contact the actress and confirm the date and place for shooting.

Mise-en-Scene

  • “Of all film techniques, mise-en-scene is the one that viewers notice most.” (Bordwell, D, Thompson, K & Smith, J, 2017, p.112)
  • The pre-set Mise-en-Scene, such as the lighting, the position of the character, the proportion of the frame, and etc, decided the what are supposed to attract audiences’ eyes. (Bordwell, D, Thompson, K & Smith, J, 2017)
  • Base on the significance of the Mise-en-Scene, I started to design and schedule it when I did these short films. For hurt, I was more focus on the details, like the action of picking figures, to show the nervous emotion of the character. Besides, to show the helpless and depression of the character, I ask the actress to stay in the corner of the frame.

<production>

  • This time I shot outside with natural light. Thus, I only borrowed a camera, tripod, and a microphone. The most different part of the filming process is the dialogue. It is not easy for actors to find the correct emotion quickly. Besides, as a result of shooting outside, the sound of wind is a disturbing factor. Thus, I recorded the monologue later in a studio.
(Figure 3: storyboard of the short film called Squabble, source by Zhen)

<Post-production>

  • When I started to edit, there were various problems exposed. For example, the monologue sound was too loud, the frame size of the last scene was not suitable and it was hard to match the color grading of other scenes with the black and white scenes.

 

(Figure 4: the screenshot of the editing process, source by Zhen)
  • Problems need to be solved step by step. To start with, the sound was easy to adjust. Thus, I adjusted the volume. Secondly, I zoomed into the picture a little bit. It can decrease the influence of handshaking. Thirdly, because of the time limitation, I delete the dialogue part. It is actually wired if I keep the dialogue part, the emotion it expresses and the color grading just cannot match up. Then, I got the final production.

Reference:

Bordwell, D, Thompson, K & Smith, J, 2017, ‘Components of Muse-en-Scene’, in G Christina (ed.),  Film Art: An Introduction, Eleventh Edition, 11th edn, Mc Graw Hill Education press, NewYork, pp.112-113.

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