What you were trying to achieve in terms of critically communicating about synthetic media and explain the method in which the editing process was used to attempt this?
Synthetic media has had a significant impact on the digital media landscape in the age of technology. It serves as a tool that utilizes artificial intelligence to generate virtual content. Through this technology, we can easily create virtual images, audio, and videos, opening up new possibilities and inspirations for content creation, entertainment industries, and news reporting. According to Jon M. Garon (2023), the application areas of synthetic media cover text, music, video, games, and design, with the potential to change the way we interact with media, thereby reshaping and influencing our communication methods.
However, with the development of this technology, we face numerous potential issues, including the spread of misinformation and privacy breaches. This may result in the abundance of false information and misleading content that we often encounter in news and social media.
In the film opening title sequence, the protagonist is constantly under surveillance by a mysterious figure, symbolizing the threat that each of us may face in terms of fake information and privacy violations. I hope such a story design can deeply immerse the audience in the protagonist’s anxiety and fear and imply the negative effects that synthetic media may bring. As emphasized by Bobby and Danielle (2018), synthetic media technology may be widely
disseminated and popularized, regardless of whether participants possess a high level of technological literacy or responsibility. Fake synthetic media content may be used for malicious purposes, such as spreading misinformation on social media, defame persons, or engaging in online scams, causing irreparable harm and losses to people.
Therefore, while synthetic media technology brings many new possibilities and innovations, we cannot overlook its potential negative impacts. Gregory (2018) believes, “Equally troubling, hyper-realistic simulations or manipulated personalized audio and video may erode the concept of truth.” In the digital age, the credibility of media has become a significant concern, and the misuse of synthetic media technology may further undermine the public’s trust in the sources of information and the authenticity of the content.
How did your preproduction/production/post-production process go and what would you do differently/improve next time?
During the pre-production, I dedicated considerable time to pondering the most compelling theme for the opening sequence. My aim was to captivate the audience’s attention within 2 minutes. After thorough deliberation, I decided suspense theme, a genre I personally enjoy watching in movies. To gain further inspiration, I extensively studied the openings of suspense films online and found inspiration in a Korean TV series “BLIND.” With a clear direction in mind, I approached the filming process with a preconceived storyline. The narrative’s core revolves around the protagonist facing tracking by an enigmatic figure.
The mysterious figure always attempts to pry into the protagonist’s life and actions. I find this storyline captivating, and I’m filled with anticipation for future filming and production. However, during the filming process, I encountered challenges. The limitations of having only one camera hindered the ability to capture images from multiple angles simultaneously, making multi-camera shots difficult. This constraint limited my use of certain shots, affecting some of the intended effects I had envisioned. To overcome this, I decided to use the text-to-video feature of RUNWAY to generate some shots that enhance the suspenseful atmosphere. I also incorporated some green screen effects to enhance the visual impact of it. I had no filming experience before this, so I struggled with shooting skills. During the filming, I struggled to effectively convey the specific actions and expressions I needed from the actors. In post-production, I encountered new challenges as well. One major issue was organizing and selecting the video footage. I shot a lot of material, but not all shots were suitable for the final edit. It took me much time to review and choose the most appropriate footage. Adding sound effects and background music also posed challenges. Despite planning some sound effects and music in advance to create a suspenseful atmosphere, it was difficult to find ones that perfectly matched the video’s rhythm and mood. The beginning of the synchronization between sound effects and videos was not ideal and required constant adjustments and refinements.
However, amidst the challenges, I also experienced some pleasant surprises. Sometimes, unexpected events or sudden inspirations led to outstanding shots in the film. This made me realize how valuable creativity and inspiration can be in the process of filmmaking.
Next time, I want to experiment with different filming techniques to enhance the story and beauty of the movie. More special effects will enable me to create a fascinating atmosphere and will better convey the film’s vibe to the audience. I’ll also learn different shooting techniques, such as time-lapse photography, fish-eye lenses, and tilt-shift lenses.
Your reflection should also include commentary on what you thought the most and least successful parts of your Film Opening Title Sequence were, and why so?
In this production, I believe the most successful aspect was the integration of background music and sound effects with the video. Though I encountered challenges initially, through continuous selection and refinement, I achieved a result that I am highly satisfied with. I matched appropriate video footage with changes in the music’s melody, providing the audience with a perfect fusion of auditory and visual experiences. To further enhance the overall atmosphere of it, I gave careful consideration to the selection of sound effects. For instance, I used heavy footsteps to convey the protagonist’s tension, snake hissing sounds to add a sense of mystery and eeriness, and the sound of a heartbeat to bring the audience closer to the protagonist’s emotions. These sound effects made it more authentic and vivid.
In this production, I consider the least successful aspect to be the video color grading. Despite making numerous attempts during the color grading process, I couldn’t achieve the color scheme I had envisioned, leaving me frustrated. I believe that successful color grading is crucial for a film as it imparts a unique style and atmosphere. Unfortunately, I couldn’t live up to my own aspirations because of how little experience I had in this field. A worthwhile lesson was imparted to me by this incident. Even when faced with difficulties during production, I think it’s a great chance for learning and development. I realize my shortcomings and plan to dedicate myself to learning video color grading techniques to improve my skills. I am confident that in future productions, I will master more color grading techniques, creating visually captivating and unforgettable works.
References：
Garon, Jon M. 2023. A Practical Introduction to Generative AI, Synthetic Media, and the Messages Found in the Latest Medium. NSU: Shepard Broad College of Law.
Gregory, Sam. 2018. Mal-uses of AI-generated Synthetic Media and Deepfakes: Pragmatic Solutions Discovery Convening. Harvard Kennedy School: Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy
Chesney, Robert and Citron, Danielle Keats, 2018. Deep Fakes: A Looming Challenge for Privacy, Democracy, and National Security. 107 California Law Review 1753 (2019), U of Texas Law, Public Law Research Paper No. 692, U of Maryland Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2018-21.
Story Board Material
Screen Shot Of Production
W1-W3 Reflection