Studio: “Future Machina”

In the Future Machina studio, we explored the interaction of media with futurology. Exploring and depicting the potential of future technologies, to both improve and threaten our lives. Researching future AI technologies, in order to determine whether the benefits of these potential technologies outweigh the negatives. We learnt new techniques to depict these technologies in our media productions, such as green screens, holograms, and AI photo animation applications.

The final project for this studio required us to develop a script, shoot, and edit our own short film that explored solutions that future technologies can provide to solve a global issue. Accumulating the knowledge and techniques that we learnt throughout the semester to demonstrate our own conception of what the future might look like.

 

Final Project: Be there in Holograph

Link to short film: https://www.mediafactory.org.au/2022-future-machina/2022/05/24/be-there-in-holograph/

The short film “Be there in Holograph” by Jessica Yates explores how holograph technologies might develop in the future to help make communication easier and connect people across distances, improving mental wellbeing. The issue and technology that the short film explored is relevant in the context of COVID-19 lockdowns, which left many of us isolated from our friends and family. I also enjoyed how Jessica opted to use hand-drawn animations, rather than filming- creating a unique and visually interesting short film.

 

Final Project: The Road to Eternal Life

Link to short film: https://www.mediafactory.org.au/2022-future-machina/2022/06/03/the-road-to-eternal-life/

The short film “The Road to Eternal Life” by Holly Colvin explores the potential of AI systems to help a person live forever (become immortal). It follows an AI system that regulates the life of a person to encourage a healthier/safer lifestyle and preserve their life. However, what I enjoyed about the short film is that it does not glamorize immortality and instead showcases the negative aspects of this technology.

 

 

Studio: “Directing Performance”

For my reflection of another studio, I chose to explore the final projects that were developed by the ‘Directing Performance’ studio. Reading the description of the course, the primary focus of this studio was to engage the students to consider the importance of working with actors. As well as develop an understanding of the role of directors when working with actors; in order to “elicit memorable performances”. This included working on script analysis and developing a script, as well as working with actors (the process of casting, auditions, rehearsals, and improvisation).

Overall, the main aim of these final projects was to showcase this directorial journey of the students, through a short film which they have developed the script for, cast, shot and edited.

 

Final Project: Girls Trip

Link to short film: https://www.mediafactory.org.au/2022-directing-performance/2022/05/23/abigail-camenzuli/

The short film “Girls Trip” by Abigail Camenzuli is a horror film with elements of comedy, about two girls who were locked in a bathroom hiding from a serial killer while on a girl’s trip.

In this film, the characters appeared like real people and the performances were natural. This is due to the elements of comedy and horror, and the overall development of the script that made the characters real. As well as the incredible acting performances with Abigail Camenzuli as Charlotte and Sousann Barakat as Olivia. In her description, Abigail also describes how one of her actors dropped out right before the shoot, and she had to step in last-minute to play one of the characters. However, if she hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have noticed because her performance was so good. Demonstrating improvisation and the skills required by a director (outlined in the description of the studio). Overall, I really enjoyed this short film and its depiction of realistic characters.

 

Final Project: I need to tell you something

Link to short film: https://www.mediafactory.org.au/2022-directing-performance/2022/05/23/anna-fountain/

The short film “I need to tell you something” by Anna Fountain follows a conversation between two best-friends, where one reveals to the other that their ex-boyfriend is seeing someone else. I really enjoyed this short film, it had an element of realism, and the conversation between the two friends looked like a conversation I would have with one of my friends. It was also visually engaging, and the close-up shots of the two characters faces tied into the overall story.

 

ASSIGNMENT 4: https://vimeo.com/716779219

 

ASSIGNMENT 4 REFLECTION

In the Future Machina studio, we explored the potential of future technologies. Analysing how future technologies can both improve and/or threaten our lives, and considering whether the advantages of these technologies outweigh the disadvantages For this final assignment in this studio, we were required to explore solutions that technology can provide to solve any global issue.

My final assignment “Plastic Pollution”, focused on the future of ocean cleaning technology, and aimed to highlight the potential of this technology to benefit the environment.  I hope that my short film communicates to its audience the necessity of researching and developing new technologies to help improve our world and global issues. Furthermore, I hope the audience is engaged visually and sonically with my final piece and the issue of plastic pollution in the ocean.

For future development of this piece, I would focus on refining the entire final project- the quality of different shots, the audio quality, and the editing. Additionally, I would consider purchasing an underwater camera in order to capture more dynamic shots and create a more interesting final project.

“Plastic Pollution” Pre-Production

I decided to explore the global issue of plastic pollution in the ocean for my final project. I chose this issue for a couple of reasons

• Firstly, I feel strongly about keeping the environment clean and reducing waste
• Secondly, I believed that choosing this topic would allow me to create a visually and sonically interesting piece to engage the viewer.

Overall, my final project was designed to mimic a documentary that tracks the development of a new technology that cleans plastic pollution from the ocean. Initially exploring what the ocean was like before the technology was developed and the overall issue of plastics in the ocean, and following that by exploring how the new technology is working to solve the issue.

In terms of pre-production for this project, I began by developing a script of the voice-over, which formed the basis of my work.

When considering the different types of shots that I would use for my voice-over, I had some rough ideas of what I wanted to capture but I decided to wait until I was at the filming location to decide what I wanted to film. Therefore, I developed a mood-board instead of a story-board.

However, I believe that this hindered me and the quality of my final project. I believe that if I planned it out more, the shots in my final project would’ve appeared more integrated, rather than in-cohesive and random.

“Plastic Pollution” Production

In the production stage, I shot my final project at a lake near my apartment. I was originally planning on shooting my short film at Port Melbourne Beach but I was unable to get a ride and opted to shoot locally instead.  I don’t believe that this significantly impacted the quality of my final project, however, if I had the opportunity to work on this final project further, I would reshoot at a beach location.

I also planned to shoot underwater for my final project using a waterproof phone case but my order didn’t come in time for the shoot so I had to remove it from my final project.

However, despite all of the issues I faced, I was able to collect lots of footage to chose from for my final project.

“Plastic Pollution” Post-Production

In the post-production stage, I used Premiere Pro to edit all of my footage together. In order to enhance the atmosphere of my short, I included some background music from with ocean wave sounds and light piano. Playing softly in the background, so not to detract from the voice-over that ran throughout the entirety of the short film.

“Plastic Pollution” Reflection

Overall, I believe that my short film meets the brief for the assignment and explores the potential of future technologies to better the world.

However, there were aspects that I could have improved on. Overall, I should have focussed spent time on the pre-production stage and developed a story board, in order to better plan my shots and produce a more comprehensive final project. Additionally, in my final project the quality of the audio could have been improved upon- although this is something that I have struggled with in previous projects and it has definitely gotten better.

In previous studios I was able to collaborate with other students on projects and bounce ideas off each other. However, due to difficulties that I faced this semester I was unable to attend classes and work with other students. As a result, I was unable to receive feedback on any of my ideas in the pre-production stage of my project and I do believe that this negatively impacted the quality of work that I managed to produce.

 

Student Presentation Reflection

From all of the assignment three presentations, I was most intrigued by the Stephanie Barton’s pitch. Her idea to explore the future of infrastructure and transportation is interesting. I appreciate the comprehensive perspective she proposes that explores both the benefits and downsides of this future, reflecting what we learnt in the studio. Her filming ideas of using food to create miniature infrastructure to provide commentary on consumption is an interesting idea, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.