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.