Assignment #2

Reflective Writing:

Week 5

After a refreshing 2-week university break, I eagerly dove back into my studies, only to find myself immersed in an unexpected adventure: a film shoot. As the day unfolded, I realized how much I relished this particular activity compared to previous class exercises. It wasn’t merely a routine; it was an opportunity to engage in a more extensive, hour-long session. Assigned the role of Assistant Director (AD), I quickly understood the gravity of my responsibility: managing time. Despite the extended timeframe provided, the relentless pace of filming made every minute feel fleeting. Ensuring we didn’t exceed our allocated time became my primary focus. Additionally, I found myself unexpectedly cast as an extra, blending into the scene as one of the students casually conversing in the study space. However, amidst the excitement, a pang of regret struck me. In the midst of my own performance, I neglected to alert a fellow student, oblivious to our filming activity. Their inadvertent intrusion into the shot, unbeknownst to them, was a stark reminder of the importance of communication and foresight. Though my oversight went unnoticed by my gracious peers, it served as a humbling lesson. Until that moment, I had underestimated the indispensable role of the AD. Reflecting on this experience, I realized its profound implications for my aspirations. Aspiring to become a film director, I now understand that success hinges not only on what occurs within the camera frame but on the meticulous orchestration of every aspect within the filming space. This insightful journey has illuminated the significance of attention to detail, guiding me toward my ultimate goal with newfound clarity and determination. Although this might not be directly related to the shooting exercise itself, I was interested in how the script was written. Instead of the typical style of a script with many dialogues written on it, the script we used for this exercise does not feature any verbal dialogues. Therefore, it was all up to us, the readers, to interpret it in the best way possible for the final film. Because my number one priority in filmmaking is always the script, it gave me a new perspective which I am willing to adopt for some of my works in the future.

Week 6

This week’s class seemed to place a stronger emphasis on camera techniques, which piqued my interest. Given my limited knowledge in this area, I’m always eager to learn, as each new insight opens up a world of possibilities. This week was no different; the lesson focused on how to effectively focus the camera on a moving figure. Exploring this aspect of cinematography was both enlightening and enjoyable. Rather than simply listening to Robin’s explanations, we were each given the opportunity to handle the camera ourselves. The task was to keep up with the actor while ensuring they remained the primary focus of the shot. Partnering with another classmate, one of us controlled the camera’s movement while the other adjusted the focus. Initially, observing someone else perform the task made it seem deceptively simple. However, once I had the camera in my hands, my confidence faltered. I soon realized that maintaining the actor within the frame was more challenging than anticipated. As the actor approached, I had to swiftly maneuver the camera to the left, which proved to be physically demanding due to its weight. Moreover, the reality of the task differed from the mental image I had envisioned. Despite these challenges, I’m determined to master this skill and eagerly anticipate further opportunities to practice in future classes. Although I only had the chance to perform the task once, I was pleasantly surprised by the results. Reviewing the footage, I observed that I had managed to keep the actor in focus and avoided any major errors. This experience left me feeling optimistic about my ability to handle camera focusing tasks on the future. Above all, I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn this invaluable camera technique. I’m certain that incorporating this skill into my future projects will greatly enhance their quality and visual appeal.

Descriptive & Analytical Writing:

Paper Moon (1973)

Peter Bogdanovich’s road comedy-drama classic, Paper Moon (1973), is, as a whole, about a very unique yet endearing bond between Moses “Moze” Pray (an adult man) and Addie Loggins (a young girl), and there are many moments in the film that showcase this relationship. One of the earlier scenes from the film captures the relationship between the two characters, and while this scene does not depict the sense of trust and closeness that will develop between them later in the film, audiences can still see that they, particularly Moze, are not in a state of tension. It shows that this unlikely relationship is already beginning to form in that scene. The scene is set inside the local cafe, with other patrons enjoying their time. Moze and Addie sit together, Addie maintaining a serious gaze directly into Moze’s eyes while he eats. The focus on eye contact is crucial in this scene; Addie’s unwavering stare contrasts with Moze’s wandering gaze, which shifts between his food, Addie’s eyes, and somewhere beyond the camera. This visual contrast encapsulates the dynamic between the duo; despite Addie’s youth, she exudes maturity and control, holding the upper hand over Moze. In contrast, Moze attempts to project toughness and intelligence, but his efforts are undermined by Addie’s perceptiveness and confidence, leaving him unable to assert dominance as he had hoped. The camera positions in this film are simplistic, primarily focusing on two angles: a side angle capturing both figures at the table in a medium shot, and an over-the-shoulder angle highlighting each character’s face, also in a medium shot. The significance of eye contact becomes more evident in later scenes. When the camera is placed at the side of the table, whether intentionally or not, Addie’s gestures appear more dynamic while her body remains still. This unintentionally emphasizes the importance of eye contact, reinforcing the point I made earlier regarding the significance of eye point. While each shot maintains a medium framing, it provides slightly more space than typical ‘two people having a meal together at a table’ scenes found in other films. This expanded framing is deliberate, as extras play a significant role in this film. In this particular scene, Addie pleads with Moze to return her money, but he shows no inclination to do so. In response, Addie repeats her request, this time with a louder voice so that everyone in the cafe can hear. Instead of opting for separate reaction shots of the onlookers at nearby tables, Bogdanovich chooses to blend them into the same frame as Moze and Addie. This decision creates a heightened sense of awkwardness, as the proximity of the observers adds to the tension. By avoiding cuts during this pivotal moment, viewers are immersed in the scene, feeling as though they are present in the cafe, witnessing the exchange firsthand. This is further reinforced by the film’s deliberate omission of background music, a choice that extends to this scene as well. Throughout the entire film, there is a conspicuous absence of overdramatization in portraying the relationship between Moze and Addie, opting instead for a tone that is grounded in realism and relatability.

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