The studio screening was a chance for each and every one of us in the studio to celebrate the knowledge we have gained over the course of the semester, as well as the work we have produced for this event in particular. I was not able to make it to the Salon with the class the first time round a few weeks back. But when I arrived at the venue on the day, I understand right away how we were told there could be a lot of potential on what we could do at the venue. But to put in reality, it was a bit of a struggle from the setting up stage to attracting everyone up to view our work.

I started the day by helping my classmates bringing equipment from the main campus to the Capitol. The set up was rather more complicated than we initially thought, but after one or two hours everything works out quite the way we wanted. Now reflecting back, I feel that the idea of showing the projects on different screens and areas, while it was to diversify the venue up, was abundant because showing all four videos on the higher wall was enough in my opinion. I think for the audience, by looking at different places, it would make their experience quite incoherent. Or at least, this was my experience being among the audience.

Nevertheless, I felt proud while watching my group’s project on the sidewall and the applause in the end shows that the audience enjoys our work as well, which is always a nice feeling! It was refreshed to see everyone else’s projects, considering it was the first time that we get to see how they exactly go out after discussing with one another during the pitch. I was particularly interested in the works of Luke’s and Leah’s groups. One has a very dramatic and theatrical vibe, and one is very artistry. Both did not feel like video essays, but pieces of art and I am sure they worked very hard in order to produce such good materials.

Reflecting on our work, I keep asking myself on the potential ways that we could make it better. Obviously, I was happy with our screening and the quality of work that we produced. However, in truth, this screening was for a small group of audience and many of them we consider friends. In a more professional way, if this video essay was to be screened at a film festival, for instance, we could have made it a documentary. We could explore the history of film-making and many genres that have been overlooked by the canon through the ages by discovering the nature of film-making and film-consuming in places such as Melbourne. This could include engaging interviews with experts or just an ordinary film consumer. We could have done a lot if this is a documentary, and it was an option for the type of media we initially wanted to go through. Unfortunately, the rush in timing did not allow this to be a reality.

Overall, I have enjoyed this studio greatly. The film canon was not a concept that I paid massive attention to before. But now I consider this factor more carefully when I approach films and approach awards such as the Oscars with less excitement (Academy Awards, go to hell).

Part 1

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1GJ1ool0kC6TWSCyGEBIqE2giapOifzwr

Part 2

The core of our project surrounds the concept that the current film canon (not just the Sight and Sound poll) system should take into consideration a fair degree to all kinds of genres and ages of films. We could see from the Sight and Sound poll that many of the films making the top lists are among one kind of genre, most typically drama. As far as I am concerned, animation or documentaries seem to be abandoned. Disney animation, for instance, does not appear even though their products fuel the childhood of generations for decades. In terms of age, the latest films on the top 100 list are from 2000. I acknowledge the fact that this poll conducts every 10 years and the latest edition was made in 2012. However, there is arguably a certain level of bias on classics.

Hence, we produce our manifesto. It is a combination of the statements that all four members of our group made for Assignment 2 (with some twist). We initially came up with some ideas such as making it a short documentary or a panel discussion because we can raise a lot of points as well as interacting with the audience. We considered a debate as well as podcasting, but considering not all members are willing to speak up on live air, ultimately, we went for a video essay with the group manifesto (already set) being the focus.

I feel that our video is a very interesting piece of work. The theme sound from Vertigo (huge credit to Ben for that idea) sets the tone for the issues we discuss very well. Vertigo is controversially the best film of all time, and using its theme was a bold move to really set the audience at the issues we want to propose. Using film clips is an idea that came up for all of us when we went along with the media type, and it works well in the end. We divide the manifesto into four parts with each member saying a part and edit their own footage then combine into one essay. I was afraid that it would not be discreet, but the Vertigo theme helps it work somehow like a charm (to the surprise of us all).

The only issue came when certain footage was duplicated, but this was solved as we edited by using different footage to make them diverse. Probably this should not have happened if we communicated better with one another by stating clearly which footage each person is using, but in the end, it works out and I am really intrigued to find out how the audience would feel when we screen this at the Salon on the 22nd.