FACSIMILE

 

Reflection:

• What were you 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?

Building upon the foundation established in Assignment #1, my video work unfolds within a slightly advanced and futuristic reality characterised by, according to Garon (2023:6) ‘intelligent, self-aware machines come to dominate humanity’, cloning incidents have become a possible occurrence. The opening scene centers around a protagonist who is initially oblivious to the fact that he is either a clone or surrounded by clones, drawing inspiration from “The 6th Day (2000)”. As mentioned before, I’ve also introduced an angle whereby the protagonist grapples with potential mental health challenges, leading to a narrative where his paranoid episodes blur the lines between reality and hallucination. In a way, this also thinning the boundary between real and synthetic content. The overarching narrative aspiration was to raise awareness about the ethical dilemmas and potential dangers associated with artificially generated content.

The opening scene employs a “fake out”, presenting a man seemingly enjoying a pizza alone. However, a subsequent revelation discloses the presence of three identical men or clones at the table. This narrative twist serves to underscore the hazards posed by cloning technology. Furthermore, I aimed to draw parallels between cloning and AI technologies in our reality, highlighting the potential negative consequences arising from the misuse of AI. Synthetic media encompasses various forms of computer-generated content, such as deepfake videos, AI-generated images, and text. The danger lies in their remarkably convincing and lifelike nature, blurring the boundary between authentic and synthetic content. This blurring, in turn, can lead to issues of trust, misinformation, and manipulation (Matteo 2020). With the accessibility of AI and deepfake tools, individuals can be coerced into spreading false information, thereby distorting public opinion and influencing sectors like journalism, entertainment, and politics (Gregory 2018). A significant concern is the violation of privacy rights when synthetic media employs individuals’ likenesses without consent, triggering debates about control over one’s digital identity.

Navigating the editing process for the opening sequence, I opted against utilising AI-generated applications. Based on prior experiences and experimentation with Stable Diffusion, it became apparent that AI-generated content, despite its advancements, tends to possess distinct visual traits that do not seamlessly meld with live-action footage, even in cases of highly photorealistic renderings. Consequently, the quest for authenticity in the narrative compelled me to forgo direct incorporation of AI-generated content. I acknowledged the potential for future incorporation of AI-generated elements, but currently, I believe such content aligns more naturally with animated contexts, rather than achieving seamless cohesion with real-world footage

 

• How did your preproduction/production/post production process go and what would you do differently/improve next time?

Pre-Production:

During the pre-production phase of this project, I deliberately pursued a straightforward approach. My intention was to craft a story that, while simple, would be inherently compelling due to its attention to detail. To challenge myself, I aimed to create a scene that was both visually engaging and rich in its execution. This led me to initially consider a straightforward narrative approach, emphasising the power of visual storytelling. As part of my research, I delved into the art of composing an impactful eating or dinner scene. Drawing inspiration from various film references, I meticulously designed my shots to align with the nuances of these references. By studying successful scenes in films, I gained insights into camera angles, lighting, framing, and the pacing necessary to infuse the dining experience with an evocative and immersive quality.

Furthermore, a significant factor that influenced my creative choices was the absence of a decent audio equipment for recording dialogue. While this could be viewed as a limitation, I found it to be an opportunity. This limitation encouraged me to embrace the principle of “show, don’t tell.” In other words, I recognized that I could leverage the visual medium to its fullest extent, relying on expressions, gestures, and environmental cues to convey emotions, relationships, and narrative progression. This choice not only aligns with my circumstances but also aligns with a storytelling technique that I am personally drawn to as a fan of narratives that allow the visuals to speak for themselves.

Shot List Link

Production:

On the day of filming, my preparations were meticulous, aimed at crafting a cinematic dinner table setting and strategically positioning the camera angles to harness the nice lighting of the golden hours. The aspiration was to infuse the shots with the warm and captivating ambiance characteristic of this golden hour light. However, despite the careful planning and hours dedicated to tinkering with the setup, a critical oversight surfaced just as the golden hours approached—an essential element, the pizza, was missing. This oversight, which served as the centerpiece of the scene, dealt a significant blow to the laid plans, ultimately leading to the unfortunate decision to postpone the shoot. In retrospect, this incident served as a lesson that underscored the importance of thorough and comprehensive planning in filmmaking. The oversight of neglecting to order the pivotal prop—pizza, in this case—not only disrupted the shoot but also eroded the potential for capturing the desired natural lighting. The incident highlighted the critical role that pre-production plays in setting the stage for a smooth filming experience. Moving forward, I am determined to enhance my planning process by carefully documenting essential elements such as the shoot location, timing considerations, and, notably, any significant props for future projects.

Post-Production:

As I gravitate more towards creating visually captivating and authentically immersive scenes, my approach has evolved to minimize the use of distracting or unnecessary visual effects. This shift in focus has led to a streamlined post-production process, significantly reducing its time consumption. Notably, the wide shot featuring clones at the table was strategically planned during the production stage. Employing techniques such as masking and subtle roto-scoping to address the interaction of the talent’s hands, I successfully brought to life the envisioned effect, guided by the insightful suggestions of my studio leader.

Every great scene starts with an establishing shot. To achieve the desired replica aesthetic, I embarked on an interesting approach by capturing the 3D feature of Google Maps in conjunction with Unreal Engine 5. This synergy facilitated the replication of a sweeping drone shot, emulating the visual spectacle akin to a descending drone shot.

Moreover, color grading emerged as a pivotal tool in enhancing the narrative impact of the scene. To establish a cohesive progression, the video work proceed with a deliberate shift in the color palette. Commencing with warm tones, the grading subtly transitions into cooler, more contrasting looks as the story unfolds. This change of color undertones contributes to the nuanced emotional arcs within the scene. Furthermore, the distinction between interior and exterior shots was also graded, thereby heightening the immersive experience.

 

• Your reflection should also include commentary on what you thought the most and least successful parts of your Film Opening Scene were, and why so? 

For Assignment #2, the narration emerged as one of the most successful components. It adeptly reflected the prevailing AI-generated phenomena within our reality, underscoring potential concerns such as authenticity, trust, misinformation, and privacy. This narrative thread not only heightened awareness but also seamlessly tied the fictional scenario to real-world implications, serving as a thought-provoking cautionary tale.

Furthermore, the deliberate commitment to visual authenticity and the minimization of distracting effects stood out as a crowning achievement. This strategic choice bore fruit by not only streamlining the post-production process but also enriching the scene’s genuineness and immersive quality. Placing authenticity at the forefront aimed to forge a relatable connection with the audience, resulting in a more compelling experience overall. The color grading also played a pivotal role, yielding not only a coherent aesthetic but also functioning as a conduit for eliciting intricate emotional nuances. This multi-dimensional approach added depth and resonance, effectively enhancing the scene’s impact.

On the flip side, the least successful aspect pertains to an oversight that led to the absence of a central prop—the pizza. This mishap underscores the profound significance of comprehensive planning. It serves as a valuable reminder of the need for meticulous attention to detail, irrespective of the apparent significance of each element. Additionally, the absence of high-quality audio equipment posed limitations, compelling the choice to forgo dialogue. Although this aligned with the visual storytelling ethos, it highlights the necessity of addressing audio constraints to elevate the richness of future projects.

 

References:

Bonfanti M E (2020) The weaponisation of synthetic media: what threat does this pose to national security?, REAL INSTITUTO ELCANO website, accessed 25 August 2023. The weaponisation of synthetic media: what threat does this pose to national security? – Elcano Royal Institute (realinstitutoelcano.org)

Garon J M (2023) ‘A practical introduction to generative AI, Synthetic Media, and the messages found in the latest medium’, SSRN Electronic Journal [Preprint]. doi:10.2139/ssrn.4388437.

Gregory S (2018) ‘Mal-uses of AI-generated Synthetic Media and Deepfakes: Pragmatic Solutions Discovery Convening’ [Summary of discussions and next step recommendations], Witness’ Tech + Advocacy Program, Massachusetts, accessed 25 August 2023. (PDF) Mal-uses of AI-generated Synthetic Media and Deepfakes: Pragmatic Solutions Discovery Convening, June 2018: Summary of Discussions and Next Step Recommendations (researchgate.net)

 

Production Screenshots:

 

Blog posts:

Synthetic Video – Blog Post 4

Synthetic Video – Blog Post 5

Synthetic Video – Blog Post 6