Final Refelction

 

 

I found this studio is very useful to me, the most important skill I have learned is writing observations, it requires me to spend times on observing my surroundings including human behaviors, nature world and meditative observation reflection. I wrote down about 5 observations every week. At the beginning, I don’t  like writing, and I felt it was hard for me to write down my observations in details, because I felt like I could not describe the details very well.  In addition, I had wrong understanding of observations at the beginning, I did it like a diary, recording some anecdotes I have seen. Robin explains to me the right way to do observation. And I started to intentionally spend time on observation.   After I doing it for several weeks, I gradually realize the benefits of writing observations. I found it is very interesting watching human behaviors. Many of them can be made into films. I tried my best to write them in details, it requires me to recall  images in my mind. And my writing skill is getting better from it as well.  From reviewing my previous observations, I found that most of them are about human behaviors. Writing observation is a great way  of accumulating materials for scripts and films.

We have classes on Monday and Wednesday every week, one  is more like watching short videos to gain better understanding of films, and the other one is more practical, learning camera,audio and filming skills. Robin is very patient to teach us how to use camera and audio step by step.  I learned how to do proper camera setting, how to  adjust  white balance and focus properly, how to use audio mixer and etc.  Also we have done both group and individual work. We shoot footages in a group, everyone has chance to take turn being a cameraman, boom operator, audio operator, director and etc,  with helps from group members. We also reshoot two footage from two classic films. I found it very useful coping shooting techniques from classic films, because we could learn a lot great skills from them, and then we can flexibly use them when we making own films.

All these skills we have learned has been used in our final assignment which is making our observation into a film. I had fully prepared for the pitch session, and I am satisfied with my ideas. Although my idea is not being used because of the limitation of actors, because I supposed to find a old man as our actor, I was  happy with the positive feedback from two invited lecturer and Robin. I was so nervous on the presentation, but it was great to have that kind of experience.

I worked with Rachel and Lulu in final assignment, and we made a shot film. We met lots difficulties, first was the camera, we were using the Sony Z7 which is an old-fashion camera, it was so hard to use although it has lighter weight then Song EX3, however we could book it for longer time since it was not a popular camera. We used lots of tracking shots, so the stabilization is a big challenge to Rachel, but she did it very well.  And we had lots of outdoor scene , so the weather was the big issue. And when we shoot in cloudy day, the white balance is hard to maintain, cause the lighting was changing all the time, so we spent lot of time to get the similar lighting, and also adjust it in post-production. Moreover, the voiceover is an important part, we redo it many times in oder to get the best emotion and tones, and the final result was good. The process of shooting was the most difficult part, we were all exhausted from long shooting. Although we had fight and arguments, we were still working as a group. We are all satisfied with the result of our film, and we are proud.

Overall, this studio taught us both practical skill and valuable theory which can be surely applied to future study and filmmaking. It benefits my writing skills, camera skills, and group working skills. The chances of working in different roles such as director, audio, camera operator and boom pole operator, benefits us with the better understanding to filmmaking and experience,  allows us to think about the our role in future filmmaking. Although I haven’t get a chance to direct my own film, I learned a lot from watching other people directing film. And I could do it in a better way when I direct film. The group working experience taught me that it is very important to communicate with group members,   think about others , consider their suggestions, ask for helps when you need, and overcome the difficulties together as a group. This would benefit my future study and working.