Evaluation 1-2 Minute Film
Evaluation 1-2 Minute Film
Our 1-2 minute film, Reflection had a range of strengths and weaknesses. The original idea varied from our final result. The initial intentions for the film was to begin on a close up of the photograph. This shot would last a few seconds so that the audience can establish the stereotype being presented. From this we would zoom out to show that it is in fact a photograph and will reveal the whole picture of the same girl wearing a different stereotypical outfit holding the photograph. As this process takes place the photograph should begin to burn, erasing the stereotype. However; this wasn't achieved. When looking through our shots we found that every single shot was a zoom and that they were all different rates and unfortunately none of them started zoomed in fully on the photograph. We tried to arrange a re-shoot but our actress was only available on Sunday 12th November. This meant that we wouldn't be able to continue with our original plan. Therefore; we had to adapt, using the shots that we had to create something as close to our original idea as possible. Our original idea also included different backgrounds such as a cafe, a gymnasium and a library which we filmed in however; because of the zoom shots when we green screened our actress onto the backgrounds the effect was comical as she looked to be floating around and on one of the shots the top of her head was cut off.
Before creating our film we did some research into stereotypes. We found that they mainly relate to gender, religion or class. From this we found that stereotypes rely heavily on peoples looks. This lead us to the idea of basing the film on specific outfits based on categories such as nerds, athletes, popular girl etc... so we created a stereotypical look for each one.
After this we found our actress and arranged for a shoot day on which we would take multiple photographs in each stereotypical outfit and in a number of different poses. We took these photo's using a white screen background. After the shoot we chose our favourite photo in each outfit and printed out many copies of each. After printing out each photograph I glued them onto some card, giving them a boarder so they were a little bigger. This also gave each picture more support so that it would stay upright while burning.
We had arranged another shoot date where we booked out the green screen in order to burn the photos. For this we shot a meter or two in front of the green screen and had safety precautions in place, a bucket of water and a fire blanket. We had a few difficulties with this process as it was breezy therefore the green screen wasn't stable and needed holding up. We also filmed on a rare sunny day, therefore; had a glare on the camera. We overcame this issue by one of us holding an umbrella up over the camera to prevent this. Due to the breeze we also had some difficulties lighting the photographs but also keeping them burning for long enough to erase the stereotype but still remaining safe and without causing any injuries.
For the sound element Charlotte and I recorded a few different things. We were initially going to have one sound for each stereotype, such as flicking through books for the nerd, over-laid with the sound of the burning fire. However; Martine said to keep the sound to a minimum due to the complexity of what's happening on screen with the image within an image. Therefore we took out the fire element and just created one sound per stereotype. Me and Charlotte both decided that we wanted to keep the fire element in therefore; decided to use this over the long shot at the end where there is no fire in the sequence in order to keep with the brief of non sync-sound.
The editing process probably took the longest as there was a lot of colour correction to do due to the movement of the sun throughout the day. We did attempt to include the backgrounds but decided that the desired effect was not created and so thought a plain black background worked better.
My personal contributions to the production revolved mainly around the sound aspects. I was present when Charlotte was recording sound as we came together to decide what sounds we wanted to record, such as boiling water. I also helped with the recording process as I held the directional microphone so that Charlotte could focus on the dials.
As sound design I then named these files and edited them in Pro Tools, adjusting the volumes duplicating the recordings to reach the right length for each shot in the film. I then used a Royalty Free site to find some fire sounds as we were unable to record any. For this I found multiple sounds and layered them together to create something as close to fire as I could. We included a sound Charlotte and I had recorded, meatballs sizzling, to create a crackling sound within the piece in order to create a less water like sound.
However; throughout the process I was also present throughout all three shoots. Providing costumes for our actress, printing and gluing the photographs and providing a warm blanket for the actress on the cold outside shoot. During the shoot days I helped build the white and green screen. Tried to block the wind with a blanket and held the umbrella up over the camera. Whilst photographing against the white screen I held an LED light to brighten the right side of her face and viewed each photo to give my personal opinion on poses and costume.
I usually consider myself to be a team player however we encountered many issues throughout this project. We started out as a group of three and after the pitch was made into a four. This caused a few problems as Alex took over as cinematographer. We did all work together to split research tasks and each create our own pre-production documents. However; when it came to the shoots we lacked communication therefore Charlotte missed the photography shoot. We did not think things through regarding equipment as me and Alex were left to collect and carry it all, including the heavy green screen, whereas we should have all helped out especially as we could have saved ourselves a lot of trouble through using Charlotte's car. We also ended up being pretty short for time as we had left it quite late and therefore couldn't re-shoot the parts we were not happy with. This meant we finished the edit only hours before the presentation and created a very brief PowerPoint in order to present the film.
Throughout this process my professional skills have improved. I have learnt to take control of situations to guide people back on track in order to complete the work. I now understand the pressure of deadlines and how important it is to start work as soon as possible in order to stay ahead so that re-shoots can be arranged. I haven't really learnt much more using Pro Tools during this project as we were advised to keep the sound to a minimum but I am hoping to stretch myself further on the 5-10 minute project.
Here is the link to our film.
Reflection
After this we found our actress and arranged for a shoot day on which we would take multiple photographs in each stereotypical outfit and in a number of different poses. We took these photo's using a white screen background. After the shoot we chose our favourite photo in each outfit and printed out many copies of each. After printing out each photograph I glued them onto some card, giving them a boarder so they were a little bigger. This also gave each picture more support so that it would stay upright while burning.
We had arranged another shoot date where we booked out the green screen in order to burn the photos. For this we shot a meter or two in front of the green screen and had safety precautions in place, a bucket of water and a fire blanket. We had a few difficulties with this process as it was breezy therefore the green screen wasn't stable and needed holding up. We also filmed on a rare sunny day, therefore; had a glare on the camera. We overcame this issue by one of us holding an umbrella up over the camera to prevent this. Due to the breeze we also had some difficulties lighting the photographs but also keeping them burning for long enough to erase the stereotype but still remaining safe and without causing any injuries.
For the sound element Charlotte and I recorded a few different things. We were initially going to have one sound for each stereotype, such as flicking through books for the nerd, over-laid with the sound of the burning fire. However; Martine said to keep the sound to a minimum due to the complexity of what's happening on screen with the image within an image. Therefore we took out the fire element and just created one sound per stereotype. Me and Charlotte both decided that we wanted to keep the fire element in therefore; decided to use this over the long shot at the end where there is no fire in the sequence in order to keep with the brief of non sync-sound.
The editing process probably took the longest as there was a lot of colour correction to do due to the movement of the sun throughout the day. We did attempt to include the backgrounds but decided that the desired effect was not created and so thought a plain black background worked better.
My personal contributions to the production revolved mainly around the sound aspects. I was present when Charlotte was recording sound as we came together to decide what sounds we wanted to record, such as boiling water. I also helped with the recording process as I held the directional microphone so that Charlotte could focus on the dials.
As sound design I then named these files and edited them in Pro Tools, adjusting the volumes duplicating the recordings to reach the right length for each shot in the film. I then used a Royalty Free site to find some fire sounds as we were unable to record any. For this I found multiple sounds and layered them together to create something as close to fire as I could. We included a sound Charlotte and I had recorded, meatballs sizzling, to create a crackling sound within the piece in order to create a less water like sound.
However; throughout the process I was also present throughout all three shoots. Providing costumes for our actress, printing and gluing the photographs and providing a warm blanket for the actress on the cold outside shoot. During the shoot days I helped build the white and green screen. Tried to block the wind with a blanket and held the umbrella up over the camera. Whilst photographing against the white screen I held an LED light to brighten the right side of her face and viewed each photo to give my personal opinion on poses and costume.
I usually consider myself to be a team player however we encountered many issues throughout this project. We started out as a group of three and after the pitch was made into a four. This caused a few problems as Alex took over as cinematographer. We did all work together to split research tasks and each create our own pre-production documents. However; when it came to the shoots we lacked communication therefore Charlotte missed the photography shoot. We did not think things through regarding equipment as me and Alex were left to collect and carry it all, including the heavy green screen, whereas we should have all helped out especially as we could have saved ourselves a lot of trouble through using Charlotte's car. We also ended up being pretty short for time as we had left it quite late and therefore couldn't re-shoot the parts we were not happy with. This meant we finished the edit only hours before the presentation and created a very brief PowerPoint in order to present the film.Throughout this process my professional skills have improved. I have learnt to take control of situations to guide people back on track in order to complete the work. I now understand the pressure of deadlines and how important it is to start work as soon as possible in order to stay ahead so that re-shoots can be arranged. I haven't really learnt much more using Pro Tools during this project as we were advised to keep the sound to a minimum but I am hoping to stretch myself further on the 5-10 minute project.
Here is the link to our film.
Reflection
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