[Post Number 3]
1 – October 2019 As a first assignment for AS Media Studies, I worked with a group to produce a short film. The film is about 3 minutes in length, and was filmed solely during class hours in school. Although this does not apply specifically to print, it was a learning experience I feel I must share to demonstrate my growth in the class and knowledge about taking proper shots ans angles.
And through most of the short film, there are diegetic sounds coming from the characters and sounds of steps, door slamming, etc. However, there is light instrumental music that accentuates certain moods of the film. For example, solemn tunes when Genesis walks out of the room crying and an upbeat tune when Hope and Genesis go back into the room with confidence. Overall the entire production of a short film is a learning experience that allows you to use codes and conventions of film to be used.
Lighting
Completed in school, this film has ambient lighting all the way through. It created harsh shadows at times on the actors and was difficult to work with. Nevertheless, it was meant to be a school setting. So, the ambient lighting is authentic and accurately represents a school setting.
Cinematography
The cinematography was hand held with an iPhone camera. This was a challenge since the quality is compromised, however it did work for the task at hand. In the group, I assisted with forming the proper angles: particularly low angle, close-up, and extreme close-up. The camera movement was at times shaky, however on purpose to give a the audience a feeling of being present.
Colour
No extra colour edits were made. The film has warmer tones which are in the school we filmed in. There were symbols associated with colour included in the film. I acted as “Hope”, the friend which brings the antagonist happiness. So I dressed in a yellow hoodie, a typical youthful outfit with the twist of being yellow in colour. The antagonist, “Genesis”, dresses in black through the beginning, showing her mournful mood. Yet at the end she takes off her black hoodie to reveal a short, white shirt. This implies that she has recovered from her sad state and gained confidence.
Reflection
Overall, the project allowed me to be familiar with other types of media which could add to my handling of print. Filming with a group allows one to expand their perspective on media and learn to cooperate with others to reach a common goal. Not only must you be able to communicate effectively with your group members, but be able to merge visions to produce a piece of work with a story that flows.
First, creating the storyboard was critical to planning. As a group, my two group members and I discussed our plans for the video and write what different shots we would do. For example, low-angle shots, medium shots, close-ups, and long shots. This was important, since we were able to get an idea of what to do. From the beginning, we all wanted to do the process of a girl getting over a break-up in a school environment. So, our storyboard involved the main character, Genesis getting over her break up with Jeremy and her friend, Hope, helping her get through it and gain her confidence. So to show the entire process and explain the situation, we planned a shot of Genesis in the classroom with her head down, and various medium to close-up shots showing conversation between Genesis and Hope. Additionally, the script we worked on together before filming to ensure we would stay on track while filming and stick to our lines, solely focusing on deliverance of the words we were to say. Just from the planning process, you get adjusted to film since you must strategically plan how you will carry out the film.
After planning, much can be taken away from the filming itself. Personally, I was an actress in the film. I assisted with adjusting camera angles shots and when to take them, however I immersed myself into being my character, Hope. My role was to be optimistic and and caring for Genesis, the girl that was having a hard time following a break-up. So throughout the film, I constantly hug and tap Genesis lightly to show concern. Keeping a light-hearted tone and sending positive messages was also a vital part to playing Hope. The way I spoke through the film, acted, and assisted with camera positioning helped me get accustomed to the process of filming.
Finally, putting it all together, the clips taken during filming had to be cut to accommodate the time constraints and arranged as the storyboard was to tell the story we envisioned. Editing was important to show the parts we wished to be shown, and add music and adjust sound to create the desired effects.
Knowing the process that I went through with my group, there are certain aspects of film that can be seen in the final product, which we had to consider when planning what we would do. A lot of close-ups were used throughout the film to draw emphasis on the characters shown on the screen and show the expression on the characters’ faces. The close-ups allow the audience to be connected to the characters. High-angles, used mostly when the Genesis is crying, indicated the powerlessness she feels. Choices in the mise-en-scene and clothing are also important to the film. For example, I – Hope – wear yellow, symbolizing happiness and positivity. In contrast, Genesis wears all black. When she is finally helped through the break-up and feels confident, she changes to white. This is a color of peace, perhaps signifying that she is at peace with herself. Regarding mise-en-scene, there are certain parts of the film that stand out. In the very beginning, as the camera moves across the classroom, a view of Jeremy and his new love interest, Stacy, is shown. Furthermore, scenes are structured so that it looks exactly like a school setting.
And through most of the short film, there are diegetic sounds coming from the characters and sounds of steps, door slamming, etc. However, there is light instrumental music that accentuates certain moods of the film. For example, solemn tunes when Genesis walks out of the room crying and an upbeat tune when Hope and Genesis go back into the room with confidence. Overall the entire production of a short film is a learning experience that allows you to use codes and conventions of film to be used.
F Tomasino AS Media Studies 