Reflective Journal

Course Review

While reviewing my previous project, I aim to reflect on my strengths and weaknesses so that I can improve as I prepare for my FMP. Throughout this course, I have explored various aspects of multimedia, and by analysing my past project, I will be able to identify the techniques I have used that were successful and which ones I found challenging.

After reviewing my previous project, I have decided to choose the film pathway for my FMP. I feel as if I have a strong passion for storytelling, and I believe that I'll be able to express my idea through this medium. However, I have areas that need improvement, lighting and audio. In my previous work, these areas weren't at their best, and I feel that if they were, they would have made the production even better. I will aim to improve these technical aspects as well as to build on my strengths.

Week 1: Class Mind Mapping 

The first thing we talked about when starting our FMP was introducing our topic, which is location. Location is a particular place or position.

We were put into groups. In this activity, we made a mind map of the location. We came up with multiple ways of interpreting location. One of the interpretations was how location influences music. We all came up with the idea of music relating to location, while discussing, I had said that depending on the area or place the artist lives in, it could depict their style of music. Another group member had given an example of the artist Central C and how he makes UK rap (drill,) which I thought was a great example.

Another contribution from my group that I thought was interesting was the idea that, depending on the location you live in, you will have regular places you would go, like the supermarket. This could be various different companies, but they all sell the same thing and are classified as a 'supermarket'; the only difference is that they are in different locations.

Although these were great ideas, none of them really caught my attention or gave me any ideas for my project. I might use segments of these ideas in my project, but I am not entirely sure.

Week 2: Practical Experimentation

As I'm filming something for my FMP, I was able to use the studio to practice 'blocking' the new technique we learned. This is a technique that helps enhance the scene.

We were given a script and we had to prepare the studio according to what was happening in the scene. We also had to set the lighting according to the time of day the scene was set in, as well as place it in a way that it wouldn't be in the frame.

As the scene is set in the living room and a kitchen, we decided to create a set-up of an open kitchen so that we can capture the actors in one frame, rather than single ones.

We made sure we took many practice takes before settling on the final takes. We captured the individual characters walking into the scene as that helps enhance the scene and helps showcase their personality while focusing on the while entering.  

Apart from filming the characters entering the scene, we also had two cameras filming the dialogue. This helped when it came to editing because on the footage of the original camera we had at the start, the characters were facing their back to the camera. Whereas on the new camera, their face was visible. So, as I had the two angles, I was able to change cameras when the actor's face was no longer visible in the footage.

Week 3: Editing

This is what I put together for the final takes on Adobe Premiere Pro. I used this YouTube video to help me figure out how to cut videos and detach them from the sound of the video. What I found difficult while editing was adjusting the sound; this is something I need to research how to do for future editing. I would say that the editing was quite successful. I'm happy that the timings from both cameras have aligned perfectly during the editing. 

As for this task, I have learnt the importance of blocking and how much it really helps bring out the scene and the characters in the scene. I have also learnt the importance of the setting for the scene and how much it helps to analyse the script to help imagine how the scene would look before creating the environment in the studio. 

Adobe in a Minute (2016) Premiere Pro CC : How to Trim and Cut Video (with Shortcuts). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJhJuuPAzvg.

Week 4: Experimental Design

I've chosen the artist April Greiman, who is an American designer recognised as one of the first designers to embrace computer technology as a design tool. She first studied graphic design at the Kansas City Institute.

     

In both these posters, Greiman has used very vibrant colours, and they all work well together. When I look at the design on the right, it reminds me of different dimensions, and the poster is also for a lecture called Parallel Spaces. This makes sense as the image gives an illusion of two parallel dimensions. The use of blue in both posters makes me think of sci-fi.

This is what I made on Adobe Photoshop, inspired by the graphic designer April Greiman. Just as Greiman has used vibrant colours in her designs, I have also used a bit of colour. I also wanted to create the illusion of two dimensions, so I used two images for this design.

To make the main image black and white, I had to go to the adjustment option and go onto the threshold like in the image on the left. Then I had to adjust the depth of the back in the image. As well as adjust the opacity and filling of the image. This then allowed the second image to appear much more clearly. 

Then, with the second image, I added the threshold effect and also changed the colour of the image. I also wanted to see through the colour to see the other image behind it, so I changed the opacity of the image. I feel like this gives the image the effect of two worlds bleeding into each other, and being able to see it in one.

We were also assigned to work on making our Pecha Kucha for our final product, so that we can showcase what we are going to make and how we aim to do it. We had a week to finish the presentation. I got feedback from my presentation, which helped me understand what I should do differently to improve and also feedback on things I should keep up with.

Week 5: Second Practical Experimentation

During this practical, we learnt the etiquette during filming and what a set environment would usually be like. We were also taught how to use a clapboard and why it’s used. I learnt that the board is used to sink the footage and audio, and it made sense, and during the editing, I found it much easier.

We were also taught about different camera shots. After this practical, I was much more confident in using the camera and directing, which will help me in this FMP as well as other projects.

The short clip above is an example of what we filmed during the practical.

Week 6: Script Writing 

This is a part of my first draft script I wrote. I noticed that I didn't write it in the traditional layout scripts are written in, as I made this for myself to read and understand.

I'll be changing the layout to the traditional type as this won't be suitable if it were to go to a cast and crew.

Writing the description of the scene helps when the actual scene is filmed.

Week 7: Filming First Scene and Last Scene 

As in this scene, the main character is supposed to be sad, I wanted to experiment with the lighting. I wanted to achieve cinematic lighting or something similar to it. The problem with this scene and its take was that I couldn't achieve the same lighting and atmosphere on the camera, and I didn't have enough time to adjust these problems and had to move to the next scene.

For the last scene, on the other hand, the character is happy, and I wanted this to reflect on the lighting of the scene. I wanted to keep the same location and show how a year has gone by and her change in feeling about life and growing old. This scene turned out to have a big shadow behind the character and created an even sadder scene than the first one.

I plan to film the last scene again, but this time I will change the location to outdoors instead of indoors. This will show much more change in the characters' feelings through the change of location.

Week 8: Editing Footage Taken

I originally wanted to use Adobe Premiere Pro for editing, but then I realised I wouldn’t be able to use the software at home, so I tried using CapCut instead. Then I started facing some storage and saving problems with CapCut. I was also not able to do some editing techniques, for example, as I had two scenes, one of which is at the start and the other at the end, but I was not able to separate them in CapCut. So I had to add stock videos to create an empty gap in the edit. So I finally decided that I’d be using both CapCut and Premiere Pro for this project.

This is the clip I edited on CapCut, which I will be using Premiere Pro to split the scene apart so I can make space for other scenes I’ll be filming.

Week 9: Filming and Editing 

I used this week to film short clips that I can use for my title card/intro to the short film. I gathered mainly shorter clips that I can blend together to make a short but engaging intro. I was also able to film scenes 3 and 4. Even though I wasn't able to film in order, I was able to manage as I was editing on Premiere Pro. I finished editing the title sequence and the first scene this week.

I was really happy with how this turned out because I felt like the use of audio fit perfectly with the visual, and the beats and cuts felt like they were natural, which made the experience of watching the start interesting.

Week 10: Editing Scene 3 and 4

I was able to edit the scene I filmed the week before, and as I used different shots, I had to merge them together without it seeming odd or obvious that there had been an awkward cut. I had to essentially make the scene look smooth.

Week 11: Adding Subtitles

I managed to add subtitles to some of the audio in the film this week, but as I had been working on different computers, I was having some technical difficulties, as some computers had the old software for Premiere Pro and weren't letting me subtitle, so I had to use CapCut to add it.

Week 12: Last Shoot

This was the week of filming, and it went very smoothly as I had assistance from two people (Dayo and Zahraa). We filmed scenes 2 and 5 again. I was able to make some changes with the outfit I was wearing, taking off the first layer. I had to do this so it didn't seem like the same day.

Week 13: Final editing

I filled the empty gaps in the editing with the scene I filmed in the previous week and made sure that the subtitles were all correct.