Reflection: 6/7/11

Reflection
What film studies are being reviewed and practiced? What new skills have been introduced?
Today was entirely devoted to project, which is incredibly rushed and will likely be failed or pummeled in grades by everyone involved. Some new skills were forced to develop were that of making soundscape through the use of specialized objects to simulate various soundscapes such as rain and wind ambiance. Things like river flowing sounds had use the tap. Also, to make some specialized effects that were particularly difficult to extract such as an underwater sound, I learned to use sound filters in Final Cut Pro to derive the sound from existing effects, like the river flowing effect. Basically, what had to be done was to change the frequency and volume, so that a more echo and deep bass sound of water occurred which seemed as if underwater. Other ordinary skills reviewed was simply using microphones to record sounds, though it was slightly more complicated because we used video to capture the sound and had to extract the sound from the video. Other skills were basic editing in Final Cut.
Evaluation
How successful was I in achieving my goals and why? How could I/my group make use of our time more effectively?
We managed to record all necessary soundscapes however we have not verified the viability of each clip, which means we don't yet know if we have to re-record any of the sounds. We were also about to record the melodies, the music to reflect the mood of the comic, but because there was not enough time left in class, we could not even start which meant we had to come back over and over at lunch to finish the soundtrack and record the music next class. Therefore, we did not do well at achieving our goals today because we are no where close to actually finishing the soundtrack. We made use of our time extremely well anyway and even that wasn't enough to do it. We need more time but there isn't so we have to come back at lunch times and use all of next class to continue recording.

Reflection: 6/2/11

Reflection
What knowledge is being reviewed?
Today, we tried to continue with the soundtrack unit, primarily through the completion of the storyboard, which did not occur because instead, we were to watch the music videos of our former unit. This is where most of the knowledge was reviewed from. Each video was presented with a talk from the group of made it.
Beatrice's Group:
-fairly traditional Bollywood music video - cheesy love story and group choreographed dancing
-poor prop work - seen on camera
-poor choreography - on-the-spot and unprepared
-variety of camera effects - tracking, long shots etc. - used to convey story though lack of expression
Davis' Group:
-fairly traditional Canto-pop music video - cheesy rejection story
-Unclear story in favor of symbolism - albeit lacking the symbol or clarity required in a music video
-good editing - using colors and slow motion to convey mood and story
Generally, effects and the camera work were used to convey the expressions of the story and message.
What feedback did I receive today?
In the comments on the music video, we were told that our filming of action and story was very clear and concise, and because it matched the song well, we told our music video was generally very good. It was especially noted that we filmed the action was very good as it very much enhanced the base and intensity of the music whole action-ridden basketball music video of competition. The story was also noted because of its clarity and very linear progression. However, some improvements that were suggested was making the training session part shorter because it basically dominated the middle half but became tiresome because it consisted of shot after shot and although it shown improvement of the character's skill, it was too long and repetitious.
Evaluation
How did I interact in class/group today?
In terms of the class, I watched all the music videos all the music and took down some notes in the form of feedback for myself so that I could use it for my own future films. I also asked a few questions to get more intention and ideas for each of the music videos to ensure better understanding of intention. In terms of a group, I with my music video creation group presented our speech on the music video, explaining our intentions and techniques in order to convey action, story and expression.
What will I do in response to feedback given?
I will continue to uphold the camera work which was noted to be very good and matched the action and story very well, especially the dutch-shot that while did not hold any meaning, was well-placed in the action sequences. I will also ensure that there are more changes in scenery. While the story was good, the training was too long and repetitious which I will try to make less and instead add more changes so that it is not.

Reflection: 5/5/11

Reflection

What new knowledge has been introduced?

Today is the start of the new unit - to make a soundtrack for comics. The knowledge introduced as part of this unit was that instead of using a computer based program to make the soundtrack which would be too easy, we needed to make them ourselves as most film makers did. This was fairly difficult because it meant we had to do custom research to find out how to gather the necessary sounds required that would fit the stimulus we had to make a soundtrack for - the comic book. We also learned that this was how film makers did it, the used stimulus as a base to synthesize sounds for. Through this, the process would be more of a self-guided track where we had to do it ourselves.

What film studies skills are being reviewed and practiced? What new skills have been introduced?

To better guide this process, it was decided in our group that in order to plan out what sounds had to be gathered and researched in order to find how to collect them, the skill of storyboarding was reviewed practiced, albeit a modified version because it had nothing to do with planning out shots, lengths and positions. Rather, we used the storyboard to organized the comic book panels and list out sound effects required for each panel. Through this, we would know what we needed and what ordered we needed it in. Thus, it would help us in the collection of tracks and help us better coordinate the soundtrack with the comic. This is also a new skill because it introduced a secondary application of storyboarding.

Evaluation

How successful was I at achieving my goals today and why? How could I/my group make use of time more effectively?

Our goal was to ensure we planned out our entire soundtrack through the storyboarding. However, due to confusion at the start and initial thoughts that we were actually to use software to make the soundtrack, we weren't able to get far in the storyboard, only able to create about a page after some discussion to find a good method. Half of our group was missing today due the geography trip, but had they been here, we could have made better use of our time through having some people research how to make the selected sounds, have someone making the documentary as part of the criteria A assessment to ensure that 2 things can be completed in one set of time. In addition, the storyboard will be continued.

Reflection: 4/15/11

Reflection
Did I solve any problems today? How? What didn't I understand or find difficult today? What can I do about this?
While we had finalized the music video last class, we still faced some minor pre-export problems. These problems were namely the audio equalization and, though unnecessary and unofficial, video hosting. The first, before we could export it as a finalized edition, had to be solved. The audio of the song greatly overpowered intro and concluding audio as part of clips in those areas. In order to ensure good quality, all audio has to be equalized. The problem was we didn't know how to do it. We explored the program and asked Ms.Wong, who told us about the audio edit area where we minimized the scale of volume which then equalized the audio, after which we exported it. This solving of this problem taught me a new mode of editing and skill in final cut pro. At the same time we wanted to upload it to facebook but the original export was too large. Therefore, I went online and learned of the export options available where I tweaked the quality and size to be lower allowing for internet streaming. While not technically a film skill, I did learn a new skill which could be useful in the future.
How can I further develop the skill I am learning?
As evidenced by today's lesson as well as previous ones, it is obvious my skill in video editing in final cut pro are lacking. There is therefore a need to improve that, especially since I will continue to work in film. In order to that, I must practice with the program to familiarize myself with existing tools which will also consolidate my comfortability with the program. Then, in order to learn new functions, I will have to research them and explore the program, just go random and learn what various things are like so, but if I don't understand it regardless, then I will research it.
Evaluation
What did I really enjoy today? Why?
While this lesson was so much a fulfilling lesson because we finished, I did enjoy the fact that we had finished due to the sense of accomplishment. I also enjoyed the fact that we were the only group to actually finish on the due date.

Reflection: 4/13/11

Reflection

Did I solve any problems today? How? What didn't I understand or find difficult today? What can I do about this?

Because some of the clips were of inadequate quality, we decided to film just a bit more a little. We needed to get a few filler clips for the song, basically the lip syncing and a victory thrust to show the protagonist's achievements. The problem was Nic's enthusiasm in singing, because he couldn't dance and was not very lively, so for one clip, we taught him basic dance moves for which he used. The end result was one excellent lip synced singing scene. This was the biggest problem solved. During the editing, I found adding bloopers difficult because of the lack of experience with tools. Despite being relatively inexperienced with the complex video editing platform, with Alastair the "Editor in Chief", we managed with to learn that in order to add bloopers, it wasn't a matter of finding templates where bloopers could be dragged in, rather, it involved shrinking the credits so that there would be space on the side where video clips could be added. After adding this and finalizing it, the music video was deemed officially finished.
What film skills have been reviewed today? What new skills have been introduced?
Given the two main tasks today, the filming and editing, the skills practiced were general filming techniques and general editing techniques. Both were obviously employed to finish the music video, officially. The new skill learned today was the addition of bloopers in the use of final cut pro. As described in the previous question, this new skill, while isn't vital is a good skill to have because many videos or movies tend to have bloopers. This also enhances my editing skill particularly in the credits area.
Evaluation
How successful was I in achieving my goals today and why? How could I/my group make use of time more effectively?
Because this was one of the last classes before the Criteria B due date, our main goal was to complete the music video so that it could be submitted on time, while our secondary goal was to fix up some inadequate parts of the music video such as Nic Tse's lack of dance skill in the clips. Given the fact we managed to finish the music video with the final filming and editing of the music video so that we could hand it in on time, I'd say we were incredibly successful in our goals today. Due to this, we were well on track and judging by other groups, we were ahead. We worked incredibly efficiently today which was one of the key reasons as to why we were able to complete our goals, which means our time management especially with the task division was incredibly good. I still, believe though, that better concentration in clip recording could have helped due to some distractions.

Reflection: 4/7/11

Reflection
What knowledge is being reviewed? What new knowledge has been introduced?
With the final wave of the music video presentations, the same common knowledge was reviewed one final time. The general descriptions, meanings and uses of the various camera techniques, colors and lighting and the unique and common characteristics of music videos. Some of the new pieces of knowledge I learned originated with Bryce's presentation, whose chosen music video was somewhat unique to normal ones discussed by other students. Instead of common footage, most was flashing lights and if there were footage, it tended to be black and white. Bryce's explanation of the use of lights explaining how the light's contributed to repetition and randomness, as well as how, in addition to the black and white footage, told the story of how something small appeared in the big city. While not ideal, the lights effect in editing can be used to make out a sense of whimsicality. The black and white filter also allows films to be almost a memory, as if recalling sadness or importance.
What film studies skills are being reviewed and practiced?
After the presentations, we continued to work on the music video. Because we needed extra footage due to the inadequacy and qualitative lack, we proceeded to collect the replacement footage required. However, instead of using complex camera techniques, we made static shots to accommodate our group member's setback on dancing skill. Aside from generalized filming, we also practiced editing, finally starting the process. In accordance to characteristics of music videos described as part of presentations and personal research, we crafted the storyline with conceptual clips, and predominantly used short cuts to enhance dynamics of the music.
Evaluation
How successful was I in achieving my goals today and why? How could I/my group make use of time more effectively?
We successfully collected adequate footage and made a fairly good start on the editing of the music video. Even though we did not go very far in part due to the use of splinter cells and the last of the music video presentations, we managed to get on track, entering the final stages of this project. My group and I made excellent use of our time. The splinter cell tactic did inhibit progress a bit because in the case of editing, it is best if there were a team, however, we managed to partition tasks which meant we were able to complete multiple tasks. It would be better if we could be more efficient in the way we make less screw ups particular in filming.
How did I interact in class/group today?
In the entire class, I acted as feedback personnel. To the following members, I gave the following comments:

• Dean - Good analysis, more reading less talking, lack of terminology (most areas), somewhat vague, very descriptive
• Anne: Colors well explained, more talking less reading, explained relevance, rambled a bit
• Bryce: Somewhat unsure, slow speech and rambled a bit, good analysis of music video editing
• Davis: Lack of visual presentation, more lecture, formal, good analysis, more reading less talking.

In group, I acted as the cameraman in filming. I mainly coordinated things on sight while my classmates acted out their roles as characters. I also briefly helped in editing, organizing the overall style and jump-starting the actual editing, putting together some of the first clips.

Reflection: 4/4/11

Reflection
What knowledge has been reviewed? What new knowledge has been introduced?
Once again, through several presentations, general knowledge of music videos was once again reviewed. General camera techniques and distances, color and lighting effects as well as editing styles were once again looked over in these presentations because music videos tend to share similar traits in these areas. Some of the new pieces of knowledge that came to light was the method silhouetting as mentioned by Katherine in her presentation. In terms of film, the act of placing a powerful light behind a person makes it difficult to visualize the front of the subject and thus, looks dark and in contrast with the light allows only a silhouette of the subject to be seen. This allows for mysterious looks and emphasizes motion performed by the subject as that is the only practical thing that can be seen. Katherine's presentation also emphasized the use of hidden message and how certain movements provided the audience with little hidden messages. Silhouetting can be used in a dark setting, especially in our own films to create a sort of mysterious, awe-struck setting.
Did I solve any problems today? How? What didn't I understand or find difficult today? What can I do about this?
Because of the time pressure to finish the music video established due to lag in presentation and lack of class time to work on our projects, we had to rush to collect all footage required for our music video. We to rush it and collect all footage required. There were two areas I found difficult today. The first involved my own presentation of music videos. While I found it easy to stand up and talk to the audience without looking much at the notes or the computer unless I needed to refer directly to it, I found it difficult to actually present. By this, I mean maintain the formality as needed in the presentation of knowledge. I suspect this to because of general spur-of-the-moment thinking and lack of practice, which means I will have to rehearse more. The second is the concept of lip-syncing in a music video. Nic Tse was our "singer" but it was difficult to get it done to due the pace of the words recited in Chinese. Therefore, we found that create a general mouth shape was sufficient, or simply just to make it look like we were saying it right but were really just random mouthings with only true mouthings for identifiable words.
Evaluation
How successful was I in achieving my goals today and why? How could I/my group make use of time more effectively?
There are two parts. The first is the presentation. My goals were to use as little of the notes as possible which means more eye-contact, and be informative. I was good at looking at the audience though I occasionally looked at the screen to quote or to read out which is not always good but in some places useful. I was quite informative, breaking down my presentation notes and explaining it to the audience. Thus, I believe in this aspect I was quite successful. The second act is the final filming. This was to get footage required to edit though we might need reshoots later. Much of it was not well done because, not to offend, Nic Tse's lack of ability to dance though his singing was moderately good. It therefore seemed very amateurish. Despite this and several takes, we managed to get what we needed albeit at a somewhat lower quality than desired. Thus, the success here is not so great. We should spend more time on it outside school to get more and rehearse more, but also utilize all time available to us to get this done.