Reflection: 3/9/11

Reflection
Following the selection of the music video genre and AOI, all that was left to choose the song and start building towards the film. When we initially selected a song, we found it unsuitable for an AOI. We attempted to adapt it to the AOI by finding a meaning that could link it to Health and Social Education which was pointed out to be wrong because the film we are making is designed to promote and explore the AOI. Trying to forcibly alter the meaning of the song so that it will fit the AOI doesn't work like that so we looked out for another song that allowed to us to what the former failed. We started and looked into the script writing for the film as a basic outline of the film would encompass, and from there on the story was created providing us with details that would allow us to progress into the storyboard phase next class. However, this experience was different to the other because unlike creating our own story and lines, we had to adapt the scene to the song which allows us to learn about that form of film while simultaneously learning to adapt to changes rather than always freely doing what we want because things don't work like that.
Evaluation
Within this 80 minute class, we were a bit distracted looking for songs, rapidly discussing but not doing anything really productive in that time. However, in the middle of those enthusiastic discussions, we managed to get somewhere, selecting the song and even starting and finishing the first draft of the script meaning our class was quite successful. We could have worked better by focusing more on the task at hand, and assuming could we may have been able to start the storyboard but the current progress is actually reasonably good because relative to other groups, we worked hard and are now a bit ahead.

Reflection: 3/3/11

Reflection
Today, there was not much going on but rather a continuation of the previous lesson as well as the subtle beginning of the next topic following the completion of the warm up film. The goal is to make a music video, thus my new group and I continued to explore the dimensions of what music videos were made up of, namely their camera techniques, angles, video effects, cuts etc. Also, in order to gain a wide variety of culture surrounding various country music video styles, we explored several culture's music videos. It was found that in every single type of culture, there were unique properties that made that country's style unique to another, however, there were always similar elements that made the music videos a unique genre as well. For example, Western music videos tend to flashy and had rapid-transitions between short cuts of film. Japanese ones tended to focus extensively on the band and had longer shots that tend to move around the band in, focusing on them from below. In order to garner accurate representations of a music video, keen observations were made to collect data not only on the uniqueness of each culture, but the classical key concepts of the genre, such as a progressive story that intertwined with the band or singer singing or the singer or band performing the song.
Evaluation
Though we were all working to find information, the group splintered in order to collect information for themselves on their own blog. However, while this method emphasized independence, it allowed all of us to understand deeply about the various aspects of a music video, which could not be simply found listed on the internet. Instead, it had to sampled and noted down from music videos that were watched on YouTube. Despite this splintering, it is vital that we all collect and share this information as we will have to work together later to pool all information together and utilize it in the actual making if the music video.
Outside of the classroom, I have to continue to research the music videos to further increase and deepen the pool of information, as it will be vital and essential for the future. In order to further increase my knowledge, I must also diversify the cultures of music videos in order to collect more unique techniques.

Reflection: 3/1/11

Reflection
What new knowledge has been introduced?
Following the completion of the AOI Health and Social Education or "warm up" film, we started to research music videos. In our research, we discovered key features of music videos, and some of the contrasts between music videos of different languages and cultures. All this however can be seen on the blog.
What feedback did I receive today?
Today was the finishing date so at the end, all videos were played back to us. For our video in particular, I evaluated my own video and gathered feedback. It was generally okay, however we were still missing a few parts and forgot to cut out the "action" bit out of one of the clips. Consistency was somewhat of an issue because the beginning change to a new setting was not only obvious to us, but to people if they knew nothing about our school. The lighting was a dim which downgraded the quality of our film. Also, there was a lack of music relative to other films which means that ours didn't have very much of a clear feeling, only a somewhat ambiguous one. The good thing was that the storyline was reasonably intact and there were suitable titles and credits.
Evaluation
What have I learned from the feedback?
I learned that in order to make an adequately good film, one must take into account a lot of features of a film such as lighting and camera angles, which requires a lot more time than the time we were given. Also, during the editing phase, it is not only important to look back at the script to ensure that everything is in place but to also watch the film over before exporting to ensure that everything was fine. Music is also a good element to add as it creates a mood. Even our film could have been enhanced with a bit of mood music.

Reflection: 2/23/2011

Reflection
What new skills were introduced?
I was introduced to the program, Final Cut Pro as I used it edit my video. The program was a new experience to me because of its professional level. Thus, the new skill of using such a high-level video editing software was introduced to me. In the past, iMovie and Adobe Premiere Elements were the two primary video editing softwares that I had used, but they were somewhat mediocre, making them relatively easy to learn and use but severely limited the number of functions available, and thus the effects and quality. Final Cut Pro involves new skills in the way that things are now more complex because of how effects are applied, the number of effects, number of tools etc. I found it very difficult to learn because of its complexity, but the skill of using this type of software began to be learned due to close proximity and experimental usage.
What did I find difficult and how was it solved?
I found the experimental learning of Final Cut Pro quite difficult because of the advanced level and the expansion of the simpler functions in civilian level video editing software as opposed to the professional variety. Because I was unfamiliar, the editing of the video became quite difficult. However, as with everything, I have to start somewhere so I just went ahead with it and learned the basic functionality of the software allowing me to edit the video despite the fact that it wasn't particularly good. This was how I solved it, if it can be called that. I experimented and learned some of it which allowed me to get somewhere though it was too short to allow me to run in the Olympics.
Evaluation
How can I improve my skills?
As said before, the difficulty lay in the usage of Final Cut Pro. Therefore, this would the skill I would like to improve. How can I do this? It is easy. Since it is another level from simple video editing software, I would have to learn more than just simple and basic functions such as cutting and cropping, but also learn how to use advanced effect customization, custom title creation etc. This can all be accomplished by learning through online tutorials and watching example videos from the internet. These usually provide a good source of learning. By learning it online, I can amass reasonably good skill in using the program.

Reflection: 2/21/11

Reflection
What problems were there? How were they solved?
The first in a long line of problems during filming was the venue/setting. We agreed that we wanted to do it in the dance studio because it was the only setting available that had a real household-like setting because it had lights, wooden tiles, sofas and a TV - classic living room. However, there presented another problem - stairs. We needed stairs for one of the scenes and it needed to at the very least match the living room to maintain continuity. To solve that problem, we filmed the stairs area on the library, careful to maintain aspects of continuity to ensure it was a careful shift, disguising the boundaries. More problems arose during the filming. Even though frequent re-shoots were expected, people kept cracking up due to expressions.This was a very difficult to solve because people just could not concentrate and there was no way to force it. So we just shot and shot until we got it correct. However, a better solution might've been to switch people around to have better expressions thereby reducing laughter, or further segmenting scenes so that sections could be done at a time while not cracking up. Timing was also rushed.
How can I further develop the skills I have learnt?
Though there weren't very many film skills practiced today, rather drama skills, continuity, setting and concentration has to be further develop. For continuity, one must take into account the setting in order to find a suitable venue in which to shoot. That means, if there are stairs and a living room, we had to pick somewhere that included both. Or at the very least, maintain multiple similar aspects in order to maintain continuity. Venue also has to be well planned, not just to maintain continuity, but to also accurately visualize the scene. Concentration is something that is not learnt, but developed, and in order to further develop this point, one must actually focus very hard on the important tasks, rather than shifting focus. This is, however, reasonably difficult.
Evaluation
How successful was my performance / workshop and why? How could my group and I work more efficiently?
Though I hate being modest, I was pretty well focused, while my other group members failed to concentrate enough, and frequently broke up. However, the fault was mine when I did very little to help, and this means I need to cooperate with my team better, in the way that I have to do a bit more accommodation and assisting. The filming itself was reasonably successful, because we managed to finish the filming and upload all the clips onto final cut pro. However, time was a bit tight and we rushed it a bit. The cooperation and concentration was a bit lacking. I think that planning the various steps could have led to a better organized, and therefore more efficient set up.In terms of cooperation and concentration, we should do more to assist and help each other get back on task rather than doing little to get back on track.

Reflection: 2/15/11

Reflection:
What new information has been introduced?
Previously, because I had not taken film, so I did not know much of the terminology.

I learned about the different distance shots, ranging from the extreme long shot, through to the extreme close-up distance, as demonstrated in the above slideshow. I also learned about the various camera angles, such as the birds-eye view, the high and low angles, or the dutch angle, as followed below.

This terminology will help in the future, as it is important in the entire film unit. Film is based around cameras, and I need to know what the names of the shots mean. By using this terminology in the future in film, I can enhance my learning.
Evaluation
How can I improve my knowledge?
Since I had not previously taken film, I need to increase my own film knowledge. Aside from the distance and angle terminology, there are others such as the camera movement terminology. I can do look up more information in film books and personal research as it would help me in the future, especially in the unit, upping by marks, knowledge and other areas in regards to film.

Reflection: 2/11/11

Reflection
Continuing on from last class, we continued on the Health and Social Education film. We finished the script and started working on the storyboard.
What have I learned?
This is my first time being in a film course, which means that I learned quite a bit following the classes about film. Today in particular, I learned how in film the script specifically reflects onto the storyboard in the way that the latter is derived from the former. Using the script, a storyboard was formed by a series of photographed images depicting the scene and various camera angles, which will obviously be included in the actual film itself. I also learned that while in other courses, we used simple drawings, in film, the most efficient method of getting a representation of the envisioned film is through the direct photography of a single frame representing a segment per change in the film, following the script as a frame of reference. In regards to the writing of the script, I learned that unlike the story based drama, film is more in the moment. While drama is the performance of a story, film is a capturing of the story which means only the present matters, which means that instead of creating a background for the 'story', the film script leads on from directly what happens before and after.
Were there any problems? How were they solved?
There wasn't many problems in regards with the script writing , as it was simply a continuation of the understanding from last class which means that all we needed to do was lead on and follow the format provided. The real problem came with the storyboard photography. In order to visualize the vision of the film through photographed representative frames, one must, in addition, take into account camera angles that allow everything to be clearly seen, the location and action which must compliment the script itself in the way that it provides a reasonable estimate of the what the scene should look like. This means we couldn't just film anywhere, we had to film somewhere that closely resembled the scene, which was an initial problem since the places with household-like items like a sofa were occupied by other classes. This led us to conclude that the outdoors were the only option which were not akin to the script, so we eventually decided on the library which was open. In regards to actual photography, we had to take into account unforeseen circumstances that were not ideal to film or photograph such as coming out of the room, so we stripped off some of these parts. Also, ensured that the camera angles, images shown, action, and setting were aligned with said script, creating a successive series of images that accurately depicted the scene.
Evaluation
How can I improve my knowledge and skills?
Following this session, I learned how to create storyboard's images. However, I felt that they were a bit mediocre because they were only average and not so inclusive of the various professional aspects that should be taken into account. In order to better this aspect of my learning, I need to in essence research this by looking up model photos as well as film shots within films similar to the conditions of our script. Using the IB learner profile in the previous post, I can use the aspects of the film of inspiration and include these things into my own thereby creating an inspired, model and improved storyboard and film.
How successful was the workshop today and why?
I feel that today's lesson was highly successful. Because of our efficient collaborative efforts and brainstorming in the previous class, we had laid the groundwork for the next parts pretty well, which means we were suitably adapted to today. We efficiently finished our short script, and proceeded to quickly storyboard out script through photography. These images were easily uploaded and distributed to each team member. Following this succession, the groundwork for next class was well set. In order to portray this success, if one takes a look at the other groups in the class, one would find several of them still arguing over the idea and script they were still writing, which relative to us was quite slow and behind because were already in the next stage, already ready to move onto the next stage for the next class.