Catch The Rainbow

 

Evaluation Q4. How did you integrate technologies - software, hardware and online - in this project?

Stage 1: Research

Whilst researching, I was heavily reliant on looking at existing media texts as well as the various manga's that I enjoy ever so much. Whenever I thought up an idea that I thought might work, I noted it down in a small notepad that I carried with me in my backpack. These ideas were the ones that would either come around suddenly, or the ones that I was putting together over the course of a couple of days. I then moved onto the internet where I had the world at my fingertips to help me look for ideas. I started by looking into characters as I heavily believe great characters is what makes a story more interesting to an audience, so if there was anything I wanted to try and get right above all, then it was a fascinating character to portray the themes of my film. I started to look into the artwork of Rene Magritte, more specifically his piece called 'The Son of Man', and from there I started to put things together. In order to keep a track on my progress I noted it all down on Blogger bit by bit to remind me of all the ideas I had come up with at that point. 

Stage 2: Planning 

I focused a great deal of attention on creating my character, and through trial and error I was finally able to come up with my final character for my film, Mr Fantasy. Inspired by previous media texts, manga, artwork and even music, I had created the character that I was hoping I could. I then put my focus on creating the pre-visualizations inclusive of the script and storyboard. I worked on them both at the same time, writing one part of the script and then adapting that into the drawn out version of it. That way I would be able to see it come together piece by piece. I started the process by working on paper, however, I was quick to realize that working on my iPad was a much quicker and convenient way of going about making my storyboard. I used the OneNote app as it had an easy to use drawing/pencil tool that I could use with my Apple Pencil. The process was overall made easier as I capable of drawing to a somewhat okay standard. After finishing the script and storyboard, I decided to go hunting for a filming location and an actor. I decided the location rather quickly after taking a look at the convenience it would bring to the shoot as well as keeping in mind that I would be taking the heavy and expensive equipment there. As for the actor, I approached my friend who takes A-Level Drama with me, and I asked if he would be up to it, to which he told me that he was keen. I thought he would be able to capture the mannerisms and personality of Mr Fantasy to the extent that I was looking for. Everything was set in place for stage 3. 

Stage 3: Construction

I discussed with the film technology specialist at school about what equipment I should be using and what equipment I would like to use. I specified that I wanted to use a Gimbal, and sure enough I was taught how to set it up as use it for the final shot of my film. I also needed the basic kit of a camera and a tripod and it was more than easy to get my hands on. I should point out that I specifically requested to not give me any additional lights as I was really pushing for a film consisting on all-natural lighting. The shoot was a total success and everything was finished by the end of the scheduled dates and timings. After filming, I edited using the software, Final Cut Pro, which allowed me to put together all of the clips which I had taken the weekend before. I made steady progress, with a peer analysis in-between starting and finishing, I was able to complete the final edit at a good pace. My next focus were the credits. I wanted to make them interesting, and so I used the software After Effects, in order to make more diverse and challenging credits throughout the opening. I had no prior experience with the software before and so I had to watch some YouTube tutorials on how to work the program so that I could mask the credits into the shots, which was an essential part of the title card shot. After getting familiar with the software, I was able to complete the credits and that marked the finished edit, all that was left for me to do was finalize and add the music. I spoke with a friend over the phone and I sent him some examples of sounds that I liked, to which we then worked together for a few hours until we came up with the final sound. I added in the music and it fit just the way that I wanted it to, I was ultimately very happy and that marked the finishing of my film.

Evaluation Q3. How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

Codes and Conventions - understanding of thriller conventions, credit structure and what to expect from a film opening. 

At the start of the year, the genre of thrillers seemed especially complexed to me, I could never figure out what exactly made a thriller. However, between that point back in September and now here in April I have had a strong exposure to the heart of the thriller genre, The Silence of the Lambs and Se7en are pure examples of thriller films. Se7en and True Blood, another thriller media text studied, display a very strong credit structure and sequence which introduces the audiences to the themes and overall genre that the film follows, and for that I now have a deeper and more refined knowledge of the expected codes and conventions revolving around thriller films.

Planning and Organization - ability to organize actors, locations, props for and efficient and effective film shoot. Ability to hit deadlines.

Throughout the process of planning, I had made sure that everything I might need for the shoot was there. I had told all of my actors and the crew that were helping out the times to arrive and the location to be. A good example of my organization skills that I display is by deciding on the location that I would be filming before the mid-term break in December, that way I could plan and ready everything (Equipment, Schedules, etc...) in the new year when I would be ready to film. I also believe that I had made all of the preparations necessary that lead to a smooth and successful shoot. The script and storyboard were used multiple times between myself and the actors and crew

Camera Work - confidence in building composition and using different shot types.

Since the first task of the year, Jurassic Jelly, I have greatly improved the complexity and composition of my shots, as well as confidence in my camera work. I was given more chances throughout the project to enhance my skills and become for comfortable with the camera, this included working and getting to grips with a gimble. I think the greatest evidence of my improvement with a camera, is the fact that I am capable of achieving shots with a complexed composition, just like one of my final shots from my film. The shot required lots of testing and practices before I could consider it good enough for the final film.

Visual effects - realizing ideas using digital software, using credits in an interesting way. 

I touched on framing in a previous blog post, in which I discussed my inspiration(s) for the style of framing I went for throughout my film, which leaves a considerable amount of empty space in the frame to create a sense of unease and isolation. I brought up framing because I intended on using that empty space to fit (some of) my credits into as to draw the attention of the audience into those blank areas of the frame. This can be seen with the title card shot as the character, Mr Fantasy, leaves the room. The empty room leaves nothing but a space filled with the title reading 'Catch The Rainbow', however the rest of the space remains empty and lifeless, creating a sense of distortion. I believe that I have picked up a fairly good base-level of comfort surrounding visual effects, or at least I am comfortable in a sense that I am confident with what I am doing and I am always able to create the effects that I envision. This parallels my skills from the start of the project, where I would be scared to go anywhere near After Effects, and when I did I would have the most basic understanding of what to do.

Editing - making meaning through editing. Making the narrative sense for the audience.

I would describe the editing style of my film to be quite 'basic', and I don't necessarily mean it in a bad way. I feel that the narrative of my film is benefitted from having a  simple style of editing. I think it communicates an oddly comforting feeling throughout the film as to completely contradict the unease of what is happening within the shots themselves. This gives more spice and more interest into the character presented as well as the actual opening that needs to hook the audience.

Creative confidence - thinking of interesting ideas and making them happen.

At the start of the project I wasn't overly confident in any of my creative ideas, and I didn't have the courage to express my ideas to the extent that I have done so far. I don't know exactly what it was that made me take the step to create the film that I did eventually make. On my top trump style card above, I gave myself a boost from 54 at the start of the project and 88 now that we have reached the end, and I think this is because I recalled my initial ideas for my film, which revolved around a character getting ready for a heist in the drivers seat of a car. I look back on that and think about how I would have been bored, and how the film would reflect the way I felt about it. I think the moment that I started to let my ideas truly come through was around the time that I was creating my character, Mr Fantasy. And I think the reason for that is because personally, a great story can only be good with memorable characters, and I had a real passion in making Mr Fantasy a character that I could actually picture in a film at the cinema and that is what I think pushed me to create the bigger ideas that I eventually implemented into my film.

I am almost 100% certain that a large reason as to why I have both been able to step out of my comfort zone and create such bizarre ideas is because of the media that I am regularly exposing myself to. I have taken inspiration and brought it up many times throughout the project, but manga has been a massive part of making my film as I have been able to rely on it when I come to a point where I can't figure out what to do next. Which is why I feel like it is worth mentioning, I think anyone who reads manga can tell you that it is ultimately very inspiring and motivating as most of the time there is a goal to reach which encourages you to reach your own goals. And as far as film coursework goes, I really feel like I have done that, which makes me eager for the next topic as I will be setting new and tougher goals to overcome, and that excites me.