EXPERIMENTS

#1 LIGHTING AND CHARACTER

Narrative (story), Style (accentuation of a code), Genre (category of product)
Codes: Camera, Acting, Mise-en-scene, Editing, Lighting, Sound
Conventions: Multiple storylines, character, cause and effect, opening/development/resolution, point of view, structuring of time, setting
Characteristics of practitioners

EQUIPMENT - WHAT WILL YOU NEED

SKILLS - SPECIFICS NEEDED

DO I HAVE THESE SKILLS YES OR NO

Camera (Panasonic Lumix G-85)

The cameras role is to gather the footage for the experiment via film/video rather than photography so it can then be piled into various shots adding efficiency

Lights (Preferably Warm)

Going to use mostly studio lighting to have more control over the amount of light and its direction. Lighting is the main code going to be presented in the experiment and warm reflects the correct emotion.

Microphone (Rode VideoMic Pro)

Not particularly used within the final shot but it is most paramount for the editing process when combining two shots, so it creates some level of fluency when cutting over to the next shot.

Direction/Management

Because I need various people within the shot, as well outside. I need everyone ready and focused so everything is shot into time and the shot can be efficiently completed. Everyone also needs to understand how the shot will play, from start to end so there is no confusion or arguments.

To a certain degree, I have some idea of management, but I have no proper experience in directing itself and how to get everyone to properly understand the shot while keeping their attention. I talked to my brother who has directed a few student films himself. He said to give the cast your working with the same amount of interest you have in making the film and simply continue working with people and be confident in your own ability to direct.

EXPERIMENT - ATTACH EVIDENCE

I firstly compiled a rough draft of certain story beats within the film that will be of great importance to the overall narrative. From there, I decided to shoot a section from the possible first scene where the camera moves slowly around the main character while he imagines a crowd cheer him on.

I then began writing in short form, how the experiment shot would play out from start to end while keeping in mind what and when things needs to happen. Such as “Character stretches arms out to imaginative crowd, all lights turn on from left and right”. This would help me keep a rough image of how the shot will play out, frame by frame but also help me properly direct the scene to others.

From here, I begin working on getting the correct equipment, getting all the lights up in an open area at night and getting everyone I needed ready. For the shot, I needed two people on lights, three people as extras in the crowd and someone behind the camera.

Finally, at 10:26pm on 21st of January, I began rehearsing the shot to others and completing the experiment shot for two the aspects I wanted to research upon (Lighting and Camera). We had got the final shot after 5 takes with the final one being the one I edited. This is a snapshot of the final product.

The shot seen above is expressive, it feels soft and dreamy. It achieves this effect with firstly some warm toned coloured lights from the left and right with a cold centre light piercing the camera lens, implementing some lens flares into the shot. I then did some minor changes whilst editing, creating this soft blurry outline and made the entire shot more warm make it feel surreal, to have it seem as if it’s a figment of imagination.

I wanted to oppose that imagination with a harsh cold reality to reflect his character and his current emotions. I wanted to show his feelings via the lighting without him saying single word as I thought would feel more realistic and communicating his current emotions in a more stylistic nature, keeping a higher level of attention rather than him simply expressing his emotion in dialogue.

EVALUATION - SUCCESS OF EXPERIMENT

Has your experiment fulfilled your original intention?

Mostly, I knew it wouldn’t be perfect as the camera feels a little unstable, you could see the people on the lights and the lights themselves, the location is going to be inside and the shot is meant to be a little faster, but the experiment itself was mostly on the quality of the lighting and I thought that it achieved a good soft light that reflected that of someone’s imagination, with the realistic part of the scene feeling cold, harsh and more lowkey and naturalistic.

Which new skills did you learn?

Because I was dealing with a group of people, I learnt a little on directing, or at least managing a range of people to be interested in the same project and being able to make the shot a reality. It was a test of being able to get others to imagine what your seeing and getting them to do what you see fit, which puts you on the spot as I needed to know where people needed to be to get the shot I imagined.

What other skills do you need?

I need to do some heavier research on lighting as I am not too experienced on the topic and how it really works to my advantage, so once more familiar with the medium, I could then manipulate a scene to look the way I want it to be.

What would you do differently next time?

Not do it outside, have the lighting feel more direct, like its bouncing off the actor, and not have extras be within the shot.

How does this contribute to your final product/concept?

Sound and Lighting are two big factors in making a film feel high quality, its something about the quality of these two factors in film that immerse our experience. But also this is a rough concept of the final introduction sequence in the short film.

#2 CAMERA

Narrative (story), Style (accentuation of a code), Genre (category of product)
Codes: Camera, Acting, Mise-en-scene, Editing, Lighting, Sound
Conventions: Multiple storylines, character, cause and effect, opening/development/resolution, point of view, structuring of time, setting
Characteristics of practitioners

EQUIPMENT - WHAT WILL YOU NEED

SKILLS - SPECIFICS NEEDED

DO I HAVE THESE SKILLS YES OR NO

Camera (Panasonic Lumix G-85)

The camera is primary. The camera is the base of the experiment, the piece of equipment will be able to record the footage at a steady, 30fps (which is actually faster than Hollywood films which typically are rendered at 24fps because it’s fluid enough but keeps film stock low, but has now just become a cinema tradition).

Computer (Editing Software)

To add some extra gradients to give it a more stylistic effect. Also to properly edit separate clips together fluently.

Microphone (Rode VideoMic Pro)

To capture the sound of character in frame and the crowd, but also make the editing process easier.

I need to know my codes and conventions, different camera techniques and how to manipulate the frame in an artistic way without it feeling disconnected to the narrative. I also need management experience.

Although I have certain amounts of skill within cinematography, I do want to refine my ability behind the camera so I can make my final product stunning and photorealistic. I have several times whenever I am behind the camera with film had stuffed with the focus having it all be out of the depth of field.

EXPERIMENT - ATTACH EVIDENCE

Initially, this shot with it starting as a medium or wide shot then tracking around the actor was difficult to find an inspiration, but this shot from Lost Directed by JJ. Abrams and Written by Damon Lindelof had a 360-dolly shot in Season 2 Episode 19, “S.O.S” has a shot that follows the actor Matthew Fox around as the tension builds, the music ramps up and the camera begins not only to spin faster but also close into Fox, who’s character Jack is beginning to crack from his usual calm self. It’s a stylistic shot that fits the emotion and ramping tension. It keeps all attention on the actor while conveying so much emotion through acting and camerawork.

Frame by frame, it begins with Jack as the centre frame, it starts off as a basic medium shot, allowing the audience to see his expression and emotion (expressing anger and confrontation). Then the camera slowly pulls off from its stiff position and accelerates faster the more angry Jack Sheppard gets. The shot is also supported by a music track that begins quiet allowing the audience to follow with the dialogue, but the louder Jack gets, the music does.

Now coming into my shot, although it is displaying different emotions, I want the music to feel triumphant and the camera needs to express that. So I had drawn up a short sketch of how the shot would function

In a proper production, the camera would be attached to a dolly and the dolly would be on tracks, either having several people pushing it or have it been done artificially with complete computer control but because I don’t (obviously) have that technology, I will just use a family member or friend to swing around attaching the camera to a tripod so it adds weight which decreases unstable footage, which will more or less be a more fluent shot compared to without.

The first few frames stay behind the character as medium shot similar to what I was explaining about the shot in lost, but instead starts from the back of the character and expressing his emotion from lighting, colour grading and body expressions.

Once the shot flashes into this visionary reality of Max, I then move around the character as if the camera is acting off his emotion, he’s happy, triumphant and it creates this grand moment understanding this is important for the character. It also keeps the shot engaging and interesting.

Once it finally swings from the left of the actor (Me) the shot loses its colour as if that happy emotion fades away, his body drops all expression and his face falls down, stripped of all emotion. The camera allows the audience to take that all in from the camera supporting the lighting and editing.

EVALUATION - SUCCESS OF EXPERIMENT

Has your experiment fulfilled your original intention?

Yes, most certainly, the shot came out directly as I imagined (according to the camera work), it could improve with the acting and better set location but apart from that, the shot came out almost as I envisioned it.

Which new skills did you learn?

Not necessarily based directly off this shot, but because I did some research upon this shot, I believe I have a higher understanding of camera techniques than I had previously and feel more confident in my ability to create an engaging short film off the visuals alone.

What other skills do you need?

If I am able to find a way to have someone or something go around an actor, essentially find a solution to a cheap tracking/dolly shot, then we would be set, as I intend on having many movement shots in my film.

What would you do differently next time?

Different set location, fiddle around with the camera refine the editing as there is a jump cut that was a little jarring.

How does this contribute to your final product/concept?

This shot has helped me with certain camera techniques, that including tracking and movement shots which I want to include heavily in my film. The shot contributes to the intro as well as it is meant to mimic the start of my narrative and character development.

#3 SCRIPTWRITING

Narrative (story), Style (accentuation of a code), Genre (category of product)
Codes: Camera, Acting, Mise-en-scene, Editing, Lighting, Sound
Conventions: Multiple storylines, character, cause and effect, opening/development/resolution, point of view, structuring of time, setting
Characteristics of practitioners

EQUIPMENT - WHAT WILL YOU NEED

SKILLS - SPECIFICS NEEDED

Computer (Scriptwriting application)

For research and to write up the refined script, the computer will also be using an app called “Highland 2” which is used to design proper scripts

Paper/Book (Drafting)

To design a draft and help learn the anatomy of script. Because scriptwriting isn't simply writing a novel, there is certain rules that need to be followed when writing a screenplay/script.

To learn or more correctly summarise what I already used to know, but more importantly, have scriptwriting that is easy for an actor or reader to understand what emotions they may need to convety while keeping it free for the actor to add their own emotion to the part.

DO I HAVE THESE SKILLS YES OR NO

Because I was an actor in Screen Australia where I used to read and sometimes write scripts, I have some level of knowledge on scriptwriting from past knowledge, but I still need to refine that knowledge.

EXPERIMENT - ATTACH EVIDENCE

Firstly, I’m not just experimenting with writing a script in a professional way, I am also writing a draft of some dialogue that helps with the narrative, its stakes and develop of the characters and whilst introducing them as well.

Before writing in my script, I had researched upon Film script anatomy and got a good understanding of how to properly write a screenplay.

Writing a screenplay is quite simple and simple to learn. Firstly, you have the slugline which just describes if your inside or out, the type of structure or area and time of day. Then you have an Action description which gives you a brief of how the scene starts according to the location and characters. Each name is capitalised. Parathesis’s are used to give a clear description of intention or emotion. Apart from that, there is only minor details like off screen characters and Voice over characters, Text message or letters and other small format techniques.

EVALUATION - SUCCESS OF EXPERIMENT

Has your experiment fulfilled your original intention?

Yes, I was able to write a proper scene with mainly dialogue and characters acting and reacting off one another while keeping it in the correct format by using and researching the scriptwriting anatomy.

Which new skills did you learn?

Scriptwriting, or at least reacquainting myself with the format. It also helped me learn how to structure my short film, and how to difference my characters. As a script it is all entirely dependent on the actors ability to fill the shoes of the character.

What other skills do you need?

Probably refine my writing skills, to make it more realistic, to have it feel less stiff or on the nose. I need to get better at simulating realistic dialogue while having them list the key points needed within the scene as well as not having it run on for too long as I am under a time constraint.

What would you do differently next time?

More drafts, continue writing the scene, even if that means rewriting the body of the narrative itself, as the more change, the better the scene will come out as. “practice makes perfect”.

How does this contribute to your final product/concept?

Learning how to script write will help in many ways. It contributes to the narrative and dialogue, it helps the actors to read it more clearly and make easy alterations if needed, its primarily there to help structure the scene and so all actors have a heavy understanding of what is happening within the story as well.

#4 VOICE - RECORDING

Narrative (story), Style (accentuation of a code), Genre (category of product)
Codes: Camera, Acting, Mise-en-scene, Editing, Lighting, Sound
Conventions: Multiple storylines, character, cause and effect, opening/development/resolution, point of view, structuring of time, setting
Characteristics of practitioners

EQUIPMENT - WHAT WILL YOU NEED

SKILLS - SPECIFICS NEEDED

Computer (Editing Software)

For research and to write up the refined script, the computer will also be used to collect the files from the microphone and use all the voice recordings in an mix the audio properly with some background noises to be more immersive

Microphone (Rode VideoMic Pro)

To capture the voice recordings and voices of the actors being played in the scene, all these voice recordings are a continuation of experiment 4 but using that script with real actors and vocal reactions.

To voice record and then mix the audio together to make it seem like a realistic conversation, people jumping in early, things going on in the background, etc. Its all about learning how to properly voice record so I can then apply that skill to my final product.

DO I HAVE THESE SKILLS YES OR NO

I worked at a place called ‘Production Alley’ which taught me how to audio mix sound with clips and have certain sounds be quieter, more realistic, etc. But I was given the voice recordings and video clips, but this time I need to record the voices and also mix and manipulate the audio, which I don’t properly know to a high extent.

EXPERIMENT - ATTACH EVIDENCE

After scriptwriting the scene but short of actors, I thought maybe doing some voice recording through a microphone and inputting it through a computer. I used the application on the computer called “Voice Memos”.

Voice Memo was helpful as I had the ability to stop the recording midway, move it back and replace the audio that was rough or said incorrectly which helped incredibly with time efficiency and it felt more natural and realistic. It also captured everything said while filtering out any unneeded background noise which could be edited in later within the process of the scene.

I compressed the file into a .m4a which can be exported onto iMovie which can then be further manipulated and changed to have certain conversations overlap one another and have background information to block out some of the empty static.

And finally on iMovie, I repositioned various sections of the audio to best capture realistic dialogue and add background basketball atmosphere to immerse the viewer into the setting and tone of the short experiment. I gave the audio some imagery to have an idea how they might be positioned and give a sense of positions when they’re talking to one another.

EVALUATION - SUCCESS OF EXPERIMENT

Has your experiment fulfilled your original intention?

Reasonably, I got the actors immersed into their characters and the setting and used that script to develop my narrative.

Which new skills did you learn?

How to properly audio mix with voice recordings in a naturalistic way, add background details, people cut others off mid-sentences and each individual character talks and reacts differently to situations.

What other skills do you need?

Probably refine my writing skills, but also refine my directing, I didn’t properly allow for my actors to rehearse and yet allow them to reorganise the script, so I will give more time and leeway on actors in order for the scene to feel more real.

What would you do differently next time?

More drafts, more actors. To summarise, I need more time to properly get the scene feeling realistic and genuine, like the audience is chiming into a real basketball meeting.

How does this contribute to your final product/concept?

Learning how to voice record will help in the final product as I can utilise voice recording into my film and have good quality sound.

#5 SOUND, EDITING, INTRO

Narrative (story), Style (accentuation of a code), Genre (category of product)
Codes: Camera, Acting, Mise-en-scene, Editing, Lighting, Sound
Conventions: Multiple storylines, character, cause and effect, opening/development/resolution, point of view, structuring of time, setting
Characteristics of practitioners

EQUIPMENT - WHAT WILL YOU NEED

SKILLS - SPECIFICS NEEDED

DO I HAVE THESE SKILLS YES OR NO

Camera (Lumix Panasonic G-85)

This isn’t directly linked to the experiment, but the music and audio is a factor due to the film on screen, it’s to enhance the visuals

Microphone (Rode VideoMic Pro)

So I can record the raw audio before compressing and editing.

Computer (Editing Software)

So I can add in music, sound effects and more to make it more realistic and add character. The audio captured by the microphone is just minor, most of the sounds and audio heard within the shot come after in the editing process

Although I feel comfortable within the field of audio, I need to be careful with ownerships and copyright. The music I will use within my short film will most likely not be free, so I must note that any material here is not owned by me and the material used will need to be credited. It’s just a skill to keep in mind when continuing within media as this becomes a conversation of legality.

But refining my ability in editing, will be a must. Although the more I edit, the more skills and ideas I gain.

I’m unexperienced in many areas of media, even the basics, writing, acting, directing but one field I feel safe within is editing and audio as it’s the area of technology and media I have spent a lot of time in with different software’s, iMovie, Adobe Rush, Adobe Premier, Davinci and Share-play. I have also spent two weeks within a company called “Production Alley” where I had added and tweaked audio within a minute television advertisement.

EXPERIMENT - ATTACH EVIDENCE

Firstly, I wanted the music to fit the genre and style. This is basketball which commonly results in rap and popular cultural songs, so I wanted to apply that to the intro to tell the audience the genre. It also relates to the style as it’s the use of sound to create something unique or familiar to the audience. The use of rap music generally applies to the setting of the feature, for example, it has medieval styled music, the audience generally will infer that the film will be set within the medieval era. Pop and rap will communicate to the audience that the movie is reasonably set within the present.

My choice to have “Iron” produced by the band Woodkid as it’s a song during the 2010s as well it has this loud orchestral bass to it, that elevates and builds up to then allow for some imagination.

The music itself with the use of the drums feels as if someone were bouncing a ball, thematically suiting with the genre and motif.

The song is also generally likeable after several listens, although the choice in music may change, it does fit in several sections of the scene, but doesn’t go long enough that it works well within the shot (clarification, when the camera is circling the subject, the chorus fades too early). But the music currently does a good job to set the scene, character, style and genre.

Problem, the movie isn’t primarily sad but the main protagonist we follow suffers from depression which inevitably leads to suicidal thoughts. I thought it may be best to communicate the characters feelings with music as well, set the tone of the short

piece. I did some research and found a song by a YouTuber named “Kieran Huisman Music”. The song published is a piece of piano improvisation, a low moment in his life to the point he was deciding to kill himself, he lost his girlfriend, he was struggling with his families expectations, work issues and he couldn’t escape these thoughts and the only way he knew how to fill that emptiness was through drugs, within that time, he wrote this piece whilst filming it. (NOTE : I am still trying to get in contact whether It’s acceptable to use the music and to possibly discuss what he was going through).

Besides the music, I wanted to add in audio refine the clip and to imitate the real life with a slow gust of wind, but also to see within the characters mindset, with the crowds, like the audience is seeing everything from his perspective, this draws in the audience, as if they are a character within the film.

EVALUATION - SUCCESS OF EXPERIMENT

Has your experiment fulfilled your original intention?

Yes. Music and sound enhances the overall quality of the film, thus increasing and encouraging engagement. Although the experiment could be further edited and refined for a more professional short film, I now feel more prepared and skilled with the audio, to an extent.

Which new skills did you learn?

I learnt the basics of audio compression, having the audio feel more natural to the ear, this being the crowd cheering and the gusts of wind, both digitally added sounds.

What other skills do you need?

Audio will be a difficulty when it comes down to dialogue. I don’t have any lavalier microphones as I am just working off my rode microphone that can be placed upon the top of my camera or a boomstick. So I will need to experiment with the audio in later experiments with dialogue.

What would you do differently next time?

Trial different sections of the short film. From this moment, I have done 3 experiments based on the same shots. I can also film experiments that don’t involve the short film at all as I mostly am testing for minor details to then contribute to the final product.

How does this contribute to your final product/concept?

Audio within the film, this includes music and sound effects.

#6 MATCH CUT - TRANSITIONS

Narrative (story), Style (accentuation of a code), Genre (category of product)
Codes: Camera, Acting, Mise-en-scene, Editing, Lighting, Sound
Conventions: Multiple storylines, character, cause and effect, opening/development/resolution, point of view, structuring of time, setting
Characteristics of practitioners

EQUIPMENT - WHAT WILL YOU NEED

SKILLS - SPECIFICS NEEDED

DO I HAVE THESE SKILLS YES OR NO

Camera (Lumix Panasonic G-85)

Camera is vital to the experiment at hand for two purposes. Documentation of progress and to actually complete/test experiment.

Lights (Studio Lighting)

The natural light from the fridge and tv will not be enough exposure for the camera and to get the desired shot, the light needs to have the audience notice both figures and so the light needs to be able to give them almost a silhouette of the actors/characters.

Computer (Editing Software)

To edit and manipulate the clips so I can edit and cut the film. As this is an experiment on editing primarily, an editing system such as Adobe Premier or iMovie will be required in order to exemplify the experiment.

Editing and framing. You can be incredibly amazing at editing but a match cut relies on the actor and the framing of both shots so it feels almost seemless, like you just flicked a light on and off. So I need the actors involved to be in the same or similar positions, have any object used within the foreground be involved and have the environment not be a complete drastic change.

I technically do have the skills for this shot, but for the shot to be perfectly framed, have the actors in the same position, etc. I don’t think it’ll be too easy as sound will needs to be fluent from both shots, the environment can be different but not so it doesn’t feel like it changes the scene or it feels less like a match cut. I can learn this from attempting it.

EXPERIMENT - ATTACH EVIDENCE

This shot relied on some visual planning to have the actors and environment fit the necessary shot. To get this match cut transition, I needed a good reference. So my friend Aidan Vaughan who was the actor we used in the shot presented me a photo from Randal Kleiser’s “Grease” (1978) which had a great example of a match cut.

The match cut had the actors be in the previous positions they were in and the camera in a similar location in reference to the subject. So I wanted my match cut to be sharp and comedic, by doing so, It had to be unexpected. So I changed the pace of each shot, Aidan will be calmly bouncing a balloon in silence, then matches to him get hit in the head by a basketball in a louder environment.

I got Aidan and the other subject opposite to one another and used a yellow balloon to make it easier for the audience to locate. Then once it match cuts over, it won’t feel so jarring and it will fluent to the audience, or that’s its intended purpose.

We had the first shot within the house and the next in the outdoors to reflect that of the first. But we kept the camera in the same position and the subjects themselves. The only thing I would change would be the person throwing the ball, be further away from the camera so he doesn’t appear within the shot.

EVALUATION - SUCCESS OF EXPERIMENT

Has your experiment fulfilled your original intention?

Yes, it wasn’t perfect but for the amount of time invested in the actual shooting of the shot, the quality of the quick match cut worked well, the actor was in a very similar positioned, the replacement for the balloon to the basketball was the right size and overall, I think it fulfilled the expectation brought onto the shot.

Which new skills did you learn?

How to properly match cut, it is important the music or sound doesn’t feel inconsistent, that everything is positioned and to cut it when everything is in the exact or similar position in frame.

What other skills do you need?

Probably with more time and direction, it could almost feel as if it fades into the next shot so fluently, you firstly don’t recognise it.

What would you do differently next time?

The second shot have a less green environment and a similar shade of lighting maybe.

How does this contribute to your final product/concept?

For this shot, I am not particularly sure, this experiment was to have fun with the ability of editing and sound and a play with different styles to see if it naturally fits within the scene.

#7 ENHANCE TONE IN LIGHTING

Narrative (story), Style (accentuation of a code), Genre (category of product)
Codes: Camera, Acting, Mise-en-scene, Editing, Lighting, Sound
Conventions: Multiple storylines, character, cause and effect, opening/development/resolution, point of view, structuring of time, setting
Characteristics of practitioners

EQUIPMENT - WHAT WILL YOU NEED

SKILLS - SPECIFICS NEEDED

DO I HAVE THESE SKILLS YES OR NO

Camera (Lumix Panasonic G-85)

I need a camera to be able to take the shot needed for the experiment and document my process

Lights (Studio Lighting)

Computer (Editing Software)

I simply need to slightly manipulate the photo on Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator to bring up some brightness and contrast or play with the colour grading of the shot.

How to use light to my advantage and how to operate and understand low and high-key lighting, where to position it, how to set it up, how much light needs to be immitted, etc.

I understand how to compose and frame a shot but I’m not necessarily strong at lighting. I have a good understandability on the techniques but not actually how to utilise them, so I can learn such skills from trial and error, talk to my brother who has done several shoots with proper lighting involved and/or get some references form the internet.

EXPERIMENT - ATTACH EVIDENCE

After completing my watch of Damien Chazelle’s ‘Whiplash’ (2014) this shot in particular stood out. They used the setting/location to frame Andrew, reflecting the emotions he’s feeling. The combination of the framing and lighting directs the audience where to look and I wanted to compose a shot similar to this but with more heart and subtle storytelling.

There wasn’t any serious planning into this shot except I had earlier planned how I would compose the shot within my head, I got two of my friends and got them in the positions I planned for and had to take it with my iPhone as my current camera went missing. So here was the shot taken unedited.

The shot was taken at day and it is nearly impossible to see the actors within frame because of the natural lighting outside, the reflections on the windows and the studio lights luminating on them didn’t contrast well with the room.

So a new plan for re-trial of this experiment will be to take it at night, with proper lights and a real camera so the full effect can be realised

If you cannot see them, I slightly edited the image so the two actors could be seen or at least shown where they would be positioned within the shot thought up.

I drew in lines to direct you where the actors are as well as contrast the windows with the environment by making the outside, deeply blue and the inside warm and orange.

EVALUATION - SUCCESS OF EXPERIMENT

Has your experiment fulfilled your original intention?

No, barely any light can through and is incredibly difficult to spot out the actors I wanted you to, the location was perfect for the shot but, next time, I might shoot it at night and aim to have there entire figure in frame.

Which new skills did you learn?

That the time and environment can effect the way a shot can look, for example at night, there will be a lot less natural lighting to decrease the quality of studio lighting I’m intending to use.

What other skills do you need?

How to actually handle lighting so it doesn’t become a hazard. NOTE: lighting can become extremely hot and shouldn’t be hoisted on any surfaces that you don’t want damaged and would be recommendable to have the lights on tripods.

What would you do differently next time?

Do almost the exactly same shot except, I would take it at night so the purpose of the shot comes through.

How does this contribute to your final product/concept?

Yes, I am intending to have a shot very similar to this one to symbolise the disconnect between him and his father subtly.

#8 LAVALIER TESTINGS

Narrative (story), Style (accentuation of a code), Genre (category of product)
Codes: Camera, Acting, Mise-en-scene, Editing, Lighting, Sound
Conventions: Multiple storylines, character, cause and effect, opening/development/resolution, point of view, structuring of time, setting
Characteristics of practitioners

EQUIPMENT - WHAT WILL YOU NEED

SKILLS - SPECIFICS NEEDED

DO I HAVE THESE SKILLS YES OR NO

Camera (Lumix Panasonic G-85)

To film the progress of tests with the lavalier and be able to capture the sound on a device with its different channels and connections.

Microphone (Lavalier Mic)

To test a lavalier, one is needed to practically set it up and see whether the audio from a lavalier will be accessible. It connects through different channels, for example like a radio and sends the audio from RT to XT.

Computer (Editing Software)

To edit or mix the audio if necessary for the following mp3 or mp4’s to process from the camera to the computer software and onto an editing system like iMovie or Premier Pro.

From research, the lavalier is attached to a large audio pack which sends a connection to another pack that is wired to the camera and both packs need to be on the same channel to properly send in and out soundwaves.

I have prior dealt with audio before on a simple video Rode but never with a wireless microphone or input and output signals. So this will all be quite a new experience.

EXPERIMENT - ATTACH EVIDENCE

Initially, I was just going to film my audience research with a standard Rode Video microphone pro but, I stumbled across a lavalier pack in the media room in my school and attempted to use the pack and whether the audio from it would be able to be sent to and from my camera and on the packs.

Initially, I thought the lavalieres were properly working as we did 2-3 tests with it proving to work. The audio was coming through the lavalier, it didn’t sound muffled, it didn’t disconnect or change channels and was working perfectly normal. After the 3 tests, not associated to the interviews for the audience research, we set up the camera and desks to film the interviews.

Once we set up everything and played back the video clips, the audio worked perfectly for the first 15 seconds and then cut out abruptly, no loud sounds were immitted at the end, nothing was knocked, disconnected or positioned differently, it just decided to stop working after the first 15 seconds of dialogue. This was an interview with Aidan Vaughan who was going to be my first interviewee.

So I attempted the packs again and the same problem occurred, just under 17 seconds, the lavalier disconnect, and the next 4 minutes of film were completely dead of sound. This gives me reason that either the packs are low on battery or cannot be moved in any intensive way.

When handling with lavalieres again, next time I will come prepared with two different audio kits, the lavalieres and a Video microphone attached to a boom stick and is out of frame of the final production. Besides that, it may just be unusable because of the state the lavalieres are currently in.

EVALUATION - SUCCESS OF EXPERIMENT

Has your experiment fulfilled your original intention?

No, initially, I was going to use for my audience research interviews but the equipment I was using would cut out after the first 20 seconds or less. Which meant, I had to record completely different interviews without the lavalieres as they became more of a problem than a solution to my audio issue.

Which new skills did you learn?

To connect the lavalier microphone to my camera and then send the files onto my computer to then later edit. Which means I may be able later in my short film to use lavalier microphones to capture audio from individuals without a boomstick.

What other skills do you need?

To learn and understand why the packs stop working after 20 or less seconds and then attempt another go with the lavalieres in my final production or film-draft.

What would you do differently next time?

Buy different more reliable equipment, replace it with new batteries, test the length, whether to see if there is a cut off point or use a different camera to see whether if it wasn’t the lavalier at all.

How does this contribute to your final product/concept?

It gives me insight into audio rigs for my film to record the best quality audio possible on a short budget and on a $1500 camera. It will enhance the movie experience by immersing its audience into a world with almost real sounds.

#9 STATIC AND STYLE

Narrative (story), Style (accentuation of a code), Genre (category of product)
Codes: Camera, Acting, Mise-en-scene, Editing, Lighting, Sound
Conventions: Multiple storylines, character, cause and effect, opening/development/resolution, point of view, structuring of time, setting
Characteristics of practitioners

EQUIPMENT - WHAT WILL YOU NEED

SKILLS - SPECIFICS NEEDED

DO I HAVE THESE SKILLS YES OR NO

Camera (Lumix Panasonic G-85)

To film the shot and get the desired angle and movement for the experiment and document the process of completing set experiment.

Tripod

The scene will be split into two different shots and each shot needs to be positioned in the exact location to pull of the fading transition effect.

Computer (Editing Software)

So I can edit all the clips together, mix and manipulate the audio to create a difference. Stylise the clip with different gradients of warmth and colour, whilst illustrating a change in time and establish the point of view.

Direction. As I am dealing with actors, I need to properly elaborate how shot should feel and look and where the actors should be positioned and the locations they need to start and end at. I also need to establish knowledge on editing and the ability to story-tell.

I do have skills at Directing from my previous experiments and applied my knowledge of editing, but I have never truly combined many factors to properly narrate the feeling of ones loss through visuals which that task in of itself takes storyboarding and correct story beats to emotionalise the scene.

EXPERIMENT - ATTACH EVIDENCE

"The Dry” (2021) is an Australian film directed by Robert Connolly and the movie is told non-linearly. We are given snippets of flashbacks which develop the characters and add suspense as the mystery falls deeper and begins to unravel itself, whilst also feeling quite tragic as the events are unchangeable. But director Connolly and the DP Stefan Duscio clarified the difference between the two time periods through its visuals, by using two different cameras, one being a proper studio DLSR and the other being a grainy film camera to contrast both times, maintaining its engagement with its unconventional structuring of time.

So I emulated that style into this experiment with that style, using a different stylistic effect, giving it a soft focus as if it appears like this dreamy effect. I wanted to keep the camera static as if the moment itself, the memory is stuck in time and it cannot be changed as the moment isn’t changeable, this has all already happened. I made it feel more warm to bring in life, he’s happy and having fun which I then later contrast with the jump back into reality and present day time.

I used a fade to transition into present day time so it feels like we the audience are experiencing the fading memory with him and the light from that memory fades as well into a more cold and bleak realty. A fade also serves another purpose, the feeling of loss, as he is seeing this memory fade, he, the character is fading himself, he cannot think ahead of him and so I keep the camera static, placing the audience in his state of mind, he cannot look forward as he is too stuck in the past.

He is left there. In the cold, alone in the dark and continuously looks from door to door as if he could wish to be back in that moment, where he himself felt alive and filled with light. I get rid of the soft focus and bring it back to a deep focus. This serves the narrative as he doesn’t yet understand what he is slipping into, all he acknowledges is that he feels cold and empty and just a pit of darkness and distracts himself by looking back to a time where he felt warm, comfortable. But when that all fades, he is left with one option, and as depressing as it sounds, the thought of letting go…suicide because there’s nothing left for him here now and so walks the empty corridors before making the decision to attempt to kill himself.

EVALUATION - SUCCESS OF EXPERIMENT

Has your experiment fulfilled your original intention?

Yes, I fulfilled the style and conveyed a difference between the present time and backflash through colour-grading and shallow-focus effect. And the character seeing his own memory walk away from him as he walks down the corridor.

Which new skills did you learn?

Structuring of time through accentuated styles and colour/warmth. It also tells a story of the protagonist and states it in his point of view.

What other skills do you need?

To properly have it be on focus. The only thing I annoyed me was the focus never seeming to be consistent, which means I need to understand how to properly keep a shot in focus or use different lenses that capture a deeper focal length.

What would you do differently next time?

Use a different lens or camera. I might also set up more studio lights, so the shot just looks more appealing. I might also decide to pick different actors that look similar in stature and hair/eye colour

How does this contribute to your final product/concept?

It gives me insight on the character, the style and narrative and its structuring of time. It also is directly linked to why the character feels more or less lonely and ignorant to his surroundings. He distracts himself with basketball, but is constantly reminded of his mother being gone.