Stand By Me
1. I am very proud of this film. And no, not just because I'm starring in it. This was one of the rare occasions where I got to man the camera on a project... I don't think I did the rest of the year! This video was so much fun to make, and the atmosphere was awesome. Just three guys having one last ride before one of them has to move. Emotional. A truly feel-good project. Also, we won a pixel for this so... how could I not choose it?
2. It took around two weeks to shoot and edit the entire thing.
3. Aidan's uncle is very hard to please, so we had to work around multiple schedules to make this possible. That honestly was the toughest part of the project--- scheduling. I remember my agenda being very busy that week as well.
4. I learned more camera techniques and how to be in front of a camera. I prefer myself behind the camera... always. Unless I'm not saying anything, which is the case in this project.
5. We were given feedback on the art direction, such as removing Aidan's watch or my shoes. Other than that, it was mostly complaint-free.
6. We didn't change anything... but... hey! We won a pixel. So I'd say that's pretty darn good.
7. I can honestly show this project over and over to anyone who is willing to watch for three minutes. I can say, "hey, I made that," without feeling ashamed or shy. It's that type of project.
Disconnected
1. This PSA... I still can't believe we made this! It's funny how we shifted from a comedic approach to this award-winner. I chose this as my other project because it is very impactful and has managed to make 90 percent of viewers cry.
2. Took around two weeks with filming and editing.
3. Challenges were mainly in the editing, as that was the longest stage. Also, the pull back shot at the end was very hard to capture.
4. Feedback: Message unclear, maybe more b-roll at beginning... that's about it.
5. We didn't change anything. And we won a pixel for sticking with our gut.
6. This project was something I can be very proud of. We've made people cry with this PSA, feel happy about Stand By Me, scared with the documentary, and now will make people laugh with our new short film. Truly amazing.
Time Management
I used time outside class to better my video skills. For example, I did several videos for Cedar Creek Elementary School, my mom's old school. I did a music video and lip dub. I also created "All or Nothing", a short film to enter into eMagine. I've also been active with editing and have made two episodes of "The Green Screen Show". I've been busy. I watched a lot of editing tutorials, movies for inspiration, etc. to enhance my films.
Strengths
I think I'm a decent editor, so I suppose that's a strength. I can also write well when I choose. If I'm in the zone, that is. I. e., free from outside distractions. I've written several short film screenplays with Aidan that we haven't produced yet. I maximized these strengths by creating "All or Nothing", a short film that Aidan and I wrote and created.
Improvement
Definitely After Effects, editing, things of that nature. I look forward to learning more about After Effects in the summer and will try to implement VFX into future projects. Some other weaknesses could possibly be camera techniques. But that will also be a weakness. Everyone is still learning, no matter how good they think they are. I can ALWAYS improve on my cinematography.
UPM Role/Editor
1. I was in charge of emailing the actors, sending out call sheets, texting them about scheduling conflicts, etc. It was not the easiest job in the world, but also wasn't the hardest. I had to email every time we had cancellations or a new filming date on the call sheet. I got to know the actors through email and text. On set, I actually did clapperboard one of the first days, so that was fun. I was mainly an extra when on set. Around March, I was somehow dragged onto the editing team. Thomas gave me around four scenes to edit, so I had a little fun with that. I enjoy editing, but, as I've stated before, only editing my own things. So I had mixed feelings about taking on these scenes. Nevertheless, Brett and Darby approved, and I'm very glad that they included the entire editing team in the credits. Marvelous.
2. I got emails day and night from actors (and even after the premiere!). I always responded to them. Also, I edited during class a lot to ensure I didn't have to use extra time outside of class to complete the scenes I was assigned.
Summary
1. I loved getting to work with all sorts of different people. Looking back, I never had the same crew for more than one project! That's pretty special. It wasn't like that was planned or anything. It just happened! I also got to meet and become friends with a few actors from the feature film. I liked the freedom we were given to make each and every project different. I also enjoyed having different roles, ranging from editor to cinematographer.
2. Nothing I would change. Don't have regrets. Of course, the future Colin would warn the past Colin not make Absence, our 24 hour film fest video. But, mistakes happen and you learn from them. Even if I can't think of something right now, I'm sure I learned a great deal from participating in that competition, no matter the result.
3. Take-away: Take your role and do everything in your willpower to execute it. As UPM, for instance, I was a little skeptical at first. There's nothing to say I'm still not skeptical. But, it allowed me to learn about a different (much needed) side of the production that I would have never learned if I had not been selected for it. Also, I've learned that art is subjective.
4. Sweep the eMagine categories. The judges will literally be mad at us by the end! We plan to win at least three categories and bring home some hardware. Also, I plan to co-direct and write the feature film for next year. This year's will be VERY hard to top, but I believe we've learned enough to do it. Big goals, that's for sure, but nothing is impossible.
5. Mrs. Smith: I applaud you for getting this far into my blog. I'd just like to let you know that you have been an outstanding instructor for this year's entertainment class. You allowed us to thrive without being too demanding or strict. You allowed us to have creative license in our projects. I honestly don't think anyone else could teach entertainment video like you do. I know what you're looking for in this paragraph is probably criticism/feedback. I'm not a fan of harsh criticism, so here's some hopefully helpful remarks:
-I know you love to detail each project, but maybe spend less time on explaining things. I know the students I talk to like to get started on their video as soon as possible, and class time is valuable.
-You had the right idea when doing a camera tutorial. Some students truly don't know the basic technical things. So, I would suggest next year doing a "Masterclass" day where you invite Brett to explain cinematography and the camera, Emily to talk about art direction, and Piper to talk about script supervising. It would really help out juniors who haven't heard this info before.
-Maybe spend less time on things that won't improve us as video students. I.e. writing things on the board that we will erase two minutes later, or reading an article that we can look up later if interested. I appreciate that you give us all the resources for success, but perhaps let students decide for themselves if they want to seek out that information (post it on google classroom like you always do).
6. Words can't exactly describe this year. I met new people, improved my technical skills, experienced experiences, filmed things, and won some awards in the process.
Yeah, it was a good year...
Next Year
1. 6&7. No doubt. I love having entertainment at the end of the day. A relaxing way to finish out the tough schedule.
2. I know this is just initial thoughts and that we'll do the application process next year. However, here are my thoughts, and perhaps I'll just copy and paste part of this for next year because... my thoughts will remain the same.
I'd like to be co-director with Mr. Aidan Sherrill. I know him best. I know how to bring the best out of him, you could say. I haven't worked on a single project without him and, for that very reason, every project has been (mostly) stellar. We have been developing this adventure film idea ever since the beginning of the school year. We plan to write the screenplay this summer. The key word here is "we". Aidan and I are both equally invested into this project and the writing portion. Just ask him. He'll ask for the co-director position as well. I feel PREPARED for this role after all I learned this year. Darby has taught me a lot, and so has Brett. Aidan and I have both directed films, and we have the same creative vision. We gel well together on set. We also have the same music taste (which is important, as next year's film will be set in the 60s). The point is, from all my experiences this year, I am ready to direct the feature film of 2019-20. I have done just about every single role throughout my projects, so I have a good understanding as to how things work (Aidan, on the other hand, could use a little bit of help with the editing piece. But, not to worry, I have a little background in the area). I have done cinematography for "Stand By Me" and "Zeit", directed "Crime is Crime" and "Disconnected", done sound for "All or Nothing", and edited "All or Nothing" and "The Marilyn Manor". I also wrote the PSA and "All or Nothing". I feel like I'm well-versed in most of the areas of the production.
Naturally, when it comes application time, I will write a novel on the "why?" question if I have to. Anything to attain the co-director position.
