A Sitcom Gone Wrong - Short Film
1. We were to create a video using our "camera skills." This could be any type of film, but we decided on a short film. I'm not exactly sure of the length requirement, but we ended around five minutes.
2. It took around two weeks to create this entire thing, since we had two locations and a lot of editing time. I'm not a huge fan of being the only editor, as it means long hours, but that's the way it has to be sometimes.
3. Our biggest challenge was making it seem like one continual set. The flow had to be perfect for the audience to believe that we were going back and forth from behind the camera and in front.
4. I learned a lot of new editing skills, such as new coloring, audio effects, and sound effects. Also, Max composed the music, which was awesome and I was able to learn from him.
5. We were not given a lot of negative feedback, surprisingly. People complimented us on the comedy and acting.
6. I would re-do some scenes, but for the most part, I'm very satisfied with the result.
7. This is definitely my favorite project that I've ever done. And that's a bold statement. Because it was my baby of an idea, and I knew exactly how to execute it correctly, I think that was reflected in the quality.
2. It took around two weeks to create this entire thing, since we had two locations and a lot of editing time. I'm not a huge fan of being the only editor, as it means long hours, but that's the way it has to be sometimes.
3. Our biggest challenge was making it seem like one continual set. The flow had to be perfect for the audience to believe that we were going back and forth from behind the camera and in front.
4. I learned a lot of new editing skills, such as new coloring, audio effects, and sound effects. Also, Max composed the music, which was awesome and I was able to learn from him.
5. We were not given a lot of negative feedback, surprisingly. People complimented us on the comedy and acting.
6. I would re-do some scenes, but for the most part, I'm very satisfied with the result.
7. This is definitely my favorite project that I've ever done. And that's a bold statement. Because it was my baby of an idea, and I knew exactly how to execute it correctly, I think that was reflected in the quality.
La Croix - Commercial
1. We were to create a 15, 30, or 1 minute commercial. We stuck with the thirty seconds, because last year's was too long.
2. I feel like this project was dragged on for so long. First, we had the idea of doing Jimmy John's subs. Then, we moved onto La Croix. Scrapped that idea. Went to Caveman Bar. Then ANOTHER Caveman Bar idea. Then BACK to La Croix. All that time in between we lost for making this film. But we still got it done on time.
3. Our biggest challenge was coming up with the concept, honestly. We had TOO many ideas, which can be a good and bad thing. We also had the challenge of cutting down those precious seconds.
4. I learned how to color grade in black and white, and it looks pretty decent in this one.
5. We were given some feedback of cutting down the length of the shots.
6. I would do as suggested, and also perhaps change some of the timing of things.
7. This was an okay project of mine. Maybe we'll do the Jimmy John's idea before eMagine.
5. We were given some feedback of cutting down the length of the shots.
6. I would do as suggested, and also perhaps change some of the timing of things.
7. This was an okay project of mine. Maybe we'll do the Jimmy John's idea before eMagine.
1. We were to create a two to three minute short film with a few restrictions: the theme had to be "lost", we had to incorporate a shoe and bungee cord, and the line "let's do this" needed to be in there.
2. This took 24 hours!
3. The challenge of this was to film in the freezing woods until at least 1:30 that night. Filming was the hardest part because it was pitch black out and we had to keep the fire going.
4. I learned how to write, direct, and edit a film in 24 hours! The process was much more enjoyable this time around because we had a solid concept.
5. We were given feedback on the lighting, but that was pretty much it.
6. I would light the scene a little more and perhaps make the film a little snappier, but I really enjoyed this one overall.
7. I'm proud to say that we won the contest and took home some silverware. It took a lot to make this film.
Time Management
1. I'm always using my time in class to my full advantage. I even stay late after school often for three hours to edit our film, which is almost complete. I'm always focused on something entertainment-related, because I truly enjoy this class and want to do something in this field in the future.
2. If I finish early, which almost never happens, I look on my google drive to see what projects we could do for the future. I've got a lot of potential ideas on there, so that's my number one source.
3. Outside of class, I write A LOT. A lot. A lot. And I watch certain TV shows and films to get inspired to write things. For instance, after I saw Pulp Fiction last summer, I wrote an 80 page screenplay by hand then translated it to computer. After I saw This is Spinal Tap this summer, I wrote my 70 page screenplay. I'm a man at work. Lots of things are happening.
Strengths/Improvement
1. I think I excel at editing and writing. I like camera work, but that's not necessarily my strong suit. I know how it'll flow in editing, so perhaps that help when I'm behind the camera. I truly enjoy writing the films.
2. As for improvement, my camera work. That's why I'm 1st AC this year. To learn. To grow in that aspect. I'd also like to learn more about color grading, as that's one aspect of editing that I'm not particularly good at. I'll look to Hannah the Master next semester to boost these skills.
Guest Speakers
1. Morgan Cooper: Morgan seemed to be just another filmmaker among us. He didn't seem like the big star that he is, which is a compliment to his laid-back nature. He provided some excellent stories about the industry and was a great public speaker.
2. Gordon Lamb: He provided some good tips for interviews and a glimpse at some higher-end equipment we could be using in the future.
3. Leah Wellman: She was very helpful on camera and did a good job of incorporating the crowd.
4. Darby Christensen: Very helpful for storytelling and giving us a road map for our feature film. She gave some good organization tips.
5. Ryan Burnett: Helpful editing tips as well as organization. Showed us how to use Google Drive.
Feature Role
For this year, I chose first AC partly so I would partner with Aidan, but partly because that area always needs improving. I've improved other tools in my set, but not always this one. I also wrote at least four scenes for the feature film, including the opening scene, scene 8, and scene 13 & 14, the final two scenes. One can clearly tell when I'm writing versus when Sarah and Mason are. We all have different styles and approaches. I'm not exactly clear on what Sarah wants out of the film, but I think most of the stuff I wrote she enjoyed. Also, I wrote in the customer scene because I've had an experience quite similar to that one, and I knew other people could relate to that sort of comedy. Finally, I stayed up until midnight to write the final two scenes before the table read this next day (because Sarah hadn't finished the outline until that day) and, although I was drained by the end of it, I truly enjoyed writing for the characters and coming up with a solid ending.
Summary
1. Honestly, I think I enjoyed the first project the most. Because it was by far and away the longest video of the class, and was of pretty good quality, I enjoyed viewing it time and time again. A Sitcom Gone Wrong will always be my favorite because it came out of my writing hands and editing hands.
2. One thing I would change would be the approach on set. A lot of the time, we have a good idea of how we are going to execute that shooting day, we just don't have a solid plan in place. For the twenty four hour film fest, we did. I created a shot list just thirty minutes before we hiked out into the wilderness. For our short film, Wheeler, we did not have that detailed of a plan. We had a script, but nothing else. So although we completed everything, there was a lot of down moments on set because we were at a loss for an idea. For second semester that will change.
3. I enjoyed this semester due to the 24 hour film fest win and A Sitcom Gone Wrong. I took away a lot of valuable skills from the presenters.
4. Goal for next semester... as always... to win eMagine with whatever we can. We've got a documentary, two short films, a commercial, and a future PSA. Plus maybe an animation. Will there be a music video? I have a stellar, moving concept for this project should we ever do it.
5. Final thoughts: one semester until I graduate. I want to make it the best semester yet with the quality ramping up even more.
