Did I Do fabulisticly?
When I started the unit I had a clear Idea of what I wanted to create: A vaguely Future noir Crime thriller. Blade runner inspired me to get into films and film making, so I thought it would be the perfect inspiration for my FMP. But What did I end up with? A surreal family/crime drama. Am i disappointed? nah.
I think in a a lot of ways I was more successful than I'm letting myself believe. I know what I wanted to make when i set out at the start of Unit 13, and I know I didn't exactly accomplish that, but I did something else, something just as good.
What About The Competition?
I have to say I don't think Pipe Dreams will be earning a submission to the festival. This isn't because I'm not proud of the film, but because I'm not ashamed to say that I flagrantly broke the rules regarding copyrighted music in order.
this is the only rule i did break though, and in every other regard it passes the competitions guidelines.
this is the only rule i did break though, and in every other regard it passes the competitions guidelines.
Did It Follow Conventions?
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Hmmmmm, a good question, and one I'm fairly confident I can acquiesce to. The films main inspiration in terms of Codes and Conventions was dystopian/cyberpunk Sci-Fi. My film managed more or less to capture the feel of a grim, futuristic world through the use of large expensive city-scapes and dingy streets. The entirely electronic-in-nature soundtrack helped sell the science-fiction vibes also, especially the chaotic and unsettling piece by I used during what I affectionate term "the Seizure Montage". In my focus group the soundtrack was described as "good, and very futuristic".
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That Leads me perfectly into the other half or my films tone, The Noir side. It maybe seemed a little underrepresented, but it is there in abundance if you know where to look, be it the lighting, the camera angles or even the costumes of some characters.
i was extremely pleased to hear in my Focus Group that my films world was immersive, and well realised.
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I'm actually pretty pleased with how well the fusion of styles went. I was really worried that the elements would jarr, but it has in reality created a quite unique tone and feel, and not one that I expected to get.
Did I Do My Topic Justice?
My topic at the start of the unit was identified as Crime, and while that is to an extent still the case, I think the real topic is more the question of "when do the ends justify the means?". For the story's lead character Nevyn, it seems at first that nothing is too far when it comes to looking after his brother's well being, but as the story progresses, he begins to question that, and indeed changes hi mind on it by the end, deciding that perhaps doing the wrong thing for the right reasons is no way to live, and does not make him a good role model for his brother.
I think the questions posed are good food for thought, and certainly make for an interesting character.
I think the questions posed are good food for thought, and certainly make for an interesting character.
Did My Characters Suit?
I must say i had great fun with the Character's in my FMP, The growth of Nevyn's character, the quiet strength and innocence of Kellen, and the stern kindness of Yana. Basing each character on their respective actors was a really good basis for setting up the story, because it meant I knew how each would act or react in any given situation.
Obviously Nevyn's Character is the main focus of the story, and I think that his arc in the film is really well done, and "easy to follow", as i was told in my focus group. But the story would be nothing without Kellen, who is the driving emotional force of the film and commands a lot of empathy from the audience, and Yana helps to keep the story moving, and the moral conflict interesting.
I think that all the performances we good enough, though I think Kellen's is the strongest. In a way that is a good thing, as that means he gets taken more seriously, and the drama of the film hits harder.
Obviously Nevyn's Character is the main focus of the story, and I think that his arc in the film is really well done, and "easy to follow", as i was told in my focus group. But the story would be nothing without Kellen, who is the driving emotional force of the film and commands a lot of empathy from the audience, and Yana helps to keep the story moving, and the moral conflict interesting.
I think that all the performances we good enough, though I think Kellen's is the strongest. In a way that is a good thing, as that means he gets taken more seriously, and the drama of the film hits harder.
Problems I Faced?
oh boyyy, so many. The main one being the fact I set my film in a totally fictional world, set in the future. Working out how to do that was a great challenge, as I had to look for real locations that were convincing, or ones that I could easily enhance in post-production.
Finding cast and crew was a real challenge in making this film, because I felt that for the sake of convenience i should cast myself as the lead. this meant that, inconveniently I couldn't be the cameraman, so unless I used the tripod all the time i needed a person with me for every shoot. This made finding times to film quite tough at times, as everyone was busy in the run up to Easter, and even over the Holidays.
My lead Actress Lauralee was so busy that we had to cut the opening scene from the film, and for a lack of crew, the Train scenes went the same way.
recording Audio was a pain for some of the dialogue scenes due to my microphone not working, and the atmospheric noise being catastrophically bad.
Finding cast and crew was a real challenge in making this film, because I felt that for the sake of convenience i should cast myself as the lead. this meant that, inconveniently I couldn't be the cameraman, so unless I used the tripod all the time i needed a person with me for every shoot. This made finding times to film quite tough at times, as everyone was busy in the run up to Easter, and even over the Holidays.
My lead Actress Lauralee was so busy that we had to cut the opening scene from the film, and for a lack of crew, the Train scenes went the same way.
recording Audio was a pain for some of the dialogue scenes due to my microphone not working, and the atmospheric noise being catastrophically bad.
Have I Leveled Up?
Undoubtedly..! The aim with Unit 13 was to truly challenge myself, and that I have done, no doubt about that. I have grown far far more confident with my editing skills. I spent many many hours toiling over premier pro, perfecting my colour grading and cutting. The visual effects side of it was also a good learning curve. Mastering the art of the green screen and compositing layers over a still frame to create my own fictional world was great fun.
I learnt new camera techniques, like the dutch angel, and a more effective use of the focus pull, whilst I also used more lighting than I ever had in previous production, be that atmospheric lighting, directional or silhouetting.
I think I'm also a little wiser generally when it comes to organizing my time, my resources, and the people involved in my film. Other than a few hectic days, most of the filming was done in a planned and controlled way.
I learnt new camera techniques, like the dutch angel, and a more effective use of the focus pull, whilst I also used more lighting than I ever had in previous production, be that atmospheric lighting, directional or silhouetting.
I think I'm also a little wiser generally when it comes to organizing my time, my resources, and the people involved in my film. Other than a few hectic days, most of the filming was done in a planned and controlled way.
Was It Like Bloomin' Blade Runner?
Well, no, not exactly, but it certainly bore resemblances to the films I analysed!
Firstly, yes, Blade runner. I got that wonderful city-scape shot at the start of the film, and then another later on with Yana on the balcony. The mix of Sci Fi and Noir is most similar to that of Blade Runner, and theat retro feel does crop up from time to time, be that in the wall monitor, or the analog looking alarm sensor. lastly there was a wonderful homage to Ridley Scott's film in the soundtrack. Using the piece of music by Bad Stream and Martin Steer during the conversation and dreams sequence gave them a very Blade Runner-esque vibe.
Firstly, yes, Blade runner. I got that wonderful city-scape shot at the start of the film, and then another later on with Yana on the balcony. The mix of Sci Fi and Noir is most similar to that of Blade Runner, and theat retro feel does crop up from time to time, be that in the wall monitor, or the analog looking alarm sensor. lastly there was a wonderful homage to Ridley Scott's film in the soundtrack. Using the piece of music by Bad Stream and Martin Steer during the conversation and dreams sequence gave them a very Blade Runner-esque vibe.
Sweet Smell of success is next up, and sadly I can't show what influence it had in a still, because it's effect was more on the general tone and atmosphere of the film. When Josef said in my Focus group how the world was immersive I knew that that was in part thanks to Sweet Smell of Success's influence over me and my production.
Dark City on the other hand had a clear and obvious influence on my colour grading. The muted green, yellows and blues give that grim look that I wanted to take from dark city. You could also say that the long coated criminals have a twang of Dark City influence.
Finally The Third Man, inspiring me with it's dutch angles and silhouettes, Not to mention the fedora wearing crime boss.
It's safe to say that this film analysis has informed my final product more than it has on any previous Unit. The influence of these films wasn't forced, but a natural cohesion, a proper evolution of my film as it grew from a wee sapling of a plan in my brain, into a 12 minute film of strange quality.
Did Codes Code, and Conventions Convention?
These were the main Codes and conventions I isolated when doing research of my genre and the films I analysed.
I think I stuck to them remarkably well, all things considered. I was always conscious of needing to include these while filming. I chose locations that would have bright lights, be able to accommodate wide angles, or ones with more controlled lighting. Using shadows, harsh lighting and silhouettes were all very conscious decisions. Overall I think I managed to capture a fair bit of the Noir essence I was after.
I think I stuck to them remarkably well, all things considered. I was always conscious of needing to include these while filming. I chose locations that would have bright lights, be able to accommodate wide angles, or ones with more controlled lighting. Using shadows, harsh lighting and silhouettes were all very conscious decisions. Overall I think I managed to capture a fair bit of the Noir essence I was after.
Of the 16 Codes and Conventions I would say I achieved at least 11 to a more than satisfactory degree, these being the following:
- Bright Lights - Muted Colours - Harsh Lighting - Wide Shots - Close Ups - Low Light - Common Use Of Shadows - Use Of Atmospherics - Strong emphasis on shadows - Directional Lighting - Use Of Silhouettes |
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Apart From Everything, What Would I Do Different Next Time?
This was no doubt the most organised and best planned production I've created at college. That being said, i am an incredibly disorganized person, and it was still a bit of a shambles at times.
I left some things a bit late, and that caused me to have to give up some of my favourite scenes from the original script.
My reluctance to enlist the help of additional crew or Actors meant that i was limited in when I could film, who I could, what I could film and how I could film. I am pleased with how well i managed despite it being a largely one man show, but it's clear that my production would have benefited from a clearer direction behind the camera, and a better actor in front of it.
i think it's fairly clear that my production was always much too ambitious, but for my final production I didn't want to go out with a whimper. I did an alright job consider what I wrote for myself. To be honest there were so many ideas that never really made it past the story development phase, and that's a shame, but it gives me something to strive to create in future.
SO, TO CONCLUDE!
I am happy with my work, very content in the job I've done.
Things could have been better, or worse, but nothing was so truly, utterly stinky that I feel a deep shame...and that in itself brings me joy.
I left some things a bit late, and that caused me to have to give up some of my favourite scenes from the original script.
My reluctance to enlist the help of additional crew or Actors meant that i was limited in when I could film, who I could, what I could film and how I could film. I am pleased with how well i managed despite it being a largely one man show, but it's clear that my production would have benefited from a clearer direction behind the camera, and a better actor in front of it.
i think it's fairly clear that my production was always much too ambitious, but for my final production I didn't want to go out with a whimper. I did an alright job consider what I wrote for myself. To be honest there were so many ideas that never really made it past the story development phase, and that's a shame, but it gives me something to strive to create in future.
SO, TO CONCLUDE!
I am happy with my work, very content in the job I've done.
Things could have been better, or worse, but nothing was so truly, utterly stinky that I feel a deep shame...and that in itself brings me joy.