This class has brought an actual practice to all the
concepts I have talked about in other classes, it felt like a job on days that
we got to practice shots in class when I got to be a grip or gaffer. It made me
notice that I actually like the other jobs on set that I believed would be more
simple and boring. Gaffer is what I had the most fun with by trying to find
creative ways of using and blocking light while being efficient and safely.
On our viewing day, a fellow classmate talked about how
taking this class made them feel like they talked another language now; which
feels very true because I use so many more film terms now to describe what I’ve
done in the past and what I plan to do with future projects. I would definitely recommend this class, even
to people that are focused on editing because it gives perspective on how much
work and difficulty goes into producing footage for post-production.
Over all the best part of the course is working with other
on group projects. As an editor, I’ve
grown comfortable sitting in front of a computer for long hours just reviewing
tons of footage and I felt the reliance on others was going to be troublesome
to get some projects done. But it was
nice to become a team and try to figure out how to deal with unplanned problems
with improvisations.
I still want to focus my time on becoming an editor but I
now have such a higher appreciation the other jobs in the whole filming
process. I’ve invested in a DSLR camera
to continue this kind of work with as a personal hobby that could become an
addition to my own work that I do as an editor.
I was brought up with an art background by drawing and
painting; but now I have been testing my skills with cinematography. I don’t have a large library of footage that
I can be proud of yet, but this is just the start of my work since I just
invested in a DSLR to film my own personal work and to improve on my skills as
a cinematographer. This whole year was
the first time I have been able to get behind a camera and try to capture a
story from narrative storytelling and everyday life.
I would personally like to work more on trying to capture a
more realistic/documentary style of cinematography. After getting to film on campus during game
day, it made me want to capture true to life footage with a stylized approach. VICE
is what comes to mind when I think of a similar style that I would like to try
because of what I have seen in their documentaries. I would personally like to do this kind of
film making as a hobby when I travel and go to events; which I could upload
them to a place like YouTube which could entertain some, while testing my own
skills.
I personally have more dedication in being an editor, but I
will continue to try and understand all aspects of film making and grow to
understand what areas I enjoy working on the most. I have been offered to work with local musicians
on helping them edit footage that they have for music videos, but I would like
to see if I can help with the actual cinematography of future projects because
music is a very different form of filming then what I have done so far. I have
learned a lot about cinematography this year, but I will continue to experiment
as I learn and master the basics of filming to find a personal style of my own.
I had to get rid of some shots :( but over all I think the sequence works. This was my first time directing, its fun but a lot harder then I thought it would be. Below is my shot list, shooting script, story board, floor plan, and visual references.
Seinfeld (1989-1998) - Creators: Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld
A sitcom about a comedian named Jerry Seinfeld, who lives in New York city while spending his time with his three friends George, Elaine, and Kramer. It has been called the show about nothing; except each episode is about everyday life but with a funny twist. The show alternates between a normal sitcom style and Jerry doing his own stand up about the antics that take place through out the episode. It creates a nice mixture of what Jerry became famous for and he may have come up with his stand up material.
Being born in the 90s, I would play with toys near my parents as they watched "Seinfeld" and I first started to like the show even when I was a child because of how goofy Kramer was with his physical humor.
The Office (2005-2013) - Creators: Greg Daniels, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
A comedy about a branch manager named Micheal Scott and his employees of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company in Scranton, PA. The show is filmed like a documentary, which creates an interesting way of making it feel like you are watching real events take place. This gives you a window of what it would be like to work for an extremely offensive and immature boss. Micheal Scott steals the show with all of his crazy ways of messing with his employees, but as the show progresses each employee becomes more fleshed out with funny quirks and stories of their own.
This show has by far been my most replayed. Even knowing how the jokes go and the situations play out, I always have a good time watching this show.
Hot Fuzz (2007) - Director: Edgar Wright
The best cop London has to offer named Nicholas Angel, is transferred to a small English village where not much ever happens because his fellow cops and superiors don't like him because he does his job so well that it makes them all look bad. Now forced to work at a town where the biggest on going case is the search for a local goose, he struggles to adapt to the slower walks of life. Never turning off his skills from the big city, he eventually uncovers a dark secret that the small village hides. Even though this may all sound serious, the entire movie is done with a comedic style. Thus makes this movie a very enjoyable film to return to, but this should be obvious coming from the director of "Shaun of the Dead (2004)".
Game of Thrones (2011- ) - Creators: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
A civil war on the brink of erupting between several high born families of Westeros, many stories start and end from a extremely large amount of point of views. This fantasy world always has a dark undertone with a constant reminder that happiness is only momentary and that the fight for power comes at a cost of taking lives. Magic and mystery are throughout the land, from the cold northern wall and the threat of white walkers; or to the east a mother of dragons seeks to get revenge for the struggle that she has had to endure. The show will keep you on the edge of your seat with the uneasy feeling that any character can have their own painful end. Created from the best selling novels from George R. R. Martin, who hasn't completed the series of novels yet. So the only man who knows who will be the ruler of the iron throne, is George R. R. Martin.
Star Trek Voyager (1995-2001)- Creator: Rick Berman, Michael Piller, Jeri Taylor
Captain Kathryn Janeway of the star ship Voyager and her crew get thrown on the other side of the galaxy from an anomalous space distortion; and they find out that they are 75 years away from home. The one ship in a uncharted area of space, without contact of their own federation must chart its way through dangerous territories and find a way to survive the long trip home by making allies with who ever is willing to be friendly. This is the first Star Trek series to have a female lead played by Kate Mulgrew, who shows a great amount of leadership and humanity through some of the extremely hard decisions she must make as the captain of hundreds of crew members she must protect.
I've seen 4 different series of Star Trek now and I have to say that Kate Mulgrew's performance as Kathryn Janeway is my favorite.
Avatar (2009) - Director: James Cameron
A marine that now lives in a wheel chair gets an offer for a unique job that will take him to a distant planet called Pandora. He must pilot a avatar, which is a body made to be controlled via remotely to have share the looks of the indigenous life. His mission is to infiltrate a strong hold over a plot of land that has resources that his superiors want; but while trying to do his mission, he becomes involved with the locals and his feelings change toward his own people.
When I saw this movie in theater for the first time, the only thing someone told me was that I must see it, and it has blue people in it. So my experience was like an adventure because I wasn't expecting anything and the movie really surprised me with its plot and visuals. I know it may not be the best movie, but I will always remember how great my first experience was with this film.
The Thing (1982) - Director: John Carpenter
Strange things begin to happen at an American Research Facility in the Antarctic when a dog shows up under weird circumstances. When the members of the Research Facility find that the mysterious dog isn't what it appears to be, everyone begins to lose trust in one another.
It's hard for me to describe this movie without ruining it; I don't want to go into deep detail but it is a horror. The film makes great work of practical effects and with how many horror movies we have had by today, it seems like practical effects make more sense in the genre. It is a must see if you enjoy horror films, and if you enjoy sci-fi.
Top Gun (1986) - Director: Tony Scott
A pilot by the name of Maverick and his partner Goose are chosen to attend the school of the elite, Top Gun. They compete against the best in an effort to improve their skills to be used on the battlefield and to see who is the best of the best. Maverick becomes known for pushing the limits of what is allowed at the school and buts heads with every other hotshot that is gunning for the right to be pinned on the wall with the former bests. Whilst spending time with a female instructor that they grow to have a romantic relationship.
Seeing this movie when I was pretty young, gave me the impression that being a pilot makes you a total bad ass. I loved the way they captured the aerial footage, it had never been done before; so audiences used the film for years after as a testament to test out your home theater setup, "the top gun test".
Christmas Vacation (1989) - Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
From National Lampoon, comes a return of the Griswold family as they attempt to have a normal Christmas holiday.
This film is a family tradition, we have watched it every Christmas since I can even remember. I love sitting back with my family and sharing with them in some nostalgic humor. It is a great movie to watch at night with the fire going and snow outside (if you have any near you).
Star Wars: Episode V - The Epmire Strikes Back (1980) - Creator: George Lucas
The rebel alliance is on the run from the Empire that wants revenge for the fallen Death Star, and Luke Skywalker starts to get training from a Jedi Master. The darkest film of the original trilogy, and by far the best work of the three.
This movie is a true pleasure to watch, from the amazing graphics that still stand today and the dark plot that truly captures what star wars should be. This film could even be enjoyed as a stand alone sci-fi.
