Production Check #2

Pitch and Approval: While I had previously planned upon working alone, this is no longer this case. For the production of this film,  I will be working with both Ali Banach and Pranava Mallu. Instead of working on a sole idea presented by my group mates, we have decided to combine our original three ideas into one. Our overall concept is the human experiences (more specifically, coming of age), but the concept of beauty will be incorporated. The latter of the two ideas mentioned was my original concept I was going to represent within my film. We decided to combine ideas & not simply stick to one because we deemed one's understanding/perception of beauty to be a large portion of coming of age. A person learning & understanding to love their own beauty from the beauty of those around them is something to be learned when aging, but does not cease past teen years. Plot is fairly simply in that we decided upon two separate characters with lives that juxtapose one another.  By having such characters, this will allow for an analysis of the similar and different aspect each human experiences.  What wish to accomplish through this is the acknowledgement of common issues that most can identify with when regarding the human experience. This is why the idea of beauty and beauty standards fits in so well.

 Physical Production: For this task, roles will be rotated. However, those strongest in certain areas will be sure to take the lead here & there to make sure our final product is as desired. I decided upon the role of sound designer while both Pranava and Ali are interested in cinematographer. If possible, one of them may shift to director. Writing and editing will be done as a group so that all input regarding how the film should be display is taken into consideration. For the larger contrast we wish to portray in our audience, I think it would be extremely interesting to have two actors that appear completely different. This further drives home this idea of beauty. For example, one character could desire to look completely opposite & vice versa, showing that what these character do not find attractive about themselves may be enviable to other. I imagine my other group mates have ideals they wish to incorporate for cast, locations, etc. which will be worked out when creating our story board and script.

Technical Planning:  The focus on coming of age is large enough to reach out to those who have already come of age. If not that alone, the integration of the human experience is something that most viewers should be able to identify with (unless, of course, they're aliens...). Seeing as coming of age is already a genre, we will follow the conventions of it to make sure it is a well fitting film that abides by the already laid-out themes. Despite attempting to focus largely on the differences, many similarities will be brought to light to convey that deep down many of us are similar. I believe sound can be effective in conveying this, for similar or even perhaps completely opposite sounds can be utilized when portraying the daily routines of our character's lives. Perhaps harsher sounds for one life, more pleasing sounds for another. Our schedule will follow the one we have been given in class.


Reflection, Evaluation, & Integration of Choices: I think my decision of focusing upon sound design will add a unique element to my group's film. Sound (primarily music) can easily change the mood of the film, which will be especially relevant in the editing stage. My concentration is the use of color. In regards to a strength, my choice in sounds can make a scene all the more memorable. When it comes to weaknesses, I think having partners that are little less enthusiastic about sound can make it hard to get input on whether or not I have chosen the correct score or perhaps simple sound effects. However, I think this is only a minor weakness and can easily be overcome.

Genre Study: Science Fiction (Alien Invasion)

 

 

Independent Study Checkup #1

Production Check #1

The concept that I would like to explore for my film is concept of beauty. In a society in which one's differences (both good and bad and everything in between) are easily identifiable, I think it is important to tackle the subject of how beauty is perceived and what perpetuates these ideals. This a concept I believe most can identify with. Whether it is portrayed by someone of their own race, gender, etc., each can find the most minuscule similarities in what they feel with what is upon the screen.

For my role, I would like to focus largely on sound. I would like to incorporate the use of the various types of microphones & voice overs. Music will likely also be an important element. The overall plot idea that I have is as follows: the journey of how an individual with darker skin comes to accept that it is okay to love themselves within a society that favors lighter skin. It is something that I as the creator can relate to and hopefully those in similar situations can, as well. I imagine this film will be slightly more avant garde simply because I wish to showcase friends of mine of all different races with varying features that the main character will find strength in. Whether their companions have light skin or dark skin, the film will focus on how having all of these people surrounding her that vary in appearance shows her that admiring others' beauty that are unlike her does not detract from her own, but enhances it.

Last year regarding sound, I felt that I had been rather strong with the use of sound. Whether it was a voice over or simply mixing songs, each added a nice element to my productions. Even so, while writing is not what I wish to be primarily focused on, I will be utilizing scripts. I am a bit weakr in this area due to not having done so for a little while. I think this will make conveying my ideas on paper a bit harder, although the challenge will prove to be beneficial.

Lighting Project

For this project, I thought we worked successfully as a team in order to convey the different types of lighting. While some of our examples could have been stronger (i.e. rembrandt), I think we did the best we could with the time and equipment utilized. In regards to camera work, some shots were shaky here & there. With editing I attempted to remove some of the portions of said shots so as to make them far more pleasing to the eye, but that did not always work out. With that said, there are only about one or two shots like that. Overall, I think my group was successful in portraying the various types of lighting but next time we have to use these techniques for an actual film, I hope the uses of/portrayal of certain lighting types are stronger.

Themes In Conceptual Film

The thematic ideas that are most interesting to me are the concept of beauty and race, clan, and class in art. To begin with the first of the two listed, I believe this concept is interesting due to its prominence in our society. Even outside of conventional art (paintings, drawings, etc.) the ideal standard of beauty is drilled into those within modern society. This is done through the media and due to the importance of mass communication in current times, most are aware of what is to be expected of one's physical appearance within society. This applies to what facial structures are deemed appealing, ideal body types, hair styles, and even clothing types all contribute to defining what is “beautiful”. As the article states, some ideas come and go which affects this concept. Beauty itself is interesting because the accentuation of what is currently attractive to society comes with mental, physical and emotional tolls on those who do not have such attributes. In fact, even those who fit within the “ideal” still struggle with insecurities. This is a concept I feel many would be able identify with and relate to, especially when told from various perspectives (different races, genders, etc). 

Furthermore, the concept of how race, clan, and class are depicted in art prove to be topics worthy of attention. Just like the overall standard of how one should present themselves, the portrayal of the latter has shifted throughout time. Some representations resonate with viewers due to accuracy, while some are merely offensive and poorly executed. Accurate and truly meaningful portrayals of these various groups seem to be sparse or simply difficult to find. This is a shame given that we live in a world where knowledge and higher level understanding can be discovered at the click of a button or the flip of a page.  It is largely important that stereotypes of these groups are shown to primarily be myth and, if not such,  historical explanations be provided for why this not so. Granted, while more positive ideas should be planted in the minds of society, this does not mean the struggles faced by those that fit into those categories must be sugar coated. Both of the themes I have chosen allow for many different ways they could be worked with to result in creating powerful, timeless messages.

Still Reflection

             

The still above from the film Rear Window by Alfred Hitchcock is a visual representation of the many conclusions viewers can draw from the aforementioned film. Viewers are provided with the story of L.B. Jeffries, a man doomed to an unfortunate fate of being trapped in a wheelchair. The only activity he is now able to find pleasure in is observing the lives of his neighbors through his rear window. This scenario allows for an abundance of point of view shots. In turn, this makes those watching the film feel as if they are not only witnessing the main character indulge in this forbidden activity, but as if they are doing so as well. This still has much meaning as it largely represents the majority of Rear Window. Just by glancing at the image, different people can be seen within their homes engaging in various activities. While most would deem such a thing to be private, Rear Window seems to suggest that voyeurism can be used for good (if gone about in the right way, that is).

During L.B.'s adventures in people watching, in each of his neighbors there is something to be learned and, most likely, related to by the viewer. Will they see themselves in the newly-weds, madly in love and still in their honeymoon stage? Perhaps the dancer who seeks to find love with man after man, only to discover she’d had a lover had simply been away all along? Maybe Miss Lonely Heart, all by herself with no one to love and respect her – that is, until she takes the initiative to find someone by herself. The dynamic that each of these characters has with one another as neighbors is noteworthy. It says something about humans and human interaction: it is both peculiar all while entertaining, explaining why Jeffries is so intrigued. Each of these lives would carry on whether he was there to witness it or not: life is bigger than him and does not revolve around him. With that said, his interfering with the lives he observes affects each of his neighbors in a different manner. So, in that regard, that suggests that while life may not be all about Jeffries nor his companions Lisa and Stella, his actions do affect others. In this sense his intentions are good and justice is rightfully served. 

While this is so, it is horrifying to think what the outcome would have been had Jeffries been incorrect about Thorwald. Instinct is largely present within the film, although logic and reasoning are also used by characters in order to draw seemingly reasonable conclusions. This film raises the moral dilemma of witnessing something one shouldn't have and knowing it is not right, but not knowing whether or not to say something due to feeling it is "none of their business". The main characters struggle with this initially, but then proceed to take the time to do ample amounts of people watching to be certain. They improve the lives of others in the process and all is well by the end of the film, showing that Jeffries' indulging in such an act was used purely for good and not to ruin the many different lives shown within the still.