Film Class DW Entry

Monday, February 23, 2009

We started film early this morning, continuing on our storyboard. This time, Ashley conducted an improved version of our script - as well as added names for our character - Natalia (after a model) and Jackson (out of imagination, aka randomness). This script is much more detailed, and delicately crafted. Ashley explored more vocabulary in the script, as well as phrases that emphasizes the tone and attitude.

Our script became lengthier, which meant that our storyboard also required more depth and detail, as well as more scene changes to compensate with the script's length. Hence, we started off with the first few scenes: featuring many point-of-view, wide angle, dutch angle as well as mid-range to close-up shots. I thought of the introductory scene - where it brightens in terms of lighting, as the camera is being lifted from the dark table-bottom to the brighter table-top. I am also planning to make the background bar music gradually increase in volume as this shot is continued, as the sounds director. Providing ideas to the group regarding roles of other team members required the "caring", "knowledgeable" and "communicators" skill in the IB learner profile. This is due to the fact that I need to be intellectual in many different skills and need to care and communicate with other members of the group.

This is continued by a series of carefully planned scenes by Louise, Ashley and Elliot respectively, by planning shots that include point-of-view, to show inebriate vision at empty beer mugs, as well as adjusting focus to show the character's vision. As they planned their scenes, I looked for opportunities to incorporate my sounds as the sounds director. Firstly, I established the background noises: having digetic and non-digetic sounds. In the bar, I assume the clashing of glassware, girls talking and laughing loudly, some soft catchy bar music and perhaps footsteps (mainly the significant high-heels). These ideas were based from experience and observance, hence we were being "knowledgeable" and "thinkers" of the IB learner profile.

By the end of today's lesson, we have planned a suitable amount of our shots. We collaborated well, planning in a "principled" manner in the IB learner profile. Constantly, we were "risk-takers" for planning some of the tricky shots, and we were "open-minded" to ideas in our discussions.