Film Class DW Entry

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

We had a double-lesson to work on our storyboards, the rest of the group focused on shots and editing techniques while I focused on the sounds. Many of the shots were very basic - since there are not alot of suitable angles that we can explore and use. Even though "risk-taking" plays a huge role in our IB learner profile, I find that we cannot express all elements of Film Noir with the sophisticated series of dialogue scenes. To make this more interesting, it is up to the sound effects and the depth of script lines.

To dramatize certain aspects of our film and inherit characteristics from Film Noir, we started the first dialogue with the narrative voice of our character - Jackson. After the establishing shot and the bottom to eye-level profile shot (increase in volume and lighting), our character Jackson slowly wakes up and thinks to himself to show his confusion, passing this trait on to the audience at the same time. The narration will be re-recorded separately, with a boom mic in a soundproof room later so that the sound quality is high and no background noises will be recorded. This relates to being "knowledgeable" and "thinker" aspect of the IB learner profile, since I am using related techniques to tackle a problem.

Furthermore, I decided to add one of my trademark techniques into the eye-to-eye shot. This was learnt during the "continuity editing" session, where cuts are made between two footage and are switched from one to another continuously. Our first footage will be a zoom-in on Jackson's eyes, and the second footage will be a zoom-in on Natalia's eyes. This will add to the atmospheric details of Film Noir - to increase tension between our two characters - Natalia and Jackson. My idea was widely accepted by my "open-minded" group members.

We each contributed a fair, equal amount because Louise suggested that we alternate between group members to sketch and write down shot and lighting details on the storyboard as we generate ideas. This way, we enhanced many of the IB learner profile skills: we were very "principled" since each of us got a fair amout of contribution and benefit, "balanced" because we are distributing work load and maximizing commitment, as well as "communicators" because this activity promotes exchange of concepts and methodology between group members.

Furthermore, we have generated a prop and equipment list: Basics like camera, camera stand, tape, boom mic, earphones, boom mic pole, batteries, Props like apple and grape juice, beer mugs, wine glasses, ashtrays and lighter. Actor Elliot will be dressed up as protagnoist Jackson in a collared shirt and tie, with a coat in dark colours to show that he is scruffy and ungroomed. Actress Ashely will be dressed up as femme fatale Natalia in a thin and short-skirted black dress in heels to express her inner lust. The bartender will be dressed in a white shirt and vest (possibility of a bow-tie) to look typical bartender. The setting will be in Hugo's house, since he has a nice contemporary bar in his basement. This way, we can film for as long as we needed to compared to if we filmed outdoors.

With equipments borrowed, scripts and props set, we plan to film before our next film class so we can edit straightaway.