Film Class DW Entry

*MY BDAY WAS 2 DAYS AGO!

Monday, March 30, 2009

We reviewed the last video from our previous project Film Noir today. This film was done by the last group - Julien, Chris, Raphael, Hannah and Jeffrey. This project started off with a surreal theme, where it portrays Hong Kong thirty years later, with a shrinking working force and ageing population. This catchy theme created atmosphere, and was a good arrangement to explain why cops like them are roaming around the dark city fighting crime.

After watching this production, we discussed on their cinematography techniques: how shots were planned, how lighting was achieved, the use of digetic and non-digetic sounds as well as the editing. We learned specifically about the 180 degree rule, where the camera cannot flip itself to the negative half of the screen and digetic sounds where the object producing the sound has to be on-screen. This allowed us to be more "knowledgeable" and better "communicators" in the IB learner profile since we are sharing ideas publically with our fellow schoolmates.

We were also briefed on the new procedures on equipment and shot log handling. Mr. Chang devised for us a new set of rules on borrowing equipment: where now a more tedious process including stating a reason for borrowing, signed by the teacher on the storyboard and handed in for reservation 3 days in advance. Many of us were shocked by this abrupt change in rules, but realized it was their last resort due to budgeting problems of IB Film. Another conformation was to expand on our shot log, where now we have to add short descriptions to each shot log, which will organize our work and ease the editing process. As editor of this project, I find this arrangment more ergonomically advanced for me. Facing the new changes, they challenge our "open-minded" skills in the IB learner profile.

During the rest of the lesson, we continued discussing our work with the storyboard completely finished. Mainly, we were planning on the setting for each shot, since we have to film before the end of the week. In our setting, we needed a dark room with a window, a rooftop, a chinese house, a ledge (jumping into the sea scene) and lamposts. Camille's aunts are restaurant owners, granting us access to the dark rooms. The restaurant can also be used as the "chinese house" scene, and her relatives are willing to participate as actors. Hence, this issue is solved. Alleys and lamposts were suggested to be shot in IFC during the night, since the setting fits our theme.

As for the dark room scene with a dangling lightbulb, Chris came up with a good idea of pasting newspaper all over the walls to create the creepy atmosphere, a scene used in the movie "R.E.C.". Throughout our discussions, we explored many areas in the IB learner profile: Knowledgeable by applying our knowledge into generating formitable ideas, Thinkers by looking for inspiration and solutions in our groups, Communicators by discussing our ideas, Open-Minded and Caring by listening to ideas and giving feedback and comments, Risk-takers by providing challenging ideas as well as Balanced by ensuring an equal distribution of roleplay and responsibility.