VSP: Project 2

04.04.22 - 22.05.22 (Week 2 - Week 7)
Chai Yi Xuan / 0346645 / B' Creative Media
Video & Sound Production
Project 2 / Video Shooting & Editing

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LECTURES

Week 2 (Framing & Storyboard)

Cinematography is a motion picture/film/video made up of many shots. Each shot requires placing the camera in the best position for that particular moment in the narrative.

There are different shot/framing sizes, which have different purposes:

• Extreme wide shot
  
• Shows a broad view of the current scene, always used outdoors
• Meant to establish the subjects' geographical location
  
• Wide shot
  
• A shot that shows a subject and their current settings, and objects at the scene are captured.
• Known as an 'establishing shot'
  
• Medium wide shot
  
• A balance of subject and environment, a shot that shows the current environment/setting while still making the subject the focus of the shot
• Taken from knee level to head level
  
• Medium shot
  
• Focuses on the subject that is important in the current scene, may be used to film gestures and expressions
• Framed from the head to waist level
• Medium close-up shot
  
• Similar to medium shot, however is framed from upper waist/shoulders to above the head
  
• Close-up shot
  
• Used to isolate the most important part of the subject
• Highlight details of the subject
  
• Extreme close-up shot
• Functions similarly to close-up shot, except it is meant to dramatize a scene
  

Week 3 (Storyboarding)

Storyboarding is a helpful tool for visualizing, especially when a scene has a complicated action or a mix of few POVs. Storyboarding was invented by Disney in the 1930s, and it involves converting a script into a comic format which provides a layout of  scenes as if viewed from a camera. Due to its usefulness in translating story to visuals, it is widely used in a variety of multimedia projects.

The purpose of a storyboard:

• Show important action
  
• Continuity/Editing point
  
• Shot composition
  
• Indicate camera angle/movement
  
• Map out scenes

An animatic is similar to a storyboard, except it is a series of images played in sequence, often with a soundtrack. Usually it comes after the storyboard is done, and it helps to better visualize the shots in action

The advantages of an animatic:

• Timing every shot
  
• Figure the rhythm of each scene
  
• Added with music and audio
  

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INSTRUCTIONS

To-Do List:

• Shoot 8 short videos (about 5 secs) with different framing shots
  
• Reorder and edit a recorded short film
  
• Film a short music video (30 secs)
  
• Work in a team and produce various shots
  

Exercise 1 (Framing)

Mr Martin had those in class pair up with each other to film 8 different shots. I was paired up with Farah and Sea. We decided to film right outside our classroom, with each of us taking turns in modeling for the shot.

Once we finished filming the shots, we were to compile them all in one video.

Exercise 2 (Offline Editing)

For this exercise, we have to watch a short Thailand film titled 'My Name is Lalin'. After knowing its story and sequence, we were to edit and compile the shots taken by our seniors into a video (following the sequence of the original film). It was a fairly easy task to do, and it didn't take me long to finish it.

Exercise 3 (MV Shooting)

Once again, I was paired up with Farah and Sea for this exercise. We both discussed about the song, and opted for one that does not involve complicated dances since we weren't experienced. Sea suggested a Japanese song with fairly simple dance moves, and we all agreed to it.

Since Sea has a clearer idea on the aesthetic of the music video itself, she organised what our general look should look like. She also sent us a video of her part dancing, and we followed it to match. I filmed other shots on my own pace and home, though I struggled since there are some furniture in the way. Eventually, I got all the shoots I need

While I was editing, I realised that our dance parts were of different timing. It took some time for me to mostly sync the dance parts together without having the other person dancing too fast/slow. I did my best, though it seems that the three of us danced at very different paces. Aside from that issue, there wasn't a lot of trouble editing the video.

Exercise 4 (Production Shoot)

Mr Martin had divided the class to two different filming sessions— one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Since I had classes in afternoon, I went for the morning session. Once everyone was fitted into their group, we discussed on which role we should take. I ended up as the director of the team.

We created a WhatsApp group so that we could contact and make announcements easily. Our assistant directors were quick in working out a schedule for our filming, making it easier for us to know how much time we need to spend on each shot.

On the day of filming, Mr Martin briefed us on what to do, and mostly followed us around as we film just in case we need help. It was a fun experience since it was not something we do often as students mainly in the design course.

Figure 1.1: Mr Martin briefing us on the basics of working a camera

Figure 1.2: The start of filming, assistant director checking up on camera and audio

Figure 1.3: Adjusting camera angle and discussing how to film it

At the time of editing, we were given video and audio files. We were to sync the audios and videos together during the process of editing. It took me a while to find the right audio files for each video, but I was quick in the editing process after a lot of experience in the past exercises and classes.

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REFLECTIONS

When we started the module, I did expect to be editing a lot of videos for the semester. What I didn't expect was that we would be filming videos as well. Filming others and working as part of a production team was a joyful experience, and it made me feel like a mass-com student. Despite my aversion of filming my own face, all the exercises I did was exciting that I didn't mind stepping out of my comfort zone. I felt that I learned a lot about the process of producing a film, which was great since I had always been intrigued by it all.