Entertainment Senior End of Year Reflection

End of Year Reflection:

The eComm Guarantees

With technical skills, I have progressed greatly throughout my time in eComm. I really came into the program not knowing anything about editing software or how cameras work, and now I am pretty proficient. Editing and camera work makes me nervous just because I am not the best at it, but I do have essential skills I have acquired and I know I can produce good work. Definitely with the feature film, I was able to step into the editing process as I helped out with color grading, editing scenes, and matching audio. Communication is a skill I believe I have gotten better at through this program. I have learned where my position is within the program and within film and when I need to speak up. My first few years I was scared to communicate just because I feel like I was not as valued as others within this program - but now I know I would not have made it this far if I was not on the same level. It is also difficult being a woman in this career. It's hard to communicate and gain respect from my male peers, but I have persevered and I will continue to do so. Collaboration is something I have always been pretty good at but with the program, I was able to test my collaboration skills as I worked with many different people and in difficult circumstances. I have grown a lot in my empathy with collaborating and working with others. I think this year I have grown as a leader. I think once I started believing in myself, I lead great projects (like my documentary). I wish I could have gotten more chances to lead my class, but with the ones I did I believe that I made an impact on my peers. My weaknesses have developed - I used to lack in confidence and technical skills but now I feel as though my weakness is just losing passion for projects. I have so many ideas, but I think no one cares so I lose passion for them. My strength I believe is my creativity, my people skills, my vision, as well as my work ethic. With all the skills I have learned, I hope to continue a career in film and storytelling, even if it's just on the side. I would change my priorities in the past. I hung out with the wrong people within eComm and I didn't take my time seriously - so that is a huge regret for me. Overall, eComm has been amazing and has helped me grow into the person I am today.

Video Projects

"Just My Imagination" - Feature Film

For my first project I chose to talk about, I picked our feature film "Just My Imagination." I picked this because it was definitely our hardest project and I progressed a lot throughout the process. This project took about 7 months to make, from writing all the way to premiere. There were a lot fo challenges. For me specifically, I struggled a lot with my role as art direction. It took a lot of thought into costumes and set, and I didn't always have a say in it. I also felt like I was alone a lot of the time. The characters did not have much personality or anything, so the clothing tried to make up for that but it was difficult. I learned about preparation, creativity, asking for help as well as just the hard truth that sometimes you have to do it all yourself. I was given mostly positive feedback, even though personally I know I could have done better. This project was a good learning process, while it's not my favorite project, I did learn a lot. I understand now that working together and communicating vision as well as a good script with good characters can drive a movie... a lot.

"Sixteen" - Short Film

This project was our short film. I wanted to showcase my MV, but our editor never put in on YouTube. I chose this because this was such a struggle and a hardship. This took about a week to two weeks to create. Some of the challenges faced were: a poor script, little direction as well as just a lack of communication within the crew. I learned with this project how a good director with vision and communication skills can really make a project. Our director was not very good, instead she made the shoot very difficult and full of tension and anger when it could have been really fun. Some feedback given was the lack of story as well as the audio was messed up. We didn't change anything after the feedback. This project was again a learning process, but overall not a very good short.

"The Reshoot" - Mini Documentary

This last project I chose to talk about is my mini doc. I chose this because I am so proud of it. This took about a week to concept and we filmed in one night as well as edited in a day. There were not many challenges we faced, as we planned ahead pretty well as well as the cast was very easy to work with. With this project, I learned how the subject can really help the film. Carson was so fun to work with and he really added such personality to the film that wouldn't have been there if it were someone else. I also learned that thinking outside of the box is good if executed correctly. Some feedback we were given is that the first half felt different from the second and people liked the second half more. We got praise for the lighting and story as well as the cinematography. I really loved this project and I am so proud of it and how it turned out. Shoutout to Sarah on camera and George for editing! 

Time 

Outside of class, I spent a lot of time watching movies. It is very, very important to study movies and all types of them! It surprises me how many of my peers do not watch movies outside of class, even though they are in a film program? I also spent a lot of time watching video essays and videos about movies (I love HiTop Productions, FoundFlix, and Karsten Runquist!). I have spent time writing scripts as well with my friend Courtney Honors. We are currently trying to film American Horse Story this summer!

Strengths and Areas for Improvement

My areas of strength include that I am persistant, hardworking, imaginative as well as individualistic. 

I believe it is important to have a vision, work ethic was well as not be afraid to standout and fail sometimes. My weaknesses I can work on are that I need to be more forward and assertive - whether that looks like a leadership position or a lower position and letting my opinion be known in a helpful manner. 

Feature Film

For our feature film "Just My Imagination," I was the art director. Within this job, I located and assigned costumes as well as decorated set and helped Evan with makeup. When I was not doing this, I helped with other jobs such as camera, audio, and first AD. I also tried to keep spirits high as most people were getting down about our movie from the start. I also stepped up at the end and helped edit the movie. In class, I made lists of wardrobe and props for the actors, trying to make sure we had all we needed before the filming date. I did the same outside of class as well as looked for this stuff with Sarah. 

Summary

What I loved most this year was the people. I grew apart from people who stunted my creative progress and I grew close with those who pushed me to be a good student. One thing I would change about my experience is that I would be more passionate and driven from the beginning, instead of focused on messing around and being foolish. One goal is that I was to produce and direct my own short or feature film. Mrs. Smith, thank you! I have had a good time in eComm and thank you for that! I believe eComm is in good hands with you and the underclassmen. The only thing I would say is keep an open mind and don't doubt people just because their ideas are outside of the box, or seemingly "impossible," because nothing is impossible and it is better to fail and learn than to never do anything you're passionate about. Final thoughts? I love eComm. Thank you for everything. I was just a scared kid who loved music videos, and now I am a young woman who loves film. Thank you for that. 

1st Semester Entertainment Video Final Exam

1st Semester Final

This semester we completed three projects: a commercial, a music video, and a short film. I was not able to link our music video, which was to the song "Mansard Roof" by Vampire Weekend, because our editor never put it on YouTube. I also wrote an original feature film script this semester.

Pour Iced Coffee Commercial: 

Our assignment for this project was to create a commercial over a product. My group settled on creating a commercial for Pour's iced coffee. This project took about two weeks to concept, produce, and edit. Some of the challenges we faced were trying to decide on an idea, getting to Pour to film at the right time, and getting steady shots. Along the way, I learned who I want to work with and who I don't want to work with - because some people work better with others. The feedback we were given was to have steadier shots, a more cohesive story line, better shots, and make it shorter. Overall, I like this video because it was fun to film and I enjoy showing it to other people.

"Mansard Roof" Music Video:

The project we were given was to create a music video. With that, we made a music video to "Mansard Roof." This took about two weeks for the whole process as well. Some challenges we faced included not having a strong director. Our director did not really have a vision and did not know how to voice his thoughts and ideas. Therefore we had very little to no direction and that can be seen in the music video. Along the way I learned what a strong director looks like compared to a weak one. Seeing how badly our music video went because we didn't have a leader or a vision inspired me to become a strong leader. Some feedback we were given was to have a better storyline, have less shakey shots, and better art direction. My overall opinion of the video was that it was an okay product, but not something I would technically go back to and want to show to clients or anything like that. (Also sorry I don't have the link, our editor never gave it to us.)

"Sixteen" Short Film:

For this project, we were supposed to write and produce a short film. We chose Addie's script for the short film. My role was UPM, so I organized times to film and got the actors and all that. I also filled in where-ever needed. This took roughly a week and a half, because we weren't given much time for this project. There was a lot of challenges that we faced during the production of this short film. One was that our director lacked vision, leadership skills, communication skills and did not get along with our art director who shared similar traits. This therefore created a tense and uncomfortable filming environment for the cast and crew. From this experience, I once again saw what it meant to be a good leader and director based on how some people performed under these roles. Some of the feedback given was to have more diverse shots, steadier shots, better audio, better lighting, better color, and a better storyline. My overall opinion is that there are some good shots in this video, and I would use those in my portfolio, but overall it was an alright product.

"American Horse Story" Feature Film Script:

We were given the task of writing either a short film or a feature film script. I wrote a feature film script after I came up with an idea I was passionate about. To concept this, it took about a week. My concept was a story called "American Horse Story" and I wrote it as a satire on all of the classic horse movies. I offered this as an idea for the feature film because it was different from other ideas and anything we have done in the past. It would have been a lighter and happier script to do and overall it could very possible to produce. But the challenge was we voted it out. I wasn't given any feedback. Overall, I really love this script and I want to finish it and produce it. 

Time in Class:

I believe I have used my time in class very well. If I have a project to work on, I am working on it. I am passionate about this class, therefore if there is work to be done I will be doing it. When I finished early I tried to think of the next thing I/we could do to keep working. If my boss gave me 8 hours to do a project and it only took 7, I would take that time and keep editing and reediting to make it even better. I enhanced projects by trying to look at similar projects to them and looked at the elements we could add. Outside of class I watch a lot of movies, a lot of videos and video essays as well as doing my own projects on the side. 

Areas of Strength & Improvement:

My areas of strength are that I am creative, I am intellectual, I work hard, I have vision, and I know how to lead and direct as well as follow and listen. I can maximize these strengths by continuing to push myself and create diverse and challenging work. 

I can work to improve my work ethic as well as how I collaborate and plan with others. I can improve these by working with lots of people and try and become better at understanding people and their strengths and weaknesses as well to create a better project. 

Guest Speakers:

We are very fortunate to have guests come and speak to our class about their experience and expertise. Gordon Lamb is a great guy and he helped us a lot last year with our feature film and it is always great to learn about equipment and lighting from someone who really knows about it. I also enjoyed Brandon Priest because he knows a lot about the world, business and marketing and how to use video in order to enhance those areas. He was a very knowledgable speaker and someone I have already learned a lot from. I was not here for when Drew Connors came to speak. With the knowledge they gave me, I have learned a lot about my technical skills as well as how to use those in the real world and on set.

Feature Film Role:

My role for the upcoming feature is art director. The knowledge I can bring is my vision for the film - how the set, costumes, color, and lighting all can create an amazing film and enhance the script. I am very excited for this role and I will execute it by being very vocal about my vision for this film and creating tools for everyone to see how I imagine the art direction. I am going to create Pinterest boards, real boards, a binder and anything else I need in order to communicate my vision to the crew and actors. 

Summary:

What I loved most about this semester is either the start of the feature film or writing the "American Horse Story" script. But really, I loved it all. This class can be hard because it is a bunch of driven, creative people in this class, but overall it is rewarding to produce work and to see the final project. What I will change is my attitude on how I create work, because before I wanted everything to be a certain way, but now I realize that collaboration makes a vision great. My overall takeaway is that I love film and the entire process, but some people are only here to just take this class. Therefore I have learned who I want to continue working with and who I don't. One goal for next year is I want to create a short film and a music video I am proud of. My final thoughts are just that I am overall happy with the class.

Short Film Reflection

Sixteen Blog Post:

The script we chose for this project was Addie's script called "Sixteen." The concept was just these girls play bloody mary. During pre-production, our director took over and did not really allow for any of the other members to do anything. She storyboarded, wrote the script, and concepted by herself despite us trying to help her. I was the UPM, so I organized all the actors and the set. We filmed in one long night then our director took over yet another role and edited the short film. My role was UPM and I also acted in it. Along the way I learned that some people have strengths and weaknesses and they are all different - therefore some people are better cut for some roles and others are cut for different roles. Technically, we didn't use anything super special besides the regular 80D and usual software. Personally, I used my technical skills of contacting actors and communicating to get them their scripts and to film. With leadership, I cleaned up after the mess of filming by apologizing and thanking all of our actors and fellow ecomm students who helped us during filming because our director didn't do so. With collaboration, I tried to ease tensions between the team. And with project management, I did everything I was supposed to do on time. 

What I would do differently is I would choose a better script and also choose a different team. I think working with the right people really makes or breaks the film. What I would do the same is some of the cool shots and the adventure of different types of lighting. For experiences, I learned who I want to work with and who I don't. Overall, the film turned out alright and now I know what I can do better for next time. 

Mansard Roof Music Video Blog Post

Our song was Mansard Roof by Vampire Weekend. Our concept for this video was showing a group of friends as they experience a summer. We wanted it to subtly show a boy and girl within the friend group falling in love, then resulting in her moving away at the end. We wanted it to be a montage and to show summertime through the eyes of a teenager, while their was a story line going on.

In pre-production, concepting was hard because our director did not really have a vision for the film. Our director's only vision for the shots was "aesthetic" but no real direction or storyline. The DP and I really tried to save the concept for this video by adding a storyline. All of the pre-production work was really left up to the art director, DP, and editor to do because our director did not really know what they were doing.

Production was difficult. It is hard to create a video, especially one as daunting as this because of the montage, when our director has no vision. While filming, there was little to no communication from the director, whether that be helping with actors or framing a shot. The DP and I really did everything directing-wise ourself. I was the art director and I was working with the actors. The director had no leadership, vision, or advice other than just saying to "make it aesthetic."

Along the way I learned that the director really makes or breaks a project. A good director is supposed to lead and frame shots, talk to actors, and really have passion and a vision. Without a good director, the video will in the end have no meaning or passion.

With technical skills, I really got to work on working with a camera. I normally am not the camera person, but I got to help film a lot of this and it was really cool. I got to see what it's like behind the camera and how to frame a shot and make it interesting. Communication really lacked on this project, because our director did not know what they wanted, so the crew and cast had no clue what was happening most of the time. Collaboration was also lacking, because we felt like the director was forcing us to make this video and we got little to no leeway in trying to make something good. Leadership was lacking by the director, so the DP and I had to step up and take leadership. Project management was lacking as well. We were very underprepared to shoot, and that was because we had no vision or leadership.

I would do a lot of things differently. I would make the concept different. I would use better shots with zooms and more personality. I would have made the clothing a lot more aesthetic. I would have more shots for the montage. I would have a better storyline. We lacked on all these things and it really brought down the video. I would only use the same aesthetic and editing again. Everything else about the video I would change.

For my next project, I will emphasize leadership and communication and vision - because without those, a video will never be good.

Overall, it was not my worst work but it was for sure not my best work.

Music Video Professional Blog Post

This music video does not really have a cohesive storyline. it really is just the band sailing on a boat and other b-roll of the same kind of ocean aesthetic. It shows them being friends and playing instruments, as well as pictures of them and shots of the water. It really fits the song and gives off an almost English/The Beatles vibe.

As far as direction goes, I really love the directing in this. Mostly the overall just happy friendship vibes of the video. It does not have a storyline, but it is easy to watch and follow and the watcher does not feel lost in the video.

There was no cohesive story in this music video - it is really just centered around the band being friends. There's no beginning, middle, or end concerning a story. I feel as though this video was more focused on creating an aesthetic rather than an actual story line. The aesthetic is told through zooms and the various objects shown like the photographs and instruments.
One element I would apply to my own would be the use of zooms and close ups. I feel like it really makes the video personal. It also keeps the viewer interested because they do not know what is going to happen next. The zooms are more interesting than just standard, flat shots.
One element I have already learned that I see in this video is the use of all types of shots. There is a variety of close ups as well as wide and extreme wide. This makes the video diverse and interesting to the watcher.
The creator did well with making the shots interesting and visually pleasing. The shots fit the vibe of the video and none of them seem out of place or awkward.
The creator could have worked on making a story out of the video. It would have been a lot more interesting and really added to the overall viewing experience.
Overall, I really liked the video. It is very different, even for the time it was created. It conveys the uniqueness of the band and their music. The music video is very memorable. I really enjoyed it and I would watch it again for future reference.

Commercial Unit 1 Blog

The product we chose for our video was the iced coffee from Pour. Our concept we brainstormed to promote this product was that a girl was on Tinder, and looking for the right man but she can't find him (she is swiping left). She then comes across Pour iced coffee and swipes right resulting in a "perfect match." They then meet up at Pour where she sees him and falls in love when she drinks him. And that was all of our concept.

Pre-Production:

We storyboarded, which gave us a good idea of the shots we wanted to get. Then when we wrote the script, we were able to map out their conversation in Tinder and write a bit of dialogue. I was the director, Evan was the art director, Mason was the cinematographer and Addie was the actress/editor. We researched some songs before filming which we ended up using - Careless Whisper. We also based our firework shot off of the shot from The Kissing Booth where the two main characters kissed for the first time.

Production:

We filmed two days, and it was easy scheduling because Pour was working with us and fortunately close. We also used Addie for our actress so that eliminated the actor hassle. Production went by pretty easy because we knew what we wanted, and we got a lot of extra footage which is much better than not having enough. Production flowed pretty well and we had a clear image of what we wanted.

Post-Production:

Editing was really a one man process and a bit difficult. My editor would not let me watch or really ask me any questions even though I was the director so that was kind of annoying. There was a couple shots we got that were a lot more cinematic that I wish we could have used but my editor did not and instead deleted them. But the final product was still good and still conveyed what we wanted.

My production role was director and I learned along the way how to work with people. I really tried to help my group and get them to participate in the process. I also really worked on making sure they were happy with the decisions and offered their own decisions. I think we used all of the skills along the way. We were able to advance our technical skills, we communicated during the process (except when editing so we could work on that), I let everyone take part in leading, we worked together, and we finished in time. 

What I would do different is use the 50 mm lense because I feel like that would have really made it a lot more visually appealing. I would do everything else the same because I am pretty proud of it. I believe we successfully hit all the points of a good commercial. We also hit all the points of film making except cinematography which I wish our shots could have been prettier.

Overall, I am pretty proud of the project and I think it conveys our idea and a good start to the year.

No Film School

No Film School

I read an article about how to become a good assistant director. I read this article because being a good director is important, but being a good assistant is just as important. The three key points the author expresses is being open to change, being trustworthy and working to get the right shot.

The author emphasizes these points because it is the AD’s job to always be there when they need them to be. The first AD’s job most of the time is to run the set, because the director will be working with the actors. So they have to be good leaders and can communicate and set up shots properly. They also are responsible for the script and planning which shots are going to be shot when.

They have to be flexible because things do not always go as planned. They have to constantly be looking for new ways to shoot a shot. They have to be able to improvise and problem solve in order to adjust to the many changes that happen on set. They also are in charge of people’s safety on set.

The author has a lot of strengths with this article because they express a lot of different situations a first AD would be in and how to effectively handle those. The only weakness is that it almost seems hypothetical, so it would be nice to have some personal experiences in it in order to relate to the author.

The author concludes the article with the assurance that being an AD or even just working on a film is a stressful and long process - but it is rewarding. You make bonds with the people and create amazing projects. The author asserts that the hard work pays off with the end game and relationships made.

I think this article was really helpful and offered useful information. Yet, I feel like it could’ve been narrowed down to just a couple objectives. I think it also could’ve gone in depth to distinguish the difference between a first AD and a UPM. It is kinda one sided and could’ve really benefited from some first person, real life situations and how they were handled in order to gain perspective.

The authors information does support the main points they assert. The evidence could’ve been more specific and personal instead of hypothetical. I would use this information as a filmmaker because I am very interested in directing and learning how to be an assistant is just as important as being the director. There is nothing I don’t directly understand.

This was a good article and I benefited from being reminded all the duties of being as assistant because it doesn’t seem like it would be a big job but it is and really influenced the film process.

https://nofilmschool.com/2018/05/heres-what-you-need-know-about-becoming-successful-assistant-director