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

KCS Premiere Night

The Kansas City Savior Reflection

My Role in the Feature Film:

My production role in the feature film was second assistant director. Some of the challenges I faced were the power struggle between the directors. Some people did not want to step and and take charge while others took charge but not with good leadership and authority. I think it was just a learning curve for all of us to see what it means to be a leader. I learned that in order to get things done, most of the time you have to do it yourself because there are people who will not want to do there job. I also learned that it is important to be compassionate and help people with their work because that makes them stronger. I wasn't given really any feedback for myself, besides the couple times I said my opinion and they were actually good ideas. My overall opinion was that I could have done more. I wanted to do more, but I felt unappreciated by the other people of the team. My impact was that I was just there to do whatever people needed me to do, but I feel like the directorial roles could've been better situated. 

Time in Class:

During class I helped discuss what we have done well and what we need to do better as well as helping the first AD with whatever she needed. There were times I would help the art director because she was very behind on her work. When we had free time, the directors tried to work ahead to even the next shoot days. I watched a lot of movies outside of class as well as watching director's commentary in order to enhance my skills as second AD. 

Strengths:

My strengths are that I am very creative as well as imaginative. With a script, I can really make it unique and different (I was not given such room with this script) and make it a good script. I also like to think out side of the box and look for unique angles, editing, music and other aspects that would make the film entertaining and powerful. I am also a good leader and I know how to help people through the process of their work. It is something I have worked on and I can also work well and understand people and where they come from. Another skill of mine is that I know when to step back and let other people lead - as I did with this film. I knew that it was too late to try and make this film something it was not so I let others take the lead and I did what they wanted me to do which is just as important as being a good leader.

Improvement:

I need to improve on making sure everyone is included and valued. I need to work with everyones strengths as well as weaknesses. Because when everyone is included and working together, that is when the real magic of creating a project really flourishes.

Summary:

I really enjoyed the premiere. Even if the film wasn't the best it could be, being with friends and dressing up is always fun. I loved most about process was working with everyone and building relationships as well as learning. This was my first feature film and it is very different than a short film because of how many people there are. I would have been more vocal during the beginning of this process because I let people push me around and take credit for my work which I shouldn't have so from the beginning when we picked this script I should've pushed for a rewrite in the story. One take away I have is that team work makes it all happen. One goal I have is that I want to create something I am really, really proud of. Final thoughts are thank you for this learning process and we will be a lot better next year.