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.
