Written Evaluation for Artefact and Sketchbook Film
What went well?
Planning
I wanted to ensure that both my artefact and Sketchbook film were going to be achievable and successful, whilst linking towards the idea of a historical documentary for my forthcoming graduation piece. I created a rough shot list and storyboard to support my project titled “Never Forget, Always Remember”. I have been in contact with various organisations and groups, which tie into my subject matter; they have since taken an interest into my proposal for my forthcoming graduation piece and offered around sources and information to aid my production.
I used this module as a chance to experiment with different ways in which footage can be overlaid to convey an emotional message or create movement within a locked off shot. I feel like the tests that were carried out have helped to sufficiently prepare myself for the intended style of my graduation film. Whilst challenging my practice through taking risks, I feel like this has helped to support my independent research into the content for my short experimental artefact. Both my artefact and sketchbook consist of multiple elements that link into the theme of remembrance. I covered a lot of different areas of research and experimentation, which meant that when it came to the editing for my sketchbook, I had a variety of interesting concepts.
What went well?
Planning
I wanted to ensure that both my artefact and Sketchbook film were going to be achievable and successful, whilst linking towards the idea of a historical documentary for my forthcoming graduation piece. I created a rough shot list and storyboard to support my project titled “Never Forget, Always Remember”. I have been in contact with various organisations and groups, which tie into my subject matter; they have since taken an interest into my proposal for my forthcoming graduation piece and offered around sources and information to aid my production.
I used this module as a chance to experiment with different ways in which footage can be overlaid to convey an emotional message or create movement within a locked off shot. I feel like the tests that were carried out have helped to sufficiently prepare myself for the intended style of my graduation film. Whilst challenging my practice through taking risks, I feel like this has helped to support my independent research into the content for my short experimental artefact. Both my artefact and sketchbook consist of multiple elements that link into the theme of remembrance. I covered a lot of different areas of research and experimentation, which meant that when it came to the editing for my sketchbook, I had a variety of interesting concepts.
The films that I have watched for visual inspiration consisted of an architectural theme where the viewers are guided to focus on the past in contrast to the present; the same idea is briefly addressed within my artefact and sketchbook film. The audience are given an insight into how the subjects within the frame move within an open landscape, portraying the remains of the airfield or buildings interiors. The technique of overlays have been employed within my short artefact film and touched upon in my sketchbook as a way to experiment with the level of opacity needed for my ghostly figure. Kiarostami’s work influenced the lack of camera movement within my artefact. His experimental piece "Five" from 2003 utilises locked off shots, similar to the opening sequence presented in my film, which presents a young RAF officer walking along the airfield. Here is a link to my blog where I talk about Iranian New Wave cinema and give a short review of Kiarostami's film "Five".
Filming
I filmed at a wide range of locations, some of which I decided not to use within my work. The visuals that I employed were to portray the open spaces and their landscapes, this allowed for clever innovations of movement alongside my ghostly figure. I experimented with the use of different cinematic techniques such as a slider for the end of my artefact. This particular movement tracks across a line of gravestones for improved composition, I wanted to see whether or not that I could set the slider up at an awkward angle to give the effect of elevation as if the young soldier was being sucked up to heaven. There are a few shots that I captured which I ended up not using, an over the head shot of the soldier gently clenching his fist whilst holding a poppy. This shot would be repeated and reversed to give off an effect of a crumpled poppy transforming into a polished artefact. Reasons as to why it wasn’t used linked into my intentions for the narrative; I feel it would have given my project a linear narrative when I was trying to create a film that consisted of a mixture of linear and non-linear. Here is a link to my blog where I talk about the shooting of the ghostly past, similar to “Five”
Filming
I filmed at a wide range of locations, some of which I decided not to use within my work. The visuals that I employed were to portray the open spaces and their landscapes, this allowed for clever innovations of movement alongside my ghostly figure. I experimented with the use of different cinematic techniques such as a slider for the end of my artefact. This particular movement tracks across a line of gravestones for improved composition, I wanted to see whether or not that I could set the slider up at an awkward angle to give the effect of elevation as if the young soldier was being sucked up to heaven. There are a few shots that I captured which I ended up not using, an over the head shot of the soldier gently clenching his fist whilst holding a poppy. This shot would be repeated and reversed to give off an effect of a crumpled poppy transforming into a polished artefact. Reasons as to why it wasn’t used linked into my intentions for the narrative; I feel it would have given my project a linear narrative when I was trying to create a film that consisted of a mixture of linear and non-linear. Here is a link to my blog where I talk about the shooting of the ghostly past, similar to “Five”
Editing
My chosen rhythmic editing style works well to convey a theme of remembrance, the superimpositions helped to make my piece reflective. The voice over in my sketchbook brings everything together, outlining the process of development and it helps the viewer understand my thought process and intentions for my forthcoming graduation piece. The use of key frames allows for the young officer to fade in and out of the frame, which enhances the ghostly effect, which was achieved by adjusting the opacity. One particular section that I think worked well is positioned at the end of the short film "Never Forget, Always Remember" A young soldier is portrayed in the frame; he fades in as he salutes the graves for his fellow crew, once the hand moves down to his side, the second shot fades in over the top and the camera slides across to the right.
Another element of my film that worked well involved the sound effects and style of music choice. The mixing of the sound for the spitfire worked well as I was able to add de-noise to adjust my audio clips and music to make them consistent, this was then heavily carried out within my sketchbook for the narration. I carried out a short interview piece with Nathaniel Marklew where I got him to ask about the process of my film. The audio, which we recorded, helped to shape the script for my sketchbook film.
What didn't go well?
What didn't go well?
Planning
I dedicated the majority of my time for experimenting with different shooting techniques for my short. The idea for my sketchbook film was to create a 5-minute film that would portray the process of creating a historical documentary. This would include artefacts like postcards, photographs, archive footage, digital images, site plans, contacts made, locations visited and much more. I feel like the voice over for my sketchbook could have been cut down, as my film is around 6 minutes. However, I feel that if I had chopped it down, I could have missed an important element of the explanation for production.
I dedicated the majority of my time for experimenting with different shooting techniques for my short. The idea for my sketchbook film was to create a 5-minute film that would portray the process of creating a historical documentary. This would include artefacts like postcards, photographs, archive footage, digital images, site plans, contacts made, locations visited and much more. I feel like the voice over for my sketchbook could have been cut down, as my film is around 6 minutes. However, I feel that if I had chopped it down, I could have missed an important element of the explanation for production.
Filming
The cards of my camera filled up pretty quickly so I spent a lot of time transferring footage and charging my batteries. This time could have been channelled more efficiently towards experimenting with lighting setups which would make the piece more visually stunning and opened up an opportunity to film in one of the old air-raid shelters. I plan to use the air-raid location for my forthcoming graduation piece. For the re-wilding section of my grad film, I decided to set up my own wildlife set as a way to entice a wide variety of wildlife to the surrounding area where I was filming. The majority of my time was taken up by set up for this and moving around the area to achieve different angles.
Editing
Whilst editing the short film, I decided that I wanted to color grade my footage to give a winter/autumn feel and resemble the seasons of when it was shot, changing the different Lumetri color wheels/curves to achieve the perfect color palette. I spent a lot of time looking for a specific orchestral music track that could set the scene for my film right from the get-go. I wanted an emotional/sad orchestral instrumental piece of music, which would reflect the art of war as well as lifting the room with a calming melody.
What I would do differently?
Whilst editing the short film, I decided that I wanted to color grade my footage to give a winter/autumn feel and resemble the seasons of when it was shot, changing the different Lumetri color wheels/curves to achieve the perfect color palette. I spent a lot of time looking for a specific orchestral music track that could set the scene for my film right from the get-go. I wanted an emotional/sad orchestral instrumental piece of music, which would reflect the art of war as well as lifting the room with a calming melody.
What I would do differently?
Planning
I would plan to use fewer locations for my filming, this would allow myself to become more focused on the task but I had an urge to experiment within different locations and try my best to create a film which would question the viewer's perceptions as to what was happening.
Filming
I would like to use a dolly, I think this could have been a lot more effective towards the end scene, the slider was pretty small in scale, restricting the movement across the screen. I think I could have shown the young soldier entering the graveyard; the dolly could have tracked the soldier up to the gate and followed them along the gravel path up to the gravestones. I created my own go pro rig, which allowed myself to place the camera on the car and film the soldier out in front but stability was an issue.
I would plan to use fewer locations for my filming, this would allow myself to become more focused on the task but I had an urge to experiment within different locations and try my best to create a film which would question the viewer's perceptions as to what was happening.
Filming
I would like to use a dolly, I think this could have been a lot more effective towards the end scene, the slider was pretty small in scale, restricting the movement across the screen. I think I could have shown the young soldier entering the graveyard; the dolly could have tracked the soldier up to the gate and followed them along the gravel path up to the gravestones. I created my own go pro rig, which allowed myself to place the camera on the car and film the soldier out in front but stability was an issue.
Editing
For the editing of the short film, if I had more uniforms I would have liked to have superimposed three different characters in front of the gravestones at the end to give the effect that more than one soldier has come to pay his/her respects to their fellow crew.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I am proud of the artefact that I have created for my research and experimentation module, I feel like the visuals, music, editing style, costume and props all help to portray my intended theme of remembrance. I feel like the end shot of the officer walking around the graveyard and saluting on screen helps to achieve the intended twist for my film, which is that the ghostly figure is remembering others around him; whilst at the same time, we are remembering an officer through the opaque figure.
The sketchbook film works as a short film to show my thought process for this particular module. Displaying the research, inspirational sources, and experimentation that I employed through my research and touches upon the idea for my graduation piece.
Here is a link to my blog with everything labeled for my Research and Experimentation module: https://lukecurnopca.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Film%20301
Bibliography – Films
Five (2003). Directed by Abbas Kiarostami: Iran
The Glen Miller Story (1954). Directed by Anthony Mann. NYC, Universal-International
For the editing of the short film, if I had more uniforms I would have liked to have superimposed three different characters in front of the gravestones at the end to give the effect that more than one soldier has come to pay his/her respects to their fellow crew.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I am proud of the artefact that I have created for my research and experimentation module, I feel like the visuals, music, editing style, costume and props all help to portray my intended theme of remembrance. I feel like the end shot of the officer walking around the graveyard and saluting on screen helps to achieve the intended twist for my film, which is that the ghostly figure is remembering others around him; whilst at the same time, we are remembering an officer through the opaque figure.
The sketchbook film works as a short film to show my thought process for this particular module. Displaying the research, inspirational sources, and experimentation that I employed through my research and touches upon the idea for my graduation piece.
Here is a link to my blog with everything labeled for my Research and Experimentation module: https://lukecurnopca.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Film%20301
Bibliography – Films
Five (2003). Directed by Abbas Kiarostami: Iran
The Glen Miller Story (1954). Directed by Anthony Mann. NYC, Universal-International
