Post 4: Module Evaluation

Module Evaluation 

Tom Wilson


Our finished film differed significantly to our initial treatment, however maintained the same themes we had discussed and explored in our two-minute film. For example, there was to be far more violence in our original concept, including the death of our main character, and the fight scene we ended up filming was to be a chase scene. However, we had to adapt and change these as they did not fit within our tight filming schedule. Instead, we changed it so that there was no violence; this led to a more emotionally striking ending than the bombastic one we had planned. Furthermore, the complex chase scene we had developed was changed to a fight scene.

Our main strength when it came to filming was our ability to adapt and change. The changes we made were for the better, and evolved into creating a more humorous and emotional piece, adding to our absurdist themes we already developed in our two-minute film. It also allowed ourselves to follow the Formalist theory we had adopted as the basis of our films themes. For example, the finale of the film was meant to be the death of our actor symbolizing the end of the Hollywood tropes as well as our insecurities, however we believed that thematically and personally we didn’t believe these things to be over for a long time, and as such the survival of our main character (who embodies our insecurities and the tropes of Hollywood) denotes the survival of the Hollywood style.

Our weaknesses lied more in our technical capabilities, for instance I lacked various abilities in editing which constricted us in what we could do. For example, I had never edited a fight scene before, and so when we were shooting it we had to remain minimalist, adopting close ups to ensure that none of the fake punches appeared fake. Furthermore, our lack of knowledge of sound, or lighting, led to some issues on set of over lighting, and poor audio quality.

During the shooting stages of our production I learnt a significant amount that I had either not learnt in the previous year, or had forgotten over time. For example, I learnt how to properly set up and use a track, and effectively utilize it within a shot. This also applies to the use of lighting, and the setting up of them, for instance a three-point light set up, like the setup used within Hollywood films. I also had the opportunity to use different lenses for our DSLRs and the distinct functions of them. Most importantly, I learnt, through trial and error, how to set up and shoot a realistic fight scene, something I had tried before and failed many times. Through the collaborative effort of our whole team, we were able to create a well-choreographed fight scene, and I was able to learn how to direct one properly.

As the editor I had a lot of time to learn how to effectively edit on a piece of software I was neither that familiar with, nor comfortable using. However, over the course of the two films my abilities with Avid Media Composer improved, and I was able to utilize the software to its fullest potential, using different effects, editing sound to create effects such as a sound emitting from a phone or through another room, thus creating different dimensions within the same shot. I have become more confident with the software, and was able to quickly edit any corrections needed to ensure we had the best film possible.

Regarding the suggestions of our peers and tutor, a lot of it was taken into consideration and used within the film. For example, one of our peers during our pitching of our two-minute long film, suggested we used a laughing track in a similar way to that in Natural Born Killers (Oliver Stone, 1994) and we then adopted this within the final parts of our film. Furthermore, it was the feedback on our treatment from our tutor that led us to rethink our structure and idea, and add in the more personal elements to the film, mainly the discussion of our insecurities.

As a team we collaborated on the whole film, but we also adopted the structure of each member directing their own segment of the film. For example, in both films I directed and shot the opening segments (the initial looping in the two-minute scene, and the fight scene and the phone call from my father in the five-to-ten-minute film.) This was to both share our creative talents, but also to have our own creative interpretations of our shared idea. This led to the discussion of three separate cinematic criticisms, and the unique interpretation of those themes. We worked well as a group, and helped each other during our own segments setting up, with the cinematography, and coming up with solutions to any problems, such as changing the final scene of our five-to-ten-minute film. The challenge we encountered was a misunderstanding of each other’s interpretations; however, this lasted for a short period of time, and we overcame it through open communication between ourselves.

My individual contribution came mainly through the editing of both pieces. I would edit once we had finished a shoot, and then upload it for the rest of the group to see and let me know of any changes. However, we already had a visual idea of what the film would appear like, so my job was to put it together as we had planned, add any effects I felt necessary, and if I had any ideas to show it visually to the group and await feedback. I also contributed through my individual representation of the theme I chose, and contributed by shooting it.

This project has helped mainly through my increased knowledge of editing and camera work. For example, I was able to use a Steadicam mount, different lenses and other cameras such as the Canon XF100 and the Nikon D3100 which were cameras I was not that familiar with. These things I am now more accustomed to, and would be able to handle during a professional shoot should I be hired to work on one.

I also became more familiar with Avid Media Composer which is currently the leading editing software in the film production business. This would make me more employable than someone with limited to no knowledge of the software. I chose to use the software, despite being unfamiliar with it and having limited knowledge of it and its interface, because I knew through practice I would improve, and thus have more employable skills. 

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