28th September 2016

Point Break: Sound Mixing

Today, I've tried to mix and edit sounds to the a clip from Point Break. I've never done this before- it took me a while but eventually I've got what I wanted as a final product. I'm just glad it's ok!

26th September 2016

4MCE: Sound

Diegetic Sound

Non- Diegetic Sound

Diegetic Sounds are the sounds that the characters can hear

Gunshots, Scream, Police Siren, Dialogue

Non-Diegetic are the sounds that they cannot hear; added in post-production

Love music, Suspense strings, Soundtrack (OST)

26th September 2016

4MCE: Editing

Order of shots

Duration

26th September 2016

4MCE: Cinematography

Distance and Proximity

Angle

Moving or not?

=

THE MEANING THEY CREATE?

26th September 2016

MICRO-ELEMENTS

CAMERA

SOUND

EDITING

MISE-EN SCENE

26th September 2016

Sound Analysis: Drive

Diegetic Sound What the characters can hear

Non-Diegetic Sound Sounds put in post-production which they cannot hear

Background Music

Creates the mood of being followed and paints the tension gradually as the music gets more layered and louder in the scene.

Police Scanner (we-wo-we-wo)

Gradually louder in the distance. Foreshadows and adds to the tension of the thieves getting caught.

Crickets

Used to emphasize the setting of night to the audience. The crickets not only give the setting but also build the mood and create small suspense. Crickets are normally related to the meaning of isolation, but in this context with the actor "under pressure" and a stressed facial expression, the crickets isolates the actor in the thin line of time and luck. Silence is later used as it is the most effective sound for tension, which prolongs the wait even further.

Breaking In / Out SFX

This is applied when we see the extreme long shot of the robbers breaking out from the shop. Because it is seen from the far point of view of the actor in the car, and a big fence blocking them, this sounds is used to establish that they've broken out, therefore tension is broken and somewhat resolved.

Sports Radio: 4th Quarter

Radio voices of a baseball game building from each base as the heist progresses, is used to mainly support and build tension. The contrast of a lively, loud and cheerful voice of a commenter is said throughout the insecure, silent and risky heist. This not only explicitly tells the audience about the progression of the heist out of "4 bases", but also gives a bit of context about the actor listening to a game in the middle of a heist. By doing this, it shows how the actor is professional and knows what he is doing, as he doesn't seem to panic as much.

22nd September 2016

EVALUATION

Creative Process

How did you find working in a group when it came to:

• Coming up with and deciding on an idea?
• Working together when filming?

Instead of filming right away, we decided to sit down together and plan briefly on a brainstorm and vague notes about the plot. We tried to avoid watching movie clips of bank robberies and heists, as they would distract us to follow them, more than inspire us. 

To create a running pattern of thought, we wrote down words that link towards the idea of a heist. From those words, we tried to develop and extend its meaning and how we can use them in the film.

We had also produced a story board for an idea that we had about a tracking shot on the brief case that seemed a challenge to produce on film.

---

Most of the filming process was majorly improvised and based upon our written plan. We tried to combine ideas of a "successful heist" from our backgrounds- Toy and his experience of seeing heists through video games- Ryu on his thoughts through blockbuster films- and myself on the rhythm they use to approach the attack. 

Throughout the filming production, we called out different shots to cause various effects and build-up for the overall mood. For example, I called out the idea of the "three shots" and tracking shot of the briefcase moving from the safe onto the wooden table. I decided to do this to give the importance to the briefcase. In addition, Ryu had advised me on not showing face and voice, and to include a close up on the bag to give the effect at its fullest. 

Final Product

How do you feel about your film:

• List 2 things that you are particularly pleased with
• List 2 things that you think could be improved

I am pleased about the different shot types and how it is varied during the film. We did not stick to shaky cam or a still shot of a mid-close up. I am particularly pleased about the tracking shot on the brief case, and how all 3 shots were executed quickly and professionally that gives the mood of a well-planned heist.

Another thing that I thought worked well was the order of shots. Although this would be classed more of in the "editing" section rather than the film, I still believe that the order and duration of shots put together was perfect. For example, the shots of the robbers walking up the stairs were filmed thoroughly in many directions and angles, and were placed together at the right time and place. Instead of one shaky over the shoulder shot of the robbers up the stairs, the use of...

1. Still shot on the shoes
2. Tracking 2-shot of the robbers' bodies walking up
3. A still high angle shot at the turn
4. A low angle shot upon the approach at the top
5. Another 2-shot high angle with robbers facing towards camera and then breaking apart 

---

What I felt could be improved was definitely the handling of time management. The irony is that we were doing a project called "1 minute film project", but we ended up with 1 minutes 43 seconds of actual film footage- nearly 2 minutes. We should be more precise in selecting shots to see if they are really needed to create an effect/meaning, or if we could not include it and still maintain the things we want to keep/create.

In addition, I felt like there could be a little more exposition and dialogue to the film. This way, we could also have a 2-shot up the stairs with some exposition for the audience, hence the film's short duration. If they were to be a little more planned and clear dialogue, may be it would make a bit more sense and dramatic.

20th September 2016

THE 1 MINUTE HEIST

The project of creating a 1 minute film of a Heist was successfully published onto YouTube. We took only 1 hour and 15 minutes to plan briefly and film all the parts. Editing took Ryu only a day.

The final product is filmed, edited and published. All thanks to Ryu, my pal. Just by looking at the custom thumbnail I could already recall many great memories of silly out-takes and many, many, many re-takes on the scene where I tell the hostage, Mr Harrison, to "put his hands in the air". 

Ryu's definitely someone I can rely and trust as a great work partner.

May be now's the time to start considering my actual coursework team... all I know is he's down on my first list of people to work with.

19th September 2016

THE 1 MINUTE FILM PROJECT

Today, we were assigned a task- more of a fun project- to produce a 1 minute film of a chosen topic from 3 types. Heist, Interrogation, and to recreate a film. My group and I chose to make a Heist as it seemed exciting and we were full of ideas. 

Toy was the absolute guy to work with when doing this kind of stuff- not only do you get the interesting information of guns and how to use them, but also the meaning and feeling behind holding each one. Another great addition to this dream team is Ryu, who is preferred as cameraman and editor.

We've finished the filming since Tuesday's lesson. Saw Ryu's finished product on Premiere today. It looks very promising indeed.