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.

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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 

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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.