反正 (Post-Production)

Being the editor the this production, bulk of my workload and the responsibility of the edit was on me. Through the DI session at BMD, I felt that we had good rushes, in terms of the visual aspect, despite the ‘initial loss of one roll of coverage’. Then again, that was just the visual aspect. I still had much to worry for the audio clips and for them to be sync.

Having viewed the  ’loss of the one roll of the coverage’, and access how badly it was and how it would affect how the edit would be, I began to think of other ways to edit in order to slot in the rushes from the exposed roll of film. Rearrange the scenes, edit it in Black & White, add a vignette to it to hide the flare from the exposure; all these were just some of the options that I had in mind and also after discussing with the director. In the initial Rough cut, without the use of the coverage from the exposed rushes, the feedback that I got was the the story did not flow and there was no storyline to it. At that point of time, I was almost certain that even if I manage to use the coverage from the exposed rushes, it would not be of any help as it was the story that had the problem and it was not necessarily the edit. Knowing the problem, I knew I had to find a way to edit, and for the story to work. For long hours, I spent at the editing station, trying my best to piece the edit in different ways and means, getting suggestions from the other students and giving them a try. One of the suggestions that I got, was the use of voiceovers and with that in mind, I brought it up to the director, and after much discussion, again, we came to the conclusion there was no harm in trying to use voiceovers to help salvage the edit, and that could be the only way that the story and edit will work. Also, we realised that  we had to make the full use of our best rushes as well. However, the important point was to have the correct lines to fit the visual aspect, to fit the storyline, to fit the edit and ultimately to drive the story forward.

Given the short amount of time that I had to edit from the initial rough cut session to the fine cut session, I knew that I had to churn out the edit even faster, as much of the sequence of the film was to change. With that in mind, I had to rush the  director and scriptwriter for the lines and also the sound recordist, the producer to get the voiceover recording done as as soon as possible as without the new voiceover, I could not do much changes to the edit. However, I did not know if the rest of the team knew the urgency that I had for the edit and I felt that the recording was not done at the quickest time possible, so there, there was a break in my momentum for the edit and I lost around one day in terms of editing hours.

With the voiceover recording done, after much chasing, I added in the voiceovers to specific parts of the edit and rearranged some of the scenes to accomodate to the lines of the voiceover, I finally could feel that the edit was coming to live, the was more story to it, as compared to the initial rough cut and as much as it is considered to be like and art film, I felt the voiceovers and the lines did their job in pushing the story forward.

With the fine cut viewing round the corner, I knew that I had to have faith in my own editing skills and how I edited the film, as I felt that even though it was a fine cut viewing, I felt that it was a completely new rough cut as there as a huge difference in how the story flowed and how it as edit. As much as I could do, there was only THAT much that I could do to make the edit work. To add on the problems that I met along the way for the edit, I found out that the composer that we got to compose the music, did not exactly manage to compose a melody to suit the edit and that he did not get back to the director for his latest edit for the melody. Without the use of music in the edit, I still felt that the edit could work, just that it was going to lose out on the extra bit that it could offer, if there was music to accompany it, at some of the scenes. At the very last minute, the sound recordist and director managed to find a few pieces of copyright free melodies off the internet, and they decided to use it, even though it did not really suit and or enhance the edit. I did not know if it was the shortage of time that prompted them to come to the decision, or that they decided to just use what they could find. As the editor, I knew that if the music piece does not suit the film in anyway, it is considered as good as not putting any music and it could potentially make things worse, in making the edit seem bad, as it did not fit the music in anyway or vice versa. I decided the take the initiative to look for more suitable pieces and I did manage to find them. I immediately suggested to the director that we use the pieces that I saw and I was really hoping that she would agree to it, as I felt that the pieces completely suited the mood and style of the film and edit and thankfully, she did agree.

 

I would proudly say that this edit is one of the toughest that I have done so far and I am really happy with what I have managed to come up with for the fine cut, with all the setbacks that the team and I had in the initial process of post-production. I have learnt one very simple lesson, one lesson that should be taught and learnt in our daily lives for everyone.

Communication.

Communication with the director was very important, as the director kept on telling me that I could edit the story to my own vision and style, but with all due respect to the scriptwriter, I knew that I had to keep the element of what the director and scriptwriter was looking to achieve when they first came up with the story, with the script and with how the acting and performances of the actors were like on set and on screen. Thus I had to constantly ask my director to review the sequential edits that I had done, some of the minor things like if the actions of the actors were important to the story, could I take away some lines and if it would affect the story or drive the story forward. I learnt that I had to communicate with the director irregardless of what happens in anytime of the whole production and that ultimately, the director had the final call in terms of the edit and how it is suppose to be like, even though I felt that I was given the freedom and have my own influence and feedback on how the edit should work.

 

I honestly feel that I have done a very good job for the edit and I could not have been happier with how the fine cut turns out to be like and I am looking forward to the screening for AFP#2.

反正 (Pre-Production)

With all the roles chosen: Esther – Producer, Zong Ling – Director, Herman – DOP, Euminl – Art Director, Shobana – Sound and myself being the editor, bulk of the pre-production work was based on Esther, Zong Ling, Herman and Euminl. Due to the short amount of time that the team has to prepare for the shoot, The four of them did their job together and would give an update to the rest of the team once in a while. As Zong Ling and Herman came up with the idea, they were writing the script, Esther was busy finding location and casts for the film, while Euminl was busy with the props and art direction, as the story was to be based in the 19780-1980s.

As I was not playing the most important role in pre-production, I helped out through ways such as giving some feedback to the script, whenever there was a new version, helped to think of props that Euminl might have left out, and also to help record down the auditions, even though Herman is the DOP, but he wrote the script and thus he knows what the character in the script is like, thus he sat down together with the Director when people came for the auditions. In the end, I also helped Euminl bought the white school shoes which were to be used as props, as she could not get cheap shoes anywhere near her home, while I could. I also went along for the location scouts as I was to be the Camera Assistant on set,and Herman wanted me to know what was to happen and what to expect on shoot (in terms of pre-planning the shots, how the camera was to be shifted, how the casts were to be brought over to the other side of the canal .etc)

From my point of view, finding the correct casts for this story was very crucial, as both characters would be need to interact a lot through out the story.  Thus when we thought that we have found the perfect male lead for the role, we had a huge problem looking for the female lead to suit and compliment, in terms of what the male lead could offer to the team and the story. Not only in terms of the level of acting was to be noticed, but also the actual character of the actor, how is the actor able to communicate with the other lead and the crew and also, the physical built and voice of the actor.

AFP #1 – Boundaries (Post-Production)

Post Production

When the crew went for the processing of the film, I was disappointed to see the footage to be in 4:3 aspect ration as it was supposed to be in 16:9. I later realised that it was because of the lens that was issued to me, it was not a 16:9 lens. Thus the footage ended up having a vignette at the corners, making it into a 4:3.

However on the overall look of the footage, I wa quite sastified with the camera movements and the lighting aspect as well.

Apart from the footage, I helped to get a friend to compose two songs for the film as the editor struggled to find suitable sound tracks to suit the mood of the film. Thus the music was composed based on the film, providing a certain degree of pace and emotions for the viewers. In a way, it helped to improve the mood and pacing of the film.

AFP #1 – Boundaries (Production)

Day One

As we were staying in the loft during our production and that our first scene and location was at the loft, the night before the shoot, I had the opportunity to pre-light the room that was going to be used for the first scene. In which it would save some time, on set during the actual production.

For the the first day of shoot, the crew call was at 8am and thus had to be up early. Despite all the crew reaching in time on set, we had some early setbacks as we realised that we did not have the pick up spool for the film magazine. In the end, we came to the general consensus and Herman went home to take the extra film that we were given during cinema class. That was the only that that we could do, even though the pick up spool was for daylight film and that we were shooting on tungsten. That tad bit of carelessness caused the schedule to be pushed back, even when we have not started our shoot. It wasn’t a good way to start o the production. Further more, one of the casts woke up late and it pushed back our schedule even more.

With the film magazine loaded and while waiting for the casts to have their make up applied, the director and I started to prepare for the first shot for the scene. After going through all the last minute changes to the camera positions, as there was a change of blocking for the casts, we were ready to start recording (of course with some help and advice from Mr Lau). Through the shoot for the first roll of film, the shoot went pretty smooth, with the casts and crew knowing what they had to do. However, when it came to loading the second roll of film, Herman ran into some problems with the feeding and receiving end. While Herman was trying to figure out what was wrong with the loading, Euminl and I took the opportunity to run through the remaining shots for the scene. Ultimately, Herman found out and realised that there was nothing wrong with the film. By then, two hours had past already and because of that, time was lost and thus for every shot that I had to reposition the lights, I had to think fast and act fast but also at the same time, provide what the Director wanted from the shot. It was not much of an issue as it was a indoor location with a controlled lighting position, and all was needed to be done was to reposition the lights and not having to remove or add any specific lights. The rest of the shoot for the scene went pretty smooth.

Lighting up the next scene at a different location was some what like a challenge in the initial stage, as we only had photos for references and that the location was only confirmed on the actual day of shoot. Besides with being stranger to the location, there was a change of script, and I to wait for the ‘new script’ for the scene to be confirmed. What I could was to set up the shots which were confirmed, which was the establishing tracking shot of the house external house which we were using. Also, what I could do was to block off the house lights with the flag kit and set up the lights for the location which we were going to use (lighting up the location, not the casts), as I did not know the blocking of the casts yet.

With the revised script for the scene done, I then discussed with Herman and Euminl as to where would be the most appropriate place from the casts to sit as where they were seated would determine their background and also how I would have to light them. Apart from the setback of the script, the rest of the shoot for Day One went smooth. I wrapped up the first day of shoot by 2:30am.

Day Two

For Day two, the crew call as at 8am and the first shot of the day was again at the loft, thus I didnt have much trouble lighting the casts as I have done the lighting the previous day.

However, for the later scene it was a different challenge altogether.

In the next location, it was an outdoor night scene and I had to figure out how to light the whole place  and also to make crucial decisions as to what lights to use and what kind of lighting do i want. Also there, there were house florescent lights which would ultimately affect the colour of the footage.

As we have had made the location scouts during production, the shoot went pretty smooth as we know what which of was were required to do, even though at times temper did flare as we were kind of behind the schedule and I was not given enough time to set up the lights for the scene at the shot. Apart from the time constrain, the crew did not run into much trouble with in terms of blocking and filming.

AFP #1 – Boundaries (Pre-Production)

With the group and roles sorted out. Our main priority wad to cone up with two stores for the pitch. By the first meeting Er had already coke ip withbtwo premised for Teo stories however the main thing thatvwr always had trouble with was coming up with an inciting incident so thayva change in the story or chargers cab occur.
It was only during our very first casting session that we had a story with an inciting incident, where for a good two hours we threw whatever idea we had on the whiteboard in the sound stage. Only then was the scriptwriter able to come up with the script.

As the dop, my primary role was to help out the director with her shotlisy and scoreboard, tur planning of the shots and also plan where I would place the camera and lights while on location scout. I would also have to had ‘translate’ the storyboard onto the overhead floorplan where it would enable me to have a better view on the placements of the camera for the different shots and to watch out for any potential jumpcut shots and or crossing of the line of action.

Dialogue Assignment

Apologies for the late submission. 

oh and one thing, I had to change the scenario a little bit, cause my dad’s a pastor and he would never go and drink and stuff, so I changed it to going home late from work. sorry about it. =/

and for some reason, I can’t post it here, so please refer to the link that I’ve made to listen to it. Hopefully it works.

 

It goes like this.

Husband: I am back..

Wife: Where did you go?why so late?

Husband: Had ministry counseling, a couple had some urgent issues

Wife: How come you didn’t call back like what you always do. I’ve cooked dinner for you.

Husband: I’m sorry, cause it was last minute and there were many things on my mind; but anyway thank you for cooking.

 

 

Huang Yixi Vicson

S10059493B

T1B2

alright. sorry for the ultra late post. didn’t check my mail till this morning and have been busy for the past few days. oh wells, guess sometimes, we are too reliant on technology.

okay, Vicson, no more excuses. hah!

plenty of things to settle. first things first. the true and false story.  You know, I was laughing to myself when the comments came in and how I managed to make a true story sound so unreal and how just a couple of details could make a true story into a false story.

Story 1. It is almost true, okay, the part where I went to the States after 9-11 is true, everything is true until I came to the part of me staying in the cockpit during the flight from San Jose to Portland. As a matter of fact, I only stayed inside for less the 5 minutes, enough time for a couple of photos to be taken. Also the part of me holding a M16, its false, but yes, I did hold the revolver before. So the conclusion. 95% of story 1 is true.

 

 

Story 2. Every single bit of the story is true. I really did climb it. I guess, its really up to you to believe me or not.

thats how high it is.

and you see that window on the right, yup. that’s the window, and if you wondering the dog in the house. that’s my dog.

I haven really thought of a certain topic to blog about, so I guess I will just blog about whatever that comes to my mind.

 

Well, 8 weeks since school started, and it has just been so fast. new classmates and friends made. people who teach us no longer called teachers but lecturers. students being treated as young adults instead of secondary school kids. no more so called homework. now its assignments and projects. yes, know I know how true it is when people say Secondary school life is way different as compared to poly life. why? simple answer, cause I am experiencing it now.

From constant blogging in secondary school, to only blogging when I need to in poly life, on my personal blog. many people who are still in secondary schools might be thinking to themselves ‘Isn’t there anything interesting to blog about in poly life?’ . Well, does that seem to be the case? From where I see it, nope, its not the case. I mean there are so many things to blog about in poly. from about how exciting or boring your lectures can be, to how your lecturer dresses, talks, and stuff(obviously I won’t be doing that, I wouldn’t want to get myself into trouble), to the many new things that you learn during your lecturers and tutorials or perhaps the eye candy that you have been looking at for the past 8 weeks. So, it seems like it isn’t the case of nothing to blog about, I guess it’s just a matter of not having the time to blog or maybe it goes back to having nothing to blog about when you run out of things to blog about on what happened in school. Well, it does seem ironic, doesn’t it?

Okay, apart from that. Like what I have said, 8 weeks have passed and plenty of things have happened ever since I came into Ngee Ann. Events that have put me on cloud nine, events that have put me in despair, events that have thrown me into confusion, the dropping of the camera(if you guys do not know, its me and I mean, no I am not proud of it, but neither do I want to hide the fact that it was me who did it), having a photo that was in the first group for Photography, whatever events that have happened but now as I come to think of all the events that have happened, I am sure all these things have happened for a reason and I know that through all these, I have become stronger as a person, emotionally and mentality, and I guess I am more then prepared for anything that comes my way in the next term of school. Some how, some part of me dread for school to reopen, but on the other hand, another part of me can’t wait for school to start. I guess, its because of the assignments and projects, but the fun that the class might have in lectures and tutorial makes me want to go back. oh wells.

Now that I come to think of it, this is like the first post that I haven really focused and narrowed on one topic. But its like the last of the weekly posts, so I guess its alright?

 

Well, it seems like nothing’s coming into my mind to provide me to blog about and honestly, I am so in the holiday mood that I am lazy to think of stuff to blog about, so I guess I’ll just end here.

 

 

Huang Yixi Vicson

S10059493B

T1B2 

Writing Dialogue

*door opens*

Wife: (sarcastic for the first part) Sooo, you are finally home. Where have you been?

Husband: i thought I gave you a ca….

Wife:(cuts her) NO! you didn’t even bother to call back. this isn’t the first time, asshole!!(whispers to herself) I’ve cooked dinner for you and all and..

Husband: OKAYOKAY! I am sorry! Alright!

Wife: So this is how you apologise!! do you even mean it?!

Husband: LOOK!! just be grateful that I even bothered to apologise!

Wife: So this is what I get after 11 years of marriage?!? Ungratefulness?!? Not even a word of ‘Thank You’ ?!??!

Husband: Look, I really didn’t mean to…

*door slams*

Commitment

I was talking to my friend yesterday, and we came upon this word. Commitment.

Just what is commitment? Is it just being committed to something or anything that you have chosen to commit to? Well, it seems like the case. But it is easier said then done. I am sure everyone knows it.

Commitment could refer to many things, or maybe as a matter of fact, be related everything that one does. If I mention the word commitment to anyone along the streets, and ask for the first thing that comes to their mind, I am sure all would provide different answers.

Committed to a relationship, of any kind. Be it with people, work, animals, and sports. Being committed to finish up your work before the deadline, being committed to shower your dog once a week, being committed in making a tackle in a game of soccer, being committed in a relationship with your loved one. I mean, I can continue listing out all the different things that we can stay committed to, but it would defeat the purpose of this rather short, yet, should I say ‘soul-searching post’. I mean wouldn’t it be meaningless if you promise to stay committed to a certain thing, and yet you are doing it half-heartedly?

 

Now, the question of the post, ask yourself,

Are you being committed in whatever you are doing?

 

 

Huang Yixi Vicson

S10059493B

T1B2

 

Notes – 28/05

 Purpose of the Exercise

-A true story is not necessarily a good story.

Good stories have to be worked and re-worked.

-True-life stories do not offer neat and relevant endings.

-Life is unpredictable

-In a story, we can and must control the events ad sequences so that it gives the appearance of being life-like.

-Every story starts with a character. > If there’s no character, can start with character, settings and events.

The character is the HEART, the SOUL and NERVOUS SYSTEM.

 

Characterization: Defining the Character

It is through your characters that the viewers experience emotions.

It is through your characters that they are touched.

<Without a Character, there is no Action>

<Without Action, you have no Conflict>

<Without Conflict, you have no Story>

<Without Story, you have no Screenplay>

 

Developing Characters

Who is your character?

What does he want?

What is his quest? What drives him to the resolution of the story?

 

- Establish your main character.

Characters should have a 3 Dimensional Structure.

a)    Physiology

-Sex

-Age

-Height, Weight

-Colour of hair, eyes, skin

-Posture

-Appearance

-Defects, abnormalities, deformities, birthmarks, diseases

-Heredity

b)   Sociology

-Class (lower, medium, upper)

-Occupation: type of work, hours of work, income, condition of work, attitude towards organization, suitability for work.

-Education: amount, kind of schools, marks, favourite subjects, poorest subjects, aptitudes

-Home life: parents living, earning power, orphan, parents separated/divorced, parents’ habits, parents’ mental development, parents’ vices, neglect, character’s martial status.

-Religion

-Race, Nationality

-Place in the Community; leader among the friends, clubs, sports

-Political

c)    Psychology

-Sex life, moral standards

-Personal Premise, Ambition

-Frustrations, Chief disappointments

-Temperament: choleric, easy-going, pessimistic, optimistic

-Attitude towards life: resigned, militant, defeatist

Complexes: obsessions, inhibitions, superstitions, phobias

Personality: extrovert, introvert           

-Abilities: language, talents

-Qualities: Imagination, judgment, taste, poise

-IQ

-What is the deep and personal secret this character has which he is desperate to protect/hide?

 

Separating the components of his life into 2 basic categories

 

a)    Interior

Ø  The interior life takes place from birth until the moment your story begins.

Ø  It is a process that forms character. [When you start formulating your character from birth, you see your character build in body ad form]

>How old is he when the story begins?

>Where does he live?

>Does he have siblings?

>What kind of childhood did he have?

>What kind of child was he?

>Is he married, single, widowed, separated or divorced?

b)   Exterior

Ø  The exterior life takes place the moment your story begins to its conclusion.

Ø  It is a process that reveals the character.

>Who are they and what do they do?

>Are they sad or happy with their life?

>Do they wish their life were different? Another job? Another wife?

 

YOU MUST CREATE YOUR CHARACTERS IN RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PEOPLE OR THINGS.

> They experience conflict in achieving their dramatic need [eg. Rob banks, rob a store, rob a person]

 

>They interact with other characters. [Either in an antagonistic, friendly or indifferent way]

 

>They interact with themselves.[he overcame his fear of being caught by pulling the robbery successfully]

 

How do you invent characters?

-Try turning them upside down.

>Don’t make them dull, boring.