Reflections on Prelim Judging - Weng Shern

We did what we aimed to do - Explain our motives, describe our rough story, show them the brief storyboard and blog link - with a lot of research done. It wasn't a bad job seriously. Initially, after we saw a group present on "Life of 2 waterbottles", we were epicly stunned (You should have seen the look on our faces). How the fk did they have such a similar project to us? Was Kai Siang a mole? - joke. Anyway, we eventually found out that their theme is more on environmental conservation with mixed mediums such as film and animation.. which to me, is totally retarded and ugly when combined together.

So, we waited all the way till all the groups presented, and finally it was us to give a good end to the show. We went up to the stage, and started presenting. Although there were minor stutters in presentation, I'm pretty sure the judges and audience understood what was going on, and gave quite constructive questions cum comments.

The storyboard probably saved us since it was the only visual we had to show to the judges other than random pictures on the powerpoint, and that again I think will give us the upper edge in passing the Prelims.

Now, what do we plan to do next?
With most of the background research done, I'll start researching more on the object - schoolbag and the various things that revolve around it. When I mean things, I really do not know another appropriate word to substitute it. Anyways, after that, we'll start finalizing the storyboard with the mentor and stuff.

After finalization, we'll start contacting various vendors for permission to shoot as well as decide on the actors and props and costumes (clothing to suit the scene). Our budget will roughly by $50 at most, contribution of $15 from each member. No choice.

By end of June, shooting should be completed and editing to have partially started and we'll show the film to our friend for him to compose the song. Alternatives to friends composing are Royalty free music, but we'll try to get really free-rights music.

Human Nature - The Storyline Brief

Our film will revolve around the lives of 2 school bags (which are branded). There will be 2 main characters - a poor guy who acts as the protagonist as well as a rich kid who acts as the antagonist. Although these 2 characters are introduced, they play a role not as significant as the objects themselves. The objects HAVE FEELINGS.

So the rich kid buys this branded bag from an expensive shop, while the poor kid purchases/picks up the bag at a relatively cheaper price from a nearby garage sale (moving house). The bag looks a bit weared out, but it is still in good condition. Both kids go to the same school everyday, and their friends are constantly mocking both of them for having the same bags. The rich kid receives much praise while the poor one, well... gets accused for being poor.

So, the story goes on with the rich kid endlessly treating his bag with least respect, throwing it around when he's frustrated or once he reaches home, while the poor kid values the bag as much as his only prized treasure. For example during a soccer game, the rich and poor kid plays together but the rich kid dumps it in the mud excited to play, while the poor kid takes good care of it.

Finally, one day, the rich kid's bag is so worn out that the base just gives away and the books fly down like a rapid waterfall. The poor kid's bag on the other hand is still in pretty much the same condition as before. The rich guy gets humiliated and throws away his bag, and his bag gets run over by a car or something. But the rich bag also feels totally sad and envious of the poor bag, who even though was once worse than him, is much better than him now because of a good owner it has.

The moral of the story can be based on 2 different perspectives.

The first moral: Treat your subordinates well, and they will respect you and give you their best.

Method:

We will try to use as minimal dialogue as possible, while at the same time, conveying the feelings of the bags through the actions of the characters as well as the angles/lighting/contrast settings, and the music.
We will not use too many details as they will confuse the audience. We will keep it as simple as possible.
We will forever stay committed to this project and give our best till the very last.

Analysis of films

Example of a lousier film




What is bad and can be prevented:

- Shaky: 0.36-0.40, 2.04-2.07
- Unclear/Awkward Transition: 1.08-1.10
- Could have captured a larger percent of the actor’s body (Rule of thirds) : 1.50
- Bad focusing of actor: 2.52


Compared to a better film




What is good and can be learned

- Background music is relaxing, which suits the scenery and fishing theme of the film
- Short and concise, yet is able to convey the message across to the readers
- Uses many camera angles such as 0.44
- Transition of the film is smooth and perfect
- Effective use of black and white film to showcase the stark contrast, enhancing the subject matter. It also suites the theme of friendship between 2 old men.

These Four Walls [Camera Angles & Lighting

Film: These Four Walls

http://www.youtube.com/user/WongFuProductions#p/u/5/F7Vc4WeZQ38

0:30 – Close up camera shot, background blurred with main object focused; emphasis on the intended object, signifies importance and gives audience a general sense on the area of focus

0:40 – Blurred fade in transitions between scenes, slow paced; shows the effect of gradual progression of the object

0:57 – Windmill sitting by the edge of steps. Windmill follows the one-third rule in camera photography; sits at the right-third of the film at this point with the stair case on the left-third

0:59 – Windmill is hidden behind part of furniture of some sort. The scene is nicely framed using two pieces of furniture on each edge, natural feeling

1:07 – One-third rule put in place again, background blurred with focus on windmill spinning in the wind

*A series of windmill shots being shown [Each of them following the one-third rule]

*Windmill in a noticeably brighter environment in the outdoors. In contrast to the scenes at the start – Shows general change of mood

1:45 – Broader shot with bright lightings reflecting off the yellow leave on the tree; gives a feeling of serenity

2:06 – Windmill is filmed looking over the whole huge city; emphasis on the miniature size of the windmill and exaggerates the size of the city; leaving a colossal impression, also with the use of a high-angle shot

*Next few scenes shows the windmill being filmed spinning with plenty of shots showing the sun shining on it [Use of natural lighting; showing calmness]

2:44 – Scene framed using two sides of buildings with a river in the centre. Building’s reflection can be seen clearly in the water, giving a nice reflection effect

*Next few scenes, night falls in the city. Windmill is shown still spinning in various different scenes with lesser lightings and the change of background to a more urban theme. Suggests change of mood

*Plenty of fade-in-out shots used

*Bright Lights to emphasize happiness and peacefulness, maybe joy

*Many faded background scenes to emphasize focus on the windmill

*Film ends with the same scene it begins with

short film- happy meal music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3_KtEC1rkk&playnext=1&list=PL633B7AF66A9427CD

start of vid: eerie and scary music. to depict a scary scene as the office worker looked scared and out of sorts. he suspiciously put a gun in his briefcase and left the office in a hurry.

1 min 10: eerie music continues as the man is stalked by a scary looking monster and he seemed very afraid and was escaping all the way. in total contrast to film title 'happy meal'

1 min 20: deafening slience fills the air as a scary looking 'ronald macdonald' creeps up to the man behind him. the music describes the anticipation of the horror that follows.

1 min 26: screeching high-pitched music fills the air as the man finds out about the beast stalking him.The high pitched music brings out the fear running through every cell of the man at the moment.

1 min 42: high pitched music breaks out as the beast. although shot multiple times by the man, gives a loud roar and continues to chase after him. The fast paced music brings out the fear of the man as he tries to escape.

2 min: the man is pinned down and his blood brutally sucked out. Slow, sad and low pitch music breaks out as a symbol of his tragic and bloody death.

post on short film on the video offside

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYIxBRA5qjA&feature=relmfu

start of film: commentary from a radio to 2 soldiers on a soccer match. This compliments the title of the film 'Offside'. But the quality is rather low.

1 min 30: 2 italian soldiers with guns appear opposite the brazilians. commentary continues but the 2 sets of men although facing off, are not willing to open fire on each other. they listen intently to the commentary as the match gets intensified.

2 min 46: both sets of men are sweating and they are so nervous about the match they could'nt hold their guns well. Commentary continues.

2 min 52: commentary suddenly stops. radio loses signal. silence takes over. the whole standoff escalates into unbearable tension

3 min 25: just when they were about to open fire, the commentary resumes. tensions immediately stop and both sides breathe a sigh of relief.

4 min: after news broke out that brazil scored, the brazillian soldier accidentally opens fire and hits an italian soldier. a deafening silence consumes the entire film to describe the 'uh-oh' feeling felt by all the men there.

4 min 15: As the radio continued the cheers for brazil's goal, both sets of men broke out into an epic gunfire and all die. When they die, news broke out that the goal was offside. Very funny end to the video.

Music of short film- strangers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpjHSiQLPmA

start of film: no music, background sound to emphasise the location the 2 men were in (in the train)

2 min 13: Drum thumping sounds: to describe the air of nervousness and uncertainty as well as some tension when one man sprayed black man on one of the main character's newspaper on purpose.

4 min 23: Handphone ringing although on the surface seems to ease abit of the tension between the few men who were by now staring daggers at each other, however it only escalted the tension between the two parties

4 min 43: All hell broke loose and some fast paced action music was played as the two strangers attempted to run from the group of gangster-like men.

5 min 53: The fast paced music suddenly stops and silence consumes the film. the two men have escaped and smiled at each other at the 2 sides of the platform. Calm is restored to the film and they go their seperate ways.