Script: Hyper Reality

Hero’s Journey Production Task 11.4 – Term 02 Mr. Andrews

Self-reflection and evaluation:

Please answer each question using complete sentences to justify your responses, include as much detail and provide examples where possible.

Looking back on your production task this term, respond to the following:

• Are you satisfied with the final film?

While I am satisfied with the production as a whole, there are some aspect that I feel that I could have done better.

• Would like to change or improve any aspects of your film (storyline, shots, editing etc.)?

There are some aspects in my trailer that I would like to change. Firstly, I would like to improve the actions in some scene to make it more dynamic and flows well with the other shots in the trailer. Secondly, I would like to improve the editing for special effects. Even though it is my first time doing special effects, I would like to improve and blend well within the shots. Furthermore, I would have more variety of camera movements other than still shots to also make the trailer more dynamic. Otherwise, I am well satisfied with the rest. 

• Did you encounter any problems or difficulties during production? and How did this affect your project? (Difficulties may include; shooting, technical, time-management, teamwork, absences or editing etc.)

I have encounter some difficulties during production. Firstly, I had to change the schedule for filming some many times due some people unable to come or having last minute event that clash with the schedule. As the result of the change, I had to change location of some shots and change the way they looked. For instance, one of the actors have tennis on a Friday afternoon, the day that I wanted to film the chasing scene so I had to reschedule to the Sunday on the following week. As the dates change so the location as well. Instead of filming at school, I had to film at my place. Furthermore, on Sunday, the day to film the chasing scene, it rain on that day, therefore, the path was wet. So I had to change the action of some shots due to safety reasons, such as instead of jumping from a small wall, they jump from a bench. However, I solved those problems as I went around them. I manage to reschedule the filming and it went well. I still manage to finish filming the trailer altogether. Another problem were special effects since it was my first time. Although, it was not a major problem since I manage to work around it and make it as effective as possible.  

• Did you use the planning and analysis tools effectively? (Production schedule, ingredients list, storyboards, shot lists)

I use the planning and analysis tools effectively as they help me to film the trailer effectively. The shotlists and storyboard were in details, therefore, it help me to imagine what the trailer would look like as a whole. Even though I had some difficulties with the clashing schedule, I use the production schedule effectively to see what do I need to do on that day so I can be organised. The production also helped me to keep track my progress in filming and editing. 

• If you could start the project again, what would you do differently?

If I start the project again, I would first change the prophecy scenes as it was not what I have imagine. If I had more time, I would search more for effects of writings appearing  and use a better background to look like more a page of prophecy. I would also execute the actions scenes better to make the scenes more dynamic as the actions in the trailer looked mediocre. Other than that, I would keep the rest of the trailer since it is good but make it better. 

As this task focused on the Hero’s Journey, describe: 

• How you used the narrative elements to enhance your trailer (provide some examples)?

I have use some of the Hero's Journey elements to enhance the narrative in the trailer such as the Ordinary World, The Call To Adventure and Refusal of The Call. In the trailer, the main character Morgan is an ordinary girl as shown in the trailer, of her going to school and do everyday life things (like reading). Then the Call to the Adventure comes next as Morgan encounters a mysterious girl who tells her the Cycle has begun, as well as her powers awakens and her life change. Finally, the Refusal of the Call is shown where Morgan tries to think rationally that what has happen to her is impossible. Therefore, she denies the existence of magic before she changes her perceive when she get saved by her mentor Kayla. 

• How you used specific shot types to convey the visual narrative?

Most of the shots comprise of medium close-ups to reveal emotions but more about Morgan's doubts in the strange event happening to her. Long shots were also used to show the stakes and responsibility Morgan has as she is the one to end the Cycle of Magia. However, most of the shots were medium shots to emphasise the characters' characterisation and the narrative. 

Personal reflection and evaluation:

• Discuss how effectively you used your blog, to reflect on both the planning and production stages to support your work?

I feel that I have used my blog effectively to reflect on both planning and production stages to support my work. However, I know that I have fell behind when it comes to updating the blog regularly as I should have. Therefore, I should motivate myself to update the blog more regularly and reflect more on my work and progress. 

• Did the project require more or less time than you thought?

The project did require more time that I thought because originally, I thought that I would finish filming sooner to spend the last few days for editing. However, due to the difficulties with the filming schedule with the actors, it took more time to film than I originally thought. 

• List some steps that you could implement to manage your time more efficiently for your next production task.

To manage my time more effectively for my next production task, I would find actors that have times that can be agreed with my filming schedule, I need to motivate myself to update the blog more regularly and reflect more on my work and progress and finally organise the planning better so I can manage my time better especially in the design part of the task. 

After your previous task, you were asked to identify one particular aspect (either planning, production or reflection), which you hoped to improve.

• Please explain which aspect you chose to focus on for this task and whether you were successful in making improvements.

The aspects that I have focused on this task are details in storyboard and shotlist in the design aspect. In the production aspect, I focused on to improve lighting to crete a mood in some scenes. I was successful in those aspects as I saw improvement in those areas than before. For instance, I have put more details in the storyboard than before and it help me to film better. Also, the way I use lighting is better than last task as the lighting was able to create a mood in some the shots of the trailer. However, I still have gaps to improve in those areas so I'll keep on improving those.