Year 12 Film, Television and New Media Auteur Style Production Reflection and Evaluation

Please answer each question using complete sentences, including as much detail as possible to justify your responses.

1. Reflecting on your completed production task:

Are you satisfied with the result? And did it turn out as you had visualized it?

Overall, I am satisfied with the result produced from my production and how it turned out. The whole short film turned out what I have visualized in my head and I am happy that it did match my auteur’s style; which was what the task was about. However, there are some parts I wish I would I have done better especially near the end of my film when those part did not technically match my vision. Nonetheless, I am still satisfied with my film and how it turned out.

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

There are some aspects of my final film that I would like to improve or change. Firstly, I would like to improve my shots for the second half of the films. For instance, in the shot where the sisters are running, I would like to add the faces of the sisters through a close-up shot of their faces; this would match Anderson’s style a bit more. This would then follow the quick pan of the sisters running. Secondly, the scene where the sisters are playing Uno on the floor, I would like to have a close up shot of each of the faces playing cards; in which is then cut to a shot where the oldest sister looking in front of her while the youngest would look back in which is then cut into the mother right in the centre of the door; capturing the quick and whimsical feel of the film. Next, the second last shot where the sisters are looking down the stairs where the mother fell, I would position the camera right in the centre and having the characters looking dead centre. In terms of editing, the only things I would like to add is sound effect in terms when Beatrice tearing up the letter while the mothers scream should be added but it would not be a high pitch. Finally, I would like to add a better ending for the film where it would be more bittersweet like in many Wes’ending; maybe the character walking out in slow motion.

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

If I restart the project again, I would organize my time more effectively since I have faced some difficulties relating to this. I would plan more carefully my shot so when I film on the day, it will be a really good shot and there will be no need for extensive reshoots which will waste my time and those who are involved. I will only need to refilm when it is necessary. To solve this issue, I would first practice how to use lighting better early on. Thus, this would gain me some time to start my filming early. Furthermore, I would then borrow out the gimbal maybe two days earlier so I would know how to use it properly on the day of filming; since I have faced this issue during production. I would also be more assertive and pay full attention on the day of filming.

2. Evaluating your production process, respond to the following points:

Did you use the planning documents effectively during production? (storyboards, shot lists, production schedule etc.).

I have definitely use the planning documents effectively during production. The two documents I have used are the production schedule and shot lists. The production schedule did help me to fully visualize how long I have left until the due date. In addition, the shot list was really most useful because it helps me to visualise my framing and what compositions needed in the frame. However, near the end of the project, I have lost my shot list somewhere and so I had to use the digital copy of my laptop to help me. Although, all my notes were in the shot list which is a shame because it is gone. However, most of the points I have written were in my head and so I remember them when I film on the day. Overall, the two documents really helped me in the production and they were effective.

Were there 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.);

There were some difficulties that I have faced during production. Firstly, near the end of the project, one of my actors was not available for the week before test block is due and so it was difficult to reshoot quick scenes. This affects my project because, despite being satisfied with the overall story, I would have done better especially with the framing in some shots such as the running shots and the sisters looking down shots, near the end of the film. Secondly, the problem mention above actually stems from another problem I have faced where I did not pay full attention in my shot early on in the production. For instance, I filmed a week earlier, I should have paid more attention because in some days, when I have film when I looked back after done with a day of filming done, there were props or other factors missing and thus I had to reshoot later on.

How did other people respond to your rough-edit? Did you use their feedback to make changes to the film?

The people who saw my rough edit said that it did match Anderson’s style really well which is good. Furthermore, Mr Andrews gave me through rough feedbacks from the two rough edits which were really helpful for me. I fully applied those feedback into my work which elevates the quality of my film. However, there were some feedbacks that I could not apply because I was running out of time.

Discuss whether you undertook adequate and detailed reflection to support your work? (Look at your blogs and consider if it looks like a terms worth of work);

I feel that I have taken adequate reflection in my blog but I have not posted regularly that I should have been. However, the blogs helped me to reflect on what I have done wrong and to use that to fix my mistakes.

3. As this task focused on recreating the specific visual style and aesthetic of your selected Auteur; use the table below to justify your creative decisions.

In the left column, provide an example image from your chosen Auteur. This image must depict a specific element that you were focusing on. i.e. Mise-en-scene (lighting, props/costumes, setting/location) and/or Cinematography (specific framing, shot type, angle, exposure etc.).