Well, another screening has come and gone. Another year of university has done the same. Relieved and incredibly nervous that this time next year I'll be headed out of my post-secondary career and out into the deep end.
The SFU 3rd Year Screening: Free was two Thursdays ago, and it was tremendous - thank you to everyone who came out to see our films. 'A Spoonful of Sugar' was pleasantly received. It was great to show something in the theater again, I always forget what that rush is like. My classmates' films were absolutely top-notch, and I've got to say it's our best screening yet. I can't wait to see what everyone pulls off next year.
As for a short reflection on this semester's film, 'A Spoonful of Sugar' - I kept it simple; story-wise and process-wise, and it gave me a decent hold on my subject material in a way that made it easier, and more constructive to direct. I shot it on a camera I hadn't worked with before, the oddly nonsensical Panasonic HPX-300, a nice small crew, and an even smaller cast - all performed their duties admirably. I was overly hesitant to shoot pick-ups, and I think that could have given me a little more to work with given the mock-documentary nature of the film. I cut it longer than I thought I would, coming in at eight and a half minutes (from a six and a half page script), but I wanted to see what I could get away with concerning slow pacing. The HPX-300 performed so well on the big screen. Upon bringing it into Final Cut 7, the image was remarkably noisy - I was concerned it wouldn't even be a clear picture. But once it was up there, it looked unique up against the Red Scarlett and 7D footage. A little soft around the edges. Some character in the medium is nice sometimes (see: film).
It was really bizarre going into this screening - with my previous projects with SFU, my pre-screening trepidation began about three days prior to screening it, with considerable self-loathing, and excuses as to why something was a certain way. With 'Spoonful', I completed the project about 24 hours prior to the screening (a bizarre turn of events, first off - go time management) and proceeded to be rather at peace about the whole thing. It was a much more positive experience seeing my film in this mindset, as well as every other film. I could sit back and enjoy everything. Of course, I was still nervous - I got laughs where I wasn't quite expecting, but they were all stilled by the end (a preproduction goal was to make people laugh awkwardly, then feel bad that they laughed at all - achievement unlocked!)
Other than my own film, I got my hands dirty with some cinematography and colour grading on some of my classmates' projects - something I've loved especially about this semester. After directing/photographing my past two projects, just being able to run camera and deal with lighting was a slice of delightful, technically and creatively challenging pie. I loved being able to try things out without trying to direct actors at the same time. When you're doing both, it's really tough to weigh how your time is spent - you need your actors to have the resources to perform well, but you've also got to make sure everything looks just right. As for colour grading, I love being able to learn new tricks and techniques - I've gotten a little more snug with Apple's Colour. Hopefully next year I can see what's up with Adobe Speedgrade and DaVinci Resolve.
As for a short reflection on this semester's film, 'A Spoonful of Sugar' - I kept it simple; story-wise and process-wise, and it gave me a decent hold on my subject material in a way that made it easier, and more constructive to direct. I shot it on a camera I hadn't worked with before, the oddly nonsensical Panasonic HPX-300, a nice small crew, and an even smaller cast - all performed their duties admirably. I was overly hesitant to shoot pick-ups, and I think that could have given me a little more to work with given the mock-documentary nature of the film. I cut it longer than I thought I would, coming in at eight and a half minutes (from a six and a half page script), but I wanted to see what I could get away with concerning slow pacing. The HPX-300 performed so well on the big screen. Upon bringing it into Final Cut 7, the image was remarkably noisy - I was concerned it wouldn't even be a clear picture. But once it was up there, it looked unique up against the Red Scarlett and 7D footage. A little soft around the edges. Some character in the medium is nice sometimes (see: film).
It was really bizarre going into this screening - with my previous projects with SFU, my pre-screening trepidation began about three days prior to screening it, with considerable self-loathing, and excuses as to why something was a certain way. With 'Spoonful', I completed the project about 24 hours prior to the screening (a bizarre turn of events, first off - go time management) and proceeded to be rather at peace about the whole thing. It was a much more positive experience seeing my film in this mindset, as well as every other film. I could sit back and enjoy everything. Of course, I was still nervous - I got laughs where I wasn't quite expecting, but they were all stilled by the end (a preproduction goal was to make people laugh awkwardly, then feel bad that they laughed at all - achievement unlocked!)
Other than my own film, I got my hands dirty with some cinematography and colour grading on some of my classmates' projects - something I've loved especially about this semester. After directing/photographing my past two projects, just being able to run camera and deal with lighting was a slice of delightful, technically and creatively challenging pie. I loved being able to try things out without trying to direct actors at the same time. When you're doing both, it's really tough to weigh how your time is spent - you need your actors to have the resources to perform well, but you've also got to make sure everything looks just right. As for colour grading, I love being able to learn new tricks and techniques - I've gotten a little more snug with Apple's Colour. Hopefully next year I can see what's up with Adobe Speedgrade and DaVinci Resolve.
Thanks to an unexpected class assignment, I got out and did some 35mm photography last month. It's a tremendously zen passtime for me. I pick a day, and walk around until a pocket-full of rolls is exhausted, or I've lost too much light. I've included some of those photos in this post.
I've really enjoyed having a bit of time to myself this week. My grades came back fine, got my nose into some library books I didn't have the chance to earlier in the year. Finally started work in the yard - planted up all of my potatoes, tomatoes, beans, and peas. I've been enjoying spending two or three hours a day out in the sun (!) taking care of business. I'm going to enjoy some more incoming sunshine this week once these clouds get all rained out. Though, I am also preparing for a fierce, summer-long battle to keep wasps and ants and cats out of my yard.
Plans for my grad film took a leap forward with the handing in of my production package for school. I'm taking a short breather before I get back into the absurdist logistics that is that circus. I'm starting to acquire my band of misfits as I go a long - I look forward to being able to really start bringing threads together in the coming months.
I've heard this said before, but planning to shoot a film is rather similar to going to war (in a super-friendly, I'm-working-for-the-entertainment-industry sort of way). You have your supply lines, the pit in which you throw your money, training for physical and mental endurance, building a tiny army worthy of your picture. Your enemy is, and always will be, time. You've got strategies, schedules, plots... enough catering to feed said tiny army, a clear and organized way to handle gear and film loading, everyone's got their specific job - but they're all cogs in the watch that is the film. It's so super!
Although thinking about August has me pretty nervous - I know I still have lots and lots to do (revision till you drop, then storyboard whilst in the fetal position), I can't help but feel sort of warm and fuzzy thinking about bringing a crew to my home town, and sharing that experience with them. I'm really, really excited.
I've heard this said before, but planning to shoot a film is rather similar to going to war (in a super-friendly, I'm-working-for-the-entertainment-industry sort of way). You have your supply lines, the pit in which you throw your money, training for physical and mental endurance, building a tiny army worthy of your picture. Your enemy is, and always will be, time. You've got strategies, schedules, plots... enough catering to feed said tiny army, a clear and organized way to handle gear and film loading, everyone's got their specific job - but they're all cogs in the watch that is the film. It's so super!Although thinking about August has me pretty nervous - I know I still have lots and lots to do (revision till you drop, then storyboard whilst in the fetal position), I can't help but feel sort of warm and fuzzy thinking about bringing a crew to my home town, and sharing that experience with them. I'm really, really excited.
I got some super books in the mail from the American Society of Cinematographers this month. The first is the Arriflex SR3 Book by Jon Fauer - I'll know this camera inside and out before I even get my paws on it. The other two books I got was the Visual Effects Society Handbook (which is an absolutely amazing, amazing book) and the ASC Visual Effects Treasury (in theory, a good publication, but someone spared some expenses on the actual, physical book - it's awful).
This summer's music mix is turning out to be an eclectic collection of Dinosaur Jr, Age of Electric, and Macklemore/Ryan Lewis. Fun stuff?
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| East Van's got a wicked case of pink "snow" |
"This time next year" is currently a very exciting prospect.
Things to check out:
- SFU 4th Year Screening(s) - VIDEOGNOME! This week! Check it out! Buy tickets! Come party afterwards!
- Help us Great Warrior!
- Joel's views on two camera set ups - tips n' tricks, aw yiss
- A song for your ears
- Joel's views on two camera set ups - tips n' tricks, aw yiss
- A song for your ears
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