Final cut: Bubble Party!!

 

    This Swede project was my absolute favorite assignment we have done. I typically tend to keep my work serious, rarely any part would be amusing for me. However, this Swede let me be silly and actually have fun. I got out of my comfort zone to create something I love. 

    In editing, I overlaid the original sound over my film, in doing so I kept the video along with the sound (screen recorded the clip) and whenever the scene changed in the original clip, I spilt the video in order to help me get the correct duration. That helped the editing process go by much faster and simpler, since I didn't have to constantly rewind the clip on my phone and try to match the duration by hand. 

    During filming, I only did long takes of all the shots taken, due to not having another person at the camera. This led to a longer time editing, I had to remove any part that wasn't usable, then decide which clip was better to use. Next time I would definitely remember to make separate takes for each shot.

    As for the camera, I either need to find someone or figure a way to constantly see what's happening. The loss of sight can lead to me getting more takes than I need and taking longer to film in general. 

    My ambition for this project was high, and there's nothing negative about that, although, when it leads over 10hours of work put into a 16 second clip, it feels like a waste. I wouldn't change a second I spent on this project, but I know if the deadlines were stricter, I wouldn't make them. I procrastinate to hours until something is due, plus I have a low motivation towards art every now and then. My ambition will stay high, I just feel that it should be lowered because I know how I can get and barely make in time, with subpar results. 

Production Commentary + Rough Cut

    Before filming, I made a visual scene transcription, it just made it easier to remember which scenes to do, along with a sketch of what the scene should look like. I filmed based on the shot types, Master, Mid and specific characters, which made it so much easier to film! Mr. Aaronson was right! Compared to last year, where I filmed chronologically, it was difficult to constantly move the camera, reset the location and then film again. Granted, there's barely any movement of the camera for the Swede, it was simpler, and I will be integrating that into my filming for this year.

   From a Cinematography standpoint, keeping the puppets at the right spot and in frame throughout filming was difficult since I couldn't watch it the entire time. I had to use the back view of the camera, the backdrop I made was too small to capture the entire frame, thus needing to zoom in a lot. The front camera doesn't allow you to zoom in, so I had no idea if anything was in the frame until I finished. One way to help, I marked where the two puppets should stand on the floor with an X, and that the two could fully "stand" and be still in frame. There was also trouble with the Mid Shots, due to not seeing the filming, but solved with Long Takes of the puppets flailing around and hoping that there were good enough takes. 

   For the weather, it was windy, meaning the backdrop and bubbles were affected making it difficult to film at a decent pace, having to stop or having unusable clips. Like sometimes the puppet would be in the correct spot, bubbles flowing in the right direction and the wind comes and blows the background, almost hitting the tray of clay props. Next time, I would film inside or film on a day when there's less wind. However, being outside did have amazing lighting.