Baby Oil Reflection

The last 4 weeks have really been interesting and a new experience in my film studies career. Baby Oil was my first non-student/recreational film. It was also the first film I worked on that was filmed outside. When we first started I didn’t know what to expect. The video tutorials were helpful in explaining what a grip worker does and how the equipment they use works. Some of the information from the tutorials I already knew from past experience in my high school film classes such as how to properly wrap cables and technical terms like saying “Strike” when turning on a light. One of the most helpful things I learned was how to use c – stands. Before watching the videos I thought they were used to hold lights in certain positions. After watching the videos I now know that they can be used to hold just about anything from lights to flags to props etc. During the week we filmed I used c – stands to build a sound barrier for the generator and a canopy to keep the actresses and the camera cool. In addition to grip work, I also worked as a temporary 1^st and 2^nd AC where I helped move a dolly on track and took down camera reports. In the future I would like to take on more 1^s AC duties. Watching Adam doing the rack focus on the dolly looked like something that I would want to do.

There is so much more I could talk about but I’m going to wrap things up. I am thankful that I was selected to work on this project and being a part of a hardworking and friendly crew. I am also thankful about how kind and considerate everyone was when I needed to be with my dad because of his heart problems. Even though there were several hiccups with the weather, younger cast, and cranky neighbors I would say it was a positive learning experience. Going forward I now have some experience that I hope to put to use on other productions.

Blog 18: NOW this is the end

This is it, the final blog. It is crazy that a month has gone by just like that. A lot has changed since the first day of class. When I arrived on day one I was nervous both about my abilities in the class, as well as my interaction with others. In most of my classes in the past people usually stick to their own devices to get the work done, so I do the same. I had expectations that I was going to do the work on my own, whether it was an individual assignment or a group project where I would receive my assignment and I would go about doing it. However this class was different. Everyone was really nice and cohesive when working on projects. It definitely gave a sense of community throughout the semester. This was especially true with the last project, Bropocalypse. Not one day our group met to plan/record/edit really felt like "work". It was a pleasure working with Tristan, Cori, Kyndall, and Natalie. Viet and Paul were also great actors, very funny guys who fit their roles quite well. I am sure I will ask for their help on a future project I make, (The Shrekening or something about Joey from Bropocalypse). After taking this class, I feel more confident in my abilities to create short films. I hope to put them to good use in the near future.



As this semester comes to an end, another one begins starting Monday afternoon, yay!

Blog 17: This is the end......NOT!

Did you catch my movie reference? Hint, it is from a film about a reporter from Kazakhstan coming to America and making a mess everywhere he goes. A little off topic but might get laugh out of the reader. Anyway, onto the blog.

The summer-session one is wrapping up. Tomorrow is reading day, to which I will be available for any of the departments if they need assistance. Besides that all that's left to do is set up Thursday evening, hold the microcinema, and call it a semester!

Yesterday and today I contacted several bars in Wilmington that can be reserved for events such as our microcinema. Unfortunately, I only recieved one reply from The Satellite saying to contact the general manager because of how short the time-frame was. This also led to a dead end as He did get back to me in time. Fortunately the Silvas offered to have a bbq at their house as an alternative, which became our solution.

This evening Ian and I went to the Silva Compound to scout out the location and the best placement for the scree, audience area, cornhole game, and photobooth. The last thing to be covered is where the projector and the amps will be placed which I have to discuss with Viet and Paul. Shouldn't be too much of a big deal, just a lot of extension chords right?

The only issue right now is the weather. I checked this evening and while it isn't going to be raining when we have the event, the forecast shows thunderstorms close to start time. If this is the case the ground will be wet and towels may not be very effective. I would have to contact the programmers about this, and maybe have some tarps put down for towels. Or people can bring their own chairs. I'm not saying that is definite but it is something that needs to be looked into.

One last note before I call it a night. Before we all left the Silva residence, we watched a box turtle slowly make its way across the street. It was fun to watch, but did get a little aggravating when it would stop or turn and walk down the middle of the street. That turtle clearly wanted to live life on the edge.

That's all I have to say about that. Here's to a good semester coming to an end, and another beginning next week!

Blog 16: Readings

You know, it is really something that VHS tapes were once the popular medium for watching films over going to cinema halls. I remember having our small television set on top of a drawer filled with old tapes. I remember we owned many Disney films, including Snow White, Bambi, Cinderella, and others like Thomas the Tank Engine. Yup those were the days.

 Having smaller communities based on cinephilia was a great way for budding filmmakers to show their work and show unique work to a group of people that they cannot see elsewhere. Microcinemas can be a stepping stone going forward to larger film festivals, maybe providing critiques in a more casual setting. Another good thing about microcinemas is they can be relatively cheap to put on. For example, everyone can bring a few dollars for pizza or burgers and hot dogs and have a cookout in someone's backyard. Or you could have the event catered, the choice is yours. Having a microcinema in your town may also provide networking opportunities for those who also may not be ready to show their work at a large film festival. It wouldn't hurt to know a Director of Photography or a sound designer nearby that could be helpful in a future project. 

These screenings can take place almost anywhere.  Your parent's backyard, at an Elk's lodge, in an abandoned warehouse, (maybe not). I guess the point I am trying to make, microcinemas allow for much freedom when it comes to showing films. 

Not all films have to be high quality narratives that play in large theaters and bring in billions of dollars. While those are great, experimental films offer a greater sense of freedom, and can let the audience see the film in their own way rather than what a director is trying to show. Throughout this semester our class has done many obscure projects from painting on film strips, to creating a bromance apocalyptic sports film. There are so many opportunities to just have fun with it.

If this microcinema on Thursday goes well, it may be cool to try run one later this summer

Blog 15: Last project done

The past week has been really busy preparing, filming, and editing the final film for the semester. However, it was also a lot of fun working with my group. 

Our group spent two days planning for shooting. On Thursday we created a shooting schedule for the weekend. On Friday we set up at Natalie's apartment and took some test shots so setting up for shooting day would go more smoothly. Surely enough it did, and after twenty-two takes on Saturday Tristan was happy with what we collected and we called it a day.

The filming went really smoothly. Our producer Cori made timelines of when we should be setting up, when we should be filming, when we should be taking a break, etc. That really helped push the project forward. 

It was also fun editing with Natalie and Tristan to make his vision a reality. We worked diligently and had some laughs throughout the process. Everyone brought great ideas to the edit, making the film sound more apocalyptic as well as having some comedic features. 

It was a pleasure working with Tristan, Cori, Natalie, and Kyndall. They are all hard-working, reliable, and responsive (through text so the rest of the group knew if someone was running late/ there was a new idea that may work in the film). If I ever need a crew for a film in the future I would call them first. 

"We're all in this together" 

Now all that's left is the micro-cinema and I am eager to watch what the editing class has made. 

Blog 14: Self-portrait and film 6

Today we watched our self-portrait films. After watching the portrait made about me, I can say that I am completely blown away and impressed! Cori certainly went to great lengths to edit the film and it is better than anything I could have imagined. One of the highlights was how she removed the color making the film seem more like a memory in my head vs a film in real time. Also one of the things I was worried about was my lack of guitar skills, (which I am currently learning), being shown to the class. The edits masked most of my mistakes and made it seem like I knew what I was doing. I am grateful for this. I also enjoyed how she not only slowed down certain parts, but also reversed frames to go along to the music. It definitely seems like a dream sequence and that adds more emotion to the film. My favorite sequence from the film was how Cori slowed down my frustration when playing Call of Duty. I was playing online and there was an enemy player who was staying on my team's side of the map killing anyone that spawned in that area. Even though I reacted quickly, slowing the sequence down really helped bring out that emotion. Honestly I hope she reads this, because the film really did have a positive impact on me.


Looking forward I am excited to work with Cori, Kyndall, Tristan, and Natalie. I think we will some great ideas to bring to the table. I'm not going to spoil any of the ideas we have thought of so far, but I will say that it's something that will make the class laugh, or at least try to make them laugh.

Blog 14: Beatz progress

And just like that, film 5 is complete!

Today Cori and I did our filming for both our self-portraits. I had a lot of fun filming her paint and watch Netflix. I think that my edit shows the emotion and passion that I mentioned in my last blog. I hope that she enjoyed it just as much as I did.

I headed over to the edit lab around 7 PM and finished close to 11.  During that time almost everyone from our class was there. It was pretty great because it didn't seem like there was a plan to meet there all at once.

The music I used over the film was a piece that I discovered last semester. One day I was browsing Youtube and came across an hour long video with over ten tracks of relaxing music. The first three tracks are my favorites. I tried using the second song over the video and it seemed to sync up really well. One part that worked well was when the song adds on more layers and becomes more complex, Cori seems to be inspired and the film takes on more of a montage feel. After editing this project, I have also considered making a new edit only editing to music instead of the pattern that was in the guidelines on my own.

On a side note, I think that while I was at Cori's filming several birds decided to do their business all over the back of my car. Looks like I'll be headed to the car wash today.