Films

Portrait of a Place
Final Short Film

Reel

Final Course Reflection

This course went by really fast. In only a couple weeks I was able to learn not only a lot about film and lighting, but also a lot about myself as a filmmaker. Going into this class, I knew the very basics of filmmaking, but I felt like I knew everything. This class was a great experience and opened my eyes to the realities of film. I learned valuable lessons about everything from time management to camera selection. I will never underestimate the importance of planning and preproduction again. That also applies to the amount of time filming. I now understand the importance of knowing how many camera and lighting setups there will be. I found that I need to first master time management and planning before I can begin to truly explore filmmaking and my own creative vision. I always have great ideas in my head and can put them on paper, but I have a difficult time orchestrating the logistics. I think I can say after taking this class I have figured out more things not to do than I have things to do. I really appreciate this class as well as any film teachers because now I understand how difficult it is to teach film. Filmmaking is an art that requires vision and creativity. A teacher can show you the technical aspects and provide a framework for students to build upon, but they cannot teach creativity and inspiration. Surprisingly, I found more inspiration in daily activities and life rather than in some once in a lifetime event. There is so much in this world that is just waiting to be captured and shown to the world. I used to fear that I would not be able to come up with anything original. Now I realize that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something completely different. For me that is what filmmaking is all about. I want to show other people the way I see the world. This class has opened the first door that will allow me to achieve that dream.

Reel and Artist Statement

 I'm one of those people who watches anything I can get my hands on. Before Netflix and online streaming I would spend hours at Blockbuster sifting through the endless number of films. When Blockbuster wasn't an option, I would watch anything on television at all hours of the day. I think that is when I really found my love for film and film making. Through the years I've watched other people's visions of different stories and it made me want to show the world my vision. I constantly think of how I would have filmed a scene or what I would have done differently. Now that I have taken a couple film classes, I have started to apply that same thought process to my experiences and daily life. I see things all around me and I start to wonder how could I show the world what it is I see.

Interestingly, I don't even know some of the people who have had the greatest artistic influence on me. Christopher Nolan and Guy Ritchie are two directors who I admire and have shaped how I approach film making. There unique styles stand out from all the other directors. I like how they are not afraid to pursue their creativity and that their visions are so unique.

It is my hope that I can show others how I see the world. I see things in such a different way that it is impossible to describe with words. That is the reason I love film because when I have nothing to say, I can say so much. I want to show others the beauty of the world in the places we least consider.

Visual References and Goals

I really want to make the audience feel confused and disoriented as if they are a part of the journey. I want to do a point of view dream sequence to engage the audience. At the same time, I want to use a wide angle lens and strange lighting colors to make the viewer feel uneasy. I want the opening and ending shots to feel warm and normal so that the dream sequence feels especially strange and foreign. I want to break some of the basic rules of film making in order to further disorient the audience.

Best Cameras

There really is not a single best camera, but rather many great cameras that are the best for a certain situation. Since there are so many cameras with each having their own use and purpose, I will focus on two cameras the Canon 5D Mark II and the Sony F3.

The Canon 5D Mark II is one of the best DSLR cameras and works well in a number of situations. The 5D does especially well in low light with the ability to adjust ISO. The 5D is also small and compact allowing for filming in tight spaces. The 5D is also relatively inexpensive as far as cameras go which allows for great results at a low cost. The 5D in my opinion is one of the best cameras for amateur filmmakers. It produces very cinematic images and shoots full frame video.

The Sony F3 is a whole different story. The F3 costs about $15,000 just for the camera body. This camera is great if you have that kind of money or access to one. The F3 looks and feels like a "real" Hollywood camera. This camera looks more professional, but is also too big to be handheld or maneuvered with ease. Therefore, this camera works best in studios and on professional sets with assistant camera operators. The F3 produces stunning images. The F3 in my opinion is one of the best cameras for shooting in a studio.

Inspiring Lighting Styles

This image is from the film Bronson about a notorious prisoner. This scene is a monologue and I think the lighting is perfect. There is only a key and fill light with no back light. There are also shadows that look like prison bars on his shirt that allow you to know where he is with only a shadow. The lighting makes you focus only on Tom Hardy and nothing else.

 This image is from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Whenever the characters take drugs there tends to be some weird color of lighting, usually pink and red. This scene is right after Benicio Del Toro and Johnny Depp take ether and are walking into a carnival. Every time I watch this scene I feel slightly disoriented. The pink lighting creates an interesting effect.

 This image is from Full Metal Jacket. This is the scene when Private Pyle kills his drill sergeant and then commits suicide. The lighting really makes you feel uneasy. Private Pyle looks as though he has lost his mind. The key light on his face is warm while the light everywhere else is very cool.

 This is a scene from Lawless where Guy Pearce is running away from Shia LeBouf. I like this image because you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I also like the use of silhouettes because it draws your attention away from the details and toward the action. This lighting choice is interesting because it does not allow the audience to see Guy Pearce get killed in detail.

 This is a scene from Limitless when Bradley Cooper first takes the pill. The lighting in the previous scenes are very cool and dark. Then when Bradley Cooper takes the pill everything becomes warm and vibrant. This image uses a back light and a key light. I like the fact there is not a fill light because it creates a shadow on one side of his face.

 This image is from Memento. This scene is shot in black and white which makes lighting especially important. I like how most of the lighting is coming from the window. This creates a lot of interesting shadows. I think if a fill light were used in this scene it would take away from the feel of the scene.

 This image is from the film RocknRolla. Toby Kebbell is in an old dilapidated house. The back lighting is coming from the holes in the worn out curtains. This shows the condition of the house. There is also a key light on him which lights him up slightly. My favorite thing about this shot is the light coming in through the windows which makes you feel as though Toby Kebbell has shut himself inside.

 This scene is from Swingers when Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau take a road trip to Las Vegas. The lighting in this scene is pretty basic except for the lights reflecting off the windshield. I like this reflection because it shows where they are without having to show anything else.

 This image is from The Shining. I like the lighting in this shot because the bar light appears to be the light source. I also like that the light is shining up on their faces which gives Jack Nicholson a semi-deranged look. I also like the light reflecting off the ceiling and illuminating the lines, providing a greater sense of depth to the room.

The last image I chose is from the music video Wings by Macklemore. I like the lighting in this image because the windows provide a lot of light and a very warm feeling. I also like how Macklemore has a halo effect around his body.

DSLR Techniques - Strengths & Weaknesses

DSLR Techniques - Strengths & Weaknesses

The DSLR has a number of strengths and weaknesses that make it an ideal camera in some situations and not so much in others. The DSLR does very well in low light which makes it a great camera for shooting at night. However, when shooting in low light it is important to note that there can be an issue with grainy images. The DSLR also has the ability to change lenses. This allows for the use of prime lenses and various different zoom lenses. Interchangeable lenses allow for a specific shot or feel to be captured. On the other hand, constantly having to change lenses can be time consuming. While interchangeable lenses allow for more diverse shots, the cost quickly adds up. There are plenty of lenses for the DSLR, but many of them cost thousands of dollars and can be unaffordable for filmmakers on a budget. Images produced by the DSLR look more cinematic providing a professional aesthetic that other cameras lack. The DSLR is small camera which allows for greater flexibility and movement. Its small size provides an advantage over larger cameras because it's easier to hold and maneuver. One thing to consider with the DSLR is the sound quality. Since sound is such an important aspect of a good film, an external audio recorder is almost a must when using a DSLR. The DSLR is a great camera, but it is important to consider its limitations before using it.