Wong Kar Wai Bye Bye

After all the hard work... after all those days when we have suffered in the heat just to take quality footage... after staying in an office without air-conditioning at all, it was finally time to watch the films that we have made in groups. It was amazing, how time passes so quickly when we are all working so hard on our films. At last, we could have some time together to share with each other, our experiences, and what we have learnt as individual filmmakers who are assigned different roles.

It was really worth it. Watching other's film, and imagining their process of filming was just the best part. Thinking about what we went through in our groups was the best feeling ever. What we have achieved, and judging that it was my first time being a director of a film, I have achieved, and learnt a lot from this valuable experience that I had.

Being director, I have learnt a lot from this experience. I have learnt how to become a leader of a team, and the ultimate core of the team. The driving motion, and power of the group. I never had a chance to become a leader of a group, well at least, not for a big project like this. I wanted to prove that I can actually be a leader, with control over the team, and to lead them to make a great film. However, there are lots of obstacles that have been blocking our way in the process. Some of them have been mentioned before, but sometimes, certain group members are not available to attend filming sessions during the weekend, which really, all comes down to the ability to cooperate as a team, and most importantly, commitment to the group.

I have really had enough of trying to chase down certain members of my group to get things done, and I tried really, really hard to keep organized during the creation process. Even if I think back on my role, and what I should have done to improve on, I do not think that I would think of myself as a bad director. Well at least for a first-timer, not a bad director.

As I watched film by film during class, I had a lot of thoughts, and different questions that were raised in my head. I started comparing each film with my own, to, I guess, boost my confidence. At the end, it didnt really work out, because all the films were superbly presented. When it was out turn to show our film, I watched my film, not knowing whether it is as good as the other films that I saw... Surprisingly, the comments that people gave on my film were positive feedback (well most of them), and I really think that they were constructive, and useful feedback.

When it was the director's time to speak, I really didnt know what to say. I had so much going on in my mind that I just couldnt find a way to organize myself. So i just said whatever came to my mind. What I have said in this blog, are all my thoughts, and feelings that I had throughout this unit.

Activities Week Lessons

After a seemingly hardcore filming session last Saturday was, seriously, very hardcore. We did a lot of work, and we went beyond our own responsibilities. At the end of the filming session, the Director became the Cinematographer and the Sound Director, the Sound Director became the one who plans the scenes and the setting, the editor became the Cinematographer, lastly, the Cinematographer became the driver, or i.e. actor. The large transitions and change between the different roles have really got us thinking about our own abilities, and their limits. I never knew that I would have to supervise, and see what the cinematographer does, nor did I realize that I had to be the sound director at the same time. No one really knew what was, truly, going on. However, we, surprisingly, were very productive, and completed nearly 60% of the film on that one filming day. The problem was... we only had around 16 minutes of footage... I told myself, 'the shots must be of quality, but not of quantity'. I guess I was right... I mean who could I have trusted instead of myself?

Then my teammates started to go like 'Why do we have so little footage?', and I told them the same thing. They didn't have much to say... I guess thats the power of being a director: to make my teammates feel better when they think that they are going to epically fail the project.

Honestly, we did have a lot of good shots, along with a good atmosphere, and good lighting. Especially the scene where Ronald, our famous 'Cinematographer' opens the door and walks home. It seemed like he was walking in via heaven. No kidding.

As I was an actor in the Film Noir project, I really knew what it was like to become an actor, and what it requires. Sometimes you think that you are doing the expressions really well... when you watch yourself on that classroom screen, you merely bang your head on the table. 'I look so weird!' says the actor. But nonetheless, being an actor is not just an important role in the film, it is also a way to learn how to link our emotions to the film, says Ms. Wong. Of course, that sounds easy, but its obviously not.

Back to the filming... we spent a great deal of time playing around with 'preference manager' in class, and 'emptying trash cans', along with 'rebooting the computer'. Quite ridiculous and time consuming, but nonetheless knew more about patience when we wait for something on the computer to load instead of spamming the mouse. As there was time left after fiddling with the program itself, we captured the 16 mins of footage onto FinalCutPro. We were all very excited, anticipating to see if what we achieved on the weekend was worth it. Watching what we filmed, we were very much proud of ourselves, although, of course, there are areas that we can improve on.

Not having much experience on the HDV Camera, I didn't really know its functions. With the help of my companions, we were able to make a large portion of what I had to reality. Although I was very confused about the camera, after the day, I felt that I am a lot more familiar with the controls and functions of the camera. Also, as a director, I should have planned, and become the most organized person of the group in order to make my film come true and accomplish it sublimely. Next time, I should clearly write down what I am going to film that day, and what I am going to complete after the filming session.

5/5/10 & 6/5/10 Discussion Time

Discussing my script has been one of the things that we did over the past days. Getting familiar with my script is very important because if anyone misinterprets, or does not understand the script fully, then as a group, the film that we produce would be confusing to the audience. Therefore, I believe that getting familiar with the script is very important. Furthermore, we have spent a lot of time in class suggesting improvements to the script, and how it is going to be filmed during the days of filming. We have decided the following:

Where are we going to film first?
Ronald's house

When are we going to film which scenes?
This Saturday (May 8th) from 1:30 to 6:30
Film all the scenes that are set in 'Lucas' and 'Zoe"'s house

After deciding on these important aspects, we have decided to think of different ways to improve on the script. However, this turned out to be a failure. We considered this to be a waste of time because we thought that there was no need to improve the script since the script is chosen as it is despite using so much time trying to figure out some way to improve the script.

I have learned today, that there is no need to improve, and waste time on something that is already finalized. This is to prevent confusion, and to prevent the film from being ruined. As a group, we have decided to compromise with what is, already decided on. No changes have to be made. Therefore in the future, I have to learn how to convince and persuade others, that what is decided is already decided, and no further changes have to be made. This is what I have learned in these three valuable periods of class. In the future, I hope to learn more from film for my own self benefits.

30/4/2010 "The Director's Day"

Today was the day of my life... well... not really but it certainly felt like it! When I walked into the classroom, people were sitting down, anxious of who is going to be the next directors for the WKW project. Sadly, I was chosen. I didn't know how to respond to the surprise that it gave me. Then I thought back to my achievements in Year 10... From being a total amateur at film to a director of a film? I could not have expected better... I was not prepared for this pleasant surprise. Nonetheless, I will do my best, to guide my film-mates to make this film come to life, by first being awfully organized, second to be picky to make the film look professional in the end, third, learn how to become a leader of a group. This had always been my trouble, standing up for a group, and being the leader of the 4. In the future, there will be, obviously more opportunities to become the leaders of not only 4 people, but more than that. Therefore, I feel that this opportunity is very good, in terms of letting me experience what it takes to be a leader of a group of people. Not necessarily bossing them around, but I feel that it is very important to lead, and to appoint people to do their jobs properly, and to ensure that there are no errors whatsoever in what we do. This not only applies to film, but my future.

All in all, although I am very happy that I have been chosen as the director, I will lead my group to become the finest group of all, and to produce films like we have never imagined it to be (in a good way of course).

27/4/2010

Today we had our Wong Kar Wai Tests. The test that we took was based on the knowledge that we have gained after the few lessons on learning the adapting to the WKW style of filming. Nothing was done beforehand to practice or prepare for this test, however, I did not find it challenging. I found realizing and adapting to WKW's style very easy, as the elements used are apparent to the audience, and are very obvious in his films. Therefore, I did not feel that the test was challenging.

22/4/2010

Below is my film script. This is not the final version, but it will contribute to my final script to present to Ms Wong:

4) Girls Working place – NIGHT

Friend of Girl #1

Hey __________, come on its already 10 o’clock! Everyone’s gone and you are the only one left! You haven’t even had dinner yet…

Girl

You can go first, I want to finish this before I leave.

Friend of Girl #1

But you have time tomorrow to finish it!

Girl

I want to finish it today.

Friend of Girl #1

Oh alright… Remember to lock the doors!

Girl

Okay!

FADE OUT

5) Streets at night, near both girl and boy’s home – NIGHT

BOY OPENS DOOR FOR GIRL, SLOW MOTION MOVEMENTS, WALKING TOWARD THE LIFT. BOY OPENS LIFT FOR HER, WALKS IN LIFT. (MUSIC PLAYS ALL ALONG)

FADE OUT

6) Lift Lobby, girl and boy’s home – DAY

BOTH COME OUT OF THE LIFT AT THE SAME TIME (ONE LIFT), AND WALKS OUTSIDE TOGETHER AND THEY GO TO WORK SEPARATELY.

GIRL & PROTAGONIST COMES OUT OF THE LIFT

Girl

Alright, I’ll see you soon

Protagonist

Goodbye!

WALKS SEPARATELY TO WORK

7) Boy’s Working place – NIGHT

BOY WORKING IN OFFICE

PROTAGONIST FRIEND #1 WALKS OVER TO PROTAGONIST

Protagonist Friend #1

Hey how’s it going lately?

Protagonist

Nothing much…? Haha what about you?

Protagonist Friend #1

Bored of life… bored of everything actually…

(PAUSE)

Protagonist Friend #1

Hey _____________, its already 10 man come on! I’m so tired lets go!

Protagonist

Alright alright… (dialog fade out)

Pan to the wall and go to next scene

8) Girl’s Working place – NIGHT

GIRL WORKING IN OFFICE

Girl’s Friend #1

Hey __________, come on! Its 10 already lets go! I thought you said you are going to leave at 9:30!

Girl

(panics)

OH RIGHT!

9) Home of both Girl and Protagonist – NIGHT

BOY OPENS DOOR FOR GIRL, SLOW MOTION MOVEMENTS, WALKING TOWARD THE LIFT. BOY OPENS LIFT FOR HER, WALKS IN LIFT. (MUSIC PLAYS ALL ALONG)

10) Lift Lobby, girl and boy’s home – DAY

BOTH COME OUT OF THE LIFT AT THE SAME TIME (ONE LIFT), AND WALKS OUTSIDE TOGETHER AND THEY WALK THE SAME WAY. (MUSIC CONTINUES FADES TOWARDS THE END)

Girl

See ya!

Protagonist

Alright! I’ll see you soon. Bye!

11) Boy’s office – NIGHT

Protagonist Friend #2

Hey where did _________ go?

Protagonist Friend #1

I have no idea... He was on the phone just now with someone… He should still be here judging that he leave at 10 o’clock every night… (sound fade out)

PAN TO THE RIGHT TO SHOW THE OTHER SCENE

12) Girls office – NIGHT

Girl’s Friend #1

Where did _________ go?

Girl’s Friend #2

Wasn’t she on the phone right here a moment ago? (sound fade out)

FADE OUT

13) TEXT: The past is already the past, now the beginning should be the end. May their past be their growth, and the beginning path their future.

17/4/2010 + 21/4/2010

As a class, we have spent most of the time during class as an introduction to the Wong Kar Wai unit that we are going to take part in for the rest of the year. Now the Film Noir unit has passed, we are all anticipating the results of our film. Questions of how, and why have come to my head, asking myself how I completed the film in such a short time, and how we used such immense co-operative skills to complete this film in such a short amount of time. Looking forward to the next unit, I have payed close attention to the film that we have watched at the end of last class; an example of Wong Kar Wai's film. When i was watching the film, I have already noticed some of the key factors of Wong Kar Wai's films. Below are some of the things that I have noticed and thought that was interesting:

• The dialog of the film is very simple, which makes the plot hard to comprehend.
• There is always a constant and consistent shot of the person talking to the person inside the room, which creates an effect of being an outsider.
• Most of the scenes are set in the night.
• Colours are very vibrant, which contrasts with the darkness of the movie.
• Repetition of music is used throughout the movie, which connects everything together. This shows that the sound used for the film is a very important factor of Wong Kar Wai films.

At first watching the film had been a really hard task for me because i found it very boring as I did not get the point, or the plot of the film. I found it hard to understand because I did not comprehend the dialog used in the film. After watching the film, I felt that this is a completely different technique of filming, very much different from the ones seen in the blockbusters and movies made in Hollywood. This, therefore, makes Wong Kar Wai a very unique director and makes him stand out from other directors of the world. The great imagination of Wong's films have really amazed me. Even the dialog of each scene must be thought out carefully to make it simple, but have meaning in them at the same time.

I have learnt a lot in the previous period watching parts of the movie and to have Ms Wong present to us the characteristics of Wong's films. I have learnt his different techniques, and have watched and digested the several examples shown on the PowerPoint on different movies that have been directed by Wong himself. Although this is a different level of filming, I really am looking forward to creating my own Wong Kar Wai film, as it is, afterall, different from other films that I have watched in the past. Unique.