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.

13/4/2010

As a class, we have watched the rest of the films that we have made, including the film that we have created before the easter holiday. The first film that we have watched was made by Alina's group. After watching their Film Noir, I have had several thoughts in mind:

Alina's Film - After watching their film, I feel that they have used camera angles really well, and very appropriately as well. Their video had been about teenagers, and how they deal with certain relationship problems. Therefore, I thought that this video had really entertained me and provoked my thinking, to think about the different good aspects of this video so that we can use some of their good ideas in our next project. Also, a large variety of shots were explored in their video, which was something that had really pleased me. To improve their film, I thought that they could have improved more on their editing, as some shots had 'glitches' in them, which distracted my attention toward the film. Otherwise, it was a great film to watch.

Then, we spent the next five minutes or so looking at our own film.

Our Film - As I was watching my own film, I noticed several things that have caught my attention. Sometimes when we think that something is perfect at that moment, after a while, we might see it as something usual, something that is not worth bringing up anymore. Much like the music that we have used. I felt this because at the time, I thought that our music was very good; but maybe because I am the editor, I had to look at the film over and over again to check for errors. Showing people a dozen times before submitting our final film. All these things will build up to a certain feeling, a feeling that made me think that my film was not different from other films that I have seen. Not too spectacular, not too interesting at all. Ultimately, this had made me think of the negative aspects of the film. I thought that our use of music could be improved; for some parts, the music was a bit too over the top like the ending scene where Sophia and I were sitting on the table having our 'dinner'. In the course of watching our own video, it felt weird. It felt as if all the work that I have done as the editor has now been payed off... I missed it. I missed looking at the screen, squinting on each little part of the film that made the film unprofessional, and procrastinating about how much more we have to film for each filming day that we had. Now that all work is done, I hope that our film will receive good feedback, and positive comments that are made by both my classmates, and Ms Wong. After the video, surprisingly, the feedback that we received was not only good, but through the course of the video, people were very engaged to our film.

I felt that our group did a great job together. Although this unit was a short, and rushed one, we have used our time very wisely by coming in during lunches to edit and to make our film the best of all. We have aimed high, and achieved it with style. For the next unit, I feel that hopefully, as we worked together so well, continue to be a group and to once again give surprises to our class with our professional film. :)

31/3/2010

After several sessions of working and finalizing on our film on each lunchtime since the last session of film on the 25th, I have finally completed my film. To complete my film, I have invited several peers over to the multimedia lab to enjoy our film. After watching our films, some game very good feedback. Below is one of the feedback that my peer given me on the film:

Christopher Tsang - I think that Marcus' film is one of the best films that I have ever seen a student make. The combination of very appropriate sound, and cinematography is my impression of Marcus' film. To improve, Marcus could have focused more on the angles of shots to make his film more diversified angle-wise.

After taking some of the advise on how to improve on my filming, next time, I will be aware of these aspects so that I can improve as a filmer, and to get a better application grade in the Wong Kar Wai film project.

Today, we have watched the films that the other groups that we have made as a class. As this was a single period, we only had little time to prepare our films. Today, we only watched Brian's group's film, along with Justin Chan's film. I thought that Justin Chan's film was very professional in terms of cinematography, and they were very organized on their planning. In terms of Brian's film, I feel that the creativity of the shots can be explored more so that different shots can be used to make the film more interesting.

25/3/2010

Today, we spent a lot of time during class to continue and complete editing our film. We have spent most of class time to add some music that we have found the previous class to add into our film to see if the soundtracks chosen are appropriate for the scene it is used with. The soundtracks that we have chosen include soundtracks of different types and genres. Some are scary, and some are dark. We have found music close to this type of genre because we have found that this genre is very appropriate for our film as a whole, as it enhances the suspense and the 'noirness' of our film.

After adding some soundtracks in our film, we found that some soundtracks have really matched the atmosphere and mood of our film, and can act as a supplement to our film to make it more 'epic' and 'fruitful'.

24/3/2010

Today, we spent even more time on the creation of the film. As the editor, I have spent a lot of time during class to fix up the second half of the film so that I can get the film done on time. Cutting some bits that we do not need, or we consider as bloopers, are either deleted, or placed at the very end of the film. As I am repeating the things that I do every class which is cutting the different scenes, and only leaving the ones that are needed, my film-mates will either use this time to record voice-overs, or search for appropriate music for different scenes. In this process, Michele Ko and Rachel Foo have been spending time on recording the voiceovers; Mung Lok Wong had used this time to search for soundtracks to add into our video.

After todays class, I feel that I have achieved a lot. As I have edited almost all the scenes after today's progression. I feel that this video will look very good in the end, as I have added in some special effects into different appropriate scenes. The effects that I have added include motion blur, and desaturate (make black and white).

19/3/2010

Today, we have spent most of the lesson just to edit the footage that we have. We have already edited half of our footage, which means that half of our film is already well cut, but the effects of each scene has not been added into the scenes just yet. Therefore, we still need some time to make some special effects to each of the scenes, and to edit the second half of the film and add the effects to the other half as well. During today's lesson, we have used a lot of the time to plan and brainstorm on the kind of music that we are going to use for each scene, and what mood it is going to convey and whether it is suitable or not for the corresponding scene. The sound designer, Michelle, will conduct this research and will find some soundtracks for our film to bring it to life.

As my job as the editor, I have added some special effects on each scene to create a preview to my fellow peers to show them what it is going to look like when it is done. I have decided that the film should be in black and white, and we should make it black and white after all as it is a film noir. Also I believe that our film would look better if it was in black and white. I have also started to edit some of the second half of the footage so that next class, I am going to try to complete the editing stage of the creation of our film.

17/3/2010

Today, after another session of filming on Sunday in Michelle Ko's house, we have finally completed our film! :)

We have filmed all the footage needed to complete our film including the final scenes where the main character is to shoot the murderer beside the dinner table of their supposedly 'romantic' dinner. We have decided to use Michelle's house as our scene setting because we feel that her house is very suitable for that particular scene. However, the house is full of mirrors, making it hard for the scene to be shot without seeing the film crew at the back of the scene (as seen in our bloopers). Some of the shots have to be cut in order for the audience to not see the film crew at work in order for the film to be professional. Therefore, this adds on to my job to make the film look professional by cutting the scenes where we can see the film crew anywhere in the scene.

This had taken most of the lesson, looking at each scene to see if each scene is fine and usable in our final film. Some discussions have been conducted in order to decided whether the scenes are suitable, or whether we would need another filming session to re-film some of the scenes. However to conclude, we have decided that the scenes are fine after looking at all the scenes that we have.

12/3/2010

Today, as it was a single period, we have spent today's lesson just continuing to edit our film, and to cut some parts that are not needed in our film. We have found that after cutting some of the footage that we have had before, some of them are not well cut. For example, one scene would have another small section of another scene attached to it so it would be distracting if we were to show the video to the class. Therefore, I have started to be very, very careful while being the editor of the group, ensuring that this does not happen in the final video.

Although the process of editing is tedious, but I am sure that the outcome of the edited footage will be really satisfying and rewarding as a team and for me as an individual.

9/3/2010

After a session of filming, we have gained a lot of experience overall. We have learnt how to set up lights, plan out the different shots needed for each scene and which shot would be suitable for each scene, and where we are going to set our scene along with the equipment needed to film those shots. We have used the most of the Saturday to film all the scenes needed in Christopher's house.

Besides producing footage, we have learnt a lot of planning and organization skills that will make us better film students. For example, we have planned when we have to complete our filming, the equipment needed, the shots we need, and when and where we have to film next time to complete our film.

As of producing footage, we have filmed all the shots needed in Christopher's house, which consists of:

1) Sophia (main character) searching for the murderer on the computer

2) Sophia waiting for Christopher (Sophia's husband) to get home.

3) The clock ticking

4) The flashback of Christopher telling Sophia about the code to access the loan shark's database etc.

After filming all these shots, we have used this class time to edit our footage so far, and to cut the scenes that we do not need for our final film.

4/3/10

Today we have planned in more depth as to the time needed to film each section so that as a group, we can be as efficient as possible. As the previous class, we have decided to film at Christopher Tsang's house because he has the best scenery and environment in his house for us to film, we have decided on the time to meet each other and the place that we are going to do so. We have also made a list of what we are going to bring to take footage; these questions came to my head when this question was imposed upon me:

What do we actually need to bring to film?

Do we need strong lights?

Are we going to make our film black and white to follow the classic Film Noir style?

What can we do to minimize the amount of things that we have to bring so that we do not have to carry as much but to keep the standard of filming high?

As these quesitons came to my head, I knew that a few decisions had to be made. Therefore, we have decided to bring our tripod, camera, shotgun microphone, stong lights, and LED lights as they are completely portable and easy to carry around with.

Finally, We are ready.

3/3/10

Today was the real start of our Film Noir project despite the fact that we have spent the previous classes planning out what we are going to do when we are going to film this coming weekend. Today, we have spent most of the time deciding on where we are going to film and when we are going to film. This process was honestly quite hard as we all have different things to do on the weekend and was very challenging to find a date where we are all prepared to film. We have therefore decided to film at Christopher Tsang's home as he has the best setting for a Film Noir movie. He has old looking sofas along with a very old fashioned clock. Also, we have decided to film in the afternoon of a Saturday (6th of March) as we are all willing to give up some time on Saturday to film at Chris' home.

Furthermore, we even planned to film the next week's weekend as we planned to go to Mung Lok's place as she has a place that very much looks like a karaoke room, where the protagonist of our film is going to be in disguise to seduce different loan shark members to conform to her deeds and intentions. All in all, that will be the end of our filming sessions and we will be editing whenever we have class or outside of class if we have time to do so.

26/2/10

Today was a single period. We have spent this class discussing more about the script so that we are all very familiar with what is going to happen in our film. We have went through the plot, and listed out the different ways of filming the shots using the shot list, and the storyboards given. I feel that this step is very important because if we do not know what is going to happen in our film, we would not find the suitable characters and actors for our film which will result with a badly filmed action movie. After today's class, we have all gained a lot as we are familiar with what is going to happen in the story, and we have a brief idea of who we are going to choose for our actors that suit the description in our Film Noir.

I feel that today's class was a very useful and meaningful class. We have used the storyboards and the shot lists to plan and visualize the things we are going to do to shoot the different shots.

23/2/10

When I got back to film class today, I found out that I missed a few film classes before the Chinese New Year break as I had to leave early for holiday. In the previous classes, they have started to create scripts individually for the Film Noir project that we are going to start. I felt rather enthusiastic as this class was used to start on our Film Noirs, and to decide on the different groups that we are going to be in for the next month. This had reminded me of last year when it was my first time being in a film project and a film group. Having more experience in film now, I feel that I have improved as a student, and as a film student.

Not for long, we have decided on the group that we were going to go with. I have been assigned to be with Rachel Foo, Michelle Ko, and Mung Lok Wong. All girls. However, I do not see this as a disadvantage as girls have different ideas and point of views compared to boys. I was glad that I went out of my comfort zone to be with some people I did not know well. This would put my ability to cooperate, and my ability to adapt to the test. I am very much excited and I look forward to working with this group of people.

Then, we have read the script that Rachel wrote last class, the script states that: A woman's husband is killed by the loan sharks, and the woman has to seek revenge against the killer, using cunning ways and seductive methods to get close to the members of the loan shark. I feel that this storyline is very creative, and works well by using the techniques of Film Noir.

We have also chosen the different roles for this project:

Director - Rachel Foo
Cinematographer - Mung Lok Wong
Light and Sound - Michele Ko
Editor - Marcus Yau (myself)

5/2/10

Today, we spent the single period watching the films made by all the different groups in our class. Having seen all the films that our class had created, I really think that I can do a lot better in film. My biggest obstacle is my creativity: for example, looking at Boris' film just made me go "why didn't I think of that when I was filming? why didn't I think of adding a story line in my film to show what I am required to show to make it more interesting?" These questions have really gave me more ideas as to creating larger films in the future. The consideration of different angles, and even playing with the tools on Final Cut Pro can be a solution or an enhancement to the overall atmosphere in the film. I personally think that I can be a better editor and film maker if I can explore my creativity in greater depth.

To do this, I feel that I can look at more films, and different types of films so that i can effectively learn from their techniques of filming. Film reviews may also help in giving me guidelines to an 'excellent film'. This is my plan to become a better director, and editor.

2/2/10

Today is the third class of film. We have continued to edit our footage taken from last class to ensure that there are no errors whatsoever. We checked that there were no mistakes in the footage including split second shots that were badly cut, and we ensured that the film flowed. However, we have encountered some problems during the editing process. Some problems include compromising with how to cut the film, and deciding on the music that we were going to use for the footage. Some thought that it was best to use an upbeat kind of music, and others thought that a mysterious music is more appropriate for entering a 'dark room'. I personally thought that the mysterious music matched the footage more than the upbeat soundtrack as the atmosphere of the film is more 'dark'.

After editing, Ms Wong had told us to explore Final Cut Pro by using more of the functions on the software in order to get used to the program for future uses. This had been a problem for us because our group did not have much experience with the software so we stuck to the original tools for this footage to be safe. However in the future, I plan to explore Final Cut Pro in more depth so that I can use it well in the future.

IB Learner Profile

The IB Learner Profile

Inquirers -
Film Studies can enable me to be an inquirer because I believe that film can make help me generate curiosity, and to be aware of the world around us. Film Studies not only gives us a chance to explore another aspect of art, it also gives us the option to interact with communities instead of just focusing our studies in the classroom.

Knowledgeable -
As Film Studies largely focuses on several global issues, the subject enables us to be aware of our surroundings and to be conscious of what is going on in the world. Film Studies is also a very active subject, making students engage in class activities. As mentioned before, we are constantly learning new skills into having better filming techniques.

Thinkers -
Our creative minds are widely used in class during Film Studies, we not only have to think about solving different problems in situations that we are not familiar with, we have to use our creative minds to explore the different outcomes. In Film Studies, a lot of the time spent in class is to think, using our problem solving skills.

Communicators -
As said before, Film Studies is a very active subject. The majority of the time in class is used to have large discussions within the class, and to have time to express our thoughts with each other. Interaction within the class is a large part of the classes in Film Studies. I believe that Film Studies can enable us to become better communicators.

Principled -
Film Studies can make us principled students, promoting honesty with a strong sense of justice, and fairness. A large part of the classes are conducted in mutual respect, giving each other chances to explore the field of filming. As respect has been always present within Film Studies as well as other subjects, Film Studies should enable us to become better learners in general.

Open Minded -
Film Studies can make us students to be open minded learners, and to learn the different cultures and adapt to certain unfamiliar situations. Evaluation is always been an important part of Film Studies, as evaluation is what is needed to make us better students. Keeping an open mind at all times is required to perform well as a Film Studies student.

28/1/10

Today is the second class of the semester. We started filming our scenarios given in the previous class. The scenario that we had been given was of a person entering a room, having different angles of shots. I have encountered several problems during the process of filming. Some problems include not having enough experience with the camera and tape, which lead to filming over the footage that had already been present on the tape. I therefore learned that we should always finish filming before looking back at the footage that we have recorded.

After, we went back to the Multimedia Lab to edit our captured footage. I found that I very much enjoy the process of editing most. This is because I like to cut scenes, and add different effects into the captured clip.

Now, I very much look forward to the near future to improve my skills as an editor.

27/1/10

This is the first film class of the year. Ms Wong made a brief introduction on the different things that we are going to examine throughout this semester. Although I was not too familiar with film last year, I certainly found myself one of the more experienced students in class. As I took film studies during last year's second semester, I thought that I could further improve my filming skills this semester. Ms Wong told us that we are studying how to film to make it easier for ourselves to edit.

Editing has always been one of the processes that I like most in the process of creating a film. I found myself very much interested and I look forward to the coming semester!