I still remembered that the first time for me to feel the magic of big-screen was when I watched the movie “Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone”, which happened when I was a student in Grade 5. Thanks to the shooting techniques, the virtual world full of magic and imagination is successfully created, greatly attracting the attention of the audience. From that moment, a dream was deeply embedded in my mind: I yearn to be a part of the movie industry one day. This becomes the reason why I took a Film Production MFA program even I have to quit my full-time teaching job in Canada.
My goals for the business of film were learning the whole picture of business in film, how to get into the film industry and take part in real life at the beginning. During the in-class lecture, I am glad that we generally went through major topics of business which may be involved in our future career development, such as copyright, contracts, tax, marking and financing. I may not be an export of running a film business, but I have a general picture that how the business and marking function, most importantly I have the basic knowledge of how to protect my benefit. My main takeaway for this class is running a healthy business in the film industry as important as creative production on set.
This year has been busy, fun and productive. I have worked on multiple film projects and commercials that all those experiences and memorials would benefit my future career, and I also made a short film as a writer and director. The theoretical knowledge I was imparted in the Film Production program has laid a solid foundation for my prospective academic development. Besides, I have accumulated a large amount of experience by having participated in a wide range of filming activities. These academic and professional experiences have prepared me to step into the film industry.
At the beginning of my mastery journey, my original goals for this class were learning the post-production process of films, accumulating post-production skills, and being familiar with post-production tools. I have not only achieved my original plan but also have experienced more than I expected.
Workflow
Workflow for post-production has always confused me before this course. The lecture of this course shows me that every feature film, television show, commercial spot, or similar multimedia project produced in the entertainment industry follows a strict technical workflow to acquire, assemble, and distribute the necessary media as a finished product. In my words, understanding media format for cameras, storage and software is the fundamental skill for working on post-production.
Editing
Editing plays an indispensable role in film and television creation, and sometimes good editing can save a movie, such as Star Wars – A New Hope. As an important part of film and television art, it emerges in the process of the development of television and film and is gradually improved. Editing is a major post-production process of films. It is the general term of the process in which film editors re-decompose, combine and edit the visual and sound materials shot in the early stage to form a complete film. The most basic job to deal with in film editing is the temporal and spatial relationship between shots.
Avid media composer
Movies editing has moved from working on the film to manipulate with digital data on the computer. There are many different kinds of software for editing, such as Final cut, Adobe premiere pro, and Avid media composer. I had experience which using Final cut and Adobe premiere pro on a few short film projects. That two software is very easy to use which compare to Avid media composer, however, they are not industry stand. On the other hand, Avid media composer is extremely complicated, but it contains the logic of editing.
In general, I have enjoyed this course very much. Also, I have a whole new understanding of post-production.
What do directors do? There is a joker for that question: a director is in charge of everything but does nothing. Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film’s written script into actual images and sounds on the screen.
Control
The director is the driving creative force in a film’s production and acts as the crucial link between the production, technical and creative teams. Most importantly, directors’ main priority is getting the right performance out of actors. As David Fincher mentioned from the video; there are times when actors will bring something to that based on where they are in their personal life, thus the director should able to coach them that avoid bringing the part of their journey as a human being into the character or the movie. For directors, they do want inspiration form talents’ performance but they do not want tangential thinking. (filmschoolcomments, 2013) However, David Fincher also mentioned that if you try to control it too much it will just make miserable, therefore you have to realize that it is going to be imperfect. Finding the sweet spot which allows talents to bring creative elements into the role during directing would be the crucial skill for a director.
Confidence VS Ego
Stanley Kubrick once said, “One of the things that gave me the most confidence in trying to make a film was seeing all the lousy films that I saw. Because I sat there and thought, ‘Well, I don’t know a goddamn thing about movies, but I know I can make a film better than that.’” Confidence is essential, but the ego is not. (Rose, 2014) The director making verity decisions during the whole production process, confidence helps a director making the right decision. On the other hand, a very egocentric director not only could not make the right decisions but also push the film project to a dead end.
Right or Wrong
Sam Mendes once said that there is no right and wrong, there is only interesting and less interesting. (Rose, 2014) Hundreds of filmmakers may come up hundreds of film project which based on the only one story or script, but there are only a few of them succeed in the film market. The only way to survive in the film industry is making your project stand out in a crowd. During production, ensure every detail such as framing, performing, and set dressing is unique and interesting. If the project is not attracted to you, it will never attract audiences.
Never too Late to Learn
Like most things in life, your ability to make a movie lies not in what you know but in what you are willing to learn. Either the first-time filmmaker or famous director, there is always something that you do not know because the technology of filmmaking develops something new every minute. Take a look of the history of film, from black and white to color, from silent to sound, from film to digital, filmmakers will always step out of their comfort zone, then deal with challenges.
In conclusion, quote a sentence form the book, First-Time Filmmaker F*ck-ups; “ If you have a willingness to learn and the ambition to see it through, then have no doubt, if you truly want to make a movie badly enough, you can.”(Goldberg, 2012)
Lord of War is a 2005 crime drama written, produced, and directed by Andrew Niccol. American immigrant Yuri used to run a restaurant with his family. However, an accidental opportunity made him step into the munitions business, from then on began to sell weapons of “career”. Yuri is very smart and careful, which not only let him successfully captures the heart of the beautiful Eva, but also makes him in the underground munitions business spring up. There are also unpleasant things happen: a business rival and an international police officer who keeps an eye on his business. His younger brother was addicted to drugs and killed in a business deal, and while he tried to maintain his image of justice in the family, he couldn’t hide the truth. Yuri began to reflect on the integrity of his business and to question his conscience, but it was too late.
The logline of Lord of War could be as simple as that an arms dealer confronts the morality of his work as he is being chased by an Interpol agent. Although the entire movie is about arms business, the theme is to emphasize humanity and peace. People label the genre of the movie into a crime drama, but I feel that it also involves philosophical and political genre. The tone which I feel is that just as there is no sense of peace without wars, there is no way to ensure social stability without consuming excessive production. It is an irony and a tragedy.
The inciting incident of Yuri getting into arms business is that he observed a gun fight while he was walking in a restaurant. Yuri entangles with the international police officer several times would be plot points. Yuri used the loopholes of the law to avoid guilt, although the police knew Yuri is not pardonable, they have no evidence. They had to see Yuri escape again and again. Especially in the case of Yuri’s crash-landing in Africa. When the police finally catch him, he just calmly tells the police that his existence is because of that even those who seem righteous also need him.
The production design of this film is legendary. The movie has been filmed in a verity of locations, such as city, mountain, forest, desert, and military base. It shows that Yuri’s business gets better and better with the changing of locations. The most amazing part of set dressing is when police officers get on Yuri’s cargo ship and open one of the pods, millions of potatoes with unpleasant smells roll over to that police. Just after that police left, several hidden boxes of weapon expose under those potatoes. This set up has enhanced the text of the scene.
The cinematography of this movie inherits the consistent style of the Hollywood commercial movie. The diversity of focal length and the complexity of camera movement have been well manipulated by the production crew. One of the best shots is the time-lapse of that Interpol detained and trapped him in the African for a night. Over the night, his plane was taken apart by the poor African people. Another amazing lighting set up is the at end of the film. When Yuri gets out of jail, the military official was hiding in the dark and only a slice of uniform was been light up. It represents that the whole arms business is under their control, but Yuri is just a pawn.
Sound and music usually take half of the credits of the whole movie, but I do not feel they are really stand out for this film. All natural sound and dialogues are all clear and clean. However, when I think about the music of this film, it does not make a deep impression for me.
Last but not least, editing is not only can bring the film to another level but also can save a movie. I really enjoy the match cut and split screen which Yuri’s products travel all over the world represent that the more weapon he sells, the more people been killed.
In conclusion, the movie Lard for War is a remarkable artwork in film history. What I have absorbed from the movie is that first with limited resources, we do not need to worry about the thing may cost money, we should focus on the thing with the unique and creative spark. Second, creative solutions may not happen evetime when we need it, but do not stop moving, because “dumm solution” is always better than “no solution”.
At the beginning of my mastery journey, my original goals for this class were understood the definition of experimental filmmaking, distinguishing different types of experimental films and practicing with a crew. I have not only achieved my plan but also experienced more than I expected so far.
Since the course started, I have received a large amount of information about experimental filmmaking by in-class lectures, so that I could apply those theories into my participation. By working on course assignments, I have watched multiple types of films, such as VR, music video and abstract visual, and I have analyzed them based on several elements. Most importantly, I have honored working as a writer-director with classmates for my short film project “ Heavenly Cake”. Therefore, I have a very new understanding of low budget filmmaking, film crew, and experimental films.
Besides the script, budget is the second significant factor which contributes to the quality of the outcome. As a freshman in the film industry, it is impossible to found advanced investment for our film project, so how to use limited budget efficiency would be the first consideration. Based on what I have experienced from my project, avoiding unrealistic production design and blocking with talent before recording could save a lot of money.
Secondly, filmmaking depends on crew members contribution, therefore pick the right people to do the right thing could make the whole process much more smooth. Each crew member usually familiar with one certain area thus arranges them to work on the department which they are good at could avoid unnecessary arguments and improve the efficiency of the shooting.
Last but not least, applying creative elements into short films is the spirit of experimental filmmaking. For short films, what could attract the audience and what could make them different are two major objects should be considered during filmmaking. For instance, I and my crew try to achieve our project in one continuous shot. Although it is our first time to do one continuous shot, we have accomplished our goal successfully. Moreover, we all have a wonderful experience on one continue the shot process.
All in all, I have enjoyed this course very much. I wish I could have more time to work on experimental filmmaking.
“The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.”
Written by Twentieth Century Fox
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. It is a biopic film about the world popular icon Freddie Mercury, but it is not a Queen’s biopic film or documentary. Freddie is the leading actor, therefore other three members’ life experiences; Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon are not involved in this movie.
The reason why the movie chose to end after Live Aid is probably because the members of the Queen did not want to reproduce the pain of Freddie’s suffering from illness and death in front of the world which is a wound that can never be healed for them. If the film goes on, they may probably completely collapse again, and Freddie himself definitely not willing to let the world know his pain. In his last few months, he insisted on going out for shooting The MV, he even filmed These Are The Days Of Our Lives when he almost could not walk. Therefore, the tone of the film is to praise Freddie’s great talents and works, as well as the true humanity of Freddie.
Some of the audiences may assume that the movie is just another American idealism, Hollywood-style hypocrisy, mediocrity, cliche, boring family ethics movie. Unfortunately, they are wrong, the movie successful describes Freddie and queen’s view of the world, of life, of values.
If audiences know these people and understand Queen’s music, they would realize that Queen is just ordinary people with a simple life, because they have no gossips and dramatic conflicts. On the other hand, like a genius, they have their own methods when need to create music. They think about it in their head, take a bath or have a dream, and then they create an enduring classic. Audiences may also deeply understand that they are motivated, hard working, pursuing their dreams and striving for perfection. Meanwhile, they reflect on their own thoughts and behaviors all the time and advocate the positive energy of love, peace, and equality. These are the values of mainstream society, as well as the textbook models. They are models that influence generations.
“We’re family. We believe in each other. That’s everything.” is not just a slogan, but a fact. They are hand in hand and love each other, even if there is confusion or having differences, even if argue in the studio every day, even if have a period of cold war, but finally, they always work it out like an old couple and keep creating and performing as a family. Those unique spirits of Queen and Freddie which from the movie are what the director and the Queen’s members want to show the audience. The film is a gift from the band to Freddie.
The film’s music performance is absolutely to make the audience dance because Queen’s songs are almost guaranteed to be of high quality, but it may also the lack of innovation in the way of film story description. Fortunately, the theme of the film is family and artist, meanwhile, the end of the wonderful performances unexpected provide positive energy. The greatest success of the film and the most valuable contribution is its meticulous molecular rendition of the most spectacular 20 minutes in rock history. From the start, Malek produced an incomparable imitation of Mercury, including every move, punch, and grin. Everything visible in the scene that from the few cokes and beers on the piano lid to the jumbled power cables on the stage, even the entire Wembley stadium, looked exactly like the actual concert. Most importantly, the film has restored the atmosphere of the scene in 1985. Thanks to advances in technology, we are able to see that over 70,000 people’s head in the stadium is focused on Mercury’s waving arms. This is the best part of the whole movie.
The film did a lot of hard work on product design in order to be true. Many of the props, such as Freddy’s silk shirts and microphones were borrowed from the original place. Many of the lines actually happened during that moment, such as Freddy said during an argument with the rest of the band that “we’re not a family. You have a wife and children. I don’t have anything.” Even his former assistant sat behind the director, ready to point out shots that didn’t fit the situation.
On the other hand, exactly like the real scene is the problem of the film. A film is a fluid narrative, not just a collection of events. Although biopic film needs to tell the truth, combining true stories do not make a movie. For example, Rami Malek play Freddy Mercury, he brings to life Freddy’s distinctive mouth and beard, but he does not show his androgyny. Bohemian Rhapsody is all about music and performance, but the major dramatic curve of the movie is imperfection. Essentially, either the performance or the music is in a parody.
Moreover, the function of rediscovered in the biopic is missing in Bohemia Rhapsody, because there is no new estimate on Freddy in the film. Apart from the fact that the information is more authentic and complete, the Freddy in the film is neither clearer nor more discoverable than the Freddy in the heart of fans. There are many shots, such as during recording and singing, are follow the narrative logic of music, rather than the narrative logic of the film.
Perhaps the reasons which I have mentioned and explained above why the film that is successful at the box office, but it could not receive high reputation by filmmakers and rating websites.
My original goals for this class are: learning how to work with filmmaking crew, building up directing skills, and improving acting skills. Since the course of Directing Talent started, I have received a large amount of information than what I expected. Not only we did many acting practices through participation in other classmate projects, but also, I have accumulated extra acting logical thoughts from the director’s perspective. It was a wonderful experience for me.
I strongly feel that the director is responsible for the whole project. The purpose of this course provides an opportunity to concentrate on my own project which was exciting but stressful because we only have 10-15 minutes to film our project in the soundstage. When I work as a director, I need to break down and analyze the script first and then communicates with my cinematographer to do pre-production works, such as creating a shot list. In addition, after casting, I usually meet with talents for background stories and charter personality analyze. Moreover, the limited time encourages me to do the pre-production process as much as possible, therefore, I have to consider every detail of the scene even it just a one to three minutes film. I still remember that once we had a discussion in class which was talking about the style of directing. I learned that the affinity approach could be the best way to adapt every circumstance on set. Because of this course, I have a general understanding of how to work with the filmmaking crew.
I have absorbed a lot of directing skills through Allen’s lectures and the textbook, it really helps me to explore the concept of directing. Based on the acting concept from the Stanislavski which I read from the textbook, the most significant element is “action”, thus the action verb becomes most effective order to direct talents for directors. The book of Directing Actors includes the majority of efficiency action verbs for directing. Those powerful and strong action verbs could give actors correct direction that they could perform well in the scenario.
Personally, the most enjoyable part for me was playing many characters in peers’ scene. Those experience definitely helps me familiar with action words and improve my directing skills. On the other hand, it also provided me a chance to practice my acting skills. Through that could distinguish what kind of direction language is effective.
I will do my best to apply those skills which I accumulated from this month into my future work. Those valuable skills would support me to accomplish my goals.
At the beginning of my mastery journey, my original goals for this class were learning the post-production process of films, accumulating post-production skills, and being familiar with post-production tools. I have not only achieved my original plan but also have experienced more than I expected.
He Li Mastery Journal 