Filmmaking

This is a 50 second video that I made to demonstrate my ability of filmmaking in order to apply to a BFI filmmaking course. In it, you can see the protagonist getting ready for their day by getting dressed, showering, brushing teeth and leaving the house. The reason I wanted to create this video was to show myself that I can make a video about mundane tasks and, hopefully, make them interesting. I also however wanted to use new knowledge I had acquired from my own research about the 180-degree rule (as seen in the mirror clips) as well as trying out continuity editing (as seen when the protagonist puts on their jacket). I feel like I carried out these two aspects of filmmaking very effectively and I would like to learn more of these techniques in the future. 

Photography

I love photography because it allows me to capture the moments that stand out to me without having to buy expensive equipment, hire a team of people and decide logistical details. I can just go out and capture what I think is beautiful, which just happens to be most things. I love the colours in my photos and the two Cornish Sunset photos, in my mind, convey a warmth and welcoming feeling that I wanted to portray; a sense of bliss that I felt whilst taking them. The white in Apple Blossom conveys a sense of purity to me and the composition is such that the white is almost framed by more white, implying serenity. I really enjoy using a 50mm lens in my portraits because of the depth of field, and the photo called “Eeriness in the Peak District” highlights a level of unknown, due to the compression of the background. “Butterfly” is also an example where I used compression, but this time to accentuate the subject of the photo. I also think it demonstrates a level of skill, as I had to be quick in order to capture the butterfly without it moving.

I love taking pictures of people because I believe that beauty takes form subjectively despite what society tells us. When I’m taking a photo of someone, I want to capture them, their face and their story. I also enjoy experimenting with the composition and framing of a shot to try and draw attention to certain aspects of the subject, whether it be their smile or their eyes.  

Digital Story Board

1.		Slug Line: Int. Sam’s Bedroom. – Morning Action: Camera pans to the left, around the room. Camera: CU of the family photo Dialogue: N/A Sound: N/A Transition: Cut Duration: 3 sec.
2.		Slug Line: Int. Sam’s Bedroom. – Morning Action: Camera pans to the left around the room. Camera: MCU of the stacked-up homework. Dialogue: N/A Sound: N/A Transition: N/A Duration: 3sec
3		Slug Line: Int. Sam’s Bedroom. – Morning Action: Sam stirs in bed. Camera: MCU of Sam sleeping Dialogue: N/A Sound: Rustel of bed clothes Transition: N/A Duration: 5 sec
4		Slug Line: Int. Sam’s Bedroom. – Morning Action: Sam rolls over. Camera: MCU of Sam sleeping. Dialogue: N/A Sound: Rustel of bed clothes. Transition: N/A Duration: 2 sec

The digital story board that I have provided here corresponds to part of a different project I have worked on but demonstrates that I have an eye for shots, camera angles and framing and composition when it comes to making films. By creating a story board for ideas that I have for films, I am able to understand the different aspects that need to be considered when filming. Whether it be sequencing, continuity or conveying messages through film form, I have learned that everything within the frame, including the frame itself, is vital to portraying a message.

Screenwriting

6. INT. ROOM. NIGHT

A man in his early twenties, well built, wearing slightly tighter clothes, accentuating his muscular form, towers over Flynn.

He wears all black.

CROW

You know why they call me Crow? Because on all of my bodies they find their eyes scratched out. But that’s not me, of course. No, they just go, insane.

He chuckles over the last few words.

CROW

It’s quite funny when you think about it.

Silence despite the dripping pipe running along the wall.

He smiles and snorts.

He leaves.

This is an excerpt from a script I have written. Crow, the character here, is a serial killer but I wanted to convey this through the way he talked and the language he used. I know dialogue should only be used when necessary, meaning it can be quite hard to find the right words to convey a message implicitly yet efficiently. I think I was successful here in building the character and creating a persona around the character through the way he talks to and about his victims, not the actual words he uses. Unfortunately, I couldn’t transfer the correct master scene script layout from “Celtx”, the website I was using, but here is a link if you wish to read the whole script.

https://www.celtx.com/auth/public/resource/jreucvx5