PIECES - FINAL CUT

 

CCR- Question 4

 How did you integrate technologies - Software, hardware, and online - in this project? 

CCR- Question 3

 How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

Throughout this project, my production skills as a cinematographer developed significantly. I took on the responsibility of planning and executing the visual elements and maintaining the correct usage of mise en scene during production of the film. One of my first tasks was creating the storyboard, in which I sketched and visualized each shot prior to filming. This was extremely important in order to lay out the structure of the film before beginning production. However, as filming began, I quickly learned the importance of adapting. Many of the shots I had initially planned on the storyboard didn't turn out how I had envisioned them to on screen. Because of this, I learned to experiment with different camera angles and techniques that I hadn't considered before. For example, during shots where the murderer knocked pieces over, we played with different angles of close-ups which overall added more tension and suspense to the final cut. This process usually involved multiple takes from different positions, which had me constantly adjusting myself or my hardware until we achieved the desired shot. This allowed me to understand the importance of experimentation and flexibility when it comes to filming shots. It also made me realize that although preparation is crucial, sometimes spontaneous decisions lead to the best results. Overall, this project allowed me to develop my camera skills and my ability to think creatively and make quick adjustments to make the film better. Planning, trial and error, and learning from each shot gave me a deeper understanding of cinematography and its role in filmmaking. 

CCR- Question 2

 How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

    My product engages with audiences through the narrative of it's horror genre. The use of chess represents life-and-death situations, and the film includes unexpected plot twists. This product engages with audiences by combining tension used in traditional murder mystery films with the visuals of a chess game, where every move signifies a death. The film has a steady opening pacing, with the initial calmness of the chessboard shown first, to then the climax of the investigator getting murdered at the end. This is designed to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Strategic shots were used and placed in order to grow the tension of the film and shows the moments where lives are lost with every chess move. Additionally, the films unique narrative, with the reveal of betrayal and murder done by the assistant, adds another factor that challenges the audience's expectation of who can be trusted in the film. This plot twist is used to keep viewers engaged with its mystery while also allowing them to reflect on who can really be trusted. 

    As a real media text, my film could be distributed in several ways. It would be a good film for short film festivals. One festival is the Sundance Film Festival, which showcases dramatic and documentary features, short films, and episodic content. This would be a great platform to use in order to reach wider audiences and create more talk surrounding the film. The film could also be distributed online through platforms such as YouTube, where it could reach a global audience. This targets people who are particularly interested in short films and thrillers. This film engages with audiences through its suspenseful narrative. Its distribution would target both traditional and online platforms, ensuring it reaches a diverse range of viewers. 

CCR- Question 1

 How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

     For my one minute chess film, I challenge conventions and social themes within the context of a murder mystery narrative. This film uses a game of chess to represent the strategic and calculated measures of a murderer's actions, with each knocked over chess piece symbolizing the death of a victim. This concept pushes away from the traditional depiction of chess, which normally represents intellectual or strategic competitions between two people. This product instead shows the game of chess as a high-stake scenario, creating a dark atmosphere which challenges conventional uses of chess in media. 

    For representation, this film does not follow traditional expectations of characters in murder mysteries by featuring two black characters. Most films have white protagonists, which is attributed to historical factors, cultural norms, and industry practices. Having an all white cast or white protagonist reflects a lack of diversity in film. The choice of two black main characters is an effort made to diversify the representation of characters, as well as offer a lens through which audiences can engage with the genre and connect with the characters. 

    Furthermore, the crew is all of various ethnic backgrounds, including a Hispanic director. This allows our film to have an inclusive environment behind the camera. Having perspectives with multiple cultures ensures that the film doesn't focus on surface-level diversity but it incorporates a range of voices and influences that can make the story more authentic with a greater variety of experiences. The theme of betrayal in the film, with the investigator being murdered by his own assistant, showcases the issues of trust and deception within relationships. Not just in the context of the murder mystery, but also in social dynamics. This film shows the complex issue of trust, authority, and the power of those in authority. This theme can challenge the audience to think about loyalty and the possible dangers of those who hold power.

    This film uses the conventions of a murder mystery and chess game to change the boundaries regarding genre, narrative, and social representation. Centering on diverse characters and the deeper issues of trust, betrayal, and power allows a new take on traditional media.

Chess Film: CCR Planning

     For my creative critical reflection (CCR), I plan on reflecting thoroughly on my teams work, including the decisions I made while producing this one-minute chess film. The films unique idea where a murderer plays chess (seemingly against no one) and each time he knocks a piece off the board and someone dies- offers lots of room and ideas for creative reflection. This is a planning sheet for the ideas I have for my CCR.

1) How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues? 

    The game of chess is traditionally used as a symbol of intellectual superiority. In our film, chess becomes a tool of power and death. Our film challenges the conventions by including a murderer who uses chess to commit crimes, disregarding the common portrayal of chess players as intellectuals. 

-Chess normally portrayed as a game for strategic thinkers, here it is a metaphor for power and death.

-Representation of social groups; One black antagonist and one black protagonist in our film.

2) How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

For this question, the idea of creating a voice over with certain clips from the film comes to mind. I can discuss how these clips were created in order to engage audiences with suspense and surprise. The shot where the murderer hits the investigator with the chess piece could be used; as well as the shot where the murderers face is officially confirmed to the audience. These two scenes create lots of suspense and surprise in our film.

-Engagement: Since the film has such a short duration, it is a good hook for digital platforms used today. Examples of this include Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The suspense of these films would keep viewers on edge while also encouraging them to share the video with others. 

-Distribution: Since this is a short film, it could be distributed through social media or streaming services that offer short specials. 

3) How did your production skills develop throughout this project? 

    This point can be presented with a voice over of behind the scenes photos, showing the stages from pre-production to filming and editing. It can include pictures of how we captured certain shots and methods we learned regarding the technology. As cinematographer, I can mention how I experimented with different camera angles and how I learned to achieve them.

4) How did you integrate technologies - software, hardware, and online - in this project?

    Creating a PowerPoint voiceover with slides is an idea to answer this question. This way, I can showcase the different technologies we included in our project with photos. 

-Show equipment used. Including the specific iPhone camera, tri-pod, and hand held phone rig

-Also include what online software was used for editing, Abode Premiere Pro. Talk about how it allowed us to change the footage into black and white, and add effects like flashing lights. I can include the before and after scenes and how the editing completely changes the theme of the film. 

Chess Film: Post Production- Disregarded Storyboard Ideas

     During pre-production in our film, as cinematographer I was responsible for creating the storyboard. I wanted to include a shot that starts by showing a 'dead' body on a bench, with the chess piece on top. Then, the shot would cut and reappear closer, showing more of the chess piece and repeating that once more to create an extreme close up of the piece. When filming, we disregarded this idea and instead replaced it with something else in order to save time and create a more horror visual. 

My original idea on the story board 

    While filming, my group decided it would be best to change this idea into a shot using editing effects instead of cinematography effects to achieve the horror aspect. Although, we did replace this scene with just a chess piece, instead of on top of a body. This is because we didn't have enough time to show anymore murders done by the villain, so it would be out of context to add a random dead body with no explanation. Although we still took three individual clips, the editor placed a black screen in between them instead of just gradually moving closer. 

Chess Piece Farther Away

Quick Flash to Black Screen

Back to Chess Piece, Close-up

    The idea conveyed by the editor here is to have the black screen flashing in between the close up shots which symbolizes the black with the theme of death and mystery. Even though the storyboard had constant changes to it or was just disregarded, I think my group gained a lot of insight on how important it is to express our ideas fully during the pre-production process. 

Chess Film: Post Production- Shooting with Editing in Mind

    After we finished filming, we began our post production in class. The roles of editor and sound design kick in here, leaving my job as cinematographer just about done. Even though we successfully captured our shots, I'm still assisting my editor in his editing. This is in order to ensure that the ideas I had envisioned on my storyboard are captured correctly during the editing process. We provided our editor with two different ideas when filming this shot, leaving it up to him to decide which shot he liked better with the rest of the clips added.

Clip Option #1 (walking)

    In this clip, the investigator and his assistant are seen entering the crime scene. We took this shot in two different ways, leaving the final decision up to the editor. The first shot we took (shown above) has the two actors walking into the scene, and the camera follows the actors as they walk and point at the piece.

Clip Option #1 (pointing) 

    This is the same clip as above, with the actors first walking into the scene with the camera following them all the way until they point to the chess piece. This shot was done to imply that this is the first time the investigators are seeing the crime scene. 

Clip Option #2 (pointing + walking)

    In the second clip option I provided for the editor, the actors were told to walk into frame with the camera staying still. This was done for two reasons; first to shorten the time of the clip, and second to not show the actors walking because it's boring. The camera then pans down to the chess piece (the evidence). 

Final Decision:

Deciding between the two clips

    The final decision made by our editor was choosing clip option #2. This was because we were afraid of running over our time limit of filming, and also because the second clip option looked better overall. The reason for shooting this shot two different ways was to give our editor the ability to decide which he thinks would look best when it came down to actually editing. We watched both clips together and agreed that the second would look best with the rest of the shots added.