What I've learned in TCF 312

TThis has been my favorite class in TCF thus far. I think because I got a much better understanding of workflow, what makes a success production, the importance of knowing what goes on a set, how to get a certain look and what equipment will give you such look. I see how lighting ultimately gives you a good shot or a bad shot. I understand how to incorporate lights as far as color temperatures, kinos, arris, diffusors, cookies, etc. Lights can make a scene look realistic, 3-dimensional and set the mood. I learned about the various cameras, their limitations and their specifications. I always thought that when a person is shoot a film, they use the same camera but as I learned in this course, you can’t always use a DSLR when you’re trying to zoom, or you can use an HDV is you want a shallow depth of field. I learned that like Shane, I like to use DSLR. I think they produce cinematic and beautiful shots that I want to incorporate in my future films. I learned the importance of knowing things like aperture, ISO, ND filters, shutter speed, etc, because without the technical parts taking care of, your shots could consequently be effected by poor quality. I learned the importance of each person’s job on a shoot. Though I only had about 8 people assisting me on he the Delinquency shoot, I see how there are so many positions that contribute to the success of a production. For instance, I wish we had a person checking our actors lines and positioning for editing purposes. Have a good relationship with you crew is another thing I gathered as a 312 student. Like any work space, having a good relationship with your crew is critical to a success piece and I’m glad that I was able to develop good relationships with people I can work with in the future. I found out what I think I would be most successful at and that's directing. I feel like the director, as the visionary and guideline for the mise-en-scene of a film, serves as the leader and I think I am a natural born leader.

Scene Assignment Reflection: "Delinquency"

I learned that when I want to focus and organize my ADHD thoughts, I can! I was very impressed with how all my prior work made the shoot go by rather swiftly. In addition to me having preplanned what I wanted to shoot and capture, I had arranged to have my crew fed and happy and I think that kinda gave a positive undertone to the day's work. I think I am good at brainstorming creative ideas and giving direction. I have experience acting and now of course, filming and I think I articulate a vision well so directing might be my calling but I'm not limited to that notion. I want to be able to speak film language like my second language. I wanna know terms, camera operation, lighting techniques and so on so that I can be competitive in a field that millions of people are pursuing. Having this knowledge will no only make me marketable but help me produce work that shows my skills set and creative vision. I think I crew work well together. The actors and crew got along really well and at some points I had to step in and keep everyone on task. The DP and I did not exercise good communication skills, which was evident in the final product but regardless each experience teaches you something and now I know the importance of said relationship

GOOD Reels

I think a well composed, well thought out and fashioned for whatever position a videogrpaher, editor, graphic designer, director, etc., is applying for. I think clips that show a variety of work a person can do. In a industry that is rapidly changing and requiring less people for more things, I think it is critical to have a good understanding of how to do everything. Here are some reels I thought were done really well: "> ">

Dorothy Dandridge

For my Mass Communication History class, I had to write a 20 page paper about a subject of my choice. I chose to compare 1950's actresses Marilyn Monroe and Dorothy Dandridge. As a practitioner of film, I found it interesting that cinema portrayed the two equally talented women very differently during the height of the conservative, religious, anti-communist, and segregated 50's. I had become interested in this subject because I noticed how Marilyn Monroe has transcended the limits of her time and become a billion dollar image that is plastered on wallpapers, posters, fashion, etc. I especially noticed it in the black community that young girls idolize this woman who didn't even look like them. I learned about Dorothy Dandridge after watching Introducing Dorothy Dandridge starring Halle Berry, a couple of years ago. Halle Berry did a phenomenuel job portraying the 1950's actress who got her big break in the all black opera Carmen Jones. During an era that was starting to embrace sexuality in its cultural and vaguely accepting black people as human beings, the high-spirited, pretty and sensual Dandridge had found success as a black woman in Hollywood. Though her roles were stereotypical and strategically executed to give her sex appeal, Dorothy was a beautiful black face on a big screen when African Americans were subject to roles as slaves or servants. While we idolize Marilyn Monroe, who in her own respect was stereotyped as a sexy dumb blonde in the 50's, I think we should also include a place for Dorothy. She paved the way for black actresses and black filmmakers in general because she, against all odds, endured a generation who wasn't ready for her (as seen in the TAN movie posters with Harry Belafonte) and reached a stardom that few people like her did.

Camera Selection

For my scene assignment, I chose the T2i, which is my fellow classmate's personal DSLR. I like the cinematic look the DSLR gives so I was comfortable using this particular camera when it was suggested for class equipment distribution purposes. I think the cinematic style in a production makes it more realistic and creditable and because my scenario is serious and dramatic so I think using a camera the gives this look helps the tone of the story. DSLRs are able to give a scene a shallow depth of field and uses really awesome lenses, however it requires a lot of moving because it isn't able to zoom in, small LCD monitor on camera which makes it hard to see exactly what you're filming and you must capture something white in order to white balance it. EX3, HDV, Go Pro as well as the DSLRs have CMOS sensors which prevent the jello effect for action shots. HDV have a lower number LUX and therefore can film will in lower light. You can also use lenses with these cameras which are good with natural color. However, the workflow is difficult because you must use a capture cam.