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"SEVERUS" FILM PROJECT
"SEVERUS" FILM PROJECT
The initial project idea was to create a film following the song “Severus and Stone” by Radical Face to challenge myself to create a "backwards film". This is used in Alt-J’s music video and Coldplay’s The Scientist. This was of the largest film projects I’d attempt to do, and this backwards narrative is something challenging that I’ve never done before. I researched how to accomplish this, how to the more high-end cameras V-CAM provides, and how to write scripts in this way. I recruited people who have experience with film to set up an actual team, rather than it just being myself filming and directing. I wanted to work on developing my film skills by creating a short film in a style I’ve never done before, using the dedicated and more professional process of film-making. This would include working with others and building a team, which would be stepping out of my comfort zone.
Some of the questions I followed to stay involved in this project were:
- What is the process of creating a professional short film?
- What are some methods to write a backwards script?
- Who can I work with in the future to create an effective team to produce films?
- How can I apply what I learn from my internship to a short film of my own?
- How can I develop my creative process?
- How does one schedule and organize a film production?
I really jumped into the project with two feet. After doing in extensive amount of research on film production, I created the following pre-production materials, as well as a full lesson plan/timeline
Once I was all set with these, which took a few weeks, I recruited actors and equipment. I used V-CAM as a resource for professional equipment, and posted on various Facebook actors groups in an attempt to find someone who would be interested. I purposefully went out of my comfort zone to try to find complete strangers to act in my film, and I contacted people from school that I've never spoken to. In the end, I managed to get two people on board, as well as various crew members, which were easier to find.
Scheduling and finding times to film that worked for everyone was the hardest part. Once we set a date for the first day of shooting, I jumped right in. I was incredibly nervous, but it actually went really well, and I learned so much from it. Here is a journal entry reflecting on the first day of shooting
"...For the entire week leading up to the first day of filming, I was a nervous wreck. I jumped into this with two feet and not much experience, in a lot of ways I was improving and going in blind, and that did not sit well with my very technical way of planning ahead and knowing what's going to happen. I had to accept the fact that in a lot of areas, I wouldn’t be prepared, and I’d just have to wing it even though the stakes seemed really high (this was a college student actor who has experience on film sets, this had to work out smoothly) ... I’d be directing and working with three complete strangers who relied on me to make this whole process work. I had to leap way out of my comfort zone. When directing, you have to be confident, assertive, and know what you’re doing. Since I’d never done anything like this before, it made the former a lot more difficult. I’ve had wild film ideas in the past that weren’t practical, and therefore didn’t work out. I was really worried this would be another case of an unrealistic idea that burst into flames, which would include way more casualties ... I just had to hope that I would be able to make it work.
And, to my great relief, it did! I’m surprised how good I was at faking confidence, and soon enough I wasn’t even faking. I shook the college student’s hand, introduced myself to the crew, and forced myself to verbalize exactly what I wanted them to do without sounding as hesitant or scared as I really was ... My simple ideas and hypotheticals (like actually being able to climb this tree) worked out, and in many ways, I had to rely on improvisation for things to turn out. This was so new to me. I have to say I’m really proud of myself for carrying the team, thinking quickly, and working past my anxieties. In the end, the first shooting was a total hit. We had all the right equipment, we all managed to fit into this tree, I found a second cameraman to replace the one that quit on me a day before the shoot, we made a crash pad and managed to film someone falling out of the tree without anyone getting hurt, the two main actors got along, and it all went so smoothly. I can’t wait to see where this goes, and I’m incredibly excited. It reminds me of what the instructor at the petra cliffs ropes-course said - something along the lines of “The scariest things in life are the best things in life”, and I really feel that right now. What an adrenaline rush!"
I had brought with me my friend TuyetNhi not just for moral support, but also to take some behind-the-scenes photography of the first shooting day
After that, we filmed for another four days. Each day there were various problems to be solved, and many scheduling conflicts. Because there was so much to do before a continuously nearing deadline, things got a little hectic, especially as we kept running into problems. Once V-CAM closed on us and we couldn't access our equipment, or on the last day the police were mistakenly called on us. You can read more about that in my journal! Because of this I didn't concentrate as much on how the camera was set up or how I directed my actors, but more on getting the job done. Next time I'd really like to go at a slower pace and really concentrate on the smaller details.
Once the production was finally completed (I was so relieved), I got into the editing process. It was difficult to align the plot with the song despite the fact that I thought I'd calculated it pretty well. Either way, I got feedback from my family, friends, and mentor on the pacing and how to make it more engaging, which I really appreciated as feedback. My one regret is not passing the story or plot by my friends and family first, I think their input could really have been valuable in pre-production of the video.
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
Even though the video to me wasn't necessarily outstanding, I have learned so much in the process of making it. I've never worked with a cast and crew like this before, I've never had people rely on me in this kind of way, I never wrote a script from the perspective of making it comprehensible to other people and I never bothered with a shot list, shot schedule, or storyboard. I've also never worked with so much professional and expensive equipment, and I've really grown when it comes to my problem solving skills and being assertive. As I was so nervous the first day, the rest were a breeze. I felt like I could take on anything and talk to anyone after that first day of production. That not only boosted my self esteem, but is now a useful skill. I honestly believe I've learned new ways to overcome stage fright during this whole process. I also ran into many problems, and always found a solution. Not only was this rewarding, but I also learned a lot when it comes to things to avoid next time. I now have a pretty good idea of how this works, and I'm excited to take on my next project - perhaps collaborating with someone else on a script, and working with a bigger team so I don't feel as much pressure. Either way, I'm excited fr what lies ahead!
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