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Mastery Journal 9.2.18

Greetings, 

The short film I reviewed is “Promises”.  It was produced and directed solely by Dino Gallina in 2006. The log-line is “A gun, a girl and a hotel room”. Based on that and viewing the short film as well, the theme and genre is a short crime drama thriller. The tone and theme of the film gives you a dark, sexy, blanc noir type of vibe that quickly gets you on the edge of your seat with its sudden twist of event. This is seen through the dialogue, natural sounds, Foley sounds, and camera angles as well.

It starts with a seemingly normal after sex hotel setting with two people having small talk about the night they had just shared together and the man’s occupation. The woman then starts to ask seemingly random questions that the man nonchalantly gives open ended answers to no avail. The plot starts to really unfold when he begins to ask questions himself. It makes a quick jolt into the climax when she asks a random question about women killers or “hitmen” and leaves us to believe that they have the same profession after all,  that she knew the answers to the questions all along, and  that she was making sure he was the right person. After a few seconds, sound, and some key cause/reaction Foley sounds, we have no choice to but to believe that they were set up to be in the situation at that given point and that the set up was done by his wife in question. 

The aspect ratio 1.78.:1, run time 1 min and filmed in full color. The set looks like a normal hotel room with: one bed, one photo, frame on wall, and two towels. Practical lights are coming from the bathroom and lamp that is on the side table. Props is a gun, towel, and toothbrush. The set dressing is: hotel telephone, deodorant on bathroom counter, man’s watch and picture on the wall. Hair and make-up is natural with no flairs to insinuate night time setting.

The man in the bathroom is a great example of a frame with in a frame. A good example of a two shot is when the lady is laying in the bed and they can see the man and the women in the same shot both being medium shots. When the women turns around to face the side table and turns on the light and picks up the gun it’s medium close up. There is a good example of a close up when the man realizes that he has been set up. From the guns point of view, I would say that there is an over the shoulder when the fire is pointed at the man. This is being insinuated based on the angles of the people and camera angles as well. 

I believe dialogue and natural sounds where done in post-production to make them clearer. Water faucet sounds which are more so in the natural sound category and music was tastefully added using Foley sounds. Dialogue panning was noticed and clearly defined. Foley of the gun being picked up from the table was done very well. The man begins his dialogue and it is mainly paned to the left as the women is manly panned to the right for special recognition of the different eye point of views. Music fades out at the right time to have the “natural” sounds come into play. Music is then re-inserted at the moment the main character realizes he’s been set up. 

There’s plenty of choices that can be made in or film to support its premise. From the viewpoint of my particular job title (sound mixer), I can use Foley in the post production section of film making to accentuate the things  I want my viewers to focus on in particular. I can make sure the words of my characters are clean and crisp so there aren’t any discrepancies among what is trying to be portrayed. Practical challenges can be overcome with the use of creative cuts, narrating gaps, and adding/deleting scenes.

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Business of Film Mastery Journal

           Looking back at the things I have learned and projects I have worked on within this journey/journal, I can see so much growth. My original objective was to learn everything that I knew I did not know. And I have! Film making as I had to learn is not only about what I want to portray but, it is about the numbers and business behind it that makes it great. Every single detail has to be thought about just like my scripts.

           I learned that not only what I work on is detrimental but, other works of art that have been like it. I learned to compare and contrast so I am ahead of the game and know what my competitors are doing and have done. It is not just about my art but, the entire scope of the film industry and where I want to take it. It is one thing to make a film. It is another to make film history. That is where I want to be.

           The business of film makes you think about everyone you come in contact with… the bakers at your corner cafe, security at your favorite club, or even your accountant. Why? Because your film needs all of this as well. Well not exactly your film but, everyone working on your film matters. Your talent needs to be taken care of, your set needs securing, you not only need a budget but also need to stay under it, and everything needs to run smoothly. That is outside of even wanting your craft to be perfect. The business of film makes me look at the world in a new light because the business of film is everywhere I look. I never expected my entire perspective on life to be changed but, it has been… professionally and personally. I am thankful for it.

“I am a product of many whose lives have touched mine, from the famous, distinguished, and powerful to the little known and the poor.” -Dorothy Height

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Mastery journal VST

      Visual storytelling techniques and technology course provides a stressful but yet rewarding experience. VST greatly benefits one’s mind to deeply think of what they are attempting to convey in there decided choice of media.  Allowing the student to be able to freely choose their artistic expression was an Idea that I in my early master’s degree wished we had freedom to do. Having set guidelines pushes the student to truly think out of the box. For example: conveying an emotion with a time limit and not being allowed to verbally communicate was a great assignment for it teaches you to think out of the box. After writing a rough draft and getting constructive feedback on the script I learned that one must fully understand that there must be a beginning a middle and an end. This was extremely difficult cause it is one thing to just sit there and think about an idea and just shoot it without regrade to structure or thought.  But learning how to convey a feeling with selected course restrictions of the assignment was difficult/exciting. My script had pot holes all threw out it and diddnt have a clear thought that translated well on paper. Initially I the script I had thought of came with issues that arose. Getting shooting permits and going through the process of contacting the Metro Orlando film Commission and understanding that a project requires great planning and must be done with great logistics proved daunting. Learning that one must call into count that you need a permit if,” you are producing a feature/independent film, commercial or series, or any other film/video/digital related project that affects city/county/state property, equipment or facilities, including any public property (i.e., sidewalks, highways, parks, etc.)” as stated from the metro Orlando film commission info page. Again, time was a major factor that had to be addressed. I had the idea but making it legally showed that Logistics and proper planning is a great tool that will help. My video showed me that you must be flexible to change and adapt if you want to make a deadline. Me having wrote a backup script incause I was not able to get the proper permits to shoot my original script, I switched over to my plan B and began putting my script in motion. Not accounting the building factor to support the mirror frame again made me have to be flexible and change things around. One thing I clearly knew was that I wanted to experiment with a frame with in a frame aspect.

        Script supervising on the final film project showed me that organization is a key factor when record keeping.  Script sups are also known as continuity supervisors. I understand it as being the record keeper. Script supervisors are there to make sure everything in the project/film go smoothly and have continuity. Having a good descriptive detail when putting the information in is very vital in the editing process for it makes it easier for the editor to refer to the script sups notes and know what shots the director likes and dislike. Now i must admit I was not prepared for the position and it was a great eye opener to really understand the value of having great script sup. I see a great correlation between sound mixer and script sup’s because as in audio you must keep a record of the recordings and now what takes where good in what takes where not to good. Again a great time saver and was a great experience failing just to understand how to succeed.

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4.3 Mastery Journal Assignment

The experienced learned in experimental filmmaking was great. Understanding all the technics that where taught this month was most helpful. Reflecting on lessons learned this mouth was awesome. Having being afforded the chance to be in educational setting such as full sail is great learning space to experiment and learn from. It was one thing learning about lighting technics but a total other thing setting up lights and manipulation your surroundings. Here’s a list of what I was expecting from the course. Stress, anxiety, mixed with a demanding schedule. What I received from the course was a great leaning space full of none judgmental class mates and instructor. One of the coolest assignment for the course was the TOUT assignments. Being assigned those assignments was great for allowing the mind to think outside of the box. Tout was a great learning tool and a good handicap to have when coming up with content.

           With respect to the film making process it allows you the ability to come to a fork in the road and analyze choices that need to be made. Making films is stress full and existing and demanding on time. But seeing the finished project is awesome. Show caseing the lessons learned was a great reward for the course. The course made individual have a good understanding of time management. Scheduling meetup times and shoot days is a technic that one should always work on. Everything I was expecting for the course was meet with more to it. It was a great opportunity to collaborate with fellow students in projects that made up must trust each other to reach the common goal. Experimental filmmaking concepts satisfied all my expectations and will love auditing this Couse after I graduate so that I can freely unlock my mind with ideas that are swelling around my head.

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4.1 Mastery Journal

Lessons learn in Directing talent course was a great experience. This course taught students the fundamentals of what it means to be an actor in front of a camera. Learning key industry strategies was a great learning block to learn from. Understanding the stress associated with acting has brought me a long way. It is more than just point and shot, hoping that the actor gets it right. It takes proper planning and a good understanding of what it takes to be an actor. We as humans speak a vast variety of language and must understand that the English language is not perfect. Each word in the English language may have 2-3 or 4 different meanings and we should never expect that an actor can understand the verbs that we tell them to portray. Good communication goes a long way. Allowing the actor to express them self creatively can go a long way. There are so much stress factors that arrive from acting that are easily over looked and with this course I could see those stress factors. It’s one thing talking about Rome, but it’s another thing being to Rome. We should never expect another person to be able to speak in a dialect that we understand because we are all different. And this course has taught me to respect that and find different and constructive ways to accomplish what goals I’m trying to convey to my actors.

This course provided a great learning experience and a excellent learning enviorment. This course allowed us a place to fail and learn from our mistakes. Acting is a hard job and we take it for granted jobs that others must do.

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Charles jeffrey MasterVlog

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MAN (2008)  

         The tone of MAN (2008) was, amusing, makes one contradict them self’s and forces one to ask the question, would they? Allowing one self to ask the underling question of, would you try to attempt to bed two sister’s? Again reverting back to the centralizing underlining question of you the viewer attempt it, Would you? Act 1 focused on introducing the main characters of the film Maggie and her sister.

        the basic dramatic structure act 1 was pretty much a good representation of how sisters at that age treat each other. Its understandable that sibling’s don’t want to do everything with each. That was shown by act 1, the sister ask Maggie the protagnist if she may accompany her in her endeavors, Maggie disrespectfully declined. with that the younger sister does what normal siblings do, follow anyway. With the younger sister snooped threw Maggie computer and find out that Maggie is off to meet a male counterpart to partake in activities unknown to the younger sister.  

        the premise of the film is that when opportunity knocks you have to be there to open the door. The films synopsis gives just enough information to engage the potential viewer. After seeing the film it made me think of a song, United states rapper that goes by the name Future, “real sisters” best in body’s the feel of the mail interest. The male character in the short was by all account an opportunist.

         the shot composition was shown to be hand held shooting. Shots where made with natural lighting, utilizing the time of day was a good element that was afforded to director. Camera placements showed a combination of medium shots, close up’s and panning. The usage of quick cut’s and over the back angles where also noticeable.

         the sound of the films is by far adequate. Dialogue was clear to hear, the non-diegetic sounds that where placed off screen where good and emphasized. It looks quite apparent that Foley was involved. Non-diegetic and diegetic audio represented a great key element in the short. The use of filters that made some parts of the audio realistic was good. Examples of that was the car seen where the protagonist sister was snooping threw the intended, “love interest” vehicle. In that scene there’s a medium shot composition where you can hear the outside ambiance in the vehicle, insinuating that the viewer is inside the vehicle. The drawback of the audio would be that, some sounds where to abrupt and deliberate, some of the audio could have been panned to better represented spatial realism.  

          The editing of the film allows the viewer a chance to dive in the Psychoanalytic theory. With the film’s quick cuts and medium to long pause’s allow the viewer to ask questions of is it about to happen or not? Thinking in a deeper level it was quite apparent that the older sister displayed a feeling of this is mine. Sibling tend to have issues with self-ownership.  A couple issue was noted at the end Act 3 was the allowances of the lighting to directly go in to the lens. Maybe the director wanted to infuses lens flare but that visual art was not appealing.  

           Acting and performance was at most realistic. At times where the two main characters where conversing, you could intentionally convey what the other is thinking. In the scene where Maggie and the younger sister are on the bed with the love interest you can see the thought pattern of is this going to happen with the three of use.  The characters played their roles well and conveyed there ages well as being young teenagers.

           Production elements that will be imposed will be that of the audio, with the elements of quick cuts and dramatic pauses, the use of Non-diegetic and diegetic sounds where appeasing and will be implemented in my short. Camera flares will be an element that I stray from. The use of panning and medium and close shots will also be implemented in my short. One element that will not be associated will be an a brute ending.  The build up with act 1 and act 2 where good and will surly be implemented in my short.

         the practical challenges facing your film will be overcome through creative solutions. With trust and a open heart i will take heed to the crew and collaborate with fellow students in arraignment a short film that will be a good representation of a beginner entering the film world and attempting to dominate it.

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Goals, Strategies, and Tactics

1. Mastery: personal Development and Leadership- * Completing all assignments buy pacing my work flow. * Have a good understanding of time management and having all my calendars in sync. Apply lessons learned to real life events by reflecting on Robert Greens book Mastery.

2. Filmmaking concepts & practices - * learn the basics of  film concepts & practices by paying attention in class. * Taking great detailed notes and reading and re reading notes taking in class. have a good understanding of the over all course and able to effectively communicate course materials.

3. Script Production and Analysis- * Learn the proper formatting of script writing, apply what I've learned and continuously read and re read papers i write. * Learn how to properly analysis scripts, having a good understanding of script formatting will keep the point that I'm trying to illustrate. * Learn how to take constructive criticism of my work. taking what my peers give to me and applying changes when needed.

4. Directing Talent-* * Placing my self on the other side of the camera to have a good understanding of the stress actors must endure. * Effectively learn ways to motivate actors. reading books on self motivation would assist in doing that goal. * Direct a scene for witch i have full creative control in motivating the actor to depict what i am trying to illustrate.

5. Experimental Filmmaking- Understand that there are multiple ways of film making. experimenting with different lighting and camera angles. *  Taking great notes that i can recall at a moments notices. Having good organizational skills. keeping files named and in proper locations. Shoot minimum two different styles of scenes that both convey the same end point of what I'm trying to get to.

6. Visual Storytelling Techniques and Technology- * Receiving a B or higher in the class. By attending all lectures and taking advantage of online resources. * Having a perfect attendance. By leaving an extra 15 mins early every time lectures classes giving. * Having a good understanding of what visual storytelling is. Understanding all techniques that the professor gives. effective notes and studying.

7. Entertainment and communication Law-   * Taking great notes. showing up early and having pen and paper ready. * Reading  chapters ahead of lecture times so that i may have effective questions of material. * Eating breakfast every morning so that i am alert and well energized for the course material.

8. Film Production Thesis I: Pre-Production- * perfect attendance. leaving home 15 mins earlier then i normally do. * Working well with others. understanding that its a team effort and that its not a one person show. having faith that the rest of the team will do there part. * Finishing assignments on time and correct. allowing my self to have great time management will assist in those efforts.

9. Film Production Thesis II: Production- * Eating breakfast every morning. waking up 15 min earlier so that i can ensure i eat. * Having good time management. effectively having detailed goals and deadlines for work/Projects. * Showing up 15-30 mins early for shoots.  going to bed earlier every night to insure that i leave in a timely manner.

10. Film Production Thesis III: Post-Production- *Figure out my strength and weaknesses by effectively communicating with my professor. *Learn how to multitask within film production by learning what I am capable of within this particular course. *Figure out what happens after production of the actual film by actively reading the given material.

11. Film Production Thesis IV: Film Assembly- *Figure out what people I need on my team by working well with others. *Learn how to properly assemble and organize films by way of lecture. *Learning all I can by asking the professor questions I don’t know the answer to.

12. Business of Film- *Learn how to properly market my films by obtaining knowledge from the professor. *Figure out the keys to networking in the film industry by attending all Full Sail graduating social events. *Figuring out my personal team for production purposes by figuring out my weaknesses throughout the program.

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