Goals in Filmmaking

What are my goals in terms of filmmaking?

I would have to say my main goal in filmmaking is..well... to be good at it. But if you want to take it to a deeper level, then I would have to say… aw let’s face it, I just want to be the best. Whether it’s silly little short films, serious short films, music videos, or whatever it might be, I just want to able to bring the same joy that I get from films to other people. When I first started taking TCF courses, I thought I would be fine with just being a random person working on a tv set. After taking more advanced course, I realize now that that’s not going to cut it. I want to be a big part of a production, an important someone. I want to have a say in my own visions, or even someone else’s vision if they need it. As of right now, I have no clue what position I want to have, but if I had to narrow it down at this very moment I would say its between director, DP, camera operator, or maybe even a screenplay writer.

I signed up for this course simply because I wanted to further my knowledge and skill level in all things production. I am hoping to be able to understand every position a person can have in a production in order to find out where I excel (and enjoy) the most. I want learn about all the techniques directors and cinematographers use in lighting, composition, form, camera movements, color schemes, ect. I want to learn about all the functions of video cameras, so I can get the best results from them. Also, I want to learn everything I can about how to properly use framing and camera movements to help tell a narrative clearly. All throughout the day, my mind seems to race constantly with different ideas for film. I know this class will help provide me with the skills I need to take all of my thoughts and visions and share them with others using film.

Visual References

“Write about your own personal inspirations for visual references in film.” Sounds simple enough. Yet for some reason once I started, I found it quite difficult to think of things. I know what I like to see, but what truly inspires me? So after thinking long and hard, this is what I came up with.

When is comes to inspirations for composition, I want to start off by saying that Alfred Hitchcock is one of my most favorite directors of all time. Not necessarily because of his story lines, but because of his compositions. He was one of the first to really use the camera as a storyteller. Instead of keeping the camera still and on the stars, he would move the camera around helping the audience to feel more like they are actually apart of the story.

(Above) This still shot is from the movie Notorious, filmed in 1946. Here you see the shadow of Sebastian on the door. You also see a set of keys on the vanity to the left. I like this shot because it is setting up for the suspense. Hitchcock uses the shadow on the door as a “ticking time bomb.” Alicia is going to try to steal the keys, and the shadow helps the audience know that Sebastian can step out at anytime and catch her in the act. I really like how using shadows and objects help tell the story at times more than the characters.

The two shots above are really cool establishing shots. In one continuous shot, the camera starts really high up and then cranes all the way down to an XCU of Alicia’s hand holding a key. Hitchcock’s wide, high angled shot of the party helps set up a care free, fun scene, while the XCU emphasizes on the crisis still at hand. Hitchcock inspires me, because every one of his shots has a certain meaning behind them. No one shot is less important than the other.

When it comes to color palettes, I find inspiration in different movies. I tend to really enjoy movie that have kind of a yellow tent to them, making them sort of vintage looking.

A great example of that is Sherlock Holmes.

There hasn’t been a Tim Burton film yet that I haven’t really liked his overall choice in color. Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleepy Hollow, Sweeney Todd, Edward Scissor Hands, and all the others always seem to have such neat color palettes.

For example, the Corpse Bride. I love how he uses really dull colors like black, brown, grey, and blues to help set the tone of his films.

I also really like how Burton used such amazing colors in his film, Alice in Wonderland. I thought is was cool how the color palette would change depending on what characters were present. For example, when the Queen of Hearts is around, the palette consists of reds, blacks, grays, and creams. When we see Alice, it usually consists of blues, greens, purples, and whites.

When it comes to lighting, I tend to get ideas from photographs.

This particular picture is not a photo, but an actual still shot from Jane Eyre. I love how the harsh back lighting seems to embraces the couple.

The last two photos are from my favorite photographer and good friend, Sarah Barlow.

In this picture I like how the window is the only source of lighting, and all you see is Emilia’s silhouette. Also, it's cool how the darkened corners help draw the viewers eyes to the subject.

Lastly, I love everything about this photo. The composition, the lighting, the colors are all perfect. I love the object in the foreground being blurred. I love how crisp and clear the focus is on Emilia. It’s truly a wonderful shot.

10 Things

Hello!

To introduce myself, here are 10 things about me.

1.) I absolutely love studying film.

2.) I'm a Telecommunications & Film Major.

3.) I work for the WVUA Sports Production Unit.

4.) I absolutely love watching classic films from the Studio Era (late 20's- the late 50's).

5.) These are some of my favorite movies…

6.) These are all my favorite actors and actresses…

7.) My grandparents were the first professional photographers in my hometown, so I get my passion for photography from them.

8.) I spent this past summer in Italy studying art history with the UA Study Abroad Program and had the time of my life.

9.) In my free time I love playing the guitar, both acoustic and electric.

10.) I have the cutest, sweetest dog in the world.