Main Blog Post 2 - Lines of Enquiry/Investigation

C H A R C O A L from Eden Hall on Vimeo.

What is this?

This is the short film that I had previously mentioned filming and editing in an earlier post. Laura, a group member, approached me with the idea of following the morning routine/ beauty regime but with charcoal products. We wanted to portray the uses of charcoal in everyday life, be it as a mask, activated charcoal, as a drink, or even toothpaste.

After storyboarding, planning and discussion, we set up a filming location in a local studio. We then filmed the sequence with Laura as our actress. I edited and finalised the piece and it is now going to be projected onto a wall in the exhibition.

Laura. Filming Process.

What did I learn?

I decided to approach a new editing style. I wanted to start the edit off fairly quick, however quite slow in comparison to later in the film. This is to represent the quick integration charcoal has taken into our everyday lives. Whilst it used to be a tool for power, fuel and warmth, it has now joined us in daily live in countless ways. It features in drinks, beauty products, food, vitamins and so much more. Our 21st Century world continues to embrace charcoal in countless ways, and this is ever expanding as more discoveries are made surrounding the benefits of charcoal.

Laura. Filming shoot.

This project taught me several points, despite being such a short film. Being from Filmmaking, I often tend to stick with my course and rarely delve away from the normalities. However, working as a lone filmmaker on a project alongside someone from a different course is completely new territory for me. I have learnt of the importance of communication, especially when you are working in such a small group. As I was working with somebody who isn't on the Filmmaking course, I had to learn on the job how to communicate my ideas in a way that would translate clearly, ensuring that it follows Laura's ideas, as well as mine. 

I then had to balance all the filmmaking roles on my own. Whilst this was challenging, it was also exciting to fulfil all roles on my own. It also allowed me to gain the independence I've needed to grasp in my filmmaking career. 

What could I have changed?

In hindsight, I would have changed some aspects, however I really am happy with my final product. One part I would have changed would be my way of editing. I used my own MacBook Pro to edit the film, specifically on Final Cut Pro X. However, my laptop has reached a fairly old age, and so is extremely slow, particularly when running such an advanced programme. This led me to having a much, much slower editing process. This also meant that I could not do a second edit as I had originally planned to do, as my laptop was too slow and was unable to open my project. 

If I could have edited once more, I had planned to shorten the film even more. I would have done this by shortening the edit and perhaps removing some of the handheld shots at the start of the film. This would have made it much quicker and captivating, in my opinion. 

I also would have changed the last shot. I would have put in a shot of the items that had been used, without Laura in the background. I would have let the shot remain for a few seconds before returning to black, to add slightly more impact. However, I feel that even without these changes, I am happy with the finished project, as is Laura, my Co-Director.

Sound

I have also completed my sound project. As the sound was placed onto Josh and Jay's film, I have not got it with the visual piece. However, I am very happy with how the sound has come out. I decided to bring the listener and viewer along with us, from start to finish. To do this, I included conversations between the group, and also sounds of the charcoal that we as a group burned together. This included scratching, cutting, scraping and breaking the charcoal. I also included sounds of the processes the others sued to create their products, using saws and machines. Whilst I did this alone, it is a very collaborative piece, as every member of the group has involvement, be it through voice, charcoal burning or making their work.

What now?

I will now be looking into how my completed pieces of work can be presented at the exhibition. I am hoping that the sound will be played through speakers, however this is dependent on what the exhibition space will be. I am also hoping that we can perhaps project the film onto a wall or screen.