Author: sshilbayeh24
One Minute (Group Project) Final Draft
Visual Storytelling Blog
Our group’s one minute video has a spooky story. The main character is dressed normally and goes for a walk alone. While walking, she stops to take a selfie but doesn’t like the first one. When she takes another, she notices a black figure in the background of the photo. Confused and uneasy, she turns around but doesn’t see anyone there. When she turns back, the black figure is suddenly in front of her. Scared, she runs the other way and looks back, but the figure is gone. Thinking she’s safe, she keeps running, but the figure appears in front of her again. This time, it has a face… her face. To film this, we needed a few things. The main character needs a regular outfit, and we’ll need a dark costume for the black figure. We’ll shoot in a quiet, slightly creepy place, like a park or around the school’s forrest areas. A phone will be used for recording with a bluetooth microphone that we can attach on the character. Later, we’ll use simple editing to add effects, like the figure appearing and disappearing, and add sounds to make it feel spooky.
Profile Blog
Shooting the job profile interview came with its challenges. The hardest part was finding a day and time that worked for the doctor that I was interviewing. With her busy schedule, it took a while to coordinate something that fit for both of us. Even then, it felt like we were squeezing the interview into her busy day. When we finally sat down to do the interview, there was a lot of background noise. It was right after her shift, and the office was closing, so people were packing up, chatting, and generally just winding down. It wasn’t the ideal setting, and at times it was hard to focus or capture clear audio. On the good side, she was open and easy to talk to because I work with her on a daily basis, which made the process feel more natural. Even though it wasn’t perfect, it ended up being a good learning experience and a good video that can become a good learning opportunity for those who are interested in the field. I appreciated how she made the time to participate, even though I know she was really tired from her shift.
Final Rough Draft
Rough Cut Group Project (1 Minute)
Interview
Devil’s Playground Blog Post
In the documentary “Devil’s Playground”, which explores the lives of Amish teens, a scene shows the struggle between Amish and English lifestyles leading to the big and final question “Amish or English?”. One key moment features Amish teens enjoying modern activities like driving cars, attending parties, and using/drinking substances. In one scene, the camera focuses on a young man excitedly driving a car for the first time, with a big smile on his face as he speeds down the road (which seemed very staged for me; indicating acting for the camera). The camera captures their happiness and excitement as they take part in these activities, which are very different from their traditional history that has been going on for their past 16 years. For example, when the camera focuses on one of the young women laughing at a party, with the bright lights on, loud music, and lively setting shows how tempting the English world can be, creating a strong contradiction to their traditional clothing and values. This visual evidence shows the attraction of modern life for Amish youth and emphasizes this hard decision they have to face as they try to balance both lifestyles. Even though, some parts of this scene might seem staged – the way the teens smile and pose for the camera makes it feel like they might be putting on a show for the camera. Another moment follows Amish youth as they move from a quiet, rural setting to a busy city. Images of peaceful Amish farms right next to the dramatic city streets indicated the differences between the two worlds. These moments where Amish youth think about their choices add emotional depth and help viewers connect with their struggles and their inner thoughts. Visual evidence is important for storytelling in this documentary/interviews, as it helps by showing the characters experiences and reminds us of the main theme of choice and identity through contrasting images of their traditional life and the modern world. There are times when the visuals may not match the need for an interesting story for example when there were slower moments of reflection, which caused me to lose interest slightly.
Composing Effects and AI Video
Nurses Visual Evidence Blog Post
For the documentary about local nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic, my story will focus on their personal and work experiences outside the hospital, focusing on their hard work, struggles, and how they adapted to care for patients during this challenging time, even though I would not be able to film inside a hospital. The documentary will follow several local nurses as they deal with life during the pandemic, showing their emotional journeys and the stress and hard challenges they faced while also capturing their moments of hope and strength, as it was mentioned in the article that actions and their words cannot contradict as it would become confusing. By focusing on their lives outside the hospital, it would show how their work affects their personal lives, relationships, and mental health, including how they think of teamwork, community support, and the sacrifices they made for their patients and families. To tell this story without filming in a hospital, I would use a variety of visual evidence, including interviews with nurses filmed in their homes or any outdoor locations, giving them space to share their feelings, experiences, and strategies they used to cope and survive during the pandemic. According to “A Short Sermon about Interviews”, It is recommended to place the interview in areas where the individual is most comfortable and can openly express their emotions that tie to the place. I will also capture moments of nurses in their daily lives, showing how they relax after a shift, spend time with their families, or practice self-care, adding a personal area to their stories. The documentary will indicate community efforts to support nurses, like local businesses donating meals or residents organizing events to say thank you, showing the connection between healthcare workers and the community they serve. I will also film scenes of the community during the pandemic, including empty streets, people wearing masks, and areas of appreciation for healthcare workers, giving context to their experiences.
Composing, Effects, and AI Blog Post
In “POOF” digital effects change how, us people, see the worlds created in films, mixing real life actions with imaginative landscapes that can feel similar yet unique. These settings range from realistic backgrounds to more fantasy environments, showing how these makers of the short film can achieve their “settings”. Techniques like green screens, layering, and AI allow for the creation of entirely new worlds, giving the makers more freedom to include different themes and visuals. While traditional cinema focuses on capturing real life and genuine experiences, “POOF” takes a more flexible approach to realistic but fun film. By combining real footage with fantastical elements, it shows to the viewers to consider what’s possible and what feels real, connecting the lines between the two. This digital manipulation not only enhances telling the story but also raises questions about how we represent reality in film. Characters may interact with digital backgrounds, yet their emotions and actions can still feel realistic and grounded, creating a sense of difficulty that traditional methods might struggle to achieve. Also, the film shows how digital effects can be more than just decorations; they can be important parts of the story. They can reflect themes of change and identity, allowing film makers to communicate difficult complex ideas in unique ways. With viewing the film through our perspective, we are challenged to rethink our ideas of reality and authenticity in cinema. This short film shows how digital effects can enlighten films, pushing the limits of cinematic storytelling. It encourages us to think about the relationship between technology and what we perceive in today’s world, making it an experience that resonates in our increasingly dependent digital lives.
Blog Post: Breakfast With The Gallagers
In the Scene “Breakfast with the Gallaghers,” the camera/ the audience is placed straight into the chaotic world of the Gallagher family. From the moment we enter their kitchen, it’s clear that breakfast here is anything but ordinary. The scene is a combination of movement and noise, capturing the heart of their daily routine.The visuals are messy intentionally, filled with quick cuts that show the hectic morning routine. The camera focuses on different family members, giving us a glimpse into the chaos and their perspective. We see characters grabbing food, spilling coffee, and talking over one another, creating a setting that feels both frantic and familiar. This energetic scene reflects the urgency that defines their lives which indicated that they’re always in a hurry. Continuity editing is imporant in this scene, helping us follow the action smoothly. Even as characters move around, the cuts keep everything flowing, indicating and showing how they truly interact with each other. The overlapping conversations show their close bonds but also highlight the chaos of living in a big family. It’s a mix of scenes that makes it feel real and look realistic, capturing how they manage to connect against their everyday barriers..With the chaos, there are certain visual anchors that help the audience focus. The breakfast table, piled high with mismatched dishes and food, stands out as a central point in all the chaotic activity. These regular items symbolize their shared life, reminding us that even in the middle of chaos, they maintain some routine and stability. Gathering for breakfast in under two minutes seems crazy, but for the Gallaghers, it’s a reflection of their daily routine which is shown based off the camera work. This brief, chaotic moment shows their need to connect and plan, even when life is tough. In just a couple of minutes, Shameless captures the messy yet loving dynamics of family life. This blend of chaos and connection is what keeps viewers hooked, wanting to see what is upcoming.
Montage
Window Assignment
Continuity Assignment Trail of Treats