Blog 3

This film relies heavily on a huge variety of mediums to create its aesthetic.   For each camera (and there are four cameras we will be using), there will be alterations in lighting, handling, editing styles, etc. 

For our “normal” shots of the character walking through the forests relatively mentally secure, we are going to use the 7D Canon.  It is a small enough camera that we can safely hold it in a way that allows us to capture the perspective we want.  I intend on boosting the gain/ISO a bit so there is at least a little bit of distortion.  A nice, gloomy natural lighting (a little more blue than orange) would be ideal for these shots, but I understand that nature does not always lend itself to ideal circumstances while filming. 

The Bauer 8mm camera will be used to collect the “memory” portions of the film.  These memories are meant to represent the nostalgia the character has.  The distortion and quality of the footage reflects the imperfect quality of a memory, and the medium will properly age the moment.  I plan to use black and white high contrast film stock because of the glowing affect it gives the footage.  I was thinking that maybe I’d blow out the film a little, but I’m leaning more towards adding that affect in post.  I feel like that’d be safer.  These shots are meant to be home-videoesque, so they will be done without sticks or stabilizers.  Most of these shots will take place on the beach with natural lighting.  No sound will accommodate images taken with the Bauer 8mm during production.  

Though the VHS video camera will provide a decent home video quality, the image is still too crisp to achieve the desired image.  I will use the VHS camera for the “ethereal” feeling shots.  My hope is that the image will be saturated.  There is also great opportunity to manipulate the VHS tape in extremely interesting ways that will allow us to accomplish, for lack of better words, a psychedelic affect that could really accentuate the medium.  I am considering a tripod for these shots.  I will probably use a very soft diffusion filter, as well as a light green gel for these shots.  They are meant to look other-worldly. 

Lastly, the 16mm footage will represent fuzziness in the head of the character.  We will draw on this footage using ink, acrylics, oil, bleach, etc.  I think the footage would lend very well to this.  I plan on using a tripod for some of these shots, but not all.  Transitionally, they will move from a smooth frame to a more shakey hand-held.  I plan on using natural light for this as well. 

The shots will all be mixed up, because, conceptually speaking,  illness fluctuates throughout its process.  Transitionally there will be some structure, as the slight narrative within the film moves forward, but there will be a lot of every kind of shot within the film. 

2nd Entry

I’m excited to get started with the project.  I do have a few concerns, but I don’t think it’ll be too difficult to make decisions in order to sooth those concerns. 

            My first concern deals with our timing for filming.  I have a couple visions for warm ethereal look at a couple points in the film.  I was hoping to achieve those soon, maybe on a warm afternoon with the camera pointing towards some foliage.  Come to think of it, I could just use some sort of gel to get the color temperature right, and a diffusion filter to give the shot a more romantic feel, but I’m still not even sure what camera I want to use for this shot—these are the sorts of problems I’m running into.

            In general I’m feeling more and more comfortable with the project and my position in it.   

            I am now trying to decide which cameras to use for the different parts of the film.  I’ve been doing research and the digital camera is the only one slipping me up.  I don’t know if I should use a nicer camera or one that will sort of more accurately portray the mentality of the character. 

            I am also a little concerned about lighting, but I’m considering just doing an all-natural set.  Maybe use a couple filters on the camera to even out tones.  I’ll do a run through of the sets and take some stills to see if external lighting will be necessary. 

            Can’t wait to start production!

1st Entry

I would like to use the cinematography in this film as a tool to portray the condition of the character.  For example, as the character gets sicker and sicker in the diegetic world, I intend to distort the footage to attempt to visually simulate the physical feeling one might get if they were sick. 

            I will begin by using a normal 24fps digital camera in the shot establishing his illness, as well as in most “normal” shots.  These will be from the coherent perspective of the character.

            For the shots in which the character is having flashbacks, I plan to either use some found footage or some 16mm footage.  I’m considering shooting it at a lower fps, both to save time and to demonstrate the fleeting nature of memory. 

            I’m playing around with where I want to use the super 8 camera and when/if I want to use some scratched footage or layered colored-on clear leader. 

            The more advanced the illness becomes, the more distorted and whacky the footage will become.  Some parts will be confusing, some will be disjointed, but they are there to reflect the disorientation that is associated with illness.

            I want it all to look visually appealing, to an extent. The intention isn’t to get the audience very comfortable in the head of this sick guy, but I don’t want them to feel physically sick while watching it.