14. DP Reel and Artist Statement

I am very focused on relaying simple stories about people. I find documentaries to be very awarding to create due to the ability to relay a story from one individual or group to many other people. I find it fascinating that I can tell the story of a person or place through a camera, and the story can continue to exist for viewers to see. I enjoy filming people and places that are considered to be out of the ordinary. I also enjoy exploring the past in what I film. Many things change over time and through the use of moving pictures things can be remembered for a very long time.


The effects of time on images are tremendous. Something that can be seen as not being good at the time of creation can be sought after once time has past and the image is seen as a remnant of the past. I enjoy creating these images for people to see and possibly remember years from now. I also value the audio that is recorded when filming. Audio is very important to allow the audience to connect fully with the pictures that the filmmaker is providing to them. Without good audio, the images may be forgotten and not fully enjoyed by the audience because of the distractions from bad audio.

Simply put, my style is focused on showing the audience beautiful images that stir their senses and causes them to think. My overall goal in film-making is to connect to the audience and allow them to enjoy what I have helped create for them.

12. Scripted Scene Assignment

11. Prep for Your Scripted Scene / Developing Director-DP Relationship

When preparing for my scripted scene, I met with my DP several times to determine what would be the best way to film my selected scene. I began thinking about the planning for the production several weeks before we filmed.

The relationship between the DP and the director is very important and the two must know how to communicate with each other effectively in order to produce what the director envisioned. Without proper cooperation then the production can hit some roadblocks due to differing ideas on how to perform a shot.

9. Inspiring Short Film

The above short film was very frightening the first time I watched it. I feel it is inspiring because it is a very simple story, but is creatively told through great visuals. The overall tone is very dark, and I enjoy watching the way the story unfolds. Some moments are very tense.



I also find this short film inspirational. It's about a little boy and his cardboard box. Throughout the film he does many things with his box. The way he plays with something as simplistic as a cardboard box is very inspirational for me because I feel I sometimes overcomplicate things in my life, and things would be a lot smoother if I went about things in a simpler manner.

8. Shot by Shot Scene Analysis

The opening of scene from the first episode of True Blood begins with an opening shot of Tara. A very obnoxious and loud individual. This shot establishes Tara as being disconnected from her job as a sales person. The camera dollies in towards Tara.

A customer walks into frame seeking assistance from Tara. Tara looks up from her book with a look of disgust that she is being bothered.

 This medium shot shows that the customer is now upset with Tara.

 This shot shows Tara is not responding in a positive manner to the customer's chastising.

This wide shot shows the two continue to argue over the product that the customer is searching the for in the store. This shot allows the audience to see how both are acting in this situation.

This medium shot shows Tara becoming very upset with the customer and she begins questioning her logic in coming to the store.

The customer is attempting to defend herself but is unable to challenge Tara adequately so she wants to speak to a manager.

Tara yells to get the manager's attention in this medium shot.

This shot shows that the manager appears to be fearing this confrontation.

This wide shot shows Tara defending herself against the manager and the customer. Tara is very defensive and the other two appear to be very confused as to what is happening.

This over the shoulder close up shows the aftermath of Tara's slapping the manager when she proclaims that she is quitting.

Tara makes a aggressive move towards the customer and she jumps back in this shot as if to be getting out the way.

In this wide shot Tara collects her things and begin to walk out of the store.

This shot shows Tara walking towards the camera in focus and as she exits frame the focus moves to the customer and the manager.

 This wide shot shows the two in focus following Tara's departure.

7. Lighting/ Still Photos

I love the hustle and bustle of this image. The warm lighting works very well in this image. I feel that the lighting enhances the overall appearance of Grand Central Station. Instead of it appearing as a dark and old train terminal, it appears to be very welcoming in this photo.

I like the lighting from the sun in this photo. The silhouette effect on the tree is very nice looking.

The bright greenery in this image is visually pleasing in this image. I also appreciate that it's a tree all alone in a massive field. It's as if the tree has no friend but is just waiting for companionship.

6. Portrait of a Place: Queen City Pool and Pool House

5. Pre-production planning for Portrait of a Place

Originally I wanted to do my Portrait of a Place assignment at The University of Alabama Arboretum. This did not work as I originally had planned due to a rainy weekend. I decided that Queen City Park would be a great place to go. This park originally was built as a swimming pool and bathhouse. It was built originally in 1941 and included the art deco fountain pictured below. I've always been fascinated by the desolate look of the area and I wish I could have seen it when it was new and still full of life. I am very happy with this choice and felt that I was able to do a better job here rather than attempting to film at the arboretum on the planned day of filming.

I had originally planned specific shots for the arboretum, but I had to start from no planning once we arrived at Queen City Park, but I think we did a great job considering the circumstances. If I would have had planned shots we could have got done quicker. I guess I learned to always plan for desired location and also plan for a backup location.

4. Reflections of What I Have Learned

I have learned a great amount of information over the past month. I have had more experience with filters than ever before in my life. I have also had the pleasure of learning basic lighting techniques. I have also improved in composing images for video and film. I've enjoyed learning more about the rule of thirds, and I will always remember the importance of composing images properly. I've also become more familiar with the relationship between the director of photography and the director.

I feel that my strengths are the willingness to help others and desire to work towards making beautiful images and striving to tell the best story that I can through a visual media.

I feel that my challenges consist of adequately planning ahead of time for projects. This sometimes leads to unexpected decisions being made at the last minute.

I feel that creating beautiful images along with good sound is very rewarding because it allows a filmmaker to share his vision and ideas with anyone interested in viewing his creation.

3. Goals in filmmaking and this course

I've always been interested in creating things for the enjoyment of others. I'm not always the best at being a creative individual, but I love working on things that can be enjoyed by many people. I see filmmaking as a great way to share my thoughts with many people in a dynamically visual manner. If I were to have a job as a filmmaker, I would definitely want to work on a set for a television show.

Producing visual media is a great way for a person to express their artistic style, and that is one thing that I would like towards improving as a filmmaker.  I desire to be able to produce great images in order to tell a story.

As to what I would like to learn from this class, I would love to learn more about visual storytelling and get experience working with more cameras and equipment. I also want to learn how to become better at editing and using Final Cut Pro. I look forward to also working with new people in this class on projects.

2. Some things I am inspired by...

I am inspired by the imagery of the British show that is known as Doctor Who. The story is fascinating to me and I enjoy very much reading about past episodes in the older series and watching episodes in the relaunched show that started in 2005 after a hiatus over 15 years of new episodes being produced in an episodic serial fashion (there was a tv movie in 1996 though, but it wasn't a part of a series of episodes). The special effects aren't always the greatest, but I still appreciate them.

The very first time I watch Donnie Darko was late one night at about 4:00 a.m. on Bravo. I was fascinated by the movie and had to watch it many times after initially watching it. I am inspired by this movie because I  feel that the movie is written very well and I like how the story holds up after several viewings and the dark imagery is great.

The Wonder Years inspires me because I feel the series does a great job of storytelling and developing characters of the entire series throughout the protagonist's, Kevin Arnold, time in school up until the end of the series. The series was created in the 80s, but they did a great job at costuming and set design to make it look like it was the late 60s and early 70s.

1. 10 Things

Here are 10 things about me:


1. I am from Russellville, Alabama.

2. I enjoy Colma: The Musical very much. The scene below is a great long take scene. The movie is about a group of three teenagers that have recently graduated high school and how their friendship is facing challenges that it has never faced before due to their newly found independence.

3. I enjoy having a Netflix account.

4. I despise Mary Jane (candy) and its imitators.

 

5. I like this video. It was made by a group of students and teachers at Liberty Middle School in Madison, Alabama.

6.  I read reddit very much. It's slogan is "the front page of the internet."

7. I think "going ostrich" is the next big thing.

8. I enjoy watching True Blood. 

9. I don't dance very well. I do not feel providing an illustration for this fact would be appropriate.

10. I stood in line for approximately 9 hours to get an iPhone 4. I've went through about 3 replacements and repairs since then. My current one has not experienced any issues since June of 2011. I'm thankful!

Thank you for reading! 

Bye!