Critical Evaluation

Critical Evaluation

Having almost complete this unit and nearly finished my edit, there have been many variables within this term that have came to be serious obstacles. I have faced these straight on at times an unfortunately came out the loser, losing out on actors and locations. However out of the negatives come plenty of positives, to have experienced this hardship it makes me appreciate the times of when everything goes smoothly, but encourages me to engage more and focus on keeping those lines of communication strong and clear. 

 What worked?

What I felt went very to script and storyboards was my hotel sequence, I knew what I was doing throughout that scene and the approach to it was clinical. It did not take long to shoot and my actor was fantastic to work with. The edit also came along nicely after deciphering which sounds best suit my work for capturing tension an evoking an emotional response of anxiousness. 

What Didn't Work?

I personally believe a lot of things on this unit could of gone better, personally I feel i've let myself down, but knowing that I can only move forward now from this and to prove to myself and others that there is much more to give. As certain things didn't come together I had to make do with a kitchen for a shop sequence which really doesn't work whatsoever. It was immensely frustrating directing it and at times I felt like giving up as it was not at all what I had wanted, however I kept going and got it all shot. As well I didn't keep clear communication with one of the actors, and the location correspondent who I was talking to about confirmation of shooting in his shop. Also the sound on my edit, I need to give myself more time to find appropriate and quality sounding effects that really evoke what i'm trying to achieve.  

What could of been improved on?

Honestly, a lot of things in this production, the preproduction, not putting all my eggs in one basket, considering other actors just in case. Trying harder to find the right location, having a plan B, C, D, F etc. Sound design now to me is something that I need to focus on heavily, I'm finally understanding why there are so many sound guys, it takes a lot of time to find the right sound you're looking for, but when you do find it, it's extremely satisfying. Also sound recording on this shoot was a slight pain when it came to post-production, there was a wobble with the mic on the camera, so I know for the next time to keep it still and be more gentle with the camera.

What have I learnt?

I've learnt that I don't want to ever be a director... Haa haa! I wish I was joking but in all seriousness, I don't think I'm cut out to do it, It has definitely made me appreciate the directors job, the competence and strategy of someone an their skill set must be vast an to be turned on constantly on and off the set. It has made me think though about working in a team, being apart of something and looking at the finer details, especially with sound, this unit again just like the last unit has reinforced how pivotal it is. 

What will I apply next time?

If ever something comes up not too dissimilar to this then I'll be thinking about the preproduction more, putting in the graft of my location and actor hunting. Thinking as well way into the future of what possible edits I want to use, so when I'm on set shooting I can shoot things that can be later manipulated into match cuts, jump cuts, eye line match cuts etc. I want to begin to further my editing skills and focus on that. An also the post-production, working on the sound design, spending more focused time to play around with different sounds, not feeling rushed! 

Overall general thoughts

I can't believe it's genuinely gone this fast but it has, and there are things that i'm looking back at which I wish I could possibly go back and change and spend further time on, but I can't and this is what i'm left with. I can't truthfully say i'm as proud as I was last term this time round, but some things have came out as planned so I can be happy with that. I just know for next time I need to be more committed to certain aspects of the production.