Reflection on being a Camera Operator

Visualising the shots were not easy for us due to the film being an abstract piece. Diagrams helped. We discussed every single shot all over again after seeing the rehearsal clip. We had half a day left to redo the shot list and we were quite stressed. 

The next day, we arrived very early and made sure the equipment are fine, the batteries are charged. The sent up time went longer than expected because it was the dolly. It was kind of expected that dolly shots take the longest time to set up though. The actors took longer time than expected to warm up as well so everything was fine. The filming process flowed after the first few shots. The only problems that occurs were when we start to set up a different equipment. It was kind of expected for the first time as well, so not very much of a problem. The shoulder rig was a tricky one. We had to tape the camera very firmly with the should rig to make sure it's steady. The set up was very heavy that I need take constant breaks in between the takes. 

We were referring to the shot list on set

This is to remind us the movement of the camera as the schedule won't provide it.

Made notes on schedule

Sugini were helping to make notes onto the schedule. It is important for us to note the settings on camera for each shot or changes that's made. It became useful when we need to re shoot the shots.

Made notes on schedule

Some shots needed re take because the external monitor Ninja Blade corrupted the footage. We called Dave for help and later discovered that we should give the Blade some breaks between shots to prevent over heating it. The over heating might be a problem that caused the corrupted file. Also, the wire need to be taped down and not given a chance to be moved.

We improved a lot on the 2nd shoot day that we are either on schedule or ahead of schedule. It made a less intense mood on set than the 1st day because we know what we are doing now. It also helped when we had pizza for lunch! I imagine it must be funny for people to see 5 of us, each holding pizza boxes and walk in a line, all the way back to the university. The day was cold but pizza kept us warm.

I think we all did well in the shoot. As a camera person I don't have much to comment on other departments on set. I was very much concentrated on trying to shoot the shots right. I was in the zone the whole time. Thinking about the next shot > setting up equipment > thinking about the shot > making effort to do the right shots > rethinking the take > thinking about what to improve and what to keep for the next take > was the props at the place > making effort to do a better take ....... It goes on and on and on that the shoot days went so fast, in my perspective. I really appreciate the fact that Ethan, Sugini and I work well together. I sincerely felt the power of teamwork when we wrapped. I am also proud of myself being a camera woman.

Post Production of Map & Networks Project (3)

shorten the fade in/out animation

The last edit was pretty good but need some minor adjustments.

The first one is to make the text stay longer on screen. I just need to move the keyframes.

The second adjustment is to make the green screen part match the rest of the film in terms of colour and flow. The one thing I didn't try is the saturation and Sugini reminded me that. So this time I tweak the saturation before tuning the colours. It worked out so well and the skin tone is no longer too obviously red. As for the flow, I make individual images come in and out instead of of come in and out as group. The flow is much better now.

As for the music, I am very sorry for Jay that I lost the guitar recordings as my hard drive died. I now have a different feeling towards the topic and might need to approach the music differently.