Process Diary: Things that go Bump

WEEK 10 OF GOA FILMMAKING:

This is the last week of skill trees! I have completed the camera branch! The final project for the camera skill tree was to create a noir film. Here's my film:

I learned a lot about lighting this week, and I'm quite proud of my shots. For this film I used the three point lighting used in noir films, and my three lights were two handheld flashlights and a clip-on book light. It was very difficult to get the lights in a place where they were properly lighting my subject, because I had no way of mounting them and they had to be handheld. However, I think my shots came out great with an eerie, almost glowing effect on the characters. 

This source, provided in the assignment description, was very helpful in getting my film started:

This source is a short/concise video that explains three point lighting (more specifically the types of lights):

I also played around a lot with lighting and colour grading in this film, which were the topics of our two most recent MovieTalks. In fact, we actually filmed at 2:30 in the afternoon on an overcast day. The reason the shots ended up being so dark is because we turned off all the lights when filming, and I experimented for a while with contrast and colour grading. If we hadn't had those MovieTalks, I wouldn't have thought to play around with those techniques, and I would have had to do a lot more research last week to create a film.

After I finished my film, I was worried about how it was more horror that mystery. I have always viewed noir as more detective/mystery and therefore started my film with the intent of creating something along those lines. However, as my brothers and I went along, some of the shots became more creepy. From my critique I learned that even though there were some horror elements, it still works as a noir film. I was also told that the jump scare at the end wasn't very scary...so I went on YouTube and watched some jump scares...and then didn't sleep very well that night (which could also be because I had a fever). So while I appreciate the feedback, I think I'm going to leave the ending for now...

And now I must go because even though I have explained it to every single person in my house three times (even the dog...okay that last part is a lie), nobody understands the fact that I have to do my homework.

-Emma