This video was for my "Opening Sequence with a Chase" film project for my undergraduate level media arts course, Video Workshop II. This was our first project of the semester because prior to this we had been learning a lot about the importance of an opening scene/sequence and about chase scenes. This project was mainly for us to practice writing, preparing for, filming, and editing these two types of sequences in film.
I learned A LOT about filmmaking just doing this project and this final version is for sureeeee not perfect. So, here are some of the things I learned and some critics of my project:
1. ALWAYS OVERSHOOT!!! You can probably tell that the second half of the video (the chase scene) is a bit all over the place and doesn't make a whole lot of sense in regards to not only the story, but just to the chase as a whole. This is because I only shot one take of each shot I had planned out on my shot list...bad bad bad decision. This ended with me in editing with little to know options on how to edit this together when realizing a lot of it didn't make sense. Such as, their running being off and no important detailed close up shots to make sense of the scene. Therefor, the chase scene is lacking a lot. I tried my best, with my professor's help and fellow classmate's suggestions, but in the end it just can't be saved because I didn't have any more footage to work with. SO...OVERSHOOTING = wayyyyy more options in the editing room if shots don't make a whole lot of sense.
2. I learned the importance of good audio and planning choreographed scenes around audio. As you can tell, some of the dialogue audio isn't the clearest and often doesn't match each other. That is because I didn't use an external mic. This caused a lot of time consuming audio editing later on. Also, in the chase scene...because it wasn't that planned out in pre-production the audio doesn't really match. I feel like if I had planned out the audio to match the movements and cuts of the chase scene more, it could've helped with the lack of "sense" lol in the chase scene. But again, tried my best to save it.
3. Lastly, a compliment I got from many people in my class was that, mine was one they would actually keep watching because it leaves you with he questions that an opening scene should leave you with. Which was great to hear and I agree with them, but this is why focusing just as much on planning out your shots, audio, etc in pre-production is just as important as writing the story and plot. I think during the process (even though this project was just to practice opening and chases scenes & didn't need to have a huge thought narrative story) I spent wayyyy tooooo much time on the story and not enough in film prep. This really comes back to finding a way to balance all of your pre-production needs. Not over focusing on one aspect to the point that others lack.
Overall, I really liked this assignment as a whole and taught me so much about the importance of every step of the filmmaking process. I don't know why I wrote this little reflection lol, I didn't have to for class or anything, but thought it was important for anyone who stumbles upon this video to maybe read up on. Also, this project taught me the importance of collaboration. I was SO not looking forward to playing my original rough cut of this to the class and my professor, but it helped so so SO much hearing feedback and suggestions on ways to save some weird scenes and shots. Things I wouldn't have noticed if I just turned it into the professor and got a grade back.
ANYWHO, thanks for watching and I hope someone enjoys this. Maybe even use it as a lesson in filmmaking? What were my mistakes? What did I do right? All of that.
Edited with: Final Cut Pro X
Filmed with: CANON XC 10
Audio Used:
***I do not own the rights of any of the audio in this video and these were used for educational purposes only.***
"Power" by Rapsody Feat. Kendrick Lamar & Lance SkIIIWalker
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