For my short film project I worked with Emma and Kai who I worked with in my previous 2 video projects. They have proven to be amazing group members time and time again. Over the numerous times we have worked together as a group we have built a great relationship that allows us to work effectively and be more open with our opinions. We as a group are strong and consistently work hard as we all bring different elements in different stages of the project. For example during the planning stages Emma has great organisation skills therefore the planning is where she took most of the control. Emma is also particularly good at writing and understands us well to translate our ideas into planning and preparation paper work. Kai is particularly strong at editing so therefore he excelled most during the later stages of the project. Whilst my strong points are towards the creative side of things therefore ideas, storyboard and filming is where I felt most comfortable. All in all we are a strong group and we work well together. I would happily work with Emma and Kai again.
As a group we did suffer a few hiccups along the way which delayed our route to a great short film. As a group although we work consistently well we have worked together 3 projects in a row and our company together may have been too much at times. Therefore there was more conflict within the group and we were in a mind frame where we thought about previous projects which at time interfered with this project in particular. For example the phase ‘But you did that last project’ was used often which meant we felt the need to switch roles on occasions even though it weren’t the best option. This rarely happened but all in all was a learning process and gave each member a chance to have a go at something new. Also all our mind frame during the beginning of the project wasn’t as desired as the previous projects. I felt as a group we was laid back and didn’t realise it was a bigger project therefore we had to step our level up and we worked at the same rate which meant we fell short. Overall the team worked well but there was defiantly room for improvement. The short film is a project that I can say I learnt a lot from and has made me realise to work much harder whether it’s with the same group or another.
The short film itself ‘Take Note’ is a product that I’m fairly happy with and shows a developed style that our group consistently has throughout. It shows growth in terms of camera shots and technically it’s advanced. The idea initially explores how a set value i.e. £5 note in society can increase or decrease depending on who’s holding it. So it follows a short journey of a five pound note passed between 3 people from different classes and social backgrounds and seeing how they treat the £5 note from the £5 perspective. The idea itself I personally think it’s a good idea. I think as a group we didn’t execute it well and the message of the story didn’t show within the narrative and what we edited. I think if we followed the storyboard we could have avoided this problem. Following the storyboard and having that freedom has its good and bad points but getting the balance right is what we found difficult.
There are a few lighting issues that I personally weren’t happy with and has assured me to consider hiring lighting equipment for the next project regardless. The first initial idea was to include a voice over from the £5 notes perspective but Emma and Kai decided not as there felt it would have made the short film ‘cheesy’. I on the other hand felt it needed a voiceover. I felt without the voiceover it lost its plot and narrative became unclear. It’s a controversial decision but I put my faith and trust in Kai and Emma and all in all I’m happy with the product we have produced.
More footage could have been maintained which is another mistake we made that we could improve on next time. Also more planning and preparation could have helped us a lot in the long run. Maybe given more of a thought on re-shooting as the footage we maintained weren’t good to complement or give the idea/storyline any justice. We made the best product we could have with the footage we maintained which shows we are resourceful in a way but could have made a brilliant project if we gathered more footage.
Overall as a project we did well but not up to our usual standards which to me is disappointing. As a project it’s better than our previous projects but the growth wasn’t as big from the last project. If I had another chance I would have the desire to make a much better short film which I feel my whole group would agree. The project is a learning curb and has made myself, Kai and Emma not only stronger as media students but also stronger as individuals which will be shown within our next project. I can assure you that ‘Take Note’ is a short film worth watching if you are in a mind frame where you watch it’s deeper than it seems as it surface. All in all I am happy but not satisfied as I would have hoped but still feel I have a lot to learn.
Nobody wants to make a film about money, they all think it'll be cliche, but you managed to make a cliche subject unconventional, just by the story and techniques that you used. All you need to do is to perfect the lighting and your short film is the money!
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