2005

Island in the Son

Date:
June-August, 2005

Title:
Island in the Son

Positions:
Cinematographer, interviewer, editor, titles/graphics

Notes:
This was a 40-minute documentary of our church's VBS program. My equipment wasn't great, and my end product was far too long, but the families of VBS attendees and volunteers were pleased enough with the product to purchase about thirty copies. All the profits went to the VBS missions fund.

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Companions

Date:
April-October, 2005

Title:
Companions

Positions:
Co-writer, director, actor, stand-in cameraman, editor

Notes:
My first serious production, this 40-minute project started when we and some friends decided to try to produce a movie to enter in the SAICFF. For about a month we collaboratively fleshed out a plot, then my brother and I wrote a script (which we were constantly re-writing all the way up to shooting each scene). I learned many important lessons from this production, most notably of which are:

• It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to direct from in front of the camera. There is almost no good reason for a director to also play a major part in the film.


• Night scenes should not be shot at night, unless the scene is very well-lit. Well-lit footage can be darkened and given a blue cast; dark footage is difficult to brighten.


• Good audio is absolutely essential to the film. All air conditioners (and old-fashioned burger grills) should be turned off or denied access to the microphone. Room tone and sound effects can be added in post; hisses, hums, and white noise are practically impossible to eliminate.


• I say this without intending any offense toward the people involved; they are good people and I'm thankful to count them my friends. However, the fact remains that friends do not always make the best actors. If unprofessional actors are all you have, don't be afraid to coach them. Lines must be spoken clearly and distinctly; actions must be delivered naturally.


• Use only one camera unless the action absolutely must be captured from multiple angles at once. Using a single camera will save hours in color-correcting footage to match from one tape to the other. Furthermore, using two cameras results in twice as much footage as you need.

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