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Week1 Homework
a short video with flashback
My primary focus was on developing the concept for the flashback video. The inspiration came from my desire to convey a sense of nostalgia and the fleeting nature of time. I wanted to evoke emotions that would resonate with the audience, drawing on personal memories and universal themes of reflection.
To get started, I spent time brainstorming different ways to visually represent a flashback. I considered using black-and-white filters, slow-motion effects, and non-linear editing techniques. Creating a storyboard helped me organize my thoughts and plan out each scene in detail. I sketched out the key moments that I wanted to include, focusing on transitions that would make the narrative flow smoothly while emphasizing the emotional tone. This planning stage was crucial in visualizing how the final video would come together.
For the technical aspect of video making, I decided to use my smartphone as the primary camera. Its portability made it easier to capture spontaneous moments, which was important for conveying authenticity. I also used Adobe Premiere Pro for editing, which allowed me to experiment with different effects. To achieve the flashback aesthetic, I played around with color grading and added a subtle vignette to give the scenes a dreamlike quality. One challenge I faced was ensuring that the flashback scenes were distinct enough from the present-day footage. I solved this by applying a sepia tone and adjusting the contrast to create a noticeable visual difference.
Initially, I felt a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of creative decisions that had to be made, from the concept to the technical execution. However, once I began filming, I found myself more confident in my choices. The biggest challenge was balancing the emotional tone without making it feel overly sentimental. I also learned that being flexible with my original ideas was important—sometimes a shot didn't work out as planned, and I had to adapt on the spot.
Week2
writing-- transaction
Location: Bus station
Every time in the early morning, 9 am, i need to go to university by bus 370. The bus station is always full of people, most of them are students with heavy bags like me and want to rush to UNSW. There are also some teachers or workers. The traffic is bad, the bus was always stuck in traffic on the way to pick us up. When the bus arrived, we tried our best to get on the bus, and those who got on were pleased that they had made it, and those who didn't were angry and regretful, they need to wait next 370. Also, those people who found they will be definitely late might call an Uber to pick them up. The whole atmosphere of the bus station is very dignified.
Video
Week3
Writing: Character
A family is seated comfortably in a car, and the youngest girl who is 18 years old is driving the car confidently guiding them down the road. She’s driving with focus and determination, her hands steady on the steering wheel, deeply aware of her responsibility to ensure the safety of her loved ones. The air is filled with warmth and laughter, the kind that comes from a family who cherishes every shared moment. Outside, the golden hues of the setting sun spill across the horizon, casting a soft, magical light over everything. The entire atmosphere feels serene and tranquil as if the world itself is pausing to appreciate this fleeting, precious moment. In the back seat, the girl’s grandmother watches the scene with a gentle smile, her eyes filled with wisdom and quiet joy. Next to her, the girl’s mother, phone in hand, captures the scene—a keepsake for the future, preserving the joy and lightness that hangs in the air.
Sunlight filters through the car’s windows, spilling over the family’s faces, illuminating their happiness and the ease they feel in each other’s company. The sun’s rays seem to highlight the significance of the moment, accentuating the warmth and connection between them. Each beam of sunlight, each smile, and each shared word suggests that this moment is more than just a car ride; it’s a memory in the making, a small but precious part of their lives that they will always treasure.
Stalking Film:
Week4
Sound
In Week 4, my focus shifted towards integrating sound into the flashback video, which turned out to be a crucial aspect of enhancing the narrative and emotional resonance of the piece. I began by considering the role that sound would play in the overall experience—my goal was to use audio to strengthen the feeling of nostalgia and draw viewers deeper into the story. I wanted the soundscape to evoke a sense of warmth and memory, reinforcing the visuals.
I started by selecting music that had a mellow and reflective tone. It took some time to find the right piece, as I wanted something that was not too overpowering but still conveyed the emotion I intended. After some searching through royalty-free music libraries, I settled on a soft piano instrumental that had just the right mix of melancholy and hopefulness. The music played a key role in setting the emotional tone, and I made sure it aligned with the transitions and pacing of the visuals.
In addition to the background music, I also paid close attention to diegetic sounds—sounds that come from within the scene itself. I recorded ambient noises, like the rustling of leaves and distant chatter, to make the scenes feel more immersive. These subtle sounds helped ground the flashback scenes in a tangible reality, making the memory sequences feel more authentic. I used a portable recorder to capture these ambient sounds, ensuring they were clear and distinct. Integrating these elements required careful editing to balance them with the music, making sure neither overpowered the other.
The editing process was a bit challenging, especially when it came to synchronizing the sound with the visuals. I wanted the music to swell at key emotional moments, enhancing the narrative arc without feeling forced or artificial. Achieving this required precise timing and a lot of trial and error. I used Adobe Premiere Pro to layer the audio tracks and adjust the levels to create a cohesive soundscape. One particular challenge was ensuring that the transitions between scenes felt smooth—both visually and audibly. I used crossfades between audio clips to create seamless transitions that wouldn’t distract the viewer.
Week 5
Lighting
In Week 5, my primary focus was on using different lighting techniques to shape the appearance of the character and enhance the overall storytelling of the flashback video. Lighting played a crucial role in emphasizing the emotions and adding depth to the visual narrative. My goal was to use lighting not only to highlight the protagonist but also to create a mood that would complement the themes of nostalgia and reflection.
I experimented with various lighting setups to achieve the desired effects. One of the key techniques I used was soft, diffused lighting to create a gentle and warm atmosphere for the flashback scenes. By positioning the light source at an angle and using diffusion, I was able to create soft shadows that added a sense of warmth and intimacy. This helped convey the idea of cherished memories, giving the protagonist a softer, more nostalgic look. The warm tones emphasized the emotional nature of the flashback, making it feel more personal and reflective.
For the present-day scenes, I opted for more neutral and direct lighting to create a contrast with the flashbacks. This type of lighting helped convey a sense of realism and groundedness, making the present-day moments feel more straightforward and less dreamlike. The sharper shadows and cooler color temperature of the lighting in these scenes helped differentiate them from the warmth of the past, clearly marking the shift in time and tone.
I employed a single light source from a side angle, creating dramatic shadows on one side of the protagonist's face. This technique added a layer of depth to the character, visually representing the inner conflict and complexity of their thoughts. By carefully adjusting the intensity and direction of the light, I was able to convey subtle emotional shifts without relying solely on dialogue or facial expressions.