Friday, April 12, 2024

Critical Reflection!

In the world of storytelling through film, the power of expression often lies in unconventional narratives that challenge established norms. As a filmmaker, my journey led me to delve into the complexities of attachment issues and human emotions within the framework of a short film. Through my production, I aimed to weave together elements that not only convey a profound message but also engage audiences in a unique and captivating way.

The heart of my short film revolves around the theme of attachment issues, an often overlooked but deeply impactful aspect of human relationships. I chose this subject to shed light on the struggles individuals face in forming and maintaining connections. The narrative explores the emotional depths of characters dealing with attachment insecurities, portraying their inner chaos through visual storytelling.

To achieve a cohesive and distinctive identity for my project, I meticulously crafted the aesthetics and branding around the film. A beautiful Instagram page served as an extension of the film, offering glimpses into its visual appeal and thematic essence. The Instagram page served as an extension of this aesthetic branding, providing a curated space for audiences to immerse themselves in the film's visual universe. Additionally, the page acted as a portal inviting viewers to explore the film's universe even before experiencing the actual narrative. This approach not only was intriguing but also established a strong brand identity for the project.

One of the defining aspects of my film is its departure from conventional storytelling methods. I embraced interpretive dance as a means to convey emotions and narrative beats, thereby breaking away

from the traditional reliance on dialogue and linear plot structures. This approach allowed for a more universal connection with the audience, transcending poetic and cultural boundaries.

Engaging with the audience went beyond basic entertainment; it aimed to evoke introspection and empathy. By defying norms and experimenting with interpretive dance, the film encourages viewers to interpret and feel the story on a personal level. This engagement enforces a deeper connection, prompting reflections on their own experiences with attachment and relationships.

In conceptualizing this project, I drew inspiration from the experimental film genre. Researching works within this genre exposed me to innovative techniques and unconventional narratives that challenge

traditional cinematic boundaries. These insights informed my creative decisions, enabling me to push the limits of storytelling in my own production.

Experimental films often prioritize artistic expression over conventional storytelling techniques. They embrace symbolism and non-linear narratives to provoke thought and emotion. By adopting elements of this genre, my film challenges conventions, inviting viewers to participate actively in deciphering its meaning.

The use of interpretive dance as a storytelling tool was a deliberate choice influenced by experimental film aesthetics. This unconventional approach allowed for a more sensory and emotional experience, enabling the film to communicate with audiences on an instinctive level. Through movements and gestures, the characters' internal struggles and desires are conveyed in a raw and unfiltered manner.

Furthermore, the film's aesthetics were carefully curated to enhance its thematic depth. Visual color palettes and cinematography were purposefully designed to evoke specific emotions and reinforce the narrative's underlying themes. The integration of these elements created a distinct visual identity, a form of branding that resonates with the film's core message.

In conclusion, my short film represents a combination of thematic depth, visual storytelling, and audience engagement. By exploring attachment issues through interpretive dance and experimental aesthetics, the project challenges conventional storytelling norms. The fusion of these elements not only creates a compelling narrative but also sparks conversations about human emotions and relationships. Through this endeavor, I aspire to contribute to the evolving landscape of filmmaking, where innovation and artistic expression converge to illuminate societal issues and human experiences.


Wednesday, April 10, 2024

LIGATUM Short Film!

 After many long weeks of planning, dodging obstacles, preparation, research, and so many other things... (the list could go on)

I am so excited to say that my short film LIGATUM is completed. I hope you guys love it! What an amazing experience.


Short Film: LIGATUM


Postcard:

LIGATUM Postcard - Front

LIGATUM Postcard - Back



 Social Media - Instagram

Enjoy! :)

Friday, March 22, 2024

Dodging Obstacles

 Well, it happened... The worst thing that could ever happen to a choreographer and a setback in this process. My dancer and actress, Julia Poms, twisted her ankle this week and we were scheduled to start learning and filming the short film! 

Due to an intense dance competition that Julia had this past weekend, she twisted her ankle and had to rush to a doctor. The doctor suggested that she rest and didn't dance for at least a week. This was tough to hear because I was really depending on this week to get all my filming done, especially since were on break. 

But of course, my actor's safety is most important and I would not want to cause her injury to get worse. Luckily this happened earlier rather than later and I still have a few days. Her recovery is not too long, so I can reschedule a date with both of my dancers so I can finalize the combo with them and get to filming. 

Although this obviously sucks and I am now falling behind, I can work through this and not let it affect my process. 

I'll keep you guys posted!

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Sound Mixing


 With a piece like mine, it is all heavily dependent on the music. My short film is a silent film that only progresses through dance and the music. 

I started downloading different tracks and mixing them together so I could get the perfect track and be able to choreograph the moves based on the music. I am not fully done with it since I want to keep looking for more music and see what I can come up with!



Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Print Component Research

 Alright, so as a part of our portfolio project, we have to create a print component. For short film, the print component we are required to make is a postcard that we would hand out at a film festival. 

I started doing some research to find some examples of inspiration:


This postcard consists of many colors, images, and of course, animation to attract the audience. With a postcard like this, it is hard to miss and is immediately eye-catching. The font and text all work cohesively and create a postcard that would enthuse viewers and intrigue them towards this film, which is excellent for the purpose of a film festival. By including the website of the film, it makes it so much easier to locate more information about the film. 

However, this postcard is missing some information that I must include in mine. I need to make sure to include the times and showings of the film, the film festival, my name, and more details of my social media. Therefore, I will definitely be adding those details as well as using some of the techniques I learned from this one. A big technique that I obtained from this postcard was the element of making it attractive and appealing to those who could be walking by the film festival to grab people's attention. 


This next example is more of what I shouldn't do... While the postcard is cohesive and ties nicely all together, making it appealing and interesting, It is a little bland. I need to make sure that for my postcard, I use an image that is intriguing and striking so that I captivate consumers instantly. 

Another issue with this postcard is that there is too much text. With a print component like this one, where it would be passed out in the middle of a large busy crowd, I need something that can tell a lot in a fast and easy way. If I add so much text to my postcard, no one will read it and it will get lost. Adding the credits on the postcard is not necessary and will just end up taking up too much space. 

Overall, I need to make sure that my postcard is fun, interesting, unique, and eye-catching so that it is easily engaging. While also including all my information without being too wordy and overwhelming. I need my postcard to be efficient, effective, and attractive so that it will meet its needs at the film festival. 

Stay tuned for the final product!



Monday, March 11, 2024

Social Media!

 Okay blog, I finally opened an Instagram account for my short film. Its a work in progress... but it will get there!



I need to come up with a bio and a better profile picture to fit the vibe that I am going for. The aesthetic I want for my Instagram is to be very nice and visually pleasing to fit the elegance of dance, so I am excited to come up with content that will fit my theme.

Speaking of, I have been thinking of what content I will be putting out on this page. I definitely want BTS footage, rehearsal videos, and even some fun "choreograph with me" reels. Additionally, I want to post stills of filming days and get some cool and interesting shots while dancing. I will also be using the story highlight feature to capture moments, interact with viewers, and stay active on the page. 

I definitely need to start posting soon, let's see how this goes!

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Choreography Time!

 Alright blog, now that we've done our research, come up with our storyline, figured out the inspiration, finalized the genre, and decided on the name of our film based on the concept... it is time to start choreography!

With coming up with the actual dance itself, also comes storyboarding since they do work hand-in-hand. Obviously, since my film is only dance, the storyboarding and the way my shots will look all depend on the choreography and the movements. This week and this weekend, I will be working on my storyboard and the choreography so I can teach it to my actors and then start filming. I can't wait!

Stay tuned for the final storyboard outline, and some fun choreography rehearsal videos... 

Critical Reflection!

In the world of storytelling through film, the power of expression often lies in unconventional narratives that challenge established norms....