The task was to create a 90 second short film, for a competition entitled depict. We didn't have any guidelines or restrictions, besides the fact that it had to be 90 seconds long.
What was your idea?
Our idea came from Taylor. We scrambled our brains for any ideas, and we couldn't come up with anything that met the standards or level of good that we wanted to achieve. Taylor suggested the idea that we could make a short about a man who wants to know if he would ever go to heaven, but God tricks him into thinking that They won't. The man then has a heart attack and gets sent to heaven. Originally we weren't going to have the man sent back to earth and life after, but Ellie (our teacher) suggested that it would be a good idea; to make sure no one gets offended. We were also going to make God quite controversial. They would use blaspheme,and not know how to pronounce Psalms. But due to the short running time, some of these ideas were either cut, or not included at all.
What was your inspiration?
Believe it or not, we didn't have any real inspiration. Although Taylor had watched a short video about a man who did something similar to our character. He rings God and simply asks "why cant you lick your elbow?" then from the other end of the phone you can hear a distorted, comical indistinguishable dialogue. Then the man says "yeah that makes sense" and hangs up the phone. So Taylor then went on to say about the "will i go to heaven?" question. The group then developed ideas from that point on.
What planning documentation / processes did you have to complete?
We completed a Pre-Production process, this consisted of:
- Location Recce
- Location Releases (We didn't require a police clearance as we were on college campus, and didn't use any offensive props)
- Talent Releases
- Budget Sheet
- Prop and Costume List
- Shot list
- Storyboard (although edited and changed in final cut)
- Script (Not entirely accurate, as some scenes don't stick to the script, as scenes were cut and trimmed to fit the running time)
- Risk Assessments
- Production Schedule/ Call sheet (Production schedule wasn't followed exactly, due to members of the group not being present)
Did your finished work reflect the planning you had completed?
For the most part, yes. We achieved the goals that we wanted, these being; create a 90 second short, revolve it around a man that wants to go to heaven etc. Obviously there are some things in the planning that aren't shown in the final product, and vice versa. But yes, we achieved what we planned to do, and what we had wanted to do.
What changes did you make from your planning and why?
Our planning was done in between 4 people, which eventually became 3, 2 of which attended regularly. Which meant that obviously some changes had to be made. We changed the main character from Taylor to myself. We also changed somethings in the script when it came to actually recording them. We also changed the idea of there being an angel in heaven; we figured that it would just make the film longer and also we didn't have enough cast members present, this obviously affected the possibility of a third character. We also removed certain parts of dialogue from the short, such as a part where god mispronounces the word 'Psalms' and calls them 'P-salms'.
What do you think is the most successful aspect of the project?
I personally feel most successful about the fact that we actually finished. We were behind every other group, due to the lack of attendees. But myself and primarily Louis managed to pull it off. I also think that the cinematography is a successful part, i think the shots and angles are pretty good. But for me, the most successful part is the fact that we were able to keep up, and create a piece of film that was not only to the standard that we wanted, but also able to compete with the films from the rest of the group. I'm really pleased with a little thing about the film, but its nothing important. When i throw the letter up to God, the letter exits my scene and enters God's scene from the same place but on the bottom of the screen, as if it had come straight up to him, displayed here:
What would you change or do differently if you were to undertake the task again?
Personally, I would've ensured that the preproduction process was done quicker, so we could film sooner. Meaning we could of possibly made it better, due to the attendance of the other group members. I would also make sure that i brought a white t-shirt, so i wouldn't of had to wear the dress i did! because that wasn't how i saw my afternoon going. But for the most part, i wouldn't change what we did, i'm proud of the outcome, and i can say that it is of the level i would of liked.
What did you enjoy most about the project?
For me, it was molding and creating the God character. Although the God we had intended wasn't used in the final cut, i really enjoyed making that character. They went against everything that you would think God was. As said earlier, They would use blaspheme and mispronounce biblical words. I think that it was fun to make a well known character into something you wouldn't think They would be.
Was there anything you did not enjoy?
I didn't particularly enjoy filming scenes with a member of another class, who would come and 'assist' our group. I found him distracting and annoying, causing my other group member to get taken off task very easily, which wasn't ideal due to the short time frame we had, and lack of members in the first place. I think that mostly everything else was enjoyed. I didn't like drawing and finalizing the storyboard, as i can't draw very well. I like to draw things i want to, that is when i'm able to draw at a good level, but this wasn't very good work; hence why we left it to Luchia to finish, as she was better than myself in this particular instance.
List a few examples, from the class, of aspects that were praised
Our visual effects were praised, people enjoyed them. As well as the general plot, majority of the class said one of those two things. Which leads me to believe them, as so many people said the same.
List a few of the aspects from your peers that were marked as areas for improvement.
The class said that a good thing to improve on would be the script, and being able to fit the plot into the 90 seconds. Louis and I explained that if we didn't have to cut the film to 90 seconds, that we could fully explain the plot and have all the comedy that we originally wanted in there. The class also said that some music would of been good, as the video was primarily background noise and dialogue. Also the acting was pointed out, but the short didn't require great acting, so we didn't feel that this was a necessary improvement.
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