DAYS TWENTY NINE/ THIRTY/ THRITY THREE Film Workshop 03/04/07.10.2016

I have mixed feelings about this week's fashion film promotion workshop. I do not feel I have significantly developed any skills as I feel I could have produced the standard of my end film already. We spent a great deal of time with little direction and discussing the inevitable and the obvious as opposed to developing creatively.
I did however receive positive feedback and constructive criticism from peers that would effectively inform any future film projects were I to conduct any. The positives of this week arose from peer analysis and self direction. I do not really identify with the 'set up/ pay off' school of film making we were exploring this week. I feel the sheer idea of deliberately trying to surprise an audience by subverting an archetype is clichéd and although undoubtedly effective commercially, leaves little room for extensive creative exploration. Nevertheless my idea was to explore two sides of a collection through one character- the set up being a depressed 'hot-mess' and the pay off being a brighter looking smiling girl. I had the idea to revolve the film around one specific change via the use of a cigarette turning into a flower. I agreed with criticism that stated the use of smoking and the flower had symbolic connotations with drug use and perhaps introduced an unintended counter message promoting drug use. I believe our song choice of Rhye's 'Open' and general aesthetic was successful and this was supported by feedback which included descriptions such as 'flowing with attitude' 'unified' and 'arty'. Most of our audience concluded that the film was too long and I agreed with this critique. I would focus on producing a more concise film on future projects. Most of our audience agreed that the change in mood was affective and that both sides of the video (each character) felt attractive in different ways. One group of peers' film seemed to meet the 'set up/ pay off' brief perfectly. It was a 'Converse All Star' ad, where all expectations led us to think glamorous clothing, make up and stilettos were being promoted but a final shot revealed the focus was on comfort and casual/ individual style via the wearing of the brand's trainers. Although the film was a success it felt clichéd and bland despite its 'surprising' qualities. I would certainly remember other peers' more ambiguous and 'art house' projects (ones that were criticised for having no pay off) over the Converse project. I enjoyed filming and styling the shoot and believe my editing skills were put to successful use. Despite some feelings of frustration, I believe were I to make another film it would be better. The session therefore has not been wasteful.

 

Screen shot stills of Author's own film photography.