This week we had the opportunity to learn from Susanna and Borja of Mind the Film, who introduced us to world of documentary making. We had the chance to learn about the different stages of documentary production, from pre-production to post-production. In addition to the documentary making workshop, the team also has had a chance to explore London and its landmarks in an attempt to gain some primary sources to model our cityspace from.
Today, we learnt that a film should convey a central message that remains consistent throughout its duration, guiding the overall production process. All key elements, such as the script, visuals, and editing choices, should align with and contribute to the communication of this message effectively. For us, we need to convey the idea that players MUST reintroduce language to an almost forgotten realm.
For optimal audio quality, lapel microphones are recommended for interviews, ensuring clear and direct sound capture. On-camera microphones can be utilized for capturing supplementary footage, such as B-rolls. Combining both microphone sources can create a balanced soundscape, with lapel microphones contributing to the majority of the audio (around 90%) and the on-camera microphone adding ambient sound (around 10%).
We have found that lighting is of utmost importance alongside audio. Utilizing histograms can help achieve a balanced distribution of light, resembling a bell curve. Understanding 'The Exposure Triangle' is essential, with ISO affecting fuzziness, shutter speed determining motion blur, and aperture controlling depth of field (DoF). For instance, a wide aperture, akin to the portrait mode on an iPhone, creates a sharp foreground with a blurry background. On the other hand, a large depth of field keeps everything in focus, providing ample information for the viewer to process, albeit resulting in larger file sizes during export. Moreover, the interaction between colors and light is significant. For a spooky or moody ambiance, a wide and dark lens can be employed to achieve the desired effect. Additionally, employing the rule of thirds, where a frame is divided into thirds, can guide the placement of objects at the intersections, resulting in visually appealing compositions.
For the editing process, one should always adhere to The Rule of 6. Firstly, emotion plays a crucial role in determining whether the editing choices align with the overall theme and evoke the intended emotional response from the audience. Secondly, the story should guide the placement of cuts, ensuring that each edit serves a purpose and contributes to the narrative flow. Thirdly, rhythm must be considered, evaluating whether the cuts feel smooth and appropriately timed, akin to natural pauses or paragraph breaks in written text. Additionally, eye-tracing is an essential factor to keep in mind. Understanding where the viewers' eyes are directed and ensuring that the edits support a seamless visual progression can enhance the overall viewing experience. Furthermore, 2D expectations refer to the consistency of subjects' positioning along the same axis in consecutive shots, maintaining visual coherence and avoiding disorienting jumps in spatial relationships. Lastly, 3D expectations encompass the placement of subjects after a cut, ensuring that they appear in appropriate locations and maintain continuity in their presence within the scene. By considering these six elements—emotion, story, rhythm, eye-tracing, 2D expectations, and 3D expectations—we can craft a well-edited film that captivates the audience and effectively communicates our intended message
When telling the story of our FMP (Final Major Project), it is crucial to include key elements that contribute to a more professional presentation. This includes providing a compelling pitch for the game we are developing, showcasing the innovative ideas and concepts behind it i.e. the fact that the entire game space is modelled off of real life buildings located around us, and offering insights into the behind-the-scenes process of bringing the game to life, including sketches, code, and models. Additionally, introducing our team and sharing our founder story can help establish credibility and adds a personal touch to the narrative. It allows the audience to connect with us as individuals and understand our motivation and expertise in creating the game. To enhance the visual presentation and add this personal element, staging the filming environment must appear tidy yet lively. This will create a more professional and engaging atmosphere.
During our trip to London, we explored the vibrant art scene and gathered primary sources for our game space. One of the highlights of our visit was a trip to the Tate Modern, where we saw the Babel exhibition by Cildo Meireles - our main source of inspiration. The installation takes the form of a circular tower made from hundreds of second-hand analogue radios. The radios are each tuned to different stations and are adjusted to the minimum volume at which they can still be heard. Despite this, no radio station can be heard over another - the cacophony of voices becomes incomprehensible to the viewer. I attended this exhibition just before starting the original research phase in 2022, and it has inspired me GREATLY, so much so that I had to take Ali with me on this second trip so she could see in-person where this inspiration actually came from. After researching, the loud, overlapping voices in a large tower at the centre of space are now something we are going to try to implement into our final game - as is the use of radios throughout the environment. We have also been inspired by the neon light exhibitions - neon-lit pathways and landmarks will eventually act as navigational beacons, leading players through the expansive outer city with an irresistible allure.
