To answer the following question of the CCR, I have created a mini podcast episode:
How did your production skills develop throughout this project?
Transcript:
"Through learning script-writing, trying camera operation, navigating logistical challenges, understanding lighting techniques, and more, I gained essential insights into the intricacies of film production throughout the course of creating our film opening titled Phlegm Fatale. This mini podcast episode of sorts details this development of my production and planning skills.
One of the earliest and most important lessons I learned during this project was the importance of scheduling and planning ahead to ensure that the production process would run smoothly. In other words, working in a team of four involved coordinating meetings and aligning our schedules for lengthy discussions, and we frequently struggled to coordinate meetings in person since all of us have varied schedules in school. Thus, we relied on programs like Zoom and WhatsApp video calls to hold online meetings in order to overcome such scheduling conflicts or keep the planning process going even when our school was temporarily closed due to COVID-19. Additionally, I made use of organisational tools like Notion to create checklists, to-do lists, and reminders regarding my project-related tasks which enabled me to stay on top of my work as much as I possibly could. These experiences not only improved my time management skills but also taught me how important effective communication and adaptability are in ensuring the success of a filmmaking endeavour, especially when multiple people are involved in its production.
Another significant aspect of this journey was trying to master the art of writing scripts. Even as a self-proclaimed aspiring writer, I barely knew anything about what constitutes a film script prior to working on this foundation portfolio. If you asked early-2021 Tashfa what the “INT” and “EXT” mean in scripts or what a “beat” refers to, she would probably look at you blankly and blink. However, I have, thankfully, experienced significant character development in that department since then. I was heavily involved in the writing of all drafts of Phlegm Fatale’s script, and that constituted carrying out a lot of research to make sure our work aligned with industry standards. To aid this, I tried my best to familiarise myself with the intricacies of scriptwriting by analysing scripts from various captivating film openings like "The Lighthouse," "Chungking Express," and "Bohemian Rhapsody"—this allowed me to familiarise myself with the terminology, structure, and overall conventions used in standard scripts. The last film’s narrative, in particular, resonated with our project's themes and queer representation, and also played a significant role in deepening my understanding of the narrative structures of similar drama films which was incredibly helpful in developing the narrative of our own film opening. Overall, these experiences proved invaluable when crafting the script for "Phlegm Fatale."
Speaking of the script, I realised the significance of harmonising voiceover elements with visual components throughout the project too. The voiceover’s script underwent multiple drafts, allowing me to refine it to match the pace, mood, and length of the film opening. Importantly, I learnt that it was okay to adapt ideas to the needs of a particular project; in the case of Phlegm Fatale, this involved letting go of the initial humorous tone of the voiceover’s earlier drafts to adopt a somewhat sombre tone which coincided more suitably with the themes of discrimination and suppression of identity and passion we had decided to highlight in the narrative as a group. This iterative process helped me understand how sound and visuals must always work hand in hand to create an effective and cohesive film opening, becoming a valuable lesson in the symbiotic relationship between these elements and their impact on storytelling.
Crafting a story with feminist and queer themes required me to approach the subject matter with sensitivity and ethical considerations in mind; therefore, I tried my best to carry out extensive research on the social, religious, and historical contexts of our film’s setting and explore similar narratives in films and literature, particularly those categorised within the genres of drama and coming-of-age. This contributed to the development of my skills in carrying out effective research, applying the researched knowledge to my tasks, and shaping a narrative that sensitively touches upon nuanced topics like unfair discrimination based on someone’s identity. The growth of my knowledge about diverse narratives centred on underrepresented communities, thus, enabled me to come up with an emotionally- and politically-charged narrative that prioritised accurate and respectful portrayals of diverse characters.
To bring this narrative to life, I ventured into the world of script-writing softwares. With the help of Arc Studio, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the tools used by industry professionals and how they could enhance our work too. This also helped me ensure our script adhered to industry conventions and would be an organised resource for everyone to refer back to while filming the project, and I recommended it to Maroosh as well since she was responsible for compiling together the various components of our script into a final draft. This was another valuable experience that equipped me with the necessary skills for professional production which I did not possess prior to working on the film opening task.
Prior to this project, I had limited knowledge of camerawork and filming practices. I relied on the expertise of my teammate Esha to guide me through the essentials of operating a camera with the help of her equipment. This newfound understanding of camerawork encouraged me to capture certain shots independently, such as the handheld shot featuring the central characters, Rameen and Sameen, sitting together on a staircase with their backs to the camera. The hands-on experience expanded my technical expertise and taught me the importance of the role played by components like composition, proxemic codes, and overall mise-en-scene in executing impactful visual storytelling.
Another production element this project encouraged me to get familiar with was lighting which emerged as a crucial factor in the creation of Phlegm Fatale’s opening scene. Filming in different rooms in one location, for example, meant that we encountered varying degrees of brightness. As a team, we often took turns setting up a ring light to achieve optimal lighting for each scene and room, sometimes setting Esha’s ring light on a tripod and sometimes holding it up manually depending on the requirements of the shot. Initially, it required several attempts and trial shots for me to understand the intricacies of lighting and ensure it appeared visually pleasing on camera whenever I was assigned the role of the ring light holder, if you will. However, over the course of our main day of shooting, I grew more adept with the whole process, and it felt like an accomplishment to effectively handle the lighting elements which play an integral role in setting the mood and tone of any cinematic narrative.
Needless to say, this project served as a catalyst for personal growth in several ways, allowing me to contribute effectively to creating an inclusive film opening that might resonate with diverse audiences."
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