Reflection against assessment criteria.
Tag: assessment
Reflection: A1 Assessment Criteria
Reflection against assessment criteria.
A1: Summary for assessment
The idea of making a moving image that in some way related to a sense of ‘identity’ – qualities, beliefs, personality, looks, expression – that make a person (self-identity) was a daunting prospect. Although the topic of clothes provided an accessible way into the theme of identity, the challenge was to find a topic through which this theme could be explored cinematically.
The aim behind ‘Blue Jacket’ was to explore the relationship between ‘identity and place’. Using this topic enabled me to express the role and purpose behind specific clothes and a particular environment in which they might be worn. In ‘Blue Jacket’ I wanted to show how human identity often pales into insignificance when seen in comparison to the planet upon which we walk. A solitary figure in a blue fleece jacket walks through a forest, dwarfed by the trees. Even the upturned roots of a fallen tree are taller than the passing figure. The environment, a forest, puts human presence in perspective on the planet.
Poetic Form
I decided to turn the camera on myself and attempt to shoot the film in a non-narrative style. I hoped to achieve this through the use of colour, composition and movement – both camera movement and movement through the frame. For example, the contrast in colour between the blue jacket and muted forest colours through which it moves; handheld shots from the viewpoint of the figure alongside static shots of the figure moving through the landscape. Although there is a beginning, middle and ending in the sequence of shots, the aim was to produce a poetic feel. Rather than telling a narrative story, it captures a non-narrative, poetic moment.
Sound
There are three layers of sound within the film: (1) the original audio recorded with the picture; (2) the birdsong; (3) the music.
The first layer of sound provides the sound originating in the scene, such as footsteps, sporadic birdcall and other general sounds within the forest. This track was left in-situ to provide the natural sound for the film.
The second layer of sound consists of a louder, more emphatic level of birdsong. On hearing a cacophony of birdsong from a nearby group of trees, I turned on the camera and recorded a 60 second wild track, knowing this would be perfect for a bed of sound running through the full length of the film. This track was layered above the first to enhance the overall audio environment portrayed within the film. I decided to fade this track in just before the picture and music begins to provide a sense of things to come. I also decided to fade this track out just as the picture fades to black, to reveal a single birdcall, recorded on the first layer of sound.
The third layer of sound is the music. For this track I selected a smooth, flowing, ethereal piece of music, to add a sense of mystery and awe within the film.