#24: How to achieve the look from our original inspiration from our mood board
Our original mood board 
Textual analysis of SMEC
+ how are we gonna achieve it (if have to)
with our "zero" budget
Editing
A zoom-out of the bottom-right corner picture. Extract of the 'haircut scene" in Better Days (2019)
The "haircut scene" in Better Days (2019)
Textual analysis of SMEC
+ how are we gonna achieve it (if have to)
with our "zero" budget
Sound
The loud 'buzz' sound of the trimmer cutting down her hair emphasizes the character's physical and emotional pain, adding this sense of cruelty and boldness to it.
The non-diegetic piano music deepens sadness and desperation in the scene, amplifying its emotional weight on the audience.
The sound design creates an uneasy feeling and enhances the intenseness of the character's silence - when no diegetic sound is heard. The silence focuses the audience solely on the characters' facial expressions.
"HOW WE ACHIEVE IT"
The non-diegetic piano music deepens sadness and desperation in the scene, amplifying its emotional weight on the audience.
The sound design creates an uneasy feeling and enhances the intenseness of the character's silence - when no diegetic sound is heard. The silence focuses the audience solely on the characters' facial expressions.
"HOW WE ACHIEVE IT"
Specific sound effect, like the trimming sound, is often added in post-production, so it would also be the way we go with. Having been recorded separately allows the sound to be more consistent and possibly, more impactful.
Similarly, most non-diegetic music would be added in post-production, with the aim of heightening the overall mood of the scene.
Similarly, most non-diegetic music would be added in post-production, with the aim of heightening the overall mood of the scene.
Mise en scene
The actor's performance itself is a crucial part of the scene. The close-up of Chen Nian's desperate looks, closing her eyes and those tears falling down Xiao Bei's cheeks, it is a silent, subtle yet powerful portrayal of each person's agony - the humiliation, the rape and the mental attack that Chen Nian has suffered, and Xiao Bei's deep regret for not being able to protect her from the bullies.
The dimly low lighting set a gloomy dramatic tone, intensifying the mood of despair and hopelessness lies in the scene. The combination of low lighting with the dusty, orange-yellow colour palette adds a kind of heavy, depressed feeling to viewers.
The makeup of bruises and scars on Chen Nian's face adds an element of realism to the scene, visualizes her physical pain, makes the audience sympathise with the character.
The makeup of bruises and scars on Chen Nian's face adds an element of realism to the scene, visualizes her physical pain, makes the audience sympathise with the character.
"HOW WE ACHIEVE IT"
Acting is definitely not one of our strongest strengths. Yet maybe with effort and a couple of NG scenes (about a hundred maybe :), we would get some decent shots at the end.
I don't think any of the crews can make up. Yet there would be many possible solutions to that problem, either we learn it ourselves, or find a friend that could help us.
The low lighting with a little chiaroscuro in the scene can be achieved by filming with natural lighting, combine with the use of some artificial light sources such as household light bulbs (for no budget like us, there are also other professional specialized lighting tools available),...to shine to the filming object. It would create different contrastive areas of light and shadow, the level of contrast depends on the angle of the lighting, or the intensity of the light source.
I don't think any of the crews can make up. Yet there would be many possible solutions to that problem, either we learn it ourselves, or find a friend that could help us.
The low lighting with a little chiaroscuro in the scene can be achieved by filming with natural lighting, combine with the use of some artificial light sources such as household light bulbs (for no budget like us, there are also other professional specialized lighting tools available),...to shine to the filming object. It would create different contrastive areas of light and shadow, the level of contrast depends on the angle of the lighting, or the intensity of the light source.
Quick rhythmic cuts of Chen Nian's hair falling to the floor interspersed with shots of her face and Xiao Bei's hands holding the trimmer. It creates a sense of progress, a little slowly and intensely, builds up the tension in the sense.
"HOW WE ACHIEVE IT"
The editing in this scene is not that much complicated, so I think we can handle it quite easily. It's likely that we would edit the raw footage first, then match the sound later to ensure consistency.
Camera
Most of the shots are close-up and handheld, and I think those choices of filming are a great aid in enhancing the actor's performance. The use of handheld shots adds to the sense of intimacy in the scene, making their pain feel more raw and authentic.
Most close-up scenes are also combined with soft focus - when the background is blurred to keep the audience's attention on the characters, which indeed, helps create a more visceral 'strike' in the audience's feelings.
"HOW WE ACHIEVE IT"
The camera's intention, or "how the scene is filmed", is a creative decision that made by the filmmakers. And when it is already made, replicating it is not hard, it is like we are already given a guideline that instructs us of all the steps required.
Therefore, I think the only barrier to recreating this scene is our camera skills, in other words, how well we can control the camera, for it to take shots that live up to our vision.
Therefore, I think the only barrier to recreating this scene is our camera skills, in other words, how well we can control the camera, for it to take shots that live up to our vision.
Comments
Post a Comment