End of Year Reflection

Independent Film Research

I agree with Shaheed and think research script is the single hardest piece of writing that I've ever had to do. The amount of research you need to do is almost dependent on how much writing is available on the specific topic. I feel that more training would be needed in how to focus a search and how to pick a topic that would have widely available research. More time needs to be focused on what exactly to do. I think it would really help to watch more films in class and give less time to explain assignments to make more efficient use of class time. Focus more class time on developing film theories/history.

Oral Presentation Experience

This was the easiest aspect of the class for me. I was able to remember the bulk of my oral and had only a few areas that I could improve on. I felt the preparation was fine and I had no problem with anything really. The only other additional training could maybe be group oral presentations on an in class film like we did for Run Lola Run my junior film. Just hearing and talking about film is helpful.

Production Experience

I accomplished just about everything I wanted to this semester. I performed well in my production, as the cinematography was good, especially with it being my first time using a DSLR. I was also pleased as I co-wrote the script, my first time having a major role in the scriptwriting process, and I feel the script was a main reason Nutcracker was so successful as a film. I just feel if we were able to be more efficient as a group that the film could have been even better. But things happen and our group barely survived all the tension and conflict. The only suggestion for improving this is to further my point of watching more films.  I thought there was a lot of wasted time just explaining an assignment that we could have figured out on our own, time that could have broadened our film horizons.