VIDEO AND SOUND PRODUCTION (PROJECT 2 / SHOOTING PRACTISE & EDITING)
April 21,2025
21/05/2025 - 12/06/2024(Week6 - Week 8)
ZHANG TIANYAO/0376838
Video and Sound Production / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Project 2
LIST
1. Lectures
2. Instructions
3.Project 2
4. Feedback
5. Reflections
Lectures
Week 5
Concept Summary
The story follows M, who’s stuck at home during lockdown. Hungry and frustrated after finding the kitchen completely empty, he stumbles across a magazine. To his surprise, the magazine holds a magical surprise—real fruits begin to appear from its pages. He gathers them, makes juice, and ends the day on a joyful note.
Task Overview
The main objective is to select a visual effect (VFX) shot—based on a tutorial—and build a simple story around it. The story should focus on a single character and follow one continuous event. After the story is outlined, we break it down into key plot moments and match each one with a specific type of shot.
Sample Shot Breakdown:
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W.S (Wide Shot): M wakes up in bed.
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C.U (Close-Up): The TV reports lockdown news.
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M.S (Medium Shot): M checks the kitchen cabinet—empty.
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C.U: Fruits magically fall into a glass and turn into juice.
Key Plot Points:
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M wakes up.
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Watches the lockdown announcement on TV.
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Finds empty food sources (pizza box, fridge, cabinet).
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Notices a magazine and gets curious.
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Starts pulling out real fruits from the magazine.
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Fruits fly into a glass and become juice.
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M drinks the juice and feels satisfied.
Final Requirement
Create a storyboard that visualizes the full sequence—either on paper or digitally:
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Physical: Hand-draw using pencil or pen.
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Digital: Use tools like a Wacom, iPad, or phone camera to capture sketches.
Storyboard template is available here: Storyboard Template
Week 6
During this week’s on-site session, Mr. Martin walked us through the real-world steps of shooting in a studio. We got hands-on experience with setting up the camera, lights, and microphones, and practiced how to coordinate smoothly between the crew and performers. He highlighted how important it is to plan shots in advance using a proper shot list, as well as to block and frame scenes clearly. I helped out with placing the camera and marking where the actors should stand, which gave me new insight into how everything runs behind the scenes. This practical session really bridged the gap between theory and actual film production.
Week 7
1. Color Correction: Establishing a Clean Visual Base
Before any creative styling, color correction is the essential first step to make sure every shot looks clean and consistent. It focuses on fixing technical imbalances—adjusting exposure, white balance, and tint to create a neutral and natural look across all clips. Tools such as the RGB Parade, Waveform, and Vectorscope within the Lumetri Color panel help identify problem areas in brightness and color tone. Using "Comparison View," editors can fine-tune corrections by comparing clips side by side. This process lays the groundwork for a seamless visual flow, making sure the footage is ready for artistic grading.
2. Color Grading: Adding Emotion Through Visual Tone
Once the footage is balanced, color grading allows editors to shape the emotional and stylistic tone of the piece. By manipulating elements like color contrast, saturation, and tone curves, they can build a distinct visual language that matches the story’s mood. For example, cold tones like blues and greens create a detached or somber feel, while warmer shades like browns suggest comfort or nostalgia. The cinematic teal-orange grade remains a favorite, highlighting skin tones while separating them from cooler environments. More than just a visual polish, grading subtly influences how viewers feel and connect with the narrative.
Project 2
This week’s studio session led by Mr. Martin gave us the opportunity to engage in an actual filming experience. I participated in the production as one of the actors, performing in front of the camera while following the director’s cues and camera team’s directions. Being on set helped me understand how crucial it is for actors to respond to technical timing, lighting setups, and framing adjustments. It also made me appreciate the behind-the-scenes coordination that supports on-screen performance. This hands-on role allowed me to improve my responsiveness and collaboration with the crew during the filming process.
After class, I took the initiative to draft a filming timeline for the upcoming week and outlined a basic breakdown of each scene to help streamline the production process.
Fig 2.1 temporal planning
This week, under Mr. Martin's guidance, our team successfully completed the studio filming session. We shot seven scenes in total, carefully planning each camera setup, lighting arrangement, and actor movement. Working together as a team allowed us to efficiently coordinate our roles and stay on schedule. Throughout the shoot, I learned how to align the camera framing with the shot plan and how essential clear on-set communication is. This hands-on experience deepened my understanding of studio production and boosted my confidence in managing both creative and technical responsibilities.
Specific Feedback:
During this week’s studio session, we followed Mr. Martin’s instructions to complete our planned shoot. I collaborated with my team to film seven distinct shots, contributing to tasks such as camera setup, lighting adjustments, and actor direction. We referred closely to our shot list to ensure consistency in framing and mood. Once the filming wrapped, I handled the raw footage and audio provided by our producer. I created a basic edit sequence and used audio sync tools to match the dialogue with on-screen performance. This practical experience gave me insight into how the different stages of production connect to form a cohesive outcome.
General Feedback:
This week reinforced how crucial planning and flexibility are in a studio setting. While pre-production planning gave us structure, real-time problem-solving was often needed on set. I also realized how critical clean audio syncing is for narrative clarity during editing. Overall, this project improved my technical editing skills, and it gave me a stronger sense of how each team member contributes to the overall production. It’s made me more confident in both filming environments and post-production workflows.
In Week 7, our group followed Mr. Martin’s instructions to complete our planned studio filming session. We collaborated to shoot seven distinct scenes, and I was actively involved in camera placement, light setup, and directing actor movement. We closely referenced our shot list to maintain consistency in framing and mood. After filming, I was responsible for handling the raw video and audio files shared by our producer. I began the editing process by assembling a rough cut and using automatic syncing tools to align the voice recordings with the visuals. This practical experience gave me clearer insight into how professional studio workflows operate from shoot to post-production.
General Feedback:
This week highlighted how vital it is to be both well-prepared and flexible on set. Even with a clear plan in place, unexpected challenges required us to problem-solve quickly and adapt. I also became more aware of how crucial precise audio syncing is in post-production to preserve the story’s clarity and rhythm. The hands-on nature of the project allowed me to strengthen my editing skills and better understand how teamwork drives the success of a production. It gave me more confidence in managing both technical tasks and collaborative roles.
Specific Feedback:
This week, our attention turned to the hands-on practice of colour correction and grading. Under Mr. Martin’s guidance, I re-edited the Lalin video, focusing first on colour correction by fine-tuning elements such as exposure, contrast, and white balance to ensure visual uniformity across each scene. After achieving a balanced base, I applied colour grading using an adjustment layer on Video Track 3. I explored several styles—such as Teal & Orange, warm brown tones, and high-contrast black and white—to examine how each influenced mood and aesthetics. In parallel, I began editing the trailer for our production shoot, choosing colour tones that matched the desired emotional tone. Once both videos were finalized, I uploaded them to YouTube and completed the Google Slides submission on time.
General Feedback:
This week deepened my understanding of the relationship between colour and storytelling. By using Adobe Premiere Pro's correction and grading tools, I gained clearer insight into how visual tone affects audience perception. The process revealed how even slight changes in saturation, temperature, or contrast can shift a scene’s emotional impact. I also became more organized during post-production and submission, which helped me strengthen my time and workflow management. Overall, I feel more confident using colour as a narrative tool and am more capable of shaping cinematic atmosphere through intentional visual design.
In Week 5, we started by analyzing the shot list and script. This helped me understand how my performance would align with the framing and timing of each scene. Being aware of the camera angles and the director’s visual plan allowed me to better adjust my expressions and movements for each shot.
Week 6 was our main studio shoot. As an actor, I worked closely with the crew to follow blocking instructions, hit precise marks, and maintain consistent emotions across multiple takes. I learned how important timing and clear communication are on set, especially when coordinating with lighting, camera, and sound teams.
In Week 7, even though I wasn’t responsible for post-production, I got to observe how color grading and audio syncing completely transformed the footage. Watching the editor test different grading styles made me realize how color and tone can enhance or shift the mood of a scene—something I’ll keep in mind for future performances.
Overall, this project gave me a new perspective on the collaborative nature of film production. It strengthened my ability to take direction, stay focused under pressure, and work as part of a larger creative team.
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