Creating the Prop! (Planning)

Context

One of the most important item in the entire scene is Forrest's leg braces. It represents his repression, limitations, and then his freedom and power when it falls apart, allowing him to run freely. It is also what makes the entire scene so memorable. 

Where to begin...

Even though making props is not in my job description, I had the materials and good time management, so why not? First, I found an image of the actual braces and decided on the materials we needed!

Young Forrest Gump's leg braces

Luckily it is not extremely complex. Most of the materials could properly be simplified with house hold materials. In the end, I decided to use mostly cardboard, duct tape, paper, and a lot of hot glue.

Making the prop! 

Me and our sound designer (Who is also playing Forrest Gump!) drove to the park (also our shooting location) and met up to create the prop. However, time was limited and so we did not finish. We finish only some of the parts.

Starting to make the props!

The next day, I finished the entire prop at home. I used mostly hot glue and duct tape to secure the padding (? or big pieces) at the back so that it was removeable and easy to put on. It took me a few hours and I was in an awful mood by the end, but at least it was finished.

My sister helped with being the model in creating this (note that the portion is slightly off since she has shorter legs).

Key Takeaways!

When making this prop, I learnt how important it is to plan ahead, stay organized/on tasked, and adapt when things don't go as expected. Plus, strong problem-solving skills, a LOT of patience, and the ability to work independently when needed comes in handy for these type of situations. 

Setting Camera's Settings Beforehand! (Planning)

Forrest Gump's Camera Settings...

To make our swede more accurate, I wanted to replicate the lighting/color/exposure of the original film before we actually begin filming. Doing so, allows me to be prepared and make the whole filming process (basically my entire job) be much faster and clean. 

Below is a still from the scene we are sweding. 

Forrest running freely away from the bullies on bikes 

Here in this scene, it relies mostly on natural lighting, the exposure is lower and it has warmer filters and is tinted slightly red. This is used in order to make the scene more "lively" and innocent (adding emphasize on how his childhood has affected his adulthood). The warmth also helps in making Forrest stand out. 

Adjusting my settings

I attempted to replicate this effect in Blackmagic! To get this effect I first turned off the auto settings so that my changes stay permanent. I plan to keep these settings for a while since I have no other projects needing this app. 

Next, I changed the shutter angle to 180°, the WB to 5600K (aka Daylight.), lowered the exposure to -1.5, tinted it warm colors (magenta/red/orange), and locked focus. Adding on, I also lowered the resolution since in the original, everything is kind of blurry 

Auto setting on Blackmagic (Original)

 But Everything is in a cooler tint, and it is very detailed. However, it causes the shot to look more modern and futuristic. It removes the memory effect the original does.

With new changes 

Even though this is not 100% exactly the same, it gives off the same effects the original does. I noted that on the day of filming it may have to be adjusted slightly depending on the weather. So, I had to be cautious of that happening as well. 

Understanding Color & Exposure! (Research)

 Why is it important?

Color and exposure are extremely important to understand and be able to use effectively as a cinematographer. Both concepts work together to produce a good shot. Without the other, the entire shot falls apart. But how do they create meaning separately and together?

Color!

In the video below, it explains how cinematographers use color to subconsciously change the audience’s emotions.

Colors can help the viewers psychologically and guides how they interpret the scene. For example, warm colors can express comfort/nostalgia/calmness and cool colors may express distance/sadness/fear. Saturating the colors makes the shot more dramatic/bold, while desaturating makes it feel more realistic/grounded. 

Repetition of specific colors creates motifs that can further help the audience understand the scene better.

Schindler’s List (1993)
Famous example of using color as motif in film. The red symbolizes the girl’s innocence and contrasts her to the other people.

Exposure!

Exposure is the amount of light that reaches the camera’s sensors. To simplify, it helps determine how dark or bright an image will be. This video helps to explain how deciding exposure is so important.

Exposure helps build mood through light, contrast and visibility. Changing the exposure also changes the tone of the scene alongside it. 

Controlling exposure can show what is revealed and what is hidden in the frame. Having good exposure maintains detail in important areas so the meaning of the shot stays clear. High exposure makes the shot feel more energetic/safe/open and low exposure makes the shot feel intimate/mysterious/tense.

Se7en (1995)
This film often uses underexposure in order to create an uncertain and fearful mood.

Both!

Color and exposure often (if not, always) work together in cinematography to create meaning and shape how the audience feels/understand a scene. Exposure is usually set first, helping to guide the viewer’s attention, then the color palette is layered on top to give emotional clarity/context. For example, in the still Se7en above, using underexposure and dull/muted colors creates a sense of dread and even moral decay. When both are use purposefully/correctly, they help tell the story without any words.

Creating the shot list! (Planning)

 What is it?

It is a document made pre-production that breaks down and lists all the shots needed for the production. It is essentially the blueprint/reference for the production. It helps us to stay on track, not waste time and organized, making sure we have all the shots we need. 

Creating one!

Personally, I work better using paper, so I decided to create my shot list as shown below!

This is the first page of my shot list. I mainly focused on trying to be specific but not too detailed that it makes it confusing and more complicated than it needs to be. For the shot size/angle, any shots without an angle is simply eye level. Additionally, this made me realize just how much tracking shots there were. Of the 27 shots, 11 are tracking shots.  

Here is the actual clip we are sweding!

Forrest Gump "Run, Forrest, Run!" scene

Takeaways!

Doing this was out of my comfort zone and it did not feel as necessary to me. However, one of the worst things that can happen is that we "finish" shooting only to find out we forgot one short clip. Normally, directors cut that clip, but in this scenario, our production has to be close to exactly identical to our extract.

 Creating a shot list helps cinematographers (and really anyone) to avoid doing this mistake. Planning the shots beforehand also helps with the accuracy in the swede since it forces you to note every single take and its purpose in creating meaning for the film/scene overall. 

Tracking Shots! (Research)

Context

In cinematography, the camera neither does two things: stay still or move! One of the main movement shots is a tracking shot. A tracking shot is any shot where the camera follows the subject being recorded. They are often shot with Dolly, Steadicam, Gimbal, or drone. It depends on the effect the director wants.

Here is an example of one of my favorite tracking shots in film.

Here, the continuous tracking of the camera (+the silence from the carpets) makes the audience uncomfortable and uneasy for the next scenes.

Learning how to properly shoot tracking shots are especially important, because, in the scene we chose, nearly half of the shots are tracking. If they are not done properly, it would significantly decrease the quality of the production. Filming tracking shots without background knowledge may make the shot shake/unstable, have framing issues, and cause blurry shots (focus issues). So to avoid that, I researched how to create a typical tracking shot!

How To!

Pre-Filming

This part is the most important since it's the foundation for the next steps. First, prepping your gear. We will be using an iPhone and a stabilizer, however, by changing the settings (frame, qualities), it'll help our scenes look much better. Next is planning movement. In this step, I will decide what we are tracking, plan the path, and do a practice walk. 

Filming

The actual bit! When recording, walk steadily. For extra smoothness: bend your knees, or use a rolling chair/skateboard. And also remember to keep the framing. Since this is a Swede project, I already have a clear understanding of what the shot should look like!

Post-Filming

Here, the editor will do the rest. Aka, polish the clip, stabilize, and trim the clip that fits their vision. 

Down below is the YouTube video that helped me learn how to create a tracking shot.

-🍎🧃

Shooting on your Phone! (Research)

Video Shooting - Two Modes Comparison!

For shooting on your phone, there are many different apps that are available to use. Each one has their own quirks and features, but for me, I’ve narrowed it down to the two apps I found suited me the best. In this blog, I will do a comparison of both and figure out when to use what in what scenario that’ll fit it best.

A) Using iPhone’s Regular Camera

Here’s what it looks like! (With my personal settings, not default)

ADVANTAGES: 

• Very fast/simple: Open and shoot instantly 
• Stable Video: It has a strong built-in stabilization feature for handheld recording.
• Works well in mixed environments/settings due to its Auto settings.

DISADVANTAGES 

• There is a limited manual control (Ex. fixing shutter).
• Often changes mid-shot even with adjustments.
• “Phone-like” look: May look come off looking too sharp, too bright, or too artificial due to Apple’s processing.

When to use it: When you want a quick and simple setup, or are shooting something not requiring a cinematographic look. 

B) Using the Blackmagic Camera app

Here’s what it looks like!

At first glance, it looks very confusing, but this video below gives a in depth guide on how to use this app!!

ADVANTAGES:

• Full manual control: You choose everything (shutter speed, exposure…)
• Cinematic shooting: it supports Apple log, and pro color workflows.
• Overall better for filmmaking.

DISADVANTAGES

• More complex: It requires an understanding of exposure/color.
• Less forgiving: Bad exposure stays bad, there is no automatic correction.
• Stabilization may be weaker!

When to use it: When you want higher quality, more control, and intend to grade footage later.

Summary

All in all, for my swede project, I feel Blackmagic camera would suit me the best. It gives me more control and makes it easier to recreate the original scene more accurately. Even if, it is more complicated. However, I will most likely use both!

Creating a Storyboard! (Planning)

Context

The scene my group decided on sweding is the “Run, Forrest, Run!” scene from Forrest Gump. Since I am the cinematographer, one of my responsibilities is creating the storyboard, along with the shot lists. 

A storyboard is a visual plan made up of drawings that show each shot in a film before it is filmed. It looks like a comic strip and includes notes about camera angles, movement and dialogue. Storyboards are especially important in sweding films. They help map out what scenes to shoot, how to frame them, and how to imitate the same effect the original does. 

Creating one!

Creating a storyboard in this project specifically is easy since there is already a blueprint. Below are a side-by-side comparison of some shots I found were important. 

In this opening still, it is a medium to medium close up shot of Jenny looking back at who threw the rock at Forrest, who hesitates to look back. I found this specific frame was the most important in this entire shot. In the storyboard, I also added a rock imagery to further explain the scene, and captioned it “Jenny and Forrest are walking down a dirt path when Forrest gets hit by a rock.”

There’s a lot of things going on in this shot that I redrew. It is a wide shot and it shows the bullies getting on their bikes in order to chase Forrest, who is off in the distance. Jenny is in between them, unable to do anything but shout.

In this last shot I will provide, for me, this is the most important shot in this scene. Forrest’s braces break and he begins to run freely on his own. I tried to recreate it exactly as shown. This symbolizes change and growth.

Here is my full storyboard!

Cinematography Tips! (Research)

 Whilst researching about the role of a cinematographer, I had learnt some tips that I felt was extremely important but could not be its own separate posts, so I am doing one for all of it.

Here are all the websites I used!

https://www.filmd.co.uk/articles/mastering-cinematography-techniques-tips-for-indie-filmmakers/

https://howtofilmschool.com/cinematography-basics-10-things-every-beginner-should-know/

https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/cinematography-the-ultimate-guide-2022-edition/

Framing & Composition 

• Use leading lines to draw the viewer’s eye to where you want it (ex. Door-frames, roads, shadow).
• Compose with “space ahead of look/movement.” For example, if your subject is moving or looking right, leave room in the right side of the frame, making it feel more natural.
• Take negative spaces into account! Leave lots of space empty spaces around the subject to emphasize isolation, scale, or mood. 

The use of negative spaces in 2001: A Space Odyssey 

Camera Movement & Angles

• Only move camera it adds meaning (revealing something, following emotion), otherwise keep it still.
• Link motion to emotion (ex. realization = move in).
• Vary movement speed and motion characteristics.

Lighting & Technical Control

• Keep fill light fairly strong so there are few harsh shadows (unless needed, of course), maintain a low lighting ratio.
• Don’t crush blacks (shadows) too deeply if you want soft lighting.
• Put some distance between the subject and the background so the subject is gently separated; avoid having strong hard light hitting the background.

A still from Her a showing soft, diffused lighting setup. 

The lighting is very soft, meaning the shadows a gentle and there are no harsh lines or deep contrast. It helps match the emotional tone of the film: warm, intimate, and slightly dreamy. 

-🍎🧃

Cinematography 101! (Research)

My role in this project

In my group of four, the role I was given was the role of a cinematographer in film production! However, I had no idea where to begin with this role and I know it is extremely important. Without CINEMAtography, there is no cinema. And so, that is what I focused my research on about here. 

Here is a helpful video that gave me a quick insight of cinematography!

My take away

Cinematography is the art of visual storytelling. It is one of the most essential elements in shaping how a story feels and is understood by an audience. 

Every shot, camera, movement, and lighting decision carries  meaning and emotion. For example, a close-up shot isn’t just to show a character’s face, it’s to help the viewer connect with their internal emotions and thoughts. In contrast, a wide shot can make a character seem small or vulnerable, creates meaning without dialogue. Lighting and color is important to set the tone and mood of a scene. Warm lighting can create a sense of comfort/safety, while color tones often suggests sadness/fear/isolation.

Another key takeaway was that cinematography is about intentionality, every creative choice behind the camera should have a purpose. Whether it’s the framing of a shot, the camera distance, or how lighting hits a character’s face, each decision must reinforce the film’s narrative. The video also made me realize that when cinematography is done well, it becomes invisible. We don’t consciously notice it but we feel the effect.

Sweding! (Research)

 Pre-Research:

In my Media Studies class, we were all task to create a Swede within the next few weeks in our chosen groups. In truth, I had never heard of the term “swede” or “sweding” before. My best guess was: a Swedish person (which is true in some cases!). Nonetheless, in film production, it has a completely different meaning. Without understanding the concept, I wouldn’t be able to plan this project effectively.

The Concept of Sweding:

A swede is an ultra low-budget, short recreation of a famous film/scene/trailer using household items (little to no budget) and a lot of creativity. Where does it originate from? The term was first coined/introduced in the 2008 movie Be Kind Rewind. In that film, the characters must recreate videos after accidentally wiping all of it. To explain why it looks so different and why it was slightly more expensive, they claimed the film was "sweded," aka, imported from Sweden. This has since led to "Swede Fest" film festivals, where people are able to showcase their own sweded films.

Here is the link to the official Swede Fest website! -> https://swedefest.com/

Below is a clip from Be Kind Rewind explaining what a Swede is:

It’s Importance!

Sweding is important in studying film since it teaches the basic fundamentals of filmmaking/visual storytelling in an oversimplified way. It encourages people to rely on creativity and innovation over expensive equipment. It helps students understand how professional films are able to create emotion and meaning with what they have, and apply this to their work.