Former Student Work

     Hello Bloggers! Today, I will watch several film openings while going in depth about what I feel can be worked on more and what I positively think of these openings! This will help and contribute towards my AICE Media Studies project with my great partner, Justin Ingleton, because of the incredible talent from these videos that will inspire me and my partner to create and share our content with you guys!

Roll Call:

    Roll Call in my opinion falls somewhere between mediocre and decent. Let's start with the positives. I appreciated the editing techniques used in the film, effectively showcasing the various characters and suspects. These techniques helped viewers understand the concept and characterization of each individual. On the downside, I found the sound and visual transitions less impressive. For example, the camera transitions and movements felt clunky, failing to smoothly capture the essence of the police car at the beginning of the film. The sound effects could have been more precise and more well-defined; the microphone seemed too far from the characters, making their dialogue hard to hear. The ambient sounds also lacked the intensity needed to create a tense atmosphere.

New Everything:

   New Everything in my opinion is visually pleasing in comparison with the first example with great transitions. However, the sound design and the viewer engagement need to be improved from what I saw. From my perspective, New Everything offers sound effects that generally correlate with the actions on screen, these effects could benefit from greater precision and clarity. For example, if we got more context or representation of the main character putting on his headphones as he enters the school could dramatically improve the scene. Like if I was the director I would add surrounding crowd noise at least during this moment to heighten the realism and provide the audience with a clearer understanding of the protagonist's experience and emotional state. While New Everything has potential with its vital visual elements, improvements in sound design and structural presentation could significantly enhance its impact.

Dreamland:

    Dreamland is in my opinion an excellent film opener compared to the previous student works because it brings out truly captivating visuals resulting from excellent color grading and visual effects abilities. The sheer amount of creative artistry that goes into creating this magical setting within the opener makes it such an absorbing piece from the beginning to the end! One unique aspect that makes it outstanding is that it can create apparent effects of illusion by use of stark visual effects and make the reader feel that they are already in the scene; thus, it includes the audience well in the narrative. Even though this opener is stronger, it does have flaws. I noticed that the latter editing became inapt and jagged in its execution. To remaster it, editing and shots should be made faster and more intensively fitting the directed aim of the dream-stretchy effect, making the dream scenes even more normal and desperate under standard life sequences, which I’m seeking to be true. 

Dear Lover:

    Dear Lover is a really pleasing film opener particularly when compared to the first two student works. The techniques used in this opener not only captivate the audience but also invite them to anticipate the unfolding story. For instance, the adult version of the protagonist reflects a journey of personal growth, something that can build excitement in the viewers. While the film has its strengths, it also presents opportunities for improvement. The set designs for example is an important area where the production can improve its quality.  A more visually engaging setting is crucial for fully immersing the audience in the story's romantic and enigmatic themes. By making adjustments to the props and overall design, the production could significantly improve the audience's anticipation, making the experience more captivating and engaging. 

Dare to Thrill:

       Dare to Thrill is undoubtedly the best project without question. This film incorporates essential elements such as editing, sound, and audience engagement, with no noticeable weaknesses. The camera visuals are impressively smooth, effectively capturing the thrilling moments of the subject driving a car. In contrast to previous films, where many camera shots felt urgent and shaky, this project feels smooth and creative, utilizing a variety of angles and shots. For example, consider the scene where several teenagers run toward a black car on the roof of a parking garage. The camera smoothly follows them to the vehicle, demonstrating an efficient use of movement that allows viewers to anticipate the exciting events about to unfold. This technique not only builds a sense of excitement but also highlights the film's technical excellence.

I also want to discuss the editing. The editing in this film is robust, providing fresh perspectives on the different reactions of the characters. For instance, during the scene where the characters are driving on the road, we see various cuts and angles of the car, enhancing the overall experience.

Thank you bloggers for taking your time to read my opinion toward these film openers! I can't wait for you guys to see not only my ideas but as well my partners Justin and Alexanders toward the AICE Media Studies Portfolio!