Critical reflection

This year I decided to focus on the cinematography aspect. My work started off at a slow start with Still memories. Due to some personal issues, I was unable to create a film about myself, and instead decided to explore a narrative within my family by interviewing my father about his side of the family. As he refused to do video interviews I settled with audio as well as using vintage archive photos my family had collected. This film was challenging on a personal level, as most of my family members had passed away. The interviewing of my father proved difficult as we didnt have a close connection, but I found during the creation of this project that I had learn a lot, not just personally, but in aspects of sound, and editing as I had to create this project alone.

The second unit was Narrative film. The task was to create a non-linear film, displaying storytelling skills. I partook in 2 different projects, both my roles being cinematography. I conducted an in depth amount of research for these roles as both were very ambitious and due to my low confidence in my skill. However through the use of workshops, lectures and self-directed study I soon became confident as I had learnt a great deal. 

Working closely with Directors such as Aynoa Alvarez and Toby Garside were very valuable experiences and I felt I had grown as a cinematographer by the end of the unit with their help, as well as develop my own style of cinematography. From this unit I discovered a passion for lighting set up and film frame composition and look forward to improving my practice more.

This year has been a challenging year for me, especially with the increase of my own self-directed study. However I worked through these problems and learnt skills in my practice that I look forward to refining, especially through camera work and lighting.

This year unfortunately I didn’t gain any work experience due to personal health problems, but with avid research and practicing shoots for the projects within the course, I feel I have grown a great deal as a filmmaker. My favourite part of filmmaking is the research, workshops, self-directed study and the actual process of filming. I found that even though I could be filming out in the cold at night, the thrill of preforming creatively would overshadow any negative feelings. For the next unit I hope to challenge myself as a Director, and think that the experience of directing my further improve my practice as a cinematographer, as I feel that is the practice I am leaning towards. I have written a few treatments in my own time for future projects and hope to create these over the summer holidays, as well as apply for work experience once my health improves. On the whole I have found second year a valuable and challenging experience, giving me plenty of room to grow and the opportunity to work with excellent fellow students who I feel are valuable teachers.