Narratives Book & Film

Narratives Evaluation

Writing and illustrating a book was an incredibly new challenge for me, especially using InDesign software to create layouts. Finding a narrative to make my own was interesting as I wanted to do something exciting and playful whilst most news stories are not. 

Parts of the illustration side such as modeling clay cast, building sets, setting up lighting stations and trying to express emotion through image were new processes which I stuck straight into and I found most ideas came naturally, finding recycled materials to build scenes with so that I didn’t have to buy manufactured products. 

Writing a narrative which engages the audience which I can reference through images was quite a daunting task, writing five different stories before I chose my final version. When designing the layout I really learnt about about InDesign feeling confident using the software now however, I over thought, over designed and feel like I panicked at the last minute deciding on a very poor design. 

Once I had stepped back after sending a finished submission off to be printed I really regretted all layout and design choices which has definitely made me respect the book design process so much more. 

Working in a group is always exciting and sometimes difficult, whilst trying to combine everyones ideas and opinions into one final smooth visual output. At times some of the group felt as though some voices were pushing to be heard more than others, but overall we pulled together really well, resulting in a well oiled team effort with a satisfying film to show. 

I took a lot from the workshop sessions which showed us software and editing techniques and having never produced or edited until I came to Leeds, I feel more enthusiastic about Film and producing. Apart from filming on location, I enjoyed the Sound booth most finding I have a good ear for segmenting audio, syncing sections easily. Overall, minus a few minor off beats I am incredibly happy with our short film and will be really proud to show it. 

Points taken from Crit

Nice shots, effective long views.

Possible change to music, too upbeat, takes away from the voice over and tone. Whistle is better at the end so less upbeat towards the start. A few drops are slightly off beat, however the slightly different off beat towards the end works nicely with the ‘different feel’.

Audio is possibly too loud.

Timelapse, and sunrise is good. Shots are nice and clean.

Adviced not too much editing on colour needs to be done, red adds to heartache and gives effect.

Voice over is good, nice choice of tone.

Review over as its possibly too ‘scrip read’ in parts.

Tile suggestions: 
- ‘her’ or ‘you’ 
- ‘waiting for the dawn’ 
- ‘goodbye’

Abstract in meaning, feels like loss of loved one not loss of love which was intended
. 
Overall - lovely deep and moving piece.

Script Voice Over

After careful consideration of voice and tone we chose to ask Tom Woodland in Vis com 2nd Year to read the voice over as he has a really nice tone of voice and an almost mono-tone emotional range sometimes which we found would work perfectly with the theme of our film. 

We recorded around 5 takes so we had plenty to work with. Overall we were incredibly pleased with the final outcome of the sound. 

Thanks again Tom! 

Script 2 

My life is filled with darkness since you left.

Each day is just like another, filled with countless hours.

No sense of time or space anymore.

The night is my closest friend.

A blank canvas.

A place for me, and a place for you.

I cannot connect with this city, and its people they offer me no comfort.

The canals are so quiet, I sit here a lot, probably more than I should.

I feel like your fading away through time and memory. 

Trains overhead remind me of better times, these are the only things I have left that remind me of you.

I can point out the ones we used to catch now, as they hurtle past, bound for London and beyond.

Now we’re both in separate worlds, far apart from each other.

Mine shrouded by the silence of the dark, and yours, well, who knows.

I do think about you, well quite a lot actually, its what keeps me going as best I can.

I tread through the streets and cross estates.

Its close to dawn now.

The new day will bring me back to reality.

Away from the thoughts of better days gone by.

We used to avoid these places, with their dark alleyways and overshadowing towers.

Nowadays it removes me, removes me from the thoughts of you.

Today the dawn seems different.

I find myself thinking of you in a better light.

As I walk through the waste ground of the football fields, it doesn’t seem so bad. The light brightens; I find my self feeling something new.

But its not new, I have felt it before.

Somewhere in a distant memory.

A memory of you, we were here.

It was perfectly still and there was no one for miles.

The air feels different.

Warmer than I have felt for a long time.

I can feel the rays of the sun upon my face.

A new lease of life comes with this dawn, washing away the dark memories.

Today is the start of a new day,

It’s the first day of the rest of my life.

I wont forget you but its time to change.

These people who wake with the sun, are no longer enemies.