Video & Sound Production - Project 2

29.9.2023 - 22.11.2023 / Week 1 - Week 12

IAN CHOO XIN ZHE / 0369451

Video and Sound Production / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

---

INSTRUCTIONS

Project 2: Production Shoot/Colour Grading

The Production Shoot & Colour Grading assignment presents an exciting opportunity with its two distinctive parts. In the initial phase, students will practice shooting using DSLR cameras or smartphones. This hands-on experience aims to enhance our skills in capturing quality footage and understanding the nuances of composition and cinematography. The utilization of Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, and Adobe Audition in both online and offline editing adds a layer of complexity, providing a comprehensive exploration of industry-standard tools.

Once the shooting phase is complete, the assignment transitions to the second part, where students import the captured footage into Adobe Premiere Pro for colour grading. This stage not only emphasizes the technical aspect of post-production but also delves into the creative realm of enhancing the visual aesthetics of the footage. The colour grading process becomes a pivotal element in shaping the mood and tone of the final video, showcasing the significance of post-production techniques in elevating the overall visual impact.

Fig 1.1 Footage in Premiere Pro

Entering the September intake, I found myself in a unique situation where my first class involved joining the ongoing Production Shoot assignment with the August intake students, who were already in their fifth week of the semester. Following Mr. Martin's guidance, I, along with other new September intake students, actively participated in the ongoing shoot, leveraging the opportunity to observe and learn from the experienced August intake students. This impromptu participation allowed me to gain valuable insights into the practical aspects of shooting, setting a foundation for future projects.

Upon completion of the shoot, the raw footage was exported from the DSLR camera. I downloaded the footage and imported it into Adobe Premiere Pro. Given that the footage was entirely unedited and untouched, the initial step involved cutting and trimming the clips to create a cohesive video. This process required a keen eye for detail, ensuring that the selected segments contributed to a seamless and engaging visual narrative.

The experience of jumping into an ongoing assignment on my first day underscored the dynamic and collaborative nature of the learning environment. It not only provided a crash course in real-time production but also emphasized the importance of adaptability and hands-on learning in the field of video and sound production.

Fig 1.2 Comparison View

Following the initial cutting and trimming of the footage, the next phase involved delving into the intricate art of color grading. With Mr. Martin's guidance, the recommended approach was to utilize the side-by-side comparison view in Adobe Premiere Pro. This feature served as a valuable tool, allowing for a meticulous and nuanced analysis of the footage. By employing this view, I gained a better visual understanding of the color grading adjustments, facilitating more informed decisions about the overall look and feel of the video.

The side-by-side comparison view became an indispensable aid in ensuring a cohesive and visually appealing color grading process. It not only enhanced my understanding of color correction but also provided a streamlined workflow, allowing me to make real-time adjustments and observe their impact on the footage. This hands-on experience further solidified my appreciation for the significance of color grading in shaping the visual narrative and elevating the overall quality of the video production.

Fig 1.3 Colour Grading in Premire Pro

Upon thorough review of the footage, I took the deliberate step of rewatching it multiple times to discern the most fitting color grade for the narrative. Considering the storyline revolving around themes of love, I aimed to create an atmosphere that resonated with the emotional nuances of the content. After thoughtful consideration, I concluded that infusing a warm tone into the color grading would be particularly effective. The warmth not only aligned with the overarching theme of love but also added a layer of sentimentality to the visual experience. To achieve this, I opted for a vintage retro aesthetic characterized by warm, yellowish tones. This choice was intentional, seeking to evoke a sense of nostalgia and timelessness, reinforcing the emotional depth of the narrative.

The vintage retro warm yellowish vibe, therefore, served as a visual metaphor, enhancing the storytelling by transporting the viewer into a comforting and familiar emotional space. It aimed to establish a connection between the audience and the narrative, emphasizing the enduring and timeless nature of the depicted love story. In essence, the chosen color grading became a crucial storytelling tool, contributing significantly to the overall impact and resonance of the video production.

Final Submissions

Fig 1.4 Colour Grading in Premire Pro

Project 2: Tiktok/Insta Video

Transitioning to our next creative endeavor, the TikTok Video Creation assignment sparks excitement as it invites us to unleash our creativity in a short and dynamic format. The task at hand involves crafting a TikTok video, challenging us to come up with an original idea to captivate our audience within the brief duration of a TikTok clip.

The initial phase of this assignment demands a thoughtful approach. Students are required to propose an idea that not only aligns with our creative vision but is also suitable for the TikTok platform. The proposal, a precursor to the actual video shoot, serves as a roadmap for our creative expression. A fundamental component of this assignment is the inclusion of a storyboard. This visual outline acts as a blueprint, guiding the narrative flow of the TikTok video. By incorporating a storyboard into our planning process, we ensure a clear and organized execution of our creative concept.

Fig 2.1 Idea

I plan to make an interesting TikTok video centred around a "At-Home Product Shoot" with a shower gel as the product. The video will highlight my creativity in setting up an aesthetically pleasant and professional-looking product shot using everyday items and equipment found at home. Various household things will be used as props to improve the visual appeal of the shower gel. In addition, I'll use some VFX effects to provide an extra layer of excitement and raise the overall production value.

Fig 2.2 Storyboard

Fig 2.2 Product That I'm Using

Fig 2.3 Behind The Scenes

I decided to tap into the resources available at home, transforming everyday objects into creative tools. In this endeavor, I explored the potential of mirrors, screens, and water to add unique elements to my video. By utilizing these household items, I aimed to bring a distinctive and visually engaging touch to the TikTok video. The challenge lies not only in using these objects creatively but also in weaving them seamlessly into the narrative. Each element serves a purpose, contributing to the overall storytelling and capturing the audience's attention in the brief and vibrant TikTok format.

Fig 2.4 Editing in Premiere Pro

With the footage gathered from my creative shoot, the next phase of the TikTok video creation journey involved diving into the editing process in Premiere Pro. The initial steps included cutting and trimming down the footage to align with the chosen music and its beats. This process ensures that the visual elements sync harmoniously with the rhythm, creating a more engaging and dynamic viewing experience.

Following the synchronization of visuals and music, I ventured into enhancing the overall aesthetic by introducing a color grade preset. This additional layer of post-production adds a touch of drama and visual cohesion to the video. By carefully selecting and applying a preset, I aimed to elevate the mood and tone of the footage, contributing to a more impactful and polished final result.

Final Submissions

Fig 2.5 Proposal

Fig 2.6 Final Tiktok Video

Google Drive Link

---

REFLECTION

Experience

Doing the color grading and TikTok video assignments was like a hands-on adventure in making videos look cool. For color grading, I learned how colors can change how we feel about a story. Picking a warm, yellowish tone made the video about love feel nostalgic and emotional. Using a special view in Premiere Pro helped a lot. Moving on to the TikTok assignment, I got to be creative with everyday things like mirrors and screens. It was cool to see how simple stuff could make the video interesting. Editing the TikTok video was a bit tricky, but cutting, trimming, and adding a color effect made it look more exciting.

Observations

I noticed that colors really matter in telling a story. Choosing warm tones for the love story made a big difference. Using everyday things in the TikTok video made it unique and fun. Editing needs patience, but it's worth it when everything fits together.

Findings

From these assignments, I discovered that colors can change the whole mood of a video. Being creative with simple things can make videos special. Learning to edit is a bit hard, but it's important to make everything look just right. These assignments showed me that being creative with technology can make storytelling really awesome.