TMA 285: One Shot of an Event - Director's Statement of Intent

1.      What is the story of this scene in two or three sentences? In other words, what happens in the scene?

A young woman is filming a short film at an indoor swimming pool. She films a female swim team as they swim in a staged race in the pool. She will handle cameras by/in the water and direct the swimmers, which may lead to easy difficulties in her film shoot.

2.      What is purpose of this scene in the larger story? (Or, if there is not a larger story, invent the purpose of this scene.)

This is part of the woman’s short film which is a step in the Media Arts Major application at BYU. She desires to go into directing, but this is virtually her first time doing it for real. She is an experienced swimmer and designed her own water-proof camera jib, which shows her commitment to this film. This will either encourage her or frustrate her as she puts this preparation to the test.

3.      What is the emotion I want to communicate?

Uneasiness yet confidence that the young woman will direct the shoot well.

4.      Why is this scene personal to me? What previous personal experiences does it remind me of? Why do I need to make this scene?

My entry film for this major was also my first time directing something on a serious, artistic scale. I remember feeling nervous to lead, pressured by my superiors, and anxious for a successful result. I need to see someone of a younger generation than me take on this same task to help me judge myself of whether I’ve been overthinking these feelings or rightly justified with them.

5.      What, specifically, must the audience understand narratively and feel at the end of this scene? How do you intend to make sure this will happen?

The audience must know that this woman is making efforts to not only achieve her artistic vision, but make this film she’s making one that matters to her. I’ll make this happen by watching my camera angles at which I see her interact with people, to reflect potential uneasiness, or otherwise straight confidence.

6.      What two visual elements (line, shape, space, tone, color, rhythm, movement) will you use to help communicate the emotion of the scene?

Line: diagonals will be key as she becomes puzzled or frustrated, and straight horizontals will show her handling the situation well.

Space: Deep space will be used when the woman is in transit from place to place, and deep space will be used as she concentrates on one person, or task.

7.      What are some potential obstacles to creating a successful scene? How can you be prepared to overcome these?

Since this will take place at an indoor swimming pool, distance will need to be kept from the water with the camera. In order to make sure I can still focus on the woman as she works, I’ll check out a lighter camera with a zoom lens which I can adjust any time I need to go narrow or wide.