SEPTEMBER OUTINGS
The concept for “September Outings” showcases the field work of the weimaraners, Danni and Whiskey. The video not only illustrates the field work of Danni and Whiskey, but it capitalizes on a story about a dog and a handler. In the beginning, it was a trial and error project. For the limited few who knew about dog training, it made sense but for the majority of the public, they would immediately lose interest. Due to a limited audience, Candra had to come up with a creative way to hold the attention of the general public. To pull that off, she incorporated some of the key elements of cinematography and employed them in a visually interesting manner.
The cinematography of the video consisted of a few key elements; framing, perspective and motion. All were equally important but the perspective and framing were the underlying factors used to execute the video. It was pointed out that it could be a bore to watch dogs work so shots were framed and captured at different levels of perspective to add some visual interest in the film. Some of the shots included the dog's perspective, the handler's perspective as well as a third party perspective.
Another key element of cinematography was the sequencing of the shots as well as the timing of the shots. Incorporated within the film, there are a few long shots followed by numerous short action shots that pay off as a reward. Moreover, the sequencing of the shots gives a chronological order to the film. This was imperative to the opening sequence in the video. After the title, the visual begins with a grass emphasizing the movement to the right which foreshadows the action of the handler walking into the shot. But instead of a long shot, flashback sequences were integrated into the opening scene. Consequently, the chronological sequencing of those shots clues in the audience as to the subject matter of the film. Overall, the sequencing of the shots was important when executing the storyline and conveying the narrative in the film.
To further support the narrative of the film, the principle use of motion and light lends a sense of fluidity to the video. The use of motion enables a smooth flow of transitions between frames; the action is continuously moving from frame to frame. Obviously, there is some spontaneity within shots but live animals are not actors; dogs don't always hit their mark. Difficulties aside, the action is transitioned throughout the frames which effectively leads the audience through the narrative. To further support the transition is the use of light and the emphasis of shooting in nature. One shot in particular consists of the dog that is back-lit while the camera follows the ray of the light that eventually highlights the action. Consequently, the sunlight played a significant part in the success of that panning shot. Moreover, since the entire film was shot in nature and the natural lighting enhances the action transitioned throughout the film.
Candra had a challenge to create the film, “September Outings.” It is a short video that consists of 4 minutes of action but the actual time spent shooting and editing took months. Shooting in nature governed the mise-en-scene and cinematography of the film. Perspective, framing, motion and light were key elements in the film's execution and in the end; these principle factors illustrated a story about a dog and a handler.
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Behind the Scenes Films Portfolio
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