Filming (Notes from “How to Shoot Video that Doesn’t Suck”)

In history our third-quarter project gave us absolute freedom to do whatever we wanted. My friends and I (who have already made a movie together) decided to pull together and create a second masterpiece. In preparation, I skimmed the book  How to Shoot Video that Doesn't Suck and made notes for myself and our other camera lady. 
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When the camera is placed in your hands, you are now the filmographer and the director. It is up to you to make sure that the scene you film is as good as it can possibly be. Here are some tips from my film book:

Think in shots

• Is what you’re filming interesting? How can you make the scene more interesting?
• What is the point of focus?
• How can you convey the emotion/dynamic/action/plot of the shot better?

Avoid super long panoramic views

• Mostly because we want to keep this video under 10 minutes (though it may have to be longer simply because we need to have 10 hours each, and since some of y’all aren’t writing/editing)
• One or two might be nice to set a scene or whatever, and it wouldn’t kill us to film them, but a 10 second view of the landscape isn’t that interesting.

Keep shots under 10 seconds

• unless it’s ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, do not shoot the same shot for more than 10/15 seconds.
• It becomes boring and the action of the scene is broken. I know that for us most of our shots will probably be a little long (that’s ok) but we don’t want to slow it down.

Close ups & zooming

• Don’t stand 5 feet away from the person and then zoom in with the screen.
• it makes the footage more unstable
• it makes the footage loose quality
• neither of those will get us an A
• If we are doing a close face shot, actually stand close enough to make the shot without zooming. It may be a little uncomfortable and awkward, but we don't want to zoom too much. If we really need to, I can zoom later in editing.

Keep the light behind you

• Unless we have a reason to have the light behind the character, it’s usually best to keep everything in the shot well-lit

Turn off ALL digital effects

• Unless it’s something we can only do on the phone, then please let Amanda deal with it after in the editing process. It makes life simpler.

Stand still while filming

Remember the intent of the scene

• Is the character happy/sad/angry/at war/waiting for news of the war/listening to the radio... the actor needs to do their part to convey the scene, it’s the filmers part to make sure that nothings lost between face and film
• Know the story and the scene, it will make this part much easier

Plan a shot list

• We’ll plan a few specific shots in the writing meeting, but the rest of the shots will be decided on-site.
• So basically make sure you know what you’re filming

Make the star look great

• If they obviously have no clue what is going on, stop the video, stop them, and save us a the embarrassment of turning in a bad movie
• Make sure they actually look good. Sometimes cameras picu up weird lighting or whatever,  so make sure they’re not too washed out/shadowed.

COMMIT YOURSELF TO A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

Royai Week 2014

So, I heard it was Royai Week, and jumped on board :) I didn't do every day, just no time, but yep... here you go!

Way cuter than intended, but that's OK :)

Day 1: Stolen- a short and simple poem from Roy's POV

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My vision has been lost,
But with you by my side,
My dream cannot be stolen
__________________

Day 2: Constant (tw: suicide)- This time Riza's POV. I don't believe this to be canon.

She pledged her life to him when he asked. Not like he need to, she would have followed him anywhere. He didn’t have to ask.
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She never asked him to stick by her side, but she knew he would. They had sealed the contract of their trust after the war, in the burning of her back.

Those scars were reminders of what had happened. Constant reminders that two idealistic dreamers could never change the world by good deeds alone. There had to be losses and pain and suffering, but at least they had each other.

The scar on her neck from the events of The Promised Day refused to fade. The angry red was a constant reminder of the flames she had accidentally released on the world. But in the end, they still had each other.

The second set of dog tags around her neck were a cold and grim reminder. A painful memory of the fact that he was never coming back. They no longer had each other.

The gun in her hand made it a possibility for her to stand by his side again. They would forever have each other.

___________________

Day 3: Crossover/AU

Stargate AU! He takes O'Neill's place, and she takes Sam's :) (and yes, his face is all unproportional  and crazy, oh well :p)
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Day 4: Opportunity

Some inconsistency, but it was written quickly, because I wanted to watch Stargate lol!

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The sudden lurch jolted Riza awake. A panic clutched her heart as she looked around for the enemy. All that met her eyes was Roy and Maes who were sitting across from her. They were on the train back from Ishval.

The war was over, but her nightmarish life would forever follow her. 

Sighing and looking out the window, she thought about how her life could go on now, after all of the chaos she had caused. Maybe she would go back to her childhood house, live out the rest of her life in seclusion, she would have the opportunity to "retire" once she was back in Amestris. It was a possibility. She doubted that she would ever be able to live a normal life after what she had done. Hell, it was practically her fault that Ishval burned to the ground.

She glanced at Roy. He looked so troubled sleeping. 

"Roy", she whispered. She hated to wake him, especially after all that they've been through for the past two years. After another unsuccessful attempt to awaken him, she drifted back into a deep and troubled slumber.

=====

"Riza, Roy, I'd like to introduce you to Gracia, my girlfriend!" Hughes had immediately gone from tired and dreary to an over-enthusiastic fool in love. Riza couldn't help but smile at him, and was happy to finally meet Gracia, happy that Hughes had the opportunity to live out the rest of his life with the one he loved. 

She had no family to meet them at the platform, so she had agreed to accompany Roy to his aunts bar in central the next day.

Before she left Madam Christmas pulled her aside.

"Riza, darling, you are a bright girl, and I'm sure you'll go far in no matter what you do," her rough voice was oddly comforting, "But if you ever need a job, or just a place to call home, I'm here, and so are my girls. Don't forget that."

"Oh, thank you very much, Chris," replied Riza, startled at how readily Christmas would take a killer like her under her wing. 

Madam Christmas's demeanor changed, she straighten up and with a devilish grin added "Besides, a beauty like you would certainly bring in loads of customers!" 

Once they were out the door, Roy asked her what that was about. "Oh, she was just giving me  a job opportunity."

"Don't think your going to stay in the military?" 

"I don't know," she looked down, studying the concrete sidewalk- something so simple but so beautiful. She let her mind wander through the wonders of sidewalks, and people, and the people that walked on those side walks and how they were so foreign from the dust and sand of the desert and-

"Riza?"

"Sorry! Sir! I... I just got lost in thought there for a minute."

"It's alright. We've been off duity for barely a week, but you should make your decision soon. As soon as you can."

"I need a reason to stay," she turned and looked him in the eye, "I didn't just join the military for you Roy, or just because I had no where else to go. I joined because I, too, want to protect people. How can I protect people after I helped slaughter an entire race for the sake of a pointless war? How can we possibly consider ourselves saviors after what we have done?" Her voice was hushed, with a quiet rage behind her words. Her eyes grew stone cold as she spoke and her index finger tapped impatiently against her leg. Her posture was ridged and ready to strike.

Taking a deep breath (fresh city air, clear of dust and the smell of blood- something he hadn't gotten used to yet) he put a hand on her shoulder. "I need you Riza. I need you by my side. I've known you for a long time and you aren't the type to give up. You can help people. I have a way..."

"By all means, tell me how I can help. Because I'm beginning to think that none of use belong here anymore."

"I've been transfered to East City, and, as a state alchemist, can choose to take an 'assistant'. If you stay, I'll bring you. Protect the knowledge you gave to me... and if I don't stay on the straight and narrow, put a bullet through my head. Help me climb the ranks- help me become fuhrer!"

"Why."

"Why? So that things like Ishval don't happen again! So that no one else has to suffer at the hands of those in a higher position of power! Riza, you know more than anyone the pain and destruction that Flame Alchemy can cause. Protect me- protect it."

======

"Why did you stay in the military? Wasn't it hard after Ishval?"

"Yes," she glanced over at the new Fuhrer, "but I was given an opportunity."

March, April, and May Art!!

My camera charger is still lost, but my phone takes relatively decent pictures, so here you go... three months of my art.

Katniss '11 vs. Katniss '14

Mermaid

Winry ( I hate the rest of the pic so i'm not posting it :p)

Royai

Stargate Nails

Toph and Sokka being bros (for my BFF's b-day)

Stargate/FMA crossover stuff

Pirates

A unicorn-riding mermaid waving to wonder woman who is on a pegasus

totally legit

you can thank my aunt for this unique piece

INTERMISSION! 

look at my cool hair piece :P

random robot thing

Sam Carter, at the gate, giving me feels because SHE HAS LOST WAY TO MANY PEOPLE THROUGH THAT THING

Planets

 Oh, I guess i am posting the whole pic. nvm. (ed is supposed to be leaning over the rail, and it dosen't even look like him. forgive me)

an idea being formed

 Winry

 OCs from a story i never actually wrote out, but i will some day

Girls at a Convention

OC's for a story that is being written

So, yeah, not so great phone pics (and I was too lazy to edit them). Oh, well, here's my art from the last few months- hope you liked it!

January/February Art 2014

Because I've been so busy these past two months, I didn't get a lot of art time.

Here are some doodles from geometry... 

I think it's time to re-do my TARDIS cosplay

OK! On to the actual art! Kicked off the year with one of my favorite super heroes- Storm! 

Storm

Sam and Daniel

Oh, goodness I love those dorks :p (Sam and Daniel from SG-1)

Moonshadow

Listened to my Cat Stevens album while drawing this. I've always connected "Moonshadow" with islands/tropics/sailing, so yeah.., Moonshadow.

Greed Ling

Finished FMA: Brotherhood, and went to work on this.

Adventure

My current state of mind

Captain Carter and Lieutenant Hawkeye

Idk how else to title this one... "Shaak's Favorite Blonde Military Ladie's Club"?

You don't understand how much I love these two

Al Armor/Body

Got my little bro into FMA, and I watched some of it with him.
Oh, man, the 2003 version is just full of feels.
But this piece was inspired by Brotherhood.
Yay.

Well, that's it. Have a good week everyone! And pray that our production of "Into the Woods" goes well (thurs. fri. sat.)!

~Shaak 

November and December Art 2013

Wow, I can't believe the year is already over! It's been a good year, especially in art. I feel that I have really improved, and hope to get even better next year!

Well, here's the last art entry of the year!

Many Faces

Lost Tail/Agony

Sif Cosplay

Censored

Royai Painting

"Let it Go"

Pacific Rim: The Entire Plot

Hazel Lavesque

bby Royai

Azula Cosplay

 I cleaned my room! Here's a picture of my cork board

 (My CVI passes, Ahsoka Padawan Braid, and some other random things)

Grand (my Mom's mom) gave me a bracelet for Christmas. It is probably one of the best gifts I've ever received (I wrote this down right after getting it):

I received the most amazing gift today. Here's what happened: one of the last few gifts under the tree. It as a small box, it looked something like jewelry. I looked at the card, it was from Grand. Under the wrapping was a magnet that said "anyone can be cool, being awesome takes practice". Under the magnet was a Macy's jewelry box. Inside was a silver bracelet "hmm cute" I take it out to get a bit of a better look. It seems to say joy on it. 

"Do you like it? It says Ivy on it. There's a story behind it... Larry Strickland, a friend of mine in highschool gave it to me. A few weeks later, he died in a car crash. I figured since I don't really have any use for it any more, I'd pass it on to you."

Of corse I like it! The history behind it makes me like it 10 times more.

I hope you all have a fun (and safe!) New Years Eve, and I'll see you next year!
~Shaak