I think the equipment is a very important thing to determine in advance when no device. And Booking is not very insurance in sometimes. This is likely to upset the entire shooting schedule.
I learned this year on the use of slow motion and make it useful in the short movie. I think the biggest drawback of this movie is not an obvious climax. And I think it is a good choice of subject. I think now the situation is like the projection of the whole society in China. People crazy at accumulation of seed capital but they have forgotten a lot of things. This issue is not just about the generation gap this is an erosion of modern civilization to traditional culture.
I can not say the father is wrong or the son is wrong. They are not wrong. I can only say that there were problems in China’s education. Was Western-style education so good? I don’t think so. Or we only learned the form did not learn their positive values. I think the attitude of the Government of Longjing tea is a profitable industry. They do not treat this as a valuable cultural heritage.
I basically did not encounter any problems in the course of editing. There are several clips with fast motion. I listened to the recommendations of Nick and turned it to normal speed. It indeed more coherent than the original one. When I was shooting I forget to shoot a transition clip. It need pay attention in the future.
At last, thanks to Nick and Ken. They guided me a year’s long. I learned a lot from them. And thanks to my parents to let me have the opportunity to study in the UK.
July 5th
I have returned to Hangzhou, more than one week. I have a good rest in the past week. The weather in Hangzhou was very hot almost 38 degrees Celsius. The entire city was in the flame. Britain is a good place for summer. A few days ago I contacted with my classmate. He said he have to prepare for his essay so he had to postpone the film. So I had no choice then the tea idea.
So I began to prepare my short film. I began writing script from today. This film should be in between 10-15 minutes. I will work on writing these days.
July 9th
I almost finish the script. It was about 13 mins long. I have got a problem. I forgot to borrow the equipment. So I called a friend to borrow his Canon 5D2. However, he accompanied his client to go in Qinghai Province by car. I completely fail to understand why they drove in such hot weather to 2196 km from Hangzhou. Then I called several other friends their machines are also being used. Unfortunately Bo was digging in his mine at that time. It is really a hard work to prepare the equipment.
July 13th
Well I finally rented a machine. I originally wanted to use the Canon 5D MARK 2 but it was really hard to rent so I have to change my plan. I rented Panasonic P2 HD. I decided to start my shooting on the 15th.
July 15th
I pick up equipment at 9:00 in the morning. Then drove to Meijiawu by the way why this place called Meijiawu because the surname of people there almost all Mei. Here from the downtown about 20KM. When I arrived there they just opening. The weather was extremely hot so there were relatively few customers. They are preparing lunches for the guests. So I went to take some shots outside. Meijiawu is now being developed into a scenic. All tea houses in this area. I took some shots from the road and bridge. I can not shoot a lot of guests in the lens.
After lunch, some guests back. The hostess went to school to pick up their grandson. The man of the house took me to visit their house. Then I made an interview of him. After a while the hostess and grandson were back. The landlord had something to do and go out. Then the hostess took me to the tea farm. Unfortunately tea-picking season has passed. She just went up the mountain to inspect their tea tree fields. The sky inundated with rain and the mountain is surrounded by greenery. It is a good time for filming. She told me that their tea fields usually are their own care. Longjing tea is the Chinese first famous tea historically been divided into five categories of lions, dragons, clouds, tiger, plum (mei). Their last name is mei it means plum in Chinese. It has 1200 years of history. The teas plucking before the Ching Ming are called Mingqian tea. And the teas plucking before the Grain Rain are called “tea before rain”. Grain Rain and Ching Ming are China’s 24 solar terms. Mingqian tea quality is the best and tea before rain is the second. Mingqian tea can generally sell tens of thousands of RMB a pound price. Tea Trees are a very delicate. To peak season they had no time to take care of these tea tree. They had to find a replacement. When I finished shooting, she was still trim tea trees.
Their children are working in the city. They do not come home for dinner on weekdays usually. They usually are only 3 people for dinner. As their children will come back tomorrow so I end today’s shooting.
July 16th
Today is the second day of shooting. The weather is hot and humid. Today’s main task is to interview their children. And they will be back after work so I am not in a hurry. After lunch, I was off to the destination. For them today is a relatively free day too. Basically there are no Guests. When I was waiting I made an interview for them. According to what they say they think their children will eventually inherit their career when they feel that life is not easy in the city. They think now what costs the highest were labor costs. At 10 years ago was $ 50 one day per person and now it is $ 1500 one day per person. And sometimes can not find day laborers.
At past 15:00 their son back. He was my high school classmates. He is now working in a construction company. He said he did not want to inherit his father’s career at all. He thought about his own life. But now the house prices were too high. So he was confused for the future. To be honest I think this career was a hard work too. Usually not only to take care about tea fields but also need to reception guests. To make a good relationship with the customers so that they will come to buy your teas.
At dusk their daughter and son-in-law back. This was a rare moment in a week that whole family can gather together to have dinner. After dinner I made an interview for them. Their son-in-law thinks now the biggest threat to the fried tea craft is the popularity of the machine. Their daughter think that if really there is no way she can come back to take over her father’s career.
Time is fleeting the year passed quickly. And now the graduation season is coming. It is the time to do my final project. Actually I have got two ideas about my final project one is about a tea house near by Hangzhou where the place famous for Longjin tea. A tea house there means the farmers there built a house usually three to four floors. One to the second floor is similar to Café and Recreational Facilities like Mahjong tables you know Chinese love to play Mahjong. The famers also produce tea and make tea by themselves. They have their tea farms. Now there is an increasingly serious problem. It is an issue about the inheritance. Most of their children prefer go to the city and work there. So less and less children will do what their father do in the past.
The other is about Supporting Education in Hebei Province. Mountain areas in Hebei, China Education there is relatively backward. Some university student volunteers went there to teach the children and helped to build up basic education. One of my university classmate was doing his master degree in hebei Province. He asked me to make a film about it if it is possible. I think it is a good topic.
These three video and audio I think are much more better than last week. I’ve stretched the clips and the sound. feel much better now. No longer is the running account. More clean now.
Compared to previous the works now only use one or two materials, the old works almost use every shots in Isle of Skye.
For Video and Audio I use some beautiful shots with weird sounds I think it was Interesting.
For Video I consider it is more interesting backwards than go forward. So I use it.
Between fast and slow-changing moment there is a strong visual impact point.
EXT. ROOF—LATE AT NIGHT
Sam stood on the roof of a building, looking at the Street people coming and going.
Flashback
INT. OFFICE-DAY
Sam is holding a cardboard box walk out of the office and looked trance. Colleagues around looking at him with ridicule.
EXT. ROOF—LATE AT NIGHT
He took out a pack of cigarettes from the clothes, and put one in his mouth and then trembling took out the lighter. But he found can not light a fire.
SAM(O.S)
It looks like you don’t want to go to the other side with me.
He put the cigarette on carefully. Then ready to jump.
SAM
What an interesting world!
A man wearing a trench coat with a hat and sunglasses suddenly appeared behind him.
A man’s voice
THE MAN
So you are leaving this interesting world like this way
Sam was taken aback by this voice and turned back very surprised.
SAM
Who are you? How did you get here?
The man answered this question with a smile
THE MAN
Who I am is not important, Sir. You just know that I’m here to help you.
Sam shouted out loudly
SAM
I do not need any help!
THE MAN
There was a Gentleman said the same words. He has now become very rich. I believe you can do it. I was only one in this world can help you.
Suddenly he appeared in the side of SAM.
THE MAN
You are unique.
Sam began to believe him.
SAM
What should I do?
The man said very elegant.
THE MAN
it’s very simple. Come with me I’ll tell you what to do.
The man went to the downstairs. He saw the cigarette which he put on the ground. He hesitated a moment, and bend over to pick up that cigarette. Then he followed that man.
INT. IN THE CAR—LATE AT NIGHT
SAM and the man sat in the back. SAM is very anxious.
SAM
What should I do, tell me!
The man took out a pistol
THE MAN
Don’t worry. We are going to a hotel. I want you to kill a man with this gun. And took his black case. He was in room 1101.
SAM was shocked, he shouted
SAM
Are you crazy! I’m going to kill a man! This is ridiculous! Stop! I want to get off!
THE MAN
It was belong to you. My friend. You just get you own stuff back. Only you will know what happened in this world. Believe me. Or you wan’na go back to the roof. I will not stop you.
Sam struggled for a while
SAM
You must guarantee no one would know it!
THE MAN
As you wish
Sam took the gun and put it in his clothes.
EXT. IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL—LATE AT NIGHT
Sam and the man are standing in front of the hotel.
THE MAN
One last thing, you must come back here one year later with the black case. OH, don’t forget to put the same amount money in the case. Hope you have fun. Bye.
Then the man disappeared. SAM with mixed feelings comes into the room.
INT. HOTEL LOBBY—LATE AT NIGHT
SAM observed the environment. The decoration is very elegant. He was thinking how to go to the room. He touched the possession of the gun. A waitress walked in front of him.
THE WAITRESS
I’m sorry Sir. Are you Sam?
Sam nodded
SAM
Yes, I am. How do you know me?
The waitress smiled
THE WAITRESS
I’m always waiting for you, Sir. Please come with me.
Sam feels very strange. He thought for a second and follows the waitress.
INT. IN THE ELEVATOR AND THE ROOM 1101
Sam was very disturbed and standing behind the waitress. She laughed very weird. Then they came to the door of Room 1101.
THE WAITRESS
‘Have a good time Sir. Remember the rules.’
Then she walked away
SAM’s hands were trembling. He took out the gun and opens the door. He saw a man sitting back to him. Next to him was a black case. He shouted and open fire the man was dead. Sam rush to get the case. There was a Cigarette beside the chair, He felt a bit familiar to that cigarette but Sam was afraid. He dis not think much. He took the case and run out of the hotel.
INT. FLAT-DAY
Sam sat in front of the TV. TV is playing a horse racing. NO.6 horse first crossed the finish line. He was excited the open arms and jumped up.
INT. FLAT-DAY
TV broadcast news. A female anchor is broadcast news, headline is: A mysterious man led away the prize of one hundred million U.S. dollars.
The female anchor
Today, a mysterious man was led away one hundred million U.S. dollars, It is reported that…
INT. VILLA-BEDROOM- NIGHT
Sam lay in bed hands behind his head. Women next to him are fast switching. One followed by one.
INT. VILLA-PARLOR-AFTERNOON
Sam was eating the refreshments served by the maid and was reading the newspaper. He saw the date on the newspaper and wrinkled eyebrows.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE VILLA- AFTERNOON
Sam drove expensive sports car out of garage.
INT. ROOM 1101 – NIGHT
Sam stood at the door and opened the door
INT. IN THE ROOM 1101—LATE AT NIGHT
Sam walked into the room. He found there was only a chair back to the door. He put down the case and sit down. He felt that this scene is a bit familiar. He took out a cigarette which he picked up.
SAM
You are my lucky cigarette
Suddenly he heard someone coming in, He was about to turn around. At this moment, he was shot(with Gunfire). He wanted to know who killed him. He was shocked to see himself a year ago rushed in and took the case and run out. The cigarette was just beside him. He finally know how this is going.
Flashback
This situation played out again and again.
Eternal wealth and life
By
XIAOBIN YAN
E-mail: 385809217@QQ.COM
Contact Number: 07585705261
Xiaobin Yan
Student ID: 3736005
In the second term I was ushered in M64MC- Development and Realisation. As the name suggests this is an important step towards the level of Master. Although only a short period of two months, but I think this course is very useful. Clifton’s lectures are very interesting. From his teaching we can found he has a very profound literary accomplishment. To my surprise, he also studied many Chinese films. Every lecture’s time is a little bit long.
Although I’ve learned about script but I don’t know how to write a script in English. In week one we’ve learned script development. The Stages in Script development: The Idea; The Pitch ; The Outline/Synopsis; The Treatment ; The Screenplay. Week two is about adaptation. Adaptations are always popular with producers and audiences. Here I would like to make a suggestion can students have a choice between write a script and write an adaptation of a novel.
What he told us in week three I think is really useful. It is: ‘ You have an idea for a film that you want to write; Remember that films are Show Don’t Tell; Concentrate on the visuals which will tell your story; Dialogue has to be character specific’. And about the three act structure. Every time I hear the Hollywood movie mode, I am reminded of the ancient Chinese poetry. Just as the three act structure Chinese ancient poetry has strict format restrictions (rhyming, antithesis, ect). Art has nothing to do with the form. In the following week, the lecture was about creating convincing characters and The Screenplay. Characters are very important in films. ‘Two-dimensional characters serving only as a convenience for the plot should be avoided. Part of creating well-rounded characters involves knowing all about them, from their relationship with their work colleagues, to their hairstyle. This will help the novelist put words into their mouths and understand what motivates them. Gaining a clearer picture of the sort of people within the story will also make the characters feel believable.’ A successful character is when the audience forget the story but still have deep memories of the characters. We should analyze characters from the excavation of the themes.Prominent personalities in the language and action description. Prominent personalities in vivid detail description and closely linked to the character’s identity, experiences and encounters to portray character. We can display of character in the conflict.
Next is about the script he said ‘ Actually this time there is really no catch, but there are specific rules when writing and delivering your screenplay. Firstly: Screenplay FORMAT. Remember when I told you that script readers/editors look for reasons not to complete a script? Importantly: 1 page of script is equal to 1 minute of screentime…….it just is.’ It really helps me. In week five here came The uses and functions of dialogue. I am very interested in this part- Use dialogue only when: Dialogue has a clear dramatic function. There is a clear reason for it to exist in the narrative. It relates to the visual scene in which it is used. I think it is very difficult to write a wonderful dialogue. Author need deep literary skills. This accumulation is not one or two years long. It may take ages. Dialogues in The Matrix was wonderful. A great movie can not be separated from the classic dialogues.
The final lecture was about re-writes. He said ‘It is the outpouring of the ideas and scenes and scenarios that you have been building up to and working towards. However, it is the important template for all that will follow and at some point you may even come back to your first draft if you feel the script is losing focus age during subsequent re-writes.’
After the lectures I’ve known how to write a script in English. Certainly, I wrote my own script it is about a person who can’t find a job and despair of life, He wanted to suicide, A man told him to go to a hotel that he can get eternal wealth. He must go to a room in the hotel to kill the people inside of that room and took the money from him. He found that hotel and did what the man said. Finally, a waiter told him that he must take the money back to the room one year later. When he came back, he became very lucky and earn a lot of money. A year later, he returned to that room. A man rushed in and killed him. Finally, he found that the man is his own.
I think it is a good story. Through this story, modern people should not perish in their own desire. The time loop is very popular now. It is a short story and became a short script. I think that the culmination of a short film should be at the end. The treatment works well. But there are some problems in the script. For example, Some places can not performance in the visual language. Clifton pointed out these problems and gave me some suggestions it helps me a lot.
I chose Jenny’s script to make a film. It is a good story too and it’s a group work. Preparation, as always cumbersome. Process went fairly smoothly. I think the reason that Clifton let me to make film is this will help me better understand to how to write a good script.
In conclusion, I think this is a useful Moodle. Chinese has an ancient words ‘Teachers open the door, cultivation by the individual.’ In order to write good scripts requires constant effort. Read more books, practice writing the script and the accumulation of the perception of life.
xiaobinyan 