Semester 2

The semester has really just been used to concentrate on the actual production of the film, with most of the pre-production accomplished in first semester. One of the earliest changes was from the film being about a fish that accidentally blows up his only means of food just to try and make a fire, to being about a fish's desire for a hot meal and the fire in which to cook it.

The film is still set in a desert because it still centres around a hungry fish, and I like the idea of a barren landscape to emphasise this. I've also had a number of comments on how the landscape is almost like a stage for the fish, which I had intended from an economical view, i.e. less backgrounds to draw up.

Apart from a few changes made to the landscape and story, the title has also been changed from "yliaD deeF" to "Open Fire". Although I was attached to the old title I can see why a change was a good idea. After meeting with Andi, Hania, James as well as a number of others, a more catchy name that could actually be easily pronounced and remembered after leaving the theatre was enough to convince me.

The soundtrack has changed over six times during the semester to come out with what you hear now. With many changes made to timing of the animatic, shots being cut and others being added the music was also edited to suit the pace of the film. The score has also become a much faster pace which I belive complements and carries the film very well, I don't believe anyone will get bored watching the film with the way everything has been condensed, going from a five minute film to just over two and a half.

I have had a fair amount of input over the semester also, which is a shame because much of the information is very useful and I only wish I got it in first semester so I act on it. I've met with Nina Paley who won Annecy, who gave me some good advice as far as empathysing with the fish. I also met with Bob Blasdall who has helped me with my editing, Peter Moyes who has given a lot of helpful advice as far as narrative, however much of what he has told me I was unable to go ahead with considering the time I had left. I've also worked very closely with James and Hania Lee as far as framing shots, timing and editing.

Sound design was tough, even though I only needed two sound effects, the explosion at the end, and the sound of thunder in the sky. I booked myself into the sound recording room, however I had people comming in and disturbing me with confusion over what day and room they had booked. After exporting the sound and bringing it into "Premier" I found the sound to be almost silent when the music was played over it, which was strange as I had been editing the sounds over the music in the sound room earlier and it was fine. I had to re-export my soundeffects with the music and then bring that into "Premier" once more, however this time it didn't sync up. This was very frustrating but easily resolved.

In the end there were many things that I would have liked to have gone back and improved, also I have learnt so much over the year just doing this project that if I could go back and do it again I would not have used so many types of software, I would have consulted with more people during the scripting stage also. However, this being my first film, and that I managed to pull it off by myself, with the help of my lecturers and friends of course, but I am proud of the final product, and special thanks must go out to all those who have encouraged me over the year. You know who you are.