Project Overview
In “Lorelai” the film, witness the cautionary tale of one man's AI obsession. Delving
into the blurred lines between human and machine creation, the project,
complemented by a transmedia campaign, invites audiences to ponder the delicate
balance of AI's boon and bane in the creative realm.
In “Lorelai” the film, witness the cautionary tale of one man's AI obsession. Delving
into the blurred lines between human and machine creation, the project,
complemented by a transmedia campaign, invites audiences to ponder the delicate
balance of AI's boon and bane in the creative realm.
Contributions
A five-member final year project team, the contributions of each team member were
paramount to the project’s completion and success. The collaborative efforts and
individual expertise of each team member were indispensable.
Undertaking key roles and responsibilities, here are some contributions I have made to
ensure the success of the project.
A five-member final year project team, the contributions of each team member were
paramount to the project’s completion and success. The collaborative efforts and
individual expertise of each team member were indispensable.
Undertaking key roles and responsibilities, here are some contributions I have made to
ensure the success of the project.
1. Screenwriter
As the screenwriter of the team, I worked closely with the director to formulate our final
idea, also crafting the narrative, dialogue, and overall structure of the screenplay.
Bringing the director's vision to life, my role was to capture the essence of the story
within the screenplay, and engage the audience through well-crafted storytelling. For
example, the screenplay needed for Ryan, the character to be relatable and friendly,
more so than Janet and Vincent, so I helped to add flair to the character through friendly
banter.
As the screenwriter of the team, I worked closely with the director to formulate our final
idea, also crafting the narrative, dialogue, and overall structure of the screenplay.
Bringing the director's vision to life, my role was to capture the essence of the story
within the screenplay, and engage the audience through well-crafted storytelling. For
example, the screenplay needed for Ryan, the character to be relatable and friendly,
more so than Janet and Vincent, so I helped to add flair to the character through friendly
banter.
With the screenplay being one of the first documents, it sets the tone for the rest of the
production, placing the responsibility on the director and myself’s collective shoulders.
production, placing the responsibility on the director and myself’s collective shoulders.
2. Director of Photography
Visually translating the director's vision into compelling and cinematic images, I aided in
overseeing camera and lighting decisions, ensuring that each shot and visual aligned with
the project’s identity.
Playing a key role in working with the director to establish the project’s visual identity,
the contribution extends to create a distinct visual language, dictating the overall visual
impact of the project.
Visually translating the director's vision into compelling and cinematic images, I aided in
overseeing camera and lighting decisions, ensuring that each shot and visual aligned with
the project’s identity.
Playing a key role in working with the director to establish the project’s visual identity,
the contribution extends to create a distinct visual language, dictating the overall visual
impact of the project.
3. Camera Assistant
Ensuring the smooth operation of the camera equipment, I assisted in setting up and
maintaining the camera, lenses and accessories during production. As I was also the DoP,
this position allowed me to directly ensure the visual alignment of each shot.
Additionally, I had the responsibility of achieving technical precision during filming
(especially in shot size continuity), managing changes in shot setups, and
troubleshooting any equipment issues. Helping in the efficiency of production, this role
allowed the team to focus on their individual roles with minimal worry for the shot.
Ensuring the smooth operation of the camera equipment, I assisted in setting up and
maintaining the camera, lenses and accessories during production. As I was also the DoP,
this position allowed me to directly ensure the visual alignment of each shot.
Additionally, I had the responsibility of achieving technical precision during filming
(especially in shot size continuity), managing changes in shot setups, and
troubleshooting any equipment issues. Helping in the efficiency of production, this role
allowed the team to focus on their individual roles with minimal worry for the shot.
Personal Learning Points
The process of creating the film was a long and arduous journey. With numerous setback
of varying magnitudes, the completion of the project had always seemed unobtainable.
However in hindsight, through the struggle, I have managed to learn a few lessons.
The process of creating the film was a long and arduous journey. With numerous setback
of varying magnitudes, the completion of the project had always seemed unobtainable.
However in hindsight, through the struggle, I have managed to learn a few lessons.
1. Persistence
As each step along the FYP entailed a large amount of documentation, ideation and
creation work, having a weak mental state in relation to large workloads was guaranteed
to be lethal for the project, given everyone’s crucial roles.
As each step along the FYP entailed a large amount of documentation, ideation and
creation work, having a weak mental state in relation to large workloads was guaranteed
to be lethal for the project, given everyone’s crucial roles.
Since FYP is supposed to be industry standard, or at least close to, it was tough for 5
undergraduates to complete within the same timeframe and quality a project that
would’ve taken more industry professionals to do.
undergraduates to complete within the same timeframe and quality a project that
would’ve taken more industry professionals to do.
This taught us persistence. As there was more workload on everyone, there were almost
no breaks able to be afforded. Time crunch after time crunch to fulfill our own deadlines
ensured that after completing a task, there was always 10 more you had to do. It was like
the end of the tunnel was perpetually a glint in the distance.
no breaks able to be afforded. Time crunch after time crunch to fulfill our own deadlines
ensured that after completing a task, there was always 10 more you had to do. It was like
the end of the tunnel was perpetually a glint in the distance.
However, we persevered and eventually, somehow, we came out on the other side,
completing all of our goals. This has invariably taught me that perseverance is a stronger
tool than I had previously known.
completing all of our goals. This has invariably taught me that perseverance is a stronger
tool than I had previously known.
2. The importance of collaboration.
In the past before this FYP, I had always preferred to work alone or be the one leading
the team. I had always thought that this proved myself to be a natural leader and a great
individual worker. However, I have been proven wrong and learnt another invaluable
lesson through this project.
In the past before this FYP, I had always preferred to work alone or be the one leading
the team. I had always thought that this proved myself to be a natural leader and a great
individual worker. However, I have been proven wrong and learnt another invaluable
lesson through this project.
Through this project, no one was any longer the so-called “best” of the team, with
everyone excelling in different aspects. This meant that no longer could 1 person dictate
everything in the project, ensuring that it goes with exclusively their vision.
At the beginning, my flawed attitude led me to dislike only being a contributor as my
own vision for the project was not being in any way fulfilled, this culminated in a sort of
silent grudge against the team. However, as things began to work out for the team and
each time we surpassed our expectations, I began to realize that there were many ways
to success, not just my own.
everyone excelling in different aspects. This meant that no longer could 1 person dictate
everything in the project, ensuring that it goes with exclusively their vision.
At the beginning, my flawed attitude led me to dislike only being a contributor as my
own vision for the project was not being in any way fulfilled, this culminated in a sort of
silent grudge against the team. However, as things began to work out for the team and
each time we surpassed our expectations, I began to realize that there were many ways
to success, not just my own.
By the end, I’ve realized that I am not a natural born leader or great individual worker,
just that I was selfish in my own goals and feared the loss of control and eventual
downfall. In reality, letting go of the reins was the best thing I could’ve done for myself in
this project.
just that I was selfish in my own goals and feared the loss of control and eventual
downfall. In reality, letting go of the reins was the best thing I could’ve done for myself in
this project.
3. Camaraderie
Going into many projects in the past, I have always struggled to trust that the other team
members would perform and deliver on their work, this was not a wrongful assumption
either as many including myself have encountered numerous teammates like this before.
However, in this project, working closely with everyone, I came to trust the process and
not worry about the ability of the leader, the director, the casting director, the stylist etc.
Going into many projects in the past, I have always struggled to trust that the other team
members would perform and deliver on their work, this was not a wrongful assumption
either as many including myself have encountered numerous teammates like this before.
However, in this project, working closely with everyone, I came to trust the process and
not worry about the ability of the leader, the director, the casting director, the stylist etc.
I realized that this newfound camaraderie, forged by the flames of constant and
incessant workload, provided everyone with a bonus.
This ensured that we had no major, project altering conflicts and could always
communicate our way out of tight spots, which has saved us on an unfathomable
amount of occasions.
incessant workload, provided everyone with a bonus.
This ensured that we had no major, project altering conflicts and could always
communicate our way out of tight spots, which has saved us on an unfathomable
amount of occasions.
Thus, I’ve learnt that camaraderie is an invaluable tool to have, streamlining the entire
process, from workload, to friendship, to communication, saving teams and projects
through simple trust.
process, from workload, to friendship, to communication, saving teams and projects
through simple trust.
Closing
Thus, I would say that this project is an invaluable lesson in itself. I will continue on to
apply these important and invaluable lessons in my future projects and life.
Thus, I would say that this project is an invaluable lesson in itself. I will continue on to
apply these important and invaluable lessons in my future projects and life.
