Kino Flo Lights P.2

Answer the following questions a long paragraph:

1. What are 3 important tips that you learned about the kinoflo lights from this walkthrough?

When setting up the fixture, it can be useful to pay attention to the length and the color of each cable so that each bulb is set to the right place. The kinoflo lights can be dimmed by clicking on the two-feet bulb setting that is originally intended to be used when using an actual two-feet bulb instead of four. It is not a great idea to use a dimmer on these lights because the light fixture may disfunction. There is a also a net attachment for the light that can be used to dim the light even further. 

Kinoflo Lights P.1

Answer the following questions a long paragraph:

1. What kind of lights are kino flo? Soft? Hard? Cool? Hot?
2. What makes them so useful and versatile?
3. How are the different from a normal flourscent fixture?

The kino flo lights are florescent bulbed lights that are light and bright enough for convenience when making a movie. This lighting fixture was later developed by the company, who invented lights that light weight enough to be stuck on the wall or the ceiling. It was also innovative that the lights did not flicker like the previous lighting fixtures. They are also energy efficient because they do not produce as much heat in comparison to other lights.

HMI Light

Answer the following questions a long paragraph:

1. What makes the HMI light so unique?
2. What are some applications that you can use the HMI for?
3. What do the different lenses do?
4. How is the Arri M8 different from the other HMI light?

HMI lights are unique in a sense that they have multiple applications that is very small yet very powerful at the same time. This can be used to bounce in lights, create hotspots in the background, and reflect light off of large white boards. HMI light lenses allow for the light to be spread apart in a certain way or be shaped according to the scene.  Arri M8 on the other hand, does not require a different lenses to be handled with gloves. Arri M8 can be more powerful than other HMI lights. This type of light is very consistent in its color temperature. 

Shaping Hard Light

Answer the following questions a long paragraph:

1. What do you notice is challenging when shaping hard light?
2. What are two new things you've learned from this video walkthrough?

Shaping hard light requires small adjustments with the shape of the light using blades and the size of the circle. The harshness of the light can also be adjusted in order to create the desired result. The lens must also be chosen so that there is enough area of the surface that is lit. Adjusting the light according to the surface can reduce unwanted like leakage. This video taught me that the light source can have different lenses that allow for a different throw length. This type of light is a lot more versatile than I imaged previously to the video.

Outdoor Lighting

Answer the following questions a long paragraph:

1. What are the four techniques you have available to you when trying to improve your lighting at noon? How do each of these four techniques affect your image?

When improving the lighting, you can use reflectors, white boards, diffusion, and location. Outside always provides one source of light-the sun. At midday, it is placed right above the actor, creating an unflattering raccoon eye effect. At these times, it is important to keep the four techniques in mind. Reflectors can help fill in harsh shadows while white boards can fill in the crisp shadows casted on the subject. Diffusion can create a softer light overall on the subject. These technique can be used together in order to create the ideal effect. Location is not always an option, but when it is, it is convenient to move the scene where the subject and the background will be in the shadows.

Lens Filters

Answer the following questions a long paragraph:

1. What is a soft filter? What does it do to your image?
2. What do polarizers do? What does it do to your image?
3. What are neutral density filters? How are graduated filters different?

A soft filter is placed either in front of the lens or in the matte box that softens the image. This filter creates an image with a "dreamy" quality which can be chosen from different degrees of softening. Polarizers help reduce glare and increase saturation / exposure of the image. As a result, the image will reflect a more accurate color. ND filters cuts down the amount of light, helping the cinematographer have more freedom in exposure settings. Graduated ND filters can darken a half the frame while the other side remains at a clear level.

Spring Semester ADV Goals

Look back at your goals that you set in the fall, did you achieve them? Why or why not? How can you make steps or corrections to achieve these goals? Where will you need to look to gather help or resources?

Next, set some new goals to achieve by the end of the course this May.

Please write a complete paragraph on each of three goals you set in the fall, along with an introduction paragraph.

I went into the advanced class setting some goals for myself to accomplish by the end of the year. Overall, I found it difficult to achieve them because I was so busy with college applications outside of class; time outside of class was vital for some of these goals to be achieved. With that in mind, some of these goals can be reconsidered as this semester's goals as well.

1. Have an understanding of how Adobe After Effects works. 

I can say I have a very basic understanding of how After Effects works in comparison to my very limited knowledge at the beginning of the year. This is mostly due to the time I had over the break to experiment with the software. I made a couple of short videos that last a couple seconds that helped me focus on specific aspect of the software. As a result, I can make some basic clips on this site. However, I must admit that I am able to make more with the skills I have on Premiere. I will work towards using this software more to achieve a similar level of proficiency on After Effects as well.

2. Understand all of the color correction panel's functionalities

Although I am sure I have not mastered all functionalities, I now have a better understanding of how to interpret the information projected on the waveform graphs. The waveform graph is quite simple, yet at the beginning of the year, I did not know how to put the information I gained from the graph into use. There are still other panels available in Lumetri Color so I hope to explore them more this semester. I may consider using another software so that I can work with nodes.

3. Create varied projects outside of class

This is the goal I struggled with the most due to the business outside of class. Though I did my best to create content in the earlier months of the first semester, by the final months of the semester, I was at a point where I was not even able to consider it as an option. That is why I hope to create more content outside class so that I can incorporate those skills for in-class projects and assignments. Depending on the content I make, I may be able to submit them to a film festival.

Goals to achieve by the end of the course this May:

1. Be more involved

Now that I have more time in my hands, I want to be more involved in CreaTV and film festival volunteering. 

2. Reach a level of proficiency on After Effects so that I can see a significant benefit in using After Effects over Premiere Pro

At my current level, I am able to do so much more in Premiere Pro. All of the things I can do on After Effects, I can replicate in Premiere. I want to edit more on After Effects so that I can understand the benefit of the software more.

3. Create a project involving motion graphics

This is another goal involving After Effects; I believe such project will help me achieve the second goal simultaneously. Because this project would take more time for each frame, I requires a level of time commitment, but I hope to complete this project by the end of the semester.