AICE Media Production Blog: Summary

 

I met with my group to brainstorm ideas for our short film, and after a long discussion, we finally settled on a mystery thriller. I took on the responsibility of writing the script, making sure the dialogue felt natural and the pacing kept the tension high. After several drafts and feedback sessions, I was satisfied with the final version. I created a storyboard to map out every shot and ensure we had a clear visual plan before filming began. I also put together a shot list to keep production organized and make the most of our limited time.

We spent a day scouting locations, looking for settings that matched the eerie tone of our film. Some spots looked perfect but had too much background noise, forcing us to reconsider. Once we locked in our locations, we held auditions and cast the roles, selecting actors who could bring our characters to life. I helped run rehearsals so the actors could familiarize themselves with their lines and movements before the cameras rolled.

On the first day of filming, I arrived early to set up the camera and adjust the lighting. We wanted to rely on natural light for some scenes, but the shifting clouds made consistency a challenge. I took turns operating the boom mic, carefully positioning it to avoid casting shadows while still capturing clear audio. Directing the actors was one of the most rewarding parts of the process, as I worked with them to refine their performances and bring out the right emotions.

Halfway through filming, an unexpected rainstorm forced us to rethink our outdoor shots. We had to find an alternative location and quickly adjust our schedule, but the change ended up working in our favor. A lighting issue also threw us off when one of our lamps stopped working, so I had to get creative with angles and reflectors to maintain the intended mood.

I made sure to capture plenty of B-roll footage, including small, atmospheric details that would enhance the final edit. Close-up shots became a major focus, as they helped emphasize key emotional moments in the story. At the end of each day, I reviewed the footage to make sure we had everything we needed before wrapping up. When filming was complete, I helped clean up the set and return all borrowed equipment in perfect condition.

Post-production was just as exciting as filming. I started by organizing all the footage and cutting together the rough edit. Seeing the scenes come together for the first time was incredibly satisfying. I spent hours adjusting colors to create the moody, cinematic look we wanted. Sound editing was another major task, balancing dialogue, ambient sounds, and background music to heighten the tension.

I shared a draft of the film with my group to gather feedback and make final tweaks. A few small edits made a huge difference in the pacing and overall impact of the story. Once everything was finalized, I exported the completed film and watched it from start to finish, proud of all the effort we had put into bringing our vision to life.