1. 1. In what ways do you hope your screenings/exhibited/screened work engaged its audience and communicated a key concern of the studio?

My main hope for engagement with our work is to raise awareness of disinformation and how easily one can be deceived by ideas that appear real but are not. If our work prompts the audience to pause and think critically about the ways they are exposed to disinformation and to evaluate their interactions with it, it will have achieved its purpose. I want people to consider how they accept or reject information immediately and learn to listen to everything with an open mind.

I hope our audience develops the ability to use critical thinking, evidence, and research when encountering new information. It is important to be open to different points of view, giving them a chance to be assimilated into one’s worldview. Conversely, it is equally important to recognize false information and resist the pressure to conform to popular but misleading beliefs.

Our documentary explores the negative effects of both accepting disinformation without question and rejecting new ideas outright. We can only improve as individuals and as a society if we are open to new information while also assessing it carefully before making it a part of who we are. By fostering a more discerning and thoughtful approach to information, we can better navigate the complexities of our media landscape and make more informed decisions.

Additionally, I hope the righteous gene allows our audience to negate ego and see themselves as part of the problem, inspiring them to work towards not being part of it anymore. Recognizing one’s own susceptibility to disinformation and acknowledging the role we all play in perpetuating it is crucial. By setting aside ego and approaching information with humility and a willingness to learn, we can each contribute to a more informed and less polarized society. This self-awareness and commitment to personal growth are essential steps in combating disinformation and fostering a culture of truth and understanding.

 

2. Imagine you keep working on that media piece. What are the core things you want to improve and extend and why?

From the screening, I noticed areas where further experimentation could enhance the documentary, particularly with sound. The music and sound design could benefit from additional exploration and development. For a short documentary, the current soundtrack can sometimes be jarring. After taking a break and returning with fresh ears, I would suggest creating more moments of breath and adjusting some of the music choices to be more understated yet upbeat. At times, the music felt too monotonous and harsh on the ears. Incorporating more melody could align better with the style of narration and the visuals on screen, providing a more harmonious experience.

The sound design should complement the narrative, creating an immersive atmosphere without overwhelming the viewer. For instance, subtle ambient sounds or a well-timed pause can add depth and allow the audience to process information. A diverse and thoughtfully curated soundtrack can evoke the intended emotions and enhance the storytelling.

I would definitely recommend leaning more into the use of colour, creating a tableau of greens and pinks to highlight thematic moments and establish visual congruency. While the naturalistic style suits the documentary well, strategically enhancing the colour palette at key moments could create a stronger impact. This contrast would make the return to naturalistic colours more meaningful and visually striking. Consider using colour to underscore specific themes or emotions. For example, greens could represent growth, hope, or renewal, while pinks might symbolize vulnerability, compassion, or human connection. By playing with these colours at pivotal moments, you can subtly guide the viewer’s emotional journey and reinforce the documentary’s messages.

Overall, these adjustments in sound and colour could significantly elevate The Righteous Gene, making it more engaging and aesthetically cohesive. A well-balanced soundscape and thoughtful use of colour can transform the viewing experience, making the documentary more enjoyable, impactful, and memorable.

 

3. From your studio, reflect on two other students’ work regarding specific insights they produced about a key idea the studio addresses.

How to wreck an Ice peach by Anika Luna, Dionne Yiangoulli, Putt-Putt Quanpadung, Luca Corrado

 

The Politics of Chaos by Melvin Lee, Zhi Li, Minh-Tam Nguyen-Trina

The Politics of Chaos, concerning the key ideas addressed by the studio, provided profound insights into the dynamics of misinformation and its impact on society. The work highlighted how misinformation can be both enraging and provocative, noting that it often excites people and drives them to engage with content, ultimately benefiting companies through increased clicks and revenue. The project explored the concept of the innocent dissemination of misinformation, emphasizing that often those who spread it are unaware of its falsehoods. A key example discussed was the unexpected victory of Donald Trump in the 2016 election, where his popularity seemed unaffected by his actions or statements. The project delved into how Trump created and popularized conspiracy theories about his opponents, later proven to be disinformation. It underscored that while Trump popularized the term “fake news,” the phenomenon has existed for a long time, with news outlets historically contributing to misinformation. The project challenged viewers to consider the veracity and accuracy of the information they consume and to unmask the true horrors behind certain conspiracy theories. By examining how Trump’s provocative and enthusiastic dissemination of disinformation turned it into believable narratives, the project illustrated misinformation’s powerful and dangerous role in shaping public opinion and political outcomes.

 

 

4. For the other studio website you engaged with, describe a key idea that you think the finished media work communicated

 

The studio Visual Blueprint focuses on creating and exploring “stylisation” and how the study of auteurs can teach filmmakers to ‘show, not tell’ through imagery. This approach aims to craft an “aesthetically superb diegetic world,” a significant challenge for beginner filmmakers. By leveraging the forms and theories of great auteurs, filmmakers can create visually dynamic and intriguing pieces without resorting to explicit exposition.

I was particularly captivated by the work “Decadence” by Spring Li, Taylor Zenelovski, Andrew Tan, Nadia Harari, and Josephine Gaal. Their film beautifully translated the studio’s key ideas, demonstrating a compelling stylisation that focused on the infatuation and obsession of an artist stuck in a slump. The film employed a striking combination of contrasting scenes and imagery to build an intense story world with minimal dialogue. Remarkably, the entire 8-minute piece contained only a few words, yet it conveyed a rich narrative.

Their use of montage, particularly intellectual montage, was outstanding. This technique created an incredible intellectual and emotional resonance, allowing the imagery to speak volumes. The chosen images—such as a shot of pearls and a red rose—were individually beautiful but gained profound meaning when juxtaposed. Together, they created a dialectic image symbolising death and obsessive destruction.

Decadence effectively used visuals to engage and communicate character traits and plot points. The film exhibited beautiful symmetry, aligning with the studio’s goals. It opened with the artist staring at her reflection, presenting two images of ‘self’ on screen to explore the theme of self-discovery. It concluded with two images of the artist’s new muse, symbolising her attempt to find herself through another person rather than through true self-discovery. This thematic exploration was not only visually compelling but also intellectually stimulating, showcasing the power of visual storytelling.

What impressed me most about Decadence was how it mastered the art of visual metaphor. The film’s ability to convey complex emotions and themes through carefully crafted imagery without relying on dialogue is a testament to the filmmakers’ understanding of visual language. For example, the pearls and red rose, which might appear as mere aesthetic choices, were strategically used to evoke a sense of beauty intertwined with a darker undercurrent of obsession and decay. This nuanced approach allowed the audience to engage more deeply with the narrative, interpreting the visual cues to uncover the underlying story.

Furthermore, the film’s meticulous attention to detail in its visual composition was evident. Each frame was thoughtfully constructed to enhance the story’s emotional and thematic depth. The symmetry and reflection motifs were visually appealing and served as a narrative device to explore the artist’s inner turmoil and journey. The initial reflection shot symbolised her fragmented self, while the closing shot with the new muse highlighted her ongoing struggle with identity and self-worth.

Decadence is a prime example of how aspiring filmmakers can harness the principles of Visual Blueprint to create compelling cinema. By focusing on strong visual elements and embracing the art of ‘show, not tell,’ the filmmakers crafted a piece that was aesthetically pleasing and rich in meaning and emotional impact. This film inspires beginners, demonstrating that with careful planning and a deep understanding of visual storytelling, they can overcome the hurdle of relying too much on dialogue and create truly engaging and dynamic films.