Psychoanalytical Film

Promotional Video - Preperation

In preparation for the promotional video unit, I was given a brief from which I was directed to document the work of an art student.

Before I even began conducting any planning, I attempted to develop my understanding of the art piece itself, by engaging in regular meetings with the student and asking them to explain their planning process and any meaning behind the work. This not only enabled me to further my understanding of the artwork, but also provided me with enough insight to capture and portray it authentically.

I then began to plan what I wanted to shoot; I decided to capture the entire work process, from start to finish, as well as incorporating an interview set up to intersect the action shots with.

I had produced a series of questions that I would ask the student, in order to form a good structure to the interview section of the shoot. I wanted the questions to evoke in-depth answers so that I could enhance the speech with various shots of the student working and the final piece itself.

I used a single camera set up for the interview, however when documenting the student working, I had two camera's set up, with an additional one focusing on the intricacies of the work. With the third, handheld camera I was sure to utilise the entire work space and shoot from various angles and perspectives. This not only creates visual interest, these shots also compliment what is being said during the interview. 

Overall, I feel that this project has allowed me to explore and develop my practical and planning skills. Which has served as experience and practice towards the 'promotional video' unit of work. 

Film Studies - Video Planning

Shooting Plan 2

For the second shoot, I will capture the central subject involving themselves in the acts that their id is longing for; smoking, consuming alcohol and expressing violent behaviour. As opposed to the previous shoot, I would like to conduct this one indoors. Remaining consistent with the visual ambience of the film, I intend to have low-key lighting with a singular light source focusing upon the subject. I feel that making use of spotlighting technique in this manner will suggest visual contrast  from the outdoor shoots, making it clear that these sequences are simply occurring within the mind of the subject.

In addition to this, I would like to state a tone of disorientation, hence plan to incorporate the use of jump cuts as the subject is smoking/drinking etc. This will also make it clear to the viewer that these unorthodox events are playing out in the mind.

In contrast to the previous shoot, I would like to capture these sections making it explicitly clear that a handheld camera has been utilised. Not only would this visually correspond to the jump cuts adding compositional appeal, it will also enhance the perplexing state of the subjects mentality.

In intend to have these shots intersecting the tracking shots, which were captured within the first shoot.

Shooting Plan 3 

Similar to my initial shoot, I would like to capture a variety of tracking shots of the subject, however within various locations. Although I wish to maintain the overall dark and somber mood, I would like to combine all the tracking shots, of the subject wandering aimlessly in differing sites. 

Having previously shot within a tunnel, I now intend to shoot in a desolate outdoor setting, to show diversity in the setting of the sequence. This will also add to the disorientation, as the subject travels between differing locations, to show the perplexity of the human mind, constantly jumping between various situations. 

Along with shooting in areas that have a rundown aesthetic, I would also like to get shots of the subject in quite natural and scenic settings. These particular sequences will be used to show the subject attempting to confront and resolve his ongoing mental conflict.  

Shoot 1 - Evaluation

Within this shoot, I was able to capture various tracking shots of the subject, in one chosen location. In addition to this, I was also able to film shots of the main subject encountering temptations along the way, which influences their behaviour and thought process.

I chose to shoot in a tunnel, as it is a naturally secluded area and acts as a confining manifestation of the subjects mind. Hence, the desired ambience was created as the tunnel provided low light and an overall dampening mood. Additionally, the space created a high contrast and produced and overall eerie ambience, through dimness and shadows.

I shot each scene from various angles, so that in post production I could piece together a visually interesting sequence. This would also be useful to visually reflect the pace of the scene; during instances which involve fast pace action, snappy transitions between shots will compliment and enhance the content.

Following this shoot, I would like to capture more similar shots, however vary the location. I still intend to stick to a desolate and somber looking site, in order to keep the dark ambience consistent throughout the film.

During the next few shoots, I am looking to get some outdoor shots, to show a slight contrast in lighting and texture.

Film Studies - Video planning

Shooting Plan 1

 For my initial shoot, I have taken some visual and and conceptual influence from the character of Tate Langdon, from the television series 'American Horror Story'. I was particularly intrigued by the overall mood and ambience that is created through the presence of this character. 

In a visual sense, I would like to capture close ups and tracking shots of the subject in a similar manner to the exemplar sequence above. I intend to shoot these sequences within a variety of rural and rundown locations, in order to reflect the disorientated concept. The introductory shots will consist of close ups of the subject, particularly focusing upon the eyes, mouth, clenched fists etc. This evokes a sense of longing to fulfil lingering desires.

I will capture various tracking shots, starting with a head shot from behind the subject, followed by a shot from the side and finally a mid shot from the front. I would like to do it in this order, to establish a sense of ambiguity surrounding the identity of the subject, also to create visual tension.

I plan to shoot during the day, however during post production, I intend to manipulate the shots so that they have a cold colour palette and loose highlights, creating a dark overall tone, in order to authentically reflect the conceptual element.

In addition to this, I would like to capture shots of other subjects around the central figure, who are engaging in acts that awaken the id dimension of his psyche. For this, I plan to have them situated within the same location. I will capture a variety of close ups and long shots of these other characters, in order to get across their purpose in the sequence. Some will feature the main figure, to establish the effect of proxemics; I would like to have them a relative distance to the subject, in order to highlight his isolation and mental detachment, however they will be focusing directly upon the lead subject.

The shots involving the other subjects will illustrate them engaging in acts such as: smoking, consuming alcohol and eliciting violent behaviour. This will then evoke a sense of desire within the central role, who attempts to repress such desires, however acts them out within his mind.

Film Studies - Visual Inspiration

Video Planning - Visual Moodboard

Film Studies - Design Brief

For my own production, I intend to show influence from Lacan's theory of lack and the Freudian concept of the structure of the human psyche. I find that both theories would prove beneficial when composing a film based upon desires and the conflict that one suffers when trying to repress needs that are deemed unconventional or irrational in social terms. Hence, showing conflict between the id and the superego, as the subject attempts to refrain from attaining desires.

My initial plan is to portray this internal opposition by following a subject with a series of tracking shots, through a desolate location which reflects the unstable nature of their mind. They will be exposed to various temptations along the way, such as: alcohol, cigarettes, sexual attraction and violence. Whilst showing elements of their 'neutral self' (aka the ego) witnessing these allurements, I plan to intersect with sequences that reflect them indulging in these desires; consuming alcohol, smoking, committing violent acts etc. To enhance the perplexity, I will use jump cuts in these sections.

I also intend to manipulate sound, overlaying dialogue to reflect the mental struggle of the subject will also project a sense of disorientation. Both visually and conceptually, this will represent conflict between the id and superego, whist also presenting aspects of Lacan's theory of lack, showing how the subject is striving to fill empty voids in their life, with materialistic objects and irrational desires.

In order to make the concept clear visually, I plan to show a direct contrast between the two oppositions, by utilising colour and lighting. For the mundane routine segment, I intend to use predominantly natural lighting and conventional colour, whereas the instinctive desires will be illustrated in a dark manner, using low key lighting and various colour filters, to show some sort of abnormality. Almost creating a delusion and making it clear to the audience that such events are only occurring within the mind of the subject and not in reality.

In addition to this, I would also like to make use of handheld camera techniques, in order to further enhance the disorientation that is manifested during sequences which reflect the activity of the mind. This will create an unsettling ambience that clearly distinguishes between the two sections of the film.