LO2: Justification of Effects
Special Effects
Adjustment Layers
The use of adjustment layers to augment the lighting of scenes is essential to creating tone through the connotations of low and high-key lighting. Artificial lighting would therefore, be used within the 'bar' scenes of the short film production; this is due to the connotations of danger which the protagonist is in when meeting with the mob boss. Through the 'adjustment layer' function in Adobe Premiere Pro, these effects are achievable without any risk to production beyond extended export time due to the introduction of additional clips which adjustment layers are labelled under. Constraints on the creation of these assets would include time however, their implementation into the short film is quick.
Gunshots/Blood Splatter
To immerse audiences in the scene beyond the veil of sound, applying visual effects to a gunshot creates visceral enjoyment (Rick Altman 1999). The first example is a misfire which is caused to induce panic in the characters within the present scene where Custeau and Giovanni meet Jackie as they're stalked by a lurking danger. A potential issue for this effect, including it's implementation in the final scene, is the practicality/feasibility of its creation under the context of amateur production; lessening viability. However, the effect of visual response to the sound and reactions of a gunshot and a character's response, would further aforementioned immersion. This is particularly true in consideration of the last scene where the mob boss is mysteriously assassinated. Visual feedback via responding blood spatter would further the visceral pleasure of the scene and heighten audience immersion. Constraints on the creation of these assets would include time due to the implementation of animation and key-frames which are time consuming.
Title/Credit Sequence
Pertinent with the assistance of sound with a corresponding gunshot effect to the mob boss' assassination in the final scene, one final shot signifies the end of the film where the credit sequence follows. Issues for this are relatively benign due to the ease of implementation: I plan to use photoshop files to create stylized effects which fit within the connotations of the film through blood splatters on the text (composed to be splattered on the characters signified to be shot). Constraints on the creation of these assets would include time however, their implementation into the short film is quick and semantically add to the motifs of the film. Crediting each member involved within the film's production is also vital as a potential ethical issue.
Practical Effects
Handgun
Tension is furthered within the 'bar' scene through the denotations of a handgun via special/practical effects. One issue which arose with the denotation of a realistic handgun prop is in bringing the prop into an establishment; this being especially in a public place. Therefore, special effects being used to portray any weapons would alleviate this problem; replacing it with a time constraint to produce production materials/assets to be portrayed instead. This denotation is important however, for the tone and omission of tension within the scene and to convey effectively the crime drama genre.
Drug Bag
In comparison to the handgun, the issue of holding a drug bag whilst filming is less of an issue due to a discreet planned film location and the properties of the bag being conveyed through context rather than specific denotation removing any requirement to be overtly explicit. As a prop necessary to further the film's story, its implementation is viable.
Car
As a transition sequence, the car exists as a means of verisimilitude to characterize how Custeau and Giovanni move from scene to scene; Giovanni's requirement of Custeau to drive for him furthers the characterization of their dichotomy in an exploitative way.
Export File for Film
To ensure high film quality, I will export the film as an MP4 to allow for easy distribution and HD 1080p quality.
