Unit 1: Identity

Sitting awkwardly in a room with 4 unknown Art students is nerve-wracking, especially when we are told that for the next 2 weeks we'll be working closely with each other even though at first glance none of us have anything in common. Dress sense, Courses, Interests, but most importantly, language barriers, its laughable really, Because each of our identities was different, as they should be.

After some awkward small talk and a brainstorming session, we successfully decided on looking at how people express themselves and their idea titles through what they wear and how they present themselves. We had an idea, It was time to figure out how we were going to film it, and who was going to do what.

Having two camera confident girls in the group (both with very interesting fashion sense!) we decided that they would be our two main actors for our film, and we would revolve it around them and their personal choices.

Iris, who wears second-hand thrifted clothes, shows her identity and her morals through clothing. Not wanting to support fast fashion, she styles herself uniquely in clogs, wooly socks, a denim dress and a variety of rings and bangles.

Chloe, who very literally wears her emotions on her sleeve, she dresses as she feels at the time or clothes that make her feel confident in herself. Suited in a blazer, dark hoodie and skirt, with Doc Martens, Chloe expressed that her outfits make her feel smart and happy, but she is dressed with comfort in mind.

Wanting to keep our film raw and full of our actors control ( seeing as this film was about them, it only seemed fair) we only planned and storyboarded a few scenes we all were certain we wanted in the film.

Asking Chloe and Iris to write down a list of things they thought were big parts of their identities, we made sure to keep these handy so we knew that we were going to implement them into our film.

Chloe -> Hearing Aids, Dimples and her Acrylic nails

Iris -> Freckles, Rings and Bracelets, Arms and arm hair, and her neck/ necklaces

The three of us who weren't going to be in the film, split the titles of camera man (me), editor (Akari Yonekura), and makeup/ location coordinator ( Nanxi Nie). Then, it was time to film.

I arrived at the studio first, promptly getting to work with the lighting set up, one either side of the camera-frame (which was a white backdrop fully pulled out, making a blank canvas for our models to be the main attention), creating unique shadows either side of the body, framing the shot very nicely. Soon after the rest of the members of our group arrived, with all the props, clothes, makeup, and equipment we would need.

Filming off of Iris' phone, and a small tripod, we got to work, shooting multiple scenes with different angles and intentions, but leaving the actors to work their natural instincts, reminding them along the way of the shots they were desperate to get.

After successfully filming all the shots we thought we could need, these were quickly sent to our editor, along with the few storyboards and ideas we had come up with, letting her use creative freedom to do whatever she may please with the footage provided.

Two days later, it was finished. I made a quick title card and credits, then we submitted it.