2026 Screen Production 3
Class Activities
Week 1: Camera Exercise
In week 1, we were randomly assigned into groups and carried out an in-class filming exercise based on the topic of discussing our favourite films. The main focus was on becoming familiar with filming and audio recording equipment, working collaboratively as a team, and completing a simple individual edit afterward.
Week 2: Chase Scene
The scene builds tension through two key transformations. The first occurs when the protagonist and his classmate walk in opposite directions, but she loops back and follow behind him. The second happens when the protagonist runs ahead to escape, yet the classmate arrives at the destination before him. The shooting style and editing create a retro comedic atmosphere. If there were more footage to develop a progression each time the two characters meet, the piece would feel more complete and engaging.
Week 3: Lighting
We experimented with different lighting setups to create various visual effects and atmospheres. Later, I edited these experimental shots into a narrative: the protagonist is kidnapped and replaced by a clone. I distinguished the two characters by using mirror flips and separating clips of the actor having completely contrasting expressions. The protagonist’s inability to speak and the sense of helplessness, with no one to save them, is conveyed through silence and minimal dialogue.
Week 4: Sound
This week, we focused on testing the recording performance of different audio equipment in the same location, as well as the performance of the same equipment across different locations. The filmed content consisted of a phone conversation between the protagonist and her mother. After shooting and recording, the footage was properly edited and combined into a single video, followed by audio editing (including volume adjustment, noise reduction, and creating a phone-call effect), and finally colour grading.
Week 5: Blocking & Coverage
In this exercise, we worked as a team to create a dialogue-free narrative scene, using cinematic language and the actors’ performances to construct a meaningful story. The scene shows two characters playing chess; although their moves are chaotic and disordered, their expressions remain serious and focused. The edited video, combined with background music, creates a comedic tone piece disguised as a mystery.
Week 7: Acting Exercises
As a group, we conceived and filmed three sequences, each focusing on a different objective: mirror imitation, subtextual silence, and objective-driven action. In post-production, I edited and colour-graded the three pieces with a consistent sunny, playful tone, accompanied by music to unify their atmosphere. These exercises challenged the actors’ use of facial expressions and physical performance, as well as the structuring of the narrative to effectively engage and influence the audience’s emotions.
Week 8: Producing
The task this week was to complete a small but complete short film production, from pre-production through to editing and assembling the final video. During preparation, we created a simple storyboard while also revising the original script. In class, we worked as a team to complete the filming, and then each of us edited our own version at home. My version aims to create a humorous piece that emphasises the contrast between a serious, ordinary protagonist and the bizarre situation she finds herself in.
Short Film Production
Delayed is a short film set in modern-day Sydney, following Cass, a 27-year-old woman during her morning commute to work. Written by Alexander Rawley, the story unfolds entirely in real time and is presented through a tense phone conversation with her mother. It explores themes of familial guilt and the struggle for independence from overbearing emotional attachments, using the bus as a metaphor for Cass’s stalled life and her delayed confrontation with personal problems. The film concludes with Cass hanging up on her mother and facing the ongoing bus delay, leaving the audience with a sense of unresolved tension.
Crew & Cast List
Crew List:
Director Alexander Rawley
Producer William Wang
Cinematographer Sophie Rutzou
Sound Designer Rae Xu
Editor/Art Director Jane Ho
Cast List:
Cass Izzy Wanders
Cass’s Mother (Voice Acting) Kristina Oliver
Extras on the bus Crew Members and Kristina Oliver
Assessment 1: Single Location Film/ Proof of Concept
In Assessment 1, we were assigned to focus on presenting one significant scene or demonstrating the overall concept of the film as a warm-up and preparation for the final assessment. The scene we selected depicts Cass waiting to board the bus and later speaking with her mother on the phone after getting off. Within our production team, each member had clearly defined roles. While fulfilling our individual responsibilities, we also remained attentive to one another’s progress, offering support, feedback, and suggestions when needed.
During the pre-production period, my main responsibilities were conducting aesthetic research, creating mood boards, and developing and preparing costumes and props. While working on these creative elements, I also actively sought and incorporated feedback from both team members and actors in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. On the shooting days, I was primarily responsible for lighting setup, as well as handling various practical tasks such as moving props, ensuring equipment was protected from the rain, monitoring nearby traffic, and assisting with equipment setup and packing. During post-production, I completed the rough cut and then added visual effects, transitions, colour grading layers, titles and credits, carefully considering the intended style and atmosphere of the film. Lastly, I created a poster to serve as the main visual representation of the work. Overall, I am very satisfied with the final outcome, and after watching other groups’ work and receiving feedback, I hope to further improve my editing for the full version of the project at the end of the term.
Behind the Scene Photos (Click to View in Full Screen)
Assessment 3: Final Film Completion
Throughout the term, we continued developing the concept, production documents, locations, and techniques to complete the full version of this short film for Assessment 3. We focused particularly on the on-the-bus scenes, which were both the most significant and the most challenging to film. Thanks to Harry’s efforts and communication with the manager, we were able to shoot at a bus depot and capture visually strong, aesthetically cohesive footage on the bus. On the shooting day, I was mainly responsible for adjusting the lighting as instructed—moving light sources and reflector—as well as taking behind-the-scenes photos for the crew. The filming process went very smoothly, and we sincerely appreciate our main actress, Izzy, for her outstanding performance; Kristina Oliver for both her on-site and voice acting; and the manager of the Keolis Depot in Brookvale for allowing us to use the space and the bus, as well as for accompanying and supporting us throughout the entire shoot.
In post-production, I edited the video in Adobe Premiere Pro with a focus on continuity, narrative logic, and visual coherence. During the process, I encountered several challenges, such as visible equipment in the frame and inconsistencies in the scenery outside the bus windows. I addressed these issues by applying mask tool and replacing the external views with alternative footage. However, due to the limited time after filming (we shot on April 20), I was unable to perfect every detail. Nevertheless, I worked with the materials we got to complete the edit, leaning into a slightly distorted aesthetic that aligns with the film’s intended atmosphere of confusion and chaos. By applying blur effects to the background of the bus scene, the less refined edges and logical inconsistencies are largely concealed. This also allows the sequence to be more easily interpreted as a hallucination experienced by Cass—a detail hinted at earlier when she briefly sees other passengers on the bus, only for them to disappear in the next moment—thereby emphasising her stressed and disoriented mental state. Overall, this assessment provided me with a valuable learning experience, and I believe the techniques I developed during this project will be useful in my future work.
Behind the Scene Photos (Click to View in Full Screen)