VISUAL METAPHOR PROPOSAL – Leander’s Documentation Blog

III. Concept | Storyline:

1). Who are you going to interview? Or What is the piece (article, poem, story) for the narrative voice over?

The piece that we are going to use is a narrative from a stand-up comedy. Since it is in chinese we will be translating it and modifying it to fit our video.

Link to video:

2). What’s the story about?

The story is about him coming from a small place and going to a big city (Shanghai) and then after he goes back to his hometown he notices all these small differences (structure and rule of the place) and talks about his experiences . At the end he mentions hearing someone at the airport calling who else is going to Shanghai and he says it’s him, it’s an 18 year old version of his calling to his dream and his desire to go to a big city.

3). Which part of the story are you going to focus on?

The part of the story that we are going to focus on is the dream of going to a big city and how he feels the pressure/anxiety and mood of going up and down when he gets there. Then It would be how he wants to give up but then doesn’t because it is his dream to be where he is.
The other option that we have because we are not sure is the differences between a small city and a big city because in the narrative, he mentions how a big city follows more rules and is more structured compared to a small city (ex. at the airport in the small city they will wait for you, but in the big city the flight will leave you).

4). What kind of style/aesthetics are you going to pursue?

We want to have a structured and clean aesthetic that will include a lot of citylike views (or views in general).

1). What equipment are you going to use when shooting the movie? (cell phone, DSLR camera, sound recorder, stabilizer..)

We will be using our cell phone for when we are outside and if we suddenly see a scene that we want to add into our video. For the times that we plan out to film then we will be using a DSLR camera. We will borrow the stabilizer whenever we can and use it, but it will not be guaranteed for the iphone. We will use a sound recorder for any detailed noises and “metaphorical” sounds that would match the scene or enhance the emotion behind it.

2). Which locations will it be shot at? When is it? Day time/night/unknown? Why?

We are going to find a place in Shanghai that will look similar to a small city and shoot there, and places in Puxi for a big city. We will have both night and day because it will help project the emotions tied to the time of day (night being more sad).

3). What are some challenges you might encounter and how will you prepare?

The time of day might be an issue because depending on when we have time, the sun might have set or it is too bright. We will need to plan each scene beforehand and know what time and lighting we will need in order to get clips that are consistent and flow with each other.

4). How will you collaborate? How will you divide work? (Gantt Chart)

We will be doing everything together. Although the research for the voice over can be individual, for the most part we will meet because then it will be easier to look over each other’s work and add opinions and talk things out. This is so that we both like what is produced and we don’t waste time waiting for each other to complete their part.