The Film-making Process - Admission/Application Essay Example

The Filmmaking Process The Filmmaking Process The 2004 The Day After Tomorrow and Transformers 3 are films that motivated me to want to be involved in the filmmaking process. That was not only because of their inspiring story lines but also, and more importantly, the manner in which the ideas are communicated. On its part, The Day After Tomorrow was based on the behavior of humans and how it is related to global warming. Hence, being a person concerned with the future of the environment and how it will affect life, I was inspired into thinking of creating a film that can deliver the same message.

Jack Hall and two of his partners are shown drilling for samples of ice-core in Antarctica in The Day After Tomorrow. However, the ice breaks apart and he presents his findings to a United Nations conference but they are not convinced about the implications on global warming, apart from a professor on climate research. Later, considerable drops in ocean temperatures indicate that the North Atlantic current is being disrupted by melting polar ice. Air traffic is suspended following violent weather and streets are not only flooded but also frozen.

The aspect of special effects, or SFX, used to create that scene raised my interest in becoming involved in the filmmaking process and be able to raise more awareness on global warming. On the other hand, Transformers 3 is based on the story of bringing to an end the conflict between the Autobots and the Decepticons. Here, my interest in a conflict-free world inspired me to get involved in the filmmaking process and be able to create a film that informs the world that peace will always prevail over ill intentions.

A gigantic metal creature that resembles a worm is shown wrapping its tentacles around a skyscraper in Chicago and breaking windows. Meanwhile, two humans are in the skyscraper sliding helplessly as the creature breaks it into two. Objects are seen flying across as merciless robots are determined to cause destruction. Here, the power of computer graphics and animation is used to create special effects and deliver effective messages. Basically, the idea of using special effects to visualize what the author a film is imagining is what drove my desire towards filmmaking.

These two films used exceptional skill of the producers to create special effects while staying within the theme and plot. For example, in The Day After Tomorrow, the astonishing scene of the large piece of ice breaking off, the super freezing scene with a helicopter in the middle and the twister scene were astonishing. Being able to create such scenes is not only an artistic component of filmmaking but also delivers the message in a manner the audience will definitely remember (McClean 2007, p. 34). That is one of the reasons that inspire me to the process.

Transformers 3 depicts hyper-real scenes such as the army of robots to describe the intensity that mass destruction can rise to. This is achieved by the motion blur technology that makes the robots actually appear to be there as opposed to superimposing. The rationale behind choosing to take the course at MET Film School I because it offers programs ranging from directing, screenwriting, production, postproduction and cinematography. Further, the programs are led by experienced practitioners in the filmmaking process.

The school also offers a six-month long program in practical filmmaking, which I intend to take advantage of to specifically improve on special effects. Finally, for students who perform exceptionally, the school grants then access to its industry placement scheme. References McClean, S 2007, Digital storytelling: the narrative power of visual effects in film, MIT Press, New York.