幕后故事(1)Blair Zhou(饰演角色May)Blair(饰演角色May)生活在美国,我们被教导要成为梦想家。从我们在新闻文章中读到的白手起家的商界精英,到在电视上看到的坚定而热情的主角,我们被潜意识地鼓励不仅要有远大的梦想,还要追随我们的梦想。 另一方面,我们也被教导,让梦想成为现实是一项艰苦的工作,生活会阻碍你,这取决于你为你的梦想腾出时间。即便如此,大多数梦想也不是一个人能实现的。我的梦想是成为一名演员。尽管上了多年的表演课,但这是我第一次大声说出我的梦想——在过去,我只觉得在白日梦的领域里,用语言表达它似乎毫无意义和尴尬。我非常感谢缅街的一切。让我离梦想又近了一步。因为这段经历给了我信心,甚至可以大声说出我的梦想。在这个项目中,周围都是为梦想而奋斗的人,我感觉我的灵魂在充电。《缅街》讲述的是法拉盛的华裔社区的故事,这部作品的演员和工作人员与拍摄地一样多样化:亚历克斯,我们令人难以置信的化妆艺术家,来自泰国;卡罗琳,我们一丝不苟的摄影总监是法国人;杰西,我们的超级英雄服装造型师,有韩国血统。在片场,你经常能听到不同语言的来回呼喊,然而,从来没有感觉到脱节,每个人似乎都对彼此有着无声的理解,尤其是工作人员,他们每天的每一秒都在按计划拍摄。我有幸扮演的角色是梅,一位33岁的华裔美国人,她拥有一家成功的企业,但梦想着其他事情。她生活中的主要冲突源于她和母亲Joy之间的关系。我认为母女俩的故事是关于移民和上一代父母的故事——用更简单的话来说,是关于代沟的故事。作为父母都是移民的第一代人,这是一个贴近我内心的故事。事实上,试图连接不同世代的故事永远不够多;这说明了每一代人都有自己的奋斗历程和里程碑,以及我们应该如何对自己的家庭多一点理解。《缅街》的创作者都是才华横溢、精通人情世故的人,我热切地期待着随着故事的发展,梅会如何发展。 我等不及要看剧情发展了!阿曼达,我们的编辑,有她的工作要做! 我要感谢Jeannie和Scott为这个精彩而有话题性的项目所做的一切,我也感谢所有慷慨投入时间和资源帮助实现这一目标的人!特别是Melissa和Jennifer,他们不仅为我们提供了一个完整的拍摄场地,还提供了美味的食物!真的,这个项目不仅承载了演员和工作人员的梦想,也承载了社区的梦想!———布莱尔Living in America, we are taught to be dreamers. From the the self made business men and women we read about in news articles to the determined and passionate protagonists we watch on tv, we are subliminally encouraged to not only dream big but also follow our dreams.On the flip side, we are also taught that making your dreams reality is hard work, that life will get in the way and it’s up to you to make time for your dreams. And even then, most dreams can’t be realized by one person alone.My dream is to be an actress. Despite the years of acting classes, this is the first time I’ve said my dream out loud – in the past it felt solely in the realm of daydreams that it seemed pointless and embarrassing to verbalize it. I am so very grateful to Main Street for… everything. For allowing me one step closer to my dream. For giving me the confidence to even say my dream out loud. Working on this project, being surrounded by people all striving towards their dreams, it felt like my soul was being recharged.Main Street is about the Chinese American community in Flushing, but the cast and crew are as diverse as the country it was shot in: Alex, our incredible make up artist, is from Thailand; Caroline, our meticulous director of photography is French; Jessie, our super hero of a wardrobe stylist, has Korean lineage. On set you could often hear different languages shouted back and forth, and yet, there never felt to be a disconnect, everyone seemed to have a silent understanding for each other, especially the crew, who were on the same page every second of every day.The character I had the privilege of being is May, a 33 year old Chinese American who owns a successful business but dreams for something else. The major conflict in her life stems from the relationship between her and her mother, Joy. I think the mother and daughter story is a story about immigrants and first generations – in simpler words, about generation gap. As a first gen born of immigrant parents myself, this is a story near and dear to my heart. Indeed there can never be enough stories that try to bridge different generations; that illustrate how every generation has their own battles to fight and milestones to achieve and how we should be a little more understanding to our own family. The creators of Main Street are brilliant and worldly people and I eagerly await to see how May will develop as the story goes on.I can’t wait to see the pilot! Amanda, our editor, has her work cut out for her!I want to thank Jeannie and Scott for this wonderful and topical project and I also thank all the people who were so generous with their time and resources to help make this happen! Specifically Melissa and Jennifer who provided us with not only an integral location but also delicious food!Truly, this project carries not only the dreams of the cast and crew, but also the dreams of a community!Love,Blair幕后故事(2):牟博士:通过一名新手制作助理的视角窥探《Main Street》的世界电影制作的幕后世界对于大多数人来说总是充满了神秘和吸引力。我在短片《Main Street》的拍摄过程中担任制作助理(PA)以及幕后摄影师,这为我打开了通往这个充满魔力的世界的大门。在经验丰富的制片人和导演Scott Rosenfelt的指引下,我得以近距离观察那些天赋异禀的艺术家如何在银幕上施展魔法。制作助理和幕后摄影师的职责与挑战:作为一名初次担任的制作助理,我的任务包括促进各个部门间的沟通,并确保一切元素都完美到位。我很快体会到了“时间就是金钱”不仅仅是口头禅,在电影拍摄现场,它更是一种生活原则。作为制作助理,我就像是整个团队的观察者和听众,努力预判和满足剧组与演员的各种需求。而身为幕后摄影师,我有机会记录下那些未经修饰、生动真实的片刻。这一角色使我深深感受到每个部门的工作都需要无比的专注和热情。Figure 1笔者在片场拍摄幕后照片解读行话在拍摄现场,就仿佛置身于一个有着自己独特语言的异域。每当我身处我们的电影拍摄地,周围都是一系列专业术语,这些术语指引着我们的制作进程。当有人要我拿一个“Apple Box”时,我知道他们指的是一种多功能的木制工具,有各种标准大小,可以用来抬高演员或设备。当有人喊出“Quiet On Set”,我知道必须立即保持安静,因为我们即将开始拍摄。我等待“Camera Speed”和“Sound Speed”的指示,确保视听设备都已经准备就绪。一切就绪后,“Rolling”这一宣告告诉我拍摄已经正式开始。我最喜欢的环节之一是“Blocking”,在这个环节,我们为演员在场景中的物理动作编排和彩排,而这也常常是我这个幕后摄影师(BHS)能够抓拍的最佳时机。我经常在“Video Village”查看镜头,这是一个特设的区域,导演和主要工作人员可以在此查看实时摄像机画面。当我听到“Wrap”时,我知道我们已经完成了当天的工作或整部电影的拍摄。有时,导演可能会喊出“Movement”,以示场景中某个动作的开始。在更为公共的空间,我有时会被指派做“Fire Watch”,确保我们的设备安全,不会引起任何危险。而在拍摄现场,掌握和应对这些独特的行话,对我来说就是日常工作的一部分。 协作的交响乐在每一帧背后,都隐藏着数位幕后人员的努力劳动和精湛技艺:导演之手:助理导演BiancaBianca作为助理导演,是整个制作流程不可或缺的中坚力量。她与Scott Rosenfelt携手合作,不仅确保了拍摄进度得以精准执行,场景布置得井然有序,还让演员们时刻准备好迎接自己的戏份。她在预见挑战和设计快速解决方案方面的能力堪称一流。在她的引领下,原本杂乱无章的现场转变成了一曲充满和谐与活力的创作交响乐。通过她的卓越表现,我认识到了一个事实——这一点也得到了我们的制片人/导演Scott的强烈认同——在“助理导演”这一头衔中,“助理”二字实在是对职责的轻描淡写。尽管许多人可能将这一职位视为仅向导演提供帮助或“辅助”,但实际上,助理导演的角色在整个制作结构中具有重大意义和责任。助理导演对拍摄现场的顺畅运作至关重要,他们协调场景、管理时间表,促进各部门间的沟通,并确保遵守安全协议。他们的职责不仅仅是“辅助”,而是深入到电影制作过程的精细管理之中。 Figure 2Bianca(右)在跟导演制片人Scott讨论片场事宜视觉的捕捉者:摄影导演CarolineCaroline,作为我们的摄影导演,是那位才华横溢的艺术家,将剧本的文字巧妙地化为令人震撼的视觉效果。她为每个场景精准设定了摄像机角度、灯光和动作,完美地呈现了故事的核心情感。Caroline对于细节的敏感度和对美感的追求,在《Main Street》的影像叙述中起到了决定性的作用。而且,Caroline的影响力并不仅限于摄影导演的职责范围内。她带领并教导了团队中的年轻成员,分享她深厚的经验,并鼓励他们用电影的方式来感受和解读这个世界。她常与演员耐心交流,确保他们对于每一个镜头背后的意图有深入的理解和舒适的体验。 制作过程中,有一个特别难忘的瞬间是在黄金时段精心策划的日落镜头。Caroline对这一画面的构想近乎完美,她预见在晚霞为天空渲染出梦幻的色彩时,一架飞机正好划过,为整个画面带来更多的生动和动感。这一镜头展现了Caroline独特的艺术眼光和她实现电影魔法的精湛技艺。 Figure 3Caroline在操作摄像机当然,实现Caroline的这些视觉艺术,离不开焦点助手的辛勤付出。这个角色虽然经常被低估,但其实他们的工作要求极高的专注和精准度,特别是在复杂的镜头中。他们实时地调节镜头焦点,确保每一次的拍摄主体都清晰醒目。这种工作强度很高,稍有不慎便可能毁掉一个完美的镜头。但他们对细节的关注和与Caroline的紧密合作,使得每一个镜头都达到了令人赞叹的艺术和技术双重完美。音之韵律:声音混音师Ada在电影拍摄的热闹现场中,声音混音师Ada是一个关键角色,确保音频的完美与影像的卓越相得益彰。她不仅与导演和摄影导演紧密配合,更精准地调整音响设备,保证在不破坏视觉美感的同时捕获真实纯净的音质。每个场景都会带来各自的难题,而Ada的专长在于巧妙地应对这些挑战。
Figure 4全套“防风”武装的Ada(右)与执行制片人裔锦声博士在片场合影留念在喧嚣的街道画面中,Ada展现了她的巧思,成功地从混杂的背景声中分离出清晰的对白。在室内的安静画面中,她的精湛技巧甚至能捕捉到角色轻柔的低语或远处的钟声。对于户外的场景,如风声或经过的车声等变数可能影响音质,但Ada已有所准备,利用专业的防风罩或巧妙地放置麦克风来克服这些难关。Ada的贡献远不止于设备调整与技术运用。她与演员深入合作,确保在需要时引导他们调整音质,以最高标准捕获他们的表现。她所展现出来的,不仅是对可能的声音问题的敏锐预判,更是在问题真正出现之前的迅速应对。Ada每天在片场的表现,都体现了她对此项目的深深热情和专业才华。她前瞻的策略,搭配其出色的合作能力,确保了《Main Street》在视觉之外,同样拥有一个音频上的完美演绎。掌控细节:线制片人Panita Panita,作为我们的线制片人,是《Main Street》背后的物流大脑。从管理预算,与供应商的协调,到确保每个部门获得所需的资源,她应对的不仅仅是职责,更是一场挑战。面对每日新的问题,她展现出的不只是保持拍摄正轨的专业能力,更有对这部电影的无限热情和承诺。许多人可能只注意到银幕上的闪光,但真正让这些闪光成为可能的是幕后的细致努力。Panita与各个部门,无论是服装、布景,还是设备和餐饮,都保持着紧密的联系,确保所有事务都在预算的预期内得以完成。她的存在,使得电影的艺术创作和财务实际之间达到了完美的平衡。她所展现的超群的组织和多任务处理能力,使整个制作过程流畅而高效。无论是监督设备的搬运,确保道具的及时到位,还是照顾到片场工作人员的实际需求,Panita都做得游刃有余。与此同时,她出色的人际交往技巧也助力了电影的顺利拍摄。她与各种供应商和合作伙伴建立了深厚的关系,确保了我们总能得到优质的服务和及时的支持。并且,作为制片团队与执行制片人之间的沟通纽带,Panita确保每个人都明确目标,并致力于实现共同的愿景。 当我们面对突如其来的挑战,如天气变化或突发的日程调整,Panita总是能迅速调整策略,确保拍摄进度不受影响。在电影制作这场精确到每一个细节的舞蹈中,Panita就如同那位精准的舞者,确保每一步都走得恰到好处。得益于她的专业与热忱,创意团队得以心无旁骛地投入到他们的艺术中,从而使《Main Street》成为了一部精心策划、精湛执行的作品。总结感想在《Main Street》的片场,我所得到的不只是工作的经验,更多的是对电影制作深入的洞见和学习。从每位团队成员身上所体现出来的协同工作、创意火花和技术熟练,都深刻地塑造了我对制片的全新认识。正如有句话所说,“一个好的电影来源于一个优秀的团队”,在电影的世界里,真正的魔法来自于那些为梦想付出,为情感流泪,为艺术而生的团队成员。Behind the Scenes: A Glimpse into the World of “Main Street” Through the Eyes of a First-Time PAThe bustling world of film production has long been shrouded in mystery for those outside the industry. Serving as a Production Assistant (PA) and Behind-The-Scenes (BTS) photographer/videographer on the set of the short film “Main Street” provided me with an invaluable firsthand glimpse into this mesmerizing universe. Under the seasoned guidance of producer and director, Scott Rosenfelt, I was privy to the intricate dance of the many talented individuals who make magic happen on screen. The Realm of a PA and a BTS PhotographerAs a first-time PA, my responsibilities varied from facilitating communication between different departments to ensuring that everything was in its rightful place. I quickly learned the phrase “time is money” wasn’t just a saying; it’s a way of life on set. Being a PA means being the eyes and ears of the production, always anticipating the needs of the crew and cast.Simultaneously wearing the hat of a BTS photographer/videographer, I had the unique privilege of capturing the raw and unfiltered moments behind the camera. This role provided an added layer of appreciation for the meticulous attention to detail required in every department.Decoding the JargonBeing on set is like being in a different world with its own language. On any given day on our film set, I’m surrounded by a flurry of unique terms that guide our production flow. When I’m asked to bring someone an “Apple Box,” I know it’s a versatile wooden tool we use, available in various standardized sizes, which can elevate either actors or our equipment. If someone calls for “Quiet On Set,” I immediately fall silent, knowing that we’re about to start filming. I wait for the signals of “Camera Speed” and “Sound Speed” to ensure both our visual and audio gear are rolling and ready. Once everything’s set, the declaration of “Rolling” tells me recording has officially begun. One of my favorite parts is “Blocking,” where we choreograph and rehearse the actors’ physical movements in a scene and this is often the best time for me, a BHS person to squeeze in some shots. I often find myself checking the shots from the “Video Village,” a special area where our director and key crew members can view the live camera feed. And when I hear “Wrap,” I know we’ve either concluded our day or finished the entire film. Sometimes, a director might call out “Movement” to signal the start of a particular action in the scene. And in more public spaces, I’ve been assigned to “Fire Watch,” ensuring our equipment is safe and not causing any hazards. Navigating this unique lingo is all in a day’s work for me on the set.A Symphony of CollaborationBehind every frame lies the hard work and expertise of several key players: The Guiding Hand: Assistant Director BiancaBianca, as the Assistant Director, was the backbone of the entire production process. Working in tandem with Scott Rosenfelt, she ensured that the schedule was maintained, scenes were set up efficiently, and actors were ready for their cues. Her ability to preempt challenges and devise quick solutions was unparalleled. Under her guidance, chaos transformed into a harmonious symphony of activity.From her exceptional work, I’ve learned—and this is corroborated by Scott, our producer/director—that the term “assistant” in “assistant director” is quite misleading. While many might perceive the role as being a mere support or “assistance” to the director, in reality, the position carries significant weight and responsibility within the production hierarchy. The assistant director is pivotal in ensuring the seamless operation of the set, from coordinating scenes and managing schedules to communicating between departments and ensuring safety protocols are upheld. Their tasks extend far beyond mere ‘assisting’ and delve deep into the intricate management of the production process.Capturing the Vision: Director of Photography CarolineCaroline, our Director of Photography (DoP), was the visionary who translated the script’s words into compelling visuals. With every scene, she determined the camera angles, lighting, and movement to best capture the essence of the story. Her eye for detail and aesthetics played a pivotal role in shaping the visual narrative of “Main Street.”Furthermore, Caroline’s leadership extended beyond her immediate role as DoP. She mentored junior members of the crew, sharing her wealth of knowledge and inspiring them to see the world through a cinematic lens. On several occasions, she would patiently discuss her choices with the cast, ensuring they felt comfortable and understood the vision behind each shot.One of the most memorable moments during production was a meticulously planned sunset shot during the golden hour. Caroline had envisioned the shot with the utmost precision, ensuring that as the radiant hues of the evening sky created the perfect canvas, an airplane would seamlessly glide through, adding dynamism to the composition. This intentional and well-executed shot showcased Caroline’s ability to visualize, plan, and capture cinematic magic. Integral to Caroline’s efforts was the focus puller, whose dedication and precision were paramount in bringing Caroline’s visualizations to life. The focus puller’s task, often underappreciated, requires immense concentration and impeccable timing. They adjust the lens’s focus in real-time, ensuring that the desired subject remains sharp and clear, especially during complex tracking shots or scenes with significant depth of field. This role is of paramount importance in achieving the desired mood and clarity for each shot. A slight error can ruin a take, making the focus puller’s role both demanding and crucial. Their meticulous attention to detail and synergy with Caroline ensured that the visuals were not only stunning but also technically flawless.The Unseen Pulse: Sound Mixer AdaIn the dynamic environment of a film set, Ada, our Sound Mixer, played a crucial role in ensuring that the audio quality matched the visual brilliance. She was consistently in sync with the Director and the Director of Photography, positioning her sound equipment to capture the audio without intruding on the visual frame. Every scene brought its unique challenges, and Ada’s expertise was instrumental in navigating them.On bustling street sequences, she ingeniously isolated dialogues from the cacophony, ensuring the actors’ voices were crystal clear. In quiet interior shots, her meticulous setup captured even the subtlest sounds, be it a character’s soft whisper or the distant chime of a clock. For outdoor scenes, unpredictable elements like wind or passing vehicles could have disrupted the audio. But with Ada’s proactive measures, such as using specialized windshields or positioning microphones strategically, these challenges were seamlessly addressed.Ada’s presence on set was more than just about equipment and technical know-how. She collaborated closely with the actors, guiding them on voice modulation when needed and ensuring their performances were captured in the best auditory quality. Her ability to anticipate potential sound issues and address them before they became problematic was invaluable.Every day on set, Ada showcased not only her expertise but also her unwavering commitment to the project. Her proactive approach, combined with her collaborative spirit, ensured that “Main Street” had a pristine audio quality that perfectly complemented its visuals. Holding the Strings: Line Producer PanitaPanita, our Line Producer, was the logistical anchor behind “Main Street.” Managing the budget, coordinating with vendors, and ensuring every department had the resources they needed were just some of the highlights of her vast responsibilities. With each day presenting a new set of challenges, her ability to keep the production on track, both financially and logistically, showcased her expertise and commitment.While many see the glamour on screen, it’s the diligent work behind the scenes that makes it all possible. Panita was constantly in touch with various departments, from costumes and set designs to equipment and catering, ensuring that everything aligned with the allocated budget. Her role was pivotal in making sure that the production’s needs met its financial constraints without sacrificing quality.Panita’s exceptional multitasking skills were evident in how seamlessly the production moved forward. On any given day, she might be overseeing the transportation of equipment, coordinating the arrival of props, or ensuring the crew had the necessary amenities on location.Her interpersonal skills played a significant role in the film’s smooth operation. Building strong relationships with vendors and suppliers, she ensured timely deliveries and quality services. Furthermore, Panita served as a vital communication bridge between the production team and the executive producers, always ensuring alignment on goals and expectations.When unforeseen challenges arose, be it weather-related disruptions or last-minute schedule changes, Panita’s proactive approach minimized delays and kept the momentum going. In the intricate dance of filmmaking, her role was crucial in ensuring every step was perfectly coordinated. Thanks to her relentless dedication, the creative team could delve into their craft without being bogged down by logistical concerns, making “Main Street” a well-executed cinematic endeavor.Final ThoughtsServing on the set of “Main Street” was more than just an experience; it was an education. The complex web of coordination, creativity, and technical prowess showcased by each member of the crew left an indelible mark on my understanding of filmmaking. As the saying goes, “it takes a village,” and in the world of film, it takes a passionate, dedicated, and talented crew to bring stories to life.