with Nigel
The first session of the module introduced the core foundations of the master’s thesis, with a particular focus on the thesis proposal. We dicussed what makes a strong research topic by considering its potential, motivation, and practical or theoretical applications. This encouraged early reflection on why a topic matters not only to the researcher, but also within a wider academic, professional, or social context.
A key part of the session focused on understanding the purpose and significance of research, alongside the ethical considerations that underpin responsible academic work. We discussed how ethics should be embedded from the outset of a project, influencing topic selection, research methods, and outcomes.
with Ting
In our first session, we set the foundation for thinking beyond “coverage” and into intentional camera language. We focused on one core question: where do you put the camera, and why? Every framing choice begins with understanding what the scene is about and what you want to say visually before dialogue ever enters the picture.
We explored how focus, depth of field, focal length, geometry, and camera movement shape meaning. From deep focus that invites the audience to explore a frame, to shallow focus that directs attention with precision, we discussed how the camera guides the viewer’s eye and emotional response. Techniques like dolly zooms, handheld movement, whip pans, and arc shots were examined not as stylistic tricks, but as storytelling tools.
To put these ideas into practice, we were assigned to do the 5+5 Challenge: creating two short storyboards that tell a clear story or emotion using exactly five shots of five seconds each, no dialogue, simple acting, only camera language.
Here are my storyboards for this class:
Then we brought these storyboards to life with Maya by exchanging our storyboards with each other. The storyboard of Jingwen and the animated version (previs) :