VEDIO AND SOUND PRODUCTION - Exercise (Week1)
September 25, 2025
25/9/2025 - 2/10/2015 WEEK 1
Miao Xinjun / 0379525
Video and Sound Production/ Bachelor's Degree of Creative Media/ Taylor's University
Exercise
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2. Instructions
3. Exercise
1. LECTURE NOTES
Week 1:
In the first week's lecture, the teacher introduced the module's content and basic knowledge to us, and demonstrated the basic operations of Adobe Premiere.
Reading: From the links the teacher shared with us, I learned about the definition and application of the three-act structure in films.
The Three-act story structure: It's a narrative framework that divides a story into three distinct parts.
Part 1: The hook - "why should the audience keep watching"
Part 2: The inciting event (about 37minutes in the film) - It's the first time for protagonist to confront the conflict. But at this moment, the protagonist can still choose to accept or leave.
Part 3: First Plot Point (about 25minutes in the film) - This is a crucial moment when the protagonist has no choice. So they have to accept and can't go back.
Part 4: First Pinch Point (about 37minutes in the film) - Showing the risks faced by the protagonist. The first pinch point usually sets the stage for the midpoint.
Part 5: Midpoint (second plot point) - A big moment in any story, and everything that has led up to this, will then turn and lead in a different direction toward the climax. (The protagonist began to find themselves in a new perspective amid the conflict)
Part 6: Second Pinch Point (about 62% in the film) - Emphasize the risks faced by the protagonist and what will happen in setting up the plot of the third act. (the function similarly The First Pinch Point). This is a false climax, followed by a trough.
Part 7: Third Plot Point (3/4 in the film) - Maybe it is the darkest moment for the protagonist.
Part 8: Climax (about 10minutes in the film) - Followed a final pinch point a decisive moment.
2. INSTRUCTIONS
3. EXERCISE
- 3.1.1 In-Class Editing Exercise
- 3.1.2 Editing Exercise (independent learning)
3.2 Exercise 2 - Stop Motion
Shortlist 3 Zach King videos/ stop motion shorts. Explain reasons being chosen (style, art direction, character design, vosul effects etc)
#Video 1: link here
Reasons: This short film uses a stop-motion animation style, with real-life people and buildings as its shooting subjects. At the same time, its plot is quite interesting—the scene where the protagonist chips off a corner of a building to use as food is unexpected and memorable.
#Video 2:
link here
Reasons: This short film incorporates sci-fi elements, linking "scenes in the
middle of 3D modeling" to the real world through editing. Two
transitions stand out: the protagonist using the tablet in their hand to
build their desired scene, and the protagonist attempting to step into a
pool only to fall back into reality. Both are smooth and natural—they
not only serve as excellent transitional moments in the film but also
add fun to the story. Additionally, the 3D modeled scenes, as part of
the stop-motion animation production, create a striking visual
effect.
# video 3:
link here
Reasons: This is a really fun stop-motion animated short, with a plot full of ups and downs that’s totally unexpected.I noticed the filmmakers used three key plot twists to tie the whole story together:
At the start of the story, the creators added a clever little trick—"the
video within the video pauses over and over"—which makes the audience have
an illusion, tricking them into thinking the video on their own phone has
paused. This is the first twist in the short; it might even get viewers to
interact with their phones, which makes it even more fun. It’s not until
the "repair person" shows up and steps into the mental world after a
transition cut, that we finally realize what’s going on. This part uses
dreamy-style set design, which visually sets the "mental world" apart from
the "real world."
The second twist happens when the two characters try to fix a "glitch" in
a nerve and an accident occurs, so they have to leave. The twist itself
isn’t surprising, but when paired with the third twist that comes next, it
becomes really memorable.
The third twist comes at the very end of the story. Just when both the
audience and the "repair person" think the person in the video has been
fixed, he suddenly explodes. This wraps up the story in a way that no one
sees coming.
3.3 Exercise 3 - Instruction:
- Now, give your knowledge on 3-act structure a run for the money.
By now you should have already watched:1. Lalin, 2. Everything, everywhere, all at once.
Based on each of the movies,
Answer for 'Lalin':
1. Which part is Act 1, Act 2, Act 3, respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only.
Act 1: The first act begins with the protagonist Lalin introducing herself at the start, and ends with a portrayal of Lalin’s life after she comes to Japan to study.
Act 2: The second act starts when Lalin receives a text from an author who asks him to help translate a book—then the two gradually fall in love via social media—and ends when the author comes to Japan with the book, hoping to meet Lalin in real life
Act 3: The third act begins with "Lalin being unwilling to face the author with his real appearance," and goes on until the very end of the film—"after reading the book the author left behind, Lalin has a sudden realization. He stops hiding behind a mask, opens his heart, and sets out to win back his lover with his true looks".
2. What is the inciting incident in the movie?
The protagonist, Lalin, became the target of mockery from people around her due to her facial imperfection. Unable to bear the pressure, she chose to study abroad in Japan. She hid her real appearance using social media and a face mask, creating the illusion of being a "national goddess."
3. What is the midpoint scene in the movie?
Because the male protagonist arrived and asked to meet her, Lalin had to face her true appearance without the mask. At the same time, she struggled internally with whether to be honest with him about the truth.
4. What is the Climax scene in the movie?
In the book, the male protagonist left behind, she saw a different kind of beauty in herself, through his eyes. She realized he loved her not for her beautiful appearance, but for her kind heart. In that moment, she finally made up her mind to take off her mask and go see him. This time, she ran through the crowd with her true looks, no longer held back by her appearance.
5. What is the theme of the movie?
This is a short commercial centered on the theme of "the face mask." In real life, the face mask is Lalin’s way of hiding her true appearance to protect herself; online, it represents the beautiful yet illusory "internet-famous Lalin." Whether in real life or online, the "face mask" in the short film symbolizes how people like Lalin—those with facial imperfections—avoid the real world.
Answer For 'Everything Everywhere All At Once':
1. Which part is Act 1, Act 2, Act 3, respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only.
This is a typical three-act structure film. The filmmakers directly tell the audience which act it is at the start of each act:
Act 1: The film opens with Evelyn busy handling the laundromat’s tax payments. We also meet her rebellious daughter Joy, and it’s clear the mother-daughter relationship is tense. In the tax office elevator, Evelyn encounters a strange man who looks just like her husband—he’s from another parallel universe, Alpha—and he tells her she’s in danger.
Act 2: To protect herself and her family, Evelyn begins traveling across different universes, gaining superpowers from the various versions of herself in the multiverse. During this journey, she comes face-to-face with Jobu Tupaki—the threat mentioned by the Alpha universe’s version of her husband—who turns out to be her daughter from the Alpha universe. In their confrontations, Evelyn realizes Jobu Tupaki is just a daughter who craves her mother’s understanding and acceptance, broken by overwhelming pressure—much like Evelyn herself. To free herself, Jobu Tupaki creates a black hole to consume herself, but Evelyn realizes this just in time and saves her daughter.
Act 3: Evelyn stops trying to be the "daughter her father approves of," rediscovers her true self, and learns to treat her family and ordinary life with love and acceptance. Across countless universes, every version of Evelyn starts to embrace and love who she truly is.
2. What is the inciting incident in the movie?
The conflict between mother and daughter led to Jobu Tupaki’s creation, and Evelyn’s family faces threats from people across different parallel universes.
3. What is the midpoint scene in the movie?
Protagonist Evelyn begins to overcome her fears and figure out how to jump between different parallel universes to gain superpowers. Determined to protect her daughter, she decides to work toward becoming as powerful as Jobu Tupaki.
4. What is the Climax scene in the movie?
Protagonist Evelyn truly recognizes the problems she and her daughter have faced within the family, and understands she should treat her loved ones with love and acceptance. She learns how to love herself as well as others, and saves her broken-hearted daughter from the black hole.
5. What is the theme of the movie
This film centers on the theme of the multiverse. It tells the story of protagonist Evelyn, who gains superpowers from countless different versions of herself across the multiverse and protects herself and her family from dangers that come from other parallel universes. In fact, it addresses some issues that exist in an ordinary family: both Evelyn and her daughter Jobu Tupaki are trapped in their parents’ controlling parenting, while losing sight of their own selves and the tolerance and love between each other.
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