Behind The Lens: “Blue Jae” Short Film
Introduction
Blue Jae', what can I say? It was a short film that I found a calling to be a part of. A good friend and director, Jalea, reached out to me, and her story was quite the story to hear. It wasn't a story to feel sad for her (well, yes, my eyes did get a little watery, but who hasn't in their life), but a story to see her win. The artistry of cinema has been her journey long before she found her path in it. But when she did, she took off, winning awards and making a name for herself. But when there are great successes, there come down moments. She lost her biggest influence to the love of film, her father. This was a deep and unsettling time for Jalea. Later, her relationship wasn't as honest and transparent as she thought it was. Talk about a double-whammy. But somehow, she managed to put one foot in front of the other. With the support of her mother, sister, friends, and family. Next thing you know, the script "Blue Jae" was born.
Where do I start?
Emotion & Tone: The Overall Essence
We wanted this film to feel relatable, tangible sought to speak, so the audience could truly understand Jalea, as the writer/director as she craft this film based on her own experiences. Like some indie films, we were met with a tight budget and limited time. We had to think smart and be quick.
Lens Choices and Filtration: Achieving the Desired Aesthetic
Now, the story.
I dove into the perspective I wanted the audience to feel. When reading the script, a gentle approach comes to mind when considering the main character, Jae, played by actress Star Rivers. She continues to experience an inner tug-of-war inside her that she struggles to break free from. What came to mind was a deep contrast look, with deep shadows to mirror the tragic experiences she faced. Then, cool color tones will reflect her emotional state, while lenses, frames, and filtration choices will mirror her mental state.
I felt as though the main character, Jae' was constantly moving but mentally feeling still, stuck even (we’ve all been there). With that in mind, I chose to use the best budget anamorphic primes I could find (which I also happened to have) the Viltrox Epic Anamorphic prime lenses. We had three lens options to choose from; 35, 50, and 75. I didn't think I needed a longer or wider focal length while filming with the available lens options we had. This set of lenses is budget-friendly but packs a punch in its quality. I love the look, character, and quality these lenses offer. It paired well with the RED V-Raptor and RED Komodo camera packages.
I felt that Jae's life and life experiences have multiple elements to them. These lenses offered the kind of texture that allowed us to show the various levels of that. Whether it's bokeh, lens flare, lens flare color, distortion, and temperature, these elements will help describe Jae's mental, emotional, and spiritual state.
Speaking of mental state. I had to make sure my mental state was in check while we were filming one night, and some random A-whips decided to egg my camera truck. Shout out to the team for cleaning that off while we were packed up at the end of the night.
Conclusion
I would like to thank my Ace in the Hole, 1st AC Derek. This guy is beyond a true friend. I feel like he and I were the two soldiers from the movie 1917. Talk about trenches. The crew that helped out with camera and lighting Kaleb (a phanominal DP), Jessie, Brooklyn with set-dec, Pavel with sound, and more were super stellar with aiding Jalea to the finish line. Super producer Aaron from 5 Points Media, as usual, you are always there, whether with gear or in person. If you're in film, make sure to have someone like him with you. To the cast, I love the artistry you brought; we couldn't have done this without you. And finally, to Jalea. Thank you for trusting me with your vision, your heart, and your words with this film. Let's keep telling stories. Peace!✌🏾
