Personal Project (A Case Study)

I’m a big admirer of Wes Anderson’s cinematography, known for his use of light and pastel colors, distinct themes, zoom-ins, and symmetrical shots. For my personal project, I decided to create a short film inspired by his style, focusing on a random person wandering around downtown Montréal.

The film reflects my own experiences in downtown during my free time. I typically go for walks, buy books from bookstores, or play billiards with friends. I filmed many scenes but chose not to write a script or create a storyboard to keep the film as natural as possible. One of the challenges was finding an actor willing to participate and filming in downtown. I captured a lot of footage, but only a few shots made it into the final film to keep it from being too long. Another challenge was dealing with shaky hands and a broken tripod, making symmetrical shots difficult. I ended up holding the camera myself, trying my best to minimize movement or shake. Admittedly, some shots were impossible to keep steady, so I focused on ensuring continuity.

In the end, I’m proud of the final product. Despite my broken tripod and not being able to use it throughout the film, I think I did a solid job. I also learned the importance of planning and capturing as many shots as possible to give yourself multiple options in the editing phase. I learned how to color grade as well, which requires a lot of patience and time. I made sure to properly organize the footage and ensure the colors matched Anderson’s signature style. I put a lot of effort into this project because I want my future clients to see that I have the skills to create great films. My goal is to make a name for myself in the industry or at least find a stable job where I can enjoy what I do. Click here to see the video.