My FMP, Blade Runner 2049 Film Video Essay
- 30090865
- Mar 18, 2021
- 16 min read
Updated: May 16, 2021
As my final major project, the thing i have picked to do is a film essay. the reason being i wanted to do one, is because I'm fascinated by deeper layer of meanings in films with context and much further information about the theme, symbols and meanings.
i picked Blade Runner 2049 as one of them because as one of the themes for the FMP, is to do with 'Change' , this was the opportunity for me to pick blade runner 2049 because the film also reflects a lot upon the change of human emotion and to understand the purpose what its like having a soul. and if so, how do we know if we have one?.
Research:
There are two types of research, primary and secondary.
Primary research is the way to get information directly for the subject you're looking for, the way its used is through your perspective through such as questionnaires where you ask a series of different type of questions to others in order to get answers and those answers can end up going different through different quality from others. books are an example of primary research, that contains information about the subject through text and a way to take that information and used as part of what you're looking for. Secondary research, is getting the research off the internet and using across varied sources such as websites where you're able to pick out the information and use it.
Blade Runner 2049 reflection on research & the Research and context itself :
For Blade Runner 2049, since i picked it as my project where i would use the movie as part of my film essay, one of the beginning parts of research i did was watching the movie itself as a dvd (primary research). by doing this, i was able to watch the movie couple of times to get an idea of what the plot is about and take some notes throughout the movie and pause whenever i wanted to. the other styles of research i then started to do was after watching the movie, to see if there were anymore notes and things to do with symbols and themes i was able to take note of, this part was something i struggled with the most. but then i realised, with everything i've learnt to do with research (primary and secondary) , i remembered a particular site where i was able to get some questions out of to do with blade runner 2049, that was an example of secondary research where when i asked questions about the movie and people in the comments section would reply and tell me their opinions and answers for what i was looking for.. Another way i was able to use primary and secondary sources was through books. one of the first books i purchased in order to find more information about Blade Runner 2049 was about the philosophy of the movie, the more knowledge side of the whole point of blade runner 2049 and a rhetorical questions and themes. and that helped me alot in order to create research notes about what it was i was looking for and it helped me alot with explaining more premises of the main point of the movie which helped me link to what it was i was looking for in the first place.
Blade Runner 2049 Research notes:
Quick Summary of the movie:
The movie Blade Runner 2049 focuses on an investigation to do with a child who is half replicant and human, which makes Blade Runners who are part of a force to hunt and take down Replicants who are artificially made human that have gone berserk, in the movie, the main character Officer K comes across with the bones of a child through an investigation where he was given orders to hunt and take down a replicant gone out of control .the main character, Officer K is also a replicant and as an audience we see his perspective on the world that has evolved and changed with technology and to understand what it is like to be human and feel emotion as he goes through a self-discovery believing he may be the child of the human and replicant and understanding his personal identity.
Research notes, themes context/ notes I gathered as part of additional research:
The most focus on the movie, though it is on the main character but explores the deeper meaning of themes and symbolisms such as what it’s like to be human, how do we know if we have a soul and how as human beings, are able to identify what’s real and what isn’t. As a replicant, officer K is given a job to take down other older replicants that have gone berserk and though he is not like the others, he thinks differently and sees the world differently because of him not being human, they are reminded of the opportunities they could have had, the things they could not do and the potential they never realised. This is established and shown in two scenes,
the first one with when officer K has the baseline test “within cells, interlinked” which is a daily check up to see if he has experienced any human emotion as a replicant, Which the whole cells interlinked is a reference to the book Pale fires revelation about how the poet had seen a white fountain in front of his eyes and in it and started to describe the movement of his heart attack through how his cells of his skin and body’s reaction. The way this is used in blade runner 2049, is for checking if there is any sign of emotion from the replicants such as for example Officer K, to see if he has been distracted or is becoming aware about human emotion and in the book, it says “A system of Cells interlinked within / Cells interlinked with cells interlinked/ within one stem. And dreadfully distinct/against the dark, a tall white fountain played”. officer K has to listen and repeat the remaining words every time the interviewer ends its phrase in order to test officer K and make sure there is no sudden change. This does change however (which I will get to) after ‘K’ has his first-time experiencing emotion as a replicant after discovering a horse figure through his investigation of the half child and half replicant, which is where memory comes in., he starts to believe that he, may be the the child of the replicant and human that was lost for years and kept hidden from the world. after going to the factory to find out about the child’s record, where he stumbles in the outskirts of the factory before entering, the outskirts represents the mind of ‘K’ , it becomes the representation of his mind, him looking for his own purpose and his own path to follow.
This as well links to when officer k is speaking to his hologram ‘joi’. At officer ‘K’ ‘s home, we see his own split division with how he ranks himself with a holographic projection as his wife also known as joi.
The holographic projection existence is limited since she is part of a projector, installed on the ceiling. The way she reacts, is a scripted response to ‘K’, an example of this is shown when she asks K personal questions like “How was your day” with joi responding “Im getting cabin fever” Officer K doesn’t reveal anything about what had happened to him at work when he went to retire a replicant. In terms of language, he likes to avoid reality and uses joi to distract himself. K also jumps topic to topic since he has designed Joi to interact the way K is speaking to her. This also highlights the relationship between them both, Joi although isn’t just a straight up A.I, she’s programmed the way to engage and respond to human interaction. This is shown when in the movie, ‘K’ is setting up her specifications, like the type of language she speaks, type of face, body shape and ethnicity. This is connected to back to “within Cells Interlinked” when officer K goes to visit anna sterline, a memory maker, shes basically the example and reflection of what officer K is, the existence of his. The life of anna is behind a glass that has an immune system of resulting to have freedom as long as its used to serve prupose like officer K does.
When the conversation goes:
“What makes your memories so authentic?”
“Well, there’s a bit of work to every artist”
The interaction between these two characters, it somehow becomes a a study on the parental role with the potential of the creator and consequences of a tyrant, which is like becoming to receive flaws and problems from parents that are dysfunctional. Which shows the replicants struggling in terms of identity.
After this scene we see anna analysing the wooden horse figure while K sits, you can see both parallels of the characters with anna inside the glass and k outside as they both start reacting. We do not see what there is from their perspective of memory but somehow the strong focus that’s there in both of investing emotion. Anna’s face is shown with emotion of streaming tears.
How does this connect and link back to the first part I was speaking about, the “cells interlinked” ?. With the part of Anna and both K finding out about the memory of the horse wooden figure, anna realising that the memory is hers, Officer K goes into outburst, he has a reaction, experiencing human emotion, in the most painful way possible, after hoping for the idea that he may be the child because of the memory he had as a child felt like it was him. After he steps out into the snow,
He has his hand in front of him in the snowy weather, which is where the pathetic fallacy comes in, with the colour palette of white shown in the scene, it represents the information and truth ‘k’ has seeking until now as he finally receives the truth.
As he's back at the station for the baseline test, this is where Officer K changes, in the parts of the human way and as a replicant.
As baseline tests check if a replicant has changed in terms of changing ion emotion, it shows the change ‘K’ has truly changed after the outburst he had experienced. K has stepped up his boundaries and has stepped beyond the creator (creator)
its dangerous as, he has been fully aware of his purpose and in the sense of looking at replicants as children who are learning, K has reached a level of self development from himself.
After everything Officer K has been through, from being a replicant with empty emotion, to feeling he may have purpose and then only realising that purpose was nothing but an addition to his life. Officer K does one last thing. To do something that is the most human way possible. And that is saving a life by dying for the right cause and re-uniting a relationship that was hidden and gone for so long. He is given a choice to kill, but instead of killing he chooses to save and by choosing save, the words of sapper Morton repeat once again “You’ve never seen a miracle”. despite to others he had no meaning, he chooses to become human and by becoming human, he truly has changed throughout the journey we as an audience have followed him on as at the end he changes and dies in not through the life as a replicant but this time, as human.
He speaks to Deckard one last time, in the final moments before his arc ends, which is the first and the very last time we ever hear of him.
“All the best memories are hers”
“Why, who am I to you?”
K, as true to his character has never shared his innermost feelings.
He has gone through alot, he lost someone who was the only connection to him, he reuinted a family but in sacrificing so much throughout his journey, he stood for something. he became human in the most human way possible and experienced what its like to live.
Additional Research for Blade Runner 2049 and production :
The use of colour scheme in Blade Runner 2049:
the uses of colour in Blade Runner 2049 represents different meaning.
The use of yellow in blade runner 2049 represents as a source of information and enlightenment for officer 'K', the colour sets as a subconscious cue for the audience
Orange in blade runner 2049 is used as a way for when officer K enters the outskirts of Las Vegas, where the city represents as a broken atmosphere and through that it creates a sense of warning and caution.
The use of green is used when officer 'k' is or has had a companionship with someone like the hologram 'joi' whenever she appeared, the colour connotates also to life and vibrancies, connected to life.
Pink and purple represent and is associated with innocence, romance and harmlessness that is connected to romantic interests with 'k', its like a break from the horrors
colour white: the colour white in blade runner 2049 represents truth and information. it appears at the moment when 'k' finally understands where he stands and what his true purpose is.
Side Note, the importance of using colour in film:
The use of colour in film is really important because it helps convey different moods throughout the duration of the film and also an opportunity for us as an audience for the provided information about the setting and characters of the film.
Video Essays explanation:
A film essay is the way to write an essay about a film depending on the topic you're trying to achieve through through explanation and discussion.
in order for the video essays to be made, its time based and requires developing ideas such as:
moving image visuals elements
spoken word commentary.
for it to be done well, evidence of the viewpoint through the story you're trying to tell.
In order for it to be planned out, the following that is needed are things such as:
A full Document script speaking about the movie planned in detail through storyboards and documents.
An overview of the process is needed when creating a video essay, so for that video archives are needed from the film itself which is done by selecting the specific scene you want when speaking.
Some of the examples I've used to help me understand what video essays are like, is by picking out examples of what the whole point of them are when speaking about a movie and tv show. the first example I've used is a blade runner 2049 video (click link here) which from this I've picked up the use of audio overlay and how important it is to speak over specific scenes in order to explain them.
The Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049:
In the Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049, the book explores explorations about the movie such as inspirations and meanings of scenes that happen in the movie. along with process of how the ideas were made and actors in the movie who portrayed their characters speaking more about the movie:
Neon Noir
The use of Neo-Noir Genre in Blade Runner 2049 as a genre:
In the art and soul of blade runner 2049 it is explained that Blade Runner 2049 as a film is a neo noir film. and this is with the use of stylised and expressive use of cinematography and lights such as the use of futuristic technology and the way society lives in the world of Blade runner 2049, it uses things such as bright lights, dark silhouettes and an atmospheric haze. and a underlying sense of doom. with Neon lights and holographic ads creating a dichotomy between desperation and hope. darkness and light, also known as Neon Noir.
Ryan gosling talks about the Baseline Test:
Production:
For production, I've started off planning out my script. the script is the most important part because i will be able to know what it is I'm speaking about, specifically when speaking about Blade Runner 2049. for each part of the script I've set a sub text so every time i move on, i know what part I'm speaking about. and I've also created a shot list. with the shot list, it helps me out in order.
Everything I've done for the script, i started to type and speak about blade runner 2049, in order and made sure it was all structured wise when speaking. for each part as mentioned, i added like some kind of subtext/ sub heading so i know what part i am about to speak about . when writing/typing out the script i had to make sure whatever i was speaking about, had to be fully clear and in my own words so that to me it would make sense when viewing as a video.. it was a much better way for me to follow my own created script rather than speaking naturally because i felt like speaking naturally, it would not make sense because as i would be speaking randomly and off the top of my head.
and I've also created a shot list. with the shot list, it helps me out in order. In the shot list, I've planned on what it is in each sequence i have to say in chronological order so that its structured well and not only that but also, it follows the script I've planned. this also helps me out in the editing stage when I'm putting my clips together so im able to remember what to put it in and what not to put in.
You can see the way i've planned out the shot list, i've planned it out as if its a storyboard, except its not like a storyboard but more of a chronological timeline of what i have to do in order.
Adobe premiere pro, the editing of
Blade Runner 2049 Essay video:
At the start i had to find and source the clips i need to use for blade runner 2049. and the way i did that was by using clips from youtube.com. with the clips that were uploaded onto YouTube, i have to make sure when downloading them, i must source and keep a list and evidence for what clips were used and edited in adobe premiere pro.
in order for me to speak about blade runner 2049, i had to overlay and record audio over the clips. the way i started to record audio was through a software called Audacity. and with audacity i was able to record with my audio through my microphone (USB FIFINE microphone) . and once i had recorded my audio i would name the file and export as an MP3 file and then drag the file into adobe premiere pro.
Image below, Audacity
The Image above is a screenshot of the application Audacity. and with audacity, i recorded an audio voiceover to add onto premiere pro. with audacity i was able to follow my script and speak through what i am meant to be saying. and then transfer and convert all of that into premiere pro where i then can start my editing process.
Equipment:
When in the production stage of the Blade Runner 2049 essay video, the equipment i had to use was a microphone. the type of microphone that was used was a lav microphone, so i was able to clip it onto my clothing easily and through that, i was able to speak by following the script so that it would be tuned into some sort of commentary when set as an overlay through the clips and by using the software Audacity. the most important thing about using a microphone during editing process is to use it for adding audio as an overlay over the visual moving elements like the clips so i am able to talk over and explain specific scenes.
Evidence of all clips used for Adobe Premiere Pro:
In the picture you can see that all the clips I've used for my blade runner 2049 essay video, I've kept a list in a folder so that i know what clips I've used so far for my video. it is really important for me to do that because whenever i am importing clips in, i have to keep track of what clips I've used and what clips i haven't used so far.
This here is the editing process of the Blade Runner 2049 essay video. and as mentioned in the video. I started to edit all of my clips out in the software adobe premiere pro. i started to add in my text, the clips i need to use and audio when speaking over. those 3 things are important because that is what makes up an essay video. me speaking about the subject and explaining the whole process and whole point for what the movie is about. though, that is actually not the final video in terms of editing, I've started to add in more things such as the text, images and clips from blade runner 2049. in the process of editing the video and audio together, i went through my script and had to make sure everything that was:
As mentioned in the screen grab of the video, the whole point for the video essay is to explain at the end the whole point and understanding of blade runner 20490 and how it links to the theme "Change" as not only for a journey for us but also the character in the movie/story as he goes on a self reflection and a journey. and how this is related to the word "change" as a whole theme and for the FMP.
With the help of the shot list and script i created, i was able to use all of my skills and knowledge to create the video essay in the software Adobe premiere pro. i was able to follow what i needed to add in, in order to then add a process get to the point of creating the Video Essay. in the video i mention and speak about how as a whole the video essay is created to explain the premises of the story and how that story is related to the theme "change" because of how the character goes on a self discovery style of a journey. And with the use of clips, audio and text, i was able to make the video visual with moving images to make it stand out. As ive carried on with the editing process in adobe premiere pro, i decided to add some background music as an addition. and the recent being is because there has to a way for the audience and viewer to feel a connection while/when watching the video.
The green boxes represent audio, the audio that has been used is the audio I've voice recorded and added as an overlay to represent and explain specific scenes throughout the video so that there is context and explanation towards the audience and viewers.
the blue boxes represent the clips I've added in, such as the clips I've used from the film, with the use of the clips, I am able to make the video as a moving element mixed in with over lay audio.
and finally, the pink boxes represent text i've added in. adding text into the video explains what part of the video i am about to speak about, it is a way to understand what part i am about go towards to next.
As an addition, when completing the video, i decided to add in background music. and the reason being is because it helps convey the mood and feel for the audience
Avoiding copyright strikes:
Avoiding a copyright strike is important so that a file isnt disputed against the clips i am using. in order to show that the clips are being used for a different purpose, i have to 1. say that all video and music that is being used is owned by the respectful owner and 2. in parts of the video, i have to blur specific parts:
i used the gaussian tool to blur out the specific parts of the video that i wanted to blur out. the way i did this was changing up the masking feather and applying it into the video and also path tracking it, therefore it would follow what part of the video is being blurred out. the way i did this was, following a tutorial on youtube which had helped me alot.
As a side reflection, when exporting the videos there were 4different versions. and the reason there were 4 different versions was because when uploading onto youtube, the platform is able to detect amy clips that have been used from other channels or media. in order to fix this, i had to go through and export the video file countless times until i was able to finally upload the video onto youtube.
One of the problems i had come across while editing was the sound level. i had noticed when i had started recording audio into premiere pro, the audio level was too high. so in order to fix that, i had to do some research on how to fix the audio levels through YouTube.
with the research i came across, i was able to fix the problems in adobe premiere pro.
a helpful thing that made an impact for my FMP was watching examples of video essays to do with film. and with that, i was able to come up with my own perspective driven video essay to do with Blade Runner:2049 without copying others. in other words, i was able to do my own thing from my style and sense with my skills and knowledge applied.
Sources for the examples of Video essays:
This is what the final video looks like as it has been exported:
As i have now completed the editing process, i have exported it on a suitable platform for it to be viewed. the first platform it can be viewed on is Youtube which is a way for all videos to be uploaded and viewed by anyone in the world. and the second platform is vimeo.
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