ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
masking these together in post. “I believe the true fluidity of the video came from the transitions between scenes,” admits Wang, who handled the edit himself, while Huang completed the colour grade. “The post-production process took around three weeks. It was the most challenging stage; after the fifth draft, everyone was feeling disappointed with the project because it just wasn’t ‘there’ yet,” Wang reveals. “That’s what led us to go back for a third day of filming.” For Wang, who views each project as his ‘own child’, the choice to edit was clear. “Unless there’s a high demand for VFX work, if I’ve already gone through the process of bringing it to life, I would not hand it off to someone else to raise it.” Unleashing their creativity For the second year, CVP and Canon partnered to host Stories in Motion – a contest for young creatives to show off their short films. When Wang and Huang entered the 2024 competition, they didn’t expect a win. “It was a huge shock, especially because the other films in our category were so strong,” shares Wang. “The award gave us the strength and confidence to keep pushing forward.” For Huang, Stories in Motion wasn’t his first run-in with CVP. “I bought my first camera, the Sony FX6, and many accessories from CVP. It’s a smart and convenient retailer for buying film gear,” he states, praising its accessibility. He’s also attended several sessions and
events in both the CVP | ARRI Creative Space and the Fitzrovia Showroom. “It’s student-friendly and helpful for those who are just getting started.” Now two-plus years into their filmmaking efforts, Wang and Huang have settled into their current creative phase. Since Stories in Motion, they’ve shot another Ghost Crew video ( The Butterfly Warrior ), adding to an already impressive portfolio. Reflecting on To Night , though, they agree they ‘wouldn’t change a thing’ if they had to do it all again – “despite the extreme physical and mental stress,” adds Wang. “Every shoot is a new experience, and I gain more knowledge and confidence – whether it’s in camera movement,
U nleash your creativity with the CVP and Canon Stories in Motion short film competition! Submit a documentary, music video, fictional short or commercial for a chance to win prizes like a Canon EOS C80 and the opportunity to shadow an award-winning filmmaker. Visit cvp.com/stories-in-motion to enter. Entries close 31 March 2025. Filmmaker aged 18 to 25?
lighting or aesthetics,” says Huang. “I’m always looking to create better ideas and never repeat what has already been done.” To Night is just one example of Huang putting these words into practice – a stylised blend of references and genres that captures the song’s message and adds visual intrigue. Wang describes the experience as a meaningful one, gaining more from it than just another notch on his directorial belt; “It strengthened the bond between Huang and me as brothers.”
THE LONG HAUL Post-production became a test of patience, with edits driving the team to push their limits in inventive ways
78
DEFINITIONMAGAZINE.COM
Powered by FlippingBook