Contextual Document
S23001400
Contextual Document
Nishtha Jhunjhunwala
S23001400
How To Keep The Culture Going
Uber - Genisis
Uber is a pioneering force in the realm of transportation, revolutionizing the way people move around cities worldwide. Founded in 2009, Uber's innovative platform connects passengers with drivers through a user-friendly mobile app, offering convenient, on-demand rides at the tap of a button. Over the years, Uber has expanded its services beyond traditional ridesharing to include food delivery, freight transportation, and even aerial ridesharing through initiatives like Uber Air. Despite facing regulatory challenges and controversies, Uber continues to reshape urban mobility, embracing technology to provide efficient, accessible transportation solutions for millions of people globally.
My Inspiration
An Uber Driver to the Casino
During the first semester of college, my professor was assigned one of my classes as a substitute teacher. As he babysat a bunch of freshers through the class, he left after an hour and said one thing, before leaving. He said, "Guys for next term, for those who are in my class. Get inspired over the winter break. Get ideas and brainstorm about your projects !"
And I did exactly that.
During a night out, my friends and I decided to go to the casino. So we caught a cab and left for the casino. During this ride, I had the pleasure of talking to my Uber driver. And I have never cried more than I did at the end of that taxi ride. I no longer wanted to gamble or be around the world that had just changed shape in the atmosphere of my mind.
That's when I encountered the idea of making this film. The idea of exploring this part of someone's world is always something that humans need to stay grounded, in their thoughts and other mannerisms.
Stages of Progress
POST-PRODUCTION
PRE-PRODUCTION
CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Week 1:
During the first class for media productions, I was honestly quite taken aback as there was a lot explained to us in terms of what the semester entails, in terms of work. However, simultaneously I was passionate and inspired to make the filmed documentary as soon as we were assigned this project. During this point in time, my team and I were preparing a list of articles connected to general information about Uber. We were raffling through websites and articles that contributed to Uber’s immigration and diversity policies. We instantly made a document to put interview questions and potential documentary ideas that we can brainstorm on, further.
Being the producer, was meant to read the ethics page of the university, on the ethical aspects of filming this project. I also insightfully read the consent form that the participant is meant to sign, as they approve of them being filmed by our documentary crew.
Week 2
In week 2, the team had to decide the purpose of the documentary, which we found hard to do. We knew why we wanted to do the documentary but could not frame it out as a concrete reason. However, as we discussed throughout the week, we were able to come up with a few perspectives through which this documentary can be viewed, from the audience’s point of view. This was also the week in which I experimented with camera angles and shot a few clips to understand the aesthetic in which we can film the documentary. These clips help me understand the tone and emotions we are trying to trigger and entice through this film/ a certain shot.
Week 3
I would say, my team and I had shown a little progress as I started recording shots and how we can angle the camera in the car. I was able to get a few clips on camera as I sat behind the Uber driver, trying to make conversation. The challenge I now need to overcome is the habit of not making conversation. I realized that I tend to want the other person to make conversation first. It was also more about how I could not think of one question to ask them, hence I think we now need to work on better interview questions or a list of questions we can ask the Uber drivers.
Furthermore, after a little more brainstorming we have come up with a few other aspects of the film we need to start working on as soon as possible. These aspects include:
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What type of data do we want to collect in this documentary
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Funding
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Considering the likelihood of harm to the participants i.e. the uber drivers
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What type of schedule are we looking at
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What type of Uber drivers are we targeting?
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How do we film this documentary
And we also need to find a participant who is the perfect match for our documentary. We did have an Uber driver’s number but were unable to get in contact him.
Meanwhile, I kept taking multiple clips on Uber rides as I was still fascinated by the composition and positioning of the shot that I had taken. Understanding the way the camera positions in the shot, as partially revealing the driver's face is, in my opinion, a powerful and metaphoric tone. This tone further exemplifies the way that the disenfranchised are often hidden in the dark even though we converse and merge amongst them all.
Week 4
In week 4, I wondered why this topic was emotionally and consciously relatable to me. After I gave it much thought and researched statistical data of the demographic. I wound up coming to one conclusion. Everyone from a third world country would feel like an outsider in any foreign country. Even though, I understand that I come from a privildged population compared to the rest of the immigrants staying in London, but I always wanted to know more about the concerns and problems of their situations, so one day I can get the word out and help these disenfranchised.
This week I also managed to understand more about the aesthetic of the film that I have in mind. This clip recognizes the beauty in silence and expresses the simplicity of life, in one scene. Through this clip, I also started to wonder about pick-up shots or filler shots and potential locations for such a clip. I understood that locations such as Baker Street, Knightsbridge, Oxford Street, Camden, Liverpool Station and Golborne.
4
Our Ideal Particiapnt
Our documentary highlights the stories and lives of the people who sit behind the steering wheels of their cars and drive strangers in the back of their vehicles on a daily basis. All we would need from our participant is their coordination and their life stories. We want to make the a film that makes the world understand and experience the life,struggle and pleasures of an Uber driver in London.
During this week we put up a post on Craigslist to find our participant and find someone who wants to be heard and wants to be understood through the eyes of our film.
Finally, I realised that there is a simpler method of collecting data and participants, through a more common method, that people have been using for centirues. The common practice of spreading word through media.
So, I out up a story on my instagram and got instant replies for numbers, that we can possibly contact for an interview.
Week 5
01
Intial sound footage of my first conversation with another Uber driver.
This footage is really special in terms of the way that I approach this conversation and the way the interviewee feels about getting it. Through this conversation I found myself fumbling and doubting my questions which should not be the case during the filming of the documentary. However, it was an amazing experience to hear stories from strangers from a 'film student' point of view, as people always love to share their stories to others who can 'keep a record of them'.
03
Understanding a shot
In week 5, the class understood the process of directing and lighting a shot. We were told to set up the camera, participant, and the lights to record a shot of a 'pretend' interview. This practice helped me understand the flaws in my shot and the unique features of my shot that stand out. I learnt that I need to be moree observant about the composition of the shot and more mindful about the way I ask my questions to the particpant, which includes the relevancy of the question itself.
02
Calling the two numbers we were searching for
When I had the two numbers of the drivers in my hand, I realized that our team was not ready for any interview as we had no questions ready.
So the first thing this week my goal would be to present the team with potential interview questions. These questions would be open-ended and they would be questions that the participant would find interesting to answer.
04
Other pending tasks for this week
Other than the list of interview questions I need to research and develop further, I also need to understand more about the way we can appeal to the Uber drivers for such a role in our documentary. We must also find the perfect method in which we have to shoot the scenes in the Uber car itself.
Movies - Thoughts & Notes
#1 Taxi Driver
"Tehran Taxi" is a documentary-style film directed by Jafar Panahi, a renowned Iranian filmmaker. The movie follows Panahi himself as he drives a taxi around Tehran, capturing conversations and interactions with various passengers. Through these encounters, the film offers a candid and insightful glimpse into the socio-political landscape of contemporary Iran. Panahi's use of the taxi as a microcosm of society allows for a diverse range of perspectives to be explored, touching on themes such as censorship, gender inequality, economic struggles, and the resilience of the human spirit.
#2 Ten
"Ten" is a critically acclaimed Iranian film directed by Abbas Kiarostami. The movie primarily takes place inside a car, where a divorced woman named Mania drives around Tehran with various passengers, including her young son Amin, her sister, a devout woman, a prostitute, and a female friend. Through a series of ten conversations, each corresponding to one of the film's ten chapters, the audience gains insight into the lives, struggles, and perspectives of these characters.
#3 Night On Earth
"Night on Earth" is a film directed by Jim Jarmusch, known for its unique narrative structure and exploration of human connections against the backdrop of a single night in five different cities around the world: Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, Rome, and Helsinki. The direction of this film is interesting in the way that there are multiple cut-aways and merged scenes with other characters in an abrupt manner. This engages the audience to the film even though there cannot essentially understand the language being spoken. Bringing out this human connect is the core purpose of this film.
25% - Grumpy And Unwilling to converse
Driver seems to be uncooperative and will no give consent for anything.
25% - Always on the phone with somone else
Driver is uninterested in whatever we have to say, even in terms of a normal conversation, as he is engaged on a phone call.
25% - Helpful and engaing
The driver will have an informative and wholesome conversation about anything. They have consented to be recorded/ interviewed.
People who will actually say yes, to be interviewed
The driver gives consent to be documented and filmed. Is cooperative and has an interesting and fascinating story.
Demographic of the types of Uber drivers
Exploring Other Topics
Our group decided to explore other types of participants and find a story somewhere else. The Uber driver idea seemed to hit a dead-end and we are searching for another topic, idea and participant.
Participant
Anushka Arora
Anushka Arora is the top-ranked and multi-award-winning Bollywood presenter, master of ceremonies, voice actor, and RJ in the United Kingdom. Recently, and rather naturally, we have also begun to dip into the market for content creation! The presenter of a four-hour Bollywood show on Sunrise Radio in the United States from Monday through Friday.
https://www.threads.net/@anushka_arora
http://www.anushkaarora.com/contact.html
https://www.youtube.com/anushkaarora86
Anushka has been a fan of Bollywood ever since she was a little child. Even though she was born in the UK, her parents ensured she visited India often and never drifted from her traditions and familial roots. Her. career took flight when she was in college at the University of the Arts London, and within this, studied at the London College of Communication. As she studied journalism she realised that she had a passion for the radio and she had to go through hospitality radio before having her show anywhere else. She always felt like Sunrise Radio was the perfect match for her as an RJ. However, her other careers in MCing award shows, hosting live telephone marathons, voice-over acting, acting and dancing, are also jobs that fulfil her passion for her field of work.
Week 6 - Filming
This week we were all on edge, as we were not able to confirm an interview with our potential new participants, even though we were still in-between talks with her. However, once we got a confirmation from Anushka, we were able to start filming. This was the most progress we had ever made. This week we filmed our documentary and collected all the necessary footage needed for the 4 minutes of film needed for the project.
This is a glimpse into the day we were filming in Hounslow, Sunrise Radio HQ
Location: Sunrise Radio
Sunrise Radio is in Hounslow, London, UK no. 1 Bollywood station.
Week 7&8
Discussions & Interviews
Understanding the Influence of Bollywood, through HER eyes.
We asked Anushka multiple questions regarding Bollywood and its influence on her and the world around her. Anushka mentioned how she grew up watching all the Bollywood films she could get her hands on and knew every Bollywood song at the mere age of 6. She further explained how her parents always made sure their kids were grounded and connected to their roots, even though, they were born and raised int he UK.
A Glimpse of A Day In the Life Of A Worker In The Media Industry
Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.
Her College Life
Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.
The Sky is Pink
To give a little context:
"The Sky is Pink" is a 2019 Indian biographical film directed by Shonali Bose. It tells the true story of Aisha Chaudhary, a motivational speaker and author who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis at a young age. The film revolves around Aisha's parents, Aditi and Niren, played by Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar respectively, and their journey of dealing with their daughter's illness. Through a series of flashbacks and present-day narratives, the film explores the highs and lows of their family life, celebrating the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity. It's a poignant tale of love, loss, and resilience, touching upon themes of family dynamics, parental love, and the fragility of life. This movie featured Sunrise Radio, as one of the crucial scenes of the movie as the family sought donations from the public in and around London, for their daughter Aisha.
More About T.S.I.P.
More about the Sky is Pink
This movie was a critically acclaimed Bollywood movie that was very famous at the time of its release and is still relevant in today's world. The reason this film is so sentimental for Sunrise Radio is because of the studio manager, Tony. Tony's father knew the person who represented Sunrise Radio in the story that Shonali Bose expresses throughout the movie. And Tony grew up knowing that this event had taken place on air, at Sunrise radio.
Week 9 - Editing & More
While synchronising the audio and video of our original b roll, we realised that the film still had a certain element missing. So we contacted Anushka again and asked her to get a little more personal with us and the story we were trying to find.
So we visited Anushka's house where we understood her life and passion for the things she loves. We saw the way she lives, the way she has her routine and that she has a million childhood stories that, truly show the importance of India and the meaning of being Indian, is to her.
Week 10-Editing&More Editing
Week 10 of editing the movie was a little stressful as we were still unable to organise our data and manage the time of our sequence. Eventually, once we had our feedback tutorial session with our professor, we were able to get advice on how we could get back on track with our story and the film.
After our editor asked me for help with the film I started fresh and re-organised and edited all the footage and audio we had. I feel like I was able to capture the essence of the story I wanted to tell and I was able to show a smooth flow of the narrative.
Sneak Peek
The Raw Edit
Closing Credits & Titles
This week we were taught how to add the closing credits and titles in our film. We could add all our mentions and proceed with the rigorous editing of our film. I was quite stressed as I realised that I had to cut down on a lot of the footage and add other interesting action scenes or filler scenes that would captivate the viewers attention.
Week 11
Understanding what's missing
01
Missing B roll Footage
The raw edit of the film was missing a B roll that needed to be placed so that there were more action scenes than stagnant ones. I need to understand that no one will be interested if she isn't doing anything and just talking about her family or culture.
03
Core story
I need to show the core concept of the film better through her emotions, reactions and other energetic footage that would keep the viewer engaged and interested.
02
Slow Film
My professor made me understand how adding the clips with the question is unnecessary and how my film should move faster than it is right now.
04
Smoother Transitions
The raw edit of the film, of course, lacked the appropriate transitions that the film needed. I was able to take her from my team members to figure out
Week 12
Week 12 of our film is the last week of submission. I am glad that my crew and I were able to put together everything appropriately, in form the submission. Here is the film.