"Ticking Away" is a short film exploring the swift passage of time and the yearning to capture a single moment forever. Created as a university project, the assignment was to develop a film or animation of our choice as an independent initiative. I decided to fulfill my ambition of making a short film. The hurried journey to university each morning inspired me to freeze the bustling energy of the crowded streets of Cologne.
Production
The music was the base for this project, guiding the duration and significance of each shot while establishing the pacing and key moments of the storyline. Preproduction involved storyboarding and aligning the shots with the song's key beats. The setting was chosen to be the inner city of Cologne, as it served as the film's inspiration. To preserve the original essence, every shot location was close to my actual route to university. While filming, some location scouting was necessary due to the city's dynamic nature, which made certain shots challenging and only feasible in theory. This led to some creative improvisations, such as capturing a rolling shot from inside the tram, perfectly aligning with the film's theme. A significant aspect of the production involved compositing and visual effects. The final color grading was designed to emulate a 90s film aesthetic, complementing the nostalgic music and theme. The technique of freezing selected objects in time was straightforward yet impactful, enhancing the film's overall effect.
Camera Blackmagic Pocket 6k
Software Adobe AfterEffects Adobe Premiere Pro Davinci Resolve