Miranda Ng
麻雀 Mahjong
Prompt: Create a 2-3 minute creative video work, edited using Premiere Pro, exploring ideas related to something that you care about. Record new, original video footage and include: at least 7 different shot types, at least 5 different camera angles, at least 5 different camera movements, a voiceover element using an external audio recorder such as Sony PCM or ZoomH6, or an external mic for your iPhone, multiple layers of audio, at least one example of foley sound, at least one stock sound effect, and no music - unless it is a short clip used to express an idea and layered with other audio clips.
This short film is about the game of “Mahjong” and the exhilarating experience of playing this game that combines strategy, luck, social interaction, and a touch of tradition within different communities. I wanted to create a film about Mahjong because I grew up with this game. Within every holiday celebration or family gathering, playing Mahjong would always be one of the main events. The game is not just a game, but a vessel that’s used to bond people together through either gossiping, bantering, or just talking. Not just within family, but also within contrasting communities like shown in my film: a gambling/gangster-like setting and a friends setting. The game is being played all the same throughout the film, but when it comes to playing within these different settings/communities, you can see the contrast in attitudes and emotions being brought out amongst the players. Through this film, I wanted to show those differences while also incorporating those feelings you receive as a player when playing the game such as: tension, anxiety, anticipation, bluffing, accomplishment, focus, but also social connection, tradition, culture and nostalgia by using dramatic sound effects, my voiceover of a self written poem, captions, audio, and color grading.