Monday, 30 March 2015

PRODUCTION: The Final scene- Setbacks and Overcoming then 28/03/15

Today, as a group we liaised with the rugby team to discuss when the next training session or match would be. Unfortunately, as we are coming to the end of the season now and Varsity is over, there are limited times to film the final scene of our film- the rugby match.

Therefore, as there was a rugby match this saturday (The Dutch team were on tour), we thought that this was the best time in case there was not another opportunity to film a match or training session.
When we got there, the match was extremely rowdy as both teams had been drinking. This became almost an impossible task to set up as players were demanding to be interviewed and generally causing unwanted chaos. 
Furthermore, once the tripod was set up we discovered that the release plate was the wrong size for the tripod. This was hugely frustrating because being a saturday the Jennisson building was not open. However, as a team we decided to make the best of a bad situation and continue to film regardless of the technical difficulties. We took a selection of hand-held shots- including panning, zooming and a selection of still shots to try and build up a large enough portfolio of footage that we could possibly use when editing. 
This was a huge setback, and will the best of luck we may possibly have some shots that we can use, so tomorrow we will film the dialogue and try to incorporate the rugby game footage with the dialogue that will be shot the next day.

When we filmed this scene again, we had learn from our mistakes and the adrenaline and focus in the team was high. We were motivated and quick, and ensured in advance that we had all the necessary equipment in place so we would not be held back. The filming went well, but unfortunately the wind was extremely powerful and fast. This often drowned out what the actors were saying, but hopefully we had enough shots to make the final cut acceptable. With the fast approaching deadline, there will be no more time to film it again, so we will have to make the best of what we have. 

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

PRODUCTION: Humorous moment 25/03/15


Here is a video of the comedy element of our film. As a team, we feel that within the dramatic genre, there must be at least one moment of humour for the audience- being teenagers and young adults. The most appropriate time for this section was during scene 4- the "Bromance" scene. The true friendship that these two young men must be portrayed within our film, so therefore we decided to do a "secret handshake". This is lighthearted and funny, which will lighten the mood from the previous scene- the "argument" scene. This is just one camera angle of the handshake, and to sustain interest it must be re-captured from more than one angle- cutting between them so that they are fluent and do not jump.

PRODUCTION: Prezi Presentation: Our first three filming sessions 17/03/05

Here is a Prezi Presentation describing our first three filming sessions. The dates were: 
  • 17/03/15- Scene 1
  • 19/03/15- Scene 2
  • 23/03/15- Scene 4

PRE PRODUCTION - Shot types 12/03/15

Shot Types

Scene 1
Rugby pitch –establishing shot- duration 2-3 seconds
Running on the spot- Medium close up (no higher than the knees) 2-5seconds
Catching ball- Medium shot- duration 2-3 seconds
 Flipping tyre- Long shot- 4-6 seconds
Struggling expression, drops tyre- close up- duration 1-3 seconds
Breathing, pan down- Medium shot, duration 2-4 seconds
Jake being spoken to by the coach- over the shoulder shot- duration 5-8 seconds
Running on to the pitch- long shot, ½ pan- duration 2-4 seconds

Scene 2
Writes text (call me when you get a sec) -Match on action shot-duration 4-6 seconds
Walking home, excited- long shot pan- duration 4-6 seconds
Girlfriend calling, swipes to accept- extreme close up- duration 2-3 seconds
Conversation on phone- medium close up- duration 4-6 seconds
Puts phone into pocket and takes keys out- close up- duration 2-3 seconds
Opens door and walks in- long shot- duration 3-4 seconds

Scene 3
Pull focus of candle- close up – duration 2-3 seconds
Jake puts his keys and rugby ball down- close up – 2-4 seconds
Dinner room- establishing shot 180 degree rule- 4-5 seconds
Naomi turns around looks over her shoulder- medium shot- duration 2-3 seconds
Jake goes to hug Naomi she stops him- long shot- 3-4 seconds
Both sat at table arguing- establishing shot- 5-8 seconds
Argument continues- Over the shoulder shot of Jake- duration 3-4 seconds
Argument continues- over the shoulder shot of Naomi- duration 3-4 seconds
Argument continues- establishing shot 180 degree rule- duration 5-8 seconds
Jake slams his fist down on the table- close up- duration 1-2 seconds
Sees Naomi in the background- over the shoulder shot of Jake- duration 3-4 seconds
Jake exits scene- long shot- duration 3-4 seconds

Scene 4
Walking down the road- long shot- duration 5-7 seconds
Ball thrown into the air- High angle panning shot- 1-2 seconds
Ball comes down- High angle panning shot- duration 1-2 seconds
Friend catches a ball- Medium shot- duration 2-3 seconds
Girl handshake- long shot- duration 8-10 seconds
Sitting on the tyre- long shot- duration 3-5 seconds
Jakes friend talking to Jake- over the shoulder shot- duration 3-5 seconds
Jake holding his head in distress- close up- duration 1-3 seconds
Boys on the tyres- establishing long shot- duration 5-6 seconds

Scene 5
Lifting weights- medium shot- duration 3 seconds
Skipping and training- up and down shot moving with Jake- duration 3 seconds
Running onto pitch – travelling shot- duration 3 seconds

Scene 6
People playing as Jake runs onto pitch- Establishing shot- 4-5 seconds
Josh looking at Naomi walking- medium to long shot- 2-3 seconds (medium) 45seconds (long)
Joshing running to embrace- medium shot- duration 4 seconds


PRE PRODUCTION: The Script 12/03/15


PRE PRODUCTION: Call Sheets 12/03/15

As a team, we had a group meeting to discuss the Call sheets. On these sheets is the information about when we are meeting, where, the time, how we are travelling, the nearest fire extinguisher and the actors involved etc. This is the essential information that is needed to ensure that the filming runs smoothly- for both the actors and the crew. I put this montage of scans of the call sheets together on photoshop to enable easy comparison (Zoom will need to be used to read the call sheets properly.)

PRE PRODUCTION: Practice Filming Session- 08/03/15


During one of our thursday sessions, we were instructed to create a 'Practice run' of filming and then editing this on the Adobe Software that we will be using- Premier Pro. We chose to film a comedy scene which incorporated the handshake that has been scripted to appear in our film. 
This task was a realisation that in fact we will have a lot of work on our hands, as this outcome was nowhere near the standard that our film should be.
Once viewing our clips, we came to the conclusion that in order to improve our film, we must take a lot more shots from different angles. For example, the handshake should me made up of a proximately 7 or 8 shots- not just the one. This is to sustain interest from the audience. Also, the moving shots were more effective as again, the static shots lack interest.

PRE PRODUCTION: Prop list 08/03/15

As we will be using a number of props, it is essential that when we arrive at the scenes to film that we have the correct props. This is to increase ease and speed of filming and to avoid any time wasting in which things could go wrong such as the weather changing or it becoming dark.
The list of props are:

  • Rugby Ball
  • Mobile phone
  • Tyres to sit on
  • Plates
  • Candles
  • Cutlery
  • Food 
  • Costumes
  • Tables and Chairs

Wednesday, 4 March 2015

PRE PRODUCTION: Character profiling and casting 04/03/15

Here is our third casting video. We included the essential information, such as Name, Age, the Character that they are auditioning for and the side profiles. 
Here is Kirsty, going for the part of Naomi.

Kirtsy is suitable for the part because she is tall for a girl, kind face and long hair, and also she know's our potential actor who will be playing Jake. Jake is a rugby player and seems suitable for the part, and as he and Kirsty are close, the on-screen chemistry will be good, and there will be no awkward moments between them when they play a couple in our film

PRE PRODUCTION: Character profiling and casting 04/03/15



Here is our second casting video. We included the essential information, such as Name, Age, the Character that they are auditioning for and the side profiles. 

Here is Callum, going for the part of Max.

Callum; having a cheeky face would be suitable for the friend 'Max'. He is friendly and kind which is perfect for the role of Jake's supportive friend in our film.

PRE PRODUCTION: Character profiling and casting 04/03/15

Here is our first casting video. We included the essential information, such as Name, Age, the Character that they are auditioning for and the side profiles. 

Here is Charli, going for the part of Naomi.

Charli was the first girl to audition for the part of Jake's girlfriend, and although her audition was precise she is only 5ft2, and having a very tall lead male role we feel the dynamics wouldn't be right.

PRE PRODUCTION: Script writing advice and Character profiles 04/03/15

As advised in a previous lecture, I read Katherine Mitchell's blog and website for inspiration on Script writing and Character Profiles. Katherine Mitchell is experienced in both blogging and filming, and offers advice on both these matters including the struggles involved and how to overcome these difficulties. The link of the blog is shown below:

http://www.katherinemitchell.net/script-reading/

PRE PRODUCTION: Completed Risk Assessment form 04/03/15

Here is the completed Risk Assessment form. We took into consideration what we thought were the top 6 most relevant risks for our particular film due to our locations.
However, we state at the end that further hazards could be encountered too such as weather dependant hazards (slipping on wet surfaces from rain), noise and management including co-operation and communication. One person will be assigned the job of looking out for potential hazards whilst the rest of the team are filming.

PRE PRODUCTION: Photography Permission Application form 04/03/15

Photography Permission Application form for the Sports centre on campus

In Order to take photographs in the Sports Centre on campus, it was compulsory that we fill out this application form.

This form gives us permission to access the inside of the Sports centre in the gym, and photograph of film our main character working out in the gymnasium.

This will be essential for scene 5 when Josh is preparing for the game in the gym that morning- including shots of weights and skipping etc. 

PRE PRODUCTION: Location Recce 04/03/15

 

Here we will be filming in the Sports Centre. This will be in scene 5 when Josh is working out for the 'Big Game'.



This is the house that we will be using for the scene when Naomi and Josh are eating dinner together. This house will feature in scene 2 (When Josh comes home) and scene 3 (When he is at home with Naomi)



Here is the image of the table that Naomi and Josh will be sat at during scene 3 when the pivotal point of scene 3 when they are having the argument which becomes the climax and turning point of the film.
Secondly, this is Parkwood path in which Jake will be walking down during scene 2 as he is walking home.

PRE PRODUCTION: Still to do before filming 04/03/15

Here is a list of practical arrangements that must be completed before filming:
  • Recce Locations
  • Script
  • Casting videos
  • Filming and safety consent forms
  • Call sheets- including timings
  • Shot list
  • Risk Assessment form
  • Research in camera movements for filming

PRE PRODUCTION: Risk Assessment 04/03/15


Here is the Risk Assessment form that must be completed in conjunction with the day of filming. It must be filled out carefully and accurately; taking into account every possible risk- no matter how small.

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

PRE PRODUCTION: Premier Pro Laboratory 04/05/15

Today we had a Lab session about how to use the Adobe software called 'Premiere Pro'. This is the program that we will be using to edit our own film.

The session was a 4 hour lab; in which we learnt how to edit a sample set of video clips. 


This was a very interesting experience,and I have learnt skills of how to change the colour temperature of the shots, how to cut shots accordingly and how to alter the audio. 

At the end of the session I was graded with 70%.

PRE PRODUCTION: Final storyboard 04/03/15


PRE PRODUCTION: timings and shot lengths 03/03/15

We made estimates of the shot lengths and compared these to the min and max times for the requirements inn the brief:

Min time for Brief: 120 seconds
Max time for Brief: 180 seconds

OUR shortest approximate time: 127 seconds
OUR longest approximate time: 187 seconds

Therefore, we have to ensure that we do not take our longest time for our shot otherwise we will over run, but I feel that as long as we stick within the boundaries we will have a perfect timing film for the requirements.

PRE PRODUCTION- Storyboarding and shot timings meeting 03/03/15

Through the aid of social media, Charli and I spent approximately 6 hours finalising the template for the storyboard. 
To conclude this stage, today we also calculated approximate shot times- with a minimum and maximum. Scans of the final storyboard are still yet to be uploaded, so will follow.

PRE PRODUCTION- storyboarding 02/03/15


People participating:

Amelia Pay
Charli Honnor
Kirsty Cleland-Orgle
Callum Williams

First storyboarding meeting commenced today. We made rough drafts of each shot type on a piece of paper and started to scribble down dialogue ideas. Here is a photo of our rough storyboard which is to be finalised later on the template.