Major Project Unit: Project Update

More pictures! Today was about preparation, adjusting lighting and blocking out the whole script so we can see what works and how much of the room needs to be lit on where they will be positioned. This made the whole film feel much more achievable as we could go through the whole thing. We even used the stairs to get up high, and the jib worked really well, along with the fig rig. So I'm really happy with the flexibility I have as a DOP. I'm working with two lenses, one I'll use for the wide shots and CU's. And the other, better lens, I'll shoot the majority on as it can handle low light better. The lighting is looking pretty natural though, which is reflecting the mood we're after. 

Major Project Unit: Project Update

The set has gone in, we just dressed it today and put the bed and props in. Just a few more pieces to add. Luckily the rain held out, it just started as we were bringing the flats in. As we had to get them all painted in the morning, let them dry and bring them inside to assemble. We were very grateful that we had lots of helpers. 

We're also trying out different lighting set-ups to achieve the look we want. I've got mood boards to work from. I'm also getting comfortable using the camera with the jib and fig rig. 

We've also worked through the schedule for each day and gone over the shot list and what methods we'll be using to shoot. We want this to be a very raw, emotive piece; so we want to allow the actors to get into the moment without stopping them too much. So we'll probably try shooting scenes from the WS's, then moving in to get CU's. We're rehearsing all day Thursday with our actors so it'll be pretty much choreographed, so this should help with continuity. 

Call sheets and risk assessment forms have been sent to cast and crew, so we're all good to go! 

before...

...after

Major Project Unit: Project Update

Just reading a little introduction to building a set. From overseeing the set build for As Live, I have a good idea of what is involved. The plan is to paint the flats in the morning after picking them up, but rain is forecast all day at the moment and we need to paint outside. We have help from the wood technician only on Monday, so the aim is to get as much done as we can. 

Basically we have 6 flats of 4x8 in. To create 2 walls, one with a window. 

From this website: "To build a set using flats, several are placed side by side and screwed together. Wherever possible add angle bracing (more 1x4s) attached on the hidden side of the flats, about 2/3 of the way up, slanting down at about 30 degrees to the deck or stage, where they're anchored. These make the whole structure rigid."

So I'm making a list of all the tools we'd need. The campus should have some, but it's always good to be prepared. Here's the plan for our set: 

Not to scale

Major Project Unit: Project Update

I'm really pleased with the progress Lauren and I have made on our film. The schedule and tasks we both set out for each other have worked to an advantage and we seem to have met every deadline, without too many issues to overcome. We'll just see how the shoot goes!

Now the script is finalised, I'm building up the shot list to make sure we get enough coverage of the scenes and to help to choreograph each shot. I've managed to get some help building the set, the transport is all sorted, I'm just buying some tools, and getting all the props and set pieces together. I'm looking forward to the shoot, I think if we take our time, so that Lauren can work with the actor's performances and I can concentrate on look of the shots, it'll hopefully run quite smoothly. We're both prepared to experiment and add extra bits in if we come up with new ideas whilst shooting. 

Moving on from my last post about the future of TV, I've just read another article which outlines some of the main directions TV will take (ultra-high definitions, YouView, internet on TV's, Youtube channels, TV on mobiles). Which will pretty much continue to shape how content is made and how it is made available: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/the-tv-of-the-future---five-technologies-that-will-shape-the-way-we-watch.html

Major Project Unit: Project Update

Along with experimenting and finishing off the shot list. I'm also buying props and making sure we have what we need. Casting has gone very well, we're very lucky to have such experienced actors and actresses interested in the project. 

They're most appealed by how challenging and different the film sounds. Lauren and I both have an interest in music videos and promotion. I'm especially interested in the current and ever-changin media climate; it's all about innovation, excitement and trying/creating something new. Especially when companies are now investing more and more in video content. 

This is a quote from an interesting article on how video content will become an increasingly important part of ad campaigns as usage of mobile devices and internet-connected TVs grow: http://www.brandrepublic.com/analysis/1113902/Why-video-set-medium-future/?HAYILC=RELATED:

What are the creative opportunities of video now?At its most basic offering, video on mobile is TV quality, but can be used to show anything from viral content to specially commissioned films. O2 Media can send any video any place and at any time because it doesn't affect the users' data allowance and can be watched whenever the user wants. However, this is only the beginning of the journey - it can be as innovative as the agencies want to make it. We have an ever-growing creative solutions team ready to work with the agencies to help them realise the opportunities available. Any boundaries being placed on the creativity of mobile video are only in creatives' minds...

Also, when searching for inspiration and forming an idea, it's nothing new to find that something similar has been done before. This can apply to many industries, such as music. Ideas are borrowed, adapted; formulas are used. But, I know that our film is challenging convention by being entirely without dialogue for one. Which is purposely chosen, as we're looking to show that there is more to story-telling than just words. 

We've always been aware from writing the script the duration of the film. I've recently filmed a 5-minute music video whereby the script could be made up of one line: "man walks towards a tree". But it's about taking one simple line of script and building a story through shots, editing etc. Questions are already asked by the audience: why is he walking? where is he going? who is he? what can we learn about him by how the camera is moving/positioned, what mood is created, i.e. by the light? And in this way, the viewer can decide and discover who the character is, and to me it works. That's exactly the basis of our film, building a story through direction, camera-work, lighting and editing. 


Here is the set plan I quickly drew up: 

But we were thinking of adding some pictures, if we had any spare frames, I could create some pressed petals. We're also looking to get some curtains to add a bit of texture to the background. Although we will direct light down the wall so there will be a slight gradient in the background. 

Major Project Unit: Research

I've just thrown together a few more experiments done today. Dropping frozen flowers... swirling them in water. And as it's raining, filming the droplets on my windows. 

In the film these images will represent the girl Poppy, her fragility and it relates to the events in the script. 

Once I go to film the actual footage for the film, as this is just an experiment, I'll be using a different camera, possibly a better lens, better light, and I will be using the actual poppies as the prop with red petals. I may film an overhead of the flower falling as well for a different perspective. It might look good, as it'll fall out of focus. 



Oo photos...

Work Based Learning Unit: Post-production

Using my own Manfrotto tripod for DSLR, it was very useful in getting the close-ups in the grass as it's a special kind of tripod. It's very flexible so it can get right low to the ground and even shoot portrait. And I'd highly recommend it for any filmmaker shooting on DSLR's. Mine is a Manfrotto 190XPROB with a 701HDV head. 

And I know from past experience, I wouldn't normally shoot on the Canon without proper stabilisation, so I always shoot with a tripod, using my tripod as a steadi-cam, or monopod, upside down, anyway I can. Even though you may try and "fix" shakey-cam in the edit, it doesn't always work. And I always set up and focus the shot then let it roll for a good length of time, as this has proven very useful in the edit. Especially when filming nature and bugs, I always filmed them for a long time, usually until they flew out of the shot. 

I may not of mentioned before about shooting on the 7d. I prefer the look, flexibility and depth of field. I did test a Sony from the campus store but the quality of the 7d was by far the best choice. I've now bought an adapter so I can also use my Nikon lenses with the Canon, so I have more choice in future as I have my own prime and telephoto lenses. 

Using a sound recorder and the radio mic was very useful, you can control manually all sorts of settings to exclude wind noise etc., and I had no issues with my sound, there were even plenty of planes going by during filming and you can barely hear them even at all. I conveniently had this over my shoulder and clipped onto my pocket. And I had headphones, so it was about multi-tasking: I set up the shot and I would leave it (I had to be very sure of my framing), then do a quick sound check for every location to get the levels, and whilst filming I was listening out for any noises, rustling against clothing or faults (which only happened in the beginning due to a loose connection with the antenna - problem solved, had to stop the interview and start again, but it's best to spot these things and fix them than carry on with interrupted sound). I would also be listening to the expert, Dave, to make sure he was saying all that he needed to. So it was about watching the camera, listening to the sound, and controlling the content all at the same time. 

Major Project Unit: Research

I've been exploring various experimental things which involve flowers. I have a few experiments still to do. I've done another time-lapse as we happen to have an orchid flowering at the moment. I'm thinking about how we're going to show the blooming poppy in the script, whether to animate it, or we could cheat it using a similar flower... All things I will explore.

Here's the video of the orchid, which I've cropped and put effects on to make it seem more poppy-like.

Major Project Unit: Project Update

We had our first auditions today. I feel they went well, they were professional and took direction well. We had some improvisational situations to work with them on, which we filmed. One method was to open a box and act out what is inside through showing certain emotions. Another more challenging task was to look down into the lens and let a mixture of emotions wash over their faces, from sadness to laughter. More auditions next week. 

There's a certain video that inspired me over the summer break. Below are some stills from it's behind-the-scenes video. I'm trying to go through and examine what goes into the video, from set design to lighting, camera angles and positioning.

This set had 4 walls, you can see below the forth wall is on the right. Our set has three walls, so it's a similar set-up. I'll double check the lighting plan for the studio we're using before we place our set as the lights aren't movable, so we place our set around the lights.

Lighting points down against the walls

A still from the video

3-point lighting

Shooting through the window

Work Based Learning Unit: Post-production

At the moment I'm still editing down Dave (my expert)'s talkies. From 19 minutes long, i'm now down to 10 minutes. At first I assembled it all together in order, synced it up with the audio using FCPX, which takes a matter of seconds for it do to for me, then cut out all the actual parts. 

I re-wrote the script by typing up what he says in the video, which makes it easier to cut it down because instead of having to scroll through, I can read the script and highlight what I need to take out and what I should keep and I can add what text will be in the video. So as I edit, I update the script constantly. It does help in the edit that Dave was not rushed when he was speaking, so his words weren't slurred together and he left pauses and breaks between some sentences. 

Once I'm happy that all the information is there and condensed now, I'll add the text parts which will link his sync together and I'll send the video, with a copy of the new script to Ed (my producer for this film) who can amend the text, add bits, and send back to me to make the changes. I'll also add all the cutaways and location shots which I have ready to overlay. At the moment there is a lot of information, and sometimes it repeats itself; so I'm going to make sure the video says everything it needs too, without overloading the viewer with too much information. 

I've also got old photographs to scan and use, and I'm using some photos from the Kent Wildlife Trust database. 

Regarding soundtrack, I think some gentle guitar in the background would go well, I may add some sound effects if it's necessary. With Dave's talking it might be a bit too much, but we'll see. 

Major Project Unit: Project Update

The script is now finished. And from that we have a prop list which I'm working my way through. It looks like Ebay is our best bet for cheap props. At this time of year, there's not a chance of finding actual poppies so we're getting some fake ones and using a mixture of fake and real red petals from other flowers. I'll be advertising for larger props such as the mattress soon. With the props, I'm making sure that they all have a specific look and they're not just random objects, we want them to look a certain way, even though it is a simple room. 

Lauren and I have been around town dropping posters off to places such as dance schools for the casting. We also dropped some at Stepping Stone Studio as potentially artists and filmmakers would go there and see our posters. 

I've now got to do some storyboarding and figure out the style of shots and lighting set ups. We visited Andy from CATF course and we have flats and a window which we can borrow, we've put posters up there as well. I'll also figure out how we're going to transport, paint, and put together the set. We'll probably visit the studio again and give Fergus more information and plan where the set will be and what lights we need. I'll be using my own adaptor hopefully so I can use my own lenses, which means we can be more flexible with the amount of light we use. 

Our first auditions are tomorrow, we've planned some techniques and Lauren's scheduled the day with each actor/actress.