Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Prelim Script
(Yasmin storms through doors and rushes to stairs, begins to asend).
(Edward enters through doors and chases after Yasmin).
'Yasmin whats the matter?'
(Yasmin stops to listen, roll's eye's in responce and turns to face Edward).
'As if you dont know, are you really that oblivious?'
'What are you talking about?'
'I've had enough, its over'
(Yasmin turns and leaves up the stairs).
'Yasmin wait!'
(Edward sighs, and drops to sit on the stairs, head in his hands)
(Edward enters through doors and chases after Yasmin).
'Yasmin whats the matter?'
(Yasmin stops to listen, roll's eye's in responce and turns to face Edward).
'As if you dont know, are you really that oblivious?'
'What are you talking about?'
'I've had enough, its over'
(Yasmin turns and leaves up the stairs).
'Yasmin wait!'
(Edward sighs, and drops to sit on the stairs, head in his hands)
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Little Blue Opening -- Evaluation, Question Seven
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Preliminary Brief: Film and edit a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character. A couple of lines of dialogue must then exchanged between characters & match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule should be demonstrated.
Main Task: The titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes (all video and audio material must be original, produced by candidates, with the exception of music or audio effects from a copyright-free source)
Since my preliminary task I think my skills of both production and pre production have developed and improved.
For my preliminary task our main objective was to film an example of shot reverse shot in a film sequence. For this we had to keep in mind the use of the 180 degree rule when filming two characters and examples of these shots such as action reaction or over the shoulder shots.
Our sequence was of Yasmin, our female character charging through a door coming into the frame, and crossing to some stairs, as she reaches half way Edward, our male character comes through the same door calling after her. As he reaches the bottom of the stairs we use a series of shot reverse shot and action reactions from high and low angles due to the stairs as the dialogue is spoken. After the dialogue scene we use a long shot as Yasmin continues up the stairs and of the shot through a door. We then use a mid shot and tilt downward as Edward sits on the steps.
Our steps during preproduction for our preliminary task were much smaller and in little detail compared to our opening sequence, although this is to be expected it surprised me how much I didn’t plan for or consider during my first task.
With our time limit being much shorter as well our planning consisted simply of
- A initial idea brief
- A storyboard
- A Script
- A shooting schedule
In comparison to the planning off our opening I understood how much planning and through preparation effects the filming itself. Coming away from my first task I already understood how with more planning the filming process would have been much faster and better done, it was my main lesson learnt from the experience. So I was pleased when it came to the main task I found I had improved from this and our extensive planning made the filming experience a lot more productive and even more enjoyable, it even allowed us time to take a series of creative unplanned shots and do a small commentary on our experience of filming and our use of mise en scene on the set, which I felt was an interesting bonus for us to do as filmmakers.
During preproduction of the prelim task we decided to be adventurous with how we shot our scene and arranged our storyboard with high angle shots from an elevated surface. Although I was slighted concerned about how it would turn out being my first experience with the camera I knew it was something I wanted to at the very least try before I film the back up shot.
Although it was a concern I’m glad we decided to attempt the different angles as the result was perfect to the storyboard, our only issue was the use of the tripod on the stairs which proved to be tricky and wasn’t something I consider at all before hand.
However we did manage to take shots of a good enough standard with some assistance from our teacher. This was something I defiantly took on board in my main task to plan how I will shot my desired takes, and to aim for shots which are unlikely to need handheld experience. As a result when drafting and finalizing our storyboard, we did not plan any shots or angles requiring this. Also it was not something we required when filming our extra shots or commentary.
From the editing I managed to grasp a basic understanding of the programme and how to digitize our film. However I found during the main task I discovered a lot more about what the programme offers and what’s available to use in our film, also to learn how to include non diegetic sound in a sequence was something I learnt during my main task, which can be seen with our music playing throughout the sequence, compared the diegetic sound and dialogue of our prelim task.
An issue I found I encountered on both tasks was lack of pre-empting various problems that could easily occur such as the use of natural lighting and how it will change throughout the days filming and the use of the tripod on the stairs. Although to very different issues I feel this shows there are still lessons I haven’t learnt from my prelim task and as a result they continued to my main task.
However from both my tasks I am personally proud of how we worked as a team to achieve our original idea’s and plans effectively and I’ve realized the importance of working together to overcome any issue we were faced with.
Little Blue Opening -- Evaluation, Question Six
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
As the role of director I had little hands on use of the camera and technical equipment during filming apart from working with my team to adjust or set up a camera position to the right specifications. However for previous film tasks and lesson I have prior knowledge so all the equipment we used.
Our equipment consisted of :
• A Canon XH A1 camera
• A Vinten Pro Touch Tripod
• A modular wind shield system with XLR lead
• And tracks
Camera
The Canon XH A1 is the camera we used while filming. It’s a lightweight camera allowing for easy movement and portability which was appreciated form our travel from Barking Abbey to our location.
Working with Iman we found the camera very easy to operate the settings and display information is clear and after previous lessons are easy to understand, something we found imperative when filming a sequence, it’s important to know how your picture is being affected and the status of your tapes capacity.
The set up we were already familiar with, the tripod to be heighten and adjusted to necessary height, camera slotted into the shoe horn, all the while making sure all screws are tighten and secure, adjusting the spirit level which can be done before hand but it usual will move once camera is attached. We didn’t use any free hand shooting, it was advised we would require far more experienced hands when shooting without the tripod which wasn’t a point we disagreed with however fortunately none of our planned or extra shots required this.
We had three types of shots in which we needed advice on before our filming date, we had previously used a variety of basic shots such as close ups, high angles, and two shots in which we all felt confident in achieving with the camera. However the various pans, the tracking and the change in depth of field used on the teddy bear shot were camera shots we knew we wanted to attempt to use but would need guidance on. Previous to the film date Iman visited a camera master class in which she was guided through how to achieve these shots successfully which she then passed on to Thelma and I afterward. Also what we found effective was to always perform a practice shot before filming the insure our positioning and movement as steady and smooth, which also helped me as a director to fully see and adjust the shots we wanted. The tracking was successful after a few trail runs, the track equipment was new to us and position it through the door was a challenge but the shots we got we smooth and at the right speed.
Sound
The sound set up consisted of the windshield system which again was something we were all experienced with, however originally did not play to use sound in our sequence other than our music piece, but we decided to record the various room sounds in case we could use it to improve our film such as the ticking of the clock, or the music from the carousel. It was an easy set up and fairly lightweight as it easily fitted into the various hand cases and covers making it easily portable. As we were inside we pick up no sound interference or problems.
Editing
After filming we continued our production of our film in Editing. This gave us the opportunity to use and learn first hand about the editing software. Adobe Premiere Pro was the programme we used for our editing.
• Connecting the camera to the programme using the firewire lead.
• Setting the camera to vcr play and rewinding the tape.
• Connecting the Lacie drive (80GB) to the software, this is were all our editing progress was saved.
• After using the software the digitalise all our rushes
Once this was done, we were free to experiment with our takes, while digitised I label all the takes which we wouldn’t use, shots that hadn’t gone a planned so we knew what we could work with while Editing
After choosing and arranging the best takes in the suited order on the timeline, which involved cutting the take to the desired length using the set in and out tools, or the razor tool directly on the timeline, however I found the set points allow better accuracy in cutting your scene.
From looking at previous examples of independent films online, and Edward scissor hands we already had an idea of a suited transition, a soft fading effect between takes which we later learnt is called a cross fade. After viewing the various effects available we discovered the cross fade and recognized it as the one we had in mind, which we found to have a better effect than the others so far. We used this between every shot as our transitions to again create the continuous pace and appearance of the sequence.
After our transitions were complete we added our music to our timeline, the length of the music matched the majority of the film and without lengthen the tone changes at exactly the shot we had planned it for which would have be tricky otherwise. However using the razor tool I did cut the last sound of the music and repeated it so the chiming sound continued until the end of the piece, leaving me with the task of fitting them together in the right time.
Lastly our titles were made using the software itself, by using a clear backdrop so the text appears ontop of the moving image, and our main title Tale Productions and Little Blue were created to same with a solid backdrop.
There were no issues while editing, apart from how we wanted to use s custom font for our titles, which the software would not accept, even after help we found it wouldn’t be possibly so we chose our font from the software itself.
I learnt much about the technical equipment and aspect of filming its self from the task. In hindsight I regret not having the use of studio lighting in our film, although I liked the effect of natural lighting in our film, a problem was whiling film the day was growing darker which wasn’t an original intention for our sequence, however despite this I feel the look of the film still meet expectations.
Overall I feel if we were to repeat this project or in future projects I would consider more issues and how if shooting in a natural setting how it will after our final media product.
As the role of director I had little hands on use of the camera and technical equipment during filming apart from working with my team to adjust or set up a camera position to the right specifications. However for previous film tasks and lesson I have prior knowledge so all the equipment we used.
Our equipment consisted of :
• A Canon XH A1 camera
• A Vinten Pro Touch Tripod
• A modular wind shield system with XLR lead
• And tracks
Camera
The Canon XH A1 is the camera we used while filming. It’s a lightweight camera allowing for easy movement and portability which was appreciated form our travel from Barking Abbey to our location.
Working with Iman we found the camera very easy to operate the settings and display information is clear and after previous lessons are easy to understand, something we found imperative when filming a sequence, it’s important to know how your picture is being affected and the status of your tapes capacity.
The set up we were already familiar with, the tripod to be heighten and adjusted to necessary height, camera slotted into the shoe horn, all the while making sure all screws are tighten and secure, adjusting the spirit level which can be done before hand but it usual will move once camera is attached. We didn’t use any free hand shooting, it was advised we would require far more experienced hands when shooting without the tripod which wasn’t a point we disagreed with however fortunately none of our planned or extra shots required this.
We had three types of shots in which we needed advice on before our filming date, we had previously used a variety of basic shots such as close ups, high angles, and two shots in which we all felt confident in achieving with the camera. However the various pans, the tracking and the change in depth of field used on the teddy bear shot were camera shots we knew we wanted to attempt to use but would need guidance on. Previous to the film date Iman visited a camera master class in which she was guided through how to achieve these shots successfully which she then passed on to Thelma and I afterward. Also what we found effective was to always perform a practice shot before filming the insure our positioning and movement as steady and smooth, which also helped me as a director to fully see and adjust the shots we wanted. The tracking was successful after a few trail runs, the track equipment was new to us and position it through the door was a challenge but the shots we got we smooth and at the right speed.
Sound
The sound set up consisted of the windshield system which again was something we were all experienced with, however originally did not play to use sound in our sequence other than our music piece, but we decided to record the various room sounds in case we could use it to improve our film such as the ticking of the clock, or the music from the carousel. It was an easy set up and fairly lightweight as it easily fitted into the various hand cases and covers making it easily portable. As we were inside we pick up no sound interference or problems.
Editing
After filming we continued our production of our film in Editing. This gave us the opportunity to use and learn first hand about the editing software. Adobe Premiere Pro was the programme we used for our editing.
• Connecting the camera to the programme using the firewire lead.
• Setting the camera to vcr play and rewinding the tape.
• Connecting the Lacie drive (80GB) to the software, this is were all our editing progress was saved.
• After using the software the digitalise all our rushes
Once this was done, we were free to experiment with our takes, while digitised I label all the takes which we wouldn’t use, shots that hadn’t gone a planned so we knew what we could work with while Editing
After choosing and arranging the best takes in the suited order on the timeline, which involved cutting the take to the desired length using the set in and out tools, or the razor tool directly on the timeline, however I found the set points allow better accuracy in cutting your scene.
From looking at previous examples of independent films online, and Edward scissor hands we already had an idea of a suited transition, a soft fading effect between takes which we later learnt is called a cross fade. After viewing the various effects available we discovered the cross fade and recognized it as the one we had in mind, which we found to have a better effect than the others so far. We used this between every shot as our transitions to again create the continuous pace and appearance of the sequence.
After our transitions were complete we added our music to our timeline, the length of the music matched the majority of the film and without lengthen the tone changes at exactly the shot we had planned it for which would have be tricky otherwise. However using the razor tool I did cut the last sound of the music and repeated it so the chiming sound continued until the end of the piece, leaving me with the task of fitting them together in the right time.
Lastly our titles were made using the software itself, by using a clear backdrop so the text appears ontop of the moving image, and our main title Tale Productions and Little Blue were created to same with a solid backdrop.
There were no issues while editing, apart from how we wanted to use s custom font for our titles, which the software would not accept, even after help we found it wouldn’t be possibly so we chose our font from the software itself.
I learnt much about the technical equipment and aspect of filming its self from the task. In hindsight I regret not having the use of studio lighting in our film, although I liked the effect of natural lighting in our film, a problem was whiling film the day was growing darker which wasn’t an original intention for our sequence, however despite this I feel the look of the film still meet expectations.
Overall I feel if we were to repeat this project or in future projects I would consider more issues and how if shooting in a natural setting how it will after our final media product.
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