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.