Second half of the filming

9.00am: We all meet up and leave to do the second half of the filming. We already knew what bus stop we were going to use and decided when arriving to our location that we would use a near by building from which the actor would leave out of. This scene was fairly simple and straight forward but required patience as the roads were busy because people were making their way to work which made us have to repeatedly take shots making sure that it was what we pictured it to be like. The part when one of the actors gets on bus was a slight issue as the busses kept stopping too far from the bus stop or too close to the camera. We constantly took re-takes of the scene and settled on the last take. The weather was great which allowed us to take many shots from different angles in one go, without having to worry about whether it was going to rain. Once again after all our hard work, we headed back to college.

Filming for the final Thriller Opening (AGAIN!)

Once again, first thing in the morning we set out to film with all the equipment making sure that the park wouldn’t let us down. The weather was appalling and we all felt grumpy and down. There was a change of costume however, the hats and scarves remained. It was much more difficult to film in such poor conditions as we had to prevent the equipment from getting wet as well as keeping the camera steady and levelled. All four of us couldn’t stop thinking about warming ourselves up with central heating and eating hot food. With our bodies stiff and cold, we did all the filming we possible could need. All four of us made our way back to the college to return the equipment and treasure the recording tape.

We had a quick discussion before parting that we would do the second half of the scene next lesson. We sorted out costumes and location once again then took off.

Filming for the final Thriller Opening

We all met up in our media class room knowing that we were going to start filming. The other actor and I had previously spoken the night before on the phone, coming to a conclusion of what to wear since other class mates could not fulfil their promise in lending us costumes for the thriller due to them not having parts of the costume. We settled on ‘kiddish’ clothing with hats and scarves.

We gathered all the equipment and not forgetting the story board, we made our way to the Church Park. We began to film. The weather was great and the filming was getting along quite well. We collected lots of footage from all different angles knowing that it may come in use. We thought to ourselves, everything is running smoothly.

Disaster struck!

A man dressed in a light reflective jacket had arrived on his scooter instructing us and fellow publicans that we had to leave the park as it was time for it to be closed. AT 4.00pm! We were all furious and worked up a sweat complaining. After a good 10mintues of protesting, we packed the equipment away and made our way back to college. On our way back, we had decided we would start from scratch as the weather was unpredictable.

Planning and Pitching final thriller task

In our next lesson we were given the opportunity to start planning for our two minute opening clip for a thriller film. We were also told that we would have to pitch our idea in front of the class and teachers as we wanted to get into the spirit of professionalism, like writers for a film would do in front of producers.

Pitching wasn’t our main concern but the content of the pitch was. We decided to break down every detail so the audience could get a clear understanding of the storyline while at the same time we decided to leave them in suspense. We did the pitch along with a PowerPoint presentation as it gave the audience something visual to follow. We added pictures, a list of all the angle shots, a brief out line of the story and characters and the name of the film. The name of the film was not to our satisfaction so, it is still being developed on.

After creating the pitch, the following lesson we were the first to present our idea in front of the class. This was easy as our group were confident and had a well spoken member in our group. We got some positive feed back from the class and offers in lending us costumes.

Our final idea includes:
Characters: Lucy and Amy
Location: Church Park, Bus stop
Mise en scene: Swings
Sound: Lucy and Amy’s voice of laughter, creek of swings, self made soundtrack

We also had to create a storyboard that would help us keep up with what to film.

Editing for the Preliminary task

Once again we transferred our footage onto final cut pro so we could edit and begin to put the preliminary task together. I think this went quite fluently because we were all use to the software. We started by logging and capturing the footage which basically broke down each scene into sequences. We then had to rename them which made it easier for us to find specific scenes. We yet again noticed that footage was missing but had decided not to go back and film due to time and costume so we once again had to work with what we had. The footage that was missing was of the actor pressing the code on the door before entering to get inside. This shot was an over the shoulder shot but was soon resolved as we decided to use the full footage of the actor walking into the room from a medium shot. We also had to sort out what order the conversation went in as it was done in a shot/reverse shot and from a medium shot. This was easy to do however, matching the dialogue was slightly frustrating as the conversation had to flow. We also did the match cut which I am personally proud of because it flows fluently and works well with the scene.

As we had finished our editing early, we were given the choice to either add credits of to add a sound track. We decided sound track. Mickey quickly gave us a demonstration on how to use sound track pro. He showed us all the different instruments and how to speed up the tempo. Playing around with the instruments on sound track pro was fun as it gave us a chance to express ourselves. We used the drums and piano as they were the only instruments that truly fitted in with the storyline.

In another lesson we learnt how to lower the music for the dialogue to be heard. We decided to keep the sound of the door closing as it sort of introduced another character by alerting them that someone had walked in.

By the end of this task my group and I were all confident about our next final thriller task.

Filming for the Preliminary task

We began to film for our Preliminary task. We started our task by collecting the necessary tools such as the camera and tripod. We then went to our first chosen location and set up the equipment, which we decided on from our previous lesson. Everything went smoothly apart from the fact that people were using the staircase which meant that we had to wait for them to pass by then start again. We also had to make sure the actor was walking up the stairs at a steady and continuous paste. We then moved on to filming in the corridor which was much busier than the staircase which was slightly frustrating as we had to start over and over again however, we got the final footage. We then began to film the actor walking into the room but pressing a code to get into the room to make it seem more ‘top secret’. This was an issue as the teachers refused to give us the code due to certain reasons. We then came to a solution, as always, and put the door on the latch. However, even this was an issue as when pressing the buttons the door would open. This was soon resolved. Filming in the room was much easier as everyone was out of our way and it could be done to our satisfaction. After capturing our footage we watched it over on the camera to make sure we had got the shot/reverse shot and match cut.

Our filming was successful because everyone was focused and much more confident with how to use the equipment. We knew the shot types and angles that we had to do because of our very detailed storyboard which was kept on us at all times. I’ve learnt that planning is highly important as it is that which decides how well the task will turn out.

This film was very fun for the whole group as it allowed us to think out of the box. After this task I was eager to start our final thriller task.

Match cut tutorial and planning for the Preliminary task

After sharing our videos with the class we then settled down in our groups for a tutorial in match cutting. Match cutting is the term used when the same action is filmed from more than one angle. For instance, you could film a man walking on a long road from different angles and then when put together, the clip will smoothly run with nothing out of place.

To get us use to the idea of match cutting we were given a synopsis which was: East London. 3pm. A man chain smokes as he sits in his home on his PC. He copies confidential computer files and plans to a CD. He packages them and is seen posting them. What we basically had to do was break down the situation into twenty shots incorporating the theme of match cutting. At first glance I thought that twenty shots was too much however, as I got into it I found myself going over the twenty shot limit. When all groups were done attempting to match cut the synopsis we were then given the chance to watch Mickey’s version of the synopsis which included all relevant match cuts. Whilst watching his version on screen I noticed that I had also got some of the same shots which made me feel good because I then new what match cut was and how it worked.

When watching Mickey’s version I noticed he used text to state the time and location to which instantly sets the scene and eliminates the need for an establishing shot of the location.

Finally, we were given our preliminary filming task. The brief was to film the action of a character opening a door, walking into a room, sitting opposite another character and sharing a few lines of dialogue. We had to include at least one match cut and one shot /reverse shot and showing our understanding of the 180 degree rule which is only filming on one side of the characters so that when transferred onto a screen the characters will constantly appear on the same sides. As soon as the brief was set, my group and I sat down and put our ideas together, once again. We decided to film the journey of one of the actors going up the stairs, walking along the corridor and then into an office where the actor would meet another actor and exchange dialogue. We based the story around the handover of important files and decided to do the filming on the college staircase, second floor corridor and the media staff room.

After we had sorted out the location and completed a story board, we was then ready to film next lesson.

Editing tutorial and Editing of The Newspaper thriller task

The lesson after our filming for the Newspaper thriller task we began editing all the filming we had captured on tape by transferring our recordings into software called final cut pro which was specifically used for film making. We learnt to do this in our editing tutorial which took place before filming. During the tutorial we used clips from a film and stuck the clips together in different ways as long as it made visual sense. By the end of the editing tutorial, I felt as if I had enough practice from cutting clips or making them slightly longer to be able to work with my group on our Newspaper thriller task. Whilst editing I often became confused with what icons to click as many looked the same. We also had a go of adding dissolving techniques which basically introduced another scene however, came to a decision that it did not suit the filming. Whilst editing we also realised that we had some footage missing that would have made the task look better however, with the brains of Mickey (media technician) we came to a solution which was to do a reverse clip of the automatic doors closing so it would look as though it was opening and closing.

In my opinion, the most difficult part of editing is making the clips run smoothly and effortlessly. I think that if all footage was recorded properly and knowingly, the clip would have looked better. Overall, I think that it was a really good first attempt and I am looking forward to our final thriller task.

Analysing Thriller Clips

All through one of our lessons we had to analyse thriller clips from films. We did this so we could learn what it was that made them give the audience a thrilling sensation. I think that it is the build up of tension, mysterious atmosphere and suspense which leads to the unknowing of when and what is going to happen. The clips that we analysed were from the films: 28 Days Later, The Shining, Arlington Road, Collateral and What Lies Beneath. We had to analyse the lighting, the use of camera, music, editing, setting and characters. My favourite out of the films was What Lies Beneath because I truly felt the suspenseful moments when the reflection was seen through the bath water. Within the clip from What Lies Beneath, the camera follows the foot steps of a woman in a bathrobe approaching the bathroom door and when she opens the door hot steam come gushing out. From this we can instantly assume that something bad is going to happen due to the mise en scene. Also, to add tension, the sounds during the clip range from diagetic sounds of the bath water running which adds reality to the situation and then non-diagetic sounds of the sudden change of mood when the woman sees the reflection of someone else in the bath water. The tension builds up from the over the shoulder shot of the woman turning the tap off then looking away from the tap where she discovers the reflection.
I think that the steam also added to the creation of tension as it blurred the vision of the audience making them want to focus more and more until they notice a figure which makes them want to jump.

The Newspaper thriller task

The class was given a task to create a thriller scene as a practice filming session. We had to capture a person reading a newspaper in a thrilling way using all camera techniques in the correct way, including: an over the shoulder shot, an extreme close up and a P.O.V shot. After receiving the requirements, we all had to attend a camera tutorial where we learning about adjusting the tri-pod, attaching and de-attaching the camera from the tri-pod, blurring and focusing on objects etc…

As soon as the tutorial was over, we all sat down beginning to plan. We all had input on the story, coming up with ideas and improving on each others ideas. We also had to decide who would be in the shot and who would be better at filming certain shots. For instance, Shabaz would be in the scene and Tareek would film his feet by tracking alongside him. Our basic storyboard idea was a person reading the newspaper and someone coming from behind and grabbing their shoulder. We decided to keep the person coming from behind anonymous as it would create tension and builds up atmosphere whilst leaving the audience eager to identify the anonymous person.

When looking at the footage we had captured I was pleased with it as it was our first attempt and thought we had done well. I was particularly pleased will the shot of the doors opening and closing as it was from a low angle and captured height. I feel that all the shots were well taken as a whole however, I think that the shot of the anonymous feet walking could have been taken steadier.

Whilst editing I felt that it was going well as all the shots made sense put together. In spite of some of our main shots going missing, we made the most of what we had and made it work. For instance, we had filmed the doors opening and closing. But when we uploaded the footage we had discovered that only the doors opening was filmed. We then decided to reverse the doors opening so it looked as though they were closing.

I learnt that mise en scene is vital in film making as it plays a major role in creating atmosphere and revealing the setting. I also learnt that if the first shot doesn’t meet standards due to interruption of people walking by, that it should be done again and again till its worth screening.

I think that we managed to create an element of suspense through keeping one character anonymous as this draws in the audience’s attention and makes them want to identify with the character. When starting to film we all made sure that it was vital to add the 5seconds of free filming before and after. We made sure that we filmed with the characters head at the top of the screen.

Over all I think that our first attempt went quite well as nothing major went wrong. I think that there is room for improvement and all these things will be considered whilst filming again. Next time, I will personally double check if the camera is recording so that when the time comes to edit, we will have all the takes we need.

Thriller Task

As part of my task i have been placed into a group to complete a opening to a film of thriller genre. Before starting the thriller task i was taught in lessons about film and technical work. I had to watch and analyse the thriller film "The Shining". Also I watched opening scenes of films. These were films such as 28 Days Later, Arlington Road etc. After completing these introductory lessons we started our thriller task.

On the first lesson I was placed into a group consisting of four people. I was pleased with the group i was given because I believe my partners are hard working individuals. Our first task was to create thriller film scene. We were given a scenario by our teacher which is a individual reading a newspaper. We had to make this scenario thrilling which will interest the audience. After discussing with the group, we decided on how to make the scene thrilling. We also discussed on what camera shots will be used in our scene. Our last discussion was based on what costume should be used. The following lesson we created our scene and we used the college as the location for the scene.