First Night Shooting

Well, it went...pretty badly. The tripod wouldn't fasten onto the bottom of the camera, meaning that the majority of the camera work was really shaky, thanks to my unsteady hands. Also, because its winter, within a couple of seconds the lighting went so dark it was barely possible to film! Also, my actors feel the need to constantly laugh at every bloody thing! I honestly lost the will to live with those lot. Also, what kind of place doesn't have a light switch for the second half of the rooms lights! Seriously! I mean, what the hell! I spent a good 20 minutes searching for that light switch! I blame Amy for suggesting using the cafeteria...
On the other hand, things weren't all bad. I got some usable footage, and the actors now understand what they have to do fully, in terms of their lines and how I'm actually physically shooting this. They even understand the 180 degree rule! Also, I'm quite lenient with how I shoot and write scripts, so if there's any other ideas or lines that my actors think would be great then they can add them in. I want them to feel natural when acting, not all tense, having to say lines they don't understand. There's actually a good idea that Becca came up with, which was to hug jade when she sees her, as "that's what you do when haven't seen someone in God knows how long". It actually worked pretty well, so I'm happy with any suggestions...although when Callum suggested using a trolley as a prop, I had to prevent myself from smashing myself over the head with the tripod.
So more shooting is going to have to be done tomorrow night, as that's the times that all of my actors can meet. After that, some shooting individually with certain actors may be needed, but oh well.
Could be worse. Could have been killed by a herd of frogs raining from the cafeteria ceiling.

Getting Everything Sorted

So, tomorrow 1st, 5th and after school are the designated times I've set for shooting, with 1st period being used for rehearsals. and 5th and after school being used to get the actual footage.  My actors are confirmed, and they agree that the script is UNBELIEVABLY cringy, which is PERFECT! I really wanted this to be cringe-worthy, so the fact that my actors think it is makes it all the more believable. I know what shots I'm going to use where, and so far, I haven't had a mental breakdown, as nothings gone wrong...I've just jinxed it haven't I?
Hopefully, everything will go well with the actual shoot, and with any look, my actors won't make me want to rip my hair out and burn down the set. Somehow, I'm not confident that won't happen.

New Project

So I've been given my new project, which includes writing my own script and making sure I include the 180 degree rule, Action Match and Shot-Reverse Shot in order to help with continuity. This time I'm working on my own.
Sooo. Having to write my own script? I'm actually really excited for this! I've decided the idea behind this will be a simple "girl's-day-out" set in Cafe. However, I decided to put a little twist in it. You'll see what I mean when I upload the script in a few days. I want this theme to be really sweet and quite different to what I've done in all my other projects. Something sweet and meaningful...yeah, that's what I want.
So, here are the need to knows so far:
Location:
The school cafeteria (myself and my actors have some free periods during the week, so this will be the perfect time to shoot without all the pesky little kids!) Credit to Amy for the idea!
Props:
Some cafe style drink containers, tables and chairs. That's it really.
Actors:

So far, out of my main two characters, I have a definite for one, which is my good friend Jade, who's agreed (unwillingly) to help. I've also lined up some of my other friends to be in the background to act as cafe-goers and waiter. Thanks guys!

Rehearsal:

I think quite a bit of rehearsal may be needed to make sure that everyone understands their role and what to do. If done over a few days, then a couple of minutes rehearsal before shooting may be needed.

Production Base:

Once again, school

Costumes:

I'm going to allow my actors to choose their attire, however they will have to wear the same outfit over the  days we do the shooting.

Sound Effects:

Background coffee shop noises, if needed.

Call Sheets:

Director/Camera Operator/ Continuity Adviser/Editor-Me

Now all that's left is the script and the storyboard.

Should be good!

Evaluation of the Prisoner Project

As with every clip/film/whatever, there's ALWAYS something that you wish you could change. And although this film worked really well, there are definatley some things that I would change.

1) One of the most annoying thing about this video is the whole concept with the car at the very beginning of the sequence. The camera positioning was reallly bad for this shot, as the position captured Amy's granddad driving the car. There was no real way to get around this without going back and re shooting, which unfortunatley wasn't an option. If had been available that day, I would have reduced the size of the tripod down, as well as angling the camera so that only the front of the car was visible, with the possibility of a tracking shot. That way, the driver won't have been able to be seen, making the video much more realistic when Amy got out of the driver's seat. This is definatley the problem with not being able to make a shoot for your own film.

2) I think that, in my opinion, the shot were Number 2 is moving towards the camera is too long, although feedback from another classmate said that he believed the sequence looked "drawn out but in a good way" (whatever that means?). However, if I was to redo the shot again, I would either use a zoom to focus in on Amy walking the same location but for a smaller distance, or move the whole camera and tripod closer towards the indivdual. That way, with the straight cuts used, the sequence will look significantly better, and the viewer won't lose interest in the 22 seconds it takes for Amy to stroll across a large field.

3) Another problem I REALLY wanted to get rid off, but couldn't, was the scene, again, where number two walked towards the camera. Careful viewers will realise...cancel that anyone with eyes will notice that Amy starts laughing just before the cut to the next shot. Believe me, I tried every possible way to try and edit it, but a few seconds before wouldn't have lloked as smooth when it straight cuts to the next scene. The things is she laughs in EVERY. SINGLE.TAKE. Definatley need to make sure that the nect time me and Amy do a shoot, make sure she doesn't get a fit of giggles before we start rolling...or maybe just whack her with a stick everytime she laughs.

4) I LOVED the crane shot that I filmed, and was really proud of the fact that it worked so well. I think the only problem with this shot was the fact that Amy's costume became really muddy, which overall ruined the shot. Ither than that I thought it was a great tracking crane shot and I'm really proud of it.

5) Its the shot after the crane shot that went wrong a little. At the beginning of the shot, you can here me ever so slightly as I try to direct this actaully really complicted scene, where number 2 recives a phone call (but who from?!). There really was no room for adding or taking away a second of footage, as this would have ruined the whole clip. And none of the other takes done of this clip where any good compared to this one. Sometimes these things can't be helped, but I definatley need to be more careful when shooting next time.

End of Evaluation Part 1 (yes there's MUCH more to come)

The Prisoner

So here is the finished "The Prisoner" project.
After all the troubles and all the mishaps, I'm so pleased with how it turned out. I'm extremely proud with the editing with this, and the combination of clips.
An evaluation will be to come soon, probablly Sunday.
Here it is, and enjoy.

Shooting...Again

SO last time Amy and I travelled to the location, started filming and...the battery ran out. We were cold, we were wet, and I think Amy started crying, I don't know for sure they kind of mixed in with the rain. Did I mention it was RAINING!
Tonight, we're going to try again, this time with a fully charged camera, and an umbrella, because (as always), it's raining.
I can see a pattern emerging here...

Pictures of our First Location

These are pictures of the enviroment we shot in for the first scene.
As you can see, the place looks very deserted and slightly creepy, making it a great atmosphere for the shoot.