Test shoot reflection

The idea of the the main Antagonist being a ritualist has been translated well and clearly in the test shoot sequence. We can clearly see that the girl who has been held captive is afraid and we see the emotion in her eyes. In my opinion I think that the sequence is engaging because of the mystery of the ritualist. We can see that his character clearly knows what he doing as he's very calm and collective when laying out the ritualistic devices. 

Unfortunately, the idea doesn't make two minutes. However, there is a few more shots of a satanic creature that we will use in the actual thing and maybe get some test footage in the coming weeks of experimentations with the 'Eyes' that are the main part of the sequence that have to be scary for audience members.

The pace of the sequence is generally quite steady and consistent. The only time when the pace of the sequence slows down slightly is when the ritualist is laying down his objects. However, this is good because the audience can see what he is laying out and justify at whether they have any meaning towards the ritual.  This is also towards the end of the sequence, on the day of filming and with editing we will use fast cuts which will create the tension required in the sequence.

I showed the sequence to my farther and asked him what he thought the sequence was about and if you could tell that the antagonist was a ritualist and an antagonist and that the girl was being held captive by the girl. He did also notice a few continuity errors but after all he is a media teacher.

Some tension is created. However, I would like it if more was created but we can easily achieve this on shoot day when we have the satanic creature sorted and a soundtrack which will create tension and emotion as sound is the most important element of film.

The camera angles that we have used are effective in showing which character has a higher power status and who is in charge. We did this by using a high angle on the girl in captive to make her look weak and scared and a low angle on the ritualist to show that he is in charge and that the girl should be scared of him.

We tried to use a series of complex dutch angles and other shot types to convey the girl's emotions and confusion that she is going through. We used little camera movement in the test but I'm hoping to incorporate some on the shoot day so that the sequence becomes more dynamic. In general, the shot composition was very good. there was no shot which we had messed up the grid or the rule of thirds.

From this test shoot I can take away that our group can make something fairly decent without all the shots required to make a full sequence. We will work on creating the monster in the next few weeks. Realistically, we need a dark hood that we can put LED lights into and add some fur and feather to the hoodie as we plan to only film the silhouette. 

I feel like a few of the shot transitions haven't worked perfectly but are easily solved with a few more editing workshops. The Antagonist and its character have worked really well along with the girl held in captive. The idea I original and I like the way its been put on the screen.

Overall I enjoyed making it and even though its not perfect and precise, these tweaks can be made in the future and on the shoot day.

Test Shoot

Here is the finished test shoot.

Shoot sequence workshops.

Today in the workshop, we filmed a short dialogue scene in one of the classrooms between two other students. We used a variety of shots to capture the sequence. First up, I filmed a wide shot of the sequence. Then I did an over the shoulder shot of both the actresses, who were Amy and Gracie and then focused on the hands of one of their hands.  The girls did almost the same thing with me and Ollie.

We Stuck to the 180 degree rule which we learn't in previous workshops. Also we used the shot composition workshop to help us frame the various shots we used. During previous camera workshops I learned that close up shots will capture emotion because they are of the face.


Today in our workshop, we edited the shoot sequence we did in the earlier lesson. For the first shot, I used a close up of Gracie as she walked into the room then used the close up on Amy's hands then her face to create some emotion for the character. Then I used a series of over the shoulder shots with the dialogue to make it sound like a conversation. For the sequence that the girls filmed, we used a wide angle first to establish the location as you should most of the time always do. Then we used a close up on the connection of our hands and then that same wide shot of the handshake to a close up of me sitting down then to  a close up of Ollie saying his words back to my close up saying mine. We used the close ups to capture the emotion.
I was taught how to do a sound bridge, we used this in the piece with me and Ollie in when I was sitting down.


Improvements
In the over shoulder shot, the composition was all over the place. The actresses were way too far left and there was a mug which was getting more screen time.

 For the real thing i'll take more care when shooting and looking at the top left and seeing which object gets more screen time. Along with the marginal composition, the white Balance setting was a bit all over the place. The rushes were very yellow/orange. The last thing was in the second sequence, it was a bit too fast. We used a large variety of shots which made the narrative rapid. There was a few areas where some sound from one shot crossed over to another shot. But other than that, my feedback was very could

I did also mean add a Barn door wipe too for added comedic effect. I did edit the second sequence to be quite rapid and fast. It was because I used a couple of rushes instead of a variety. There were instances where I could have used a sound bridge because the sound overlapped in the first sequence. I often found myself using the 'I' 'O' 'V' and 'C' shortcuts which made it easier for me and Ollie who I showed how to use the software as he wasn't here for the first editing workshop.

Test Shoot Plan.

A man Walks into shot and opens up hatch in the floor to reveal a girl who is down there being held captive. He closes the hatch and sets up a ritual next to the hatch by laying down satanic items. We will have to use substitute props as items. After he sets up the ritual, he says some words and then retreats down the hatch. He cuts his hand and drips the blood on the girl who is whimpering. In a dark corner, we hear a growl and some eyes open. The Ritualist runs out of the hatch as we hear screaming as the girl has been suggestively killed.

Actors : We need a male and a female for the sequence.

Location, we will use the underground passage on the way to the common room and the hatch and room below.

Alfie will be the director, I will be the camera operator and Lottie will be the editor of the sequence

Editing Workshop

For Today's Lesson, we were in the editing suite to do our first workshop on editing.

First of all, the software we use is 'Adobe premier plus' which is used for editing short youtube videos or big films like 'Deadpool.' It's a simple and logical platform which is easy to use and can produce amazing pieces of work. You use 'I' and 'O' which standing for in and out to select where you want the footage to come in at.

                                                     
When you get onto the software, there are 4 sections. In the top left, we have the rushes which are the original pieces of footage that are on the computer. This is the footage that has no edits or anything to it. In the top right there is the footage that has been cut and edited into the right sections. Bottom left is where we find the Bin and the rushes and all the media stored in the computer's files. Lastly bottom right is where we have the timeline, this is where you cut the footage and put it into place.

The + and - buttons, zoom in on the bottom right section so that you can get a precise cut on the rush. If you press 'C', the arrow key becomes a cutting tool. this is a short cut.
The golden rule is to always save your film after making every adjustment.
Here is the finished piece...
 

Feedback on Opening sequences.

Today I received feedback on my opening sequence ideas.

Here is what was said:

Idea 1.

• Bold. 

• Can make it work. 
• Will be hard finding an athletic Actor
• Sprinting through rooms and jumping through window would be fantastic to watch.
  Not much room to film this at school and there are no suitable places around here.
  
  
  Idea 2.
  If done well, it would look incredible.
  Quite a touchy subject.
  will be hard to sort out costumes and characters
  it would be hard to film.
  
  

idea 3

The third Idea – is the best. 

Others are basically undo-able. 

It will be hard to create the creature in real life  

Might be a bit quick – try make it longer. 

 

My Group description.

In Today's session we were introduced to our group that we will be working in for our opening sequences. In my group are Lottie and Alfie. Both are enthusiastic media students and have potential to make films in the future...

Lottie has created a group chat on social media so that we can keep in touch during the planning section of the sequence. 

We have collectively decided to use my original idea which involves the creature. We are in the process of tweaking my idea so that it comes to life and hopefully be a spectacle to watch. 

We have a basic idea of how the sequence will pan out. We have been inspired by 90s grainy film and will have some sort of detective theme.

Camera Workshop 2

Today we learned how to shoot a sequence.
One of the basic techniques you use is to shoot a wide shot first so that you can establish your set and location. Then you should get a close up on multiple key areas of the sequence e.g. a hand or shoes when the actor is walking. Then get a final close up on the actor's face to see their emotions.

Continuity and its importance

Continuity is one of the most important things in film and TV as it can be easy to notice bad continuity in media. Hair and makeup is one of the main things that are called out for changing in each shot. to do this, there are continuity 'helpers' on set to spot any errors.
Also, directors and cinematographers use the 180 degree rule, which helps with keeping actor in the same position in the shot.

Tape markers are used to help with the positioning of the actors on set. It makes sure that the actors are in shot or even in the right part of the shot. Another thing to keep in mind is that usually the Protagonist will travel from left to right while the antagonist will travel from left to right.

The key terms to say onset before taking a shot are "Standby" - "Standing by" then "Roll Camera" - "Camera Rolling". "Action" and then when the take is over the director says "cut". However the Actors and the Director don't watch the take back on set because it is time consuming and can disrupt the continuity.

Rule of Three
The shot will be split up into 3 horizontal sectors and 3 vertical sectors. The Cinematographer must make sure that there isn't too much empty space in the top third and make sure there is something interesting in the top left square as that is where audiences will look first when viewing because you read a book from left to right. The cinematographer must adjust and judge the depth of focus and what will be in the foreground and background of the shot.
                            

Camera Workshop 1

Today we headed into the studio at Hurtwood to learn how to set up a camera.
We were taught how to set up the Tri-Pod and the Camera.

We learned about the Panning and Tilt locks along with the white balance setting.
                                                 
The Main camera that we will be using is the 'Black Magic Mini USRA 4K'


To set up the Trip-Pod, you must first take it out of the bag and stand it up by spreading the legs out. To adjust the height of it there are locks on each leg that you must twist to unlock to extend the height of the legs. Always extend the bottom legs first before the top legs as it is the easiest and most successful way of doing this.

To put the camera on the tripod you slide it along the tracts on the base and then lock it in place with a switch on the right side of the base. You must always keep your hand on the camera before it is locked in place just incase it falls off and gets damaged. On the base of the tripod where the camera is held, there are locks for the Pan lock and  the Tilt lock. these stop the camera from moving about.

Once you have set up the tripod and camera, you need to bubble the tripod meaning you need to balance the bubble, from the spirit leveller on the front of the base, in the centre so that the angle is straight and not wonky.

After this you must turn the camera on by ejecting the screen on the left side and pressing the on button. The screen will turn on with a live image of what the lens is pointing at. You must adjust the 'White Balance setting' depending whether Natural light or a man made light is affecting the image.

Opening sequence idea 3

Action/Adventure.

Summary of opening Sequence - An adventurer has stolen an artifact from a secluded building. When the artefact is taken from the perch, a timer for a bomb starts a 2/3 minute countdown. As the adventurer is making his way out of the building, two members of an organisation that also want the artefact chase him out. The chase involves vaulting and climbing over various obstacles.
                                        
In the chase, the adventurer shoots one of the chasers to make a 1 v 1. the adventurer outruns the chaser and spectacularly exits the building as there are multiple explosions coming from the building.
over this, the Credits will be rolling over then top of the sequence.
                                       
Plot of whole film - The Rest of the film will be about the adventurer's son and how he grows up to be his father and fulfils his father's name. He will be tracking all over the world to try and find rare and expensive items in places such as the Himalayas and Monte Carlo. He will come into contact with some infamous bad guys.

Characters

Adventurer - a young bloke, wearing a bag and tough clothing e.g. cargo trousers and a t-shirt with a pistol in a holster. he is a confident bloke and always has a cheeky smirk on his face. He will also be an athletic lad.

The Two members of the Organisation - Almost identical looking outfits, black suit jacket, black trousers and black tie with a white shirt. most definitely wearing sunglasses too. These are stereotypical henchmen.
                                       

Sound- there will be a non-diegetic soundtrack to go with the film that will I guess help the mood of the film.


Inspired by the opening of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'
                                                      

Opening Sequence Idea 2

Action/Thriller

Summary
 3-5 Terrorists takes over institution. They take hostages and steal valuables from the hostages. we then see some S.W.A.T officers arrive. And the opening mainly follows the SWAT teams take back the hostages until we get to the main terrorist who murders his hostage as the team get to the room where he is at. The team then shoot the hostage but are filled with great regret after not being able to save that hostage.

The Credits will be playing over the sequence.

Whole film plot - The SWAT team carry on with their missions but are affected by the death of the hostage. Some of the team are killed because they can't concentrate and others resign and so a new bunch of officers are trained up to become swat team.

Characters - Terrorists - Dressed in dark colours E.g dark green, brown and black. They will be masked
                                            
Police - Dressed in some sort of navy blue uniform, they won't be masked but they will be very professional.
                                            
Largely inspired by Christopher Nolan's new film TENET and Hotel Mumbai.
                                            
Sound - There will be a soundtrack that will play music that will create tension as this sequence is meant to be tense.

opening Sequence Idea 1

Horror. 

Summary:

Set in one of the boarding houses, preferably BWebb or Hurtwood where its dark.  

There is a man searching for someone/thing in all the rooms 

The man walks into an empty room to find a girl who is scared and shaking in the corner. She trembles as the man walks over to her. 

The man is oblivious to the dark creature in the background. 

Whole film plot - The man turns out to be a Hunter of creatures. And throughout the film he comes across more creatures until there is a boss fight at the end where all the mans hard work will maybe pay off?

Characters - A middle aged man. we hardly see his face as the set will be dark, he is very mysterious as we can't really tell if he is a good character or a bad character until the final moments of the sequence. He wears a trench coat along with other clothes, but the trench coat is the standout feature. He is fearless.

                                                             

A young girl - she is a normal teenager who has be attacked by something as she has a few cuts and bruises on her, she is sitting tightly in the corner and trembling. 

                                                               

The creature- it won't look human. it will be dark and mysterious like the man but it will be more sinister. it will make growling noises and will sit in the opposite corner to the girl.

                                                                

Sound - throughout the sequence the soundtrack that belongs to the creature will be played. at the beginning of the piece you won't be able to hear it clearly but towards the end of the sequence as the man is getting closer to the room, the sound will be very clear and scary. it will be low and deep and will be uncomfortable to hear.