PROOF OF FILMING/NEW DIALOGUE

We've finally got all of our footage, and we're very happy with what we've got, and just in the process of editing sound. Below you will find our proof of filming via. our YouTube channel.

Alex is also in the process of creating a bloopers video over the Christmas, just because some of the outtakes were very funny to film.

Here is our new script:

*Holly enters*
A: I just had the weirdest dream. I'm worried about Kierah
H: I don't care about your dream, I want to know why you're here
A: You might want to sit down for this, it's important
H: What could possibly be wrong with you now?
A: It's hard for me to tell you this, but I need to tell someone; can I trust you?
H: Of course
A: I'm batman
H: Wait... you're batman? Bat. Man. What... what?!
A: I need to go, Kierah needs my help
*A stands up and runs to the window*
....

*A tries to open the window but fails*
A: The window will not open
*A runs out the room and pushes H in the process*

FILMING UPDATE

Due to prior commitments from our actors, we had to make some changes to our plot to tailor to our time schedule.

As for our plot/dialogue; we have now used Kierah in a dream-like sequence. Alex will now wake up from a dream in an empty classroom, Holly will wake him up, and we will discuss why we think Kierah is in danger. Originally, we had every intention of creating a thriller - now we have created a comedy. Our new, lighthearted script was more suitable for the characters we are using, and given the time we had to re-film/edit, Comedy seems to be the better choice. Our next blog post will be our new dialogue and proof of filming.

We have still kept our planning and original editing - Kierah will still run away from something chasing her in college, and all of our camera angles/positions will remain the same for our conversation.

When uploading our footage onto the Macs, we discovered some problems with the data we were using. As we were using Alex's camera, instead of a college-provided camera, the Macs didn't have the drivers needed to transfer the footage. We overcome this problem by using a card-reader, and Sophie is planning on installing Nikon D3100 drivers for any future projects.

This has however meant that we have fallen slightly behind, but we plan to have everything finished by Friday, 19th December.

STORYBOARD

 

This is the basic storyboard for our preliminary short - there are only two characters, but I have used stock images/drawings/screen grabs to demonstrate camera positions/angles and explained the opening sequence's first three shots.

DIALOGUE

We planned the dialogue of the sequence along with the plot to fit the storyboard of the task, with this dialogue, we are able to use match on actions (with getting the knife out of the pocket) the 180 degree rule with the characters being opposite each other, and shot reverse shot through their dialogue.

Dialogue:

Kierah is heavy breathing, looking frightened.

Jarrod is already sat down in a chair, looking at her arrival

Kierah goes to get out the door but is unable as it is locked.

Jarrod: You need to stop running from me Kierah, you know I only want to talk.

Kierah: Stop! I owe you nothing!

Jarrod: You know you do, where is it? (getting aggressive)

Jarrod reaches into coat pocket, pulls out knife twirls it round on table

Kierah: I don’t know! I told you Smith took it from me three nights ago!

Jarrod: I can tell you’re lying Kierah, where is it?

FURTHER PLANNING/STORYBOARD

(Click on images to zoom in due to html problems on our blog)

We are currently producing our storyboard, and decided we wanted to use different colours to show Kierah running further away to distort the audience. We used Holly as an example. With this, we could dissolve each cut to distort the audience.

When looking at locations, we managed to find one of our actors to experiment certain shots with. We demonstrated our first three shots here, including the opening scene where we zoom out from Jarrod's back. Holly stood as Kierah's stand-in to demonstrate the camera distance we would use during filming. Finally, we used an extreme close up of Jarrod's face - he won't be laughing/confused like the example; we only used these images to demonstrate our understandings of camera distances.

-

Meg loved the idea of using a red wall during filming, and we all agreed that this could be a perfect setting for part of our short-film.

THE TASK

	What	When	Worth
Main Task	Opening to thriller film	Jan – April 2014	50%
Prelim Task	Continuity editing task	Dec 2013 – Jan 2014	You have to Complete and PASS
	Group task	Group Task

 

The Preliminary Task.

The specification states that this must be:

‘ A continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue.’ The sequence must last no longer than one minute.

 

This task should demonstrate:

 

• Match on Action
• Shot/Reverse Shot
• The 180 degree Rule

 

You will also have to incorporate Music, dialogue and sound effects into your film

 

All filming and editing must take place on campus, using College equipment.

You will record your learning and processes on a group blog, which you will continue into the Main Task (the opening of Thriller Film).

PRELIMINARY PLANNING

Here is our first Vlog, discussing: Location, Costume, Props and Lighting!

Updates to follow.

TASK ALLOCATION

We have assigned the following roles to each team member:


Alex

• Camera Operator
• Director of Filming

Meg

• Camera Operator
• Storyboard Artist

Holly

• Prop Manager
• Location Scout

We have already considered as a group our actors/cast, so we'll take joint responsibility of 'Casting Director'

 

SHOT/REVERSE SHOT

Shot/Reverse Shot is an example of visual continuity. It is used to show a conversation between two or more people in the same room. To film a successful Shot/Reverse Shot sequence, we must also use the 180 degree rule. The idea of Shot/Reverse Shot is for each character to take turns in speaking - this gives each character time to speak and react on camera. This is not restricted to a single shot of each character; we could film 2 shots of one character from different angles before showing the reaction of the other character.

Camera angles are also varied, the most popular is shown in the example on the right. The characters are positioned unnaturally closed, and the camera is position in a way that shows the back side of one characters head - this is an OTS shot. The other character fills the negative space.

Other examples exclude the OTS, and just show a character standing on their own.

THE 180 DEGREE RULE

The 180 degree rule is where the camera keeps on one side of the action, keeping the characters on a side of the axis. This is called an axis of action. As shown in the diagram, the line of vision is drawn through the two characters, the camera shots and angles can be any side of the line, but once chosen a side, cannot cross the line. Consequences would be disorientating for the audience and would show the characters positions being reversed. This is called the 180 degree rule because the camera can’t move more than 180 degrees (half a circle) around the characters.

MATCH ON ACTION

A match on action is an editing technique in which one shot is cut onto another. The visual continuity editing gives the impression that the action is being carried through which creates a visual bridge. The audience are oblivious, their attention is elsewhere because the perspective of the camera changes but still flows.

WHEN OUR GROUP IS FREE

Coinciding Free Periods:

• Thurs L5
• Mon L1/2
• Tues L3
• Weds L5

When Two are Free:

• Mon L3/5
• Tues L1
• Weds L1/2/3/4
• Thurs L1/3/4/5
• Fri L1/3/5