Filming Pack Day 2

Wednesday 28th January
Estimated filming time: 4-30pm

Once the equipment is at the location it will be marked off the list for the next shooting day.

Primary camera
BTS camera
Tripod
External zoom recorder

Day 1 Review

So Monday January 19th was Day 1 of shooting and this will be my overall review.

We were mistakenly given the A2 camera instead of the panoramic AS camera and decided to try to film these key these with it after being given a tutorial on how to use the camera from our Media teacher. The instructions were simple enough to understand and follow.

We got to the location at 5:00pm (estimate) and began setting up our equipment for our key shots that were the most important to do first. We decided to do these shots first because since they were the most important in our sequence to convey our sci fi we would need to film multiple takes in the short amount of filming time we have and if we could only use the A2 camera once these shots would be the initial shot to have at a higher quality.

Once we at the location and set up the key shots we ran across a problem which was the area of space needed for this camera. The A2 camera was too big for the environment we were in which made it complicated to use the shot types I had imagined on using. After finding a suitable distance for the first shot I ran into another problem which was the tripod. The tripod stance left the camera on a tilt so I had the adjust it which took up more time than I had hoped.

This was also the first time we were using all the other equipment for this shoot which could have been bad but after setting the equipment up the silhouette worked, the distance between the work lights, Dylan and the window were perfect. I think to improve the set up I would have lowered the lighting stance to level with Dylan which I couldn't because I forgot to put the safety handles on the lighting equipment.

We ran out of time to film the shots in the end but it was a good experience for us to learn from this and improve on the next shooting day.

Our Lighting Equipment (Planning)

Since we were indoors it is expected that the camera quality won't be as good as it won't if we filmed outside during the day. We had to use different lights throughout our sequence to keep the set well lit and be able to convey a sci-fi looks with filters in front of those lights.


The first light we will use is a 1000watt twin halogen worklight. This is our main light source to make our silhouette. We wouldn't be able to make the silhouette look as sharp as possible without this light, the power of this light is also supposed to resemble the light source from something like a spaceship so it will need to be powerful to be able to denote one.

The next light we will use is an LED light. This little but powerful light is great for placing it anywhere in a scene unnoticed as it is portable but also can you change it brightness to get the lighting you want.








The next light we will use is a standard table lamp. We did adjust this light  by attaching blue shades with duct tape. we did this to make the scene look more blue to add  a sci-fi theme to the scene.

The next light we will use is a clamp light. Finding a place to position the light where they would be is difficult but if the lamp can clamp onto object it makes it much easier. We also adjusted the light similarly to the table lamp by adding blue shades to this light as well.

 

The last light we used was a torch which was also a prop. We used this light for the character to interact with and as the character moved around the setting would sometimes point it at the camera to make this lens flare.

Our Sound Set up 1

Sound during film: Audio recording

Sound set up during filming, we will be using a Lavalier microphone for an external audio recording. Also we will be using a dynamic mic which will plug into the video camera so we can have clear audio and limit white noise.


A dynamic microphone takes advantage of electromagnet effects. When a magnet moves past a wire (or coil of wire), the magnet induces current to flow in the wire. In a dynamic microphone, the diaphragm moves either a magnet or a coil when sound waves hit the diaphragm, and the movement creates a small current.

A Lavelier is a small electret or dynamic microphone used for television, theatre, and public speaking applications, in order to allow hands-free operation. They are most commonly provided with small clips for attaching to collars, ties, or other clothing.

Production Research - Set Design, Props, Costume and Makeup 1

Settings and Props

• Bedroom
• Corridor
• Living room
• Kitchen
• Utility room

For the bedroom we'll try to keep it simple. There's not much we need to change with the bedroom other than moving the bed to the middle and the draws on both sides, we will keep everything else the same. There are a few props that the characters will interact with. The first being the alarm clock. this prop will be used to convey the passing of time in our scene. The second prop in the scene is the photo frame of Brandon and Niloo at area 51. The photo will be used to support the sci fi theme of our story. The next prop that Brandon will interact is the lamp he tries to switch on. The next props will be the draw and the torch, Brandon will open the draw to get the torch. The torch is going to be used throughout most of the opening up until the silhouette scene.

The next 3 areas: corridor, living room and kitchen won't be changed that much as these areas are the least important in the film though we are going to change the area near the front door by tidying it up and place lighting equipment that would be hidden from the cameras view. the prop at the front door we will be using are a golf club. We decided that Brandon's character would need to use a weapon to defend himself if the case was actually a robbery and the golf club was the only weapon we had.

The utility room is the main room which we need to focus the most on since this was where we would use the silhouette technique. We want to use a range of shot types so by clearing the room it will give us more space for a long shot for the reveal of the alien's silhouette. The props we are using are still the torch and golf club which Brandon's character will leave behind in a panic to get to Karen.

Costume and Make Up
The costume we are using are pretty average as the characters are only going wear pajamas. No specific make up will be used either as it won't play an important part in our opening.
The costume we are using for Dylan who will play the alien is an alien mask the create the silhouette and thin clothing to make the alien look as skinny as possible to fit a typical stereotype of an alien look.

Filming Pack Day 1

This will include all the equipment we could possibly be using during filming. We are taking more than we need but I'd rather have something I don't need than need something I don't have.

Monday 19th January
Estimated filming time: 4-30pm

Once the equipment is at the location it will be marked off the list for the next shooting day.
Filming
Script x2
Shot list
Primary camera
Tripod x2
Secondary camera
Directors clapboard
External microphone
Lavalier mic
Ladder
Umbrella ella ella ay ay ay

Lighting
LED lantern
Twin 500w work lights
500w light bulbs x7
Lamp
Flashlight (also prop)
Cassette cable wheel
Shower curtain
Light bounce board
Sunglasses

Costume and Props
Pajamas x2
Alien mask
Alarm clock
Photo frame
Prop lamp
Flashlight (also lighting)

Extra Stuff
Assortment of tapes.
Scissors
Box cutter
Pen, pencil, rubber and measuring tape.

Production Research - Sound 1

Before our group begins the production process we need to prepare and research. Since I am the director I need to research into filming, lighting, sound, production design and editing so I can work with everyone else in the group and their roles.

Sound Recording
I found a webpage that gives good tips and tricks for recording sound when making short films.

http://www.adobe.com/inspire/2013/10/tips-high-quality-audio.html

This webpage by adobe give great tips and tricks: the first being get closer don't turn the volume up. This means for the close ups in the scene we will use the lapel mic so we can just record the subjects audio and not audio from the whole room and during the scene where that are a medium long shot or further we use the external mic connected to our camera.

Audio Editing
After Dylan has edited our opening Brandon and myself we unlink the audio from the video and run it through audacity to remove all the white noise that has been a reoccurring theme that I have noticed from watching some of the previous groups openings. Then after removing the white noise if needed we will enhance the audio of the actors speaking to make it more clear to hear when viewing the opening.

Music and Sound Effects
making the vocals more clear Brandon and I will go back through the video making our sound effects and selecting music and other sound effects for Dylan to edit into the film.
We will use websites like:
Freesound.org
Freemusicarchive.org
Proudmusiclibrary.com
Incompetech.com
Freeplaymusic.com
These website contain thousands of royalty free music tracks and sound effects that we would be able to use if we are unable to make our own.

Shot List Draft 2

Tick shot no. box when shot is complete. Highlighted Shot Types = same action different shot. * = give or take a second. LOOK OUT FOR CONTINUITY ERRORS.

Shot	Location	Shot Type	Angle	Movement	Length	Action	Characters
1	Bedroom	LS (EST)	Low Level	Still	00:03s	Camera facing foot of bed. Adam and Karen are asleep.	Adam, Karen.
2		MCU	Mid-Level	Still	00:03s	Alarm clock on left-side drawer 2:52am	None.
3a		CU	Mid-Level	Still	00:04s	Jump cut as minute changes 2:53am then changes to 2:54am	None.
3b		CU	Mid-Level	Still	00:03s	Focus pull to see the minute pass to 2:54am	None.
4		MCU	Mid-Level	Still	00:04s	Tracking forward to photo frame on right-side drawer.	None.
5		CU	Mid-Level	Still	00:05s	Focus pull to show couple standing outside area 51.	None.
6		LS	Ariel	Tilting up	00:04s	Tilt up from foot of the bed to head of the bed.	Adam, Karen.
7		CU	Mid-Level	Still	00:06s	Draw shakes and alarm moves towards edge of draw.	None.
8		CU	Low Level	Still	00:02s	Alarm hits the floor.	None.
9		CU	Mid-Level	Still	00:02s	Adam wakes up from the sound of the alarm hitting the ground and smashing.	Adam.
10		MS	Mid-Level	Still	00:05s	Adam quickly sits up from the bed to survey the room.	Adam, Karen.
11		CU	Mid-Level	Still	00:04s	Adam tries turn the lamp on but the powers been cut.	Adam.
12		CU	High	Still	00:05s*	Adam grabs a flashlight out of the bottom drawer.	Adam.
13		LS	EL	Still	00:06s*	Adam walks around the bed making his way towards the door. While Karen begins to sit up.	Adam, Karen.
14		MS	EL	Still	00:05s	Karen is sat up and asks “what’s going on?” as Adam walks passed the camera..	Karen.
15		MS (2S)	Low Angle	Still	00:08s	Adam turns to Karen and says “nothing the powers been cut, I’m just going to check it out”. Adam leaves the bedroom.	Adam.
16	Corridor	MS	EL	Still	00:06s*	Adam closes the bedroom door and begins to shivers from the coldness of the rest of the house.	Adam.
17		MCU	EL	Still	00:05s	Adam breathes into his hands with his cold breath.	Adam.
18		LS	EL	Panning left	00:05s	Adam turns to his right to see the front door open.	Adam.
19a		MLS	EL	Tracking back	00:07s*	Adam turns back to the corridor and begins to slowly walk with flashlight in hand.	Adam.
19b		MS
20	Kitchen	MS	EL	Still	00:02s	Adam walks into the kitchen, looks left and right then proceeds to window.	Adam.
21		LS	EL	Still	00:04s	Adam walks to the window to see if anyone is outside.	Adam.
22		CU (POV)	EL	Still	00:05s	Adams POV but he can’t see anything but darkness.	Adam.
23		CU (POV)	EL	Still	00:01s	A bright light suddenly emerges from the darkness.	Adam.
24		LS	Low Angle	Still	00:04s*	Adam takes a step back from the power of the light source and begins to cover his eyes.	Adam.
25		CU (POV)	EL	Still	00:03s	Adams hand covers his eyes from the brightness but something starts to appear from the brightness.	Adam.
26		MS (OS)	EL	Tracking left	00:04s	A Mysterious silhouette has appeared.	Adam, Sil.
27		MCU	EL	Still	00:04s	Adam looks at the silhouette and is shocked, the only thing he can think to say is “you’re real?”.	Adam, Sil.
28		MS (OS)	EL	Still	00:05s*	Silhouette turns its head to focus on Adam.	Adam, Sil.
29		MCU	EL	Still	00:02s*	Adam silently gasps.	Adam.
30		CU	EL	Still	00:02s	Flashlight hitting floor.	Adam.
31		MS (OS)	EL	Still	00:03s	Silhouette moves closer to the window.	Adam, Sil.
29		MCU	EL	Still	00:03s	Adam begins to reach out to the silhouette but is interrupted by a loud bang and the sound of screaming.	Adam.
30		MLS	EL	Still	00:04s	Adam begins to run back the bedroom while calling Karen’s name.	Adam.
31	Corridor	LS	EL	Still	00:05s	Adam is about to enter the bedroom and we see the front door is closed.	Adam.
32		LS (POV)	High	Still	00:04s	The bedroom is empty, Karen is gone. Adam runs back out of the bedroom.	Adam.
33a		LS	EL	Still	00:03s	Adam runs to the front door and pushes it open to get outside.	Adam.
33bi		LS	EL	Still	00:02s	Adam runs to the front door to push it open.	Adam.
33bii		MLS	High	Still	00:05s	Adam bounces off the front door due to some force field. But he gets up and tries again this time the door opens easily.	Adam.
34	Driveway	MLS	EL	Still	00:03s	Adam quickly looks left and right.	Adam
35		LS	EL – High	Tracking back	00:10s	Adam runs to the back garden then realizes Karen has disappeared and begins to walk down the drive and gets louder as he says her name while the camera moves higher above him until he’s shouting her name at the sky.	Adam