Uni Semester 2. Advanced Negotiated Entertainment Project. In development of the film "Fiction?"

Week 1
An upcoming filmmaker will make a short horror film called "Fiction?" Its target audience is at people aged 15 and over and is set to be 10 to 20 minutes long.

 The idea came along from many inspirations from existing horror films on the stories, how they were made and what subtleties were used. Many examples include The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Changeling and The Shining. Writing the script started back in the Christmas holidays and the maker thought the idea for this film could work for this particular module.  So writing is still continued and is up to 4 or 5 scenes all together. The aim for the amount of scenes will 12 to 16 scenes all together.

Shooting should be starting around the 13th or the 15th of February. This should give enough time for script and shot list amendments.

Editing is starting around the 14th because the first scene can be edited then. This will mean that I

The pitch of the film is written and will be presented on power point if needed. Also a storyboard for the a particular scene is drawn. Here are the images of the written pitch and the storyboard for one scene:

Written Pitch

Storyboard of Scene 1

Week 2

The filmmaker has now created a PowerPoint Presentation which introduces of what the upcoming film is going to be about, what range of target auidence its aimed at and when the shooting is going to begin. Here are the images of the pitch:

Week 2

For this week, the writing of the script still continues. I have written 4 scenes overall and I'm planning on writing 4 or 5 more scenes left.

This will also make me think on what type of lighting I should use how subtle I would like to make the film. For this, I will test the lighting on the camera before the shoot date, so that I'll know exactly what I want the film to look like. 

One of my other tasks is to do my location scout. I do already have locations in mind. I don't need permission from one of them because it's my own home. For the local brook area, again I don't need any permission because its local and its quite empty most of the time. 

Week 3

The script is now complete. I have looked through it for any spelling errors or grammar. After these are corrected, it'll be sent to a script writing lecturer and he will send back the comments of constructive criticism and they will be taken care of as soon as I collect them. 

Also, in the same week, I have done my short location scout and have taken photographs of the locations this film will be shot at. Here are the photographs:

This is for the boys walking scene

This is for Luke's friend, Sean's last scene. This is going to be his bedroom.

Although I am planning to tidy it up before shooting the scene.

This is for Luke's night scene where he's going to walk 

across to the door on the right to call for his parents.

Week 4

Through out this week, I have been looking through the script and created a full detailed shot list. I'm still waiting for a reply from the lecturer I have sent my script. If I don't get a reply soon, I will give the script to other peer members and ask them to read it and see what they think and if there any amendments that are needed. Here are the images of my shot list:

Week 5

This week, the script of the film has been reviewed and he gave very constructive criticism. There is a scene where a murder is described by the main character's friend. In real life this wouldn't happen so it needs to be re- written. He also told me that the thoughts that with what the character's are thinking, I have to tell the actors how to express these feelings on screen.  So now the next step is to look through the script and amendment these changes and book the equipment that is needed for the shoot.

Also the equipment is booked and the shooting starts on Friday. I have booked the Panasonic 151 camera which I think will give the best quality of the film. Also I have booked a LED light, just incase I need to light up the actor on camera and an appropriate shot gun boom mic for the sound quality. 

As explained by the images, I will be filming in my little brother's room for the main characters room. This will show the how cut off the character is from his family and his friend and the room size helps with this. The director also wants to show how obsessed the character is into his book and will give 'his own little world' feeling. This is where most of the film is set.

Im planning on using alot of closeup angles with the chosen camera on the actor to show how focused he is on his book and to also show clearly on how he feels when he hears about the deaths, how confused he is when the mysterious messages appear on his computer, when the spirit is speaking to him and when the strange happenings are going on.

Week 6- The shoot

This week, the scene 1, 3 and angles of the final scene were shot. Since the second actor was around, the director thought that it would be best to get as much time with both actors filmed as possible just in case the second actor isn't available. 

Also on this week, scene 2 in the brook was filmed and the angles with the second actor in the phone conversations were shot. 

Overall, both were very successful shoots. Here are some images of the shoots:

The editing process is going well. The director has learned more on sound quality on the edit. When the sound comes through with a hiss at the background, he has leaned on turning up the treble, which gives more bass to the sound and also turn up the volume. 

On the picture quality, the director has learned on how to color balance the image and has kept note on the numbers on the balances. 

Through out the edit, the director found that the sound of the main character typing on his computer didn't come out as best he thought. So he watched back on the footage and looked at the speed on the character typing. So he used his dictaphone and recorded himself typing on the same computer, trying his best to type at the character's speed. It took some time to edit because the sound had to be modified with the treble and the volume and had to be placed at the correct times. The outcome came out successfully. Here is an image of this happening:

Week 7- The shooting continues

For this week, the director has shot the end scene with the main character being possessed by the spirit. The shooting was a success. But looking through the footage, the scene needed a re-shoot because of a large and noticeable continuity error. The error was the main character was on the floor in a particular position and the next cut was the character in a completely different position So the director took note on how to improve the scene when re-shooting. 

Also, the rest of the second scene was fully shot as-well. Now scene 2 is fully complete. It just needs to be edited. Here are a few images of the shoots.

Here are 2 images of the shoot:

Week 8-The re-shoot and edits

The last scene was re-shot and this time, the flow feels alot better because the main character kept position. All that is needed is one more angle of the scene and then the last scene will be completed. Through out the shoot I had to use a LED light so the audience can see the expressions on the character. 

The editing processes are going extremely well. For the main character typing on his computer, the director used the file he recorded on his Dictaphone and edited it to the pace of the main character typing. This was a long and very hard process because he wanted it the speed to be as precise as possible. But it is now looking good. 

Here are 2 images of the reshoot:

Week 9- The shooting of scene 4

The director has been concentrating on shooting the first scare scene of the film. The shooting is going very well but this scene is still in progress. 

Week 10- The last of the filming and editing + the extension

During this week, the shooting of the film was completed and the editing was also completed. During this time, the director once again, used his Dictaphone to record his own voice over for the evil spirit to give them film a tense, atmospheric feel. He also used a family member's voice for the main character's mother. This was for when she calls him. The Dictaphone was also used for the recording of the vibration of the main character's mobile phone ringing. This came out very effective. The vibration tone was picked because the director, didn't want to breach copyright infringement of mobile ring tones.

The director organised a private screening of the film and got very good feedback. They said the story really worked, it was tense and brilliantly acted. 

During all this time of making this film, the director used Facebook to keep the viewers updated on the upcoming film. The original idea was to post the film on YouTube and post the link on Facebook to let the audience watch it. He will also ask the audience to post comments on it.

Also, a college of the director's asked if he could create a trailer for the film because that is one his special skills. The director agreed because he thought that would create the excitement for the audience and will make them want to see the film. So the director will pass a copy of the film to the college and he will create the trailer. The director will then post the made trailer to YouTube and on Facebook, where he will ask for feedback. The director will give a few days for the audience to watch the trailer and then will post the film itself.

Week 11-The making and releasing of the trailer

Unfortunately, the college of the filmmaker was unavailable to create the trailer for the film. So instead he decided to go ahead and make it himself. His idea was to create the trailer by using most of the characters expressions and none of the main detail of the scare scenes. He thought this would be effective because the audience will want to see what is scaring the main characters.

 He made this by going back to the edit of the film and choose certain scenes to use for the edit. He then cut off parts of those scenes and put them together to make the edit. 

The trailer is now completed and is posted on YouTube and Facebook. The comments back sofar are very positive. For example they saying its great and the main actor is very good.

The next step is to wait for more comments over the next couple of days and then will release the film itself. The filmmaker reckons this will work because it'll give the target audience time to watch the trailer and comment before watching the film. Here is the trailer for you're viewing pleasure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3G1vPw2suw&feature=youtu.be

Evaluation of whole project

This project has been quite stressful but also very enjoyable to make. This project also felt very personal to the filmmaker because horror is his personal favorite genre and felt that he made this for a purpose. It was to go out for his target audience and also to make it for himself.

Also, the filmmaker has learned more about time management skills of when to book equipment and sort out filming dates. 

When writing the script, the filmmaker has learned on how to make a story very character driven and to make it work for the film. With alot of guidance from a lecturer, it worked out even more. Also, from pure inspiration, it really helped on exploring different effective camera angles. This also gave the experience of how it felt on filming in tight spaces. Also it helped the filmmaker on his lighting skills by making it look effective as possible.

Another thing from pure inspiration, the filmmaker also learned on how he could make the scare scenes more effective by showing less detail and by using voice effects. This also explore more editing techniques. By doing this, for the voice effects, the filmmaker used a Dictaphone to record the voices and put them onto the edit. He also used it for typing sound effects because the filmmaker thought that the sound of the main character typing came out too quite, so he recorded himself typing on the computer keys and this came out very effective. He also learned on how to fix the sound when it sounds rather hissy. So he fixed the treble of the sound, so it sounded like it had more bass to it and less of the hiss sound. 

After the film was fully edited, the filmmaker showed a private screening to his family and his girlfriend. This really helped with getting some feedback on how the film looked and sounded. It was also good to hear them say if any amendments were needed. The great things is, they loved it and they didn't think that any changes were needed. They even felt nervous through out the scare scenes

Before releasing the film, the filmmaker wanted to have trailer made. A college offered to make it but unfortunately, he was unavailable. So the filmmaker thought he should make it. It was a hard process on to think how the trailer could look cause these days, trailers are made showing most of the detail of the film. While making it, the filmmaker thought he could make it by showing some detail of the film at the beginning but for the scare scenes, he just showed the facial expressions from the characters looking scared. He thought it could make the target audience think 'what are they scared of? I want to see this film to see what they're afraid of'. The filmmaker then sent off the trailer to YouTube and then posted it on Facebook, so people can see it and comment on it. People gave very positive feedback, saying that they liked it and it looked great.

I then sent the film itself on YouTube a few days later so that it gave the audience some time to watch the trailer, to get a taste of what the film is going to be. People then watched the film and again, got some very positive feedback, saying the main actor was fantastic and the film was great and spooky to watch.

For the filmmaker himself, he thought the film came out brilliantly cause of how much the actor did a fantastic job. He also liked how it was shot, edited and lit. And also how effective the music was. Here is the film itself for you to see, I hope you enjoy it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIQVUolW7J8&feature=youtu.be

The making of The Music Experience. Aka my studio production

Day 1- Friday 10th May- Preparation.

During this day, my team and I went to the uni to the studio to prepare for the upcoming live music show we were creating. Most of the time we prepared the plans of where the presenter was going to be, the bands are standing etc, acoustic sets etc.  The biggest thing we had to set up was the lighting cause we wanted to use a different range of colors. We also had issues about the VT Graphics in the background that needed to be fixed because it was very glichy on the projection at the background.

Us camera ops didn't have anything to do so we practiced on what shots we can use for the performers. Pretty slow day today I have to say. But I felt that it was needed so that we can practice the shots. To help this our lecturer and one of the team members. Here is a few pictures of the day:

Day 2-13 May- Rehearsal with the acts

During this day, we set up of were the acts were going to be during their parts and also their sound checks. This was also the time of where us camera ops tested shots that could possibly be used.

The lighting was finally sorted out but the issue was the white cloth on the background for the VT Graphics projection. We decided to cover the whole background in black but unfortunately the VT Graphics didn't come out as well as we hoped.

The bands sounded good and their positions were final. Ready to rock on roll. Here's a few pics for the setups:

Day 3- 14th May-The main event

Today was the day for the main event to go live. But the first problem we had was that there was no audience, so some of the team went to go and collect as much audience as they can. We then ended up with quite a large group so that was a step up. For the VT Graphics, we had to loose it because it didn't work on the black curtains. Another issue was that the recorded interviews with the acts weren't edited so they have to be done at the end of the production on editing.

The presenter came on and the bands played. I took as much shots as I can but I felt there wasn't enough communication for new shots. But I feel that I've done the best I can. Some angles were slightly shaky but I thought the rest worked well. The acts were fantastic and the presenter did really well. The only thing I think needed improving was the sound on the acts when they did their short interviews after their songs.

We then had to do a second take of the whole thing. This time I changed role for other team members to use the camera. The second take went really well with the replacements.

The bands, presenter and the acts were fantastic. The sound on the short interviews after the acts were much better cause the sound was improved.

Overall a good show. Hopefully the final edit should come out successfully. Another few pics:

And now the studio module

Now that I've finished my documentary module, I am now on my studio production module where I have to work with a team at the uni campus to film a live music show.

We had a meeting on Wednesday about what days we have to be at the uni and what the plan when we are there. The first day is on the Friday, we have to prepare the sets and make sure everything is working. On the Monday, we are going to do the band rehearsals and then on the Tuesday we are going to film the whole event.

The meeting today was about what times we need to be there for the three days which are 9 till 4. So I'm going to ask my cab if he can take me to the uni campus and collect me from there.

During the past few days, I have been finishing my module on Documentary.

I have added more cuttaways on the interviews by filming more shots of my book and DVD collection. I didn't have a script for this so I was being very experinemntal with angles and see if it would work. Since I didn't borrow a tripod from college, I borrowed my mum's tripod that is used for her digital SLR camera. This worked out really well. Here's a shot of this happening.

 

 

 There was a time of where I had to think of cuttaways to an interview where there was supposed to be a scene re-enactment. The scene re-enactment couldn't happen because the actress couldn't make it because of work commitments. So I thought I could add in shots of the book cover etc. Also I thought of an idea of addidng a shot of the paper with the repeated text 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy'. I wanted to film it on my computer screen but unfortunately it show at all on the camera. So instead I printed out the document and filmed shots of it on my desk. Here is a shot trying to film it on the computer:

 I also had to film clips of me talking to the camera, saying what the next stage was and a clip of me at the end of the documentary. This was quite challenging because I didn't have an assistant camera op so I had to film it myself.


Scene re-enactments

I have recently filmed two scene re-enactments and they were from the stories Carrie and The Shining.

For The Shining, I filmed a shot of one of the interviewees whom I asked if he could act for it. He had to act a scene of where the dad is locked in a pantry, shouting at the door. I filmed this in the black room and Theo acted out the scene really well. I tried to use portable lighting gear to help light the scene better. But then I looked back at the footage and it looked really good without it. Here is a shot of it:

I wanted to film a scene with the main character's wife, by using the femal interviewee. But unfortunately she couldn't make it due to work commitments. So like I explained beforehand, at the end I had to think if cuttaways to film and use.

For Carrie, I asked a friend of mine if she could act as Carrie. I asked her if she's got any dresses in particular that she could wear for a shot or two. I also wanted to use a strong use of red lighting to show the mood of the scene very much like the movie.

I also caught up with all the paperwork that was needed. I scanned all the paper work that was needed and put it all in one document and its all posted.

The recent feedback I had from my documentary is that people have liked it. Also people said it was very interesting and well put together. One person said that it was slightly quiet at times so I'll see what my lecturer sais when he watches it.

With this I think the documentary has come out well. I think I could of improved on one angle where I talk infront of camera because its slightly out of focus. I also think I could of planned out the scene re-enactments better. But it was a good experiance of experinmentation of angles. For the scenes, I wished I could of asked the interviewees about their favourites before the interviews so that I could of had a head start.

Overall I think it came out well and I hope people will enjoy it :D

Through out my Easter break. Sorry that this is late but hey better late than ever

My documentary:

Recently I have made two scene reenactments for my documentary. I have filmed a scene from Misery, Pet Sematary and 1408. I also filmed the second interview with a friend who isn't a fan of Stephen King's novels.

For Misery, I asked a friend of mine Hannah to play the part of Annie Wilkes and she very keen on doing it. I asked another friend of mine to play Paul Sheldon the writer. Unfortunately he declined which was very stressful. So I thought I'll just film all of Hannah's parts and then think of solutions for Paul parts. My solution was for me to play the part but create angles that were subtle so that you couldn't tell it was me. The day went very well. But I changed a few angles because it was against a window.

For Pet Sematary, I asked my little brother and my stepdad to play the roles of a father and my brother to play the part of his undead evil son. Unfortunately I didn't write a script for this so I used alot of experimental shots to see if they would work. The good thing is is that they did and my stepdad and my little brother played their roles very well.

For 1408, it was very challenging to film because my location wasn't very hotel like. So again, I was very experimental with shots and tried to make it work. My stepdad played the part very well but I'll see if I should use it.

My second interview with a friend who doesn't like Stephen King's novels went very well. She came over to my place and I filmed it in my bedroom beside my King collection. She was nervous to begin with so we done three takes on the interview so I'll see what one is the best.

My studio production report

Today I have just finished the report. Yippee!! This took longer than expected because it was very challenging to find the appropriate quotes for my statements. I have three library books on studio production. They have been very helpful in alot of ways but there were times where it was difficult to find the right quotes I needed. There was only one time I used the internet for one quote. All I've got to do now is to add in images and email it to my lecturer to see what he thinks.

Wednesday night at StaffsTV, Friday's Interview and my filming at Stafford Library

Wednesday Night

On that night, I went to the uni for StaffsTV as I usually do every Wednesday. This was the last WhatsNext show of the year because Sophie and Matt  that are in charge, its their last year this year. This week was a special week because we had an acoustic artist performing live.

My role for the night was camera operator (yippee!!). There were times where I had to slowly zoom in on the singer when peforming to create the live effect. It came out really successfully.

Overall the night went very well and I'm returning on Wednesday to help film a live sports event called 'Varsity' at Stoke's campus. I'll be based at Staffs campus as camera op. Not sure what I'll be filming yet but hey we'll see :D

Friday's interview

During the afternoon, I filmed an interview with a Stephen King fan that thought that not all of the his books are good. I was planning to film outside St Mary's church but the weather conditions weren't trust worthy. So we filmed in the library in the college.

During the interview, I chose the angle I wanted to film at but then decided to change it because it was against a window. So we changed it at the opposite sides. When I asked my questions, I was suggested by my interviewee that I could change them in some way, for example, instead of 'What don;t you like about Stephen King?' to 'What don't you like about Stephen King's works?'. This I thought really helped because it made more sense.

Overall, a very successful interview. I'm planning to ask my next interviewee for Friday.


My filming at the Stafford Library (cant remember which date but better late then ever)


During that afternoon, I went to Stafford Library to film some shots of the library and some Stephen King books for cutaways for my documentary. My lecturer helped me by getting permission before hand and they agreed. They even left out some books for me to film which was very helpful.  I got some nice shots of these. Alot of the times I just experinemented on these to see if they would work. Very successful trip.

Recent feedback

Recently, my lecturer looked at my footage of my documentary that I have so far. He said he really liked the shots I have but they don't really explain about the author, it looks more like a corporate video of the library. He suggested to use some of the shots at different times. I have taken these advices on board. My solution is that I have borrowed some equipment and I'm going to take more experinmentle shots of my King collection of books, films etc.

My progress on my documentary and studio module report

Documentary

I have no finished my opening sequence to my documnetary which is great. I will show this to my lecturers this week and see what they think.

My next task is to collect people that arent fans of Stephen King fans, so I can get two sperate points of views from the fans and the 'non fans'. I have had a long hard search for people around the college. I went into 4 classrooms and the library and asked students sepreateley  I have now got 2 people lined up for interviews. I just need one more person and to help this, I'm going to StaffsTv tonight and I will ask people there if they are interested (I hope). If not, I just have to make the most of with the two I have and I will extend the questions I have for them. My first date I have in mind is Friday this week.


Studio report

I have recently written some of my studio report, which has to be about the purposes of studio, equipment, crew, controlled area etc. It has gone well so far so good. For this, again, I will ask my lecturer to look at it and have some feedback. My lecturer today taught us today on how to set out our harvard referencing which really helps.

So onwards ever onwards