Foli sounds and establishing shots finally done!

Monday

During this time, I concentrated on creating some foli sounds for my film. All I wanted was footsteps because the footage that contained running footsteps didn't work because of the ratteling of the boom mic in the background. So I though I could add them in.

I did this by going outside in my back garden and using the Z1 camera. I used the boom mic and pointed it straight at my feet, moved them and recorded them at the same time. To help this, I put on my boots to create a loud footstep sound. Here is an image of me getting prepared:

This day I thought went very successfull because I created some sounds that could be useful for my film.


Yesterday

During that afternoon, I finally finsihed creating the foli sounds and also filmed some estblishing shots for the beginning of the film.

For the foli sounds, I went back to using my trainers because in the film, I used my trainers for the stalker. For all the background sounds, I actually went back to the brook and filmed my footsteps there. This was slightly challenging because there was a rubbish truck in the background. So I had to wait for a bit. But then when the truck was gone, time was mine! The foli sounds came out really well through out the footage, which is great because they will really work for the film.

For the estblishing shots, I went near the end of Chestnut Road (near where I live) and filmed a shot of the street there. It took some time to prepare because I wanted to make sure that the image looked good. I wanted to use a shot of where the image would be zoomed in and then it would zoom out to view the whole of the road. I used the manual zoom to begin with but I wanted a particular speed to the zoom, so I found out how to switch it back to automatic. Here is an image of the switch to change to manual or automatic:

 

I finally got the shot I wanted and it looks really good on the footage. I wanted to refilm these shots to begin with because on the previous footage, the weather was brighter than the previous footage. This would mean bad continuety. But these shots that I have refilmed look alot better.

 

Also, I have now caught up with the paperwork that is needed for the film aswell so now I feel prepared for this upcoming exam.

 

Yesterday's filming of my short film for the upcoming editing exam.

Yesterday, my younger brother and I went filming my short film. We managed to get it done in one day and went very successfully. Even though the temperatures were freezing, it still went really well.

I made sure the focus was right at all times and made sure the white balance was correct. I think the shots are going to be very effective and my younger brother did a great job at acting. There was a time where I did change shot because I thought this one would work very well.

Overall, a successful filming day. Here are some images of the shoot:

I forgot to mention, there was a time of where I wanted to use my brothers bike for a dolly for the camera. I wanted to use this for a smooth tracking shot but unfortunately this didn't work because it was hard to keep the bike balanced and there was a slight creaking sound as the bike moved. I tried this by holding the camera on the seat of the bike. So in the end I had to keep the camera as steady as I can and walk with it. Here is an image of me trying to do this:

Re shoot of shots of my documentary + my camera assisting role at StaffsTV

On Wednesday during the day, I spent some time re-shooting some shots for my documentary. As you saw before, I have done the tracking shots of my King book and film collection in the previous entry. On this day, I re-shot the panning and still shots of single King books I mention. For example Misery, Salem's Lot, The Stand etc. I really focused on making the shots look good and this time I used the Z1 camera and a tripod instead of a digi cam. Here are some images of the shoots taking place:

 As you can see I even moved some furniture around so that the shot will only be on the book. Also you can see I concentrated on the lighting because one of the curtains are closed.

Overall, I think this went successful because the shots look more clear, the movements are smoother and the lighting looked clear.

My camera assisting role at StaffsTV

During that evening, I went to the uni campus to StaffsTV for the WhatsNext show. This time, my role was being camera assistant. This week was music week and the band came over to play a live show. The band was rock/pop group called Neomantix. I met the band in person before they played and they were really nice. There were times where I didn't have anything to do so I was always asking if help was needed. Here are some shots of the set being prepared:

Before going live, John the camera operator i was assisting, wasn't there at times. So I had a little experience on using the camera on setting up shots. This I really enjoyed because camera operator is the role I actually wanted. But whatever role they choose for me, I'll do it. Here is an image of this happening:

Overall, very successful night, even though there wasn't alot of crew members. Also, the band are worth a listen. I couldn't help but nod my head while we were filming.

Yesterday's Filming and Today's Plans

Yesterday's Filming

Yesterday, during the afternoon. I re-filmed the shots of my Stephen King book collection, film collection etc for the opening sequence for my documentary.

This time I used the Z1 camera and a tripod. By using these, the shots came out much clearer.

It took some time to prepare because at first I was using my mum's tripod that is originally for her digital SLR camera. I fit the Z1 one on the tripod and it fit really well. I wanted to use a shot where the camera is panning down through my book collection. I found that this didn't work because the mechanism on the tripod that moves it up and down was very stiff and would create jurky movements. So this ment that I had to use the panning to the right shot, which was fine by me.

To do this shot, I put underneath the tripod a black laptray that can easily slide across my carpet. This is what it looked like with my film collection:

I pressed the record button, held the tray and slowly slid it to the left to create a nicely paced panning shot. This at the end worked out really successfully.

Today's Plans

What I'm going to do today is film some more shots of my books for the opening sequence of my documentary. I was going to do it last night but there wasn't enough lighting. Since today has beautiful sunshine, this should work a treat :D

My recent feedback on my documentary and last night at StaffsTV

Feedback
Yesterday, I had recent feedback from my lecturer on my documentary. He told me to get rid of the archive footage I've got of Stephen King because he said he wants me to show things that I've filmed. I also had quick cuts of my King book and film collection and a few cuts of King collectibles I own. He likes the shots themselves but he recommended to use a proper camera because I used my digital camera to film them. He also thought the pictures looked to dark and shaky. I have taken these advices on board and I'm about to film these shots again, using a Z1 camera.

Last night at StaffsTV

I left early from college yesterday because I was asked by one of the StaffsTV members to help film an elections show at the uni campus. This show was about who to vote for student governor and the selection of students that are on the voting list walked on set and saying why he/she wants to have the role and how they can change the uni for students. My role for the night was camera assistant. I didn't really do much, but I was there incase any of the operators needed to move the cables when moving the cameras. The show came out very successfully. Here are two images I took of the night:

Recent feeback and filming the three interviews with King fans

Recent Feedback
I have recently filmed my first interview with a Stephen King fan. For most of the day, I wanted to prepare the lighting so that I got it correct. I filmed the interview and the interview was successful. But my lecturer and I looked through the footage and it needed alot of improving. The lighting wasn't correct and it was too orange, the angle looked bad and the sound was too quiet. So I took what needed improving on board. I asked the fan for a retake and he had no problem with it, which is really helpful. Here is what the footage looked like:

The filming of the three fans + the retake with the first interviewee

Recently I have been filming three interviews for my Stephen King documentary. And I have to say, so far so great. Plus I filmed a retake of the first interview.

My biggest fear was that the fans I chose to interview were going to give very small answers but they gave out very detailed points of view and very interesting answers which is great.

I used the blackroom again for the second fan and concentrated more on the angle and the lighting. I looked back at the footage and it looks so much better because the lighting and the angles were correct. Here is an image to prove this:

Because the black room was no longer in use because it was fully booked, I needed another location to use. So I thought of using the library because its bright and colorful and there is good use of lighting. This is where I did the retake of the first interview and and the third interview.

The retake of the first interview went brilliantly well. The first take I took, the angle didn't look correct. So I did a second take and here is what it looks like:

I had another problem of trying to find a female fan of King. I wanted to do this because the documentary wont show just male fans. One of the interviewees that I made friends with (well I made friends with all of them) was talking to a female friend about the documentary and she happened to be a big fan of king. I went to the library to meet them and asked the female fan if she was interested. And she was.

On the friday I met with her, her boyfriend and her friends and filmed in the interview in the library. Her friends and boyfriend were really cooperative and they kept quiet through out filming which was great. I did two takes of it just in case and it is a success so far.

My next plan

My next plan is to continue editing and try and find people that arent fans of Stephen King so I can get different points of view. My mum sais that if I cant find them, she'll be happy to be interviewed as fan. This will really help if I cant find any non-fans.

My trip today at Staffs Uni, meeting two professional filmmakers

Recently, I received an email from my lecturer about two guest lecturers coming to Staffs Uni to see us students. I took the offer and went today.

The two guests were two filmmakers called Christine Molloy and Joe Lawler, who have made many films. One of these films is called 'Helen' and I have borrowed the DVD off John Bradburn. The filmmakers were talking about making their experiences in film making and gave us many advises on our futures through out the industry. It was very fascinating to listen to their stories and points of view. Even when the gave out their advices, I have taken them on board. The whole conversation has been recorded on my Dictaphone.

I will now take out the file and put it on my computer so that I can replay their advice's and stories.

A day well spent.