Evaluation - Question 6

"What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?"

The first thing I learnt was how to blog using http://www.blogger.com/, which I believe is a much better way of displaying portfolio than folders/files or Powerpoints as it is quicker, easier to display things such as photos and videos and it is easy to link to other websites in order to explain fully what you mean.

I have a list of hardware and software we used which I will refer back to in this post (see pre-evaluation summary).

Things I learnt whilst shooting:

• I learnt how to use our Canon mini-DV HD cameras and its basic features such as setting it up with battery and tape, the zoom button and recording (we did not use HD tapes because they are expensive and would slow down our school computers, which have not yet been updated with correct HD settings). We learnt how to run the camera on batteries, not mains, so it was versatile with the tripod and we could shoot handheld shots.
• I learnt how to play the roles of director, assistant director and sound director. As director we were told to ask, "Sound? Camera rolling... and, action!" and we were taught to run the camera for a couple of seconds either side of the action to make it easy to edit and not miss any action. Assistant director held up the clipboard with scene number and take number and sound director got to wear the headphones to hear what the on-board mics were recording. It was all very efficient.
• I learnt how to use studio lights (we used three) with barn doors to gain lighting in all different kinds of angles. We also used blue gel clipped to the front of the lights for our blue effect and a white throw in the background to cover much of the clutter in the scene. We learnt that the lights were very versatile and great to gain extreme varities in light intensity and in colour using different coloured gels. However, they were a hassle to keep having to set up and pack away, and it took them a long time to cool down after using them for a few minutes - this led to an accident on shoot (a burn and smashed light filter). They have to be handled very carefully and the group must take full responcibility in looking after them and themselves.

[Pictures on test shoot: top left - high intensity lighting / top right - video camera use / middle left - use of orange gel on lights / middle right - use of blue gel on lights / bottom left - the camera & lights set up / bottom right - low key lighting.]

Things I learnt whilst editing:

• I learnt the basic processes of using Adobe Premiere Pro to edit, which included non-linear editing. It gave use the chance to switch between different sequences and timelines. We had a practise timeline in which we pieced together random strings of shots that we thought might look good in our actual sequence. The ones we liked we copied and pasted into our real timeline. We also used another sequence to cut together some outtakes. It was very easy to do all these things in one project and mistakes were easily undone, so there was no pressure - we could relax whilst experimenting.
• I learnt some new processes I had not come across before in this particular editing software (which we have used for a previous project). I learnt how to layer shots, vary speed and duration of shots, vary volume and sound levels using markers, ghosting using the cross-dissolve transition, transferring files between PC and Mac, and frame by frame editing in Paintshop Pro (to eradicate a schoolbag in the background of a scene). I was used to these processes by the end of the project and from now on I am probably ready to move on to more advanced settings.
• I learnt how to use Adobe After Effects (another part of the Adobe creative suites - CS's) to make our titles special. This was done by editing each individual letter for our title seperately and putting a glowing/fade in effect on it, whilst also setting markers on transparency to make them flicker. We put an order to when each letter faded in and put them all together as one animation in which random letters came in at different times to spell 'Reservation'. From now on I will probably use the programme to create titles. Other programmes I briefly used were Livetype and Handbrake on iMac, Livetype had built in animations that we never used because they were not what we were looking for, and Handbrake we used to enhance our scream sound at the end by mixing it with a sound ripped from a DVD, which did work in the end. It was Jack who used this programme more so I did not learnt how to use it properly.

[Picture - our edit suite.]

At the end of the project we discussed ways we think we could improve the teaching in the media department to teach students even more about technologies they could be using for years to come:

• We agreed more should be taught about using the manual settings on the Canon video cameras as we had a problem with blur during inconsistent lighting (our flickering lights kept making the lense re-focus and therefore blur for a couple of seconds). My brother informed me there was a way of adjusting the lense settings so that the focus did not automatically adjust to changes in lighting, and therefore would not move in and out of focus on flickering lights - we did not know how to do this and still don't, but the method is supposed to be simple so could be something we learn early on this course.
• We thought there could be more lessons on using the lighting equipment as only two groups (including ours) got to use the studio lights and we had to be assisted alot by the media technition in handling them. We thought more could be made use of out of the focus settings on the lights for more filmic effects and to adapt to different surroundings. In the end this was not a problem as our lighting was OK, but it is something we thought we might need to know on future shoots.

Overall, the technology we used was very good for a school media department and for an AS course. The technology all worked very quickly and nothing was ever too complicated (technological issues were always eventually resolved). I learnt alot of things about using hardware on shoot and software in the edit suite. There are a couple of things I would do differently on hindsight, one being that I would try and challenge myself more on shoot to try out things such as a man-made amateur dolly (a skateboard perhaps) to fix our tripod/camera on and try hard advanced techniques such as a 'Hithcock' contra-zoom or a 360 arc of a subject. The other thing I would do differently would be to research more into the manual settings of the camera, and focus settings of the lights (see improvements to course above). However, with the technolgy and support we recieved, I think we did a brilliant job, and I am alot more prepared for all sorts of new meda technologies in the future.

ACTUAL SHOOT: REFLECTIONS

Our shoot went mostly well, with actors and helpers attending, location, props and costumes sorted out, and some decent footage being gained. However, we ecountered several problems along the way, so we discussed these in our groups and came up with this list of problems that can be sorted out or addressed:

- Did not ask for permission to move items around basement in order to prepare the location the day before the shoot, therefore making the caretakers very angry. In apologising and putting everything back to how it was we were told not to move anything until after 3pm on a school evening, and to move everything back to how it was after every shoot.

- The moving around of objects in the basement uses up alot of shooting time.

- Group members have not given long enough notice about them being late for a shoot because of matters such as medical appointments.

- When a group member was not present, action took place without this member knowing leading to confusion the day after (this was the moving of the items on preparing the day before the shoot, with one member not knowing about this until being told off about it).

- Shoots were done without using the shooting script for large parts, so the shot order was random and disorganised leading to missed out shots.

- Actors/helpers were kept a very long time after school without a real break, and sometimes without being needed at certain points during the shoot.

- There was alot of time wasting on shoot because of certain distractions and the novelty of filming in such a scary location in a mildly proffessional way.

- Communication between group members and actors/helpers was often hindered by jokes, unclear messages and short notice (the script being handed to them the day before).

- Using two lights with one on either side of the basement was tricky and one light was often left on for no purpose whilst we filmed using the other light, therefore wasting energy and time (to let the lights cool down before packing them away).

- We were not careful enough with expensive equipment, often acting before thinking, and trying to rush putting away the equipment in order to go home quickly. This resulted in an accident in which a £35 glass light filter was dropped and smashed because it was too hot having only just being turned off.

- Some props were not tested beforehand, such as the mixing of the fake blood going wrong, resulting in pure red food colouring being poured on an actors hand, which proved extremely hard to remove.

- The location proved very cluttered and messy, and all our paperwork, equipment and props were left strewn in random places (out of shot). This increased the possibility of items being lost and time was wasted at the end of the shoot, clearing up.

- There maybe a continuity issue with chains and rope the victim is tied up in and their positions, as well as pieces of black tape at different lengths being used in different takes.

We are going to create a re-shoot list of the shots we need to film (and those we need to film again). We are going to hold another shoot next Tuesday after school with actors, and film all the shots they are in using the shooting script. Any shots we do not need actors for we are going to film in a double media lesson this Friday (jncluding lots of cutaways) also using the shooting script. Here we can also record sounds. With these shots done before Tuesday, that shoot will be quicker and more precise, so actors are not held up so long at school and do not waste their time when they are not needed. Items will not have to be moved for the cutaway shots on Friday as they are all close up cutaways, so this moving job can be done quickly and efficiently at 3pm on Tuesday before the shoot (with some members having a free period then). I have an orthodentist appointment that afternoon at 3.40pm and will not be back for the shoot until 4.15pm. However, I have notified the group and this will cause no problems. We have decided that no helpers are needed for this shoot, and this will help speed things up as too many people present at the last shoot caused many distractions and time was wasted. This time we will be more serious, thorough and organised using the shooting script. All bags, props, equipment and folders will be kept at one part of the room together so that nothing is lost. We will be much more careful with equipment, and lights will not be left on unnecessarily. Furthermore, after the shoot actors will be allowed to go and we will turn the lights off to cool down whilst we pack away the rest of the equipment. This will leave the lights time to cool enough before we pack them away carefully without the possibility of dropping anything. Therefore, we can take this all together back to the media department so the teacher can go home too, leaving us with a clear basement in which we can move back all items to the correct positions before going home.

Overall, we are very happy with the footage and believe there are no problems with the actual project. We are fully prepared for all these problems now after 2 shoots, and everybody know fully what they are doing and what to expect (including actors who know their scripts fully now). We are also aware of the continuity issues and will make sure we know how to keep this the same as the other footage before going on our shoot. We will have better organisation, only bringing the paperwork we really need to follow, therefore allowing us to carry out the final shoot with more purpose and precision, speeding up the process and being far more productive. This will leave us with great footage to finish our projects with no major problems and a very exciting final production.

My Responcibility

Amongst my group we have split up responcibility for various equipment, props and jobs. Our shoot is on Tuesday 2nd Decemeber, so we have this weekend to sort out everything we need and make sure we tie up all loose ends. My job this weekend is to buy two cheap plain white t-shirts and cut them up a little bit. These are props I will bring to shoot and will be worn by the 2 seen victims, with the actors bringing the rest of the clothes they will wear. I will also bring a white flannel which will act as the sleep drug (chloryphene) placed over the victims mouth. Our equipment is at school safely in the media department but on shoot we are each responcible for different items. I am in charge of the group folder, clip board and admin such as all sheets, pens and cloth. I will also be in charge of one out of three studio lights and its designated blue gel. On shoot we have decided to swap around duties so we will all get the chance to be filming, in charge of sound, doing admin and being on lights. However, another victim is needed to be seen for about 2 or 3 seconds. They do not have to act, just moan gagged up and chained. This will probably be me so I will make sure I bring old jeans and trainers to wear with a ripped up white t-shirt. That is the last of my responcibilities for the main shoot on Tuesday, where I will be taking pictures as well as a group photo of the team, soon to be posted here.

Shot List

I wrote out a list of all the possible shots we could try and shoot on shooting day. Most are derived from a draft storyboard produced by Jack, although I added alot of extra shots that we came up with on test shoot day just in case the storyboarded sequence does not work, and so we have a huge range and variation in shots and ideas. This shot list will be present on shoot along with a shooting script, storyboard and shot log produced by Jack and Shaun.

Scene 1 - Victim waking up and struggling (try from different angles)
- ECU victims eyes
- BCU victims eyes and nose
- CU victims face
- MCU victims head and neck
- MCU victims head and neck (from behind)
- MS victim struggling
- MS HA victim struggling (behind over shoulder)
- MS LA victim struggling (behind over shoulder)
- MLS victim struggling
- LS LA 360 arc victim struggling
- LS 360 arc victim struggling
- LS HA 360 arc victim struggling
- LS victim struggling
- LS HA victim struggling
- LS LA victim struggling
- VLS crab victim struggling
- VLS crab victim struggling (from behind)
- CU victims left hand chained
- CU victims right hand chained
- CU victims waist chained (padlock)
- CU victims feet chained (metal tray)
- CU tilt or crane up from feet to shoulders and head
- Steady zoom out from CU face to LS victim struggling (could tilt to one side slowly)
- Crash zoom in from LS victim struggling to CU face

Scene 2 - Killers entrance
- POV handheld track of killer entering basement to victim
- Track following killer entering basement to victim (over shoulder)
- CU of killers feet walking down stairs
- CU of killers last step onto puddle
- CU of killers feet walking on level ground
- POV LS killer spying on victim through gap in shelves (not showing victims face)
- OTS LS killer spying on victim through gap in shelves (not showing victims face)
- LS killers shadow on wall (walks towards then turns right)
- MS killers shadow on wall (walks past)
- LA VLS killer walking past camera, looking around corner to victim (fully blacks out screen for split second)
- VLS killer walking past camera, looking around corner to victim (fully blacks out screen for split second)
- CU killers nose, mouth and neck as he zips up his jacket or zips down his jacket slightly
- CU killers fingers tapping against sides
- CU killer stretching out hand or cracking knuckles

Scene 3 - Killer/Victim conversation
- POV LS light flash with nothing in room ahead (from victims POV)
- POV LS light flash revealing killer (from victims POV)
- POV MLS light flash revealing killer (from victims POV)
- POV MS light flash revealing killer (from victims POV)
- POV MCU light flash revealing killer (from victims POV)
- HA OTS LS killer walking towards victim
- LA LS killer walking towards victim (from bottom left)
- LS mastershot of conversation (side on)
- MS OTS victims whole conversation (over killers left shoulder)
- MS OTS killers whole conversation (over victims right shoulder)
- CU killer chosing weapon and picking it up
- Quick pan down from victims face to weapons
- Handheld shot following killers weapon towards victims gag
- MLS Crab behind victim as killer speaks
- MLS OTS HA killer speaking (so weapons can be seen behind on ground)
- MS killer putting victim to sleep (side on)
- CU victims face falling to sleep
- ECU victism eyes falling to sleep
- POV room going blurry (from victims POV & going out of focus)
- LS of victim asleep and killer walking away

Scene 4 - Killers exit
- POV handheld track of killer exiting basement
- Track following killer exiting basement (over shoulder)
- MLS other victim chained to wall
- MCU other victim moaning
- CU bloody hand on door pane as lights go out

Cutaway Shots
- CU drainpipe dripping water onto puddle
- CU pipes near ceiling
- CU lights flickering
- MS blurry lights shimmering (out of focus)
- CU saw swinging from side to side hung up on peg
- CU sinister object on shelf
- CU scattered paper
- CU weapons lined up on ground

Top 10 Tips For Shooting Low Budget Movies
(research from useful links named 'Low Budget Film Tips 1, 2 & 3)

1) Shoot most shots at low key lighting to make it more filmic, despite using a video camera. Use more shadows to highlight the characters and objects in shot. WHen indoors shoot with all main lighting sources of, but add your own (cheap) film lights to highlight the bits of the shot you want to. When shooting outdoors when it is daytime, shoot in the morning or evening when the sun is low in the sky. At night time use whetever lighting equipment you want.

2) Try and work on a shallower depth of focus than your video camera is set at. Do this by opening up the lens and working at the telephoto end of the zoom range (low f-stop number) if working on a neutral density filter. This is harder with a camcorder so just focus on the character leaving the background slightly blurry for filmic effect.

3) Reduce sharpening on your video recorder by adjusting the settings to zero or one (low), or use a softening filter to reduce contrast and soften the image for a more film-like look.

4) Don't use zoom on a video camera as this will make the video camera aspect of it obvious. Instead, use tripods and a dolly to move the camera around smoothly. You can make your own dolly rather than buying one, by using a wheely chair, cabinet or skateboard with a tripod attatched. Just improvise with this when testing your shoot on scene.

5) Film with no sound except the dialogue picked up by camera or boom mics. Add any other sounds over the top, such as foley effects like doors slamming shut, with music and voiceovers. The dialogue is the important part of sound to catch on shoot but nothing else matters too much as you can re-record them properly to make them clearer and significant sounds stand out over background noise.

6) Colour correct footage, add saturation, extend the range of tones in the low end (shadows and blacks), then make a copy of the clip and de-interlace it. Place the copy directly over the original clip and apply a transparency of 30-50%. This will give you an effective filmic effect and only takes a short time to apply.

7) Over 90% of transitions should be cuts as most films do not use many dissolves, fades or swipes.

8) Put reliability before talent when chosing actors/actresses, as with an amature film, the acting is not so important as it is almost expected to be bad or obvious. Actors/actresses failing to turn up could cost you big time.

9) When planning, write a short sypnosis of every scene, then add more detail such as a script. Decide on actors and locations but give yourself many possibilities and back up plans as ideals often get unpicked or ruined. Give people you want as actors as a proper production plan and script as the less input they have to do (the stronger your planning) the more likely they will help you. Give them other rewards such as a DVD copy, a mention in project paperwork, an incenitive to meet up and do something after or between shoots or help them with their own projects. Write down all available equipments, costumes and props beforehand and tick them off when you know for certain you will get them. Tick them off a second time as they arrive on shoot. Follow your shooting scripts with the help of detailed storyboards to save time you maybe paying actors for.

10) Locations should be no more than 10 minutes walk from each other, as this will save you precious time. You could chose a house near an outdoor location in which to film interior shots or simply store equipment and go back for food and drink. Shooting can be very tiring so you will need a break!