'A Carrot Cake Production' Re-done

Re-creating my first production logo was simple, only having to remember to spell 'production' correctly. I am glad that it has turned out similary to my first attempt. But better in the aspect that I have no mistakes in spelling in the shot.

Second Production Logo

With my second production logo I decided to use Live Type. Previously on Live Type I was experimenting with different font types and backgrounds, before I had decided that I definately wanted to use this particular font for the name 'Tricky Films'. The style design can be related to the diamonds found on playing cards. As well as the smoky background can be linked to the mystery of card tricks.

Editing Sound

After cutting and editing all of my film clips, I moved on to editing the volume of the unwanted background noise and dialogue. I found that silencing the background noise was simple to do. However I did find that trying to control the volume of the song that plays continuously throughout the sequence, to then quieten it enough to hear the dialogue spoken was harder.

I wanted a smooth motion of difference in volume of the song when the dialogue was introduced. I did play around with the volume at first, to get a feel for the controls of how to edit the sound. This proved useful as after a few tries I managed to lower the volme in stages with the beat of the song. It appears less noticeable, then if the sound was lessened out of timing with the sound. I was pleased with the finishing result of the sound adjustments, the music suits well to the shots and the dialogue can be heard clearly.

Editing Film Sequence

Since all the filming was on schedule, I have managed to go straight into editing my film. Thankfully because of storyboarding the whole sequence, going through the selection of film clips and placing them into the correct order was simple.

Then it just a case of cutting down the clips of film I wanted and making sure they they were fluent in their transition between shots. This was essential when editing the shots for the match-on-action technique. However I feel that I have done this effectively, especially the three shots that feature Natalie (Olivia Lewis) walking the her bedroom door, across the room and then finally opening her wardrobe door.

When editing the shots containing the dialogue between the actors I realised a slight mistake. My actor Barney Nunn (Adam) had said two pieces of his dialogue that was meant to be split between two shots into one, because Natalie (Olivia Lewis) was meant to reply inbetween. Luckily, with Final Cut, I have managed to cut the shot after Barney (Adam) has said "Hello sweetheart. Are you alright?". Then putting the clip of Olivia (Natalie) saying her line; "Y...Yeah, I'm fine". Followed by using the rest of the  film clip of Barney (Adam) speaking the other line of dialogue; "Great. Shall we go?". This proved to be  overcome as I have shown this swapping of dialogue between the two characters and no-one had suspected the editing and cutting of Barney's dialogue.

Also later on I realised another mistake, but this only concerned my production logo. My idea of 'A carrot cake production' was created in a series of still-shots that gradually built up the number of letters shown. Unfortunately, it was only during editing these pictures that I spotted that I had misspelled the word 'production', having forgotten the letter 'c' in the word.

Therefore I must re-create my production logo and do the stages of the still-shots again as well. However, that has provided some important feedback about my production logo. I now know exactly how my production logo will look and the comments about it appearance.

Filming Day

Luckily all my shots were filmed on schedule. A slight incident happened with the mise-en-scene when filming the shots set in the dining room. However I feel that this was overcome with some adjustments of the furniture. Also we attempted to create a bruise on Natalie's (Olivia Lewis') arm. Unfotunately this didn't show as well as I hoped during filming.

I was slightly worried about how my credits would appear in film, but some have turned out quite well. My second credit which is on a towel, I thought would be diffulcult to film because of the movement from the actor lifting it. Therefore before filming both myself and the actor (Olivia Lewis), had a few practise runs at lifting the towel without tilting the credit.



With another one of my credits I wanted to try something a little different. So I wrote onto a mug a credit, then layed my camera on a tea-towel on the table to then pan around the mug. After the I had stopped panning Natalie (Olivia Lewis) would lift the mug out of the shot. This helped to continue the narrative, making the action appear smooth and not random.



Another credit that I was pleased with was included in a shot involving a wardrobe. In the shot Natalie (Olivia Lewis) opens the wardrobe door to expose the credit 'costume design'. I placed this credit in this shot when Natalie gets her coat, because of the link between the clothing and costume design. This work well and the background that the writing is on stands out from the wood of the wardrobe door.



My favourite credit was my final one, which included both the title of the film 'Speak Out' and a credit. I wanted these two to be chalk written onto a brick wall. This proved to make them both stand out in the shot. Also I think this credit is the better one of the credits to be incorporated into the film. I was able to do this because my location for my film is my friends house, who is also the actor for Natalie (Olivia Lewis). She gave me permission to write in chalk on the wall, then once filming was completed I washed off the writing immediately myself.

Unfortunately one of my targets of feedback about the dialogue was not met. The imput from my actors on the day of filming was little, as they both couldn't think of what else to add to my original dialogue. This was also the same for myself, I didn't want to do too much dialogue that would give away too much of the film so early on. Therefore the dialogue is the same/similar as what I wrote in the script.

Overall, I feel that filming went really well and was successful in getting all of my shots done. Although I am slightly disappointed that I couldn't think of ways to further extend my dialogue, but I am happy with the results from both my actors.

Productions Logos Extended

Since contiplating which production logo to use, I decided to make a draft version of the each one.

Robotic Eagle

With this idea I am finding it challenging about the image. I originally wanted a cartoon animation of a robotic bird with it wings moving. Yet I am finding this to be an impossibility with the level of technonolgy that we have access to.

I have yet to create a draft of 'Tricky Films'. But that is in the process of being done. However I am leaning more towards 'Tricky Films'. As well as my idea of presentation of the production logo is more practical compare to 'Robotic Eagle'.

Final Animatic Edit

From the feedback I received I've conformed some aspects of my animatic.

• The adjustment of the music at the end of the animatic has been brought up to a higher volume.
• The credits that had been missing before have now been included.
• When thinking about the feedback on the dialogue, I have decided to adjust this at the time of filming. I would like the input from the actors about what they feel their character would say and how they would say it.

As for the comment about adding in more close-up shots of the character's faces to show their emotions, I'm slightly unsure. However if the dialogue is lengthened I will add in a few close-up's. Alternatively, if this does not happen I can and might include some close-up's of Natalie during the section of film where she is sitting at the table.

I will be likely to include this close-up shot of Natalie inbetween shot 30 and 31, to show her nervous and cautious behaviour around Adam.

This close-up will possibly be used after the end of the sequence (shot 35) to emphasise Adam's anger towards Natalie.

Animatic Feedback

After having some peers watch my animatic, they gave both comments and targets to help improve my ideas. The variety of shots were well used in their effectiveness, (over-the-shoulder, long shot, medium shots). It was commented that the music connected well with the storyline and the genre of the film. All liked the style of the credits being included in the film (attached to objects in the mise-en-scene). The presentation of the characters was thought to be clear and easily understood, as well as the type of relationship between the two characters. Also it was commented that the genre was easily identifiable.

Targets

• Prehaps some more dialogue to give more of an introduction to who the characters are.
• Adjust the music to return to normal volume after the characters have said their dialogue.
• Maybe add in some more close-up's to show more emotion from both the male and female characters.