Filming Schedule

Unforunately I am limited to one date of filming opportunity, as the 10th was the only day they were free. However I do have pre-planned back-up dates incase of any last minute emergency filming needs to be done. These would be used if for example while looking over the different shots of film and spot a mistake, I chave my back-up dates to re-film the shots I need. The date in green is my first back-up film day, then into orange as my next, then finally my absolutely last day to get my filming done is in red.

With a majority of the opening sequence being filmed indoors (shots 1-27) do not have to worry as much about weather conditions. Unless, of course, with extreme weather conditions which may be either seen through a window or heard during filming. Whereas I am slightly concerned about shots 28-35 because of filming outside, I am very conscious of the weather. Hopefully I can get my filming done completely on the first day, however if needed I hope the other filming days have similar weather conditions to match the other shots. Most of the props needed are all easily accessible, as well as access and permission to film in my chosen location.

Opening Sequence Animatic

When creating my animatic I found it difficult to draw the exact angles that I wanted for certain shots. However I feel that this over-come through the description given in the script. At the time when constructing my storyboard, some of my credits were not decided on where they would be placed or whether some would be used. For example, at the time I did had not decided on my music and therefore couldn't write about recieving consent from Lewis Mokler about his song. Though now I have recieved all the information needed for all of my opening credits, I will most likely re-draw and post them to show all completed credits.

I am slightly disappointed that the voice recordings of the charcters aren't clearer and of a higher volume compared to the non-diegetic sound of the song. On the other hand I am happy with the clear quality of the song. I believe that while filming some adjustments might be made to better accomidate the location and how it looks in final editing. One change I have been pondering is to make the transition of fade to black before the title of the film appears and afterwards, to try and emphasise that it is the title of the film.

Casting

Having already thought through about my characters I knew the appearence that I wanted my actors to have. My actor for the role of both Natlie and Adam had been cast. Unfortunately the actor I orginally wanted to use for the role of Adam pulled out and I am now currently looking for another male actor to fill this role. The characteristics I am looking for is a tall and broad-shouldered, average-looking male. But looks as though he has that sinister underside to him.

Production Logos

A variety of different production logos were thought of. One was already thought of and designed. This was my idea to bake an actual carrot cake with white icing ontop, then to write ontop of that in orange icing writing 'carrot cake'. To then next write on either side of the cake in white icing 'a' and 'production'.

For my second production logo I have yet to decide on. During the lesson, some ideas were thrown around and we had an experiment on the Live Type software. This helped to create a few more ideas and show other ways of creating and presenting our production logos.

The name 'Tricky Films' was developed from 'Circus Trick Films', then I experimented with other fonts. I will most likely try some other animations with the two names 'Tricky Films' and 'Robotic Eagle', to help decided which one shall become my second production logo.

With a majority of production logos the image associated with them is very literal or link to the visual in some way.

Therefore when creating my own production logos, I will also produce a literal image to go with the name. For example, with 'Robotic Eagle' I hope create a bird/eagle that is covered in a robotic form above the name. Then for 'Tricky Films', I will most likely have the name spread out along the top of a group of fanned cards.

Music For Sequence

Upon completion of my storyboard and script, I turned my attention to what music I would use in my sequence. I felt that the music should be relevent to my main character's (Natalie's) emotions about relationships; already I knew that I wanted something acoustic. Inspiration struck me when I thought about the many unsigned bands/artists in Bury St Edmunds that I could use. Luckily a few weeks back I went to an event called 'Bury Sound', where various bands/artists from Bury St Edmunds performed. One of the artists from the competition performed with only an acoustic guitar (Lewis Mokler) and had recorded his own songs onto Youtube. After listening to his collection of self-written songs, one seemed to fit the profile of the song I wanted. This song was called 'Bubble-Wrapped Heart' and the lyrics suited to the character of Natalie being cautious about a relationship after Adam's abuse.

Of course I e-mailed Lewis Mokler to ask his permission to use his music for my film sequence, and thankfully was granted permission.

This is the URL where I downloaded the music:
http://lewismokler.bandcamp.com/

Scripting

Scripting a film sequence was a new experience for me which I quite enjoyed.

I favoured the idea that you could explain your directions in words, rather than with pictures if you can't draw the shot exactly how you want it. As well as being able to put character instructions in there as well helped to reinforce the emotions displayed by the character.

There was some confusion as to which software to use to write my script with. Each one had both their pro's and con's. I eventually went with Celtx, a program that I downloaded myself onto my own laptop. I found this software extremely easy to use!

Here is my script:

Storyboarding

I have found that whilst storyboarding my opening film sequence has helped me to process all the different variety of shot types that I want to use. Because of this I have made sure to include as many shot types as I can, yet not over-loading the sequence.

I've also included a few continuity techniques within the sequence.

180° Rule

(Establishing shot)

Match-On-Action

Eyeline Match

As the developement of the storyboard has progressed it has made me more aware how how long my shots should be compared with ofther films within the social realism genre. There is a tendency to have longer shots than you would find in a horror film. I feel that I have done this quite well, however some of my shots could possibly be last for a more extended period of time than I have written down. Although I do not feel this is a major issue at the moment as some timings may change during the filming process depending on numerous variables.

At times for some of the shots, I have found drawing the specific angle I want was difficult at best. Fortunately, I feel that a better description of the cinematography I wanted was given in the instructions of the script.

For some I have used an extreme close-up shot to make it easier for the audience to read the credit.

Whereas for other credits I've used a medium shot to keep the narrative moving, while also showing the credit.

I've added in extra shots from my original sequence that I had planned. These include an over-the-should and close-up while tracking.

They help to keep the audience involved in the character's movements and help to change the POV (point of view). Changing from viewing the character, to seeing things more as they see them. It also provided a better way of transition from the character being in one environment to another. Also breaks down the length of time it takes for the character to move. Instead of one long continuous shot of the character walking down to the kitchen