Saturday 6 February 2010

just an update....

wow...I didn't realise how long it has been since I last blogged our groups progress, so here's just a short update...

shooting the interiors
These shots make up the bulk of the flashbacks within our thriller (the office and kitchen sequence) as well as the final shot of the protagonist frantically searching for files and documents that have mysteriously gone astray...
I had collected a variety of different newspaper clippings, photos (Tony Blair, Alistair Campbell, houses of Parliament and Dr david Kelly) and post-it notes with links and information scrawled across them for the large notice board behind the computer. Rachel also brought along a large map - which we also mounted on the wall - so that the office was transformed into a controversial, investigation central!!
However, we had a bit of a mishap when the pin board slipped down the back of the desk...and we had to stick all of the images, clippings and post-it notes back on!
Filming went along efficiently and we were all excited about how effective the mise-en-scene looked on camera.
We decide to stray from the story board on one particular shot (the slow zoom mid-shot from behind the computer) as the composition looked messy and far too compact. Instead, we used a high angle shot from the edge of the desk, which shot the action we wanted far better.
We realised after filming, that the angle also added a relevant and effective meaning to the shot (high angle = loss of power; which is exactly what we were trying to show!)

The process of filming the kitchen sequence went alot smoother as the shots needed were alot more simplistic. We tested a variety of different heights so that we had more film to manipulate in the editing process, but we instantly fell in love with the low angle track as the shadows cast across the cabinets were extremely effective and created an almost 'looming' atmosphere.

Shooting the exteriors
I wasn't present for this filming session as I was in an art exam, but the other members of our group pulled together and managed to capture some really dynamic footage (espicially of the protagonist running around the corner of the Atheneium)

Editing

The editing of our openning is going really well so far and all the shots are fitting together nicely. I am really happy to report that our wacky, past-to-present, match-on-action transitions are working!!!!

We did however, face a slight continuity problem within the first sequence in the office, where the shots were not flowing as seamlessly as we wanted them to. We combated this issue by replacing the straight cut transitions with fades which softened the cuts between the shots nicely. Although fades would normally look out of place within this genre, they work because they are within a flashback (the fade represents a lapse in memory or time passing which emphasises the length of time in which our protagonist has been investigating this particular case)

imperfections in our openning

After watching the edited openning so far, our group decided there were certain aspects of our thriller that we were unhappy with and wished to change;

- The voice over needs to be re-recorded in a smaller room (such as one of the soundproofed music rooms or small office) to reduce static, echo and background noise.

- The closeup to mid-shot of the protagonist (first transition) needs to refilmed so that it captures the protagonist pushing themselves from the wall. That way, it will flow into the running scene much more easily and fluidly.

- Lastly, the shot at the end of the openning needs to be re-filmed as it is far too long. (a fresh pair of eyes also informed us that our actor was wearing the wrong costume! Opps!)

shooting exteriors #2

Today (6th february) was used to refilm sections of the Bury sequence and the last shot. The group also got the last remaining shots outside Roisin's house that were needed to complete our openning. Unfortunately, both me and gemma were unable to attend the filming so I'm looking forward to seeing the new material for the first time on Tuesday!

On Monday...

In study I plan to re-record the voice over in a more appropriate location so that we can upload it in Tuesday's lesson.

On Tuesday...

In Tuesday's media lesson we hope to meet up with a Music A level student who is going to help us construct the soundtrack on garage band...we know the basics of this programme but feel we need a little extra help from a pro!

From then on...

Continue editing until BEAUTIFUL!!! From next week and over the half term, our group will begin construction on our Director's commentry/Making Of Featurette.


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