Changes and Finish

In contrast with the my original ideas, I've changed a few things for the final cut. I didn't film the paint scene, and I didn't film any scenes involving extras. This was mainly due to time-constraints and the fact that I could use some useful effects in the editing process. Today I finished editing, I managed to piece together what I had and used a variety of transitions, effects and white fade outs/ins. Playing with the effects was fun and it helped me get a better idea of how to use certain video filters and transitions in the right points or for certain clips with a certain tone. So far I've finished all the paperwork, and burned my edit onto disk with a menu.

Editing

Started editing on the 26th of March. It went pretty well and considering I didn't have all the shots I had planned, so far I've managed to make a decent edit. Tuesday I only managed to edit for 5 minutes while eating lunch because I was helping another group that had to re-shoot their music video. I should finish my edit tomorrow, if not, Tuesday. Then I can bring in all the necessary paperwork, give in my blog URL and the project will be finished.

2nd shoot

Started the second shoot today, got in at about 9, everyone else got in about half an hour later. I had to wait for some tape, to prepare the room, and then spent the rest of the morning putting paper on the walls and floor, the toilet paper was particularly useful. I filmed a small amount of Verity's pieces, but I needed to get the bulk of the shots out of the way that included Joby first. We had some breaks and also managed to get a few of Joby's shots done from the side and on the shoulder mount. The wall wasn't as yellow as I thought which was better. But I didn't have a lot of paper and I didn't have any people to use as extras, so I'll have to film tomorrow. I left all the paper on the floor and wall so I could film tomorrow, however, after I left, I was told that other people will be using the room from then until tomorrow, so all of the paper that was set up was binned. Now I have the challenge of finding several hundred sheets of paper, rolls if toilet roll and rolls of tape by tomorrow with no money to my name and no budget. Thankfully my girlfriend's mother has come to the rescue and lent her some money to pick up what I need tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed.
Disaster. As I tried copying the files onto a spare card, I pressed the format button by accident, through pure carelessness on my part. Tomorrow will be more time consuming than I thought.

• 23/03/12

Got in today, and re-papered the wall and floor. This time I had more paper and I covered more of the wall.
We managed to get the shots that were deleted redone before 11am, which was good considering we didn't start filming until 11 the day before. This time I turned the exposure on the camera up, making things appear whiter but not too much. After a while I managed to get Verity's shots done, Joby's shots done, and the shots with both of them in done also. We were running out of time and we didn't have any extras, so I had to scrap some shots after realising that the footage I had shot would also mix with the footage from the office shoot. I would have left the paper there until Monday because the caretaker said the room was completely un-booked and that the dance class was cancelled. But I was told to either shoot more, which I couldn't, or bin it, so with the help of Joby and Patrick I cleaned away all the paper. I'm relieved that the filming is finished, and now I can do a full edit.

Delays

There have been some delays so far with the second shoot. Getting everything to occur on the same day is proving difficult. My producer hasn't been in, and so I've had to organise the paperwork myself. I can only film Verity's parts on a Thursday or a Friday, so I need to get Joby, the extras, the props and lights all together on the same day.

• 20/03/12

Today I managed to acquire a small frisbee, and painted it red, I also punched some holes in paper for the paper 'snow'. My producer wasn't in again today, so I took it on myself to do both Risk Assessments and the call sheet for the next shoot. I understand if she's ill etc. But it needs to be done one way or another. So far, everything is coming together and it should be a smooth shoot on Thursday/Friday, then I can get editing.

Pre-production 2

Since the last shoot was slightly mixed up, I've found a new way to write the camera script so that the shoot will be easier to do, more streamlined and therefore less tiring on the cast and crew.
I transferred the shot list onto a proper camera script sheet, and it is considerably larger than the one I made for the office shoot.
This time I have ordered each shot in order of type, e.g. All side shots, then all dolly shots etc. this will save me from moving the camera after each shot, and could help with continuity. I have also planned to do the shots involving a lot of extras, last, to save moving people in and out. Now I have to wait for costume/props and then make sure everyone is free, unless I film over more than one day.

Editing Start

Started the editing process today. Obviously there is only so much I can do at the moment, because I have only done photography on the first section. I will have to wait for props, costumes etc, whilst also thoroughly planning the next shoot.

Final Cut Pro, the editing process

Office Shoot and Pre-production

Tomorrow we will start production on the office sequence, earlier than I anticipated too. Today I have ensured that the Pre-production paperwork has been completed. This consists of a call sheet and a location risk assessment form. Bekah handled the risk assessment whilst I copied my camera script onto a more formal sheet and did the call sheet. I made sure all the cast, crew and equipment is ready. And we should start filming at about 11:30am tomorrow.

Call Sheet

Camera Script

• The Shoot. 28/02/12

Today I started filming on time at about 11:30am, everyone was in costume and ready to begin.

I thought today was very productive because I managed to finish all of the office pieces in one day, (except the stop motion animation shots, as I do not have paint at this time).

First we shot the establishing shots and medium shots, using the tripod throughout and the dolly for one shot.

Most of the shots were brilliant in the first take after doing a rehearsal, I did however, do safety shots, some of which proved to be better than the original. Keeping track of continuity was important, and I almost forgot several times.  I tried to shoot in the most logical order, doing the difficult shots first, and making sure I had full rushes to save me from redoing shots later. After about an hour or so, we managed to get 5 shots done, the dolly shot taking 5 takes, but we got there in the end with the aid of James the Camera Technician, and a hair bobble.

We then took a short break, and continued about 1 hour later. At this time, many of my classmates were back in the room, however I managed to film "around" them, making sure they were not in frame and keeping track of continuity. Since the sound wasn't going to be used, I didn't have to worry about other people making noises and I could vocally direct the actors/actresses whilst recording, which was particularly useful on reaction shots from Briley. I made sure to get the shots involving the engagement ring done first so that Roxie could have it back and go home. Then I finished with Briley, and finally Joby's close-ups were completed. We wrapped at about 3:00pm, giving an hour to spare before we finished college for the day. I made edit logs throughout the entire shoot, writing down each scene, shot, take and it's name.

Today was slightly nerve racking, as people are waiting for you to set up etc. However it made me realise that the amount of ground work done before hand in pre-production, really does pay off. I know that the next shoot will be considerably more time consuming, and I will need all of my resources at hand to make sure things run smoothly.

Picture on set. Left to right: Joby-Actor. Me-Director, DOP. Patrick & Owen - watching.

Pre-production

Now that all the storyboards and camera scripts/shot lists are done, all I have to do now is wait for my producer to acquire the props, clothing etc necessary for filming that I can't get myself. In the meantime, I shall try and get myself acquainted with a steadicam rig, perhaps with the shoulder mount that James said he'd bring in. I'll also go down to the rehearsal room to look at spaces and get a feel for the angles and places for necessary lighting.

Camera Script/Shot List

As I'm acting as Director of Photography as well as Director, I have to turn the storyboards I created into a camera script and shot list. This comprises of a list of all shots in order of location and scene. In each shot explaining how the shot is accomplished and any detail not explained in the storyboards.

Storyboards

Finished the storyboards today, and now I have a good idea of what will happen in the video. I'll either use no cartoon animation or very little because I have found a location to film all live action and without painting everything white. The only paint I need is for the sequence where the Hero's clothes turn white, which will involve stop motion animation.

Video Ideas

Since my initial idea for a different song was refused, I've had to think up an idea for the new song which is Hey Ya by OutKast. I've been thinking heavily on using Stop Motion Animation for cartoon sequences.

As the song is about the troubles and doubts that a couple feel in a relationship, I have chosen to use love as the main influence on narrative.