This is the reflective essay I submitted, discussing how I feel the project went and what I learned about the practical and creative aspects of producing and collaborating with a director and crew.
Friday, 10 May 2013
The Next Step
The Next Step from Middlesex University Films on Vimeo.
This is the final version we handed in of 'The Next Step'
Overall, I am very pleased with how this turned out. While I am disappointed about the scenes we had to remove, I personally think that the fact that it is all in a similar location now keeps the film (even in the extravagant dream scenes) more grounded and allows spectators to focus more on Annie and Tom, and not the extra character and other, bizarre location.
I definitely feel that my confidence as a producer has grown while working on this project, even while filming, I managed to sort out a small issue between two crew-members by reminding them of their responsibilities and the fact that they should let the other do their job by being receptive to what they are told.
I feel amazing that I literally saw the project through from start to finish (from having an idea and writing the screenplay, to now when it has been made into a short film.
Thursday, 2 May 2013
MDA2900 - Editing
Naturally, after the delays, we had a much smaller amount of time in which to edit than we had originally hoped, but the editing process is underway, and I will get a video of a rough cut posted soon!
The shots we have all work together, and though we had to take away a scene (Tom/The boss in Tom's dream) due to the tight schedule, and the fact that we want toe story to be more about Annie than Tom,) the pace of the film is effective and especially once colour grading and effects have been applied, the look of the film will be great!
I will get a rough cut posted soon!
The shots we have all work together, and though we had to take away a scene (Tom/The boss in Tom's dream) due to the tight schedule, and the fact that we want toe story to be more about Annie than Tom,) the pace of the film is effective and especially once colour grading and effects have been applied, the look of the film will be great!
I will get a rough cut posted soon!
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
MDA2900 - Other projects
I have, as part of this module, helped out on 2 other projects!
The first was Arielle and Pauliina's 'Tough Love' which is a great story about a young couple (is this a theme?) who's dysfunctional relationship descends into violence, which has been brought on by the actions of either couple!
My role was as First AD, which meant that I had to keep an eye on the schedule and make sure everything ran smoothly, and also to call the shots, which once I got settled into the role I did efficiently!
I also filled out camera reports for them, which while not specifically a job for the First AD, was experience of a skill which I will definitely use one day!
I'm very excited to see how their film turns out!
The other projects I helped out on was as a runner in Francisco and Collet's film, (filming at my house, I was a great person to handle the tea-making and cooking responsibilites, as they were using my kitchen!) and I also helped Tuva and Anne with their documentary 'Hunting with Maria', by proofreading and re-phrasing their transcribed subtitles so that the dialoge seemed more natural and made more sense in the English Language! While not an aspect of production itself, it goes to show how many different roles go into making a film, and it let me exercise my skills picked up in A Level English Language, which I've surprisingly used a lot on this course, what with storytelling, screenwriting and the multitude of essays!
The first was Arielle and Pauliina's 'Tough Love' which is a great story about a young couple (is this a theme?) who's dysfunctional relationship descends into violence, which has been brought on by the actions of either couple!
My role was as First AD, which meant that I had to keep an eye on the schedule and make sure everything ran smoothly, and also to call the shots, which once I got settled into the role I did efficiently!
I also filled out camera reports for them, which while not specifically a job for the First AD, was experience of a skill which I will definitely use one day!
I'm very excited to see how their film turns out!
The other projects I helped out on was as a runner in Francisco and Collet's film, (filming at my house, I was a great person to handle the tea-making and cooking responsibilites, as they were using my kitchen!) and I also helped Tuva and Anne with their documentary 'Hunting with Maria', by proofreading and re-phrasing their transcribed subtitles so that the dialoge seemed more natural and made more sense in the English Language! While not an aspect of production itself, it goes to show how many different roles go into making a film, and it let me exercise my skills picked up in A Level English Language, which I've surprisingly used a lot on this course, what with storytelling, screenwriting and the multitude of essays!
MDA2900 - Shoot Days!
So, due to people being busy with their own projects, we used a different crew for each day (bar three roles: Producer and director, of course, and DoP: A camera op who Ira knows, called Natalja Safronova, who was great to work with and connected well with the stylistics of the project), this means our credits will be double the length, I would imagine, but nevertheless I had a great time on set, and despite a couple of setbacks (mainly the loan store opening half an hour later than I thought setting the schedule back by half an hour on the first day,) we managed to shoot everything we needed within the two days!
Stresses definitely ran high on the second, longer shoot day, but thanks to Ira thinking on her feet, and my First AD Tuva keeping everyone in check, we got everything done in the right amount of time.
Despite any tensions before or on set, Ira and I were so relieved once we got everything done, I am very excited to see how everything looks in editing, and to finally sleep!
Stresses definitely ran high on the second, longer shoot day, but thanks to Ira thinking on her feet, and my First AD Tuva keeping everyone in check, we got everything done in the right amount of time.
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| The set for one of the more extravagant dream scenes! I clearly should be an interior designer... |
Saturday, 20 April 2013
MDA2900 - Meeting with D&E and preparation for filming!
After the meeting with David and Eddie I feel much better about how the project is going!
They looked over my shooting schedule and the preparation we now have for the shoot day and they are confident that we will get it done. Their main issue was that whether the DoP we find will be good enough for Ira's standards; let's hope so!
Today I also went shopping for props and food for the crew, and I am very excited to get ready and start filming!
Here is the shooting schedule I put together based on Ira's shot list, floorplans, and the layout of our location:
They looked over my shooting schedule and the preparation we now have for the shoot day and they are confident that we will get it done. Their main issue was that whether the DoP we find will be good enough for Ira's standards; let's hope so!
Today I also went shopping for props and food for the crew, and I am very excited to get ready and start filming!
Here is the shooting schedule I put together based on Ira's shot list, floorplans, and the layout of our location:
Wednesday, 17 April 2013
MDA2300 - Sleep/Wake
My installation has been presented and exhibited.
After a few initial problems during set-up (the television decided not to turn on, and then in the end I couldn't get a photographic backdrop on which to project), in the end, it went very successfully!
The whiteboard I had to use as a background instead had the fortunate side effect of (due to it's glossy finish,) projecting the projection video off it's surface around the room, which in the end added to the effecs of entrapment and disorientation on the audiences, as it projected the flashing images onto the audience, more or less trapping them within the installation, and in the darkened room it almost became claustrophobic, emphasising the paralysis aspect.
I really have enjoyed this module, and it has allowed me learn about and experiment with different types of film, and experience using film as a form of artistic expression in a way which was fresh, interesting and innovative in both my creative and technical approach.
I used technologies I had not yet used before, (such as certain FCP effects, and the equipment,) and I also for the first time really considered how to properly utilise the space in which my film is being presented. This really opened my eyes more to the world of expanded and art cinema, and the different ways that new and old technologies and innovations in film can be used to express something artistically which holds a personal resonance. Most importantly, I feel that I had fun, tried something new, and succeeded in something I both am interested in and enjoy.
After a few initial problems during set-up (the television decided not to turn on, and then in the end I couldn't get a photographic backdrop on which to project), in the end, it went very successfully!
The whiteboard I had to use as a background instead had the fortunate side effect of (due to it's glossy finish,) projecting the projection video off it's surface around the room, which in the end added to the effecs of entrapment and disorientation on the audiences, as it projected the flashing images onto the audience, more or less trapping them within the installation, and in the darkened room it almost became claustrophobic, emphasising the paralysis aspect.
I really have enjoyed this module, and it has allowed me learn about and experiment with different types of film, and experience using film as a form of artistic expression in a way which was fresh, interesting and innovative in both my creative and technical approach.
I used technologies I had not yet used before, (such as certain FCP effects, and the equipment,) and I also for the first time really considered how to properly utilise the space in which my film is being presented. This really opened my eyes more to the world of expanded and art cinema, and the different ways that new and old technologies and innovations in film can be used to express something artistically which holds a personal resonance. Most importantly, I feel that I had fun, tried something new, and succeeded in something I both am interested in and enjoy.
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