MDA2900 - Reflective Analysis

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.

'The Next Step' - Reflective Essay by amini93

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.

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!

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!

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.

The set for one of the more extravagant dream scenes!
I clearly should be an interior designer...

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!

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:

Shooting Schedule REDO by amini93

MDA2900 - Project Update, rescheduling and auditions...

So, I haven't posted for a while, and honestly, I grew quite worried about the project!

After being busy with other projects and working, Ira hadn't given me and work or contacted me for several weeks, so I questioned her commitment to the project.

After finally getting through to her, we have arranged a meeting with David and Eddie, and I have also rescheduled shooting, and held auditions and found an actor and actress, with the help of Jessica Skyers, my Production Assistant.

The actors were found on Casting Call Pro, and they suit the part, and eachother, very well in my opinion. I have sent Ira their profiles and she agrees and is excited to work with them!

As for rescheduling, I have moved shooting back to the 22nd and 23rd April. While this is cutting it fine, it gives us time to organise everything and make sure nothing is rushed, so nothing will go wrong.

MDA2900 - Pitch

This is the pitch we presented to David and Eddie in class.

OVerall, to say I'm not usually great in presentations, it went well, and we have been given the Green Light to go ahead with the project!

The only issue with the plan so far, is the fact that we need to thoroughly plan out the shots we will need, and get a shooting schedule sorted, because, if we stick to the surrealist stylistic elements, then the camera/lighting and other aspects of filming will all have to be very exact for us to accomplish what we want with the film.

Here is the presentation:

The Next Step’ Pitch by amini93

MDA2900 - Project Schedule

Here is the schedule I made for the project:

Schedule! by amini93

MDA2900 - Project Brief

We have now been given our final project brief for MDA2900. We have until 08th May, to either produce or direct a ten-minute short drama or documentary film.

I am producing 'The Next Step', which is the short film I have written for my screenwriting module. After discussing the film with her, I have decided to work with Ira Merzlichen, who will be directing.

My reasons for not directing my own work are the fact that curently, I feel more confident as a producer than a director, and on such a large-scale project, I wouldn't want to jeopardise a grade by choosing a role in which I am not very strong.

After bouncing some ideas off of each other I think that Ira will be great to work with; we both have a passion for surreal/arthouse films and hopefully her directorial creative vision will reflect this in the final piece!

We are now preparing a pitch to present to David and Eddie in class soon.

This week I had a producer's tutorial with Eddie

Personally, I find it went really well, he was pleased with the presentation and amount of planning which went into my work

My main task now, he said, is making sure that I get the work off Ira which I need, so that I can start to schedule the shoot days, so that when we come to auditions, if any of the actors ask how long/what times they will be needed on set, I can give them a good idea, which will increase their confidence in the amount of planning which has gone into the production.

Here is the production booklet I used in the meeting with him:

Production Booklet by amini93

MDA2900 - Assignment 01 - 'The Unwanted' Adaptation

Here is our film which we made for the first assignment, based on a scene taken from the play 'The Unwanted', by Walter Wykes.

https://vimeo.com/57633696

One of the main problems in this, is an issue with the sound, as several sound files shot for one of the camera positions became corrupted, so we were unable to use them. This resulted in having to use the sound recorded into the camera, as we didn't have the time to organise voice-over sessions.

Our sound technician managed to take-out the background noise in the clips we used, but unfortunately a difference in sound quality is evident, which takes away from the believability (for audiences) of the film.

Despite this, I have, however learned a lot about how better to organise myself, were I to produce a project again, and to have more back-up plans, as chances are, something will go wrong at some point on the project

MDA2900 - Assignment Update

After a couple of setbacks (leaving it too late to book a room for auditions, mainly,)  we managed to find an actor, an actress and film!

The actor, also called Adam, was great to work with and the actress, Ellie, also was lovely.

I was nervous at first, having never worked with actors whom I had found via a casting before, but they were both eager to be part of the project and we managed to wrap up filming in one day!

I remember before when Eddie had said that you'll know if a producers job has been done well, because shooting will be the easiest part of the project for the producer. Personally, I had quite an easy day, the location was close to University, and we stuck to the schedule, finishing on time!

I'm excited to look over the rushes, and start to sign off on the editing process, and now I have time to be busy with my other assignments.

MDA2900 - First Assignment Idea Finalised

http://www.10-minute-plays.com/scenes/the_unwanted_scene.html

Here is the play on which we are basing our first assignment

From the producer's perspective, it will be very feasible, with one, simple location and two characters.

I will put out a casting call later on so that we can prepare for auditions, especially as in such an emotionally driven scene, acting will be important!

MDA2900 - Schedule

Here is the schedule I composed for the first assignment for MDA2900

MDA2900 - Serena's Second Visit

After having our second talk off Serena Cullen, we had another interesting look into her life, work and her insight into the world of production.

We watched a part of a musical drama she produced, as well as a pilot for a sitcom, and part of a few television movies, and we learned about the low budgets used, tight schedules, and certain times in which the projects were never fully realised, due to funding backing out (even after making a pilot episode, in the case of the sitcom!)

• If funding falls through, you can still make the project and make a larger profit, but BE REALISTIC.
• Persistence and passion are key
• Most films have about 5 memorable moments, so when you are creating a trailer, think about them and try adding them to the trailer
• Use a 2 camera sysytem for a faster shooting process

To conclude, she had five key points to tell us:

• The writer, producer and director all have a shared vision
• A producer must have passion for the project
• Access to the people, resources you need is important
• You need the Energy to see the projects through charismatically
• The most important thing is making it happen for yourself

MDA2900 - New Project Brief

We have a new project brief, to produce or direct (in pairs) a short scene, involving 2/3 characters, which we have to adapt from a book or play, and which must be feasible in the short amount of time we have to make it!

I will be producing, and working with Francisco who will be my director!

I now need to get started looking for texts to use and scheduling for the next few weeks!

MDA2900 - Vladimir Lozinski: The Independent Producer

The next guest speaker we had was Vladimir Lozinski

A producer who worked his way to the top, before breaking off and becoming independent, he had many useful tips for us

• Producer is normally the most important individual in a film production
• Think about the budget every day
• Label your clips so you will not lose them.
• NEVER limit yourself to one technology
• Script is the most important part: the audience needs to have a story they can connect with
• Know your audience.
• The producer is 'driving' the director to create their vision
• Patience is very important, when working with people
• Restrictions you have can help you think outside the box and do something incredible
• As a student, your most powerful tool is the story and its characters
• Producer needs to have the drive and the ego
• People prefer to work with people who manage to create a film under the budget
• Know what you want; good pre-production saves you money
• If you need to get rid of a character, plant something in the backstory
• Fed crew is a happy crew

He also discussed many other important facts, such as the best way he goes about transporting/logging capturing rushes, and also DSLR cameras and the perks/downfalls in using those, compared to other camera models.

I also feel that while the main messages in his talk were similar to those given by Serena, as a whole he had a different air about him as a producer, I feel. I found the fact that this gave him almost a different approach interesting when considering what he had to say!

MDA2900 - Production Workshop

Though I missed it and caught up with my classmates notes, we had a talk off Eddie, discussing what makes a good producer, and the skills involved in Producing films.

• Confident (but not overconfident)
• Organized (write things down, prioritize, research, find out what can go wrong, delegate  communicate, have backup plans, manage your time and ask questions)
• Good communicator (talking, networking, open, knows how to talk to many different people)
• Self-control 
• Patience
• Negotiations (know everybody and everything, and know how to convince people)
• Executional (with your ideas) 
• Leadership – you have to have a vision

Personally, I'm still not sure whether I would make a better producer or director. On the one had, I feel that I would love the creative control a director gets, yet on the other, I feel that I have many skills which would make me a good producer: I'm a good communicator and have dealt with many different people of different backgrounds in my life well, and also I'm patient and in group tasks good at organising others. 

I only did a small amount of producing last year, and feel that I got a bit overwhelmed by it, if I were to do it again, the tips I got from reading through what Eddie discussed at his talk have definitely helped me think about how I could better approach the task. 

MDA2900 - 7D Induction / Guest Speaker: Serena Cullen

This week we were inducted to use the Canon 7D Cameras.

With regards to visuals, the 7Ds, in my opinion, are amazing, the focus/zoom capabilities and general quality of footage, as well as the effects of the different lenses, are of such a high quality. The main downside, I believe, is the fact that they cannot record sound using an external microphone. This means that for high-quality sound a zoom mic needs to be used, and then it takes a while longer to get everything sorted in post-production, as the sound has to be logged, as well as the footage and then synced to the video seperately.

The camera controls themselves, I find a bit confusing personally, but of course the only way I can get around this is by practicing using the camera, so I'm excited to take one out and have a mess around with it (though I won't be saying 'mess around' when I take it from the loan store).

This week we also had a guest speaker; Serena Cullen, a producer who has worked on many popular television programs and films, and who has done a lot of recent work for the BBC.

I found it very useful to hear from someone who had worked their way up, and she had many helpful tips and bits of advice.

She had five main tips for working in Film and Television

• developing relationships
• know every job on the set
• watch movies
• use real locations
• blend objective and subjective writing

and also another set of tips:

• character is very important
• keep all actors busy so they will not cause trouble
• think about scheduling
• be passionate about your work
• actors work the best on take 2 (according to statistics)
• producer has to answer all the questions

Her talk definitely made me think more about the responsibilities of a producer, and how much responsibility they have to make sure everything runs smoothly, and that everyone involved is doing what they are supposed to do, and are happy while doing it.

The main message her talk inspired within me, was how relentless you had to be to succeed. She told us about how strongly she fought for funding for her ideas, and the television shows/films she saw potential in and had a passion for, and I enjoyed the opportunity to listen to her and the advice she gave. We will have another talk from her in a fortnight.