GROUP: Filming update

During the half term we planned to shoot some of our footage. We have successfully shot in 2 different locations and we are all extremely pleased with the footage we took.

The firework scene worked out very well, but we had slight problems regrading some aspects:

• The Fire - we ran into problems keeping the fire a constant size in order to keep the continuity of our piece, to resolve this we constantly had to rebuild the fire.

•  The Fireworks - whilst filming the actual fireworks it was hard to predict where they would explode so tracking each explosion on camera, whilst keeping the shot smooth and steady was extremely challenging, but we had already thought about this, so bought extra fireworks to guarantee we got enough footage of the fireworks, and if necessary can edit different fireworks together in Premier.

We also had some problems at Brighton: 

• Because we shot within a school holiday the beaches and attractions were far busier, so we had to spend longer waiting to shoot, and on some occasions had to ask people to move so we could film. This did not effect our footage very much, but meant it took slightly longer than anticipated. 

Overall we are extremely pleased, and we feel our time management and planning has greatly increased since last year, as we were working to a precise schedule with a very detailed storyboard 

it meant filming was far more time effective. 

GROUP: Storyboard Animatic

GROUP: Goudhurst Shoot (Fireworks Sequence) Tuesday 28th October

Today is our Goudhurst shoot, we are currently preparing our equipment, props and costume in order to head to the locations for 4:30. The weather conditions are calm and ideal for filming and we aim to be setting up at location with plenty of light so that we are prepared for filming in the dark and can proceed with thee shoot using time efficiently.
 We have prepared a call sheet and risk assessment in order to lay out our shots in order of what will be logical and safe and established some dangers and hazards to be aware of and prevent whilst on shoot before being given the green light by our tutors.

GROUP: Filming Schedule

With the current holidays on, as a group we have decided and arranged several dates over the last two weeks that we can all film on, making the most of the available free time.

GROUP: Moving Forward

After our successful pitch presentation, being given the green light to go ahead with our production we can now consider moving forward into the creative planning of our storyboards and animatic whilst scheduling and planning our shoots. Further calendars will be posted regarding this scheduling soon

GROUP: Pitch Feedback

 

 

After presenting our pitch, we were given the opportunity to receive feedback from our teachers and peers, with comments regarding strengths, weaknesses and targets.

 

Strengths:

• We received strong positive feedback regarding the visual style and colour grading aspects of our concept. Our classmates felt it was "Easy to determine what would be conceptual and reality. The colour grading is a strong idea"
• Narrative themes were also received well, as the audience liked the idea of engraining the binocular theme within the treatment. The twist regarding the loneliness of the female protagonist was also highly popular

Weaknesses:

• Although we had positive feedback regarding our locations and our selection of them, it was observed that many of our locations would be "weather permitting", and was suggested that we plan for the worst by finding other possible interior locations.
• Despite the romantic nature of the protagonist, concern was expressed at the nature of his endeavours, perhaps coming across more stalker like than loveable outcast

Targets:

•  Consider potential alternatives to our current choices of location, based on weather difficulties
• Look into ideological representations of our characters and look into ways of making them appear more aesthetically pleasing, through devices such as costume and props

MB: Pitch Contribution

BS: Pitch Contribution

Over the last week our group has been confirming and experimenting with our concept ideas and together making a pitch which we used to present the main ideas within our video to the rest of the class to receive informative and detailed feedback.

In particular I was allocated the role of the Cast and Characters, as well as producing a questionnaire and gathering responses. These were both important aspects of our pitch as it helped the audience to visually see each of our characters, and help to envisage what our piece would look like in detail.

Cast & Characters:

• I started by including images of both the characters who will feature as the band and the characters who will feature within the narrative story line
• By posting images of our characters it allowed the audience to visualise exactly who would be featuring in our piece
•  In conjunction with pictures of our characters I also included examples of the costume we plan to use, again helping the audience to understand and visualise exactly what our characters will look like within both the narrative and the performance sections

 

 

Audience Research/ Feedback:

 

• I decided to create an online questionnaire using the programme SurveyMonkey as it is easier to target a wider audience via social networking sites such as FaceBook allowing broader and more accurate results.
• We included our track, and the initial ideas we have had. From this we asked if they liked the style of the track and if our proposed concept would go well with the track . Every participant answered yes, which was extremely beneficial as we could clearly see it was a successful idea.
• Other questions were more generic, asking what people enjoy about existing music videos, how often do they watch them etc. 
• here is an example of a question we asked:

 

Overall the group worked very collaboratively, each person contributing something to each section of the pitch, we found this the most fair and productive way to get the most accurate and detailed pitch as we were all able to contribute all ideas and discuss them during the process of compiling our presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



BBK: Pitch Contribution

Over the past week as a group we have been pulling together all out concept ideas, research and planning compiling a pitch in order to present our ideas to the rest of the class. As a group we worked collaboratively on many of the tasks helping each other with presentation whilst strengthening our concept through discussion.

In order to be efficient with the time we had before our presentation we also divided up the different planned between us in order to cover everything and add further details with each other as we went. 

For this task i was allocated the roles of presenting our various location recces and displaying the visual style we hope to capture in our piece inspired by our research in order to allow the audience to picture what out final result will look like.

Location:

• I started by explaining the reasoning behind our multiple locations and how we had split our narrative almost into three chapters.
• I chose to use both still and moving images to also get a sense of how our camera movement would complement the locations we would use.
• Unfortunately one of our locations is based at an annual event, this being a firework display which will not be taking place until the beginning of next month meaning we could not perform a location recce. However in order to allow the audience to get an idea of the quality of the camera footage during night I included some test shots using sparkler to show how the light from the fireworks to illuminate our scenes

Visual Style:

• I split up the visual style slides into sections referring to colour schemes and camera movement/editing. 
• Starting with colour I created a mood board mapping out the overall mix of colours that we would like to present from pieces we had been influenced by.
  
• To show the audience how we were going to replicate this I inserted the images we had created in Photoshop using curves and colour enhancement tools showing what our shots would look like in relation to what inspired them. 
• I then started to create a short video made up of clips from our most prominent influences for visual style and aspects of texts that had input into the creation of our narrative in order to allow the audience to visualise our final product. I edited together the visuals in iMovie and added a soundtrack by the band whose song we are creating the music video. 

• From here I went onto to compile a number of short clips showing the various different camera techniques and movements we would like to use as well as some post production practices we aimed to learn and reproduce such as binocular view vfx and duplicating a single cast member within one shot.
• This video was done without a soundtrack so that I could explain each shot as it was viewed and why we wanted to use it. However I did feature titles naming each shot and its original source.

GROUP: Concept Update, Class discussion and Pitch

• After discussions surrounding our narrative as a group we were able to establish a framework around the song lyrics in order to start to build upon the detail of our concept. We recognised that the song could be split into three sections, within each section the beat and rhythm of the song would go from a steady mellow tone before a gradual quickening of pace leading into an energetic segment. 
• Once we had identified this trend we used it for the basis of the tempo and line of action for our plot. We divided the narrative into three chapters in three different locations that we felt were best at creating an aesthetic visual layout and that were all inherently different from one another. 
• These being a field scene, a beach scene and a firework display in this order. We decided upon this framework as we felt the mood of each of these locations gets gradually more energetic and visually stimulating. The field being a very still and peaceful location, the beach being a juxtaposing of the movement of the see and the stillness of the beach its self creating a middle ground and the climax of the fireworks in which our story comes to its happy ending of the two protagonists finding one another. 
• We split each of these chapters into reality and conceptual sections based on the change of tempo and rhythm.
• We were also able to source our girl character for the piece, Max's friend Eloise was offered the part based on her style and her screen presence that we had witnessed in other videos she had been involved in. We are very excited that she has accepted the role which will lead us to focusing on important planning aspects from here on in.
• This week in particular has been very important and busy for the group as we have been planning and producing our pitch as a team, dividing up tasks between us and working towards creating a presentation that will allow our audience to fully envisage our concept. 
• Within this time we have also started putting into practice various aspects of colour grading that we have focused on towards creating the videos visual style and the separation between the protagonists reality and conceptual presence. These techniques have been done on stills in Photoshop using selection, curves, colour enhancement, masks and various other tools in order for us to adapt and replicate them in After effects.

BBK: 'Submarine' and Fireworks Risk Assessment

• Richard Ayoade's 2010 directoral debut 'Submarine' has been a favourite of mine since its release. Its narrative in many ways reflects that of our own, a coming of age tale of a boy who falls in love and after a period of watching from afar ends up with her.
  
• This section from the film is the protagonists own mental reflection on the time the two have already spent to her complied into a montage of what he calls "Two weeks of lovemaking".
• The sequence caught our eye as the activities they partake in mirror those I imagined our own protagonists to do within the conceptual portions of our own narrative.
• The Mise-en-scene within the sequence portrays the two as connected in many different ways, their casting initialing places them together as both Craig Roberts and Yasmin page are quite short and share similar features such as medium length dark hair and pale skin.
• The use of costume connects them as although the items such as the large duffle coats and hats are similar to one another their colours juxtapose based on their personalities , the character of Jordanna being more adventurous and risk taking represented through red and Oliver Tate trying to figure out who he is doesn't have his own colour and remains black. The colour of peoples personality is reflected upon later in the film as he refers to his father as 'egg-shell'.
  
• A major influence towards out own narrative is the body language the two share, this being a key factor of their relationship and something we would really like to capture within the conceptual narrative, a feeling of genuine connection.
• The use of fireworks in the sequence not only creates a character representation of the two as outsiders and rebels but also makes for an elaborate visual display.
• For this reason we have decided to include a section of the narrative based at a firework display also partially based on the scene in the film in which Oliver runs down to the local firework display only to see Jordanna through the crowd.
• In order to do this we plan to film this section on two separate occasions. The first portion of this chapter being the reality will be filmed at an actual fireworks display, here there will be a crowd differing from the previous two portions. In the second half of the chapter, the conceptual aspect, the two will be alone however will continue to let off fireworks as is seen in the above clip.

Fireworks Risk Assessment

• As a group two of our members are now 18 and legally allowed to buy and use fireworks, this will enable us easy access and availability.
• We have selected a variety of different of different fireworks and looked into their use in order to ensure that we are responsible and safe when using them.
• The location we have chosen to perform our own fireworks at is Ben Sinden's Garden and back field, this allows us easy accessibility as well as a well known area to navigate in the dark. There are also many fields that are unowned, the large empty space allowing less risk for fire hazards and as it is away from any urban areas the use of flares or fireworks will not be misinterpreted as distress signals.
• The first choice we have made is hand flares, as can been seen in the shot above. Hand flares are an emergency rescue tool designed to give of a bright red light as well as smoke to emphasise the it, whilst not releasing any heated material that may harm you, enabling those who use it to hold it in their hand. This tool could be very effective in illuminating the scene whilst giving a vibrant tone as the light illuminates the path in front of them when they run. Of course before performing any running or actions with this tool a route will be established without an trip hazards.

• The second firework of choice is the Roman candles, this cane bought as a singular rod that fires 5-8 small shots of colour, some may crackle or have other effects but they do not explode lessening any danger of sparks and injuries. In order to ensure the safety of the user and the cast we must make sure the candles face away from the crew and the actor/actress. A bucket of water will be brought on set to extinguish an and all flammable items used.
• 
  
• The last two types of firework that we plan to use are Rockets and a Catherine Wheel, both of these fireworks can be embedded in the ground a lit by a responsible adult ensuring all cast and crew are within a safe distance of the fireworks 

GROUP: Location Recce (Goudhurst Fields)

Our group had decided that we want to shoot some of our narrative footage within a rural field location. Where I visited for a location recce offered a great variety, offering different settings, as well as different colors. When I conducted my recce the sun was very low as it began to set, making the colors a lot warmer, for example more shadows and yellow orange colors from the low sun.

We had taken inspiration for our more rural shots from a scene within Moonrise Kingdom, we really liked the visual style, with the use of a more vintage and retro color grading which is what we want to achieve within our piece. We have been experimenting on Photoshop to emulate this shot and style.

Here are some images I took during the location recce, i was focusing predominantly on fields for long-shots of our two characters but also found some other interesting locations, for example bridges which would work effectively within our piece.

 These locations would be very appropriate for our piece as they are extremely close to my house, so transporting equipment would be very easy, I have also already got permission to shoot on the farm from the farmer so this would not be a problem. As well as the locations on the farm my garden would also be appropriate, and as we had considered using fireworks during our piece this could easily be done in my garden and avoids any issues with permission.

Risk Assessment: Clearly there would be a number of different risks whilst shooting our footage, for example:

• Taking precautions whilst filming near to a fast flowing river, as potentially this is very dangerous
• Respecting the rules of the farm, as the farmer has kindly given us permission to film 
• Checking the weather forecast, as rain will make it extremely muddy and slippery and could result in damaged equipment 

Although we had considered a rural field location within our initial ideas, we are still undecided and are waiting to finalize our ideas. Further location recces will need to be conducted of different locations in order to finalize our locations.

GROUP: Location Recce 2 (Hornslodge Fields)

We planned to visit Horns lodge Fields in Tonbridge in order to establish whether this could be a location for our 'Binocular' video. We had discussed a scene an initial

scene set within a field location reflecting upon the first meeting of the two main characters in Moonrise Kingdom. We liked this scene because of its visual style and mise-en-scene matching our own concept.

We organized to go out on Wednesday 1/10/14  in order to take some pictures using each other as character blocking models inn order to establish scale and get a better idea over what the shots may look like.

Here are some photos from our shoot:

 

 

 

 

 

 

• The location is positioned very close to our houses making it easily accessible and time effective allowing any equipment needed to be quickly transported from the houses to the location.
• The recce was successful in identifying a location which we could easily reach. It also allowed us to experiment with different shot distances and composition and has provided a key source for our colour grading experimentation.
• A further field recce is planned for the coming weekend and so although this location will be kept in mind we will explore other options before making a commitment.

 



BS: Technical Analysis (Performance)

Hard-fi - Hard To Beat - Performance Aspect

 

Shot number

Shot Type

Camera Movement/ Mise-en-scene

Duration

1	CU	Static camera, focusing on a guitar but not the artists. From the outset of this video a more vintage sepia theme is established	1s
2	CU	Panning up slowly, establishing the drums, but without focusing on the band members	1s
3	CU	Static camera shot, focusing on the guitar which is playing in time to the music	1s
4	CU	Panning left to right, focusing again on the drums being played to establish the beat of the track	1s
5	MCU	Shows the drummer for the first time, starts to introduce the band members and artist, establishing costume which is ordinary and does not establish much of a “star image”	1s
6	CU	On the guitarist, camera is drawn from the instruments and more to the actual band members, establishing their style through costume	1s
7	MLS	In the frame we see in the foreground the bass guitar, and in the background the drummer is fully in shot keeping the rhythm of the song. The camera then pans left to a CU shot focusing on the bass guitar when it is first heard within the track	1s
8	LS	Slow pan right to left, showing the bass guitarist, establishing normal costume which conforms to the band image, again the artist is playing in time to the bass line of the song	1s
9	LS	Panning out and left, showing the whole band together as the beat of the song increases, presenting a form of band unity. Also establishes the overall grading of the shot, a more retro alternative look	2s
10	CU	Static shot, showing the singer as the lyrics are introduced to the song, again costume is normal, similar to the rest of the band members, but presents this artist with more star image as he is breaking the 4th wall by looking straight at the audience	3s
11	LS	Panning  right to left, shows the band again all playing together and also the location, it is very simplistic and the lighting is low key, again adding to the more alternative and sepia tone	4s
12	CU	Series of static close-up shots in quick succession of each band  member’s face	7s
13	LS	Fast pan right to left focusing on the band, this is only a short shot as it is intercut within the narrative storyline	4s
14	XCU	Static shot showing the singer’s eyes, as the lyrics “I said come on let’s dance” this is more sexual as the singer raises his eyebrows	1s

 

• I decided to focus on the performance aspect of this video as the visual style, which is more vintage/sepia is what we want to achieve within our video, and is a more appropriate example of what we want to emulate within our piece.

 

 

• Within this video, and much like the majority of performance based videos, the cutting rate is extremely fast, featuring 1 second shots the majority of the time. It is also clear that each shot is cut on beat, so changes to the beat and rhythm of the music.

 

 

 

• I also looked at this video because there is performance intercut within a narrative story line, this is something we want to do within our video as oppose to the Bloc Party analysis I had previously conducted which is performance for the whole duration of the video

 

 

 

• The mise-en-scene within this video constructs a very vintage/retro/sepia feel throughout the video which is also similar to some of The Family Rain's existing videos and is a style we want to achieve. The location is also something we will consider, as it is made to look low budget as it is very simplistic with simple low key lighting; this is something easily achievable within our video as we are working on a low budget.