Technology Standard

Coping with technology during production:
Using Cameras, filming:

I did not have access to a video camera through family and as my film was not set at school, I did not use a school camera. I then found out that we could use the school cameras outside of school, but I had already done my filming. However, I am happy with the quality of the footage, and as this was the first time that I had even attempted to film something, feel that I have achieved a lot. I used the technology that I had available to me, my digital camera and my sister's digital camera that have video capabilities.

The first thing I had to work out was how to take video clips on the cameras and experiment with the duration of the shots. During the filming I experimented with the camera, with and without zoom, composition within the frames and how to position the camera to get the best shots. The test shots that I took helped with this as I became more comfortable with using a camera.

I filmed several times; at first for the test shots and then for several hours to get the majority of the filming completed. Some of the plan changed because of actors being unable to follow through with the filming. However, I already had sufficient footage.I had more than enough, what I needed to do was sort through and get the best shots for the film. Hence the beginning of the editing.

Composition of shots:

I wanted to have a variety of shots in my film opening as in the film openings that we have studied it is evident that having a variety of angles and shot types is important in the composition of the film. I used close ups and extreme close ups for the emotional shots and to portray the idea of being out of one's comfort zone. I used medium long shots to establish the setting and the trees, nature surrounding the girl in the film portrayed through these shots helps to set the mood and tone of the film. The use of the long shot in the chase scene was effective as it was also hand held to show that the girl was being chased.

Another aspect of the technology that was new to me was the use of editing programmes on the computer. I bought a usb in order to store and transport my video files. My computer at home has two basic editing programmes- I chose to use Homevideo-maker. It can cut clips in two, crop, order on the timeline, add audio, music and transitions, which were the things that I wanted to use. After I had completed my filming I downloaded/imported my files from the cameras onto the computer. I then watched them for the first time on quicktime player so I could see the quality of the footage and whether the filming had been successful. I began to fill out a footage log so that I could know which clips to use and refer back to the log if necessary.

I cropped and cut the clips in order to get them to be the right size, and sped up some of the writing shots on the editing programme. I wanted to have clips of varying size in order to portray different moods- for example, the beginning, writing the story is sped up, but still takes a decent amount of time and the shots are smooth. In contrast, in the shots of the chase scene and some of the necklace shots, they are smaller sized clips, therefore changing quickly to create a sense of tension and urgency. This was also enhanced through the use of transitions such as quick cuts and wipes. 

 When I had decided on my songs, I had to import the files in the correct format, cut them and order them to match the visual and to tie throughout the film. At one or two points the music isn't totally smooth but I am really pleased to have gotten it on the film, as I was having trouble with it at first. I also heightened some of the audio- the noise of ducks, birds and the chase scene, in order to hear the person chasing and the girl's scream. I am pleased with how the higher volume fitted with the music track as well.

I decided to add titles- the title of the film and my name at the beginning, and so played around with the fonts, colour and size on the editing programme. I also changed some of the clips saturation, brightness level, contrast and hue in order to show the fantasy aspect of the park and to increase the shadow in parts with more tension.

When I was editing I was pleased with the way a number of the shots came together, but at times was frustrated because I was trying to teach myself how to use the programme, and when the technology wasn't easy to understand  I had to stop and then come back to it. There were problems with trying to import audio files in the correct format, and exporting the video, but I kept trying and eventually managed to save the file into one of my folders and then burn it onto the disk from Windows Media Player. Needless to say when I got it on the disk I was really pleased!

4. Evaluation:

I felt that the positive aspects of the production were when I decided on my ideas and through talking to people and thinking about the restrictions in terms of time, money, capabilities and talent, I was able to come up with a refined concept and design. When we were filming we had a lot of fun- it was the first time I had ever used video on my camera and so this was both challenging and exciting. I enjoyed directing and seeing the vision I had in my head come to life through film.

My concept changed over the first few weeks of pre production tasks, along with having some of the plans change due to actors not being able to continue with the process. There were various setbacks or obstacles to overcome, such as the changing of actors, the weather- especially when it snowed, but this ended up being good as just after this the weather the sky was dark and this was what I wanted. Most of the good filming was done in the lower light, earlier on in the day and helped with the darker mood. In my contingency plan, the idea was that if the weather was not quite what I wanted for shooting I would reschedule the filming, or do paperwork in the time I couldn't film. It was difficult having to rely on someone else, as sometimes the actor was busy and it felt as if she couldn't make time to follow through with the project, but I got the footage I needed and I was pleased with how she took my direction and had comments about the concept and how she wanted to play the role. In the end I felt that this was good, as it meant I had to work with what I had got- which was plenty of good coverage of the shots, and made me choose to change the concept slightly. I think this helped to make it more understandable and a more manageable task.

Things that could have been done better would be starting with a more simple idea, as each part of the process took a considerable amount of time, and it is important to make sure the filming is done in plenty of time and the editing also. Some of this I couldn't help- with the weather conditions and the talent/ acting difficulties- changing actors, not having her there when I needed her- these things were out of my control. Some of this frustrated me as I needed to rely on someone else. A strategy to improve this would be perhaps to use a different actor next time, and to make sure that I get my planning done in the first few weeks so that I could focus more on filming and allow more time for any issues that may arise. I felt that I did handle these obstacles however, and have produced a product that I am proud of; in terms of actually creating an opening to watch and following through with my concept.

I have had fun in doing this production- it has certainly taught me a lot, and I have learnt new things by myself; through the use of editing programmes, importing audio and visual files, learning how to put music in and to get the file from a project into a film file and onto a disk, for example. I feel that I have worked well within the boundaries of money, time, capabilities and technology to make this opening.

3. Post Production

 My mother wanted to watch the film opening so when I had done a rough edit, I showed her. She said that she enjoyed it, that it seemed like how I had told her it was going to be and she didn't think it was too shaky. So, she thought that the idea and story worked well but that the ending needed work. I showed her again after I had added the transitions, change of hue,brightness,speed,contrast, changed the audio and completed the music; and she said that the ending was better when the girl just walked off instead of running, and that the order of the clips to match the story was better than before. I did feel like I needed to rethink some of the order and so was pleased to hear her say that, as I wanted to make it as understandable as possible.

Production: Footage Log

Footage log:

1719- test shot, jess walk, lighting

1720- test, jess walk to tree, touch, composition of shot okay, not perfect

1721- angle not right, lighting good, right idea, touch tree, wonder

1722- good composition,exposure, lighting, acting,

1726- doesn't move, right framing, good shadow

1730-too shaky and too far away, but good first attempt at the following, hand held cam effect

1723-1724- 1^st take tree- actor doesn't scream/run

1733-trees,branches shaky

1734-panorama,pan, good, actor not ready

1749- 15.11- beginning good, over the shoulder shot, light bad- shining off water, angle wrong,

1750- 2.24-rocks,shake,exposure streaky

1751-9.14- too bright, start shot good, rocks,water

1752-shadow of me in it, rocks to bench, graffiti,

1753-exposure too bright, see slide in background, shadow of camera,not natural-actor said

1754-shake at beg, exposure better,

1755- actor better, light better, still bad streak

1756- exposure good at beginning, action better, actor natural, scrub at “shit” graffiti.

1757-shake at end, too dramatic, trying diff things out

1759- end better, up off bench,

1760-4.06-steps backward,

1761-3.06- too static, doesn't move,

1763-2.15- less slide, closer,

1764-4.11-actor feet,running,handheld cam up to face. Split into 3, took best 2-beg,end.

1765-running, close to camera, middle good, exposure, shadow on ground good

1766- too much background, red slide,

1768-8.06- actor scarf in tree- smiles, too long

1769-close up-frightened, framed by trees,better.

1770-trees,pan down to actor, framed.

1771-6.04-close up actor,tree, shadow good, light at back, depth of field good

1772-shot pan down from trees to actor, shaky,shadow heavy,good,

1774- Best, angle right,scarf and actor,

1775- shoe and scarf,

3678-rich red of ground good,shadow.

good- necklace,near pond,throws into water- light on hand good contrast w shadow,

3683-close up hands,rose, good movement,

3677-13.06- shadow, exposure,contrast good.walk to rose.

3679-10.09-walk,find rose.

3680- 7.21-my shoe in shot, picks up rose,

3685-15.01-walk, smell rose, smile- good exposure,shadow

8. Test Shots:

Joanna and I did test shots at parts of the location to test for lighting and shadow, and to try out using the camera, getting used to the movements and controlling the shakiness of having it hand- held. This was also good as it helped me to realise what I wanted in the shots and to practice directing and finding out what worked and what didn't.

7. Locations, Permission

1. Park location:

Street Address:  Park off Greers Road, near Jelly Park

Location description at address: Park setting with willow trees, spindly and intricate branches, bushes, thick trees, pathways, a pond, two bridges and steps down to the water, benches.

Date/ Time required: 10am- 12, Saturday the 20th of August

Owner: Council- is a public place, allowed to take photographs, film here.

2. My room- Have permission to film in the house.

 

Safety Considerations: Risks, strategies to minimise risk:

Being careful at the park- especially on the steps and near the water, through the trees and on the bridges just to make sure that we don't slip or end up injuring ourselves.

6. Art Department

Props/set:

• small desk
• chair
• necklace
• dried rose- rose petals
• gold floral notebook
• pen

Costume:

• floral top- My mother's own clothing
• scarf- I will supply
• dark and feminine coloured clothing- top,jeans, cardi, boots for Jess- She will supply all of these.

5. Production Schedule

See attached example- handed in on paper.

4. Crew and Talent

Woman- My mother, Andrea
Girl for test shots- Joanna
Girl- Jess
Camera: Me
Transport and props: Me
Costuming: Mum- own clothing, Jess- own clothing- advised colour, type. 
Editing: Me

3. Design: Treatment

The writer of the story, a woman in her 40's, sits alone at her desk. She begins to write on the page in her gold notebook. She continues to write in the book as the camera fades to a shot of her perspective of the book- the viewer can see what she has written.

• These shots are panning or still, use fades to have a smooth beginning, calm feeling.

Fades to shot of young teenage girl in her fantasy world. The setting has changed to a park; the girl sits up, also alone and looks around her surroundings in a panning shot. She listens to the birds and the wind that surround her- these noises are to be heightened in editing.

•  The noise in these scenes is contrasting to the beginning, which has a softer music playing.

She begins to explore the park, finding and looking in the gold notebook. She becomes frustrated as she sees only blank pages. The book is discarded. The girl then walks to a tree, touching the bark and is interrupted from her innocent exploration of the park by what she thinks is someone chasing her. She screams, beginning to run from the source of her terror.

• Shot from the POV of the violator- hand-held camera following the girl down the path to the bridge. These jerky movements and use of heightened audio and cuts help to increase the tension and for the audience to sense the girl's fear. 

She is left alone. She walks away, spotting a necklace hanging from a willow branch. She picks it up and tries to remember what significance it holds for her.The necklace is thrown into the water in frustration. The young girl begins to walk away briskly, but gets distracted by another object- a dried rose. She picks it up, once again wondering where it has come from and what it means for her. Becoming increasing frightened she runs to hide by a tree, ultimately walking away from the park and the cause of her distress.

Style:

• Close Ups and Extreme Close Ups in order to see emotion crucial to the story, to heighten tension and anticipation. 
• High Angles down at the girl's feet and the water, the necklace to show importance and dominance,focus on the object. 
• Use of the hand-held camera in the chase scene to make it realistic, increase tension once again and to show fear from the girl, the jagged contrast to the first shots to show the danger in the fantasy world. 
• Audio will be heightened on some clips- sound of birds, ducks and wind, rustling of leaves to show the natural side of the park. Also, to hear the scream of the girl and the person chasing her- muffled noise of chase, action. 
• Long shots to establish the setting. 
• Change the hue, saturation, contrast and brightness on different clips to have a different mood- ie change in hue and saturation to show the dreamy fantasy setting, increase in contrast and decrease of brightness to increase shadow and make the scenes ominous and threatening. 
• Change the speed of some of the clips- the writing ones to show time moving, the story being written.
• Clothing for the girl- Dark- light grey top, black and pink lace top and jeans to show that she is normal, wearing dark clothing yet it is still girly, hint at innocence and naivety.
• Not showing the woman's face to focus on the story being written and the ambiguity gives a sense of mystery.

Scene Breakdown:

1. House, My room. Inside scene- woman writing story in notebook
2. Jelly Park-outside scene. Inside the story- Girl sits, explores the park, finds book- can't remember the content.
3. Park- Is chased through the trees- consequently finds necklace, rose. 
4. Park- She becomes distressed by her surroundings, begins to walk from the park.

Storyboard: Handed in on paper.

2. Research:

Research:

I have decided that I want to do something mysterious and dark, fantasy genre.The idea is to have a woman writing a story, which is a sort of nightmare for the girl involved as she thinks that someone is following her, and she can't recall her memories- which she tries to read in the book. The book is the link from the "present" writing, into the story. I have looked at several films and pieces of poetry for inspiration.I have looked at some of Edgar Allan Poe's works, which I am particularly fond of, such as ligeia, which has helped me to formulate ideas for my concept. I decided that it would be hard to do a version of this as it would require a company of actors and complicated set. I have a limited budget, actors and camera equipment. It was good however for me to read some ideas that were in the genre that I enjoy. I wanted to look at some films that had used a book in their scenes; and which had a darker or fantasy element. I have researched information on Pan's Labyrinth and I looked up the screenplay for Labyrinth which I particularly liked.These various forms of media have helped me in the first stages, as I have struggled to decide on a concept that would be manageable and able to be understood.

• Found an appropriate park with spindly trees, willows and steps which I want in the film, also to film the book part at my house. 
• Asked Jess to act in it, told her the concept. 
• Found a necklace, book and dried rose of mine to use.
• Talked about times that we could film, the type of clothing she was to wear.

Pre-Production- Concept

1. The name of my film opening is going to be faded memory as it is about a girl who can't piece together her past or the memories of her important experiences. It is going to be an opening that begins with a woman writing the story ( almost as if it were she who were the girl..), then it will be in the story, with the girl. The genre is going to be a fantasy.

2. I want to explore the idea that the film is a comment on how fragments of the past influence the present person and can have a big influence in one's life. This would be further explored in the rest of the film.

3. I wish to evoke emotions of concern for the girl, wonder for the park/ fantasy world, and a wish to know more about the background behind her necklace, rose and the book which holds the memories.

4. I wish to have the impact of getting people to think about their past, or their memories that are both positive and negative and to reflect on this when seeing that the girl is frustrated that she cannot read the book, or remember what the pages contain.

5. I am inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's works and so want to mix Dark Romanticism into the piece. The beginning will show the change from the woman writing the story to the girl being in the fantasy world.The location/setting will change at this stage to show the transition.As the film would progress, the dark elements would emerge more strongly.

 There are two main characters: the woman and the girl. The woman is in the present, writing the story. The girl is inside the story. The link between the two are props such as the book, necklace and rose, which are all vital to the story- the memories that are associated with the items and the confusion when the girl can't remember who they were from or for what purpose.Some things in the fantasy world are not what she expects. As the woman writes more of the book, and is consumed by the task, bizarre things would happen in the fantasy world in the rest of the film. The opening is to introduce the situation, location and character.

The girl is inquisitive, curious, at times frightened and confused and unable to piece together the memories from her past. The woman is knowledgeable, is writing the memories in the story and is recalling her life- she remembers her past as she writes the story and it is as if she was the girl, but can now see what happened and why and wants to tell her story- which would also be explored in the rest of the film.

The opening starts with a medium shot of a open book, with a person's hand writing a line of the story. The viewer can only see the book, the hand and the pen. Fades into the park- the story.To show this transition from the present, the colour saturation will be different. The idea of the story is a young woman in a strange park, she finds the notebook that the story is being written in; but the pages are empty and she is frustrated by the fact that there are no memories there.She begins to think that there is someone following her but as the story progresses we realize that she is hallucinating and there is no one there.

The rest of the film would elaborate on the memories in the book, to do with the necklace and the rose.These memories inside the story would be colourful and bright to show that these are in the past. It would then transition back to the woman that was writing the story.The objects would thrust it back into the present; the pages flip over- full of the story. It cuts to a extreme close up over the page (the perspective of the woman) A quote is written at the end, then the book is shut.We see the silhouette of the woman.

Exam Reflection

I feel that the Media exam went well; I was most prepared for the Genre essay.The Representations essay I was less sure about. This could have been because we hadn't finished the topic, but also because I focused most of my study on the Horror essay. For the Genre essay I had prepared points, examples, evidence and quotes for the paper. I felt that I chose a strong convention and was pleased with the content of the essay. I spent more time on the Genre essay. I wrote about the voyager,victim and violator which I had been advised to do. This fitted in well with the rest of the content on the convention of Morality. I feel that my preparation for the exam also went well and this helped. I will review my mock exam and study accordingly for the externals. Hopefully when we have learnt the rest of the Representations topic and know what the content of the essay needs to be I will be more sure about this standard.