26/3- Seminar update

In today's seminar we reviewed our work with Helen of everything that we had shot in the week. I felt the feedback we attained was very positive with comments like the cutting was very good and our framing was perfect. She also liked the pace and said it reflected the mood. 

Some of the improvements that she said we could make included the lighting, she felt that there was a clear contrast in shots were we filmed using artificial light to other shots in which we used a light that looks cold. So to work on this when we have finished filming im going to edit the colour to follow a colour continuity throughout.

Another comment we received was that we needed some sort of sound effect once using the box to infer that the box allows you top travel in order to create a mysterious sci-fi effect. Also in our foot chase we were told that we needed a fast paced music that would bring up the tension and speed of the chase. 

Overall I feel that we are making great progress as a team.

2/04- Seminar update

In today's seminar we showed Helen our work and received some feedback upon this. I displayed my thoughts on the way we had shot the last scene and she told our group that it would need to be shot again because the motives were unclear. And she pointed out on how some of the cuts didn't fit. However she did give some positives from the opening and middle scenes which she said flowed and cut very professionally.

I have planned the next shoot which is tomorrow and have messaged my team to get them together in order to shoot the final scenes.

03/4-Filming day - Incorrect camera format

We spent today filming the last part of our film and shot one scene that is between the sports fields and the money scene. And we also changed some previous editing that hadn't gone to plan. 

However we realised that the shots were filmed in the wrong camera format so the day filming was wasted.

09/4-Final Day of shooting

Yesterday we gathered together as a team and went out to film the final scenes of our production. I made sure that the camera was in the correct HD format due to last time having the problem of filming in the incorrect format.

Overall I felt that it was a very productive day and we managed to complete all the shots that we initially set out to film. Our time management has hugely improved as well as our last shoot took four hours where as yesterday we was done in 40 minutes. This was due to clear set out roles of the whole team so that we could all be productive and so that there wasn't someone just standing around wasting time. Being a re-shoot we had a relatively good idea what shoots we needed so filming was allot quicker.

We then began editing together and all shots seemed to fit well and there were no jumps in cuts. However I soon realised that the clips had overrun the instructed time of 3 minutes and were instead 3: 20 seconds. SO we reviewed with Helen and she gave some good advice on what shots could be sharper and shorter and after doing this the film time was reduced down to 2:59 which was perfect.

All we need to do now is to research some sound effects and add them in as well as create the titles.

Our final cutt:

Overcoming shooting issues

We were struggling with steadiness of the camera in some of the shots in which we wished to be filmed without a tripod however after reviewing the shots after filming. I realised that the shots were far too shaky and this caused a discomfort to the viewer. So instead I have choose to re-shoot these shots using a tripod in order to create a more professional looking camera angles and to make sure that there is no discomfort to the viewer.

My weeks contribution

I have spent the week acting as the main character in our production as well as researching how to effectively use all the tools available on  Premier. I have been watching lots of you tube tutorials on the basics of editing on premier and have been practising on our clips and arranging the clips chronologically as if they would be in our final piece.

I was also in charge of getting the group together and in control of time management as I had to make sure that everyone was able to film for a allocated period of time so that we was able to have enough time to make sure we filmed the set number of shots that I had before hand planned to shoot whilst the weather was appropriate and the light was continuity with the other clips that we had filmed.

Lighting/ weather issues

Whilst filming this production one of the main problems we have encountered was the whether and we have now learnt that the weather most continue to a similar degree through shots or it looks unprofessional. Having filmed on a sunny day we soon realised once editing that the light contrasted greatly between shots as the weather had changed from cloudy to sunny. We managed to solve this problem through re shooting on a more cloudy dull day in order to have a continuity of light conditions in the production.

Filming Update

Today we began a re shoot of last weeks filming of the end scenes to our production. As we had accidentally filmed on the wrong camera format last week and once we reviewed the shots on Premier we realised that they were in a much smaller screen size and didn't correspond with the existing clips that we had filmed.

Being the main actor I made sure that I had the correct clothing to match previous scenes and to follow the continuity of our production.

I was also in charge of being director so I organised the whole shoot making our whole group meet at the same time and so they all knew there roles. I also had to direct the cameraman through the shoots that I wanted.

I felt that today's shoot was very productive as we managed to complete the final scenes.

I am now in the process of editing however at the moment the film goes other the targeted time so I am attempting to trim the film to fit the correct time for the assignment however till having enough footage for our story to be clearly understood by the viewer.

Research into sound effects to enhance production

This first sound I feel will suit the scene in which the main character discovers the box in our production as I feel it will give the audience the sense of the box being from another world or having some sort of unusual Scifi power to it .

The sound also creates an eerie effect that will suit the opening scene in which we want to express to the audience that this box is like no other. :

http://www.freesound.org/people/rjonesxlr8/sounds/207877/

This is the sound I wish to use once I have put the box over my head to suggest that I have teleported. This I feel is the perfect sound to illustrate to the audience the scifi powers of the box.

http://www.freesound.org/people/outroelison/sounds/150950/

Other options for the sound of the box teleporting the main character:

http://www.freesound.org/people/outroelison/sounds/150950/

http://www.freesound.org/people/Timbre/sounds/164774/

First rough cut of our production- Travelling into the unknown

I have edited together a first rough cut of our production using premier pro, we will continue to film the production and re shoot some of the shoots that we are not happy with. However in the mean time this gives a sense of the story of our production :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL-0wDzrAlg&feature=youtu.be

Todays workshop- 11/3/14

Today we got in to groups of four and had to film a two way conversation between two people. I was the director from the shoot and in charge of sound. I think the sound recording  went really well as the footage sounded clear. So from the shoot I had effectively learnt how to use a boom effectively to record sound. I think the shoot went well however the feedback we attained conveyed that we needed more of a range of shots such as a establishing shot and two way shot instead of just having just cutting.
//www.youtube.com/embed/LI6MRDLEW5Q

Research into how to create an effective stair chase scene (Vertigo)

The main chase scene in my production is up stairs, so I have looked at the most famous film stair chase scene which has to be from Hitchcock Vertigo, I want to reflect how Hitchcock infers the danger of the stairs due to the height. This is done through the camera looking over the edge and zooming in and out to exaggerate the height and infer vertigo to the audience.  So in my production halfway through the chase i will do this shot so that my audience can understand the danger the characters face through chasing each other up the stairs. 

I will also use the low shot in the corner of the stairs which is shown at 2:20-2:24 which conveys to the audience that the stairs are ascending to an extreme height which infers a sense of risk and danger.

Research into chase scenes

In this short film as the chase scene comes to an end as the pursuer is trapped in a corner there is a really interesting perspective shot used in which is eye level with the main character and is shaky as it shows the dead end then spins round to show the character that has chased him to have corned him and is slowly walking towards him.Through using the sound effect of heavy breathing and a dramatic thriller music it creates a edgy atmosphere an makes the audience feel that the character is vulnerable and in danger. I wish to replicate this in my production as we too have planned a chase and the main character is cornered so  I feel by using similar techniques we can reflect the vulnerability of our character to the audience.

Filming Schedule

Research: Chase scenes

The main action scene in our production is a chase. In order to create an effective chase scene I have researched many short films like the one below.

From 0:07- 0:09 there is a really effective camera in which follows the main character which is running in the chase. Having already conveyed that he is being chased by someone behind him having this moving shaking camera shot that's around eye level gives the scene of the audience effectively being the pursuer and I think adds to the speed of the chase. I wish to use this camera angle that follows in our chase scene due to the fast tempo it creates.

From 0:16-0:19 there is another shot in which I think is very unique and I shall be using in our film. The two people in the chase jump over the camera which is placed on its back on the floor looking towards the sky. All you see is the victim and pursuers feet jump over and the noise of them panting which creates a serious and tense atmosphere as well as giving the sense of a quick chase.

Camera angles research and understanding

To ensure that in our production there are no armature filming mistakes I have began researching into the fundamentals of camerawork. Being the director of the production I have a good idea of what shots I want and need to effectively focus on the main character yet also portray to the audience the surrounding of each scene. So to make sure I can create these shots without film mistakes I have researched many camera tutorial videos like the link below.

I feel this has greatly helped my understanding of how to express to the audience the important characters in the scene due to the angle and focus of the camera.

For example in the scene in our production where the main character is first shown with the magic box we will use a medium shot would bring focus to the box and character to express the box importance and the link it has with the character. Showing that the character is focused on the box and then will use a extreme close up of the face and box to show the characters confusion through his facial expressions and then a extreme close up of the box to show its importance.

Through researching camera angles its enabled me to picture my production in a clearer way and a way that the audience will be able to understand.

Target audience profiling

Audience profiling:
We have selected a target audience for our short film , we feel that the main audience for our film would be the younger audience of 13- 30. The reason we feel that our films will attract this audience is because we have young actors in this age bracket and we feel that a younger audience would be able to relate to us more. Also this is an action film and the majority of youth enjoy action films as they are exciting and keep you on edge.

The gender of this film is uni-sex as boys and girls can relate to this film and enjoy the action, it is highly relatable to the audience as it has believable characters and conveys on screen how power can lead us to greed and so the audience can relate to having felt a similar feeling themselves.

Risk assesment

Potential hazard	Who is at risk	Preventative methods	Risk potential
The public may be concerned about seeing the false acted assault/ chase taking place	All of our team that are filming	We have put up notices informing that we are filming a fight/ chase and we put all of these signs all over the entrances in order to make sure there are no concerns. And if we do see anyone then we are sure to stop and inform them to reassure that in fact this is all acting.	High
High Stairs with a three story drop	All of the team filming	The stairs are safe and do have a high banisters around but as we are running up the stairs we are to make sure that we will stay away from the edge.	Low
Injuries by falling over in the chase scene onto the stairs or floor	All of the team filming	We are going to choreograph the chase beforehand so there is no confusion and so we can create a safe trip free route with no potential trip hazards. Also we will make sure we all have appropriate footwear and that are arms and legs are covered and protected.	High
Injuries from fighting (acting)	All of the team filming	We will make sure that the fight scene has been rehearsed so that we can be safe and that the actors are clear on what each other are doing in the scene so there are no injuries.	Medium

Notice for public (Part of risk assessment)

We are currently in production of our degree level University of Kent film production, In our film we are participating in a fight scene/ chase scene. It has been rehearsed and choreographed so anything you may see please do not be concerned or worried it is for our production. If we see you we will stop and further explain so that there are no concerns. There our five of us taking part in this scene.

Thank you for reading  

Risk assessment

Consent form

The scene taking place has a false fight scene/chase in which is being acted out for our University module in the digital arts course

Participant I clearly understand the project specifications and the roles I play

Signed:

Name:  ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_________________________ Signature:________________

Name: _________________________ Signature:________________

Name: _________________________ Signature:_________________                                              

Name: _________________________ Signature:_________________                                              

Name: _________________________ Signature:_________________                                              

Participant’s name: ___________________________

Signature:_________________________________

Workshop 4/3/14- my edited sequence

In today's workshop we were given the task of creating an edited sequence of a character getting from A to B. I choose the roll of director as i felt it was good practice for our full production in which I am the director. 

Being the director I took charge of my group of four and directed the camera man to get all the shots I had planned in order for the sequence to look professional. I made sure that the sequence had the use of a long shot, medium shot, extreme close up and pan in order to effectively convey the surroundings of the traveling character and make his journey engaging and not long and monotonous. 

I made sure that throughout all the shots the character came in from left to right of the camera in order not to confuse the audience by breaking the 180 degree rule.

I felt that today's workshop was very effective as it showed I could effectively lead a group as director and get the correct result in the final sequence. From shooting the majority of the sequence outside we realized that the white balance changed allot and that the camera suffered from flare in some shots. However i made sure that I corrected the white balance in each shot and that the shot was free of flare for the clips we needed to create a fluency in the production and so it is clear for the audience watching.

I then used Premier to edit the clip I used the razor tool to trim and create a fluent sequence. The feedback that we received from Helen and the rest of the class was positive conveying how we had effectively stayed in the 180 rule, used short interesting shots that weren't over stretched in order to keep the audience attention.

Scene descriptions with detailed camera shots

Scene 2

[Shot from within the box as he take it off his head] Jake then slowly takes the box off his head and is mystified from what has happened. He looks around and sees that he is in a sports field, all alone. The box has allowed him to travel and he now knows how to use it, but he doesn’t have a choice where it takes him. [Extreme long shot and medium shot rotating round him] Now he knows the power of the box, he places to the box onto his head, travelling to another destination.

Scene 3

[Shot from within the box as he take it off his head] He looks around and sees that he is now in a different location, a path within an urban area. As he looks to his he, there is a man who is walking counting some money, as he now realises the opportunity that the box brings he slowly follows behind the man, and picks a moment to grab the money off him. [Medium shot – camera man moving with characters]. Jake now knows that if he just simply puts the box on, he cannot worry about anyone chasing him, therefore he does and moves to a new location.

Scene 4

[Long shot showing him taking the box off his head] Jakes new location is very different to his previous one, it’s much more mysterious as he has appeared within the woods. As Jake looks around to try and find his bearings. Suddenly he hears a noises, branches breaking, breathing and the wind whistling. He starts to get agitated, looking over is should and spinning around trying to see who is around him, if anyone [Medium of his different actions]. The two pursuers from the begging are within the woods chasing Jake down as they have found that he is the new owner of the box [Panning shot in the woods of pursuers running]. [Close up of Jake and then cuts of medium shot of pursuers standing] Jake suddenly turns around and see the pursuers standing at a distance opposite of him, as he then asks what they want with him He starts to run away as the people follow him running, while Jake is going through his mind and is thinking why they are chasing him, suddenly thinking about the note that was left with the box [image of note comes in shot while running]. Jake keeps running as he is gaining a lead but as he can’t see them he hides behind a tree thinking he is safe, then using the box to get him out of the situation, however it’s not working. He looks around the box and sees that there’s an expiry date on the box which makes him out of time. He takes the box off his head and sees the two pursuers directly in front of him [cut to black].

Progress update - writing our treatmeant

Today we have gathered together as a group and began to write our treatment for the production. We have researched how to write an effective and professional treatment online so we could follow this as a guideline for ours so that we make sure we go into a clear and sufficient detail in our treatment.

Travelling Into The Unknown

Thomas Morgan – Director

Steven Everest – Sound

Robert Harden – Scripting

Bradley Arnott – Camera man

Tak Lung – Editing

Log line

"Travelling Into The Unknown" is a fast flowing thriller where one day you receive a mystery box, there’s nothing within, no instructions but… a note. This begins a journey into the unknown as the box has a unique ability to travel anywhere that you want. However the box is always being perused by those who know its power.   

Scene 1

A quick foot chase is on the cards, 2 men chasing another who is the current owner of the mystery box who want to take this possession off him. [A low shot of the feet running after another, the shot then cuts to a long shot to show the people that are within the scene]. They start to run up the stairs of the multi-storey building of flats [low shot of them running up the stairs]. From a Birdseye view you can see the distance between the pursuers and the owner, who then runs through an open door, [with the camera behind him, with a slight tilt as he pursues into the door] while the men who are chasing him take a misleading turn to the right, therefore losing the box owner. The pursuers slowly give up as they do not know what direction they are in. The owner is hiding for his safety within the room the he entered, panting and struggling to breathe [medium shot with character back up against the door]. Looking through the peep whole within the door he can see the pursuers walking away [panning shot through the peep whole]. The owner then takes out his phone, and texts an unknown number to inform him the he is going to leave the box, due to the danger it brings to himself [over the shoulder shot of him texting].  He then leaves the box outside a dorm door, while taking out a note from his jacket and places it inside the box. Quickly, he knocks on the door and hurries away so no one seems him [long shot to show the whole corridor].

Jake Holiday – Opens his bedroom door slowly from the unexpected knocking to see a random box placed outside of his room [Camera tilts from the box to a full body shot]. He gradually walks back into his room with the confusion of why this box has been placed outside of his door. He sits on his onto his bed, placing the box on floor, still confused and then opens it to discover there is nothing but a piece of paper within [camera shot from the box’s perspective]. He starts to read the note which turns out to be a riddle (related to time) that he can't really get his head around, [overlay of speech while reading note] but this gives him an insight to what the box holds. Jake then places the box on the floor, getting on with his everyday tasks that he does in and own. A short while later he is walking to the bathroom but suddenly trips on a loose wire, he then falls head first into the box, and will soon find out what power it holds [several medium shots].

Story board planning & Influential film Vertigo

We are currently in the phase of writing our storyboard. I have chosen the opening location for the chase scene which I will film in my apartment building as there is an open plan lobby and three floors of stairs in which the chase scene will be filmed. I have taken inspiration from Hitchcock classic film vertigo and below I have posted the shots I wish to replicate in my production as I feel it expresses the feeling of vertigo to the audience and accentuates the danger of the chase.





I have currently drawn out the first nine scenes with a detailed description of the story which is commencing and I have carefully written the camera angles which I feel will be imaginative and will best grasp the speed of the opening chase.

Research: A transition that will be used in my production

In my research into short films with the corresponding title to my film task, I came across this production I feel that its story is very mainstream and has been done a hundred times but some of the editing effects are great. One that particularly caught my eye is from 1:34 on wards and is a transition in which the scene is shown with the character running away from his stalker whilst a ticking clock is transparently faded over the scene which creates a really imaginative effect of time running out and the character being under pressure.

I will defiantly be incorporating this transition/effect into my production as it really will relate to the title "Out of time" and is a good way to express to my audience that the characters our under a time constraint in my production.

Telling a story with no dialogue

Whilst researching influential short films online I came across this production, the film really grabbed my interest and intrigued me as it conveys how an effective story line can be so good that it can be engaging without the use of any dialogue.
The film conveys how easily we prejudge people due to tier physical statue and there line of work. I Believe that the strong moral of the film is becomes clear and allows the audience to back the underdog which in this production is a janitor until you are hooked and want to see the denouement of the production.

I have found this influential as I similarly want to create a production that is based around a strong meaning as it gives the production worth and I wish to leave my audience thinking about whether they can relate to my film.

The idea of prejudice and being judgmental has spouted the idea of in my production the "out of time" could be to do with a persons character and they way they treat people and whether as there life draws to a close will they change their ways.

Influential production: Camera angles and editing techniques

Unfortunately the video link wont upload to blogger but it can be found on YouTube under the search: Swipe- student short film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfszDTc3Bro

The story of this short film seems unclear to me however some of the camera angles and camera placements in this production I think are very professional and I will defiantly be using some of the camera placements in my production.

For example the opening scene 0.00 til 0.07 has a great low shot which is shot from as low to the floor of possible showing the feet of a women walking up towards the camera. The shot ends as the woman's boot turns from the camera. I love this shot as i feel it creates a sense of mystery to the women as why are we not seeing her face? it shows us the  location were in a building/ library through the boots clothing it clearly identifies the character to be a women. And i feel its quite an unusual shot which I feel is unusual yet interesting which differentiates from the mundane camera shots and through using this shot our audience can think wow these producers are individual and creative.

Then from 0.11- 0.20 the speed up effect is used as she unloads all of her books on the desk, i like the idea of going from normal pace to the speed up effect to normal pace on scenes which could drag so I have considered using this in my production. Also whilst the speed up effect is used there is an imported sound effect which sounds like a pen scribbling really fast I also found this effective as it enhanced the sense of the scene going faster then average life.

Throughout the production allot of extreme close ups are used on objects and people who are loud and aggravating to heighten the girls thoughts of insanity. This is effective as it focuses on the object and signifies its importance to the production. There is nearly no dialogue in the production so the extreme close up on the charters library search "signs of insanity" conveys the basis for the story, in my production i want to do something similar as you get the idea of the character from inside there head and what they are thinking and feeling.

Theirs also a moving camera angle pointed at the ceiling lights as it moves forward with the sound of footsteps the effect of this is to show the change in location without having to show the scene which again i will manipulate into my production.

Influential productions for our short film

Whilst researching student short films to give us help with our production I came across this film the main concept in which attracted me to this production is that the film is filmed in reverse. This concept I feel was executed very effectively as by starting the production at the end of the story and then reversing the production to the beginning it keeps the audience guessing and contemplating how the story had begun for things to end in such a huge climax.
I hope to mirror this concept of reverse editing in my short film production as I feel it makes the film really unique and engaging to the viewer.
Having a moving camera in the film I feel was very effective as for the running scenes it enhanced the characters sense of urgency and makes you the audience feel as if you are watching from inside the scene.
The film also relates to our project title out of time as it conveys a character who through consuming a certain pills by mistake has only a short period of time left before he dies from an overdose therefore he has to choose his last moments with what he finds most valuable in life.

Film ideas

Idea 1

Box delivery

Items in the box: Medicine, bomb, blood, drugs, heart, Doll, money, empty, note, letter, key,

But cannot open the box/goes to open the box and gets a phone call not to or note

Area to take the box – A door number/Warehouse/Public place/abandoned building

Main Character has a phone on them and receives phone call from the anon who is watching him and telling him what to do

As he bumps into a couple of people from the street, 1 person is nice to him and the other is rude.

Or

Receives phone call from another scared person who has been getting anon phone calls also

Be on the phone in a public place, directing him.

Ending cuts to the shot of the mysterious silhouette

Idea 2

Someone shown running being chased, leaves box on doorstep as he has experienced it already.

Pursuers track person really wanting the box end up killing him to express how valuable the box is and that they want to cover up the idea of the box. 

Box has an expiry date on it,

Box allows you to travel,

User doesn’t know about this date,

Keeps using box to go to different destinations,

Box runs out of date and cannot get home – out of time

Note in box “Enjoy it while it last”- Hint to title out of time

Opening entry

University of Kent
EL342: Moving image
04/02/14
Team Number: 3

Thomas Morgan :  tm379
Bradley Arnott   : ba249
Steven Everest   : se231
Robert Harden :   rh417
Tak Hong Lung :  thl7