Week 19 - Inspirations

After researching a lot into holophonic sound I found two great sound recordist who base their work around the use of holophonic sound and/or immersion - " To feel as if you are there"
Janet Cardiff & George Bures Miller have done many collaboration projects based on this idea and therefore I consider there work to be useful and inspirational in terms of getting ideas.
Their content can be found here - http://www.cardiffmiller.com/

Week 18 - Idea outline

Me and Ben both agreed that we wanted to do something different - out of the ordinary, so that the listener would stay immersed within the piece for the whole 3 minutes. Ben had experience with small mics called tie clip mics and therefore together decided that we would attempt holophonic sound (proclaimed to be "3D" sound immersion)
This would require a lot research and tests runs to pull off effectively but felt it was a strong enough idea to go upon.

CREATIVE MEDIA PRACTICE PROJECT 2 - AUDIO

Thurs, WEEK 18 -  Today we recieved a brief into the next project which is entitiled "Sense Of Space". For this assessement I with a partner construct a 3 minute audio piece. From here I need to put ideas together and do research into audio production methods.

Today was the day before presentation. I had a few looks over the final film for any wrong harsh cuts etc before rendering into both a quicktime file and into dvd format for dvd playback during the presentation

WEEK 15 - Monday and Tuesday

These two days I made the change as requested and once again rendered out in rough quality.

The next day it was shown to Amy, she was unsure on one of the shots so it was replaced;

Week 14 Useful website (Sunday)

I found a useful website link which can find bible quotes based on inputted keywords. This will benefit me as it will help me find relevant extracts in a matter of minutes

website links;
http://friendship.about.com/od/Friendship-In-Culture/tp/Bible-Quotes-On-Friendship.htm
http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/death-bible-verses/

Week 14 Review of rough draft (Thursday)

Today we had ameeting with Debbie, although she liked it there were some changes which she suggested;

*Lose the split cut editing - As it doesnt seem to flow with the pace of the rest of it. More appropriate for a high action sequence.
* Few shakey camera shots during "Forest" sequence - replacement needed
*Obtain a possible bible quote thats relevant 1-2 max (don't over do it, rough draft had 3-4 in place) this is to create a sense of mystery - i.e. What book is she reading etc
*Unnessary credits - equipment used / programs used etc

Both me and Amy agrre that the above suggestions were fair and can see how it will benafit the film.

Week 14 Finished rough draft (Wednesday)

Today i finished a rough edit of the film. I rendered without colour correction for the simple sake of keeping the file size smaller to allow me show to Amy and Debbie tomorrow during our review.

I uploaded the rough draft to vimeo also to prevent the film getting lost. Having it on vimeo at this point is also good because both you as a marker and myself can compare the rough draft to final thing after taking on any critisim Debbie might have of the film

Rough draft can be found here: http://vimeo.com/31579022

Week 14 Start Post-Production (Monday)

With my role as editor I now needed to start the editing. Firstly I arranged the files in a general order before selecting appropriate shots that will go into the film for sure to fit into the 3 minutes time limit.

This was a long process but eventually after many hours found an appropriate ordering and colour correction for the film

Week 13 - Finish Filming today

We did a few shot today include that on a train and tracking shots around the city. Both me and Amy are happy with these shots. We also were going to film a bedroom scene however both me and Amy agreed that starting the film in a bedroom waking up etc was too generic and maybe not needed. Also Amy had an unmissable doctors appointment that day. Depending on the rough edit we may reschedule a brief shoot another day

Week 13 - Edale filming today

Today went reasonably well, We got all the shot we needed despite the bad weather. I feel that the shots would have been better if the rain stayed off as it was hard to compentsate with the lens getting wet and condensation on the lens also.

We are filming some more tomorrow including the start to the film and train shots (see storyboard 1 - 6)

Other than that it was a success, we also changed the story slightly on the day with a photograph being of friends that passed away as appose to a lover; this was due to Amy not having that picture. Thanking fully we contingency planned effectively enough the day before so if the initial picture could not be found we had a back up and knew how the film narrative would change.

Week 13 -Shot list (Wednesday)

I have put together a brief shot list that will be printed out and used on the day. This will prevent me and Amy missing any vital shots required on the day, where as without the list we could easily forget potentially ruining our film.

(originally a word document)

Thursday 27^th shot list (Edale trip)

AM  / 10-12PM

AM 1) Shot on train  - on route to Edale ( interior) See story board #6

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

AM 2) Open colour shot / top of hill – strong daylight preferred (see storyboard #7)

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

AM 3) Forest location – reading bible sun shining on her face / book if possible (see storyboard #8)

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

AM 4) Same scene – close up on book and face

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

AM 5) Tracking shots x 3

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

AM Establishing shots ) Forest location, tracking, river / stream, stone terrain, wildlife.

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ___________________

PM  / 1-5pm (some scenes need less sunlight to show passage of time)

PM 1) Mountain top scene – Amy on rock reflecting

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

PM 2) Over shoulder shot with photograph

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

PM 3) Photo burial within rocks

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

PM Establishing shots)  Forest location, tracking, river / stream, stone terrain, wildlife. Used in contrast with shots earlier in the day.. passage of time etc.

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

Friday 28^th shot list (opening part of film and shots involving trains)

FRIDAY S1 – Interior, pull focus bible (on table) to Amy just walking in (see storyboard #1)

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

FRIDAY S2 - Interior, close up – Amy’s placing bible into bag

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

FRIDAY S3 -  interior – Mid shot – Amy placing bible into bag then looking out of window  (see storyboard #2)

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

FRIDAY S4 – Exterior tracking shot – busy high street

Complete?   Y    N          If not why ____________________

Week 13 - Vimeo inspiration (Tuesday)

After doing research into religous themed filmed I came across one film named "Be Wise" which can be found here http://vimeo.com/18179955 and was made by "Munn Brothers"

This video has two main uses in my opinion; first being, that the film ends on a religious quote before fading to credits. I found this to be of big impact and despite the quote used in the film "Be Wise" not being relevant to my film - the technique on the other hand could be relevant and may or may not be used in the final film.

Secondly its shot on a Pentax KX dslr which I also own. From this I will email Dom Green asking if using the dslr is appropriate and/or aloud. If so it will most likely be used due to holding hd capabilites and the fact I have experience with the camera and doubt I will run into many technical issues.

Week 13 - Storyboard designs (Tuesday)

I put together a brief storyboard prior to our visit to Edale, so that when we arrived I would know exactly the shots we need and be able to recreate the storyboard. This again will help us in the intrest of time as we only have one day in Edale and therefore would be much better to get it all done together.
Below I have imaged the storyboards. I will also hand in the storyboards with my presentation in case any part of it is un readable etc.

Week 13 - Editing ideas and inspirations (Monday)

I figured that with the film being a silent film (no sound) the shots and editing must be interesting enough to keep the audience entertained. So with this I have an idea to use split editing onravel sequences i.e. tracking shots / train etc.

 I orignally got inspired on this concept after watching an episode of popular american tv drama series "24"

I feel the split editing keeps the viewers attrention on the frame as there is a lot to take in and therefore by the end of the film the viewer won't be bored.

Week 13 - Script idea (Monday)

I put together a brief outlie of a script idea / concept behind the film which was also printed and given to Amy so that we could plan ahead and make any last minute chnages if required.

(orignally in a word document)

Brief Idea for Edale shooting. – Reflective experimental film

·         Focused around girl holding strong religious views

·         Open with a bible quote

·         Fades in first shot (black out white) pull focus onto bible with the girl getting ready to go out in the background, to clear her mind (Edale )

·         External city shots – tracking the girl with Split editing (e.g. “24” style ) Again with significant focus on the bible she is clutching (Still black and white)

·         Walks into train station with split editing again – establishing shots included (message board, people buying tickets etc)  still in black and white

·         Cut to shot of girl on a train, head against window.. bible on the seat next to her. Black and white.

·         Train comes to a stop, girl hints a smile and walks past the camera and out of shot. Black and white.

·         A sharp cut to external shot (edale), girl walks past camera into the shot. Her back is only visible as she walks up a hill towards an oak tree at the top. Colours return fully here..With added colour correction added to the green grass.

·         Cuts to split editing. Tracking her movements.

·         Within same frame she looks left, the split editing on the left side of the frame changes to what she can see (p.o.v) This is repeated on the right side with a shot of a cow/sheep (if poss). Bible quote involving the animal appears in the bottom right of the frame i.e. involving Sheppard etc..

·         From here a montage sequence follows with multiple different tracking shots and just general shots of edale as a place as on overlay on top of the tracking shots of the girl.

·         Including shots of a couple walking past, a group of friends having fun – In hope to create a sense of mystery on the viewer (what is she thinking about; what’s her past)

·         The editing style from this point seems to slow down to reflect her mood – reflective but content with her surroundings.

·         She sits up by a big tree at the top of the hill and looks out over the fields

·         She goes into her bag and retrieves the bible opening at her book mark which consists of a photograph.

·         Close up of the photograph as she picks it up. The photograph is herself with either a ex boyfriend/girlfriend or a group of friends. Bible quote appears in the bottom right relating to friends/love life?

·         Cut to her facial expression.. at first seems upset but a quick smile says otherwise. She puts the photograph down and perches the bible on her crossed legs and begins to flick through. It begins to rain but she doesn’t flinch.  

·         Camera moves behind the girls now, the shot includes hills in the background and herself in the lower right part of the frame with her head buried in a book.  This forms a 15 minute time lapse.

·         Begins to get dark and she retrieves her things and begins walking back the way she came. Looking left and right like she did before but now much happier.

·         Arrives at train station. Shot from behind girl as train pulls up and she gets on. As door begins to close. Black and white is key framed into the shot, until the doors close and it’s completely black and white again.

·         Cuts to credits.

WEEK 12 - P.O.P project update

Tody me and Amy had a second meeting to discuss ideas and roles within the production of the film.

I plan to focus on the Script / Editing and Cinematography
where as Amy is also focused on Script wants to create the film into an experimental "Artsy" film so therefore will be focused on Art direction and continuity withi the film.

I breifly brainstormed ideas of the story following a girl with strong religious views, who uses the bible as a form of escapim. - Amy liked the idea and it may / may not go ahead.

WEEK 12 - Portrait of place project

Today we were given our brief into the project we will be creating in pairs. After Debbie took us through what was required we were paired up and briefly brainstormed ideas as to the film we would be making and research we would need to undergo in order to complete this task.

Me and partner Amy Jackson liked the idea of using the theme of Escapism for this project. As we are going to Edale (Open countryside) However debbie believed this to be too vague. So over the weekend we plan to have another meeting to discussed we will combat this.

"Chrismas with Dad" - Conor McCormack (2008)

After watching Conor McCormack's "Christmas with dad" I have started to break down the film and ultimately analyse in depth. Doing this will help me get back into the right mind set of analysing films I watch and hopefully by doing this, it will help me in my assessment.

‘Christmas with dad’ (2008) is a story based documentary directed by Conor McCormack which revolves around 23 year old AJ, a young father of two who despite social representations and initial stereotypes he holds within society, pushes on and contends with fatherhood.

The film can be found on the bbc film network website.

 I did enjoy the film, primarily due to how well the story unfolded as the film progressed and we learnt more into AJ on a personal level.. Initial stereotypes from the beginning therefore feel manipulated as you learn more about his life which leads the viewer feeling possible sympathy towards the 23 year old father. On the other hand you cannot make a judgement on his personality/behaviour from a short documentary like this; Conor McCormack has structured the documentary very well in terms of story - however the film seems to highlight the positives of his behaviour as appose to the negatives, thus a sense of bias?

Some aspects of the film definitely stood out and shocked me. The initial reveal on how much the family spends on Christmas was built up quite well – holding negative connotations on the family prior to the reveal such as the interview with AJ in which he describes all the children in the house and explains there is another one on the way despite their living conditions being primarily lower class. When asked about the age of each of the children he answers “Dominic WHICH is eight” which questions the viewer – is he a suitable father? But Conor then shows a contrast and the next clip shows AJ in a positive light – talking with the kids. This contrast in positivity and negativity works well and keeps the film interesting and thus the viewer may change their initial views on AJ.

On the same point later on within the film AJ tells the BBC in an interview outside his home that he holds a terrible eye condition in which he will lose his eye sight in two years. Personally from this point I believe the film takes a mellow turning and ultimately feel sympathy the remainder.

To conclude I do like how the documentary is structured in terms of narrative.. The story unfolds as the documentary progresses giving the viewer more and more information as time goes by, potentially changing initial stereotypes; However as discussed earlier is this truly a reality or is what we perceive from AJ purposely manipulated so that we only see what Conor wants us to see?

Another technique that I found interesting within Christmas with dad included the cinematography; for a documentary there are some shocking shots – featured was one of the youngest child of 1 chewing on an empty pack of cigarettes. Shots such as this tell more of a story that any line of dialogue can and in my opinion has a much more powerful effect on what is seen.

The theme running throughout the documentary focus’ around realism and how the viewers initial view on social class types differ and can change the more you see of that person, Conor displays this well throughout the film by contrasting between shots that show the family in both a positive and negative light.