Reflections

1.    Describe any problems or difficulties your group encountered during the planning. These may include; organizational problems, group related issues, etc.

A few problems we encountered were related to our time clashes and when we would be able to join altogether to film all the shots. At first, a few of us could not find time to meet up so Steph and Abbey joined together and filmed a scene in which only Abbey was needed. 

2.    Clarify any time-management issues your group encountered during the planning process and describe the steps you implemented to improve in this area;

As stated above, we had trouble meeting up together on the first shooting day, so we decided that we would film a scene in which not all of us were needed, and Abbey was the only character in the shots, and Steph filmed. 

3.    Discuss whether your group made effective use of the provided templates to assist the film-making process;

Yes, we made effective use of the shot list in particular, but we could have related back to the script a little more accurately. Sometimes during shooting we made up some lines instead of looking back to the script and sticking to what we planned originally.

4.    Explain whether the planning process helped your group during filming. In particular, discuss whether the use of devices such as storyboards, shot-lists, and rough edits assisted throughout the filming process;

The shot lists helped us in filming, as often we would forget which shots were left to film, and how they were supposed to be filmed. The shot lists helped us to keep on track and also manage our time more effectively so we weren't filming any unwanted scenes.

5.    Describe any problems or difficulties your group encountered during the filming process. These may include; organization problems, unreliable cast members, group related issues, equipment problems, etc. 

There weren't any problems of difficulties during the filming process. Maybe the only slight problem would be that sometimes the sun would cast a shadow and the shot not be bright enough, as we didn't have any screens or equipment to keep fro the sun glaring too much in the shots.

6.    After reviewing your footage and completing the rough cut of your film, describe any aspects of your film, which need to be addressed. i.e does your group need to reshoot any scenes; are any additional shots required; are there any scenes which worked better than expected.

I think that some of the scenes we might have had to make longer. For example, for the shot of the phone ringing, we could have kept the camera still for a while so that the camera had time to adjust to lighting, or so that the audience has more time to see what was popping up on the phone screen. I think the scene where Abbey was walking down the stairs was effective, especially since we had both a low and high shot.

7.    List any skills, techniques or tricks you have discovered during the project.

When Nate falls off the hill and falls to his death, we discovered that shaking the camera around as if it was in Nate's point of view was pretty effective and made it more realistic.

8.    Discuss whether you undertook adequate and detailed reflection to throughout your project. Have you provided enough evidence to support your work? (Look back at your blogs/journals and think about whether it looks like 6 weeks worth of work).

I don't think I had enough reflections in my blog. I never really recorded what we did each lesson or how our film was doing progress wise. Maybe if I had written reflections for each lesson, I would be able to evaluate better on how we managed our time and what we could do better in future filming. 

Discuss your feelings about the production task:
9.    Are you satisfied with your groups final result?

Yes, I am pretty satisfied, and I think we did a good job, taking into account that it was the first movie each of us made and actually filmed outside of school hours. 

10.    Would like to change any aspects of your film?

Maybe we could have added a few more scenes to make the film flow more, and look less disconnected in some ways. I think that sometimes the scenes look a bit rushed and that too much is implied instead of being displayed.

11.    If you could start the project again what would you do differently?

I would start the filming earlier, so that if any of the shots turned out differently than expected, we would have time to reshoot some of the scenes.

Converting Kodak Zi8 Files

1. Select the icon from your applications folder or the Dock that looks like a slate and has the words MPEG Streamclip written. 

2. Drag the video file to the centre of the window. 

3. Select File and then select 'Export to Quicktime' 

4. Save with these settings: 

• Apple Intermediate Codec

• Frame Size: 1280x720

• Select Make Movie

• Rename the file

• Save the new file on your

• USB stick or Hard Drive 

Reflection on mise-en-scene etc.

Mise-en-scene	-       For setting, an actual house was used for scenes to make it more realistic. -       All scenes were shot in the same setting for continuality. -       Flashback scenes were black and white to make it more clear and easy for the audience to differentiate the flashbacks and normal scenes.
Cinematography	-       In one of the shots in the scene when Nate falls to his death, the camera movement is very blurry and as if the being rolled around, to create a shot made in Nate’s perspective when rolling down the hill. -       In the same scene, there is a shot where the camera is at a low angle to Blaire, to make her look more powerful. -       Several over-the-shoulder shots were used to make the audience feel as if they were actually in the situation.
Editing	-       Certain transitions were used repetitively for the scenes from where Blaire has flashbacks and then back to the real world. -       Shots from different angles were used in scenes so that it wasn’t too boring and continuous.
Sound	-       There is not too much dialogue in some of the flashback scenes, to show that Blaire has trouble remembering. -       Splashing sounds were kept in Nate’s death scene to make it clearer to the audience that Nate fell in the water. -       Dialogue was mostly used in the scenes to show progress in the storyline.

Timecode

A general timecode would look something like this: 

00:00:00:00 - H:M:S:F

- When every shot is taken, the starting time code and ending time code will be recorded. 
- The recorded time codes can be put into a logged list, which shows how long each of the footage goes for, and also how much of the shot can be used. 

Final Cut Pro

If the footage gets split:


- Go to Window, Arrange and then click standard.

TIPS: 


- Create folders for more organised footage.
- Final Cut Pro > Easy Setup > Apple Intermediate Codec > HDV > Rate 29.97 > Setup
- Final Cut Pro > System Settings > Scratch Disks > Set to Hard Drive

Notes on Lighting

Three point lighting setup:


- The three point lighting set up is a setup that you can use for lighting in creating a film.
- A key light is placed diagonally to the object, and a fill light is placed on the other diagonal side.
- A back light can then be placed behind the object.
- A reflector may also be used to bounce light.

Film Synopsis (vampire scene)

The screen shows the priest, heavily panting as he steps backwards to hit against the railing of the second floor. Shown from the priest's point of view, scary, suspenseful music starts playing as the vampire, pale and tall, slowly paces forward towards the priest. The scene cuts to show the priest running to the left as he tries to run away from the vampire. However, the priest is too slow, and the scene cuts to show the vampire leaping to the priest in slow motion. During this slow motion, the only sound heard is the heavy breathing of the priest as the vampire gets closer. Sad, slow music plays as the screen cuts to show the vampire on top of the priest at bird's eye view. The camera slowly zooms out, revealing the priest being killed on top of the alter in the church. Once the camera shows the cross above the alter, the screen fades to black. The music also slowly fades to total silence.