Post 12. Advanced Production Skills Workshop 2

“Quality” Experiment

Quality is about the intensity of the illumination and determines a visual impact which effects the mood of an image. Quality is generally described in two way, “hard” and “soft” light, although most situations fall between the two.

Definitions

“Hard” – direct light creates bold shadows, crisp textures and edges, making very bright, and dark areas in the same scene.

“Soft” – Indirect or diffused which blurs contours and textures, creating a softer contrast between light and shade.

“Flag” – A piece of flat wood, cardboard or other material used to shield the camera lens from unwanted light sources.

http://klsmediadepartment.blogspot.com/

Experiment

Our aim was to create variations with quality using the different forms of light to see what works best and looks effective, also to have an idea and imagine areas of light we can use in our Short Film. We did this by recording photograph images with different forms of light using diffusion attachments for example.

To begin with we looked at images from Madonna's 'Vogue' video as this uses the Film Noir style and makes good use of shadows a light to create more interesting shots. We then discussed which worked well and why so we could base some of our images on these later to test and practise.

Once viewing images of the style we had to allocate roles to each person within the group:

· Director – Coordinates the group to achieve the experiment.
· Camera – Set up and position the camera, and record evidence.
· Clapper – Writes “boards” to notify the audience what they are watching. Also helps Recorder.
· Recorder – Notes down the experiments variables and monitors decisions and revisions made.
· Gaffer – Positioning of light and equipment.
· Character in the scene.

Although we did not have enough people to fill the rolls so had to multi roll and swap round to give everyone the chance to do all the sections to help with there own skill.

Next we had to rig and examine the equipment we were given

Positioning of equipment started as follows...

Equipment List

o Mini DV Camera
o Tripod
o Batteries
o Base plate
o Tape
o Laminated whiteboards & marker pens
o 1 x Lowel Pro 250W lamp
o 1 x stand
o Chimera & diffusion attachments.
o Speed ring.
o Black card
o Black sugar paper
o Scissors
o Safety gloves
o Extension lead.

Experiment

The equiment stayed the same throughout other than the position of the light.

Started with Zack being the model.

Diffusion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bm4kDecXLs

Black Sugar Paper Plus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXIq6afyZsA

Vogue, Spot and Flood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXkmNhGYA-0

Direction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YdFyF5wkoc

Evaluation

http://soundcloud.com/mrsshipp100/kelly-charlotte-post-12

Post 11. Advanced Production Skills Workshop 1

Style

Creating a style for our shot film is very important as it gives a specific meaning or value to the piece. It can include all aspects in making a film- sound, mise-en-scene, dialogue, cinematography, or attitude. But another way of creating this is through lighting.

For example there are certain styles or film which use a style rather than genre such as Film noir.

"Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as stretching from the early 1940s to the late 1950s. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key black-and-white visual style that has roots in German Expressionist cinematography."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_noir

Facts...
- Style not genre
- Created by Nino Frank in 1946
- Double Identity- artificial lighting, dark
- Reflect American trends crime and detective films. Contrast to Optimistic Musicals and Comedy.
- Mood/ P of E/ tone
- Narrators often used
- Story contained a cynical, half heated, disillusioned male character who encounters a beautiful promiscuous, a moral double dealing and seductive femme fatale. (Female brings male down but usually looses out and is destroyed too).
- 1940’s women began to be more independent and were heard, yet in contrast, in films they were to suffer.

What makes up lighting?

Josef von Sternberg, one of the cinema's masters of film lighting said: "The proper use of light can embellish and dramatize every object."

Shadows: Highlights.
Cast- Putting something in the way of light (e.g. Venetian blinds)
Attached- Relate to the shape and size of object

Scale of Importance: The one with the most light is the most important.

A good way of showing the power of light is how it creates shape and texture. For example using a lemon on a black background moving a torch around it slowly in different directions to create a more interesting visual.

This is shown in this video
.................................................................................................
Our interpretation
We then experimented with light using the same technique as the lemon video, but using a skull instead. This is what we created...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNQefCdWxnY

Post 3a. Target Progress

1. My first target of being able to construct a clear narrative and developing characters is complete with my Script. From the feedback I have had positive reviews on it and therefore am happy with the progress I have made. Although I found this task difficult I am sure it will become easier next time as I have written one already. However saying this, if my script is chosen I will have to add more detain to improve on the scenes and timing with language especially and keeping it less confusing but at the same time interesting and mind grabbing.

2. My second target was to work on my camera skills, as we have not begun filming yet I have not done as much to work on this to progress, but will have the chance later on in the project. Although to help in the mean time I watch more closely in TV programmes and films the different shots used and the best angles to take them whilst familiarising myself with the different names of the shots.
3. Again I have not had much chance to develop my skills on Adobe Premier within the project but I am going to set more time in improving on the programme before it needs to be used for editing. This will involve spending a bit on time to re-cap how to use it from last year and experimenting with different ways to better a shot or scene. I will also need to look at the effects with sound especially to help with filming the chosen script. If mine is chosen research into how best to show the online Internet chat will need to be looked into to be effective and not boring.

4. The set and lighting is very important and needs time when working on to create the best mood for the scene, and finding a good location can take time as it needs to be perfect within the scene and authentic to match the time period. I have been thinking of settings if my script is to be chosen and obviously some are easier than others with the common room from school, and a boys bedroom, and a living room. However finding a house for CORAL is going to be harder as we need to board up the window so do not want a very big one with a un-attractive front garden, and need a small dark living space, although this is were the lighting comes in to create the dark and more mysterious atmosphere. This means I will have to investigate with friends into who has a good base for what the scene needs and then add lighting and props to make it look realistic and well thought out. We also did a lighting experiment with different filters of light from different angles to see what effects looked best and would work well within a certain scenario.

5. I think I have improved my interpersonal skills within the class as I find it easier to talk to others now I know them a bit better. Also with helping each other with constructive criticism and adding personal touches, rather then just disliking an idea. Having a smaller class definitely helps in achieving this. When we are put into groups and have a script it will be easier to separate job roles into the different sections and allow everything to run smoothly, the job roles table (post 10) will help with this.

Post 10. Jobs Role Research

The job roles people withold are very important as it outlines the responsibilities within a film production crew which will help us decide how to divide up the work amongst our small groups. Having this knowledge will aid us in working together coherently as a team and hopefully aid the success of our production. Obviously there is not enough of us to fill in all the jobs needed, but some can be broken down and we will only use the most important ones within our peice. The departments that need to be looked into are Direction, Camera, Lighting, Production Sound and Art Department.

Direction.

Director- the person who is ultimately responsible for the creative vision and overall style of a feature film.

Assistant Directors- who ensure that the Director's artistic ambitions are achieved during the filming process by providing logistical, organisational and time-management support.

Script Supervisor- who oversees the continuity and editability of each sequence as it is shot.

Runner- encompasses a wide range of general support duties, and which is also conventionally accepted as the entry-level position within not only the Direction department, but within the film Production sector as a whole. The most junior role.

Camera.

Person Three. Good cinematography involves the creation of beautiful and/or arresting images on screen; it can also tell us more about a character or a location than any amount of dialogue or music. Shot composition, camera movement and the way a Director of Photography (DoP) chooses to manipulate light and shade, all combine to create each film's unique photographic signature.
A great deal of thought, preparation and hard work is involved in moving and operating cameras in ways that enhance, and do not detract from, what is happening on screen. Camera crews work with extremely delicate, expensive equipment and are amongst the most highly skilled practitioners on any film crew. They work closely together to create seemingly invisible camera moves.

Lighting.
Person Two. The Lighting department plays a crucial role in most film crews. Humanity lives by the light of the sun and, when it sets, artificial lights of different kinds and intensities are required. Although some productions may make use of daylight, for the most part it is necessary to use artificial light to achieve the visual image required.
The different members of the Lighting crew are responsible, together with others such as the Camera crew or Designer, for the look and feel of the images that are captured on the screen. They set up a wide range of lighting equipment to achieve a variety of moods, atmospheres and effects, as well as helping to make the actors, performers and participants look right for their roles.

Production Sound.
Person Four. Recording all sound on set or on location is the work of the Production Sound Crew which includes Production Sound Mixers, Boom Operators, and Sound Assistants; on bigger films, Sound Trainees may also be employed. Although film is considered a primarily visual medium, much of the storytelling and emotional resonance of a script is conveyed through dialogue. Ensuring that the dialogue recorded during film shoots is suitably clear is a complex job; most film sets are challenging for the Sound Department as there are often unwanted noises to deal with, or the desired camera shots hamper the placing of microphones. Although it is sometimes easier to re-record dialogue after the shoot (post-syncing), most actors and Directors prefer to use the sound captured on set or location. Production Sound Crews also record atmosphere (without dialogue) or "wild" tracks on set or on location to assist the Post Production Sound department during the editing process.

Art Department.
Person One. Films can be located anywhere; creating the visual world or setting for a film is the role of the Art Department. The look of sets or locations transports audiences into the world of the story, and is an essential element in making films convincing and evocative. These settings are rarely left to chance by film makers; a great deal of work and imagination goes into constructing appropriate backdrops to any story. The Art Department usually employs the largest number of people on any film crew. On big budget fantasy, period drama or sci-fi films, the Art Department Offices, and Drawing and Construction Studios can occupy a vast area and employ hundreds of talented people.

Director- Getting the performance out of the actors they want.

1st Assistant: Organisation of the second day of filming.

2nd Assistant: Assist the Director on Set

Runner: Helps the 2nd Assistant, plus gets the coffee.

Camera Lighting

Cinematography. DOP. Gaffer. (Head of lighting)

Camera Operator Best Boy (Gaffers helper)

Focus Puller Sparks (electricians)

Clapper Loader (takes the film in and out of the camera)

Sound

Sound Recordists

Boom Operator

Production Design

Costume Make-up Hair Props Set Construction

This is a table devised into the five sections- well four but light and sound being combined- to show what jobs should be given among the group when creating our short films and the tasks each person should complete when selected to a position.

Post Nine. Individual Script Feedback

First Draft of my Script...
Feedback.

The class and Rebecca Knapp (a short film expert) read my script and I was pleased to have mostly positive views. The fact that my script continues to keep you guessing makes it more appealing, rather than a date rape crime you expect it to be. However there were a few problems and alternatives that needed to be adjusted. One of them being that the script was to long. Although the jumpy structure from scene to scene helped keep you guessing, there were un-needed sections which could be removed, mainly being the second ‘Common Room’ scene which was there to show the audience he was going to ‘Coral’s’, yet could be cut down. Other sections are harder to remove text as it usually links to the outcome. Another major issue was with copy right. As I had used songs such as ‘Family Portrait’ and ‘Dance with my Father again’. Although they fit very well within the script and link to the topic it would be extremely expensive to get the copy right to use these songs, therefore I will have to create original music to fit within the piece. Also a simple error is to change the character’s ‘Boy One and Two’, to give them actual names. In addition the street name used- ‘26 Pinewood Avenue’, may be an actual house and could cause problems if the residents got offended, that is why I have decided to change it to my street address as I know, no issue will be raised.

The main issue people had though was with the context as it got slightly confusing at times. This means editing text and setting’s to allow and easier understanding. The first amendment could be to make the first scene with the pin board at ‘Coral’s’ house to allow a connection. I decided to use the silk dressing gown ‘Coral’ later wears to show it to be her pin board as it does not give to much away but tie’s her with the scene. The dialogue could be made cleverer to help make the context more understandable with more links between what the characters say and do, although this will be very difficult to create. One idea was to add into the scene in ‘Coral’s Living Room’ her searching ‘Jamie’ on the Internet to show that she is actually researching looking for him ,it is not just coincidence they meet as that is extremely un-realistic. This linking with ‘Coral’ looking for his profile should make it more obvious to the audience that she wants to find this particular boy. A further misleading point is the dates given about ages, as I did not think too much into this initially, I found that they did not make sense as the ages were not suitable for the ‘Dad, Jamie and Coral’ to match real life patterns.

From the comments I was given I have re-drafted my script to make the improvements needed and hopefully make it easier to understand. If made I do think that this would be possible as you can visualize everything that is happening therefore easier to take in. The comments were very fair and have shown that getting others to read your script is very important as they see mistakes you cannot.

2rd Draft of my Script...

I have made all the improvement I mentioned in my feedback and have given the piece and front page with the title and information needed. Obviously the script is not perfect and will need a lot of work if chosen to be produced. Plus it is a very complex piece which would require a lot of time, set changes, actuate casting, and effects- with the online conversation, which would need to be discussed in detail before making a definite decision. Also more editing could be done to improve the text which would make it shorter.

After reading all the scripts the two were chosen. Although mine was a strong contender it would be extremely difficult to produce with the budget and equipment at school. Also casting would be a major problem and the script would need to be carefully amended as it was slightly confusing and un-predictable with the context and ages of people. Despite this I am pleased my was considered.

Post Eight. Decisions & Revisions

Thought Process.

Writing a script proved to be very difficult. Thinking of an idea that was interesting, original and would attract to an audience is much harder than I thought it would be. You may think of an idea but then find it hard to develop as you need to keep people attracted and not copy other ideas from previous material. For example I first had the idea of direction. In that the character had the option to turn right or left, and the consequence of there choice led to problems, whilst you saw the alternative option which was much simpler. Although I thought this would lead to many ideas and ways of pursuing this venture I was stuck at which angle to take. Also I found my inspiration from a Doctor Who episode and when I thought of something I would compare it which made it harder to think of original ideas. I then decided I needed a whole different idea.

This lead me to creating a mind map of possible script ideas...

I started by adapting the idea of Internet dating and created a character profile of a girl called Melissa. As I wrote I incorporated the idea of date rape and inter breading. I came up with...

Melissa a 17 year old girl who is fed up with her friends having boyfriends looks to online dating. She meets a 17 year old boy named Lewis who she falls for. However he turns out to be a 29 year old man. Despite the age difference and lies she stays with him because she is young and thinks she's in love. She later finds out that he is her dad's love child, who happened to know there were related and wanted revenge on the family.

When the plot was written I decided that it was to common and stereotypical which is to obvious to guess. So I continued to plan possible stories from my mind map such as bullying and school. I had the thought of linking it to the true event where a pupil was so fed up that they went into school on a Monday morning a killed other students. However I decided that if my script was to be made this would be difficult to pull off and is not original. I also used the idea but with a twist so that the bullied child could bring it upon themselves, yet thought that no one deserves that treatment.

After a long amount of time debating the best idea to take, I chose to use Internet dating but in a different way. I made the victim to be a boy and not the one looking for the particular female, but for her to find him. I then thought that people would stereotype the ending so needed an interesting twist that people would not expect, and keep them guessing through out. This is when the thought of sperm doning came about and to have 'CORAL' wanting revenge. The surprising end then came to me that 'CORAL' becomes 'JAMIE' and the audience are left to decide what both there fate's would entail.

Feedback for Script Idea.

As my script idea was later found, I did not have the opportunity to get much feedback on my idea until the 1st draft was written. However from talking to other students about some of the initial ideas they agreed there were to typical and had either been done before or were not that interesting.

Plot Outline.

The basic plot is that a teenage boy JAMIE seems to live a happy life with his family and friends. He gets introduced onto a cooger site where he meets with a ‘woman’ called CORAL. Unfortunately for Jamie he doesn’t realize that ‘she’ is actually looking for him as they biologically have the same father. Jamie’s dad donated sperm when he was younger to get money to live his early years and did not really think of the consequences. A woman who mothered her child using Jamie’s dad sperm clearly did not give her son the best life as we find he is very bitter towards her and especially Jamie. This son turns out to be ‘Coral’. Therefore meaning the person we all think to be a woman is actually a man and son to Jamie dad. This sets the aim for revenge and ends with ‘Coral’ becoming Jamie.

Character Profile.

JAMIE. He is a seventeen year old boy and in sixth form at his school. He has two close friends named Toby and Ben which he spends time with in the film. He also seems to have a strong relationship with his dad who he has a conversation with and relates to. He has a pleasant appearance and looks your average teenage boy trying to have fun, even if doing something he shouldn’t rush into. He is confident within himself as he goes to a stranger’s house but at the same time is not arrogant towards others. He is presented as a nice boy though out as this makes it easier for the audience to sympathies at the end when we have the sense he is gone for ever, therefore making the film more powerful.

Coral. Is a female to the on looking eye but is in fact a man. He was born through IVF treatment (using a sperm doner) to a mother- from whom we do not get the best impression of, as he calls her a 'bitch'. This may be down to the mental state of 'Coral' as he is clearly disturbed as his aim is to become 'Jamie' and live his life with there biological father. He wears a long haired wig and a lot of make-up to make him look more feminine. Also has a skinny frame so its easier to identify him as a woman, especially as a broad built body would make it more difficult to hide his true identity.

1st Draft of My Script