Tuesday 30 April 2013
Monday 22 April 2013
Thursday 4 April 2013
Wednesday 27 March 2013
Monday 25 March 2013
Left Unread Final Cut
Below is the final cut of my short film with all the suggested improvements been made.
Thursday 21 March 2013
Montage tests
From the Forth cut of the short film my teacher said "The only other suggestion I would make is that you should consider editing the montages to be a little edgier... applying an effect or two to make them a little grittier/manic would add to the feeling they're there to evoke."
This is the first test of the effects being applied to the montage.
In the next test I remove the effect and applied a scratch effect, see video below to see this test.
This is the first test of the effects being applied to the montage.
On presenting this test to my media teacher he said:
• Don’t like the effect on montages at all.
• I meant more like this but a bit more subtle:
↵ Use original player
← Replay
00:06
-01:06
Comments were:
• No... looks more like rain. I say scratch it and put them back to just the clips sans effects.
Also couple of minor but important things...
• You’ve misspelled Mr Smith’s first name.
• At 4:27 there’s an odd change in ambient sound. Need to level it out.
• This is a suggestion... & the last thing I’ll add... could the clock get louder as the final scene progresses? I think it would add to the tension. Other than that I think it looks great.
Now after this suggestions, I will remove the effects for the montage and return them to how they were before. Also I will improve on the couple of mistakes that I made and improve the short film on my teachers suggestions.
• You’ve misspelled Mr Smith’s first name.
• At 4:27 there’s an odd change in ambient sound. Need to level it out.
• This is a suggestion... & the last thing I’ll add... could the clock get louder as the final scene progresses? I think it would add to the tension. Other than that I think it looks great.
Now after this suggestions, I will remove the effects for the montage and return them to how they were before. Also I will improve on the couple of mistakes that I made and improve the short film on my teachers suggestions.
Tuesday 19 March 2013
Fourth Cut and Feedback
Here is the fourth cut of the short after the improvements from the third cut have been added.
Feedback:
• The introduction is much better - title, fade in, timing etc all works.
• The new POV shots from the bus look great
• I'm not sure if you need the shots of the protagonist getting off the bus. Try cutting at 1:22 straight to 1:26
• Camera at 2:05 is not needed
• And the one at 2:14 also can be removed... kind of gone the other way and overdone them now. :-)
• Ending is better... the timing of the BB shot needs to coincide exactly with the 'gun shot' sound.
The only other suggestion I would make is that you should consider editing the montages to be a little edgier... applying an effect or two to make them a little grittier/manic would add to the feeling they're there to evoke.
Almost there... tis all in the tweaking.
• The introduction is much better - title, fade in, timing etc all works.
• The new POV shots from the bus look great
• I'm not sure if you need the shots of the protagonist getting off the bus. Try cutting at 1:22 straight to 1:26
• Camera at 2:05 is not needed
• And the one at 2:14 also can be removed... kind of gone the other way and overdone them now. :-)
• Ending is better... the timing of the BB shot needs to coincide exactly with the 'gun shot' sound.
The only other suggestion I would make is that you should consider editing the montages to be a little edgier... applying an effect or two to make them a little grittier/manic would add to the feeling they're there to evoke.
Almost there... tis all in the tweaking.
Wednesday 13 March 2013
Final Review
Below is the review with the improvements from the last version and I have decided along with my media teachers agreement that this is the final version of my magazine review. I have changed the adjustment of the text so that it fills each column rather than being left justified.
I have now created the poster and magazine review for my short film. Now I need to pay full attention to improving and tweaking the last adjustments to my short film.
Tuesday 12 March 2013
Third Cut and Feedback
Below is the third cut of the short film with the improvement from the last cut.
Feedback (as left on video):
• 00:25 - this shot can be shortened and the voice over should come in much sooner
• Also, the earlier shot of the ppl on the bus, I think you should get rid of it - it does not add to the narrative and it is a bit too rocky
• The montage comes in at the right time. I think it could be broken up at the point that it says "look at them all"... - a couple of shots to show ppl here and now and then cut back into the montage.
• Also, some of the audio associated with the montage could have been included very low down in the mix to add to the tense atmosphere of the narrative.
• 01:16 - this shot needs to come out - the montage should continue to: 01:22 ending on "freedom".
• The second montage also needs to be a bit more broken up / interspersed and it needs to relate more directly to the words if you see what I mean???
• Needs to be more spread over the walking sequence alongside shots of cameras watching - build the intensity - link images to the ministries create a claustrophobic atmosphere.
• 02:41 - the title needs to be a bit smaller and fit more neatly into the letterbox
• Sound effects at the end and the editing still needs to connote a greater sense of violence - you could include a very *subversive* flashed image of Hitler/BigBrother - almost so quick that if you blinked you might miss it. :-)
Overall... you are on the right track... the ending sequence and montage's represent the best work within the film. The overall concept and idea is good and the narrative is clear until that last shot and the cut to black - the audio (sound bridge) needs to be fixed to ensure the end is strong.
I also think that you need a prod company title at the beginning and slightly longer fade in...
Good work, let me know if you want to discuss any of this further. :-)
Saturday 9 March 2013
More Stock Footage
For the new cut of the short film I need more stock footage to use in the new montage scenes, therefore I needed to search for some new videos. Here are the videos that i have decided to use:
http://youtu.be/-pUmfKX3C04
↵ Use original player
← Replay
↵ Use original player
← Replay
http://youtu.be/-pUmfKX3C04
Friday 8 March 2013
Magazine Review Versions
These are the first two versions of the magazine review that I produced. After producing each version I presented it to my teacher for his feedback and improvements and then produced the new version with the suggested improvements having been applied.
Version 1
Feedback:
• Review the codes and conventions from research to improve the overall design of the review.
• Create columns for the text rather then large blocks of text.
• Add some general information such as cast, director, certificate etc.
• Add the name of the writer to the end of the review.
• Change the image as there are better images within the short film that can be used.
Version 2
My Teachers Comment was:
• The only edit I would make is to make the body text left/right justified. It will look cleaner - I'm fairly certain you can do that in InDesign.
Version 1
• Review the codes and conventions from research to improve the overall design of the review.
• Create columns for the text rather then large blocks of text.
• Add some general information such as cast, director, certificate etc.
• Add the name of the writer to the end of the review.
• Change the image as there are better images within the short film that can be used.
Version 2
My Teachers Comment was:
• The only edit I would make is to make the body text left/right justified. It will look cleaner - I'm fairly certain you can do that in InDesign.
Tuesday 5 March 2013
Second Cut and Feedback
This is the improved second cut of "Left Unread" with the changes from the first cut been added.
I presented this cut to my teacher for his input and below are his suggestions for what needs to be improved.
• More stock footage.
• Stock Footage needs to change, create a montage instead of individual clips.
• The montage stock footage needs to have quick cut and show an erratic nature
• The line "Look at them all" the shot should show people walking in the street.
• CCTV camera need to be added
• Ending, change over the shoulder shot to a point of view shot of the flyer.
• Sound bridge at the end needs work to make it flow.
• Credits need to be added.
Now I need to progress and undertake in the improvement, mostly less changes are editorial, therefore I don't need to ask my actor to return.
Sunday 24 February 2013
Rethought for the beginning.
After the discussion between myself and my media teacher about the first cut of my short film, we acknowledge that the opening needs some work as it did not feel like a prison cell. Therefore I decided that I should re-evaluate how I should start the film.
Inconsideration I return to my source material of 1984 to gain some ideas. A thought was to develop the intertextual reference to 1984 would to start will, instead of the protagonist being in a prison cell, to have the protagonist doing similar work that Winston does; deleting and refining information for the party. However bring it in to the 21st-century a have computer to delete information.
In consideration of the idea, I felt that it did not add anything to the narrative that was offered. I realise the narrative starts at the point in which the protagonist entered the bus. Therefore I should start my short film at that point. This is what I'm going to do, I'm going to remove the beginning and start my short film at the point in which the bus pulls up beside the protagonist and the protagonist enters the bus.
Inconsideration I return to my source material of 1984 to gain some ideas. A thought was to develop the intertextual reference to 1984 would to start will, instead of the protagonist being in a prison cell, to have the protagonist doing similar work that Winston does; deleting and refining information for the party. However bring it in to the 21st-century a have computer to delete information.
In consideration of the idea, I felt that it did not add anything to the narrative that was offered. I realise the narrative starts at the point in which the protagonist entered the bus. Therefore I should start my short film at that point. This is what I'm going to do, I'm going to remove the beginning and start my short film at the point in which the bus pulls up beside the protagonist and the protagonist enters the bus.
Thursday 21 February 2013
Stock Footage
Here is the stock footage that I will be using in the short film to illustrate some of the points that are made in the narrative.
Monday 11 February 2013
First Cut Feedback
From the first cut of the short film, these are the improvements that have been suggested by my media teacher.
• Audio - mix of sound, what extent can audio be removed, audition to remove sound
• Bus and walking scene to similar - Greater variety of camera shots needed.
• Opening needs changing, does not fit with the rest of the film. Does not look like a prison cell.
• Door and bus need a cross dissolve.
• Visual bridge for the unknown date.
• STOCK FOOTAGE
• Add shots of CCTV camera to make the walking scene more uncomfortable
• Remove the milk from being hit so hard on the work top, interrupts the calm flow of tea scene.
• Change ending, protagonists looking at flyer while sitting on chair.
• Sound bridge between the protagonists and the flyer and the end of the film.
These are the suggested improvements, I now need to go and create a revised shooting schedule and proceed with the reshooting of the short film.
• Audio - mix of sound, what extent can audio be removed, audition to remove sound
• Bus and walking scene to similar - Greater variety of camera shots needed.
• Opening needs changing, does not fit with the rest of the film. Does not look like a prison cell.
• Door and bus need a cross dissolve.
• Visual bridge for the unknown date.
• STOCK FOOTAGE
• Add shots of CCTV camera to make the walking scene more uncomfortable
• Remove the milk from being hit so hard on the work top, interrupts the calm flow of tea scene.
• Change ending, protagonists looking at flyer while sitting on chair.
• Sound bridge between the protagonists and the flyer and the end of the film.
These are the suggested improvements, I now need to go and create a revised shooting schedule and proceed with the reshooting of the short film.
Friday 8 February 2013
First Cut
Here is the first cut of the short film - Left Unread.
I know that I am not happy with:
• The walking shot down the corridor, to shakey - Reshoot
• The voice over need to be recorded and then replace the existing voice over.
• The walking shot are too shakey and the continuity is out.
• Audio level need work.
• Tea scene is not fast enough - Reshoot
I now need to show my first cut to my media teacher for feedback on what and how I can improve the film.
Tuesday 29 January 2013
Second Filming Day
This second film day was less seamless and smooth as the first day as there was more of an external element to today shoot. The conditions weren't necessarily within my control as for example the scene on the bus I had no control over as I did not know when the bus was going to arrive or how steady and stable the bus was going to be while driving.
However there was an interior scene today of the protagonist in the prison cell and then leaving the prison as well. This scene didn't go necessarily how I planned or expected as during filming I found that the space that I plans was not large enough and therefore I couldn't do the tracking shots that I wanted. I had to change my initial plan and decided to use some initial stills shots trying to get the same effect. I don't know how well this turned out as I haven't yet piece it together. However my fear that it didn't work and I might have to reshoot or rethink this scene entirely.
For the scenes on the bus however though they were outside my control I believe they work effectively and I was able to gather all the footage I needed to. The only concern I have is similar to the first day, of filming my actor corped several occasions ruining the shot. My fear is that I won't have enough footage to last the duration that I planed.
Looking over the footage that was shot two day I feel that some aspects will definitely need to be reshot as they are not as I envisioned them to be. However other elements such as the bus scene is better than I thought it was going to be and I feel that I can create a short film from this footage.
However there was an interior scene today of the protagonist in the prison cell and then leaving the prison as well. This scene didn't go necessarily how I planned or expected as during filming I found that the space that I plans was not large enough and therefore I couldn't do the tracking shots that I wanted. I had to change my initial plan and decided to use some initial stills shots trying to get the same effect. I don't know how well this turned out as I haven't yet piece it together. However my fear that it didn't work and I might have to reshoot or rethink this scene entirely.
For the scenes on the bus however though they were outside my control I believe they work effectively and I was able to gather all the footage I needed to. The only concern I have is similar to the first day, of filming my actor corped several occasions ruining the shot. My fear is that I won't have enough footage to last the duration that I planed.
Looking over the footage that was shot two day I feel that some aspects will definitely need to be reshot as they are not as I envisioned them to be. However other elements such as the bus scene is better than I thought it was going to be and I feel that I can create a short film from this footage.
Saturday 26 January 2013
First Filming Day
Today was the first filming day of the short film, the tasks and scenes that were set to film today was the interior scenes of the house and the exterior scene of the protagonists walking up the street. The interior scenes were the tea making scene, the protagonist in the chair and coming to the front door to pick up the flyer. The exterior scenes were the protagonist is walking up the street and then entering the house closing the front door behind him.
This was relatively easy and planning due to their only being one key character to organise, therefore I could simply arrange one day to film on. During the filming my actor was corporative and completed the tasks that was required from him, however many takes were needed due to him corpsing frequently. Hopefully this will not affect the end outcome from today's filming.
The filming went according to plan and I was able to capture all of the footage that I require, during the process there were some considerations and thoughts that I needed to reshoot some scenes even before reviewing them on the computer as I felt that possibly these shots would not keep the continuity of my short film. However viewing the footage on the computer I believe that if I edit in the correct way that the continuity will be retained.
The dolly that I created for today's filming was not use as unfortunately the ground that it was tracking on (the road) was not smooth or steady and therefore the footage came out initially as quite jerky and unsteady. Therefore I disused the dolly and decided to equally balance the weight of the tripod out with the legs fully extended to create a steady and seamless tracking shot. Viewing this footage on the computer I believe that I have achieved what I set out for myself for today's filming.
This was relatively easy and planning due to their only being one key character to organise, therefore I could simply arrange one day to film on. During the filming my actor was corporative and completed the tasks that was required from him, however many takes were needed due to him corpsing frequently. Hopefully this will not affect the end outcome from today's filming.
The filming went according to plan and I was able to capture all of the footage that I require, during the process there were some considerations and thoughts that I needed to reshoot some scenes even before reviewing them on the computer as I felt that possibly these shots would not keep the continuity of my short film. However viewing the footage on the computer I believe that if I edit in the correct way that the continuity will be retained.
The dolly that I created for today's filming was not use as unfortunately the ground that it was tracking on (the road) was not smooth or steady and therefore the footage came out initially as quite jerky and unsteady. Therefore I disused the dolly and decided to equally balance the weight of the tripod out with the legs fully extended to create a steady and seamless tracking shot. Viewing this footage on the computer I believe that I have achieved what I set out for myself for today's filming.
Wednesday 23 January 2013
Dolly Created
For the tracking shots with in the short film of the protagonists walking down the street I learnt from my AS production that to gain a steady shot a dolly needs to be used so the tracking is smooth and fluid. Therefore I created a dolly to use, see the images below:
Hopefully this dolly will be sufficient in supporting the stabilisation of fluid shots that I need for the tracking.
Wednesday 16 January 2013
Shooting Schedule
Below is the shooting schedule for the first cut of the short film that starts on the 26th Jan. This has helped me organise the time and how I can best use it so I can get the most done in the shortest about of time.
Monday 14 January 2013
Flyer Design
I knew that I needed to create a flyer that would be posted through the protagonists letterbox at the end of the short film that would bring about the conclusion and ending that I desire. Therefore I created this flyer that has synergy with the poster as it uses the same font style and colour scheme that are used so there is a link between both items within the main and ancillary texts.
The design of this flyer has again been inspired by George Orwell's 1984 as at the top the logo resembles the leader of the party that is presented in the novel "Big Brother", With the two "B" been back to back with each other, which also could resemble a butterfly and the freedom that the government promised but never delivered. Also the text in the centre of the flyer is a quote directly taken from the novel and also is the text that is on the poster so again there is synergy between both texts. The last line of the flyer "On behalf of the Ministry of love this is compulsory reading." Is the line that will be focused on to bring about the ending of the short film as it is the protagonists unwillingness to read the flyer that brings about the knock at the door at the end.
Tuesday 8 January 2013
Second Draft Script
After writing the first script and recording it for my first animatic me and my media teacher went through the script and slightly altered it so that it would flow more naturally and fluidly. Below is the improved and final script.
Look at it…another bright cold April day. It has always been another bright cold April day for as long as I can remember. That's not saying much, as after all… there’s no such thing as memory, well…no such thing anymore.
The year is twenty twenty two… or is twenty twenty three? No, maybe it's twenty twenty four? The thing is, no one really knows. Years as we used to know them ceased to exist after the "Great Restriction"…
Look at them all… They're getting ready for hate week. You can’t see it, there are no banners… posters …or advertisements but we all know it. Those things… the banners and what not, were all removed during the “Great Freedom”.
There are stories; wonderful stories about people being happy. Large groups of people would come together, just for the enjoyment of being with each other not for mid chant or appraisals. They’re things that came after the “Great Freedom”, things the government imposed on us.
The government controls everything now, we all bow to them, we have no choice. There are four Ministries between which the government is divided. The Ministry of Truth, which concerns itself with news, entertainment, education, and the fine arts. The Ministry of Peace, which concerns itself with war. The Ministry of Love, which maintains law and order. And the Ministry of Plenty, which is responsible for economic affairs. Have I heard that before?
But we can’t talk or think about these matters, we are not allowed to, they know they always know. I should not have, I did not have, nothing was said. Forget what was said and then forget that you forgot what was said.
That is how you stay alive here, that is how you remain sane.Now I need to find an individual to record the voice over. After a conversation with my media teacher we decided that an individual with a deeper voice, that will holds the audiences attention and sounds like it has some history behind it would be more apt at delivering the script.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)