Week 1: 24/1/2022 - 30/1/2022
So we have begun the final stretch, the great and majestic UNIT 13. Now in order to create one's FMP, one must first have some sort of idea to realize; that's what this first week was for. To begin with I came up with three project concepts - albeit in the same genre - and proposed them to my focus group, who quickly decided that my short film idea was the best. Thankfully this was my thinking too, and so it went without any hitches.
As with anything, a little more though never does any harm, and so this little idea expansion talk was nice, if a tad unhelpful. Though to me perhaps little feedback was in fact a good thing.
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
|
As per usual Thinking up my schedule and finalising my idea took longer than they probably needed to, and by the end of the week i was scrambling a bit to get it all done so that I could assemble my brief. Here on the left is that brief. It contains all the important information about my film idea and competition going forward.
Going into week 2 I just need to keep myself on track, and not make myself delayed with this Unit. |
Week 2: 31/1/2022 - 06/2/2022
Week two commences my favourite aspect of the unit: research! (sarcasm) Basically this week was set aside to focus on the Topic and target audience research. First and foremost I am exceedingly pleased with the design of my website, although some might see it as a bit noisy, I personally think this rather well reflects the theme of my production. Aside from design, I managed to look very much in depth into the area of crime, and how I can take the things I looked at and implement them into my film. This is my first time doing a crime/thriller type film, so I felt it was a wise move to become well versed on the subject before dipping my toes into its murky waters.
|
So having looked into what I saw as the primary consideration of my film topic-wise, I went and took a look at the next part of the weeks work, the target Audience research. In my mind, I had assumed that I'd be aiming primarily for my own age group, as that is what I'm most familiar with. Then it struck me however, that my films genre may in fact appeal to an older audience. To glean the information necessary to determine whether or not IO was correct in this assumption I sent out a survey, asking what age group people thought the various genres of my film would best appeal to. What I figured out from this was that overall it appeared my production would most appeal to those between the ages of 15 and 30; a broader range than I had hoped for, but one I can certainly work with.
|
Last but not least I asked some people in my now locked down target audience some more in depth questions. The answers were fairly helpful and will no doubt influence me in my adapting of my project moving forward. Here are some examples of my survey questions and answers:
I am overall pretty pleased with this weeks work, keeping more or less on schedule and finding out interesting things to incorporate into my work, along with hearing the opinions and tastes of others; always and educational experience. I must say I am feeling real enthusiasm for this production, and I'm going into week three with really positive energy!
Week 3: 07/2/2022 - 13/2/2022
Codes and conventions were the subject of our research this week, along with test shoots. The Week started predictably slowly for me and I didn't manage to get everything done as much as I'd have liked. I had meant to do some lighting and camera tests, but couldn't get round to it. I had also wanted to get some tests on some of my locations, but since I plan to get a wider lens I thought it best to postpone until I had that, as my tests would be futile if I ended up using an entirely different lens for my production.
I did make these two futuristic cityscape tests, combining real locations from Reading with sprawling sci fi urban art. I was pretty pleased with the results, considering it was fairly straightforward to do. The question is whether or not I can accurately recreate that sort of look in moving footage. I may well end up being restricted to tripod shots when showing these sorts of images.
I did make these two futuristic cityscape tests, combining real locations from Reading with sprawling sci fi urban art. I was pretty pleased with the results, considering it was fairly straightforward to do. The question is whether or not I can accurately recreate that sort of look in moving footage. I may well end up being restricted to tripod shots when showing these sorts of images.
|
|
I also looked at some examples of camera and lighting in film and future noir. The Films I took examples from were Blade Runner, Dark City, Sweet Smell Of Success and The Third Man. These are four of the films I am taking the most inspiration from for my own idea, so I thought it fitting to analyse these.
|
It really wasn't the ideal week, and I might be playing catch up the following week. I think most of my slowness is due to not having fully solidified what my idea is. Once I have that the rest should follow. So yes, Going into week 4 it's crucial that I catch up on work and really work out my film's concept in it's entirety.
|
Week 4: 14/2/2022 - 20/2/2022
This week i did my film analysis. Having looked at four films just last week, they were still fresh in my mind and I decided to double up and analyse the sane four that I'd previously studied stills from. This was in fact a much more useful exercise than the previous. Looking at the films as a whole helped me pick out specific elements from each that I though had a particular bearing on the direction i wished to take my own production.
So as mentioned in last week's blog, the four film I covered were as follows: Blade runner, Sweet Smell Of Success, Dark City and The Third Man.
here is a brief summary of what I took from each.
So as mentioned in last week's blog, the four film I covered were as follows: Blade runner, Sweet Smell Of Success, Dark City and The Third Man.
here is a brief summary of what I took from each.
I was actually really surprised at how much i got out of this weeks work. In previous Units I have never really learnt that much, or gained much inspiration from the film analysis, but this time was different. Having more investment in my FMP's setting and story certainly had a part to play in that, as well as the fact that I really love all four of these films i looked at. It's always a pleasure to ramble on about films you love, but that wasn't the end of it; looking at the component parts of each and assessing which best suited my own film or would be best to emulate was both a pleasure and an educational experience.
It's now just my hope that the rest of my research goes quite this well.
It's now just my hope that the rest of my research goes quite this well.
Week 5: 21/2/2022 - 27/2/2022
Week 6: 28/2/2022 - 06/3/2022
After a lovely break for half term...back into MY FAVOURITE THING IN THE WORLD! research, yes, that was sarcasm just now. But seriously I was still pumped at how well it went with the Film Analysis the other week, so I flung myself into the work with an uncharacteristic gusto.
this week's task was to study Mise-en-scene (one of my personal favourite new phrases I've learnt since starting the course, has a wonderfully pretentious ring to it, eh?).
this week's task was to study Mise-en-scene (one of my personal favourite new phrases I've learnt since starting the course, has a wonderfully pretentious ring to it, eh?).
So i covered a platitude, a multitude, and gross amount of things. Anything that would impact the look of the world I am aiming to create was fair game. On Monday I started this research binge on the subject of architecture, looking at real world buildings that looked futuristic, as well as thinking of buildings in my area that could have potential as locations for filming.
|
This train of thought led me onto an idea of combining pre-existing structures with artificial ones to create a sort of futuristic looking matte painting, albeit a digital one. This was idea I had considered first whilst analyzing Blade Runner two weeks ago now. I was quite chuffed with the results, and I'm pretty confident i can make a good looking digital matte that i can transpose my live action footage onto. |
|
This whole idea and testing now began to derail my potentially good week of research as I just had to try the moving matte, it was a necessity for me to scratch that itch. So I tried two different things, one urban moving landscape, and an outdoor and more moody one. I was pleased with both, though i knew neither would ever be photo realistic or the least bit convincing, i just hoped that they would have an endearing arty quality that I could lean into with the rest of my production feel.
getting back on track (finally) for the last two days of the week I finished of my Mise-en-scene research, looking at props and costume, before asking myself - for some reason in written form - whether or not I should make my film Black and white. I am really leaning towards colour the further I go on though, and I'm fairly sure that's what I'll end up with.
Although I know I'm still just doing research, I'm beginning to get concerned with the fact I've made little to no progress on my actual story idea, which is cray. there's no point to all the fun visuals and design if there's no story. In the past working out my story has been one of the most challenging things. I really do need to start thinking about it though. Luckily next week is about narrative and character, so that should help me get into a story frame of mind.
Although I know I'm still just doing research, I'm beginning to get concerned with the fact I've made little to no progress on my actual story idea, which is cray. there's no point to all the fun visuals and design if there's no story. In the past working out my story has been one of the most challenging things. I really do need to start thinking about it though. Luckily next week is about narrative and character, so that should help me get into a story frame of mind.
Week 7: 07/3/2022 - 13/3/2022
Bearing in mind how I left off my last blog, over the weekend I brainstormed story ideas and pretty much determined the backbone of what my story will be, as well as thinking up characters to inhabit it.
Since I'd already thought up my story and it's characters before Monday, I was able to work on narrative and character almost simultaneously. This was incredibly efficient, as it meant that any idea I had that pertained to one could then have an instant impact on where the other was headed.
My story has grown to include my younger brother, who's my leads younger brother in the story, so that;s fun. I love working with my siblings, so now I have extra to look forward to.
Since I'd already thought up my story and it's characters before Monday, I was able to work on narrative and character almost simultaneously. This was incredibly efficient, as it meant that any idea I had that pertained to one could then have an instant impact on where the other was headed.
My story has grown to include my younger brother, who's my leads younger brother in the story, so that;s fun. I love working with my siblings, so now I have extra to look forward to.
I created these three character posters, under which I wrote out detailed character profiles on these three main, and potentially only characters. I'm thinking it'll be best to limit the amount of characters so that I can focus more on them and have less to worry about in terms of actually making the thing.
here is the first real layout to my story. It was inspired by the narrative structures i researched toward the end of the week. While it isn't exactly following one specifically, there's elements of a few in it, and I think it does a good enough job.
I'm really loving the direction it's gone, and the way the character of the brother has been created to give an emotional and empathetic side to an otherwise grim protagonist. It totally changes the vibe and tone of the film while retaining the crime and morally ambiguity I wanted originally. |
next week I will be able to start my script with really strong groundworks
Week 8: 14/3/2022 - 20/3/2022
This week I began by finishing up my research, doing a bit on music and then just going over what I'd done to make sure i was happy with it. I ended up adding a lot more to my target audience section, as it was clear that was somewhat lacking. This was a reminder that i have a bad habit of getting bored and moving on before I've actually finished sometimes.
Going back momentarily to the music thing, it's worrying me slightly now that I can't use copyrighted music, as many of the songs that inspired me to come up with my story are disqualified from use. So unless I find a way around that I'll end up using royalty free music which more often than not is fairly crap.
Going back momentarily to the music thing, it's worrying me slightly now that I can't use copyrighted music, as many of the songs that inspired me to come up with my story are disqualified from use. So unless I find a way around that I'll end up using royalty free music which more often than not is fairly crap.
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
|
With the research done and dusted i was finally able to to come to my script by Friday. It took me a characteristically long amount of time to "put pen to paper", so to speak, but as usual once I began I really got into it.
I'm really pleased with this opening scene that I've written, as I think it sets up the characters well, mentions that she helps him, he's in a bad situation, she's going off world, he's looking after someone and even hints at his past life. That seems a good amount to squeeze into one scene, and it doesn't even feel like a tonne of exposition. |
I may have got a bit too into it though, with the final action of the scene being a truly terrifying thing to think about filming. I think I was getting carried away after my fun little test shots from a few weeks back. I may have to rewrite that if I feel like it will impossible to shoot, but I'll leave it for now, as I have told myself that I want to be pushed to my limits on this Unit.
Week 9: 21/3/2022 - 27/3/2022
Just when everything was going so well....ahhhhh!
The pitch was a wonderful spanner in the works. I was really dreading it and so this week I put off preparing for it for far too long, really not doing much of anything to prepare for it last week. I pretty much procrastinated for the whole week, just doing that bit of script. What this meant was that i had only a Monday and Tuesday to throw together some semblance of a pitch.
I didn't really rehearse, other than in my head, and I think that really shows. I left out large swathes of my research, and failed to make a few key points. I was really mad at myself, partly due to lack or preparation, but also just because I sort of froze up, at least inwardly. The pressure of being put on the spot makes you forget things you've been going over for weeks.
All in all I was mainly frustrated at myself for putting of preparing for it, as I know it's a one shot thing, and I should have put much more focus on it.
The pitch was a wonderful spanner in the works. I was really dreading it and so this week I put off preparing for it for far too long, really not doing much of anything to prepare for it last week. I pretty much procrastinated for the whole week, just doing that bit of script. What this meant was that i had only a Monday and Tuesday to throw together some semblance of a pitch.
I didn't really rehearse, other than in my head, and I think that really shows. I left out large swathes of my research, and failed to make a few key points. I was really mad at myself, partly due to lack or preparation, but also just because I sort of froze up, at least inwardly. The pressure of being put on the spot makes you forget things you've been going over for weeks.
All in all I was mainly frustrated at myself for putting of preparing for it, as I know it's a one shot thing, and I should have put much more focus on it.
Pitch aside, i did manage to put friday and the weekend to good use, writing another large chunk of my script. It's progression is going surprising well, and I'm starting to really look forward to shooting it (something I should start planning really).
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
|
I'm absolutely loving the imagery I'm getting in my writing,and I think I've written some really effective sequences. But I am concerned a little that there's too many montages, and it may end up seeming like a music video more than a short film. But to be honest, I've convinced myself that in a way that suits my style. I really want it to be a cerebral and visually interesting film, so if it ends up being low on dialogue and high on music driven sequences I don't really mind.
having written another scene with Yana, i thought it best to find out the availability of my actress, Lauralee. Unfortunately, as she's busy with A-levels, I will probably have to wait until Easter to shoot her scenes. |
Conscious that I will not be as productive as usual over Easter time (other than hopefully shooting Yana's scenes), I've decided to try and start shooting at least some of the solo elements of my film next week. Thankfully casting one's self and one's siblings is a good way to be sure of your actors availability.
Week 10: 28/3/2022 - 03/4/2022
So as I had decided the week before i went into this one with the intention to begin filming. that...sort of happened?
Monday was devoted to finishing and finalizing my script, which included finding the name of my FMP, which I'm proud to announce is "Pipe Dreams". The name isn't entirely original, as it's the name of one of the songs I was listening to a lot throughout the creative process of making the story. It also helps that it's a wonderfully applicable title.
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
|
So I did it, concluded it, yayyyy. I am actually incredibly pleased with this script, more than any I've done previously (perhaps with the exception of my Radio drama). I think it's quite an effective script, and if done right could be something not too bad. it's certainly going to be a interesting one to shoot and try to give a futuristic vibe. |
Tuesday was meant to be storyboarding day, but in my usual fashion I stretched storyboard day into what was more like storyboard week. My absolute lack of skill at drawing makes these a real chore for me, and I have a hard time convincing myself that I'll stick to what I draw. Nevertheless, i had done the majority of them by the end of Friday, so I decided I had to try and get at least a tiny bit of filming done. |
And i did! production has officially begun as of this week, or rather, this weekend. I mainly just started shooting parts of the opening montage, doing the hacking scene and the suitcase scene which you'll see in the final edit.
I also made good use of my newly purchased lights in filming, which was good, as it gave me and idea of how best to use them in future shoots.
I also made good use of my newly purchased lights in filming, which was good, as it gave me and idea of how best to use them in future shoots.
Week 11: 04/4/2022 - 10/4/2022
Soooooo, this was meant to be a big filming week before Easter, but that didn't really happen.
On the positive side however, i did manage to fully finish my storyboards and then the entirety of my production booklet (late, I know). In doing that I went out to do some location recces around Reading, and found many good locations, but most importantly the apartment interior/exterior, which was the multistory carpark at Reading Station. It suited many of my needs which was fantastic, and I'm planning to shoot the second dialogue scene with Yana there next week. |
most importantly of all this week, I played my starring role in Caspar Haye's production, in which I was Frankenstein's Monster. That took all of Monday, and the makeup alone took half the morning. But it was fun, and I'm glad I could help my friend out with his work.
Week 12: 11/4/2022 - 17/4/2022
Almost Miraculously, this weeks filming plan actually worked marvelously! On Monday and Tuesday i scouted out the location, made preparations and arranged time with my actress. then on Thursday we shot the dialogue scene, or rather,we shot it twice.
The Building we used (the Multistory carpark) was a great location. I decided to shoot the scene first outside at the edge of the wall, at the very top of the carpark where there are wonderful views and it was really windy. The issue with this was that it meant more work for me in post, trying to get the city to look futuristic, but I know if it works it'll be worth it. Also it meant that the shotgun microphone we were using still picked up a bit of noise.
Next I decided to shoot just inside the sort of foyer, where the lifts take you. This was a suitably grim area to the outside of Nevyn's apartment, and it allowed a different sort of take. The outside shot had been a back and forth, over the shoulder type thing, but the indoor scene was more personal and I liked that.
My biggest concern is that the audio we recorded for the dialogue may be unusable, due to the indoor location being really noisy.
I think I will try editing them both up soon, and see which is more promising, depending on it's feel and the state of it's audio.
After shooting the dialogue scene I needed to get the few shots of Yana with Kellen, so we went back to my place, where my mum and my brothers had constructed a makeshift corner to act as the part of Nevyn's apartment where Kellen sleeps.
I was fairly happy with the result, although it's small size meant i had to hide it with the angel, and was therefore restricted in my camera movement. To give the illusion of a room without windows, or at least without much natural light, I utilized my lights to give an artificial directional white light, mainly onto Yana and kellen's faces. |
After getting those we bid farewell to our actress and proceeded to shoot all the remaining interior apartment scenes. They all went pretty well, and we managed to use my new lens to do a nice pull focus in one of the stationary dialogue shots between Nevyn and Kellen. After shooting all the talking bits, we moved onto the "seizure" scene, which my brother thoroughly enjoyed acting out (despite his previous history of Asthma Attacks). |
|
On Friday I edited together the indoor dialogue scene and attempted to clean up the audio. I feel like it's alright, but when compared to the clarity of the other dialogue, it really stands out, I might have to end up dubbing it later on, unless I do decide to use the balcony version. |
Despite getting a lot done, I still think I'm falling behind somewhat, I still have so much to shoot. Thankfully my Brother is coming home from University for Easter, so I'll be able to use him in my film.
Week 13: 18/4/2022 - 24/4/2022
My Brother turned out to be more cooperative than first expected, in fact they all did. On Monday I shot gathered a posse and we headed out to the new location for the boss scenes. Originally I had interdicted to shoot them in an underground carpark, but later i decided the bridge was better because it was quieter and provided us with better light.
This shoot went very well. As it is part of a montage with music over, we didn't need any audio to be recorded. The light was a blessing and a curse, because while the light gave us wonderful silhouettes (like those I looked at in the Third Man), it also made it look like day. Now in my script I did write that it was night or evening, but hopefully the world I make will be odd enough that you can't really be sure of anything.
As can be seen in the image on the left, I decided to make the gangsters/criminals have an oldschool look to them, and the fedora on the boss is a clear nod to film Noir. They certainly were an odd contrast to my own costume, but not in a bad I don't think.
As can be seen in the image on the left, I decided to make the gangsters/criminals have an oldschool look to them, and the fedora on the boss is a clear nod to film Noir. They certainly were an odd contrast to my own costume, but not in a bad I don't think.
the Following evening me and three of my brothers went over the road to the outside of BJ's Bingo, where we shot the attempted kill by Nevyn, in which he is about to murder someone but then he imagines that he sees kellen, and he changes his mind. We then also a drug deal shot for the opening montage. these both went really well, and I was especially please with the framing on the shots, and the performances which I thought were especially good in that scene.Once again, we recorded no sound, so I will be adding all of the natural foley in post production. The Location also worked moderately well, though it was quiet clean, rather than looking like a dingy back alley. the nighttime lighting more than made up for that however, and all in all it's one of my favourite sequences I've filmed so far. |
the next few days were all about cleanup, getting all the shots done that I hadn't done. Mostly it was montage shots, but there were also some reaction shots from the dialogue scenes we'd filmed last week that needed to be filmed at the multistory car park. These went without a hitch and I managed to film everything we needed in there, which were the reverse dialogue shots, the scenes of Nevyn in overalls, and the ending scene, of Nevyn carrying Kellen out of the apartment.
Finally I had to film the foundry exterior scenes, which wasn't actually that hard. Originally I had hoped to get into the forge where my brother who's a blacksmith works. that unfortunately never happened, but we do have a lot of industrial areas nearby where we live, so it wasn't hard to find a suitable location.
On friday I edited up a lot of what I'd filmed this week, to see how it looked. |
|
After some heavy colour grading to give a more ambiguous look to the time of day we shot the stuff, I think I'm quite pleased with my weeks work. the silhouettes look great, especially the fedora and my own outfit, which I'm regretting buying slightly less now.
As a test i decide to do the muzzle flashes and blood spurts. I quite like them, but I think they need some more work still, so I'll probably change them for the final edit. |
Now getting painfully close to the deadline, and still some to shoot, namely the opening scene and the green screened shots. Unfortunately it's not looking like my actress will be available any time soon, so I may have to change my opening scene rather drastically.
I'm just happy most of it is filmed, and I'm able to really get under way with editing my first draft.
I'm just happy most of it is filmed, and I'm able to really get under way with editing my first draft.
Week 14: 25/4/2022 - 01/5/2022
So all that remained to shoot this week are the green screen shots, namely the entirety of the dream sequence, the interior foundry shots and some of the close up drug deals. These shots went well, and thankfully the weather allowed me to shoot the stuff outside, so I got a good all round light. I'm hopeful that I will be able to get a pretty strong green key from my footage.
The greens screen was not as easy to pull off for the Foundry shots, partly due to the more harsh and directional indoor lighting, but also because of the orange light i was throwing onto myself, to represent the glow of the molten metal and fire of the foundry. Yet again my lights came in useful, yes, and I think in this scene in particular they really help sell the shot.
I have put together a first draft, of all the parts other then the green screen footage. It's very close to what I want the final product to be, but this is because the way I edit is bit by bit doing every bit to completion
as soon as I shoot it. The main absentees (other than said green screen bits) are the opening and ending credits, the former which I have decided to use as the carrier for the dialogue from my old opening scene at the church, which will now take the form of a phone call. |
|
The Final thing left is for me to get those voice recording's for Yana's part, and also to get a re-dub of the hallway conversation between Nevyn and Yana, synced as accurately as possible. Oh, and of course add the credts.
Week 15: 02/5/2022 - 08/5/2022
Over the weekend, I edited together all the greenscreen footage from last weeks shoots, and using a subscription to a stock footage library I pieced together the foundry shots and dream sequence. Here is a breakdown of some of the films effects, including some of the greenscreen shots.
I had a slight last minute panic when on Wednesday evening I realized that I had forgotten to do the shot in which Nevyn receives a notification that he's lost his job. Not owning a phone, or living in a house with anyone who does, I had to improvise, and I came up with the wall monitor idea. When editing the makeshift green key for this monitor i left the key rather fuzzy, as I thought it added a nice retro look to the "screen". Also, while I did this improves shot, I tied it into a small bathroom scene that I feel really helps smooth the scenes together better.
|
I got the recordings for the opening credits on Tuesday evening so I had plenty of time to edit them into the film for the submission deadline on Friday. from then on all went smoothly enough, and I submitted it late on Thursday night.
---------------------
Overall, I am pretty pleased with how it turned out. It isn't at all what I had first planned, but it evolved naturally into something different, but something good (at least in my opinion). Considering how man sacrifices I had to make, how many scenes I had to cut, and how little production value went into it, it's still a curiously immersive experience.
Overall, I am pretty pleased with how it turned out. It isn't at all what I had first planned, but it evolved naturally into something different, but something good (at least in my opinion). Considering how man sacrifices I had to make, how many scenes I had to cut, and how little production value went into it, it's still a curiously immersive experience.