Today we had another workshop with Matt in the studio. This time we were already more familiar with the equipment and camera so we moved on to filming a few sequences. We talked a little bit about the film etiquette and rules while filming a scene. (with a film crew/director/actors)
Director says STANDBY...then crew says Standing by…Crew is ready to workand start filming… the actors get ready to perform the scene.. the set goes silent.
Phrases that are used while filming on set:
“Standby”
“Standing by”
“Roll camera”
“Rolling”
Director gives a bit of time space
“Action”
Director gives a bit of time space
“Cut”
Then we spoke about the rule of thirds and the 180mdegrees rule that we apply while filming. We keep the camera within the 18 degree range - just filming from one side of the subject.
Scenes that are hard to film:
-eating
-drinking
-sunsets
-board games
-shots with children
-shots with animals
There has to be a lot of clear communication between the crew/actors/director while filming.
Before filming we have to make sure we set up the camera. Focus/ and set up depth of field.
Normally the time while shooting is expensive.
If we watch back footage, then we double the time durance in the studio.
Most film cameras can’t usually be even played back.
Also it’s good the actors don’t see footage while filming, so they can’t overthink how they look when they are acting out the scene.
If in doubt, rather film another take/reshoot the scene.
Then we created and filmed a couple sequences with our group.
One was of me walking towards a coat hanger and putting on a jacket.
The second one was of Sarah walking towards a chair with a book. She picks up the book and goes through it.
The third one was of Pandora lifting up a sight and carrying it to another spot.
In today’s lesson we left our regular class room and moved over into the studio next door for the first time. Matt talked about the tripods cameras that are used in the media/film industry and how they work and also how people use them.
We all got to touch the equipment and familiarise ourselves with it also practically.
It has 3 legs on which the head of the camera goes on. Each of the three legs has two locks: one on the bottom and one at the top. (6 locks - 3 top 3 bottom)
The tripod also has a spirit level and a pan handle which we use to rotate and tilt the camera into our desired position. (from the side or tilt- tighten handle with a lock to stay in place)- pan/tilt locks.
We also learned how to ‘bubble’ a tripod - 1 quarter turn with lock to hold in place- this technique allows us to position the tripod straight thanks to the spirit level.
A ‘black magic mini ursa’- is the case for the camera, and the additional equipment.
This is the camera that we learned to use in today’s lesson.
The first thing we did, was that we slid the camera on to the tripod, thanks to the camera tripod shoe.
We have to press the button on left side and slide on camera away from ourselves. Then swap grip and tighten up the lock on the side.
...and reversed to take off.
We should always check tripod before sliding camera on, so there is no damage.
A ‘V lock’ is the battery for the camera.
Zoom out/in for shot
focus with small ring on lens
Zoom big front ring on lense
Shuttle
Aperture
Exposure
-Are all adjusted with the blue adapter on lens.
Man-made light/ natural light (camera doesn’t notice the difference on its own) we have to adjust WHITE BALANCE (to outdoor light)
-different coloured lights / blue - orange
We did all these examples in practical demonstrations. This lesson was a very successful learning point.
-What do we need?
We have 3 locations: a train station, Hurtwood main house, the balcony in the main house.
We have to plan for the locations to be vacated and staged before we start filming
-What have we done to organise this?
We have to check with the schools leading staff that we will be able to film there during the day, then we have to make sure we will be allowed to film at the train station .
-Why have we made this choice? How do these reflect the genre and tone of our opening sequence?
We chose these locations, because of their accessibility. It also works very well because we don’t have to change between locations that are far away from ache other, this gives us more time to film. We did consider other locations, but because of COVID their weren’t accessible/available. We thought about renting an indoor pool/ a showroom kitchen/sitting room we also considered using other Hurtwood boarding houses to use for filming, but they didn’t fit the style/theme.
-What do we need?
We need normal realistic clothing for all the characters.
The driver: -he will be wearing professional attire, suitable to his job. He will wear a black suit, shirt and sunglasses.
The abuser: -he will be dressed very casually, possibly too casual than expected. For example a loose T-shirt in a neutral colour and khaki coloured pants. and sandals.
The victim girl: -she wears her ‘Sundays best’. She is in her best/smart clothes that she owns. We can still see that she isn’t very wealthy. She could be wearing a women tight shirt and a pencil skirt with dress shoes. And she also wears glasses and carries a suitcase.
The chaperone girl: -she is wearing very sexual clothing, that is age inappropriate but the clothes look expensive. She is wearing a strap to that gives her big cleavage. she is also wearing a short mini skirt with dress shoes. or she could be wearing a tight body con dress that has a big cleavage and heels.
-What have we done to organize this?
-Why have we made this choice? How do these reflect the genre and tone of our opening sequence?
The costumes we chose reflex the social statuses of the characters. It also shows their profession like for example the drivers costume. The costumes are very realistic and non fictional.
-What do we need?
We will need a car. We will most likely be using our headmasters car which is a Porsche Cayenne in black. This car will be used for transport of the two young girls in the sequence. They will be driven by a driver (who is going to be played by our media teacher Adam).
-What have we done to organize this?
We discussed all kinds of options and alternatives. We thought about using my dad’s car, my own car… but they weren’t size accommodable. The cameras wouldn’t fit in properly. We then thought about renting a bigger car for the day from a car rental, but none fit the image and it was impractical. So we decided to ask our headmaster to borrow us his car for the day.
-Why have we made this choice? How do these reflect the genre and tone of our opening sequence?
The car has to be a specific model. And quite expensive, because it has to fit an image of a filthy rich old man. And that he can easily afford a driver in a Porsche picking up two girls on an ordinary day.
This film poster would be used to promote the finished product. I created this entire poster myself. I am the author of the photograph and ...
