UPDATE! UPDATE! Read all about it...

And we are nearly finished...tomorrow is the presentation and then this short film project is a closed chapter. Not to get melodramatic, but it has been a time full of new experiences (good or unpleasant), challenges, stress and rainy days (both literally and metaphorically). I have neglected my social life (not that it is a big deal of it anyway) and have decided that sleep is overrated during these last two months...oh, and also...who says you shouldn`t read/watch tutorials/write while you eat/get dressed/try to go to sleep? The gates were opened wide for the information flood.

So, what can I show for these last weeks, considering that the link to the uploaded finished edit will only be available later on? Let`s see what I can do...

Production stills...

A short clip of the team at work :



And, a version of the promotional poster:

King Tut(orial) part 2

Today has been a fine day...for tuts! I`ve set my eyes on a few things that might make our short-film project look better and I`ve tested two things: blemish removals (especially for close-ups, since we didn`t have a make-up person on the set) and the bleach bypass.

Now, the bleach tutorial  has helped me familiarise with the Luma Matte, but in terms of its effects (the ones I managed to achieve anyway) I am not sure I`m doing a proper job. I find I couldn`t really spot that much of a difference between shots that used it, and those that didn`t (maybe I was too tired). Here is an example that actually demonstrates the effect quite well:

This is the image without the Matte...

This is the image with the Matte...

I`ve noticed that since the lighting, contrast and saturation levels are different from one scene to the other, in order to get an effective matte, one has to take each scene separately and tweak the parameters. I guess that would mean jumping between Premiere and After Effects to treat each sequence.

But let`s get to the piece de resistance! The Bleach bypass has been around for quite a while, being used before the digital switch-over in photo labs. Here are some examples (and I don`t think I need to point out which one`s has bleach bypass applied):

I have also made an overview of the entire footage today, and I`m looking forward to discussing the next editing bits with the group members.

...and ACTION!

Shooting Order for ‘Bogdan’

WAVERLEY

9:00 – 9:15

Arrive at Waverley, stash props in 108a, collect kit
  

DICE
9:15 – 9:30

Camera crew to begin set up for first tracking shot.

9:30-9:45

Actors rehearsals and blocking

9:45 – 10:00

Tracking shot (1); (intro)

10:00 – 10.15

            Wide shot (4)

10.15 – 10.30

            MS+CU Bogdan (7/8/8a)

10:30-10.45

            MS/CU Lawyer 5/6)

10:45-11:00

            Pan shot from stairs (9)

            Track shots Lawyer/Bogdan outro (8/9)

            Additional shots?

FOREST TRAM STOP
 11:00-11:15

            Taxis to Forest road tram stop

Ryan and Alan to York office > set decoration > first lighting setup (for shots FACING the window)

11:15-11:30

            Actors rehearsals and blocking

            Camera crew to get additional establishing footage

11:30-11:45

            WS/MS/CU/ECU Bogdan reading

11:45-12:00    

Pan shot Bogdan to trash can

            WS/MS/CU/ECU Bogdan seated at tram stop

           

12:00-12:20

            Tram arrives/departs/full scene establishing shots

12:20-12:30

            All remaining cast and crew to York House for rendezvous

12:30-13:00

            LUNCH

YORK HOUSE OFFICE
 13:00-13:15

            Actor rehearsals and blocking

13:15-13:55

            All shots facing window (initial lighting setup)

13:55-14:35

            All shots facing away from window (switch to second lighting setup)

ALAN HOUSE
 14:35-14:50

            Remaining cast and all crew to final set via taxi

14:50-15:05

            Actor rehearsal and blocking

15:05-15:30

            Bogdan activities round house (tv/food/toilet/read paper/ coffee/cook etc)

15:30-15:45

            Bogdan application form/email

15:45-16:00

            Bogdan email V/O record

16:00-16:30

            Bogdan arrives home from meeting/finds letter

            Reads letter/destroys letter

Unfortunately, we didn`t manage to get all of these shots; a series of unforeseen circumstances meant we had to rethink some of the shots on the go. I suppose this type of unpredictability is part of the job.

Props Lis(z)t!

Props list for Bogdan:

EXT. LEGAL OFFICE. DAY (DICe)

• handbag
• files
• portfolio
• cigarettes/ bottle of water
• folder (for Bogdan)

EXT. DAY. (Tramstop at Forest Field)

• cigarettes
• letter (with school logo)
• watch

INT. LEGAL OFFICE. DAY (York House)

• law books from Boots
• computer (Macs from 207 Wav?)
• desk lamp (?)
• pens
• mug
• files
• stationery
• graduation photos
• picture frame
• pins
• calendar
• diploma
• diary
• airline ticket

INT. APARTMENT. NIGHT

• pictures (son & wife)
• picture frames
• Romanian/English books
• Ro/Eng Dictionary
• chessboard
• stationery
• plate
• knife
• fork
• newspapers
• ironing table
• Rubik`s cube (?)

 

Bogdan - Day 0

Monday, 16th November...alright people, note that date down in your calendars, for you shall look back upon that day as a turning point in the history of mankind. Yes, we have started rehearsing for our uni project, Bogdan...and yes, we have focused today on the exterior shots, which proved to be an initiation rite into the glorious realm of movie making, under a drape of clouds and rain and generally horrible weather. Thinking back to the editing suite...it just warms me up with memories of coziness and hot chocolate. But back to the real world.

Main thing today, we had to relocate for the legal office exterior shot. Reason: the car park at the previous location proved to be too much of a problem, and also, the general feel of the surrounding area felt unconvincing today. We are still near the DICe building, but have moved to another entrance. We feel that the ramp and the rails can be useful for adding depth to the shot, and also, the tracking shots on the ramp that we`ve tried seem to add dynamism to the scene. Duncan has drawn up a shot list for the location, with 2-3 backup angles in case we are unable to get the desired shots in time on the day. As camera operator, I find the opening shot the most difficult, as it involves a tilt, matched by the coming into the scene of Bogdan, and then a track on a diagonal line across the frame, and ending in a pan to follow the lawyer as she catches up with the main character. It is possible of course, but I really need to work on my pace and coordination.

Umar has also been recording some of the sound effects, mainly ambient sound and some footsteps.

The second location for the day was the tram stop at Hyson Green. We talked about various angles we could shoot from but unfortunately couldn`t try them out, because the weather got really bad and we had to be back in time to hand in the equipment (we`ll need to bring some umbrellas for the day). Nevertheless, it might still be a good thing since we managed to get a rough idea of what we want to do.

After this, we had a meeting trying to think about the props for each scene and we will then see who can provide what. Also, we are still having a bit of trouble with the interior office location. We have been looking at some group work rooms in Boots Library, and I will try to talk to someone at York House reception to see if we can get something.

Picture this...

Since we have agreed to use the tram station at Hyson Green for one of our locations for the Bogdan script, I decided to take a look at the location again and try to think of some interesting camera angles. I know that the results might be very deceiving, as in the absence of a model, I had to add a silhouette for where the character might be placed within the frame, and it is likely that in terms of size the pictures are not really trustworthy. Still, I hope that they will be useful for tomorrow`s practice as a guideline. 

I`ve tried to place the subject near the vanishing points created by different elements within the frame. Also, it might be a good idea to try a shallow focus on some of them.

(Bog)Dan, capitan de plai...

...don`t worry, you will only get this reference if you have studied Romanian literature. As part of our project 3 we have been given the Bogdan script, a story that has as its main character a Romanian immigrant. As the previous working script we have been given, this one is also fairly ambiguous, which gives us freedom to develop our story in different directions. After a meeting last week, I have been assigned to do a character study for Bogdan, given that we wanted to avoid the all-too-obvious `Tom Hanks in Terminal portraying the imbecile yet resourceful immigrant` kind of scenario. Given my insight into Romanian society in general, we agreed that it would be a pity not to make use of this advantage. So, here is my study, focusing on creating a background story for the character (revolving around the issue of why he left his country), and trying to draw a few guidelines in as much as appearance and age are concerned.

Bogdan

- Character study-

Reason for leaving Romania

Bogdan was formerly an engineer working on a construction project that got massive funding. At realizing the corruption and machinations for money laundering that went on under the cover of the project, he decided to get out (for both ethical, but most importantly, personal safety considerations as we shall see later on). At this point though, his abrupt departure gave rise to suspicions within the press, anxious to know why a specialist would leave a well-paying job so suddenly, and while all things seemed to be running smoothly. Also, his superiors want him on the project because his being a specialist with no political affiliations and no business ties gave the team an aura of respectability. When Bogdan refuses to go back on his decision (he knows that if he does, he will be made into a scapegoat once the affair boils over), his colleagues threaten to sue him for breach of contract and mishandling of public funds. Bogdan leaves the country, hoping that his absence will make him invisible, and give no further fuel for the attacks and investigations of the press, thus making him a less inconvenient witness for his superiors. Having been to the UK a few years earlier during a professional training course, and having a reasonably good job prospect and social network to rely, he decides to move to the country to start anew. Yet, Bogdan receives some bad news from home: as a result of a fake anti-corruption campaign started off by a rival political party against Bogdan`s superiors (members of another political party), the press`s attention on the case has not diminished, quite the contrary, so now, Bogdan`s colleagues have put their threats to practice (they have started legal action against him). This creates a series of problems for Bogdan, who has trouble with applying for his job because of the legal conundrum and, subsequently, has a hard time preparing the ground for the arrival of his family. This is where our story picks up.  

Clothing

(Business) casual, a bit `boring`, mainly white or pastel-colored shirts, jumpers, jeans or black pants, coat (see photos)

Age

Around his mid 40s, which means he is still likely to make the decision to move to another country (social mobility decreases with age) but explains his need for a dictionary. Note: the generation that studied foreign languages before 1989 has acquired its knowledge from school and books exclusively; as there were no foreign TV programs on the network (communist regime banned them). So, there is a certain `school-like feeling` to this generation`s mastery of a foreign language and for Bogdan, who has been using English intermittently over the years during his work, his knowledge is uneven. Also, he is likely to be meticulous and diligent in his updating of English, this explains his note taking and his consulting the dictionary. 

Items

Turkish style coffee is very popular with Romanians and there is a strong cultural reference to Kent cigars (they were the most sought after foreign brand during the communist years, as many Romanians are heavy smokers). Suitcases are common for any man working in a white collar business, and since we assume Bogdan is a middle aged man, his choice of glasses is more `classic`.

 Now, let`s see what herr direktor comes up with!

Color-Correct me!

We`ve had a lecture on the use of color in films and while looking up videos related to the topic on Youtube, I just came across this video:

Now, this seemed to answer in part one of the questions I was to ask my tutors, about how you get your footage to LOOK like a film, not just a recording of a scene (of course, I am only talking about the visual aspect here, I know that the cinematic look is achieved through movement, both of actors and camera, sound, lighting and so on). This second video offered a tutorial, and although it was for another editing software, it just made me more aware of what effects I had to resort to in Premiere and After Effects to get a similar result.

This is a first attempt with some of the footage from the camera training we had last year with Bindni:

And here are some screenshots. It is really interesting how you can add to the story, or turn it upside down by tinting, high or low saturation, playing around with the levels.  Even minor changes, such as between the first and second capture, can alter the feel of the movie. The first one is warmer, closer to `reality` in terms of colors, but also, because of this, the viewer may not feel cosy and safe in the belief that (as visually suggested) he is witnessing the happenings of another world that is not his.

Day 0.1

Today`s seminar on the sounds we would consider including in the MALac script was really good, both for brainstorming within the group and sorting out our own scenario, and for comparing ideas with the other groups. Things seem to come together now. We had to make a list of sounds for:

*Music

*Special Effects

*Voices

*Ambient

Taking into account the conditions on our selected location (which will be a basement), we realised we`ll have to do some pre-recording of special effects and also some voice-overs.

We have a new team member as well, Ryan who will do sound recording and one of the tasks. Duncan will be adding the changes and instructions we`ve added to the script and discuss the new version during our next meeting on Monday. Also on Monday, I`ve arranged to book out the studio rooms and lighting, camera and sound equipment to do some rehearsals. Abdul and Duncan will try to get in touch with the people who have already showed interest to act. Hopefully, that will be settled as soon as possible.

Now that we have a location, Alan is doing the risk assessment over the week-end and Abdul will get the story boards ready after discussing the changes with Duncan.

So, that leaves me, Ryan and Umar to do our best on Monday and get our act together with the lighting, camera work, and sound recording, respectively. Oh, and Alan will do the (pre-)production stills

Know thy lights!

Just your basic three-point lighting tutorial, to recap some of the things we`ve learned last year.







Some useful ideas, especially the ones about what sort of lighting to use (wide, narrow) depending on the shape of your subject`s face. Also, note to self...adjust the position of your lights for each new angle you will be filming from.



This video demonstrates one of those simple tricks that you can use to figure out how good your lighting really is...really makes you wonder why you haven`t thought about it yourself? I`ve tried the technique out in my room, and it makes it pretty obvious which position of the light is preferable.

The next one deals with film noir style lighting techniques. Really interesting, I`ve been trying to replicate it, but obviously I can`t focus my desk lamp. Focus and intensity of light are essential in film noir, so that the soft, grey shadows are replaced by harsh ones. Shadows are your friends in this case.

Day 0

After a disastrous performance at today`s seminar (yeeeeeey to us!) we had our first meeting for the MALac film. Going over the script and discussing possible interpretations of it (shhhh, I`m not going to tell you about it for now), we have also agreed on the roles that each member of the team is going to take on.

Abdul: Producer, Editingm Camera assistant

Alan: Location manager, Health & Safety representative

Duncan: Director, Sound recording and post-production

Diana: Lighting and sound, Production assistant, Location assistant, titles designer

Umar:  Camera and lighting post-production and visual effects

Tomorrow, we are going to have another meeting, discuss some other proposals for the location (the ones we have looked at today prooved unsuitable for shooting) and hopefully get some feedback from people interested in acting (Abdul has posted an advert for the roles). If everything works out the way it SHOULD, the risk assessment should be on Jools`s desk on Monday, and we will be shooting on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Until tomorrow, I will be thinking about the title sequence, because we would have to change it quite a bit to make it match the interpretation we have given the script.

My morale is a bit low (very low) after today, so I might have a rather gloomy perspective on the outcome of our effort, but I guess the best thing to do is to look up some more tutorials and emerse myself in work, hoping things will come together eventually.