Short Films: Group Discussion

On the project Trapped the director had decided he didn’t want to re- film a second edit all that had changed was a second cut from the beginning because some of the shots were too dark for example when he is running round in the room down in the cellar wasn’t clear enough to begin with but the camera operator and the director re-filmed this particular scene. As a group we thought some of the scenes were not as well as they could be shot and could be made to look more realistic but the director decided he didn’t want to re- shoot so we already had our final edit.

In the other projects Pause and Kids and Pranks, we were all contributing in both of the projects so we arranged dates that we could all meet up which first began with the 3^rd June which was cancelled because the actress in Pause short film she was also a camera operator in Kids and Pranks was not very well on the day. But also Daniel the director of Pause told us just before we couldn’t use the current location we used before at his to film this also effected Kids and Pranks because the actor John was the main character in that film. As we had many problems we had to delay filming to the 6^th June.

We then planned to film on the 6^th June which didn’t go to plan either because Daniel the director of Pause said again we couldn’t use his house as a location that once again affected Kids and Pranks for the main character. We were going to film in another location but the directors came to a decision that they didn’t want to re-film for a final cut because they couldn’t get a location and didn’t have the money to travel to the location.

The Amy and Poppy Show/ Production Assistant for Sound Hounds

Today was production day. We all arrived at the studio for 9am where we all set up and decided where we wanted which lights to go where and where we wanted the sofa for the presenters to go. I and Amy worked with the Production Assistant to get the timings of each of our segments of us talking would last around and get the length of the each of the videotape items because this would help us when filming to know how long we had left. We also had to get the script into the autocue and everything set up for production.

At about 9:50am we started our first take of rehearsals and recording this take we didn’t get all the way through we didn’t deliver the lines as well as we possibly could and we was getting confused with cameras moving and not shooting on the camera we agreed and the autocue was going a bit quick. We tried again which it was very similar to this so we went and spoke to the director and discussed a better arrangement. We had a few difficulties on the way when things would stop working which caused a bit of arguments and problems which delayed us quite a lot by the time all this had happened we didn’t so much time left so we did a last take.

Our final take went quite good I thought I don’t think it went as good as I would have hoped maybe we could have addressed the audience better and it’d be more of a laugh. I and Amy was getting quite stressed because of cameras not begin where we had discussed we had to but I think the deliver went well because the autocue was going quite slow at one part I did miss a line me and Amy were supposed to deliver and the same time. But all in all I think we did a good job except for some technical difficulties but I think as presenting we did a good well and said what needed to be said.

To improve next time I think I would like to be more out there and having a great time so we was getting our audiences attention and if we had some dialogue and few changes I think it’d of gone really well. But because of the stress I think it nudged us from delivering it as well as we possibly could have.

Today, I also helped out being in Sound Hounds I jumped in being their production assistant which I basically using writing and communicating skills to keep track of timings of each of the videotape items and adverts and then let them know how long we have left. Also I had to try making sure everything went okay.

They had a few problems as a few people were late from printing of scripts and other paperwork that were needed. In the meantime rest of group members were setting up the studio to make it ready for their show and getting the lighting correcting.

When we read through the script they realised it was right as it didn’t fit to the videos they had to see we had to go through the script and change lots of paragraphs and words to make sure it made sense to the videos we had and then some of the videos didn’t work which we then had to change again to make sure it did work correctly then we had to input all of this in the autocue.

I got a record of all the timings of the videos and each section so I could give timings of how long we had left so I could let everyone know and make sure we was always on time. I did a countdown from before we went back to the studio.  I also let the floor manager know how long we had left of the whole two hour slot.

We did two proper recording all the way through which I think they went quite successful and they did a real good job of it going smoothly and going from one shot to another. We did another one just to make sure it was good enough and because we had enough time in the time limit.

Overall, I think I did an alright job of making everything go well and smoothly I tried to make everyone get on so we could start filming. I did all the timings and wrote them down and let everyone know. 

The Amy and Poppy Show Script

Today, I and Amy carried on working on our script that we began the week before. We started to work from scratch because our original version would have been dragged out a lot longer that was possible. This is because we counted up all the timings of each of our videotape items and adverts which made us only have 4 to 5 minutes to play around with talking time in the studio.

We began starting our script very simple just introducing ourselves like any other program but we added a connection like between both of us that related to like Ant and Dec to make us known to be like them as we made a reference of being the female version of them but actually better. We also made it as if we were finishing each of sentences so once again it was like Ant and Dec and like there’s a connection.

As we didn’t have much talking time we had a few comments to each other between each of the videotape items then just introduced everything and commented on it after.

I think our script was very simple but effective it included some funny parts in and just added a nice chilled out effect as the age we are aiming to hit. But if I had any improvements I probably would try and make it longer if I could and make some of the videotape items shorter so we could talk more or even have a interview or singer or something to make it stand out and not be just videos. 

Production/Post-production (Make up challenge)

Today, we were planning on filming mine and Amy’s Make up Challenge video at about 9.30 am in the television studio. Whilst Kyle, Kenny and Luke edit Chadachino and Cooking like a Bause with Extra Sauce on Final Cut Pro back in the classroom. Jonathan was going to be doing the Get Fit pre-production paperwork so we could quickly film a little version for a VT item sequence in our video. Me and Amy changed our cameraman to be Chad as he was available at the time whilst the director of Get Fit! Was currently busy.

We were on schedule as we got into the television studio about 9.20am and started setting up. We moved the sofa towards the back corner of the studio and brought round the green screen as this felt a more appropriate colour than black and blue because it just stood out more. I began to set up the tripod with Chad as we got it at an appropriate level which was a mid-shot of us both sitting down. We wanted to go with a theme like we did shoot it ourselves without a cameraman or anything or different shots because we thought it would be more appropriate to do it this way because of the style of the show and the presenters we are crazy and outgoing so we wanted our video to be like that and not professional.

I brought my own camera with me which is a Canon 60D we used mine because it is much easier to film with and we wanted to keep going down the route of us doing it ourselves and not a real film that we cut and stop it.

When we got that set up we got a little table in front of the sofa where we put our entire make up during the video so it was easy to access but it wasn’t something we could in the actual video.

We made 3 different sections this was because of interruptions. The first section was where we introduced ourselves and said what we were doing in this week’s video we made it like that because we wanted to do this like we do a weekly video. Then we got straight into Amy putting my make up on first so this meant she was blind folded. Then we stopped the video and made a separate section for when I put Amy’s makeup on. Then the end section was just a closing message thank you for watching.

I think our filming went successfully it went exactly how we wanted and what we expected so we were happy with it. It was a shame we had a few interruptions because that got in the way where we had to cut the footage and make it look more unnatural. But I think we worked well as a team and thought that what our video was made for within the show was totally appropriate and what we wanted.

When we finished filming we decided as a group we were not to use the Get Fit! Idea it took a lot of time to realise we didn’t want to because we couldn’t film something that would look suitable enough and as good as we expected. So because of this we decided that we would use some past videos we have created before we are going to be using Chad shopping channel video where he tells a Slanket and cut it down to an advertisement then we also used Video Killed The Radio Star music video.

Me and Amy decided to edit our videos which took a very long to load on the computer which we didn’t expect so this put us back in time quite a lot. When we began editing it took a lot of time because our footage was a lot longer than we expected it to be so we had to cut out masses of it which caused a lot of stress and we didn’t know what we wanted to cut and what we wanted to keep. It took us a long time to cut a lot down but it didn’t seem to make as much sense when we did because it missed a lot of talking and just general from one piece of make up to the other. We finally edited the videos in two separate ones which were about 5 minutes apiece we ran over the deadline by a long time which we didn’t want to do.

Whilst out final cuts were exporting we recorded a few voice recording for Jonathan who were creating the opening titles so he would work through them and put on which was best and went with the show.

Overall, I feel the day went successful and that our final cut videos I were happy with and turned out how I wanted them to do. The only disadvantage was missing the deadline because of the time it took to export and import the footage to begin with. 

Pre-production

We all got in our separate groups for the VT items and started doing the paperwork. We needed to do a synopsis, storyboard, breakdown sheets and risk assessments. For our synopsis we just basically said what our little VT was about and what we were going to be doing.

Then the storyboards Amy drew the four shots as this is what decided then I filled in the description boxes. We decided to stick to the same shot type all the way through as our video will just be linked into the show to what we did later and will not be complicated but just filmed by ourselves. The first shot was us introducing ourselves and what we were going to do then followed on to Amy starting to put make up on me then us talking about that then me putting make up on Amy then finishing up with a goodbye message.

Then Amy completed the breakdown sheet it was fairly straightforward as we had a few make up props like blusher, foundation, mascara etc. Then our crew role Jonathan Cawston the camera op and I and Amy are going to be cast members. I at this point was filling out our risk assessments which we didn’t have any concerns or risks that may occur. Then got our paperwork signed off.

Jonathan was started the opening credits for the show to make it entertaining as possible he was trying out as many effects  just trying out different fonts and transitions etc to make it look effective.

Next time on 23^rd May we are planning to get straight on with filming the Make up challenge in the studio with Jonathan our camera operator whilst everyone else begins to edit their videos. Then we are going to film the Get Fit video then edit them all ready for the end of the lesson.

Presentation/Pitch

When we started Bryony asked us if we would mind her joining our show so we many tiny changes in the crew roles as she wanted to be a camera operator or presenter but as we already had the presenters chosen which we preferred on because the presenters work together well which will make the show flow well and seem natural. Kyle said he would be a production assistant so that Bryony could be a camera operator as well as a floor manager.

After we got that sorted we cracked on with our presentation which we had about two hours to do. We did a slide of the presenters and a few pictures then we did a slide on all the production crew roles so that it was made clear. Then we made a slide each for the VT items and Ads.

VTs and Ads:

Cooking – this was directed by Kenny, Kyle and Luke and also presented by them. This video they are going to do a cooking segment for something ridiculous. Ben is going to be in this video for being the taster.

Reviews - Directed and Presented by Ben and Bryony. They will basically giving a review on songs and games they like. Also they will be giving the prices.

Make up Challenge – Amy and Poppy directing and presenting. Basically one of us will have a blind fold on and be doing the make-up of the other one of us then swapping round. This video was inspired from Zoella on YouTube.

Get Fit – This will be directed by Jonathan as he is not being in any other videos. All of us will be taking part in this and be getting fit.

Chadachino – Is going to be Chad selling his own brand of coffee in an advert. This will link to the comedic effect and the theme of the show.

We are also hoping to use the melon advert from last year’s groups which is donating money to melons that also links to the ridiculous of our show. Also we would like to use the other groups advert and for them to be able to use ours if not we will ask if we can use another one of last year’s adverts.

At 11.40am we decided to pitch our ideas to the other group so we were selling our show to them. I thought it went really well and was pleased with the outcome with few slight changes in that is filming and how we are going to film some of the parts. 

Final ideas (Amy and Poppy Show)

After pitching our first ideas into mini groups we got into groups of 9 because this is half of the class in two groups. We got into groups considering who is good with filming and is reliable and also the ideas of their first idea in the mini groups.

Together as a group we spoke about as many creative and comedic ideas a possible as we wanted to go with a comedic theme rather than serious. We thought this would be good as it could draw in our audience. Just before the ideas we wrote down the production roles for the actual show and what everyone would be doing.

Chad Bronson – Director

Ben Hayes – Vision Mixer

No decided yet – Production Assistant

Kyle Jones – Camera Op/ Floor Manager

Luke Mellor – Camera Op

Kenny Pope- Camera Op

Jonathan Cawston – Autocue

No decided – Sound Op

Amy Mills and Poppy Furness – Presenters

All we had to do from this was find somebody to be our production assistant and sound operator so we had a full production crew. But a person from our group was not here so they are only 8 of us at the moment.

Chad our director started writing down our ideas as we all discussed them and thought of ones that were on the list of what we might do. We came up with quite a long list from Bake offs, Fashion, Zumba, Yoga and Chadachino Ads.

At the same time as this we was thinking of names for our show which we could not decide so it was still a working title we didn’t come up with many suggestions that we all agreed on such as studio life.