Assignment 1 depict !

                                                Pre production work for my ninety second production-

Production schedule-

Once we had planned on what we wanted to do for our short production, we knew it was important as a group to form a production schedule so then we would be able to achieve and complete the scenes we needed to do in time. We first focused on what scenes would take up the most time to film, and knew that we would have to shoot those longer scenes on a Saturday where we have longer period of time. We faced difficulty when producing the production schedule as we had to manage finding time where the three of us were free. This was like working around our jobs, college and extra activities cause we needed everyone to be there so we were able to handle all the equipment we had hence why we decided to choose a Saturday to film. In addition to that, having a production schedule was significant so we knew when we had to borrow camera equipment, the talent as well as ordering props.

Reflecting-

Reflecting back on the production schedule, overall the schedule worked well. It was very organised which was important because it meant if we were organised we could easily create a back-up plan which would help us keep up to date and be able to stay on track. As well as that we were very pedantic when it came to the schedule as we wanted to make sure times were set up so if any of us had any plans after we would be able to plan around the filming process. Not only that, we made sure to even the schedule out so we could give the film our full focus and add the attention to detail after in the post production.  However, I think we overestimated how quick filming the scenes would take. We could of easily saved a day if we knew that most of the scenes would be easily achieved in one day. Because there were certain scenes being filmed on different days, meaning we understood that things might change like weather which messes up the continuity of the film.  

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Story board-

Before filming any kind of film/production, it was important that we knew exactly how we wanted the production to turn out. This meant that we used a storyboard so we could map out our visions of what we want to produce. It was significant because it helped us through the filming and making sure we are having a similar outcome to our storyboard. What we focused on first was the duration and location of the each shot. We knew that it was a ninety second production so we had to be careful and pedantic with what we choose to do. We then focused on drawing it out because we knew it would help up when it came to actually filming cause drawing it out meant it would also help us in the post production process as we also wrote out what sounds we want to use whether that be ambient sounds and asynchronous sound. Sound was an important thing to think about before going into post production as well cause we had to make sure we had the right equipment for that scene to also record the sound.

Reflecting

Focusing on the story board of what went well and what didn’t I don’t think the story board was too bad.It was detailed with clear diagrams of what we imagine the scenes to look like and even estimating how long we want that shot to last for. However, I think we added too much in the story board; what I mean by this is that we added too many shots in meaning we were making the process harder as we were trying to fit too much into a ninety second film.

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Budgeting- 

Budgeting is a very significant part of production work cause you have to make sure you can afford certain equipment. This meant that we had to start thinking of things we needed for filming, we started to list things we needed so this was like: fake blood, mask, camera equipment (tripod, camera, lighting, microphone) and cake. Luckily we didn’t have to pay for the camera equipment but we were still responsible for buying the things that were going to be included in our film. To solve this problem we made sure to look for deals and low prices on things we needed. We made sure to go on websites like Amazon because we knew there would most likely be deals and also have fast delivery.

Reflecting 

I think budgeting was successful and had a positive outcome we didn’t spend a lot when it came to  buying props and we were thinking smartly when we were buying. Thankfully using websites like Amazon meant delivery was quick meaning we didn’t have to panic and buy back ups just in case it didn’t arrive on time.

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Email to the police-

Because we planned to do a chase scene, we knew that the location we were filming in would voice some concern. We wanted to take these precautions as we were filming a chase scene in the dark and one person would be wearing a mask which means the public could take this the wrong way. This is why we decided to email the police to inform them ahead of time so we didn’t get in trouble and it also meant it didn’t mess up our production schedule cause no one would stop us from filming then.

Reflecting-

I think emailing the police was another success for our group. The email was very formal and we made sure not to waffle in the email and get straight to the point. It was also successful because it meant we were able to continue with the chase scene and it didn’t mess up the main plot of our production as well as the production schedule.

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Shot list-

A shot list was an important document in my opinion. It had the location of where the shot would be, the narrative behind the shot, what shot it would be (for example an establishing shot) and sound that will be included in the shot. This was important cause it had all the information on and if for an instance we lost the storyboard we could always use the shot list. It meant we could be pedantic with the details we were writing and would help in the filming process.

 Reflecting-

Looking at the work we did for shot list I am personally proud of it. It helped us as a group focus more on camera angles and shots and how it would be helpful and make the film look better by using those shots. It helped plant ideas into our head and improve the production. However, in some parts it made us overthink the amount of shots that needed to be used. In some aspects of the film we should of just used basic shots to not over complicate it. This was like the chase scene, we wanted different angles but this meant having to think how many shots we would be doing and when it came to post production managing to keep the continuity of the film.

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Talent list-

Talent list was significant part of the pre-production work. It meant that we have evidence that the people that are included in the production give us permission to share our work to people. This meant our group had to print off talent release forms and give them to people who were either going to be in front of the camera or behind it and then make sure it was uploaded on the computer. It was very important that this was all done before production started.

Reflecting-

The only thing I think we could improve on when it came to the talent release forms was to get it done at an earlier time because we only managed to complete it right before production started. It meant that we had to keep making sure that the people that were going to be in the film when we needed them to so we could follow the production schedule successfully.

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Locations-

When thinking of locations we knew we didn’t want to do the whole film in college; we wanted to take the advantage of being able to take out the camera equipment and film in a different area. Using different locations also meant we could explore and find a location that fitted the vibe of our production. This is why we decided to choose the old railway that is now a walk path but when it’s night time it’s super dark. This is why we all agreed to film there cause we knew it would be quiet as well as it fitting in with the horror genre stereotype.

Reflecting-

When looking back on choosing the locations the only thing I think we should of improved was thinking of back up locations to use so if the weather conditions were terrible we would be able to film in a different place then it wouldn’t mess up the shots and the continuity of the film.

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Risk assessment- 

Risk assessments are written to make sure everyone’s safety is accounted for. Writing one for our production was important so we could make sure everything we were doing was safe and no one would get injured. Writing the risk assessment meant we had to come up with solutions in order to create a safe environment. This meant thinking of all the possible injuries that could happen when filming and how to prevent that and if it does happen, how we could help make sure no other injuries happen.

Reflecting-

Personally, I think the risk assessment was detailed and had the main possible injuries someone could have on set. In addition to that, the solutions we came up with wasn’t silly and actually helped when being on set cause we were extra careful with the equipment as well as our selves.

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Depict Evaluation

                                                                 Depict Evaluation-

We were assigned to create a ninety second production; It meant that to create a ninety second production we were responsible for making sure we had: a story board, a shot list, talent release forms, finding locations and budgeting.For this production, we were not only doing the planning of the production but we would also be responsible for the actual filming process as well as post production work.

When we were assigned the task, as a group we had to think of ideas of what we wanted to do for our production. So we started off by making a mind map of possible ideas we wanted to do. We were very drawn to the idea of doing a horror-comedy; the genre is what we all enjoyed watching so we knew it would be fun to create a horror-comedy. We also knew that because we enjoyed horror-comedy’s it would be easier to include the iconography of a horror-comedy into it and be precise with the details we wanted to include ,like blood . When also thinking of ideas we started to think of what locations we wanted to film our production, so we started to list locations as we knew that we wanted it to be in an outside area to create a chase scene. Having ideas helped us paint a picture in our head of what we wanted our film to look like. After discussing ideas we knew we wanted to include a a chase scene as well as a cooking scene to include the comedy side to it.

Once we got the ideas and decided on what we wanted to do the next part was to start planning and fill out documents before we did any filming. The documents I had to fill and was responsible for were: shot list, production schedule and risk assessment. As a group we decided to contribute and take it in turns to fill out the minutes and we all did the talent release forms together. We all contributed to these forms cause we thought it would be easier to share that so then no one would forget. I was responsible for shot list which means I had to write out each shot. This means I wrote out: where the location would be, the narrative of that shot, what type of shot we are doing (for an example long shot or establishing shot) and the type of sound or music that will be used in that shot. It was important that the shot list got done so we had a pedantic plan that could help us in the production process. The production schedule was also important as it had to be detailed and correct because it was giving the information of when we were filming and also editing. Then I had the role of the risk assessment, this was significant to do as there is always risks when it comes to production work as well working outside. Personally I think I contributed a lot when it came to filling out documents, I made sure they were filled out on time and made sure they were detailed enough.

I think for most of it the planning did reflect on the finished work we had. Even though we changed a lot, we still stuck to the main idea of what we wanted to do. Not only that, but if we didn’t plan I don’t think the film would of turned out how it did as well as realising that we needed to adjust some plans to improve our production. When it came to planning we were very optimistic with what we wanted to achieve. We realised that adding too much into a ninety second production wouldn’t be helpful and would make it hard when it came to the post production section.In my opinion, I think it was helpful that we changed plans while filming as it was helping us improve and create solutions and work as a team.

Throughout the filming we made a lot of changes. Originally, we had a bystander scene that would show a random person finding a dead body. We realised that it wouldn’t work well in with the production cause it didn’t make sense and would also be wasting production time. So to improve this we had added a missing poster at the end so the audience could understand the main plot without making it more confusing by adding loads of shots. There was also changes when it came to the chase scene; we had problems due to the weather so we had to make some changes and have the chase scene be shot in the daytime. Our solution was to put the first scene in black and white to keep some of the continuity so when it came to the chase scene it didn’t look terribly different. It also means that when it comes to the cooking scene the colours would come out more vibrant and make the film more light hearted and have the comedy aspect come into the production.

Personally I think the cooking scene was successful. It was successful because it went to plan and how we imagined. It went successful because the camera quality was good and managed to stay in focus. Along side that, the lighting was good which helped with the camera quality especially when we wanted because it was going to bring the comedy aspect to into it. Not only that, but in post production editing went successful which brought the scene together. We added effects such as tv static filters and music which worked really well together and made it better than we imagined. Another scene that I thought was successful was the opening scene to our production. It was successful because at first I was curious how we were going to make sure the quality was good when shooting at night. However,  it turned out great cause we made sure to bring good lighting and it helped to keep the camera in focus. We also managed to film the scenes we needed quite quickly; we expected for it to take quite a long time but because we all worked well together it made the filming process efficient.

When looking back and watching the film we created, I already knew that there were improvements that needed to be made.Improvements I saw that needed to be made was the chase scene.When coking up with the idea of a chase scene we knew it would be hard to film and it would take longer time compared to other scenes. It needs to be improved because there wasn’t a lot of continuity in this scene; in the opening scene the character is wearing no coat and when it jumps to the chase scene the character is wearing a coat . This is because it was filmed in the day time as well as their being poor weather conditions. To improve this next time I will make sure to check the weather forecast when planning out the production schedule. It meant that this scene also affected post production work as the chase scene didn’t flow because of cutting out certain clips so it could make more sense for the audiences point of view. Another scene that needed to be improved was the credit roll scene. It was the first scenes to be filmed meaning it was something we definitely needed to improve as we were learning by doing when going through the whole filming process. When in post production we realised the credit roll scene was out of focus meaning we had to spend time editing to make it a little bit more clear. To do this we had to go on colour (Adobe premiere 2021) and raise the saturation; we came up with the solution to add effects like tv static to make it look like it was on purpose and a posture we got out of it was that it improved it a little bit because it made sense to the film.

Overall, I enjoyed this project. I was able to get creative and think outside of the box with how I wanted the outcome of my film to look like. What I enjoyed the most however, was being able to learn and understand how to work a camera. I have never used a camera before  especially to entertain others so it was interesting to explore and look at it from the perspective of a creator. It was fun being able to work with people I wouldn’t usually work with as our ideas bounced off of each other and everyone has interesting imaginations which helped improve the film; as well as understanding how much time goes into pre-production, production and post-production work.