Test shoot reflection.

 Overall,  our test shoot in total lasted for one minute and a half(1 minute 34 seconds). In order to make it last longer, I believe that we need some scenes of the main girl character walking in the lift, at also her walking out. I also believe that on the day of filming my group and I will come up with some ideas of scenes that will make our sequence last longer than it lasted when it was a test shoot. I believe that on the day of filming and when our final product will be ready it will be clearer to a viewer. We will add some blood

and we will have one male and one female character, rather than two female, on our day of shooting we will also have our props and costumes. So, it will be much clearer to an audience member. Talking about editing, we, as a group will be able to have more time to find better sound effects and we will have a soundtrack on our final piece. I personally think that the tension was not created in our test shoot. Mainly because of the fact that we did not use any fake blood or/and costumes and the sound effects we want to use in our final piece. The camera angles that we have used in our test shoot worked well with concept,

however, I think that on the actual day of the filming we will have to improve that area. We will possibly have to add a little bt more high and low camera angles in order to emphasize the role of both characters. I belive that one of the most important factors that we will need to take into consideration while we will be filming our sequence is the fact that we will heed to be able not only to film a two minutes of our opening sequence but also to know how to apply a fake blood for it to look realistic and all of that which is tightly connected with the actual product that we will get in the end. I think that the thing that worked especially well was the way our group communicated with each other and that we listened to everyone's opinion of what and how we should do some things on our actual shoot. Sommunig up I think that our test shoot is a good material from which we can learn what and how it is better to do. How it is better to film certain angkes and how it will look in the end. From this I also found out how long our sequence is going to be if we will film only the parts that we where planning to film. So, now knowing the fact that our sequence is very short and under the time limit my group and I now know that we need to think more on how we are going to extend our sequence. 

Test Shoot

 Here a test shoot that has been done by our production group that has been edited by Adrianna. 

Plan for the test shoot.

That is the plan for our first, test shoot. On this shoot, we will be working with my production group. 

Plan for Test shoot:

We worked together as a group to create a plan for the test shoot we’re doing on Thursday, this allows us to keep organized and time-efficient within the hour we’re given to “block out” our opening sequence. 

Roles:

Adrianna- Editor/actress

Tegan- Camera Operator

Anna- Actress

Locations needed: lift, however, if we cannot use this we will shoot our sequence in the canteen. 

Characters needed: both man and woman character

Props needed: no specific props needed for our test shoot.

At 9:00 am tomorrow morning during our Media Lesson, we’re going to block out our Opening Title Sequence in the canteen, and the elevator if it’s available. 

We plan to bring tape and block out our scene, using our shot list, and storyboard to organize our filming within the hour. 

Adrianna will edit using iMovie, in order for the group to visualize the timing and order of the shots all edited together.

Because of the close proxemics, actors will be wearing masks to keep in line with COVID-19 guidelines, and this will not happen on the actual filming day.

Notes:

• Do not forget to bring some tape in order to mark the place where actors will stand 

• Don’t forget “stand-in” props, and obviously, not the actual costume, but actors will wear clothing they can move in, and create realistic fighting choreography.

Shooting the dialogue sequence.

The shooting of dialogue sequence:

I was in a group of four people, whereas all the other people had a group of three people. So it was easier for my group to be able to film the dialogue scene when two members of the group are director and camera operator. Our group was sent to our normal classroom as the location for the filming. During the filming of the sequence, we were using the following filming techniques: 1) the rule of thirds; 2) the 180-degree rule; 3) we also used " The Master and Coverage Technique". We also have used the skills that we have learned from the previous workshops, such as 1) setting up the camera; 2) setting up the microphone and connecting it to the camera; 3) how to set up the white balance; and4) how to focus camera. The only major problem we ran into is the space where we worked. It was pretty small, so in order to film some angles, such as one of the Over The Shoulder one's camera operator had to be standing very tight up to the wall. We did not really solve them, we were just working, not looking at the problems. If anything I think I should be ready to work in a tight space and with any group of people. The other thing that I think I need to be aware of for the next time is the fact that you need to give your actors little breaks in between numerous shots and that you do not need to pressurize any of the actors. 

Editing of dialogue sequence:

In order to edit the dialogue sequence, we used the same technique as we used in the editing of the first sequence that was made without sound.  I have used editing techniques that are called logging, moving rushes to bins. By using these small things, and by editing I have started to use and improve my skills of paying attention and especially close attention to the smaller details. Because when you are editing you need to pay close attention to what is going on the screen so that everything is connected nicely. When I was editing I faced the problem of the echoing of sound and I solved that problem by simply

unlinking the sound and the video, deleting the unneeded sound, and then saving the selected clip without the sound now.  Now when I had an opportunity of looking back at my footage I would most definitely improve the way our group applied the rule of thirds and the way in which we have done the over-the-shoulder shots. For the filming of my actual sequence, I will have to remember that there has to be one person who will be in charge of the camera, one in charge of the mic and etc. I will also remember that when you are editing sound you need to remember to unlink the sound from the video, and then most importantly do not forget to save it by pressing the combination of Command and S buttons. 

Editing workshop 1

 For the editing, we will be using  Adobe Premiere Pro editing software. Which is good for both those who just started with editing and for the professionals.  

The files that have not yet been edited are called rushes. They are called like that because at the end of the filming day the footage can be looked back by the director. In America, it is called "daily's" because it has been watched on the next day. The footage however is the same thing as rushes, however, this time it is the whole, unedited product. 

One of the most important things is do not to edit rushes. Because you might need them at any point of the editing process. In order to be able to make a new bin with the material that is needed to be edited you need to do some logging first. Logging is a procedure, where you need to divide all the shots on the good/successful and bad unsuccessful, the ones that you are not going to use. After you have done the logging you can put the materials that you are going to use for editing to the bin created beforehand. Now you also need to change the name of now not rushes to the names that you will be able to recognize, what is in that footage. Not silly ones. The best way to name them is something like "Wide shot of.." or "close up of..". 

In order to cut the part you want from the footage you need to click on the "I" bottom for "IN" and now you can choose what section from the part of the video where you pushed "I" and the part you want that part of the video finish you need to press "O" button for "OUT".

In any of the editing software, there are four different screen sections. Each of them is responsible for one of the processes. On the top left corner, there will be a place where you will be able to see pre-watch the scene that you are about to either edit or to move from "rushes" to a newly made bin. The bottom left corner is responsible for the files with your shots and with bins, and essentially with rushes as well. Moving to the right top corner, there you will be able to watch the part that you have already edited or the parts that you are about to edit and you are using the "I and O" technique in order to cut something. On the bottom right corner, there is a part of the timeline and the sound. So it ideally needs to be matching, and you also need to be sure that the videos are not on top of each other. That they at least are a little ahead or behind the other one. 

In order to get practice, me and my classmate Perdy have edited the short sequence. 

Here it is:

Shooting schedule.

 This is a shooting schedule for the filming of our opening titled sequence. The opening sequence was done by the other two members of my group -- Tegan and Adrianna. The shooting schedule is very important for the crew members for them in order to be able to not disorganize at any point of the filming and it also breaks down everything. 

Shooting Schedule for The Elevator scene- Adrianna, Tegan and Anna

Date	Time	Set/location	Description	Crew needed	Cast needed	Any notes
14.05.21	8:30	Filming studio	Rehearsal and Set-Up	Full crew (Tegan Adrianna, Anna)	Full Cast (Jake and Liv)	Elevator not available
14.05.21	10:00	On set- Elevator in school	Starting to film, order is the same as in the shot list	Full crew (Tegan Adrianna, Anna)	Full Cast (Jake and Liv)	FIlm everything possible except Liv’s scenes alone at the beginning
14.05.21	12:30	Lunch (?)	Hour or so break to eat	Full crew (Tegan Adrianna, Anna)	Full Cast (Jake and Liv)	The kitchen staff use the elevator for lunch
14.05.21	2:00-4:00	On set- Elevator in school	Continue shooting whatever remaining scenes we may have	Full crew (Tegan Adrianna, Anna)	Full Cast (Jake and Liv)	We only have distinct hours we are allied to use the elevator
14.05.21	4:00- 5:00	On set- Outside the Elevator	Only filming inserts which come before/after main scene	Full crew (Tegan Adrianna, Anna)	Just Liv	These will be filmed outside

Shooting list

  This is the shooting list which is made in order that we are going to film it. I did this shooting list with Tegan from my production group. I did one half and she did the other one. The shooting list is also very important for the crew in case they will forget to film some scenes or we as a production group will decide on the day that we want to add any of the scenes. 

Filming date: 14.5.2021

Production name: Elevator opening title sequence (Working Title)

Group members: Tegan H; Adrianna R; Anna L.

Props: Lanyards arrived

 

Today one of the most important props needed arrived -- lanyards. The person who was responsible for that was Adrianna.

Second camera workshop

 In our second camera workshop, we mainly studied more theoretical things and we also did some practicing of applying this theory into the filming.

You start to shoot in the order from the most complicated and longest scene to shoot to the fastest and easiest scenes to shoot.  The other thing is the fact that you also ALWAYS have to film Wide Shot first. It is done because of two things. 1: it reduces the risk of missing something out or/and it increases the possibility of the fact that that shot might include something that the director would essentially want to keep. 2: in case something happens after the shooting the first, not Wide Shot scene with the actor you will still have some footage with that actor on it. 

The continuity is very important in filming any of the scenes. If something changes from one shot type to the other then the audience might notice that and that would not look as good, and they're also might be a lot of questions.

During filming it is also important to always say the following words " Stand by! Standing by! Roll camera! Camera rolling! action! Cut!" all of these phrases let both actors and crew members that the filming is about to start ad that everyone should be on places ready to start. 

It is also important to mark the positions of both actors and cameraman because otherwise, this can also cause a continuity slip. It is also important to remember NOT to watch the footage back on the set because it is first of all wastes crew's time and it also might actors to feel uncomfortable. Because they might see themselves from the side they do not particularly like or something else might happen and in the next shot or scene, they will act differently to what was before that in the film/sequence. So that also reduces the risks of having continuity slips. 

The important thing is to not forget the 180-degree rule when you are filming the dialogue. It is used by filmmakers to treasure the audience members that they know where every character is and where all the actions are happening in the scene. As well as this factor, the 180-degree rule also helps the audience to know which of the characters is speaking (if the characters look the same) and when and why. 

The other important moment to remember is the rule of thirds. Essentially rule of thirds chops the screen in 3 horizontal and vertical areas and also puts the shot in a balanced position. The place where the lines cross, it is the area where to put the main subject of interest. Changing the camera height to the same as the subjects makes the shot more interesting, better.

Props: Fake Blood arrived.

 Today one of the prop elements that we need for our sequence arrived. It was fake blood. Adrianna was responsible for this in our group.

First camera workshop.

 The name of the camera that we were introduced to and the camera that we will be working with is called 

When you are working with expensive equipment there is a rule that calls " yours, mine". This means that whenever you give the equipment to somebody and you feel like that person has it you say "yours" and when somebody gives you equipment and you feel like you completely can hold it you say "mine". By saying so it prevents the equipment from falling and breaking and it also shows the time when you are responsible for the equipment or somebody else. 

The spirit level (picture on the left) is used in order to make the camera standing straight. With no tilted angle. In order to make the frame straight, you need to make it, so you need to make the little double of the air appear in the center of the circle (also known as a spirit level).

The best way to use the tripod is to open the bottom latches first and then open the ones that are higher. That makes it easier to increase the height of the tripod evenly. The other thing is that the handle of the tripod has to be on the right side of the tripod. So when the spirit level of the tripod is facing you the handle has to be on the right

In order to set up the camera on a tripod you have to be aware of two key things:

1. The camera is very heavy and expensive, so you need to be very gentle with it
2. You need to be careful of the surface of where came is going to be placed on the tripod is smooth, so no elements that are fixing the camera are needed to be open

In order to do so, you need to press the button on the tripod that is located on the left upper side of the tripod

 that button prevents the 'stopper' from stretching the camera  and also once you stop pushing this button once the camera is on the tripod camera is fixed. The other important thing to do in order to fix the camera on the tripod you have to turn that button on the right upper side of the tripod, so that the camera is stabilised on the tripod. To be completely sure that the camera is fixed you can do what is called "An earthquake test".  After the camera has been put on the tripod, you need to put the battery on the back of the camera, be aware of it to be previously charged. 

Continuing with the camera, in order to have a good-looking image you need to do three things: 

 

1.  You have to do focus and zoom before taking any shot -- it has to be done ur order to see image clearles and to be abke to see the details, which are very iportant once you are looking at the finished product. In order to zoom in or out and to do a focus you need to spin the special part of the camera lens

 

                     2.     You need to make sure that the white balance is wright within the frame. The site balance is so crucial in filming because it reflects the exact colors that director wants audience to see. To change the white balance on the top right corner of the display of the camera. You need to click on it and you will have the variety of the options to choose from. From the indoor lighting to cloudy weather lighting. 

          

  3. You need to change the exposure. Exposure is the amount of light that comes on the lens from the source where you are filming.  In order to change exposure you need to turn the blue circle, however, you need to apply a little more force on it.

Casting (organising our cast).

In order to organize our cast for the filming of our opening sequence, we emailed our cast members. Olivia Rooks and Jake Pratt. 

 

Then we waited for the confirmation of the fact that both of the cast members can be involved in filming, however, we got an answer only from Liv (Olivia)

The next email that we sent to both of the cast members included the exact date of the filming and all of the costumes/props elements that they will need to bring for filming. 

Both of the cast members agreed on everything and are ready for the shoot which will happen on 14 of May 2021.

Location.

 Our opening titled sequence will be filled only in one location -- lift. 

All the parts from the opening sequence will happen in the lift. 

The lift will be modern so that he is fitting the fact that both of the main characters are in the uni accommodation, the modern one. 

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It will work on pour genre very well mainly due to the fact that it will bring more tension between two characters and it will bring tension to the audience members as well. 

We will be using the lift from the school canteen. 

Costumes

 Costumes for both of the characters will reflect the fact that the characters are old enough to live alone without parents and all of that sort of stuff, but they are still not that old and that they are university students. 

For the costume for a girl, my production group and I came up with the idea that the girl will be wearing:

Business casual style women suit: 

Black trousers 

Trousers are an important element that is used in order to show the fact that the main female character is strong and that she went to the accommodation with purpose, she did not kill that guy by an accident. Because in trousers it is easier to do more physical things. Trousers will clearly show the connection between the genre and that part of the main female character's costume. 

A fitted white blouse and a black cardigan 

These two elements will connote the possible innocence of the main female character. In fact, this will also make the audience confuse between the way the girl looks and her actions towards a guy. 

Talking about the way we will supply the actress with it, I think that the actress can bring her own clothes because her clothes will not be damaged by the fake blood. But if there will not be clothes that we are looking for, then we will supply the actress with the clothes ordered from M&S. 

Talking about the costume for the guy, the main male character of the opening titled sequence. 

Hr will be wearing 

A white shirt and dark-colored trousers(black, navy blue, etc.)

The clothes that will be wearing a guy will reflect the fact that he is only partly innocent and the fact that he is from a rich family because his look is minimalistic but it also looks very mature and expensive. 

and the guy will be wearing black shoes. 

The costume for the man will be ordered from Amazon, the only part of his costume that will not be ordered are shoes. The reason for ordering g costume for a man but not for a woman is the fact that a guy's costume will get fake blood on it and it will probably not wash off. 

Props.

Talking about props, in our opening sequence we do not need that much of it. We will be using only three of them: 

University student lanyard

The lanyard will have the main man characters, due to the fact that he will be wearing a lanyard and it would be playing a role of a key to his apartment.

The lanyard will bring r.ealism to the sequence and will make the audience feel more secure about the fact that this is happening in a real-life.

 This prop we will order from Amazon. 

The other, important prop will be the letter. 

It is important because in that letter girl has all the information about the boy that she has to kill. And by using this prop she realizes that the boy that she needs to kill the boy who is in the lift with her.

This prop reflects the genre of our opening scene, by bringing the mystery and something unknown. 

This prop my production team and I are hoping to be able to get from school or a school office. 

The last prop that will be needed, and will be needed in a small portion -- is blood 

This is going to be homemade fake blood because we will not be needed a big amount of it. So, in order not to spend a lot of money on that particular prop, my group and I decided to do the blood by ourselves. The blood will be used towards the end of the opening sequence when the girl kills a guy. 

This prop reflects the genre of our opening scene, by the fact that normally in thrillers there is a small (comparing with everything else) amount of blood. That also will show to our audience the fact that the girl actually killed a guy, that it was not a play or something like that. So fake blood will bring realism. 

The ingredients for the fake blood are following:

• 3/4 cup corn syrup.

• 1/4 cup water.

• 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring.

• 5 drops of blue food coloring.

• 2 drops green food coloring.

• 1 tablespoon corn starch.