Review On Test Shoot

Review On The Test Shoot 

When talking through the Test shoot we carried out we all agreed that it was extremely rushed and unclear. However, we do understand that we only had 40 minutes to film this with both a lack of resources and little time.  The test shoot enabled us to understand what was working and what was quite obviously not. 

We all talked and decided that although the use of extreme closeups appeared effective, it was made clear that in order to make the shots less dull as well as unfolding more information to the viewer, it will be vital to switch between closeups and extreme closeups. Nevertheless, we feel the use of extreme closeups helped create an intense atmosphere; that being one of our main aims for the audience. Another thing we realised when watching back the test shoot is that sometime the camera was not level with the subject when it was vital to be, an example being when filming the police shoes walking through the door. Therefor when filming our final outcome for our opening title sequence it needs to be made certain that the camera is in line, this make the footage far more clean. 

One major issue we discovered was that the scene was far shorter than we had hoped due to it being essential the scene meets the two minute mark. In response to this issue we came together as a group and highlighted that we could make the shots slower and longer, which will also ensure the majority of the details of the crime scene will be picked up on by the viewer, additionally it would create a more intense mood. We also discussed more clips that we could add, an example being a close up of the woman's frozen, distressed face whilst being arrested as well as her hands trembling and shaking in fear. We concluded that there were several shots that we had not included due to mainly the lack of props, eg- Childs back pack. So hopefully after considering these factors, the sequences duration will become correct. On the actual filming day we hope to set up an entire crime scene, maybe at Cornhill manor. Therefor hopefully we will. take a wide range of footage, resulting in having enough and lots to chose from.

Moreover, when discussing the tension we have created, we came to the agreement that the sound effects such as the police sirens and wheel turning, played a major role in creating a tense uneasy atmosphere, although the story line was lost. But in spite of that we are almost certain that when having props, which are vital for the crime scene as well as actors this will be created much more. For example having a kids helmet and kids bike will add a sense of horror for the audience due to the realisation that it is in fact a kid whom has been murdered. The use of Police tape helps create tension due to the connotation with something bad have happened. We also believe that we should only make clear that it was a kid whom died among the last few shots, before that it should just be the build up and details of the crime scene.

When carrying the discussion as a group, regards to our opening title sequence , some things were made especially clear to not be working at all, such as the voiceover vocalising 'it wasn't me, it wasn't me'. It sounded out of context and sounded more humorous than anything else. Although if placed in the correct place and spoken by an actor in a clip like the lady in the handcuffs in hysterics this could then potentially appear extremely effective. Another thing we feel we didn't achieve was making clear the mother is the main character due to not giving her enough screen time, we wish to show the woman in hysterics and show more of her hyperventilating. On the other hand we all agreed that the sound effects and the use of closeups on both the crime tape, placement of gloves on the forensics and the wheel turning appeared extremely successfully.

Test Shoot

 Here is our edited Test Shoot, made using our phones and resources we had laying about:

Planning/ filming Of Test Shoot

Planning of Test Shoot 

Carrying out a brief test shoot is vital , in order to see if our idea will actually work, as well as come to a conclusion of what camera angles and shots will appear best. By carrying this out it will allow us to have a clearer more developed plan of what exactly we are going to do, leaving us with less stress and more time on the day of filming due to truly having understood and knowing what we must do resulting in us simply getting on with it.

In response of being set this task, we got together as a group and wrote a plan, this plan excluded a list of the order of what we are going to film, the props each individual must bring in and whom is going to substitute in for each character due to not having any actors at this moment in time.

Here is a brief plan we wrote:

In regards to actors we had to use both ourselves, as well as asking our friend whom was free to stand in for the woman.  Moreover, due to not being able to have access and get hand of most of the props and equipment needed for our opening title sequence, we tried to find alternatives for the things we could:

Bike bell- printed of an image

Fake Blood- Ketchup

Police Tape- Orange duck tape

Handcuffs-  Orange duck tape

Lastly, on subject of location we used the outside of Hurtwood house, due to this resembling some rich family home with a large driveway similar to what we want to use for our opening sequence. However it was a tiny bit problematic due to it being one of the main parts of the school so many people passed, meaning we had to redo some takes.

Overall, except for several complications as stated above the shoot did go fairly smoothly and helped us understand what is realistic and what is quite obviously not, as well as having a clearer idea of what we need to include, what we don't, the time duration, actors we may need etc.

 

Mood Board

The genre for are Opening Title Sequence is Thriller, my mood board highlights this hugely through the use of Titles. At this moment in time we have talked about

having are titles presented through the use of blood which has been used to create the words.

As shown in this photo I also think that by using the papers with numbers on scattered around it again highlight a crime or murder has taken place.

These photos of the blood and glass on the pavement again confirm the genre is in fact thriller due to the gruesome imagery.

The themes of our sequence include Crime and Mystery. This is portrayed through the use of forensics as well as disturbing images including blood, additionally police related pictures:

The characters we are using including forensics, police and a middle aged woman.:

Brief New outline

Brief Outline Of Our Opening Title Sequence 

In todays lesson we took on board our feedback, and we came to the conclusion that we liked the idea around the concept of a mystery murder. Over the weekend our group got together and developed a new outline for our opening title sequence. We decided upon an opening title sequence as we feel if we do it right it will appear extremely uniquely and successfully. We believe are idea fits an
opening title sequence much better  than an opening scene, due to the detail and use of close ups that we wish to establish. 

Moreover, we came to a decision that our idea will follow the outline of a young boy being murdered after being knocked of his bike and an unknown woman being blamed in response to the murder, she is placed in handcuffs while forensics investigate the scene,  leaving the viewer questioning whom she is and whether she did it.

Location- rich family house, leaves audience in suspense changing the stereotype 

Actors- Middle aged woman, police officers, forensics

Throughout this opening title sequence close ups of the crime scene: 

1.     Bicycle spinning and slowing down - using extreme closeup's so the audience are not certain that its a child's wheel. 

2. Shot of broken glass on the floor.

3. Shot of forensics. (eg- shot 1, Shot 2)

4. Extreme closeup of woman in handcuffs.

5. facial expressions of police officers in shot

6. Broken helmet covered with blood.

7. young Childs shoe, appearing extremely dirty.

8. Tape being put up around incident.

9. Police lights flashing over incident 

10. Flashing light of camera that follows into another scene 

11. putting on white gloves 

12. Picking up bell of bike and placing in an investigation bag

Titles are going to be placed on the screen consisting of peoples names and titles appearing on the scene written with blood, creating a creative, different and unique sequence.

The rest of the film would follow the lady trying to clear her name and prove her innocence following her sons death. Whilst mourning her son.

Teams Call With Matt

Call With Matt

Today, we had a teams call with matt, due to him having COVID at the moment we had to have our conversation and exclaim our updated idea to him over teams, Matt helps with all things practical and we need his approval to get the go ahead.  Gladly, we received the green light on our idea which is extremely positive due to this enabling us to work forward with this idea and carry on developing it and most importantly carry out our test shoot. 

He also discussed several ideas with us including:
- Due to wanting a wealthy family home, we discussed where this may be and came to the conclusion Cornhill Manor will work extremely well.

- Creating a crime scene on set- By setting out and creating an entirety of a crime scene before shooting will make it extremely easy to take both our closeups and extreme closeups on set in little time.

- Discussed adding a shot of the Woman's head being pushed into the bag of the police car making it clear she has in fact been arrested.

Forensic And Protocol On A Crime Scene Research

As referred to on - https://accessdl.state.al.us/AventaCourses/access_courses/forensic_sci_ua_v22/01_unit/01-03/01-03_learn_text.htm  

The 7 S's of a Crime Scene investigation are: 

- Secure the Scene:

This must be carried out by the first officer to arrive on the Scene, this includes making sure everyone around the area is safe and cutting off the area to preserve evidence. (Using crime scene tape) 

- Separate the Witnesses

By separating
 the witnesses it ensures that they don't talk, due to this enabling witnesses or the criminals themselves to come to a decision of what they are going to tell the officers, or in other words make up a 'cover story'.

- Scan the Scene

Here they'll identify where exactly the crime may have taken place, or places related to the crime.

- See the Scene 

The photography unit will take pictures of items identified during the initial scan, Photographs are taken here of the overall area, including closeups. They use evidence markers with numbers on.

- Sketch the Scene

A sketch is taken to highlight the crime scene, this is vital so if needed they can recreate the scene at a different location. ( including the date, time, location, date number, objects in the room , location of evidence etc.) 

- Search for Evidence

A search takes place to ensure nothing has been overlooked in the steps before.

- Secure and Collect Evidence 

placed in plastic bags and are then in the hands of the law, each person whom touches the evidence must complete a chain of custody. 

Crime Scene Key Facts 

Before any CSI steps foot on a crime scene they must wear a full set of extremely protective clothing, covering almost every inch of their body. ( Boot Covers, latex gloves a hood and a mouth guard.) By wearing this it makes it almost certain they will not contaminate the crime scene.

The first police officer that arrives on scene should set up a corder using tape, in order to protect all evidence within.

Officers must use a common approach path from the edge of the crime scene to the focal point. Usually stepping plates will be used within this region to keep the evidence safe.

The CSI must always be weary of environmental factors due to in some cases this compromising the evidence (rain, snow). In these cases the crime scene investigation may need to be done faster.

Research Into The Making Of Fake Blood In Film

 The making Of Fake Blood In Film 

I have decided to research into the making of blood in film, due to blood being a vital aspect  in the making of our opening title sequence. I would like to discover a method which is both simple as well as the outcome appearing realistic and effective. 

In film it is very rare that the blood seen,  is in-fact a product which they have simply purchased online, but is actually, in most cases carefully planned out and made using ingredients in order to appear realistic.

Fake blood was originally used in theatres and on stage for many years before film, at a Prisian theatre they famously use to mix glycerol, carmine pigment and glysterol in order to generate this fake blood.

I researched into the steps to make the blood, in away that makes it appear realistic and real, I watched a few videos and came to the conclusion this was the best technique due to the video being directed for the making of fake blood in films: 

Step 1- Add corn syrup.

Step 2- Add an opacifier, or in my case flour and stir. 

 

Step 3- Then add a large amount of red food die and stir.

Step 4-  Then add a smaller amount of blue food die and stir.

Then your done :)

Making my own fake blood:

Feedback From Pitch - Change Of Plan

FEEDBACK

Today, we realised that our idea was creative yet not realistic, we received feedback from our teachers in which we reflected on and have decided to adapt our scene accordingly.

The first thing we realised was by having a bath filled with fake blood, although most likely appearing effective the chances are it would stain due to baths usually being white. Consequently whom ever's bath it is will be left with an expense. 

We also came to the conclusion that flashbacks are not usually placed at the start of the film due to it leaving the viewer confused and wondering what is really going on.

From this feedback we've decided that we are going to use the same story line in order to come up with a new opening scene, maybe setting it from where the woman gets arrested with her response being more in shock rather than her crying hysterically this will make the viewer question is she guilty or is she not?

Opening Title Sequence Pitch

 

Camera Workshop 2

CAMERA WORKSHOP

Today,  the 18th of January we carried out our second camera workshop where we learnt a variety of the key camera skills needed for film. The 180 degrees rule in film is used in order to maintain visual regularity, the camera must stay on one side of the imagery line breaking up the characters. This makes certain theres no confusion for the viewer as-well as making clear the geographic context. 

We then covered the rule of thirds which refers to the division of the frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically. This enables you to view the hot-points, where you should place objects or the actors in order to make it more visually pleasing due to the camera focusing on this. The top right hot point being the most important due to the viewers eye initially being drawn there ( eg- reading left to right). 

The order which is usually seen as correct to shoot in is a wide shoot due to it establishing the scene, then  a medium and close shot enabling a closer, clearer perspective.  We were also taught how vital continuity is when cutting from shot to shot and from scenes, as if when filming continuity does not persist the clips will not flow and it could both confuse the viewer as well as looking un professional. We were then introduced to marks and why they are used, discovering that there in use to make sure actors consistently go to the same spot again portraying continuity.

Furthermore, we were made clear of the essential call outs that are vocalised by the director,  The first one being 'Stand by' referring to getting reading, in response everyone around would reply 'standing by' to make clear everything is in place to start filming, 'roll camera' which is stated by the director vocalising  to start  filming. 'Camera rolling' stating the camera is rolling, and then 'action' and 'cut' referring to when the scene starts and ends.

You film before saying action to give the actors some time to get into character and know when to start and creates time to make sure everything is in place to start the scene, eg- camera is in the right shot, switched on etc. Additionally you keep the camera rolling after saying cut to make sure you dont cut out anything that could be used as you can always edit after but cannot add.

Lastly we were told that you should never watch the footage back on set, this is firstly because it wastes time and also for the actor sake so they dont see the way their doing something or the way they look and act differently.

Camera Workshop 1

CAMERA WORKSHOP 1 

On Monday 17th January I participated in my first ever Camera Workshop. In this worksop we were introduced to the Black Magic URSA mini camera as well as a tripod, we were taught how it works and how to set it up correctly. First, we were taught about the 'yours' and 'mine' rule which consists of saying 'yours' when passing a piece of expensive equipment, then when your ready for the other person to carry the weight, which they would respond 'mine' when they are holding it securely stating the other person can let go.

When learning how to use the tripod, it was made clear that you must loosen the bottom knobs to adjust the hight followed by the top ones in order to add more height, this both maintains safety as well as preventing the camera falling over. We then learnt about how to focus the camera and zoom in, to focus the camera it is necessary to zoom in first using the zoom dial on the front of the camera lens. This makes sure that the subject is clear, following this you adjust the focus using the focus dial. 

To make sure the camera is stable and level you use the Spirit level. In order to use this effectively you have to make sure the air bubble is in the the centre of the circle, then you can adjust the camera positioning accordingly and make sure its straight by tightening it from underneath. 

Moreover we were made clear of the fact that the ISO on the camera should be kept at 400, as well as learning that white balance refers to the adjustment of colours in order to make the image look correct and natural. These colours in the shot are determined by the setting of your white balance. You chance the white balance by selecting one of the symbols depending upon your location, eg- cloud- for cloudy weather. 

Lastly we covered striking the kit refers to packing up and putting everything away, including placing the camera back in the box, putting the tripod away, as well as everything else. 

Talking About Our Concept

Talking about the concept of our idea

We were placed into our group,  In response we decided to meet after class to have a discussion about our next steps. It was made clear we all needed to read through one another's Ideas due to it being beneficial so that we could all voted for whom's we would like to develop and move forward with. We liked the idea of my first idea (girl walking to the bus- stop) and thought we could go with the same concept, and additionally adapt it in a way thats more realistic and included everyones ideas. 

Moreover, We took a video on my laptop of us explaining this developed concept we had all agreed upon, in order to remember the details for when writing it up and coming back to it the following day. 

However after talking this through, we face timed to again develop the concept and start writing up our pitch. However later that night, as well as talking to our teacher the following morning, we came to the realisation that we cannot count on filming at a train station or a bus stop because of a range of issues, worries of Covid restrictions, not knowing how busy the station is, and most importantly we simply cant count on the the hope a train or bus will pass. This would make it difficult to get enough takes off this scene in this short period of time we have to film. 

From this we have all determined that although liking this idea it is quite frankly not realistic enough, and  therefor we must reevaluate the ideas we decided not to follow up on as well as brainstorm more.

Getting Placed Into Our Groups

Today we were placed into the groups which we will be working in to cary out are opening scenes/ title sequences. I was placed into a group with Freya Soley and Grace Ramsay.

We discussed times in which we could meet both in school hours and after school in order to work on producing this Sequence. It was made clear that for myself and Grace this would be extremely easy due to being roommates, additionally Grace and Freya have the same free periods as-well us all having time after school and in our free time to meet to discuss this.  

Moreover we created a Whatsapp group, which will result in us being able to communicate efficiently.

Idea 3 for opening scene

CONCEPT-  IDEA 3 

Genre- crime

Starts with the two men shaking hands, one being the financial advisor of England and the other being a lucky draw winner who gets to cut the ribbon of the opening of number 10 downing street after major developments.  

The financial advisor makes a short speech- '  im so very grateful for the support of you the public in these challenging times with the on going development over the last few months of some of the Uks most historical buildings today we gather to open and show a virtual tour of the new developed number 10. Which we hope will continue to be the centre of the decisions of this prime minister and future prime ministers to come. Im joined with ...... (point to hid on his left) who will now proceed to cut the ribbon before we cut to a live footage of inside to the prime minister who himself will give us a tour of the new and improved number 3. 

The press CONSISTANTLY taking a load of pictures!

Here wed cut, to resemble the look of how it would look on the tv. Here the door to 10 Downing street will be opened followed with screams of horror from the journalists and people around number 10, due to there being photos on the wall of controversial things the prime minister and secretary have been up to, as well as blood scattered on the walls. 

Screaming persists and the financial advisors runs at the camera to cover it as it slowly disconnects to an off Tv server.

The rest of the film would be the discovery and mystery of whom has done this and why, aswell as explored the national disaster and how the country will move on.