Very productive week with more of the script done, camera booked for shooting next week and camera cards under development for interior shooting! Group has come back from christmas raring to go and we seemed to have learnt from our mistakes in the first term. The next few weeks will be stressful but I’ll try my best to make the sessions as light hearted as possible with my amazing jokes (HA!) Lets see what week 2 brings…
Month: January 2012
Week 0: Back to Work
Group Meeting 1. Tuesday 10th January. 10am. Library.
This meeting was mainly focused on getting back on our feet and improving ourselves, not just for the film, but what could very well mean the very outcome of our degrees. It was decided early on that I would step down as Head Editor and take on the role of Co-Head Set Designer due to my lack of knowledge of the software we use for editing. I simply could not get my head around it and did nothing to rectify this. I instead relied on the talents of Jack Wood who can operate the software. It was mutually agreed amongst the group that I was much better suited to the rectified role.
We were given “homework” prior to this meeting, in that we should come up with some objectives that we should aim to fulfill during the Term. Mine were:
- To not get stressed out. When I get stressed out, I can be rather unpleasant. Rachel, our producer, always puts me in my place when this happens and rightly so. My stress levels did not help with morale last term and I’m aiming to focus my stress levels on something that the whole team won’t be affected by.
- To be more imaginative in the set design. When we put the set together last term, it was not until we looked at the footage that we realized we were very limited in camera movement. Myself and Shiv (Co Head of Set) are aiming to do something in which Joel (camera technician) can be really creative but at the same time make it a believable world on-screen. I also want to be more ambitious. Last term we were too cautious and this led to a good set but not a GREAT set.
- Take constructive criticism better. I have to admit that this is just not an objective for my degree but my objective in life itself. I have never taken constructive criticism well at all and even when I try to take it on I always end up going along the lines of “No! I’m right!“. But if I am going to get anywhere in this industry then I’m not going to get very far thinking this way. So this is where I make a genuine effort.
One of the main objectives handed out to the whole group was to focus on what and how we can do something rather than saying how we cannot. Lack of ambition was mentioned in my feedback and we intend to turn that on it’s head.
It was also decided in this meeting that the first set of scenes we will aim to shoot first are the Bedroom/Union Jack scenes. We are extremely excited about this as there is a surreal element to it and, therefore, gives us much more creative freedom.
For me, it is incredibly exciting the scene in the script! It has so much potential. It is my personal opinion that this scene will make or break the film. Only time will tell…
We were set a task just before leaving: to watch “A Scandal in Belgravia” (dir Paul McGuigan) , the first episode of the second series of Sherlock (2010 – present, BBC, created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss) to look at the very distinctive uses of camera-work (which will be in a later post).
Group Meeting 2. Friday 13th January. 4pm. Library.
Here we discussed what we learned from watching Sherlock and came up with some fantastic ideas to do in the studio. (please see post on Sherlock).
Research: Sherlock, Camera and Technique.
I may not be in the technical area of the project but I am on the Set Team. This means that I have to be aware of camera movements and consult with Joel and Sylvia at all times at make sure that the set we design is convenient for their vision.
We were asked to look at “A Scandal in Belgravia” (dir Paul McGuigan) from the second series of Sherlock (2010 – present, BBC, created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss).
Source: BBC iPlayer. Date accessed: 12th January 2012.
[01:18 – 01:19] Despite this being pat of the “Previously” segment of the episode I felt it interesting to note the use of the focus. To some it seems obvious to use such a technique: focus on one area of the mise-en-scene and the focus onto another part, changing the focus of the original point of sight immediately. However, I do believe this is a technique we can use.
[09:09 – 09:14] The transition from present to past is done exquisitely here with camera doing a 360-degree shot on in front of the character instead of around him. It is a striking shot and even though film and television have been around for several years now it just goes to show that there are still a few tricks. Since there are flashback scenes in the script it only seems logical that we find a worthy camera technique to make the transition into said flashbacks rather than leaving it to the editing. If we have a solid camera technique, it would be a major advantage, not just for flashbacks but for transitions in general.
[30:39] A great shot from the safe. As Sherlock presses the buttons, they come up on the screen. Perhaps not relevant to the project but I’m hopeful that a similar technique can be used, like with the mirror scene.
[33:33] Sherlock is drugged and the camera is side ways on the floor as he hits the ground.
[34:38 – 34:42] The same 360 technique is used here as he tries to get up. It really adds something to his state of mind. Sherlock is usually so level-headed. But he has just been out-done. Probably for the very first time. So the shot not only signifies the effects from the drug but also the effects of Irene Adler, the woman who beat him.
[35:48] Sherlock is having an hallucination because of the drug and a bed comes out of nowhere . It is not as if Sherlock himself is falling, but that the bed has risen up to greet him. then shot then goes back to reveal him in his bedroom.
I think we can use all of these techniques in the film at some point, or at least give them a go! Especially the last one with the bed. It will go very nicely in the Union Jack Scene.
Digitally creating the scenery
My major role for the production is as editing and lighting I prefer to call myself the technical support, this week I have been liaising with the set team Shiv and Amy to help create the set plans digitally using the Sims 3 to help define the space and to better understand the scale of the rooms we will be creating.
Here are a few of the pictures of the main characters Linda’s bedroom.
I will continue to add more pictures as we complete more set plans.
Beginning of the end!
Christmas holidays are now over, time to get back and knuckle down! Alot of preparation and changes have been made this week to set and script which is currently under development.
Hold your heads up team! Gonna be a stretch but i’m sure we can pull through!
Had a productive set meeting today with Amy and now have some good plans for the set structure, design and layout, taking into consideration all aspects of the show such as cameras, actors lighting etc.