Inspirations
The original Idea for this film was inspirited by the film Legend staring Tom Hard it is a film about the Kray twin but at is core it is a love story. The story is seen though Frances eyes and what happened to her, I like this as it is a different way of story telling a gangster film as it is usually told though a males perspective this breaks the key conventions of the genre.
So we wanted to create a British gangster film I started creating a story and characters you can see this here in my preproduction. |
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Primary research
For my primary research I created a survey using www.SurveyMonkey.com, I chose this website because it is easy to use and it has excellent analysis report system. I wrote seven questions for people to answer these questions are:
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The analysis
The majority of people who filled out the survey are 61% Female, 38% are male and 92% of them are under the age of 25 with only one being over 25. I found that a 53% of people watch films because they enjoy them and 23% for escapism. For what genres do you like I chose the main genres, my results have found that there is a three way tie action, comedy and adventure. |
Research the requirements of your role, responsibilities on set and list of skills
My role for this production is a cinematographer, a cinematographer is also know as a DP ‘director of photography”. Cinematography means bringing a story to life visually. The words Greek roots are kineme (movement) and graph (writing). Bringing movement to a screenwriter’s script requires move than simply shooting photos or video of a scene.
I will be assist the director by establishing the visual look of the movie, by helping tell the story through the artistic and technical decisions regarding lighting, shot selection and camera operation. As the cameraman I will be responsible to professionally control and operate the video camera and equipment. I must have a strong ability to communication with the people I am working with.
Preproduction I will be discussing with the director to see what sort of vision he wants for the film, overall and scene-by-scene. I have the responsibility of choosing what camera, lens, tripods, technical props and other equipment would be best for the production while working with the sound and lighting to coordinate production needs.
Production the cinematographer coordinates the crew, actors, actresses, the technical/film crew members and works with the director to make each scene is set up correctly while maintaining the composition of the framing and shooting angles. The cinematographer decides on the best combination of cameras, filter and lenses, as well as where the cameras will be placed, what the lighting should be and when the scene should be shot.
Postproduction I will be working with the editor to make sure the film retains the colour and mood that the director and me wanted. The cinematographer also reviews the first and final print of the film being a critical eye and part of quality control.
I will be assist the director by establishing the visual look of the movie, by helping tell the story through the artistic and technical decisions regarding lighting, shot selection and camera operation. As the cameraman I will be responsible to professionally control and operate the video camera and equipment. I must have a strong ability to communication with the people I am working with.
Preproduction I will be discussing with the director to see what sort of vision he wants for the film, overall and scene-by-scene. I have the responsibility of choosing what camera, lens, tripods, technical props and other equipment would be best for the production while working with the sound and lighting to coordinate production needs.
Production the cinematographer coordinates the crew, actors, actresses, the technical/film crew members and works with the director to make each scene is set up correctly while maintaining the composition of the framing and shooting angles. The cinematographer decides on the best combination of cameras, filter and lenses, as well as where the cameras will be placed, what the lighting should be and when the scene should be shot.
Postproduction I will be working with the editor to make sure the film retains the colour and mood that the director and me wanted. The cinematographer also reviews the first and final print of the film being a critical eye and part of quality control.
As a cinematographer I need both creative and technical skills, as well as knowledge of the most up to date equipment and technology.
Here are some of the most important cinematographer skills:
Here are some of the most important cinematographer skills:
- Having a good artistic eye for photography, or in other words being able to frame shots and recognize good shots, as any photographer would.
- Knowing the technical basics of photography, how to make light work to your advanced, how to use lenses, and how film speeds and exposures work.
- Having knowledge of film-specific photography equipment and techniques
- Having the flexibility and problem-solving skills to handle production when scene don’t go as planned due to weather, equipment problems. This includes being able to make fast, instinctive decisions about which film techniques or equipment works best for a particular scene.
- Keeping up to date with advances in film technology.
- Communicating with other departments like lighting and sound.
- Assembling, preparing of equipment prior to filming.
- Practicing camera movements for run thoughts.
- Demonstration a good awareness of health and safety
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https://stephmeadmedia.wordpress.com/2012/10/07/role-responsibility-cameraman/
http://work.chron.com/director-photographys-duties-responsibilities-during-film-production-15918.html
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/cinematographer1.htm
http://work.chron.com/director-photographys-duties-responsibilities-during-film-production-15918.html
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/cinematographer1.htm
Reflection
Cinematographer is one of my favorite roles I really enjoy the technical and artistic aspect of it, it lets me express myself and try and to be more creative. After doing more researching I found that cinematographer isn’t just set up the point camera and shoot, it’s a lot more complicated than that, it involves understanding how to show the action to the audience, it’s all about communicating with the viewer. Like where you put he camera just doesn’t allow you to tell the story but it tells you what to think and feel about the story you are watching. I find this really interesting how using techniques to communicate the audience how we want them to feel and what emotions we what them have towards a character.
Cinematographer is one of my favorite roles I really enjoy the technical and artistic aspect of it, it lets me express myself and try and to be more creative. After doing more researching I found that cinematographer isn’t just set up the point camera and shoot, it’s a lot more complicated than that, it involves understanding how to show the action to the audience, it’s all about communicating with the viewer. Like where you put he camera just doesn’t allow you to tell the story but it tells you what to think and feel about the story you are watching. I find this really interesting how using techniques to communicate the audience how we want them to feel and what emotions we what them have towards a character.
Production
1.11.16
Preproduction, developing story
Today we were given our brief we have to create a 5-minute film of our chosen genre with a rating of 15. As a group we had a group chat about different genres we could do but we decided to create a British gangster set in the 1960s we are all excited about this idea.
I started developing ideas about developing characters, their background and locations
Location:
This film is going to be filmed in Carlisle City and the surrounding areas, the basic locations and buildings I have thought about so far are as follows: A pub - Carlisle City, Abandoned rail yard, Denton homes Sweet shop, Denton homes Cobbled streets and 1960 styled houses. I think Carlisle is a very good location for this type of film as it has some great abandoned building with some periodic houses, roads and locations. Also with it being close to the college in case something goes wrong with any of the equipment we can get it replaced ASAP.
4.11.16
Preproduction, Characters I started developing the main characters, we have been learning about character development and how to create their backgrounds. There will be three main characters: Bonnie: Is a kind, gentle, loving and attractive 19 years old woman she works in the pub that was left to her and Charles her older brother by their parents. Daisy is motivated to leave Carlisle to find a better life in a new city she believes that everyone has a loving side and people do have well in them. Archie: He works for Charles and has known him most of his life he is his right hand man his best friend, he has had a hard life with a ruff upbringing his parents divorced because and his father is an alcoholic and unemployed. He doesn’t talk to his dad because he beat his mam in fact he hates him, but he loves his mam as she brought all by herself he does everything to help her every crime to get money to help her, he would do anything for her, Archer is a loving man, a likable guy, cheeky, faithful, trustful man and very good at fighting but he has bad anger control that can go out of control. Vincent: He is daisy older brother he treats her like she is her daughter, he has always been involved in crime though out his life, he wants to become rich and feared in Carlisle his greed and anger fuel this. After is mam and dads death Charles became a different man his anger went out of control he started to control his sister and he started talking crime more seriously. He is notorious for being the type of guy who would kill you for now reason and like it. |
Notes from my phone |
I have never had to write characters before and I didn’t really know where to start but thanks to Darren’s I have been learning how to create and develop characters in his lessons. I tried to use Vladimir Propp theory were he suggests every has eight different character types I only used three of these the Villain, hero and victim I only chosen these three because I want to try and keep the film as simple as possible. I needed to think of their wants and needs and what their motivation is.
Shot ideas
- Bokeh POV shot - abandoned rail yard
- Treating head pan - abandoned rail yard
- Focus pull - sweet shop
- Over shoulder shot - the dance scene
- Parallel camera fall - death scene
- Slow motion - fight and dance scene
- Freeze frame - introduction to characters
- Parallel cuts - start scenes
11.11.16
Preproduction, basic story/scenes ideas
Abandoned rail yard scene, cutting with Dasiy putting on make up, Ugly vs beautiful, good vs bad.
Charles and Archer are walking in to the abandoned rail yard where they have a man tied up with a bag over his head. He owes Charles money and he was being too friendly to Daisy, Charles is going to teach him a lesson taunting him, treating to kill him, he just ends up hurting him and demanding the money and warning him to keep away from his sister.
Sweetshop scene, making a connection with the characters to build a development with the audience.
Archer asked Daisy to meet him at Denton homes for a date, they enter a sweet shop and they both choose the same hard boiled sweet?
Pub love scene, cutting with Charles killing someone, love vs indifference or apathy
It’s the end of the night at the pub Charles asks Archer to look after Daisy and take care of her because he is going to bed. But really he’s going to kill the guy who hasn’t paid his money yet. The guy is saying I can get the money he is trying to get concern or sympathy from Charles interest he’s unresponsive and just kills him. Archer and are Daisy are both a bit drunk Archer asked Daisy if she would like to dance they put a song on the jukebox and dance away and fall in love.
Pub death scene, Charles confronts Archer and Daisy, he’s angry and drunk he tries to attack/kill Archer he attacks him with a hammer but Archer moves out of the way and Charles hits Daisy in the temples with the hammer killing her dropping the hammer blood down her face and on the hammer, Archer rushes to her to see if she’s alright he realizes that she dead he is quite just staring at Charles his anger his building and going out of control. Charles is in shock scream her name then blames Archer say this is your fault, say this is your fault I’m going to kill you. They both attack each other fighting during the struggle archer picks up the hammer and repeatedly smashes it off Charles he until he is dead.
End, Archer over her dead body holding her crying, Daisy Monologue over the scene to finish the film cuts with shots of them dancing?
Preproduction, basic story/scenes ideas
Abandoned rail yard scene, cutting with Dasiy putting on make up, Ugly vs beautiful, good vs bad.
Charles and Archer are walking in to the abandoned rail yard where they have a man tied up with a bag over his head. He owes Charles money and he was being too friendly to Daisy, Charles is going to teach him a lesson taunting him, treating to kill him, he just ends up hurting him and demanding the money and warning him to keep away from his sister.
Sweetshop scene, making a connection with the characters to build a development with the audience.
Archer asked Daisy to meet him at Denton homes for a date, they enter a sweet shop and they both choose the same hard boiled sweet?
Pub love scene, cutting with Charles killing someone, love vs indifference or apathy
It’s the end of the night at the pub Charles asks Archer to look after Daisy and take care of her because he is going to bed. But really he’s going to kill the guy who hasn’t paid his money yet. The guy is saying I can get the money he is trying to get concern or sympathy from Charles interest he’s unresponsive and just kills him. Archer and are Daisy are both a bit drunk Archer asked Daisy if she would like to dance they put a song on the jukebox and dance away and fall in love.
Pub death scene, Charles confronts Archer and Daisy, he’s angry and drunk he tries to attack/kill Archer he attacks him with a hammer but Archer moves out of the way and Charles hits Daisy in the temples with the hammer killing her dropping the hammer blood down her face and on the hammer, Archer rushes to her to see if she’s alright he realizes that she dead he is quite just staring at Charles his anger his building and going out of control. Charles is in shock scream her name then blames Archer say this is your fault, say this is your fault I’m going to kill you. They both attack each other fighting during the struggle archer picks up the hammer and repeatedly smashes it off Charles he until he is dead.
End, Archer over her dead body holding her crying, Daisy Monologue over the scene to finish the film cuts with shots of them dancing?
I also tried to create a narrative story as all film follow this theory:
- Equilibrium: Junes happy with Vincent not knowing that she is seeing Archie and her life is going great, her dreams are coming true
- Disruption: June and Archie fall in love they know that this is not good is Vincent finds out, Vincent is taking the crime to seriously and becoming a bit mad and his anger is going out of control.
14.11.16
Preproduction In this video we have a group discussion about my story and characters that I have come up with and if everyone thinks this is a good idea furthermore if we can all agree on this story. I want everyone to have input in this story so this was also a brainstorm session. We all added good ideas to the story to this idea. |
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22.11.16
Preproduction, developing story
After talking to ED as a group about the story and Ideas we have we were told it was a bit to ambitious for us to pull off its more like a final project because of it complexity so we decided to create a new story more simple.
I agreed with this it is a good idea I will carry on developing this story for future project and self learning.
Preproduction, developing story
After talking to ED as a group about the story and Ideas we have we were told it was a bit to ambitious for us to pull off its more like a final project because of it complexity so we decided to create a new story more simple.
I agreed with this it is a good idea I will carry on developing this story for future project and self learning.
In this video we are sharing ideas with each other for the new film and creating a story bored, we talk about inspirations for the story. The basic story, types of shots we will use, how to edit it together, a little bit a back story of the characters.
I also look at the narrative theory “Vladimir Proop” to see if it works with the story, after going though scenes it does work very well. I think this meeting we very well, we all communicated together, all had good input to the story over all I am happy at how this meet went. |
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In this video we discuss about the different types of characters we want to incorporate and their backgrounds.
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In this video we discuss about the props we want to use and the location we are going to agree on.
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27.11.16
Preproduction, equipment
I sorted out all of my equipment for the shoot for the following day making sure everything is working and functional. I put all of my batteries on charge, cleaned my lenses, cleaned the sensor of my camera and wiped both of the SD cards. I was now ready to pack all away the equipment I need is:
• Sony a6000
• 16-50mm lens
• Blue snowball mic
• 3xbattries
• 2x32gb SD card
• Gorilla tripod
• Slate
• Tripod
• Hard drive
• Macbook
Preproduction, equipment
I sorted out all of my equipment for the shoot for the following day making sure everything is working and functional. I put all of my batteries on charge, cleaned my lenses, cleaned the sensor of my camera and wiped both of the SD cards. I was now ready to pack all away the equipment I need is:
• Sony a6000
• 16-50mm lens
• Blue snowball mic
• 3xbattries
• 2x32gb SD card
• Gorilla tripod
• Slate
• Tripod
• Hard drive
• Macbook
28.11.16
Production - filming Today we filmed Youtube scene in the studio. We wrote the script basically on set, as we didn’t have one. After watching a few vlogs on Youtube they all film in one take so I decided to film it in one take. I recorded sound on my blue snowball microphone we also used the lights that were left for us by ED this made it look more professional. I think the filming went good but there’s a few things we should of doing before filming. The script should have been done before hand with read though, better costume for Lewis and more props but over all it looks good, sound good and we worked good together. The next part it to edit it together. |
Post production - editing
When I got home I exported the footage and audio on to my Macbook to put a together a little edit inside final cut syncing up the audio and creating mini scenes. Overall it looks very good and sounds very good thanks to using the studio, the lighting really helps it makes it look more professional and our subject correctly lit. Because the studio is an enclosed room with a little bit of sound treatment it really helps capture good audio. |
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9.12.16
Preproduction, developing story and location scouting We had to simplify the story, as we don't have actors for this shoot so we had to adapt the story around this. We had a group chat about it and I suggested that we could try and create a red riding hood horror film. We agreed on this idea a got to work on the basics storyboard and shortlist. I wrote out a. Equipment list For ED Kirsten found a location we could use so we jumped on a bus and went to check it out. The location is good and will look good there is a problem with sound there is a main road close by that might be picked up by the Tascam breaking the illusion of the story. I recorded some test footage and taken some picture of the location. We got back to college and I created a little edit so see how it looked it looked good I added a bit of colour grading to give it a dark edgy look by using the exposure and the colour blue. |
11.12.16
Preproduction, equipment
I sorted out all of my equipment for the shoot for the following day making sure everything is working and functional. I put all of my batteries on charge, cleaned my lenses, cleaned the sensor of my camera and wiped both of the SD cards. I was now ready to pack all away the equipment I need is:
• Sony a6000
• 16-50mm lens
• 50mm lens
• 3xbattries
• 2x32gb SD card
• Gorilla tripod
• Slate
• Charger
• Hard drive
• Notebook
Preproduction, equipment
I sorted out all of my equipment for the shoot for the following day making sure everything is working and functional. I put all of my batteries on charge, cleaned my lenses, cleaned the sensor of my camera and wiped both of the SD cards. I was now ready to pack all away the equipment I need is:
• Sony a6000
• 16-50mm lens
• 50mm lens
• 3xbattries
• 2x32gb SD card
• Gorilla tripod
• Slate
• Charger
• Hard drive
• Notebook
12.12.16
Production, filming Started off the day by picking up the equipment from college a tripod, Boom pole and the Tascam equipment. We then used the recording studio to record Jodie reading little red riding hood. We then went though the storyboard to try and fine-tune it and adding new bits to it. |
Behind the scenes video.
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Next it was on to packing Jodie's car with the equipment and off to Allonby. We arrived there with out researching if there was a bank machine or a place that served food there wasn't so we had to go to Maryport for food and money this was a problem as this meant we started shooting later than planned.
Behind the scenes on set.
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Post production - editing
When I got home I exported the footage on to my computer and created a fast edit in final cut, read my evaluation for my opinion on this footage. |
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Evaluation
For this shoot we had many problems to over come we had a small crew of 3 out of six were only on set, this was a big pressure as me and Lewis browning had to do the technical work as Jodie was acting in the film. I forgot to put light on the equipment list so we didn't have any to use. We didn't research the location, good enough which costs us time and made if hard to film inside the caravan.
Next time we need to I plan more I need to double check my lists making sure the right equipment is on it and making sure I haven't forgot anything. Do the thorough location scout of the surrounding location and the filming location we could of created a plan and brought food and drink. But the location work really well for this film and it has potential and as a team we done good and worked the best we could considering there was only three us.
My personal opinion we need to re-film the caravan scenes, after trying to edit it there are a lot of story and continuity errors and the scene don’t flow together that well.
For this shoot we had many problems to over come we had a small crew of 3 out of six were only on set, this was a big pressure as me and Lewis browning had to do the technical work as Jodie was acting in the film. I forgot to put light on the equipment list so we didn't have any to use. We didn't research the location, good enough which costs us time and made if hard to film inside the caravan.
Next time we need to I plan more I need to double check my lists making sure the right equipment is on it and making sure I haven't forgot anything. Do the thorough location scout of the surrounding location and the filming location we could of created a plan and brought food and drink. But the location work really well for this film and it has potential and as a team we done good and worked the best we could considering there was only three us.
My personal opinion we need to re-film the caravan scenes, after trying to edit it there are a lot of story and continuity errors and the scene don’t flow together that well.
16.12.16
Preproduction, group discussion
Today we had a group chat discussing the production what problems we have and how to fix them. I started off by telling the team that we will have to re shoot everything we have already got. We then decided to change the story making it simpler we got inspiration from at YouTube video we all watch at the start of college that Daren show us about a horror self short film we can keep all aspects of the film the same with the location but we may use a different caravan park with a wooded area to make it easier to shoot. We asked the crew if everyone is happy with his or her roles within the group and Lewis S wasn't so I swapped roles with him so I am now the director. So we got to work on a basic storyline, created a storyboard and a shot list.
Preproduction, group discussion
Today we had a group chat discussing the production what problems we have and how to fix them. I started off by telling the team that we will have to re shoot everything we have already got. We then decided to change the story making it simpler we got inspiration from at YouTube video we all watch at the start of college that Daren show us about a horror self short film we can keep all aspects of the film the same with the location but we may use a different caravan park with a wooded area to make it easier to shoot. We asked the crew if everyone is happy with his or her roles within the group and Lewis S wasn't so I swapped roles with him so I am now the director. So we got to work on a basic storyline, created a storyboard and a shot list.
New inspiration
For the new idea we decided to create something similar to the Selfie horror, putting our own twist on the story. The story is simple and should be easy to complete and achieve.
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I thought I was a good idea to show Emily how to use final cut as she is editing the film and she has no experience in editing. I just showed her the basics structure and key shortcuts using some of the test footage we captured from location scouting.
On Monday we are meeting as a group to chat and plan more for this project and to go location scouting at Silloth.
On Monday we are meeting as a group to chat and plan more for this project and to go location scouting at Silloth.
1.01.17
Preproduction
Today me, Jodie and Lewis had a skype meeting about the film, we talked about the new location we are going to use, what time we are going to meet up, who going to act in it and a bit of brainstorming. We decided to use the subway by the college as our new location, to meet up at 10am in Carlisle so we have plenty of time to shoot, me and Lewis are going to act in it as we are finding it hard to get an actor in such a short time.
Preproduction
Today me, Jodie and Lewis had a skype meeting about the film, we talked about the new location we are going to use, what time we are going to meet up, who going to act in it and a bit of brainstorming. We decided to use the subway by the college as our new location, to meet up at 10am in Carlisle so we have plenty of time to shoot, me and Lewis are going to act in it as we are finding it hard to get an actor in such a short time.
2.1.17
Preproduction
The night before filming I checked that all of my camera equipment is fully functional, the camera and lens are clean, making sure the batteries are fully charged.
Equipment list:
Preproduction
The night before filming I checked that all of my camera equipment is fully functional, the camera and lens are clean, making sure the batteries are fully charged.
Equipment list:
- Sony a600
- 16-50mm lens
- 50mm lens
- 3xbattries
- 2x32gb SD card
- Gorilla tripod
- Tripod
3.1.17
Production
Filming day we all met up at 10am at Carlisle went to pick up the equipment at Richards house. We arrived on location and have a group chat making sure everyone knows what the story it and what we need to capture after everyone was caught up we started filming. We ran in a problem straight away my 32GB SD card has a fault and isn’t recording longer than five seconds I tried to format the card to see if that would fix the problem but it didn’t lucky I had a second back up SD card in case this happens. Now we are ready to film we started off by capturing the EXT establishing, we shot it from a few different angles so we can have a nice flow in the edit to the next scene.
Production
Filming day we all met up at 10am at Carlisle went to pick up the equipment at Richards house. We arrived on location and have a group chat making sure everyone knows what the story it and what we need to capture after everyone was caught up we started filming. We ran in a problem straight away my 32GB SD card has a fault and isn’t recording longer than five seconds I tried to format the card to see if that would fix the problem but it didn’t lucky I had a second back up SD card in case this happens. Now we are ready to film we started off by capturing the EXT establishing, we shot it from a few different angles so we can have a nice flow in the edit to the next scene.
Next scene is the inter shots for this it was an mix of handheld footage and static footage with some reaction shots. There was a lot of the public there and was a bit time consuming waiting for them to pass for us to shoot I think this affected the shoot.
We were now done for the day and finished the shoot. |
Evaluation