Re-filming Process 2

My aim for this session was just to capture the shots of the location in daylight. I captured  low angle shots, high angle shots and an establishing shots of the forest.

Part of an establishing shot of the forest.

I also came across an old pub with warning signs on the front gate, I thought this would fit into my opening sequence and add an eerie affect.

Warning sign.

Under the warning side was a an old plank of wood that had markings on it which could be interpreted as scratches. I filmed this as well because these extra features can be used as suspense mechanism in the opening sequence.

Markings on the wood.

By the time I’d finished the shots I needed to it was getting too dark to film. I still needed to record the woods for two minutes for sound purposes.

 

Re-filming Process 1

I borrowed a different camera to film this time around. The quality is a lot better and I was able to film in night mode.

Camera used.

 

We waited until the sun was setting for an appropriate time to film. This time round it was much earlier and lighter which made the difference on the camera.

Sunset.

 

I was going to change my actors and re-film everything but that was pointless as I can use some shots from my previous filming sessions. The actors wore the same clothes as last time. I only needed Josh and Siobhan as Zia’s shots were in good quality.

Actors.

 

I decided in this filming session that I would work on continuity techniques. First of all, I started with ‘eyeline’ match. The characters are looking straight ahead at the forest entrance.

Forest entrance.

By the time I had finished a few continuity techniques it was too dark to film. I will continue filming in short sessions until all shots are retrieved.

Updated Production Schedule

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Focus group

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My target audience is male and females ages 16-18. In my focus group I have two males and two females. After they’ve seen the opening, I will ask them the pre-planned questions.

This is my focus group:

The responses clarify and fit with my own judgements. The voice over needs changing and the narrative is slightly unclear. However the music fits the genre well and so does the titles.

First Edit & Feedback

First Edit:

I’m not pleased with my first edit, I know there is a lot to change and improve on. With the aid of the feedback, I’ll direct my opening sequence into a better standard.

Feedback:

Titles – 

Strengths:

• The font choice and colour reflects the genre of the opening sequence.
• The titles contrast nicely on a black screen which breaks up the action – conventional of a horror.
• A smooth fade in transition works nicely.

Targets:

• Titles need to be for a longer duration of time so the audience can read them.
• Change the positioning of them to create a more distorted effect.
• Move main title to the beginning so it looks less like a trailer.

Cinematography/Editing – 

Strengths:

• Mis-en-scene works well, the costume, makeup and location create a scary atmosphere.
• variety of shots and continuity techniques with a few different angles.
• The fast pace was appropriate for the genre.

Targets:

• Some shots are shaky and need to be re-filmed.
• Some shots are too dark and need to be re-filmed.

Introduction –

Strengths:

• Location of forest is conventional for a horror.
• Genre is easily established.
• Enigma codes are raised.

Targets:

• storyline is unclear in places.
• Relationship between the characters is also unclear.

Sound – 

Strengths:

• Eerie soundtrack which creates a scary affect.
• Audio levels re clear and the clarity of dialogue is clear.
• Natural ambiance of forest adds a scary effect.

Targets:

• Record forest ambiance for the whole way through the opening sequence, not just in certain sections.
• Voiceover is uneven – new voice over.
• Add more sound effects to create suspense.

177/200 – Total mark from two peer assessors.

Voice Work

From the beginning I knew I needed a voice over during the scenes in which the audience discover the two characters have died. This is to distinguish the time frames. I recorded Rachel talking as though she is reading a news report, I then distorted the voice on ‘FinalCut’ by using the echo effect.

I will use a different voice because it is a bit disjointed because she forgot what to say. I will create a script for my final edit.

Editing session 4

In the picture below there is large gaps which I’ve created so I can recognize where the missing shots need to go and how long they need to be. (These are the shots I’ll be re-filming.)

 

Once I’ve added the missing shots I’ll edit the shots together, making sure I leave no gaps.

 

The picture above is one of many shots in which the male actor is looking at the camera. This will be changed in my final edit but will have to do for the first edit. I’ve tried cutting some of these shots but this leaves the shots too short and ultimately the sequence too short.

Although there is a lot to do I’m happy with the ending of my opening sequence. I had two average shots of Zia (who played the demon girl) and with assistance, was able to cut and paste those shots a numerous amount of times. It cuts from the eyes to the whole face and to the eyes again very quickly by repeatedly doing so, creates an eerie effect. This then fades to her laughing while the titles appear.

Before the final edit I may change the order of this clip because I don’t want the opening sequence to appear like a trailer.

Re-filming

Today I got up at 6:30 to re-film the scenery shots of the forest. However there was a slight problem; its seems that travelers have set up camp for christmas at the site I had previously filmed at. I went to another near by forest to shot there. I knew the location wouldn’t matter as I’m re-filming in the christmas holidays. But for the first edit you can the difference in location.

First location – 3:30 pm

Second location – 6:45

 

Filming at such an early time was beneficial because eventually it got lighter instead of my previous filming session when it just got darker and darker. When I re-film in the christmas holidays I will film in the early hours.

To Do List

Friday the 12th is the deadline for the first edit. Mistakenly I thought I could just use the shots I had and it could be under the time of 2 minutes and it could be very minimal. However, this is not the case. In order to have a completed opening sequence to show on friday I will have to:

• Re-film certain shots
• Add the music in ‘Garage band’
• Make sure its close to two minutes
• Record a voice over

 

Words of Wisdom

As I’ve stated before, I gained inspiration from a previous opening sequence called ‘Checkmate’. It was the scene where the camera showed a variety of movements on a newspaper to show the male character had died. I decided to do some background information and message the girl who created the opening sequence, to discover how she created that effect and what software she used. This was our conversation. Although I do not have the software she used, what she said was useful; I will spend time experimenting with camera movements on final cut and with the actual camera.