[Conclusion] Group Experience

Group Experience:

We worked really well together and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. We not only found out what everyone's key skills was, but also how to use that to our advantage or work efficiently and produce something we are proud of.

[Conclusion] My Roles in our Team - What and Why

My Roles in our Team - What and Why:

Organisation:
Even though we had a director, it was very important that someone would take charge and also make sure that we would use our group's abilities to the best that we could. Our group was a very good balance of abilities, everyone having their strong point. In my opinion, one of my general strong points is organisation and leadership. Although I could have been the director, the group decided from the module workshops that I seemed to have the best eye for the creativity and technicality of being the cameraman. I also really enjoyed having that role. Furthermore, I decided that as a cameraman I would be able to help lead our filming days; enough that each scene would have equally the director's, the group's and my input. However, it is fantastic having a director who makes decisions when the group can't make a final decision or to have someone check that everyone is doing their job while actually filming.
I like leading group projects; such as making sure: we meet deadlines, that everyone plays their part in the group, that we don't have anyone not pulling their weight. Furthermore, I had to make sure, after moments of laughter, that we continued working efficiently, stayed on task and that our team always took the project seriously. Filming seemed successful and the balance of fun and seriousness worked perfectly to keep our team working efficiently and enjoying the many hours of concentration.

Directing:
Igor was a really good director. What was also really good is that as the cameraman, I could suggest anything and if it seemed better than the previous idea we would always go with it; and visa vera. Also, I had the final visual decisions, having control of the camera, to make our vision come to life.

Cameraman:
During the filming process our director would give me directions of what was expected for that scene and he would check the digital screen on my camera between most scenes to check that it was what we we envisioned. However, I generally had most of the control when it came to specific composition, panning speed,  and movement. I put my experience of photography into the use of the film camera to create a balanced and visually appealing and balanced shot. I would often take a few minutes to prepare the camera until I was completely satisfied with the small details of the composition; moreover, made sure I was prepared for any tilting, panning or movement needed. I would often ask the actor to walk into the shot before filming so that I could judge how I would need to move the camera so that there wouldn't be any jerky movements while actually filming.

[Conclusion] Editing - Problems We Faced and Solved

Editing - Problems We Faced and Solved:

We decided that our editing team would only need two people; this would allow more efficient decision making and a closer focus on details rather than on new spontaneous ideas being mentioned.
One of the main editing problems was the length of our movie. It was so long that we had to start choosing scenes that did not benefit our plot or flow of our movie. We started off with 12min of clips (including the director saying "action" and "cut") down to 3:30 min.
I really enjoyed being the joint director with Harry during the editing part of the post-production.

[Post-Production] Sometimes Plans Change - Editing - Song Choice

Sometimes Plans Change - Editing - Song Choice:

We originally were going to go for two songs that both had a suspencefull mood. However, once the editor and me viewed our cropped shots we realised that our first song wouldn't work with the vision we had.
We decided to try one of the older favorites (that we originally thought would be too dramatic for our movie). I also mentioned that it may be a cool idea to add the song at the end as well to tie in the beginning with the end of the movie.
The first song will now be:

[Post-Production] Editing

Editing:

As the cameraman I felt it was very important for the group's and my vision to not only be shown in the filming but also in the way the movie was edited and put together. I specifically felt it was very important for me to make sure the editing would enhance the composition, movement and lighting I tried to achieve while helping direct the movie.

[Post-Production] My Vision of how I want our Movie to be Edited

My Vision of how I want our Movie to be Edited:

I am very keen on making our movie seem as dramatic and suspenseful as possible, while not having the music overpower the movie clips. The music should enhance the scenes and be chosen carefully to support that mood that we want to represent.
I quite like the idea of having some scenes that occasionally occur quite quickly so that it increases the drama of our movie.
I know that some of my ideas may change while we edit. We have about 12min of footage and we need to cut it town to at least 3:30min.

[Post-Production] Group Meeting - Discussing Editing

Group Meeting - Discussing Editing:

During our group meeting we discussed our basic plan for editing so that we were all on the same page. We decided that Harry, our main editor, and me, who filmed and helped direct the movie, would be the best people to dedicate a large chunk of time to edit and complete our movie. From experience during our module workshops we realised that too many voices in the same editing room would decrease efficiency, create editing irregularities and possibly decrease quality. Putting just two minds together, who also have the wants of their group in mind, we could make decisions quicker and create something that we thought looked good.

[Post-Production] Viewing Our Clips All Together

Viewing Our Clips All Together:

When watching all our clips as a 12min movie I realized how important it was that we got the editing as neat as possible. At the same time I also realized that I really liked the flow of our scenes and found that we may find some good places to make smooth transitions. Our entire team was very complimentary about our clips and seemed open about the reason why we would create an editing team of two people.
I knew editing this would be a long process and a challenge, but at the end the results will hopefully be worth it.

[Conclusion] Problems We Experienced and Solved

Problems We Experienced and Solved:

During the first few hours of filming we found it took us a while until we got into the flow of things and that we were able to produce clips at an efficient rate. However, practice makes "perfect".
We also had occasionally would have moments when 50% wouldn't be quite focused and the other 50%, the people who had a hands on job during filming, would be more serious and focused. But this was quite rare so it wasn't a problem.
Another minor problem we had was that the weather was really cold, so our actor was having the focus quite a bit harder to not show that he was cold wearing only formal clothes. I just tried my best to have my filming technique and timings correct on the first few takes (we will retake a scene until we are pleased with it) so that we could make the situation finish quicker for the actor.

[Production] Day 2 Photos of Filming

Day 2 Photos of Filming:

During a brief team break.

Igor explaining from what direction he thinks would look good for this scene. I then suggested that our actor started behind the tree. Then setting up my camera in such a way that the composition would have an interesting effect as the character walked towards the bench.

Genia making sure we are sticking as close as possible to the script.

Me doing my best to use the computer as a tripod and position my body is such a way that it would create as little shake as possible. 

Me directing Duncan what vision I had for the newspaper scene.

Igor sharing his idea of where I, the cameraman, should position myself and what he thinks would be a good interpretation of our script. 

[Production] Day 1 Photos of Filming

Day 1 Photos of Filming:

Genia checking our script to make sure we don't miss a scene.

Our actor demonstrating to our group, before we film, how he interprets our directions for that scene.

Me setting up the composition for filming, while both Lavinia and Igor wait for my signal.

A snapshot of what our super agent double computer screen will look like.

I wanted to check with Igor to make sure he was happy with the height and angle of the shot.

Our director is giving us an overview of what the plan is for the next scene.

[Pre-Production] Deciding On When/If to Use The Tripod

Deciding On When/If to Use The Tripod:

Both Igor and me, with the agreement of our team, decided that we would use the tripod whenever it was physically possible and suited the scene, camera technique and angle we were trying to achieve.
After an hour or so of filming and doing many adjustments and retakes we eventually got into a rhythm of being able to read if a tripod was ressesary within that specific shot. Occasionally we would film with a tripod and decide that it would work better without it. Moreover, sometimes it was physically impoosible to get the angle I wanted while using a tripod. Thus we had to be creative and do the best with what we had.
More dramatic scenes were often taken without a tripod to remove the contrast between smooth panning and a jogging actor. Furthermore, I decided to track and follow our actor in some shots to make the viewer feel more involved.

[Pre-Production] More Inspiration

More Inspiration:

A movie that I know I really enjoyed and recently watched again for this assignment was "WarGames". This movie, released in 1983, is about a young man who finds a way of teaching military technology, which is confusing reality with games, in order that it doesn't launch weapons which would star World War III. I really think the angle of this shot is something we would aim to achieve in our movie. However, I may direct for the actor to lean closer towards the computer screen to create more urgency and secrecy.
Specifically look at 0:14-0:18.

[Pre-Production] More Inspiration

More Inspiration:

One of my team members, Lavinia, mentioned to me that she had scene a fantastic example of an effect that we were trying to achieve at the beginning of our movie. The technique of having quite a few short and rapid clips for when our character getting ready to go out. She mentioned that the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" has an introduction that also does lots of close up and somewhat quick scenes for when the character is getting ready.
Specifically look at 0:32-1:32.
Also, I like the close up on the diary between 1:33-1:35. I like that close up technique for when we film the close up scene of the newspaper for our movie.

[Pre-Production] Postman or Milkman?

Postman or Milkman?

We nearly chose that our character should be a student; however, we decided otherwise. We were advised and also realized that connecting our movie to the university might be quite a common choice for this project and also may not create the full effect we want of showing that our character does in fact have a job, but quite a normal one instead.
Thus our top choices became either a postman or milkman. I originally was for choosing postman, due to the simpleness of acquireing a brown bag and post/parcels. However, after mainly our researcher Genia, and most of the rest of our team helping out, we found that represing and finding props that would portray the idea the best would be for a milkman. Once we realized that it may be a bit more visually effective we made the decision to go with milkman.
In conclusion: our seemingly cool super agent is in fact a normal man who happens to be a milkman.

[Pre-Production] Storyboard

Storyboard:

Our character wakes up, switches alarm clock off, puts feet over side of bed and switches music on.

Character walks into the bathroom, washes face, walks out of bathroom, pours and drinks milk.

Character switches on computer and looks at complicated coding, gets dressed into formal clothes, does his hair,  and pretends to put a gun in his back pocket.

Character puts earphones in, takes newspaper, walks outside and puts sunglasses on. 

Character walks, listening to music and walks along the path.

Man with jumper HRH walks past, character follows, man walks into door, character sneaks up to door.

Character opens letter slit, uses lock pick, owner opens door, the character ends up being a milkman.

[Pre-Production] Final Script

Final Script:

[Pre-Production] Basic Script

Basic Script:

This is our draft script file:

(We’ll have to check what props are available. Some may not be possible if we don’t have the correct props.)

1. Alarm goes off. He switches alarm off
2. Put feet over bed
3. Switches on ipod on ipod dock
4. Then panning over map with lots of faces and string (scenes happen from left to right
5. Walks to bathroom, floor level, following behind feet
6. Splashing water in face (can’t see face), over shoulder shot, close up
7. (every scene between 7 and 17 will be taken in more rabid shots. Film in both medium and close up shots) Then walks over to the desk and open a letter. Confidential
8. Then switches on computer and a code file opens. He types a couple keys and then the screen goes wild with numbers
9. Fitness
10. Putting suit on
11. 1Doing hair
12. 1Tie laces
13. 1Look in mirror (can’t see face)
14. 1Puts “gun” down the back of his trousers (can’t see gun)
15. 1Closes and locks a briefcase (newspaper in bag maybe?)
16. 1Opens door
17. 1Standing in doorframe (silhouetted). View from inside house.
18. 1Close up on face. Face diagonal sideways. Puts on sunglasses. Arm covers face.
19. 1Walk. Camera stays still.
20. 2Walking with large strides (towards bench)…….
21. (to continue…) (We were unsure of what should happen exactly during the “spy moments”)

[Pre-Production] Deciding on the Music

Deciding on the Music:

We were all looking around, looking for a song that we believed would suit our movie. Lavinia eventually came across this song:

Genia and I absolutely loved it and could really imagine it fitting in the first half of our movie.

Soon after Genia found this song:

This one was a definite success. I was definitely able to visualize our scenes using this song.

[Pre-Production] Choosing Props

Choosing Props:

Props are a key part of us representing the transformation of our character while without and without listening to music. It must be obvious enough that the viewer suddenly realizes the twist; also not too little that it seems more like a continuity error than a purposeful plot reveal.
Props that I knew had to be organized:
Formal suit
Formal shirt
Formal trouser
Formal shoes
Milkman shirt
4 milkman glass bottles (Frappachino bottles)- filled with normal milk
Sunglasses
Newspaper
Pen
Alarm clock
Super agent computers
Lock pick
HRH jumper
2 seperate houses

[Pre-Production] Choosing The Locations

Choosing The Locations:
Genia had been assigned as the person to go for a walk and take photos of any location or detail that she believed suited our vision for our movie. Harry, our main editor, went with her so that our location choices would even better for editing and the fluidity of our movie.
We needed photos of the "super agent's bedroom, the bathroom, the desk, a bench, interesting paths and walls outside and the door of the house of the "victim".
The images below are the best selection of photos that we decided on as a team:

[Pre-Production] Final Treatment

Final Treatment:

To be uploaded...

[Pre-Production] More Inspiration

More Inspiration:

I also watch the movie "This Means War"; which is an action, slightly comedic, super agent movie. I knew when I saw this scene that this is something that we would want to include in our movie. I like how the super agents are so close but also keeping themselves hidden and moving at all times.
Specifically look at 0:33-1:17.

[Pre-Production] Organising Filming Days

Organising Filming Days:

Organising filming days can be quite a complicated thing to do. Not only do we want to ensure that our entire team is available, having our whole team there will help make sure every role has a supervisor, but also make sure that out actor can make it. It is also important if we have multiple filming days that either one doesn't film any windows or film any outdoor scenes on the previous day. Another thing we had to consider was how busy our actor will be and how different his course schedule is. Our team will have very close to identical schedules, due to use taking the same or similar courses. However, our actor may have a very limited day and time available for us to film.
Once contacting our actor I discovered that he was generally available most of Wednesday and Thursday. I also requested Saturday, which was also a free day for him, in case something went wrong.
As a team we realized that we would have to probably film on two different days.

[Pre-Production] Deciding On Focus Roles

Deciding On Focus Roles:

During the moving image seminars, where we worked as a group to edit or film a short movie, we realized that we all had our strengths. After a discussion we decided that it would benefit our group, our efficienty, the continuity of our movie and the finaly result of our movie if we had focus roles.

Our roles that I noticed that we automatically help out in:
Me: Cameraman, director and often the team organizer
Igor: Director
Lavinia: Sound and making sure we stayed as close as possible to the general filming "rules".
Harry: Editor and continuity checker
Genia: Researcher and shot list checker

The role that is our obligation and focus:
Me: Cameraman
Igor: Director
Lavinia: Sound
Harry: Editor
Genia: Researcher

[Pre-Production] Cinematography Techniques - My Opinion

Cinematography Techniques - My Opinion:

Close up from the side - may be good technique to close up on the earphones.

I like the idea of focusing on the feet of the character.

This scenes shows the tilting from the foot until the face of the character. We could use this to show a transition between the "imaginary" and "true" self of our character.

I like the use of contrast in this clip.

We may also be able to use this technique of only focusing on the character putting his legs over the side of a chair/bed.

[Pre-Production] Inspiration

Inspiration:

During the time of the pre-production of our movie I found it important that I found movies that may be somewhat related to the style or subject of our movie. "21 Jump Street", released in 2012, is about two underachieving cops who have to go undercover in a high school to find the dealer of a new and dangerous drug. This scene shown below shows how appropriate decisions can make these local park cops seem like professional, serious super agents. One can hear that the music creates a very different mood and creates more dynamics; thus making this scene seem far more thrilling. If one watches to this clip on mute it just looks like some normal cops just taking a shortcut across the grass in a somewhat humorous manner. The music completely changes what the audience sees while watching this scene.

Specifically look at 0:53-1:14.

[Pre-Production] Choosing Our Actor

Choosing Our Actor:

I had a very specific idea in my head in my type of actor I was looking for, both from appearance and personality. For the appearance I was keen on having a character that looked like a super agent. For me the key parts for that are: a somewhat sporty look, mature face, dark hair and no obvious facial spots. And of course someone who could act.
I soon found out, after describing what my vision was, that everyone either had the same vision and agreed with the idea.
As the camerman and assistant director I felt it would be an added bonus if the actor we found would be completely open to any directions, take directions easily and would openly add any suggestions or concerns if he may have any.
As our researcher, Genia, decided to look through all the people she knew or had heard of that has done or does acting. One of the people she came across is called Duncan. He fit our team and my criteria very well and seemed very enthusiastic to help out.

[Pre-Production] Considering our Final Story Line Idea

Considering our Final Story Line Idea:

I am very pleased with our final story line. We know that depending on some adjustments later on the general idea of what will happen is known.
I think it will be important that we film our movie in such a way that the scenes will, after the post production stage, niether be too rushed or too slow. Rushing our story will create confusion and now allow the viewer to process what is happening in each clip. Moreover, scenes that are too slow will loose the viewer's interest and may cause them to stop watching all together. Thus, we have to find a good balance of: close up, medium, long shots and quick, medium and longer cuts. This will create more dynamics and a more interesting composition.

[Pre-Production] Considering the Types of Cinematography Techniques and Camera Angles We Would Like to Include

Considering the Types of Cinematography Techniques and Camera Angles We Would Like to Include:

There are many types of cinematography techniques and camera angles that we could chose from to create different effects or moods for our movie. One of those techniques is using panning. Used correctly this could accentuate the idea of speed or movement. Furthermore, in a completely different setting it could create the feeling of size or calmness. It mainly depends on how fast the camera moves and the action and sound within the scene. A camera angle that I would consider is very important for our move is the over the shoulder shot. This can either help with continuity of a conversation scene, or help the viewer experience what the character may be seeing or experiencing. It isn't the same is the point of view shot, which is as if the viewer is in the movie, but gives a similar viewpoint while still being able to see the character.

[Pre-Production] Considering Details of Characterisation, Scenes and Props

Considering Details of Characterisation, Scenes and Props:

It is very important that the characterisation and personality of our character is consistant or appropriate throughout our movie. I knew that we had to create quite a difference between when our character was a super agent and when he was his true self, but I decided we will base that depending on our actor's personality and range of . This will allow the acting seem more natural and convincing.
We will also have to make the scenes and props match depending on which part of "himself" the character is.

[Pre-Production] Considering Possible Scenes that Could Occur

Discussing Possible Scenes that Could Occur:

My vision for this project would be that we would create a movie that consisted of a few main styles of filming. The main scenes that we decided on were: waking up, getting ready, putting on formal clothes,  leaving, following the suspect, and revealing true self. For the "waking up" and "getting ready" scenes I was thinking that we could make our character seem a bit mysterious by not filming the entire face or directly from the front. I then thought for the scenes "putting on formal clothes", that we could film them and edit them that they would be sequenced in a rapid succession. Furthermore, the scenes "leaving" and "following the suspect" I thought would be good to film as a slightly slower but using more panning techniques. Finally, the "revealing true self" scene could be filmed using more mid shots.

As a group we came together and came up with these main things that could occur during our movie:

Intro:
• Flashes face
• Fitness
• Drinks milk
• Computer
• Music
• Code=email
• Put suit on
• Hair
• Sun glasses
• Shave
• Tie laces
• Brief case
• Looks in mirror (neck down)
• Put gun down back of pants

Spy moments:
• Circling things in newspaper
• Following someone (against wall)
• Binoculars
• Receives call – takes earphones out
• Looks at watch

True identity:
• Abrupt, music stop, some position
• Rings bell
• Sneaky
• Takes out ipod = gun
• Pauses music
• Tries to open the door
• Looks though post slit
• Puts milk down

Other:
• Slow down
• Mostly music
• Speed up
• Quiet sound effects
• Chop cuts
• Drink milk
• Shower

Ideas:
1. ECU on his eyes (dramatic) extreme close up
2. Building up the music (background music)
3. MC could already be awake (water splash on the face) (only sound of water)
4. Focus on the clock and then on his eyes
5. Foreshadow his lifestyle
6. MC wakes up just before the alarm goes off
7. Music goes through the loudspeaker and headphones
8. As he walks out we see that many people identical to his to work.
9. When arrives at job, takes out earphones, some position normal outfit.

Stages:
1. Looks like he is trying to break in house. But music falls off and he is a milkman
2. Office 
3. Amy uni job (Make sure it doesn’t look like this is taking place at uni)

Inspiration cloud:
• Postman, milkman
• Car=van?
• Headphones vs. earphones