Question 7: Looking back at the preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this project?

In order to produce my project, I had to learn a range of different technologies which would help me during the pre-production, production and post-production phases of the process:




Blogger: 

I had to comprehend how to use the media blog, having had no previous experience, including understanding:

• how to create and publish posts
• import and upload photos
• embed video clips
• include links to other websites/resources

However, I could also create and publish posts using alternative methods, such as presenting my posts in prezi's. 

Blogging is an easier and much more practical method of detailing and preparing my coursework. It eliminated the need for folders and hand outs etc.

Internet:

I relied heavily on the internet during the pre-production phase. Search engines such as Google proved an imperative part in conducting research. In addition, websites such as Youtube were used to help during the planning stage.

For example, I used Youtube to help with the research into casting; I searched a clip of a famous actress's audition tape.

During the post-production stage when it came to editing my footage together, I used Freesound in order to accumulate the necessary sounds and music that we would include in our horror movie opening.

Freesound is a website where you can download sounds and music composed by other users for free, which we utilised greatly. Every sound and piece of music used in our opening was downloaded from Freesound.






Shooting and Cameras


During the preliminary task, we filmed using an iPad. However, we shot our project using a digital Canon Legria camera. Although we had a basic knowledge of using digital cameras, we still struggled with some aspects. For example, changing the focus and the lighting proved a challenge at times.





In addition, we also had a tripod to position the camera on top of and use. A problem we faced was constantly having to adjust the height of the tripod to each individual shot. Tracking shots could also not be achieved with the camera attached to the tripod, and the quality of a hand-held tracking shot was very poor.

Benefits of using a digital camera:

• can instantly re-watch footage that has just been recorded.
• better quality.
• wider range of features.

Editing Software

In order to effectively edit together and organise our footage, we used the editing software Adobe Premiere Pro. During the preliminary task, I edited using iMovie and only had limited experience with Premiere Pro where I had practice editing together a few pieces of footage, filmed by somebody else. 

Due to my lack of knowledge and understanding regarding the usage of the software, I learnt many new useful skills. For example, there were many effects and transitions that could be utilised such as fade to black.






We also learnt how to insert titles, including putting text over our existing footage and opening titles.









Overall, the different mediums and forms of technology that we learnt about during this process meant we established a greater connection and understanding of the film business. We are now aware of the extensive process necessary in order to make a film and have grasped how to use equipment used at each stage e.g. cameras and editing software.

Evaluation: Questions 4 and 5

Evaluation: Question 3

Evaluation: Questions 1 and 2

MAISIE - COMPLETED OPENING

Preliminary Task

Post Production: Sound

Sound is a vital component in the horror film opening, as it creates an eerie feel to the piece and helps build up the tension to the opening's climatic ending. In order to find the appropriate sounds, we searched on the website "freesound" where sound effects and compositions of music are posted by users and can be downloaded for free. 

For the first half of our horror opening, the sound used is low and ominous and non-distruptive. The sound is prominent but not overwhelming, as the main action has not begun yet - the character is just walking over a bridge and then resting.

However, when the protagonist in the opening hears a suspicious noise, the score takes a dramatic turn. Strings will be introduced as the action' space picks up and the thought of a potential antagonist is alluded to.

Sound effects that wil need to be provided include; heavy breathing for when the protagonist hears the noise and begins to panic. The other sound effect that wil be included is the noise itself, most likely the splashing of water from the river below.

Post Production: Editing/Titles

During the editing process, we had to create titles which would play over the opening. We had to consider the tone and themes of the opening and be aware that the titles had to reflect that feel. The font, colours and background of the screen had to be altered to reflect it - it was imperative to incorporate codes and conventions in the titles. We decided to have a black background with white font. However, the white font has inflections of red behind it which can symbolise danger and blood. 

The letters in "Cling Films" are spaced out evenly, with it filling most of the screen whilst "A" and "production" are smaller and the letters are not spaced apart, which means the focus mainly falls on the name of our production company.

Our first title is a "starring" title, with the first actor's name appearing is "Jennifer Adler". As it is a starring title, the name appears for slightly longer on screen than the other names of the actors. In addition, the fact that the name appears solely on its own suggests that it is a starring role.

Other actors names featured include "Leo Winslet" and "David Matthews". Two names appearing at once indicate that these actors don't have starring roles in the production, and they are more lily supporting roles. They also don't appear on screen for as long.

Proof of Production

In order to get the shot of the swing chain we needed, I had to climb onto the swing's frame and hold the camera rather than use the tripod.

Jake using the camera on the tripod. This particular shot was hard to film; the seat of the swing had to swing into the camera lens. We had to be conscious of the camera and ensure the swing did not damage it. 

Filming a mid shot of our actor, Brian, looking over the bridge into the water below. Most of the filming was completed hand-held to create a naturalistic and eerie feel.

Jake setting up a shot. This shot will immediately follow the shot of the swing seat swinging into the camera lens. Brian has his back to the camera, ready to walk to his destination.

We completed the production stage and took photos to document and to show evidence of us filming. We ran into several problems during filming which we had to overcome. For example, when we were filming on the bridge, we had constant interruptions from people walking and cars driving over the bridge which halted filming. Another problem was the level of the water in the river. Due to heavy rain, the river which is usually shallow was quite deep which meant Brian could not wade into the water as planned and the murder scene had to be re-planned. The lighting was also an issue. We commenced filming when it was light; by the time we were filming the last scene, it had gone dark. We may have to re-film that particular scene.

Post Production: Commencing Editing

After filming and completing all of the production, we can now begin to edit. The above images show that we have imported the footage into Adobe Premiere Pro. This is the software that we will be editing our horror film opening on. So far, we have only imported the footage and have not begun editing it. Due to the previous practice I have editing with Premiere Pro, the process should be relatively easy. However, ensuring that he whole group is happy with the choices that are made could be challenging.

Practice with Premiere Pro: Titles

Now we have finished production, we can begin to think about the editing and post - production phase. Titles are included in this phase. In order to capture and maintain the horror theme of the piece of film, the titles must continue and contribute to the miss-en-scene.

The amount of titles is important, as is the style of them. For example, the first title would not be suitable for the genre of our two minute opening. The font is too big and bold, and does not suit the horror theme. The second title example is also unsuitable as I believe it is too curved and does not scream "horror". The font is too big and fills almost the whole screen. However, the third title is the best out of the three as the spaced out letters are quite skeletal and the difference in size between "A Cling Films" and "Production" creates a more haunting feel.

Planning: Practice Editing with Premiere Pro

Me and my group will soon be commencing the production process. Once all of the filming is complete, we will move on to the post - production stage. A very important part of post - production is editing. Previously for our preliminary task, I edited together my footage with iMovie. However, for the opening 2 minutes of our horror film 'Maisie', we will be using Premiere Pro. With pieces of footage filmed as an example and practice edit ahead of the preliminary task, I used Premiere Pro to create a short piece of film. I took screen shots of the process which highlights how the layout differs from iMovie.  For example, on Premiere Pro, you can layer two pieces of footage over each other and change the opacity of them, so you can see two clips simultaneously. This cannot be achieved on iMovie. Cutting and editing the footage together is also different, however it is simple to use. In addition, you can also change the effects on the edited footage and drag just the audio or the video down.

One of the problems our group will face when editing is making sure everyone is happy and has equal say in the final edit. Previously, we have edited individually, so editing as a group may pose a challenge.

The Next Stage

We have now completed the pre-production stage. Next, we will be looking at beginning production. However, we need to ensure that the actors featured in our horror opening are available, as well as those involved behind the camera.

Preparation: Practice with the Cameras

Yesterday we finally got a memory card and we decided it was time to have a test run with the camera.

We used Oliver as our model and had a play with the manual brightness and focus. We've had a good look at the different features and we used this poster to guide us:

We tried to get a little bit of footage (which will be on the next post) to see if we were naturally skilled with the camera. We found our feet eventually and the following footage wasn't too bad.

 

 

There was a slight problem with light because the classrooms were rather bright but as we will be filming in the dark and looking for light, we aren't too worried about it.

 

Now we have become more accquanited with the camera we will be using, we are more confident that production will run smoothly as we now know how to use the camera and are aware of its basic properties.

Getting Ready for Production

All of the pre-production planning has been completed. Me and my group met and decided what we would do next in order to be fully prepared for the production process.

We are going to practise filming with the camera we will use for shooting. We will take pictures of us using the camera, and also create a short piece of film demonstrating our knowledge and competence with the camera.

In addition, we have decided to shoot some of the shots from the shot list in order to gain experience and practice for the real thing. However, we will also shoot shame shots from different angles and movements that have not been planned in case we decide against the shots in the shot list. It will also give us more options when it comes to the post production process, especially the editing.

Planning: Shot List

Shot Number	Shot Type	Actor	Description
1		N/A	Opening titles, “production by CLING FILM.” White colour, scratchy font.
2	XCU	N/A	An extreme close up of a chain, moving slightly back and forth.
3	LA - CU	N/A	Seat of a swing swaying slowly back and forth- gives clarification of the setting and tone.
4	LS/ES	A figure (John can be seen in the background of the shot)	Shows a pair of swings, swinging out of sync with each other. The swinging is slow and eerie.
5	LS	John – male walker	Tracking shot of a male walking across a bridge, looking glum.
6	MS	John	Mid shot of the same male, still walking across the bridge.
7	MS	John	Mid shot of the male walking across the bridge, the camera is however facing his front this time. He turns into a dip on the bridge.
8	LA – MS	John	The male steps into the dip on the bridge.
9	HA – XCU	John	He places his hands on either side of the dip of the bridge to rest.
10	CU	John	Male looks out over the river below him. When he breathes, his breath can be seen.
11	MS	John	The male places his elbows down onto the stone and slouches over.
12	CU	John	Another close up of him inhaling and exhaling slowly. He is relaxed. Once again his breath is visible. He digs in his pocket.
13	OTS	John	He produces his phone from the pocket and stares at it. He taps the screen.
14	XLS	John (seen in background)	An unknown person is standing behind the tree, watching the man on the bridge. They look out from behind the tree, and then retreat.
15	CU	John	He taps the phone, and he has no signal.
16	CU	John	The man looks angry and frustrated, his breathing becomes slightly heavier. He throws the phone off the bridge, eliminating his only mean of communication.
17	CU	N/A	The phone is in the river, sunk at the bottom.
18	CU	John Dialogue: "Who's there?"	The man is still annoyed but looks a little less frustrated. He hears a splash from the river down below. A look of terror spreads across his face.
19	XCU	John	He has begun heavy breathing. His breath can be seen in the air.
20	CU	John	He looks terrified, but still exits the dip in the bridge where he has been residing.
21	LS	John	He has walked down the slope to the river and is entering the water. He walks down to the arch and peers under it.
22	LS	John Agne (mysterious figure in background)	He is peering under the arch. A mysterious figure can be seen in the background.
23	MS	John	He wades backwards, more at ease, but still wary.
24	CU	John Agne (hands)	A pair of hands emerges with rope in their hands. The rope is thrown around the man’s neck.
25	XCU	John Agne	The hands tighten their grip on the rope.
26	XCU	John	The man’s eyes search around his surroundings, and then fix on the camera.
27			Screen fades to black and the film’s title ‘MAISIE’ appears. White colour and scratchy font.

Creating a shot list was beneficial as it gave me and my group a brief overview of the camera shots, angles and movements we intended to use in the opening two minutes of our horror film. We were able to break down each individual shot which will be used in the opening and look at them in more detail. 

I also included a brief description of the shots and what actors would feature in each part of the opening. As we only have one line of dialogue, I added that into the 'Actors' column. We decided to include only one line of speech as for most of the opening, it only involves one character. In addition, we do not have the equipment, e.g. a boom in order to record distinct dialogue.