All Around You from BDC on Vimeo.

Followed. from previous blog

following on from my other blog. Here are some pictures that were taken while filming.

filming a shot from a low angle in the graveyard location. We experiemented with different angles to find the most interesting. This scene was her reading a letter. We ended up filming looking up at her reading it.


In studio. Setting up tv and sorting lighting so it was right.



By Luke

research into directors

ive decided to research into the famous director Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, who is well known for his techniques in making suspense in his physcological thrillers. His films are believed to have been extensively story boarded with the finest detail.

pace in thriller films is very important and its important to keep the pace to the music as this is what builds up the atmosphere of tension.

In many of his films he did this. I also noticed by wathing trailers of the films that the use of lighting is very important too. The more shadows and the less the audience can see the more uncomftorable they feel.


Luke

Music in a thriller

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tMOeZmJ1yt8

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo4r6yVdONE

Here are some of the ideas we wanted to involve in our soundtrack.

The second one is more realistic and creepy and works well in thriller films as it builds up tension and suspense.

Luke

Editing the movie

The program we used when editing was Final Cut Pro. At first i found it very confusing and hard to understand but as i got more familiar with it i managed to start being able trimming and puting clips together.

Originally we wanted to do something different in the editing process and make an effect for one of the actors faces to fade into another. Although we realised that this was a bit hard and with such little knowledge on the program and with not much time it wouldnt have been practical.

When editing i did some of the basic things such as adjusting the colour/exposure/contrast so it all matched. (we shot the outside location over 2 days as the lighting got hard to work with) in the footage it was very noticable so i had to correct it which took a while.
Above is a picture of the kind off effect i wanted to bring into the film with the fuzzy tv screen. On certain shots i added "old tv effect" to make it look as though it was being watched on a tv by somebody making it a bit more edgy.

Luke

behind the scenes

When filming in the studio i took some pictures of the practical work which was going on. The characters makeup was done with special effects makeup by me to make her look very pale with different injuries over her face.

It was a shame that the filming of this couldnt be used in the film as i think it would have made the overall edit much more effective. The reason for this was because it was filmed on the handheld video camera which supports a different video format which we couldnt edit.

Below are some pictures of the characters makeup

applying SFX makeup for injury effects

Overall look

By Luke

Editing

When it came to editing, i initially felt nervous about using final cut pro as i had only used the programme when doing so in the prelim exercise. However, after the first editing session i soon found my confidence again as i remembered the editing techniques that i had learnt previously. The first stage of beginning the editing process was uploading all of our footage. This was time consuming as we had to label each of our clips, however this would in fact make it a lot easier when coming to putting the piece together later on as we would know clearly what shot was which. It was during this uploading stage that me and Luke came across our first serious problem. We was unable to upload all the footage from the video camera as in was in a completely different format. This therefore meant that we had to scrap the idea of having a stalker, which therefore meant cutting out all shot of Chanelle (the dead girl). Although seeming a 'huge' problem initially, we soon discovered when we came to editing that in fact it just made the sequence more simple and easier for the audience to understand as it didn't have a complicated storyline.
Because we had a lot of footage from a variety of different angles it meant that we was able to experiment by finding the best angles with the best continuity,etc. However, the only problem with this was that we found that the footage differed significantly to our original storyboard idea, however, it still had the same principle.
At times i found the editing quite stressful, as i found myself trying to do something that i didn't actually know how to do and so it was often a case of 'trail and error', although i feel that i coped with it well and the footage overall is at it's best arrangement. For example, adding in transitions, effects and titles was something i learnt how to do through a case of ' trail and error'.
The hardest part of the editing stage i personally felt was creating a soundtrack. Because i am unfamiliar with the programme i also felt it was a case of 'trail and error'. We wanted to create an eerie, sinister yet edgy piece of music which built a great deal of tension, which would put the audience on edge. It took me a few lessons, to find pieces of music, however in the end Luke was able to put it together, looping it so that it fitted well with the music. This was the main final stage of the editing process which left us only to perfect the piece, making sure that all transitions were smooth, the text was appropriate and the sound fitted with the visuals,etc.

Becky.

Filming

When it came to filming on the Tuesday we started at about 2.15, this meant that by the time we collected our cameras, walked to the graveyard location and set up the equipment, it was already about 3.30pm. This meant that we had to get on with the filming swiftly as we needed to film in the light due to the fact that if it was too dark we wouldn't be able to use the footage, where as if it was too light we could always dull it down later during the editing process. However, because we already had our storyboard in place, we had a good idea of the shots we needed and where our actors needed to be standing,etc. After giving a quick briefing to the actors we began filming. Each shot we took about 2 or 3 times and we also recorded the shot from different angles in certain shots. Although only half way through our storyboard sequence, the light was growing dark and we soon realised that it was too dark to film and so we decided to continue filming the following day.
On Wednesday, we started filming at about 1pm. Because we was familiar with our surroundings and the equipment, etc, we was able to begin filming and pick up from where we left it previously. I found that this day's process of filming was generally a lot quicker and we even filmed more,different shots than we initially had even thought of. After filming for about 3 hours we decided that we had plenty of graveyard footage which would allow us to be able to experiment with a range of different shots.
On the Thursday, it was our time slot to film in the t.v studio. We begun at about 11.30, however we didn't start filming until about 12.30 as we needed to set up the studio, prepare the smoke machine and the t.v in the corner of the room as well as doing the actors screen make up. Because we was filming Chanelle as the 'dead girl' it meant that we needed to apply a lot of make-up and hair spray,etc to create the effect - this therefore was time consuming which ate int our filming time. A problem that we faced during the set-up was that we couldn't seem to get the t.v working, as we couldn't plug the video-recorder into the t.v so that the video footage would play on the screen. This meant that we had to alter our idea by changing it to having a 'fuzzy' t.v screen.
When we eventually begun filming, we was able to film various shots from many different angles. This didn't take much time due to the fact that we now had a good experience with the cameras, as well as the fact that we simply didn't have a lot of footage to film in the first place. However, despite this fact, we did run out of time and so we had to run into our lunch time filming, although this wasn't a problem as our actors co-operated and it only took us about a further 10 -15 minutes.
Overall, i feel that our filming ran fairly smoothly, despite having to film in the graveyard both on Tuesday and Wednesday and running into our lunch time on the Thursday; However i am generally pleased as we never had to use the following week as filming time, which would have really out the pressure on us as that would be the very last chance to film.

Becky.

Contingency Plan..

To be extra prepared before our filming, we have constructed a contingency plan in case any matters arise during the filming process...

Weather - In the case of bad weather, we have allocated both Tuesday and Wednesday for the filming in the graveyard. This is due to the fact that it is our only outside filming location and so if it rains or there is severe wind,etc on one of the days, then at least we will have the other day to rely on. If in the case of it is bad weather on both of these days, we have decided to film early on in the week and so if it comes to it, we will be able to film on the Friday or on the following Monday.

Power - In the case of our video tape running out of space, we will carry a spare tape. We will also carry a spare battery and a battery charger in case we lose power and so it won't prevent us filming.

Props - In the case of anything getting lost or broken or if something wouldn't work we carried a spare coat as it was an essential part of the costume. As well as this, we had a back-up t.v in the musical theatre office which we had previously asked permission to use in the case of the initial t.v we was going to use did not work.

Booking Studio - Before filming, we made sure that we booked a slot to film in the t.v studio on the Thursday morning. This was so that we knew for sure that we could use the space officially and that nobody else would be in there, giving us more space to work.

Recording Extra - To ensure that we had enough footage to play around with, we recorded many different shots from different angles so that when editing we could choose the shots that worked best with each other. It also meant that we were 'safer' in terms of the fact that we could have a bigger selection of clips to use so that continuity was likely to be more accurate.


Becky.

Choosing actors...

Choosing actors was quite an important part of our process, as we wanted to make sure we had actors that would work well together, as well as listening and taking on board instruction well whilst getting on with the job sufficiently. Not only this but we needed a male and female actor of similar age that could play the screen age of 16 - 18 that also looked like they would be a possible couple. Because i am on a musical theatre course that deals with young actors, i met up with my form tutor to discuss the task where we then talked about holding a casting in order to get the best actors possible. I then read a notice in role call for anyone interested, which accumulated about 15 people. From this i was then able to experience the process of a t.v casting, with the help of my teachers. We sat down together to discuss the criteria needed from the actors which were:

- Focused actors
- Playing age of 16 - 18
- Light skin tone (to compliment lighting of the footage)
- A screen couple

From this criteria, we then decided to use the actors:
- Mellissa Collins
- Antony Cahill
- Chanelle

Becky.

Production planning and Schedule..

We have been given 1 week to film, and we have a strict dead-line of giving the cameras back on the following tuesday. This means that we have needed to plan thoroughly when we are going to film in order to be constuctive and get the best out of our time with the cameras. Therefore, Luke and I alongside our chosen actors have sat down and decided the best times to film. The days we have decided to film are: Tuesday, wednesday (at the graveyard) and thursday in the t.v studio.

Below is a basic outline of our production plan:
Budget: N/A

Talent: 1 male actor (aged 16 - 18)
2 female actors (aged 16 -18)

Production staff: 2 camera operators/directors (Luke and I)

Script: N/A (no dialogue)

Equipment: - 1 HD camera
- 1 tripod
- 1 external battery
- 1 battery charger
- 1 video tape

Becky.

Locations

When planning our actual story for the sequence of our opening, we had to greatly consider the locations in which we chose. As mentioned in previous blogs, we had problems that occurred with other initial location ideas which therefore meant that we had to re-think many of our ideas. However, locations we eventually decided would work which we therefore took forward in our final idea were:

- A Graveyard location (in the first part of the sequence)
- A dark blacked-out room (in the second part of the sequence)

We decided to open the scene in a graveyard as we felt that it would immediately create a gloomy, eerie atmosphere which would automatically put the audience on edge and make them feel uncomfortable. By doing research, looking on the Internet and by simply asking people, we found out that there was a local graveyard in Selhurst which is about a 5 minute walk away from the school. This would therefore mean that it would be viable for us to transfer equipment off-site fairly easily, as well as it being more of a convenience for our actors to travel to the filming location. When we finalized the idea of wanting to film in the graveyard we had to contact the local council in order to ask for permission, (details about this stage mentioned in previous blog.)
We wanted to use an enclosed space for a second location as we felt that it would create a contrast to the first half of the sequence due to it being in a grave-yard (an open, outside space with lots of things to look at) compared to a dark, enclosed room which would be simple, yet convey a claustrophobic atmosphere. A suitable location that we felt would meet this criteria was the school's t.v studio located in the main building, close to the media block. Not only did this space have blacked out walls, but it contained adjustable lighting as well as being an easily accessible space for being able to move equipment as well as getting our actors to get to the location. Therefore, once decided, we booked the studio for a suitable filming time.

Becky.

Props

When preparing for our filming, we had to think carefully about the props that we would be needing to use when filming our thriller opening. By preparing thoroughly before filming, it would speed up the process as we would have everything on-site and ready to use, therefore saving time. Because the basic storyline has been layed out, it meant that we could chronologically go through the sequence and look out for any props that would be needed. When doing this we established that we would need:

- Flowers (for the male to place on gravestone)
- A piece of paper featuring the letters 'i'm all around you' (made up of cut out newspaper letters to convey a mysterious, eerie look)
- T.V (which would be positioned in the corner of the dark room)
- Smoke machine (to create a smoke around the female character as she wakes up in the dark room)
- Stage make-up (to create the dead girl's look on the female actor)

By having these props for both on-screen and off-screen, it meant that we were prepared and so we were ready when it came to filming as we knew what would be needed when and where. Not only did this preparation apply to the use of props but also to the process of selecting appropriate costumes for the characters.

Becky.

Synopsis of thriller opening..

From our initial idea, we realised that we would encounter problems during filming and so we had to change the idea however we kept some of our original ideas,although elaborating on them in order to make them work with the new piece.Below is a synopsis of the thriller opening:

Male is seen walking through graveyard where he then mourns at his ex-girlfriends grave. He finds a piece of paper at the grave-stone, picks it up and reads it where it displays,'I'm all around you'. He looks around and then screws it up into his coat pocket. His current girlfriend is then seen approaching behind him and goes over to comfort him. They then both leave and say bye to eachother, with the male giving the girl his coat - they both then exit in opposite directions. Girl is seen walking along path on her own. Footage is then shown from behind a gravestone as if somebody is watching her with their own video camera. Girl then finds letter in coat pocket and reads it. As she is reading it, a close-up shot of the girl's face then merges into the dead 'ex-girlfriends' face. Screen blacks out. Title of film is shown on black background. T.V fuzzing appears and screen once again goes black. Girl is then seen confused and looking around as she wakes up in a smokey black room. A fuzzing t.v screen is then seen in the corner of the room as she then crawls up to it where a piece of paper is seen on the screen. A close-up shot of the t.v then reveals that it was the letter featured earlier in the sequence. Camera slowly zooms out. Screen then goes black. End of thriller opening.

Becky.

Costume

Costume
We had to think about the characters costume for the filming as we needed it to be appropriate for the mood we wanted to create for the scene. From looking at other thriller openings, we concluded that the majority of characters wore dark/neutral coloured clothing to suit the atmosphere. Therefore because we was filming in a graveyard which naturally conveys the colours grey, brown, dark green, black,etc, we decided to similarly use 'gloomy' coloured costumes in order to compliment the scenery.We also had to think about how the costumes would play a part in the planning of the story. For example, the male puts a piece of paper in his pocket of his coat which he later gives to the female character, and so it was essential that the male character had a coat with a pocket. Therefore we used:

(Male Character) - Dark trousers, long black trench coat with pockets.
(Female Character) - Dark grey jeans, grey coat.

Becky.

Storyboard and shots list

As our filming slot approaches, having a storyboard to demonstrate our ideas clearly in stages is essential as part of our production planning. This will help us to see clearly how our footage should hopefully look like, which will therefore help us to organise our shots more efficiently during the process. Below is a storyboard that i made, which i scanned in with descriptions of the specific shots below each storyboard.

1. Shot opens with male walking down path in graveyard, (panning shot moving up the body from the feet), turns left down path.

2. Male character mourns at grave-stone. Finds letter, reads it, looks around, screws it up into coat pocket.(Medium shot.)

3.Female character (girlfriend) is seen approaching in the background. (Over the shoulder shot), comforts male (boyfriend).

4. Both characters, walk away from grave-stone, say bye to eachother, exit in opposite directions.(Panning shot)

5.Female character is seen walking alone down path.(Medium shot.)

6. Shot from behind a grave-stone, (shaky camera) as if a home video camera. Shot follows females movements along path - (shot meant to convey the idea of the girl being spyed on.)

7. (Over the shoulder shot), focus and close-up of letter as the female character reads it.

8. (Close-up shot) from below looking up at the girl's face from behind the piece of paper. Face slowly merges into the 'dead' girl's face.

9. Screen goes black. Title of thriller appears in white font against the black background. T.V fuzzing merges in and out and cuts off.

10. Girl wakes up in blacked out room, confused and looking around. Smoke all around her. (Medium shot.)

11. (Panning shot) Girl crawls up the the screen which is revealed in the corner of the room. T.V screen is fuzzing and a piece of paper is shown on the screen.

12.(Close-up shot) T.V with piece of paper stuck onto it which happens to be the same letter which appeared earlier in the sequence. Shot zooms out slowly and screen goes black. The End.


Becky.

Prep for filming

The preparation before we begun filming.

When planning things such as the ideas of out film and the general plot we had to think about the location to film at.

Originally we was going to film at a train station and on different trains although we changed this as we thought it would be a bit hard due to rules in filming in public. So we decided to change the plot and film in a graveyard.

To be able to film in the graveyard we had to have special permission from the Croydon council. Getting the permission was a bit hard as we needed to film very soon and they said it would take a few days. They also wanted us to pay a filming fee although we said it was a student film and there was no budget.

We also did some primary research and went down to the graveyard the day before filming to see what it looked like and to get a rough idea of where exactly we could film in there.