The Production

THE PRODUCTION

WEEK SIX: SHOOT DAY

Today was our day of shooting, after all the preparation we felt ready to begin our production process. As we were acting in our own film, issues such as gathering actors together was less stressful. Getting other students out of lessons to film would be highly unlikely.

In preparation for our shoot we wrote down all the things required to ensure a smooth shoot. Things like the date, time and props needed on set were included.

After we posted our version we collected comments from our TARGET AUDIENCE.

From looking at the comments I can see that viewers watching the video seem to enjoy it. However one of the users commenting suggested that we improve the audio. We considered this in the filming of our new film opening and began the filming and editing process.

WEEK SEVEN: EDITING AND ANALYSIS

After looking at all the clips from our shoot, we picked up on a lot of pros and cons and realised that there was more work to be done before the editing process begins. Editing can be made easier if the shooting quality is of a high standard.

We didn’t manage to finish our shoot in one day, which is one thing we’ll have to consider when we decide to shoot again – but what we did manage to film we began editing and putting together in editing software Adobe Premiere Pro.

Editing decisions

During the editing process there were several decisions that we had to make in order to ensure the best quality film possible.

Our film begins with a prayer for a member of the school who has passed away. To make our film as realistic as possible, we researched prayers said for the dead.

Prayer said for the dead

Prayer slightly tweaked to help narrative.

To conform to the codes and conventions of our chosen genre, instead of having the teacher simply say the prayer, we decided to go for something a bit more abstract and have the prayer as an audio. This gives us the opportunity to use a variety of shots to establish the scene and already creates a sense of mystery to our audience.

The prayer with only the audio used on the sequence timeline

Furthermore, in our opening sequence; we realised that we would have to title our film to help our audience get a vague idea of what the film could be about. Because death is a theme in our film, we established that the font selection would be crucial.

We decided to research fonts that are used on gravestones.

Searching for the fonts used on gravestones

Despite extensive research, we could not find the type of font that was specifically used for gravestones – so we decided to look at images to see if we could select by appearance.

Looking for gravestone fonts

Gravestone font

Comparing our selected font to the gravestone font

Fortunately, the font is pretty accurate and was what we featured in our title sequence.

First Draft

This is the first draft of our film, it was a learning experience and we believe that in less time we will be able to do the final version, as most of the preparation is done. We will use the version as an opportunity to gain audience feedback and improve on our final version – improving our journey into production.

After we posted our new version we collected comments from our TARGET AUDIENCE.

When looking at the feedback from our target audience I can see that people really enjoyed it. This suggest that we are including factors when making videos that are target audience enjoys. However one viewer commented, saying there were some awkwardly personal close ups and hasty cuts and another viewer said the conversation at the end felt awkward and overly scripted almost.

Based on this audience feedback, when we film again we will make sure that we:

1.     Use less close ups – Using less close ups makes it feel less awkward and personal. By using less, the viewers can still feel the atmosphere proposed and the thoughts and feelings of people in a scene.

2.     Use less hasty cuts - Hasty cuts were also pointed out by the feedback so using less will reducing the feeling of being 'awkwardly personal'

3.     Improve the dialogue - It was also pointed out that the conversation at the end felt 'awkward' and 'overly scripted' so when we film again we will make the conversations appear genuine.   

We will take all these improvements into consideration and ensure that our final version shows that we have listened to our audience and aimed to do better.

WEEK EIGHT: SHOOT DAY AND EDITING

Taking on all constructive criticism, we embarked on our second and final attempt of filming an opening sequence. Things ran a lot smoother this time because we had experience of filming two films this time - and we felt we were getting better each time.

We ensured that we had a script, storyboard and shot list this time - something we didn't have in its entirety previously.

The Script

MISUNDERSTOOD?

STARRING ELLIE, KRISSY, OISIN, ERICA AND ALI

WRITTEN BY [ERICA]

ESTABLISHING SHOT – HALLWAY WIDE SHOT

SCENE 1 – SCHOOL CORRIDOR

ELLIE and ALI are having an intimate conversation.

         FADE OUT.

SCENE 2 – SCIENCE CLASSROOM

ALI: (doubtful) I’m not sure about… the ring.

ERICA: Why not?

ALI: I don’t know, I think it’s a bit over the top.   

KRISSY: I think it’s sweet!

ALI: Thanks.

KRISSY: So how are you gonna do it?

ALI: (shyly) I don’t know, I’ll probably just take her out for dinner or something.

ERICA: That’s so cute, good luck with it.

ALI and ERICA hug.

KRISSY: SO when are you gonna do it?

ALI: Hopefully tonight - if I’m lucky.

CUT TO CORRIDOR

OISIN: Are you alright Ellie?

ELLIE : No, ALI’s in there with another girl.

OISIN: Well that’s not surprising.

ELLIE: What’s that supposed to mean?

OISIN: You know what he’s like.

CUT TO CLASSROOM

ALI: …but, I need to leave at 3.

ALI, ERICA and KRISSY hug goodbye.

CUT TO CORRIDOR

OISIN: Let’s take your mind off it and get something to eat.

ELLIE: Don’t feel like it.

OISIN: Come on.

ELLIE: (Sighs) Alright, fine!

FADE OUT

SCENE 3 – PLAYGROUND

ELLIE: I forgot my blazer. let me go and grab it, i will meet you back here.

OISIN: Alright, I’ll wait here.

ELLIE turns a corner and bumps into ALI.

ALI: What are you doing here?

ELLIE: I don’t think that’s any concern of yours.

ALI: (oblivious) What does that mean?

ELLIE: (spitefully) I saw you upstairs with them two.

ALI: Who?

ELLIE: Erica and Krissy…

ALI: I was planning something for you.

ELLIE: (taken aback) What do you mean?

ALI: A surprise!

ELLIE: (happy) Well I need to go get my blazer… so I’ll meet you at the front.

ALI: Okay.

OISIN spots the two together and walks off. ALI and ELLIE walk in opposite directions. Then, ALI falls over.

ALI: Ouch! … how could you?

ERICA: Did that hug mean nothing to you?

FLASHBACK TO EARLIER HUG

ERICA: I was just another one of your girls, wasn’t I?

FADE TO BLACK.

Storyboard

Shot list:

 Wide Shot

 Dutch Angle – Close up

 Wide shot of Erica, Krissy and Ali talking

 Close up of Erica

 Wide shot from above

 Close up of Krissy

 Close up of Erica

 Eliie's POV – Travelling

 Over the shoulder (Erica)

 Ellie’s POV

 Close up of Krissy

 Wide shot travelling 

 Wide shot – POV moving towards Ellie

 Medium shot of Ellie

 Medium shot of Oisin

 Wide shot of both of them

 Medium shot of Oisin

 Medium Shot of Ellie

 Wide shot from above of Erica, Krissy and Ali

 Over the shoulder (Ellie)

 Wide shot – Travelling (Ali)

 Wide shot (Oisin and Ellie)

 Over the shoulder

 POV –Travelling (Ali)

 Deep Focus – Two shot 

 Close up (Ali)

 Two shot – Travelling

 Close up (Ali)

 Two shot 

 Over the shoulder - travelling (Ellie)

 Over the shoulder (Ali)

 Close up

 Over the shoulder

 Wide shot

 Over the shoulder

 Wide shot

 Travelling

 POV – Travelling

 Close up

 POV

 Close up – Travelling

 Over the shoulder

 Wide shot – exit camera view

 Travelling from behind

 POV – unfocused 

 Travel/follow up

 Wide shot

 Wide shot – looking up

 Wide shot

 Wide shot

 POV – unfocused – Travelling downwards

 Close up

WEEK NINE: EDITING DECISIONS

Use of Dip to Black

This technique makes the transition between scenes seem smoother and not hasty which was mentioned in one of the comments of our previous drafts. 

POV of Hug

The point of view of the hug shows the viewers what it looks like from Ellie's character perspective which gives people watching an idea of how the character must feel.

POV & Reaction Shot

The use of the point of view shot shows how my character may feel, this is backed up by the reaction shot which tell people exactly how my character feels which makes the plot twist much more interesting.

Introduction of Suspenseful Music

Use of suspenseful music tells the audience that a major event in the story is about to occur, this creates tension and makes the audience eager to see what is going to happen.

Close up of Killer

This close up identifies the killer and subverts the audience expectations as they were most likely expecting my character to be the killer. 

WEEK TEN: FINAL TOUCHES AND PREMIERE

Analysis of Shot Types

Use of Dutch Angle

Shows we are looking at someone's point of view which also tells the audience that the person is secretly watching them as it appears he is leaning over to avoid being caught. 

Close up

This shows the reaction of the person in the shot so the audience knows how they feel.

Flashback Effect

This explains questions that the audience may be thinking such as why did Erica's character kill Ali's character 

The Premiere

We finally uploaded our video to YouTube. We received even more audience feedback, and based on the feedback it was evident that we have improved along our journey of production.

From looking at the comments I can see that the viewers enjoyed the film because they described it as 'good' 'great' and 'excellent' which already seems to be an improvement over the previous drafts. It was pointed out that one of the positive aspects of the film was that it was very or really engaging. Some of the comments also say that they liked the shots used and found them interesting. The scene at the end seemed to be surprising to some people which is another positive point. however the comments suggested that the audio wasn't at the best quality which seems to be due to the wind outside the quality lowering during conversations. One of the comments mention that Ali's fall didn't seem genuine. Overall the film seemed to be a success however in future I will consider the quality of the audio and make scenes appear genuine and authentic.