Sound

Thinking about using old and new instruments/styles to combine the old conspiracies and placing them in a modern environment.

I have searched many copyright free websites for our soudtrack. In the website: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?feels%5B%5D=Aggressive&Search=Search+by+Feel I found two tracks to choose from: Five Armies and The Cannery.

I am thinking of using one of these tracks to download and edit using the Garageband software. This way I can more abient sounds to build tension and suspence.

We have learnt that sound is 50% of the film. It adds and enhances a great amount of emotion, also is one of the main ways to produce emotion within filming.

Progression of Editing

This video is our latest video from editing the clips. I think it matches the brief very clearly. I think that the filming and production process went very well- eventhough we had to be very organised through the short filming sessions. It seems how we planned, but it does have some major and minor errors which we need to overcome. 

We need to: add sound, make it flow (continuity editing), add titles (of editors, producers... ect), and polish it off. 

Overall we are keeping to a good time schedule. This week we will have finished the clip (may have to come in at the Easter holidays). Then this allows us two weeks for us to concentrate on the evaluation questions.

Re-shoot of the Interrogation Scene

We have decided to do a retake the interrgation scene after overlooking the previous clips. Only a few needed to be replaced/added, meaning it did not take as long as last time. I had the lanlords permission to do a final shoot on Friday.

We was curius with the weather foorecasted being heavy snow. This could affect our shots of the outdoor of the barn/shed, but more importantly being able to get to the location. However, everyone was fully motivated in finishing filming, which for me and Tom was a great advantage. We informed everyone the local bus routes and times, as luckily they were running as usual.

https://www.trentbarton.co.uk/services/threes/maps-and-times

Next, once arrived we had to have the extact same layout of the barn as filmed previously, to keep continuity throughout the clip. I was in charge of bringing the props, costumes and equipment to the set. Whereas, Tom helped produce the mise en scene when arrived.

Lighting - Target Audience

The natural lighting used in the science experiment scene is very effctive with the blend of the dark blue (from the blind, lit by natural light) and the bright red flame (exerted from the bunsen burner). This mixture of colours helps signify a supernatural tone with the bright colours from the lighting, moreover, it is helped from the colours of the experiment (red, green, blue). Combining these colours enhances the application towards the brief- in relating to a sci-fi genre, but also entertains the older audience.

Screen grab of a shot taken from the science lab

From research earlier, the Asian race would be attracted to this opening, from interlinking a theme of science (due to their highly advanced technlogy). Furthermore, the violence and aggression would further appeal to males, rather than females. In conclusion, it portrays us applying our research of producing the film to appeal to the more relevent target audience.

This shows us taking into account the audineces interests, which shows good, detailed research which (if released) would proliferate the exchange.

Editing

This is evidence of us editing in Serif Movie Plus. We are using this to place all of the clips together, making it take less time to export. It also gives us the amount of time taken, and will help me edit the soundtrack to each scene.
We are planning to make a black cut imbetween the time lapses when the two antagonists chase the scientist.

Science Experiment Scene-filming results

Finished filming the science experiment scene. It went smoothly. Learned to use the tripod a lot more, to make it look more professional. It helps to keep the ca,era stabilised, which helps create continuity and fluidity throughout the different shots. 

Image of tripod fully extended

Risk Assessment for the Science Experiment scene

This is my risk assessment for the Science Experiment scene. The severity and the occurrence levels aid which risk we must approach first. Going from preventing the 'high risk' to 'medium risk' to 'low risk' respectively. This improves the health and safety considerably. All risks can affect everyone in the room, hence having to aim to prevent any risk to health. In some cases we can't approach the normal ways to prevent a risk:

For example, we wouldn't put a 'Wet Floor' sign up, as it can affect the quality of the production, resulting in our grade being lowered. To resolve this issue we have different procedures in handling the risk safely. 

Having the supervision of the teacher will also help us conduct a safe experiment, mainly because she can offer us guidance if any dangers have been missed. Also, we have substituted very dangerous chemicals with water/vinegar and food colouring which greatly lowers the danger in health and safety.

Science Experiment Scene

I will be filming the science experiment scene tomorrow after school. 

We have a really short time schedule to finish it. Got about just under an hour to film the experiment, meaning that we had to be organised and ready for all the shots needed to be taken.

Our plan (similar to the interrogation scene), is to take as many shots and takes as possible to enable a selection, again making it the best production possible.

Evaluation/Results of First day of filming

We filmed just over 100 shots in the interrogation scene, to give us a big choice in selecting the best take for that section. We moved swiftly due to the tight time scale but many good and bad shots were taken. 

Yesterday, we looked through each take, and selected the best takes and placed them in another file (separating the good and bad). 

Today, we began to place the takes into a draft film. So it shows how long we have filmed for. Up to yet, we have 1min 20 seconds of film. Meaning that we need at least an extra 40 seconds. This will be filmed on Thursday for the science experiment scene. Furthermore, after evaluating the film, we have decided that another shoot needs to be done, improving some shots and adding some shots. 

Evaluating the film ensures that we are going into detail on the opening; hence improving the camerawork. This shall enable me to gain the best grade possible. 

Once the filming has done, I shall make final arrangements to the soundtrack I produced on Garageband to enable synchronous sound, and maybe parts of rhythmic editing. This shall proliferate the effect upon the older audience, as the action packed entry of the film ultimately gathers great interest, and creates enigmas making them watch further. 

Science Experiments

This image shows some examples of the different colours and different reactions taken place. Using this image, the amount of fizz is directly proportionate to the amount of vinegar. Concluding that, the more vinegar + bicarbonate soda = a bigger reaction (more fizz). We shall be using the same amount of ingredients for the red experiment - not too much/too less fizz. Also the shape of the glass is different to the test tube, so may have to alter the amounts slightly.

These are the ingredients I will be using to create different colours and fizz, for the science experiment.

Costumes

This photo show what the costumes in which reinforce the stereotypes (stated earlier). 

First day of Filming

This evening is the day which we will be filming. We have everything organised, everyone will be meeting there at 6:00, whereas me and Tom will be there at 5:30. This is to ensure that everything reguarding the set will be set up and ready for the actors when they arrive. This is because of our tight time scale in filming by 7pm.

Representing Stereoypes

In my clip we are using different stereotypes which would add excitement and thrill to the audience.

 

The Protagonist - Scientist

Scienctists are stereotypically represented by beng very intelligent, and clever, usually wearing a lab coat and look old.
However in our film, the scientist will have crazy hair and is young. This could connote to him being more immature and mischievous, hence forshadowing later events (e.g. the experiment scene) and creating more excitement in the opening. He will be wearing a lab coat to clearly portray him being a scientist.

The Antagonist - Interrogator

They're many interrogation scenes, both which are good and evil. For example a police interrogation. This would take place in a small room and dress smartly (suit), or either a police uiform. Similarly, the evil interrogators usually dress in dark, smart clothes and in an abonded, 'run down' room. Both dress codes are quite similar, representing their status and power within the scene, the darkness would also connote in being evil, death, and shadows/being stealthy.

In my opening the antagoinist will be dress stereotypically as an evil interrogator. Hence wearing a dark suit. The setting in the room will also add greater effect. Representing the antagonist in having high status will help portray the different power and status roles in the scene. The balance of power throught the clip will differ, from the protagonist escaping and overpowering them from using his power.

The Bodyguard

They're many different representations of bodyguards for different genres of films. Stereotypically, they are shown in having great strength and power, sometimes armed with wepons. They size and strength are usually much more than the other characters to emphasise this.
Our bodyguard is dressed and does represent the stereotypes, as he is larger than all the other characters, which emphasises the 'impossible' escape in which the scientist has to overcome. He will be wearing black, and looking fairly smart which again represents evil.

Overall, overpowering the scientist 2:1 creates a more 'impossible' approach in what he has to overcome. The antagonist will dominate the speech and dialogue which again mounts more dominance in the balance of power. However the screen time progressively increases (using the flashbacks) as the clip goes on. Giving an insight to good overcoming evil. This is an example of moral ambiguity of good overcoming evil. Playing with stereotypes aids the thrill decoded to the audience. Also the tension and suspence appeals to the older target audience.

Titles

Titles and production company

Titles for our film

This shows the progression of our titles building and making the a little longer, which is shown in shot 2 were we have the second part to our name coming up and further into the both the titles starts to change opacity from 1-100% , making them flash giving a sci fi feel and look to the title and it finishes with them both coming up and fading slowly.

Production company

The production company name was made by james last name Allsop and my last name Ford , making Allford production .

We wanted to keep it to the genre of the film so we kept it dark and misty so we added fog but turning darker and darker further into the end of the clip .

 

The planning above was taken from Tom's blog.

 

This is our progression in making the titles. We experimented with different transitions, colours, and different edits. Overall, we decided to use more dark colours allowing the text to stand out. The green colour can represent supernatural activity. In the production title sequence, a mist is created to link into the interrogation scene.

We have planned on the starting with the production company, and ending the opening sequence fading out to darkness in which the name will be shown.

Location - Science Room

Yesturday I discussed about when I could use a science lab. We decided that Tuesday afterschool and thursday afterschool was more suitable for both us and the teacher. She said we could use some of the equipment, such as: beackers, test tubes, bunsen burners, lab coats, and test tubes racks.
We both agreed that using white vinegar, bicarbonate soda, and food colouring would be best as it is safest and easiest to use and get.

Decorating the lab using sciene equipment and using severall props aids the mise en scene in creating a science experiment.

Production Company Name

For the film opening we had to create a name for a production company.
We decided to call it ALLFORD PRODUCTION.
We chose this to link both of our names. Also, research suggests that most professional production companies end in 'PRODUCTION'. Meaning that we are suggesting that we are a top production company, which will appeal to the target audience as they will expect a profession movie.

Science symbols

 

These are the symbols we will be considering to use for the different substances we will be testing. These will be used to make the substances seem more dangerous for the audience, which enhances his 'crazy' status.

The Experiment scene

We have been able to use a science lab at school (the recce shots will be blogged later), and I have been researching different experiments for the crazy scientist to do...

These are different ways we will create the experiment. It will help us know how to: fizz, change colour and make our video look more thrilling for the audience. They won't to be the same scale obviously, but the ideas are key to creating a crazy experiment.

Animatic Complete

This is the animatic of our film, it shows how long each shot will be. I have also added my soundtrack to it. In doing this it shows that I have only just past the criteria for the amount of time, suggesting that I need to add more shots. I was thinking adding more time to the flashback by increasing the amount of shots taken. Also, I have gathered that the soundtrack is too short, meaning that I will need to add more bars. I think the drums and tense instruments towards the end can be repeated for more bars. However, the I think the sound suits the theme of the film considerably so only a few more adjustments will have have to be made.

Recce shots of locations

INTERIOR

EXTERIOR

This is the ideal location for our clip from the places nearby. As soon as I stepped inside it was pitch black which will really helps set the scene when we put the light in. The inside in these shots show an old, unused barn. We will organise the room to give enough space, there will not be any instruments in the scene, and we may have to cover things with sheets. This would add effect to portray a 'run down' place. Outside the barn is small court yard which seems old fashioned- stone buildings. 

Whilst I was there, I finalised the time for filming, being next Friday 5:30 - 7:00. This should of give us plenty of time for setting up the scene and filming. We shall make sure we are all clear what and when we are filming to ensure we finish within the time.

Risk Assessment

We shall ensure that the actors will have enough space, meaning that we shall move any unwanted props and anything which has a risk to health, or which will defect the film quality. The wiring and other equipment for filming will have to be safely out of shot to prevent injury and poor filming. I shall keep all doors clear to enable a safe escape if something drastic occurs.

Titles

These videos show a step-by-step tutorial of how to use Adobe Premiere CS3 software. We are using it to guide us to produce the best titles possible. Tom (my partner) is focussing on this element of the production as he is good at editing. However, we are both coming up with ideas and different fonts to use, to create a bigger effect upon the audience.

Timetable for the next 2 weeks

Week commencing:

Monday 11th March

• Keep testing the title sequence till we are happy with it- fits with brief, and links to the narrative.
• Edit the soundtrack to fit with the different scenes we've edited
• Friday/saturday - begin and finish filming the interrogation scene.

Monday 18th March

• Finish filming the flashback (in the science lab)
• Begin editing the film clips
• Finish Soundtrack
• Finished/have a clear idea of the titles being added.

Animatic

This shows me using Adobe Premiere Pro to create an Animatic for my storyboard, it shows thorough planning in knowing how long each shot will take. This will make it easier for us to film as we can now imagine the film opening taking place, and helps us knowing were to position the camera. 

Weather forcast

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2641170

I will use BBC weather to enable us to plan out the best day for filming. It shows the forcast for the next week which will again help in our planning.

Location

I have asked a lanlord if I could use his barn/shed to film in, which I used to use for band practise. It would suit our interrogation scene well, as it is quite old. Also we will be filming in the evening/night time to get more darkness into the scene, creating more of an atmosphere. We may have to use black binliners/sheets to cover windows if we needed to block any light. This will enhance the lamp which will be focussed on the scientist and his emotions.

I will be planning to get photos and videos sorted by the end of this week for our final decision of the location. We will also gather information on the weather forcast, as it needs to be dry or a light drizzle.

Ideas of the Name of the Film

We have been thinking of ideas of the name of our film. The two main titles were: 

The Hunted

Area 52- The Continuum.


Overall we decided to use the name

Area 52- The Continuum

This was chosen because of the conspiracy theories of Area 51. It was a military base in America which was top secret, one of the most secretive places in America at that time. The conspiracies were that alien/supernatural activity was found from a UFO crash landing. Apparently in the base they interrogated the aliens, and investigated in their technology. These are similar ideas to our opening. Maybe the scientist was investigating, and secretly (trespassing back into the lab) testing the source which results in him turning into a supernatural being. However, we are calling it Area 52, this is because we are using similar ideas of the myths and conspiracies of Area 51, but with a more modern outlook, where the rebirth of the supernatural beings are brought back to life in a modern environment.

These are a number of conspiracies revolving around Area 51. 

http://stooge.hubpages.com/hub/List-of-conspiracy-theories-and-UFO-myths-around-Area-51

I used Facebook to gain other views, and it allowed us to discuss different ideas. This is an example of our market research in gaining public views.