Location: Reflection

  

 

As we already know the two locations that we will be using in order to produce our film we have booked a group visit in order to as a group decide on the settings we need to shoot the scenes when filming.

Epping Forest

This weekend we have planned in our group to visit the secondary setting of our film together in order to see which areas would be best for filming in the forest (which will be the persecution scene). Here we have taking a few pictures of the settings which will be useful for the recreation of our ideas presented in the storyboard.  

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In this scenery we have decided that it would be well suited to reflect the scene where the victim is being watched by the vigilante killer (see "Storyboard (First Draft)", hereafter "SFD". A shot-reverse-shot will be used here in order to portray both perspectives which the audience can relate to being in.

 

 

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In this other scene we have discussed that it would be perfect for the actual persecution scene (see "SFD"). We have yet not decided whether a mid shot or a long shot of the scene would be most preferable therefore we will be shooting in both terms in the day.

 

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This is another setting which would be suitable for the persecution scene so we will also be testing whether it is best to use this setting or the other when producing our short film.

Recce: forest location

Before Shooting I decided to go to the forest location which covers most part of our short film to take some pictures of the environment and what we should expect.

These are some warnings that we must take into consideration if trying to shoot some pictures near the pond.

Reflection: Epping Forest

I visited the scenarios that we will be shooting inside the forest and this week we have decided that the most beneficial time to shoot is between 9:00 - 16:00 on Saturday. This is because we have found out that between this time span all of the members in our group are free.

 

There are no constraints concerning coherency of the film as the forest itself has a dark, ominous outlook throughout the day. Therefore, we do not have to worry about filming during the most dark hours of the day, which would make our meetings difficult to arrange.  

Storage container

 

We have not been able to see how the container looks from the inside so I will be posting images of it when we are allowed. Our groups is happy with the exterior look of the container as it plausible to say that it fits into the horror/thriller genre perfectly.

 

 

 

Container Plan and Props

We created a bird's eye view of how we will organise our main props inside the container after having looked at the size and seeing that everything needed fits. 

The two main props that will be used are as follow:

1) Wooden table: Here a surgical table will be placed to shoot a scene where the killer is organising the equipment.

2) Evidence board: The evidence board gives explanation of why the protagonist is a vigilante killer as he is not only a serial killer he believes he is righteous by his "cleansing" of ex-convicts or suspects that have not been punished by the legal system. 

Props for the Container Scene

As a group we created a list of the props we will use during the scene inside the container in order to have a check-list before going to the location and avoid spending unnecessary time when gathering the equipment to shoot. 

Polished Storyboard: Container scene

Polished Storyboard: Forest scene

Reflection

In our group, the location ideas which have been decided before my arrival to the group where a storage container in our sixth form college as well as a nearby forest (Epping Forest). For this reason, I have individually gone to the set places and took some pictures to be comfortable with the settings and provide some extra ideas if needed when filming.

Talent Release Form

This form recorded the actor that would be cast in our short film in order to verify that everything will go as planned (the actor will be acting on our film) - it serves as a contract for all of us. This form also specifies the timings that the actor will be needed when shooting as well as information helpful for both actor and us such as contact details etc. 

Risk assesments

Prior to the creation of our short film we have understood the dangers of creating our short film by filling out a risk assessment document. With this document downloaded from the internal Moodle system from our college we were able to identify three main factors that would apply to our product.

1) Camera Cable/ Grip Equipment: the director must have extreme caution when filming in the forest (one of our locations) because the equipment could be damaged in such an uneven terrain. 

2) Confined spaces: as our other location is within a small container we must take precaution that someone is always outside when the door is shut to prevent us from being looked in the container with no one to help us to get out.

3) Weapons: The main weapon used in this film is a knife so we will always be careful when used. This will prevent the user of the knife to cut himself or others in action. Independently we arrived to the conclusion for the director to shout out when the knife scene is being filmed so everyone who is not needed in the scene is in a distant secure location to avoid danger. 

Storyboard: First Draft

 

 

 

 

 

Formal Pitch:Feedback

Here is the feedback received for the presentation done from my group members. As I arrived late to the course I will be creating a questionnaire to create my own audience feedback and collaborate in the research for the construction of our short film.

Formal Pitch

As I have arrived late to the course my other group members had already presented their pitch about the initial ideas they have about the short film. They were able to present this treatment to the class and receive useful feedback that they have already noted down. The main idea that was presented was the time of day that the film would be shot at. This would be at dusk as it would convey the themes behind the product clearly. We will then plan the action for the footage as this time of day does not last for long and we must make the most of it.

Focus groups

Having changed subjects in the midst of the A2 Media Studies Coursework, I have missed the group presentation of ideas in order to collect audience feedback. For this reason, I will be creating a set of questionnaires relating our cinematographic ideas to fulfil the research and planning requirements of this production. I will then collect a range of feedback to then evaluate the information given and therefore change some ideas accordingly.