Evie Unit 10

 

 This is an extract of a document I made of what media skills I demonstrated in my film and why I made certain parts in my film the way I did. This document shows the time stamp, media techniques used/short description of the scene and the reason I chose to do this in order to create a certain meaning for audiences. 

 This is my whole production log from the very start of my project, this began when I generated my first idea which didn't end up being produced very well and therefore led me to another idea. This document shows the flow of work and effort put into the whole of my production process. I have added a column for dates to show how long tasks have taken etc as well as a column for notes which allows me to look back and reflect/remember what needed adding/removing to make my whole film look better. 

https://youtu.be/iD6ldSEEA5w Above is a link to my final film called Lost Traces which has been uploaded onto YouTube.

  In order to publish my film, I uploaded it onto YouTube, this meant that it could be reached and viewed by audiences. 

     I created a footage log sheet in order to keep a record of the good and bad versions of each scene, this made it easier when it came to editing and piecing all the videos together. 

 This is an audio log sheet that I have produced, this goes through every shot stating whether I am using diegetic or non-diegetic sound. Whilst I was waiting to produce my film, I could source the non-diegetic  sound and sound effects using an online royalty free music website called Pixabay. This was also useful when I was filming as I could tick off if I recorded sound or not. Also with having such a large crew, seeing a sound that had no noise was quite refreshing as I knew I wouldn't have to make them go silent and I could just mute this on Premier Pro. 

 After I had finished producing my film opening, I began the stages of post-production, the editing process. For this I used a software called Adobe Premier Pro, this is where I did all of the editing. This app helped me to add in sound effects, video transitions and graphics. By adding in sound effects (that I downloaded from the website Pixabay) I was able to merge this over my video to heighten and sharpen the sound. By adding in video transitions from the software I was able to help my film flow better. 

  I used a website called Pixabay in order to get royalty free sound and sound effects, this meant that I wouldn't have to go through obtaining the rights to the music/sound as it has no copyright surrounding it. Using a website like this meant that there was lots of variety and versions of each sound so I could choose the best fitting sound. I chose multiple sound effects such as the power buzz and the news intro. The first image is all the sound effects I used then the second image how I added it in in Premier Pro. 

In order to create a production company logo and titling for my film, I used a website called 'Canva', this is a software where you can use templates and thousands of fonts to generate a logo. I chose to use this website because it is user friendly and I could create a PowerPoint with all the different titling's, credits and graphic needed. This software also allowed me to add in effects and transitions to the text meaning when I downloaded it as a video, I could just put it straight into Premier Pro.   

 This clip shows how I have conformed to the conventions of the thriller genre. This example shows me using static shots which is a common convention used in thriller films such as 'The Killer' directed by David Fincher. By doing this, a static shot shows control over the scene by the characters, I also think the way that the characters move into the scene shows the haste and tension felt by the characters. 

 On Premier Pro, I added a 'fade to black' transition, this transition helps provide a spacer in my film. This particular section of my film is near the 20 year time jump so the slow fade to a black screen helps to break up my film and emphasise the time difference. Transitions also help to make the film flow and provide a structure to it as well as guiding the audience throughout the film duration.

  I created pace in my film through using empty black screens, I decided to build up pace by placing shots closer together and then having short bursts of black throughout. This meant that I built up tension in my film when my characters were going through an intense scene meaning that my shots were shorter and closer together. 

I had to make sure that I kept a continuous flow between all the my shots, this meant that when recording scenes I had to keep my characters in the same place and positions and I had to move the camera around them. I also made sure that in any reshoots on different days, my characters wore the same clothing, had the same makeup etc. The keeps things running smoothly throughout the film.  

 This post shows how I have used filters in my film production, I did this to change my opening credits into black and white. This way there was a distinctive difference between my actual film and my opening credits. 

   For this film, I used multiple sound effects and royalty free music as well as recording my own sound from my footage. Some clips were quieter than others such as this one, I dragged on the sound bar and raised it to the sound level that I wanted it. This helped my film to flow and make sure that I wasn't turning the volume up and down between every scene. Furthermore, I wanted some audio to fade in and fade out so I placed a marker on the sound bar at the points in which I wanted to drag the sound down, this then created a fade. 

  I needed to import my footage onto premier pro in order to sequence the whole film together. It was essential to keep this organised as I didn't want to loose any files which would have created problems with the whole of my film later down the line.  

  I produced a treatment for my short film to present the idea of the story before I drafted my first script. I did this by creating a document that explained character personalities and an in depth explanation of the plot. By doing this I have a guide of character personalities and how they fit into the short film. This will help to quicken up the process of producing my short film later down the line as I will be more organised and also the actors will have a basic guide on how important their character is and how I want them to act.    

  I completed this pre-production activity in order to be able to advertise and explain my short film concept to the production companies. I created a document that had important features of my film such as the title, a logline, basic plot summary, my research and the unique selling point. By doing this, I have allowed myself to have a persuasive document ready for future pitches of my short film. 

    This image is a view of how I organised my footage for my film. I placed all the raw footage into my video drive after watching it all and looking at the best takes, I then created a raw footage folder inside my whole film folder. Within my whole film folder, I had different sub-folders for graphics I created, sound I downloaded and credits I created. By organising my footage this way, it meant that all my work was in the places it needed to be and could be accessed easily. 

I used a website called Pixabay in order to get royalty free sound and sound effects, this meant that I wouldn't have to go through obtaining the rights to the music/sound as it has no copyright surrounding it. Using a website like this meant that there was lots of variety and versions of each sound so I could choose the best fitting sound. I chose multiple sound effects such as the power buzz and the news intro. 

 In this image it is obvious that I am using equipment to produce my film opening, in this image an iPhone, a stabiliser and a tripod can be seen. All three have their own functions within my film and are have all been used in order to make my film more professional.  I did all my filming on my iPhone as it has the same quality as a video camera so rather than renting another piece of equipment out, I filmed using my phone. On this I used the rule of thirds guide lines to make sure that I had balance and a good empty space to character ratio. I also chose to film on my phone because transferring it to my computer was easier than doing this from a camera, as well as the battery. I could monitor my phone battery level whilst I was recording to roughly see how much time I had left, if it had died then I could have charged it up quickly whilst the cast had a break.  I used a camera stabiliser to counteract any shakes/motion that could've occurred when filming and I also used ...

  Using a clapper board is an essential piece of industry standard equipment. A clapper board is used to help editors know when the audio and picture synchronise. Another reason why it is used is to help the whole cast and crew see the beginning and end of scenes.  Along the top line of this clapperboard is where the production title would go (Lost Traces).  The next line of this clapperboard is where you would write the directors name (Evie Ruczenczyn) The last line is where you would write the camera number, yet in my production I only used one therefore I didn't need to write this.  The last part of the clapperboard is split into three sections date, scene and take.  By using a clapperboard in my film opening, I am practising what it would be like to work on a professional film production and also making sure that I am doing industry routines before and after every scene. 

 This is an email I sent regarding booking equipment, because I am only producing the opening of a film I knew I wouldn't need to equipment for long. I booked out the equipment for one full school day with the potential to book out again for reshoots if needed. By doing this over email, I had physical proof that I booked out the equipment and so did the person giving me the equipment. If I had done this through a conversation, equipment may have been double booked or not booked at all which would delay the production process further. 

   I created a contingency plan as a guide to indicate what to do if one of the listed risks happened. In order to do this, I first had to think of a couple of the possibilities that could happen when filming my short production, this included things such as the reliability of the cast and crew (people dropping out, illness or unable to make it) and location permissions being accepted or denied. By forming this table, I have backup options so in most scenarios I will be able to adapt my film and not delay the production stage any further. This impacts by work as it means, no matter the situation I will always have an extra option to try and produce the best possible short film I can. A contingency plan is a necessary document needed to film the production, to highlight the probability of each risk happening even further, I made the decision to fill in the box red, amber and green just to further emphasise the chance of each event happening. 

   I created a production and post-production schedule in order to create a day to day schedule of what I should be doing daily when producing my film. This breaks down the production and pre-production activities I need to complete weekly. This will create a schedule for me to stick to and give me a checklist for tasks that need completing. By doing this, it allows my work to flow more proactively and will help the development of my film. this positively impacts the production and post production process as not only will I know what is doing on daily but so will all the cast/crew involved. 

 I created a shot list in order to create a chart of what shots, angles and transitions I wanted to use, this helped me imagine the flow of my film. This will also help me when I come to actually filming my media product as I have an order and checklist to follow which will help me not waste time filming unnecessary shots and scenes. In order to create this, I had to cross reference my script and my storyboard to see what shots I knew I had already planned for but also to decide which ones I had to create.   

  To create the opening of a film, having a cast was an essential part, I only needed a minimal cast due to the short duration of the film and idea therefore I selected three actors to be part of it. I casted two stereotypical sixth form girls and a news presenter. As the news presenter only had a small role, her part was filmed before I started the main production and this made the film easier to produce as I then only had to manage two people on set rather than three. In order for them to be legally allowed in my film, I needed to create a cast release form which explains what they are consenting to being a part of the production of 'Lost Traces.' By signing it they have agreed to be in my short film production, this gives my work more stability as they are guaranteed to be involved (unless any unexpected withdraws). 

   A call sheet is an essential document for pre-production planning as it provides a separate schedule for each day of filming, taking into consideration external factors such as weather and first aid safety. This is a clear, industry standard layout which has been proven to be successful. In order to create a document like this, I gathered information for the first day of filming, (each day of filming will have the same layout just adjusting the information) including cast needed, specific timing and key details. This will strengthen the process of producing my short film as I have a rigid schedule to stick to, this call sheet allows everyone on set to know where they need to be during the day and for what time, this document can act as a tick list for each day of filming. This will help to keep production smooth and on track to create the best possible film concept. 

  This is a risk assessment for my film Lost Traces, and I created this chart that outlined any potential hazards that could arise when filming, I also ranked them to show the likelihood of it happening and the severity of the consequence. I also added a column addressing what I have done in order to minimise the risk happening all together. By doing this, the cast and crew already know of any hazards that could happen during filming and therefore can be mindful of these which can create a safer working environment and not slow production down. 

 This was an email I sent to two teachers at the school I wanted to film at, this outlined the dates I wanted to film and which specific areas. I also assured them that this would disrupt the normal school day of students at the school. Again, by having this in email form, I have been given the legal right to film in this location and I have proof of the reply if asked by any other members of staff. 

 I created a location recce document in order to get all of the important details of the filming location. This shows me the status of permission, key points of interest and areas I want to film in, and the services/facilities that might be necessary for filming. By creating this document I have emergency contact details if issues were occur when filming. I also have checked that this location is suitable for filming so I can determine technical aspects such as lighting and sound.  

 By producing a table to explain my budget I am organising the amount of money needed versus the money I have available to me. I made this table and decided I needed to research the average prices for the items/equipment I needed, I then further broke this down by how many of each item/facility I would need. I also added a comments section so I was able to note down any details I felt I would forget within this project. It is essential that I completed this pre-production activity because without it, I wouldn't have any equipment booked or an estimate to how much this project would cost in total. By arranging this document, I have allowed the project to run easier, this will overall impact my project successfully as I know what is most important to spend my money on for this short film project. 

  Creating a storyboard is an essential part of pre-production planning as it provides a visual trail of my ideas for my short film. Without undertaking this activity, other cast and crew members might not be able to visualise parts of my film resulting in it not turning out the way I intended it to. In order to create a storyboard, I did my first draft on post it notes, this way I was able to easily move round the order of scenes and interchange ideas. This will positively impact my production stage as my work is readable and expresses my ideas clearly for my short film. When I had my final idea sorted I completed an industry-standard story board template pictured above.