Filming and Editing Journey Thus Far

Thus far, we are about two weeks into our final project. We have had only one day of filming, but that day was productive. My group members and I filmed a total of about 9 scenes. All of these scenes were filmed at one of our group member’s houses. Her house is the first location of our film. The second location will be the library we choose to film at. When following at her house, I handled most of the camera work. I adjusted the tripod for the different angles we needed to film. I also moved the camera and tripod around. I gained a lot of experience using the camera and tripod during this time. We have to film some scenes so many times because the actors either kept laughing or messed up. It was a fun time. We plan to film the second half of the scenes very soon, probably this weekend.

As far as editing goes, I personally have not began to edit the footage we have taken. All the equipment we have been using belongs to my group member Jada. We are using her camera, tripod, and laptop to edit. After filming we ran out of time and we all had to go home. We did not have any time to edit. However, Jada has been able to begin the process of filming our footage. She informed us that she imported the clips we recorded and has began to set them in the order they will go in. We plan to meet again to film the second half. Then, we will also edit as a group. That way we will be able to put our ideas together on the transitions we will use. We will also create the titles. We plan to do much this weekend so that we will have something substantial to present when we do peer reviews next week.

Filming 2: As Many Takes to Get Perfection!

Today we finally accomplished filming the first few scenes of our film! We decided over the weekend that since we were not able to film, we would do it today after school. We all met up once the bell rang and headed to our group member Jada’s car. When we arrived at the house, we began to set up the equipment. I grabbed the tripod and bang to pull down the poles. I adjusted the poles to the height for needed for the first scene. The first scene I filmed was an ariel shot above the actor laying in the bed. I placed and locked the camera onto the tripod. Then, I stood on top of the bed, bringing the tripod onto the bed with me. I pushed the camera so that it was facing downward and it became an ariel shot. We shot this scene multiple times until Derek opened his eyes and looked at the camera the  way we wanted him to. After a few takes, we finally got the right take.

Next, we moved on to the next scene. After we filmed the next few scenes, it was time to move into the final scene of the day. I took the tripod and camera downstairs to the living room. I readjusted the poles to the height needed. Then, I told Derek where to be and what to say for the take. I also told our other actor what his lines would be. I pressed the recording button and said “Action!” We had to film that scene about 15 times. It was really funny because our actors kept laughing and forgetting their lines. I gave them some advice on how to say their lines to make them more effective. I also told them what gestures to do. We finally got some good takes. Our first official day of filming was a success. I got better at handling the camera and creating effective tilts and pans with the camera on the tripod.

Filming 1: Influenza Got The Best of Us!

This weekend my group and I planned to film. Seeing as we had a three day weekend thanks to Presidents Day, it was the perfect opportunity. When we discussed on Saturday about which day we would meet to film the first few scenes, we got bad news from our group member Derek. He expressed to Jada and I that he had waken up feeling terrible. He felt very sick. We suggested he go to the doctor to see if everything was okay. He did so and found out that he had cane down with the flu. So, we were unfortunately not able to film because of this reason. Derek is our main actor, and with him feeling terrible because of the flu we just could not expect him to be up to filming multiple takes under that feeling.

The next day, on Sunday, I woke up feeling terrible also. I was in bed all day with the flu. Even if Derek has started feeling better, I was now sick and not able to film. So, it seemed as though everything had worked out. Two people out of our group had come down with the flu causing us to not be able to film. Because this happened, we knew we had to discuss a day we would come together to film. We went in the group chat to discuss what we would do since we were not able to film this past weekend. We decided that this Friday, tomorrow, after school is when we will film the first half. It works best for everyone’s schedule. This also includes the other actors who will be in it. After school, we will go with one of our group members to her house. That will be the location of the first half of our scenes. Derek along with the other actors will be acting, and Jada and I will be directing and dealing with the set. We hope that nothing occurs that will disable us to film. Time is speeding up and we must get this done. We will by all means!

Planning 5: Storyboard of Film

 Down below is a google slides presentation uploaded. This slide presentation is of the storyboard of our project. The storyboard is only of the first two minutes of the film. In it, we included each of the 20 scenes we have. We also included the titles and names that correspond to the titles within the scenes. For each box that was of a scene, we briefly described what was occurring in the scene. It shows the character(s) and the action(s) they will be doing in each scene. The sound present in each scene was also stated, such as diegetic or non-diegetic. This also includes any dialogue that may occur within the scenes, it was written under the boxes. Creating this storyboard is really beneficial to my group and I as it gives us an exact outline of each scene, and title sequence. When we begin to film, we will film with ease as we film the scenes with a clear plan of what to film. We will do this by continuously referring to our storyboard for guidance. 



 

Planning 4: Detailing our Title Design

      Uploaded below is our google slide presentation. This slide presentation entails of a detailed overview of our title design. Within it, we described the fonts we chose, as well as the colors. We also discussed the spacing between the titles and the letters in the titles. Moreover, we expressed what we believe we will name the film, this far into the project. The final title of the film is subject to change but as of now we have a pretty good general idea. In another slide we also referred to the ways we will edit the titles entering and leaving the scenes when they appear. We agreed on simple fade-ins and fade-outs for them. Lastly, we touched on the duration that the titles will appear on the screen for when they pop up. The best amount of time would be two to three seconds for each. This will ensure that we fit every required title into the first two minutes. That concluded our overview of our title design.



 

Planning 3: Our Location, Schedule, Health & Safety, and Participants

Down below is our google slide presentation. We developed an outline of the locations of our film, the participants, how we will remain good health and safety, and the schedule for the rest of the project. For the location slide, we expressed what the two locations are going to be. One will be the home of one of our group members, and the other will be a library. We also uploaded pictures of the locations to give a visual representation of them. On the participants slide, we listed every character that will appear in the two minutes, and who they will be played by. Next, we detailed the safety precautions we will take throughout the filming process to ensure we remain safe and healthy. A few of these include having constant adult supervision, as well as staying hydrated. Finally, the last slide was of our schedule for filming and the rest of this project. We detailed the first few days of filming and where it will take place. We also included when we will begin to edit the footage, and when we should be submitting the final piece to Cambridge for evaluation. 

Planning Blog: Shooting Script

Down below is our google slide presentation. We developed a shooting script for our film. In total, there are 19 slides. Each slide represents a different scene. Within the slides, we discussed the actions and events that will be taking place in each scene. Moreover, we also expanded on certain elements in the scenes, such as camera angles and movements. The characters that appear in the scenes are also introduced. The purpose of this slideshow is to give a written representation of our storyboard. It essentially maps out of each of our scenes. Having this will make it easier for us to draw out our storyboard because we will have already planned out each scene. The slides simply tell what is going on in each scene. No sounds are included because they will be included in the sounds and and dialogue script. 

Planning Blog: Sound & Dialogue Script

Down below is our google slide presentation. We developed a sounds and dialogue script for our film. In total, there are 7 slides. In this doc there are multiple scenes combined into slides. Within the slides, we discussed the sound effects and dialogue that will occur in each scene. For scenes with dialogue, we emphasized the exact words the characters will be saying in those scenes. The most common sounds present in these scenes are diegetic and score. The purpose of this slideshow is to give a clear outline of the types of sounds that will be present in each scene. It essentially maps out of the sounds and dialogue in the scenes. Having this will make it easier for us to follow through with creating and implementing those sounds into our footage. The slides simply tell what sounds, music, and dialogue will be occurring in each scene. Nothing else is included into this presentation because every other element was included in the shooting script.