PRELIM POST PRODUCTION BLOG

After filming the footage of our preliminary task, we needed to begin the editing process. For this we used a programme on the MAC computers called 'Final Cut'. This programme offers us a variety of editing techniques and it also gives us more of a clean and professional final view once produced.
But from the beginning we needed to get our footage from the camera onto the computer, and this was done by uploading it to the ‘final cut’ server, and then from there we accessed an edit proxy, which is a digital copy of the camera footage, and this saves us manipulating the original footage. – This doesnt neccesarily change the quality of the footage, but it makes it smaller and more managable to work with.
After this we began with the editing process. This started with us ‘logging’ the shots that we had filmed the week prior. This is the first job before anything can begin for an editor. Logging basically means choosing the appropriate and best shots out of the ones that we had filmed. To begin the shot we pressed ‘I’ (in) and then where we wanted the shot to finish we pressed ‘O’ (out), after this shot was cut where we wanted it, we dragged and dropped it into the ‘log bin’, and after we named a file, by clicking on the toolbar ‘modify clip’, and re-named the depending on the camera angle or any other relevant information that would make that shot easy to find, choose and access what ones we needed.

The next step was ‘organizing our shots’ this required referring back to our storyboard that we were given at the beginning and what we were required to follow, so we could make sure that we had enough shots to give us a back up. I found it really interesting to watch the footage back, and I was very pleased with how the scene looked and how it was lit, filmed and generally produced.
In order for us to begin we had to place the shots in order, according to the original storyboard.
Once all of these processes were completed and cut in the right places, we could begin to edit in final cut ready to finish the task. We dragged the shots that we wanted into the timeline, and then from there we could add shots, cut sound, add sound and add some extra ‘arty’ shots that we decided to film – but this was just an experiment to test the final cut programme and to also test our editing skills. We were able to jump between shots for close ups, over the shoulders and wide – and by the looks of this it made it look interesting and generally more professional.

<--- This here is a basic look and outline of what the 'Final Cut' screen would look like. As you can see at the bottom left, there are a multitude of shots that could be used, this gives the editor a wide range of shots to choose from. The two split screens at the top gives the editor a basic view of what the shots will look like and from their you can decide if you want to cut to a wide, closeup etc...

Then the part next to and underneath the split screens is the timeline, and this shows what shots are where and also shows the sound.

WHAT DOES FINAL CUT DO?

The precision editing tools let you work in real time with virtually any format

You can edit faster and at higher quality across a wide range of workflows.
Change clip speeds with ease using redesigned speed tools.
Enjoy dozens of additional enhancements.

xx

MY MOVIE POSTER

This is my first thoughts for the possible movie that I am going to produce. The colours that I used, I feel give a spooky and scary feel - red, grey and black. The images that I have chosen to include, I think get the basic message across to the audience as to what the film is about. I have used a mixture of denotation & connotation...

DENOTATION:- Girl running away, creepy image of an eye
CONNOTATION:- Why is she running away? Who's eye is it?

PRELIMINARY TASK EVALUATION

For our preliminary task I was with Cat, Steph, Lauren and I. We all were on the same 'thought' track in terms of how we wanted the scene to look and what image and message we wanted to portray. First of all we began by finding some actors to be in the scene. We picked James Sneller and Fiona Winter. The basic story was that the girl (Fiona) was about to be pressurized into killing someone, and it’s about her journey of the pressure from the guy (James)

We were given the'dedit' suite to film in - more usually known as the old media suite (hence the dead). This worked really well for the mood that we were trying to portray as it had a 'spooky' feel to it from the beginning. Probably sue to its white brick walls that weren’t painted evenly - or the mass amounts of wires that were surrounding the room. Also there was a door that was needed in the room, so we had all the neccesary equipment, props and staging in order to make the scene make sense and work well for us as the directors and the actors aswell.
In our group we had Cat, Steph, Lauren and I, and we each took on a role that helped make the filming easy. I took more of a 'camera' role, for example I positioned the camera for filming and I worked closely with Steph for the call outs - Standing By, Camera rolling... ACTION!

For the lighting we used a hard light, as it made the scene more 'intense' looking. This worked really well, as we positioned the lights in a way that we would have a shadow on the back wall - this was very effective for the mood setting. Therefore this carried on with the horror and spooky feel to the scene.

We managed to set the camera up with success, as we all helped each other. We went through a system of checking certain aspects. I.E - Making sure it was bubbled correctly, making sure that the camera was securely attached and securely on the tri-pod. We each checked it to make sure that everything was done right, so we could begin filming. From the screen check we made sure that none of the lighting equipment, bags or another 'off set' objects were on show.
After the equipment and staging was checked for any imbalances or inaccuracies, we began to go through the different shots that we will need. We found a way of doing this that would make it easier for us to film, and so that it wouldn’t take up as much time. We filmed the entire scene in wide shot, close-ups and over the shoulders from both character and then we decided to add a few extra shots of the gun being slammed down on the table, eyes, door handle, shadow and an extreme high shot from a 'birds eye' view.
Another main fact that we needed to make sure we had correct is the '180 degree rule' - and I feel that we managed to stick to this rule, making sure that each character was on the right spot. This was hard at first as it required some forward thinking but we managed to complete this.
We all enjoyed the common 'call outs' that bounced back between the director and the camera man. Steph and I usually called these out and it became a natural speech after a while.

I feel that I've learnt a lot from this first filming session, and I never thought about the intense amount of thinking that is required from everyone pre-production and during the production. But apart from that it was a very educational experience, as well as being fun. Our group wanted to make it a good experience for all :)