Script
Treatment
Animatic
Saturday, 20 December 2014
Updated Script, Storyboard, Animatic and Treatment
Below are the embedded updated versions of the storyboard, animatic, treatment and script for Volcanic Production's 'Behind Closed Doors' film short.
Script
Treatment
Storyboard
Animatic
Script
Treatment
Animatic
Wednesday, 10 December 2014
Filming Day 1
Date: Wednesday 10th December
Location: 57 Ramillies Crescent
Time of Day: Night
Time filming started: 4:00pm
Time filming finished: 7:30pm
Scene: 2
Shots: 22-24 - Interior
Crew Present:
Deanna Hopps - Director, Make-up Artist and Stunt Co-ordinator
Cameron Hargreaves - Cinematographer (Camera) and Set Layout
Daniel Springthorpe - Sound, PA and Stunt Co-ordinator
Charlotte Smith - Lighting and Cinematographer
Cast Present:
Rebecca Chapman - Alice
Ryan Witton - Richard
Millie Russell - Stacey
Equipment:
DSLR Camera + Tripod
Tracking Dolly
Sound Recording Kit
Large & Small Reflectors
LED Light
Summary of the Day:
The first day of shooting on location was a shock for all of us. We thought everything through, prepared the sets and looked over our schedules to see where we needed to be. We laid out the sets and Deanna got Rebecca's make-up sorted so we could shoot some footage. I have embedded a picture below of Deanna hard at work as the team's make-up artist!
As the day went on, we started to pick up on things that really needed sorting out. Some shots needed to be changed (angles, lengths etc.) to make them more effective. For set design, we took photos to make sure the next time we came to set up the scene the props were in the correct places and nothing was out of order.
Before we began shooting, and whilst other team members were busy setting up, we practised camera handling, operation and focusing. We did this to minimise the chances of us having to redo takes and so we were warm with the cameras and knew how to correctly handle and operate them to capture successful footage.
We began the filming process by shooting the first shots of scene 2 - the argument scene. This was to be the biggest and most ambitious part of the fim, expected to be around three minutes in length. We started here partly due to the fact it was around Christmas time, and the days were so short, the night time shots seemed like the best way to start. Also, we wanted the get the toughest part out of the way as soon as we could.
The first three shots were the ones with Rebecca at the table in the living room. They took about ten takes in total, and we did more because of different uses of camera movement, different framing ideas and entirely different angles. We did this so we had a wide amount of footage to pick from so we knew we had something we'd like to use.
Transportation:
We got two of our cast members and the equipment to the location by car, The other two cast members walked with us, the production team, to get there. It was about a fifteen minute walk.
Crew Roles:
I took general control over the camera. I did this because I had the most overall experience with the camera. I made sure the camera was in the correct focus for the shot, and made sure the exposure was set correctly, as well as controlling the movements.
Daniel was in charge of the sound recording. We all thought this was a good idea as this is what he specialised in last year, and so he'd accumulated a deeper understanding of the use and correct operation of the devices used than the rest of us. He also made sure the foley sounds we needed were recorded, and that the match-on-actions were right in that the cast members were in the right places for the shots.
Deanna was the director. She made sure everyone was doing their jobs properly, and that the filming was on-schedule and following the plans we'd created. She also aided Charlotte in the lighting of the shots. She did the actress's make-up as well as made sure the cast were saying the right lines and performing the correct actions.
Charlotte helped all-round, shooting a few shots, helping with the lighting and foley and helping direct the crew. She was in charge of the reflectors and LED light(s) that we were using on-location to make sure every shot was appropriately lighted.
Location: 57 Ramillies Crescent
Time of Day: Night
Time filming started: 4:00pm
Time filming finished: 7:30pm
Scene: 2
Shots: 22-24 - Interior
Crew Present:
Deanna Hopps - Director, Make-up Artist and Stunt Co-ordinator
Cameron Hargreaves - Cinematographer (Camera) and Set Layout
Daniel Springthorpe - Sound, PA and Stunt Co-ordinator
Charlotte Smith - Lighting and Cinematographer
Cast Present:
Rebecca Chapman - Alice
Ryan Witton - Richard
Millie Russell - Stacey
Equipment:
DSLR Camera + Tripod
Tracking Dolly
Sound Recording Kit
Large & Small Reflectors
LED Light
Summary of the Day:
The first day of shooting on location was a shock for all of us. We thought everything through, prepared the sets and looked over our schedules to see where we needed to be. We laid out the sets and Deanna got Rebecca's make-up sorted so we could shoot some footage. I have embedded a picture below of Deanna hard at work as the team's make-up artist!
 |
| Deanna on make-up duty! |
As the day went on, we started to pick up on things that really needed sorting out. Some shots needed to be changed (angles, lengths etc.) to make them more effective. For set design, we took photos to make sure the next time we came to set up the scene the props were in the correct places and nothing was out of order.
Before we began shooting, and whilst other team members were busy setting up, we practised camera handling, operation and focusing. We did this to minimise the chances of us having to redo takes and so we were warm with the cameras and knew how to correctly handle and operate them to capture successful footage.
 |
| Practising with the DSLR's focusing |
We began the filming process by shooting the first shots of scene 2 - the argument scene. This was to be the biggest and most ambitious part of the fim, expected to be around three minutes in length. We started here partly due to the fact it was around Christmas time, and the days were so short, the night time shots seemed like the best way to start. Also, we wanted the get the toughest part out of the way as soon as we could.
The first three shots were the ones with Rebecca at the table in the living room. They took about ten takes in total, and we did more because of different uses of camera movement, different framing ideas and entirely different angles. We did this so we had a wide amount of footage to pick from so we knew we had something we'd like to use.
Transportation:
We got two of our cast members and the equipment to the location by car, The other two cast members walked with us, the production team, to get there. It was about a fifteen minute walk.
Crew Roles:
I took general control over the camera. I did this because I had the most overall experience with the camera. I made sure the camera was in the correct focus for the shot, and made sure the exposure was set correctly, as well as controlling the movements.
Daniel was in charge of the sound recording. We all thought this was a good idea as this is what he specialised in last year, and so he'd accumulated a deeper understanding of the use and correct operation of the devices used than the rest of us. He also made sure the foley sounds we needed were recorded, and that the match-on-actions were right in that the cast members were in the right places for the shots.
Deanna was the director. She made sure everyone was doing their jobs properly, and that the filming was on-schedule and following the plans we'd created. She also aided Charlotte in the lighting of the shots. She did the actress's make-up as well as made sure the cast were saying the right lines and performing the correct actions.
Charlotte helped all-round, shooting a few shots, helping with the lighting and foley and helping direct the crew. She was in charge of the reflectors and LED light(s) that we were using on-location to make sure every shot was appropriately lighted.
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
Obstacles We've Faced
Casting Issues
We first had a few actors who all agreed to act. Then, a day before the deadline of the animatic, the male pulled out. Following this, one of the two girls pulled out as well.
So, we re-casted. We got another boy and girl. However, a couple of days after they agreed, the girl pulled out, leaving us with a girl short.
We searched for more actors. The next girl we found seemed to fit perfectly, apart from a small issue concerning her age. She was slightly too young in comparison to the other two actors. So, we found a boy of a similar age, but did not get rid of the older one (so we had a choice between the two). We also found another younger girl replace the older one (but we kept her just in case).
So, we had a selection of actors and actresses to pick from (two boys and three girls to fit our needs of one boy and two girls). This is only the main roles. We have a few extras as well, but they're secure and reliable.
Timing Issues
We have had small problems with time-management, but this is mostly due to the issues with actors. Because of the casting issues, we have been set back nearly two weeks. Other than this, the time management issues affected the R&P stage of production, not the Construction of the Product.
From here on in, we have been left with a couple of days where all our main actors are available for filming, and so the filming of the main product will extend into January next year, after Christmas.
We first had a few actors who all agreed to act. Then, a day before the deadline of the animatic, the male pulled out. Following this, one of the two girls pulled out as well.
So, we re-casted. We got another boy and girl. However, a couple of days after they agreed, the girl pulled out, leaving us with a girl short.
We searched for more actors. The next girl we found seemed to fit perfectly, apart from a small issue concerning her age. She was slightly too young in comparison to the other two actors. So, we found a boy of a similar age, but did not get rid of the older one (so we had a choice between the two). We also found another younger girl replace the older one (but we kept her just in case).
So, we had a selection of actors and actresses to pick from (two boys and three girls to fit our needs of one boy and two girls). This is only the main roles. We have a few extras as well, but they're secure and reliable.
Timing Issues
We have had small problems with time-management, but this is mostly due to the issues with actors. Because of the casting issues, we have been set back nearly two weeks. Other than this, the time management issues affected the R&P stage of production, not the Construction of the Product.
From here on in, we have been left with a couple of days where all our main actors are available for filming, and so the filming of the main product will extend into January next year, after Christmas.
Wednesday, 3 December 2014
Auditions of our Cast of Thespians
We chose to carry out auditions for our actor and our actresses to see prematurely what their acting skills were like. We did filming in the Drama Studio to test how they worked together, how they looked and how they acted on-camera. We also used this time to get more familiar with the DSLR cameras, particularly auto-focusing.
Our Actresses
Our Actresses
Rebecca Chapman (Year 10)
Rebecca seemed to fit the role of Alice better than the role of Stacey, which allowed us an idea of which role they'd each play. She looked older and more mature then Millie, and that's what Alice is meant to be. Also, her hair is darker than Millie's, which a key feature that differentiates the two roles significantly. Furthermore, the way she acted, including her tone of voice, is more fitting for Alice's character.
Millie Russell (Year 7)
Millie was instantly recognised as the more suitable Stacey. This was mostly to do with her appearance. She has blonde hair and looks younger, which are two things about Stacey that we want to put across to the audience. She acted the role well and we thought, even when looking back on the recordings, she looked a good Stacey character. Also, the clothes Millie bought to the auditions looked more vibrant and 'Stacey-like' than 'Alice-like'.
Our Actors
Alex Marks (Year 12)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)