Day of the Filming

After getting the actors in the right places and making sure there was nothing that would ruin the continuity of the opening. I then made sure i filmed each clip and action atleast twice. The filming was not done in order. as with the parallele editing, the light outside would be different at the end of the film to what it was at the start. The filming was split into two parts, indoor filming and outdoor filming.

The outdoor filming was done first, but as I was in the shot as an actor i had an assistant hold the camera as steady as possible. This was because the tripod could not capture the angles required. Extra footage was taken, to ensure there was no need to re-film. Two whole minuites of footage was taken just outside with the use of a varity of shots.

I then took the camera indoors where I filmed the indoor shots. First I filmed the shots without the two villainous characters. But then when they enter I tried to make sure the camerawork was slightly different.

Overall it was very effective and easily had enough footage, so there was no worry about re-filming.

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Props that were used:

Things to include

Many films in the noir style usually have a vast range of shot types - from cantered angles to extreme close ups. So before I make an attempt at filming anything, I need to start with a shot list in an order that I want. That way when I come to filming, i'm prepared and will make the film opening look more professional if the camera shots are thought of before filming.

List of shots to include if possible:

- Cantered angle
- Close ups (more than 2)
- High angle
- Low angle
- Medium shot
- Any shots that use voyeurism
- Extreme Close ups

Editing is going to be the most time consuming task after filming everything. However the main point of editing is to clips to seamlessly flow smoothly without the audience noticing, unless for a specific, intended reason.

Some editing effects to use:

- Fade in / Fade out
- Cross Dissolve
- sharp cuts for pace
- Stop dissolve
- Subtitles - fade
- Black and white - Film noir effect
- eyeline match
- 180° Rule
- shot reverse shot

Sound takes a massive part in making sure the atmposphere, pace and tension is set. An epic soundmix will be the stand or fall of this opening i think.

Therefore i will try to keep these things in mind:

- Simple music
- Original Sounds (copyright free)
- Sound build - synchronous to action within the frame
- Simple sound layout - quiet > build up > crescendo > Build down > Quiet > Hint of a build up again at the end

- Amplified sounds to exaggerate actions within the frame ie: loading of the gun / gunshot / car engine
- It is paramount that the music is synchronous with the action. No good having a gunshot 10 seconds too late for example
- Possibly a voice over unless it does not aid the scene in any way.

Mise en Scene is very important as this helps provide detailed representations of characters and helps the audience understand the plot, without the use of words. It also helps in reducing continuity errors.

- lighting - constant lighting - especially outside
- lighting - use of shadows - film noir effect
- clothing - dark clothes contrast to lighter clothes and light ( black and white )
- clothing - supporting character stereotypes
- foreshadowing - use of props to suggest future violence (eg: guns)
- Props - Realistic looking props, used to create tention or for a specific action

After considering all these things i will now be ready to start filming as i know exacly what i must try and include. It may be impossible to include all of these features however i will try to include as many as possible without it effecting the plot or original idea.

Group Discussion - group split

After seeing some problems within our communication and organisational coordination, myself and Karl decided to split up when filming our original plan. We both felt that we would be able to work better if we worked individually, as we both are able to work at different times and could both spend more time working the filming individually. It was a major problem for us both, but as we are good friends we were mature about it and under good advisement, split up to allow one another to try and reach our own potentials.

This way we thought that we could make two different variations on the original plan, so that we could study and compare each others work and ultimately, learn more.

Group Discussion - 21/01/09 -

After planning the concept behind the clip, we found it now necessary to think about where the filming should take place, which will ultimately effect the settings within the film. This is a very important part of the planning and we feel that it should not be rushed as it is paramount to the success of our work.  

Therefore we have discussed possible places where we could film that would be suitable. The location must be indoors with and a table and chair must be in the room. Also the best location would presumably be a fairly plain room so that there are less distractions from the character within the frame of each shot.  We have talked about the use of blinds as a common feature of film noir examples. We may be able to use iMovie to give the effect of shadowing in the way that the blinds would give. However this is uncertain and so we may need to include the blinds into our possible location ideas.

Ideas:

- 6th Form Rooms

This was our first idea as it is easily accessible for filming at most times of the day. However this is a very bad idea overall as it looks cheap and unrealistic. Also the it would be extremely hard to change the location to suit what we want it for. The room we want is to be plain, but also should look homely and 'lived in'.

- Local snooker hall

This was a bit off the wall, however it had many of the features that we would want, especially when considering the mise en scene. The dark and gloomy which is the effect that we want to convey. This is a possible location but its not perfect. 

- House

This is a good location simply because it looks lived in, however finding a room that has a simple background or a room that can be converted into a set would be hard. However if the room does need to be changed to suit what we want, it is the best place to do it. It is also accessible at all times in the day or night for filming. This is looking like a strong possibility for the filming set. 

- Cafe

This was a strong idea also, however we simply would not be able to film there for longer periods of time as it is a public place. Also if we wanted the man to be smoking then we would be violating the the anti public smoking law. For this reason I do not think we will use this idea. 

At the moment the best idea is just using a normal house for filming as it is flexible and  can be altered for a desired set. Sample filming of a very short extract of our clip will be used at this location as a test to see if it is really the best place to film. 

Character sketches / concept art

After the discussion, and designing of the notes for the main task, my colleague Karl, decided to begin on the ideas of the clothing for the characters involved with the filming. He designed a sketch of both the main character, showing how he looks rough, as if he has lost everything, but also of the suspicious character in the trench coat. For information about the characters see ''Detailed notes on main task''.

Detailed notes on the main Task

After the discussion and short notes, we begun to finalise our production, in terms of props, setting, camera shots and transitions.

1] Close up of a clock, ticking in slow motion. Amplified noise of the clock's motion, representation of time, dramatic effect and tension.

2] Introduction of character and setting.
Props;
Table, gun, ashtray, drink, remote
Room;
Basic, not much in their apart from the character, and his items on the table, representation of being alone, and having lost everything he used to have.

High angle/establishing shot, as character walks around the room. Narration over the shot, along with ambient sounds of cars passing by, and one which stops outside the house.
Amplified sound of a knock on the door, signifies a change in emotion and pace. Cut to close up of man's face, to show his reaction, shock, fear.

3] Cuts to outside of the house, facing the door. Hand knocking on the door shown, but no revealing of who it is. Sounds amplified of the knocks onto the door, and the shouting. Represent sense of authority within the scene.

Cut to medium shot of man in the house, as he finishes off his drink. Simultaneously as this happens, amplified sound of the door being smashed down, as the other(s) rush in.

4] Man picks up his gun, close up. Cuts to medium/low angle shot of him, showing to be superior, deep focus. His gun in hand focus on, other character(s) appear in the background. For the unknown, mise en scene of trenchcoats, hats, classic mysterious character appearance. Low level light will be used to influence this representation of mystery/ suspicion.
Camera slowly turns to behind him, tilting/crab across, creating the sense that you are on his side, subverting the status in socity (such as the matrix).

Cut to crowd shot, from the side showing both types of characters standing opposite eachother. Clock will be centered, keeping everything involved within the scenes to be still linked until the end. The ticking of the clock will be amplified again, supporting the clip as the clip shown in slow motion, unsteady.
(Will need to make sure the time on the clock is similar to what it was in the beginning.)

5] Begins to crab over to behind the character(s) in the trenchcoat(s), signifying a change in side to be on. Deep focus onto the man in background, as begins to lift up his gun and point it at them.
Jump to zoom/extreme close up of the gun, a effect used to represent gun being used, along with amplified sound. Flash will go to a blank, black screen, then fading to the title of the film and the credits, along with common soundtrack music in the background.

This is a basic outline, but upon the filming i'm sure it could be altered, as the first decisions are never the finished product.

Group Meeting - 14/01/09 -

Team members - Phil and Karl
Colleagues present - Connor / Dan / Joe / Mary / Rowan
Duration - 45 mins

This was not our first meeting considering the task, but it was much more indepth with specific ideas that we want to incorporate.
After studying various film noir style openings, we noticed several similarities. Some conventions were made obvious to us, therefore we have decided that we want to try and include:
- Smoke
- Black and white effects
- Voice over

We are still yet to think of a solid film pitch or idea for the story. But we discussed the main character. At the start of the clip we want to give the impression that he is a possible bussiness man. This would be done by using the mise en scene to dress the man in a formal suit.

The character however is not to be seen as a character who repects authority. Therefore his suit will be very untidy with buttons undone and tie to the side. The suit however must be black to give the impression of sophistication. It is imperative that the character looks amessy as it connotes his fall from authority. The idea is that later when other characters are intoduced, we want to make an attempt at subverting the roles played in society.

This idea was created after studying The Matrix, as the main hero figure is seen to be fighting against authority as a type of freedom fighter or vigilante. Personally i thought this was effective and should use this theme in our opening. Obviously we will have to make sure that our techniques in camerawork and editing especially help the audience realise he is not a villain. This might be done by the use of point of view shots and maybe a high angle shot to give the impression that he is not a threat.