Filming Diary - Day 3

23/02/11 - Day 3 of filming

We went straight to our filming location after school today. After a drink, snack and quick discussion to refocus our attention we started preparing the set. We moved Alice's desk to the other side of the room so the background was a simple clean washed wall with a single white shelf on. We put a phone, magazines, paper and other items of stationary onto the reception desk. I was the actor in this scene so whilst the others got out the cameras I went to get changed. I wore a black pencil skirt and a neutral coloured blouse, as this is the most common outfit worn in a magazine publishing department. Filming went really well however we were unsure asto the angle of one of the shots. There was a divide in oppinion between the group. We checked our storyboard but in the end we decided it would be safer to shoot both angles and decide which one would be appropriate when we come to edit next week.

Filming Diary - Day 2

21/02/11 - Day two of filming

Today is the Monday in half term. We choose today as it was one of the few days in which our actor was free, our set was available and also in which all of our group could make. When we were planning the date for today's shooting we decided to use the half term as it meant that we could film during the day- and thus have the light we required for the shots. We started today at 10 am; Beth went to our actor's house to sort his costume and makeup out, whilst Jess, Alice and myself set up the mise en scene of out first set at the filming location. We all met up at the set for 10:30, where after a cup of tea and briefing our actor- we began shooting. It went extremely well today and our whole group were content.

Filming Diary- Day 1

15/02/11 - Day one of filming

Today was our first day of filming. We had our double lesson- which is 2 hours long to film. We had to get through shots 11 to 18c so we knew that we'd be pushed for time. We delegated the jobs up so that we could work more efficiently. Beth and myself went to textiles to decrease the white sheet for the back drop, whilst Alice and Jess moved and began to set up the equipment in the drama studio. When we reunited, we finished setting up, then split up again; Beth and Alice both aided our model with hair, makeup and costume, during which time Jess and I angled the lights accordingly. The filming went really well  and we were able to pack up and upload our footage during our lesson. 

Filming Schedule

More Initial Ideas for our Title Logo

These are some more ideas that we had for our film title logo.

Credit Font Analysis and our Chosen Font

Juno

The fonts used in these credits are intended to look hand drawn, which matches the sketched background. They all have shadowing with the light source in the top left hand corner. Each line is coloured differently, but it is all from with in one colour palette- neutrals.  They are placed in different areas of the shot each time- this could represent a lack of order in Juno's life. The titles are all written in capitals, sans serif font which makes them more legible.

Scott Pilgrim vs the World

 The titles in this are again in capital letters, using a sans serif font. This increases legibility and also the sharp edges created by the capitals could represent the sharp, heavy beated, non diegetic music in the background. The font used is similar to Arial Bold. The titles are either in black or white- depending on the back ground, but they are all shadowed by the contrasting colour. All of the titles in this sequence are central in the shot, suggesting their importance.

The Conversation

The titles in this sequence are solely white. This is because the background isn't changing dramatically. There are 2 sizes of writing in this sequence: the title (for instance 'music') is around half the size of the name ('David Shire'), this is because the names of the people are more important. The font used is quite thin and with out shadowing and also it matches the title logo. This is so the continuity is kept. All of the frames in the opening sequence have shadows- with a light source of right; the titles are all placed in the right side of the screen- suggesting that they are the light source-the brains behind it all.

Days of Heaven

The titles in this sequence reflect the era in which it was set. The font is similar to what would have been used on the newspapers of the day- this could suggest an informative element to the film. White is used to stand out from the grey scale background, but not stick out like a soar thumb. Like every other opening credit sequence that I have looked at, all of the names are in capitals- suggesting importance whilst also making it more legible. They are all situated in the bottom half- central- suggesting some importance, but without covering and disguising the picture.

Conclusion

From looking at other film opening sequences, we have found out that the most important aspect to consider when choosing our title will be its visibility and legibility. Also the fonts used represent the film.

Our film is about a writter, and so we feel it appropriate that our titles are hand written on old lined paper. We will keep all of the names in capital letters to aid the visibility, and to conform to the conventions of title sequences.

We asked some lads around school to write 'pose and prose' in capital letters to get an idea as to what their hand writting would look like.

Trial Opening to our Rom-Com/ Anamatic Story Board

Story Board

Model's Poses and Makeup

We have done some experiments with poses in preparation for the modelling scene. This has also allowed us to work with the model and a camera to gain more experiance.

We then decided to do some experiments with our models makeup..

First we exentuated her eyes using eyeliner and blusher..

Then, we tested out which lipstick would work best..



Test Shots

Health and Safety



HEALTH & SAFETY



Before we started filming we knew that we had to ensure the safety of our group and also our actors. We did this by going through the story board and creating a list of potential hazards.

• Boiling water - Our writer actor will have to pour boiling water into a mug which could scold him if he does not delt with it sensibly. We thought about using cold water however we need the steam for the mise en scene.

 

• Paper cuts - our set will have alot of paper over it so we should make sure that everyone is aware.

 

•  Heavy Lights - for our models photo shoot we will use 3 heavy, bright lights. We will have to be safe when lifting these, also we will make sure that our actor knows not to look at them as they are very bright. 

• Wires - the light used in our models photoshoot will have wires attached from them. When we set them up for filming we will secure them to the ground with duct tape, and teh ones which are to short to tape we will put onto a table and make the group and actors aware of this.

• Heels -  in both the reception and the photoshoot scene our actors will be wearing heels. Before we do these shots we will ensure that our models are happy and safe walking in them.

Choice of Props

For our opening we need appropriate props. We decided to list these and where we could get them from so we are organised when it comes to our Filming Schedule.

• Kettle 
• Polaroid camera
• Writters pen
• Pile of glossy magazines
• Old spiral bound pad of paper
• Plain mug
• Porcelin pen (to write the directers name onto the mug)
• Old novels/ books (for the writers table)
• Photography lights (for the models photoshoot)

Setting Selection and Analysis

Our film opening will feature 2 settings; the writers flat/ apartement, and the models photography shoot. The models shoot will be easy to locate as we have all the relevant technology we need in school. However in order to choose the right set for the writer, we got a few choices and looked at them in more detail.

Filming location for the models photoshoot

Finding the location of this set wasn't difficult, however we decided to do a practise run of setting it up. As none of our group had attempted this before, we we had to be taught on how to set it up properly.

Whilst setting this up we became more aware of some possible health and safty risks.

Heights: To get the white screen frame as high as we needed it we had to stand on chairs. However to reduce risks, by each person on the chair, there was a person standing on the floor to catch them should they fall.

Wires: Using 3 separate lights meant having alot of wires across the floor. Thiss could be dangerous if someone were to trip over. For the remainder of the photo shoot we only allowed our group and the model in the room, made everyone aware of the wires, and put them in a safe path- for instance under the desks. However when we come to filming the final piece we will ensure that they are taped securely to the floor.

Unsturdy and heavy equipment: The over head light we used was very heavy, and was posing a risk to our model, as the weights keeping it safe wernt heavy enough. To solve this issue, we used a bag which weighed heavier than the weight bag, however for the final shoot we will obtain a heavier weight bag.

Possible Filming Locations for the Writter's Set

Possible Set number 1.

This is one of our possible filming locations. The criteria for our set is that it must have a cupboard which can have a camera inside at torso level. Another important aspect would be the writers table.

I really like the table in this kitchen, however the kitchen as a hole is just too modern, and doesn't fit with the rustic apartment we imagine our writer to live in. 

Possible Set number 2.

This set has the rustic table that we are looking for; it also has a wooden floor which would work nicely with our idea. However there are no cupboards at torso height. We needed this specific cupboard height for one of our first shots- where the camera is in the cupboard and the writer opens it, only revealing his torso. If we used one of the cupboards in this set we would be able to see his face, which is very unconventional for the first shot in a Rom-Com.

Possible Set number 3.

After discussing in our group, we all agreed that this set would be ideal. It had the rustic character that we were after. Plus, there is a cupboard that has an auray of shelves, making it easy to find one which will suit our initial 'torso' shot. Furthermore we really liked the table and the tiled floor. A further advantage to this is the location. It is situated just 15 minutes walk from our college and also has a bus stop with in 5 minutes for our actors and actress.

Casting

Our final idea needs 2 main characters (the model and the writer) and a few extras ( the receptionist, and the man who drops of the Polaroid off). With conventions of stereotypical Rom-Com characters in mind we created an idea as to what we hope each would look like.

Model

People have a very fine stereotype as to what the perfect model should look like, and thus if it is possible we will try and use a actress with as many as these characteristics as possible. Tall, thin, long hair, strong facial features, pretty and a fun and bubbly attitude. (Most Rom-coms have the boy and the girl from different nationalities for instance in 'p.s I love you' there was an Irish man and an English woman.) So if it were possible we would like to use a model of a different nationality to the male writer.

Writer

We sat down to discuss as a group what we imagined this writer to look like and we all came up with curly hair. We assume this is from watching films such as 'Love Actually'- in which the writer Colin Firth has curly hair. We imagined this guy to be lacking full confidence, as he spends the majority of his time writing- alone. We also see him as looking mature, with strong masculine features for instance maybe a bit of stubble etc.





Casting
From discussing how we imagined our characters, and from doing some recreations of exsisting characters, we have decided on our cast. We have chosen to cast Lia Lowe as our model, and Jamie Pywell as the writer. We chose this combination as they look like they 'fit' together. Also they both fit our imagined version almost perfectly. As they are not a part of our media group, it will allow us to concentrate fully on the filming.

Recreations of characters

Actors-

To get a better grasp on character resemblances, we decided to look at our possible actors/actress and choose a celebrity who looks like them the most.

Order of our Credits

Analysis of other films credit fonts colour size etc














1. Distribution - Galaxia


2. Production - Lightbox


3. An ABCJ Production


4. Pose & Prose


5. Cast - Lia Lowe
           - Jamie Pywell


6. Casting by


7. Co Producer


8. Costume Designer


9. Editors


10. Production designer


11. Director of Photography


12. Executive Producer


13. Produced by


14. Screenplay 


15. Directed by