Final Film Opening Project

 Here is the link for my finished film opening, Train in Vain 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19eQSra-rVgsP0zq5qaJLOmWI2jo_6rGs/view?usp=drive_web

Creative Critical Reflection

Here is the link to my CCR:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16437O_cZytAgkMdkSSwKARhO-ttUwHlg/view?usp=sharing

I was not able to figure out how to make a voiceover over my slideshow presentation, unfortunately recording on my computer does not work, here is the link to the corresponding slideshow that goes with my CCR (Do not watch the CCR video without also looking at the slides):

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1R9DHlVD6fpGHgkLhiJgRIteb1vGVok40FgvAeSCx0xw/edit?usp=sharing

Post Filming Reflection

 It’s exciting to say that we finally have all the shots we need for our film opening. As expected, we have to cut out a lot of the introductory shots that we took. What we choose to include won’t be an easy task. They'll also be trimmed down a little bit. Again, time is a huge factor, and I have my two characters that I have to really focus on. 

I also really had fun bringing my characters to life. My dialogue did include some dry humor that I believe worked well out loud. The acting is, well, not professional to say the least, but I do think that my partner and I did pretty well for our acting abilities. And as expected, there was some trouble with wind during certain shots. But, my microphone did really help in getting the dialogue as well as the surrounding noise from the beach . The wind would pick up at times, but overall, my mic limited its effect on the sound quality and I could stress less about getting my other shots.

Final Filming Day Progress

 I just got home from filming and things went way more smoothly then we thought, besides a sunburn. When we entered the beach, the main problem (The people) was erased when we found a secluded spot away from people enough so no one would wander close, but also in the field of view of other people to show some fuller scenes to build up the setting.

We were able to finish all of our shots and even get started on the editing process. With the editing process, so far, we have color corrected all of our shots and I have just started putting the shots in sequence.

By April 2nd, The entire opening should be finished.

shot sequence

Before I filmed the final shot sequence of my film opening, I wanted to fully develop my sequence . This blog post will be more for me than anything, as I want to get prepared before I go out and film the last part of our project.

These are our final, reworked shot lists for the last sequence of the film opening. I also matched up the dialogue with the certain shots so I wouldn't have to figure it out when filming, which is how it's usually done. I did have to change around some things, which is why they're not the neatest shot lists in the world, but they include a lot of information, even the specific depth of field that's needed in the shot. I start off with the close-up of the waves, and then the pan and tilt as Dallin runs through the waves, acting as a sort of transition from the introductory shots that show off the setting to the actual story with my main characters. The very next shot is going to be a low angle with the depth of field shallow until Dallin comes running into frame. Will be a focus on Maya as she comes running into frame. From there it will switch to a two-shot. There will be some shot/reverse shots as Dallin and Maya are talking. I've added some inserts, especially when there are pauses in the dialogue. I also have some close-ups of Maya's face to show her reactions to what Dallin says (sly comedy, I know). I will also add an eye-line match to show Maya's POV of her setting (the saturated colors another sign that this is from her POV, and shows how she sees this particular beach). 

Other problem

It's almost filming day two and there is another thing that still can cause the project to fall apart, the main problem of filming in general

How packed the beach is going to be is definitely going to be a factor into how good the footage will be. My beach is typically a lot more quiet and is not going to be anywhere near as packed as the one at the right. This was more of an embellishment, but I still don't want any potential problem when I'm filming. We know what we need to film and how we want to film and I know exactly where I'm filming all my shots and even what character says what line at a place. We cannot afford to have people wandering into the shot. Furthermore, people in the background, make the beach seems like a less deserted place. But, I want a lot of random background noise that would interrupt the dialogue or the background noise that I do want to get (the chattering of seagulls or the crashing of the waves). That type of diegetic sound is perfect and will only serve to make the setting more realistic. I guess, in a sense, some random noises from people will also make it realistic, but it would still distract too much from my film opening. Or it would make the humorous tone more evident. Or it would just look like a mistake. I'd rather not find out.

Sound Design

My partner had an opportunity to go to out filming location and see possible changes in environment and get some foley sounds while people weren't there. Because of the lack of people, she was able to get some more shots we weren't able to get when we went together. She got recordings of waves hitting the shore, and background sounds of the beach from a distance. This also gave her ample opportunity to check the microphone and see if it can get passed the wind problem. It did.

We have also used sounds from SoundBible (https://soundbible.com/) to find some good diegetic sounds for the opening. Since the dialogue will be recorded live, we may not need as much of these sounds from the website. For music, we're going to use Chosic. for the intro shots we're thinking about having soothing piano for them, furthering the peaceful tone until Dallin's feet hit the water.

A little more challenges

 I know it's like beating a dead horse, but wind oh my gosh. Wind is one of the biggest issues we've had for the opening. But, there is a silver lining. With the right equipment and some luck, we can get what we need. The big obstacle of wind is audio. Phone audio doesn't work out very well, but with a microphone (which we have) that goes into the phone for filming, we can make out clear audio, therefore eliminating the obstacle.

Shadowing and the sun's position can also be a factor. Shots can be retook if needed but this is something we didn't think about going into it. We may need to bring a something that can easily give shade over the camera, getting less glare towards the camera, less obstructing for the film.

production progress

Going back to what I said last week, we got some shots done, mostly introduction shots. However we weren't able to get the entire opening done, setting us back more than we thought. We used the shots we took to set up the light hearted tone in the beginning, and introducing my setting.

(For some reason my video will not post)

The first shot I am trying to show is a shot of the beach, vibrant, through some palm trees, the ocean current smashing the shore off in the distance. This will most likely be our establishing shot, conveying the tranquil tone while also keeping the happy feel with the vibrancy of the scene. In post, the blue hues will be further saturated, giving the film a warm feeling, a feeling of comfort coinciding with how the main character feels about this safe environment.

problems

 We finally went to the beach, looking for more shots and there were a number of problems. The wind wasn't as intense as it was prior but it was windy enough to warrant affecting our shots. The number of people there skyrocketed and the number of masks went down, there was no safe place to film anywhere. We were only able to get establishing and landscape shots. We plan to go back in the coming weeks at a time where no one will be there. Hopefully we don't have to change locations.

filming equipment

 We now have a microphone! Isn't that exciting! We can finally get onto recording dialogue and getting sound through the intense wind at the beach. The microphone is attached to a tripod, a tripod  that holds an iPhone. The cord form the microphone directly connects to the phone, allowing for clear sound on the video recorded.