Filming Blog: Footage Review

     Today, in class my group reviewed our initial footage. It was our first time viewing the footage since filming. We were going to sort stuff out and download/process the good clips. We first started by putting our SD card in the reader so we can get it onto a computer in class. We then watched the footage and eliminated some of the truly terrible cuts with bad lighting, extra background noise, or mess-ups from the actors. Then we reordered them chronologically for how they should be added into our film. We hoped this would make the editing process a little less of a hassle. Then we trimmed some video with false starts and extending endings because we felt it was easier on our phones than in the editing software.
     We also planned for a short but productive 2nd filming day for the remaining scenes. We would prepare our props and safety equipment the previous day. Nyaira and I would travel to our location and set up and film some of the individual scenes. These would be extreme close-ups and reaction shots. The boys would then arrive to help us with some of the two shots and action sequences. They could help us be more efficient when filming because they could see and complete test shots. We plan to review footage from that shoot later that day. We will then try to add it to a google drive folder so it can be accessible to each member of the group. We will then begin the editing process for our film's first draft. We will then access our video and receive some peer-reviewed feedback. For now, we need to focus on finishing filming all of our shots for editing.

Filming Blog: Initial Shoot

     Today, my group finally got together and began to film. We left after school and drove to Nyaira's house. We were planning to film the two date scenes and some car scenes. We all prepared the night before with packing out outfits and props required. Nyaira was already at her house waiting while the rest of us made our way over there. It was difficult to find the address which deducted some of our ample filming time.
     We went inside the house and had a brief meeting regarding the timing and goals for today. We also reviewed the storyboard for shot references. Us girls began with changing into our appropriate costumes. The boys then set up all tech equipment and adjusted lighting and background.
     The first scene that we taped was a scene between Preace and Nyaira. They began with a wide shot where Preace picks up Nyaira from her house to go on a date. Angles were hard to position in this scene in order to fit everyone into a shot. After much trial and error, we got a couple usable shots. We were thinking we could edit between multiple angles/shots so the story looks consistent. Next, we filmed Anjun and I's date scene. Overall we filmed a good chunk of our movie. We attempted to film all the scenes that need daytime lighting. We will need to meet up again in the future to film the remaining scenes at nighttime. We will try to begin editing once we transfer some of the footage from SD card to computer.

Filming Blog: Bad Weather

     Our group planned to film last Saturday. We cleared our schedules and were ready to begin shooting. Unfortunately, it was raining in the afternoon to evening when we were scheduled to film. We thought we could still get together and film but, voted against it when most scenes are outside or need specific lightening from the outside. We felt it would be hard to replicate conditions from certain inside shots to the following outside shot without filming those scenes continuously on one day. We decided to reschedule for the following Sunday.

      In the meantime, we will work out every planning detail for the shoot. We proceeded to create a supply list for the group. We each contributed suggestions for the the list. This included props, special effect supplies, and outfit changes. We then put our names next to the items that we would personally bring to the shoot. Us girls also thought of how to change looks with minimal makeup and outfit changes. We planned for that in our personal packing lists.
     This weather was a setback for a prompt start in our movie shooting. We hope to make a large advancement in progress this weekend. We also feel it could be helpful to edit along the way of filming. So, each scene we filmed we could finish editing. Then each chunk could be added together to the following scene. I feel this could be a great strategy for time saving when editing. In addition, we could easily re-shoot and re-edit certain chunks then add it back to the complete film.

Planning Blog: Story board

For our final A.I.C.E task it was essential for our group to complete a storyboard. This storyboard would show all visuals actions that are happening within our film but, written out. The storyboard would be advantageous to our film because everyone's opinions are condensed within those 10 pages. By drawing out the film, we decided where titles would be introduced and how the plot would play out. These drawn-out squares would help prepare our camera crew for setting up angeled shots and other hard to shoot shots. Props can also be prepped and bought while seeing them drawn out. Nyaira and I can better edit and act according to the plan to attain the desired result. This process was a bit stressful to truly stretch out 2 minutes into each shot. It also proved difficult to replicate pictures that remain consistent between squares. Overall, constructing the storyboard was a challenge but, will result in much ease of planning.

Planning Blog: Location, Participants, Health, and Schedule

Our teachers encouraged us in class to complete a presentation for our logistics. This would be a general written account for our future planning. This presentation would illustrate the different locations we will film. In addition, it will also highlight our schedule for the next coming weeks to stay on task for timely submission. Lastly, this would also serve as a written agreement between my partners to ensure a safe environment when filming. This guide will also give a list of places to film so we could better plan gas, time of day, and free availability within the group. This can be found as difficult because when deliberating we sometimes come to a compromise. Our director and cameraperson will use this presentation as a guideline into formatting the final film and keeping participants safe. The hardest part of creating this presentation was trying to agree and compromise on scheduled dates. Overall, this presentation provided comfort during the planning and later for the shooting aspects of this project.

Planning Blog: Title Design

Our teachers advised us in class to complete a presentation for our featured titles. This would be comprised of all general visual design ideas and transitions of titles. This presentation would illustrate the different fonts, colors, special effects, and spacing for titles. This presentation will not only show a visual representation of our title plans but, will provide a guide when editing our titles into the film. This guide will also give a list of titles and names to finalize and order. This can be found as difficult because when filing we can not visibly see the title as it is just the plain footage. It would be great if we could create an ideal background for our titles to rest on. Our editor will use this presentation as a guideline into formatting the final film. The hardest part of creating this presentation was trying to make purposeful changes to words and their design to convey a message but also be seen. Overall, this presentation was a great opportunity to save time in the editing process way ahead of time.

Planning Blog: Sound Script

Our teachers also instructed us in class to complete a presentation for the sounds in our script. This is very similar to our shooting script, however, it doesn't include any movements or actions with the camera. This presentation would focus solely on the score, dialogue, special effect sounds, and other sounds per scene. This presentation will not only show a visual representation of our sound plans but, will provide a guide when creating the sounds for the film. This guide will also give a list of non-diegetic sounds to find/create for certain scenes. Sounds can be more difficult than filming because some of the sounds are created uring the filming process and others are added when editing. Both our director and editor will use this presentation as an essential tool for success. The hardest part of creating this presentation was trying to remember diegetic sounds that would need to be emphasized for the sake of our film. (For example: footsteps) Overall, this presentation will help my group save a lot of time and frustration.

Planning Blog: Shooting Script

In class, we were instructed to complete a presentation regarding our film shooting plans. This would be helpful for us in the future so, we can be more efficient with our filming schedule. Usually, it takes a while to figure out how to take shots and layer them for the intended project. I conversed with my group and we created a general storyboard plan. We then created a presentation where each slide contained the specific plot lines, shots, angles, and movements for that scene. In addition, for some of the slides, we added a reference picture as the background to kind of get the tone for the scene. We also found it useful to group many of the blocks on the storyboard together for a scene. Many of the movements are grouped together in a slide to make the editing and cohesiveness make sense for the viewer. Overall, I feel this was an essential step for making our title sequence. It will be a true asset when in the filming process.