Story-telling Unit: Reflection

On reflection i have really enjoyed this unit. Screen writing is something i've always enjoyed for fun and it was a good to write something i wouldn't normally have thought about. I've definitely learnt a lot in terms of how to develop characters and layout etc.

The things that have worked well on this project are that i kept ahead of the game with the script writing and was able to write something that had a real message. I also felt the collaboration with Hannah and Roxanne was really good and it was great to work with people who really understood the project and i think this is a real deal breaker for me in the future.

The things that haven't gone so well. My pitching needs work. I really struggled to sell the initial pitch of the idea and feel like i maybe didn't do it justice or that people didn't really 'get it'. I don't think asking friends to help out on projects is ever a good idea and can lead to a lot of let downs. We are lucky on the course that everyone is like minded and is interested in film making but friends and family often don't share the same enthusiasm as me so it can be awkward and frustrating when people let you down.

My audio in the final edit is not how I wanted it to be. I feel if I could get the hang of Final Cut Pro and editing I will be able to produce higher quality final pieces. Over christmas, after I receive my mac, I am going to mess about with this piece and try and edit it more to my satisfaction and this will also give me good practise with using the software. What I've learnt from this is to give yourself plenty of time to edit so you can ask for help on things that aren't working and show other people and get their opinions.

I decided in the end not to use the music my producer had given me as the tempo didn't feel quite right. I instead used an instrumental version of One of the videos I had given him as an idea. I think in the future I have learnt to get the rough edit done for the music producer early. This will allow him to see the story in visual and not just the script.

I also never want to have to be in any of my own productions ever again! I feel like as i'm enjoying the camera work more and more i don't want to have to be infront of it and not get the chance to fully direct and get the shots exactly how i want them and keep en eye on colour changes and focus and audio levels. I'm incredibly picky and it really grates on me that my film has bits that are out of focus.

Overall i'm pleased with the final outcome of my project as a whole. For my very first attempt at using a camera and editing and writing a proper script im over the moon and cant wait for the next project!

Stay safe,

Helen

Story-telling Unit: Editing notes 2

So today I completed my editing for The Meeting. I'm really pleased with the final edit and I managed to get some good music and sound effects to really enhance the whole project. Below are some of the screen shots I took of editing. Including the muffled effect I used for the audio and the blur text I used for my opening and closing sequences.

It took me a while to get the audio just right as it sometimes sounded like it was in the next room rather than a faint daydream background noise. So I increased the muffle and added a similar effect to what I had talked about on a previous blog. Obviously as I'm still learning Final Cut Pro x I know I can edit this into something better in the future but I'm really happy with the outcome.

The added audio effects I used helped to add to the film. I added a girl gang sound for he outside to try and introduce the gang but in a small way. I also added tension sound for the blur sequence and also the vibration of a mobile phone ringing. I felt having these ass added sound effects was a good idea and although it's hard to get the right balance I'm happy with what I achieved.

In the future I think i might also film the sound effects I want to try and get a more natural sound. I feel I spent the right amount of time in editing so I don't think there is much I could have done differently there.

Hope you enjoy the finished project!

Stay safe,

Helen

Story-telling Unit: First 2 Minutes of The Meeting

Here is the First 2 Minutes of my first short film at uni The Meeting. Hope you Enjoy.

Stay Safe,

Helen

Story-telling Unit: Final Script

Here is the Final Draft of the Script for The Meeting. Just a few tweaks and added the scene numbers in. I'm really pleased with the changes I've made.

The Meeting Draft 4

Stay safe,

Helen

Story-telling Unit: Titles

When I began to think about the start of my short film, I had to think about what I wanted to have written and in what style. I knew I was going to have my production company logo at the very start. Then I initially thought I should have that fade to black and then have the film title and written by Helen Welsh. I was in 2 minds over whether to include the names of the actors and director. In the end. I settled for having the director only as this was suited the film better. Having too much text at the start of the film would distract from the images and didn't want that.
I have included my original Christmas Lane Productions logo and the new logo for this film.

I originally wanted to make a moving production logo but i am not confident enough with after effects yet so maybe by the next project it will be ready.

Stay safe,

Helen

Work Experience: Take Me Out

On Friday I was lucky enough to be asked to be a stand in and help with rehearsals for Take Me Out - a British dating show shown on Primetime TV. It was amazing and I learnt so much on the first day. I really tried to take the opportunity with both hands as you never know when you might get the chance again.

The rehearsals began with Hannah, Ren, CK and myself standing behind the buzzers while Paddy Mcguinness ran through his lines. We were told to turn the buzzers off near us when it got to a bit where his was needed. This was intresting for me as it was at this point that Paddy and the script team would change lines that didn't work or reword a sentence that was a bit of a tongue twister. It was a good process to see seeing as script writing is something I want to go into. It also reminded me of my own filming experience where Roxanne and Hannah helped me to change a line that really wasn't working. 

Next up was the boys rehearsal. This took roughly 2 hours. This is where the boys who will be on the show that night come to set to rehearse their performance for tonight and get an idea of what will happen when they come down the lift. During this rehearsal we were asked to help out by pressing the buzzers so the guys could get an idea of what will happen later in the show. We also had to answer questions that Paddy asked us about the boys so they could get used to thinking quickly of a comeback. 

Then, if we got picked by the boys to be in the final 2 we had to answer a question from them that we hadn't heard before. This was an nervous experience but it was good fun and it was nice to see the boys beginning to relax as the rehearsals went on.

After doing this for all the boys we took a break before getting to watch the girls rehearsals. This was great fun and good to see the difference between the girls and the guys. The girls were a lot less nervous and really went for it at rehearsals.

I was really impressed with the sound checking and behind the scenes things we gotta see. It was also great to be invited to watch the show in the evening. We sat behind the scenes and got to watch how the love lift worked and how the props department get ready to bring out things and prepare the stage between contestants.

I even got asked back to help for the rest of the week which I'm really looking forward to. 

Can't wait!

Stay safe,

Helen

Story-telling Unit: Filming Reflection for Shoot 2.

So today was the day of shoot 2. Due to hannah having commitments with Take Me Out we had to film on Friday. At first I was incredibly stressed about this because I thought this meant I couldn't reshoot at all as the camera was due back Thursday, but after speaking to Simon and a few other students I decided to shoot first thing on Friday morning, take the camera back the same day and then finish my editing. So after picking up Hannah we got down to buisness. This time Hannah and myself filmed each other's scenes and my housemate filmed the panning shot of us both together. We worked well together and were able to get the shots perfected in a couple of takes each.
I understand the nature of the whole business a lot more now from this experience. Things happen all the times and production can change at the last minute and problems occur all the time. Instead of giving up when things get tough you have to work around them and put the effort in to sort it out if you want the best results.
I'm also really proud of myself because I spent a lot of time trying out shots with the camera and trying out the different buttons on the camera I was able to change the white balance every time the light changed to keep the shots of a similar colour. On my previous shoot this was a nightmare and now I can fix it. I learnt this on Sophie's shoot and I'm so grateful for her and Roxanne for  teaching me because it's going to be so useful. I also surprised myself as I'm starting to really enjoy the camera work. Thinking about shots and angles and cinematography.  Even in the cinema I'm watching films and thinking 'wow that shot is amazing' and making mental notes. I never considered camera work as a career before and I know there is so much more to learn but I'm really excited.
I'm really happy with the shots we got and I'm over the moon with the panning shot and I think I'll be able to get the whole thing to flow a lot better now.

Now to get the final edit done!

Stay safe,

Helen