Okay, I think one of the things that annoys me when I'm in a group shooting a film is control of the camera. I desperately want that professionl edge in my work, but unfortuantly would never get a steadicam - so I think I have another idea.
Make one.
I found a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5WBnfBEh_M
I think something like this could work however if I can work out how to counter weight the camera. So I emailed Mr Earl and asked the make of camera, went on amazon, looked at the makes and I think I found it. Our camera that we use should weigh around 262g which is about 0.6 pounds. Me and my dad are going to try to make one and are trying to figure out the design, we'd need a M6x1 thread we think and we need to figure out how to work out the counter weight and design and pivot - we need to work how the pivot and handle will work. I will attempt to make this over the week holiday but failing this, there was another video on youtumbe where if you loosen one screw on a leg on a tripod it also makes a counter weight - I couldn't believe it when I seen it.
Even if we could just improve those shots slightly, it would be brilliant and everything's worth a shot.
Monday, 24 October 2011
Friday, 21 October 2011
Prisoner
After complications like script, scouting for location, cleaning location, shooting and working our way around time and obsticales, we finally have a final video of PRISONER.
For the video itself, we did it in two seperate parts; the second being the first. We did this on my own personal laptop in Adobe primer elements 4 because we were given the footage on the friday and could do it over the week, doing this Reece came over and I also brought it in on the Monday. The first period of that day myself, Barry and Reece all joined up in the common room and began to work on the piece together as we did in our Media lesson of the last period of that day. The first part, however, was first begun the day after on Adobe Priemer CS3 collection; and we had complications. At the time, sound was not working and we were having some problems with the software and when we finished it on the thuresday in it, we had problems with final rendering also; inventibally being saved in a different format.
What we had intended to do was string the two pieces together but did not realise the problem of compatablility - so Mr Earl strung it together for us - but we had all worked together to edit this piece; Reece particularly on the first half of the first squence we named 'LANDSCAPE' purly because we shot this outside.
The first and second half is clearly parted by mise en scene, but the script is continous, really. However, we had a debate of where to shoot the first squence landscape and eventually choose the school grounds; where most of it doesn't look exactly like a school - although we're aware towards the end of the shot it may. Our problem was when corrosponding to sthe script, where Number 6 takes Number 2 into a building with lock etc. that was our main problem. We all agreed that a field or some enclosed area would probably be best, but we couldn't find anywhere were we could do the end of that scene and wondering around school realised that there was a shed like buildying next to the fields. Figuring by the long shots we used, it looked as though Number 6 was kicking in the door and throwing Number 2 in; where infact he was kicking the wall and pushed him around the side - the angle of the shot looked perfect and looks effect (though we're aware the script said that he had a button, we thought this was more dramatic as it introduced urgancy and violence).
Reece here was the one who decided what shots and angles was probably best, the first one were we zoom onto Number 2 (Barry) we thought would be a good opening as it draws attention to him. Though, we did several takes of this and found that Barry looked to the camera at one point or another in all of them. The one we placed in the landscape piece was the one he looked into it the least; a problem as it looks less real - but we also made do with the cut away I decided to shoot from a low angle of Barry. So, the orginal shot was him turning his head and looking about the landscape, and I had him turn his head - it worked.
We also had a second problem whilst shooting: we forgot to move the tripod in one of the smaller squences where Number 2 picks up Number 6. We did several of these shots and in each one the tripod was present. Whilst we could have edited it out in a crop effect, we decided against it as we had several master shots of the entire half squence and decided that the crop would probably move the frame too much; so we instead took part of the first master shot.
We were also sort of lucky that we had a pretty epic sky, also, that was light at first and changed quite dark and gloomy the futhur the clip landscape developed into Number 6 becoming this hostile enemy. I was happy that we did a lot of cut aways, because it seemed to make the squence work better - Reeces / Number 6's fist particularly to connotate anger and violence - we also gave this character the majority of the power as we did a low angle up to from a greater distance bellow than we did Barry, making him look poweful and furthur hostile: Reece's face couldn't have looked any better at that instance.
In terms of sound, we had no real diagetic sound for this squence and we picked up far too much wind - so instead we quitened the diagetic sound and added a remix song of Linkin Park called drum song because we couldn't decided what to do. At first we submitted the music and found it didn't seem, real. Later we quitened it down and reinduced the diagetic sound, making it seem more true to life again; but here we did not have to worry about voice.
The second squence we named PRS2 was far more complicated to do. We did multiple shots of each scene of diologue from different angles and different shot types so that we had a varity to choose from. Again of course we had complication as our set. There wasn't a tromendance about of room, making it complicated for the wide two shot we evntally put into the clip, but as for high angles and low angles, we did them perfectly fine. Re-watching the clips we did, we found that a box and a bag was in one, but because the camera didn't move, we used the effect crop to remove it and widened the frame.
The first shot, panning down from the lights quickly, was simply a cutaway I wanted to do, but instead made a good transistion between Number 6 throwing Number 2 into the interigation room - looking down onto Number 6; giving him the sense of domiance.
Particularly, we liked the close up of Barry when Number 2 first speaks and the shot where a high angle focuses on Number 6 and follows down into a close up, where his face was lighted from above and made his eyes darker.
Editing however, we did different shots from different distances, naturally, and found we had a huge contrast in diagetic sound. We over came this by increasing the volume of sound in the shots that were farther away - the master shots and two shot for example - so that it was similar to the close ups and mid shots. There was also the problem with where from the two shot we went to a point of view shot over Number 6's shoulder and broke the 180 degree rule - we had Number 2 on the wrong side. Fixing this, we added an effect called horozontal flip, and but Number 2 on the left hand side instead of the right.
We also added music and non - diagetic sound that was provided to us by Mr Earl. The music we took from my laptop; again another remix called 0.6 which we liked as it was mysetrious and extact as Number 6 became violent. Focusing on the lights, we had the music at normal volume, but as it came to Number 2's diolgue, we faded it down and kept it quite, we did the same thing later but reversed it so that it became louder when Number 6 was punching Number 2 as diagetic sound wasn't really needed; apart from Number 6's laughter.
At the very end, we repeat Reece's laughter from a different shot and added a sound effect from the media folder as a gun shot, we had one at the end when the screen his black - adding a sense of mysetry as to who won in the end as the laughter is clearly insanic.
Crtically, some of the shots could have been better and certaintly our scouting should have been spent longer to find a different location rather than school; but in terms of mise en scene that worked (Number 2 under a tree: he's left that live) and we've faced the problems of editing. Possibly, we need to look at diologue and general acting more, also, as facail expressions / tone of voices / general movement could have been looked better. And we certaintly need to take more consideration as a group into editing - even looking at titles and credits and introductions.
For the video itself, we did it in two seperate parts; the second being the first. We did this on my own personal laptop in Adobe primer elements 4 because we were given the footage on the friday and could do it over the week, doing this Reece came over and I also brought it in on the Monday. The first period of that day myself, Barry and Reece all joined up in the common room and began to work on the piece together as we did in our Media lesson of the last period of that day. The first part, however, was first begun the day after on Adobe Priemer CS3 collection; and we had complications. At the time, sound was not working and we were having some problems with the software and when we finished it on the thuresday in it, we had problems with final rendering also; inventibally being saved in a different format.
What we had intended to do was string the two pieces together but did not realise the problem of compatablility - so Mr Earl strung it together for us - but we had all worked together to edit this piece; Reece particularly on the first half of the first squence we named 'LANDSCAPE' purly because we shot this outside.
The first and second half is clearly parted by mise en scene, but the script is continous, really. However, we had a debate of where to shoot the first squence landscape and eventually choose the school grounds; where most of it doesn't look exactly like a school - although we're aware towards the end of the shot it may. Our problem was when corrosponding to sthe script, where Number 6 takes Number 2 into a building with lock etc. that was our main problem. We all agreed that a field or some enclosed area would probably be best, but we couldn't find anywhere were we could do the end of that scene and wondering around school realised that there was a shed like buildying next to the fields. Figuring by the long shots we used, it looked as though Number 6 was kicking in the door and throwing Number 2 in; where infact he was kicking the wall and pushed him around the side - the angle of the shot looked perfect and looks effect (though we're aware the script said that he had a button, we thought this was more dramatic as it introduced urgancy and violence).
Reece here was the one who decided what shots and angles was probably best, the first one were we zoom onto Number 2 (Barry) we thought would be a good opening as it draws attention to him. Though, we did several takes of this and found that Barry looked to the camera at one point or another in all of them. The one we placed in the landscape piece was the one he looked into it the least; a problem as it looks less real - but we also made do with the cut away I decided to shoot from a low angle of Barry. So, the orginal shot was him turning his head and looking about the landscape, and I had him turn his head - it worked.
We also had a second problem whilst shooting: we forgot to move the tripod in one of the smaller squences where Number 2 picks up Number 6. We did several of these shots and in each one the tripod was present. Whilst we could have edited it out in a crop effect, we decided against it as we had several master shots of the entire half squence and decided that the crop would probably move the frame too much; so we instead took part of the first master shot.
We were also sort of lucky that we had a pretty epic sky, also, that was light at first and changed quite dark and gloomy the futhur the clip landscape developed into Number 6 becoming this hostile enemy. I was happy that we did a lot of cut aways, because it seemed to make the squence work better - Reeces / Number 6's fist particularly to connotate anger and violence - we also gave this character the majority of the power as we did a low angle up to from a greater distance bellow than we did Barry, making him look poweful and furthur hostile: Reece's face couldn't have looked any better at that instance.
In terms of sound, we had no real diagetic sound for this squence and we picked up far too much wind - so instead we quitened the diagetic sound and added a remix song of Linkin Park called drum song because we couldn't decided what to do. At first we submitted the music and found it didn't seem, real. Later we quitened it down and reinduced the diagetic sound, making it seem more true to life again; but here we did not have to worry about voice.
The second squence we named PRS2 was far more complicated to do. We did multiple shots of each scene of diologue from different angles and different shot types so that we had a varity to choose from. Again of course we had complication as our set. There wasn't a tromendance about of room, making it complicated for the wide two shot we evntally put into the clip, but as for high angles and low angles, we did them perfectly fine. Re-watching the clips we did, we found that a box and a bag was in one, but because the camera didn't move, we used the effect crop to remove it and widened the frame.
The first shot, panning down from the lights quickly, was simply a cutaway I wanted to do, but instead made a good transistion between Number 6 throwing Number 2 into the interigation room - looking down onto Number 6; giving him the sense of domiance.
Particularly, we liked the close up of Barry when Number 2 first speaks and the shot where a high angle focuses on Number 6 and follows down into a close up, where his face was lighted from above and made his eyes darker.
Editing however, we did different shots from different distances, naturally, and found we had a huge contrast in diagetic sound. We over came this by increasing the volume of sound in the shots that were farther away - the master shots and two shot for example - so that it was similar to the close ups and mid shots. There was also the problem with where from the two shot we went to a point of view shot over Number 6's shoulder and broke the 180 degree rule - we had Number 2 on the wrong side. Fixing this, we added an effect called horozontal flip, and but Number 2 on the left hand side instead of the right.
We also added music and non - diagetic sound that was provided to us by Mr Earl. The music we took from my laptop; again another remix called 0.6 which we liked as it was mysetrious and extact as Number 6 became violent. Focusing on the lights, we had the music at normal volume, but as it came to Number 2's diolgue, we faded it down and kept it quite, we did the same thing later but reversed it so that it became louder when Number 6 was punching Number 2 as diagetic sound wasn't really needed; apart from Number 6's laughter.
At the very end, we repeat Reece's laughter from a different shot and added a sound effect from the media folder as a gun shot, we had one at the end when the screen his black - adding a sense of mysetry as to who won in the end as the laughter is clearly insanic.
Crtically, some of the shots could have been better and certaintly our scouting should have been spent longer to find a different location rather than school; but in terms of mise en scene that worked (Number 2 under a tree: he's left that live) and we've faced the problems of editing. Possibly, we need to look at diologue and general acting more, also, as facail expressions / tone of voices / general movement could have been looked better. And we certaintly need to take more consideration as a group into editing - even looking at titles and credits and introductions.
Little Problem
It seems a disaster when I forget to change the format when rendering - now both in avi and somhow the one we did in CS3 premior pro is messed up as well. Hopefully Mr Earl will be able to string up both the video's PS1 and PRS2 so that we can now upload it - other wise all the squences and editing is complete.
Monday, 17 October 2011
Looking At Screenshots
Whilst we were waiting for our first part of the project to render, we decided to do some funny screenshots to accompany our 'making of' for this project.
Starting to Edit
Today I brought in my own personal laptop so we could start editing during our free lessons, so this morning, first period, me, Barry and Reece all sat down together and began to edit with my laptop on adobe elements 4; a basic yet effective version of the master collection CS3. Already we have our prisoner video almost done, all it requires is some audio amplication, darkening effect, contrast and soundtrack. Which we'll do tomorrow as we wait for our first lot: the landscape shots.
Technology is not a media students friend.
Technology is not a media students friend.
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Planning, Storyboard and Filming
Okay, so today me, Reece and Barry finally finished filming; after spending 2 lessons planning, changing the script, drawing the storyboard and scouting for locations. At first we had a dissagrement whether or not to do in school and how that would affect our work, but after thinking of locations that might not nesscarily look as though that location, we came to the decision that we would stay within school and do it in the ours we could; occuring do to the fact that this week has a lot of work due in other subjects also.
We were proud of the 'interview' part particularly, finding a location we feel can't be discriminated against as being a school location. We shot plenty of master shots, cut away shots, and others, which we'll come back to look to later.
For fun, also during this project, we filmed little extra's to make 'bloopers' to add onto our summary of what we did at the end of our shoot.
We were proud of the 'interview' part particularly, finding a location we feel can't be discriminated against as being a school location. We shot plenty of master shots, cut away shots, and others, which we'll come back to look to later.
For fun, also during this project, we filmed little extra's to make 'bloopers' to add onto our summary of what we did at the end of our shoot.
Monday, 10 October 2011
Camera Movement
We even attempted a poor 'crane shot' that was simply not high enough up, although at time of the shot it seemed that; so I have also included it in this piece. Although that said, I had also spelt expirmental wrong on the shot; meaning this project could be improved - and that we should pay closer attention to editing.
We also did another project render of this, were Barry and Reece edited the film; they will later upload it.
Currently, we are scouting for locations for our first 'real' project and attempting to decide where would be the best location to shoot this. I will be shortly working on the story board as we plan it all out, also. Though we will be shooting towards the end of this week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)