SESSIOM

MOVIESTORM SESSION 1

Today we are using a new program called "MOVIESTORM," a filming program with roots similar to "The Sims" where you control the characters movement, emotions, gestures etc. I have been paired with Jamie Hyman, and for today we shall try to decide what sort of film we are going to do. Personally, I'd like to do a George A. Romero zombie film, but I do need to work on film sets as well. Overall, if we do come up with an idea, i'll stick with it.

Thursday 31st 2011

SESSION 1: Uploading MovieStorm project so far, but it's taking a while because its all mashed up together. Going to wait for it all to upload then transfer it to Final Cut.

Snatch End Credits

To end our Action Thriller end sequences, we were asked to create a Snatch effect sequence.

Here are three examples of the original Snatch intro. The sequence would pan out with a series of events that goes through each of the films main characters, where they are doing something (Looking at a diamond, playing cards etc.) The scene would then freeze, and change into a still image edited outside of actual filming. The still would have its Threshold changed to make the characters color change to black and white, add the name and a symbol.

To recreate this in Final Cut, we had to take stills from our film. Originally we were meant to do our own stills, but for this I did Tom’s still and vice versa. But for the tutorial, I changed my still with some previous experience, namely using the Threshold.

By simply adding text where the black was at it’s most, I created an effect similar to The Godfather.

After uploading the image to Flickr, I decided to do Toms still, as there was an effect that I wanted to try, to enhance the still to make it more interesting.

The first stage was finding the still, and then we uploaded it into Photoshop. By changing the filters, we made it black and white like in our film. Afterwards, it was a matter of using the Lasso tool to cut Tom out of the still, then changing the background to another color.

Afterwards, I thought the scene seemed a little bit… Bland. I remember doing a special effect for my intro, where part of my logo moves. I decided to try this with the ending credits, albeit with a gun. My first attempt was with a shotgun, namely a MOSS-500. After uploading the images to Photoshop, I edited the Threshold to make it black and white.

Whilst doing this, I also removed the pump so I could edit it in Final Cut. By adding a motion key frame into the sequence, I moved the pump, thus adding the special effect.

L2 GROUP 1: ROULETTE END SEQUENCE - FINAL from cmdiploma on Vimeo.

SESSION 20-21

L2 GROUP 1: ROULETTE END SEQUENCE - STAGE 1 from cmdiploma on Vimeo.

Above is the finished film ROULETTE. We uploaded this only yesterday on Monday, but today we have received feedback for the film. Most of it was positive, though several people have commented on how we did the spinning camera scene, suggesting we redo this to make it more smooth, and several different camera angles have been suggested by Steve to be redone to make it more effective.

PRODUCTION TIMELINE

Our film planning began several weeks ago, when we had to decide on what the plot must be, or “Genre.” After watching a famous scene out of the 1970 film, “The Deer Hunter,” which involves a game called Russian roulette. After we all agreed to this, we built up from that point from an original idea for an assassination attempt in a park, but due to restrictions (Including being unable find an Mini-14 replica) we used the idea of roulette to replace this idea. After we decided our idea, it then came down to deciding character roles, Tom as the antagonist, Jamie and I as protagonists.

STORYBOARD AND PLOT

We based most of plot around that of the deer hunter; only it is set in modern times instead of Vietnam. We begin the film with two hostages in what appears to be a storage room, giving the sense that the two were kidnapped. After a small bit of dialogue, the antagonist or villain climbs a set of stairs to where the two victims are held captive, and after laying a gun on the table, one of the victims reveal that the gun is for roulette, which startles his fellow. After threatening him with another gun, he forces the both of them to play. After several blank shots, one of the captives finally cracks under the pressure, refusing to continue. In the heat of the moment, the remaining victim assures him that the next chamber is empty, despite not knowing what will happen next. The man accepts this, points the gun at his head and fires. The next chamber does in fact have a bullet, and he shoots himself in the head, and then dies. Whilst in grief, the villain then reveals that he was going to kill the both of them anyway. Enraged, the remaining victim retaliates, stealing the gun off the villain and hitting him in the head, taking the gun from his dead captive in the process. The villain recovers and follows his prey down a set of stairs. Whilst he is looking for him, the survivor appears from behind him and raises his gun to the mans head as the screen blanks to white, leaving the death anonymous.

SESSION 18-19

We have finished our film today, Jamie was able to upload the final piece of soundtrack, so now we just have to wait for the viewing.

SESSION 16-17

Today was pretty much the same as yesterday. Editing the audio bugs out of the footage, ad waiting for the soundtrack.

SESSION 14-15

We were able to finish off our film today. We just need the soundtrack from Jamie then its finished.

SESSION 12-13

Today we were able to make a final draft of our film. The only things left to do is to add the soundtrack, SFX and a review from Steve. And lets not forget the report. Hooray! (Sarcasticlly.)

SESSION 10-11

I was able to make sequence out of the shots we had available, but we need to convert some of our other shots to be compatible with the Mac. Creating the film in FinalCut took most of the 1 1/2 hour sessions.

SESSION 8-9

Today was mainly catchup. I was able to complete my blog posts, and Tom did some further editing on the shots. In session 9 we hope to finish off the shots from yesterday.

SESSION 9

We were able to successfully retake our shots, making a very effective blood effect. Tom was also able to take his MOA shot which we hope to use in the future. The only thing left to do now is edit it all in FinalCut to make a film.

SESSION 6-7

Picking up from where we left off, me and Tom were able to complete our draft. Whilst we were doing this, Jamie worked on the films soundtrack. After Steve reviewed the footage, he made several suggestions about some of our film shots, namely on adding a new shot where the camera would be at the POV of the gun. We decided to do this during session 6 due to lack of time.

SESSION 7

During session 7, we attempted to try a new effect involving a washing liquid bottle and lot of red paint. Steve had suggested we do this to show Jamie's "Brains getting blown out." Due to constrictions however, we had to leave it until tomorrows session. We were able to, however, get the POV shots completed, along with some retakes due to previous shots breaking the 180 degree rule.

SESSION 4-5

After session 3, we picked up from where we left off, being able to film the rest of the end film sequence.

SESSION 5

During session 5, we had been able to film all of our clips during session 4, so we were able to upload the images to Final Cut (I did this at lunch to help save some time.) Tom and I arranged the clips onto Final Cut after we named each one (Shot 1, Shot 2 etc.)

SESSION 2-3

SESSION 1

During session 1 we filled out an equipment sheet for the following;

1 Film Camera

1 Stills Camera

1 Tripod

Whilst our equipment was being prepared, we made one last prop check.

SESSION 2

After session 1, I changed into my suit while Tom and Jamie prepared the location for filming. Steve was with us because we were not allowed to be in the cleaners room without permission. We were able to film almost half of the film in roughly an hour 1/2.

SESSION 1

Today we decided on what roles each of us shall be taking;

-Director: Shared

-Camera: Shared

-Editor: Mainly Craig

-Soundtrack: Jamie

We also ran a final check on our storyboard and props.

Craig: Suit and gun

Tom: Leather Jacket and gun

Jamie: Superdry Jacket

Steve: Squirt bottle

Our final location is the cleaners room above reception.

Health and Safety

Today, my group shall be filming our action thriller end sequence. However, as the location we are filming in contains several hazards, such as bleach, equipment etc. Most of this is in a separate storage area however, and should not interfere with actual filming. Low light is another problem, so we must be careful not to leave equipment lying around. The area is also used for storage, namely chairs, tables and desks. Most of this is stacked around the walls, leaving a risk of toppling over.

A dolly uses wheels, and in low light conditions, it may be a serious threat to health if someone slips.

Saatchi Gallery - Ximena Garrido - The Followers

This is my contact sheet for The Saatchi Gallery exhibit, The Followers.



The Saatchi Gallery

The gallery was opened in 1985, constructed in a disused paint factory on St John's Wood, by Charles Saatchi.The first exhibition was held in October 1985, with most of the works displayed by Donald Judd, Brice Marden and Cy Twombly. These exhibits were followed by more in December to July in 1986. In 1987, the nearby caretakers flat was demolished to make room for the "Serra" exhibit.