Tuesday 25 January 2011

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.

Monday 24 January 2011

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.

Friday 21 January 2011

SESSION 16-17

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

Thursday 20 January 2011

SESSION 14-15

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

Wednesday 19 January 2011

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.)

Tuesday 18 January 2011

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.

Friday 14 January 2011

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.


Tuesday 11 January 2011

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.



Wednesday 5 January 2011

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.