SHOOTING 1.1

PLANNING FOR SHOOTING DAY 2

As we need my little brother to re-shoot some scene and because he needed to attend football competition we didn't get to re-take during the past weekend. Therefore, me and nana re-plan that we will be shooting this coming Friday. When my brother and us is available at the same time.

TO DO LIST.

1. Recorded diegetic sound. Which to have better recording quality, I borrowed a microphone from Mr.H 
2. Re-shoot the drone scene.
3. Film more footage on the drawing process of the "imaginary friend". 

LOOKING AT FEEDBACKS

IMPROVEMENTS 

Due to the music is pre-composed. Therefore the music didn't fit with what is shown on screen when the character is writing on the wall as the music is too dramatic for the scene. This is a point which has been mention quite a few times in the feedback, which is an area for us to make changes to.

The screen time of the making of the toy is too long. Which we might need to add another glitch effect to cut down the duration.

The drone shot, the "woah" effect is achieved. However, if it was limited to only for the ending the effect would have a bigger impact then showing drone shot twice in the clip. Also, the drawing of the friend isn't really clear in this scene which we will have to re-take this process. We decided to change from a drone shot to close up.

WHAT DID IT REMIND YOU OF:

Fantasy and Adventure Genre came up in the feedback. Which I can see parts of the convention that is linked to our film opening.

TEXT EFFECT 2.2

CONTINUE WITH FINISHING WITH THE TEXT ANIMATION.

First, create a mask then apply the blur effect on. Change the value of the mask expansion and feather to make it more blend in with the text animation.

Then you create a new layer - Camera to play with the zooming out effect. Which this layer is also connected to the null layer.Which is copy and paste on each animation.

Finally, making changes such as adding the glow effect, colour correction and changing the curve value making the text appeal more contrast.

YOU GET THIS. AFTER MAKING LOTS OF CHANGES TO THE VALUES, LOCATION, AND COLOUR.

CONVERSATION IN THRILLERS

HOW IS MEANING CREATED USING MICRO-ELEMENTS IN THE CLIP?

Alonzo is represented as the more dominant one between the two character. We know this as most of the shot of Alonzo is close up shot, whereas for Jake is mostly over the shoulder, which conveys a meaning of being less important. Alonzo is in control as when the conversation begins and ends is based on him. While they are having a conversation, Alonzo’s body language is more open with both hands on the table leaning in, which gives a sense of suppressing. Specifically, there is a mid shot of Alonzo taking from Jack’s point of view where he sits with his body wide open with shoulders on the chair, this suggested power. ( Excellent - great point, great structure, very specific) Compared to Jake his body language is more closed with hands under the table, which shows that he is nervous, scared and being less dominant. We also know this because Jack couldn’t stand the silence between them two.  (Yes - but this is conveyed through the editing and shot type - long take on Jake's face.) Moreover, to further emphasise that Alonzo is the dominant one is when crossing the road, Alonzo is leading with Jack following him. While this is happening, there is a fast tempo non diegetic sound in the background which creates tension and suggested that there might be something bad ahead.(Anything else ? What shot type is this?)The conversation is editing by shot reverse shot.

During the conversation, Alonzo speaks more louder than Jack

Alonzo is represented as more aggressive as he dressed fully in black, with chains around his neck. That convey the idea of the character being antagonist. Furthermore, when the car engine starts, there is a non diegetic sound of hip hop music in the background. This conveys the meaning of gangster or crime which doesn’t fit into a normal cops convention. Also the car he is driving is also black not just a normal police car. While they are in the car, there is a low angle shot showing the gun that Alonzo is carrying and that the gun is blocking Jack’s face, this creates a threatened meaning. (Back on it - very good. The gun does block his face, is there anything significant about where he holds it?)

The setting is set in a restaurant of people having breakfast in the background, there is sound of radio or television is playing in the background, also while the two characters are having the conversation, there are police siren in the background which suggested that there might be crime happening at the same time. 

Mr. Harrison: Overall - there's some excellent points in this response that are presented with the appropriate structure and attention to detail. Well done.

SOUND EFFECTS 1.0

From Mr. Harrison's feedback of adding more diegetic sound. I tried finding sound effects online, however, it is really hard to find a matching sound effect that fits with the footage and is free at the same time. Therefore, we might need to go back and record the sound with a microphone.

TESTING OUT:

I noticed one of the audio track from other video can be used as the breathing sound and footsteps is really nice, so I separated the audio and combine with the footage we're using.

EXPERIMENT 1

I added constant gain for fading in effect and constant power for fading out. 

Also, I lower the volume of the diegetic sound by changing the value of the audio gain to -5.

Then I added uses one of the music I searched and experience with different back ground music.

ROUGH CUT 1.1

After filming the footage, we then put together a rough cut to see what is working and what needs to be improved.

Feedback from Mr. Harrison

POSITIVE:

• The camerawork - the cinematography/composition is fantastic. From the short siding at the beginning to the depth of field as the boy plays with toy.
• The drone shot - is AMAZING - not just because its drone shot but because it put the house in context - giving it a 2D effect much like the 2D pictures the boy is drawing.
• There's a clear representation of a lonely, isolated, alienated boy - almost feral.
• The music is good choice.

IMPROVEMENTS:

• The creation of the toy takes too long - there's a lot of tying. Could the glitch effect be used again.
• Create a diegetic sound-scape - the steps of the boy, the heavy breath, the scraping of the chalk, laughing of the boy when he plays -  will add much more atmosphere.
• It is not obvious to the viewer that the boy is creating an imaginary friend - could you have whispers at the point when the boy looks at the camera suggesting the presence of someone else?
• Or make more of the drawing - close on as he sketches out the drawing - then go to the drone shot.
• Then a close up on the boy looking at the sketch or holding hands with the sketch?

PROCESS - ROUGH CUT 1.0

Today we started to connect the footage together to make a rough cut. In order to see what we've got to work with and what isn't working and need it to improve.

This is the first rough cut for our film opening...

SHOOTING 1.0

STORY BOARD

Today is the first time we start taking footage for out course work. Overall, after watching what we've taken we feel like the footage still lack of the sense of thriller, which we might need re-discuss about it and make changes.

PREPERATION:

We had to decide on what the character will be wearing. Which we decided to find out the oldest, worn out cloth. Then we decided to go with blue, as it seems as a cold colour and that it is not as bright.

SAFETY:

There are lost of rubbish and broken glass, nails lying around. Which as the character will be on his bare feet, this might cause injuries such as a cut on the feet. 

Also, the building isn't well constructed, the stairs don't have any fence which someone might fall over when film. However, the stairs are fairly wide so it can prevent by having fewer people together on the stairs.

We're filming at around 3-5pm which can still be fairly hot, to avoid dehydration we brought water and some snacks.

BEHIND THE SCENE:

We had a lot of fun filming and exploring different angels and re-taking a certain scene. However, it is really tiring and hot which we had to take a few breaks in between. 

To help with making the character more realistic. We put some coal dust over his body. Which is a lot of fun but it gets pretty messy.

TEXT EFFECT 2.1

WORK IN PROGRESS.

Now working on the effects. 
Start with applying the effect "CC ball action"



Then to create the effect, you use Ellipse tool to create the mask layer.

Then after creating the layers, you start working on the animation. By setting keyframes and changing the value. Which to create the scatter and rotation of the particles.

You create 3 layer of the effect and then off set them so you create 3 different time that the particles come back together.






Lastly, combine them together by selecting all three animation and make a new composition out of it.









This is the what I finish creating today. Overall, I had to spend lots of time adjusting the effects, such as the size, rotation angel and how scatter the particles. Also getting the right timing really makes a difference. 

TEXT EFFECT 2.0

I decided to re-do the animation that I can completely finish and use for my course work. I decided with Nana to use this effect.

Today's Aim: Create the text and finish the design.

It had 3 layers of text that needed to be linked to the first and by changing the position it creates a 3D look. The challenge for me today is to adjust for the right gradient position and color for the text to make it realistic. 

HERE IS THE FINISHED TEXT.

To enhance the sense of 3D, the effect CC light sweep is added.

TEXT EFFECT 1.0

I decided to focus on the intro of the film. I look up for some tutorials of text animation on youtube. Here is the one that I decided to try.

OUTCOME..

STEPS: 

I downloaded a new font to use, which is called "Open 24 Display" As it gives a more digital look.

Unfortunately, the file that he provided to make the effect ( including the background picture and light effects) can't be downloaded. However, I did get to download similar picture from google to use it as background picture. 

That is the picture that I used.





By changing the Track Matte to Alpha it then creates the metallic look on the font.

Lastly to change the colour by changing value on the curve. The add effects such as CC glass and CC Blobbylize to create the reflection look

TEXT BEHIND MOVING OBJECTS

Today I decided to learn this effect because I think it might be useful to included in our opening credit. 

This is the link that I learn the effect from..

It's a quick easy tutorial which is by using Roto brush & Refine edge which it can auto mask your object which makes it every easy.

However, it is a bit time-consuming as you need to check every frame and make an adjustment to it, also after finishing every frame that you want you to need to remember to "freeze" it so the effect can work. 




Then you add the font on the footage. Remember to put the text layer below the video footage.

Here is the outcome. :)

SOUND - WORK IN PROGRESS

As from the clips we've seen, we want the music to be non-lyrical, classical the peaceful. The reason being I really like the feeling I get when the music is all peaceful but knowing from the clip that there are bad things ahead (peace before the storm). The tension really gets the audience on the edge of their seat.

As the character and story are related to children, therefore, using nursery rhymes or music box. I went on youtube and youtube some related songs..

Our character is a boy, not sure whether using a music box fits with the scene. Also, most of the sound effects are using girl's sound therefore, it might be a problem when it comes to using it as a background effect. 

STORYBOARD - WORK IN PROGRESS

DISCUSSING.. 

 

IDEA
After we did some research, we found that children might have imaginary friends because they feel lonely.

• Abandonded child living alone in this abandonded house

CIRLCE MOTION

• Play station in the playground - Toys
• Idea of time is never moving = idea of lost boys and living in a loop of time
• 

FIRE

• Fire symbolize warmth, protection and hope.
• 

SHOTS/SCENE

Drone/ bird eye view above the abandoned building seeing the character running around. 
= sense of loneliness. 








Close up shot of the character drawing with chalk on the ground. Ending it with him lying down beside the drawing.
= Idea from children's drawing that is used as a convention as imaginary friend











Close up shot of the character making his imaginary friend (stick man out of sticks).
= Idea from the human like feature from BABADOOK

LOCATION HUNT 2.0

Today me and Nana decided to go visit my old condo as I remember there is this old playground. However, when we arrived we found out that the whole play ground was removed. 

So... we walk around the basement...

The lack of light makes creates a spooky, mysterious and menacing feelings. Then we found this abandoned car. We then decided to play around with it, took some video and photographs.

Also, the lift is really old as it is taking awhile to open up and that really builds up some tension and the sound when it open makes it really scary..

Overall, we didn't get to do what we planned to do as to take videos on old playgrounds for our course work but walking around in an old basement is pretty creepy too. I wanted to do a rough cut of the video that we took ASAP. 

In addition we went up the rooftop.. just for the fun and passion of course.

PROBLEM:

We brought drone out to take some footage of the wide open space, after flying out the drone we noticed that the SD card isn't inserted in the drone so no footage was taken. 

REMINDER: CHECK EQUIPMENT BEFORE WE GO OUT.