Continuing our thriller editing.

Since doing the last post of editing, We have created many different kind of elements of editing. Slowly but shortly we are now creating a smooth thriller which is really starting to look really good, which we are all really pleased with.
As I said with the previous post about editing, we were were worried that our editing was very much jumping around and that the transitions weren't as smooth as they could be. We then decided to start the sequence with the wall slide shot, we did this for two reasons, one was because we didn't think we could use this shot later on in editing and then it was a good way to start with the titles at the beginning to be on the wall. When incorporating the shot we all really liked it and that we wanted to include it there. So this then leads to the wall shot at the beginning which slides to the policemen in the alley way, we were worried that this would confuse the audience, but then we thought that it is fine as it really add tension at the beginning, as you don't know what is happening and what could go on.
Also in the editing sessions we also decided that we were going to have longer shots of the robbers, as this then shows the story of the robbers journey to the bank.

There was a very useful tip on final cut pro which we have also learnt, which was when we want some of the clip and not all of it. This was simply done with shift I to start the cut and then shift O to end the cut. This is really easy and quick way of cutting the clip down to what size you want it. It is much easier when placing it on the timeline and then cutting it on there.
When then learnt that when you are wanting to cut an clip, you just hold your hand over the space bar, and then when your instinct tells you that you should cut, you do so. Of course with this all three of us had different thoughts, if the shot should be longer or shorter. But we all came to an cut which we all agreed with.

We then also did learn a very useful tip from Matt who is one of the media editing guys showed us that when having a clip for example of the robbers hands in the back of the van to follow the shot then move to something which is similar, so for example to policemen's hand who is holding the gun.It was really good as we were finding it very difficult to match up clip which could go together, as they were not looking good together. This was a really useful tip in editing, because once we had starting using that useful tip, we felt that the sequence was really starting to move smooth.
After these couple of editing sessions, as a group we are really starting to feel that our thriller is starting to come together, which we are starting to feel proud of our thriller which we have created.  

starting the timeline in editing

As a group we were taking it in turns with moving each lip down to the timeline and doing diffrent jobs. It was great as a group as we were getting advice from each other. Of corse at this stage of the timeline there is still lots of work which is needed to make our thriller the best it could be. I think at the moment we need to work on making each of the clips more smoother as at the moment they are very sharp from each transition.

During Friday's when we were editing we finished renaming the clips and sorting out in to the rush or log bins. We then went on to start the timeline process, which was really exicting as this is were we can see the clips together and what works well together. During editing we were realising that the clips of the driver to the policmen in the alley way, were so much diffrent in light. This was a problem as we lost a few clips, and we don't have many anyway. But of course the amazing help from the edeiting teachers, such as Paul said that we will be able to use those clips as they will lightnen up on HD, which was great news.

Starting to edit.

During this week we have started looking back at our footage from shooting our thriller and started editing, which is really exciting.We started the process with re naming all of the different shots which we had shoot. In also this process we were also ranking on wether the clip was excellent, good, okey, bad or awful. This did take a whole lesson as it takes time when looking at each clip and then re- naming it.

 I did also jot down on a piece of paper on which clips really stand out and what we could you at the beginning of our opening sequence. As I said in a pervious post, we knew that we were going to find it really difficult with editing as we wished that we had more footage to work with. It was a really shame because we wanted to create a fast pace edit to create suspense. But however I feel that we don't have enough different shots to work with if we want a fast pace edit.   
shot off of the screen.

Shooting Day

What did you do the day before, to set up for your shoot day?

The day before our shooting day was great, as everything was organised as much as possible. So we were in a great situation to just look forward to the next day ahead. But of course there were some last things which we just wanted to confirm with the actors on where they were going to meet us and to double check if they had all the costumes and props which we had asked them to bring. We did this with emailing them, as well as seeing them in person with a slip of paper. This was great as they all said that they had everything for tomorrow and they were all looking forward to it. As a group we were so pleased that there were no panics of costumes, props and actors the day before. We then went back to the media rooms to look at the weather forecast on what it was going to be like, and it said that it is going to be gloomy and cold day. So we had to make sure that we wear warm clothes, as we never know on how long each shot was going to take and standing still for. We did also double check that the story board was still in my file, which it was. So we just roughly when through the board and making sure there was nothing that needed to be changed.


How did you feel when you woke up on the morning of the shoot day?


When I woke up on the day of our shooting day. I was so excited to get filming but at the same time was I was nervous as well. I think this was because of the thought of not having everything with us and forgetting it at home. Once I had seen the other two at breakfast, this was great as we were together as a group to talk everything through on the day ahead. Of course I was concerned about the weather forecast and that the shots we were going to do were not going to be successful. But we couldn't do anything about the weather front, so we just have to hope the best that the shots come out on what we hope for.

How well prepared were you when you arrived for the shoot, what did you have to do before you could start shooting?

When we arrived for shooting we were very prepared, which was great for us as we didn't need to worry about getting anything sorted that morning, which was fantastic. It also meant that we were one step ahead than other groups. As we didn't have much to sort out that morning, we decided that we would lay everything out on the floor in the media editing suite, this included all the costumes and props. This was great as we could really identify what was there. We also sorted this in to piles for each of the actors, so then it was easier for us and them when placing there costumes on.

 One of the media teachers, James did say that he had never seen such well prepared costumes and props. This was great with one of the teachers saying this to us, as we really got a boost from him saying it, as we have put in lots of work in to getting the costumes perfect. We also go through the shooting sequchale and story board with Luke, the teacher who was going to help us through shooting our thriller. He seemed like he was pleased on what was on paper.

I did also before school I went to the supermarket and bought sweets, strawberries, grapes, blueberries, crisps. This was great for the group to have something sweet throughout the day of shooting as well of being cold too!

Describe what the studio/location looked like when you started to shoot, how do you feel you managed to create the look of your concept?

Our location was on the school campus, but apart for the van scenes. We started with shooting the two policemen, Jason and Ian which were situated in the alleyway by the media TV studio. This looked very realistic as it was fairly narrow and you could see the brick wall behind them. But on the other side of the alleyway was rocks and trees which may not of been so realistic as we want our thriller to look like we were shooting in a city, this was a difficult task to take on as our school is situated around lots of tress and no high sky scrapers. But of course we know that this can be also edited in after shooting. The location for the roof scene looked absolutely perfect on camera. But when we were shooting on the roof we managed to get a couple of shots which, were fantastic. After great some amazing shots which we were all pleased with. The groundsman came over to us and telling us that we were not able to shot there, due to it being unsafe. So this was a disappointment, but it was resolved ok with going to another location in the school campus, which still had that look beforehand, which was very lucky. 

How did you divide the roles on your shoot day, what role(s) did you play?

On the shoot day, all three of us took turns at doing everything. We all got on really well without any issues with who did what. When we started shooting, I did the light reflector, which is the projector for light on what you are filming. This was mostly used on the actors faces. I really enjoyed having a turn using the camera, and getting use to how the camera works. We also took turns on who said 'rolling' 'camera', 'standby', 'rolling', 'action'. Another job on what we look turns on doing was the sound gadget which was for the sound. The job was to hold the sound gadget to get all the surrounding sound around, which did hurt your arm after holding up on several takes, but it had to be done. When shooting, we always had a job to do either if it was controlling the camera, holding the light projector or sound gadget or just helping the other person with the camera, we were always busy helping each other out. 

What do you think that you personally did particularly well?

I personally think that the group did individual roles to get our thriller to work its best. I think we worked extremely well as a group. I think my strongest part of the contribution to the thriller was sorting out all the of the costumes prior to the bullet proof jackets which Laura sorted out. I was really happy that I finally got all the costumes and props which we needed, and they were all so realistic and all at good price. I tried to keep my determination on keeping the budget down for the group so then we wouldn't have much of a loss. This was due to lot of preparation beforehand. It was also great that all the teachers were so pleased on the effort on what we had done for the preparation of the costumes and props. They all said that they looked so realistic and the best they had ever seen an AS group do, which was 

What problems did your group have on the shoot day, how did you solve them?

The problems which occurred on our shooting day in which the group had to sort out was, when we were shooting on the roof the groundsmen came over to us and told us that we weren't allowed on there, as it was a health hazard. This of course was a problem for us, as the shooting on the roof was really successful. We then lucky had a back up location in where we could use, which was really lucky as there was not much panicking. It was behind the media TV studio which looked very much similar to on the roof. Of course the roof scene was excellent but we couldn't of stay and film there. 

We then in the afternoon had a really panic of the van, as it was scheduled to get to school for 1.30pm. But at lunchtime my mum had rang me to say that there is a delay with the van, due to an oil leak. So this really pushed our whole scheduled back, as we really need it for the afternoon. So they were waiting for the RAC man to come and fix the van. This delayed the expected arrival time by an hour and half, so the van arrived at 3.00pm. But of course we had to really get on with shooting as we didn't have much time left as it was starting to get dark. We of course took our time to get the best shots possible, but it would of been great if we had a bit more time to spend on each of the shots. 

  

Which part of the shoot do you think was most successful and why?

The most successful part of the shooting day was defiantly at the beginning of the day with both the policemen down the alleyway and then on the roof, even though we had to re- locate. They both receiving some really good shots. I think this was because of the lighting in natural day light and also having more time per shot, so we weren't rushing and not worrying about time and what has to come next and timing it right. 

Which part of the shoot do you wish had gone better and why?

I think the part of the shoot we would of wished that had gone better was the roof location, because we were getting some fantastic shots, but unfortunately we weren't able to stay there. I think if we were able to stay it would of made a difference on the whole piece, but of course we can edit in after to make it connect and have a smooth change between both of the different locations. 

I then think it was a shame of the whole situation about the van being late, as I feel this will be a huge disadvantage to us because the shots have come out very dark with the lighting being poor. So when editing it is going to difficult with the footage of the shots we have which are dark and also minimum amount too. 

What was the part of the shoot you enjoyed the most?

Throughout the day of shooting, I have really enjoyed it. It has been a great experience in control of the camera and also acting as a team and putting everything together. I have really liked being in control of the camera as you really feel part of the whole piece. I have also learnt about the controls on the camera which has made me much more confident with being in control, because before shooting day, I was a bit unsure on the controls and how the camera generally works. I have also liked getting the actors ready in their costumes and then seeing them in the costumes, which was a great feel as I was so pleased with how they looked on them. 

What are you looking forward to seeing the most in the edit?

After having a very successful day of shooting, I am really looking forward to seeing what footage we shot on the day and what was more successful and not so much. Of course at the stage I am worried that if we have enough footage to work with, and if we have got footage is it good enough to work with. But as a team our editing skills in which we have learnt we will have to use them and see on what footage we can use. I think I am also looking forward to having to watch the final piece, when all the sequence in done, sound incorporated and titles. I think that moment in editing will be fantastic, because then we can see all our hard work with the development of the starting point to the final piece. I am really looking forward to that moment. 

How well do you feel that your production group worked as a team?

As a production group and as a team we have work so well together and over come so problems which have occurred during the process. We have been really supportive to each other from step one and getting each of us getting a view in to make it the best possible. There were no arguments which was really good, and no falling out over anything. We all had smiles on our faces and laughed with the teachers and just having lots of fun throughout a long, cold day. 

Are their any lessons you learned today that could help you make your next shoot even more successful?

There are of course lots of thinks that I have learned today and that could help make my next shoot even more successful. I think the main think I have learned is if anything does go wrong, you have just got to chill and not panic, because you would wind yourself up more and could get worse than it actually is. It is also great if you have a back up plan to fall back on, so if anything does go wrong you can always have something to fall back on. 

At the end of the day when looking back at the footage with Luke, we came up with a solution that when editing out thriller, we don't have many shots as what we would of wanted. So we will incorporate credits on to a black background that will push the previous shot of the screen.