30/01/09
To begin with, my idea was about a genie taking people’s souls by tricking them into making 3 wishes, kind of like the film ‘Bedazzled’ (both the 1967 and 2000 versions). However, it changed a little, as I thought to have the genie tricked and turned into a human with the narration being misleading and from the point of view of the new genie instead of the one you would see. I feel it is a good idea, but I’m not sure how I can go with it, I’d need to think long and hard about the story/narrative to make it work. If I cannot produce an idea/concept to fit, then I will have to think of something else.
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01/02/09
With my research I felt I could do and probably should try to look at more films and videos that are similar, so that I can gain or develop my idea more. Though I do feel that my research so far has helped a lot, because it almost changed my idea completely. Looking into genies made me realise that they pretty much fit the description of demons. However although the concept of a genie and a jinn are different, I feel that they have the same manner.
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04/02/09
Another part of my research that helped was, looking into angels, which began when I watched ‘Wings of Desire’ by Wim Wenders. Although I found it quite dull to begin with, a story began to develop within the film itself, blossoming into something beautiful.
What interested me the most in the film, was the…
- The angels outfits (suits with winter trench coats)
- The angels influencing the people with negative/dark thoughts
- The film being in ‘Black and White’
- Hearing people’s thoughts
- The black and white to colour transition, when the angel chooses to become human.
- The angel seeing in colour, tasting food, feeling, for the first time, even though he knew what everything was supposed to be already.
I like this film quite a lot, and want to take something from it, and incorporate it into my idea somehow.
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10/02/09
My idea has changed again, due to my research and decisions I have made. I realy liked the idea of having a ganie take the souls of guilty people and then have one of his victims become a good person and as a result making the genie become human and the victim become a genie. However i couldn’t see how to make the idea work. I was worried that it would come across as too boring/dull, as I do not have the resources to produce a film with a larger narrative. So I’ve decided to incorporate some of my research, and have the main character as a vigilante spirit/demon that brings death to guilty people. I just feel that the narrative needs purpose, and I think that it can be achieved this way, because if the main character is base around the traditional interpretation of a genie (jinn) of being a spirit, there is more flexibility/options to develop the story.
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12/02/09
My final idea has developed further now, due to the insert of a narrative I thought up while I was researching into angels. I looked at the concept of ‘angels falling’ and incorporated it into my main characters background history, along with ‘suppressing memory’, which I have already researched into last term. The story still follows the vigilante spirit who brings death to guilty people, however, the spirit used to be a guardian angel and fell because he lost a guardianee. But the spirit suppressed his past. He figures it all out when an arch angel intervenes in his life, trigerring his memory. I feel that the narrative structure follows that of Todorov’s narrative theory, even though it is non-linear. This should make the story flow nicely and easier to understand what is happening.
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15/02/09
Before coming to university I already knew how to write a script in the traditional/standard format/layout. So I didn’t really need any help writing one, perhaps just for someone who does know how to script write to look over it. Writing the script did take longer than expected because I’ve never written story with as much detail and for a film that has a durations of 10 minutes plus. Another issue I had was writing dialogue for the characters. though I think I might add a narration to it, because I’m finding it a little tricky trying have things make sense, and a narration can be a good way to do that.
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18/02/09
Along the way i feel that the research I have done has affected my idea/project, even the little details of character names, which I used from angel/demon names I found. I realise now, how much can influence writers and directors. It’s like trying to create the best song in the world, by using a bit of every great song that has been created, like a formula of genes to create the perfect human. I would love to carry on looking at new things to develop my idea further, but I feel that time is an issue, and I’m quite happy with what I have so far.
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05/03/09
I’m at the stage of looking for locations for my film, and I need to find around 9 different locations for my short film. I know it’s a lot, but I plan to find them all or at least most of them within Coventry, as that’s where I’m basing the project. I cannot afford or have the resources to film at various locations out of Coventry, nor do I have the time, as I feel that I’m behind on this project and I want to start filming as soon as possible. Because I’m working on my own, and might need help finding suitable places around Coventry, I will start up a facebook group, invite people who I know and live in Coventry, and see if they know of possible locations, by sending grouped messages and posting up information that they can comment/reply to with the relevant information I need. This might also be a good way to see about getting help to film.
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10/03/09
For the film, I want to use real actors. Luckily I have a way to do so. In my second year, I worked in a group, producing a fictional video, and we got real actors via posting advertisements on the internet through casting websites that actors can apply to. It was effective enough and we got some professional people to work in our video. So I’m going to go about it the same way. Though managing all the applications will be tedious work, it’s part of the job as I am working on my own, all the responsibilities are with myself.
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15.03/09
I’ve posted ads for each role on ‘talent circle’, ‘mandy.com’, ‘star now’, and ‘casting call pro’ (which is linked with ‘total talent’). so far I’ve not got much interest, though one person (Joe Rainbow)who applied through talent circle for the role or ‘Raguel/Jason Evans’, is hugely experienced and has been on known TV advertisements for ‘starburst’ and ‘Lynx’ (http://www.joerainbow.com/). Although I’m sure he’d play the part very well, be easy to work with and take direction well, my initial thoughts are that he is not what I’m looking for, however I will wait and see as perhaps I can look into making him look the part, because he would be very good to have in my video and as he is experienced, he would have many contacts that could be of big help to my future career.
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17/03/09
So far I’ve found most of the locations required, and they’re with Coventry close to the city centre (where I am based). However I see an opportunity to film outside of Coventry. I still want to try and be ambitious, and as I live in London and know a few places that might be suitable for two of the locations I need, I want to look into it.
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21/03/09
It’s been a week now, and the number of applicants from the casting sites have only just begun to increase. It seems like the more popular sites are ‘star now’ and ‘casting call pro’, because that’s where most of my applicants are applying through. Though quite a few of them have profile accounts on a website called ‘spot light’, which seems like a site for experienced/professional actors only. As for joe, I’m still not sure whether I want him in my film, especially now that more people have applied to the role. One actor (jimmy gregory) realy looks the part, however he has only featured on two films, and doesn’t have a link to an online show reel, so I’m not sure how good he is or will be. I think the best action would be to contact him and see if he has a show reel of some sort. I’m still yet to pick or consider anyone for the other roles, because I need more options, though I won’t wait too long….need to get production on the way as soon as possible.
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30/03/09
It’s coming up to the end of my casting advertisements on the internet, and I’ve already picked my actors to save time. I’ve chosen
Stephen Awaritefe – Eurynome/Elijah
Jimmy Gregory – Raguel/Jason Evans
Simeon Day – Sariel
Kate Sullington – Jessica Hides
Andrew Gordon – Darren Hides
Tom McCarron – Mark Johnson
I’ve chosen these actors based mainly on looks. They all have some or a fair amount of experience, especially Kate. I didn’t hold auditions because I was back a home at the time of casting, and I didn’t want to waste time, because I’m a little behind. Though I feel that these are the right people to play their part. With Kate, I had to make sure she was as experienced as possible, as her scene involves drama and domestic violence. And with jimmy, he’s only acted in two films before, and doesn’t have a show reel yet. So I rang up the directors he’s previous worked with to get a reference over the phone. They only had good things to say, so I took their word for it.
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03/04/09
I’m working on my own in this project, so I will definitely need some helping hands from the media production course. They would be experienced enough and have had the relevant skills/crash-course sessions to handle the equipment that I plan to use. Though I’m not sure on having a large number for my crew, because all the interior scenes are within fairly small spaces, so I have to think about how I can use the space and how many people will fit inside without it being too congested.
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09/04/09
I’ve checked with other people on my course and as I feared, they won’t be able to help much, because they’re all busy with their own projects. However I know a first year media student who has relevant skills using the boom mic, so I’ll assign him that duty only and I’ll set up the camera/tripod and lights when necessary. It’s not something I had in mind, as I wanted other people to help, but maybe it’ll be a good thing in terms of space on sets and travel arrangements.
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10/04/09
I’ve decided to film a couple of the scenes in London within the same location as they are both set in similar setting (a park). I know an ideal place in my home town (Finchley). A local park called Victoria Park is ideal because it meets the criteria, is very opened spaced and easy to get to from Euston rail station. I’ve already looked into getting permission to film there, and it won’t cost a penny, so it won’t be an issue.
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15/04/09
Unfortunately I won’t able to film with the Z1 cameras as they are fully booked out this term, so I will have to use the PD170’s. they’re not as good, but the quality will be good enough. I am quite disappointed thought. I should have had the production planned out before the end of the first term so that I could book the equipment out then, as opposed to now, where it is too late. It only shows that I’m behind in this module compared to others. So I will need to work hard and make sure I don’t lose my way with this film.
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20/04/09
A dilemma has come up over recent days, as one of the locations I had found, I can no longer use. The owner of the location I had found for the scene of Darren and Jessica’s argument, has changed their mind, because they’re too concerned that I would depict the property in a negative way. And as I had told them that other people will see the video and I would potentially put the video on the net, they decided to say no. so now I have to find a new location, and seeing as I have no back up location for this location, I’ll need to replace it quickly. Perhaps if I had not said anything, and that maybe my tutors will be the only ones watching the final piece, things would have worked out. Then again the scene is of a domestic violent nature.
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23/04/09
After talking to my main actor about the situation, he agreed to let me use his bedroom for the scene with Darren and Jessica. Luckily enough, he lives in Battersea (London), right by Battersea Park, which is known for being a beautiful place. So I’ve decided to shoot the scenes situated in parks, in Battersea Park. This means it more convenient and means I can save time by filming all three scenes in one day. The only issue, it that I’ll have to pay to film in Battersea park, however I’m willing to do so, for the sake of the film being completed on time. My main concern with my main actor’s (Steve) bedroom is that it might be small; though he assures me it is adequate and possible to film within.
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27/04/09
Looking back on my storyboard, maybe I could have had quite a few different shots, and perhaps be a bit more tight with the shots that I did take. One thing I feel I should have definitely done though, is film everything to a 16:9 aspect ratio. It would have helped to give it a darker look/feel to the film, and make it a little cinematic. I’m not too happ with the outdoor scenes, because the lighting doesn’t look quite right, natural light is always something to be cautious about, and if you’re not using high quality cameras or you’re not a professionally skilled, then it can be pot luck trying to make your shots/scenes look right. Colour correcting some of the shots will be essential. The only issue I have with colour correction is, it can be tedious, and you won’t always get what you’re looking for unless you really know what you’re doing. I’ve messed around with colour correction quite a bit, and still I’m not an expert at it.
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29/04/09
So far I’ve filmed two scenes, and want to start editing away as I go along, as deadline day is approaching fast. But a major problem has occurred now with the university editing suites in the Ellen terry building. The servers that they run on have crashed, and although the technicians are already working hard to get them up and running again without trying to lose any of the memory, they’re not sure how long it will take to fix. This really sets me back; I’m very reliant on the avid edit suites, because it’s the only editing software that I’m comfortable using. I can’t wait around for long, though, I need to look into using a different software from my personal computer, such as adobe premier. The only issue is that I will have to learn how to use it, which might take time that I’m not sure that I have. if I cannot get used to it, having that resource will surely come of use in the future. Another option is to see if I can get someone else to edit the video for me, however student from the course will be busy also, and getting a professional will cost me money that I cannot afford.
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05/05/09
I can’t seem to find anyone who is willing to help edit my film together, and the avid edit suites are still down so I’ve managed to get a copy of adobe instead and try that option. I’ve looked at quite a few different software, and it seems like their layouts are all similar to each other, so hopefully I’ll get used to using adobe quickly.
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08/05/09
After trying to get through to Andrew and tom it has quickly come to me that they lost interest and don’t want to take part. Tom took another acting role in Spain, and Andrew I’ve not been able to get through to since he agreed to take part. Because tom was unreachable and I could afford to waste time tryin to find a replacement, I used my Sound operator Youssef to do the part, and brought in fellow course mate Ryan Price, to take over sound during the first scene of the film. To replace Andrew Gordon, I asked Andrew Barton, who was more than willing to do the role. However I had to reschedule his part to the week after because the previous Andrew was unreachable.
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11/05/09
I’ve tried using adobe premier, however it’s taking me too long to put clips together, and it’s slowing down my computer. It’s the last week and luckily the avid edit suits are working again. However I’m not sure I’ll have enough time to edit the whole video in one week and complete my workbook/blog as well. I’ll have to see my tutors about getting an extension. As for the audio I’m going to have to use audacity for any of the sound clips/effects that need altering. I’ve never used audacity before, though I am assured it’s not to difficult to use.
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13/05/09
Although organising the production stage of this project, filming went quite well most of the time. It always took a little longer than planned to film everything during the shooting days, especially for the scenes down Battersea Park. Although the weather held up that day, it was quite windy at times. Though the main problem that occurred, was the fact that aeroplanes where flying above the park instead of round the themes (which is right by the park). There were heavy rain clouds above the themes and so all flight were re-directed through the park. This meant that we had to keep an eye out, because the boom mic was picking up the sounds of the planes passing by. There was one day that I had arranged for my main actor Steve to come to Coventry and do the narrations, and perhaps re-shoot some shots, but he couldn’t. I had booked train tickets for him, and he should have been able to pick them up from the desk, as I had recently done it before, though due to Virgin’s train line policies, he couldn’t pick the tickets up unless I was there with him, which was virtually impossible at that time. He didn’t have any money himself to buy a new ticket either, because he was having financial difficulties himself. Another issue which arisen was the inconvenience of Steve, although he was professional and punctual to every shoot. He was sometimes un-contactable. This meant that some of the shooting days, were pushed back, as well, as the rescheduled shoots.
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15/05/09
I think I didn’t do too badly with picking my actors because most of them performed really well. My top 3 actors were Kate, Jimmy and Andrew. Their parts were well rehearsed, and acted out, and didn’t need much direction from me. Simeon seemed quite shy, and needed a little direction at times. He was very friendly, and quite interested in how I came up with the idea for the film, which was nice, because I took it as a positive thing. As for Steve, he was ok, needed a fair bit of direction. He was never really practiced too much, though he did get the type of voice I wanted, and he brought the trench coat and sunglasses into the equation. So in a sense he helped develop the character a little further. Though I found that he got quite attached to the role, and wanted to try and do things his way. But I couldn’t allow it, I had to stamp my authority when necessary. Overall I think they all did well, and added to the film.
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26/05/09
Overal view
with this project, i worked on my own, and although i originaly thought that it was possible for me to do, i didn’t expect the workload to pile up. i must say, i wasn’t prepared, and there are many things that i would go about or do differently. however, i’ve learned a lot from this experience, as i’ve written, produced, and directed my own short drama. my aim in life is to one day become a director, and i know i have a long way before i get there. i’ve seen how films can be directed from projects i’ve worked on within groups, however this has given me first hand experience dealing with actors and shoots. directing my own film has given me some insite as to what looks good in front of the camera, and i feel over time, i can perfect a vision or a style in the look of my films. i know i can take a lot from this experience that i can used in the future. the first is to never work alone. although it can depend on what your film/video is, working alone can be too much. it makes sense now, how essential each role of the 3 production stages are. the second is, to constantly be in contact with your actors; unless you’re from a professional company, actors might not take you seriously, so you have to make sure they do not lose interest or keep them waiting for too long. thirdly, is to give yourself and your crew enough time to shoot everything. if time is running short, it’ll only make you and your crew rush the filming process and potentialy jeopardise your film.
one thing i do feel glad about, is the fact that i was ambitious with my film, because although i’m not 100% please with what i produced, i feel i still got something good from it.
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