Reflection on Third Day of Filming

After what happened on our previous day's filming we decided that the best thing to do was to make some drastic decisions's. This decision entailed scrapping the Nikon camera and simply using a iPhone. The reason for this was because we previously knew that we obtained some high quality footage in our foundation portfolio's from our iPhones, so  the decision was simply a no brainier.

Due to the pure disappointment in which we had with pretty much all the footage in which we captured over the two days of filming we decide that we was going to leave nice and early in attempt to re-film the whole music video. We set of and started filming all the different shots/angles in which we previously did along with various additional shots, and a stronger focus in terms of scenic shots as well. On this occasion the only aid we had to help us filming was a SELFIE stick. We was quickly surprised on how effective using the SELFIE stick was in terms of capturing our footage as we could retain maximum security majority of the time, but it also gave us another dimension in terms of angles we could use. After visiting all locations to re-film the entire production and after a long day with vast amounts of camera work, we was ready to return and once again upload our footage to the Mac PC.

On review we was instantly shocked of how good the quality of the footage in which we capture was in terms of stability, lighting and resolution! On this occasion after much practice we managed to nail the lip syncing elements so they where extremely accurate and as a overall result we where very pleased. From this the majority of the filming elements where complete to a high standard minus some green screen footage. This meant that we decide to import our new footage into Final Cut Pro and the editing process would start to begin !

Reflection On Second Day of Filming

Due to the lack of footage and down to the poor quality we attained during the first day of filming we set out again in the attempt to gain some valuable footage. Our aim was to gain a range of shots/angles which we could use to strong effect within our production. On review previously we established that the overall footage was very poor, with the shots being very unstable and the lip syncing elements where out of time. To combat this we went to our previous location and incorporate a tripod and dolly to ensure stability. The dolly was an effective piece of equipment which we could use to retain stability whilst moving, for example a tracking shot. From this we could make the overall quality of the performance much better by removing the unstable elements.

We also decided that we would go back and re-film the shots with the same Nikon camera as we did previously even though it provided us with some rather poor quality footage. The reason we thought that we previously obtained poor footage was simply down to the fact that we had the camera on the wrong resolution and capture quality. From this we decided to take this into account and we went and gave it another try. On top of this we previously remembered about the poor battery life in which the camera previously has so this time we was better equipped and we decided to take a portable charger.

On return from filming we decided to upload the footage to the Mac PC's where we could start the analysing process on the footage that we would decide to use. We was quickly shocked on review with how little the quality of the camera footage had improved as it was still at a poor standard. The only advantage from this is that we reduced the excess movement that we previously had on each shot, however the lip syncing elements where still not accurate/in time enough to use for our music video. From this we decide that our best port of call was to bite the bullet and go out for another day filming, in attempt to still achieve our end goal of producing a high quality, successful end production!!!

Reflection On First Day Filming

Due to previous planning we knew exactly where we wanted to visit to gain some footage, but also some possible locations in which we could end going to as well. The first location in which we decided to gain footage from was tower bridge in London. In the planning stage we agreed that tower bridge would be a suitable location down to the theme of the song and also for the iconography aspect in which it would offer. This would prove to be a suitable location as we knew that it would allow the audience to get a understanding of where we decided to establish ourselves within the scene.We decided to go filming on the first day with a Nikon camera and simply a tripod in the attempt to gain some effective footage for the core of our production. We also went to our other chosen locations of Brick Lane which is also in London to give our production the urban element for the basis of certain versus of the song. This would prove to also give us a binary opposition effect within the production of having the upper class richer appeal with elements of the more poor areas of London. This was to match the conventions of the song and to give the audience the understanding of the journey that the artist has been on to get to the place in which he is today. When we return back to view the footage on the Mac PC it was evident that the lightening of the footage and certain elements of the footage where very poor quality and simply was not good enough to feature within our music video. On top of this when we tried to match the lip syncing elements of the footage to the soundtrack on our chosen editing software Final Cut Pro, it was abundantly clear that the footage had a delay and was seriously out of time. Due to these factors we decided as a group that the best port of call was to go back to the location and to re - film the footage that we captured, whilst getting the additional footage that we did not end up filming that was needed for the rest of the production.

Weather Report 1-3

The image is of the first day of filming in which we pre-planned for by checking out the weather on the BBC weather app on our iPhones. We done this as we wanted to make sure that the weather was suitable for us to go filming in and that it match the effect in which we was going for (Sunny/Bright). This ensured us that we was dressed and equipped appropriately for the occasion and that we would not simply be wasting our time in poor, rainy conditions. From the top image you can clearly identify that it was a success via the sunny, bright conditions.

Onthe second day of filming we where warned of dark cloudy condition, with the potential chance of snow. In spite of this we decided to go ahead and film the shot in which we allocated to our urban areas. We quite liked the concept of it being cloudy with light snow as it provided a clear divided between our urban and rural location's which provided binary opposition in our production. A long with this it also gave us a range of different scenic shots which we could incorporate into our production.

On our last day of filming the weather was very good as the condition where warm, sunny and bright.As a group we felt more motivated and willing to try different shots/angles and to keep re filming different scenes until they where perfect as we knew that we was not under any pressure to finish filming due to poor weather developing during the day.From the image it is evident and furthermore with the footage, that down to the sunny weather it provided a perfect natural light so that the footage was very clear, but also to a high quality. Through pre-planning ahead via the BBC weather app proved to be effective as we got the maximum output out of our day filming. 

Production Diary Eleven

Since the last production diary very limited has happened and this is more the case of a regular influx of updates to get a understanding of where I am at. I have spent some time collecting different ideas for the narrative for our performance and one I got enough, I created a simple storyboard. This storyboard simply consisted of the potential scenes in which me decided to possible incorporate into our production. To present these Idea's I decided to simply use a story board template and I drew some picture with annotations of potential shots and actions which may arise in the scene.
A part from the storyboard I decided to do some research on Mise en Scene, what the components and finally how this will be effective in our production.

Pre - Storyboard Shot (6-10)

Pre - Storyboard Shot (1 -5)