The Day of Filming at the Church - Description/Evaluation

Preparation for the first day of filming (in the Church)

I have decided to create a private Facebook event to organise the filming at the Church on the 3rd of November. This will allow me to transmit information to everyone involved all at once. However, I have  also been talking to actors/musicians in 'one-on-one' messages where I have given them each a checklist of things to bring what to wear as that will differ from person to person. As discussed, all of the musicians have their own instruments so I have simply asked them to bring theirs. Because Elliott and Alex (the two guitarists) are in the same band often play at venues they own a pair of very powerful speakers which they have agreed to bring to play the song out of for lip syncing to on the day.

Last year when filming my AS opening title sequence there were a couple of problems with the actors finding the location so I have learnt from this and drawn out a map and sent it to everyone so it is nearly impossible for them to get lost tomorrow:

I have had a play around with the camera to ensure I am comfortable with using it (regarding the settings, use of tapes and so on). As well as this I have:

1)  Confirmed with all the actors when, where and what to bring

2)  Blacked out the tapes

3)  Rewound the tapes to the begging to prevent waiting for it to rewind tomorrow.


4)  Charged the batteries

5)  Checked they both work

6)  Pack all equipment away making sure I have everything

7)  Checked weather forecast for tomorrow - it is not rainy, so no need to pack everything in bin bags

8)  Made a checklist on paper of things to bring such as duct tape, extension cable, a multi plug socket adaptor, onion to help make the man cry when in the church, the letter (that he would have already written), sandwiches for everyone and many other things. I will be checking I have all the necessary items on the list before I go to the Church.


My dad (the actor who is playing the grieving man) has agreed to take me and the equipment to the Church. As he needs to act tomorrow (but not as much as the musicians) I have decided to film him outside in the graveyard while the band are setting up, then film him 'teleported' into the Church then have him walking out. Once I film this I can focus on filming the band alone so my dad does not have to wait around until the end to act out his part. I have discussed this with him and he is happy to do this while my mum is happy to collect me and the equipment at the end of the day.

Organising Filming - Risk Assessment

Identify possible hazards

1) Cars driving in/out of the Church area

2) Redhead lights (planning on being raised rather high behind the musicians) may fall and smash potentially hitting someone.

3) Extension Cable on the ground, people could trip.

4) If it rains equipment could be damaged during transportation.

5) Redhead lights can over-heat and are therefore are a fire hazard.

Who might be harmed

Actors/musicians, crew (me), the Church/objects within the Church and the musician's/ school's equipment.

How to prevent these accidents from occurring when filming

1) To prevent a large rush of cars puling up by the Church all at once I have asked people to come within 5 minute intervals of each other by giving them slightly different arrival times. In addition, to anyone who does not need to carry a large amount of equipment from their car has been asked to park in kemp place - a car park that is a five minute away.

2) Increase the span of the tripod structure at the bottom to give it stability. Bring duct tape incase the legs need to be taped to the floor for extra stability.

3) Ask the Rector for nearest plug socket so the extension cable does not need to be unraveled over too much of the Church floor. If necessary apply some of the duct tape to the extension cable on the ground to prevent it from being tripped on. Attempt to keep all cables behind the musicians as I will be mostly moving around the front of the band while they will not be moving too much.

4) Check weather forecast, if necessary: place packed equipment in black bin bags, ask people to park right outside the Church to minimise the amount of time equipment is not under a roof. 

5) I shall be responsible for turning the red heads off when they are not in use.

Call Sheet - Sent out to all Actors (if unable to view on Scribd, please see pictures below)

BFI Film Academy

Today I received some exciting news that I hope will aid me in producing a better music video.
I have been accepted as one of the 17 applicants onto the BFI/ScreenSouth Film Academy which will take place over the course of the next six weekends at Maidstone Studios.

I hope this theoretical/practical course will help me plan, film and edit my music video for folding stars. For example, I we have recently had a master class on lighting and learnt how to creat call sheets - something I did not know before this course. Making a call sheet will help the actors and I know all necessary information in a formal, organised manner.

My Storyboard - Made using iMovie

Research into Storyboarding Programs - iMovie

The iMovie layout when creating my digital Folding Stars Storyboard:

I have deiced to digitally make my storyboard using Apple's software program: 'iMovie'. Its layout is similar to that of Adobe Premiere's however there are many differences such as how to change contrasts and set setting such as 'ken burns'. As I have already decided the order of my shots and have already written the shot descriptions all I have had to do it copy each one out (and make some minor changes) by adding titles to each photo that I have imported into the software.

I could easily change the duration each photo is on the screen for to make it cut on the beat as well as allowing more/less time for significant shots.

I enjoyed using iMovie to create my digital storyboard. I found its user interface incredibly simple and easy to use (most likely due to the fact it is a commercial product for everyday filmmakers). However, I feel it lacked the ability to achieve more complex effects that Adobe premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro can provide. In addition, it was not very precise, cuts could only be make to every 0.5 seconds on average whereas the two more advanced programs mentioned above have the potential to edit/pause on each individual frame.

Ken burns was one of the most useful tools that iMovie provided me with. Ken burns allows me to emulate what the camera will do on the day of filming. Using the location photos I was able to pan across/up/down/in/out of a still photo to show the camera movement that I hope to achieve. For example, I was able to pan fast across this still photograph:

Research into Storyboarding Programs - Storyboard Quick 6

I have created my storyboard on paper, however I want to now make it into a digital form so it can be modified, added to and easily edited. Also, to have an idea of what the shots may look like with the music and then make any necessary changes. I looked into numerous programs for doing this.

First I looked at StoryBoard Quick 6. It allows us to place characters/musicians onto still images that have already taken at the Church and in the house. This was perfect as I already had the still shots; all I need to do is import them, add characters/musicians and shot lengths. 

However, this software costs a lot of money as it is a professional program so unfortunately I have had to look into other software for creating the digital storyboard...

Research into Storyboarding Programs - Creating an A1 Storyboard using location Photographs

I have created an A1 Storyboard using photographs I have taken on both location. I have added words on top of each shot to describe what happens in the shot and what type of shot it is (such as tracking/MCU). I have psychically made it so I was able to organise my ideas/thoughts which I feel really helped me juggle scenes around and put them in an order I feel comfortable with. For example, I have now chosen to have the man writing the letter is a close up shot. This is so the audience are able to see the words he is writing - the lyrics "I would do anything for another minute with you, its not getting easier...".


 For most of the time I had all these pieces of paper laid out the 'writing scene' was closer to the middle of the music video. I was only until I had time to psychically move things around that I found an order I was happy with while getting rid of few scenes.

Visiting the location

Before I storyboard I have visited the location/set. I have done this for numerous reasons:


1.  To take pictures for my storyboard


2.  To see what facilities are available for me to film - for example I did not know that the Church had a pulpit


3.  To have an idea of the general location. To know space for leaving equipment and parking spaces as well as electricity supplies for the red heads. For example, I now know that I must bring an extension cable as the power supply is far away from where I want the lights


4.  To know where I want things to be (including the camera, lights and the people/objects I will be filming)

Storyboarding - Development of Narrative

Now that I have decided the man will be in the Church I need to give him another purpose for being there so it is not just for the sake of it. Outside the Church there is a graveyard - as I want to take advantage of my location (the other Church I was considering did not have a graveyard) I am planning on using it. It could be quite powerful if the man gets up out of his seat and walks out of the Church with his back to the playing band. He could then walk towards his wife's gravestone. Until recently this was all there was going to be however I have thought of something to link the whole story together - a letter to Eleanor (his late wife). If he writes the letter at home he could have it when he is in the Church and then lay it on Eleanor's grave. It links what happens at home (him writing the letter) and after the 'teleportation' (when he will lay the letter on the grave).

After deciding this I jotted some ideas for the main bulk of the narrative, I have kept some and got rid of many however I still need to condense it down even more. For now I have put the parts of the storyline in a chronological order however I know these will probably be juggled around in the editing suite:

Storyboarding - Brainstorming and Development

Firstly, I wanted to find a way to converge the bands performance in the Church and the narrative at home. As discussed, the film 'Love Actually' does this by bringing the characters into one scene/location. Therefore I originally was going to either have:

• The Band playing in the man's home
• The man coming to Church

I preferred the latter of these two options so I was going to have the man walk into Church and see the band play. However, I have thought back to the music video I analysed (Read all about it) and thought I could make the mans entrance far more dramatic. He could be visually teleported from his home to the Church watching the band that are describing how he feels. A nice link would be made between the narrators (the band) and the subject (the grieving man). So I then thought HOW to teleport him from the house to the Church in a smooth transition that doesn't look like a simple cut to a different location. I have created a few options:

1. He opens a door in the house and when he walks though he has walked though the church doors (experimenting with match on action)
2. He puts his hands on his face - camera zooms in then when the camera zooms out he is suddenly in the church
3. He wipes his hand down his face, in the middle of that movement the location changes.
4. Shot of mans feet walking - cuts to different location

After asking family members and a few friends they agree why I have chosen the third option. It gives me the most freedom when filming and editing and is less likely to go wrong. The first one will have less of an impact as the door of the church is excluded and is no where near the band will be playing. The second lacks movement and may feel a little motionless while the fourth focuses on the mans feet which is not the most important thing for the audience to see. For example, seeing the emotions and expressions of his face are far more important to the narrative than his feet.

I am glad I am able to do this as I have wanted to ever since the beginning of this project. When coming up with ideas one of them was entirely made out of these types of transitions (when progressing though one persons life).

Organising Filming - The Actors/Musicians

THE BAND:

Elliott Millman. I have worked with Elliott before during my AS level title opening sequence so I know that he is reliable and enthusiastic. He has committed to being the lead singer in the music video and tells me he will be happy to do an entire day for free. I have chosen Elliott for the following reasons:

1) He is lead singer of his own band (Box the Sky) and therefore his musical talent and showmanship experiences will certainly aid him in giving a convincing performance.

2) Biffy Clyro are his favourite band and Folding Stars are one of his favourite songs. Therefore, he knows all of the lyrics, he is passionate about the song and that passion will hopefully come out during filming.

3) He has a rockstar/informal image which is similar to Simon Neil's (Lead singer of Biffy Clyro). His charismatic hair style fits the collective identity of rockstars.

In fact, he has agreed to dye his hair red to add to this wackiness and to bring a strong bold colour to the Church.








Alex Barnett. As a member of Elliott's Rock band (Box the Sky) I also know he is musically talented and having seen him live I have observed his showmanship and energy while performing as a front man. I have planned on him being the bass player.

Joel Berkowitz. Last year I worked on our opening title sequence together in a group. I enjoyed working with him and know he is dedicated and reliable. In addition, Joel is a professional drummer and regularly paid to perform with bands. It is for these reasons why I have asked Joel if he would appear in my music video as the drummer. I have seen him play before and I have also seen him drum to Folding Stars. He plays it well enough to actually record him so I'm sure he will give a technically convincing performance as all him drum beats should look realistic and be in time.









THE ACTORS FROM THE NARRATIVE:


Father. I have asked my dad to play the main character - the part of the grieving husband.  He is easily accessible to me on many days and if necessary available for re-shoots if I want to redo some shots after filming. However, before committed to this I wanted to see how convincing his acting skills are so I filmed him acting for a few seconds just to get a feel of what the real thing may look like:

Children. As discussed in my recent post I have chosen to use my little brother and sister as they are available and will hopefully listen on the day of filming. I am sure it will be challenging to try and direct two five year olds (possibly at once) however I have little choice if I want them to be in the narrative.

Late Wife/Mother - Eleanor. Originally, I was thinking about having flashbacks of Eleanor while she was still alive however I do not want to overload the audience with too many characters (including the band members) so I feel simple is best. Therefore instead of flashbacks I am going to have a photo of her and the rest is hopefully inferred.  I also have chosen to do this because I believe it will be far more powerful if I focus on the after effect of her death (such as sorrow, drinking and abuse) opposed to reminiscing of when she was alive.

Organising Filming - The Locations

I have been incredibly lucky to book an entire day on filming at St James Church in Bushey. I am lucky to be able to use this church as usually the BBC must pay hundreds/thousands of pounds to rent it out as they often use it for filming Eastenders weddings and funerals:

Originally, I spoke to the Vicar at St Peters Church. I approached this Church first as it is larger and I hoped the atmosphere would have a bigger impact in the final video. However, the Vicar has gone on holiday and therefore is unable to answer my calls and will not be in England on the day I need to film as my main actor (the lead band member) is coming down from university for a specific weekend and therefore I have no other choice but to film then and stick to his schedule. So I have just book St James Church which may be even better as it has an old artistic/decorative design which will probably come out on film.

The Song - Brainstorming and Development

I have decided to show how the man interacts with his children after his wife dies. As I have a little brother and sister who are both 5 years old I have decided to use them as they easily accessible to me. In addition, I will not be limited to time when I film them and for how long I film them on the day I choose. They are unlike band members where I must work around their schedule instead I am able to choose when to film them and they will most likely be available. I have decided to film at my house and the church, it will be a strong contrast between the energetic band playing in the decorative church and the more calm and sorrowful home.

Inspiration - from the song/further development

The song is naturally very emotive and powerful so I want that emotion and power to be reflected in the music video I make. The lyrics are meaningful while the instrumentals and singing can be aggressive in parts. I want to develop my current ideas as well as start to look at some locations. Then, I can plan and develop my ideas with the knowledge of where it will be filmed.







As discussed, I am going to have a man who has lost his late wife and show how this is effecting him and his life (including work and so on). I have considered using my school as a location. He is a teacher who gets fired for lashing out at one of the students. This location is incredibly easy to acquire which as always good as finding and organising sets can be difficult as I have learnt from my AS opening title sequence last year.

However, more recently I have been reconsidering this and decided filming something at school may not look very professional. Furthermore, I think that something like the death of his wife will effect far more important factors of his life. For example, his children! How the children are effected by their mothers death is far more important than the fact he may loose his job. This could be shown in a very poignant way which is exactly what the song is. For these reasons I have decided to look at the mans home life opposed to his career.






A building in my friends school has recently burnt down due to an unfortunate fire so I have emailed the school to ask if I am able to film there (for the band's performance), the school is a 5 minute drive away from my house while is convenient. The burnt down buildings would perfecting represent how this man's life has been completely destroyed and 'burnt to the ground'.











However, their reply was rather disappointing as I am unable to film there due to security reasons as well as health and safety reasons of a building with a weak framework which could collapse. If this did happen then they would be held responsible and understandably they prefer not to take that risk.