Wynyard Hall: Filming Day 4

Today we were scheduled to film Sir John's wedding anniversary in the Grand Marque 5-7. We arrived at 4:45 to get the all the preparation, including decorations and the food. We also got a few filler shots, but the place was very empty, so we were saving ourselves for the actual party later on. 

Thanks Liam for the picture. I was too busy running around to take photos.

However, when we were discussing where to have cameras in the night, Beckie suddenly said that we couldn't film it. Someone probably refused to be recorded or she didn't ask. We were all very upset, especially when we found out that there was BBC and ITV people there. I dressed up and in high heels for nothing. Now we have loads of footage of empty chairs at empty tables.

https://beausbreeches.wordpress.com/tag/empty-chairs-empty-tables/

Wynyard Hall: Filming Day 3

Today was an even earlier start at 8:30am so we could get an exterior shot of the mansion with no cars. However, there was still cars there and we needed to be in the Gardens by 9:00 for an interview, so we will have to make do with the one we filmed the other day.

Me and Liam were the only ones again today (Lee not turning up until 10:00 so he could return the slow motion camera). We did an interview with Sara who in my opinion was the best interviewer with the most useful information. I actually learnt something and didn't feel belittled in anyway!

When Lee turned up, we got to filming the Gardens which was also hosting a Beatrix Potter event with a petting zoo and general arts and crafts. It was full of children so we had to be on guard with permission forms, luckily Beckie and Beth were on hand with forms, giving them to parents.

The animals and children were a bit of a nightmare to film, such as getting them on the same level and getting them in the right place for the shot. I got scrapped elbows as a result from kneeling on gravel. I also seem to have stretch marks on my arms from carrying equipment (I'll be hench after this) and I also dropped a magic arm on my foot. But that wasn't the worst injury- the wide angle lens suffered the most. Lee got very close to the water fountain and the wind blew, soaking the lens and the battery pack. He then also quickly put the camera down on the bench, which wasn't very safe and dropped like a tonne of bricks, breaking a bit of the lens. I believe the camera is still ok, I have no idea about the lens.

We also had a small heart attack when we couldn't find the other half of our equipment, and our sandwich platter not arriving until an hour after they said it would.

Even though we were behind, we made great time and even ended a little earlier than planned. We filmed a quick sound only interview with the current head chef (who is leaving soon) and also him plucking vegetables from the edible garden.

Wynyard Hall: Filming Day 2

Today we had a few extra hands in the form of Shaun and Jack. It really helped us and we felt less tired afterwards. Another start at 9am, and Lee left us to finish the rooms in the mansion while he went to pick up the slow motion camera.

We had a break for dinner today! A nice sandwich platter and vegetable crisps. Soon after, we got started on filming the kitchens. Only two people were allowed in so Lee (with the slow motion camera) and Liam did the first half while me, Shaun and Jack did the Spa and the lake. Our memory card soon got full (apparently Lee said to format them on the morning but we have no recollection of this). Me and Jack took over the kitchen filming while the rest relaxed in this scary looking staff room bunker.

We then finished a little bit earlier than planned, so while we still had the slow motion camera, we did a few test shots with it at CCAD. The camera was really heavy and awkward to carry. But what we had shot looked stunning and was great fun.

Jack and Shaun were knackered but it was a lot worse yesterday and would have been if they weren't there. Good days filming once again!

Few students had a chance to use a #sonyfs7 yesterday. Yes it might be the holidays but we're active #slowmo #camera #students #summer

A photo posted by Film & Moving Image Production (@ccad_cfmip) on Jul 27, 2016 at 2:22am PDT

Review: The Killing Joke

This is the first time I've been to a special screening at a cinema: one night only! I was one of the first 5,000 to buy a ticket in the UK so I got a limited edition figure with it!

All dressed up in my Harley leggings and converse, I was so excited and raring to go (despite being exhausted from filming earlier in the day).

I saw quite a few Uni peeps there which was a nice surprise! I still kept to my booked seat because it was the best in the house: right at the back on the stairs so there's leg room.

http://rebloggy.com/post/batman-the-joker-dc-joker-gifs-edits-the-killing-joke-c-the-joker/28841112820

It was very busy! Busiest I've ever seen it! It felt more like a community as a result: we were all witnessing this. But everyone seemed disinterested in the documentaries before and after the film but I got my money's worth and watched them. It made me enjoy the film more seeing the work behind it too. It was such a shame that over 3/4 left after the film and didn't see the documentary.

http://disinfected-knight.tumblr.com/

The film itself, to be honest, was a bit hit and miss. It was great seeing the animated Batman and Joker voices back again and we're perfect as their characters. The prequel bit at the start was completely a different tone to the other half of the film. I liked it, but it was a bit long winded (everyone clearly was waiting for the Joker to appear).

http://www.sneakpeek.ca/2016/07/more-footage-from-batman-killing-joke.html

The film itself was very close to the graphic novel which makes a change to most films. It was just as grim, dark and shocking. But it was also funny in places. Just how a Joker flick should be. My favourite bit being "she thinks she's a table addition".

The ending was a bit disappointing (even though it was how it ended in the graphic novel) and abrupt. No lose ends were tied up and was too happy for something so dark. Was just a bit anticlimactic.

https://www.tumblr.com/search/batman%20the%20killing%20joke

Overall, the film is a bit hit and miss. Some great bits, some not so great. Most of my friends liked it, me included. But could have been so much bigger.

5/10

Wynyard Hall: Filming Day 1

Today me, Liam and Lee turned up and went straight to work filming the different rooms in the mansion at 9am. Since Brad is still on holiday, Lee took over role as director and I took over as the interviewer. I also did sound for the interviews while Liam did camera. Beckie was very helpful and made sure we were catered for and set each room when we were ready to move onto the next one.

We then did a few interviews on the afternoon. Lee went to go get something so me and Liam interviewed Sir Brian.

We were supposed to have a lunch break after Sir John's interview but the next person (Anne?) came down after, not giving us a chance to have dinner or just a sit down. She wanted loads of screen time! We filmed her saying different things for the rest of the day. I felt a bit redundant and looked down on, calling us "amateurs" and just being a bit hostile. Anyway, we stayed professional and soldiered on despite us dying of hunger.

Safe to say we were all dead later. We didn't finish until 5:30pm, and I was going out on the night (I nearly fell asleep).

Overall a good days filming but very drained as a result.

Ghostbusters - Review

Who ya gonna call?

My friend made me see the new Ghostbusters today. I was still very wary all week and on the bus there from being such a fan of the original, but hey I ain't afraid of no ghosts, so I tried to keep a fresh outlook. My friend is also a die-hard Ghostbusters fan and this is her second time seeing it, so it must have been good. I finally agreed to go because the 'sheetboot' interests me and so does Chris Hemsworth.

http://www.fandango.com/movie-news/ghostbusters-melissa-mccarthy-kristen-wiig-kate-mckinnon-and-leslie-jones-reveal-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-characters-750787

On the topic of Hemsworth, we may as well talk about him more, to like grab the attention of all you readers. Chris Hemsworth plays the 'dumb blonde' stereotype (normally a female stereotype) really well and it was certainly different to see it flipped on it's head. He was by far the funniest character with many memorable moments; "that guy went out the wrong door!" and "an aquarium is a submarine for fish" being a few. He gets quite a lot of screen time, a lot more than Annie Potts in the original with quite a big moment near the end of the film (I won't say anything because spoilers) but I really enjoyed it and was nice to see him be badass.

http://rebloggy.com/post/mine-mygif-chris-hemsworth-ghostbusters-chemsedit-gif-ghostbusters-kevin-the-rec/143432597180

Same Chris, same.

Even though Kevin was awesome, my favourite character was by far Holtzman- the crazy genius of the group. She was fun and relatable, with a great fashion sense and stood out from the crowd. I want to be her. Her badass moment at the end and with and developing the gadgets were fulfilling and enjoyable. Watching the gadgets evolve was interesting and fun. Even though Holtzman was fab, Patty was annoying with her unfunny "is it a race thing?" jokes and "the power of Patty compels you!". She tried too hard to be funny and really brought the team down, in my opinion (it's not a race thing! Just bad characterisation!)

http://poetzproblem.tumblr.com/post/147650688728

The one thing that annoyed me the most during the movie (apart from two kids sneaking in for 10 minutes then leaving) was the 3D. I loved the 3D for the ghosts at the end of the film (I ducked a few times) but the 3D was really weird and it went over the bars of the film (hard to explain, you have to see it to believe it). One scene where it particularly bugged me was when Abby got possessed and Patty was slapping her. The necklace of Patty came out from the main frame and was clearly on the bars of the film. It really distracted me and I didn't like it at all. 

http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/3/11150960/ghostbusters-interview-paul-feig-katie-dippold-trailer-analysis

The film had soooo many cameos! I loved it! I knew the original Ghostbusters were making an appearance, but Sigourney Weaver was a surprise, and so was Ozzy Osbourne. I loved each one and were nice Easter Eggs for the film. Fall Out Boy (one of my fave bands) also did a remix of the theme tune and when it came on I WAS SO INTO IT YES LIKE BOOM THE ECTO VAN AND FALL OUT BOYYYYY IN THE DISTANCE! A great song (Missy Elliott's bit isn't amazing but I can live with it because Fall Out Boy) and fits perfectly with the film.

http://io9.gizmodo.com/everything-we-learned-about-ghostbusters-from-its-trail-1762666819

I'm sure all the kids that went to see this are scarred for life now because even I was scared by the ghosts. The Ghostbusters logo ghost was SO CREEPY and those balloons SHEEZ like I don't have a fear for clowns but I do now. I'll take Rowan any day over them. Talking of Rowan (the villain), I loved his characterisation even though his back story is a little weak; destroys the world as he is bullied? Hmm. Bit much if you ask me. But it became clearer that he wanted to rule the world with ghosts as the new inhabitants. Still a bit much just because he was bullied (although now I think about it, some films do this, like The Incredibles). He, however, was really clever and felt real. Even though ghosts don't exist, the science behind it seemed plausible. The ending of the battle was a bit weak in my opinion, it was figured out too quickly and is similar to endings in the past such as Avengers Assemble and Big Hero 6.

https://www.inverse.com/article/15809-new-ghostbusters-trailer-offers-first-footage-of-new-villain

One thing that confused me was why did two of the characters suddenly get grey hair? Did I miss something? Was it so the actors could dye their hair? Or was it because "they had seen a ghost"? 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. I had a smile on my face all the way home from it (can't remember the last time that happened! Probably when I went to see The Incredibles!) The post credits scene was intriguing and open for a sequel. Some annoying bits, but it didn't take away from the whole film experience and I still felt great afterwards. Some funny moments, great cameos and just a great film.

6.5/10

Report Ideas

Brainstorming a few ideas for next years Professional Studies report and I have a few ideas (and a few sources for each!) I could explore.

http://jezebel.com/be-inspired-by-these-little-girls-being-inspired-at-the-1783440995

Clearly female cast films are inspirational, so why aren't there many? And even then, why are they reboots?

The 'Sheboot'

This relates to my first Professional Studies report of remakes, but in more detail to a specific type (and fairly new and upcoming!) kind. With the new Ghostbusters out now, the female lead reboot is more popular than ever, with talks of remaking Oceans Eleven with an all female cast. However, are 'sheboots' the way to equality? Surely original female lead screenplays would be the right way to go? 

• Sources; Little White Lies Washington Post Telegraph Ms Blog Washington Post Buzzfeed

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Reading the module handbook for next year, however, I have just realised, says this;

"...a 2500-word report on a negotiated aspect of professional practice, eg. work experience or a specific career pathway" 

So the above idea might be ruled out. 

I have a backup idea if that is true, focusing more on a job role.

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Female Cinematographers

Fun fact, a female has never been nominated for the Academy Award "Best Cinematography". My report would cover why female cinematographers seem to be non-existent and why they aren't getting as much attention as male cinematographers. This is something I'm personally interested in as I have recently wanted to look into cinematography.

• Sources; Indiewire ICFC No Film School Deadline Vulture

UPDATE 24.01.2017: Looking closer at the brief, I will look at Female Cinematographers because it needs to link to a job role.