Onion Man - Filming

Today I went to see some of Janice's directorial project being filmed. Basically, some people from Leeds wanted to produce her project. It was a much bigger crew and I learnt a lot. I offered myself as stills photographer on the day for experience with a bigger crew and to see how filming was going. (I also took a few behind the scenes videos for my showreel).

Filming was off to a good start, all the actors arrived in good time, and the location looked fab. The 1st AD was also great at getting everyone on time and not afraid to speak up if we were behind schedule. However, I did feel a bit overwhelmed at times (can't imagine how Janice was feeling). I even got another job role with using the hazer when they needed smoke (however, someone took it at one point. We just alternated between ourselves who was using it. I was too busy taking stills!)

Catering was very nice and cozy, in a shed surrounded by all the actors (definitely needed on this very cold day full of outside shoots). The afternoon, however, was a bit of a slow burner. One of the locations we planned to film then dropped out, so everyone had to think quick and do an alley scene instead. It's a shame because the art department bought loads of vegetables and were making rosettes all morning for the location (the show). I hung out with the art department for most of the afternoon as the alleyway was very small and not a lot of crew could fit. I also found it the least stressful and independent of the departments (I think I know which I want to specialise in now). 

A 'Minor' Setback

(excuse the pun). I've had to put forward shooting (all the risk assessments and booking forms are signed off) more than I would have liked and I can't do any more until I have filmed (e.g. the voice over, script). I am researching, but have chosen this time to focus and get Dissertation done and out of the way. 

I'm also fishing for credits on everyone's Minor, which is good experience and I want to help out my fellow classmates. 

*UPDATE* I have decided to do the script first and do the narration on Thursday as I just won't have time if I wait until after. It's not ideal as I did want to do the visuals and then the script, in case I forget to film anything on the day. But it's all booked and sorted now!

List of Props

This post will cover what props I will be filming and which principle of mise-en-scene it will link to, and how it can give an emotional response. Some of the props might be a bit big to bring to the film studio, so I might not take these.

• Dominance: Suitcase. Guide audience to it through angles and meaning behind them
• Lighting: Pink bunny toy (hairy). Looks innocent at first but with chiaroscuro lighting it's horrifying
• Type of shot: Telephone and person. Look at depth of field and lenses, to shift perceptions.
• Colour: Blue top/green banana, red top/red apple. Colour theory. "Blue and green should never be seen" but actually looks okay in practice. 
• Character placement: Doll. Again make it look scary, but this one is just plain scary. Look at framing here and importance. 

I will also update my Moodle drive with lighting and detailed plans before I film next week.

How-To Video Research

My 3-5 minute film to present at the end of the module will be an instructional video. I felt like this would tie up all the footage of the props together and also show what I have been researching and doing for my Minor well. I looked at previous how-to videos online that tend to do fairly well as research, with a focus on film youtubers and how they present theirs.



This one is kind of how not to do comedy. However they do show how to do three point lighting set ups well. It feels scripted with mostly visuals. It also has 1 million views (and is also the go to video for our lecturers) so it must be doing something right. They make it look very simple, with no convoluted words.



Apart from the load of ads in the video, Film Riot do very well on YouTube. Their presenter is frequent in all their videos (apart from some guest speakers) and is very casual and friendly, sometimes funny and sarcastic. 




Every Frame A Painting is one of the most popular Film youtube channels. This one is voice over only and focuses on visuals (which is what I will do). He is very informative and is quite clearly scripted. There's not a lot of humour, but there is a lot of detail. I would have liked this much in mine, but I didn't want to take up half my presentation time on this video. 



This is what came up when I just searched for "editing tutorials". It has nearly 2 million views and is basically a load of screengrabs and a narration. I will be doing something similar but with filmed props rather than screengrabs of the software. I could do this with After Effects if I have time. The narration is informative, casual, but no humour.


Overall, a lot of the videos do not include humour (or include it well) so I will be focusing on this for mine and in the script. Visuals from films tend to do well too (but the films will be my filmed props and some behind the scenes stuff of how to film them). My narration will also be informative, like all of the above. 

Thor: Ragnarok - Review

Well, it's been a while (4 years!!!) since the last Thor film and well, it wasn't great lest be honest. I was excited and nervous going into the cinema but let me tell you, I felt like a proud parent after it. Ragnarok was definitely a step in the right direction for the Thor films and the MCU in general.

Overall there wasn't a lot to analyse shot wise. HOWEVER there was a lot mise-en-scene wise (can this count as minor research?). The planet Sakaar was rich in colours, which is a bit ironic seeing how post-apocalyptic it and the inhabitants are. It also reminded me a lot of The Hunger Games with the Capitol and how there was a rich centre and people dressing expensively when people were dying and malnourished. Colour was definitely the stand out in the film and was used amazingly; even the trash was colourful. All of Hela's scenes were dark with no colours, and felt like this was done on purpose with colour correction. The Willy Wonka reference on Sakaar was also really weird but funny.

https://giant.gfycat.com/GregariousMemorableKoodoo.gif

Now it doesn't look very colourful on here, but it does in the film

I was looking forward to Valkryie but her introduction was horrible in my opinion; not funny at all and cheesy. But I grew to like and relate to the character. Can't wait to see more of her! I also want to know where Sif was in the film (didn't cover what happened in the actual film but there's been plenty of speculation). It was nice to see the rest of the other Warriors 3. I am very glad Jane has gone though. The Doctor Strange cameo was all I could have wanted and more. It was hilarious and made my hyped for Infinity War! All the characters are meeting and it's building up and I'M SO EXCITED! (it was also veryyy convenient that Thor gained his super power before Infinity War- this isn't a spoiler as it was in the trailer). 

https://media.giphy.com/media/3o8dFlRV9seyimVQuk/giphy.gif

The first half an hour of the film felt a bit rushed and fast paced in my opinion. I did like the very start of the film, it just went a bit fast after that. Didn't know where to look and just needed a scene to get my breath back and think about what just happened. The rest of the film was fine after that though. It just felt like they rushed to get Thor to Sakaar then took their time after that.

Now I said colour was the highlight (colour pun?) of the film, but soundtrack was also pretty close. The theme sounds like something that came out of War of the Worlds which I loveeeee (see below for a Spotify embed), and was also VERY happy that Immigrant Song from the trailer also featured in the film (twice, sorry if this counts as spoilers!). 

However, the songs and the humour involved (there was a lot of adult references. So be warned if you bring kids. I heard one kid go to their parents asking what an orgy was, so good luck with that) was very similar to Guardians of the Galaxy. The introduction of Sakaar and other planets was also very similar to this, and maybe even the soundtrack. Personally, I wouldn't say this was a bad point as I love both, but some people might argue that Ragnarok isn't original. But hey, what in the film industry is?

http://78.media.tumblr.com/789e851a0389a92bfa233e5534048088/tumblr_otqrtvEZit1spgwzwo2_500.gif

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the film. I've learnt not to trust Marvel trailers ever again though as there was a lot missing and edited differently (some people picked up the Hela scene in a field vs. a back alley being one). I saw the film in 2D but I might go again for it in 3D IMAX to see the difference. ALSO please bring me more Thor and Loki brotherly love and stories when they were younger. LOVED the small story with the snake.

7/10

Theories

Colour Theory

One of the principles I will be looking at is colour, so it makes sense to look into colour theory and the meanings behind the colours, and why. The example I am using in my film is someone wearing a blue top, eating a green banana. According to the colour wheel (and this source), they are contrasting colours and should make the viewer uncomfortable and add drama to the scene. However, in the video and in practise, this is not the case. 

http://educationresources.serif.com/cambridgenationals/creating_digital_images/1_specify_image_solution/part1-10.html

Semiotics

Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols and how meaning is created through them*, coined by Barthes. This theory is a huge part of filmmaking and especially in my minor as I am basing it on props. What the props inferred meanings are also have a bearing on narrative and how they look on screen. The main example I will use in my project to show this is the prop of the doll and the bunny. In different framing and lights, I can show it as either good or evil, and flip viewers expectations. 

*http://www.signsalad.com/semiotics-explained/

Action Plan

I have made a document and uploaded it to my Moodle page of the exact plan of my Minor, but I'll talk about it in more depth here too.

I have took the 15 Principles of Mise-en-scene and made it into 5 as I find a lot can link together and cover the same things. I've also decided to go with the funny narration type of how-to video as it will hopefully gain a bigger audience (if I do the humour right!) and people will actually stay tuned and learn something (it could change their life...).

I have included people in two of the principles to show the meanings better (e.g. depth of field, importance, etc.) It would also be funny to see a person wearing a blue top eating a green banana (clashing colours according to the colour wheel) and the world not ending.

Filming the behind the scenes stuff, I might need another camera op to follow me around and film what exactly I am doing (sound not needed) and how I am editing it. It might be good to do this with just my Canon camera as it's not the main focus (I will be filming the props with the blackmagic). 

I have encorporated my prop list into the action plan (and which ones show the principles better). Now I need to focus on studio and equipment booking time now I have a plan of action for my how-to video. Afterwards, I need to get working on the script and let an actor know so I can also record sound. I think it would be wise to film the footage first as I can grab someone to do camera before they start on their projects, and I can also base the script around what I've shot. 

Minor Fine Tuning

After handing in my Minor Agreement, my lecturer suggested doing an instructional video, which I took on board and think its's a good idea, and makes my ideas a bit more coherent. I will still be filming props, I just need to look for a narrator (and make a script) and possibly another camera to film behind the scenes. *UPDATE* I've had quite a few people interested and two send in auditions. I think my lecturer wants me to change my idea again; to set dress the set in the soundstage. However this does not fit my outcomes as I wanted to use the studio lights and a controllable location. I want to get my learners agreement approved and signed off as we are really running out of time.  

20.10.17 Learners Agreement is approved! I've also been thinking about my narrator as I'm unsure how to layout my how to video. It might be a bit easier if I say and talk in front of camera about what I personally have done. I could also do it as a tutorial kind of thing with narrations, which I will have to make a script for and get them in to record. It might be a bit of a clart on. I'll think about it in the next week and how I will shape it.

Blackmagic Tech Dem

Today we had a tech dem on the Blackmagics, which was essentially a refresher from Wynyard filming. I still made a few notes to add to the blog for the future and if I need any more reminders.

• can choose to have a monitor on set
• Can change display. Menu-settings-frame. 2.39:1 and 2.40:1 gives nice bars. Also thirds option (which will probably be what I go for as I do like my framing, and we can always add bars in post)
• solid state harddrive
• ISO built in for 800 (reccomended number). 400 for outside
• ProResHQ usual recording format
• Dynamic range. Film= more info, best for colour grading. Video= use if no time for colour grading
• 25fps is reccomended as that is what is used for Vue
• Make sure timelapse is off
• Settings-display. Zebras (overexposed) can be on
• Make darker, change f stop. Makes DoF shallower
• Always bring ND filters if outside
• Shutter angle= 172.8 (can be 180). [jello effect if lower, whip pan if higher]
• 5600 white balance if outside. 5000 inside. 3600 readheads.
• Switch camera off before change lenses
• If electronic lens, back and forward buttons change ISO
• Settings-display-LCD overlay and SDI overlay to ON so you can see the settings
• Exposure histogram on bottom left of the display. Keep low and as even as possible. Should fill 70%.
• metadata- rename camera and clips. A= automatically updates take number

Movie Props Mood Board

I have created a Pinterest mood board of famous, emotive, movie props. This is to see the props in detail and if they can stand alone, and to also use as case studies. I will be looking at how films tell stories through mise-en-scene and props in more detail in another post. This mood board is to just spark some ideas and what films to look at in closer detail.

Referencing Primary Research

Out of all the things to struggle with in my Dissertation, I was not expecting it to be referencing my own suvey. I have looked on Moodle, the Internet and asked my supervisor and I have found nothing. The closest I can find is "don't reference it at all as it is your own research" (http://www.lib.uts.edu.au/question/29796/how-do-you-reference-primary-survey-i-created-it). However, I also want to know how to word it in the Dissertation as I can't use first person pronouns, so how will people know I created it? At the moment it reads as "A survey of 190 people" which makes it read like it needs refrencing. Even though I don't need to reference it, lots of websites say I still need to mention that it is mine. But how when I can't use first person pronouns? I could say "a personal survey"?

I will include it in my appendix for now, and leave it as it is and hopefully my supervisor will help me. If not, my next port of call is looking at previous Dissertations in the Library or asking the programme leader what to do. I may also include my extra blog work in the appendix.

*UPDATE* I have contacted a previous graduate who received a First in their Dissertation and how they included their survey. I need to place the survey and results in the appendix and then put the number in the bibliography. They are also going to find their Dissertation and tell me how they actually mentioned it in the essay.

*FURTHER UPDATE* The graduate is a live saver, I am citing them an honorable mention in my Dissertation. Crisis averted.

Minor Ideas

My initial idea for the Minor module was looking at 16mm since I missed out on it last year for the Digital Pathway. However, with further consideration, as well as a delay in recieving the briefs, I don't think it fulfils the Learning Objectives. It does expand my 'personal practice', but it not very experimental (since last year did it, but it would be experimental for me) and would not link to my Final Major and would not act as a foundation. I have also lost a bit of enthusiasm towards it and I am not sure if I would finish it, recieve and process the stock in time for the November deadline.

I had a good think and brainstorm last night of other possible ideas and I have a very strong backup. One thing that let Circus down last year was mise-en-scene in the very last scene. It's also something I find very interesting. I will be looking at how mise-en-scene can tell emotionally driven narratives, with a focus on props. I was debating whether to hire out a room (maybe half the studio, so lessons can still continue) so I can present it at the end like an exhibition, and also control the lighting and have a projector to show the film compared to the props. By doing this, I can show how film has brought the props to life and analyse why. Can props itself have emotion, or is it the factors outside it that brings it to life (e.g. camera work, lighting). Example, Hamlet's skull. Is it the actors performance that makes it tell a story, or it it the history behind it (André Tchaíkowsky wanted his skull to be used in Hamlet). Or are props best left unsaid and slowly draw the viewers attention to it? My notes seem a bit all over the place at the minute, but it'll become clear when I pitch on Friday (see below).