MM&I - The Fig Rig

For some of my shots in my Me, Myself and I, I used Richard's fig rig so I could get stable tracking shots without the tripod and also for ease (e.g. carrying a tripod to difficult locations). The fig rig was really simple to use (but also hurt a bit when holding it for a while) but adds extra stability to tracking shots rather than using a tracking dolly (didn't really fancy using that on the beach with all the sand). Special thanks to Richard for letting me use it!

Richard's Shoot

Saturday 28th November

Today we filmed some of Richard's MM&I. I was sound and Richard wanted two microphones, so we gaffer taped them in an x formation. Richard also wanted me to use the Fostex but Richard forgot the headphones with the jack that fit in it. The weather wasn't amazing, with very strong winds on the beach/pier. We also had to cancel the Blackhall Caves scene as the stairs were closed and the tide was in. But we did do the Blackhall tunnel. 

Was a semi successful day but also a cold day. I just hope the sound on the beach turned out ok. :S

Production Skills #10

Today we looked at the Super 8 cameras, as it is suggested we use a bit of them in our MM&I's. It's fairly straight forward to load and work. Make sure you do a light reader reading (on the right settings (25fps and the type of film you have!) to adjust the aperture on the camera so it looks good! 

Thanks Jamie J for the pic

We then went on Avid where Lee showed us how to hand in. It's all straight forward again. Click export, make sure it's Quicktime movie (or go on the preset Untitled) and ALWAYS watch back the film. Make sure you set an in and out point. Make sure it's on 'H.264' on settings so the Uni can see the footage. Render should be the highest or best. 

Beth and Jamie's Shoot #2

Today I helped out with Jamie and Beth's shoot. It was mostly Beth's shoot for her outside and final shots. I was an actor again (a bandit and a friend). I also took a few production stills. We filmed at Norton (really nice place) with a really nice woodland location (that apparently belongs to no one and anyone can film/use it!) All of Beth's filming is now done and Jamie's is soooo close to finishing! Had a really fun time today and glad I could be of help!

Visual Culture #10

Since Malcolm wasn't in last week, we are missing out this weeks lecture as last weeks was more important (if that made any sense). 

This week we looked at 'The Age of Reason' and neo-classicism, also known as the 'true style'. Britain used this to show their growing power and Britishness. It revisited the ancient world and echoed the Roman empire. It looked at the classical world (like the Renaissance) but was also modern and used as a basis for a new style.

The Roman style to neo-classicism brought logic, proportion and restraint. Young men of the era were sent on a Grand Tour of the world to be inspired by the arts. 

http://www.terraclicks.com/watch?key=0cdb16b7667982280fbb05007a35eb39

The discovery of Pompeii also added to the style and challenged Rome's paintings: Pompeii had very colourful interiors. The style was not just Roman inspired, it was Pompeiian inspired.

http://rebloggy.com/post/mygifs-doctor-who-dw-donna-noble-tenth-doctor-mygifs-dw-dwedit-shrugs-brotp-p/72517585565

Neo-classicism uses space, not just decoration like the Rococo era. Robert Adam was one of the people who did this as well as adding symmetry to his work, which a fondness of blue, and a Wedgewood feel.

Portraiture also echoes the Roman empire with subjects like statues and posing. Women were also pictured leaning on columns to show patriarchy. However, there was not much allegorical meanings in their paintings as the age was more about knowledge and education. 

Napoleon was also portrayed often as Caesar to show that France was th new Roman empire. France portrayed more the spirit of neo-classicism, England portrayed the emotion of neo-classicism.

Neo-classicism was influenced by social change. Hence the name 'Age of Reason' and 'Enlightenment', reason and individualism was supported more than tradition with scientific thought opposing superstition (often being the Catholic Church). Breakthroughs in science and medicine made people question the world, including the church, slavery and the power of kings.

https://annoyingrambles.wordpress.com/2015/03/12/game-of-thrones-drinking-game/

'The savage' was also explored to show how life would be without materialism. Not quite sure how- Malcolm didn't go into much detail.

When Hitler adopted the neo-classicism style to show his power, the art became negative. The era was often called the 'language of oppression', or was it more about democracy and values?

In Diane's session, we looked at Ethical and Moral issues in storytelling. I decided to look at the documentary The Bridge (Eric Steel, 2006). This is a film about the number of suicide jumps each year on the Golden Gate Bridge. Mary Currie described this as an 'invasion of privacy' and was controversial to the viewer, seeing someone's death documented on camera and seeing friends and relatives talk about them later in the film. It's very upsetting and challenges the viewer.

Furthermore, the director lied about his intentions of the film, saying it was "to capture the powerful, spectacular intersection of monument and nature that takes place every day at the Golden Gate Bridge.", but failing to mention what exactly what happened everyday. 

The film not only challenged the morals of a viewer, but also the filmmakers, with Steel saying the rail of the bridge is so low 'a 7 year old can climb over it'. 

Scunci #2

We finished filming the rest of the Scunchi advert today (I didn't really want to miss any more of Digital Production but I signed a form saying they needed me and I owe Jamie a favour for being my narrator (thanks Mike for letting me go)). 

Today ran much smoother than last week. I wrapped up a bit warmer and we started shooting pretty much as soon as we got there which was great. 

I was talking to Dan (the camera op) for most of it so I could see the 16mm in action. I learnt that it was veryyyy sensitive; one drop of water on the lens could effect everything. It's also very heavy and fragile. I love the sound it makes when it starts recording. 

After getting everyone who needed to go done first, I stuck around till the afternoon for my bit. And of course, it started to rain for my acting début. We all persevered and froze (a few sound worries but hopefully nothing too major!)

Production takes it's toll on this small hedgehog

Special mention to all the level 5's (especially Mikey who never stopped smiling once) who kept all out spirits up, playing Christmas songs and dancing and just generally fooling around. It was fab working with you all.

MM&I - Andy's Shoot

Friday 20th November

After a few strange looks carrying a cool lamp tripod on two buses (Andy left it at the Uni), one person thought it was a trombone?! And a grumpy bus driver who challenged my age and didn't tell me when to get off (thanks to the kind stranger telling me where the bus stop was!), we met up and had breakfast in Wetherspoons, discussing the plans for the day.

Today we did all the shots at Andy's house. We wanted to do some establishing shots of the woods but we rapidly lost daylight and had an incident with the camera, which set us back quite a bit. 

The men decided to take over and set up the lights while I died (started sneezing and sniffing all morning. I was worried it was a cold but Andy's miracle peppermint tea set me right). However, while Richard was plugging in his headphones, he leaned on the camera and made it go out of focus, and we couldn't correct it. After phoning Mike and Lee, we were told it was a broken camera. We hang up and Andy decided to take it off the tripod to look at it and it suddenly corrected itself! So we rang up again saying we fixed it. 

We then did some outside shots of Andy doing archery which I was really proud of. I then got to have a go of Andy's bow, which had a bigger poundage than mine (which also messed up my draw back technique), but my grouping is still spot on. 

Sunday 22nd November

Today was paint balling day! Me and Richard got a lift from Andy's very kind friend Ryan who was also an extra in his film. Touchdown in Thirsk and so glad I wore multiple layers. I also brought a flask and coffee but we didn't have time to stop and sit down, plus we finished earlier than expected.

Weather was on and off all day, but we had shelter from the trees. We tried to put the waterproof cover on the camera but couldn't with the fig rig on, so we improvised and used Andy's hoodie. 

After falling over once and nearly again on some nettles, we got most of the shots done. We then needed to fire some paint from the paint ball guns. Andy, well thought through, had a spare piece of glass to put over the lens to stop any paint. I still ended up with some on me (and the camera but it all came off). 

I really enjoyed being camera op for Andy's shoot and thinking of creative camera angles. I'm seriously thinking camera op is the path I should take, not directing. I really enjoyed it and apparently I have a good eye for shots.