Editing
In order to edit the video footage we had to use software called final-cut express.
This allowed me to change the length of the film and use many different types of editing skills.
In order to film the opening sequence we had to shoot a number of shots many different times in order to get them perfect, and this meant that when it came to editing i had to cut bits out. Once the clips were cut and placed in order, i then had to make sure that it flowed. To do this i used fading, in order to make the clips blend and allow continuity to be obvious to the viewer. Some clips were left without a fade as they naturally carried on flowing, such as the match on action shot on the stairs. In order to create the effect of Martin's character 'fading away' we had to overlay two different clips, one with Martin in, and one without him in the frame and fade the clip of him over the empty frame clip. This meant that it looked as if he disappeared and we were left with an empty frame. This worked really well.
It then came to the credits and in order to do this we used the text tool and placed the text where abouts in the frame we wanted it, such as in the second shot the writing follows me across the screen and when it is written on the piano, and the book. We also used fading where appropriate as well as enlarging the text to make it fly forward in the clip of the characters walking down the long corridor.
Overall the footage looks good and the editing was done with alot of care so it all fits in and flows well and the group is pleased with the end result.
This allowed me to change the length of the film and use many different types of editing skills.
In order to film the opening sequence we had to shoot a number of shots many different times in order to get them perfect, and this meant that when it came to editing i had to cut bits out. Once the clips were cut and placed in order, i then had to make sure that it flowed. To do this i used fading, in order to make the clips blend and allow continuity to be obvious to the viewer. Some clips were left without a fade as they naturally carried on flowing, such as the match on action shot on the stairs. In order to create the effect of Martin's character 'fading away' we had to overlay two different clips, one with Martin in, and one without him in the frame and fade the clip of him over the empty frame clip. This meant that it looked as if he disappeared and we were left with an empty frame. This worked really well.
It then came to the credits and in order to do this we used the text tool and placed the text where abouts in the frame we wanted it, such as in the second shot the writing follows me across the screen and when it is written on the piano, and the book. We also used fading where appropriate as well as enlarging the text to make it fly forward in the clip of the characters walking down the long corridor.
Overall the footage looks good and the editing was done with alot of care so it all fits in and flows well and the group is pleased with the end result.
Music
The music started of by just using the keyboard on the mac and using symphs sound effects to create the sound. Over time i added and took away from it to try and make a sound to match the feel of what the film would be about, but also make it easy to listen to. This went through a lot of stages, it started of by using the sympth sound at the start then going into an electric guitar and drum beat. After watching the film i decided this didn't go with the mood and that it was to energetic and didn't fit in. I went back and took out the electric guitar and replaced it with an acoustic guitar to give it a more gental relaxed feel and a bit more emotion. I then replaced the keybord at the start with a spooky sounding electric keyboard and deep base chello which then faded into a grand piano piece. To created the music it was a trail and error proses seeing what worked well with other parts of the song or having to decided to get rid of parts all together wich alot of the time made it sound better. I think that it now works well with the opening and makes it feel more complete.
Friday, 11 December 2009
Images of filming
These our images i took of our group filming certain parts of the footage. The first photo is when we were setting the camera up to do a tracking shot around my head. The second and third image are both when we were filming the establishing shot.
Second Day Of Filming
We filmed a lot more footage today and this was purposeful as it will allow us more to play around with in the editing process. We filmed sequences that will involve Martin's character fading into the background to create a ghost like appearance. We will do this by overlaying a peice of film with Martin in, with a peice of film where martin is not there. We used a dolly to allow a swift tracking shot around a characters head as well as tracking down the coridoor and through rooms. We also found new locations to shoot and have included this in our storyboards. As we now have lots of footage to play around with we have decided against the montage idea.
Thursday, 10 December 2009
Storyboard
This is the storyboard i drew up in order to help compose the shots and make the film flow.
First day of filming
Today was our first day of filming and we started by attempting to film our establishing shot of the college from the outside with a smoke effect.
After that we decided to use a digital camera to take lost of shots around the college to use for a montage in our opening sequence.
After that we decided to use a digital camera to take lost of shots around the college to use for a montage in our opening sequence.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
make-up continuity photos
This is Josie & Julia in school costumes
This is josie ripping Martin's shirt to create his costume
This is how we used make-up to make martin look like a ghost
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Analysis of BBFC criteria.
The BBFC is the British board of film classification who rate films and decide what age group they are appropriate for. Our film will be aimed at children so must be a U or PG classification.
The rating U stands for universal meaning that it is suitable for people of all ages and is most probably aimed at young children aged four years and above, they should have a good moral and any bad acts are counterbalanced with good ones or any horror or violence. They can't contain discrimination or illegal drugs unless they are disapproved of or carry an anti drug message that is suitable for young children. All scary sequences have to be short and not be scary enough to cause the child any anxiety. imitable behaviour that children may copy must not be used. only mild bad language can be used infrequently. Natural nudity must have no sexual context. Mild sexual behaviour such as kissing and reference only such as making love. Mild violence only and occasional menace or threat only.
Parents guidance, PG is for general viewing however some of it may be unsuitable for young children. They are aimed at children 8 and over. Discriminating language is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in a educational or historical context, discrimination of a character that children will probably relate them selves to will not be acceptable. Drug references must have a anti drug message. frghtening scenes msut not be prolonged or to intense. Only mildly bad language can be used. Nudity may only be used with no sexual context.
Sexual activity may be mentioned but only infrequently and discreetly. If the theme is serious it must be clear that they condone this unaceptable behaviour. Violence can be used as long as it is justified by things such as historic or fantasy context.
We aim to make our film a U as although it is a bit spooky we will not prolong the scenes or use violence and bad language frequently in our opening sequences.
The rating U stands for universal meaning that it is suitable for people of all ages and is most probably aimed at young children aged four years and above, they should have a good moral and any bad acts are counterbalanced with good ones or any horror or violence. They can't contain discrimination or illegal drugs unless they are disapproved of or carry an anti drug message that is suitable for young children. All scary sequences have to be short and not be scary enough to cause the child any anxiety. imitable behaviour that children may copy must not be used. only mild bad language can be used infrequently. Natural nudity must have no sexual context. Mild sexual behaviour such as kissing and reference only such as making love. Mild violence only and occasional menace or threat only.
Parents guidance, PG is for general viewing however some of it may be unsuitable for young children. They are aimed at children 8 and over. Discriminating language is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in a educational or historical context, discrimination of a character that children will probably relate them selves to will not be acceptable. Drug references must have a anti drug message. frghtening scenes msut not be prolonged or to intense. Only mildly bad language can be used. Nudity may only be used with no sexual context.
Sexual activity may be mentioned but only infrequently and discreetly. If the theme is serious it must be clear that they condone this unaceptable behaviour. Violence can be used as long as it is justified by things such as historic or fantasy context.
We aim to make our film a U as although it is a bit spooky we will not prolong the scenes or use violence and bad language frequently in our opening sequences.
Locations
We have decided to use the college as our location. We are setting our film in a school, so it is perfect. We will film around the library, the refectory and through the corridors of the school as well as outside. It will make it easier to shoot here as it's close and we can use our free periods and lessons without having to go to far. We are also not permitted to leave the college site with the video cameras and equipment.
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Costume & Prop use
Costume -
Martin - tatty clothes, (ripped and frayed). Neutral coloured clothing to indicate darkness and contrast with other characters. Facepaint used, to create a ghost-like look, e.g white and grey skin, pale looking.
Josie & Julia- Casual/dressy clothes in bright/happy colours to show they are good characters and make them more aesthetically pleasing than the ghost.
Props -
School books, to be held by Josie to reiterate that they are at a learning place, (College/School)
Casting
Casting -
We have decided to use people from our group as the cast of this film opening. This will make it easier as other people from in and around the college may not have the same free periods and lesson times as us, etc.
We have decided to use Martin as the ghost boy, as he is the only male person in our group, as well as being the biggest, so therefore could look more scary. The point of this character is to be scary, but not horrifying.
We have decided to use Josie as the girl who's being haunted as she doesn't mind appearing on camera, as well as Julia, who will play her friend in some of the scenes.
Concept
We have decided to create our childrens film opening on our idea about a ghost boy. It will include a boy that is haunting a girl walking around school, the whole film would have been based on her finding out that he is following her and building a friendship with him.
The opening scene will include the credits whilst we are introduced to both of the characters of the ghost boy and the girl he is haunting. In the opening scene it will show the boy appearing behind the girl and her being suspicious, but she will never actually see him.
Our influences have been 'Scooby Doo', and 'Casper the Friendly Ghost'. These films both include ghosts and are targeted at a PG, U audience.
The opening scene will include the credits whilst we are introduced to both of the characters of the ghost boy and the girl he is haunting. In the opening scene it will show the boy appearing behind the girl and her being suspicious, but she will never actually see him.
Our influences have been 'Scooby Doo', and 'Casper the Friendly Ghost'. These films both include ghosts and are targeted at a PG, U audience.
childrens film ideas
The group all came up with ideas for our children s film. These included an idea about time travel where the lead character has a old fog watch, that could manipulate time. The second idea as about a ghost boy who would during the opening would appear but then disappear when someone looked at him. The third idea was about tree people in the woods but there friendly to the main character. Our fourth and last idea was about a boy or girl being bullied by her/his peers, so basically a story about how someone over comes that part of life.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Preliminary Task Evaluation
In this task we had to produce a short clip including 6 different camera angles and a short conversation. Then we had to edit it using final cut express and put it on our blog.
I think doing this preliminary task has prepared me for the children's film opening by familiarising me with the cameras as well as the editing programmes.
Preliminary task
For our preliminary task we had to create a short piece of film demonstrating different camera angles. First of all we went out to pick a location, and then got on with planning what the video would include. We decided on shooting the piece of video in a lift, and discussed which camera angles we would need. We wrote a storyboard each indicating what would happen in each shot.
When we got onto filming we made sure that we got each shot that we needed, the only shot we didn't manage to get was a long shot, as the lift was small and cramped, however you could argue that our end/first shots are long shots. After we had finished filming we edited the filming using final cut express. We had to make sure to cut all the clips in the right place so that it ran smoothly between each cut.
When we got onto filming we made sure that we got each shot that we needed, the only shot we didn't manage to get was a long shot, as the lift was small and cramped, however you could argue that our end/first shots are long shots. After we had finished filming we edited the filming using final cut express. We had to make sure to cut all the clips in the right place so that it ran smoothly between each cut.