Diary

17.9.15

Mark had given us a detailed description of the task for unit 10, it was that we have to do a group project that involves Youtube. He hasn’t chosen the groups yet so I think we will find out Monday. In the meantime, we had to create set pages such as Idea Development, Research, Pre-Production etc. In my opinion, I think that it is very crucial about how the groups are chosen because I want to do well, this year is an important year.

21.9.15

The group Mark has put in is with Maria, James & Finn. I think that this is a good decision based on the amount of work that we had done today. Today, we had a discussion on what the contents of our youtube channel was going to be.

The First Idea:

The first Idea was to a short film channel distributing three movies from three different genres, we had done a mind map of all the genres that we thought we could do and would be good to do and narrowed it down to three. The three we had chosen were Action/Adventure, Horror and Sci-Fi. We decided as a group that Sci-Fi would be a good genre to do however, we would have to experiment to see if it is achievable, if not then we will change the science-fiction movie to something, which I thought was okay.

The Second Idea:

The second idea was to I think of topics and then up to random people to see what reaction is and what they would say. I find this idea to be very entertaining and I think it would be funny to watch back as well. This is a backup idea in the first idea doesn’t go to plan which I think it will but it is always good to have some back-up ideas. Additionally, we need to figure out what the topics would be if we were to do this idea, which would hopefully be next time we get together.

After thinking up ideas, we started to think about colour schemes for instance, Black and White,Blue,White, Purple etc.

We needed a name for our brand, we still don’t name yet but, the two names we do have as suggestions are Super Films and Black Chair Productions, which I like but in my opinion, I think it could be Black Chair Media. Also, we need to figure out who is doing what in the group which includes editing, camerawork, sound operating etc.

When get into groups again we will have more of an idea what we want. We were very proactive today.

24.9.15

Today we expanded the first idea by producing different storylines within the chosen genres. I think that the ideas we have come up with are really good and will be interesting to film, edit and just produce. The idea for the Horror genre is so good because, even though it is written down as you read you can visualise how it could/would look, I think is a good thing. Also, I think that it could be really scary and entertaining if done correctly. We have figured out what Props we need, how many characters we will need, we have a suggestion about what the name of the film would be etc.

28.9.15.

Me and Maria were figuring out what things that we had to do in order for our group task to have everything that we need, which will in time make our youtube channel great. For example, our logo, ident,icon etc. Then, we assigned designated roles as a group and I am happy with the decisions made. We decided that the name for our channel will be Black Chair Films.

After that, we started discussing about youtube introductions and if we want one as well as what would our one have in it (the contents). We came up with Clips of our short films, behind the scenes and I said that we should have all say a bit the channel so that audience know who’s behind all of our great achievements.

Once that discussing was over Maria and I started creating accounts to do with our brand on different social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, it was fun but annoying because, Twitter wouldn’t accept our username suggestions. We did it in the end, however,but before that we had created our Google account and that is the main company email that we used for the different accounts.

Then we created the youtube channel however, there is not much on it except the description about us because, we had just started the Unit, but there will be. I feel strongly that the afternoon was very productive.

1.10.15

Today, we have figured out when the drama students are free so, that we can tell them about the three films that we are going to do and when we want them to audition for set roles. Hopefully, we will be doing this next week.

2.10.15

I started creating the logo for our group brand, creating our black directors chair, which came out fantastic in my opinion, maria said that it was amazing as well. Then Maria came up with an idea that we make a film roll in the background because of the fact that we are doing films. I agreed so we started to do that, we looked up some film roll images and that was helpful. Then, we started using Photoshop to make the film roll however, when we created it the film roll looked quite flat so, we thought that another one should behind it which will make it looks more 3D.

It worked perfectly. We chose a colour it was either silver or black, we decided it go for black. When we did the film roll, the chair looked out of place so, we got rid of the chair. Later, we will add it somewhere else, unfortunately, we are not sure where yet. I wanted to put the chair in the big holes of the film because, I put it there and like it but, I don’t know.

Then Maria, James and I was figuring out what equipment we will need for the Horror Film call Red Balloon such as the camera, SD card, sound recorder etc. Also, what kind of clown that we would want to have.

5.10.15

Today we finally finished our group logo (our brand), I think it looks amazing and professional. The design is simple but effective, we think that we did a spectacular job. We also did the banner as well, once that was done we had added both to all of our social media websites e.g. youtube channel, twitter etc. On Thursday, we intend to discuss how we want our ident along with telling the drama students about our films and we will be holding auditions. In comparison, we will be discussing other features of our channel/group task.

8.10.15

Today, we went to drama class to talk about our films and find out when they are free to audition for roles in them. I had started us off and maria had talked about the different storyline this is because she knew the storyline better than me, I attempted to answer one or two questions. It was so nerve-racking but I think she did well and I feel like I did okay. The drama student were intrigued and eager to find out more and can’t wait for the auditions. The auditions are going to be improvised, meaning we will give them the scenarios for each movie.

After that, we went back to class figure out what scenarios we will be for each movie. For the horror movie the scenario is here.

12.10.15

Today, from 3:30 – 5pm we held auditions for our three films using the three scenarios. We got the equipment that we needed and set up. I think all the auditions were very good. Maria told each actor the scenarios and I did the sound after swapping with James (James had English), Finn was there as well giving actors advice, we all kind of give a little advice. After the auditions had finished, Maria and I put away the equipment and started editing the auditions separately.

19.10.15

On Thursday we are going to be doing a script reading, which will be beneficial to the project because the actors will know what we want from them and we as the crew will have clarity as well as seeing if the actors know their lines (maybe edit).

10.11.15

Today we filmed our Horror Film ‘ The Red Balloon’, I was a fun day we had got all the shots that needed that day and a bit extra. Everyone did a phenomenal job, the actors, the director, the cameraman etc. However, there were loads of obstacles I had face today for example, buying a prop we needed for the film. I was supposed to go to the shop pick the balloon and but it didn’t go that way.

 

Getting lost, I had got lost on the way to the set location because I didn’t listen to my instinct. I had apologised for being late and I just hope I haven’t let the team down. Lastly, I have learnt from the mistakes that I have made today.

12.11.15

Maria has told me that the footage had a lot of noise grain so we have to reshoot the scenes again. That was something that I didn’t want to hear but it did and now we are shooting it again next Tuesday. Like I said before you learn from your mistakes and I have definitely learnt from mine.

17.11.15

Today, we filmed all of the horror film which was good, it was a fun day. The actors were professional and on time, I was the first one to show up to Maria’s house which I am proud of. When it came to filming the film, we did have to change the setting from being outdoors to indoors because it started to run. I brought the balloon for the horror film, my shoulder rig and camera. Maria turn the actors into killer clowns, she didn’t use the shoulder rig but, it was okay because I used it to film behind the scenes footage on my camera. Maria was a great director and cameraman, she directed the actors very well. Finn was also there giving feedback on shots and acting. Everything went smoothly, due to good planning and hard work.

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We started to think move about the science film and what is included. Maria focused on write the script, I am going to be doing the editing and filming and james was going to do the sound/behind the scenes. Finn argued his case about how we shouldn’t do action and adventure for the third film and that we should do a crime film. So, we agree to Finn being in charge of the third Film.

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Maria had finished the script for the science fiction film and we decided a date to film at the table reading that we did. This table reading included the actors in the film and the crew (James, Maria and I). I think that having a table reading was productive. We had planned to film on the 8th February and all of the locations are situated around Maria’s house where we meet up.

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Finn has changed his mind for the third film and now he wants to do a romantic comedy. He asked Maria to assisted him with the script as he has already structured the storyline.

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Maria’s has finished the script for the romantic comedy with the aid of Jerome (Maria’s friend) and Finn.

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Today we filmed the science fiction film in Maria’s house due to the weather conditions today. I still that it was an eventful day when though the location had changed. One of our actors had a cold and we all thought that he would get worse filming outside. I am going to start editing as soon as possible so, it can get done.

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Maria finished the Horror Film today and I have almost finished. I think that it looks good.

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Maria has finished the horror Film and has uploaded it to our Black Chair Films channel on YouTube. We all shared it on social media and received feedback on it, which is on the production page on my blog. I have almost finished the science fiction film Connor.

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Today, I had finished the science fiction film and sent it to Maria so that she can look at it and upload it. Once it was uploaded It was shared onto all of the social media sites that we created for Black Chair FIlms as well as my own Facebook and twitter. I received feedback on it and you can see it on the production page. I thought it was very constructive and will help me in the future.

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Maria requested the behind the scenes edit of the horror film and the science fiction film and we used it for our third film. This is because, there was not enough time to film and edit the romantic comedy. It was positive feedback and I think that is good. Now that everything is done I can do my evaluation.

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I have done the evaluation on this unit (unit 10) and I don’t have anything else to do.