Magazine Dimension and Column Structure

As I begin digitalising my layout plan for one of the ancillary products, I need a full understanding of the technical side of a magazine film review page. To begin this process I researched the dimensions of a typical published text and found out that it is slightly larger than two pieces of A4 hinged together. Below is a screenshot of myself midway through the research:

After this I needed to ensure the spacing of the various elements of my planned page were proportionally correct and therefore sought out the advice of my Media Studies Tutor. She suggested the idea of measuring the page with the width of a typical column and divide up the page accordingly. Using said measurements, (4.6cm in width) I split my page apart and adjusted the various sections to collaborate with my new set of ruling. Conclusively this activity has been largely useful as it has developed my understanding of an area of media I am only partially  familiar with which has aided the project in terms of my ancillary products. This research ensures that the review is as authentic as possible.

Additional Poster Development

To ensure that my ancillary products are developing at a good rate I have continued with my poster. As I have previously created a draft for my poster I used this as a starting point for my work. I knew exactly what I liked about my draft, mainly the childish style of the space ship, and what needs altering. I opened my previous work in Photoshop and began adjusting the layout and filter on my protagonist's face. Below is a selection of screenshots of me working upon the next draft of my poster:

After doing this activity I concluded the session once I had added the titling. Personally I am very happy with the final product however in order to ensure the best quality poster, the product will be reviewed by a focus group shortly. A copy of the poster in its current state is below:

Sound Folleying: Gunshot

As I plan to have a mixture of gunshots within the opening of my film, I decided to attempt to folley some impact/gunshot sounds to add to the soundtrack. Using a ruler I experimented on a mixture of materials ranging from soft material to wood. I found that this factor had a large influence on the sound. Below are two of the sounds I recorded. One on wood the other on a soft material:

Against Wood

Against soft fabric material

As expected the sound recorded by hitting wood sounded much more realistic and therefore I decided to take that recording further. Despite sounding better, it did not sound as effective as the one I had in place already so I began editing the audio in Audacity. By adjusting the compression levels and inverting the audio I was able to create a realistic gunshot effect. Below is a screenshot of myself editing the audio:

Please find below the final edited audio file:



Conclusively, I believe that the sound I have created is realistic and I will potentially use it within the opening of my film. However, despite altering the recording and trying to add a echo effect, it still remains tinny and compressed. I may be able to alter the bass levels to confront this problem however I am limited.

Editing Update 1

At the time of writing I have imported all of the required media into my editing software except my flashback scenes which are going to be captured very soon. Recently I have been syncing my audio with the live action scenes, regulating volume and presence within my film. I have found that in some areas the digetic sound, recorded through the camera, is unsuitable and therefore I am cutting various pieces of ambiance from other tracks and layering them up. Below is a screenshot of the opening few seconds of my film, which is fully edited together:

Titling research

As I have the majority of my visuals completed it has given me the opportunity to start developing my titles. As I am creating a short film for my primary task I will need to comply with the appropriate conventions associated with them. Below I have a list of such conventions:

• Correct Hierarchy
• Opening and closing sequences.
• No visual obstacles   
• Clear and readiable  
• Positioned appropriately.     

After compiling this list I researched a variety of title sequences in able to identify the expectations of titles within low budget films and their higher budget equivalent. From this process I reinforced my already existing knowledge of proportion to budget and whats expected from my own film. Below is a sample of the opening title sequences I browsed through:

Despite my film having a much lower budget and production value to those I looked at, I still found the activity extremely useful  due to my identification of how they suit the brand identity of the product they are crediting. Naturally this has led to me relating titles to my own product and what would suit it. For example the cartoonish, bright theme of the Monsters Inc title sequence would directly contrasts with the brand identity of my film and it could be argued that 'True Detective’ conforms slightly better to my own due to the simplicity of the animation.

Flashback Capture Preparation

In order to fully make use of my time I need to prepare for the capturing of my flashback scenes. As I am using a screen in front of my actors to give a clouded, mysterious effect, I need to take the shape of my actors into account when planning their costume and what props they will be using. Below is a composition board of my planned photographs I am going to take:

With these shots in mind I have created a prop list which I must source before the shooting. As the shape of each is critical and not necessary the colour, this has given me the option to use other objects with more defined shapes in the actual objects place. The list below outlines the props needed and possible alternatives:

Pencil/crayon: A small glue stick could be used if I decide to shoot the picture from behind a curtain. An exact prop can be used if not.
Source: I have the required stationary at home.

Paper: If shot behind a screen this will not be needed.
Source: Can be collected at school or from home very easily.

Prop handgun: Despite wanting to use the same prop as I included within my primary production live action footage, I feel a larger prop may be needed to fully draw attention to the firearm. I have access to a larger prop which is very similar in shape but larger.
Source: Teacher's prop storage.

Table: As the shape of a table is conventional and doesn't rely on colour to show its legitimacy I can use any smaller table without issue.
Source: Readily available at school, may provide difficult to transport.

This planning process and alerted me to the small problems I could face while shooting the flashback however through doing this I have fully prepared myself for the activity.

Poster Development

Evident within the pictures below I have began further development on one of my secondary ancillary products. I began by sketching a rough copy of my desired design using pencil and paper. Directly below is a photograph of this:

After scanning my finished sketch I imported it into Photoshop and began digitalising the scan. I began experimenting with colour and this resulted with the following images:

After adding the colour I began thinking over the use of a photograph. As I had previously seen a considerable amount of posters ranging from theatrical to teaser I thought of implementing a still from my film, similarly to how theatrical posters are created:

Conclusively I feel that the poster featuring a still from my movie is my preferred design and i plan to take it further. Obviously as it was taken from a freehanded sketch it is not symmetrically correct and uneven. With further work and digitalisation this can be easily fixed. However I feel that the poster, once straighten may benefit from the 'childish freehand design' as it may hint at the fact that the protagonist has/had a young family.

Update on Activity Log: 31\12\15 - 21/01/16

Shots Which Remain to Film

After looking over my storyboard and comparing it to the shots already filmed I have constructed a list of shots which still need to be acquired. Below is a photograph of the list:

Despite the significant length of the list I believe that everyone of the them is necessary and therefore must be filmed shortly. Additionally many of them are a maximum of three seconds long and require little setting up time. At the time of writing I am organising with my actor to arrange another shooting date.

Potential Continuity Issues

By filming my primary product in two days, which aren't consecutive, it may lead to continuity problems. Obviously the weather conditions may differ and the location may change. As I a filming in a changing, dynamic forest, trees and leaves will fall changing the location aesthetically. Unfortunately this is something which may have to be altered in post production through filters and light levels due to the restrictions I have in terms of the location.
         In addition, as I had to de-construct the set after filming I will need to replicate perfectly to ensure continuity is not broken. Below is an example of one of the photographs I took for reference:

Shooting Day One: Progression Update

Today, after arranging with actor, the first section of filming was completed. We met shortly after arranging a time and worked together to set-up the location ready for the shoot. After finding a specific location within the woods we completed the task at hand and I ran him through my story board, ensuring that my actor knew an overview of what was expected of him. We cleared up any issues regarding the plot and began filming. Below is a presentation of the finished set  after we set it up and a series of stills from some of the shots I took.

Pre-shoot location photographs

A Selection of Stills

Unfortunately I could not film the entirety of the film in one sitting due to a lack of time . As the shoot progressed I noticed the light changing and therefore decided to conclude the session. Also, as my actor was visually getting fatigued However this will create defined obstacles and may lead to me altering my script. (Please see my post titled, ' Potential Continuity Issues'.)

Animatic / Story Board walkthrough

Below is a narrated walk through of my story board where I comment on each shot i plan to use and why I am using them. Also during the first half of the video I talk about where the dialogue is going to fall into the visuals. At the moment of its creation I was still toying with the ending of the script and therefore the final pieces of dialogue are not commented on.

Shooting Day One: Talk with my Actor

Below is a video I have recorded of myself discussing each shot individually and what my actor would be required to do. Furthermore we discuss the issue of arranging a second date to continue filming.

Metal Rod Props

After searching for a source for my perimeter within my film I asked the metal work department at my school for my desired items. Below is a short Vlog where I describe the process and my alteration of ideas.

 

Creation of the "Aged" Baked Bean Can

During my short film the protagonist eats from a can which appears to have been created before the aliens invaded. To ensure that the prop is believable and looks like it has been carried around and naturally aged I decided I would need to prepare the prop before shooting. After sourcing a can I removed the label and added it to a fire already in progress. This not only left black charcoal on the exterior but as the fire was burning hot scorch marks were left on the cans surface. Below is a presentation of the before and after photos which present the final prop in its current form.

Finalising the Location

After researching and evaluating numerous potential locations my film could be set in I narrowed down my choices to three: The Blue Boar Woods, Mousehold Heath and Catton Park. Below a series of paragraphs detail my decision and why certain locations were conclusively disregarded.

Mousehold Heath

Since Ive used this location in the past to film I had a natural bias towards the Heath. However after consulting my actor the location is too far away to record in. With limited transport options within period I plan to film  it could provide difficult to arrange.  Furthermore as the nature of the location means that the there are minimal clearings within heavily wooded areas, selecting a particular spot will provide obstacles. Below is a photograph of the location:

Catton Park

With it being so local to my transportation would not be a problem at all for me however similarly to Mousehold, my actor may have problems getting there. Also, after previously feeling that this park would be ideal, have come to terms with the geography of the location and how, in many ways, it could be deemed unsuitable. As an incredibly popular place for dog walkers and routes which penetrate nearly every area of the park it would prove difficult to film without interruption. Below is a picture of the location:

The Blue Boar Woods 

The geographical location of the woods ensured that both my actor and myself could arrive quickly with equipment and, as the location is very large it minimises the chance of interruption from the general public. Furthermore the picture below, which was taken before the shoot, matched my creative vision of the film as a whole. As the most suitable I decided upon this location to base my short film within mainly due to its location and traits which conformed to my original ideas.

Conclusively, despite all of the locations having their benefits The Blue Boar Woods is the most suitable for my project. With an ample amount of space which would be largely be uninterrupted by the general public it is the perfect location. Furthermore my actor and myself have nearby bases to travel to the woods from which allows for a faster journey and easier transport of additional mise-en-scene. 

Update on the Casting Process

After discussing our availability myself and my actor have finalised a date for the shoot to take place. We have also agreed that if weather conditions are unsuitable or the filming process takes longer than thought another shoot can be arranged within a short time period after a choice is made about the primary date. Below is an extract of our conversation.

Primary Character Costume Preparation

Below is a mood board of my primary character's costume. I have based his image upon Rick Grimes, a character within AMC's The Walking Dead. Similarly to my protagonist Grimes lives within a post-apocalyptic world and has had to deal with a large host of problems. Additionally I have created a list of all of the various items I will be required to obtain before shooting in terms of costume and make-up.

Costume Items and Make-up

• Woolen Hat: Already owned
• Blank T-shirt: Already Owned.
• Tainted Jumper: Already owned, can be tainted before shoot.
• Basic Dark Trousers: Already owned, actor may prefer to use their own
• Boots: Already Owned, actor may have their own.
• Grey Socks: Already owned.
• Blood Make-up: Can be purchased easily and it is to be applied by a peer with considerable experience if possible. An alternate source would be making the blood myself. After researching online I have found a website which lists the ingredients and method. Despite the method being simple I have previously created my own blood in correlation with other projects and the blood wasn't suitable.  Below is the link to the highlighted website.

Fake Blood Recipe

Researching the ageing of metal

Through a concentrated period of research I have found multiple methods I could use to age the tin can I am going to use within my film. The first website I came across was an article talking about the various ways metal does age naturally and concludes with the method of putting your desired piece of metal in a fire and extracting a aged looking prop. The second method I looked into included using a substance called 'Plum Brown'. The forum thread I read detailed the substance and pointed out the expense of it. However as the source of the information is not particularly reliable due to mistakes correct by other members of the forum I feel that this method is not to be trusted. However it does mention the use of sandpaper which disrupts the surface of the can possibly leaving an orange residue. The last method I researched was a collection of Pinterest posts on a board titled 'Rusting and Tarnishing'. It detailed various ways to effect metal listing only cheap materials needed such as paint. Below is a series of screenshots of the websites I visited and a conclusion to which method I will be using.

To conclude I feel that the burning method will work the best as it requires the least amount of resources and gives a very effective look. However it will require me to empty the contents and use some specific camera techniques to create the illusion of the protagonist eating from the can, which would mean the insides would be full.

Script ( First Draft)

SCENE 1

FX: Quiet screams and cries of women are heard.

NARRATOR (VO)

They came. They saw. They conquered. This is my story of what they took.

SCENE 2

EXT: A HEAVILY WOODED AREA DIMLY LIT BY THE FADING SUN. THE SURVIVOR IS VISIBLE BETWEEN THE TREES. HE APPEARS BARELY ANIMATED.

NARRATOR (VO)

I was a vegetarian before it all. Didn’t like the way animals were treated. I don’t give a shit anymore. Its the hunger that did it.

SURVIVOR ANIMALISTICALLY EATS A PIECE OF IDENTIFIED MEAT. THE ACT IS REPULSIVE AND A GREASY RESIDUE IS DISPLAYED ON HIS FINGERS.

NARRATOR (VO)

It gnaws at you until there’s nothing left, well it leaves something. The hunger. It’s tough now, foods hard to come b-

FX: A multitude of snapping twigs and muffled footsteps.

NARRATOR (VO)

I get out the knife.

SURVIVOR PICKS UP HIS RUCKSACK AND NERVOUSLY GRABS A SMALL BLADE OUT OF IT. DROPPING THE BAG HE STANDS UP IN A TIMID STANCE.

NARRATOR (VO)

I couldn't kill anyone, even if it meant protecting someone. Someone you can’t see yourself living without. Someone who you somehow manage to live without.

AFTER GETTING THEMSELVES INTO A STANCE THE SURVIVOR WAVES HIS WEAPON AROUND. HE THEN BACKS UP AWAY FROM THE EDGE OF THE WOODS AND STUMBLES OVER A TRUNK. ITS ENOUGH TO MAKE HIM FALL OVER AND COLLIDE WITH THE GROUND. A VACANT, DAZED EXPRESSION FLOODS OVER HIS FACE.

NARRATOR (VO)

Everything brings back the past. Everything brings them back.

(FLASHBACK SCENE INVOLVING A SERIES OF STILL SHOTS AND VISUAL EFFECTS.)

SURVIVOR RECOVERS FROM THE FLASHBACK AND SITS UP. THE RUCKSACK IS RETRIEVED AND A BAKED BEAN CAN IS RETRIEVED. AFTER OPENING IT THE COLD CONTENTS IS EMPTIED INTO HIS MOUTH. THE SURVIVOR THROWS THE CAN AWAY.

NARRATOR (VO)

No point in saving the environment anymore, no one’s around to live in it. What would the tree huggers say now?

AGAIN THE BAG IS RETRIEVED AND A FIREARM IS TAKEN OUT. THE GUN APPEARS UNNATURAL WITHIN THE SURVIVORS HANDS AND HE FINGERS THE GUN AND TOSSES IT BETWEEN HIS HANDS. AFTER INSPECTING THE WEAPON THE SURVIVOR AIMS DOWN THE SIGHTS. THIS BRINGS ON ANOTHER FLASHBACK.

NARRATOR (VO)

It’s not something I have had to get used to. It isn’t even mine. Found it at the beginning, used it once. Not what it’s cracked up to be.

ANOTHER ITEM IS TAKEN OUT OF BAG. THE OBJECT IS LOOKED UPON INTENSIVELY AND THE DISREGARDED ALMOST AGGRESSIVELY.

NARRATOR (VO)

God I miss them, doesn’t take much to bring me back to the misery. You have to keep moving.

SURVIVOR GETS UP AND EXAMINES HIS CAMP. SURROUNDING THE CENTRAL AREA IS A COLLECTION OF POLES IN SERIES WITH CANS AND VARIOUS METALLIC OBJECTS HANGING OFF THE BARRIER.

NARRATOR (VO)

They are everywhere, that's the reason for a fence. A man has to sleep, and when he does death snuggles up real close. Tin cans can be used for more than just a telephone. I learnt that early on.

SURVIVOR CARRIES ON EXAMINING THE EXTERIOR WHILST DOING SO HE HEARS TWIGS SNAPPING.

FX: Twigs snapping.

NARRATOR (VO)

Doesn’t stop them, if they can travel millions of lightyears to ruin our day I’m sure they can get through some Heinz and a bit of fishing wire. It doesn’t give anyone much confidence, well nothing really does nowadays. Nothing stops those creatures, if they want you they have you.

SURVIVOR VISUALLY SHAKES.

NARRATOR (VO)

I get a few seconds warning, it wouldn't matter if I knew a day before. They move fast, faster than anything Ive ever seen. Faster than my children that used to run to the ice cream van. Faster than my wife would rush to the shops when a sale is on.

SURVIVOR APPEARS DESPERATE AND INCREDIBLY SHAKEN, THE CREATURE COMING FOR HIM IS COMING TO KILL HIM AND HE KNOWS IT. HE BACKS UP FROM THE PERIMETER AND TRIPS OVER HIS CHAIR. HE LANDS IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION.

NARRATOR (VO)

I died a long time ago, along with my wife and family.

THE SURVIVOR GLANCES AROUND A FEW TIMES BEFORE NOTICING A PRIMARY CREATURE HE LOOKS STARTLED YET CONTENT. HE HAS ACCEPTED HIS FATE. HE CLOSES HIS EYES.

CUTS TO BLACK

THE END