The Filming!

How did you find using the equipment – what was difficult/easy?

We had to film our scene twice as the first time as when we watched back our film the first time we wasn’t happy with it at all and didn’t want to settle for anything less than our best. The first time we filmed I had to act as a replacement to the person we originally had so I didn’t get to film, although I really wanted too. The second time we filmed we set up our equipment as quick as we could so we had enough time to film more than once and could pick out our favourite bits. I found setting up the camera tripod was hard at first but once I had worked out how to do it I could do the second one with no troubles. We set the cameras up in both sides of the room (making sure we stuck to the 180 degree angle!) and this time I got to film myself as we had got another actor. I found this easy as everything on the camera is simple to use but found when you had to zoom in it was difficult as it went to fast or two slow and you had to get the right pace without changing the speeds. Using the dolly was difficult too.

What problems/issues did you face when filming - why?

Like I said earlier I found the zooming a problem as I didn’t want the speeds to change but also found it worked well within the scene. I also found it difficult using the dolly as we wanted to capture the feet moving using a tracking shot, but it was hard to keep in time with the feet, both times we had troubles with this but the second time we re-filmed it was easier as we did not have to push it on carpet. Another issue was we needed the tripod to go higher than its original setting but we couldn’t. Another issue we faced was when Louise walked through the door we didn’t want to capture Joe in the shot so we had to stop recording then start re-filming but leaving Louise in the same place as it wouldn’t look as realistic.

Did you change anything whilst you were filming? If so, what and why?

While filming the first time we did not change anything, but after we watched everything we had filmed the first time we changed it a lot. First we changed the actors this is because Scott wasn’t able to film on the day we were re-filming and I wanted to use the equipment and get use to it ready for when we film next. We also changed some of the shots, we panned the camera round to Louise walking towards the door, we done this as this is another shot we could add to our evaluation. Also we made Louise walk around the room more adding more mystery to the scene. We had to camera’s film on either side of the room as well; this is so it would be easier to jump for shot reverse shot behind each character and so we have a variety of different shots to choose from when we edit.

Did you have to re-film anything? If so, what and why?

Like I’ve mentioned already we had to re-film our whole film, this is because there wasn’t enough varied shots and the camera was shaky, we also wasn’t happy with the environment we filmed it in as we didn’t think it matched our genre. We found re-filming a positive as this made up improve how we are going to film next time, also it made us realise we will not settle for anything than our best. I found re-filming good as I got a chance to use the camera and equipment and it will help broaden my knowledge.

Did you feel your group fully prepared for filming? How did you do this?

i feel the second time we filmed was much better than the first, this is because the first time we had to try and find our actors, also because it was the first time we have used the equipment and needed to get our head around it. The second time we filmed was better because the group knew how to set up the equipment also it was better as we had showed the actors the script before had so they had a chance to think about characterisation. Also we was more prepared as we had spoken about what we were going to film first i.e Louise and Joes dialogue scene then do Louise’s match on action followed by shuffling through the paper to find a sign saying “TOP SECRET” I think we could of improved by all knowing the script of by heart and writing on a sheet of paper different ideas we could incorporate to make it better.

How did your group work together when filming?

The first time we filmed it was hard for everyone to have a part as there were 4 of us in one room and one camera, I was acting and Emily was on the camera so Will and Alex would do parts like watching over shoulder or moving set around. But the second time everyone had something to do Emily was on one camera, Alex was on another camera and I would move from camera to camera suggesting ideas, then we would swap and I’d have ago. Will wasn’t here for the filming as he was ill so there was enough for everyone to do; having a bigger space to film in was especially easier. Our group worked well together, we got the filming done while adding in some good ideas at the same time and having fun.

What did you enjoy most when filming?

I enjoyed the whole experience of filming as i like creative arts, but a highlight for me was experimenting with putting cameras in different positions and seeing what they looked like. Also I enjoyed putting the dolly on the floor and tracking Louise’s feet as she was walking, I liked this as me and Emily had to use teamwork to get it to the correct speed and also we had fun doing it.