Pre-visualizations for Master shot

I enjoyed creating the storyboards but I am not the best artist so I found it difficult.  We also did have to go back and redraw them to better fit our descriptions which turned out to work in our favor. The previsualizations may have been time consuming but having them to refer to when filming is a definite plus. When we were filming I found that we were referring to the storyboards a lot, especially with the cast. Since they weren’t really sure what was going on it helped for them to visually see and read the actions along with the movements. I think that for this project the most difficult thing for us to do in pre-planning was having a set location. Our first idea got turned down so we had to figure something out last minute and with never seeing the location we had to make some slight adjustments in filming the day of.

New storyboards and shot list

Ideas for Master Shot

In this Master Shot project I am DP and lead editor. I am so excited to be editor on this project and I look forward to working with this new group. I have learned something new from everyone I have worked with so far and cant wait for more to come.

For our Master shot project we plan on trying to create a creepy/dark and humorous secret society ritual(preferably a secret language/culture society). We plan on filming in a closed off room in the library and we are going to hang black sheets from the ceiling to help portray the mood and tone we are going for. To further help us create the mood we will also be adding gels to the lights. We plan on starting off with two people tied up in chairs back to back with black pillow cases over their heads. Then moving to a P.O.V shot from inside the pillow case as the lights turn on in the room. We envisioned having 4-6 (or more if possible) extras in the background to act as members of this society.

As DP I look forward to helping create the proper angles for each of our shots and helping to maintain   sequential continuity throughout our short master shot sequence. I am also in charge of creating the storyboards for pre-prodution based off the shot list and script.

Reflection

Our group has not had the smoothest of times trying to film this documentary but then again nothing ever goes completely as planned when it comes to filming. This process has definitely been a learning experience for me and my group. Fortunately we were able to get all of our footage and vox pops. In the process of filming our vox pops we did a lot of standing and waiting but on the bright side while waiting we were able to get some b-roll. Filming the vox pops was extremely frustrating at times due to the space and environment we were in but we made do and adjusted as well as possible.

In the end, no matter how frustrated or nervous about meeting the deadline we all got, we all learned a great deal about the do's and don'ts when it comes to trying to film.

Production Schedule

Unfortunately we too had to change our documentary topic. Our topic is now the on the YWCA and their mission in our community instead of the semi recent law to ban smoking on Wrightsville beach and how smoking effected the marine life.

Our filming schedule was delayed a few days due to the fact that the office is closed on the weekends.

Our production schedule consist of:

Monday Feb. 4th:

1:00 pm: pick up equipment
1:30 pm: arrive and set up
2:00 pm: film our expert interview
2:30 pm: pack up unneeded equipment
2:45 pm: Move to different location on property for Vox-Pops
2:45-4:00 pm: Film Vox-Pops and some B-roll

Tuesday Feb. 4th:

7:30 am: arrive at YWCA
7:40 am: film additional Vox-Pops
8:30 am: transition back to main office for interviews and additional B-roll
9:00 am: pack up and leave

Wednesday Feb. 4th:
Import footage in class, evaluate and determine if we need more or any re-shoots.

Here are storyboards and overheads:

Documentary Plan

We plan to make a documentary on the ban of smoking on the beaches along with pollution as a whole and how it effects aquatic life.


Our expert will hopefully be a researcher at the Fort Fisher Aquarium, second option would be a park ranger, and last resort would be a biology professor at UNCW. 


We will be filming at the Aquarium for both B-roll and interviews and we will also be getting some B-roll footage of the beach.

Tone: Serious/Informative 

The Vox Pops: The Experts vox pops will be filmed in professional location such as an office and the interview questions will be filmed in the aquarium where we can get animal life in the background. 

Questions for interviewee (Vox Pops):
1. What is your favorite animal and Why?
2. What is your opinion of the Ban?
3. Are you aware of how littering effects these animals

Questions for Expert:
1. How does smoking effect the population of animal species in the area?
2. Which animals are effected the most by smoking on the beaches?
3. Why was the ban instituted 
4.What event/s caused the ban?
5.Other than smoking what kinds of pollution effect aquatic life?
6. Has there been a noticeable difference in animal population on the beaches?
7. Has there been a noticeable difference in human population on the beaches?
8. How long was the ban in the planning process?
9. What is your opinion on the smoking and the ban?
10. Are there any plans for other bans in the area that will help our animal population? 

Lighting from a Different Perspective

Sunsets 

I think it's crazy how different things look in the morning, during the day and at night. Personally I think a sun set is one of the most amazing views anyone could experience in their life. The way the sun changes the colors in the sky is magnificent. My favorite place, out of the few I have been to, to watch the sun set is on top of the rebuilt Belleair Bluffs bridge in Clearwater Florida. The way the entire sky turns orange with splashes of red and yellow with that great big sun setting on the gulf is so peaceful and relaxing. When watching the sun set on the bridge all the houses and complexes between me and the gulf turn into silhouettes and for a few short minutes there is a silent presence in the area where nothing else matters and everyone is equal. There is no rich or poor, there are no questions and there isn't a rush to move on to the next thing.    

Sitting Under a Shady Tree

While sitting in the shade of a large oak tree I observe my surroundings, I observe the people walking by, I notice the occasional car driving by in the distance and I notice the animal and plant life that constantly moves around me. While I am in the lovely and cool shade I realize how the light on every object is different! For a person, depending on the direction they are standing, the sun (or any light natural or not) will create shadows on the face, the body and even in their surrounding parameters. It was fascinating to watch the chance in appearances from person to person solely based on the direction of light and the direction they were standing or walking. I saw how certain lightings can change a mood in itself without having to change the persons appearance.