Filming Jack the Ripper Re-Shoot

Last night our group decided to re-shoot the opening to our two minute film.

The filming went really well from the start of the shoot the whole group felt a lot more comfortable and confident about the film.

We decided to follow the storyboard exactly so that we knew exactly want shots we had done and what we needed to do. I felt that we were a lot more organised and we knew the shots and action that we wanted to film.

We decided to shoot the inside scene that is of Jack the Ripper looking onto a board of all newspaper clippings and articles about him and his murders. (first image) We turned off the lights and switched on the night mode. As it was still difficult to see we used a phone light to add more light onto the board. Once we use the extra phone light the shots came out really well.

After we had filmed this we then went to Gentelmen's Row and continued to shoot the rest of the shots outisde. We decided to film in the order that we planned to arrange to film in to ensure there was no confusion with the scenes.

We began the outsides shots of Michela exiting a house, then walking down the alley and being followed by James. We filmed these few scenes in lots of different angles and ways to ensure we make out film more interesting for the audience. The filmed pan shots of both Micheal and James walking past aswell as both still and close up shots of both characters.

We then contuined these shots and further down the alley until we got to arch way. Once we had reached it we filmed the capturing and 'rape' scene. Again we used diffrent shot types such as extreme close ups, mid shots and close ups as well as diffrent angles to create tension with the audince as they will want to see what is going to happen to the victim.

Overall, I think that our second filming day went very well. I felt a lot happier about what we had filmed and felt more confident that when we uploaded it that we would be able to see the action. Although in a few shot it was still hard to see, the night mode on the camera did help very much as we were now able to see exactly what we was filming.

Re-Filming

When we re-film our opening we are keeping everything the same, but going to ensure that there is enough light by bringing torches and using the night mode on the camera. Therefore, we will be able to see the actors properly. Even though the look of the night mode on the camera is not exactly what we wanted as it is a lot lighter. We will have to use it in order to see the characters.
We are going to film tonight Tuesday 10th November at around 5.30 - 6 o'clock. At Gentleman's Row. Even if it does rain tonight we will have to carry on with the filming. As long as we stick to our storyboard the shoot will be fine, and much better than our first opening.

Film Upload

Unfortunately due to the camera not being able to pick up the light and therefore not being able to see the actors in some shots, we have decided to re-film the whole of our opening.
When we uploaded the film onto the computer it was very hard to see the actors at all especially in the walking through the alley shots.
We could not just re-film certain shots as this would not follow the continuity of the film, because in some shots in would be raining and then in other shots it would not.
Although in certain shots the fact that the characters drifted in and out of light and visibility worked well. Especially for the character of Jack the Ripper it highlighted his movements as he was going in and out of the shadows.

Our group was disappointed that we are going to have to re-film our opening, however we now know what to do in order to make the shots more effective. Next time we film we are going to stick exactly to our storyboard and do it almost in the exact order it should be. Therefore, we will not miss out any shots or action that we want to include.
Furthermore, I feel that we rushed our first shoot due to the weather so this time as a group we need to take time in setting up the angles and shots so that we get the best possible results.
We also need to add more angles and extent the length of our shots. This way when it comes to us having to edit the film we will have more variety and film to add to our opening.

First Filming 06-11-2009

On Friday we filmed the majority of our opening. However, the weather created a few problems for our filming, as it rained heavily throughout the whole time we was on location.

Firstly, we decided to shoot the main section of our opening first where the victim and killer are walking through the alley. Although the alley was lit by street lamps and the actors were visible to the naked eye, the camera did not seem to pick up the light, which therefore made it hard to see the actors on camera. We opted to continue shooting the film as when we upload the film it may be clearer for us to see the actors.
After completely the walking shots we then decided to shoot the "rape" scene which was thankfully under and arch way which sheltered them from the rain. Again, this was lit by multiple street lamps and was clear for us to see the action but the camera seemed to make the whole shot darker and harder to see.
Then we filmed the opening establishing shot which was of a pub and a lamp post, when we edit the film we can put it in the correct order that we want.

Once, we had filmed all the shots that we needed I did feel unsure about whether or not the camera have picked up the light and allowed us to see the actors. As soon as we upload on Monday we will be able to tell whether or not we will have to re-film our opening.

Se7en

On Fridays lesson we watched the film 'Se7en' starring Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. Se7en is a thriller based around a mysterious serial killer (Kevin Spacey) that gruesomely commits these murders according to the seven deadly sins. And it is the job of the retiring detective (Morgan Freeman) and (Brad Pitt) to try and find the killer.

The whole film concept of the seven deadly sins and the twisting psychological story lines really captured me. The opening in particular is incredible,although there shots are almost very simple they are very effective as they entice the audience with the extreme close ups and the synced music and action.

This film has given me and the group even more ideas and inspiration into what else we can include into our film opening.

Diegetic and Non-diegetic Sound

In lesson we looked at the use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound in films, and the effect that sound has on the audience. The use of sound in a film is very powerful technique. Sound engages with a distinct key sense and helps us synchronize both our visual and aural sense and unifies them together.
We watched the film 'Jaws' to show how the sound is used to create a tense atmosphere, throughout the opening.

The scene starts with with the use of Diegetic sound:
- Children screaming, laughing, playing The sound of the children playing happily creates dramatic tension for the audience as they are now aware that there are innocent children on the beach and the scene will not stay in this happy vibe for much longer.
- Parts of dialogue from peoples conversations There are 3 sets of diffrent dialogue going on in the scene. This helps to show that the beach is crowded and busy.
- Dog barking The sound of the dog barking could be trying to imply or signal warning or danger for the people on the beach.
- Splashing Shows that their are people and children in the water, and could be building up the tension and suspense as it is creating more noise for the audience.
-Music from the radioThe music is very calming this could be like this to emphasise the mood at that time then the mood during the shark attack.

After the opening of the scene starts there is then structured and scripted dialogue from the main characters in the film however the diagetic sounds are still continuing in the background.
The young boy Alex then asks to go back into the sea and we see the child floating alone in the sea on his lilo.

The scene then starts to build up the use of non-diegetic sound:

- Tension music quietly and slow starts to play.
- Quiet when Alex is shown on the lilo buy himself there was no music or sound this is so show his isolation and distant from the people and safety of the beach.
- Splashing You can still hear the splashing and voices of the children this creates tension as we do not want the children to come to harm.
- Tension music the music is building up into a crescendo as the shark is getting closer and closer to Alex.
- Dramatic noise Once the child is being eaten there is a ping and zooming sound as the realisation of the attacked is noticed by the people on the beach.
- Silence and waves After all the action in the scene is over and the mother of Alex is trying to find him we just hear the voice of the mother calling out for her son then just the sound of the waves as we see Alex's torn up lilo float onto the shore of the beach.

I think the tension music in 'Jaws' was very good and the use of the crescendo really makes the audience engage with the film as they feel the tension and atmosphere build up inside as the music climaxes when the child is attacked. The effect of having really strong powerful music in 'Jaws' creates a more dramatic scene to the film, but the audience will then know the que to when the attack or action will happen. Whereas in 'Physco' the music was a lot more quiet and had more diegetic sounds such as the toilet flushing, the shower running and the door closing. By just having these diegteic sounds I feel that this creates a more eerie mood in 'Physco' as we do not know when the attack will happen, therefore this makes the audience jump and more glued to the screen.

When creating our film opening, I think I would like to use both diegetic and non-diegetic sound. As I like the effect that scary music has on the audience however, I believe that silence or just very small minimal sound can also be very effective and can create alot of tension with the audience.