Before we began filming we created a shotlist that told us exactly what shots we wanted to film for our opening. Along with our storyboard, this was very good planning and it meant that our filming went much smoother.
When we were given our brief to create an opening to a thriller film, most of our initial ideas were too complex to make into a reality. We were thinking too big. We also realised that our ideas were too full of action, and that it would be much more realistic and effective if the suspense and tension was created in a more subtle way. After analysing some other films in the same genre we discovered that this much more similar to what they do and that they do not try to create a mini film in the first two minutes, they simply set the scene.
When we finally decided on our idea, we made a storyboard and began to film. We had to film in our media lessons, which are timetabled during the daytime when it is light outside. When we got to our location, we thought that we needed to make it dark in the house to create an eerie atmosphere. After analysing other films we found out that this was incorrect and that our efforts to block out the light from windows in the house led to grainy footage that left the action undefined and the end result was not as effective as we had hoped.
Our idea involved a girl babysitting and we thought that by including an instant messenger conversation on the computer, we would be able to set the scene for the thriller. This proved very problematic. Having an instant messenger conversation required the use of MSN. To use this programme to have a conversation we needed two computers. We had one computer and a laptop, however the Internet was not working correctly on the laptop so we could not use MSN. We resolved this by using my mobile phone which had Internet, but this took a long time to respond to the computer so the conversation required a lot of editing. During the editing process, we decided that this idea was not successful as it looked very unprofessional when we had uploaded the footage. We then chose to come up with an entirely different storyboard.
When we had come up with a totally different concept that involved a fully lit house, which was much more realistic, we re filmed all our footage. On the second attempt to film, we were much more capable of using the camera, although we did still encounter some problems. The camera we were using would not work properly unless it was plugged into a mains supply. This was not much of a problem when we were filming inside, but when we had to film our establishing shot from outside the house, we had to use an long extension cable that ran from the garage. Whilst outside, there were some interruptions such as passing cars and noises that were not appropriate such as a car alarm. We could erase this on IMovie though, so that wasn't such a big problem.
When we had finally got the outside footage, we waited for our actress to arrive on set. She was running late and could not make the filming in the end. I stepped in so this was an easily resolved issue. The only other problems we encountered were the numerous outtakes we had. This was due to mistakes with the camera positioning and the occasional incident of laughing at inappropriate times or making other errors such as turning the wrong way when opening the door, blocking my face from the camera. This was fine though, as we could easily edit out any errors with IMovie.
Our end result was very effective and the lighting was much better this time as it looked more realistic and the image quality was highly improved. I am very pleased with the way our filming turned out and I am glad we learned from our mistakes from the first time we filmed. Those mistakes led to a much better final product. After all the editing, I think our opening sequence was a success.
When we finally decided on our idea, we made a storyboard and began to film. We had to film in our media lessons, which are timetabled during the daytime when it is light outside. When we got to our location, we thought that we needed to make it dark in the house to create an eerie atmosphere. After analysing other films we found out that this was incorrect and that our efforts to block out the light from windows in the house led to grainy footage that left the action undefined and the end result was not as effective as we had hoped.
Our idea involved a girl babysitting and we thought that by including an instant messenger conversation on the computer, we would be able to set the scene for the thriller. This proved very problematic. Having an instant messenger conversation required the use of MSN. To use this programme to have a conversation we needed two computers. We had one computer and a laptop, however the Internet was not working correctly on the laptop so we could not use MSN. We resolved this by using my mobile phone which had Internet, but this took a long time to respond to the computer so the conversation required a lot of editing. During the editing process, we decided that this idea was not successful as it looked very unprofessional when we had uploaded the footage. We then chose to come up with an entirely different storyboard.
When we had come up with a totally different concept that involved a fully lit house, which was much more realistic, we re filmed all our footage. On the second attempt to film, we were much more capable of using the camera, although we did still encounter some problems. The camera we were using would not work properly unless it was plugged into a mains supply. This was not much of a problem when we were filming inside, but when we had to film our establishing shot from outside the house, we had to use an long extension cable that ran from the garage. Whilst outside, there were some interruptions such as passing cars and noises that were not appropriate such as a car alarm. We could erase this on IMovie though, so that wasn't such a big problem.
When we had finally got the outside footage, we waited for our actress to arrive on set. She was running late and could not make the filming in the end. I stepped in so this was an easily resolved issue. The only other problems we encountered were the numerous outtakes we had. This was due to mistakes with the camera positioning and the occasional incident of laughing at inappropriate times or making other errors such as turning the wrong way when opening the door, blocking my face from the camera. This was fine though, as we could easily edit out any errors with IMovie.
Our end result was very effective and the lighting was much better this time as it looked more realistic and the image quality was highly improved. I am very pleased with the way our filming turned out and I am glad we learned from our mistakes from the first time we filmed. Those mistakes led to a much better final product. After all the editing, I think our opening sequence was a success.
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