Continuing Filming

We have continued to film other scenes for our opening as well as re-filming other parts that we felt weren't what we were looking for, in terms of the type of shot, lighting etc.

We begun filming our beginning scene of our thriller opening where 'Lydia' is sitting in her room doing her work and answering text messages from her friend. Before filming we wanted to make sure the lighting was right; we tried using the bedroom light, however we found that in the camera it made the room look too orange, which overall made the video look unrealistic. So, we decided to use natural lighting instead, which turned out to be more effective because it made the shots look more natural and realistic rather than fake. We included shots like pans, tracks, over head shots etc. These particular shots were particularly difficult to film, so we had to use unique props and ways order to catch the shot we wanted. In addition, for the pan shot (and a lot of the other shots in our opening) we used a tripod, this was effective especially for the pan because it helped the camera stay steady as we paned the camera across, instead of it being a messy pan. Moreover, when we were filming a track shot we found it difficult trying to make it steady and smooth as it goes across. We decided to use a prop in order to fix this, this turned out to be a skateboard. This worked well as we were able to put the tripod and camera on the skateboard and role it across the floor, this was effective because we were able to get a smoother and level track shot. With the over head shot we made sure that the camera was above of 'Lydia' so the audience gets a view of what 'Lydia' is doing. When filming the over head shot we chose not to go straight across but in a curved way instead, this worked well with the layout of the work because the work was quite rounded across the bed (making it flow better). Moreover, another shot we filmed in the bedroom was a montage of shots, this was to suggest the idea of time passing, when filming this we made sure that the camera was not moved otherwise the angles would be slightly different and we didn't want there to be odd jump cuts (we needed it to flow). We were able to achieve this by not moving the camera, only pressing the record button and I had to keep changing my position.

This next part of our opening that we have filmed was out park scene, this contained lots of different kinds of shots including; Match on Action, Long shots, Mid shots etc. We begun filming the Match on Action shot of 'Lydia' walking into the park, we had to make sure that my hair was the same, I used the same hand to open the gate etc. This was important because when it comes to editing we wanted to make sure that it will look like one whole shot and flowed well for the audience. In the beginning of the park scene we wanted to make sure the scene from the bedroom and this scene transferred well, so it was confusing for the audience. This included the first scene of me walking away from the camera, as I was walking towards the camera in the final bedroom scene. In addition we went on to film other scenes in the park, which I had chance to film, this included unique shots like a low angled shots of my feet as I walked towards the bench, and a viewpoint shot of 'Mia' walking towards 'Lydia'. When filming this we made sure the camera was out of focus, as we wanted to represent 'Lydia's' confusion and how she thinks it is her kidnapper due to the choice of clothing. However, after watching it back when we uploaded it we realised that using the tripod made the shot really still, we needed it to be shaky in order to make it look more like a realistic viewpoint shot (as 'Lydia' was panicking). So we have decided to re-film this part the next time we decide to film. Additionally, before we even started filming we considered the lighting and whether the natural light was light enough, or too bright. For this scene especially, lighting was very important, in order to capture the emotions of the characters faces as they talked to each other, panicked, scared etc. We made sure that the sun was out, in order to film as it brightened up the video, however we made sure the location we were filming in the park was not exposed to too much lighting, as when we watched the video back we couldn't see all of the image as the sun was shining directly into the camera. This is what we didn't want, so by choosing are location effectively we were able to get the perfect amount of light we needed.  

These next pictures are of when we filmed the kidnapped scenes for the flashbacks in our opening. Before we began filming I used face paint to make it look like I was beaten, I put paint on one of my eyes, nose and mouth (as if I was hit). I also put a small amount of blood on my mouth just to make it a bit more realistic. In addition to this I also messed up my hair and we put blood on the rope that I was tied to, this worked effectively because it made the scene look more realistic, as if I dragged and abused, leaving a sense of mystery to what happened to Lydia (which is normally found in a thriller). In addition, the first two photos are of a shot that Gabrielle and I filmed while Chelsea dripped the fake blood onto the floor. This is for the fast cuts between the flashback scenes for a creepy and suspenseful effect. For this small scene we needed more light in order to see the blood drip and land on the floor, this meant we had to use a torch, which we placed near the camera at an angle in order to get a ominous shadow. Moreover, this all worked effectively because the angle we used was extremely close in order to make sure the blood was the focal point and the lighting allowed us to keep a frightening feel through out the short flashback as well as having enough light in order to see what was dripping and going on. Furthermore, other scene we filmed of me (Lydia) being tied to the chair included; shots of my hands tied behind the chair. This included putting blood on the rope to represent (rope burns) and the pain 'Lydia' is in, it is also where the dripping blood is coming from. Other shots we filmed included extreme and close up shots of my face as 'Lydia' is shown to be in a fairly delirious state. We filmed these shots because as a group we all wanted to capture the fear and confusion in 'Lydia's' face as she realises where she is. In addition, other more complicated shots we took, like the high angle shot, had to be taken using props (as the tripod we was using was not tall enough. To capture the high angle shot we were after we staked a bucket with a plank of wood in order to lift the camera higher as well as steadying it so it would not shake as we filmed. All of these different shots that we took worked effectively due to the right lighting; we used torches as we didn't want to use the lights that were already in the room (as on the camera they have quite an orange effect) as well we wanted the light to be quite dim, this adds to the thriller theme (adds to the mystery and emphasizes the fear that 'Lydia' is showing during the flashback). Another aspect that I found worked effectively was the costume and makeup I used for my face (Mise en scene); this is because the use of black clothing influences the sense of evil and danger, furthermore the use of face paint and makeup made the danger seem more realistic for the audience, the audience will sympathises with 'Lydia' more and the tension increases (wondering what is going to happen to her next).