Directing and Performance Journal

10^th November 2014

As an introduction to directing and performance, we were given the task in groups that required us to roam around town and capture some real life interactions so were can playback some accurate footage. With the footage we had obtained, we set off next to recreate the idea we captured in a short film style. My group came up with the idea of following a path, specifically the market, and keeping the shot rolling as the camera was passed from person to person in order to show different perspectives.

17^th November 2014

We were shown a video featuring Michael Caine explaining the way that the camera positioning as well as how the actor stands can have an effect on the outcome of the footage taken. With this in mind, we were put into groups and sent out to convey this idea in a video. My group took a rather interesting approach to this as the sound recording we took was of poor quality. Instead, we made it a silent film and had the text appear on screen. Coming from an acting background, I was aware of this sort of thing however that was primarily stage acting and, while we get to use cameras every now and then, there was still something to take away from this exercise in both a film making perspective and also acting which, while not essential to film making, works great for me as I consider myself both a film maker and an actor.

1^st December 2014

This day marked the first time we visited the University of St Mark and St John, also known as Marjon. We sorted ourselves into groups before and, when we arrived, met with the acting student’s lecturer. We were given a tour of the campus for inspiration for our films as we were shown the areas that we could film in. Most used would probably be the woods. We were given a very brief script and set off with some acting students. We each had to make a short film using only one shot and those scripts. At the idea stage, mine seemed possibly mundane as it was just two people sitting opposite each other and talking. However, I was able to make it more engaging through the use of camera by having the camera curve around to show the actor sitting down and then get in closer once they were sat down. It’s interesting how much of a difference moving the camera can make rather than just having a simple still shot. It showed me that a lot goes into each individual shot to make it more engaging. 

8^th December 2014

A week after going to Marjon, we returned again to work with the actors again with a slightly different task. Rather than make multiple short films, we had to make a scene each for one longer film. The interesting thing is that we actually didn’t get round to finishing this project. We did record content (although I wasn’t certain if it was enough) however I didn’t keep track on who actually had the footage which left me with no input. Overall, I think that we would’ve handled this project easier if there was more time to prepare with the actors and crew such as coming up with ideas for the film as well as actually getting across what we needed to do over the break for the first lesson.

5^th January 2015

On the first day back from Christmas break, we had a screening of the films that we had recorded on the last session.  Naturally, ours wasn’t shown as it was unfinished but this didn’t seem to a big issue so we continued on. For the previous sessions, we had gone to Marjon to meet with the actors on their territory. This time, however, they were coming to us. We got into groups once more and set off with the actors now going around Plymouth City Centre. We came up with the idea of messing with the audience perspective and setting up shots to make it look like the actors were in areas that they actually weren’t. For example, we had actors turn towards the railings and climb over, however the shot of them climbing down was a different railing that looked similar with the same skyline. After we finished, we were assigned into our groups for the main assessment.

12^th January 2015

With our previously assigned groups, we went on a trip to Exeter. Our aim here was to capture footage that we could use next week to place our assigned actors over. Upon arriving by train, we took a trip into the film museum at Exeter University which I found to be very intriguiung. There were areas dedicated to different areas of film (it was nice to see animation get some recognition) as well as an exhibit about how motion has been captured before the use of cameras. The range of devices invented to convey motion was interesting and getting to test out some of these techniques was also informative. After this, we went off in our groups around Exeter and capture some footage that we thought would work. In addition to just dormant background shots, we also capture some shots of people in our group with their faces obscured so that it would seem like the person recorded today was the same as the actor next week. It gave the film a stronger sense of progression and substance. On the train ride back, we were handed our assessment assignments.

19^th January 2015

With the footage we had captured in Exeter, we met up with our actors and had to place them onto the footage we had shot in a way that made them look like they were there to begin with. The most effective way we could think of was through the use of green screen although there were a number of alternatives that we could have used (then again, we all agreed on the green screen so it was clear that was the one we should go with). 

26^th January 2015

Today saw us at the idea stage for our next film assignment. We collaborated and came up with three ideas. My idea was about the concept of day dreaming being conveyed through film. My inspirations for this included ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ which saw the protagonist’s day dreams brought to life with no immediate distinction between reality and the dream world as well as a scene in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ where the character Max Dillon snaps at Smythe, a co-worker, and grabs him before it instantly snaps back to a few seconds back like nothing had happened. Another idea given was about someone grieving over death which is revealed to be something small like a plant or a fish. I personally felt this was too similar to a previous film I had worked on in a previous module. The final project, and ultimately the one we agreed on, was a meeting of two friends as one tries to confess their love for the other. This was the one that resonated with me and we could see the potential of making this a nice looking film. With the project in mind, we set off with our roles. I took the role as screenplay writer.

2^nd February 2015

With no lectures for this week, I took the time to come into college and work on the script for our film. This was a good idea on my part as the script wouldn’t have been as good as it was if I had just secluded myself in a room. I was stuck with the ending but luckily I had a friend’s input to help me and I broke through the writer’s block as a result. What also helped was when one of the lecturers approached me and worked with me to make the script written more as a film. I now keep this in mind when writing scripts from this point.

11^th February 2015

The middle of reading week saw our group finally get round to filming our project. We had been throwing messages at each other over Facebook about how and when we are filming and the day finally came. We met up at college in the morning and it was good to reunite with the actors again as well as having the script in hand rather than just on a computer. One of us went off with the actors to run through the script so there is less rehearsal time at the location. At 4pm, we went on to our location with the filming equipment and set up for shooting. The location was perfect to what I was imagining when writing the script and, as a result, the film came out exactly how I wanted it to. Overall, I am very proud of the way the film, and the process, turned out. It’s good to witness a film go from the idea stage all the way to the finish piece. 

23^rd February 2015

This day marked the screening for all of our films. Admittedly, I actually hadn't seen the finished film before the screening and didn't know what to expect. Despite this, it seemed that our film went down very well. The biggest complement was towards the script while the biggest complaint was in regards to the sound editing as the ambient noise was picked up making it harder to hear the dialogue. It's been a good experience to work on a much more in depth film that I got to witness grow from an idea to the finished product.