G321 - Evaluation Question 6

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of making this product?

Filming a successful scene:

In gaining the raw footage I needed, two instruments were used. One, a tripod; and two, a video camera. Using a tripod was very simple. There was one basic handle which controlled the panning of a camera from left to right, up to down (or visa versa). The tripod was very useful for keeping the camera still, giving footage a clean, balanced, professional look. The three legs could extend to 3 times the size of it's original length and the neck can be craned up further also giving the camera extra height to film from. I have learnt that this is extremely useful for high angle shots, making the subject look small and/or insignificant. The video camera is an essential part of filming. All the basic knowledge that was needed was where the record, pause, stop, fast forward, rewind and playback options were. Once that was settled, filming was a lot easier. We borrowed a different camera each time we went out to film. This wasn't a problem as every video camera that was available to us had the same layout.

 

From using these tools, I have learnt that keeping the camera still is very import for a clean scene (unless intentionally shaky for effect). Being able to playback your footage is useful as it enables you to check out what you have just filmed and helps you decide whether re-filming would be a good idea. I made the mistake of not checking the footage I had before leaving the building I was filming in. This resulted in several more trips back to the set so we could correct the lighting and re-shoot pieces of dialogue. 

Panning was considered during the film of my opening. However, using a tripod to pan was awkward as it tended to stick or wobble, causing the scene to look unprofessional. We did not follow through with this idea.

Editing the raw footage:

Once I collected all my footage, I uploaded it to the hard drive of my computer. From there I added all the different clips into Corel Videostudio Pro X3. This programme enables me to edit, cut and stick together different pieces of footage. It took a while for me to figure out how to use the cutting tool, but my preliminary task helped me learn and made it easier for me in the long run. It helped me cut and stick together clean, smooth match on actions and reverse shots (for dialogue). I took a while playing about with the timings of actions until I was happy that one shot flowed into the next.

When filming the end shot of the hanging shadow my partner and I came across a problem. We had with us a photographer's lighting lamp to create the shadow. Our initial idea was to film the hanging shadow with the lights flickering as if the bulb was about to explode. We needed one person (me) to be the hanging figure and another (my partner) to press record and hold up the rope whilst standing on the stool. We shot the scene and afterwards realised we needed another person to flash the lights on and off. We then came to the decision that we would shoot just the blank wall with the lights flickering and try to merge the two pieces of footage together using Corel. We uploaded the two pieces of footage into Corel. We then Layered the hanging figure scene in the top footage box and the light flickering in the overlay track. There was apprehension as to whether it would work, but through trial and error we found the 'Mask & Chroma Key' option and there we turned up the transparency of the overlay track. This meant that the hanging shadow could still be seen, but the flickering light gave an extra effect.

I learnt from using Corel how to cut footage to the right times and stick them together to form a smooth piece of editing. Match-on-actions and reverse shots were learnt in the Preliminary task, thus making it easier to achieve these techniques in our final film.

Using post-production skills:

After creating the basic template of my film opening, it was time to refine any rough edges and add some extra effects. Firstly, I had to add in sounds. I chose  sound effects from http://www.freesound.org/ so there was no copyright issues. These sound effects were a light bulb humming, switching on and other electric sounds. I changed the volume and playback speed so it fits in with the footage. The volume is made to increase with the pace of editing nearer the climax. Using an effect called 'flashback' on the end hanging scene created more of a flash to enhance the light flickering. We didn't use any other effects as we thought it would ruin the simplicity and eeriness the mental institute had created. 

In the dialogue scenes including mid-shots and close ups of the Inspector there is a window behind his head, letting light in and creating a shadow on his face. To overcome this light issue I used a colour corrector and increased the brightness. This work very well and now my character's facial features can be distinguished.

Adding text was the last touch to my film opening. I chose the 'Text' tab on Corel to create my desired titles and credits. I used a gothic looking font and increased or decreased the size so it fit into the footage. I then dragged my text underneath my desired shots. From there I placed the text in obscure places to match the peculiar mood of my film. I added a fade-in and fade-out to make the introduction of credits look more 'ghostly' and soft.

Through trial and error and previous knowledge gained from my preliminary task, I was able to correct any bad quality scenes. I managed to add the correct sound effects and use effects to merge and transform scenes. I have also learnt how to place titles and credits within footage so it does not disrupt the mood.