Preparations
Due to our detailed storyboard and script, our group was fully prepared for the filming. We knew exactly what we had to do, how much time we had to film it and had permission to use the rooms necessary. However, we were not expecting the staff meeting and should have checked prior to filming if there was going to be any disturbances. This would have saved time and ensured there was no background noise for a more professional piece.
The Equipment
As a class we had been shown how to use the equipment prior to filming and so it enabled us to set up cameras quickly and efficiently. It was fairly easy to use although the cameras were not always level and they had to be held in place several times to prevent a dutch shot. They were also occasionally stiff and so smooth panning and crane shots were difficult to achieve without jolting the equipment. The dolly, however, was easy to use but it caused the camera to wobble along a hard floor.
Problems and Difficulties
A major problem on the afternoon of filming was a staff meeting and the cleaners. Our location was near a large meeting and so our filming was often interrupted by talking and people passing. This delayed our filming and caused us to rush the start in order to move onto the next shot and location. Cleaners in the school also often interrupted and created unwanted background noise and so we had to repeat the same shots many times. This put us behind and we struggled to finish filming in time.
Another difficulty we faced was with the equipment and props. In the trail scene, there was a lot of rubbish in the hallway and it caused problems with the backwards tracking shot as we had to avoid the rubbish but not move it for continuity when it appeared behind the character. It took several tries to get make sure we got the right shot with as little shaking as possible and without making noise shuffling the rubbish. Though it held us back, it was not the largest factor for delayed progress.
When it came to the first match-on-action, our group stumbled on the 180 degree rule. We couldn’t decide whether we could swap sides as the character walked through the door and this debate wasted precious time we no longer had because of the previous interruptions. Eventually, we agreed that it was okay but had to shorten our piece in order to finish it. Luckily, we had nothing to re-film.
Changes
The time we had to film was short, especially with the interruptions, and to compensate we needed to cut unnecessary shots to save time. We removed a point-of-view shot and the scene when the boy sits up from waking from the dream as this will still make our piece understandable with all the requirements set by the exam board. Also, we did not have the equipment to do a steady crane shot that appears at the beginning of the film when the boy picks up the can. Instead, we had the can being picked up in one frame and the boy standing up in the next. This gave us the same effect without the crane shot. Apart from these, no further changes were made.
Working Together
As a group of perfectionists, it became frustrating at times when the desired shot was not achieved. We repeated filming certain actions several times until we were happy. This caused a loss of time but a strong basis of film when we come to edit our piece. Our teamwork was good and we helped each other by communicating well. I thoroughly enjoyed filming our preliminary task as it taught me how much effort is provided to put into producing a film. It was also satisfying to know that the filming we had done was ours and that it should hopefully produce a good final product.
