Tuesday, 30 April 2013

StoryBoarding.


 Being camera operator, I had a meeting with Alice and we came up with some ideas for the opening scene which I am quite happy with. So I drew these story boards help show the group and visualise what the finished piece will look like. We are quite open to changes on the day but Alice wants us to know exactly what we will shoot.

We will start not actually showing the character, we will show him walking down the stairs, doing his shoes up, zipping his coat, picking up his letter, and licking it and the back of him walking out the door. Mostly with close ups, this with the music I posted about in the previous post, will create some humours mystery surrounding the character. Most of this will be shot on a tripod, still. We chose this because he is just starting his journey, not even setting off yet, we need to keep the pace quite slow, so we can build it up later when he begins his journey, then delivers.

Unfortunately I have a previously organised commitment on the day we actually shoot the journey part of the film, but I am shooting the opening sequence and the last scenes a couple of days after in York. I chose to be camera so I can learn more about operating cameras with actors, which I haven't done much at all. Along with this, I feel I need to learn more technically with cameras, Jay, Alice and Shelton will be on location if I have any problems, so this will be a good learning opportunity to get to grips with the camera.

In terms of the physical journey I have story boarded in the top image, although I wont film some of this, I drew the story board and showed Chris (who will be filming in my place) the storyboard and the Lying To You video I showed in a previous post. So he knows what kind of style we are looking for in terms of cinematography.

Thursday, 25 April 2013

Keaton Henson's 'Lying To You', Directed by Autumn De Wilde.



For this Drama project the protagonist is on a physical journey through a town, from experience in the Edale project, it is hard to capture a journey and keep the audiences attention. So I remembered this video, I am a fan myself of Keaton Henson myself, so I had seen this video before. I feel this video, directed by American photographer; Autumn De Wilde really captures an interesting way to film a journey, from a cinematography point. I like the way the director makes the location a focus point in the video as well as the travelling character. The angles facing her feet are my favourite, they really show the purpose; the journey.

This music video has really aided my problem solving. Due to there being virtually no budget for the film, we are unable to have any kind of rig, as the cinematographer would of used some kind of rig/track. The closest and cheapest way of replicating this in our style is by filming from a car. Myself and Alice will have to discuss this, but Lying To You certainly has helped overcome this issue.

Monday, 15 April 2013

The Soundtrack/Sound

Pink Martini - Let's Never Stop Falling In Love

Although being camera operator, i've had input on the different aspects of the film, Directing/producing/sound, the same applies to other people in the group. Jay suggested this as the sound track, and at first I didn't understand the suggestion but now, I couldn't imagine the film without it. At first I thought of the soundtrack being quite cheerful (as this is) but something classical, to reflect the character, I didn't have anything like this in mind but I realised this really captures the mood of the piece, light hearted and with this music, kind of poetic. Alice's script is really light hearted, cheerful and witty, and I feel this song reflects this so well, I think it should be introduced at the start, introducing the tone of the film from the off. This creates a mood/tone of the film straight away, creating a positive feel, hoping this will help the audience relate to the child.



Ella Fitzgerald - My Funny Valentine


This is another song I think would fit the tone and message of the film. It is a little show for the pace we have planned but I just thought that maybe it would suit it well. 

Thursday, 11 April 2013

Once (2006)

Once stood out for me, because of its cinematography and its unconventional love story. Directed by an Irish film maker, John Carney, the film Once is set in the heart of Dublin, the main character, a busker struggling get by by playing on the streets of Dublin, meets an immigrant and from there the story is told of their eventful week, writing, making and recording music about their love.

'The formula is simple: two people, a few instruments, 88 minutes and not a single false note.' The New York Times 2007

This is a totally unconventional love story, there a no moments when definite love is obvious, no kiss, or hand holding, only through music is the love evident. Along with this type of story telling, the camera work inspires me. The majority of scenes are shot hand held, sometimes simply circling the action, with a sudden zoom or movement. Once is a very low budget film, but even with this the crew/cast manage to create something so simple and powerful.

Sunday, 7 April 2013

A Wagon Fording a Stream by Peter Paul Rubens.

While visiting London I looked around the National Gallery, I found many pieces inspiring, but this in particularly stood out. I feel this captures the protagonist child; William Arthur Swift's lifestyle, or his personality. When looking at this I can imagine William Swift walking through fields desperately but proudly on his way to deliver this letter to his young love. The colours in this piece influence me also, I feel Rubens has chosen very traditional colours, almost royal colours. I feel that the colour that William should be wearing is mustard, or dark reds/crimsons. This will connate a rich background, creating a story about the child as soon as the audience looks at the character. Here art direction could dramatically change the audiences perception of our main character, I want the audience to like the character, not snobby, as the costume could imply if not picked right.