Some of the greatest challenges that I faced during filming, is that
there wasn’t as much time to film the scene, and that meant that I couldn’t do
multiple takes of each shot in the scene, so some of the clips came out in
better quality (both with sound and video) than others. Another challenge was
finding five actors to be in the film at once. Previous films that I have made
have only required maybe two or three people to be in the scene at once, so to
need five actors was definitely challenging. With five actors, it required more
planning to decide what each of the five characters should be doing and when,
and due to the tight time-scale, I feel that the final film looks a bit rushed,
and that there isn’t much variety in terms of different camera angles or shots.
There is also a lack of variety of cuts and transitions, and if filming this
scene again, I would plan the shots/angles and cuts/transitions before filming
so that I would know where in the scene to film them.
Cinematography:
When filming, I tried to keep in mind the 180-degree-rule, and also
filmed using shot-reverse-shot to capture the conversations between characters.
By keeping along the 180-degree-rule, there is no confusion to the audience
where the characters are standing – for example, to follow this, I filmed over
Lydia’s right shoulder, and Sam’s left shoulder.
As the scene was filmed in a short timescale, the cast weren’t all able
to learn and remember their lines, which is noticeable in certain scenes, where
you can see the actors looking off to the side so that they are reading from a
script. This would not be so noticeable if the script was held closer to the
head of the person whose shoulder I’m filming over, as then it would like more
like the person speaking is actually looking at who they are speaking to. In
the frame below, ‘Natalie’ is looking past the PM, rather than at him.
Another thing, is that some of the actors looked directly into the
camera, which I hadn’t noticed during filming. This angle was also an attempt
to film from ‘Terrence’s’ point of view, but I would have been better filming
over the shoulder of Terrence, as then the temptation to look into the camera
would not have been there in the first place.
This is the only shot which include Joe, so ‘Terrence’s’ only line can
only be shown from this angle, whereas it would have been better filmed closer,
from in front, or over Sam’s shoulder. When filming in future, I need to make
sure that I have multiple takes, which includes taking the same part of a scene
from different angles and perspectives, so that I can use the best clip for the
final cut.
Sound:
The only sound in the scene is dialogue, which is diegetic. The sound
recorded fairly clearly, and at an ok volume, but in the particular frame below
the sound was muffled/dampened. I believe that this is because when filming, I
held the camera with my finger over the mic where sound is picked up, so I need
to be careful in future that I don’t obscure this. Again, as this was the only
take, I had no other option but to use this sound and clip.
Mise-en-scene:
As the scene was filmed at school, the actors were all in uniform, so
the ‘costumes’ looked smart, like you would expect to find people dressed when
meeting the PM. Character expression and movement mostly improvised, but I
directed where I wanted the actors to stand, so that I could try and carry out
some sort of continuity through the scene, so that the same character wasn’t in
different places in different shots or from different angles.
For the setting, I took the cast into an empty classroom that was
available, which resembles and office type setting. Lighting is provided by the
indoor lights and also some natural light shining in through the window. There
aren’t really any props used in this scene, although ‘Natalie’ stands up from a
chair, and has a conversation with ‘David’ across a table.
Editing:
When editing the footage, I had to use footage that I otherwise
wouldn’t have used, as it was the only take of the particular part that I had.
I cut between characters during conversations where appropriate and tried to cut-on-action,
but some of the footage definitely came out better than others. Whilst I have
the whole scene edited, it could be smoother in places to look more finished.
Final Comment:
When filming in the future, although the film is quite stable and not
too shaky, it would be best to use either a tri-pod or monopod where possible,
as this gives a better outcome as the footage is more focused and steady. I
feel that I won’t take anything from this piece of work into my actual
coursework, apart from ways in which I can improve filming. Unlike my last
film, I also didn’t get to do as many takes, which are important as that way I
can edit the best version of the scene. I will also plan what I want to film,
such as: angles, mise-en-scene, shots, etc…
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