Production Diary- House Location

1. Production
Diary- Entry 1
Location- Kira’s House
31/10/16
3:45pm-5:45pm

2. Day 1- House Location
 During this production day, myself, Grace and Danielle travelled to our
friend, Kira's, home, this being the source of the house location within our
teaser trailer. During this session we focused upon filming all of the required
scenes within the proximity of the house; we arrived at the location at
3:45pm and, after being granted a tour of the location by the house’s owner,
began filming at 4:00pm, ending the session at 5:45pm.
 The shots we planned to film consisted of shots 36-42, however, during this
process each shot was repeatedly filmed in order to establish a range of
shot versions, in preparation for viewing and selection during the editing
process.
 During this session I possessed the role of an actor within the film, in which I
provided the voice for our protagonist’s best friend, Jess. However, as this
role was brief, my main role during this process was that of a director, in
which I managed the framing of each shot, directing our leading actor, Grace
,in collaboration with team member Danielle.
 As well as this, I also assisted team member Danielle with the filming of
some shots, this was effective in allowing for different team members to take
part within filming, and thus allowing for a well rounded development of film-
making skills.

3. Location: Kira’s Bedroom
Date: 31/10/16
Time: 3:45-5:00
 Myself, Danielle and Grace arrived at the
house location and were granted a tour, of the
house and the available rooms for filming, by
resident Kira.
 At 4:00 our team set up the equipment of the
tripod and camera within the intended
bedroom of our protagonist, Eve. Within this
scene, we planned and completed the filming
of shots 35-39.
 During this production stage my main role was
that of a director, possessing the purpose of
communicating our previously planned
storyboards into the shot-framing of our piece.
Within this stage I also played the brief role of
an actor, voicing the role of Eve’s friend Jess.

4. Location: Kira’s House Entrance
Date: 31/10/16
Time: 5:00-5:15
 Within this scene, our team filmed shot 40,
in which protagonist Eve can be seen
exiting her home. During this scene, Grace
continued her role as the protagonist, whilst
myself and Danielle, directed the shot-
framing and filming.
 Within this scene, we also filmed an
additional match-on-action shot of Eve
walking down her driveway. This was taken
in order to create for a more diverse exiting
shot (however, the use of this will need to
be analysed regarding its effectiveness
during editing; considering whether or not
our intended film length will remain
conventional of a teaser trailer with the
inclusion of additional shots).

5. Location: Caddington Streets
Date: 31/10/16
Time: 5:15-5:45
 Within this scene our team filmed
shots 41-42, this was a quick
process, and consisted of filming
the character Eve treading quickly
down the streets of her village,
conveying her nervous attempt to
escape the antagonist, without
being seen.
 My role within this scene was to
direct the framing of the shots, as
well as experiment with different
filming methods, in which filming
with and without the tripod was
initiated in order to establish certain
stability effects and angles.

6. Evaluation
Successes
During this session the strengths of filming can be regarded throughout preparedness regarding all necessary equipment, of which
was provided during filming. Learning from mistakes during prior projects, our team possessed an additional camera providing a
spare in the case that the other was to malfunction; as well as chargers, as to not possess the worry of equipment running out of
power.
Also, during this process my own contribution to the piece was possessed involvement within aspects of filming, directing shot-
framing and a brief role in acting. This was effective in allowing me an overall contribution to my experience as a film-maker and
reveals the strong group collaboration of our team, as all team members worked in accordance with the other; allowing for the
efficient utilisation of this production day.
Regarding the strength of shots, I believe that our experimentation with the positioning of filming equipment during the final shots
taken (these being within the streets of Caddington) produced dynamic and effective framing, of which we had not previously
contemplated; thus making this a particular strength of our piece. For example, we decided upon removing the camera from the
tripod and placing the camera upon the ground, in order to create an effective close-up of the ground, in which the protagonist then
stepped over the camera and progressed further out of shot. This was effective in conveying an uncomfortable closeness
connotative to the suffocation and entrapment our protagonist experiences in the face of the lingering antagonist, as well as the
crushing burden they feel (reflective of the camera placed low upon the ground).

7. Evaluation
Weaknesses
Some weaknesses of our group was that of time management, this is because, when travelling to our film location
it seems that our additional travel estimate of 20 minutes was rather inaccurate, in which we found the journey
taking about 45 minutes, due to unexpected traffic conditions. Thus, revealing that perhaps next time our team
should consider potential travel issues and delays, as to not disrupt the overall filming schedule.
Regarding the weakness of certain shots, I believe that our establishing shot of the bedroom was rather difficult,
this is because we sought to achieve a smooth pan of the setting before the protagonist walks into the frame.
However, as this was conducted manually, a number of attempts were taken in order to achieve a panning shot
that was of a high enough quality for approval. In order to solve this issue of camera motion I believe that we shall
try using a tripod provided by the school as we found that my own tripod was rather stiff and interrupted the sound
of the shot as it struggled to provide a smooth panning shot.
Nevertheless, this shot was eventually achieved, albeit with the further delay of filming.

8. Evaluation
Overall, this production day, although experienced some delays regarding the timings of
filming (in which we finished at 5:45pm rather than the planned 5:00pm), I believe that
this day was a success. This is because each group member participated and
collaborated effectively during the filming of shots, each member was focused upon our
their own individual tasks, however, we also took the time to discuss and review the
footage that had been taken (allowing for additional shots to be taken in order to ensure
the quality and group satisfaction of each shot).
Regarding any improvements, I believe that during our next session we should review
our production schedule and perhaps consider lengthening the time in which it would
take to travel and set up equipment within a certain location, as this will allow for a more
structured day, of which follows the timings that we have originally planned for
production.
Overall however, this was a successful start to the production stage of our piece.