4. pre production

1. Pre-Production
Lucas Higham

2. Pre-production
I am making a short film, less than 10 minuets long, set in one location. Making this to develop my
filmmaking skills. I'm an aspiring director and love cinema, filmmaking is the only thing that makes sense
to me. Once I get an idea in my head that I think will make a good film that I will enjoy making, I must
make that film. I can only become a better filmmaker if I make more films. I feel very emotionally
attached to the subject matter; I feel it will make a good experience to the audience. The audience are
the people who follow me online on my YouTube and Instagram. Anyone who wants to watch. Potential
film festival audiences. Family. Classmates. People who are a fan of my previous work. The film will
appear on YouTube and will be entered into film festivals.
Reflection

3. Locations
Barber's lounge- only location of the shoot.
Located in Helmsley, that's whereI live so easy for
transport. Actors arelocaland have easy access to
transport.
I havepermission fromowners.
Will spend one day shooting.
Also shooting on the streets outside of the location.
Weather could potentially be a problem. The forecast
doesn't go that far into the week I am shooting (8th
April). Mainly shot indoors.
Who will be there? - 3 people. Lucas (me), Dan,
Emil.
Entrance
Backdoor
Seating
Pathway
Barber's
chair
Since the locationissosmall,Iam goingto
utilise the whole space. WhenI'mnotusing
equipmenttoshoot,itwill be storedoutside,
throughthe backdoor

4. Equipment List
Equipment needed Costumes (actors shallprovide their own) Props COVID-19 precaution equipment
Camera- Canon200D
Camera- Canon1300D (BTS
shots)
Suit(shirt,tie,blazar,trousers)-
Jacob
Tissue Face mask, everyone shall provide their
own however, I will have freshlywashed
masks readyincase someone forgets
their ownor iftheyaccidently
loose/breakit. Masks are required for
the shoot.
Kitlens18-55mm Coat – Jacob Hair cuttingprops(will be
available atlocation)
Face shield,for myself who will
have at leasta mask on at all times.
The actors will wear masks up until
the word "action"and will puttheir
masks back on up until the word
"cut".
Blue Screen(forblockingthe
lightfromthe window)
COVID-19 guidelines for shootinga
screen production, booklet
Wide angle lens 18-10mm Scarf – Jacob Hand sanitiser
Tri-pod,gorillatri-pod Watch – Jacob Sanitarywipes
Dolly Casual attire, muted colours -
Marco
Rode mic
Camerabatteries(5intotal)
SD card (5 intotal)
Chargingbatterypack
Camerarig, stabiliser
LED lightingkit
Optical 67mm lensfilter
MacBook Air,for savingfootage,
any SD card problems
Other facilities/resources to be noted
Travel – both actors have access to a carand will make
their own way to the location of shoot and I will walk to
the location.
Food- we will break for lunch. I will only bring food for
myself (COVID precaution)

5. Personnel
Crew:
Lucas- Director, DP, Editor, Writer
Cast:
Dan Byrne playing "Jacob"
Emil Stompanato playing "Marco"
The cast and crew only makes up 3 people. This makes it easier and safer to operate during the pandemic. I
didn't tailor my idea, story and overall vision to make it easier to fit in COVID-19 regulations, itjusthappens the
story only calls for 2 characters and one cinematographer. Itwould'vebeen nice to bring a proper camera
operator on board and have me justdirect, but it isn't necessary, and happy for the opportunity to be just
behind the camera.
Name Contact info Location When required to
shoot
Role on set
Lucas Higham 07506 211342 Helmsley 8th April -
Helmsley
Director / DP
Dan Byrne Instagram message
danbyrneacting@gmail.com
York 8th April -
Helmsley
Actor "Jacob"
Emil Stompanato Instagrammessage
Facebook message
emil.stompanato@gmail.com
Malton 8th April -
Helmsley
Actor "Marco"

6. Visual Planning

7. Storyboard
Maybemake shot1, 2 and 3 all one take. Begins- closeup. Slow zoomout, as Marco moves to the right the camera
moves left to the other side to shot 2, 3 – zoomto face, maybe?
Cut frompreviousshotto thisshot- "noworriesman"
The camera quickly pans up after the line- "you can't feel anyhting in your business, right?

8. Handheld – left to right small movement
Jacob gets out of chair – camera pulls back,
dolly.
J-cut – footsteps. Extendthe moment. Maybe shoot
60fps forsmootherslow-mo? Time the normalaudio
with the slow-moshot but make it smooth-not
apparent. Tryout shooting git normallytoo.

9. Maybe include insert shots of stuff that
may look strange to Jacob. Maybe the
cashier is open?
Slowly switch places, walk around the room.
Camera follows Marco
Slow zoom, closeup. We lose the
window.
Wide shot,bothcharacters.Silence falls.

10. Final shot. Fade to black- hit the credits

11. Shotlist
Scene
no.
Shot
no.
Shot type Location Duration Description
1 1 Close-up 1 30-40 sec Begins close-up, zoom out to medium shot, camera spins round to close-
up then zoom back into close-up
1 2 Close-up 1 10-20 sec Close-up spins from eyes to face to the other character
1 3 Medium
close-up
1 5 sec Split dioptre, both characters in frame.
1 4 Mid wide 1 2 min Mid wide, most of the time the camera is staring at the floor
2 5 Mid wide 1 5 sec Tracking shot, following the shoes on the ground
2 6 Close-up 1 3 sec Tracking, following the tie
2 7 Wide 1 5 sec Wide, showing both characters, viewers eye
2 8 wide 1 5 sec Whip pan
2 9 Med 1 3 sec Insertshots, no movement
2 10 med 1 10 sec Split diopre, mirror shot
2 11 Close-up 1 15-30 sec Slowly zooms out to reveal other character
2 12 Close-up 1 15-30 sec Tri-pod, following face, camera locked onto face following
2 13 mid 1 10 sec Move fromprofileshotto full face
2 14 Wide 1 3 sec Both characters fully in shot. No movement.
2 15 Mid close-
up
1 10 sec No movement. Room fades to black a spotlight comes on...
fade to balck.

12. Sound Planning
During my early ideas for the way the film would sound, I was planning on not
using any music, the film would only contain diegetic sound. I even included in my
questionnairea question on whatpeople thought of the use of non-diegetic
opposed to diegetic soundtrack.
However, in the weeks leading up to the shoot I created a playlist of 4 classical
pieces of music, these pieces would be the type of music Jacob would listen to.
There's a line in the film whereJacob says heplays classic music while Elliot cuts
his hair- that playlistis the music. I chosethese pieces in reflection of Jacobs
character. He's the type of guy to go to the opera justto say he's been to the opera
and yet he doesn't understand a word of what's going, is half asleep mostof the
time and walks outcalling it a "masterpiece". In thatsense he's slightly
pretentious. These pieces, I feel, capturethe grandeur and elegance Jacob craves.
'Mozart's Requiem in D Minor', in particular I feel reflects Jacob's personality the
most. It's very grand, it has structureand rhythmto it.
My favouritepiece and the piece I indented to usein the film was 'Air on a G
String' I liked how quietly it fades into the ear, how calm and beautiful it is. After
listening to it many times and attaching it to the film I felt it needed to be used in
the film.
I wantthe film to have a certain punch to it and flow. I feel I need to include some
shottransition sounds and little sounds bits to not only give the film a distinct
style and sound but also, I wantthese sounds to be electronic, fastand repetitive
to make the experience for the audience uncomfortable. I wantto causethis
discomfortas to sink the viewer into the characters shoes. I hopeto already
accomplish that with the screenplay, forcing theviewer to pick a side and listen to
the argument, not only observebut partake in the conversation. Adding bitty
sounds will add another layer of announce and discomfort. Thesounds themselves
will play as Jacob grows irritated and they shall stop completely when there is a
release in frustration through dialogue.The sounds play a small but importantrole
in communicating the story and emotions without dialogue. However, I do plan on
using these sounds during moments of dialogue to add a flow to the scene.

13. Colour Palette
I've built the planned colour scheme from the colours of the costumes to the location. For Marco he
will be wearing plain colours, muted colours. These colours are greys and whites- the room of the
barber shop is painted in a light grey, he will blend into his surrounds, he'll become a product of his
environment. I made this decision because Marco is a working man who goes from job to job, people
see him as his role "barber" or "waiter" not as himself. He doesn't care about respect as long as he's
happy, that’s what's counts. He prefers to blend and be good at his job. He's an extension of the very
walls. To contrast this, I will have Jacob wear a standard suit with a maroon tie. This colour will only
feature on the tie, it will not be anywhere else in the film. That colour represents Jacob. Since it’s the
only source of maroon in the film it will already stand-out. Maroon is a passionate colour symbolising
ambition, courage and strength these values are often thought that successful people have. The word
"maroon" is sometimes used as a slang insult meaning, a fool or an idiot. This is another layer as to why
I decided on the colour. It sends both a message of Jacobs ambitions and respect but it's also saying
how these ambitions can become foolish or not thought through since it is revealed that Jacob isn't
entirely happy with his job and mainly working so hard for the money and recognition of his 'success'. I
also added the colour of a dark green as I know that the seating in the location has dark green chairs.
The two colours marron, a dark red, and the dark green complement each other which shall make for
an appealing shot of Jacob's tie in the foreground and the green in the background, just adding a
nice layer of colour to the image.

14. Organisational Planning

15. Contingency Planning
Effect onproduction Control/Solution PersonResponsible
Technical n/a n/a n/a
Camera batteries run out Cannot continue shooting or
will cut off during a take
I have 2 batteries, if one runs out, I
can put the second battery in. I'll
also bring a battery charger so while
that battery is charging, I've got one
to use.
Lucas (me) asI have that
responsibilityasthe director, DP
and whoownsall the equipment.
SD card corrupts Possibilityof losing most/all footage shot.
Wouldhave to reshoot the whole film,
schedulinginthe actors again, potentially
loose actors due to how unprofessional it will
look andmess aroundthe owner of the
barber's shopagain.
On lunchbreak,save all the
footage tomy computer.
Lucas, since I am the DP and
directing.
Batteryfor the microphone dies Wouldhave to use the internal microphone
built intothe camera. The audiowill sound
severelyworse.
I have a second battery, will use
that.
Lucas, since Iam the DP and
directing.
Take doesn'tgo well,notclear If I do not go foranothertake and stickwith a
take that would maybe lookoff or a mistake is
made will result in a subparfilm.
Go for another take. Lucas, since Iam the DP and
directing.
Organisational n/a n/a n/a
Forget a small piece of equipment
that connects camera to a piece of
equipment.
If it was for the tri-pod, that means
either no tri-pod shots or have an
unstable, potentially shaking shot.
Make anequipment list and tick
everythingoff that I need. If I still forget or
if it fallson the floororsomethingI can
quicklygo backto myhouse however, this
wouldbe wasting time and the production
will look unprofessional.
Lucas, since Iam directing.
Location unavailable Have no location shoot the film. Organise a date andtime to get let intothe
locationwith the owner, prior to the shoot
date.
Lucas, since Iam directing.
Incomplete planning Possibly slow down production. Do all thepre-production and planning before
beginning product.It is vital to knowwhat
you're shooting,when and who with.
Lucas, since Iam directing.
Lost equipment/prop or forget
something
Will look unprofessional and, lower
production speed flow
Create a check list witheverypiece of
equipment or prop needed. Checkoff
everythingbefore leaving to shoot.
Lucas, since Iam directing.

16. Contingency Planning Effecton production Control/Solution PersonResponsible
Personnel n/a n/a n/a
Actor unavailable last
minute
Considerablyslow downthe production.
The date of the productionwill have to
be postponed.
Rearrange another date with said actor, if
theyhave to depart from the project, I have
anotheractorwhovolunteeredbut at that
point I alreadyconfirmedthe roles with
otheractors. I have a backupactor.
Lucas, since I am directing.
Actor turns out to be
unprofessional and does not learn
the lines,gives a bad performance
and will notlisten to my direction
Considerablyslowdownproduction. The end
result of the filmwill be poor-the film rests on
the dialogue andperformances, if one
performance is badit will bring down the film.
Reason why theactor, ifit gets out ofhand, ask
them to leave. I would ratherhave torearrange
the shootandshootmostofthe film again witha
new actor, thanhave a filmbrought down by a
bad performance. I'vegot a backupactor.
The bad actor.
Actor late for the shoot Could minorslow down productionor besignificant.
Their car could've broken down or they could'vewoken
up late? Eitherway it could resultin having tomakethe
film over thecourse oftwodays ifwe don't get
everything doneinoneor havea long day ofshoot,
which I wouldalways prefer.
Confirmwith the actors the night
before, so they don't forget. The
morning of the shoot, contactthe
actors.If they're late or in a problem,
try and help them solveit.
The actor
Actor has to leave filming,
mid-shoot because of an
emergency
Halt production, will have postpone to a
later date and finish off where we left off.
Postpone the production. If actor is unable
to continue because ofunforeseen
circumstances, I have a backupactorbut
that wouldmeanI wouldhave to re-shoot
scenes.
The actor
Logistical n/a n/a n/a
The locationis a pathway, street. So,
some people might walkpast and see
us shooting. Most people wholive in
Helmsleyare old and sometimes nosey.
Theymight questionus for breaking
COVID-19 regulations.
Slow down production. Could intrudge
during a good take. Could threatento
shut-down production.
I have a COVID-19 regulations document,
that will be printedout. It specificallyis for
higher andfurther educationscreen
production. I also have a COVID-19 risk
assessment document, health declaration
forms signedbythe cast andcrew and
personal permission fromthe owner. All of
this shall be handedto them iftheywish the
analysis it. Those documents shouldsuffice.
Helmsley local
Raining The brief outside shots might not look sogood, as
the raincover on the camera willbe on.
Waiting until itstops and quicklyshootit,lookat
weatherforecast and ifthere is a day earlier inthe
week when itwill bedry, rearrangeto shoot on
that day.Bring water coverfor thecamera.
Lucas, since Iam directing.
Locationunavailable Have no locationshootthe film. Organisea dateand timetoget letinto the
location with the owner, prior to theshootdate.
Lucas, since Iam directing.
Background noise The audioof the film will soundbadand
distractedif backgroundnoise of people talking
ora machine canbe heard.
Wait for thenoiseto go away,during the waiting
we will rehersescenes, beproductive.Ifit seems
the noisewill continue, tryto reason with
whoever or whateveris making thenoise.
Whoeverismakingthe noise

17. Schedule – 8th April
(the schedule is from my point of view)
Time What Location Who
7:30am Wake up. Assemble all the
equipment and props,
anything needed. Put batteries
on charge. Communicate with
cast, make sure they are still
available.
N/A Lucas (me)
9:00am Meetat the location. Gooverthe
scriptwiththe cast. Setupthe
locationandequipment.
Rehearse the firstscene with
cast, startshooting. Will shoot
the earliersceneswhichtake
place laterinthe filmfirsttokeep
the continuity. Wouldn'tmake
sense toshootthe filmI order
wheninthe middle of the filmwe
go back earlierintime.
Barbers Lucas, Dan, Emil
1:00pm - ish Break for lunch. Review
footage. Talk with cast and
how they feel.
Barbers Lucas, Dan, Emil
1:45pm Continue to shoot the film
until I'm happy with what we
have.
Barbers Lucas, Dan, Emil
5:00pm Wrap shooting Barbers Lucas, Dan, Emil

18. Potential Risk How the issue will be avoided
Trippingover a wire connecting to a light Tuck the wirein and make sureeveryoneknows where
it is, if the wire is at a point on the floor that could trip
someoneup.
Water near electric points Keep water away from electric pointsand
keep the lid on the bottle.
Tripping up or banging into something while
operating the camera and walking backwards.
Havea member of crew be in forntof you to guide you.
If not possible, the actor who can see behind you will
shoutif someone is coming or I'mlikley to bump into
something.
Aching from being in an uncomfortable
position,operating the camera.
Take breaks. Strench out. Oncethe shot is finished stand
up for a moment beforedoing another take
Back aching from carrying equipment. Haveparents drive me to the loaction, although within
fine walking distance but it would be near impossible to
transportall my equipment by hand and quite foolish.
Then once at location take bits of equipment in, a few at
a time.
Eye's aching, strain from looking at the mac too
often.
Take a break when feels necessary.
Trippingover a step Don't run, walk and watch where you're
going, make cast​/crew aware of step
Health and Safety Assessment

19. Risk Assessment
Risk Control
Sharp objects in the shop scissors,clippers etc. Make surethey're out of harm's way.
Carrying the equipment through crowds of people,
avoid hitting someone.
Go through the back entrancefirst, to unload the
equipment.
Carrying equipment fromthe car park to the location,
potentially get hit by car
Watch whereI'mgoing and arrive early to avoid rush
hour
Lighting could heat up, potentially causefire or harm
someone, burn them.
Use LED lights rather than a studio lamp
Someone stood on a window ledge, could fall hurt themselves
and also break/damage equipment/stuff in the barber's shop
Make surethey're secureand not have them on the
ledge for very long as they could lose their balance
Using a split diopre lens filter, could be screwed on loosely and
fall would break the glass- glass on floor, someone could cut their
hand, get glass into feet
Double check it is screwed on properly
General risks and hazards Access the proper businesses risk assessment
document, review it with the owner
The location I am shooting in very low risk. The whole film is set in one location, that location being a barbers shop not
located on a main road. It's on a public pathway.