The document summarizes a film crew's efforts to film a scene at a train station for a student thriller video. On their first attempt, they had to reschedule due to snowy and icy conditions. At their second attempt, they methodically filmed different shots of an actress portraying a character experiencing a mental breakdown at the station. One effective shot involved having the actress run away just as a real train passed through. Though challenges arose, the document's author believes the train station scene will be very engaging for viewers due to its realism and unanswered questions about the character's fate.

1. E L L I E S T E P H E N S O N

2. On the 11th March 2013 our media group decided to meet at 6pm at
Brentwood Train Station. Initially, Amber and Ellie went to the
location and carried out the crucial risk assessments of the
location. We asked the managers if they gave us permission to
film and they agreed as long as we didn’t disrupt the
commuters. The first problem that we noticed was that it had
just stopped snowing, so it was still cold and beginning to
become icy. This was not only a safety hazard but it also
implemented our filming. If one scene was shot in different
weather conditions to another it would ruin the effect of
continuity editing, which is essential in our video. However,
when it came for the time for us to meet, Rosie contacted us and
informed us that the camera wasn’t working. This mistake was
timewasting and pointless, but we learnt that we always have to
have a backup camera if the central camera stopped working.
E L L I E S T E P H E N S O N

3. After this problem arose we had to reschedule filming for the 18th
March 2013. We had checked the weather forecast beforehand
and learnt that it wasn’t meant to snow. Also, we found that we
had chosen the right time to film, but originally we were
concerned that our filming schedule would be interrupted by
the rush hour of train commuters. Furthermore, we decided to
hire a camera from the media studies department just to make
sure we would have a fully functioning backup. Therefore, we
met again at 6pm and walked up the platform to the location.
We chose to film further up the platform because it seemed
more deserted and we knew it wouldn’t bring too much
attention to us.
E L L I E S T E P H E N S O N

4. We had planned a story board beforehand so we began to film
Amber walking towards the station sign, pick the book up and
begin to read. We decided to us a number of shots in order for
this part of the scene to look effective. We eventually decided to
use a high angle shot in order to show the characters’
vulnerability and exposure. We then decided to use a close up
shot of Amber’s face covered by the book. After this, Ellie
applied the make-up to Amber whilst Chloe and Rosie looked
for train times so we could get the most realistic shot of the
train passing. We then used a close up again on Amber’s faced
covered, but this time she dropped the book to reveal her
possessed features. We then used a side shot of Amber walking
up to the yellow line; she slowly dropped her bag and the book,
(something that is similar in all our scenes), and walked slowly
up to the tracks. We then filmed a close up of Amber’s shoe
slowly going over the yellow line, we slowed this part down
during the editing process and realised the true extent of its
effectiveness. It really created tension and the audience are left
willing to watch on to see what happens next.
E L L I E S T E P H E N S O N

5. After this, Rosie and Chloe walked to the opposite platform whilst
Ellie directed Amber’s actions. We wanted Amber to be visible
when a train passed but then the last shot of the scene would be
a wide shot of the deserted platform. Chloe suggested that
Amber should run away with the train when it approaches, an
idea that proved very useful because we didn’t have to worry
about filming a second shot of the station with nobody there.
The first time we tires this shot it resulted in being too blurry
but luckily, we were able to film this complex shot the second
time we tried it. We believe that this shot is the most effective
of the video because it is so realistic. We actually used a real
train in the shot and that emphasises the fact that this is a daily
occurrence. This puts our viewers on edge and alarms them as it
can happen to them.
E L L I E S T E P H E N S O N

6. Overall, the second day of shooting the train station scene proved
to be harder than anticipated. We learnt from the first day of
shooting the forest scene that we needed to really plan the shots
and storyline of the scene. However, we encountered a lot of
problems that restricted our initial decisions. Nonetheless, I
believe that this is the best scene in the thriller because the
audience can really relate to the events; they know that people
die due to jumping onto train tracks but they do not know
specifically what happened to Amber’s character as that
question is left unanswered. This no doubt attracts the
audience’s attention and wills them to watch on.
E L L I E S T E P H E N S O N