Production Diary- Entry 4

1. Production
Diary- Entry 4
Location-Caddington & Re-
filming (Park/Alleyway)
12/11/16
3:00pm-5:45pm

2. Day 4- Caddington Scene & Re-
filming (Park/Alleyway)
 Within this session we planned to
film the shots of 1-13, of which
needed to take place upon a
Caddington pathway, this being one
in conjunction with our park location.
These shots mark the opening scene
of our horror teaser trailer and were
filmed during the afternoon hours of
the day.
 As well as filming this pathway
scene, our team also held the aim of
re-filming the shots within the
Park/Alleyway location, in order to
improve upon the overly dark lighting
conditions of the previous footage of
these scenes

3. Location: Caddington Pathway
Date: 12/11/16
Time: 3:00-3:25
 The session began with the arrival
of all group members at my home;
of which was local to our desired
filming locations.
 Upon meeting, our group then
travelled to the first location, of
which required the highest level of
lighting, this being the opening
scene of our teaser trailer,
consisting of the shots 1-13. We
arrived at this location at 3:15 and
by 3:25 our group were ready to
film.

4. Location: Caddington Pathway
Date: 12/11/16
Time: 3:25-4:25
 We then commenced the filming of this pathway scene, consisting
of our protagonist, Eve, and additional character, Jess. Within this
scene it was important to capture lighting that was bright enough
to convey the earlier hours of the day, however, to also not
possess a brightness that would overwhelm the capture of the
filming equipment (thus this time of the day held an appropriate
balance of light).
 During this session our group were able to film all of the required
shots for this scene. Regarding the efficiency of this filming
process this was strong, in which my own role within this scene
was to play the part of an actor (this being the additional character
of Jess; playing the part of Eve’s friend).
 Regarding complications within this scene, the weather,
consisting of rain and a rather strong breeze, presented concerns
of damaging our filming equipment. However, this issue was
identified at the start of the session and thus our team came
prepared with an umbrella of which was held over the camera,
when possible, during filming (in order to protect both the
acquired shots and equipment).
 Regarding the use of props, within this scene a message upon
the ground was required. This was accomplished through the use
of chalk, of which was effective in providing a subtle colour to the
text as well as providing a medium that could be easily washed
away (of which was made simpler, more so, by the rainy
weather).

5. Location: Caddington Park
Date: 12/11/16
Time: 4:25-5:25
 Upon the completion of the first scene within our teaser trailer our
team then relocated to the park location in preparation for re-filming
the alleyway and park scenes.
 In regards to our reason for re-filming, this was due to the previously
overwhelming lack of lighting within our previous footage, of which had
resulted in a slightly grainy quality to our shots, as well as obscuring
the actions of the characters on-screen. Thus, in order to improve
upon these mistakes, we made sure to film earlier within the day, then
we had during our previous filming session for this scene. This
resulted in providing us with the dark setting we desired, but with a
slightly higher concentration of natural lighting .
 However, during this session the natural lighting available did
inevitably darken, nevertheless with the additional help of my dad, of
whom joined our group during later within this session, we were able
to cast artificial lighting upon each shot in order to illuminate our on-
screen subjects (in which we used a greater number of artificial light
sources than those used within the original session).
 Regarding any complications during this scene, upon filming shot 48
(a figure standing in the distance) the lamppost within the park ran out
of power during filming. This lamp was necessary in providing lighting
to the very dark setting. This resulted in a temporary issue of
possessing overly dark footage. However, this was soon resolved as
the second lamppost within the park was used in place of the other
(providing a shot that was as equally effective as our previous
footage).

6. Location: Caddington Pathway (Alleyway
replacement)
Date: 12/11/16
Time: 5:25-5:45
 Upon the completion of the park scene, our group then
moved onto re-filming the scene within our alleyway
location (this being the pathway that acts as the
entrance to the park: giving the illusion of an alleyway
during the dark hours of the day).
 This scene consisted of the shots 29-34, in which, in
order to improve upon these shots, we decided to
merge different shots into one take, as we found that
our previous footage lacked a smooth transition/flow
from one piece of footage to the other; resulting in the
unnecessary separation of shots.
 As well as adjusting the shots taken, we also shone
additional lighting onto the scene in order to ensure
that the lighting of the piece was not overwhelmingly
dark; as had been the case in prior footage.
 Within this scene I held the role of managing the
filming equipment, in which Danielle and Grace both
held the role of actors.

7. Evaluation
Successes
Regarding the successes within this session I believe that the efficiency of our group collaboration
has improved. This is because, despite the extra re-filming that was conducted during this session,
this resulted in being one of our most focused and productive days of filming. Within this session,
each team member was effective in completing each scene with speed; this being a necessity
particularly within the pathway scene, as within this scene a high level of natural; lighting was
required (of which we were able to maintain due to our concise management of time).
Regarding the re-filming conducted, this, although met with the inconvenience of poor weather
conditions, was successfully achieved, in which our group were able to improve upon our initial
footage by applying more artificial lighting to the framing of our shots, as well as filming during a
slightly earlier time of day (allowing for the dark setting we desired, however, also allowing for an
increased concentration of natural lighting within our shots; of which had been lacking within our
original footage).
Thus, in the face of difficult weather as well as inconvenient circumstances (this being the power
outage of one of the lamp posts within the park; of which we had originally planned to use as a light
source within our piece), these challenges were overcome through the initiative of our group
members, thus allowing for the completion of all necessary filming.

8. Evaluation
Weaknesses
Regarding the weaknesses within this session I believe one of these to have been that of the poor
weather conditions our group faced, as despite this being beyond the control of our team, this did
present the fear of hindering the quality of our footage, of which we did result in delaying filming by
1 hour in order to observe whether the conditions would improve. Thus, this time delay can be
regarded as a slight weakness.
Nevertheless, this issue was resolved by the slight calming of the weather as well as my decision to
take an umbrella to this session (of which became useful in protecting the lens and function of our
filming equipment during shots; allowing for the slight downpour of rain to pass by unnoticeably
within our footage).
Regarding a certain shot that I found particularly challenging, this was the tracking shot of the
protagonist Eve, as she flees from the eerie happenings within the park location. This was a shot
that I held the responsibility of filming and found to be difficult as, within the dark and slippery
conditions, running with the camera in pursuit of the subject possessed a number of challenges.
Nevertheless, this shot was eventually filmed and my running was slowed with caution in order to
ensure the safety of this maneuverer as much as possible (in which, it was decided that the speed
of this shot could ultimately be increased during the post-production stage).

9. Evaluation
 Overall, although this session did possess the challenges of poor
weather conditions and our reliance upon the use of natural lighting,
these challenges were met with determination from our team, of which
resulted in the successful completion of our Caddington Location scene,
as well as conducting re-filming of the Park and Alleyway scenes. This
efficiency in completing 3 scenes within one session conveys the
collaborative efforts of our team, in which each member assisted in the
framing of shots (with Grace focusing upon acting and providing lighting
to each scene, Danielle focusing upon filming/directing and acting and
myself taking part in filming, acting and the directing of shots).
 Thus marking the end of this session and the final production day of our
team; meaning all necessary footage in completion of our initial draft has
been achieved.