My Review
First of all for this assignment we were put into a group of 3 - 4 my team included me, Josh and Rai then we thought up of our own ideas and we had to choose which one we will do for the short film production, my story was chosen so now we had to decide on which role each of us will do, my story was chosen so i took on the role of the director and as the friend of the main character, Josh played as the main character who is the soulless ginger called kylan and Rai was our cameraman, apart from us three we also got 2 extras to play in our short film as victims. When we storyboarded the idea josh started it and made up to 23 sequences but he got bored so i carried on from there and made 50 more sequences with the total of 73 sequences. We only had little scripts on the storyboard but i didn't have the time to write an actual script detailing scenes.
The good thing about filming it was that everyone had fun and laughed while doing it we got things done even though we messed up quite a bit but apart from that we got by and finished filming it, the bad thing was that because we didn't have a script we had to think of one up on the spot when we were about to film the next scene/sequence and that took quite a bit of our time when if we did have one we gotten through the filming faster, also because were not really professional actors we had some difficulties acting some scenes so we had to do scenes over and over again, also because of the lack of script we took longer because we had to change and come up with the script but even though we didn't have a script we ad fun making it because we got to share ideas on what to say and it felt more natural doing it also we planned on doing the script once our cameraman finished editing the film.
In our filming i think we didn't really think of special techniques that we could use for it apart from that we did use several camera techniques like Mid shot to show the distance between two characters, close up to show each of the characters emotion, wide shot to show where the filming is located and to create atmosphere in the film and low angle to let the audience know that the character/characters are higher than what they are looking at. Another camera technique we used was the Dollying technique but we used a sled and vest type of technique , instead of using a sled a vest our camera man who was josh at the time just used held the camera this technique is when the camera man follows a character, in our case josh walked backwards and me walking forward while he filmed an extreme close up of my face.
When i look at the finished product our editor used two types of cutting techniques one is the normal cut, this technique splices two scenes together and the other is continuity-cutting these are cuts that take you seamlessly and logically from one scene to another.
During the whole process i've learnt that making short filming isn't that easy because there are a lot of things that you need to think about and do as pre-production and production, i've also learnt that sometimes you have to think ahead and thoroughly plan on what your going to do after another so that in the future you don't have to rush anything.
We had difficulties with making the short film because sometimes the sequences that i drew on the storyboard was too time consuming so as we went with the process we just improvised on where to film, how to act, what camera angles we should use and what to say because we didn't write a script before we filmed the short film but we overcame it by having to finish editing the film, then write the script while watching it, josh got this job done even though i was in charge as i am the director.
As for the props and costumes we didn't really need anything special because our short film is set in a college so we just had to wear our normal clothes, there was one little problem we had with this which was that when we had to wear the same clothes as we did before the day we filmed a scene which was on the same day as the scene before in the short film so the problem was that once i forgot to wear the same clothes as the day before but we still continued to film anyway. even though we had a few difficulties we overcame them together as a team.
If i was to this again i would look ahead more, i would plan things like the script, the camera angles, the setting of where to film and the storyboard much more thoroughly so that it doesn't reach the point where everyone panics and rushes things.
In our filming i think we didn't really think of special techniques that we could use for it apart from that we did use several camera techniques like Mid shot to show the distance between two characters, close up to show each of the characters emotion, wide shot to show where the filming is located and to create atmosphere in the film and low angle to let the audience know that the character/characters are higher than what they are looking at. Another camera technique we used was the Dollying technique but we used a sled and vest type of technique , instead of using a sled a vest our camera man who was josh at the time just used held the camera this technique is when the camera man follows a character, in our case josh walked backwards and me walking forward while he filmed an extreme close up of my face.
When i look at the finished product our editor used two types of cutting techniques one is the normal cut, this technique splices two scenes together and the other is continuity-cutting these are cuts that take you seamlessly and logically from one scene to another.
During the whole process i've learnt that making short filming isn't that easy because there are a lot of things that you need to think about and do as pre-production and production, i've also learnt that sometimes you have to think ahead and thoroughly plan on what your going to do after another so that in the future you don't have to rush anything.
We had difficulties with making the short film because sometimes the sequences that i drew on the storyboard was too time consuming so as we went with the process we just improvised on where to film, how to act, what camera angles we should use and what to say because we didn't write a script before we filmed the short film but we overcame it by having to finish editing the film, then write the script while watching it, josh got this job done even though i was in charge as i am the director.
As for the props and costumes we didn't really need anything special because our short film is set in a college so we just had to wear our normal clothes, there was one little problem we had with this which was that when we had to wear the same clothes as we did before the day we filmed a scene which was on the same day as the scene before in the short film so the problem was that once i forgot to wear the same clothes as the day before but we still continued to film anyway. even though we had a few difficulties we overcame them together as a team.
If i was to this again i would look ahead more, i would plan things like the script, the camera angles, the setting of where to film and the storyboard much more thoroughly so that it doesn't reach the point where everyone panics and rushes things.
Josh's Review
We found it rather straight forward, Ramil pitched the idea of a soulless ginger and so we looked at the possibilities of scene. We started to build up a story. Ramil and Ray had no ideas at all. It took hours for them to come up with ideas and all of my ideas were shot down. We finally agreed upon a story. The story started with a soulless ginger boy, Kylan. Kylan lurked around college and took souls from bullies. He met a boy, Lee, who wanted to be friends with Kylan.
Raimond was the dedicated camera man and editor and has not appeared in the film he used Adobe Premiere to edit the film. Whilst recording he used wide shots to show location and midshots to show Ramil and myself moving in the scenes. When we talked he used close-up shots of our faces.
I started out being just an actor but had experience using the camera when the dedicated camera man wasn’t in. I also had a little experience editing a scene in the movie.
Ramil was the core director and also the 2nd main character, Lee. Alongside me, Kylan. He had very little experience using the camera but tried to edit a scene as I did.
Although Ramil was the director throughout the films scenes we all had our own opinions and ideas how to record. It was very easy but I feel good ideas got shot down by the rest of the group. Me, Ramil and Rai sat down and decided upon the key scenes we wanted to show and then filled in the gaps with build ups and story.
For the script we improvised whilst in character to help think how we’d actually felt whilst being in the moment. I felt that the filming was good in the sense that we could share our thoughts . Disadvantages to working in a group being ideas shot down that could have potential if we had more experience. We aimed to make a horror short film and tried to inject drama and also humour. We didn’t really achieve the techniques as we found it hard to just film.
We haven’t used any extra sounds other than natural background noises and speech. If anything we ran out of time because it took a long time to film. Days were lost also because clothing issues. We came in waring the wrong clothes because we both completely forgot. And so those days we didn’t record so that we could keep the video like the scenes were consistant.
I learnt that it takes a lot of planning in all areas such as the storyboard and script. Also to remember clothing and keep track of time. We could have payed a lot more attention to the planning so we knew exactly what we were aiming for and also so we didn’t have to improvise as we found it very difficult. I got very nervous to film at the start but quickly overcame it as we progressed through. I feel Ramil struggled a lot with being on camera throughout the entire film and also struggled saying the script. He got better as we reached the end scenes yet I hoped he’d have found the same ambition and emotion sooner. I could say the same for myself with the speech because it all sounded very Hollywood and it made us laugh. Laughing isn’t a bad thing because it was fun yet it considerably slowed down recording the film. Rai has done a great job with the editing and recording. He showed us ways of recording and helped us understand how to use the camera which later came into use when he wasn’t in because he thought he broke his leg. Rather ironic with a performance.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed filming and editing the scene and I learnt a lot like using the camera and editing throughout process. I grew to be more confident in myself as I now know what I can achieve. And also I learnt that I will never again judge whether a film is good or bad because I appreciate the amount of effort that must have been put in to make it.
Then we had to choose the roles for the rest group members, I became a cameraman and editor, Josh – the main actor, Lucas – actor and cameraman assistant. I didn’t act in the film because I preferred to work on the technical part of filming.
After the storyboards were completed we wrote the script for actors to know what they are saying and went out to film. The hardest in filming was to set up the scene and make sure everyone understands what to do. No one in our group have learnt drama or acting before, that’s why we had to film every scene a few times before our actors could finally act properly. Editing was much easier comparing to filming.
In filming we used a lot of wide shots and close-up shots, as well as long shots to show location. We also had a fight in one of our scenes where we had to film very dynamically.
After each filming day I went to my computer to upload all footage from today and edit as much as I have time for. The most useful tools in editing were cutting tool and volume effects. I worked with sound a lot adjusting it to a normal level. The only effects that I used were audio and video transitions. Adding any extra effects was unnecessary.
In the process of making this film I have improved in using video and sound editing software, learnt about camera angles and focus, and improved my group communication skills. Because I lacked experience of filming I researched on the internet about the camera movement, and sound recording which helped me a lot to produce a smoother image.
There were also some problems with filming that we had to overcome. For example, It was a pain to make every actor to wear the same clothes and costumes at the second day of filming. Also because actors were not used to act on camera they could start laughing and forgetting their lines right after I turned on the camera. To overcome these issues we had to film the same scenes over and over again to get a good quality scene at the end.
If I had to do this project again I would spend more time on writing the plan and storyboards. Having a clear plan would be beneficial when you go out to film. Also wearing the same costumes on every filming day is necessary. And also if I had to do this again I would read and watch tutorials of Premiere Pro more because it is very exhausting to spend hours on editing to find out that I’ve made a mistake somewhere.
Rai's review
For this assignment we have been split into groups of four to create a short film (4 – 7 minutes long). In my group we had Me, Ramil, Josh and Lucas. Before filming we needed a good idea for a film and a completed storyboard, so that we know what to film and how to act. We all tried our best at writing scripts but my, Josh’s and Lucas’s ideas were too hard and unrealistic to film. So we finally chose Ramil’s idea, his film was called “Soulless”. It is about a ginger student who has a power to take other people’s souls. Ramil and Josh started working on the storyboards to finish them quickly and start filming.Then we had to choose the roles for the rest group members, I became a cameraman and editor, Josh – the main actor, Lucas – actor and cameraman assistant. I didn’t act in the film because I preferred to work on the technical part of filming.
After the storyboards were completed we wrote the script for actors to know what they are saying and went out to film. The hardest in filming was to set up the scene and make sure everyone understands what to do. No one in our group have learnt drama or acting before, that’s why we had to film every scene a few times before our actors could finally act properly. Editing was much easier comparing to filming.
In filming we used a lot of wide shots and close-up shots, as well as long shots to show location. We also had a fight in one of our scenes where we had to film very dynamically.
After each filming day I went to my computer to upload all footage from today and edit as much as I have time for. The most useful tools in editing were cutting tool and volume effects. I worked with sound a lot adjusting it to a normal level. The only effects that I used were audio and video transitions. Adding any extra effects was unnecessary.
In the process of making this film I have improved in using video and sound editing software, learnt about camera angles and focus, and improved my group communication skills. Because I lacked experience of filming I researched on the internet about the camera movement, and sound recording which helped me a lot to produce a smoother image.
There were also some problems with filming that we had to overcome. For example, It was a pain to make every actor to wear the same clothes and costumes at the second day of filming. Also because actors were not used to act on camera they could start laughing and forgetting their lines right after I turned on the camera. To overcome these issues we had to film the same scenes over and over again to get a good quality scene at the end.
If I had to do this project again I would spend more time on writing the plan and storyboards. Having a clear plan would be beneficial when you go out to film. Also wearing the same costumes on every filming day is necessary. And also if I had to do this again I would read and watch tutorials of Premiere Pro more because it is very exhausting to spend hours on editing to find out that I’ve made a mistake somewhere.
Lucas's Review
We had to come up with ideas for a short film so we all thought of ideas and decided that we wanted to do a short film about someone with powers.
Eventually we chose Ramil's idea that we were going to do it about a guy from college that has special powers and is able to drain someone's soul from their body, we called it 'Soulless'. We were put into a group of me, Ramil, Josh and Raimond.
We decided that Raimond would be the cameraman, Ramil would be the director and me and josh would be the actors with ramil also acting.
We then did a storyboard for it with josh starting it off then ramil finishing it, we put a lot of ideas into the storyboard but we couldn't do them all. We followed the storyboard as much as we could but some parts we ended up changing.
We were going to write a script after that but then we improvised and josh ended up writing the script whilst we were filming and editing.
Filming it was good because we all had ideas on what to do on each scene so we had loads of different angles that we could go at it by and we all listened to what people had to say but there wasn't really any bad parts during the filming.
We didn't use any techniques but we used a lot of different angles to get a better look at the surroundings that the short film was set in.
Raimond did the editing on premier for the film and he used a lot of different angles and close ups of the actors to get their facial expressions, He also used different lighting effects and switching of scenes so it didn't get boring.
We didn't use any sound/music effects as we didn't feel the need for them in our film, the only sound we used was our voices.
I learnt that during the whole process of making the short film that there are different camera angles that are good and those that are not so good to use in a film also which effects to use and which not.
There were no difficulties during the project, the only thing was if someone wasn't in college or weren't in the right clothes to film but it was easy to change it.
I would change the group roles if we were going to do something different.