Partially Successful Filming Session.

Finally, some footage!

After two weekends that could have been used productively that have been cancelled due to injuries/other problems, we finally got our first load of shots, albeit about 10/80 shots, yet we have still made a progress. 

We still saw some problems however, after being let down yet again with Elliot deciding he no longer wants to be part of the video, news we received one hour after organising to meet at Kate's to shoot...Thanks Elliot!

Thankfully, we found a replacement a few minutes later: a friend named Sam who has agreed to be the part of the protagonist, taking Elliot's place in our video. Unfortunately he could not spare time to come this evening to join us filming, but have agreed to meet tomorrow to shoot the footage that does not need Sami in as he has work commitments. Here are some photos that were taken during the filming of our set-up against the white wall and of shooting in action with myself and Kate directing:

The initial setting up of our filming area. The poorly lit wall in Kate's room was problematic at first, yet the spotlight cancelled out the shadow and softened the light against the wall. We had problems with the tripod at first when we were unable to find the camera mount that needed to be attached to the bottom of the camera to fit it into the tripod. Eventually we found it which was essential due to stabilising the shots that we were to take; all of which were stationary. 

This is a shot of the correct set-up of the camera, with the adjustable spotlight shining the lamp against the wall. We were just waiting for the cast of our video to perpare themselves with costume and make-up with the assistance of Kate when this was taken, just to show the set-up of our camera and the environment of which we were shooting in.

Another shot of the set-up but from the cast's perspective. The mirror in the back of the shot was used for lighting, when we needed to reflect light on or away from either Fran or Sami because, as we can see simply from this shot, the spotlight was overly bright. The use of the mirror proved successful during filming. To the left of the shot here, we can see Fran doing her hair for the filming.

Another shot of the camera and lighting setup from the actor's point of view.

The first shots we took were of Sami. Here, we can see how shadow is on the wall to the right of Sami created due to the strong lamp light next to the camera. After adjusting and experimenting with the light, we eventually concluded a suitable and most useful position for the lamp that softened the shadow without creating new ones. However, in one of our shots for the video we used the lamp to create a shadowed effect as Fran and Sami stand against the wall, where the light pans past the pair.

Framing is an essential part of the video, not just in terms of professional cinematography, but also as a part of our narrative and the triangular formation that is seen throughout. The thirds grid that is on the camera enables us to position our characters correctly in the frame, as seen here where Sami and Fran are on each of the horizontal lines.

It is also evident that we considered colour of costume in this shot, where Sami is wearing green and Fran in red; conveying the emotions of envy and passion.