Editing - The Start

Having all clips collated and analysed, with the best sections of every shot taken as well as back ups for each section, it is time to start editing. Having already finished the ident previously, we can easily start on the film its self with the 2 minute limit in mind. We are obviously hoping that there are no problems with the shots and no more will need to be taken, however we are prepared for this if this is the case. Going in to Final Cut, from our experience of "The Package" and our Preliminary Task, we are much more confident as to how to use it and the specifics of the effects. 

Pre Editing Decisions and Problems

Decisions:

• We thought that the mix of present day and flashbacks put so closely together, without much introduction, would be hard to differentiate between for first time viewers. To overcome this, we decided that all flashbacks would be tinted with some sort of effect to be decided at a later date. This would obviously show the difference between the two time zones/periods while still linking the shots together.
• In terms of our filming, another way we decided we could differentiate between flashback and present day is through the camera work. The shaky way we filmed the first section with a moving handheld camera and up and down movement not only helped us show difference in time, but also created a sense of danger with the character in shot, and allow the audeince to empathise with his feelings and the immediacy of the event.
• We wanted a mix of close ups and mid shots in order to help establish the scene while also building tension in what is meant to be a very atmospheric opening scene. We took extra shots, at all angles and distances of the major shots in order to account for this.
• Pre Filming, one of the major decisions we had to make was that of clothing for the characters. Making them look too smart would be out of place in such an environment, while too shabby would discount the idea of modernism and a younger generation. In the end, the mix of jackets, hoodies and jeans for the two main characters while Kevin's boss wearing a suit clearly established a difference in power while maintaining a good look.

Problems/Revised Plans

• One of the major problems, already outlined in previous posts, was that of the speech in the tower. Having bad conditions on the day of filming, we had to use a voice over which was difficult due to syncing reasons. Thankfully, the low light of the shot meant the syncing didn't have to be perfect and with some precision this can easily be overcome. 
• As mentioned above, changing conditions in a indecisive London were detrimental to some of the shots we wished to take, when paying attention to continuity issues and other specifics.
• Finally, we thought that lighting was going to be a major problem as in the alleyway scene we had the have the battery light moving to follow the camera, however we found that the light wasn't needed at all as the street lights gave us exactly the right amount or shadow, and in the right position.

Filming - Final Touches

With all of the shots involving actors finished, all that was left for the final few days before editing was re shooting any perspective shots needed as well as finalising the voice over of the tower scene. During the re recording of the voiceover, the connection from the mic to the microtrack was faulty; meaning when played normally the voice could only be heard from the left hand speaker/headphone. We overcame this via changing the audio type from mono to split mono during the editing stage the day after. 

The above photo shows one of the scenes of the perspective shots, next to the alley. We found one of the perks of film making is not needing to have locations that are near each other, yet being able to make them look linked (The Alley scene and The tower scene). The continuity will come from editing and how we put the shots together. 

Filming Day 2

Following last weeks filming we were feeling much more confident as to what we were doing. Getting more familiar with the positioning of lights, camera angles and the microtrack. With only 2 of the actors again, the only 2 that we needed to shoot the remainder of the clips, we went about re shooting the telephone scene due to bad light in the first take. Following this, we decided to take some extra shots which weren't planned in case the opening wasn't up to the correct length of 2 minutes. This location can be seen below, which was used in the final part of the flashback. 

Again, we used both natural and artificial lights in order to create shadows and maintain the mood we wished to put across. The orange lighting of the Alleyway (Shown Below) was vital in establishing the aura of the flashback, and when put in to final cut and had effects added to it, made it look even better. At first glance, the effect we are going to use is labelled "Numerik" However this is open for debate as editing goes on.

Overall, we believe our filming to be finished now, especially as the perspective shots were done over the christmas holidays and if need be, can be re done without any of the actors.

There were problems however. When we went back to the top of the tower, the weather had changed for the worse - raining and very windy. This means that even with a directional microphone, the background noise was too great to hear the actors talk. We eventually decided on mouthing it, and doing a voice over the next day. On to editing, and the voice over.

Filming Day 1

We opted to start our filming at twilight on one of the final days of the Christmas holidays. With photo's taken by one of our actors, we went around 3 of our locations taking various shots of desired sections with the equipment provided. The date with which we were to start filming was moved backwards however as the previous weekend, both our main actors failed to turn up due to personal reasons. The fact both actors live a relatively far distance from us is also something to reconsider for later projects.

On the first day, we shot first takes of the opening shots and also the final scene at the top of the tower (seen above). We were lucky with the weather as the night was clear and not very windy, meaning background noise wasn't a major problem. Unfortunately, we did not have the final actor who was doing the speech at the top of the tower so this will have to be done at a later date,

The lighting in the final shots at the top of the tower were vital in order to create the tension and psychological feel we wished to put across. We combined both natural lights of the street lamps and the battery lights on a stand in order to create shadows in the best locations to fit with out story, as well as imply certain things as to the identity of the characters. In the shot of Tyrone (David) which we plan to close the film opening, keeping his face in the dark but his identity as the same person as the one shown earlier in the opening was difficult. We guessed that by using the same clothes and with his similar build and stature it would be implied however.