Poster

We have now finished filming - over the past few weeks, we have filmed the fast sequence for our trailer and re-shot the end sequence. Whilst editing, we knew the fast sequence was the part that was going to bring the whole trailer together so it is good we now have it shot and edited in. We also wanted to re-shoot the end sequence so that it almost mirrored the opening sequence and stuck with the style of the trailer. We are yet to edit in the revised end sequence but it should be a little longer and have a similar effect to the opening sequence.

When planning to film the fast sequence, we thought that it would take a lot longer than it did to complete. However, we ended up getting quite a lot of good footage and coming up with some extra ideas that were effective. We also made the most of where we were and were able to get shots that we hadn't planned to get that day. The first scene we shot was of the bloody hands - we changed the lighting numerous times so we could decide what looked most effective in the editing sequence - we had full lights, dim lights and a torch. We found that full lights made the blood look a little too red and it didn't look very authentic so we decided not to include any of that footage. However, there was some footage we got where the camera was focused well. From previous filming days, we learnt that it is good to check the footage before we get into school. We transferred our footage onto our laptops to check that it looked good so we knew that it would be good enough to be included in the trailer. We also shot the argument scene as the location we were using had a good clear, pale wall that was just what we wanted. We had to move the lighting and angle of the camera around in order to get the effect we wanted. Whilst filming this, we also came up with shooting a shot of a silhouette of a weapon - we decided on a knife as it would be the easiest to recreate and also fitted well with our trailer as it is the type of weapon the killer would use. We made the knife by cutting out some cardboard and then covered it with tinfoil - it didn't matter how authentic the actual knife looked but that the silhouette looked realistic. We then dipped the 'knife' in fake blood to create a dripping effect.

We also came up with our 'production logo' which resulted in us changing our studio name from Clockwork Films to Spectral films. We filmed the logo using the light reflection of a lid of a patterned candle - this wasn't intentional but it gave a really good effect that we liked. From this shooting day, we learnt a lot about shooting silhouettes and how to get the best effects when doing so - we learnt a lot about getting the right lighting and angles.

We were filming with friends who needed outside shots so we all went on a walk. Whilst doing so, we made the most of the opportunity to get some exterior shots for our trailer. We ended up shooting a shot of a male character turning around and we got some exterior, landscape shots of the church and countryside to create a sense of atmosphere. However, when it came to editing, we couldn't really find a place for this exterior shots so we decided not to include them.

On this day, we also re-shot the flashing killer moments. The original footage we had didn't look very professional as there was a curtain in the background so we made the most of the plain walls. We now have the effect we wanted and think it looks good in our trailer.  The only issue we had was creating the flashing/strobe effect - it was hard to control the flicker of the torch as at first, it was showing different amounts of light depending on how hard we pressed. However, after practice, we knew how hard to press and it worked quite well.

We recently re-shot the end sequence of our trailer which we now think mirrors the opening sequence - there are the same amounts of shots and there are similar shot types (e.g. feet walking, knocking on door etc). This sticks with the style of the trailer and works quite well. We wanted to extend this part of the trailer as we felt it originally came to an end quite quickly and not very effectively. After filming this, we have now concluded our filming for the trailer - unless we find any little bits we would like to re-shoot, we are happy with the footage we have and just have to edit this last sequence into the trailer.

Here is the first draft of our trailer before the revised ending sequence has been edited in:

Over the past few months, we have been busy filming our trailer. Our filming hasn't always been a smooth process - there have been many hurdles that we have had to overcome. However, this process has definitely helped us to develop the skills to overcome hurdles and any issues.

One issue we have is being able to get locations and our cast members all at the same time - the drama studio in our school is used by all students so it is difficult to find a time when it is free. We have also found that when it is free, our cast members are not available (due to other commitments). We have also had issues with the equipment within the drama studio - there were no lights that we could use. However, we overcame this issue by using what we had access to which was a light that flashed - we created a strobe effect that could become useful and effective in our actual trailer.

Filming for this project as definitely helped to improve our skills with using cameras. Before this course, I hadn't really used a camera before. This means that we have had some issues with using a camera whilst filming. Our biggest issue has been getting the camera to focus. However, we overcome this issue with patience and using our hands as a point for the camera to focus on. We have also found out which settings work best for focusing. For the previous footage which was not in focus, we have re-shooted so that the shots are clearer and of a good quality.

Over the Christmas holidays, we re-shot the opening sequence for our trailer as the original had issues with framing, focusing, shakiness and lighting. With the re-shoot, we have decided to go for more of an artistic effect for the opening sequence which will help our trailer and film to stand out against other horror films. We received feedback in class that our trailer needs to be a little more 'horrific' so we have decided to make the gore elements more prominent. To do this, we asked our friend who has skills in special effects makeup to create a cut on April's throat for the scene. This creates an element of threat as the killer actually comes across as brutal, fearsome and scary.

• We remembered to remove any obstructions from the driveway. We only had one car on the driveway and took away any thing that could disrupt the continuity of the scene. An example of this is a family dog which had to be put in an area away from the cameras frame so it could not be seen in shot. 
• We were very safe and no equipment was damaged. We were also very cautious when on the street. 
• We were able to think of the go - even though there were many hurdles, we managed to overcome them and alter our idea so it could work with what we had. 

What Didn't Go Well:

• The tripod we got from school was the wrong size for our camera so we had to make a make-do tripod. This wasn't convenient as it was hard to carry around. However, we have learnt for next time to bring the right size tripod so we will not encounter issues like this again.
• It was difficult to film at sunset because you only get once chance. This means that next time we will have to plan throughly beforehand to make the most of our once chance and try and get the shot we want. 
• Lighting continuity was also an issue as at this time of day, it is consistently getting darker so some shots were darker than others.
• We didn't plan the shoot very well - we forgot that the door we wanted to use had a glass window which means you could see through it. Next time, we will still use this door but will alter our idea slightly to make the glass window fit in well. The glass door did sometimes become an issue as we could see ourselves in the reflection. To resolve this issue, we approached the door tactically to make sure that we couldn't see ourselves in the reflection. 
• We also forgot that we needed one of our characters on set with us. To deal with this, we changed the person who will play the character from one of our friends to April. 
• We also forgot about the killer having to wear black clothing. We didn't have any costumes ready as at first we thought we were just shooting an establishing shot but we then realised we needed characters and costumes. Next time, we will ensure we have all costumes needed. 
• We also had issues with the stop motion style filming. The camera would occasionally move from the position which was another continuity issue. To resolve this issue, we marked where the camera positioned to ensure it was as close as possible for every shot.