I have asked the other camera operators to do this between scenes 10-23 so we all have a section.

We will also compile this into a Word Document so there is also a digital copy to go along with this.

We have also discussed dates for inductions from Vedad's instruction from the last meeting.

Attached are the initial plans for visuals. We initially want it to be flowing and as things start to occur, we make it more stacarto and the flow isn't as fluent.

Ronin Gimble

RED

Blackmagic 6K Pro

We also went through some more ideas we wish to include in the film, e.g. A film murder happening, which cuts to Grace going in to the bathroom; Playing around with the 90s 'look' with phones, computers etc. and Grace watches her speech on the iMac - built in 1998.

I have also tasked myself to liaise with Sam and Jude in the Sound Department and Data Wrangling for any possible sourcing of sound effects for editing and also how he will lay out the files on our harddrives.

I have also made a list of equipment we will be using during the shoots to book out with Tom from the equipment store.

I asked one of my other group members to take notes, however they had to leave during the session, so I had to take over that too while working.

I also met with the other editors to ensure we are on the correct track when it comes to editing this piece.

16/04: Today we continued with the rehearsal process, working with each department to compile some test footage to ensure we are on the right track. Editors will then compile the footage as a 'rough edit' and upload it to TEAMs.

We also worked out complex camera shots involving the Town Hall. We worked out the motion Liv would take and how it would fit in with continuity, as a result - I made further floor plans to use when putting together documentation for shoot days. Myself and Sophie have worked hard with Vedad to confirm our ideas and vision for this scene and I cannot wait to shoot this with the ideas we have.

RED Camera 

Blackmagic 6K Pro 

Sony A7 

x2 Video Tripod 

x2 C-FAST Cards 1TB 

Ronin Gimble RS3 Pro 

Blackmagic Video Monitor 

Lens: 

24mm 

24-105mm 

35mm 

50mm 

85mm 

124mm

Camera (RED): 

RED Komodo 6K Camera 

x2 Angelbird 1TB 560mb/s CFast Card 

Blackmagic Video Assist 

Camera (BlackMagic): 

Blackmagic Cinematic 6K Pro 

Blackmagic 6k Charger 

Blackmagic 6k Camera Power Cable 

x2 Blackmagic 6k Cinema Camera 6k Pro Battery 

DJI Ronin RS3 Pro Gimbal 

Kessler Cineslider 

Tilta 4x4 Matte Box 

Tilta Mini Follow Focus 

Falcon Eye RX-12TD Flexible LED Light Kit 

Dual Battery Powerlok Charger 

x4 Powerlok Battery 

x2 Swit V-Lock Battery 

SWIT Portable Charger 

x2 Video Tripod 

19/04 - Bolton Town Hall: Today, we began to shoot Scene 1. I worked closely with Sophie and Lucy as they helped direct this scene. It went rather well, though our initials room had to be changed due to someone being in here prior to us which resulted in cleaners having to come in.

This was the first large shoot we had with most of the crew present. One weakness I have found as a group working together is organisation of equipment. There were multiple occasions which let to tripping over cables and basic overall health and safety. If this happened further, it could have led to injury.

In terms of camera operation - I took on the role of Director of Photography which allowed me to liaise further with the Director and AD's to get the shots we wanted. A Director of Photography is someone who “will elevate a director’s vision, and introduce ideas and concepts the director may not have considered.” (MasterClass, 2021). “They are also the first assistant camera (AC1). [They] must have a keen eye for distance, and also a fantastic feel for rhythm and tempo.” (Synchedin, n.d)

22/04 - Podiatry Clinic: Today, we hit the ground running straight away to film the hospital scene. This was the first day where I could properly get involved with shooting the film and worked closely with Vedad on perfecting a 'Focus Pull'. A focus pull is "a creative camera technique in which you change focus during a shot. Usually this means adjusting the focus from one subject to another.” (MediaCollege, n.d); from here I have managed to create great shots when throwing the focus back and forth between Grace and the Nurse. This took me a few takes, however when I was used to it, I have consistently been doing this effectively throughout the rest of the shoot.

23/04 - 24/04 - Bolton Town Hall: Over the course of the two days in Bolton, we have our work cut out for us. Here, we have to work quickly to ensure we are remaining on schedule. One issue we came across was the natural light was too much in some scenes, so we covered the windows up to diffuse the light and then shot around them.

When filming outside, we had to shoot in between cars arriving and people walking past which was a challenge, however everyone worked hard to minimise the amount of takes and we managed to utilise the space rather well. When in the courtroom, I suggested the shot of the agents walking through the door, and myself and Sophie worked on that shot which turned out really well.

The prison cells were interesting to film in. The lighting looked good and the use of shadows made the scene feel eery. In terms of camera work, the shots were rather simple (a few focus pulls), however what made hem interesting was setting up the disappearance of the agents when they grab the bag of cameras.

Overall, shooting here was a great experience to shoot on a completely new location and I believe that i adapted to my surroundings rather well.

25/04 - The House: The house shoot was one of our busiest days. Everyone was required to arrive on time in order to keep the day a reasonable length. Due to someone oversleeping, the equipment was an hour late arriving, and I had to film on what camera equipment i had there. Luckily, it was only the monologue which was rather simple to shoot. We wizzed through as many scenes as possible, and left any scenes which intertwined to the next day.

26/04 - The House:

Today was the final day of filming. We all had a lot of excitement as we were nearly finished shooting. The scenes today were a little less complex as they were quite static with limited focus pulls. Nonetheless, it was filled with productivity to get the final shots we needed. We do though have to reshoot one section in the bedroom as we wanted to add an extra shot in, which as a result further helped with the story in the section where she is woken up and heads to the bathroom.

One detail I quite enjoyed doing when shooting these sections, was including set, such as posters. In the house - there is a Back to the Future poster, which I purposely focus and keep in shot as it harks back to what Grace has done but also the process of doing.

This is all based off the finalised shot list from the scenes we rehearsed and plotted plans for.

Synchedin. (2021). Behind the Scenes | What is a Focus Puller in Film? [online] Available at: https://synchedin.com/blog/behind-the-scenes-what-is-a-focus-puller-in-film/ [Accessed 4 May 2024].

Some of these notes go to continue into the Production phase.

We made a Pre-Production Timeline and this is so each department can easily see what they need to do next for the following week as things get busier toward Production and we do not want to fall behind.

Creative Ideas // Breakdown of each location // Locations // Costumes // Each department creates a moldboard

DRAFT 2:

Casting // Update w/ breakdowns // Social Media posts // RED Komodo Camera - Breakdown w/ visuals > Pushes / Pans / Tilts

DRAFT 3:

Breakdowns // Floor Plans - Can be in rehearsal

DRAFT 4:

Shot List - Draft 1 Version 1 // Risk Assessments // Planning / Scheduling // Rehearsals > 2 Days - Wednesday paperwork catchup // Call sheets