Directing and Producing project by James Conwell

Initial idea

jamesc1804 — 2024-10-29 15:27:43 UTC

My initial idea is a surreal drama about a person going for a job interview. However, the building they are supposed to have the interview in is a sprawling maze of corridors and nonsensical rooms. Eventually, they find the interview room and have the interview. The idea is still pretty vague but I hope to expand on it over the next week or so, as I make up my mind on what kind of proof of concept I hope to do.

Trailer

jamesc1804 — 2024-10-29 15:37:28 UTC

I'm not leaning towards doing a trailer. I feel it runs the risk of just being a group of random shots that will feel disjointed and editing isn't really a skill I want to expand on yet. I'd rather focus on either strengthening my visual story telling through test shots or improving my ability to work with actors through the filmed scene. Still not completely ruling it out as the ability to succinctly communicate the tone, style and story of a film is a pretty valuable skill to start building.

Test Shots

jamesc1804 — 2024-10-29 16:12:26 UTC

Leaning most towards test shots. I want to get better at visual story telling and by stripping it back to just the visuals I won't have to get bogged down in fleshing out a set of characters and whole scene. This will allow me really hone in on being able to communicate as visually as possible in a way I perhaps wouldn't be able to if I was more focused on working with actors. Lighting is a huge component of the visual style of a film, I feel I didn't explore it enough last year and it was something I was entirely happy with in my short film last year. I'd like to use the test shots as an opportunity to explore how lighting can be used to communicate tone and the impact it can have on visual style.

Filmed Scene

jamesc1804 — 2024-10-29 16:20:56 UTC

While I do like the idea of a filmed scene and working with actors would be a great step in both finding and building my directorial style, I think it's a bit over complicated when I want to explore the film visually more than anything. Perfectionist that I am I think my focus on the visuals being perfect would add to much stress when trying to also create a compelling scene and develop a character with actors. However, I do love working in a crew and that collaborative process would help take some of the stress of me so I haven't entirely ruled out a filmed scene.

Basic plot outline/ synopsis

jamesc1804 — 2024-10-29 16:44:31 UTC

A basic plot outline that will either be expanded upon in a filmed scene or serve as a framework for the test shots to build on.

Main character is unemployed as they are walking down the street receives they are given a note with an address on it.
They arrives at the address and finds a derelict building which he decides to enter.
When they only to realize that the door is gone he is trapped in a completely random part of building.
They being to look for an interview room but only seems to find himself more and more lost in the sprawling nature of the building.
As they explore they find many strange seemingly purposeless offices and rooms.
They gets progressively more confused and lost until they find a help desk and gets directed to the interview room.
When they enters he finds The Boss is the one who handed them a note.
They goes through a strange interview with senseless, pointless seeming questions and activities.
As the pressure of the interview ramps up they reject the job offer and leaves.
They open the door and leave only to find themselves in a field, they are free

I want capture how horrible a job interview can feel but push those feelings of unfamiliar with a place and the uncanny nature of an interview to an extreme. The plot is still bare bones but I would be able to flesh out the details more as I choose what proof of concept I want to do and continue to develop the idea.

Screen acting studio

jamesc1804 — 2024-10-29 16:49:45 UTC

I think I'll find some basic job interview question and answers and get two people to read them out, first of all just naturally and how they would act in the role of an interviewer or interviewee. They play around slightly with how much they each care about the interview and where the power lies. It will be reasonably loose just getting a chance to see how different emotions and reactions can change the same set of questions. It would also serve me well if I chose to do a filmed scene because I would do an interview scene and this would give me a chance to play around with creating a strange interview dynamic.

Screen acting studio script

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-01 13:14:11 UTC

A basic job interview script that can act as a template. I have also asked Josie have some answers prepared to basic answers, so she isn't too reliant on the script and is able to take the tone and emotion of her answers in different directions.

Inspiration- The Shining

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-01 13:22:39 UTC

I like the uneasy and disorientating feeling that the long tracking shots of Danny riding through the maze like corridors of The Overlook creates. I would like to use a similar tracking shot to show the confusing nature of the building the main character is trapped in and how lost they feel in that environment.

Inspiration- Sorry to Bother You

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-04 09:31:13 UTC

This film takes a potentially boring concept like working in a call centre but explores it through a surreal lens and with a bold, vibrant visual style. I like it's how it explores the relationship between our self identity and self concept and work. I would like to explore how failing to find a job can negatively effect self worth and self concept

Screen acting studio reflection

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-06 18:40:51 UTC

I found the experience of directing in the screen acting studio enjoyable over all. I liked trying to communicate the different contexts and emotional states in a way that wasn't so explicit as me just telling them how they should feel or act. I think I was mostly successful in giving them useful pieces of direction because I was often getting the kind of performances and dynamics that I wanted. I felt the job interview premise was good for different emotional dynamics. However, there were a few things I think could've gone better. For some takes I wasn't entirely sure when to cut. There were times I could tell I had got what I wanted but was just continuing to let the scene play out past the point of it being useful to me. This could just be a confidence thing and me being aware of the fact I only had a limited time so wanting to utilise that as much as possible. I also struggled to be a point of authority with my peers without feeling rude. After the 2nd take I wanted Oliwia's performance to be slightly more rude and abrupt than she had played it. However, I didn't want to just tell her and perhaps didn't communicate what I wanted well enough, because of that. Maybe if I had directed Josie to be more intimidated by Oliwia, I might have gotten more of the power dynamic that I wanted. I might have neglected to consider how both characters contribute to the dynamic. However, I felt too awkward to call cut again because I'm just their friend and didn't want to feel over bearing in terms if trying to get what I want. Overall, it was a good experience that will help me going forward.

Inspiration- Mr Robot

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-06 19:05:21 UTC

Mr Robot is very influential in terms of the way it frames it shots. I love how negative space is used and how characters are often framed to be in only the bottom third of shot. It creates a feel of discomfort that I'd like my shots to have. Season 3 episode 6 is also a great display of what windows and natural light can do for a shot. When Elliot is navigating the windowless Evil Corp you feel so trapped even in a wide shot because there's no sense of an outside world. This is kind of claustrophic atmosphere is another aspect I'd like my shots to communicate. I also think Elliot is am excellent portrayal of loneliness and lost of the cinematography in the show communicates this very well. This is another element I am influenced by

Lenses

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-10 21:08:21 UTC

I want use different lenses to emphasise Sam's disorientation as she walks through the building. A wide angle lens used in close up looks unnatural and will highlight Sam's disorientation as she tries to navigate the corridors. As she walks out I'll used a lens with a bigger focal length (85-135mm). To show she's found her place a little more. Going to test different lenses before putting this into practice, might only work in theory.

Inspiration- Severence

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-10 21:16:10 UTC

Obviously inspired the office setting and the sprawling, maze like, confusing nature of that setting. Similarly to Mr Robot you get this sense of confinement because even more so than in Mr Robot there is a sense that there is no escape. More than that it inspired the tone and messages I hope to communicate. I like media that take parts of life we have accepted as natural in the modern world (like our relationship with work and the parts of our life we hand over to companies) and deconstructs them to reveal how strange they are.

Shooting Schedule

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-22 13:55:55 UTC

I feel my schedule is well planned, while it is unrealistic to expect everything to go perfectly to plan I can't see any major issues that should occur with the scheduling.

Post shoot update- The schedule was easy to move through and was sequenced in a way that made each shot easy to set up from the previous. Had to rearrange on the day due to Henry leaving early than expected but this was an easy change and just meant getting Sam and Henry's shots first rather than just Sam's. In retrospect I probably would've structured the schedule this was anyway because it would've been more considerate if Henry's time rather than making him wait while we got shots with Sam.

Shot list

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-22 13:57:15 UTC

The shot list along with my storyboards gives me a strong idea of the shots I'm going to be getting. This along with the camera tests I did with Sam leave me confident that there shouldn't be too many problems during the shoot and that all my shots are achievable.

Post shoot update- The shot list was easy to stick to. Some shots did need to be changed due to logistical reasons or just me realising a different shit would work slightly better than the ones I planned. However, the shot list and storyboards gave me a strong framework to work from when shooting.

Location Release

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-22 13:59:43 UTC

Risk Assessment- House

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-22 14:06:23 UTC

I think across all of my risk assessments I have taken all feasible risks into consideration. There aren't too many risks associated with my filming and other than accidents I don't see anything going too wrong.

Post shoot update- There were no accidents on set and all the risks of my shoot were covered in the risk assessments.

Risk Assessment- Peel Park

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-22 14:07:08 UTC

Risk Assessment- Denison Road

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-22 14:08:03 UTC

Actor Agreement- Henry

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-22 14:09:03 UTC

Consent Form- Sam

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-22 14:12:07 UTC

Floor plan Bedroom

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-22 14:50:15 UTC

Floor plans based of the camera test I did with Sam. There's a different lighting set ups and lenses for basically every shot but now I've tested them this shouldn't take too long I'm also leaving myself some time to experiment with different set ups on the day since I will have the time

Floor Plan Corridor

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-22 15:18:31 UTC

Most of these set ups are very simple mostly because they have to be as I'm not able to set down any tripods or have a crew over three. This works however because I'm doing mostly tracking shots. I'll use the aperture lights for my lighting because they are small and hand held. A lot of the lighting effects can be done in the colour grade to make the fluorescent lights look more harsh.

Floor Plan Office Room

jamesc1804 — 2024-11-22 15:42:51 UTC

Between my shot list and these floor plans I feel prepared to shoot on Tuesday. I should hopefully be able to keep on schedule but I do have access to the room for a few hours longer than I need to just in case. There is plenty of room to change the location of the the desk and other items in the room should I realise it would work better for set ups on the day so I have no major worries about my floor plans.

Moving away from surrealism

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-03 14:56:22 UTC

I've decided I want to step away from the surreal aspects I was considering for my test shots. I think the moments of stress, anxiety and feeling lost would be more resonant if they took place in a more grounded world. Presenting a more grounded and character and story for the audience. I think feel lost in early life and feeling like you're not quite sure what you are doing is a feeling a lot of young people can relate to and I want to focus on presenting it in a relatable way. I think some non-naturalistic elements may still work such as having the actors look down the camera when asking and answering questions, to increase the feeling of awkwardness in the interview.

Location scout- Newton

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-03 15:19:36 UTC

Had a look around the Newton and grabbed a few pictures it's basically perfect for what I'm looking for. While it is a university building I think it fits the aesthetic of an old office really well. I especially like the corridors and how long and unpopulated they are that was the exact kind of thing I was looking for. Walking around it gave me the kind of lost feeling I want my film to evoke, which is a good sign. I just need to look at getting permission to film there. The room I plan to use felt devoid of all personality the walls were empty and a horrible shade of green which worked well under the florescent light. There was also plenty of room to set up equipment which is ideal because it means there's lots of space to play with and means all our equipment won't have to be crammed into a small area, increasing risks.

Location scout- Allerton

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-03 15:22:24 UTC

Can't use the Newton anymore so I scouted the Allerton building. While I preferred the Newton the Allerton still fits the aesthetic I'm going for. There is along stretch of corridor that is carpeted while it doesn't look as cold and impersonal as the Newton does it still achieves a similar old office building look. I will have to book out one of the rehearsal rooms in there as the office room while this isn't as ideal as the room on the Newton it can still pass for an office.

Camera test

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-03 15:56:45 UTC

A few shots I got to test out the camera before using it for my test shots. It gave me an opportunity to get used to the different lenses and the kind of shots and distances each one should be used for. I found this really beneficial because before getting the camera out I felt I didn't have a very strong grasp on this. I tried to get a few shots from my storyboards. I realised the high angle shot I wanted can't be done with a tripod as it's too high I tried to get it on my own but I found the camera too unstable. When I get my actual test shots I will get a member of crew to help stabilise the camera. I experimented a little with the low key lighting but didn't get too much of an opportunity because of time. Based on what I did get I'm confident I'll be able to achieve the lighting conditions I want.

Floor plans- Post shoot update

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-03 16:03:12 UTC

Most set ups I planned worked well there were a few that need tweaking a little bit such as when I shot Sam through the glass. However, I knew there were some shots where a level of experimentation was to be expected as these are test shots and I am finding which ideas worked and which ones didn't. Overall my floor plans helped set ups be an easy and smooth process and kept all cast and crew on the same page, which helped with shooting.

Shooting day 1

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-03 16:29:17 UTC

I'm happy with how my shoot went today for the most part. We had to make slight adjustments to the schedule due to the time Henry had to shoot but this change ended up being for the best. We managed to stick to the schedule while still having time to experiment with a few different shots which was ideal. The schedule, shot list and storyboards allow smooth transitions between shots and meant cast and crew always had a clear idea of what we were doing. I did realise that the shot I wanted of Sam being shot through the glass didn't work quite as well as I wanted it to. I experimented with framing it a few different ways but I'm still not sure I'm entirely achieved the effected I wanted to. The same goes for a few of my tracking shots we experimented with a few different ways such as holding the camera in close to my body or having someone hold my shoulders to help stabilise me a bit. I'm not sure how feasible the tracking shots are without a Steadicam. Pulling focus was also extremely difficult to do consistently. I found my direction was mostly good, there was a good and positive atmosphere on set that felt collaborative, if something wasn't working I was both ready and willing for advice while being clear if what they said was what I wanted from a shot. I found at point I maybe forgot the crew didn't live in my head. I could've maybe been more clear when explaining exactly what I wanted from a shot so everyone had a better grasp of what we were getting. In future I would try and speak less vaguely about the kind of feeling I would like lighting or other elements to evoke and maybe slightly more technically about how exactly that feeling will be achieved practically. That being said there were no major issue with shooting and I feel I got many of the shots I wanted.

Shooting Day 2

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-03 16:43:59 UTC

Shooting went smoothly today, similar tracking shot problems to yesterday, on the shots I got on the street. I think I won't use the tracking shots I got today they're just too shaky. Perhaps the effect would work in a more action focus scene or if I was going for a shaky handheld style so that will be interesting to keep in mind for future projects but for this project it just isn't quite right. The shots in Sam's room went well, I felt I was more clearly communicating and taking the time to explain things, I'm not sure if that's because there was less time pressure on the shot which meant I felt more able to take the time to explain things rather than just barrelling through all my shots. In future I will take into consideration the time sensitive nature of filming and focus on explaining things in a direct way while still being clear and engaging with the cast and crews problems. I couldn't get access to Remy today, which meant Ash had to be Production assistant and lighting. However, we shared the job of lighting and I think the collaboration led to some nice low level lighting states.

Shooting Day 3

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-03 16:49:37 UTC

Shooting in Peel Park couldn't go forward today due to the weather. I will need to reschedule might move the location to a small grass area with a bench at the top of Denison Road as it achieves the same effect and would be convenient but good place to film.

Reshoots and Edit

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-03 16:55:11 UTC

Will need to reshoot a few of my tracking and wide shots because they are too shaky and out of focus. I can't get access to a Steadicam I will try a slower more steady tracking shot but if that doesn't work I'm also going to take the opportunity to play with my framing and headroom a little bit. I will also try using a 14mm lens to present a distorted world as it was an idea I had but never found the opportunity to get this shot in my original filming. Having looked at my footage I think if I get the shots in Peel Park then I will end up with too much footage I would rather get the crew back together to focus on perfecting the shots in the Newton building, rather than make them have to give up another day of their time. Editing is a smooth process mostly just focusing on using the colour grade to emphasise the artificial light and create a feeling of loneliness in the shots.

Shot test

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-04 12:24:29 UTC

Shot on phone camera pushes in on walker then pulls back as they walk towards it. Represents Sam's control over situation previously pulled along by the camera movement, now forces camera to pull back has more autonomy. It was only a really quick test but I think the movement could work well on a longer corridor. I would use a dolly when filming with the cameras to get a smooth motion

Crew

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-08 15:24:50 UTC

James Conwell- Director/Producer/Camera

Remy Bryant- Lighting

Ash Clare- Production Assistant

William Quail- Assistant director

Henry Kitching- Actor

Sam Craddock- Actor

Post shoot update- Crew worked well together. It was especially useful to have Ash as production assistant because it meant I didn't have to worry about things such as the continuity log and could purely focus on the shots. Remy and Will really did bring their knowledge to the table and helped certain shots looks better than they otherwise would have. The crew felt very collaborative and I was never too proud to take their ideas into consideration which improved the work overall. Sam is a great actor and took direction really well. Again it felt collaborative, even when my direction was a bit rushed and too explicit she was good at asking contextual question which helped me correct my more poor direction. I can't rely on all actors to do this and should always consider how my direction can be succinct while being clear and communicating what I want in a way that isn't too explicit. If I did a filmed scene I would've achieved this through rehearsal but because I did test shots my mind was sometimes more on the shot than the people in it.

Risk assessment- Newton

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 20:04:53 UTC

Reshoots reflection

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 20:14:25 UTC

I feel the reshoots went well today. Realised I wasn't able to get the tracking shots I wanted but managed to get some shots to replace them that I am pretty proud of such as the wide shot of Sam sat at the window. Overall, I'm proud of the footage we ended up getting and I'm happy with the way everyone conducted themselves throughout the entire production process

Risk Assessment Newton Reshoot

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 20:18:49 UTC

Budget

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 20:22:29 UTC

The budget caused me no major issues because I had no major spending that needed to be done on the production itself it was good to be in the position to where I could pay for travel costs. Travel was also relatively inexpensive as we are driving to and from location.

Genre, tone and audience

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 20:49:03 UTC

Genre- Drama, story for the whole project would be pretty simple and stripped back focus on the main Character feeling lost in life.

Tone- Lonely subdued tone at the start before job interview, then an intense uncomfortable tone as main character explores the build and goes for the interview

Audience- Young people of all gender orientations aged 18-25. Usually would engage with coming of age dramas or emotionally introspective pieces of media

Changes to story

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 20:52:35 UTC

Mostly just an expansion on my move away from the surreal.

Instead of being handed piece of paper finds job online- reflects the real world more highlights the isolating nature of finding a job online.

Still lost in the building but no longer any surreal or nonsensical rooms. Only had a very vague grasp on how I was going to expand on this idea anyway

Instead of appearing outside at the end, just leaves building sits in nature. Still represents freedom

Shot ideas

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 20:58:08 UTC

ECU on eye calling attention to the light reflected in main character's eyes, screen has become whole world view.

Low Angle- Laptop screen casts shadows over face world looming over main character.

Double dolly moving through the corridor- captures the dream like nature of being lost unfamiliar place, unfamiliar way to move through environment.

Main character shot through a glass- distorts their face we present distorted versions of ourselves in interview settings

Camera pans 180 as interview asks questions relentless nature of a job interview feels like it gives you no time to think. Use wide angle lens to distort characters and environment, take in all available information in an interview lens reflects this.

I will expand and flesh out my ideas through my story board and shot list.

Call sheets all days

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:02:58 UTC

Consent form Ash

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:05:59 UTC

Story Boards

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:08:30 UTC

Story boards were easy to make and helped me consider my shots practically. Some shots dependant on camera movement I may need to change them slightly on when shooting because something my work better practically or aesthetically then what was planned. Overall I'm happy with my planned shots.

Newton pictures

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:26:10 UTC

Newton pictures

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:26:44 UTC

Allerton pictures

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:29:26 UTC

Alletron Pictures

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:31:28 UTC

Allerton pictues

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:32:44 UTC

Allerton Pictures

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:33:37 UTC

Ethics- Participator Info Sheet

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:36:32 UTC

Ethics Risks Assessment

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:37:14 UTC

Ethics- Contributor consent form Sam

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:38:33 UTC

Ethics Contributor consent form Ash

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:39:29 UTC

Ethics- Contributor consent form Henry

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:41:01 UTC

Ethics- Contributor consent form Remy

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:43:07 UTC

Ethics- Contributor consent form Quail

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:46:22 UTC

Continuity Log

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:50:29 UTC

Post shoot update- I find having a continuity log is always useful when edit to sort through which footage is usable. Having Ash as production assistant to take care of things such as continuity was useful as it meant it was one less thing I had to worry about

Continuity Log

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 21:51:27 UTC

Overall Reflections

jamesc1804 — 2024-12-11 22:00:53 UTC

Overall I think this module has been incredible useful in my ongoing creative development in various ways. The test shots help me develop my ability to communicate visually and expand my technical abilities through being trained on and using the Blackmagic's. I'm happy with the shots I was able to produce. I feel I have started to develop my skills as a director especially the ability to communicate with cast and crew. The time in the screen action studio particularly helped with this and has given me things I will keep in mind when I work with actors in the future. Producing is always different as unique challenges constantly arise in every production but the more experience I get producing the better I feel I get at responding to each shoots logistical problems. It was interesting to be both my own director and producer as it meant I had to constantly think both creatively and practically. I think this has improved me as a director as having to take into account practical considerations has made me take into account which creative hills are worth dying on and which ideas should be changed to work better practically.