The Production Process Day 3

30/10/19 - Today we gathered in our groups to begin making the short film we were assigned. Ours was called 'The Gloaming'

The morning began with us reading through the script together, making sure that we all understood and liked it. As we went through, I made a shot list on the script, drawing connections to the scene when the shot is needed etc. as the director went through his thoughts. This was then developed into a story board that we'd be able to use when filming.

Overall, I think this process went well. We listened to each others ideas while also paying heed to the director's creative input, while also making sure that each member was comfortable and dependable in the role they were given. In my opinion, we could have developed in our timing. We spent a little too long discussing the shots so we didn't get much time to film.

Before we started filming, we were taken into the main room to discuss the risk assessments that the producers had made.

This enabled us to learn why we needed a risk assessment, what risk there would be when filming and the advantages of having one. I learnt about the accident book that the town hall has, and how an accident needs to be recorded so that there is evidence of it occurring.

Our producer discussed the points they had made, helpfully making sure we all understood. This is a live document, so if more risks occur, they need to be added.

In the afternoon, we began making 'The Gloaming'. As a camera operator, I was in charge of operating the camera, making sure that the subject was in frame and using the 3rd degree rule, making sure that the lighting, exposure and focus were correct and setting up the tripod/ hand-held if it was needed.

It was especially important that the camera team worked well together, we had to be respectful, helpful, coordinated and focused. I felt like we achieved this, as in the days filming, we had to do a focus pull where one camera man operated the camera and the other the focus, making sure the transition is effective and fluid.

This was one of the many skills that I learnt when filming, as well as developing my knowledge of the technical side. I was able to put my understanding of focus, framing and lighting to practice. This helped me to improve my skills as well as receive helpful advice from the supervisors.