Friday the 13th has been and gone which means we have shot the remaining part of our video!
What did you do the day before, to set up for your shoot day?
The day before the shoot I made sure that the artists knew exactly what they were doing and were comfortable with what was going to happen the following day. I made sure the artists had their costumes prepared and I did one last singing rehearsal with Molly to make sure she felt confident for the shoot. I also went and had a look at the set and helped build it. I wanted to make sure that everything was sorted before the shoot day so we could get as long as possible filming so we could get the perfect shots.
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| Building our set |
How did you feel when you woke up on the morning of the shoot day?
In the morning I was very excited to shoot as I knew that everything was set in place and ready to go. On my way to school I stopped at my local shop and purchased 3 bottles of talcum powder for the drums to create a dramatic effect of looking like the drums were creating mist/smoke when Callum was to hit them. I had tried out this technique before but on the shoot day it proved to be very successful and looked great.
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| Ksenia applying Callum's make up |
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| Ksenia applying Molly's make up |
Describe what the studio looked like when you started to shoot, how well do you feel you managed to create the look of your concept?
I think we managed to create our concept very well as the concept was quite simple. We dressed the studio in hanging lightbulbs which emphasised beauty and the simplicity of the song. As the song was so beautiful and slow I wanted to make sure that the set matched the tempo so we all made sure the set was as simple as possible and that the performers were wearing black.
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| Our set |
How did you divide the roles on your shoot day, what role(s) did you play?
Before the shoot we all decided together that Ben would be the cameraman, Ksenia would be head of art direction and that I would be the director. This was an easy decision for us as we knew that Ben was the strongest with the camera as he has had previous experience, Ksenia has had previous experience with make up and I had come up with a lot of the previous shot ideas and how to direct the performers. During the shoot, however, myself and Ben felt at our strongest when both giving our inputs for shot ideas as well as both taking control of the camera at points as well. This worked very well as we both have had previous camera and director experience. I also helped apply the talcum powder to the drums during takes and was in charge of the clapperboard at the beginning of the shoot.
Before the shoot we all decided together that Ben would be the cameraman, Ksenia would be head of art direction and that I would be the director. This was an easy decision for us as we knew that Ben was the strongest with the camera as he has had previous experience, Ksenia has had previous experience with make up and I had come up with a lot of the previous shot ideas and how to direct the performers. During the shoot, however, myself and Ben felt at our strongest when both giving our inputs for shot ideas as well as both taking control of the camera at points as well. This worked very well as we both have had previous camera and director experience. I also helped apply the talcum powder to the drums during takes and was in charge of the clapperboard at the beginning of the shoot.
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| Ben and I on the tracks |
What do you think that you personally did particularly well?
I personally think that the shot ideas I made on the day will benefit our video. I had a vision of a shot I wanted to do, which actually became one of the best shots. This shot was to have the singer centre of the set and to have the tracks facing inwards so we could perform an inward and outward track. This looked great and really emphasised the scale of the room and the performance. I then repeated this with Callum who was our drummer. This shot can then be used throughout the video if needed and can also be used as a back up if the shots did not go to plan. We could also use these shots to cut between one another at a fast pace if we decide to in the editing process. I also think I kept everything in order, and as director, made sure that the performers were happy and confident in themselves so they would give the best performance they could.
I personally think that the shot ideas I made on the day will benefit our video. I had a vision of a shot I wanted to do, which actually became one of the best shots. This shot was to have the singer centre of the set and to have the tracks facing inwards so we could perform an inward and outward track. This looked great and really emphasised the scale of the room and the performance. I then repeated this with Callum who was our drummer. This shot can then be used throughout the video if needed and can also be used as a back up if the shots did not go to plan. We could also use these shots to cut between one another at a fast pace if we decide to in the editing process. I also think I kept everything in order, and as director, made sure that the performers were happy and confident in themselves so they would give the best performance they could.
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| Filming my tracking in and out idea |
What problems did you have on the shoot day, how did you solve them?
We had relatively few problems on our shoot. However, we were slow when moving onto new shots and therefore we did not get as many shots as would have liked. We tried to work as quickly as possible but as we had to clear up our talcum powder which also took time and therefore delayed shooting due to continuity issues. We tried to resolve it by keeping ourselves focused throughout however it did mean that there were a few extra shots that didn't get shot which may have been worthwhile.
We had relatively few problems on our shoot. However, we were slow when moving onto new shots and therefore we did not get as many shots as would have liked. We tried to work as quickly as possible but as we had to clear up our talcum powder which also took time and therefore delayed shooting due to continuity issues. We tried to resolve it by keeping ourselves focused throughout however it did mean that there were a few extra shots that didn't get shot which may have been worthwhile.
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| Ben and I discussing the next shot |
Which part of the shoot do you think was most successful and why?
I think the most successful part of our shoot was the fact that we had the opportunity to shoot on two separate days meaning that we could focus on getting the right shots for each day. We shot the dance during our free time on the weekend on the south bank in London. Therefore we were able to focus on the studio performance all day and not have to worry about fitting in the dance and locations as well. This was very successful as we were not pushed for time so I was able to focus on working with the performers, making sure they felt confident and getting the shots we needed.
I think the most successful part of our shoot was the fact that we had the opportunity to shoot on two separate days meaning that we could focus on getting the right shots for each day. We shot the dance during our free time on the weekend on the south bank in London. Therefore we were able to focus on the studio performance all day and not have to worry about fitting in the dance and locations as well. This was very successful as we were not pushed for time so I was able to focus on working with the performers, making sure they felt confident and getting the shots we needed.
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| Our talent |
Which part of the shoot do you wish had gone better and why?
I wish that our organisation between takes had gone better as we would have been able to get more of the shots we wanted during that time and we may have had more tracking shots to use in our cut. If I were to do it again, I would make sure we were much more organised before the shoot and plan out a shot list that we needed so we could get the shots that may have enhanced our video that bit further. However, other than that, I am very happy with how the shoot day went.
I wish that our organisation between takes had gone better as we would have been able to get more of the shots we wanted during that time and we may have had more tracking shots to use in our cut. If I were to do it again, I would make sure we were much more organised before the shoot and plan out a shot list that we needed so we could get the shots that may have enhanced our video that bit further. However, other than that, I am very happy with how the shoot day went.
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| Through the camera lens |
How well do you think you managed your talent (actors)?
As I was the director of the shoot, one of my main jobs was to make sure that the performers felt comfortable and were having an enjoyable experience. I would give them direction in what they were doing so they felt they could trust me as a director to make sure the shots looked good but also I praised them when they did something great so they would repeat it in other shots. They felt confident in my decision making and I trusted their opinion on what they thought would work with the songs and how they felt this band would perform so we worked together consistently to find out the best way to do this. Therefore I believe I managed the talent in the best way I could.
As I was the director of the shoot, one of my main jobs was to make sure that the performers felt comfortable and were having an enjoyable experience. I would give them direction in what they were doing so they felt they could trust me as a director to make sure the shots looked good but also I praised them when they did something great so they would repeat it in other shots. They felt confident in my decision making and I trusted their opinion on what they thought would work with the songs and how they felt this band would perform so we worked together consistently to find out the best way to do this. Therefore I believe I managed the talent in the best way I could.
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| Myself directing Molly before the take |
What was the part of the shoot you enjoyed the most?
The part of the shoot I enjoyed the most was the ability to see the ideas we had been working so hard on over the past couple of months turning into a reality in front of my eyes was very exciting. I loved the ability to direct the talent whilst also collaborating with my group to ensure that all of our ideas were heard and considered before making a final decision. We often used bits of ideas from us all to create something that we were all happy with. I loved the opportunity to work with the great camera facilities that we had to offer and experiment with different shot types that were I spontaneously thought of whilst on shoot as sometimes things look slightly different in reality than they do in your vision. Overall I loved the shoot and thought it was a very productive day.
The part of the shoot I enjoyed the most was the ability to see the ideas we had been working so hard on over the past couple of months turning into a reality in front of my eyes was very exciting. I loved the ability to direct the talent whilst also collaborating with my group to ensure that all of our ideas were heard and considered before making a final decision. We often used bits of ideas from us all to create something that we were all happy with. I loved the opportunity to work with the great camera facilities that we had to offer and experiment with different shot types that were I spontaneously thought of whilst on shoot as sometimes things look slightly different in reality than they do in your vision. Overall I loved the shoot and thought it was a very productive day.
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| Me shooting the wide shot of the performance |
What are you looking forward to seeing the most in the edit?
I am most looking forward to seeing how everything that we filmed looks on a camera and making sure that the impact created in the studio is created through the camera lens. I am also very much looking forward to seeing how our two different locations look when cut together and it will hopefully explain the narrative that we were hoping to convey. The tracking in shot is the one I'm looking forward to seeing the most of both Molly and Callum as I think this will have a big impact and will be interesting to watch which is what I hoped for when thinking of the shot.
I am most looking forward to seeing how everything that we filmed looks on a camera and making sure that the impact created in the studio is created through the camera lens. I am also very much looking forward to seeing how our two different locations look when cut together and it will hopefully explain the narrative that we were hoping to convey. The tracking in shot is the one I'm looking forward to seeing the most of both Molly and Callum as I think this will have a big impact and will be interesting to watch which is what I hoped for when thinking of the shot.
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| Me watching the TV screen to see how it looked on camera |
How well do you feel that your production group worked as a team?
I think, as a group, we worked very well as a team. Before the shoot we all listened to one another and all tried to put forward any ideas that we may have in order to make sure we all produced a video that we were proud of. Although in pre production we occasionally experienced conflict, we managed to resolve it by listening to everyone's ideas and collaborating them for the best possible video. During the production stage, we worked well as we all made sure we had our individual jobs to do like I have spoken about earlier, however, we also helped one another during the shoot in case one of us was having trouble or was unsure on a decision that they didn't want to make on their own. Overall I think we worked very well as a team.
I think, as a group, we worked very well as a team. Before the shoot we all listened to one another and all tried to put forward any ideas that we may have in order to make sure we all produced a video that we were proud of. Although in pre production we occasionally experienced conflict, we managed to resolve it by listening to everyone's ideas and collaborating them for the best possible video. During the production stage, we worked well as we all made sure we had our individual jobs to do like I have spoken about earlier, however, we also helped one another during the shoot in case one of us was having trouble or was unsure on a decision that they didn't want to make on their own. Overall I think we worked very well as a team.
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| Our team- Ksenia, Ben and I |
Are their any lessons you learned today that could help you make your next shoot even more successful?
The main lesson I learnt was the fact that, for a more productive shoot, we need to work quicker in between takes so we have more time for experimentation. Fortunately for us, we were able to film over two days, however, if we only shot on one day we would not have had the chance to shoot everything we needed in one day. Therefore, if I do this again, and only have one day to shoot, I will make sure my group and I plans out a shot list of essentials so we get all of those as quick as possible and then giving us a chance to experiment with other shots.
The main lesson I learnt was the fact that, for a more productive shoot, we need to work quicker in between takes so we have more time for experimentation. Fortunately for us, we were able to film over two days, however, if we only shot on one day we would not have had the chance to shoot everything we needed in one day. Therefore, if I do this again, and only have one day to shoot, I will make sure my group and I plans out a shot list of essentials so we get all of those as quick as possible and then giving us a chance to experiment with other shots.
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| Our performers, Molly and Callum |
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