Production Diary - Week 20

These past weeks after carry out my filming have been very difficult, especially with the huge setback of the scenes I filmed for my film unable to play back or be edited. For the past few weeks I have spent time focused on my other coursework pieces, the review and poster, which will be finished over the next few weeks. Now I have access to the file converter, hopefully now I can continue with my filming and catch up with the missed time.

Production Diary - Week 19

This week I wrote a post relating to the setbacks I have been experiencing so far through my production. During this week, I have managed to sort some of this issues out, including the issue that I mentioned regarding the problem with opening and editing my film footage due to the film format. I have began using the converting software to change the film file formats to be able to use for editing. I have also, began to edit my film and camera test footage, which I will continue into the next week.

Production Setbacks

Editing:
In these past few weeks post-production, I have been determined to begin to edit my footage, using Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.  Unbeknown to me, the camera's format coding was incompatible with this specific software; I was struggling trying to view the files on the Apple Mac - the only way I could view the footage was by opening them up in VLC software. This created more stress and bigger setbacks for my production, as VLC's format is still incompatible with Adobe Premiere Pro. I instigated searching the Internet for an answer to find a way of changing the file formats to be compatible with the editing software. With no succession, I started to believe I would have to rerecord my film using a alternative camera - this would waste time and possible set me back a few weeks, as I would have to wait for the Actors to become available again. This has also not allowed me to complete my camera test, which was my preliminary task for the coursework, but will be my first task once I have got the converters.  After addressing the problem with my Media teacher and the school’s technicians, we found a possible solution, which is to download converter software that allows files to be converted into their format they need, obtaining the codecs for the files to work in the software. Currently, I have been waiting over a week for the software to become available. Fortunately, the technician arrived today with the file converter software and installed them onto the Mac I am using. The converter software is called "Handbrakes", using a simple method, it allows files to be selected and converted to change the files format, making it compatible with Premiere Pro, and thus I can start my editing. 

This has been a real setback, as my footage has been waiting to be edited since the end of December, showing a lot of time has been wasted. Although, I look at it as a positive occurrence, as I have been able to experience a realistic setback that can occur if I was working in the film industry that causes production to pause.

Images:
It has been difficult trying to complete the final edits of my poster and review, as the actor that I need for the photographs has been unavailable. This has caused a setback, as I could have finished my poster and review, as well as posted the on my blog to show some of my production. This is another realistic situation, however, if I was to do this again in the future, I would produce a time-table to show actors and actresses availability. Also, to create another call sheet, for a production day a few weeks later after some editing, in case of reacting scenes again if the sequence wasn't to the standard is should be.

Production Diary - Week 18

This week, I have continued to focus on finishing my Poster and Film Review; these are both nearly completed with only two images needed to be added to them of the main character. The reason this has not been completed yet, is due to the actor being unavailable; this is a setback as this is a realistic struggle in the film industry, which hopefully can be solved within the next week. Next week, I can hopefully begin the editing of my film footage, the reason I haven't done this sooner, is due to technical issues that I have been experiencing, which I will explain in a post next week.

Slogan for my film

I have chosen the font type 'Mother-In-Law' font type for my slogan - this font type is shown in my font chart. I feel this was a good font type to use as it follows the similar conventions of the title, with it appearing distort, due the 'scratches' affect. I didn't want the two font types to be too different from each other, as it wouldn't fit with the conventions of a film poster; I chose two font types that are similar, yet in their own way distinct from each other. The title is different with the text having a 'drooping' effect, which makes it stand out more, yet having them both using a scratching effect, lets them be similar, meeting conventions.
I chose the slogan 'Goodbye Sanity', as it gives the audience an insight to the film, however, it doesn't give too much away, such as mentioning "She", giving away the story. By having the slogan this way, the audience are drawn in, linking closely with the definition of 'Distort'. It tells the audience that the stability of a characters mental state, will leave them without their sanity, causing the story to begin, yet the audience will not know this until the very end of the film, keeping the audience waiting, creating anticipation and the feelings created by a psychological thriller.
I have decided on red font, as it differs from the title, allowing it to stand out, as well as red being a representation of danger and strength, which are two feelings obtained from the film. The use of making the red quite dark, associates it with anger and rage, which are also represented in the film.

Production Diary - Week 17

This was the first week after returning from the Christmas break (2 weeks), which as posted I have been filming for my production. I have spent the first week back focusing on the addition parts of my coursework, which is to create a Review and Poster for my short film. I have focused on drafting up the text in my review, before I began designing the pages of the review; for my review I have decided to be a critical reviewer, as I feel it will make me be less biased, as well as be a true representation of what a review for my film would be like.  I also began creating my poster for my film; I have mainly been focusing on colours that I will use and the fonts - I have produced two font charts, showing potential fonts that I will use. I later chose on using 'CARACURA' as the font type for my title(shown in a blog post); I have noted the reasons why I feel this font type is the best option in connection with the conventions of the genre.

Font Chosen?

With the use from the font charts I produced, I decided on 'Caracura' font (shown above). I selected this font type, as it represents the visual definition of 'Distort', which is defined as pull or twisted out of shape or when the form of something has changed. This is represented in the font type, as the letters are being pulled out of shape and appear as though the ink has been smudged and scratched. As well as, I feel as though this is the right font type for my title, as it reaches the target audience, as the font conforms with the conventions of the genre, a psychological thriller; the text is out of shape and obscure, which can be viewed as chilling, a feeling gained by the audience when watching psychological thrillers. However, my idea for my poster is to alter the text colour to white, placing the text on top of a black background, as this will represent more of a psychological thriller. The colour White has the connotation of representing safety, however, by using is for a psychological thriller, will contradict this meaning, as well as the film not being as simple as first though of by the audience. 

Font Chart

                                   
FONT TYPES SHOWN ABOVE (TOP-BOTTOM):
Distorted and Scratchy, I Still Know, Broken Glass (OT1), Bad Coma, Come With Us and Caracura



                                   
FONT TYPES SHOWN ABOVE (TOP-BOTTOM):
Ghosts Everywhere, Marsh Things, Marsh Things 3D, Mother In Laws, Reasons to See Evil and Insomnia.

All font times @ dafonts

Production Diary - Week 16

Fortunately, I have been able to fulfill the goal to carry out my filming!! This means, next week I am able to go back to my media class and begin to conduct the processing stage, as well as look at the other pieces of the coursework: Review and Poster. I can hopefully review my filming and work out if I have to reshoot certain scenes.