Post 11: Final Opening Sequence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUhyqbyCt1M&feature=youtu.be

MAIN Post 10: Post-production

After we finished our filming we then had to edit our opening sequence together. We started off with capturing the footage that we had recorded onto Adobe Premier. It was here we had a problem, due to time and hardware constraints we chose to go against using a logging rush to capture our footage off the camera. Instead of just capturing the scenes we needed we went and captured all of the footage on the camera. This ended up turning out to be a positive as it allowed us to keep extra footage so we could add onto extra parts to scenes to give them that little push they were missing.

 The next thing we had to do after this was to cut down the scenes to the individual shots. This is so that we can put it into the correct order and cut them down so that they were well paced. To do this we used the razor tool, selecting it with either C or by clicking on the razor icon. After we separated them we then got them all in order and placed them over 2 channels. This was so that if we accidental crossover shots they wouldn't be cut down.

 The next challenge we faced was creating the split screen shots. To get this effect we started off by layering the 2 videos on top of each other so that they were running at the same time. We then clicked on the picture that was on top and went over to the effect controls of the video and selected the motion option. From here I then selected scale and lowered it to 50%, we then went to the position controls and placed it so that it was in the corner of the frame. To set the other picture I did the same but just moved it to the other corner of the frame.

 One problem that we uncounted during editing was that for some of the shots inside the garage the lighting was very dim, to the point where you couldn't make out the actors faces. To get around this we used a combination of lighting effects and colour correction. We started off by using colour correction to brighten the picture up a bit. To do this we went to Video Effects>Colour Correction>Brightness and Contrast and then dragged the effect onto the video that we wanted to change. To change the brightness we then had to go into the video effects and play around with the numbers until the video looks better than it did before. The second thing we did was use a lighting effect to shed more artificial light in the scene. This was done in a very similar way to the brightness and contrast effect.

 When we were done we then had to export the video as an AVI file so it could be uploaded to Youtube. To do this we simply went to File then Export, chose the file destination and then waited for it to finish.

MAIN Post 9: Production

When we began filming our opening scene, we encountered a few problems that were not planned. The first problem was that we did not have access to Carlson’s suit case, this was a problem as we need it for one of the shots of him putting a document into his case to show him getting ready for his interrogation. We solved this by using a over-the-shoulder carrier bag, it did not look as good as a suit case would have nor did it look like a bag a secret agent would use but it was the best we could work with.

Another problem that we came across later on was that when we came to film the terrorist scenes, we had misplaced our script somewhere along the way. This meant that we weren't able to shoot the dialogue scenes that day, when we wanted to get it all filmed at once. To solve this problem, we organized a group meeting so we could re-write our script for that scene. Here we encountered another problem because we had to compromise our original storyboard and miss the last couple shots due to us not being able to get hold of a van or even a car in such short notice. This meant that we also had to change parts of our original script in which they would talk about how they had changed the plates and how it was parked outside. Instead of using these lines we chose to not mention any vehicle and instead leave it open. I feel that this did work but at the same time it would have added to the mise-en-scene to have a van or at least a car in some of these shots.

One other problem that we encountered when we were filming inside the garage was that it didn't have any power outlets, this resulted in there being no way to use spot lights which resulted in the scene being very dark. But there was a benefit to this however, having the scene so dark added to the dark nature of the terrorists as well as the theme.

One thing that went well with our filming was that we didn't have to retake many shots. There was a couple mistakes such as Joel (The terrorist wearing the balaclava) dropping the guns magazine and also a couple of framing mistakes here and there but over all we didn't have too much excess footage that we had to sit through. This meant that we were able to save a lot of time when it came to editing because we didn’t have to choose which shots were better than others and edit the wrong shots out.

Overall I feel that while we did have a few problems and revisions but I feel that we dealt with them successfully and still got what we needed to a good level of quality and polish.

MAIN Post 8: Pre-production documenatation

Full Plot Synopsis: 

Agent Carlson is getting ready for an interrogation into a recent mission uncovering the true intent of a higher up member of MI6; agent Darwin. At the same time a squad of terrorists are getting ready to kidnap Carlson and his daughter.

They get them away successfully and take them to a secure location.

Months earlier, Carlson was on an assassination mission in Iran were he was ordered to kill a high valued target. Through a misunderstanding with his head agent, Darwin, he killed the wrong pony without knowing and got home to find out that he had been punished for failing the mission, although he thought he carried it out successfully. This led to him getting demoted to a desk job.

In the terrorist’s captivity, Carlson starts planning his escape whilst the terrorists confirm that they have captured him and his daughter, they then realize that they have been double crossed by not being paid for kidnapping Carlson so that he couldn’t get to the interrogation. This makes the terrorists feel a vendetta towards the agent that hired them, Darwin. Instead of keeping Carlson in their captivity they choose to get onto MI6 and get a ransom for agent Carlson. Carlson escapes and frees his daughter leaving on his way to MI6.

While the terrorists start coming to terms with MI6 one of them realize that they have escaped, leading the terrorists to panic and choosing to go after them. On his way Carlson finds a payphone and he contacts Darwin asking to meet in a private area, Darwin agrees and then Carlson and his daughter turn up at MI6, rushing up to the head office, knowing that Darwin isn’t in the building.

Carlson gets up to the head office and sees the Director looking confused about why he is in such a rush. Carlson tells him about the whole affair, telling him about Iran and what has just happened to him and about how Darwin is working against the MI6. After some thought the Director believes him and they send out a task force to track him down.

Darwin arrives at the private location, confused that Carlson isn’t already there, shortly after the terrorist group also arrives, confused as well because they were expecting to find Carlson after following him on the run. During a confrontation the terrorists find out that it is Darwin that’s in front of them and they kill him in revenge for double crossing them. As they escape the task force that was set out to track down Darwin sees them escaping and manages to arrest them.

Opening Sequence Outline: Agent Carlson is getting ready for work at his job in MI6, feeling sad that he cant be with his daughter, at the same time a group of freelance terrorists are getting ready to kidnap him because they have been hired to by an anoymous source. The 2 scenes cut between eachother at different paces, with the terrorists having a fast and intence feeling, against Carlson who is relaxed and lethargic.

risk assessment 

Crew List: 
Hugo King-Irwin: Camera Operator, Terrorist and Director
John Brookes: Camera Operator, Terrorist and Assistant Director
Max Halcomb: Camera Operator, Agent Carlson and Writer
Conor Westlake: Camera Operator, Producer and Co-Writer

Storyboard 

Pre-Production Report:

Our idea is to do a Thriller aimed at the target audience of young adult males. We had to do a number of different drafts of the script, so that it was more thrilling, engaging and so that it had a solid conclusion. One problem that we have encountered is that our cast is going to be somewhat younger than the ones that are presented in the script. We will try our best to solve this problem by casting people who look and sound a lot older than they actually are; we are also able to manipulate their appearance by using makeup and lighting to our advantage.

Another thing that we have found during our preproduction is to use lots of shots. This will benefit our piece because it will give it a good sense of pacing, something that we have found to be very important in the openings of thrillers. We have listed our shots in the shot list and illustrated them as well in our storyboard. This is so that we have something that we can easily refer to whilst we are filming.