Feedback From The Viewing Of Our First Cut

We showed our first cut to the class and collected their constructive criticism so that we could improve our production during the last week. This is how it went.

We were told that there were some narrative issues that need sorting out, for example, the shot of the photograph and the shot of the files being dropped. This is a case of rethinking the shots and re filming them. However, due to impracticalities we can not re film the one with the files. There was also some confusion over the identity of Heather (Phoebe); this can not be resolved because we are only allowed to film the initial two minuets of the film and some of these narrative issues are developments in the overall plot.

There were some technical issues with the shot of the screen because it flickers. This is resolvable and we will sort it out in time for our final showing. The volume issues with the voice over are also resolvable, even thought we do not agree with the rest of the class when they say that it did not work. We will need to rerecord this. And finally, the radio sound bridge was short and quite unclear as to how it fitted in with the plot.

Visually, our production was considered good but the title slide was quite amateurish and is in desperate need of being reproduced in a more professional manner.

Feedback From Our First Cut

We showed the class our first, unfinnished version on our opening so that we could get some ideas of how to improve and how well it works as a production. This is how it went.

Music News!

I have finally composed the music for our production!

Track 1 is meant for the very opening shots and our titles. And Track 2 is meant for the voice overs later in the opening.

I composed it using a composition program on the computer calles Sibelius. I exported the music that I composed as a .WAV file and it worked first time. I did however, have to iron out a few dodgy noted before we could use it. The music had to build suspence; it does.

The image above is the score for the in ital piece of music at the beginning. I used a lot of bass because I know that by playing long, suspended notes it can produce a feeling of anxiety and suspense. I also knew that strings were going to sound best for what I wanted to produce. The violins play short phrases in the long gaps between the cello and double bass parts, this just makes the piece sound more interesting, whilst sticking to the theme. The piece is in Em to produce what I believe to be the best sounding minor tone.

The second piece of music is on the score below and is essentially the one above, with the violins taken out and some bass staccato.
Its only very simple music but it is effective in context and I am pleased with how it turned out.

What We Have Filmed So Far (and how it went(Part II))

On our second filming session, we used Xanthe's kitchen, as we needed a kitchen and it was dark out side. We filmed the second scene, which is all of the kitchen based conversation and the computer shots.

The breaking of the cup was hard to film because we had to line the camera up and drop the cup in the same place each time. Xanthe was clever and suggested that we put clingfilm over the camera lens so as not to get coffee on the camera. The mug broke on the second attempt. perfect.

with the hitting of the radio, we originally wondered how we were going to make the radio turn off, so i suggested that when Katie hit it, i turn it off at the wall, off camera. But then i got hit by a different and better idea, that we could film it turned off, and edit the radio sounds in afterwards. This works well and i believe that it has gone better than turning the camera off at the wall would have due to our poor timing.

Most of the rest of the footage that we filmed went to plan, with one exception. The screen was flickery. however, we did not overcome the issue and will have to make do with what we have filmed. It still has the same effect. But in all, it went well.