Rough cut of footage and notes (re-shoot of main scene)

Sound bites needed

These are the sound bites that I need to record myself. I have found clips from YouTube to use for this video.

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot five)

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot four)

Water footage - clips and tests

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot three, part two)

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot three, part one)

I love the colours in this footage, and I now want to use more of these shots in my trailer than I originally planned. I am therefore going to do another shoot under these lights, with more experimental angles and close up shots.

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot two)

I am happy with the quality of these shots - I have also filmed a lot more than I need, so I will have lots of extra establishing and continuity shots if needed.

Rough cut of footage with notes (shoot one)

After shooting the main scene last week, I have decided that the light conditions are too dark, which makes the footage appear grainy. There is not enough crisp contrast in the saturation, and I am therefore going to re-shoot this scene with key and filler lighting.

I also lost the sound recordings for this shoot. Sound is extremely important for making a film look professional and high quality, so this is another reason for re-shooting. (As I would not be able to sync up the sound correctly if I do not record the audio and visuals simultaneously.)

Filming permission for office shots

I decided that, for the office shots, I would ask my dad if I was able to get permission from his work to film in an empty office in his building. After some liaison, I have managed to get it and have organised it for the evening of Thursday the 5th October.

The first email that I sent:

This was then forwarded on to the relevant people who have kindly organised the location for the shoot:

(I have erased names and email addresses for privacy.)

Updated shot list

(Voiceover)

1. China Town - establishing shots; chefs cooking/preparing food

2. Close up of knife chopping fish

3. Close up of food in pan - sound bridge from sizzling to crowd sounds

4. China Town - James (protagonist) walking through crowd

5. Shot from back - motion

6. Close up (front) - motion

7. Shot from above (from window if possible)

THESE SHOTS HAVE BEEN CUT OUT DUE TO LOCATION CHANGE...

9. Close up of Andy (boss) sitting at table

10. Waitress walks in front of the frame. We see James sat opposite him when she leaves frame (James speaks)
11. Close up of waitress walking with tea tray - motion
12. Wide shot of table as waitress arrives, places tea down
13. Cutaway of waitress walking away
(Andy speaks)
14. Close up of tea cups from above... their hands then take the cups from the tray, taking them out of the frame
15. Over the shoulder shot of Andy
16. Cutaway of flower painting/artwork on wall

... AND HAVE BEEN UPDATED WITH THESE:

(Voiceover) 

17. Long shot of James on tube home
18. Shot of James in mirrored lift
19. Wide shot of James at computer screen (side profile, framed by window?) - light shines on face. Can hear computer keys tapping
20. Close up of eyes - screen reflected in it

21. Wide shot of James silhouette in bathroom doorway. Clicks on the light
22. Cutaway of tap - slowly dripping
23. Shot from above - James lying on bed, coloured lights saturating shot. Can still hear tap dripping
24. Shot from above of the sink - James's hand gripping sides (as if it is his POV)
25. Shot from side of sink - arm in the frame. Pan up to see James's wet face staring in the mirror
26. Wide shot of James sitting on bed, leaning against wall, coloured lights saturating shot. Can still hear tap dripping
27. Close up of James's face in mirror. Water dripping down face
28. Cutaway of lit up water
(inter-title)

(Returns to the scene)
29. Over the shoulder shot of Andy

(Voiceover)

30. Cutaway of strip light flickering
31. Wide shot of James walking down empty office at night
(Inter-title)
32. Wide shot of James walking through formal party 
33. Cutaway to extras within scene - close up of drinks in hand
34. Close up of file draw opening
35. Medium close up of car door opening, James getting out of the car
36. Close up of hand flicking through files
37. Two men in suits in party - both turn to look at him. Hold
(inter-title)
38. James looking out of car window driving at night. Can see reflection of face and street lights 
39. Shot of James banging on mirror. Lights are saturated
(inter-title)
40. Shot from above - James face underwater in bath. Both the lighting and water will be saturated
41. Close up of James's face, eyes closed and head lifted. Brings head down and opens eyes (under theatre lights)
42. Shot from above - James face underwater in bath. Both the lighting and water will be saturated
43. Close up of James staring down the camera (lit with theatre lights)

(Returns to scene)

THESE SHOTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED DUE TO LOCATION CHANGE...

44. Close up of James
45. Cutaway of him picking up cup
46. Close up of Andy
(Andy speaks)
47. Over the shoulder shot of James. He drinks the tea
48. Close up of James as he drinks - can see Adam's apple move when swallowing
(inter-title)

AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH THESE...

Second location change

After emailing the Bistro restaurant on Frith Street for the second time, the manager said they would be unable to let me film as they had a big group dining and would be too busy. This left me needing to find an alternative location at the last minute.

James said that I could use his UAL university accommodation in Elephant and Castle to film in - this was suitable as his kitchen/living room has floor-to-ceiling glass windows which overlook London and the railway line. This was also good for practical reasons as Andy and I did not have to travel as far, and James did not have to travel at all. Also, this way, we did not have to have permission granted as well as being able to film in a private space. This gave us more freedom for the length of time we spent filming as well as movement within the space and the noise levels we were working at.

I have therefore had to change my shot list to adapt to the new location, as well as the interior set up within the scene. I also improvised throughout the shoot, creating new ideas in response to my surroundings.