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.

China Town reccee

Footage from trip to China Town.

Filming permission and location change

I spoke to Barshu Restaurant during my trip to Chinatown yesterday, and the manager said it was unlikely that I would be able to film in the evening due to the busyness. However, he did say it could potentially be a possibility.

I then went across the road to a Mediterranean Bistro, which was full of mosaic lamps; I was instantly drawn to this place because of this - I then decided to ask for permission in there as well, as this would give me more options.

The manager at this place said that I would be able to film, but the best times to do this would be at either 7am or 2-3pm. However, I spoke to him at 5pm and the place was empty, so I may be able to stick to my original filming schedule. 

China Town research

For the scene between the boss and the protagonist, I ideally need to find a restaurant with an open kitchen to be able to film some cooking. The place also needs to look authentic, as this will make the trailer look more aesthetically pleasing.

I am looking for a classic Chinese place, e.g. red and gold colouring with warm, low lighting. This will make the footage look atmospheric and 'mysterious'.

After Google searching open kitchen restaurants, I found two places in China Town:
1. Open Kitchen Bar and Restaurant
2. London Chinatown Restaurant

I had a look at them both, and decided that neither place had the look that I was going for.

I then searched 'traditional Chinese restaurants in London Chinatown', and found a place called 'Barshu Resaurant', which looked ideal.

This place is reasonably spacious, which will allow room for a camera and a tripod without invading other people's space. The room is lit with warm lightbulbs, both yellow and orange, and the walls are a dark colour which helps build an atmosphere, as well as there being embellishments such as an intricate wooden wall design.

On the Google review, it says that it is busiest at 9pm - I will therefore try and film as early as possible, which will be around 6 - 7pm.

Animatic

Here is the animatic for my trailer. I have taken the soundbites from the internet as well as the soundtrack that has been used.

I have chosen to use three tracks for my inspiration:

1. Dream Collapsing - Hans Zimmer
2. 2020 - Suuns
3. Freak - LFO

For the final cut of my trailer I will use my own recorded soundbites as well as my own composed soundtrack.

Storyboard

Here is a PowerPoint with my storyboard.

Meg's Storyboard from Alleyn's School Media Studies Department

Voiceover

I used Johnny Depp's voiceover in the trailer for 'Black Mass' as the influence for my own. 

It is ominous and gives the notion of threat and a sense of 'impending doom'. However, it is spoken slowly and deeply rather than too dramatically. I think this works really well as the subtly of this makes the speech even more powerful, and draws the audience in further.

(See my research and planning post on 'Black Mass' for further notes).

My own voiceover: