Evaluation

REVIEW THE PROCESS OF MAKING THE WORK AND WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT FROM IT.

The film making process in this case was difficult and very valuable in terms of experience. We suffered a number of problems, which we solved accordingly.

One of the main issues we had to overcome as a group was our main actor dropping out part way through the shooting process. After we had completed the two-minute piece we had a short break in shoots where our main actor decided not to get back in contact with us after we had tried to contact him. We made a quick decision to re-cast the role and re-film the whole two-minute piece as well as the additional scenes that would make up the 5-10 minute final film, so as not to waste any precious time. As it happens, the actor that we replaced the original with was much more flexible and was better suited to the role, so this problem was solved very well. I feel we didn’t learn a great deal from this as it was something out of our control, but I feel we made the right decision in acting quickly to solve a potentially disastrous problem.

Organisation was also a problem during the process. When writing the script, I had locations in mind, for example in the call-centre scene I imagined we would film in a proper call-centre so as to make for a realistic scene. However, the group didn’t work hard enough to secure the location and we ended up having to re-create a call-centre in a university classroom. This obviously brought it’s own problems as a teaching environment is much different to a work environment. Another problem, I feel, with this scene was the lack of extras. When writing the scene I described a busy environment. This busyness was imperative to creating a sense of isolation for Shaun, the protagonist. Again, I feel this problem was caused by the lack of organisation and drive from the group to secure extras. From this I have learnt, as the writer, to put pressure on the more ‘authoritative’ members of the crew to put extra effort into securing crucial locations and extras.

Another problem that we came across was communication and organisation amongst the group. During the process we communicated via a private Facebook group where we discussed shooting dates, equipment pick-ups etc. this proved a little problematic as a couple of our members didn’t join in and keep up to date with the posts. This lead to our sound-recordist not showing up to a number of the shoots, meaning we didn’t have sync-sound for a number of the scenes. This problem was solved towards the end of the post-production process where most of the group members helped to design the sound using foley. I have learnt that communication amongst film crews needs to be more professional and instantaneous, for example the use of proper email and phone calls to organise meetings and shoot dates.

The editing process was successful with few problems. After shooting days we would give the footage to the editor to make a rough edit with. After this we would meet up as a whole group to discuss changes that could be made. Not every member could make every session but on the whole this was a very successful method for editing, as everyone seemed to be happy with how each scene looked and flowed into the next scene. From this, I learnt that the editing process should be an on-going process rather than something that should be done after filming, as we had time to change things along the way.

The main problems that our group suffered were organisational problems and I have learnt a great deal from these problems, which I will take on board to make me a better ‘team-player’ in the future and ultimately a better film maker.

DISCUSS YOUR INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION TO MAKING THE WORK, YOUR APPROACH TO GROUP WORK, ANY PROBLEMS OR CHALLENGES YOU ENCOUNTERED WORKING AS PART OF A TEAM AND THE IMPACT OF YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THE PROCESS ON YOUR OWN EMPLOYABILITY

As cinematographer and writer of our film, I feel that I contributed a lot to the group. I feel that I worked well within the group getting the best out of the situation and putting my creative vision forward for the rest of the group to understand.

As the writer I feel that my creative vision for the film was significantly compromised when the group took the decision to make me camera operator and not director. However, I took this and worked hard on making my vision come out through the use of camera. I worked closely with the director during the pre-production stages, letting her know how I had intended the film to look and flow, we mainly agreed. Throughout the film making process I feel that I acted as assistant director as the director and I made a lot of creative decisions together rather than her making them herself. I feel that the director and me had more input than the rest of the group in terms of creativity.

Originally I had wanted the film to look gritty and realistic as cinematographer I was able to make the camera shots look this way. However, other aspects of the film such as the art direction and the sound didn’t seem to fit with this idea. The sound in the film was often un-realistic for example during the television scene the newsreaders words weren’t filtered properly making it sound as if she was in the room and not coming from the television. The art direction was often ‘cheesy’ or non-existent. For example, the scene in which Shaun is in his room on his computer, the room gives no indication as to how he is as a person, it is very plain, this takes away again from the realist element of the film. The picture edit of the film, however fits well with how I imagined the film, it is mainly slow paced with one sequence using fast paced editing (the fight scene) to create the turning point in the film.

I feel that my contribution to the group shows aspects of employability. Not only did I write the script, I also had a big influence on the pace, look and feel of the film. For a small production of this kind, I feel these attributes would be handy to have in a crew. I feel that I played a big role in the organisation of locations and actors as well, taking some pressure off the producer. I understand that this may not be desirable in a professional environment, however I think that is a skill worth having.

I feel that the group didn’t work as dynamically as it could have, as some members put more effort and work in than others. My vision when writing the film is obvious in some areas and let down in other areas, something I would change next time I write a script that is going to be made is my role within the group, I would want to direct that film.