Thursday, 20 November 2014

3-point lighting


Last week, we experimented with 3-point lighting with in the workstation. We experimented with different lighting gels and taught how we would use the lighting for different projects e.g. modelling shoot, interview etc. This was great example for me because I needed more experience with lighting. We were put into groups of four and every member got to move lighting around to get an idea of how to light an object.

Friday, 14 November 2014

Grindleford Report


This module was to develop and understand moving image production skills, also as a introduce strategies for creative use of skills. When the module began, a group of four were given an assignment to produce a short film around one of the villages in Derbyshire, Grindleford. The task was to capture footage of the area and edit it together using software Avid Composer. The film had to have the duration of two minutes and also contain film effects provided by Avid Composer.
In the pre-production stage, the appropriate paperwork regarding filming and health & safety regulations were created by me. I believe that I created pre-production paperwork to a high and professional standard. As Grindleford is a place where it has unstable ground, I had to make sure that the correct procedures were taken so I and my team were safe from any harm. Before we left for Grindleford, everyone was allocated their roles and we discussed what responsibilities they have to undertake to successfully do the job.

Once we got to Grindleford, all four of us decided to recce each spot we watched to film in. We make sure that we were safe in the area and thought about what footage we could get from the area. As me and my other group member Jessy Busgeeth were the cameraman, we used our own knowledge and what we were taught in sessions to capture the best quality picture possible Originally we were only going to focus on Waterfalls & Walls but there were so many other objects in the area to make our film stylish and interesting. After a few hours of filming, we got around twenty minutes of footage and everyone was quite pleased with that considering the weather kept changing throughout the day. Afterwards, we went back to the Sheffield Hallam to upload the footage and watch back the rushes.
After analysing the footage, I felt that we had substantial amount of footage to edit a film. Majority of our footage was of object where we would pan across the area so we could edit all the pieces together to make a film that would have a pleasant flow to watch. We used cross-dissolve effect to cut to a different location so this did not distract the viewer on watching.

There is a few things that I would comment on which was my responsibility was the panning of the camera. I feel that the handling of the tripod could’ve been better because you can notice in some parts of the film that the panning stops for a brief second and carries on moving. In the future I will practice panning a camera, and also tilting up and down. I will adjust the parts of the tripod to loosen the grip of the tripod the next time. The best part of my role was the composition of the shots because they seem to look beautiful and this was intended by me and Jesse. The sound was recorded by Laurence and Oliver, which they recorded from a Zoom H4N. Unfortunately they did not record every location sound but recorded but had enough to cover our entire film.


I feel that the final product turned out to be successful, but does have minor parts that I would change if I had the chance. This is all professional practice and I believe I will take something away from the experience gained from this project.

Thursday, 13 November 2014

Grindleford Short film

Filmed the green of Grindleford. We explored various spots and captured beautiful footage.

Created by Jessy Busgeeth, Tony Ansell, Laurence Ellis & Oliver McLellan

Film & Media Production (Level 4) Sheffield Hallam University.

Grindleford short film


Sunday, 9 November 2014

Crew Members roles

Jessy Busgeeth- Cameraman

Tony Ansell- Assistant Camerman

Laurence Ellis- Sound

Oliver MacLellan- Sound Editor

Zoom H4N instructions


Using on the device
  • Turn monitor off (when possible). Having it on for long period of time could interfere with the recording.
  • When recording in 'mono' press  2 & 3 on the left of the device. Go into menu by using the scroller on the right.

What the numbers on the left mean:

1-internal use (input)
2-Microphone (output)
3-Microphone (output)

Select '1' (input) on the device

  • Make sure Mono mix is off
  • 1/2 mix in the menu is off
    (In that order) 


A Microphone goes into Part 1 for recording sound.

'Phatom' power needs to be on to make the microphone work.

Click 'Rec' to format the sound files.
Always Rec format - WAV48KHZ when working with video
Also select 24bit in the menu 

Note - you may want to reformat the device when you use it to swipe any audio which is not 
apart of your project.

Dialogue should be around '-12' so it doesn't peak. (Make sure you check the levels when recording. This could cause interference)




Grindleford Production - Behind the Scenes

These images were taken on the day of Peakside Media's Grindleford Production. Photography Credit: Laurence Ellis








Briefing on the Day of Filming – Notes

Person in charge of briefing: Tony Ansell

·       Health and Safety Notices
Every crew member will need to bring suitable footwear for uneven and slippery ground. Every member will need to watch their feet on certain paths. Make sure that you do not get close to any edges that lead to downfalls. Nearest medical assistance will be at the Café in Grindleford. Please refer there for any assistance with injury.

·         Roles and expectations
Jessy Busgeeth- Cameraman
Tony Ansell- Assistant Camera
Laurence Ellis- Sound
Oliver MacLellan- Sound Editor

·       Plan for the day-Scenes/locations/Breaks/wrap
Grindleford
Production starts at 10:18am
Lunch at 12:30pm
Resume at 01:00pm
Wrap at 02:00pm

·       Expenses & refreshments
Grindleford train ticket from Sheffield Train Station:
4x Return tickets at £4:40 = £17.60

Crew will bring their own food & drink for the shoot.




Grindleford Project Production Schedule


Week 1: 13/10/14

17/10/14
-Research on Grindleford
-Create call sheet
-Create Shooting Schedule
-Brief safety sheet

Week 2: 20/10/14

22/10/14
- Grindleford Production. Refer to call sheet for production times
  (Upload footage on MAC in Harmer 2301 after shoot)

Week 3: 27/10/14

27/10/14
-Editing taught session. Harmer-2301
 (9:00am-12:00pm) 
  • Watch rushes
  • Create Avid Media Composer Project
  • Discuss footage
  • Edit on timeline
29/10/14
Independent Editing session-Harmer 2301
(7:00pm-8:00pm)

Week 4: 03/11/14

04/11/14
Independent Editing session (Cancelled)

07/11/14
Submission deadline for
-Grindleford Short film
-500 word report
  (Cancelled for extension in week 5)

Week 5: 10/11/14

10/11/14
Independent Editing session
(7:00pm-8:00pm)

14/11/14
Submission deadline for
-Grindleford Short film
-500 word report