Assignment 2: Moving one or more people through space update

Due to feasibility issues we could not shoot our video today. Instead we will shoot our video during the midterm break. The reason for this is because our actors for the video are unavailable and in this case Lorraine will appear in the video instead.

As Lorraine was expected to be the camera operator, we have changed roles for this assignment. Instead, Clodagh will be the director, Lorraine will be the producer and I will be the camera operator/sound operator .

We are due to shoot the video Wednesday, November 2nd and will be begin editing once the video shooting is complete

Assignment 2: Moving one or more people through space

Assignment 2: Moving one or more people through space 

For assignment 2, our assignment is based on moving one or more people through space.This assignment involves creating a narrative story. A narrative story must have a beginning (setup), middle (development) and an end (resolution).

As a group we sat down together and discussed which option we wanted to chose for this assignment. Our two options included:

•  A task sequence with the emphasis on moving your one character through space 
• A chase or follow sequence involving two people moving through space 

Upon discussion we decided to go with a chase or follow sequence involving two people moving through space. A chase/follow sequence centers on a pursuit in a certain location.We discussed our various ideas of what we would like to see in our assignment. 

For this option we must focus on various aspects. Aspects such as:

• Pacing in the frame
• Change of scene direction
• Point of view of chaser or person being chased
• Music 
• Location

Once we decided on our idea we discussed who would be the director, producer camera operator and sound producer for this assignment.

• Director- Shannon
• Producer-Clodagh
• Camera Operator/Sound Director-Lorraine

As director my main role for this assignment is to be in charge of activity on the day and control the video's artistic and dramatic aspects while guiding the rest of the crew in the fulfillment of my vision.

When each role was distrusted we decided this time we would record our video within Limerick Institute of Technology. 

The next step in our assignment is to scout out our site location, ensure we have a chaser and a person being chased, props we may need during film, who's point of view will be captured and create storyboards of how we want our chase scene to commence and how the story will unfold and end.

Assignment 1: Video

Assignment 1 - Portrait of a Location - Animal Sanctuary from Clodagh Guerin on Vimeo.

Assignment 1: Report

Project #1

Introduction to Narrative Film Production

Project #1: Portrait of a Location

The main objective of our first assignment was to portray a location. As a group we decided on Limerick Animal Welfare. Limerick Animal Welfare is a rescue and rehoming facility for all types of animals including:

• Dogs
• Cats
• Rabbits
• Horses

The sanctuary works with a 'no-kill policy'. All animals at the sanctuary are cared for until they are found a suitable home.

Once we decided on our location, we planned what would be involved in

• Pre-production
• Production  
• Post-production

Pre-Production
Pre-production is the work carried out before full production begins. In this area of production each group member was assigned a role. Roles included:

• Director (Lorraine)
• Producer (Shannon)
• Camera operator (Clodagh)
• Sound director (Joana)

Once a role was assigned to each group member we carried out research on our chosen location. We used online sources to do this. With the use of the Limerick Animal Welfare's website and social media, we were able to have a better understanding of the area before we arrived on-site. Before we visited the location, Director Lorraine, rang Limerick Animal Welfare to confirm we could use their location and film.

After research, we decided on the project concept. The project concept was to raise awareness of the location so more people would become familiar with the area and maybe able to volunteer in the sanctuary or adopt an animal. We also discussed what type of shots we learned about and which would be more suitable to use on the day.

For this assignment, I was assigned the role of producer. With my role as producer it was my duty to ensure that all equipment was up to standards, charged and taken out from the college's help desk before production began.

The equipment need for this assignment was:

• Camera
• Tripod
• Battery
• Lenses 
• Charger
• iPhone for scouting purposes

As Clodagh owns the majority of this equipment, all that was borrowed from the help-desk was a tripod. To use the college equipment I had to sign out the tripod using my Knumber and course name and was given a date for its return. 

Production

Production is known as 'the action of processing shots to create a video or film'. On Wednesday, 28th of September, Clodagh, Lorraine and I went to visit the location. Unfortunately, Joana could not make it that day due to family reasons.

On arrival, we met the manger of the sanctuary, Maire. Maire allowed us to scope the location out before we began production of the video. During scouting we visited the dog, cat and horse areas. We viewed: 

• The kennels in which the animals are kept
• Their facilities
• Food areas
• Vet area 
• Washing area

Upon scoping these areas we met a volunteer member of Limerick Animal Welfare named Winnie. Winnie offered us a tour of the location and provided us with lots of information of the sanctuary. During this tour, it provided us with an excellent opportunity to scope every aspect of the location and allowed me as producer to capture images I thought would make excellent shots to portray the locations. 

When the tour was over, Camera Operator began to capture shots of outside area. The outside shots enclosed: 

• The location Entrance
• Limerick Animal Welfares logo
• Outside Kennels
• Various other outside areas

While we moved to the inside areas of the location, Clodagh offered us all the opportunity for each of to use the camera and capture shots. She explained to us how to:

• Use the camera
• Moving the camera using the tripod
• Panning
• Tilting
• Beginning and stopping a shot.

We spent approximately 4 hours capturing shots at Limerick Animal Welfare. Upon capturing our last shot the battery in the camera died. We were just able to capture our final shot.

Post-Production

Post-production is known as the 'making of motion pictures'. During the week of October 3rd, the group met up to discus the production phase. As Joana was unable to attend the production phase we offered her an overview of the day. We then sat down as a group and examined our shots. As director, Lorraine picked what shots she thought would be more beneficial to portray our project concept.  

On the 4th and 5th of October we began putting the shots together. To do this, we used Premiere Pro. As producer it was my responsibly to put the shots together. Each group member discussed the shot sequence and transitions. As I was not completely familiar with Premiere Pro, Clodagh offered her help as she has experience using the software. Each member of the group had the opportunity to test out the software.

Once the shots were put together with transitions, Music Director Joana chose various songs that she deemed suitable for the video. We listened to each song together and as a group voted which song enabled us to capture our location concept. Once editing was complete, we exported the file and uploaded the video to Vimeo. Overall the post-production stage took us approximately 3-4 days. 

Conclusion

During each stage of this project, I found the whole concept of the digital video module extremely interesting because I have never done anything like this before I found the idea creative in comparison to technical issue's that I am more familiar with. 

Out of the three stages I found the post-production stage my favourite as I was given the opportunity to try out new software and learn how it works. Despite each member of the team was ill during production, we managed to capture all the shots during our time limit and really enjoyed our day capturing the shots and gaining information about the location. 

Assignment 1: Editing

Assignment 1: Editing 

As part of being a producer I must edit the shots to develop a video. With the help of the other members of my group we sat down together and decided which shots were more suitable for our assignment.

After the shots were chosen we used premiere pro to modify and add music to our video. With the help of Clodagh we each had a turn to use the software and add transitions to the video.

While editing, we ran into problems with rendering as it crashed the software repeatedly. Overall, learning how to use the software was a great experience

Assignment 1: Scouting and Filming

Scouting and Film

Scope and Film Date: September 28th

On arrival at Limerick Animal Welfare we were first given a tour of the sanctuary. This allowed us to scope the location and decide on what shots would be suitable for our assignment. We scouted the outside of the location, the inside of the both cats and dogs sanctuaries, the areas in which the animals are kept, the washing area, the food area and the veterinary area. While scouting the location, staff members provided us with more information about the location and the work they carry out each and every day.

Scoping the location gave the group an advantage to decide what works well and what doesn't work well for filming.

Shots taken on the day included:

1. The entrance when driving into the sanctuary
2. The animals living facilities
3. The animals
4. The care centre for kittens who need round the clock care
5. The walk area

We have many shots to choose from when editing. As producer it was my job to ensure that all equipment was working perfectly for the day. I also captured images of the sanctuary as part of scouting the location.

Images captured on the day include:

Upon returning from Limerick Animal Welfare, I returned any equipment we used for the computer centre and have began editing shots.