Final cut

 

CCR- Reflection

 How do I think this CCR went?

What went well: I was well prepared when saying my lines and when I forgot what to say next, I did do a little pause before catching myself and continuing. We did not have to do this in many takes it only took about 5 tries before it was perfect. There was an issue with how to keep the phone steady but that was quickly fixed by some duct tape.

What went wrong: So, during being filmed the main reason that I needed to start over is because I kept stumbling over my lines. For example, in one of my tries instead of saying leadership I said leaderskip. Also, it was a bit hard for me to keep it together without laughing as it was pretty awkward for the first few tries. 

What could I have done better: I could have practiced in front of another person before doing the podcast so I can get out of the awkward stage and be able to improve my line delivery. Also, I could've added more onto my production skills learned because now that I have finished, I am now reflecting on how I could've added another skill to my script. For example, my communication skills.

Extension of the script

This is an example of what the communication skills would've looked like in my script.

What I will do better: I will make sure that my script is more in depth. Also, I will make sure to be louder and clearer in the way that I was speaking.

CCR- Implementation

 CCR

Question answered: How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

Summary: I'm being interviewed by one of my actors from my Sweded film. I am talking about how as a director did my production skills develop.

CCR- (Planning)

 How did My production skills develop throughout the project?

This is the question that I chose to answer for the CCR.

Script

Throughout this project, many of my production skills were able to flourish. One of the main skills that got to develop is my leadership skills. During this production, as a director, I had to do a lot of problem-solving while also making sure that our film did not fall apart. My crew and actors all came to me for many different reasons, many of those reasons being that they needed help in understanding something or needed me to check over something. So, I was able to help steer them in the right direction and when I truly had no idea what to do. I simply did more research into what they were asking me to help them with. Another skill that I got to practice was script analysis to be able to truly capture the scene that my crew and I chose from The Matrix; I had to completely understand who does what and how they do that action. Being the director comes with many responsibilities and by getting a clear understanding of what the actors were supposed to be doing. I was able to direct them with full confidence and point out any mistakes in the way that they were speaking, their facial expressions or even just their body language. I hope that answered all of your questions, Ms. Interviewer.

This is the script that I wrote out for my CCR so I will try to stick to it the best I can. But I will add more as I speak to make personal as I chose to do my CCR in the form of a podcast.

Memorization of Script

Script but typed on word

To be able to memorize my script throughout the week I typed it on a word document so I can always look back at it. I want to plan to make the amount of time spent making the podcast for this question as short as possible (as in less takes).

Day 2 of filming- Planning

 Setting up for Day 2 of Filming

After the disaster I decided to rethink my approach for the second day of filming. Knowing the many problems that occurred during the first day due to my bad choosing of actors. I rethought all that went wrong with the communication so that when deciding what time, where we were meeting, and also the food situation it could go much smoother.

Deciding where we would meet in our filming location

During the first day I did not clearly communicate where exactly we were filming inside of the park, so my crew and actors got lost. Taking that into account for this day of filming I will make sure to send out where, and when we will be set up to film. 

Text conversation between me and my actor

Instead of there being confusion like this (what happened during the first day). I will make sure to be very detailed in where the filming location is and also what time because this actor was 10 minutes late to the filming set.

Calmer mindset

When all of the issues occurred during the first day, I was very panicked (which is normal for first time directors). All of my research on how to be a good director went out of my head when the issues occurred. So, for this day of filming, I would take a calmer approach as things happen in life and not everything will be perfect. I will be more understanding towards small issues such as having to reshoot a shot because the actor fumbled on their lines.

The Food

So, for this day I now know exactly what my actors want as they told me in person during day 1 of filming. Knowing this now I can confidently order the food and when bring it to the set. 

Summary

As the director key factors to remember is that issues will arise and not all aspects of the shoot will go as I planned. After reflecting and learning from the events that occurred during day 1, I am more confident going into day 2 of filming. One thing that I know will be improved is my communication with not only my crew but also my actors. Like being prepared to send out clear comments on location and what refreshments that will be being provided.

Day 1 Of Filming- Implementation

 What I brought to day 1 of filming

As the director, I made sure to bring many things to the filming set. As you have seen from my planning post, I made sure to know what to bring to the set beforehand.

What I brought

Scripts

The Matrix Script

The Matrix Script

I brought 4 copies of the script. 1 for me, 2 for the actors, and another for the cinematographer.

Drinks

Water

I brought about 5 bottles of cold water and another 5 of warm water just in case some of my actors and crew preferred. Unfortunately, I was unable to bring food for this day because of the fact that my actors did not respond to my text on what deserts they wanted. Also, an extra bottle to pour in the cup which Neo drinks out of.

Props

The Matrix 1999

In this scene from the Matrix, you can see the chairs, table, glass cup, fireplace, glasses, pill case. I brought the chairs, the table, the glass cup, fireplace, the glasses and the pill case.

Picture showing what I brought

Some other props that were used but my other members brought was, the actual pill which were M&Ms (Grey), extra pills M&Ms (Quinton). 

Reflection

So, what could've been done more differently is the communication with my actors. I do take into account that I texted them a bit late before the film as I was a little busy during the day. So, that is why I was unable to order them food. Also, I could've gotten/decorated the chairs to look more like the ones from the actual film. I did try to do so but it did not work out so I scrapped that idea and instead kept the chairs as they were. Some issues did occur in terms of who the actors were, both actors could not make it to the filming day. 1 of the actors did let me know in enough time so I easily replaced him, but my other actor told me 3 minutes before filming which called for a lot of issues picking out a new actor. So, for future films I will make sure to contact a backup actor just so we will be more prepared and not have to relearn lines just before starting to film.

Day 1 Of Filming Preparations - Planning

 Setting Up For Day 1

As the director, I wanted to make sure I was as prepared as I could be before going to our filming location. So I took some inspiration  from this website https://www.philcooke.com/directors-five-critical-things-you-need-to-do-on-the-set/ in this website it goes over what directors should bring to the set.

5 Things I, as the Director, Must Bring to the Set

1. Research

Before setting foot on this filming set, I must make sure to be well-informed on the scene we are Sweding, which is

The Matrix

In my previous blogs, I broke down aspects of this film that we need to convey in our Swede. But also, I needed to do my research into what my actors would like to eat. Which brings us to our next thing to bring.

2. Refreshments

As a good director, I had to make sure to provide my actors with some refreshments. Like water and food. It is always great to keep the actors nice and refreshed to bring out their best performances on set. Also, it is good to bring food to hopefully convince them to not drop out last minute. 

Image of water I plan to give to actors (and crew)

For water purposes, I made sure to make half of them cold and the other warm. One of my actors prefers cold water, and the other doesn't. The reason I got so much water is in case any of the behind-the-scenes crew wants any.

Image of food that will be given to actors

For food purposes, I went with pizza as it is a safe option. Also, this pizza place has a deal going on: 2 pizzas and a dessert, which was very friendly with my wallet. Also, I will make sure to order Cheese and Pepperoni just in case someone doesn't like pepperoni pizza.

3. Extra Scripts

The extra scripts are in case any of my actors decide to quit last minute, and I have to replace them with someone else. Also, this will be good to bring in case any of my actors forget a line or two and need to go back over it with each other. 

4. Good Attitude

For this, it just means I need to understand that not everything will go my way there is always something that goes wrong. I just have to not be a jerk when it does happen, even if it is frustrating. So, for this, I will be trying to think of different problems and formulate a solution that I would present to the person with said problem.

5. Confidence

The actors and crew rely on directions from the director. If I'm just shying away the entire time before filming that would not be good for nobody. Also this entails if I need help even as the director I will not be able to know all the answers for each question. So I must not be afraid to ask my crew members for assistance if I need it. 

Summary

The director has a key role in basically being the doctor towards a film. Crew and actors come to me with questions when things get rough, so I must be prepared for if this happens. Also, life gets tough so I can't be rude if anyone decides to drop-out of our film or just cannot make it to filming day (but I did make sure everyone could go during our filming days). Being prepared for the worse is always good, because it will be less of a shocker and we can quickly get back onto our feet if a problem arises. To make sure our actor keep loving us bringing refreshments and food is important for their loyalty to our film (like a bribe).

Actually making the fireplace- Implemention

 Finally making the fireplace!

In case you did not see my previous blog about the fireplace, or how this is a necessary prop for our Swede. I will add the clip below this, but in the scene from The Matrix that we are sweding, the prop that stood out the most to me was the humongous fireplace in the background. Knowing this, I decided to make the fireplace alone after my failed attempt with my group, which I will also add below.

The Matrix

This was the first failed attempt at the fireplace that I did with my group. They were content with it, but it was very crappy and falling apart. So, as a good director, I took the task into my own hands to try and remake it to the best of my abilities, even if I am artistically challenged.

Steps of Making the Fireplace

First

For the first step I of course had to build the boxes. Which basically means that I taped up the boxes so then they form their shape. Here's an example of the first step that I did

As you can see, the boxes are formed, all that is left is taping the top so they will be completely closed.

Second

My next step was setting up the shape of the fireplace. I was a little indecisive so I looked to see which way would look better (before finalizing how tall the fireplace via texting my group members for conformation).

In the first of the three photos that is when I stacked the sides of the fireplace to establish the height. In the second and third photos it was mostly determining how big we wanted the inside of the fireplace to be. After confirming back with my group members we decided on the first method which was picture two.

Third

For this next step it was all about wrapping up the cardboard so it doesn't look to bad when filming.

This step was the hardest, as getting the air bubbles out was nearly impossible. Also, for this, I would've most likely rather have individually wrapped the boxes in the paper before taping. Due to it being taped already, the longer pieces (the sides) had more air bubbles. So in order to get most of them out, I had to use a hair dryer, which was a time-consuming task. The spray painting of the top and back of the fireplace was done by an adult, as spray paint has lots of harsh chemicals.

Fourth

Going to our filming location and adding on the final touches!

For the final touches, I just taped a black poster board in the back so it would not look see-through. Unfortunately even after trying to flatten out the wrinkles of the paper it would just not work. But I did get as much out as I possibly could.

Reflection

This did not go to bad. But if I do have to make a fireplace I would have first wrapped every box individually which would've made my job much easier. Also try to make it a little wider as when I kept looking back at the scene I realized how big that fireplace truly was. But that was way out of budget so it had to be made a bit smaller. Also I do feel like I could've been a better director in this situation and communicated more clearly about how displeased I was about the first attempt before redoing it. So for my next production I will take that into account and better myself in communicating more effectively with my group members. Other than those issues I do believe that this fireplace turned out fairy well.

Getting materials for the fireplace- Planning

Getting Necessary Materials In Order To Try To Recreate The Fireplace

If you check my previous post about The Matrix and some of the many props that I need to obtain for my scene. But in this one, it will be focused on the hardest prop for me to make, which would be the fireplace. For the chairs, I decided to use some chairs that I already had at home as it was a more convenient option.

A

The Matrix

First of all, I realized that the fireplace from my research would not work out, so I instead chose to use this video as a reference.

HOW TO MAKE A FIREPLACE November 30, 2023

In this video, I noted some key things that I needed in order to make a fireplace. These items were 

• tape, 
• 5 boxes, 
• instead of the paper that looks like brick, a darker color

 But I did not have some of those materials at home, so I decided to order them.

Even though the fireplace that is shown in The Matrix is more silver, that color would not reach in time so instead I decided to make it black. The black tape was to make the transition from box to box look less noticeable.

I also made sure to buy black spray paint for the parts of the fireplace that would not be shown in the shot. In the video it also shows the use of packing tape which I already had in abundance so no need to purchase that component.