Kingston University MA Filmmaking Screening

I went to the 2011 Kingston University MA Filmmaking class' screening at the Curzon Cinema in Soho.  This is where Emergency Exits got it's first screening.

The reception I say, was quite good.  I think that Emergency Exits did well amongst the other films in the screening.  I don't want to criticises on every individuals work because I think some of them are great and I might get in trouble if I name names.  However, there was one film that blew me away.  The story, the cinematography was perfect for a student film.  I don't want to sound like a critic, but it's one of the best shorts I've seen so far.  I would love that film to do well in film festivals and then be putted onto Vimeo, so that I can post it on this blog.  I know it may sound like I'm degrading Emergency Exits, but I like to be humble and give good praise to a great short.

I think for Emergency Exits we need some tweaking, to put it into film festivals and we are going to start it this week.  But I'm glad our film did well, we did manage to get a few laughs from it, in which was our intention.  There was a good reference to Back To The Future, in which some of us didn't know.  But I think that was a hidden gem within our film.

I wished I had pictures to show you, but I couldn't be bothered to bring the 60D and my 1st gen iPhone can't take good pics.  It was good having a few drinks with some of you after the screening.

But well done to everyone on the Kingston University MA Filmmaking course.  You started this blogger's week on a high.

Syncing is not easy...

Syncing sound to the image is a bitch, especially when doing it manually.

If only Final Cut Pro X can fix up, I would be using their syncing tool all day (every day).  I'm trying to sync with Plural Eyes, but it wouldn't sync every clip.  Plural Eyes is quite powerful, I have used it in other projects, however it's not working on this one.  I think what it is, is that the waveforms doesn't seem to match up.  I think this is because we had four mics wired up and made syncing complex.

So now, I have continue synching tomorrow.

Editing... Day 1

I don't like editing, it's long, takes a lot of time, but it has to be done.

Some of footage is actually good, however we may have reshoot some scenes.

I've taken to account, that you can't make daytime into nighttime or make it look daytime into the golden, it's just not possible.  Not unless you are wizard in post-production, which I am not.  I'm more of the hands on kinda guy and not the person that sits on a desk, looking at a computer screen and getting headaches.

You can learn a lot in the editing room.  For me, I've learnt that we have enough shots, but continuity can be a factor.  We have to reshoot some shots and a scene, so bare with us.  Filmmaking is hard overall, however if you love it like I do, there's no point stopping.

Day 5....

Well it has been five long days.  It just seems that the first day of the shoot was at least a month ago.

So many downs and a few ups.  Lighting and time got to us, looks like we have to take what we have and move on from here.

So far I think I've performed okay, maybe not my best, but overall it was alright.

I don't want to name names, because I just woke up and I am still quite tired.  I just want to say thanks to everyone who helped on the film.

But anyhoo, onto post-production.  I will keep up with the updates until the film it finished.

Day 4... Controlled Conditions

Less stress, more work and on point when you are working in a controlled environment.  I just hope for day 5, it will be the same.

No picture yet.  I may have to post them after the shoot.

Day 3... Light Timing.

When shooting outdoors, pick a certain time on when you want to shoot.  If your film is set at night, film it in the night.  If it's day, set it in the day.  You have to pick one, unfortunately we didn't.  If you film during the golden hour (around dusks), it will mess up the lighting on the shoot.  GOLDEN HOUR FILMING IS UNADVISABLE.

Since we shot our scenes in days we had sunny intervals, lighting can change.  It is quite uncertain how we going to shoot the rest.  I think we may reshoot this at night, this is because it's more controllable.  It's dark, the lights are there and all we need to think about is the weather.

Again we were lost in time, shooting in an uncontrollable environment is hard, especially with lighting.  

Day 2 of Emergency Exits... Memoirs

So no picture yet.  We don't have a designated photographer yet, so if you want to help, please let me know.  Instead you get one long read about today's and yesterday's experience.

Filmmaking is hard, but in a good way.  Always expect the unexpected.  You will always have to think on your toes, because mishaps may happen and you will need to resolve it quickly.

Time is not on your side (big budget or no budget), unless you plan properly.  Since we were shooting outdoors, light was our main concern and we had to shoot about 2 scenes, 30 shots within 4 hours.  Again, mishaps may happen, you NEED to deal with them quickly so you won't fall behind schedule.  Always have time management, because it can bite you in the ass.  Since we went behind schedule, we now have to finish or do a certain scene on another day.

Communication is KEY.  Always communicate with the crew.  I think miscommunication was one of our flaws in this production.  Build a good relationship on set with your crew.  If you have disagreements, always try to find a resolution quickly so you will be on time.  Act professionally when shooting, making a film is not a one man job.  It takes a load of individual effort, when making a film.

Always have fun when filming.  Although I didn't show it, the timing just got to me and it stressed me out.  I shouldn't have let this happen, because it gets in the way in doing your job.  I was the Director of Photography,  I shouldn't have let my producer role take charge, because you may get distracted.

I know insiders of the industry would know these steps already,  I have read some blogs and receive Den Lennie's (F-Stop academy) email alerts telling me the same thing.  But what I've just typed and what the insiders know are all true.  The video/film industry is very HARD.  It challenges you, so you have think two steps ahead.

In the future, I will try not stress (not unless there is pack of 10s waiting in my pocket) and do the job that I should be doing.

Anyways, thank you guys for reading.  I know it's not fun to read, but fuck it, I had to get it out.

Until tomorrow.

Day 1 of "Emergency Exits" shoot.

It begins....

I will be be posting some pictures up soon.

*Update*

Not a lot of behind the scenes stuff because of torrential rain stopping us from shooting.  We went behind schedule, but will make up for it on the next shoot.

But cheers for Victor, helping us on the shoot.

7 Days To Shoot

Okay, so I'm new to this.

I've been working with my friend Talvinder lately on a film, which is called "Emergency Exits".  I don't want to give it away, but it includes rude boys, Leyton and the Grahame Estate.

If you are thinking about your typical Kidulthood, Adulthood, Bullet Boy bullshit.  Nah it's not going to happen.

But stayed tuned, we still got a lot of work to do before the first day of shoot.

I will be probably post some pictures as we progress.

Until next time.