Film Production : MALac

So, today we completed filming our MALac storyline. After a veeeeeery long day we finalised and were happy with what we had. The only complications we had were that the actors we got tunred up quiter late. Given the fact we had to rely on them, we didn't really have a choice except chase them up. This consequently affected the lighting we had set up because we already had our lighting up and ready. However, by the time our actors came it got a little dark, therefore we could not go ahead with the lighting we had set-up initially. We then had to re-set the lighting to how we needed, which took up more time than expected. Besides this, our filming went all according to plan. Every memeber of the group did their roles as expected and altogether I think we worked very well as a group. The things we would do different next time is make sure the actors turn up on time and also take out equipment a good few days before to the actual location we are filming and practice and get ideas of how we can any overcome problems that may occur. This will, in result, help us work more quicker and efficiently when we film.

Here are a few photos on the day of filming:



Actors learning the script



Filming the house we had for our establishing shot



Sound guy checking sound levels



In action.. take 2!



Alan taking care of all health and safety measures



A few extras added by the director to add realism



A bit of dirt won't do any harm!











<< And finally, our cover images, but which one to pick? >>

Film Production: Practice Day: MALac

Today, we hired out all equipment that in going to be needed for our actual film. We went to our location and we set them up however we wanted to be set for our set. Here are some pictures showing what we did:



Camera Practice



Setting up lights




Picture of our location



Our cellar location for MALac scene









Minutes for the day:

-Final draft of the script, discussed and agreed upon.

-Studio light and camera rehearsal

-Booking equipment for Tuesday (on location rehearsal) and Wednesday (shoot)

-Health & Safety, Recce sheet completed

Overview - MALac Meeting

Today we were given the groups for our production of the film MALac. We then assigned each member of the group with a role, which they were comfortable with and then had a group vote. I chose to lead camera and assist lighting. After choosing the roles we had a meeting after our seminar and planned how we were going to go about everything to help us be more time-managable and meet all targets, as well as gather ideas from each member of the group.















Minutes for the day:


• A new member has joined the group, who will take up the role of sound recording

• We have got interested actors and actresses who have e-mailed back to take part in our film

• We have sent details and asked the actors to call back

• Completed a schedule for the filming and practice for all roles

• Tuesday at 2pm after lecture we will do a set rehearsal

• Wednesday at 9am we will do a dress rehearsal

• Monday at 9am, lighting and camera practice will be done before filming on Wednesday, by people undertaking these roles

• Script will be finalised on Monday (all changes)

• The risk assessment has been scheduled to be done on Monday as well

• We have had another discussion regarding our location, after having a sound lecture. We then decided a bedroom, but have now gone back to our original idea of the cellar due to sound and lighting purposes

• For all filming we have got permission from the technician to borrow equipment (e.g. camera, lights, mic etc) on specific days, when needed, whether for practice of actual filming

Film Review: Couples Retreat

Ok, the only reason i decided to watch this film was because it starred Vince Vaughn in it, and his films are pretty funny. So, this film is a comedy about four couples who undergo relationship therapy, which has its fair bit of laughs.
The unhappily married Jason and Cynthia, who decide to mix therapy with pleasure by holidaying at a tropical resort. There the activities include jet-skiing and swimming with dolphins, along with marriage counselling.
Vince being reluctant to go at first is persuded by his friend to come along as they get a discount if they go with three other couples. So they go along thinking they will have a great time at this exotic holiday resort.
Upon arriving at their 4 srat hotel and resort the couples are amazed to what they have come to, however not realising what is to come. The holiday resort they have applied to come to comes with strings attached. Along with having a great time, they are reqired to have realtionship 'therapy sessions' which none of the other groups feel comfortable with, especially the yoga training with the 'tight-trunked' yoga instructor.
After feeling that this trip wasn't what the group actually bargained for, the group go off and do their own thing. After going to the 'dark' side of the resort, and revealing the true fun time they wanted to have on the Eden resort island, they come to realise that it was all part of the therapy in which the couples took part in to reveal their true feelings about each other.
So, overall i'd give this film 3 stars, as yes i think it had its fair bit of comedy in it but yet it could have been alot better through its storyline as more realistic. As far as i know this film was written by Vince Vaughn himself, so yeh i guess there could have been a lack of storyline, due to lack of experience as he dosen't really write or produce in many of his films, but only just act. However, other producers involved Victoria Vaughn, sister of Vince Vaughn, who has produced three films, but being famously known for The Break-Up (2006).

Location Manager

The location manager, as the name suggests is basically the person who is responsible for finding the location for a film set. However, there are more roles to be played by a location manager. The location manager finds and secures locations to be used making sure it is relevant for the production to successfully complete. They are also responsible for resolving any issues that arise during this time and. If, during production, there is any impact of affect on the outside people/community, the locations manager is responsible to resolve them. The location manager has to visit a place, risk assess it, before actually choosing it as the best place for the film to be shot. They also identify and problems that may occur for e.g. accessibility, food, weather etc. They make arrangements for filming to take place, including co-ordinating parking facilities and fees for the location, available power sources, and permissions from relevant authorities. Therefore, a lot of planning in advance is required to successfully secure locations for a set in a film.
I have never really heard of this job role before having the lecture with Deborah. I have heard of the obvious roles likes director, producer, editor, but it was interesting learning about different roles. I think it is a great job to do, i mean i myself would love to do it! However it does come with alot of responsibilites and work (but i'm sure i could overcome that).

Here is a good video to check out about the roles of a location manager:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr3Elpsjtwk

Jurgen Wolff

To follow on from the lecture i attended earlier in the week with Jools, we discussed the ideas of Jugen Wolff

and creative writing. I especially liked the idea of capturing and preserving new ideas as they occur and

doing so without judging them. i.e. every idea/opinion counts, regardless of what it is and how or when you take

down or preserve an idea. We also discussed how people do this in different ways for e.g. taking the main words or points from

an idea and putting them forward. However, the way in which i myself preserve ideas, is as i think of an

idea i write is down straight away. I think, for myself, this is the best way in which i keep my ideas together.

I also agree with Wolff's idea that the more diverse a persons knowledge and experiences are, then the more creative

they can be.

Ok, so we have been told to 'do something different', to help us become more productive. So i did the thing i hate the most;

sitting through a film i don't like. So recently, i watched District 9 (which i didn't like), so i watched it over again

but this time with an open mind and i actually sort of erm liked it. Maybe because i took notice of certain things more for

e.g. how it was put together in a sort of documentary way, but yet still be action-packed with sci-fi.

I have also been looking through Wolff's website and have come across some interesting ideas. Here is a short piece about

ideas and thoughts i read from Wolff's blog:

http://timetowrite.blogs.com/weblog/2009/10/to-change-your-thoughts-change-this-too.html