For are short film part of the module we chose Finlay’s script ‘Out Of Mind’ as are story we were going to put visuals behind. This was because his setting was straightforward and didn’t need a heavy cast to create.
The main settings for the film were a bar, house, and a park, so we used my house to film what we have called the living room scene, there was also a kitchen scene which we utilised the Brampton accommodation kitchen for. There is a semi- bar set up in the Brampton accommodation as well we used as the bar, and we used Bitts Park as the backdrop for the park scene.
My role in the short film was being the director, I worked aside Cameron who was our camera operator throughout the filming and we utilised different angles, iso’s and filming techniques to create the most cinematic feeling we could create for are film on the small budget we had. We also used some different camera equipment such as a slider for the opening establishing shots and different light filters to create atmospheres that suited the mood of the particular scenes and shots.
As director I also had a big say in the editing process, so I had Finlay edit the movie in 21:9 as this is my preferred aspect ratio for cinema style films and we also added some artificial film grain to sharpen the image ever so slightly, but again to create this cinematic feeling, that made it look like we shot on 32mm film, and not digitally.
However despite there being success on these fronts, there were still major problems throughout the production of the film which lead to the extension we had to have to finish the film to the highest quality we could.
The main issue that arose was the inability to secure a motivated and reliable cast.
We started filming in mid April originally with a plan to finish the entire shoot by the end of April to start filming, but before we could finish filming are main two actors pulled out due to commitment and personal issues, meaning we had to start from scratch. There was also a lack of suitable backups, meaning some of the crew, including myself had to fill in as the main actors.
Although I would love to say I got to improve my acting skills playing the main role in the short as well, this was clearly not the role I was supposed to take and it effected my mobility on set, in turn effecting my quality of direction.
Work commitments and personal commitments also caused attendance issues throughout the shoot of the short film and meant rescheduling and sometimes not being able to get a full day off shooting finished. I personally can be held accountable for attendance issues as much as everyone else in the crew and cast as I was taken in Ill frequently over the last two months.
However, overall – despite these major issues we still have managed to finish the short film to the extended deadline, with colour grading and good sound and visual, to an extent we are still all happy with.
In future we will have to organise a lot better for these projects and create a full schedule maybe even with signatures to confirm attendance and commitment will be solely focused on filming or any other activity concerning the project.
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