RIP Flip..

..Unfortunately yesterdays filming didn't go exactly to plan. We had everything set up and rearing to go, did a few takes - then our flip decided to stop working. We luckily, however, know that when we do again re film, it will turn out accordingly, as it was going pretty well! As you can see from the image below, Annika was sitting in front of the white screen - being questioned by a fading figure (myself). The script is completed and now even I have to put on my best Swedish voice. 

Filming Day 2

We decided to go along with the interview idea and set up our second day of filming in the photography room - making great use of the white screen and the studio lights we had available to us.

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Friday 26nd - Successes for Creative Filmmaking

After reading over and highlighting Mark Ramey's booklet on the 'five key ingredients for really good short film-making', it really did kick in that organisation is essential. It more than frequently increases the generation of creative ideas, as that equals structure. Having all read this, we are currently completely are storyboard. Oh, and we even named our characters for the time-being - Lilly May being Lina, Millie being stuck with Helga.. 


she forced us to change her name first thing Monday morning - she is now Annika.

Filming Archive: Day 1

We finally managed to put together a range of clips of our first filming day. Unfortunately even the most insignificant parts of the day were filmed - such as my 50 minute lateness..

Girl, Interrupted

A small discussion we had with Miss Foster recently made us reconsider what other possible elements we could consider for our opening. Girl, Interrupted immediately sprung to mine and Heather's minds after having a "light bulb" moment of perhaps, including a few seconds of our character being interviewed by a psychologist. 

"Why did you do it?"

After around 3:00 of this film, is what we were focusing on - both the doctor's passive questions and the girl's replies reflect aspects of irritation and confusion. I think this is key to include if we do continue with this idea, also picking up on the fact director, James Mangold, ensured Susanna lit a cigarette halfway being questioned. This film has always been one of my favourites, particularly due to the way in which Winona Rhyder's character is perceived as this 'crazy hard edged girl' who finds herself staying in a mental institution - not knowing why or if she is really supposed to be in there - her 18 month stay generates the need for answers as she begins to learn about the people she is surrounded by. A simply beautiful yet emotional character - a real essence we must capture for our own film.

Tracking Gone Wrong

Our first attempt of a tracking foot shot failed nicely, we found keeping our camera at a good level without any shakiness extremely tricky. We've decided to bring a skateboard when we re film..

An Interview with Lilly May

Millie's adorable sister, gave us an quick interview on her experiences during Day 1 of filming.

The SnorriCam

In our lesson today, we were shown this brilliant intervention used when wanting a camera devise to face the actor, therefore, allowing the actor's surroundings to move - fantastic portrayal of the actor's perceptive. 

The SnorriCam literally straps onto the front panel of the torso, using various poles and instruments attached to an overall harness. Sounds rather tech.. but our class is now on a mission to create one! We are unsure on how exactly we are going to make it, although we have found various tutorials. Our DIY Snorricam must be hardwearing especially as it will have to hold our camera, yet, it cannot be too heavy, as we will of course have to carry it around everywhere with us. 

YouTube Hits

We seemed to have unexpectedly attracted a range of viewers on our 5 minute practise Smoking shots and Swedish speaking clip we produced a little over a week ago. Not only have we received a surprising 319 hits in such little time but people seem to been genuinely interested in what and why we produced our film, judging for the inboxes/comments. As a group, we are happy to know our outrageous attempts on speaking Swedish have in fact, been a success!

Se7en Film Analysis - Friday 5th

"a dark masterpiece of modern horror"

Director, David Fincher, conjured up an amazing yet disturbing story line of the seven deadly sins - where killer, John Doe, turns each sinner against its sin in the most horrifically unimaginable ways. The entire film was set in very dim lighting, representing the hellish conditions and solemnity, proving that Doe had the power to manipulate his victim's sins. A sense of mystery was constantly being conveyed throughout, making use of darkness and silhouettes - creating an ultimate unpredictability for what was to come for their killer. A great selection of shots and compositions were used, particularly in the end scene, where Fincher wants his audience to get a real grasp of the location they have ended up in. Unlike the usual thriller or horror I have previously watched, I feel like se7en has certain elements within it forcing viewers to reflect upon the hard-hitting realities of immorality. 

Explicit or Implied?

I believe that it is not always essential for there to be use of explicit footage when trying to create a successful sympathetic audience. Being someone who can handle the images of blood and guts when watching a film perhaps alters my view as to whether films such as Se7en should simply imply the image of an disturbed, distressed, dying victim. However, when referring to the last scene of Se7en, I didn't feel it was necessary to see the actual shot of Mill's wives face - the distress and heartbreak he was feeling for the murder of his wife was enough for me to envisage the possible representation of what was concealed in his parcel.