SAMPLE SCENE training 2

SAMPLE SCENE training 2

This is our second attempt at filming the tennis training scene (link to first sample scene here)
...
Changes

• Coach
• we added the character of the coach to this one, for verisimilitude, 
• but also to appeal to a secondary older target audience
• Script
• we added dialogue so there is more semblance of a plot
• this also adds to verisimilitude
• More shots
• we got way more shots this time for variety, and because it comes close to being an action scene we want fast-paced editing, with lots of short takes
• we also got shots of Tanay warming up
• Shots of the building
• we got shots of the outside of the building, with the coach smoking before he goes in to train with Tanay
• Directing
• this time we got much more involved as directors, demonstrating to Tanay what we wanted him to do 

...
Feedback

• Sound
• there are issues with the sound, and it is a little difficult to hear the dialogue
• there is the loud wind sound outside the building
• but, the ambient sound of the tennis balls in the other courts came out nicely
• Costume
• the costumes are realistic looking, and work very well
• Acting
• Tanay really looks like he's playing tennis, achieves verisimilitude
• The acting during the dialogue is good, Tanay seems really frustrated
• Positive feedback
• one audience member picked up on the heavier themes from just this 45 second clip, thinking it could be about the difficulties and pressure of professional sport
• people like the shot variety and angles

...

SAMPLE SCENE 2 Packing scene - 2nd attempt

This is the 2nd attempt at filming the scene where the tennis player's partner (Cathy) is leaving him



CHANGES

• Much more set dressing:
• tennis equipment is placed throughout the room
• photos of the couple and the tennis team have been added for verisimilitude
• female beauty products and jewellery were placed on the surface in front of the mirror
• stereotypically female books were placed on one side of the bed, and stereotypically male ones on the other
• the wardrobe was changed so that there is a clear divide between men's and women's clothes
• a larger suitcase that is more realistic for a permanent move
• Character creation had more detail:
• we prepared a business suit (black trousers, smart shoes with modest heel, shirt and a blazer)
• and a long, smart looking coat for when they leave the house
• a watch, something teenagers do not usually wear
• modest make-up (lip gloss and mascara)
• More directing for the acting:
• there was more demonstration of the actions (e.g. wiping the tear away)
• there were issues in following direction with the actress previously playing the tennis player's partner (saying she felt uncomfortable in front of the camera) so a change in cast was a good idea
• new shots:
• close-ups of the set dressing
• shot of the suitcase being slammed onto the bed so that we can attempt an almost match cut from the joggers foot landing on the ground
• 
  

...
FEEDBACK

• Genre/target audience:
• the people we asked all though it was aimed at teenagers, though one though the target age would up to 20 - this could be because the lead of this scene is played by a teenager, though we have gone to a lot of effort to dress the character so that they seem older
• Improvements
• the sound editing has clear issues - make the ambient sound quieter and the music louder
• the lighting got mixed reactions - one said it seemed good, the other not realistic
• we did use the lighting to create some shadow on the face of the lead as she wipes a tear to show the gloominess, but the rest is the lighting we had available, which is the natural lighting of the room
• Positive feedback
• everyone said that the music fit
• there was no confusion as to what the narrative was - it was clear that she was leaving
• no one said the set dressing seemed posed or unreal - it fits in
• the genre guess was never far for accurate, but we did not expect teenagers to be able to guess if it was a social realist film

...

Sample scene 2: Packing scene - 1st attempt

This is the scene where the Tennis player's partner is leaving him

...
NOTES FOR IMPROVEMENT

• Mise-en-scene
• include tennis equipment in the background (racket, bag, water bottle)
• passport (shot of it being put in the bag)
• photos of the couple together and the team (have partner pick them up then put them down again, angrily)
• panning shots of props
• in wardrobe have clear split of his/her side
• have a larger suitcase, get a shot of Cathy grabbing everything from one side of the wardrobe and putting it in the suitcase
• Acting
• include clearer demonstrations for the actor/actress
• make it angrier and sadder
• aggressively throwing clothes into the bag
• slamming down the photos
• get a closeup of her face (expression)
• do a 'final look' around the house (living/kitchen) - more realistic and chance to include more mise-en-scene for exposition
  
• Editing
• bit at the start has very fast-paced editing, but you can't really see the shots because its so fast
• get some more ELSs to use for establish shots (closer and closer to the house, similar to in Psycho) 
• Get shots of the wife entering the car and slamming the door

...

Sample Scene

This is the scene from The Journey where the wife is leaving her partner.
...

...

• we are still missing the panning shot of the pictures, trophies (connotes he is a professional tennis player)

Sample Scene1

...

...

This is our first sample scene. However, this scene is to be reshot since the shots were shaky. We didn't have the cast I wanted. No tripod or stabilizer and more shots of Tanay hitting the ball. 

...

...

Here we see how I recorded and created the background music for our film opening. It's a melody on the guitar with notes that are several seconds apart just like in Tyrannosaur.

(MY WORK)

Review notes:

• The jogging is not realistic (takes away from verisimilitude)
• get involved as director and demonstrate
• Use stabiliser 
• See if actor can grow a beard to make him look older
• Add sound of heavy panting for running
• POV GoPro shots of running
• Add water to make it look like sweat on the protagonist (for verisimilitude)
• Bring towels to show tennis player wiping sweat off of himself
• Try and film the final cut before the end of autumn (colours show up nicely on camera)
• not enough shots
• not enough shot variety
• bring water bottle to make Tanay look sweaty
• create a coach character - verisimilitude
• get sound of tennis balls 
• create dialogue
• get shots of Tanay warming up
• see if you can get someone to play tennis with him

...