Final Re-Filming

Today we went to Tonbridge park to re-film the stair scene for our film opening.

Originally the three shots looked like different times of the day, so for continuity purposes we decided to re-film. We also decided to go later on in the evening for more low key lighting as it connotes fear and suspense, typical of a psychological thriller.

We concidered where the scene was taking place and how it appeared to make sure it fit with the rest of our opening. Unfortunately the stairs we used before were too dark to film at so we moved to a different set of stairs, which worked just as well and allowed us to experiment with many angles and shots.

We used an the same iphone camera as previous and the steadicam produced a slightly unsteady image which creates a sense of immediacy. It also allows greater mobility when filming as we were tracking our victim walking up some stairs.

We are happy with the shots we got today and aim to edit as soon as possible.

Problems Encountered With Filming

Tonbridge Park Lighting Problems

When filming we encountered some continuity problems which had to be re-done and re-thought out in order to make the film opening consistent.

When filming at Tonbridge Park we discovered that there was continuity issues with the day light in each part of the footage. We discovered that in some scenes it was very bright and in another it focused on the darkness. Even though this was filmed on the same day, we needed to re-film this as it did not show a consistent outlook on the scene.

We also felt that as we filmed in the day it was a conjunctive contrast toward the darkness in which is present throughout our film opening to signify death, uncomfortableness, gloominess etc. We thought it would be best to film this in the evening to continue the environment and mood throughout our film opening continually, putting emphasis on it being a psychological thriller.

After setting up in the evening, we realised it had become very dark very quickly so this then left us with more lighting issues of having a lack of lighting to see the character. This was important as it was introducing a new character to the scene and so we needed a enough light. I had brought a torch to add extra light, however this ran out of batteries and we felt that only having a limited number of people from our group at the scene, lighting the area was difficult. This meant we had to change the location in Tonbridge Park to somewhere with more spotlights.

(In this current photograph it is lighter in contrast to the video setting) 
This was our intended and planned location in using the steps, but when reviewing the shots the lighting was not light enough, and through our characters movement we found the spotlights were blocked out.

This is the location of the steps in which we changed to. We found that the lighting was brighter here and we felt it was more clear in order to see the character's face.

Props Analysis

Why we used certain props in our film opening

We used different props in our film opening to represent different ideas and issues. Firstly, we used these pages of writing to represent the unstable character of the pursuer, as people who are not emotionally stable stereotypically write excessive amounts of writing which may not make functional sense. These pages of writing were effective through the pursuer scrunching up, pushing and searching them in a panicked and frustrated way. This added to the mood of the opening as it told the viewer more about the emotional state of the character. 

We used this bag and phone for the character of Anna Parker as this is apart of a normal teenagers accessories and also corresponded with the dark colours used, relating to her outfit choice.  This phone also represents the key interest of a teenager which is technology. These props enabled the suggestion of relatable characters for the viewer as we targeted it at teenagers. 


The Apple laptop used also touched on the use of different technology used in the film opening. We also used a Bible, which was a key signifier of the setting of a church, the title and the character of the pursuer in doing God's will.


The candles also played an important role in our film opening, as it signified sources of light through the constant darkness through the film. DIfferent types of candles were used in the film opening through the church scenes to represent the pursuer having a clear path of lightness (or holiness) in the dark. 

Make-up of Pursuer

 Make-up of the Pursuer of Anna Parker

Analysis of Make-up-

The pursuer in which follows Anna Parker, was mentally unstable through wanting to take revenge/doing God's will. As she was an unstable character this had to be signified through her make-up. Through her having running eye mascara it automatically signifies she has been crying/ and rubbing her eyes. Through this we can see hurt in the character, but as she is filmed, she is scratching down her eyes which again produces this somewhat unsteady appearance.

Her hair was messed up as an unsteady character wouldn't have straight and cared for hair. Through this, it shows a lack of self maintenance, which implies her focus is on something/someone else.Through these signifiers it identifies some key characteristics about the pursuer of Anna Parker in the film opening.

Make-up for Anna Parker

Anna Parker's Make-up

Analysis of her makeup-

Anna Parker's make-up consisted of it mostly being natural, however with some applied make-up.

The reasons behind this was because when researching what make-up signified, it was most common that heavy make-up would be worn by teenagers. However, this would be to hide insecurities and to feel more confident about them self. When looking into the character of Anna Parker, we didn't want her to be presented as confident, due to being a 'victim', so through wearing less make-up she can be presented as more innocent to the viewer.  Although, through still wearing make-up it complies with the conventions of a teenager, again relating to our target audience of teenagers. 

Her make-up would be consistently the same through each scene she would be in.

Costume Three for Anna Parker

Anna Parker Costume

-Alley way Scene


In the final scenes of Anna Parker, she is wearing the consistent darker colours of greys, which juxtapose her presented innocence. Anna Parker is wearing a blue denim jacket, however, which through researching colours, can signify being suppressant and restraining or hiding something, which in the characters case she is. As it was only the opening we did not wanted to very subtly give details of the character not being all she seems (as the victim). Denim in itself can also represent a rebellious attitude of a character. Here the character is also wearing black jeans, which is what the other character was wearing in the church seen (whom is following her), representing that they share the same characteristics. This, for example, could be the meaning of the colour black representing evil/power/death.

Costume Two for Anna Parker

Anna Parker Costume

-Cafe Nero Scene

Here the main character is wearing black jeans and a grey top which again represents the dark colours turning away from innocence of her character. She also has a red/maroon cardigan on which can signify danger, possibly portraying she is in danger or the opposite of her being dangerous. Through looking at what colours can represent in my research, black can also signify fear and mystery and as this character may be portrayed as the victim in being followed, her choice of clothes colours identify hidden meanings into her unknown identity. This is significant also due to it being a pschological thriller we wanted too created confusion and unanswered questions from the viewer. 

The choice of clothing style reflects a perceived normality of a teenagers outfit choice. Again we have presented the cardigan rolled up and her hair to one side to emphasise her wrists and neck, which are features of vulnerability displayed on a women. 

Costume One for Anna Parker

Costume 

Costume is important in any film opening as it tells the viewer information about the character and represents key ideas of their personality through what they wear.

Costume One

-Introducing the character walking from Tonbridge Park

In this costume we wanted to relate an average teenager through the items of clothing chosen and signified parts of her character through her colour choice. Firstly, we used dark colours to juxtapose the idea of her innocence (which would normally be signified through white colours). Through our storyline Anna Parker seems to be a victim through ringing the police, accounting of someone following her, however, this was conventional in having someone being followed to be innocent. We decided to move away from the conventionality of this thought and produced the storyline of Anna Parker having done something wrong and is being punished by the person following her for 'The Greater Good' in doing God's will. (which is where the church scenes come into action). Through this analysis of the plot Anna Parker is not innocent but the opposite in something she has done wrong. In this case we have signified this through her clothing choice in choosing black and dark, dull colours to reveal the darker side to this perceived innocence. 

The fashionable heels she is wearing symbolise her being a teenager and also touch the signification of femininity. This is also conveyed through wearing a dress, but we decided to have this at a suitable length to play on the idea of her darkness being hidden and unrevealed to people through her modesty. As this was at night and outside it was appropriate for her to wear a coat, for one reason of health and safety and two, it would be realistic. Tights are worn to show a disclosed nature about the character. However, it is viewed that when women have their wrists on display it can be seen as a type of vulnerability, so due to her reporting she is being followed  we decided to show her wrists in rolling her coat sleeves up, to include a subtly the  vulnerability of the character.

Health and Safety Concerns

Before we began filming the shots we needed, we had to think about our locations and the health and safety that we had to be aware of. For example, we had to be aware of the general public, trip hazards, water/fire hazards and the safety of the camera equipment and the actors. 

We made sure to get the shots as precise as possible on the first take so that the shooting time was minimal and overshot just in case :)

The Station Platform/Stairs
One of our locations was the local station. However when we tried to film we were told filming wasn't allowed at stations due to public safety. In the end we decided it wasn't a safe place to film as there was constant dangers. Eg.. Trains, other passengers. As a result we moved our location to the local castle stairs.  Here there were less safety hazards and was easier to shoot without risking the danger of the equipment.


Alleyway
For the end section of our film we decided to film in an alleyway. There are a lot of safety concerns that come with filming at night in a dark alleyway so we tried to minimise these.1.) Brought lots of torches2.) wrapped up warm3.) used an alleyway behind one of our houses so if there was a problem we could get help nearby4.) made sure there was at least 3 people

Cafe Nero
When we were filming in the vicinity of public citizens we had to make sure we wouldn't be shooting in an area that would affect the people around us. We had to be careful not to be a nuisance and make sure that when filming that we would not move into people who may be positioned nearby. While filming at Cafe Nero we had to move around a lot from seat to seat to get different angles that we wanted so we had to be careful to be out of the way of the public. to make sure we were separated we moved to the corner of the shop where no one was sitting. We also decided to film just before the shop was about to close so it would be relatively empty and made sure to ask the shop assistant for permission.

Church 
We finally decided to use our local churches our filming location. We were given access to the church for a whole afternoon and the wardens were fine with us using candles. As we needed our actress to be barefoot we brought wooly socks and made sure there was nothing sharp on the floor. 

Schedule for Sunday 9th March

Plan for Sunday 9th March is as follows:

1:00pm - Meet at St. P&P church, Tonbridge
1:15pm - Set up and establish filming areas
              + Ellie our actress will arive - do make up
1:30pm - Begin filming
4:00pm - Finished filming and head back to Serena's
4:15pm - Do foley sounds/film
5:00pm - Break
5:15pm - Re-film parts of the Alleyway scene
6:00pm - A wrap!

Make sure we over film and stick to our health and safety rules - especially fire.