Later weeks of year 1.

Almost at the end of year one, unbelievable. The past week or so DFTV1 was working on the end of term film 'Little Clown.' The production went rather smoothly, thanks to the producers who had there organisation skills down to a Tee. As I have said before my job title on 'Little Clown' was  the 2nd AC. Probably the lowest job on set, but I didn't mind I believe I gave my best and that's what counts. I have always wanted to use a slate as a child, and thanks to one of the 4th years that dream came true. At first I was not stable but got the hang of it a few hours into it. I made some mistakes like writing the wrong scene number on the slate. As a whole I was satisfied with my participation to the project.

This week was a field trip to Edinburgh International Film Festival which was an interesting experience. Having being tired from the previous shoot I must admit I nodded off in a few films. The highlight of the trip was the Q&A with Darren Aronofsky and the horrible film Antichrist. Darren was funny and patient being asked questions by a not so good interviewer it was refreshing experience. The Antichrist was extremely sexual, disgusting  and demonic. It left me with an extremely bad feeling, if that was the purpose then it has done it's job. I would never watch it again. Overall the EIFF experience was extremely enjoyable, would love to go next year.

Week 7

This week seemed to fly by. The sunshine was enjoyable though I think the heat drained me. Moving on, on Monday, the fire alarm went off, after waiting for this situation to be resolved, Ross and I had an update with Adam discussing and developing our Webisodes. I hadn't done much developing of the story but Ross and I researched the style and look of the series. Adam advised us to think more about developing characters and story rather than finding a look of something that's not even there. He has a point.

Kim was with us in the afternoon where we amalgamated the classes work on Corrie then broke down our story beats into scene by scenes. Tedious but we finally got there thanks to Phil (as I said before I was drained). 

Tuesday the camera department for Little Clown (L.C) played around with the Kit. That's all we did sort of. We tried a few lighting arrangements for L.C but it never worked out. I think the DP wanted more lights. 

Wednesday we had a class with Ray in the Agos foyer, I didn't hear a word he said because of the musical brass heads above us. I caught some information, he showed us to assemble the matte box and follow focus on the camera and talked a little about the filters. On The Love, Mugs and stick men shoot I tried a little focus pulling but it was extremely difficult. The Follow focus gadget, I presume takes the extremely difficult out of focus pulling. Don't get me wrong I still need to learn about the WHOLE THEORY behind focus pulling but that's for second year. Interesting session it has just opened my eyes how little I know about THE CAMERA. I will get there though.

We had Abigail for a production meeting. I find it difficult to hold my concentration in this class. I do realise this is one of the Most Important elements in the industry, If not THE most important. Next production session that comes up this coming week I will give all my concentration.

Thursday was a Major disappointment I was working on Murdo's production 'Dust.' Everything was running smoothly we Sound, Make up,  Actors  Lights, Camera, then finally Acti... no maybe not. The 570 rejected a mini DV tape and a red light started flashing. Warning Warning Warning. The director called off the shoot.  

The next morning Ray was not impressed. The 570 will probably have to go away for repair. "Right enough this hitch did come up at the "right moment" with many shoots to be completed in about two or so weeks. " Before the Dust shoot I checked the camera equipment to make sure it was all working, but I never thought of the tape mechanism.

Hopefully next week will run more smoothly.

 

Week 6

The past week seemed quite busy and very vague to me, plenty of production meetings for Little Clown. On Thursday the camera department had a brief meeting with Ray. He went through each of our roles and jobs we need to do. Being the 2ND AC I thought I wouldn't have much to do no I was wrong. One thing about this role I'm not happy with is there is not one single creative input I can give. My job includes charging batteries, setting up the tripod back focusing, slating and making the kit accessible to the crew which includes bringing kit to the crew if needed. I believe the input I give will make the production run more smoothly. Anyway it is an assessment so I will do the best of my abilities. Ray and Co are testing us all to see if we can cope with the responsibilities we each have and to do a successful job.
Last week was a tutorial with Andy, it went well I always feel encouraged. Issues I had was my critical thinking, I haven't been blogging recently on the films I have watched, I need to pick up the pace and start blogging, practice makes perfect. My editing skills need to improve, I did a terrible job of the exercise with Melissa's Mail. My shots cut together but not skillfully. I am thinking in getting a tutorial with Gavin.

We finished the first part of the moodle assessment on The not very enjoyable Last Picture Show. But we started the second part of the assessment to see if we would re-make it my answer was no I go into to detail on moodle. Interesting experience wish I had been moodling earlier rather than the day before the deadline.

We had lots of production meetings with Abigail that week the Little Clown producers were more involved. I found it interesting how to schedule and so on. To me the producers have a large responsibility on their hands for example they need to find a 5 year old juggling child actor. (enough said I think)

We had Andy also that week he was talking about the rise of the high concept movie in starting from the late 60s. My own opinion on high concept movies are they may not be deep and thoughtful or win Oscars but they make millions.

It has been an enjoyable week but I am looking forward to the summer holidays, even though I have not been incredibly busy I feel burnt out.