Final Film Noir Production Video

Rushes

Set up and Operate Sound Equipment -MERIT

In his video we hear Sheema acting as out as a lieutenant we hear a clear speech for her talking and this is because we put in a voiceover when editing it. When we originally filmed this scene, the sound was very bad and could barely hear what she was saying because of the distance between the camera and Sheema. We used a voice recorder to record what she was saying so we could later add this in and make is match to what she was saying. In this clip, Sheema questions 'Do you know why you're hear?' which conveys her as a authority figure and if this the first thing we hear her say in a serious tone.

During the scene with Sheema and Dre, there is tense music playing in the background that we put in to create tension between the two character and also to make the audience feel uneasy.  This music gets your heart beating as it mimics a heartbeat - the audiences heartbeat. I used Youtube converter to download it and add it as background music for the scene. This video was Copyright free.

Also, in the scene with Ava and Dre we hear at the beginning of the scene that she is playing the piano and which in post production we lowered out the sound of the piano playing and added in a piano sound over the footage which we found on Youtube. This sound was copyright free and avoid any legal and ethical issues of using another persons sound. This sound is cut and faded after Ava realises Dre has arrived as she stops playing. This is an example of a match on action but in music context. Meaning was created in this scene by using the Venetian blind which created shadows on the walls and across the piano. This foreshadows Avas death as the lines on the wall never end, however Ava's life does towards the end.

Set Up and Operate Camera and Lighting -MERIT

A few days after filming this footage we had planned to film our second scene involving Ava and Dre where Ava had set up for them both to meet up in the middle of the night. 

I had changed the original lighting of the location in the music room with studio lighting which I covered with an orange filter to make the shot look like it was filmed in the past as I wanted to display a flashback. 

Both types of lighting were completely different, however I wanted to create a more cinematic lighting set. I also included a Venetian blind which epitomises the generic conventions of a film noir. It being apart of our mise-en-scene illustrates the dramatic shadows in the room.

At the back of the studio lights I had placed a black sheet on the wall to create darkness on the other side as i wanted to create a window. This dark sheet means and represents the dark night and the time they are meeting each other. In this scene we mainly operated on our lighting as we used redhead lights and also added the orange filter over it so it changes the tone and atmosphere of the room. The warm tones and the parallel lines portrayed were created with our lighting and props equipment.
 









The video below of Ava playing piano conveys the venetian lines that run through the walls and piano. This clip is also an example of what effect the the orange filter gave the room which gave it is a warm tone. meaning has been created in this clip through the lines foreshadow Ava's death and the lines never end, yet Ava's life does. 

Use of Camera and Equipment in Film Takes

Evidence of filming production

In my first week of filming when using the DLSR Canon camera to film our film noir, I had set up the camera and tripod to the appropriate height to capture my footage. The camera was not the only equipment I had used as i had to create a set design. To do this in order to cinematize our production, I had used a black box studio with black sheets to canvas the setting of an interrogation room for our first scene. The black sheets had covered any speck of original setting as we wanted it to represent a place of interrogation and punishment, hence the blankness of the set. The film takes were taken in low key lighting as we wanted to convey the genre conventions of a film noir and interpreted light to mystery and suspense as the audience do not know the answers of what this man (Dre) is capable of. For the first scene we had operated our sound equipment so we had good quality of dialogue. 

A few days after filming this footage we had planned to film our second scene involving Ava and Dre where Ava had set up for them both to meet up in the middle of the night. I had changed the original lighting of the location in the music room with studio lighting which I covered with an orange filter to make the shot look like it was filmed in the past as I wanted to display a flashback. Both types of lighting were completely different, however i wanted to create a more cinematic lighting set. I also included a Venetian blind which epitomises the generic conventions of a film noir. It being apart of our mise-en-scene illustrates the dramatic shadows in the room. It examines the life on the wrong side of the tracks as in this scene their criminal conscience is revealed towards the end of the scene. At the back of the studio lights i had placed a black sheet on the wall to create darkness on the other side as i wanted to create a window. This dark sheet represents the dark night and the time they are meeting each other. In this scene we mainly operated on our lighting as we used redhead lights and also added the orange filter over.  

Production Log -

Production Log - Week 3

Production Log - Week 2

Shot Types Annotations

The scenario of this exercise was to create a scene where the character opens a door, opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. For the scenario we could choose the characters ourselves depending on the personality the character play. A benefit from the scenario was that we could choose any topic for it to be based on with the use of dialogue and acting. 

Shot Reverse Shot - Shot shows character looking at another character in a conversation format. This is mostly used as an Over the Shoulder Shot and goes from one shot, to another shot and then back to the previous shot. This specific shot was a scene between Dre and Ava where they were both wary of their safety. I had appropriately applied many shot reverse shots whilst filming their scene. 

Rule of Thirds - The picture inside the camera screen is split into six small boxes - the rule is that the persons eyes should be perfectly aligning with the first horizontal line on the grid.Throughout filming, the characters eyeline match should be aligned consistently as it would make the continuity more clearer. This specific shot was taken during Dre interrogation scene with Sheema

Match on Action - is a cut that occurs midway through a shot and goes from one shot to the next but has to end with a smooth finish. This allows the audience to have an immersive experience while watching.

180 Degree Rule - when filming the shot, the camera mustn't go further than 180 degrees and must stay on the same side of the room. If this rule is not followed, the shot will be interpreted differently and it will look like the characters have changed position or not making the correct eye contact. In our scenario the 180 degree was easy to achieve in an interview environment - just had to stay on one side of the two actors.

Shooting Script

StoryBoard

The scenario of this exercise was to create a scene where the character opens a door, opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. For the scenario we could choose the characters ourselves depending on the personality the character play. A benefit from the scenario was that we could choose any topic for it to be based on with the use of dialogue and acting. 

Shot Reverse Shot - Shot shows character looking at another character in a conversation format. This is mostly used as an Over the Shoulder Shot and goes from one shot, to another shot and then back to the previous shot. This specific shot was a scene between Dre and Ava where they were both wary of their safety. I had appropriately applied many shot reverse shots whilst filming their scene. 

Rule of Thirds - The picture inside the camera screen is split into six small boxes - the rule is that the persons eyes should be perfectly aligning with the first horizontal line on the grid.Throughout filming, the characters eyeline match should be aligned consistently as it would make the continuity more clearer. This specific shot was taken during Dre interrogation scene with Sheema

Match on Action - is a cut that occurs midway through a shot and goes from one shot to the next but has to end with a smooth finish. This allows the audience to have an immersive experience while watching.

180 Degree Rule - when filming the shot, the camera mustn't go further than 180 degrees and must stay on the same side of the room. If this rule is not followed, the shot will be interpreted differently and it will look like the characters have changed position or not making the correct eye contact. In our scenario the 180 degree was easy to achieve in an interview environment - just had to stay on one side of the two actors.

Location Recee

Drama studio

 We will be using the drama studio to film the integration scenes. The reason we choosing to use the drama studio for the integration scene is because we can create a black box studio setting and create different techniques in the scene. This will allow us to experiment with lighting and use the lights to create meaning. For example if we use broadside light on one of our actors which could connote that they could be hiding something. Another example is when there is a integration scene and most of the lighting shifts to one actor. This could convey that that actor is one that is in control. We had the choice of doing it in another locations such as a classroom. The reason why we did not film in the classroom is because we were not able to black out the back ground and that will then make it hard for us to create different lighting techniques. The other location we considered is a teachers office which would have been fine however we will not be able to create a completely black back ground.

St Chad park

 We have chose this park for the location for our stalking scene. The scene will include one of the actors walking through a park and another actor following them. The reason why we choice to do the scene a park is because we have open space and much room to film. However we may run into issues with people obstructing us while we are filming. We also consider filming in our school. Film in school will could cause issues with people accidentally being in the film or the school bell ringing on accident. It also wouldn't look very professional if we have the school in the back ground when we can find other locations to shoot. 

Music Room

 We have chosen the music room as the location for the love scene. The reason we have chosen it is because the room is small and has no windows so we are able to create lighting techniques. Another reason is because the room allows us to create a lowkey lighting affect on the film. The fact the room has no windows means we can avoid outside light getting affecting our film. Another reason why we chose the music room is because the room has no lighting so then we were able to manipulate the lighting and create a lowkey atmosphere which was the main focus of our film noir. It will also conveys the mood that is represented in our film noir.  Using the music also meant there was no outside light which allowed us to create a different lighting techniques. 

Choice of Camera and Lighting Equipment

Legal and Ethical

Age certification:

Looking at the BBFC certification guidelines, i have decided it would be appropriate to rate our Film Noir movie is 15. This due to content about drugs and violence, contains graphic scenes with blood and strong language. I believe that this rating is appropriate as there are images and discussions involving threats and motives to kill. This would not be suitable for under 15's to watch as we do not want to promote or influence the young minds of illegal activity. 

Copyright Music:

Throughout the duration of the Film Noir, I have used copyright free music I cannot upload another artists music. Using commercial music as the background for my YouTube video without permission might violate copyright law. The music rights holder could issue a copyright claim on my video, resulting in the video being taken down or the audio stripped from it. This is a legal reason to put copyright free music in the background of my Film Noir.

Call Sheets

Location Release Forms

Talent Consent 

Genre and Theme - Film Noir

Here is an example of lighting in an interrogation scene from Lord Of War. In the beginning of the scene the lighting is positioned at the back of the performers. This is called back light and creates the effect of keeping the characters identity unrevealed.  In this scene we see two performers standing in a hallway, one who is on the phone and one who is a far distance behind from this character. At 0:16 seconds they have used short side lighting on the performers face and this only reveals half of his face. The side of the face that is closest to the camera is darker than the opposite side. This means that the lighting is on the right side away from where the camera is.

Broad side lighting is shown at 1:08 seconds where the characters side of the face is toward the camera ( is broader) is in the light. This produces a larger area of light on the face, making the shadowed area of the face appear smaller.

Another clip of the scene where back light is shown is at 3:19 seconds where a performer is stood a far distance away from the camera and is closer to where the light is placed.

An example of a Film Noir:

This clip from The Big Combo portrays clear conventions of a Film Noir involving a femme fatale and a detective who reveal the themes of corruption, murder and betrayal. All Film Noirs are shown in black and white visual style. This scene reveals shadows created to portray suspense and reveal different variations of lighting. Also, they have considered their costumes which is a black suit and hat and have included a prop with his initial character, portraying a gun. These are all elements of mise en scene.