Self-Filming

I have been filming myself with the help of mirrors and 'test-filming' beforehand.

In this scene, which I had situated myself in, I am seen getting ready to go out and 'fixing' my appearance in the mirror.

The types of shots that I have experimented with was a close up on the mobile phone, the use of mirror in the background which the camera focused on - so to gradually reveal my character one cut at a time, an over-the-shoulder shot and a type of 180-degree rule which is more apparent post-editing between the two characters communicating on the phone.

[more to come]

Monday's Filming

It's Monday morning and I'm feeling relieved to finally film this last piece in the city.
The shoppers have lessened, thus making filming much more simpler and dialogue more coherent.
Before any filming, I have asked permission to film outside of Game by one of the shop assistances and they had allow me, as long as I do not get in the way of shoppers, etc. which is understandable.


The first shot that I had filmed was an establishing shot of Game and Jason walks into the frame from the right to the centre.
The next shot of of Jason walking mid-shot into the frame, he looks around him for me and then he starts to ring me to see where I am.
After the conversation, Jason walks into Game and his doppelganger walks out from Game.


To think that everything flowed fine, I noticed by looking back through the footage that Jason had his glasses on the whole time when it wasn't from earlier shots!
As I had only noticed this when we're out from the city and Jason had to go to his class, I improvised and made up a very quick scene when he puts on his glasses during his 'journey towards the Game'.


Next, I'll have to film myself to edit into the phone conversation.

Saturday Filming Delay

Oh my, I'm disappointed to say that I weren't able to film on Saturday because one of my actors wasn't out of bed to film! So I thought quickly on the spot for improvisations so my Opening Title Sequence can still flow effectively.

My new idea now is to film on the following Monday, where it'll be less busy than it was on a Saturday during the lunchtime-rush in the Christmas period.

My OTS now will have the storyline of Jason's journey to the city and hoping to meet up with myself outside Game. 

Then realising that I'm not there, to then ring me, which then I'll be indoors having a conversation with him on the phone. I will show the 180-degree rule during this conversation.

Next, Jason will be seen entering Game to browse and finally, not long after - his doppelganger will walk out of Game just a few seconds after.

Preparations For Filming Part Two

I have checked the weather again to prepare myself to film the second half of my main task and the weather looks promising therefore I don't need to re-film from the beginning again to avoid continuity errors.

[insert screenshot of recent weather for Saturday]

I will view over my previous recording from last week to check what my character , Jason and his doppelganger was wearing.

I will ask Game if I am able to film just the outside of their shop, telling them that I will make sure that the game and console names aren't too prominent in the shots (due to copyright).

Filming (Part One)

I had started filming on Saturday but only half of what I needed because Jay's voice wasn't up to the highest standard that I needed because he has a cold and a sore throat. Therefore I only filmed the first half of the opening sequence of my main task with Jason, which went well!

I will be filming the rest next Saturday and hopefully the weather will be similar then (I heard it's going to snow!) or else I shall re-film everything again.

I have asked permission from Swallow Games to film outside and inside their shop, they are fine with it as long as I don't get in the games and console names due to copyright.

When I had to film the outside where Jason had to walk into the shop, a man who works in the shop next to Swallow Games asked what I was doing, so I explained and in the end he doesn't mind me filming, just make sure that their shop wasn't in the shot! I respected his request, as I was open to improvisation within the filming.

Then when I get to film inside, it was difficult because there were so many game names out on display, so I tried my best and I should think I am able to blur any visible names during the editing process.

I had decided to film an outside of another shop which was Ye Olde English Sweet Shop for another 'sighting' of the doppelganger for the audience. I had asked permission from the shop assistance and she was fine with it!

The problem was that it was very awkward filming whilst trying to make it look like it flows whilst all the busy shoppers past the camera. But I eventually got the footage I needed and I am happy it didn't took long to get!

"Doppelganger" Filming Sequence

Here is my detailed filming sequence which I will have with me as well as a copy of Jason and Jay's script. This will help me keep track on what I need to film and when, so it will make my editing a lot more easier and I should produce professional-looking results post-editing.

“Doppelganger” Filming Sequence

*means camera movement*, [costume/prop that’s needed] and type of shot used

• *Faces front door, establishing shot* Jason [grey jacket, purple headphones in] comes out of door, checks time on phone, then heads towards gate
• *Stand near house, long shot* Jason walks towards fencing and starts to walk to city
• *Still, facing ground, high angle* Jason walks past, shot of legs and feet
• *Still, long shot* Jason walks from left to right of frame
• *Still, long shot* Jason walks from left to right of frame, but different background location
• *Jason’s POV, hand-held shot* Walking towards city
• *Still and faces Swallow Games, establishing shot* Jason walks from left of frame to the shop window, which is on the right of the frame
• *Still, same shot, establishing shot* Get the shot of him walking out of shop then exit to the right of frame
• *Still, medium shot* Jason ‘searches’ window and decides to walk in
• *Inside shop, long shot to medium shot* Jason walks through shop door and walks towards games which are near the camera
• *Jason’s POV, hand-held shot* He picks up a games which will subtly signify what’s going to happen next?
• *Still, medium shot* He puts the game down and starts to text Jay
• *Jason’s POV, hand-held shot* He texts out the message “Meet @ Game?”
• *Still, medium shot to long shot* Finish texting and walks out of shop
• *Still, medium close up* Doppelganger [black coat and glasses] walks out of shop through door
• *Still, medium shot* Shot of the sweet shop door, doppelganger walks out and walks to the right of frame
• *Still, long shot* Jason walks past the shop door, from left to right of frame
• *Still, establishing shot* Jay outside Game, waiting. Checks phone for time. Doppelganger walks past Jay, he notices
• *Still, same establishing shot* Jay rings Jason on phone
• *Jay’s POV, hand-held shot* See back of doppelganger’s head. Lost his in busy crowd. “Jason?”
• *Still, long shot to medium shot* Jason walks towards camera then answers phone. “Hello?”
• *Still, medium shot* Jason faces left, (near Waterstones) background of shoppers passing by DIALOGUE
• *Still, medium shot* Jay faces right, background of Game shop. DIALOGUE
• *Still, medium shot* Jason still facing left, ends call and looks around suspiciously and starts to walk
• *Jason’s POV, hand-held shot* Walks towards Game, then doppelganger walks in front briefly then walks away
• *Still, long shot* Jason walks from right to frame towards Jay
• *Still, medium two-shot* Each speak one line of dialogue
• *Still, 180-degree rule* Dialogue: Jay, Jason, Jay
• *Jay’s POV, hand-held shot* Looks directly at Jason. Jason looks around.
• *Jason’s POV, hand-held shot* Looks directly at Jay. Jay says “Wanna go into Game?” Notice double walk past.
• *Tracking shot, hand-held shot, close up* Looks directly into doppelganger’s eyes

"Doppelganger" Script

Here's a copy of my script that I have given to both of my actors, Jason and Jay.

“Doppelganger” Script

When Jason’s doppelganger walks past Jay who’s waiting outside Game

Jay: *confused* Jason?

Jay rings Jason, Jason answers phone.

Jason: Hello?

(BOTH ‘FACE’ EACH OTHER – JASON FACE LEFT AND JAY FACE RIGHT)

Jay: Jason, where are you going? We said to meet at Game!

Jason: What are you talking about? I’m on my way!

Jay: *very confused* Whaa? You just walked past and blanked me!

Jason: *hesitated* Jay, whoever you saw, isn’t me! I’m not far from Game, so see you soon! Bye!

Jay: *concerned* Ok, bye!

Jason ends the call and looks around suspiciously

Jason arrives at Game and meets up with Jay

(TWO SHOT)

Jay: *looks at Jason’s clothes* Um, why did you change your clothes?

Jason: Seriously, what are you talking about?

(180-DEGREE RULE – JASON FACE LEFT AND JAY FACE RIGHT)

Jay: I saw you earlier and you were wearing a black coat.

Jason: I don’t own a black coat! It can’t have been me!

Jay: I don’t know what you’re up to but you blanked me earlier!

(SHOT/REVERSE SHOT – I’LL BE THEIR POV)

Jason looks around him – seemingly paranoid

Jay: Anyway, you wanna go into Game?

Jason looks from Jay and notices on the left of Jay his doppelganger walking slowly and gives direct ‘empty’ eye contact

Preparing To Film

I really do hope both of my actors are available to film this weekend as I am pretty excited to film and very surely to produce one of my best work so far in Media!

I will use my gained skills from my preliminary task (match on action, shot/reverse shot, 180-degree rule and two shot) in this main task and really test my recording skills.

How I am going to prepare for this is to:

*make sure my camera battery is fully charged the night before.

*make sure that I have cleared enough memory in my SD card to record every single scene that I may need.

*take my tripod with me to get still, professional-looking shots when I don't need to record POV shots.

*make sure that I have a change of coat and glasses for one of my actors and his 'doppelganger' and the correct props.

*type up and print out simple scripts for my actors to rehearse over, so they are able to have a natural, flowing conversation between each other through the phone as well as in person.

*print out an extra script for myself as well as a easy-to-follow shooting sequence so it is easier for me to shoot what scene on the day.

*ask the Manager or shop assistance of Swallow Games if I'm allowed to do a bit of filming in their shop - if not , I will improvise.

*check the weather forecast on that day. I have checked on BBC Weather and Saturday is going to be sunny at the time I'll be filming! Here's a print screen:

-also, if Saturday is too soon for filming, Sunday's weather seems promising too:

*decide for sure what time of day I shall start filming. I think I should start filming at 10am, leaving plenty of time to 'start the journey' to the city whilst filming parts of the way. I shall start filming in Anglia Square at 11am then film during lunchtime-ish when I want a busy atmosphere to contrast with my actor's seemingly calm characters.