Filming Process Diary

Wednesday 23rd January

Today was our first day of filming, as a group we had already finished the scrip and created a storyboard which made the process of filming our shots much easier. Instead of going to sports, we booked to go into the office in the 6 form boys boarding house as it has the perfect style which fits our genre of film. We had to move modern technicals out of the shots such as computers, televisions and coffee machines. We also took loads of shots to make sure that when it comes to editing we have loads of footage to choose from, limiting the chances of having to re-shoot shots. 

Positives:

• The process of filming was quick as we already had a solid plan of what we wanted to film.
• We got loads of the footage which we need. 

Difficulties:

• It was difficult to get shots without having modern technologies on camera for example, the cars which were outside the window. 

Sunday 26th January

Jake and I couldn’t manage to film on Shrewsbury on the Sunday as Shrewsbury is far from where we live, however Dylan managed to get a few long-shots of the town which is all we needed. We were planning on filming a few of my shots in town, however we realised that we can just take them at school as by setting the camera in certain angles, and setting the shots in the right places, the mise-en-Scene still gives a old-fashioned town atmosphere. 
Positives:

• Dylan got the shots we needed.
• We now have a good establishing shot which is conventional for a film noir genre of film.

Difficulties: 

• Scheduling when we can all meet to film is difficult, especially as we all live far distances away from each other.
• Looking back the quality of the footage wasn't very good which means we will probably need to re-film.
• Dylan only took one shot which means that we don't have the opportunity to show different angles if we want to. 

Thursday 7th February

Today was my first time filming by myself which I thought would be good as it meant that I could have experience working with a camera for the first time. I was shooting the dialogue scene
between the femme fatal and the detective ( the protagonist). Originally, Jake Redshaw who is also in my group was going to perform the role of the detective however due to schedules we needed to change the cast so I had Sam Zakers perform the role alongside Gracie Shallcross who is our femme fatal. I also went outside my school to film some outside shots on the terraces as it was later at night which meant I could get some shots of the setting whilst it was dark, frustratingly because it was dark, the focus on the camera wasn't very good which meant that the shots were blurry. Whilst filming the dialogue scene between Gracie and Sam, the microphone wasn't working which meant the dialogue wasn't very clear. We were filming inside a teachers office.
Positives:

• I got the experience of using a camera for the first time, expanding my skills.
• The teachers office we were using to shoot had venetian blinds, which is common for a film noir setting in an office. 

Difficulties:

• The microphone wasn't working which meant that the dialogue wasn't clear.
• The fact that it was dark outside, meant that the setting was good however the focus was blurry which means the quality wasn't very good.
• Due to scheduling, we needed to change cast members last minuet.

Monday 18th February

Today was probably my best day of filming, I was filming the shots individually as I thought it would be best to re-shoot the footage Dylan took in Shrewsbury in Chester. I got more experience with the camera and went around Chester to find good establishing shots.
Positives:

• I found it much easier to film as I had experience with the camera with past filming.
• Chester is an old town, which was perfect as many of the buildings were old, which will represent the era of our opening scene really well.
• The shots were in good quality
• I got loads of footage, meaning that when it comes to editing we have loads of shots to choose from.

Difficulties: 

• Because I was filming in a public place, it was sometimes hard as I didn't want to get them in any shots. 
• I would need to wait for passing modern cars to drive past before filming my establishing shots.

Tuesday 9th February

Today Jake Redshaw and Gracie Shallcross came to my house so that we could re-film our dialogue scene. Jake was able to come which meant that we didn't need Sam Zakers as a performer anymore, we felt this would be best as Jake is in our group. My Dad has a old-fashioned styled office which we thought we would be perfect for the setting of the detectives office. Whilst Gracie and Jake were performing, I was behind the camera. I was happy about this as through the process of creating our opening scene I've become much more confident using a camera and microphone.  I believe today was a successful day of filming, possibly our last.

Positives:

• The original cast could come together to do filming.
• We got all the shots we needed and more so that we have a selection when it comes to editing.
• I thought that the style of my Dad's office represented the era of the genre perfectly. 

Difficulties:

• My Dad has computers in his room which we couldn't move so we needed to work our shots around them.