Filming: Test Shots

During the past couple of days after finishing the planning for the opening of the thriller I started to do a few test shots. This was to see what people would look like on the camera and to allow myself to know if they would work well in the clips. By doing this it means that I am able to see if I should actually use them in the extract or not as they may not fit in with the way that the opening is trying to be presented.


Problems:
One problem that occurred when it came to the test shots was one of the actors could not make it to the first filming. This made me think that maybe she would not be reliable as they may do the same when having to re-shoot parts. By having this happen at the beginning of the filming process meant that I am then able to find someone else that is a lot more willing to be in the opening and will allow time to be arranged to be in it. 

Another thing that needed sorting out when it came to the test shots was the lighting as it either made the characters look very white or orange. Overall I think this would not be classed as a proper problem, however it is something that needs changing when it comes to the final shots which are going to be included in the opening sequence. This does not look very nice in the opening so I feel it is something that could do with a change. This could be done by simply adding a simple light to change the orange to something of which would look nice on the opening sequence. 

How have the test shots helped? 
These test shots are needed in the filming stage to allow me to know the details of what needs to be done next and if there will be any change when it comes to the location and the characters being used. When it comes to the location the one of which is being used in the test shots is being kept the same in the other clips as it means that these do not need re-shooting for location reasons. However it will need re-shooting for the reason of the lighting. This is what needs to be changed as it does not allow the characters to look there best in the clips. The use of the test shots can help with the simple things like this allowing selected parts of scenes to be re-shot without too much time wasted on full scene re-shoots. 

Test shots also helped me understand which angles are going to be used and which clips will includes these different types of shots. By doing this it is trying to help make it easier to know what to do for the other shots and if they need re-shooting. Adding on to this it is showing which shot looks the best for final shooting of the opening sequence.

Planning: Music

During the opening sequence one thing that needs to be taken into account is the sound. Music to go along with the ambient sound which is being used. The sound that I am going for needs to add more to what is actually happening in the way of the suspense, building to a crescendo. For this to occur through sound helps in making the audience have the questions of what is this showing? What is going to happen next?

Sound Ideas(Music): 
1. Echoes of time By Kevin Macleod
2. Long note three By Kevin Macleod

Sound Effects: 
1. Cat Purr (For the beginning, with the production company)
2. Bike Pedals (For the beginning, with the production company)
3. Swish Sound (When transitioning to a flashback, to signify it happening)  

Planning: Fonts

Titles:
When it came to the planning for the font I thought that the title of the opening should be bold and dark to aid in it standing out. Using a bold and dark font I was trying to give the effect of it standing out at the end of the opening sequence. 

1. Sans Serif: 

The first font found is a very bold and basic font which is so simple that I think this would work with what I am trying to present. The idea I am trying to portrait with the font is  something that is going to stand out on the black background but is not too harsh looking.  

2. Big Dog:

The next font is more bold and a thicker type of font. This type of font is a lot more in the audiences face, which may make them remember the name of the film easier. Looking at this font I think this it is making it look like there is more hidden and more is to be revealed, possibly drawing the audience in to the film. 
 
3. Big Sky: 

Another font chosen which was once again very similar to the other ones that have been looked at. This font is a mix of the Big Dog font and Sans Serif as it is a bolder version of the Sans Serif font. The reason for choosing this font is because of the idea that is will once again stand out on the black background with a white font colour. 

  4. Bigness:

This font is a lot more bubbly, it is looking more like something that is hand written. However the font idea I have for this sequence is that it should be in the audiences face. Being in the audiences face should hopefully force them to remember the name due to the fonts and video clips and will hopefully  stay in their memory. 
 
5. Bimbo JVE:

The final font that I have been looking at and thinking of using for the title in the opening sequence is Bimbo JVE. Bimbo JVE looks a lot more static and is a similar style to all the other fonts that I have looked at with the idea of it being very basic. 

The overall font that I have chosen to use for the title in the opening sequence is Sans Serif because it is not too over dramatic when you are looking at it, but it still presents the idea of something that is going to stand out as well as not making it look like the film is too dramatic.  

Credits: 
When it came to the idea of what font type I was going to go for in the credits I thought that it should look a lot more dainty and simple. The idea that it would not be too over powering on the screen when it is appearing through out.

1. Tasty Bird:

The first font I looked at is very thin and delicate as it is a lot more reserved and not as much in your face. I did not want it to be what people are looking at while they are watching the opening sequence. 
 
2. Zerocalcare:

When trying to find another font idea, I found a very different type of font as this is looking a lot darker and is italicised. The reason for finding a very different font was because I did not know exactly what kind of thing I was going for. 

3. DK Chocolatte:

This font chosen is a font type very similar to a person having hand written it by with a thick felt pen. Having looked at this font I feel it would work well because of the idea that it is also very simple.  

4. Aiza Shine Serif

The final font that I have been looking at is very similar to the Tasty Bird font. It differs in that it is more graceful and elegant looking. The reason for thinking this is because of the curves and flicks on each letter is presenting theses ideas. 

Overall the credit font that I may use through the opening sequence is the 'Tasty Bird' font as it is a font of which is not too over the top and is something that will look nice on the screen.

Planning: Titles

During the planning stage of the opening sequence I thought that it would be a good idea to allow myself to know which credits are going to appear on the screen. As well as this idea when it comes to the editing stage it will be one less thing to think about because I will be able to just insert the name where it is necessary to the clip.

The titles will appear in this order:

• Littlewood Productions
• In association with Siamese Studios
• Directed By...
• Victoria Anne 
• Produced By...
• Siamese Studios
• Music By...
• Kevin Macleod
• Louise Carroll
• Phillip Steven
• Elizabeth Helen
• TRUTH

Adding on to what was said I can make sure I get the names included in an order of which takes on a higher role. The idea was to be structured in a similar way to the other films that have already been created.