Planning of lighting

I planned my lighting for the day of filming by using the weather forecast. as I was shooting outside I could only use the natural light from the day on that particular day.


it happened that the light was perfect on the day... there was mist and it was very dull, but still light enough to get effective shots, which meant I wouldn't have to edit extensively after filming, but it still looked good naturally.

 

As you can see, on the day of filming, the lighting was light enough for thes shots to be seen, but the mist created an airy effect, that fits in with conventions that arrise from films in the post-apocalyptic genre.  

 

Another example of the foggy weather on the day creates a very effective feel.

 

The script

In my opening I am aiming to keep the dialogue in my opening at a minimum to reflect on what's going on in the scene. however I will add some dialogue to make the opening flow better and also reveal some of the plot so that the audience isn't left unclear about what they are watching.

 

if neccesary the script can be extended to fit the time period of the opening, this will more than likly happen on the day of filming as my animatic is not quite long enough-minus the dialogue.

 

Weather forecast

Date of filming plan=15th-16th November.


Ideal conditions for the filming of my film would be a grey scale overcast with clouds to create a dull effect, and to make it easier when it comes to editing. also I need as little wind as possible, in order to film the aerial shot, so they are as stable as possible.


Weather forecast.

if this weather forecast is accurate, filming on the 15th will be perfect conditions, it has the slowest wind speed from the week, and there isnt any rain planned to fall on that day.

filming on the weekend gives me the biggest time window to gather the shots, as we are in winter and light leaves us very early, and my shots need to be filmed in the day, the clouds will create a duller, sadder feel.

Recce shots of filming locations

I have chosen the location of Where I shall be doing my filming. this location offers a lot of flexibility to a variety of shots, and also looks great to fit in with conventions that arise from movies in the post apocalyptic genre. I chose this location as it was basically set up straight away to start shooting, no editing of the location is needed to make it look great.


Images

The grafitti and concrete walls make the location look very derelict, and fit with the convention from post apocalyptic films. this wall will create a very airy feel that is ascoisiated with these opening scenes.

This area is good for a panning shot at the start of the scene as the overgrown look gives it an airy feel and sets the scene.

this pipe will be the main location to where I will be filming as this is where the two main protagonists will take refuge in when they are running from the enemy.

this looks effective as it looks somewhat destroyed as if certain event have happened, which is what my aim for the set to look like.

this part of the location in my opinion is the most effective of them all. it is a wide location wich means I can add nice looking wide angled shots. the overgrown shrub also make the scene looks like it has been  a long time since it has been used, therefore making the audience believe even more that they are in a post apocalyptic environment.




 

Testing aerial shot at filming location.

I recently went to the filming location to test how effective the aerial shot at the end of my opening will be. this will be the most advanced shot in my opening so it is important that I get the filming right.


The test flight


Problems
1) the camera was not focused properly. this led the imagery to look very blurred and wouldn't fit the quality that is available on the DSLR I would be filming the rest of the opening with.


2) battery time is not very long. this is a minor problem because it means we are limited in the amount of attempts we get to shoot on each battery life. but this is also incentive to get the shots as early as possible.


Positive reassurances
1) the location is perfect for flying. the big open field means it is easy to fly safely so I can focus on getting the shot more.


2) next time I fly the camera will be focussed so that the quality will look more crisp and therefore look more HD.


3) the landscape looks good for the finishing shot, which makes me more positive for using the aerial shot for the final shot before the main title comes up.


The aim
 to follow the main actors as they run away into the forest and then pan left to look over the horizon giving an effective ending, and if we were shooting a full film, endless possibilities to what the next post-opening shot would be. an basic example of the following of the characters can be seen in the video.




Weather must be very still on filming day in order for the shots to look as stable as possible.

Draft Film ideas

PLOT

It is the year 2025, The largest natural disaster the world ever saw has led to 9/10ths of the worlds population to not exist anymore. The remaining population took refuge in cave systems underground. the only people left on the surface are 'Thugs' who want to rule the planet, And want to achieve this by killing everyone who doesn't agree to be ruled by them, and the two main protagonists, who will do everything in their mist to try and destroy these so called 'Thugs'



PLAN






LOCATION
we are going to try and shoot in a wooded area to show the characters have took refuge in 'safety' as urban areas are where the dangerous survivors live.



MES

Setting- in rundown areas such as a forest or near derelict buildings to add effect to the scenes and also show where people are having to live in the harsh enviroments.

Costume- survival equipment as the characters are constantly moving around and have no set living location. these things should include; scruffy clothes, to give the feel that they have survived for a while and dont have washing facilities. Backpacks for storing equipment. weapons for defense.

Lighting- lighting will be a 'medium' contrast, this to show that bad things have happened in the past, but the charactered have hope that things will get better and they trust each other.

As you can see in the book of eli for example, the lighting is too dark for how we would like our film to look. this is because he is on his own, whereas in  our opening the characters will be together and so the lighting will reflect on how they live together.




 




as a pose to i am legend which has the same aspect as our ideas, where two 'survivors' rely on each other in a post apocalyptic enviroment.

Post apocalyptic distribution companies

Film distribution companies are the ones responsible for the marketing of the films. Films rely on distribution companies in order for there film to get out there and be known.

Examples:

Warner bros

20th century fox

universal pictures



these films are generally of a higher budget and so for use better known distribution companies for there reliability


here are some examples of distributers who worked on films from my genre.

The Road

Icon Film Distribution (2010) (UK) (theatrical)-This was the company that was in charge of distributing the films to the cinemas around the UK.

Book of Eli

Entertainment Film Distributors (2010) (UK) (theatrical)

28 days later

20th Century Fox (2002) (UK) (theatrical)       

I am legend

Warner Home Video (2008) (UK) (DVD)

Production companies

Production companies are the ones in charge of producing the feature before it is handed to the distributors to distribute. a production company also provides the sufficient funds needed in order to create the film. (obviously with a higher price to be paid back) it also handles, scheduling, scripting, the supply with talent and resources, the organization of staff, the production itself, post-production, distribution, and marketing.

Example of production companies include;

Dimension films

Universal pictures

Strike entertainment

Silver Pictures

Alcon Entertainment

Post apocalyptic film sound.

usually in the openings of films in this genre the music in the opening scenes is not very lively, is very dull, and usually there is very little music or sound at all. this is due to there not being many people around after the apocalypse, or in some cases only a small amount of people.


however in this opening scene from '28 weeks later' the music is airy this is to create suspense of what occurrences are about to happen. even still, the sound is quiet and in the background, to focus on the things going on in the forefront of the scene.






the main sound in this opening scene comes mainly from the news broadcast on the television. however, this is the main sound and there is no music/soundtrack all it is is diegetic sounds coming from the actors and traffic outside.