This week, we went through our TVC after submissions to see what feedback we can give ourselves and our classmates to actually improve ourselves if we were to be approached by random organisation that struggles to get publicity.
I think that I could improve on the location and the costume of my actor. Again I believe that this is due to the location problems I went through that made me have to change my whole concept idea. Overall I'm satisfied with my finished product even though I hated it during the start.
As you can see from this screenshot, I wished that I had more objects to work with and also a better location.
And for this two shots, my feedback for myself is that I wished actor was in costume. This would give it a stronger feel.
This week, I filmed my TVC for Habitat for Humanity. My crew consisted of only Teneill as the 1st AD, Sound, Grip and Gaff. I used the Black Magic Cinema camera to film this and mostly used the 22mm lens.
Due to problems getting a location, I've changed up on my idea completely and did a rough AV script where the TVC mainly focuses on the Habitat for Humanity ReStore now.
As you can see from the AV Script, my approach to this was like a military boot camp style where a "Sergeant" is talking to his "Privates" (inanimate objects) about coming in broken and being fixed and it's time for them to go to war(meaning to go out there and serve their purpose as a house object for those who need it).
Rolls and Calling of Roles on Set
It is important that everyone knows what they are doing while they're on a film set. It is also important that everyone knows what to call correctly and what the call means while on a film set. This is to ensure that everyone is on the same page while going onto shooting mode.
Director
Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film's written script into actual images and sounds on the screen. They are ultimately responsible for a film's artistic and commercial success or failure.
First AD (First Assistant Director)
First ADs' main duties are assisting the Director, co-ordinating all production activity, and supervising the cast and crew. They are also in charge of a department of other Assistant Directors and Runners. Overall, they provide the key link between the Director, cast and crew, whilst also liaising with the production office, and providing regular progress reports about the shoot.
Camera Operator
Camera Operator (Cam Op for short) carries out the Director of Photography’s (DoP) and Director’s instructions for shot composition and development. They are usually the first people to use the camera's eyepiece to assess how all the elements of performance, art direction, lighting, composition and camera movement come together to create the cinematic experience. Usually in a small crew, the DoP and Cam Op are usually the same person.
After the blocking of the scenes have been finished and the lighting on set is in the correct place, the first assistant director (1st AD) talks with the HODs (Head of Departments) to ensure everyone is ready to role.
1st AD : "Final checks".
This is where the make up and hair crew can apply final touches.
1st AD : "Quiet on set" (if on location "Lock it down").
Wait for silence on set.
1st AD : "Roll sound".
The sound operator rolls the sound. Sound : "Sound speed". 1st AD : "Roll camera".
The camera operator or 1st AC presses record on the camera. Camera : "Camera rolling".
The 2nd AC or clapper person will call the shot and clap the slate on screen. If the clap is not clean, the camera operator may call for "2nd Sticks".
Camera : "Camera Set". Director : "Action".
After the shot has finished the director yells "Cut!". The 1st AD will confer with the director as to whether another take is needed. If so...
1st AD : "Going again. Back to number ones".
If the director is happy to move to the next shots... 1st AD : "Moving on. Next set up".
Note: Different calls may be used depending on the person itself as everyone has their own style of calling out the calls when going into shooting mode.
While working as a 1st AD on Aaron's set, I've learned a lot and also learned how much responsibility a 1st AD has. Because it was a small set with a small crew and a few cast, I've learnt that the calls isn't as intense as a big film set. As a 1st AD, I could just simply just ask "Crew ready?" rather than "Final Checks" and "Quiet on Set".
This week, we learned how to create a script breakdown, strip board, shooting schedule, call sheet, hazard form and a budget form. This is to prepare us when we actually shoot our TVC.
We learnt how to use the Lowel Lights this week as we are expected to help with on the second years end of year film shoots as mainly grip and gaffers. Other than that we learned what Blocking is in filming term.
Fren-L
Pronounced as Fer-Nel, is a tungsten light with a wattage of 650w.
It has a flood and spot setting like the redhead lights. The Fren-L has a protective screen. This is ensure that when lens breakage happens, it will restrain all of the glass.
For more information please look at the link provided below
This light can act as a soft key or fill light. This light has a clip on gel attachment which defuses the light and makes it softer, which is useful if it is being used for lighting a subjects face and strong shadows are not wanted.
Blocking
It is important to block scene before shooting them. Blocking scenes allows the director to express how they want the actors to move within the scene, and gives the camera operator a chance to experiment with the camera movement/angles before going into shooting mode. In short, blocking is like a basic run through of what will be happening when in shooting mode.
Every film shoot is divided into five parts:
1. Block – determining where the actors will be on the set and the first camera position
2. Light – time for the DOP to light the set and position the camera for the first shot
3. Rehearse – camera rehearsal of the first set-up with the actors and crew
4. Adjustments – making lighting and other adjustments
5. Shoot – shooting the first scene (then repeat the process)
Blocking can be like a choreography of a dance. All elements on the set (actors, extras, vehicles, crew, equipment) should move in perfect harmony with each other. This makes sure everyone is on the same page and ensures that what happens in the scene flows nicely and keeps everyone safe.
It is useful to have a shot list as this will help the cam op know what they want to achieve and will give you a direction in assuring that things are going to the script.
Some examples of 2nd year shoots that I worked in. (Pictures taken from Daisy as my phone decided to stop working and the storage could not be accessed)
Aaron's set where I worked as First AD. Blocking in progress
AV Scripts What are AV Scripts?
AV stands for Audio-Visual. It is a script usually used to show exactly what you'll see and hear on the video. The script usually includes shot types, dialogue, music, sound effects and sometimes visual effects.
We were taught on roughly how to write an AV Script and were then asked to make one of our owns for our TVC.
A screenshot of my AV script for Habitat for Humanity
- The need to increase publicity and letting people know what they do.
- To promote the ReStore.
- The need for more volunteers in both helping to build/rebuild a home and ReStore workers.
Concept Idea
- My main concept idea for this is to put "fun" into volunteering and helping out.
- By making and composing my own beat from the sounds of a construction site.
- I got this idea from watching this video a long time ago. I thought that if I could do something like this while promoting Habitat for Humanity, I would get a positive feedback from the client.
Location
- My main location for this right now is SIT's construction site by Esk Street.
- Backup location is to ask from Habitat for Humanity itself and could consider asking the Invercargill Council.
Concept Idea for Habitat for Humanity
For my Client, Habitat for Humanity, I've came up with an idea where we put the concept "fun" into working and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. This idea came to mind when I first looked at their ads on youtube and it was all almost the same and had this consistent theme on every ad.
Examples of ads from Habitat for Humanity
My main focus for my client was to look at their rebuilding side of things rather than look into ReStore. I had to choose one of the problems they faced as my main focus rather than focus on all the problems that was listed. As it was a 30 second TVC ad, it would have been too much information to be fitted into 30 seconds.
After discussing my rough idea to my classmates, I've received a few feedbacks like will it work to how are you going to make it look like it's something to do with habitat with humanity.
As for now my reply for will it work is I'm not sure. But for my approach for making it look "fun" and look like it's to do with Habitat with Humanity, I've came up with a rough concept of making the constructor's look like their happy and having fun while helping out in rebuilding home.
I felt that if I bring something "fun" to the table, it might work and bring in more volunteers for the organisation.
For this week's class we looked at some water bottle TVC documentary thingy in class and also did a few discussions and exercises.
A video that is somewhat close to what we were watching in class. Other than that, we did an exercise for a fake company called "Kiwi Soaps" that extract fats off humans and transform it into soap bars. Teneill, Eleanor and I came up with an idea where we bring humans into the main factory to extract their fats out. The fats then go through a chemical process where it slowly dissolves and turns into soap. This exercise was to show how we can make something disturbing into something nice. One thing I learned by doing this exercise is that we should always start with anything that comes into our mind and also take in any criticism we can get from the public to improve ourselves.
In this week's class, we were all approached by five potential clients that are a non profitable organisation. They came and told us their problems, promotional needs, and their target audiences.
Invercargill Toy Library
A toy library that aims to rent toys out for hire to kids from the age of 6 months to school age.
Toys are categorized by age and is run by volunteers. Struggles to get public notice (Public not knowing what they are/they do) Needs larger clientele More volunteers needed Target Audience: Parents
Parent to Parent Southland
A organisation that helps family that are affected with disability.
Provides free and confidential support. Offers workshop, training and training camp to parents who needs help. Struggles with publicity (Public often mistaken them for a parenting service organisation) Target Audiences: Pre-schools/Schools, Parents of Disabled children(Primary focus), Health service professionals.
Diabetes Southland
An organisation that raises awareness about Diabetes.
Focuses on pushing every citizen to get checked for Diabetes. Promotes Health and Exercise services. Struggles with publicity Wanting to let the public know about their diabetes status as most do not bother about it Wants to raise awareness on the society's unhealthy eating habits Target Audiences: 13 - 18 years of age (Primary), Working families (Secondary)
South Alive
A neighbourhood community located in South Invercargill.
Charitable trust. Urban rejuvenation community. Focuses on maintaining and upgrading the neighbourhoods of South Invercargill. Struggles with publicity (Most of the community do not know what South Alive is there for) Wants to build awareness to the neighbourhood projects. Make/Try to get people to apply. People are daunted by application forms. The lack of empowerment or self-belief in the South Invercargill Community. Wanting to empower prospective applicants and reassure them of support. Target Audiences: 25 to 45 years of age females (Primary), Youth aged 16 to 25 (Secondary)
Habitat for Humanity
An organisation that provides help to disaster relief victims. Fill the victim's basic need with housing, repairs, sanitation and clean water. A foundation organisation for a better life. Aims to eliminate poverty housing by providing a hand up to home ownership in southland and also aims to bring people together by building homes, communities and hope. Struggles with publicity (Public do not know what they do) Lack of volunteers as most are volunteers are currently from SIT Promote ReStore. Target Audiences: Adults aged 25 years and above, Young families.
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From this, I can see that all of the organisations came in with prior to the public not knowing who they are and what they do.
