Some thoughts on how "The Thoughts" could be developed

I've been thinking about how this interactive product could be developed or taken further at a later stage. One idea I've been looking into and experiencing on the net is the idea of an interactive community. Where different users across the world wide web could communicate and interact in various ways. Three examples I have viewed and evaluated to some extent are listed below with my thoughts.

1. 7 Years Later - interactive film advertisement which as a community area where users/creators can upload and exchange their own versions of the film to others, which I find interesting and useful on various levels in terms of communication and interaction.

2. Orange Talking Point site where you can vote for a word and voice your oppinions and try to interact with Orange and shape their views etc. This like above is a commercial idea to get people involved and to get email addresses and new customers eventually. Maybe a bit of a marketing gimmick to some extent. However the technology and simplicity of the idea is great and again its something that gets the user involved and interacting/communicating in an interesting innovative way.





3. Coke Creator site which allows you to create your own Coke poster. From a creative and educational viewpoint this is a great way again to get people involved and to develop skills etc. Like above it is about this Generation Content marketing idea - getting consumers to produce content for the Brand, therefore developing a relationship with the Brand etc etc. It contains great working, usable, dynamic, intuitive and fluid interaction. You have the option to upload and send your poster, which could be interesting in terms of evaluating work etc as well.







The sites are bookmarked on my Del.icio.us.

In terms of "The Thoughts". It could be developed with options for the users/viewers to upload their own thoughts to the narrative/animations and therefore changing the sequences or advancing the narrative etc, or more simply adding evaluative comments about the film etc. This is food for thought, but I would have to develop my php/database skills a lot more or employ someone to do this.

Development of Interface Design

I have now developed the Interface in Flash keeping to and adding to my initial sketches in my sketchbook. I now have a working interactive Interface for "The Thoughts". I have been exploring actionscript and buttons/links to different scenes and building the Interface in a modular fashion within Flash so to keep down download times and to improve usability etc.
I am very happy with this so far and feel I have produced something visually stunning but also works well in terms of usability, however I will continue to refine and then test when complete in the next two weeks.

Roughs/ideas from sketchbook:





Designs so far:






I have been looking at several sites with interesting interfaces, including the "Pepsi" example below, which is visually great but is slow and not very usable. I need to develop the balance between content and functionality so that the interface and product as a wow factor visually but also as immediate and intuitive interaction and navigation. Please see my Del.icio.us bookmarks for examples of sites I've been viewing/evaluating.




This week I will explore more actionscript and develop the placeholders for the animations using the load movie function.
I am aiming to have a fully working prototype to bring into Bath Spa on May 2nd to show Martin and Graham and to test.

The animations are really only at a starting point /initial level so far (It is very time consuming). However I plan to add to them and develop over the next 6-8 weeks, so that by the hand-in they will be rich and fully developed, bearing in mind one of my influences "A Scanner Darkly" which uses the Rotoscoping technique I am exploring took a year to make with about 50 animators. So I have to be realistic with what I can achieve on my own within the timescale. I am enjoying making them though. It is very rewarding seeing things come to life.

Development of structure/planning.

I have now put in lots of work in the past two weeks on this project. Therefore I have made a few important decisions and advances with the structure of the interactive, animation and design experience that is "The Thoughts".

First: The interface design and most of the animations will be in greyscale so that it is in keeping with "The Conversation" footage which was shot in black and white. This will help keep consistency within the appearence which I feel is important. However within parts of the animation there will be flashes of colour to add meaning, tension and intrigue etc.

Second: I have now been reviewing my past work in Flash and developing my skills and techniques. After exploring other software I have decided to adapt my deliverables somewhat and produce the Interface and Animations in Flash, although there will be some work produced in Final-Cut and Soundtrack Pro. The main SWF file (Interface) will be 800x600 pixels and 12fps, so primarily aimed at the web but also other interactive platforms as well. The animations will be separate Flash movie files which will load into place holders in the main SWF file.

I will keep with the idea of the 3 animations for this scene 4 prototype as so:
1. 5 second clip, 200x100 pixels (initial, dark, nightmarish thoughts).
2. 8 second clip, 300x200 pixels (growing, over the top, fantasy, dreamlike thoughts).
3. 13 second clip, 400x300 pixels (more developed, rational thoughts-mixed with live footage etc).
this is all keeping with earlier ideas, but more developed. Getting across the idea that thoughts develop and become more rational as they grow.

So I will hand in:
1. A complete Flash prototype concentrating on Scene 4. Handed in on CD.
2. Back-up work including my sketchbook/log and this reflective, critical blog.
3. Ideas/visuals on how this project could be taken further in terms of Interactive Design/Media.

Third: I have now completely sorted out the narrative structure of the film/animations and how everything works together (based around the shell/Golen Ratio concept). I will continue to develop this as I progress with the project keeping in mind the viewer's/user's experience. I will also use the sound from "The Conversation" plus added atmospheric soundscapes. However I will only use some of the real footage in clip 3(as above).

Here are some ideas from my sketchbook:

Development of project - progress so far

I am now progressing with this project in several ways. Firstly I have now refined and decided on the approach and content. Secondly I have started to refine the script and created mood boards and image researching for the animations. Thirdly I have started to produce the animations exploring the use of various software and ideas.

1. Approach and Content: following on from previous comments I'm going to produce a prototype which shows three options on the spiral narrative structure using scene 4 of 'The Conversation' for 'The Thoughts' as shown in sketchbook. I will design an Interface based on the animations where the screens for 'The Conversation' and 'The Thoughts' are situated and various screens come to life or in view dependent on users choices and options chosen. I've decided on some sort of colour coded slider bar for interaction. So dependent on slider bar position the appropriate animation choice and colours etc will show and play. I'm hoping for a seemless, fluid interaction and visual asethic. The size of the screens and length of the footage/animations will be determined by the Fibbonaci numbers ratio and related to a. Dark, hidden, negative, nightmarish thoughts - 13 seconds. b. In-different, unsure, maybe more real/developed thoughts similar to script for 'The Conversation' - 21 seconds. c. Positive, over the top, larger than life, fantasy, dreamlike, irrational thoughts - 34 seconds. This is to give the idea of how thoughts could grow in different ways and the user/viewer as an option to progress the narrative dependent on choices made so that the thoughts could be dark/twisted, normal rational or dreamlike and fantasist. Also suggesting that thoughts grow in this natural spiral shape and evolve as a person becomes more concious of what they are going to say, but there are still sub-concious thoughts etc and as they keep growing they become maybe more rational or more irrational. So playing with hidden feelings and thoughts and the idea of 'what you say is maybe not what you think'. I will explore this further and refine more. I want to explore syncronising both 'The Conversation' and 'The Thoughts' together so that the interaction effects both.

2. The script is now written and I have produced a couple of mood boards as shown and in sketchbook - creating a feel for the animations. I have started to collect images and ideas as so: a. slutty, ugly, dark, red, envy, vampire kiss/bite etc. b. kiss, dress, question marks, more real feel etc. c. togetherness, love hearts, erotic silohettes, dreamlike fantasy. lips, butterflies etc. I'm also going to play around with motion typography and sound design to add to the atmosphere of the animations.

3. I have explored using various software including: QuickTime, Flash, Fireworks and Motion so that the animations contains some film footage, type, rich colourful animations using a similar technique to 'Rotoshoping' (Waking Life, A Scanner Darkly etc) based on 'Rotoscoping'. I'm exploring how to build the prototype - combination of software etc. however I plan to complete the animations and interfaces over the next two weeks and then get them working in Flash for the interaction and completion.

The visuals for the animations will be a mix of techniques and experimental image making. Creating an extreme from 'The Conversation', a difference. Yet I want to create a style for them and the Interface so there is consistency in look and feel.
I want the content to evolve as thoughts do. Thoughts are about problem solving, thinking, engaging so I want the viewer to engage with the interface and animations in this way. Exploring imagination, a sense of magic. maybe the absurd, irrational, dysfunctional behaviour. Exploring dreams and reality, inner thoughts and make believe. I've read and explored Linklater's and Sabiston's techniques (direction and Rotoshoping) related to the above ideas. Also exploring and watching some Michael Gondry's films including 'The Science of Sleep' as I want to play around with scales, proportions, shapes and surreal, non real imagery. I've found and read a couple of articles in 'Sight and Sound', BFI, August 2006 related to the above.

I've also explored animated narrative structures and will explore and I have read about: Abstract and Interpretive forms which will be what I will use to suggest an imagined world an incoherent thought. The use of illogical, irrational continuities and maybe the audience will make their own interpretations of what they see. Like visions exploring dreamlike individuality. I think it should be challenging. I will also explore: synecdoche, metonymy, metamorphosis, condensation, symbolism and metaphors within the animations visuals and structure. I have read 'Understanding Animation' by Paul Wells, published by 'Routledge' to help me understand the above.

I've also looked at some animations from 'RESFEST 2006' to help me with influences and inspiration including a Nada Surf video 'Blankest Year' by Kristian Davidek and Verena Soltiz which explores the use of silohettes which I found interesting and others to do with layering imagery which is related to maybe layers of thoughts, the darkest being well hidden.

Plan and Deliverables

Plan: "The Thoughts" Online Interactive Film.
I have now completed visual research and initial ideas and now know the direction I want to proceed in.
Tomorrow I'm off to New York and I will be back around the 19/03/07.

I will produce a prototype for "The Thoughts" based on using either Scene 3 (the wine glasses) or scene 4 (the kiss), both scenes have potential in terms of visual metaphors within the script and I will choose one to work on over the next week whilst in New York.

5 - 16/03/07 (New York): I will write script for the thoughts related to scenes 3 or/and 4 and upload to Blog. i will also produce still and moving images, capture sounds which I could use in some of the animated sequences or dream like shots etc. Also continue to refine idea and plan.

17 - 25/03/07: I will choose exact scene and script. Produce storyboards and detailed descriptions/visuals by hand and in Photoshop/Fireworks. Wednesday 21/03/07 I will show Martin scripts, storyboards and visuals etc.

26-30/03/07: I'm having an operation so will be out of action.

1-15/04/07: Easter - I will create Moving Imagery, Animations and sound in Final Cut, Soundtrack Pro and Flash.

After this I will see how I am progressing with this project and present and get feedback from Martin etc. I will then work on the Interactive Flash work using Actionscript (this is going to be the part that will test me and I will try to find someone to help - If there is anybody out there who wishes to get involved in this project who possesses very good Actionscript skills let me know).

I will then try to upload onto the Web and test this prototype. i will produce a demonstrator etc.

I also plan to create visuals which show how this film could work on a mobile platform and in an interactive spatial immersive environment.

Deliverables:
1. Film Plan and Script
2. Storyboards and Visuals
3. Animations and Movies - QuickTime and Flash files.
4. Interactive Flash prototype for 1 complete scene of Interactive Film.
5. Visuals for how Interactive Film could work on a mobile platform and in an Interactive, Spatial, Immersive Environment.
6. Online critical/reflective Blog with link to "The Thoughts" Interactive Film and Visuals.

Deadline: Beginning of June 07.

Personal Project Update - Interactive Narratives

My understanding of this area is now growing. In sessions and my own research i'm now narrowing down a structure to use for my Personal Project. I'm going to use a narrative structure influenced by the Shell structure as shown in Martin's session and based on the Golden Ratio - 1.618033989 / Golden Spiral - using a certain ratio for everything, based on the Fibonacci numbers: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and 34 - based on the ratio/proportion of how certain things in nature grow. Looking at this idea of the divine proportion and beauty and things growing/developing at that ratio. So I will use this approximate ratio, shape/spiral etc for my Narrative structure and there will be 3 options/choices for the viewer at each stage to interact with and progress the narrative. This structure will be a spiral shape with digressions, so it will work in a linear way but with so many choices and the viewer could use the structure in two ways - two endings/two starting points etc. refer to sketches.



I'm relating this to the idea of how thoughts grow inside the mind - natural thoughts, thinking out loud and inner thoughts. Each option clip will also be influenced by the Golden Ratio as well in terms of time/length of the clip. Scenes/choices in the inner spiral will be shorter in length than the next arc of the spiral and so on. I will play with the idea of revealing or concealing thoughts and using the spiral in a directional way and speed of clip - maybe slow-motion to playing in revearse etc. Also the clips on the outer arc of the spiral could be more negative/dark and clips on the inner arc could be positive and light, so that the narrative progresses at the viewers choice in a lighter or darker way. I want to play with hidden thoughts and length of footage determined by viewers choices etc.

I will use film footage from "The Conversation" and my own animated images to reveal the thoughts of the characters grwoing and appearing then disapearing creating a sense of mystery and magic. So creating differentiation between the real and the abstract thoughts - creating a dreamlike appearence.

The visual language of this project will be influenced again by the above - creating something which is organic that can grow - a natural beauty. So the film footage will be in the style of a film directed by Peter Chelsom called "Serendipity" (beautifully crafted shots using lights etc). For the thoughts the animations will be influenced by some scenes in Richard Linklater's "Waking Life" and maybe "A Scanner Darkly". Using bright/bold colours and shapes and light bursts creating a dreamlike state etc and maybe using this 'rotoshop' technique for parts. I will craft both together to create a consistent feel/look and a seamless quality with a sense of magic, mystery and growing beauty.




















I am at present writing the script which will be based on relationship issues and related to "The Conversation" scenes, but also again realting to the Golden Ratio in terms of natural beauty and growing in life - life experience - growing as a person- thoughts growing in your mind etc.

I will explore the use of sound and will use some kind of narration in the animated parts to create a seamless quality and I want the viewer to use their imagination somehow as well.

I'm excited about this project and I will produce a prototype of one scene so to try and concentrate my efforts and to create something stunning. A Plan and Deliverables will be on here soon. Any thoughts or comments would be appreaciated.

Initial Thoughts on my Personal Project

Initial Visuals.

For some practical and time constraint issues and because this is one direction I want to proceed in and extend/ develop my skills and knowledge in. I've decided to stick with my idea of taking "The Conversation" group work we did into an Interactive Experience/Film idea titled the "The Thoughts". My Interactive Demonstrator for "The Thoughts I will try to upload onto here if possible at some point or copy some items onto this blog. I plan to develop this project in a very organic way over the next 10 weeks or so, we will see how it grows on this blog.

Here are some of my scrambled thoughts at present - It is about getting an idea or sense of what the characters are thinking as they are saying - whats going on in their heads - maybe what are they suggesting in their body langauge?! Something that the viewer/user can interact with and find out/change the direction of the narrative - interact with the narrative. I will use visuals/colour, typographic (using the written word, like in Mike's presentation - "253" example). I will explore the use of imagination and how you view/interact with something - 1st, 2nd, 3rd person perspective, the idea of distance and outside view. Maybe draw/animate the characters (animatic). Sound will be used maybe as a device to reveal the thoughts. So I want to produce a stunning visual piece which can be used in various ways. I also like this idea of creating communities online in terms of what I experienced with the "7 Years Later" experience, maybe something that viewers can send, share, retrieve etc. Maybe it is open to audience interpretation. It could work on a mobile device across different platforms etc. I will take accessibility and Usability issues into account with the design, which i feel is important. One idea is that it develops into some kind of experience where friends, couples, students learn about or interact with each other regarding the notion -"think before you say something" or it could be related to this idea of 'neural linguistic programming' - eye contact and predicting if someone is telling the truth or not. It could relate to overcoming conflict or about experiencing/showing different moods or personality traits. Hidden thoughts, hidden meanings. Female versus Male (gender differences/arguments). I also have an idea about how the structure of the narrative could work, which i will use for this project or my MA project. When Martin showed us the "Shell Structure" for narrative yesterday, this triggered an idea in me. I have sketched down a narrative structure based on/ influenced by the idea of the "Golden Section", "Golden Ratio" which relates to growth - so I'm exploring if this could be effective/appropriate related to how thoughts form or grow and then develop into what someone says or does. I have lots of ideas/scrambled thoughts and it all sounds a bit like the ramblings of a mad man at the moment, but i will make sense of it all over the next week, into a concise, purposeful idea which could work, maybe! However I might go down the route of producing a viral film trailer over the net.
I want to produce something which is consistent in the way it looks and works, something with a seamless quality to it.

Technical Stuff, I will use the various software below, maybe more:
Flash / Actionscript
Photoshop / Fireworks
I-Movie / Garageband
Final Cut Pro / Motion / Soundtrack Pro

I think this will be delivered over the net, an online solution and mobile solution.

Deliverables:
1. Storyboards and Visuals including Plan and Outline of solution.
2. Motion piece which could be in the form of an animatic/animation/footage from "The Conversation" presented as a QuickTime Movie.
3. Interactive Film Prototype produced in Flash.
4. Visuals/Prototype of how product could work on mobile devices.

I will think some more and finalise my Plan for next week. Any thoughts or ideas on how this project could develop, please let me know.

10 minute Presentation of Interactive Narrative

My Interactive Narrative Presentation was about the Interactive Film and Community item "7 Years Later" which formed part of the promotional campaign for the Mercedez-Benz E-Class Estate. This was produced/developed by German agency Scholz & Volkmer in 2003. http://www.s-v.de/en/sv.htm. I Think this is an interesting piece of interactive work as it is very engaging and as a commercial aspect to it - an innovative use of interactive film/narrative and community idea within Advertising.

I felt I gave a clear and concise presentation regarding this interactive film idea and the type of interactive narrative used. Using the branch narrative idea, but with only so many options so that the developers still had control. I also discussed the visual aeshetic and technical aspects of the film/narrative. I felt my presentation was effective and engaging using the website as visual stimulus and explaining my thoughts on it in an appropriate way. As my understanding of this area grows (which it is, week by week) my knowledge will increase. I'm enjoying this subject and wish to explore it further within my Personal Project "The Thoughts". Creating an engaging Online Interactive Experience/Film idea. Links will be added to this blog alongside my powerpoint presentation of "7 Years Later".

photos from shoot

Post Production Editing the footage

We have all the footage now and we are all editing our own versions of 'The Conversation'. Firstly for me I have taken the footage and produced a rough cut in i-movie because this is quick and gives me a sense of the footage and scenes and also because i have no Final cut software yet. I have edited the scenes added transitions and tiles, also sound - using a track from a band called the Field mice (I have to check copyright on this one). However this is only a rough cut and next year I will be collaborating with a muscian friend of mine who is going to be producing tracks and sound for my visual projects.

In the MA sessions on Wednesday we have been allowed to edit our footage which is good, because it has enabled me to produce a version in Final Cut. Mike gave us a demonstration using the software and the Multi Clip tool which as been very useful. Also Martin has given us some constructive feedback on editing related to our footage. So now I have completed a version using Final Cut which I have found very useful. I have been trying to craft my edits and version so that you do not notice the cuts, its okay. I'm happy with this version as I'm new to this, but when my skills improve I will re-edit and improve. I now have a version in Final Cut and exported as a QuickTime movie. I will have completed by the deadline this version with some minor improvements printed to tape and a QuickTime movie saved onto DVD. Also I will have my storyboards and this blog which is evidence of my production log.

In the sessions we have also viewed and analysed each others versions which I have found useful and interesting, and I will improve mine next year. Also we have to produce some kind of Interactive movie/project from this footage - I have ideas already which will be noted down and visualised through setches and storyboards.

So this week i will complete the above and hand into Martin on Wednesday 13/12/06 along with my Object 1 minute film and storyboard.

I now have a problem. My Mac blew up on Monday and now I have no computer (Disaster). It as been sent away to be repaired and it could be a couple of months before it comes back. So now my only option is to use PC's at work to do any work for my MA which is not ideal. Also over the Xmas period I will have no access to a computer because my workplace closes down for two weeks, which means I will not be able to do any work over this period. So I have the next two weeks to complete everything so far. I will see how it goes I guess.

The Shoot 19/11/06

We met outside the Sion Hill Campus, secrurity opened up. We carried equipment from Mikes car into Studio and set up. Again thankful to Mike for providing equipment and also taking charge and showing us all how to set up cameras, lights, sound etc.

SHOOT/STUDIO SET UP FOR SHOOTING SCENES WITH 3 CAMERAS SIMULTANIOUSLY.

So we set up the three cameras on tripods, set up lights, dressed studio and Actors were looked after fed and watered and also prepared. Rodger ran through script with Actors whilst we all set up. We then set up Laptops and connections checking everything was working. Then Mike and Tom set up sound and radio Mics connected to Camera 2 (Wide Angle), Camera 1 and 2 set up for over the shoulder shots and close ups. Mike then colour balanced the cameras - set to blue so to warm shots up a bit. Everything was doubled checked and then Actors came onto set. We took turns Directing each scene and operating cameras etc. Mike was Stage/Production Manager and showed us all how to do things and started scenes showed us how to /process (Mike "Scene number/TAKE", "CLAP", camera operators activate cameras and "OKAY", Director "ACTION" and the "CUT"). Mike recorded all information. Tom was in charge of sound and did a good job sorting out some initial problems with interference and putting mics on Actors etc.

SCENE 1: Roger directed scene one and Adrian, Emma, Kevin were camera operetors, Penny took still shots (two takes).

SCENE 2: Penny directed scene two, changed cameras a bit, ran through with Actors and used same camera operators (three takes).

SCENE 3: Adrian directed Scene three, adjusted cameras tried some ideas, then adjusted cameras and ran through with actors, Kevin, Penny, Roger on Cameras. We had some technical problems with this scene (sound, tape head etc). These were overcome (6 takes).

SCENE 4: Emma directed scene 4 set up/changed cameras and ran through with actors, Kevin, Penny, Roger operated camera, Tom took still shots and sound (2 takes).

We checked everything, Roger took stills photos of Actors in situation and we recorded 20 seconds of atmosphere sound etc.

We then packed everything away and had some lunch. We were all impressed with Actors (very good and professional) thanked them.

Mike then captured and logged all footage onto a Mac from cameras and we copied onto external hard drives for back up. Lengthy process, thanks again to Mike and his expertise - he showed us how to do this so that footage was ready for Final Cut and Multi-Clip option.

10.00am - Met/ let in by secrurity and set up studio/ equipment.

11.30am - Started shooting scenes.

1.30pm - Completed shooting scenes. Lunch and thanked Actors.

2.00pm - Captured and logged footage. Back-upped onto external hard drives. Tidied/packed up.

4.00pm - Kicked out by secrurity.

all together a successful day and shoot. I must admit i have learn't so much and enjoyed the experience.

Preparation for Sunday Shoot

We have had various meetings now on Wednesday mornings so that Mike can attend and we have discussed and planned well in a short space of time. Thanks to Mike who showed us Camera set up and the various shots such as wide angle and over the shoulder, so we are now in a good position for Sunday. I (Adrian) have produced storyboards for the 4 scenes we have discussed these and will help Rodger, Emma and Tom with the run through and shot blocking with Actors. However Mike suggested we will need to really take stills at shoot and run through and block shots on day, which we will do and take turns Directing Scenes.
Anyway storyboard will help and they are on computer for anyone to access.

WE WILL COMMUNICATE VIA EMAIL THIS WEEK READY FOR SHOOT ON SUNDAY 19/11/06

hi people, well done. I will bring with me various
food and drink + back up camera, tripod, hard drive
etc etc. See ya Sunday. cheers Adrian.

Hi guys, I can bring some bread, cheese and ham. I
wont have chance to get
in to town though, so would someone be able to get
the tape needed to tape
the mics to the actors. Emma you mentioned you may
be able to? Is that still
ok? Apart from that i think it's sorted. See you
sunday.
Give me a text if you want me to bring anything else
TOM

Subject: Re: setting up today, what to bring on
sunday
Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2006 21:10:24 +0000
well done,
I will bring tea, milk, coffee and sugar.
I am picking up all the equipment tomorrow morning
at Newton Park. I
shall bring:
3 cameras
3 wide angle extenders
3 tripods
3 G4 laptops
my own laptop
3 extra long Firewire cables
one pair of headphones
2 radio mics
1 receiver
1 hard drive with 400 and 800 leads
various batteries
masking tape
3 DV tapes
a 4 way mains extension
I have forgotten something I'm sure. But thats
enough for now.

regards, Mike j

On 16 Nov 2006, at 16:59, Penny Grist wrote:

dear all,
Emma, Tom, Roger and I set up the lights and moved
the furniture into the
studio this afternoon.
My key is now set to open the MA room upstairs
(both doors), and the
studio for sunday.
Roger will check with security so they know we
will be in and turn the
alarms off for those 2 floors.
Mike is bringing all the equipment from Newton
park - thanks Mike.

Props: actors are bringing jewellry, clothes,
shoes etc.
Penny will bring water glasses.
Emma will bring wine glasses.
We need a small bedside table, can anyone provide?


LUNCH:
please could everyone bring a plate, knife, fork
and mug.

Emma is bringing crisps, mince pies and a bottle
of coke.
Penny : goats cheese quiche and chocolate
brownies.

Mike, Adrian and Kevin, Roger and Tom, could you
email the group with
what you will bring. We
need bread, tomatoes, cucumber, ham, coffee, tea,
milk and sugar, and any
other suggestions.
Meet outside reception just before 10am, should be
fine to park in staff
car park for the day. (Penny will check this)
phone numbers:

please all send yours.
See you all on sunday!

Hi all

Seems we have enough food, I shall bring some more
coffee and some apples anyway.

Could somebody make sure they bring a digital camera
as I am now unable to. Have told the actors to arrive
at 10.30, will give as time to set up etc.

See you all tomorrow,

Roger

From Roger and Emma Re Sunday shoot

Hello everyone,
>
>I think it's fair to point out that it is difficult to
>do a group project anyway, but especially so when it
>is very difficult to get everyone in one place at the
>same time. We should not lose sight of this, and I
>think we have done very well so far and are on course
>for a succesful shoot next Sunday.
>
>Haven't heard back from all the actors yet, but
>auditions will be completed by Wednesday and the
>script will be finalised by then too.
>
>I can borrow a good quality digital camera from the
>university for next weekend, so that's sorted.
>
>Myself, Kev, Tom and Emma will be setting up the
>studio on Friday afternoon with the help of Pete.
>
>I agree with Emma, I think the concensus is that we
>have one storyboard agreed by Wednesday and we stick
>to it. It will be asking far too much to film 7
>different storyboards on Sunday. We will all do our
>own edits after next Sunday, so that is where our own
>individuality will come to the project.
>
>With regards to editing we should really only attempt
>to edit on the day if there is time. If we run out of
>time we could always capture and sync the film from
>the DV tapes later that week. Obviously it would be
>great if Mike can help us do this, but I don't think
>we should rush through the shoot so that we have time
>to edit on the day. We all have good enough Final Cut
>Pro skills to edit on our own, although it helps if we
>can sync the clips first.
>
>Here's my sugestions for roles based on current
>skills, experience:
>
>Mike - Director of Photography/lighting
>Tom - Sound
>Emma - Stage Manager/ Photography
>Adrian - camera
>Roger - camera
>Kev - camera
>Penny - Production
>
>2 Directors to be picked from above, someone to cover
>their role if required.
>
>Will get back to Tom and Emma re: actors later tonight
>/ tomorrow morning. Emma, could I have your mobile
>number to help with this?
>
>Roger

So shall we all agree to try and bring stuff to the meeting on
wednesday
that we think will help - such as Adrian's storyboard and anything
similar
that anyone else may have done?

Emma
>

From Mike re Sunday shoot.

Hi All,

I can't make any time to help set up on friday. Sorry I have a prior
commitment in Weston super Mare at 2pm.

I don't know how we are proceeding. Have we decided on 2 actors? Is
anyone going to set up the studio on friday? Is everyone going to do
their own storyboard, then shoot it one at a time? Why aren't we
talking about this?

I have had a look at the studio as I said at the meeting on wed. I
have since emailed Peter Critchley re the lighting, cameras and
studio. its up to us to do the lighting. there are some issues with
the kit we are likely to have, in particular the sound side. I have
permission to borrow from Newton Park 3 Z1 cameras with extenders, 3
tripods (sadly without wheels and remotes), DV firewire leads, 3 G4
laptops, 2 radio mics, extra mains cabling, headphones, and an
external firewire drive. I will also provide 3 DV tapes, clipboards,
masking tape (to mark up the floor). We need a fast digital camera
to document the shoot. Could someone provide this? I have a folder
of pre production files that would help us formalise the shoot. The
PA would normally co ordinate the completion of these. I will email
to the volunteer and assist their completion.

I propose that we rehearse record on sunday using 3 camera
positions. We just need 'coverage' then we can each edit the scene
as we want. So that once camera stays wide and the 2 others get
mcu's and over shoulder 2 shots. I still feed that its possible to
shoot and edit on sunday.

Draft Schedule for Sunday 19th November:

meet 09.30 outside the building.
10.00 access to the studio - position the 'set', prepare the cameras,
set up 3 laptops and radio mics
10.45 rehearse and block through scene 1
11.15 set the lights
11.30 record scene 1
12.00 rehearse, block and record scene 2
12.30 rehearse, block and record scene 3
13.00 rehearse, block and record scene 4
13.30 break most for lunch - someone stays on to log and capture
rushes
14.00 set up the projects in FCP and build a multiclip* this will
sync the rushes tapes and make a rough assembly of each scene. You
can then trim, add audio etc, and make a title seq and credit
sequence in your own time
16.00 wrap

Roles: we need 3 camera operators, one sound operator, a director
(for scene 1+2, another for 3+4), stage manager/photographer, DOP
(me?), Production assistant. Who wants to do what?

Your thoughts,

Mike J

Meeting 2 - 8/11/06 9.00am

W e decided to have meetings in morning so that Mike can be present as he teaches in the afternoon. We discussed roles and Mike showed us all techniques and processes invilved for the shoot including planning: use of studio lights vs natural light, use of camera - crossing the line discussed and location /props. Very useful information provided by Mike and helped us to make a plan of action. All present during the day.

Actions/tasks agreed:

1. Use the studio and lighting - Mike to get gels for window to adjust natural light.
2. Use a minimal set and props - White backdrop, sofas from MA room.
3. We are filming on Sunday 19th november between 10am and 4pm - we must be packed up and gone by 4pm.
Mike discussed we could maybe edit etc as well on this day, but others suggested not enough time, but lets see how we get on. 2 hrs needed for editing time? final cut use of multiclip editing, if we have time Mike will show us how.
It would be good if we all leave sunday with a file we can all edit each, but main thing is that we get shoot completed with all footage ready to edit. Use three cameras simultaniously - over the shoulder shot, close up of face shot and wide angle shot of couple standing I think were chosen (discuss this week).
4. Rodger as got replys from actors - all seem interested so Rodger, Emma and Tom will see actors and cast roles choosing two at Newton Park. Mike said important that actors are similar in height and can follow clear instructions. This will help with shoot and logistics.
Actors to bring in own smart clothes/ jewllery etc. Not much time to audition really.
5. Rodger also suggested we maybe able to adapt some of the script to make things easier and invole actors with this .
6. Emma to layout script - anyone else can try as well. So it is clear and we can write notes on it. mike explained how to layout a script properly.
6. Mike will sort out call sheets and admin stuff to help and we can share workload on day and give each other tasks this week, so we are ready for Sunday.
7.Adrian to be one of the Camera operators on day as I cannot make Fridays.
8. Tom, Emma, Rodger, Kevin to set up on Friday, get set sorted and lights equipment all ready for Sunday, see Pete for help. Maybe Penny can see Pete get any keys, things we need.
9. Adrian will bring in drawings of shot types for people to use for their storyboards if they want to, this may quicken process and also these can be used as shot cards for camera operators as suggested by Mike.

We are getting there and will discuss further on Tuesday so we are ready for Friday and Sunday.
Next meeting Tuesday 15/11/06 9am.

'The Conversation' Meeting 1 - 01/11/06

This blog is a production diary and minutes of meetings for the MA Interactive Design/Multimedia group at Bath Spa University College group video project.

All group members were present today - Mike works in the afternoon, so details will be emailed to him.

We met Martin, who gave us the deadline date (w/c 06/12/06) and general advice for the project. Martin suggested we could use his script 'The Conversation' for this project so to give us a much needed starting point (this was very helpful). We decided as a group to use this script. Earlier on in the day Mike was extremely helpful with his advance knowledge of film/video production and suggested how we could work and produce the video/film making/filming/editing etc. We generally agreed that it would be difficult to get all of us in the same place at the same time outside of Wednesdays, so we thought maybe a day at the weekend would be good to set up do the shoot and edit the footage. Sunday was agreed, however we are waiting on actors to get back to us on this, before we can go ahead.

Martin also suggested we all set up a online blog to be used as a production diary. This will be good for group communication.

During the meeting we thought it was important to contact the actors first and get a date set for the shoot.
We set a provisional date of 19/11/06 for this, depending on availability of crew, actors and booking the studio etc.
We sent an email and copy of script to actors on Roger's email account and we wait in anticipation for their reply. Penny said she would try to pre book the studio etc (i think).

Martin also took us to view the studio and sound booth, we discussed camera set up and use of lights etc (we have to see Pete who can set things up for us Friday before shoot). We decided it would be important to do a camera and lighting plan etc.

In the meeting we agreed:
1. to share roles and all have a go at every thing.
2. Adrian to chair and produce minutes of meetings(on blog as part of production diary) every week - Wednesday 4.30pm. To discuss the progress of project and agree tasks etc. I suggest we have meeting over a beer in a nice pub somewhere (stress free).
3. We use Martin's script 'The Conversation' the first 4 scenes. Get 20-25 minutes of footage and edit to 5 minute film (we need to seek Mike's advice on this).
4. By next week we all produce rough ideas, shot lists, lighting plans etc for the shoot so to discuss next week. thinking about how we can visualise the script scenes and sub texts etc through the use of camera angles, edits, shots, lighting, sound, acting etc.

Can someone pass a copy of script onto Mike.

I think a successful first meeting - the ball is rolling and we wait to hear back from actors and discuss the ideas we all have next week. Next meeting 08/11/06 - 4.30pm. I hope this is ok people let me know if I have made any mistakes or missed anything out, cheers Adrian.