Filming Day Three

Props Used
Pregnancy Test
Bags

The final day of filming was very busy. We first of all started the day at Zara's house, filming the pregnancy test scenes. Zara was very distressed that her bathroom was not immaculately clean but i reassured her it would yet again add to the realism of the piece. We had bought the test from the local chemist. The light in the bathroom was amazing, some of the shots in the restaurant were particularly dark and there was not much we could do to change it so we were both very happy with the bright light here. I then displayed my best acting skills and tried to react to a positive test as naturally as possible. We shot my reaction from different ranges as a close up to convey my emotions would be effective in the video. After a quick lunch break off we went to Swanley station, camera and tripod in hand. This was not as all as easy as we presumed it would be. We first of all filmed scenes with my dad who is a London black cab driver. He waited outside the station in his cab and i had to ask him to go to Oakfield then jump in the back. There was difficulties getting myself in whist showing i was pregnant but overall we was happy with these shots. The filming inside the station, however, was much harder then expected. I had difficulties getting on the train, shutting the doors and then walking to the camera without getting in any ones way that was using the train. I also rather shamefully, after condemning Tom and Simon began to Laugh a lot with Zara at the situation, (walking around with a pillow up your top to look pregnant gets you a lot of stares!) After a while we got the shot and captured me saying "I've come back to tell you something to the camera". I watched the clip back while we was at the station and the dialogue was terrible! you could not hear what i was saying over the background noise of the train and the lighting was too bright to see my face. I then came up with the idea of shooting my narrative separately, having me speaking to the camera with a plain background behind me. I drew inspiration for my idea from the Sam advert that we remade during which she talks to the camera throughout. It was not possible to film this today to another day was scheduled for next week and off i went to write my monologue script!

Filming Day Two

Props Used
Menus
Table and Chairs

So after the success of yesterday off we went to film the other potential dad - Simon. Zara works in a pub restaurant part-time so we were able to film the dinner scenes in there. Simon, like Tom, did not seem to be enjoying the experience of acting at first at during the scenes when we are talking over dinner he very much had to be coaxed into relaxing a little bit, after that it was all fine. Again as with the swing scene with Tom a lot of what Zara filmed was just natural conversation which is highly effective. While we were filimg the dinner scences the owner of the pub then mentioned to Zara that we could shoot some of the video in one of the hotel rooms upstairs if we wanted to. Although we had not planned at all to shoot this scene we thought we should make the most of the opportunity we were given and therefore went ahead. we had to think on our feet about which ways of shooting would look most effective but I feel that the shot of me leading Simon into the room is very effective as it insinuates that we must of had sex without being too revealing - necessary for the pregnancy storyline. I also think the shot is effective because of the kissing scene with Tom shows a physical relationship between the two of us and therefore the scenes with Simon are comparable. As I led Simon into the room the loud bang of the door hit me with inspiration that we should use a shot of it closing, so Zara filmed the slam of the door, we do not know whether we will use this shot but I think that it could be quite effective if placed well.

Filming Day One

Props Used
Cigarettes
Over sized Hoody


So today is the day that it all actually begins after all our planning!
11.00 am
As planned we pick up Tom and then head to New Barn Park in Swanley. Unfortunately the weather is not on our side and our "sunny day in the park" is not going to happen! Luckily the weather brightens up a bit and on we go. Zara and I spot an idyllic bench on which tom and myself can film the kiss scene. A problem which i had not bargained on coming across is Tom's lack of self control! He could not stop laughing during the scene and kept on getting told off by me. Zara set up the tripod and we tested this first shot from different angles until finally it was a perfect mid shot, showing our body language and hopefully conveying the chemistry between the two of us. We then walked down the park to the swings and Zara began filming a natural conversation between the two of us. Watching these clips back it was very effective as it does not seem false and the sense of realism is portrayed. The final scene we shot in Swanley park was the panning shot, showing the lake and me and Tom embracing looking over the lake. This was an excellent shot to set the location, showing how alone we was while capturing the natural setting.

Locations for Advert

After our major brainstorm last week Zara and I have decided on the final locations for our advert:



New Barn Park

New barn park in Swanley will be used as the setting for my scenes with Tom. We are hoping for a sunny day which will aid to the romantic atmosphere. The park has many benches, which some scenes could be filmed on, as well as a large lake and a playground, which we will try to incorporate.

Swanley Station


We need the station for our opening shots of me exiting the train, talking to the camera and then walking to the cab. Swanley station is near to both of our houses and to school so it will also be easily accessible. It is also a busy station so train passengers in the background will aid to the realism.



Rising Sun pup- Fawkham
As Zara works part-time in the rising sun pub/restaurant it is perfect for my scenes with Simon. She has spoken to the manager who has agreed to let us film there so everything seems to be set in place!

Scenes will also be filmed in both mine and Zara's houses, again adding to the realism we are trying to portray.

Magazine pictures

Below is the collection of photographs we have taken over the past week for our poster and front cover:

This is the picture Zara and I have decided to use as our main image on our front cover. It was taken against a wall at my house and i have placed a pillow up my jumper to make me look pregnant! We shot the picture at a mid close range as this is how we have seen pictures on front covers on existing magazine soap magazines, allowing audiences to see the disturbed expression on my face, and my bloated stomoch.











I have chosen these three pictures out of a collection that we took of mine and Zara's friend Ellie-May, at her house in Dartford. We found a white wall in her house to take it against and asked her to pose in a serious expression. This photo is going to be one of the many featured on the magazine cover, which conventionally is cluttered with pictures.








This photograph was taken at Wilmington Boys School, and is of Joe Malloy, another friend of mine and Zara's. The shot was very last minute as none of the boys we asked were very keen to have their photograph taken for some reason. This shot was also against a white wall as it eases the editing process.




This is my favourite photo that we took during the whole process. The photo of Simon and Tom together looking in different directions shows their different characters, also aided by their dress.

This was another successful image of the three of us together, my positioning in between the two of them in a wide shot presenting the storyline in imagery. The only thing disappointing about this image is the fact that you can see Tom beginning to laugh, which happened a lot during the shoot by him and Simon!



This image of Tiffany and Emily, also members of my media class, was taken on a different day to the others and was due to total spontaneity. I love the expression on both their faces which conveys alot of emotion, shown clearly by the close-up shot. I think this image will contrast nicely to the others because it was taken on a different camera the image quality is different, this shot being much more like one that has been lifted from a filming shot from an actual soap. Next to the posed photographs it will contrast which is a common convention of existing TV soap mags.

Front Cover Analysis

Before completing our magazine front cover I think it necessary to look at some existing magazines to understand some key conventions:



This Tv Choice magazine instantly gains your attention with its bright colours and bold headlines. The choice of bold, contrasting colours set against each other, for example blue and orange, really grab your attention. There is a main image on both covers with smaller images surrounding it. Although the page looks cluttered I think it is effective as it represents the busyness of what is going on in all the different storylines featured.

Song Selection

Now the basic premise for our video has been decided its time for the details. The first thing we need to tackle is the background music.

Choices

First of all we discussed have a dramatic instrumental in the background, as we thought that lyrics may confuse the audience away from the narrative of the advert.
We discussed and after some research we found this song on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ait-4080MxU

Although I liked the idea of the an instrumental, after vigorous searching I could not find the up-tempo music I was looking for they would successfully convey the suspense, drama and revelation that we intend to convey.

So we looked at other options. It then came to mind that we had already sent the copyright letter to Universal records regarding the Amy Winehouse song "you know I'm no good" :


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm41ptw_Hfs

It then seemed like the perfect idea to use this song for our main video also, especially after closer inspection of the chorus lyrics ...

I Cheated Myself
Like I knew I would
I told you, I was Trouble
You Know that I'm no good

These lyrics seem extremely fitting for the situation that our main character is in, torn between two men. The beginning of the song also has a very catchy and upbeat instrumental that we could use, incorporating our initial idea.