Film Log Day 4 - London Establishing Shots

For the fourth day of filming we set about getting the domestic scenes of our trailer, the main location of the trailer is England and so we want to primarily focus on shots across London. We went to London Waterloo by train and ensured we got some establishing shots as we deemed that to be the most important shots we needed at the time. The first major section of London we focused on was the Parliament building as we want to include the landmarks so many people associate with London as to appeal to the audience more in our trailer. We got various different angles of the Parliament building with various shots including the background as to highlight London as a whole. We took a couple of shots on the bank opposite, mainly focusing on the horizontal style of panning. However we also got some dolly shot as to provide more variety for us to possibly use. We also got some shots from a nearby bridge to provide a higher angle which is closer to the building. Whilst we filmed this we also found a good location for a possible chase scene in which it is the water bank located opposite the parliament building and so we could incorporate the landmark in the background.

We also focused some shots on the London eye as like the Parliament building it acts to symbioses what you would want to see in London. We also focused on the panning style shot for the London eye as it gave us the necessary backgrounds we could use from the bridge for the majority of shots. We were also able to get some shots from the top of the London eye however we were hindered because by the time we got up there it was dark and so it is difficult to distinguish London. So the shots will most likely be abandoned as we want to ensure that there is even lighting throughout the trailer.

Film Log Day 3 - Skydiving

For the third day of filming the main aspect of it was the eventual skydive which we two of our group did, we were able to get a prolonged shot of the two characters as the skydive company provided an additional cameraman whom filmed us on the way down. However we are unsure whether it is of high quality as we would of preferred a shot from a gopro as it would of allowed us to focus primarily on what we wanted to film instead of what the cameraman was filming. Ono of the main issues with this scene if it was included is the inclusion of an instructor in the film as we had to skydive with someone professional as a requirement and so this may make the shot not usable in the final film trailer.

Before we actually went skydiving we took some time to film some other skydivers in case we wanted to place a specific focus on the skydive for our film trailer. This included them on the descent down from the plane and them landing to give us options on what to use if need be. When the cameraman was filming we were asked to give an interview and constantly update which could allow us to incorporate some adventure type qualities into our trailer.

Film Log Day 2 - Burj Khalifa

After filming a large proportion of shots with the cluster of buildings, we then decided to visit the Burj Khalifa as it would give us something memorable to use during the trailer. We took various different shots of it from a car as to present the background as well as the main building. We got the building from various different angles and directions to give us a large assortment of shots which we could also possibly use in our film. With both locations for an establishing shot we may also be able to incorporate them as a short scene in our trailer as it helps highlight what the audience could expect to see in our film.

Whilst driving around in Dubai we filmed a large proportion of the scenery you would see out of a car window just to show the audience of the culture of Dubai as a whole and to help showcase the exact storyline of the film trailer in Dubai. Whilst we were doing this we managed to get some shots of when we went on the sand dunes for a Jeep Safari in which we were filmed the cars whom were positioned behind us on the sand as to possibly be used for some sort of chase scene.

Vertically panning shots were mainly used with the Burj Khalifa as we wanted to have some shots focusing on what many consider to be the symbol of Dubai as a whole and so would act to entice the audience into watching the film. The Burj Khalifa was a bit difficult at times to film as we couldn't fit all of the building in the shot when we were positioned near it but from a distance it was reasonable, we took many shots around the Khalifa and from inside it as well. We filmed from the 124th floor as to get the city skyline from a high angle to show the audience as much as possible. We took varying shots in terms of angles as we were able to get relevant shots of what it looks like looking down form the building or up from the bottom of the building.

Film Log Day 1 - Establishing Shots

The first day of filming largely revolved around the filming of an establishing shot of Dubai, we were only there for a week they had to film their required footage during this short time period. We set about getting the establishing shot but were undecided on where we would want the footage to be shot, it was between a group of buildings by the beach or the Burj Khalifa which we will have to decide on which one is the better option. We started off by filming the cluster of buildings as they were located in close proximity to the hotel we were staying at and so was easily accessible to us through the public beach or through some sort of boat.

We focused on panning shots which largely used a horizontal style of panning as we deemed that this would be the best in terms of effect for our trailer. We tried to incorporate a wide range of speeds when filming the establishing shots as to allow us to have a large amount to possibly use or edit to suit the needs of the trailer we are trying to create. Most of the shots we got of the buildings were from the ocean as to give us a shot of the beach as well as the buildings to help highlight the exotic qualities of Dubai for our trailer. The panning shots varied substantially in height and speed to allow for many options when it comes down to selecting the shots we can incorporate into the trailer.

Lastly on this day we set about developing a scene in which we see one of the main characters engaging in conversation with an unknown person. This scene proved rather easy to do as we did it in the hotel room we were staying in and so we didn't have any interruptions from other people staying in the hotel. We ensured that we didn't include any labels of the hotel as to not specify the exact hotel, overall the scene we created was of decent quality but we were unsure of whether it was suited for an action trailer as it was rather long. The main feature of the scene involved the character where we set about gathering many different shots as to add to the effect of the scene. We got various shots including a match on action and over the shoulder shot to portray the plot of the scene, albeit effective the main feature of the scene was the nose down shot of the character as they engage in the conversation with the mystery person.

Primary Equipment List

Camera

The camera that we used to film our opening two minutes is a Canon EOS 500D. It is my camera and I am also a photography student so I know how to work the camera. I also taught the others in my group how to use the filming setting so that they knew how to use it if i was not there or if i was in a scene and couldn't be behind the camera. Recording a clip is very simple as you just turn the dial on the top of the camera on the top of the camera to the movie setting and by the screen on the back of the camera is a small button that is clearly labelled as the record button.

We now have two of the Canon cameras due to another member of our group now owning one so we can record shots from two different angles at the same time.

Tripod

Another piece of equipment that I have is a Miranda 500 tripod. Its legs extend twice and the total height of the tripod with the camera on top is about 5 foot off the ground. The tripod allows the camera to capture smooth and steady shots which you can do for taking images and also video. It is not hard to understand how to use the tripod so it wasn't hard for the others to understand.

Adobe Premier Elements 10

The final piece of equipment that we used in our film was Adobe Premier Elements 10. It wasn't majorly difficult to use but we had a few complications along the way of editing our film. Billy was our chief editor. Before we edited our movie we had never used this software. Before we edited the movie we had to learn the basics of the software. Billy did a very good job of editing the movie and it looks professional even though there is a lot more that we could learn about Adobe Premier Elements for the future.

Primary Trailer Ideas #2

possible locations:

Dubai

• Burj Khalifa
• The palm
• The desert
• The air? (skydiving)
• The busy streets of Dubai
• Fountain by the Khalifa
• Hotel room

England

• The shard
• Westminster abbey
• Houses of parliament 
• MI6/MI5
• South bank
• China town
• Lake district-Lancashire
• Portsmouth-the pier
• Brighton pier
• Isle of wight
• White cliffs of Dover

France

• Eiffel tower
• Arc de triumphe
• Cafe rouge 
• Louvre/Louvre pyramid
• Notre dame
• Palace of Versailles

The story

• Crime syndicate- name not confirmed
• multi national working between Paris, London and Dubai
• there will be illegal transfers of money between the three cities, perhaps with Bitcoin as it makes it really hard to trace
• There will be a document either shown directly on the screen or hinted too perhaps in a confrontation between friendly spies to try and figure out what happened to the money, could be a spreadsheet which will include all the same bank account numbers
• transactions can be shown through maps perhaps with moving planes going from location to location
• we need to have a narration at the start to help fill the audience in with the plot of the film 

scene in London 

• could involve bodyguards pushing through a crowd in a rush with an important figure, perhaps political (Prime minister)
• we then get a shot perhaps through the eyes of a sniper
• this shot could perhaps be a very long shot from the camera looking down on the political figure and bodyguards running
• we can add a hairpin scope later perhaps rather than taking a prop we can just film down the sight of the camera and add the scope later
• the shot needs to be high angle so it makes the target look vulnerable 
• we will then hear a gunshot after the screen has faded to black at which point it will skip to the next scene

or

Scene at school (main hall)

• Political figure/whistle-blower standing at a podium delivering a speech
• there will be inaudible whispers from the people in the background but they will stay out of shot 
• Matt will use his camera with the flash on to make it seem more like an important announcement where the paparazzi are involved
• it will be a front facing shot from a low angle to give him a state of power but will be a long shot so it leaves room for what happens to be caught on camera
• there will be shocked gasps coming out all around why the figure speaks
• the camera turns round to focus on the other character at hand who runs up the stage and reaches for his back pocket 
• as he pulls his hand out to reveal a what we presume to be a gun 
• the screen will cut to black and there will be a gunshot noise

The trailer then can carry on with short news clips showing panic, emergency action etc. they could perhaps show something about shots at a hall or parliament?

the trailer will then carry on in either Dubai or Paris if all stays to plan.

Primary Shots List

Aerial Shot

An exterior shot filmed from the air. Often used to establish a (usually exotic) location.

Arc Shot

A shot in which the subject is circled by the camera.

Close Up  Shot

A shot that keeps only the face full in the frame.

Crane Shot

A shot where the camera is placed on a crane or jib and moved up or down. Often used to highlight a character's loneliness or at the end of a movie, the camera moving away as if saying goodbye. 

Deep Focus Shot

A shot that keeps the foreground, middle ground and background ALL in sharp focus.

Dolly Zoom Shot

A shot that sees the camera track forward toward a subject while simultaneously zooming out creating a woozy, vertiginous effect. 

Dutch Tilt Shot

A shot where the camera is tilted on its side to create a kooky angle. Often used to suggest disorientation.

Establishing Shot

A shot, at the head of the scene, that clearly shows the locale the action is set in. Often comes after the aerial shot.

We plan to use an establishing shot we got from Dubai as well as shots from London and maybe Paris to help establish the setting of the movie, We will do this by  using shots showing major landmarks in the city, for example from the Burj Khalifa, the Shard and Eiffel tower.

Handheld Shot

A shot in which the camera operator holds the camera during motion to create a jerky, immediate feel.

High Angle

A shot looking down on a character or subject often isolating them in the frame.

Library Shot

A pre-existing shot of a location (typically a wild animal) that is pulled from a library. Aka a "stock shot", it says this film is old. Or cheap. 

Long Shot

A shot that depicts an entire character or object from head to foot. Not as long as an establishing shot. Aka a wide shot.

Low Angle

A shot looking up at a character or subject often making them look bigger in the frame. It can make everyone look heroic and/or dominant. Also good for making cities look empty.

Matte Shot

A shot that incorporates foreground action with a background, traditionally painted onto glass, now created in a computer.

Medium Shot

The shot that utilizes the most common framing in movies, shows less than a long shot, more than a close-up.

Over The Shoulder Shot

A shot where the camera is positioned behind one subject's shoulder, usually during a conversation. It implies a connection between the speakers as opposed to the single shot that suggests distance.

Panning Shot

A shot where the camera moves continuously right to left or left to right. 

POV Shot

A shot that depicts the point of view of a character so that we see exactly what they see. Often used in Horror cinema to see the world through a killer's eyes. 

Sequence Shot

A long shot that covers a scene in its entirety in one continuous sweep without editing.

Steadicam Shot

A shot from a hydraulically balanced camera that allows for a smooth, fluid movement.

Tracking Shot

A shot that follows a subject be it from behind or alongside or in front of the subject. Not as clumsy or random as a panning shot, an elegant shot for a more civilized age.

Two Shot

A medium shot that depicts two people in the frame. Used primarily when you want to establish links between characters or people who are beside rather than facing each other. 

Whip Pan Shot

A shot that is the same as a pan but is so fast that picture blurs beyond recognition. Usually accompanied by a whoosh sound.

Zoom In Shot

A shot deploying a lens with a variable focal length that allows the cinematographer to change the distance between camera and object without physically moving the camera.