Finished Project

Well, our project has been completed, edited and burnt to disc on my computer.

I am very happy with the result.

I would like to continue to work with the sound, possibly create a new script and use a different backing track and use this film as part of my portfolio to apply to Macquarie Uni.

writing the script

today we are finishing up the script ...

It's really interesting how precise it all has to be...
Our script i think needs a lil work, and we will have to show Toula...
I'm not wuite sure how to direct carlos... in the scene description at the top or in the scene as character directions.... even though he has no speaking role..

We have decided that it is scene description not character directions.... still not convinced though..

Script is finished.. now for the treatment (amanda and I have worked together for most things but are going to finish eah of these seperately .. She will finish the treatment tonight and i have just finished the script)

backing track

We have included a practice backing track 'Massive Attack - Teardrops'

We both love the ambience the song gives to the film, like a heartbeat and tears... it's beautiful but unfortunately.. Copyrighted :( (as Toula reminded me)

soo.. we are on the hunt for a new track.. something witht he same feeling but one that we can use...


We found it!
'Switchfoot - Meant to live'
it's beautiful.... and sad..

we found it on the creative commons site....

edit 1

I have captured both sets of footage into my program along with the voice over....

editing together both scenes is tricky cause they are at different locations and the machines are slightly different but hopefully with a litlle eye magic nobody will notice haha

aw well... lets see...


WELL.... it does actually look quite good.. I have used the set up shots from the first shoot and the close ups from the second... not bad... I have put some affects on Amandas voice and entered them into each scene of the film.... spread out so the story is told by the end ....

Shoot 2

Ok so we got carlos in to shoot at the pub, and all went well. We had plenty of time and were very organised.... but to be honest.. i wasnt quite impressed with the result....

I think it was to squared and didnt have the edge that the other one did.... i guess a little pressure works well with me..

I am impressed by the closeup shots though.. the screen of the pokies and the lit up buttons will work well.. i wonder if i can cut the two together????

I'm goin to put them into my edit suite and play around with them both...

Shoot 2??

After first look at the footage we have, Amanda and I have decided we would like to do a second shoot. One with more preperation and using the tripod.. We will need a different location but that is ok because I work at a Pub so can use the gaming room at a quiet time.. I have already got permission.

This shoot will have a slightly different approach as it is a little more structured...

Girl voice over

In our film we have images with a voice over track that narrates.
Today amanda and I are recording the sounds with the new recorders insearch have got.
We played around with them the other day, but recorded the whole thing as one track.. I'm thinking because the sentences are layed out over different sections of the film we should record each phrase as a seperate track.. that way we can put affect on each one and lay them out with the right timing...

Ok.. we have just finished. It sounds great!!
I am goin to put it all on the computer and cut it together roughly just to get an idea of what we want it to look like in the end..

shoot 1 finished!

Carlos was late today and Amanda and I were waiting outside with all the equipment so we dont get thrown out for having the camera's in there..
Once he arrived we set up very quickly and literally shot all six or seven shots, hand held, in about 5 mins. With the lady that works there in the background saying "are you finished yet", and Carlos in a rush to get ac to uni, there was a lot of pressure.. i was hoping i had all the lighting and camera appertures correct cause we only have one go..

It was crazy but i think we actually got some good footage.. it's kind of raw and personal.. i'll have to see what it looks like when we get it on the computer to edit..

Shoot 1

Today we have not much time as the camera's have to be back at uni for a class.. I have one hour and my principle character has exams on himself so we are all a little stressed out..

Amanda and I are goin to the hotel on the corner, just up from insearch. I have enquired about shooting in their gaming room (which is pretty much illegal at the moment) and have been given permission to get in and out ASAP. Phew! I am stoked.. guess my sales person experience has given me the gift of the gab!

OK. Change of plans..

Since our kings Cross idea is not possible and time is of the essence we HAVE TO start FROM SCRATH!!!
Not hapy, and pretty stressed out but we have no choice.

so the ideas that we came up with were related to an assignment we both have for another of our classes together where we must create a campaign. Our campaign is about youth gambling addiction and so we decided to make a short commercial for a gambling support hotline.
The film is going to be only about 1.30 and will be about a young guy who is addicted to gambling and we see the negative transformation that he goes through as he loses more and more...

we are goin to plan for this shoot now with the shot list and ideas for a voice over script....

Rained out!

Today is supposed to be our shoot but we are completely rained out. It has been pouring for days and is to continue like this for the next two weeks.
I have canceled my interviews and have not picked up the camera's as it is too difficult to do anything today and i have not organised anything for an indoor shoot.
Amanda and I will be meeting soon to discuss where to go from here..

preparing for our shoot

Amanda and I have booked th camera's and are ready for our shoot..
We have organised our draft shot list to help us with our shoot and guide the camera directions.
We have a lot of ideas about how we want the film to feel through the use of light..

I am booking our interviewees today for the two day shoot.

interviewees

I recently had some interesting conversations with friends of mine who have amazing stories of overcoming trials and tribulations in their lives.. these people are so inspiring. One of my favourite stories though has been the fascinating and motivational life of a guy I have known for years.. at only 30 years old he has quickly risen to the top positions in corporate law.. has played football (soccer) professionally for Parramatta, has released a single which he composed and performed, as well as being accepted into NIDA, and being accepted into an AFTRS presenting competition, vying for a spot on cable tv.. Oh and did i mention doing TWO university masters.. AT THE SAME TIME!!
This guy is just amazing, he is a DJ on the weekend in Sydneys club scene and is a funny and charismatic guy...
He has agreed to be apart of my film, so this should be great..
Next up.. i'm looking for another interviewee.. maybe a woman...hhmmm

Colaboration..

Today, I realised i had a similar interest and perspective on the topic of peoples life journey's and experiences, as did a friend if mine. Purely by coincidence it come up in conversation. We have decided to make this film together, with her knowledge and interest alongside mine. I'm really excited, I know that coming from completely different backgrounds we can both contribute great ideas and make our film relatable to anyone..

We both have some great ideas on how we want our film to look.. Warm, inviting, friendly, we'll get this feel from shooting in the morning light, using a big range of angles etc..

Who am I??

Welcome..

Hi I'm Leah, a student at UTS in Sydney, studying film...

Living in the heart of Kings Cross, I have come across a lot of different walks of life.. many of which i use as inspiration in my writing.. as an aspiring film maker i see stories in everything..

i'm going to take you on a journey of my area, getting to know the locals and the tourists, all living radically different lives and experiencing their own adventures. Sometimes it can make us re-evaluate everything we know, when faced with the troublesome life of someone else.
It can make us appreciate the things we take for granted and really notice the important people in our lives..

Thats what i want to do.. I want to really feel.

My parents always use to say, "There is always someone else out there worse off than you, so appreciate what you do have"... This always made me feel guilty for wingeing about the little things... "I don't have this", or "Why me"...

There are people out there who face the most difficult of obstacles and come out of it with a positive outlook or an important lesson learnt.. we can all learn from this way of thinking..

Well thats me..