Filming Blog: Shark Attack Scene

Today is February 26th, and as of currently I have filmed the second part of my Final Task. Previously, I had filmed going out on to the water and boating. However, now I have filmed the shark  attack scene. The filming of this scene also required a lot of mininpulation of schedules. Despite the odds, we were able to manage and finish the filming of this scene. In the scenes specifically, it is depicted that an actor, myself, is out tubing. I am then knocked off the tube into murkey water. While struggling to get back up onto the boat, something is lurking underneath me. That is untill it becomes closer and disaster strikes. I am dragged underneath by the shark to not be seen again. Then a wide shot of the ocean is shown where in the post production process a red filter will be applied to. The filming of these scenes was a lot easier due to the fact that we had assigned roles and responsibilities in the previous filming section. We also took many takes of the individual scenes. This ensured that we could find a take that we liked and use it in the film. Similar, to my last filming session we encountered a lot of difficulties. For instance, the sewage break is as still effecting our local beaches and intercostal. As a result, we had to take the boat up to a place called Light House Point. Another problem we encountered was the tide going out as we were beached. This meant that we had very little time to film or the water would continue to drop and we would be stranded. All in all, the filming session was very interesting despite some major setbacks.

Filming Blog: Preparing for Boating

Today is February 24th, 2020 and as of currently I have begun the filming process of the Final Task. In the previous filming blog I discussed the footage of the shark that would be used. It is original footage of a Great White Shark in Mossol Bay, South Africa. On Sunday, I filmed the next few scenes of preparing for boating. This required a lot of coordination and merging of schedules to complete. However, we were able to successfully achieve our objective. The footage depicts the preparation for boating and the necessary items (props) that would be used. For instance, a shot of the trunk opening to reveal all the items that were necessary for boating was included. Another example of the footage that was shot, is the boat being cleaned. It was necessary for me to find another cameraman to operate our camera since I was in the scene. To be specific, during the scene there are two actors, myself and my father, both washing the boat. I am hosing the boat down with water while he is scrubbing with a brush. Despite this reality, there were quite a few complications that we encountered. To begin with, the weather was quite bad with rain showers scattered. This meant at times we had to be undercover to protect the equipment from water damage. Also, the wind was strong meaning we couldn't use the drone to film. Another compilation that occurred was there was a sewage pipe break. This meant that the inter-coastal and ocean around where I lived was contaminated. As a result, we were not able to go out onto the ocean and film the shark attack and tubing scenes.

Filming Blog: Shark Video

Today is February 20th, 2020 and as of currently I haven't begun filming out on the open ocean. However, I do have footage of the shark that will appear in my film. Last summer, when I turned 15 I took a trip to South Africa. South Africa is located on the southern most tip of Africa, where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meet. It has stunning scenery and captivating views. Additionally, South Africa is home to some of the world's largest and most vicious apex predators. For example, the lion, the black mamba, the cheetah, and the great white shark. For my 15th birthday, I decided to go cage diving. This would be in Mossol Bay, home to Seal Island. Seals are the great whites most common prey. However regarding the filming aspects of the shark, all my footage is original. It was captured on my IPhone protected by a water proof cover. Also, the shark was caught on some GoPro footage from above the water. A problem with the film is the murkiness of the water. Despite this reality, I believe this dark and contrasting color contributes to my overall theme and genre. Thrillers are action packed and suspenseful and the murkiness of the water masks the shark creating a suspenseful tone. There is also another point in the film where the shark can be seen opening his jaws (picture above). This creates an action like environment and will likely be used in the scene where the "shark attack" takes place. Overall, the filming of the shark was one of the coolest experiences of my life. I got up close and personal with the oceans top apex predator. I am excited to share this moment with the audience of my Final Task.

Planning: Storyboard

Over the past two weeks I have composed multiple Google Slides regarding my Final Task and various aspects of the filming process. In the presentations I reviewed each element individually and discussed important elements that will be used. For instance, I talk about the shots/movements/angles, safety, actors, props, costumes, and settings. Additionally, I also include any extra information. This would include things like needing to remain extra quiet during the filming of the early morning scenes. Information like this was necessary for preparing the storyboard for the opening sequence. In the storyboard each square or shot represents a 6 second time period. On each piece of paper there are 6 squares, and each piece of paper represents a scene. In total there are 10 scenes. However, In the descriptions of each scene I provide a brief summary of the individual shot. This includes relevant information and the camera angles, movements, and shots. Overall, I believe between the previous google slides and their scripts with the storyboard will prove very useful in constructing my Final Task.

Planning: Title Design

Over the course of the past two week I have composed multiple Google Slides regarding my Final Task including the sound and the filming. In this slide however, I review elements of the title design. For instance, I discuss aspects such as the size, color, contrast, and formatting. This will apply to all of my titles in the opening sequence including the directors name and the name of the movie. The first thing I discussed was the font. I choose Oswald semi bold as it was a legible font  that still portrayed a suspenseful attitude. The next aspect i covered was the color. The primary colors I will be using are red and black, however, due to the background on some scenes a secondary color will be white. Furthermore, I plan on keep settings such as spacing and tracking at default settings. Finally, I have proposed my Final Tasks title to be "The Coastal Killer," however this is subject to change. Overall, I believe the research and planning that I have put into these elements regarding the title design will be very beneficial in constructing my Final Task.

Planning: Locations, Participants, Safety, and Schedule.

Over the course of the past two week I have composed multiple Google Slides regarding my Final Task including the sound and the filming. In this slide however, I review elements of the film making process such as location selection, participants, health, and the schedule. For instance, during the location portion I discuss certain filming backdrops and areas that will be used. This includes the open ocean, the beach, the boat, and my house. Next I discuss the participants/actors, which is solely my family. This includes myself, my father, my mother, and my sister. Furthermore, I also discuss the elements of health and safety. I discusses precautions that I will be taking such as the renewal of all licenses as well as having a first aid kit on set at all times. Last but certainly not least, I also discuss the filming schedule. In this graphic I discuss planned filming dates, backup filming dates, and the tentative due date. Overall, I believe the research and planning that I have put into these elements will be very beneficial in designing my Final Task.

Planning: Sound Script

Over the past week I have composed a Google Slides regarding my Final Task and the Sound Script. In the slides I review each scene on a case by case process and discuss elements of the sound that will be used. For instance, I talk about the dialogue, sound effects, and music. Additionally, I also include information such as the characters roles and names. Information like this needs to be included in order to prevent possible confusion. Finally, the planning of my shooting script will help me in numerous aspects of my Final Task. First of all, in the coming days I will be having to design a storyboard. This requires up to 60 individual segments that need to be thought out thoroughly. This plan will give me an idea of the aspects of the sound of each scene and how to detail individual segments in order to make the filming/sound production process easier. Overall, I believe the development of this sound script and the filming script will be very beneficial in designing my storyboard and filming my Final Task.

Planning: Shooting Script

Over the past week I have composed a Google Slides regarding my Final Task and the Shooting Script. In the slides I review each scene on a case by case process and discuss important elements that will be used. For instance, I talk about the shots/movements/angles, safety, actors, props, costumes, and settings. Additionally, I also include any extra information. This would include things like needing to remain extra quiet during the filming of the early morning scenes. Information like this needs to be included in order to prevent possible consequences such as a conduction violation. Finally, the planning of my shooting script will help me in numerous aspects of my Final Task. First of all, in the coming days I will be having to design a storyboard. This requires up to 60 individual segments that need to be thought out thoroughly. This plan will give me an idea of the aspects of each scene and how to detail individual segments in order to make the filming process less burdening.