Producing the Short Film: Second Filming Session

Our second filming session was were we filmed most of our short film. We completed all the bedroom and train scenes, and also some shots of the stalker following the victim. For this session we filmed for the whole day. We got to Miranda's house (the first setting) at 1 o'clock, prepared the bedroom and set up till 2, then began filming. We ensured the actress was wearing the same clothes to keep continuity, and we also reflected our plans for the 'stalkers' costume into his outfit. We also made sure we had all the correct equipment and props. And had to laptop available to play the sound/music.

The first scenes we shot were the ones of the 'girl' getting ready, we filmed details such as doing her hair or going through her wardrobe to create a 'real life' effect, in the style of some sort of home video or documentary as we followed her every move. Below is some of our footage.

In one of the shots we wanted to really be creative and think outside of the box. We decided on filming her going through her clothes not only from the outside but from the inside of her wardrobe. For this I had to empty the bottom and squeeze in. We thought this was a really effective shot for our idea of 'secret camera' or 'home video', giving hints of her being watched right from the start. Building up tension immediately, conventional for a 'thriller'. We also kept the music playing to keep continuity (see Sound And Music post). Below is pictures of the production of the shot.

Once we had enough bedroom shots we then went on to film the 'stairs' shots. This was something we had featured in our story board right from the start, a shot we both wanted to do again linking to the effect of documenting her every move, of which becomes so 'normal' and realistic it makes the viewer start to come up with their own crazy ideas of why and what will happen. Below are some shots of this:

After filming the stairs shots we went on to film the character leaving the house, and going to the train station. This is where we first introduced the second character. We used a shot from over the shoulder of the character to not reveal them straight away, this would keep the mystery and the 'fear of the unknown' for a viewer. We also used a point of view shot to show how the person is watching the victim.

After introducing the stalker into the scene we then had to ensure every shot after was in some way the stalker following the victim. We therefore including some shots on the platforms, from both the same platform side and also the opposite to create a variety of interesting shots for the audience, also making it look more professional having a range of angles. We ensured we had shots of the stalker following the victim onto the train and constantly watching them. Building up suspense and tension throughout. Below are some images of the production:

We Also filmed the 'Cut shot' in this filming session. This was a 2/3 second film of a train at high speed of which we wanted to use as a transistion between the two narratives. Shown below:

As we were filming for the whole day it was gradually getting darker as we were filming. This was something we wanted to portray to show the time scale (see Planning For Filming post). Our final shots for the day were of the stalker following the victim, also some reaction shots of the victim being 'paranoid/worried'. Below are some of our recordings:

Over all this was a very productive filming session with little problems occuring. I am excited to choose what clips and see the footage being edited into the film, in the next stage.