Day 1 (11/04/19)
On the first day of filming, I made sure to print off the selected scenes we were filming on that day. I carried these pages of the script around in an orange folder that I always looked at if I ever needed reminding of certain actions for an actor, or to help solve issues. For the next part of the day. The shots, on the hill, are what I created a test shoot for. The test shot really paid off in the shooting of the scene flowing smoothly as I had a clear plan of how to get each shot and fast. An extremely helpful addition on the day was the Black Magic Video Assist, which allowed the DOP and me a clear view of the shots were were composing and creating. At the start of the day, it started out very overcast and cloudy. This was an issue as later on that day we were going to film the last shot of the film which required a nice blue western sky. However, it wasn't looking like that was going to happen. Much to my surprise, towards the end of the shoot when we were about to film the final shot, the skies cleared and as we filmed a deep blue sky was above us. After a break for refreshments, and once the sun set the crew and myself headed out into the cold night. We reached the location in good time, the scene we were about to film was a relaxing campfire scene. As we were about to start rolling, we noticed the tripod was missing from our inventory. This lead to an irritating revelation that the tripod was left at the unit base, this lead to the lead role and myself run back a few miles to retrieve the abandoned tripod. To make the run productive, I made sure that the DOP and sound man kept the fire going and tasked them to make it bigger. Once, the tripod was on set we started to film. I was very anxious about there being noise in the low-light footage, therefore the DOP and myself kept a close eye on the darkness. If we went too high on the ISO or too wide on the aperture, the noise would start to come in its masses. In the end, we found a near-perfect symbiosis of ISO and aperture. I deliberately got multiple takes of each shot, with different actions from the lead role so that in the edit I would have more wiggle room. I learnt to make sure that my ideas and visions are clearly explained to the crew around me. In addition, I realised that having my script on set at all times was really helpful in achieving my ambitious vision. An example of an issue on the day was a complex slider shot. Which entailed a slide left onto the main character holding his revolver, and as he pulls up his revolver to cock it the camera would pull focus onto the revolver. This shot, in particular, took many takes (6 to be precise), in the end, I was happy with the last shot we got. However, upon reviewing footage at the end of the shooting day I realised the camera was being pushed around by the wind, therefore I decided that the shot will have to be re-shot on a later date. Much to my demise, the shot wasn't capable of being saved in post. Therefore, this shot will most definitely be re-shot at a later date.
Day 2 (11/04/19)
After sleeping over at the unit base, the crew and myself ventured back out into the woods t film the morning shots of the main character waking up beside his fire. Before we left, I made sure the crew drank and ate as it would help boost morale and energy on set. If there was no energy or excitement then I believe that it will show in the work we complete on the day. In this case, we were fully ready for another day of shooting. I made sure to keep everyone updated with the scene and shots we would be filming on the day, especially with the lead role Adam, where before each scene I would go through it in depth as we both look at the script. One particular shot on the first location took up to 35 takes which is the most takes I have ever done. This shot was very complex and involved a pan to and from a character, the camera had to be identically composed of the previous shot before the pan. After 20 takes, I started to wonder if we should change the shot as this may take the rest of the day if we keep at it. However, I encouraged everyone to keep on going and I knew we could get the shot. We tried for another 10 takes, we still didn't get it. I decided to think up a new plan when I would use my hand as a stopping point for the pan after 5 more takes we eventually got the shot. Whilst filming the shot we were losing momentum and we're getting a little agitated, but as soon as we got the shot we all cheered and the morale shot way up. For the next shot, which took far less takes involved using a tripod trick to emulate a slider/jib shot. This was done because we left the slider at the unit base, we have a habit of leaving important equipment behind, so we had to improvise. Thankfully, the DOP managed to pull off a very smooth and cinematic crane motion towards the hatchet in the tree. I feel this improvised trick would have looked better than any slider or jib we could get out hands on.
Day 3 (01/05/19)
In the second part of the day, we were creeping ever so close to the time where the DOP had to leave set early to catch a train. Therefore, we needed to be fast about filming with the actor playing the Treasure Hunter, I had a feeling when filming that we were going way too fast and would need to reshoot. Upon the day ending and the DOP catching the train, I reviewed the footage and discovered my thoughts were correct. Only one shot was useable, the rest had to be completely reshot as they were all rushed one-takers. At the start of the day, I decided to film the montage travel scene where the main character walks with the guitar on his back. One particular shot, where the main character enters the frame and the camera is meant to pull focus onto the background took 11 takes to get right. This took up a large chunk of the day, which was rather unexpected, but nevertheless, we carried on into the next shots which were similar in content, involving the main character walking but in different locations. I believe that this day could've been better planned, and maybe the DOP and I could have done a test of this shot before trying it first on the day of filming.
Day 4
In the second part of the day, we had a very limited time, it would be pushing it to say 15 minutes, with the actor playing the role of the Treasure Hunter. I knew it would be a rush, therefore I made sure that I knew exactly what I wanted and came to the conclusion that all I needed was 2 shots, a medium and a close-up. We got the two shots we needed, the two shots are maybe my two favourite shots in the film. I was overwhelmed with happiness when the DOP showed me the shots he composed in the minimal time we had. The actor complied with falling on the floor, due to his character getting shot when he fell he fell the best I've ever seen an actor fall. So much dedication, it was admirable. Due to the unfortunate rushed previous day, I pledged to plan the next day as meticulously as I could. I wrote up a detailed plan, involving each shot and actions required for the edit. On this day, it was only me and the DOP. This meant we were both on the same page and went swiftly through each shot, but with that right amount of slow to make the quality shots we needed. Due to the actor of the Treasure Hunter not being present on the day, I dressed in his outfit and decided I was going to do some stand-in acting.
Day 5
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In part two of the day, we travelled to a nearby lake. The dog had to have a quick rest but then we were ready to get going again. Having the animal trainer (dog owner) there meant I had to convey my ideas and vision to another person other than the DOP which I'm used to. Therefore, I made sure to keep everyone up to date with which shot we were filming so there was no confusion. The shots went perfectly fine, although it was about to rain gladly it held off. Once the day was complete, so were all the shot we needed. The next day was dedicated to filming all the scene that involved the Great Dane. The dog, Harley, had it's owner Zoe with her all the time. It was very useful as to how well trained the dog was, every shot needed was filmed without much hassle at all. The only difficult shot to complete, involved Harley coming up to the Treasure Hunters dead body and laying down beside it. It sounds like a simple action, but it took just under 10 takes. I was playing the Treasure Hunters dead body, therefore I couldn't see the shot and but I had faith in the DOP to deliver. And he did.
Day 6
On this day, I planned to film one of the opening shots of the film. For this day, I hired out a track and dolly from college, then the crew and myself ventured deep into the woods to shoot. Upon, arriving at the location we set up the track and dolly and also made sure to find level ground to make the shot as smooth and slick as possible. I made sure to spend all day on this shot, as I knew this shot had the capability to make or break the film to the audience. The opening shot should always be great, and that's what we set out to do. I learnt to take your time on shots, as in the end the effort and time spent on the shot really do show. Especially in the case of this shot. In addition, I learnt that next time when I use the track and dolly I should bring planks of wood to make the ground more even for the kinetic shots. I believe that the final shot I achieved was what I set out to get. I really liked the lighting and shallow depth of field present in the far background of the image. Majority of the takes were shaky and the focus was off. This was due to the lens being very hard to pull focus on, this could have been easily avoided if we had a video monitor and a follow focus system attached to the camera. However, both of these were not present on set.
The Magnificent Day 7
On this day, I planned to film one of the opening shots of the film. For this day, I hired out a track and dolly from college, then the crew and myself ventured deep into the woods to shoot. Upon, arriving at the location we set up the track and dolly and also made sure to find level ground to make the shot as smooth and slick as possible. I made sure to spend all day on this shot, as I knew this shot had the capability to make or break the film to the audience. The opening shot should always be great, and that's what we set out to do. I learnt to take your time on shots, as in the end the effort and time spent on the shot really do show. Especially in the case of this shot. In addition, I learnt that next time when I use the track and dolly I should bring planks of wood to make the ground more even for the kinetic shots. I believe that the final shot I achieved was what I set out to get. I really liked the lighting and shallow depth of field present in the far background of the image. Majority of the takes were shaky and the focus was off. This was due to the lens being very hard to pull focus on, this could have been easily avoided if we had a video monitor and a follow focus system attached to the camera. However, both of these were not present on set.
The Soundtrack
For the soundtrack of the film, I contacted a musical friend, Colin Steward, to compose for me. I have worked with Colin many times before on previous short films he's composed for me, therefore I knew I could trust and ensure that the quality and loyalty will be there. To keep track of what music I needed Colin to compose, I made a document that withheld all of the tracks needed. For the soundtrack, I wanted each character to have their own individual theme tune, the instruments used in their themes should represent their character and their current emotions. Such as the character the Native-American character is represented by timpani drums, which convey an epic and wild emotion which is identical to the characters. Later on in the film, when the character intervenes with the story we hear a similar theme so that the audience subconsciously knows that it was the Native-American who was involved. In addition, the first character we meet, the Treasure Hunter (used to be a Lumberjack), is represented to the audience with the use of strings which helps imply the character's innocence and to falsely convey that this character is the main protagonist of the film. Therefore, when the character gets killed off in the same minute he's introduced it will have more of an impactful shock on the viewers.
I communicate my ideas for the score to Colin via email. I tell Colin my ideas for a particular track and a few days later he sends either a rough or finished track, is the track is rough it is usually when he wants to hear what I think of the track before he puts more time into it. If I feel the track isn't what I want, which hardly ever happens, I tell him and he sends back a different version which fits much better. I find it great that because we have worked together for about a year now, we can openly share thoughts and criticisms about the tracks. Once the tracks are sent over I listen to them outside of the edit, then I place them inside Premiere Pro and watch the certain shots or scenes with the music added. I decided for the score to be composed as production goes on as we have a very tight schedule for this project with so much to do.