Got an idea for a film or TV show? Fever Pitch is a competition where you present first a 25 word pitch then a 150 word synopsis. The ten best will have five minutes to convince a panel of professionals and the audience of the genius of their idea at the 2007 Screenwriters' Festival. Closing date is Friday 2nd June.
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Script Frenzy
From the people who brought you NaNoWriMo comes Script Frenzy. The idea- wite a full length screenplay or script in the month of June.
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead, Script Frenzy
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead, Script Frenzy
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Voice over
We spent a couple of hours on Sunday afternoon recording Mary's overdubbing for the film. Whilst it would have been better to have got the sound right on location, by having a muffled microphone or not filming on so windy a day, this worked out quite well. Alan is going to work his magic and we'll have dialogue you can actually hear over the wind noise.
Friday, April 27, 2007
More stuff on compression
Two useful links from Alan-
Wikipedia on video compression.
XVid setup guide.
Technorati tag: Video Compression, Spinneyhead
Wikipedia on video compression.
XVid setup guide.
Technorati tag: Video Compression, Spinneyhead
Friday, April 20, 2007
Mobile TV
Kyte.tv is a new contender in the world of online television. You can upload content and stream it to viewers around the world from your laptop and even some smartphones. How it fares against YouTube et al remains to be seen, but the number of channels available to content producers is a good thing.
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
Sunday, April 08, 2007
The art of the edit
I found this in the Spinneyhead archives- Making the cut, an article about the art of editing film. It makes a good companion to the last post.
Technorati tag: Video, Editing Spinneyhead
Technorati tag: Video, Editing Spinneyhead
Thelma Schoonmaker- master editor interviewed
Thelma Schoonmaker has worked on most of Martin Scorsese's films and is often cited as the person who gets his visions cut together just right. The Independent interviewed her about her life and career in film. Sadly there were no words of wisdom on just how the art of editing works.
Technorati tag: Video, Editing, Spinneyhead
Technorati tag: Video, Editing, Spinneyhead
Lessons Learnt on Location
Filming has ended on Memory and I'm struggling with the initial edit. Then we'll need to do overdubbing and colour correction and some more sound stuff. But no more location shoots are needed.
It's been a learning experience. I know now a lot of things that should make future projects a bit easier. So long as I write them down and keep referring back to them. So here they are.
Get a Continuity Monkey
I was tempted to have every member of the team be [Job Title] Monkey, but there are probably union rules against that sort of thing. So I'll stick with just having a Continuity Monkey. In our first filming session, thankfully indoors and not on a restricted timetable, Mary needed to change outfits more often than she should because I hadn't sat down and worked out which scenes were where in the story's time line. Next time I need to get together with someone a week or so before the shoot and work out continuity, then have them there on the day to make sure I don't mess with it.
For future shoots I'd quite like a cinematographer as well. Someone who can get the best shots from the camera whilst I direct or try to act. Even my cheap mini-DV camera has dozens of settings any number or combination of which could have improved the quality of our footage and cut the amount of post production colour and levels balancing I'm going to have to do.
"Have you checked the sound?"
This became Tim's title on the first day's shoot. At the end of a take always rewind a way and check the quality of the soundtrack. It's better than getting the tapes home and finding you've mangled the soundtrack because of one of the following-
1. Silent Movie
When using an external microphone with in-line amplification, as we were, just leave it turned on no matter what and change the battery every so often. It's easier than having to remember to switch it on every take.
2. Wind Noise Blows
We have no useable dialogue from the filming session in Salford Quays, hence the need to re-dub the sequences. For future exterior shoots I'm going to look into making one of those furry microphones.
3. Electromagnetic Fields Are Not Your Friends
Our first problem with EM hum was our own fault. Trying too hard to be clever, we plugged the transformer into the camera whilst filming and got a 50 Hertz buzz on some key takes. Luckily, the worst of it can be removed with filters but we shouldn't have let it happen. Second time was beyond our control because of all the electronic equipment and related sockets we ran the mic cable past when filming in an office. Orientation of the microphone can make a difference in these circumstances, so experiment.
Suggestion- get some headphones and plug them into the camera, so you can hear what the microphone is picking up. This should allow you to spot the problems above sooner.
Reflective surfaces can be great, or grating
There's one shot from the first day that I quite like, featuring Mary and multiple reflections. If you can keep yourself and your equipment out of shot, reflections are great. There's another shot of Dave where I didn't realise I was reflected in the television screen directly opposite the camera until the next day.
Turn off your phone
Particularly if you're the director. I'm addicted to telecommunications. It's surprising we didn't lose more takes to phone calls and text messages.
Do some reconnaissance
I managed to check out all three locations before turning up with a camera and crew, taking photographs for reference. This helped me plan shots and saved time on the day. Wander around the location with an idea of what's to be shot there but don't let it limit you. Remember that you're making a visual piece and look out for great shots to work into the story.
Of course, this doesn't always work out. When I first looked at the Green tower I decided that there had to be some footage shot on the balconies. When the day came the wind at the top of the building was strong enough to nearly knock me off my feet, so we went inside and filmed the scene over the breakfast bar. There was no such option in Salford Quays, which I had photographed on a calm Autumn day but had nasty winds funneled off the ship canal when we shot.
Product placement
Most films are about the merchandise these days, so I feel no shame at appearing in the first episode of Memory wearing a Spinneyhead "I'm Your Stalker" T-shirt.
As many takes as you feel comfortable with
Location shoots are deadline driven. You have to get all the shots required by the script in the time allowed you. However, if you get all that footage and some of it simply doesn't work when you get to the editing stage you've wasted a lot of time as well. I shot internal footage from at least two different angles, getting three takes on occasion. This also gives more option at the editing stage in case the perfect take proved hard to get.
Have Fun
Let's face it, the moment this begins to feel like work you'll want to do it less. Enthusiasm is the main driver of no-budget filming, so once you lose that you're in trouble. The good thing is, unless you go on to make big effects-heavy features, the sense of fun is going to stay with you even after you start to make money from your projects.
Technorati tag: Video, Filming, location, Memory, Spinneyhead
It's been a learning experience. I know now a lot of things that should make future projects a bit easier. So long as I write them down and keep referring back to them. So here they are.
Get a Continuity Monkey
I was tempted to have every member of the team be [Job Title] Monkey, but there are probably union rules against that sort of thing. So I'll stick with just having a Continuity Monkey. In our first filming session, thankfully indoors and not on a restricted timetable, Mary needed to change outfits more often than she should because I hadn't sat down and worked out which scenes were where in the story's time line. Next time I need to get together with someone a week or so before the shoot and work out continuity, then have them there on the day to make sure I don't mess with it.
For future shoots I'd quite like a cinematographer as well. Someone who can get the best shots from the camera whilst I direct or try to act. Even my cheap mini-DV camera has dozens of settings any number or combination of which could have improved the quality of our footage and cut the amount of post production colour and levels balancing I'm going to have to do.
"Have you checked the sound?"
This became Tim's title on the first day's shoot. At the end of a take always rewind a way and check the quality of the soundtrack. It's better than getting the tapes home and finding you've mangled the soundtrack because of one of the following-
1. Silent Movie
When using an external microphone with in-line amplification, as we were, just leave it turned on no matter what and change the battery every so often. It's easier than having to remember to switch it on every take.
2. Wind Noise Blows
We have no useable dialogue from the filming session in Salford Quays, hence the need to re-dub the sequences. For future exterior shoots I'm going to look into making one of those furry microphones.
3. Electromagnetic Fields Are Not Your Friends
Our first problem with EM hum was our own fault. Trying too hard to be clever, we plugged the transformer into the camera whilst filming and got a 50 Hertz buzz on some key takes. Luckily, the worst of it can be removed with filters but we shouldn't have let it happen. Second time was beyond our control because of all the electronic equipment and related sockets we ran the mic cable past when filming in an office. Orientation of the microphone can make a difference in these circumstances, so experiment.
Suggestion- get some headphones and plug them into the camera, so you can hear what the microphone is picking up. This should allow you to spot the problems above sooner.
Reflective surfaces can be great, or grating
There's one shot from the first day that I quite like, featuring Mary and multiple reflections. If you can keep yourself and your equipment out of shot, reflections are great. There's another shot of Dave where I didn't realise I was reflected in the television screen directly opposite the camera until the next day.
Turn off your phone
Particularly if you're the director. I'm addicted to telecommunications. It's surprising we didn't lose more takes to phone calls and text messages.
Do some reconnaissance
I managed to check out all three locations before turning up with a camera and crew, taking photographs for reference. This helped me plan shots and saved time on the day. Wander around the location with an idea of what's to be shot there but don't let it limit you. Remember that you're making a visual piece and look out for great shots to work into the story.
Of course, this doesn't always work out. When I first looked at the Green tower I decided that there had to be some footage shot on the balconies. When the day came the wind at the top of the building was strong enough to nearly knock me off my feet, so we went inside and filmed the scene over the breakfast bar. There was no such option in Salford Quays, which I had photographed on a calm Autumn day but had nasty winds funneled off the ship canal when we shot.
Product placement
Most films are about the merchandise these days, so I feel no shame at appearing in the first episode of Memory wearing a Spinneyhead "I'm Your Stalker" T-shirt.
As many takes as you feel comfortable with
Location shoots are deadline driven. You have to get all the shots required by the script in the time allowed you. However, if you get all that footage and some of it simply doesn't work when you get to the editing stage you've wasted a lot of time as well. I shot internal footage from at least two different angles, getting three takes on occasion. This also gives more option at the editing stage in case the perfect take proved hard to get.
Have Fun
Let's face it, the moment this begins to feel like work you'll want to do it less. Enthusiasm is the main driver of no-budget filming, so once you lose that you're in trouble. The good thing is, unless you go on to make big effects-heavy features, the sense of fun is going to stay with you even after you start to make money from your projects.
Technorati tag: Video, Filming, location, Memory, Spinneyhead
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Video compression basics
Progress on editing the footage for Memory is slow, I know. Soon, hopefully, I shall be facing the problem of compressing video files for upload. The BBC has a short introduction to compression technologies, both hardware and software, which can serve as a start.
Technorati tag: Video, Compression, Spinneyhead
Technorati tag: Video, Compression, Spinneyhead
Friday, March 30, 2007
Video camera format wars start again
The next few years could be confusing for those of us buying camcorders, as different standards, formats and media fight for dominance. I'm sticking with Mini DV for the foreseeable future, though hard disk cameras could be a good option when the prices drop and they can promise equivalent quality.
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Central Casting
The wikipedia entry on stock characters. There's also a few lists of stock characters for genres- war, sci-fi and horror, but none for crime, which I'd be interested in seeing for a non-Presents project I'm working on.
Technorati tag: Characters, Spinneyhead, Stereotypes
Technorati tag: Characters, Spinneyhead, Stereotypes
Friday, March 09, 2007
Cheap Movies
Cheap, but influential.
Maybe we've got something to learn. Looking at the budget for El Mariachi, well over half was in the cost of film reel and the post-processing colour conversion. Brings the cost down nearer to our £35.
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
Maybe we've got something to learn. Looking at the budget for El Mariachi, well over half was in the cost of film reel and the post-processing colour conversion. Brings the cost down nearer to our £35.
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
Sunday, February 25, 2007
The trailer for Memory is now online
From Spinneyhead Presents-
Memory
Original music by Alan Ward.
Featuring Mary Hooton, Kate Ambrose and David Robertson.
Thanks also to Clare who helped with the initial edit that I've tweaked to come up with this version.
It's permalinked here if the embedded Flash version isn't working for you.
We should be filming the last of the footage we need in the next week or so, and then I'll get down to editing it all together. After that there'll still need to be a last session recording voiceovers for the stuff we shot in Salford Quays because all you can hear is wind noise..
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
Sunday, February 18, 2007
A few links
Digital Departures, a scheme to fund three micro-budget feature films in the northwest- specifically Liverpool. £250,000 sounds huge compared to Memory's budget of 35 quid, but I guess it is tiny compared to other professional film ventures.
The Urban Screens conference, to be held in October, will cover the creation of content for big screens such as the one in Exchange Square.
Kinofilm. I will make it to one of their nights eventually. Kinofilm on MySpace.
Wysiwyg film distribution.
Castings Factory.
The Urban Screens conference, to be held in October, will cover the creation of content for big screens such as the one in Exchange Square.
Kinofilm. I will make it to one of their nights eventually. Kinofilm on MySpace.
Wysiwyg film distribution.
Castings Factory.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
Spiderbrace
The Spiderbrace is a shoulder mounted rig for getting steadier shots from your video camera. Not quite a full steadycam, but slicker than the $14 version.
via BoingBoing
via BoingBoing
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Revenue
A list of websites that pay for video content, either through charging for downloads or advertising schemes.
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
Friday, February 02, 2007
Chase Scene
Would it be telling to say that there isn't a chase scene in Memory? Shame, I think what we need for the next film is bike chase scene. Only so we can try a camera mount. As long as we don't make it like any of the 80s bmx movies, we'll be ok. Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Location, Location, Location
Ian's film (which currently has the title "memory") has started shooting in Manchester.
I managed to take quite a few photos today of the cast and crew (which will be released later), but just to wet your appetite a little bit, the photos I took of the location and the view can be found here.
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
I managed to take quite a few photos today of the cast and crew (which will be released later), but just to wet your appetite a little bit, the photos I took of the location and the view can be found here.
Technorati tag: Video, Spinneyhead
Sunday, January 14, 2007
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