Sunday, May 31, 2009

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Our 2009 48Hour Film

Ees made of seeely. 


Sunday, May 24, 2009

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Wintry week!

 

Monday, May 18, 2009

Weekend photo

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Makin' all the papes



And a clickable scan of just the story:

Friday, May 15, 2009

Farm walk photos

 

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Mr Sparkle



My costume for the 48 Hour film contest this year was kindly supplied by Debbie (plus a scarf from the drama department). The jeans are too big for Debbie now, but just right for me :-) Actually I could have used some pantsupinators on Saturday, as every time I walked more than 10 steps the jeans slid down a little. I even got to wear a pair of Debbie's boots to go with the bootleg jeans - I have pretty small feet and one of Debbie's pairs of boots was big enough for me :-)

I was originally going to wear a singlet with a gaping necked flamingo t-shirt over the top (draped over one shoulder), but I decided that I wanted to be warm, and we didn't know what time the kid with the t-shirt was going to show up, or whether it would even fit me. Given how cold it was I am very glad I went with a warmer costume!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Home sick



Sunday, May 10, 2009

48 Complete

7 hours sleep, lots of work. 11 tapes used (though some had only 5 minutes recorded onto them). Output at 3.30pm, spotted a typo or two (the word 'credits' at the start of the credits, and drama/dance instead of musical/dance on our intro titles). Fixed those, handed over finished version to the driver by 4pm. Burger Wisconsin for dinner - very tasty.

Saturday, May 09, 2009

48 Script

Finished version 1 - just over 7 pages. Will edit. Is Breakfast Club meets High School Musical, with dance instead of singing. We drew musical/dance :-)

Monday, May 04, 2009

V48 Seconds - My First Casino Royale

Setting up our 48 team

We'll be distributing this to our team shortly - any feedback on it? Also, please check out Debbie's questions for writers and see if anything's missing. ***************************** 48 FILM CONTEST INSTRUCTIONS Making a short film is a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of work. Making a short film in 48 hours is a crazy amount of fun and work. The advice in this document should help you to have a successful weekend. Before the 48 • Sign up members of the team. Actors, director, camera operator, sound, lighting, hair, makeup, editor, crew. • Print out location, actor and music release forms. • Start collecting non-copyright music to use in the film. • Get to know the equipment and locations you’ll be using. • Assign roles to team members. Make sure people understand their roles. • Collect in team fees ($10 per person to help cover entrance fee, catering, tapes etc) • Register and pay on the 48 hour website • Complete permission slips for all team members ROLES Director – in charge of the film Producer – chief organiser Writer – writes the script Actor – lead actors, supporting cast, extras Camera – there may be 2 cameras going at a time Sound – holding/setting up boom mic, checking sound Set – helping set up locations Hair and Makeup – for boys and girls Costume – finding/giving feedback on Runner/Assistant – helping with lots of stuff Editor – capturing footage, assembling the film What a director needs to do: • Know the script well – what its intent is, where the beats are • Have a clear view of how you want the film to turn out. This includes the look, feel, pace, sound and impact of the film. • Control the team during filming, giving people firm instructions on what they should be doing NOW and what they will be doing NEXT • During filming communicate with the camera operator, telling them what needs to be achieved with each shot (shot type, what its purpose is etc) • Give the actors instructions on blocking (where to go), acting, keeping going even if a mistake is made etc. • Give the actors feedback after each take to enhance performances • Call Action and Cut at the beginning and end of each take • Be the team leader What a producer needs to do: • Work closely with the director • Have all the paperwork on hand • Get release forms for all actors, locations, music etc • Find some non-copyright music for use in the film, get release forms • Try to anticipate what will be needed for the film What a writer needs to do: • Include all mandatory ingredients • Keep it simple • Write for your actors – have them play close to type • Listen to the other writers, make sure they hear your ideas • Be creative, but be mindful of the practicalities of filming (don’t write in too many explosions) • Keep the enthusiasm high • Be polite to other writers, be willing to compromise, be critical What an actor needs to do: • Try to learn your lines as quickly as possible • Practise • Keep going even if you make a mistake • Be willing to look silly if the script requires it • Be considerate of other actors • Listen to the director • Bring a lot of energy to every shot, from the first to the last • Don’t look at the camera unless you’re told to What a camera operator needs to do: • Know the script well – what its intent is, where the beats are • Talk to the director about what’s required for each shot • Know the camera, how to operate it, how to use manual settings if needed • Make sure the shot is in focus • Make sure the shot is well framed – head room, talking space, well chosen angle • Listen to the director for when to begin and end shots • Tell the director at the end of a take if there was a technical problem What a sound person needs to do: • Keep your ears open during the shoot – planes overhead, electrical noises, people outside talking etc. • Plug the mic into the camera and get the mic as close to the actors as possible (without being in shot) • Hold the mic/boom pole very steady (using a mic stand can be good) • Check the footage for sound as often as possible What a set person needs to do: • Listen to the director for what each location needs to look like • Have an eye for detail – what’s in the background of the shot, what colours are on screen • Be willing to move stuff around, scout for locations • Remember how things were before, so they can be put back  What a hair and makeup person needs to do: • Have some makeup on hand • Be OK with getting in people’s personal space • Listen to the director for what characters need to look like • Take a look at how makeup looks on screen. Even ‘no makeup’ girl characters usually have eyeliner and a bit of lippy  What a costume person needs to do: • Listen to the director for what characters need to look like • Give actors feedback on how their costumes look, and how they could better • Help people find the costume items they need – raid the costume cupboard, txt people, go to the costume hire place What a runner/assistant needs to do: • Listen to the director for what they need • Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to help • Be prepared to help out in any way – it will be hugely appreciated • Have a watch and cellphone so you can stay in touch What an editor needs to do: • Capture the footage • Listen to the director as to which takes were best • Keep your eyes peeled for problems – boom in shot, actors looking at the camera, continuity etc • Assemble a rough cut ASAP • Save often, and output a rough cut ASAP


Sunday, May 03, 2009

Friday, May 01, 2009

More good Noel Leeming experience

I've done a fair bit of shopping around for stuff for Media Studies, and was impressed today at the level of discount Noel Leeming have offered us on tapes. According to the phonecall I made today they're giving us something like a 48% discount on mini-DV tapes, bringing the per-tape cost below $5. That's pretty awesome when we need to stock up for next term, so we're looking at buying at least 45 tapes, possibly more :-)