My job is awesome!
To be cost effective, I've decided to make my very own fake blood!
I once made a bottle of fake blood for my college's film project, but I think it wasn't as real. So this time, I did more and more research on making better BLOODDDDD! :D
Ingredients:
Corn Syrup
Red Food coloring
A bottle of water
Corn starch
Blue food coloring
Make up blood VS Corn Syrup Blood
Make up blood are those that sold in stores
Make up blood are brighter - primarily red
Corn Syrup Blood has the mixture of red and blue
Corn Syrup Blood - much more realistic
Corn Syrup Blood - Runny and gluey effects
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Prop List
I am currently in Malaysia. While I am away, I have to list out all the props needed for our film.
It is not hard work, really. But it takes time, creativeness and imagination. Our film takes place in a house, so I'll have to research and think what is a married couple's house looks like. And I realized that every single details matters. For example, DVDs by the side of TV, or candles and pictures on the wall.
Below is my prop list:
Project Name: Stab In the Dark
Student Name: Breanna Gallagher, Astyn Reid, La-Ra Hinckeldeyn,
Christy Chow Hui Min, Sheryl Chen
Scene 1
Briefcase, Love shape pillow (optional)
Costumes:
Suit, tie, watch, wedding ring (Jacob)
Silk robe, dress, wedding ring (Melissa)
Scene 2
Fake Blood (handprint and bath), Scissors 1, Comb, *2 toothbrushes, 1 toothpaste, shower and shampoo
Costumes:
Suit, tie and watch (Jacob)
Silk robe, dress, wedding ring (Melissa)
Scene 3
Scissors 2, Daggers, Noose, Red roses, Fake Blood (on Melissa), Birthday party card, Banner (optional), Balloons , *DVDs on tv rack
Costumes:
Party Guests:
Glasses
Pipe (optional)
Spray (optional)
Chips
Balloon
Dragon Tongue Blower (3)
Noise Makers / whistles
Suit, tie and watch (Jacob)
Dress and wedding ring (Melissa)
Costumes
(Party guests)
*Items to be checked on location.
It is not hard work, really. But it takes time, creativeness and imagination. Our film takes place in a house, so I'll have to research and think what is a married couple's house looks like. And I realized that every single details matters. For example, DVDs by the side of TV, or candles and pictures on the wall.
Below is my prop list:
Project Name: Stab In the Dark
Student Name: Breanna Gallagher, Astyn Reid, La-Ra Hinckeldeyn,
Christy Chow Hui Min, Sheryl Chen
Scene 1
Briefcase, Love shape pillow (optional)
Costumes:
Suit, tie, watch, wedding ring (Jacob)
Silk robe, dress, wedding ring (Melissa)
Scene 2
Fake Blood (handprint and bath), Scissors 1, Comb, *2 toothbrushes, 1 toothpaste, shower and shampoo
Costumes:
Suit, tie and watch (Jacob)
Silk robe, dress, wedding ring (Melissa)
Scene 3
Scissors 2, Daggers, Noose, Red roses, Fake Blood (on Melissa), Birthday party card, Banner (optional), Balloons , *DVDs on tv rack
Costumes:
Party Guests:
Glasses
Pipe (optional)
Spray (optional)
Chips
Balloon
Dragon Tongue Blower (3)
Noise Makers / whistles
Suit, tie and watch (Jacob)
Dress and wedding ring (Melissa)
Costumes
(Party guests)
*Items to be checked on location.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Process in Pre-Production Documents
Our group has already conducted 3 meetings now in total. Progress were astounding. We have already finalized our shooting location, date as well as the script.
Early this morning, all of the members in our group went to the director's (Astyn) house to look around our shooting-location-to-be. After examining the place and talked about how the story will go, we worked on the script, storyboard, call sheet, shot list and shot schedule. I am really glad to realize that we have already done so much for our pre-production documents!
We have decided to do an audition for the main characters. Even though I am not very sure how it's going to work, but it's good to have choices :)
As an art director, I will have to start thinking about the props. Since we have modified the script and there'll be a surprised murder-themed birthday party happening within the film, I will going to need more stuffs - fake blood, guns, knives, and 50's costumes as well..!
On the other hand, as I was writing this blog post, I suddenly realized a huge mistake: since the party will be a murder-themed party, wouldn't it be REALLY weird if the party guests wear 50's costumes? I'm thinking that mafia sort of costumes will be more appropriate (and easier to acquire too!).
Early this morning, all of the members in our group went to the director's (Astyn) house to look around our shooting-location-to-be. After examining the place and talked about how the story will go, we worked on the script, storyboard, call sheet, shot list and shot schedule. I am really glad to realize that we have already done so much for our pre-production documents!
We have decided to do an audition for the main characters. Even though I am not very sure how it's going to work, but it's good to have choices :)
As an art director, I will have to start thinking about the props. Since we have modified the script and there'll be a surprised murder-themed birthday party happening within the film, I will going to need more stuffs - fake blood, guns, knives, and 50's costumes as well..!
On the other hand, as I was writing this blog post, I suddenly realized a huge mistake: since the party will be a murder-themed party, wouldn't it be REALLY weird if the party guests wear 50's costumes? I'm thinking that mafia sort of costumes will be more appropriate (and easier to acquire too!).
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Notes - Operating Camera
Some important notes acquired from practicing / when facing troubles with the camera:
- Adjust the yellow knot of the tripod to put the camera plate in.
- Adjust focus: turning the front lens (to create DOF et cetera)
- Adjust zoom: turning the lens with silver handle
** Eye is always the best part to adjust zoom and adjust focus. I tried adjusting focus when zooming into the subject's white shirt, but it was hard to determine if the image is sharp.
**Always readjust focus everytime the subject moves.
- Always adjust black balance before white balance.
- Exposure and zebras: Occurrence of a little bit of zebra is when the exposure is correct (depending on situations) **Zebra on off button is on the side of the zebra signal light.
- Always check the power of battery the day before camera usage.
- Adjust viewfinder to match your eyes and position
- Always use mixer and external microphone instead of the internal ones to get good level of sound.
- Adjust the yellow knot of the tripod to put the camera plate in.
- Adjust focus: turning the front lens (to create DOF et cetera)
- Adjust zoom: turning the lens with silver handle
** Eye is always the best part to adjust zoom and adjust focus. I tried adjusting focus when zooming into the subject's white shirt, but it was hard to determine if the image is sharp.
**Always readjust focus everytime the subject moves.
- Always adjust black balance before white balance.
- Exposure and zebras: Occurrence of a little bit of zebra is when the exposure is correct (depending on situations) **Zebra on off button is on the side of the zebra signal light.
- Always check the power of battery the day before camera usage.
- Adjust viewfinder to match your eyes and position
- Always use mixer and external microphone instead of the internal ones to get good level of sound.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Shot Constructions (Week 6 Lecture)
Shot Construction is the process of analyzing and visualizing how the shots going to look like.
Script is analysed for:
1. Color
2. Frame
3. Angle
4. Viewpoint - Objective viewpoint, subjective, and POV (point of view)
5. 'Area of shot' - shot size
6. Characters movement
7. Focal Length
8. Depth of Field
Scene is a certain time and location. If the images move from one location & time to another, that's a different scene.
Storyboard: Numbers indicating the image represents the shots taken. For example, 5 (close up of the male char) and 6 (over the shoulder shot of the female character) is the conversation between the taxi driver and the lady. Film can cut from 5, 6, 7 (general view) to 5 and 6 again.
Scheduling: Listing out, in numeric form, the shots that you are going to shoot in order. The most important shot goes first, then followed by the rest.
Storyboarding and Floorplanning are also very important in the process of pre-production. It gives the overall idea for the production team of the shooting, location of camera and character et cetera.
180 Degree Rule
Camera should never cross the 180 line if shooting characters facing each others.
Script is analysed for:
1. Color
2. Frame
3. Angle
4. Viewpoint - Objective viewpoint, subjective, and POV (point of view)
5. 'Area of shot' - shot size
6. Characters movement
7. Focal Length
8. Depth of Field
Scene is a certain time and location. If the images move from one location & time to another, that's a different scene.
Storyboard: Numbers indicating the image represents the shots taken. For example, 5 (close up of the male char) and 6 (over the shoulder shot of the female character) is the conversation between the taxi driver and the lady. Film can cut from 5, 6, 7 (general view) to 5 and 6 again.
Scheduling: Listing out, in numeric form, the shots that you are going to shoot in order. The most important shot goes first, then followed by the rest.
Storyboarding and Floorplanning are also very important in the process of pre-production. It gives the overall idea for the production team of the shooting, location of camera and character et cetera.
180 Degree Rule
Camera should never cross the 180 line if shooting characters facing each others.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Stab In The Dark
Right after the tutorial today, our group gathered and talked about our favorite script - to make decision that affects our final assignment's fate.
I really like the script "Final Act" and I already can imagine the angle, shots and scenes of the story. But the majority ended up consenting with the script "Stab in the Dark" - which I didn't even get a chance to finish reading it before the group discussed it in details.
Ultimately, I went with it and our group came out with the idea of changing the storyline and some other details. I probably should start thinking of props at this stage - hunt for fake blood (I had experience of Making fake blood using food coloring for my Diploma course's short film, not sure if it'll work), fake murder weapon that creates evident visual effects, costumes, party stuffs............... (long list)
I really like the script "Final Act" and I already can imagine the angle, shots and scenes of the story. But the majority ended up consenting with the script "Stab in the Dark" - which I didn't even get a chance to finish reading it before the group discussed it in details.
Ultimately, I went with it and our group came out with the idea of changing the storyline and some other details. I probably should start thinking of props at this stage - hunt for fake blood (I had experience of Making fake blood using food coloring for my Diploma course's short film, not sure if it'll work), fake murder weapon that creates evident visual effects, costumes, party stuffs............... (long list)
Handling the Camera
It's so great that we finally get to learn about camera and lens!
Here's some vital things to confirm before starting to shoot:
- Tripod's balance
- Adjust Focus (Zoom in as far as you can and adjust focus, then zoom out)
- Check White / Black Balance
- Make sure 'gain' button is switched off
- Check exposure (using zebra patterning)
- Check shutter speed (should be at 1/50)
- ND Filter is turned off
(unless, of course, the film requires otherwise.)
*I find the color presented in the camera is a bit weird, even after the daylight setting. We will have to pay a bit more attention to the lighting.
Here's some vital things to confirm before starting to shoot:
- Tripod's balance
- Adjust Focus (Zoom in as far as you can and adjust focus, then zoom out)
- Check White / Black Balance
- Make sure 'gain' button is switched off
- Check exposure (using zebra patterning)
- Check shutter speed (should be at 1/50)
- ND Filter is turned off
(unless, of course, the film requires otherwise.)
*I find the color presented in the camera is a bit weird, even after the daylight setting. We will have to pay a bit more attention to the lighting.
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