General Update:

This is just a short update as with filming commencing tomorrow I have decided to rename my diary entries "Filming Updates" for the time being and only on the day where filming takes place. Otherwise there will be no other change to my blog. Also as you would've seen yesterday the creation of my poster is underway and immediately after filming I will update you and hopefully have some audience feedback to share.

Film Poster : Preparation Update

This my newly updated film poster based on the improvements I set myself, as you can see I have taken a considerably more BASIC approach in order to therefore gain more relevant feedback of which I can then build and design my poster around.

 Although it is a basic design if I had of used Photoshop to construct my first Poster design it would mean either starting fresh or dramatically  changing it based on the responses from my feedback. For this reason I opted to make the same poster on Paper that I would've on Photoshop.

I attempted to use relevant yet simple images from the internet in order to design my poster and despite it being very simple, this enables my feedback -of which I will hopefully  gather in the coming days - to be direct and harsher thus ensuring that feedback is more helpful.

Magazine Front Cover : Initial Ideas

So after trying to look for magazine front covers that I could be inspired by, I struggled to find any examples of Big blockbuster comedy films other than Dead pool (a comedy that featured on a variety of big magazine labels such as - Empire , Total film , Entertainment weekly) so instead I adopted a more narrow focus and highlighted on each company one by one. And it was only until I researched entertainment weekly that I stopped staring at the same "latest blockbuster" and began looking at magazine front cover related to my  film. Therefore this highlighted to me the importance of my magazine company in the sense that perhaps Empire would be too big a brand to advertise my film considering that I am predominantly low budget, but I also wanted to ensure that my film wasn't made out to be a low-key independent documentary. So I stuck to avoiding both Empire and Sight and Sound and focused on Entertainment Weekly who boast a variety of Independent blockbusters as such.

Actor Release Form

Film Poster : Preparation

This is a side by side comparison of my initial ideas for my Film Poster- as you can see I have been inspired by "The Watch" a Comedy film that I feel matches a similar feel to film, so I decided to reinvent the poster whilst adding my own twist that matches my trailer. But of course seeing as this initial drawing was done by hand there will evidently be things that are missing and things that need to improve. However the objective of a first draft is to show my initial thoughts rather than to show the complete product, also, to ensure I my next draft has been relevantly improved I have analysed my current draft to show where I think I need to adjust and change for the future.

1. This is one of my main targets that I've set myself- assuring consistency, especially in terms of my main titles. Admittedly it is only a problem here as it is hand drawn but it is also a good reminder when I do come to constructing my product I will bare this in mind.

2. DO NOT leave gaps, ensure that all missing spaces within the foreground are covered and ensure images, this could be a case of making other images bigger or perhaps using more images to fill he space. But I don't want it to be too crowded.

3.In terms of symmetry, I need to ensure all images are level with one another, similarly to my text, as this could distort the image and make it look less aesthetically pleasing.

4. Similarly to number 1, I need to ensure the consistency, but in this case in terms letter size and font, unless it's used for affect which might be something I look into.

Call Sheet

Call time:		Weather:
Production Contacts: Director: Michael Clark Camera Operator: Alexander Hurby Any other jobs: Sound manager: Charlie Yusnel Actors: Calum Hifins Charlie Favacrenpi Connor Jong		Phone numbers: 07738226612 07793455555 07741300000 07794523232 04463912121 04450123333		Email addresses: Michael@gmail.com Hurbyfilms.public@hotmail.co.uk Djstars614@btinernet.com Entertainers4u@microsoft.co.uk LFCdazzle@gmail.com Jong@homail.com
The names of these contacts are not direct in order to ensure the protection of personal data		The last numbers have been covered to protect and ensure the safety of Production staff
Set/Scene/Storyboard frame	Location:		Synopsis:		Cast:
Scene 1- the initial montage scene, Shot Number 3-13 approx	The interior of a house Busy commercial setting		Gather footage for the opening sequence of the theatrical trailer		Actors- Will be contacted directly a day prior to their scheduled filming day.
Scene 2 : Shot number 14-20	Pizza place, Atm Classroom		Filming the flashback sequence as such- including t		Actors- Will be contacted directly a day prior to their scheduled filming day.

Production Requirements	Who is responsible?
Travel:	Travel to the different filming sites is organised by the Production manager, all members of staff will be messaged directly and given appropriate bus / train times as well as location information.
Catering:	Available on site
Props:	Set to be prepared prior to filming by the set designer – Alan
Costumes:	Costume designer and advisor – Harry (remember to bring a variation of sizes prior to the filming)
Hair & Make-Up:	N/A

Preliminary Schedule – Subject to Change
Time	Action
7:00pm day before filming	Unit Call and Set up
Look to filming schedule for specific times.	Film Scene #

Health and Safety

- Environment – Be wary of passing strangers, although they are aware of the production they may not know that they are in the way- so remember to be respectful. - Clothing - do NOT wear your specific clothes as they may need to be changed – changing rooms will be provided

Costumes

Although my two main actor will be specifically dressed in this way or at least similar to this. The other actors that feature in my film will only feature on screen for a little time and so I do not need to arrange specific clothes for them to wear. However that being said, I will assure that the clothing these character wear do not look out of place and to ensure that they don't I have arranged a new outfit of clothing for these characters as a contingency.

StoryBoard : Complete

This is my finalised storyboard. As you can see I have adopted a clear attention to detail when making this as this will be vital when referring back to it during filming.

Diary Entry #11 (Poster Planning Update)

Today I took a break out of filming and started to construct the initial ideas for the potential layout of my poster. I started by looking into posters from my Comedy Genre and came across numerous examples that I could emulate, however the poster for THE WATCH immediately grabbed my attention- a film because of its simplicity.  The humorous tagline also caught my attention,and this is something that I want to recreate especially as the rhetorical question engages the reader. Whilst the display of these characters adds to the genre.

Facility or equipment Checklist: Ongoing

The Facility and Equipment Checklist is vital in assuring that I have all the necessary items prior to filming and without doing this there would be a complete lack of organisation. Due to this, this post is ongoing as I will add to this where I deem fit.

Facility or equipment needed	Description of use	Source and contact	Notes
Computer screen / Desktop	Used for some of my opening shots	This space should be available as I have contacted the owner and she is willing to free up the space for the allocated time	Compact space, So this filming process may be slower than anticipated as there is less space to manoeuvre equipment
Camera- Handheld	Used to shoot the shots matching the storyboard and Shot list	The camera is already in possession and at location.	Camera is Tripod compatible
Tripod	Used to ensure steady and accurate shots throughout	Already at location	Be prepared for a potential set up time of 5 minutes.
Actors	See Actor release form	N/A	N/A
Locations	See Location Recce	N/A	N/A
Costumes	See designated costume designer	N/A	N/A

Diary Entry #10

So I've just added some more information to my facilities and equipment checklist, I will continue to add to this post depending on what changes within our needs, for example should we need more equipment I will add this to the checklist to ensure it is remembered for filming.

Sound Update

So I've just spent a few hours looking at potential sounds for my opening sequence in particular the first 12-30 seconds and although I have decided that I want a drum beat over the top. I thought it would be best to try out an alternative sounds in case I find something that I prefer or perhaps something that would go well over the top - which could contribute better to the atmosphere I'm, trying to create. This being a fast paced and energetic.

StoryBoard :Update

In the past couple of days I have drafted my storyboard two times and on both occasions I am not content with the narrative, the layout of the storyboard is fine despite my initial thoughts that it would be lacking in detail . Nevertheless, I am confident in my idea, but the problem has become a case of what order to lay it out. Of course it can't be chronological as that would reveal the whole plot and storyline, so its just a case of finding the most suitable order for my theatrical trailer and after having looked at some more trailers I am sure that a non-linear narration is most relevant.

Diary Entry #9

In the coming days I will begin further research into my film. This will be combination of information regarding filming as well other information that often goes under the radar in the filming process - meaning information such as costumes , actors and equipment.

Institutional Research

After researching potential institutions, I found it difficult to come across many relevant institutions that match my genre. So I tried a different approach, I initially started by looking at films that match my genre and I wanted to avoid current Action/Comedies. So I decided on White Chicks, then when taking a look at the production companies (of which there were only 4) I came across Revolution Studios. And even though when looking at the past films that Revolution Studios have been involved in, I came across other Comedy Films such as "Daddy Day Care" , "Daddy Day Camp" and "Are we done yet? " It quickly became apparent that this institution no longer develops comedy films and instead began filming its own TV series in 2010, therefore this institution is perhaps not ideal. As for one its outdated and I really need to find a current production company and secondly its American Based, which doesn't suit my ideal producers , as after all my film will be British based and produced, but with potentially a global or European distribution.

So I then began my research process again, but to ensure I didn't make the same mistake , I only looked at Action/Comedies post 2010, and I started with Central intelligence- a film that I have already analysed for its content, but instead I payed close attention to the Institutions:

New Line Cinema                 

Bluegrass Films                 

Principato-Young Entertainment                 

Universal Pictures

These are the four production companies involved, and immediately I was drawn to Bluegrass Films are they have played a role in many new and upcoming films such as The Third Wheel, Ted 2, Office Christmas Party and obviously Central Intelligence, therefore this institution identifies with my intended genre and I am interested not only in the location of this institution but also other associated producers / distributers, so I will continue to research these and bring you up to date with my findings in another post.

Diary Entry #8

After having identified my dates for filming as well as times, Today I'm going to investigate potential institutions to represent my film, for this I will need to find institutions that match my genre as well as my budget.This something that I feel was a rushed decision last year, which is why I want to spend a good amount of time on research and make sure it is perfect. Nevertheless, my research should follow in the coming days.

Filming Schedule :

Above is my Filming schedule, of which the blue crosses are days that are specifically allocated for filming.Whilst the Red crosses are the days that I could use if I do not get all my shots during the first 5 days, I have not allocated these extra days to allow filming to be relaxed, as I intend to finish gathering all my shots by the 5th of December. But just as a precaution I ensured I have some days extra.

Beneath are the times of filming:

1/12/16 : 8:30 pm - 10:30pm

2/12/16 : 11:00am - 3:30pm

3/12/16 : 11:00am - 3:30pm

4/12/16 : 1:30pm - 4-30pm

5/12/16 : 1:30pm - 4:30pm

17/12/16 : 11:00am - 2:30pm

18/12/16 : 11:00am - 2:00pm

Diary Entry #7

So after having began the my initial location recce, I perhaps need to consider more locations to use during my trailer, as like other trailers there is often a mixture of 4,5 and sometimes 6 different locations that I'll use, and given my story line itself I can picture numerous locations being seen in the overall film. Therefore based on this, I should identify more locations to use in my trailer. However it was just a Recce for the first 15 shots on my storyboard so it is understandable that there isn't a handful locations. But I will look to add to this and may well create another Blog post to show the additional updates.

Location Recce

Production date:       1/12/16 – 4/12/16 Location to be used: Date of when location is needed: Time of when location is needed:	Computer screen and desk, to be used for the initial opening of my theatrical trailer. 1st /12/16 -  4/12/16 The location will be needed in the later stages of the afternoon, 3:30pm onwards and potentially into the early stages of the evening ie: 5:30 depending on the quality of shots.
Do you need permission to record/photograph in this location? Who will you need to contact?	N/A	N/A
Will the levels of noise cause a problem? If so, how will you overcome this?	Potentially the levels of noise could be a problem given traffic outside, but this is why I specifically chose to film to in the later stages of the afternoon in order to avoid school traffic.	If the noise levels become too loud to shoot then I will perhaps move the time to later, however this location has been sound free for the past three months at this time.
Is the level of lighting suitable?	The lighting is suitable, the type of shots I want to shoot from this location require a dark background, which given the current season begins to set in early.	If the lighting isn’t suitable I could move the filming time to later, or perhaps add a dark filter over the top when I come to editing.
If inside, are the Emergency exits clearly visible and available? Is Emergency equipment provided?	There are two potential and easy exits in case of a fire or emergency. Of which the exit time should only take maximum 5 seconds, as the location is open.	Emergency equipment isn’t provided, however a there will be someone at this location who knows first aid during the time of filming.

Sound Research and Practice:

Today I had a tutorial on how to use Garage Band, this involved making my own personalised music that will fit my trailer directly as well as how to manipulate pre-made music to also fit my trailer. Without this lesson, I would not have the knowledge and understanding of how to make a directly compatible piece of music that matches what is going on in my trailer at specific times. And now I can orchestrate a piece of music that conforms to my genre and is unique rather than using something that has already been used.

StoryBoard : Preparation

Today I've begun story boarding my theatrical trailer, I started by including the production companies, and then put my initial ideas onto paper and although some of the shots in my storyboard may not be exactly the same as the shots in my finished product. I intend for my finished storyboard to reflect the general plot of my film.  Although the pictures may not directly correlate to my film, the overall image will have been created through my accurate description of each moment as well as the detail of shot, including the likes of; Type of shot , Camera movement , Shot Transition, Type of Sound, Shot number, Angle of shot and a brief yet summative description of each scene.