WBL- Editing

I have started editing, and I think i have found my backing track already for the piece, its called Motivation by Kelly Rowland, i am only using the instrumental though, as i don't want the lyrics to interfere with my voice over. So far it is going well, and i aim to finish by the weekend, hopefully..

WBL- filming-editing-virgin crashes again...!

It has been a couple of days since i was last on here. Partly because my internet wasn't working because Virgin had a fault and also because I have been busy filming my commission, which has been very difficult with the weather we have been having. Planning ahead before going out on a shoot is absolutely essential, thankfully i had planned exactly what i wanted to shoot and where, which meant it was just a case of protecting my equipment with waterproofs. So after a quick trip to the campus store for a tripod and lighting kit i was all set. I managed to get all of the shots i wanted, plus a few extras that were decided upon on the day, these were extra exercises that lance wanted to include. Shooting in Mote park was harder than at Tunbridge Wells, as i had to think about other park users who were not only curious about what i was doing, but also making noise and getting into shot, chasing their dogs etc...At least at Tunbridge Wells i had only lighting issues to contend with.
All thats left is to pick up the audio which will be a voice over from Lance, which will be done this week, after we have agreed on a final script.

WBL Filming

Today was all go, due to a break in the weather, we took the risk of filming today at Mote park the first half of the video. I had been lucky enough to find two fitness fanatics over the weekend who were prepared to be in the video. I hadn't yet heard back from the council about filming permissions, however I decided to take my UCA ID, and would explain myself if i was questioned at all by anyone. Filming today would have been worse if i needed audio, as it was exceptionally windy, making filming difficult enough. Due to the risk of rain i took my umbrella and rain mac, the brolli was for the camera.
My actors were very enthusiastic considering the conditions they were going to be working in, and despite the wet grass, and wind they were doing burpies, press ups, squats, and sit ups. i got nearly everything i needed on the first or second take, i think this was mainly because the actors didn't want to be hanging around in the weather, so were making a big effort to get it right first time. I have more filming to do tomorrow around the Tunbridge Wells area with just Lance, I just hope tomorrow goes as well as today, as there wont be another opportunity to film just Lance for another week. After the filming I will be starting the edit, aiming to pick up the voice over next week, as we still haven't agreed on the script for that yet.

WBL discussions

After some lengthy discussions with Lance about what he wants in his video, and showing him my storyboard and research, we both agreed on my idea. Lance training, cutting back and forth between Lance training on his own, and him training clients, with a voice over, which will be a motivational speech and explanation of what he does. A music track playing throughout in the background, something bouncy and lifting. Thankfully I own a camera i can shoot this on now, without having to come in and book out from the studios making this project a lot easier.

WBL visuals.

The majority of pictures or videos associated with fitness tend to be very glossy. After speaking with Lance, he has stated he wants his video to have a similar look, and although he doesn't want to alienate anyone, he does want to attract a younger client, as at the moment his clients tend to be the 30 plus woman.

WBL update

Albeit a little rough, this is my storyboard for my commission.

WBL update

I have been given the go ahead from Simon, so its all go now. I have managed to find some fitness fanatics who are prepared to be in the video, and being fitness fanatics they already know a lot of the techniques for the exercises that they will be participating in. I have started to put together a storyboard, after having a long discussion with Lance about what he wants in his video. The majority of the filming will be done at Mote park, with some being done at his home gym in Tunbridge Wells. We also discussed whether or not to do a piece to camera or voice over and both agreed it would be better to have Lance doing a voice over as it would be more aesthetically pleasing. I am hoping to start filming before the end of the week. I just need to get permission from Maidstone council to film at Mote park first, I don't anticipate any issues with the permission though.

WBL update.

Lance has been in touch today to let me know that he has returned the health and safety forms, completed. Also he wants me to find actors for the video as his clients are camera shy, it shouldn't be a problem, as i know a few fitness fanatics. We are hopefully (if simon approves the health and safety) are going to be siting down this wk for a meeting regarding the filming schedule, I have already started to put together some ideas about what to have in the vid.

WBL research

I found this on youtube, its a motivational fitness video, and is very well shot, glossy and has the same feel as what I would like to shoot. I intend to show this video to Lance, with the intention of shooting something similar ..

Work based learning

Unfortunately the commission I was planning on doing for the church has fallen through. This is due to the start and end dates for filming clash very badly with the deadline dates. So I have approached a fitness instructor who is looking to expand his business, and wants to produce a video for his website that he working on. The video would be a demo to show what he does, and to help him reach a wider audience. Basically advertising. At the moment I am just waiting for the health and safety to go through, and then I can start timetabling my time, and putting together a schedule..

Major project, update

Well here is Didi, haven't finished her feet, but this is a proto type. I have discovered plasticine is horrid for making models, its not strong enough, it melts, and it is very messy, (I still have black under my nails) but this is the first time I have ever made figures for stop motion. I am investing in some proper modelling clay asap. However not bad for a first go, and it only took an hour and fifteen to make her.
The other news is that, after re reading Neil Gaimen's novel again, I have decided that it is a little sterile, so what I will be doing is taking 3 short stories from his Smoke and Mirrors book, (which is a collection of short stories) and using them instead. It was building Didi that made me realise, that stop motion  is a little too animated for "Death the high cost of living" and so was a worthwhile exercise, saving me time and energy. I still intend to do stop motion, just different stories..

Major Project, update

I took a trip to toys r us yesterday, and it has become very clear that Barbie dolls may not be quite malleable enough, however I am making plasticine heads today, firstly to see how easy it is, and also to see if they look aesthetically ok for the camera, I aim to make the bodies later.. Going to visit the supermarkets this week and beg for cardboard boxes so that I can start making my set.

work based learning, update.

The vicar, Peter Harwood has been in touch, he is very interested and excited about the idea of producing a video for the Alpha course, still currently trying to secure the commission as due to Peter's busy schedule we need to make sure this is logistically possible, however time is running out, and this is becoming more urgent.

Major project

Basically I am hoping to do a fiction adaptation of Neil Gaimen's graphic novel "Death the high cost of living". I am hoping to do this as a stop motion piece, and I have asked Jo to come on board as my animation advisor, as she has already done some stop motion and knows what it entails.I would ask her to be more involved but unfortunately due to all of her commitments I wouldn't want to put Jo under anymore pressure.. I have also already been in touch with Neil Gaimen via twitter to ask his permission to do this, however he told me he doesn't own the rights to that novel. It would appear though that as a student, I don't need permission,so long as I acknowledge himself and the copyright holder, don't infringe on the copyright, or benefit financially from it.
I am now on the hunt again for barbie dolls, and will be building a mini set in my spare bedroom in my spare time over the next couple of weeks,so lots of cardboard will be needed..
Should be fun..

work based learning

Well after what seems forever, we are back at uni. So its time to blog again.. I have found a commission, hopefully, I need to check with Simon first if its ok, and Im waiting to hear back from them first.. Basically a church I know, run whats called an Alpha course, its a course to attract people usually younger people to the church and give them an insight into what Christianity is about, however they are struggling a little to attract numbers and I am in negotiations with the head vicar?? I think thats it, about doing a promotional video for them to help them attract more people and show them what the course is about.
I should know more after the weekend..
Thats the summarised version.. Full version of this to follow if all goes well..