Week 1
In this session we learned about the health and safety on the set of a production. We were some various videos of accidents on sets which defiantly hit it home with safety. Then we filled a risk assessment for a scenario of a knife fight outside of the college.
Briefly we learned about an upcoming assignment: Me, Myself and I. It has to be 3 minutes including titles and credits. Then we found out about the 3 people system: never film alone but instead with other people and 3 people will be in a production team fr each Me, Myself and I production. An 1000 word evaluation must be done as well as the film
The ask for this lesson was on the theme of "Trapped" which involved having a camera in the middle f the studio focusing on one corner of the studio and we weren't allowed to move he camera in anyway. Our group idea had an office worker getting phone calls from other workers constantly and eventually going insane and flipping out at the end.
Week 2
We learned of the importance of sound. Sound is recorded in bits which means the higher the bit rate the softer the edges and more information and layers. The standard we use is 16 bit whereas 24 bit is used for cinema.
Phantom Power
Phantom power is in certain devices which can power another device such as microphones plugged into he cameras. What's important though is to turn the on board mic on the camera off to save battery.
Other features
One piece of important equipment needed on a set is an XLR cable. These cable can be used for sound but also lighting. Every xlr cable has male and female clips. The male clip goes into the female clip.
When wrapping up the cables it is important to wrap them in in fluent circles as not to break the inside of the cables which then means when cable bashing it is easy to set them on the floor. Anther note f you hear a humming sound that means an electrical device is on and causing feedback. This means mobile phone must be turned off and not just on silent.
When using a boom pole a piece of good that is useful is a pistol grip which holds the microphone in place. Be careful of tapping because any noise you make when holding the boom pole can be picked up.
If a setting known as a wind damper is on the camera don't use it. It will be best to use a muffler to go over the microphone. The microphone available to us are directional on omni and the levels when recording should be within a 12-9 db radius. Be aware headphone and recording levels are different. The Canon cameras available to use must be on input 2 when using one microphone. Atmos is important to record at the start of filming (about 30 seconds) This helps the editor if something needs covering up in edit. Additionally when using a label microphone which clips onto clothing make sure to be careful about how loud the sound is when ding long shots.
Our morning task was a wildtrack exercise where we recorded 10 different sounds in groups then we had to guess what each sound was. Our afternoon task " A Shot In The Dark" we had to creative a narrative with an aspect of conflict involved using sounds only. To do this we used different objects to create different sounds. Our groups story was about a robber stealing from a locker and being found out but runs away.
There is a white balance button with tungsten and daylight settings
AWB = auto white balance, use a white sheet of paper
Manuel Iris is next to gain button, make sure it isn't open, 2.8 is a safe option
there a ndf filters which you have more control over
The zebra button controls the exposure range certain percentages are useful:
85% for human skin
70% for black skin
100% is overexposed
The aspect ratio to film in 4x3 but it convert it is in the menu
Now progressive and interlaced:
Progressive is filmic but can cause tears and ghosting if there is fast movement
Interlaced is good for fast action and can fix tears but blur and artifacts become a problem
50hrtz refresh rate (double frame rate)
Here is tech dem on this Panasonic I talked about. (This is from Sarah's channel who was on the team for this video
Week 4
For today we got to play with different tech such as the track and dolly and the jib. The first thing we did was how to clean a tripod correctly and use it correctly. I am confident with balancing (camera and tilt) and leveling (using the spirit level) a tripod confidently. The tripods we use are made of aluminium which I will have to check if I film in a place where using aluminium isn't possible.
Mono-pods are also available which can be used for harsh environments and are good for quickness. We also learned about zooming and only to use it in documentaries and if I want t do it dramas to use a track and dolly which then will add depth and realism. For the track there are sleepers which are placed in the joints and stoppers which will not let the trolly roll of the track. Finally when attaching the tripod to the dolly 3 straps have to be used.
When using the jib it is important to the silver pin and is unlocked to put the camera on and to make sure the screws are sticking out so the levers can function. If some screws are flushed with washers on both of the sides they become hard to get out and then leave them alone. The ball head put the camera on and if we struggle with putting it on Lee can help us. Finally we learned some new camera tricks with punching and hair pulling.
Week 5
Today we learned about 3 point lighting. There are main lights, back lights and fill lights. I have never set up or heard of 3 point lighting before so it is was interesting to know. There are certain tripods that the lights (redheads) go on as the tripods can hold a certain weight. Sandbags are helpful if I use a bigger tripod set at a tall height. It is always important there is a grill on each light and when handling the barn doors on the front of lights it takes 20 minutes for them to cool down. Also you an use gloves if they are hot.
When using an extension cord always make sure to look a the wattage because some extensions can only hold so much amps for a light. To help this you can unwrap the extension cord fully
When going out on location make sure tat if filming inside the building has an RDA tester which tests if the electricity is safe if it doesn't have one make sure to bring one. If filming anywhere near curtains keep the redheads 1m minimum away.
When using gels (different colored paper) you must put them on the lights with metal clips (be careful if lights are hot). Another alternative if wooden pegs (same safety applies when handling them if lights are hot). Scrim which is a type of tracing paper can be used to make the light have a softer look. Make sure white balancing is done before scrim is put on. Blue gel - daylight and orange gel - indoor. Also never put lights in bathrooms or touch while wet. Key lights tend to go on the left hand side when filming and fill lights will usually have scrims on. Make can also have an effect on lighting with foundation creating a finish on the actor and the light won't catch their faces.
Here is some photos from the three point lighting tech demo.
Week 6
Well this week we looked at the AVC cameras and received a tech dem on how to use it. Here are some of the notes I took:
In this session we learned about the health and safety on the set of a production. We were some various videos of accidents on sets which defiantly hit it home with safety. Then we filled a risk assessment for a scenario of a knife fight outside of the college.
Briefly we learned about an upcoming assignment: Me, Myself and I. It has to be 3 minutes including titles and credits. Then we found out about the 3 people system: never film alone but instead with other people and 3 people will be in a production team fr each Me, Myself and I production. An 1000 word evaluation must be done as well as the film
The ask for this lesson was on the theme of "Trapped" which involved having a camera in the middle f the studio focusing on one corner of the studio and we weren't allowed to move he camera in anyway. Our group idea had an office worker getting phone calls from other workers constantly and eventually going insane and flipping out at the end.
Week 2
We learned of the importance of sound. Sound is recorded in bits which means the higher the bit rate the softer the edges and more information and layers. The standard we use is 16 bit whereas 24 bit is used for cinema.
Phantom Power
Phantom power is in certain devices which can power another device such as microphones plugged into he cameras. What's important though is to turn the on board mic on the camera off to save battery.
Other features
One piece of important equipment needed on a set is an XLR cable. These cable can be used for sound but also lighting. Every xlr cable has male and female clips. The male clip goes into the female clip.
When wrapping up the cables it is important to wrap them in in fluent circles as not to break the inside of the cables which then means when cable bashing it is easy to set them on the floor. Anther note f you hear a humming sound that means an electrical device is on and causing feedback. This means mobile phone must be turned off and not just on silent.
When using a boom pole a piece of good that is useful is a pistol grip which holds the microphone in place. Be careful of tapping because any noise you make when holding the boom pole can be picked up.
If a setting known as a wind damper is on the camera don't use it. It will be best to use a muffler to go over the microphone. The microphone available to us are directional on omni and the levels when recording should be within a 12-9 db radius. Be aware headphone and recording levels are different. The Canon cameras available to use must be on input 2 when using one microphone. Atmos is important to record at the start of filming (about 30 seconds) This helps the editor if something needs covering up in edit. Additionally when using a label microphone which clips onto clothing make sure to be careful about how loud the sound is when ding long shots.
Our morning task was a wildtrack exercise where we recorded 10 different sounds in groups then we had to guess what each sound was. Our afternoon task " A Shot In The Dark" we had to creative a narrative with an aspect of conflict involved using sounds only. To do this we used different objects to create different sounds. Our groups story was about a robber stealing from a locker and being found out but runs away.
Week 3
For Mike's lesson we looked at two different cameras a Canon XL1 and a Panasonic 3CCD.
Canon XL1
Canon XL1
M = Manuel which should be on
Exposure = how much light is going into the Iris. The gain control should be +Odb which will make the camera more sensitive to light which will effect the picture quality
Shutter speed = 50i/ 1/50 is the standard option for the shutter speed
Iris is the F.56- F.8 number.. Those numbers are the standard. The higher it is the less light the camera is exposed too and their will be a shallower depth of field. The NDF switch is a filter which is in the camera.
There is a stability function on the camera which can reduce shake.
AF/MF = Auto Focus and Manuel Focus. Best to use auto focus to give you more control over it
The white balance button is next to the gain control button. There is a light bulb and sun dial which indicate indoor and outdoor. There is also a symbol with two triangles and a square which will fix the white balance but you have to use a piece of white paper in front of the camera.
For the audio, audio 1 is on the left mic plug in, line is the mixing desk and mic = microphone
Canon's don't have phantom power so you use road mic's. The gain control effects sensitivity of the audio and video. Background hiss.
The zoom controls are W for wide and T for telephoto. The more you zoom in the more camera shake.
It is also best to use the eye piece when recording and not the lcd screen. When recording use the record button on the side of the camera
When it comes to the lens the lower it is the wider:
25mm = stretches the perspective
50mm = observer
100mm = tightens crop and foreshortens the perspective
Panasonic camera
Gain should be on low, but also there is a setting for medium and highThe white balance button is next to the gain control button. There is a light bulb and sun dial which indicate indoor and outdoor. There is also a symbol with two triangles and a square which will fix the white balance but you have to use a piece of white paper in front of the camera.
For the audio, audio 1 is on the left mic plug in, line is the mixing desk and mic = microphone
Canon's don't have phantom power so you use road mic's. The gain control effects sensitivity of the audio and video. Background hiss.
The zoom controls are W for wide and T for telephoto. The more you zoom in the more camera shake.
It is also best to use the eye piece when recording and not the lcd screen. When recording use the record button on the side of the camera
When it comes to the lens the lower it is the wider:
25mm = stretches the perspective
50mm = observer
100mm = tightens crop and foreshortens the perspective
Panasonic camera
There is a white balance button with tungsten and daylight settings
AWB = auto white balance, use a white sheet of paper
Manuel Iris is next to gain button, make sure it isn't open, 2.8 is a safe option
there a ndf filters which you have more control over
The zebra button controls the exposure range certain percentages are useful:
85% for human skin
70% for black skin
100% is overexposed
The aspect ratio to film in 4x3 but it convert it is in the menu
Now progressive and interlaced:
Progressive is filmic but can cause tears and ghosting if there is fast movement
Interlaced is good for fast action and can fix tears but blur and artifacts become a problem
50hrtz refresh rate (double frame rate)
Here is tech dem on this Panasonic I talked about. (This is from Sarah's channel who was on the team for this video
Week 4
For today we got to play with different tech such as the track and dolly and the jib. The first thing we did was how to clean a tripod correctly and use it correctly. I am confident with balancing (camera and tilt) and leveling (using the spirit level) a tripod confidently. The tripods we use are made of aluminium which I will have to check if I film in a place where using aluminium isn't possible.
Mono-pods are also available which can be used for harsh environments and are good for quickness. We also learned about zooming and only to use it in documentaries and if I want t do it dramas to use a track and dolly which then will add depth and realism. For the track there are sleepers which are placed in the joints and stoppers which will not let the trolly roll of the track. Finally when attaching the tripod to the dolly 3 straps have to be used.
When using the jib it is important to the silver pin and is unlocked to put the camera on and to make sure the screws are sticking out so the levers can function. If some screws are flushed with washers on both of the sides they become hard to get out and then leave them alone. The ball head put the camera on and if we struggle with putting it on Lee can help us. Finally we learned some new camera tricks with punching and hair pulling.
Week 5
Today we learned about 3 point lighting. There are main lights, back lights and fill lights. I have never set up or heard of 3 point lighting before so it is was interesting to know. There are certain tripods that the lights (redheads) go on as the tripods can hold a certain weight. Sandbags are helpful if I use a bigger tripod set at a tall height. It is always important there is a grill on each light and when handling the barn doors on the front of lights it takes 20 minutes for them to cool down. Also you an use gloves if they are hot.
When using an extension cord always make sure to look a the wattage because some extensions can only hold so much amps for a light. To help this you can unwrap the extension cord fully
When going out on location make sure tat if filming inside the building has an RDA tester which tests if the electricity is safe if it doesn't have one make sure to bring one. If filming anywhere near curtains keep the redheads 1m minimum away.
When using gels (different colored paper) you must put them on the lights with metal clips (be careful if lights are hot). Another alternative if wooden pegs (same safety applies when handling them if lights are hot). Scrim which is a type of tracing paper can be used to make the light have a softer look. Make sure white balancing is done before scrim is put on. Blue gel - daylight and orange gel - indoor. Also never put lights in bathrooms or touch while wet. Key lights tend to go on the left hand side when filming and fill lights will usually have scrims on. Make can also have an effect on lighting with foundation creating a finish on the actor and the light won't catch their faces.
Here is some photos from the three point lighting tech demo.
Week 6
Well this week we looked at the AVC cameras and received a tech dem on how to use it. Here are some of the notes I took:
- Iris button = Auto or Manual
- Iris and focus button will change ring on lens
- Zoom = Manuel or Servo, Servo uses the buttons, Manuel uses rings on the lens, Rings become locked using servo so don't force them
- Focus Button = auto, manual or infinity
- infinity can focus fast
- Focus Assist = quick button to focus
- Bars button = turns of the display to show color bars
- Input 2 = mono sound, Channel 2 select = Input 2 and inside mic
- Counter button reset to 0:00:00 for production log
- OIS = Optical Image Stabilizer
- LCD = Brightness of screen and doesn't affect the footage
- EVL DTL = electronic viewfinder detail and doesn't affect sharpness of footage
- WVF = Waveforms changes LCD screen
- Headphones vol = audio near the camera eye piece
- Top zoom servo button = same speed n matter how hard button is spread but to use it turn it on at top of camera
- Interlaced and Progressive record formats, leave on PH
- Format card before shooting
- 50htz = British standard
We then looked more at three point lighting as well as how to calculate wattage:
VOLTS X AMPS = WATTAGE
When using the studio there are 13 amps in the sockets and the extensions hold 10 amps when unwound. The standard volts in circuits in the UK is 240. So we can then have 3120 maximum watts. Each of the red head lights hold 800 watts and the generator at green lane holds 9.5 amps.
Afterwards we looked at the ceiling lighting system in te studio. Some lights have toggles, the blue one pans the lights, the white one tilts the lights, the yellow one focuses them and the red one which can only be found on the 2k lights turns them on and off. Important that you don't rig the lights when they are on.
When then had a task to do using the red heads to practice three point lighting, unfortunately one red head broke so we ended using a blonde light. We used red and green gels to make a spooky atmosphere
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqvYjZ1FJkM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjP5GGxrSSI
These videos are from Sarah's youtube channel who was on the team for this activity
Photos I took from the activity:
Week 8
We looked at editing in more detail. One half of the group went wit Lee to look more into Avid while the other half had a lecture from Mike on editing techniques in films mostly Bond films. Over the years the editing of Bond films has changed. The films used to be edited to drag the shots and allowed editors to show what the goal was, now action is more fast paced. We also learned how if films are edited differently they can create a whole new film.
In the editing session with Lee we learned how about the basics of cutting and transitions. Some important parts are the red and yellow tools. The red tool will erase anything in it's path and the yellow tool makes room for clips on the timeline.
Mike looked at our blogs in the afternoon. For my blog he said to add more and make it more tidier to find certain subjects.
Week 9
There was a plan to film super 8 but the level 5 students had the cameras and light metre out, that is now happening next week.
Instead we looked more at Avid and focusing on transitions, audio and key frames. Key frames which originally came from animation are points of action. The k key on the keyboard will add a keyframe on a clip which will appear as a black triangle. The alt key will allow the key frame to move forwards or backwards.
The top audio track is for the left ear and the bottom track is fr the right ear. The clip gain will increase the volume of the audio. Next when bringing the audio tool use the drop down menu. Levels should be between 6-12 and never in the red section. On the clip if it is green is is good if it turns blue you will need to render the clip again.
Week 10
Today we looked at the super 8 cameras and it was suggested we use some footage in our MM&I. The cameras are easy to load and work. It is very important to have a working light metre on the right settings - 25 fps and right film type. This is to make sure the aperture is right so the footage looks good.
Week 11
Today Gavin a level 6 student developed our super 8 footage. It was very interesting to see how he developed the footage on a student budget even saving £40.
After dismantling the film casings in a dark box and wrapping it round a another piece of equipment so gaps are crested so chemicals could get into every frame of the film. The film was bathed in more chemicals but using something called borax, Detergent was used to clean the film. The film was then hung out to dry for 24 hours. It turns out it is very time consuming but the footage will turn out great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqvYjZ1FJkM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjP5GGxrSSI
These videos are from Sarah's youtube channel who was on the team for this activity
Photos I took from the activity:
Week 7
Today we looked at editing and got an introduction into AVID. We split into two groups one would set their accounts for Editshare while the other group watched a documentary about editing Some of he things we learned in AVID was how to put files in and what bins are.
In the afternoon session we looked at the smoke machine being tested in the studio. If I want to use it inside I have to tell the college and then get the smoke detectors caped.
Week 8
We looked at editing in more detail. One half of the group went wit Lee to look more into Avid while the other half had a lecture from Mike on editing techniques in films mostly Bond films. Over the years the editing of Bond films has changed. The films used to be edited to drag the shots and allowed editors to show what the goal was, now action is more fast paced. We also learned how if films are edited differently they can create a whole new film.
In the editing session with Lee we learned how about the basics of cutting and transitions. Some important parts are the red and yellow tools. The red tool will erase anything in it's path and the yellow tool makes room for clips on the timeline.
Mike looked at our blogs in the afternoon. For my blog he said to add more and make it more tidier to find certain subjects.
Week 9
There was a plan to film super 8 but the level 5 students had the cameras and light metre out, that is now happening next week.
Instead we looked more at Avid and focusing on transitions, audio and key frames. Key frames which originally came from animation are points of action. The k key on the keyboard will add a keyframe on a clip which will appear as a black triangle. The alt key will allow the key frame to move forwards or backwards.
The top audio track is for the left ear and the bottom track is fr the right ear. The clip gain will increase the volume of the audio. Next when bringing the audio tool use the drop down menu. Levels should be between 6-12 and never in the red section. On the clip if it is green is is good if it turns blue you will need to render the clip again.
Week 10
Today we looked at the super 8 cameras and it was suggested we use some footage in our MM&I. The cameras are easy to load and work. It is very important to have a working light metre on the right settings - 25 fps and right film type. This is to make sure the aperture is right so the footage looks good.
Week 11
Today Gavin a level 6 student developed our super 8 footage. It was very interesting to see how he developed the footage on a student budget even saving £40.
After dismantling the film casings in a dark box and wrapping it round a another piece of equipment so gaps are crested so chemicals could get into every frame of the film. The film was bathed in more chemicals but using something called borax, Detergent was used to clean the film. The film was then hung out to dry for 24 hours. It turns out it is very time consuming but the footage will turn out great.
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