Risk Assessment: Radio Scene

Be careful with electrical equipment and wires. No food or drink near electric stuff. careful with equipment. Use common sense. Careful where you tread as it was dark so you could trip over. Careful with magazine props and script in case of paper cuts. We made sure that the actor was not hungry and had exercised his mouth before speaking.

Be safe.

Props

Props we used

We used one of these walkie talkies in the film. It connotes being prepared and being a survivor.

the gun we used, just looks like bog-standard gun.

one of the bags we used

this shows the stuff we used at 'the camp site'. Connotes survival and using remains of civilisation.

 This shows all the props from the radio scene. However, we also used some magazines that were lying just out of shot of this photo.

the bag we used for Martin to rummage through, looks dirty and well used to connote survival and state of world.

phone was Lisa's phone we used when Martin is looting her dead body.

Again?... Really?...

Mic Problems Again.

Though we did remember to bring the mic to filming this time, we forgot to put a SD card in it. We thought this would not matter as the device has a small internal memory, however we later found out that this internal memory cannot be extracted. After a lot of ranting about pointless internal memories, we conceded that we would need to re record Tom's speech. Luckily Tom was all too willing to be dragged away from a tense game of chess so we could record him talking again. We took a couple of takes as he kept getting a line wrong, but ultimately we were pleased that we even had some good quality sound.

Filming: Radio Scene

The Radio Scene

Yesterday, on the 20th, we filmed the Radio Scene after school.



We decided to do the filming after school as that was a suitable time for everyone, and we were already at the setting. We decided to turn the lights in the classroom we were filming in off as we wanted this dark, mysterious character to contrast with those in the outside scene which was bright.

Tom was able to bring a fluffy red nightgown which we used as his costume. We decided to film prolonged shots were Tom said all his lines rather than each one in separate shots as we could easily edit it  to be different.

Making: Make-up

Here are some examples of when we put make-up on our actors during the outside scene.

We made sure that the fake blood was safe to apply (in case of allergies etc.) and made sure that lisa was wearing the costume over her own clothes so that they did not get dirty.

We put a lot of the blood in the middle of her forehead for where the bullet hit and ran the rest down her face to make it appear that blood was running naturally down her face.

and here is a video of that moment: 

Here are some images showing Summer, the zombie child. She had a lot make-up on as we plan to make her scene very significant.

Finalised Script

Script

This is the finalized script, the one that we used during filming.



RH: Radio Host
S: Survivor



[Interior: Radio station. Background music is upbeat]

RH: And welcome back to 237 days since the Incident. That’s right, folks. Christmas is just around the corner, so stock up on that delicious canned turkey for the festive season. Or better, we could get together some time. I know you’re all giving me the silent treatment, but—fun. Well you know where I am: Same bat time, same bat channel. And now for the weather.

[As the radio host is talking, there’ll be crosscutting to the survivor: the polar opposite of the host. Broody. Dangerous. The setting is the woods.]

RH: The gamma levels out in sector 2 are a low and pleasant 24, and chances of the sun making an appearance is pretty bleak.

[The transmission can be heard coming from a rucksack. The survivor approaches where the noise is coming from. Opens bag. Find walkie talkie. This is the first voice he’s heard in almost a year.]

RH: For you younger listeners, it was the big ball of fire in the sky before we replaced with one of those energy saving do-hickeys. God bless the late, great government. And that’s about all we—

S: [Speaking into the walkie talkie] Hello?

RH: [Freezes] …And we have our first caller. [Typing, clicking, and trying to find the right security footage to find the survivor] What’s your name, friend? What’s your story?

S: [Amusement] You’re crazy. This is crazy.

RH: You’re crazy, I’m crazy…How about another one? Can you tell me where the nearest infected is in your local area?

S: It’s just me. It’s just me now.

RH: Wrong answer. Take a look around and see what you could’ve won.

S: What?

RH: There’s someone behind you.

S: [Tense, already reaching for the gun. The infected behind him has blotchy green skin. Vacant stare. Survivor shoots him]

RH: That was violent. Wanna talk about it to our listeners?

S: Shut up. [Rummaging through the infected’s pockets; finds photograph of the Infected before the Incident. He’s with his daughter. Looks up and sees the daughter, now infected.]

Risk Assessment: Forest Scene

If you go down to the woods today you better-

*wear suitable clothing and be prepared for the terrain you will be working on*

We made a risk assessment of the area we were filming in while we were there. Basically we had to be wary of the slippy and muddy terrain and avoid the hilly areas were we could fall down. Whilst in the wooded areas we had to watch out for branches, brambles, and roots which could trip us up or scratch at us. We also needed to be aware of where Summer was at all time. She is only a small girl so we didn't want her wandering off and getting lost or hurt. To combat these things we tried to stay as a group and watch were we stepped. Martin and Lisa kept an eye on Summer much of the time, being parents and naturally protective. Whilst they were in shot however we kept an eye on her ourselves. The cold was also a factor we had to consider. Lisa was only wearing a thin blood stained shirt so she felt the cold more than the rest of us. She was only in a few shots however and we had a bigger coat for her when she was not in shot.

Filming: Forest Scene

The Forest Scene

On Sunday we filmed the outdoor shots for our film opening. We decided to meet at 12 so that we would have at least 4 and a half hours of filming before dark. We were wary of the autumn light and British weather so we tried to get about filming as fast as possible.The first thing we did was too drop in in a local pub so that we could sort the actors out with their costumes and make-up.

We had discussed what shots we wanted previously so that there would not be too much arguing between us. We decided to do each shot chronologically so that we didn't miss any out and so we could visualise what editing/watching it would be like. We ran through what we wanted each shot to do and then filmed it. There were generally two of us at the camera at one time while the other two talked to the actors or took pictures for our blogs. We took two camera and two tripods with us. The ones we got from school we used to film the actual thing. The other two were to film us filming. However, my old camera chose that moment to stop working, so we couldn't make a lengthy video. Annoyingly it started working again once we had finished.



For the shot were Martin finds the bag with the walkie talkie, me and brad made an area in the forest look a bit like a camp site by putting some logs in a tire to look like a fire.

A lot of time was spent going through lines with martin and making sure he knew what to do.

Here is a picture of Chris with a stupidly small tripod. He was doing a low angle shot.

Here is Lisa, our expendable character, with Summer, our kid zombie. Lisa was later given make-up for the bullet wound but you can see Summers zombie make-up here.


To be updated...

Shots and Camera Angles

A couple of Shot that we may use to make our film:

DISASTER RESTRIKES AND IS UNSTRUCK... AGAIN!

The Dark Forces Strikes Back

Disaster has striked back at our feeble attempts to reaffirm our fates! Monty, one of the actors that Charlotte sought out couldn't make Sunday, and James, the other, never replied to the text. These heathens hath been named and shamed as warning to any future actors that would cross me. As a result we may be forced to use family members as actors.

A New Hope

Brads uncle Martin, our actor, deemed it fitting to bring an escort made up of his close family that we were able to use as actors. Therefore, our zombie was none other than Lady Lisa, Martin's girlfriend. Neither of them were blessed with skills of deception or acting but tis no matter; we will make up for it with the editing. In all my honest heart, the only reason I did do this on a separate post was because I wished to speak as such once more...

Lisa:

she's so ugly she doesn't even need make-up...

(shes alright with me saying that btw)

Costumes and Makeup

YAY! Sexism

Unfortunately, being this macho does come with a price. For example; I can't multi-task, I can't walk in a straight line, and I know nothing of make-up or clothing. Therefore, the acquisition of clothing was largely down to the female member of our group as she either knew where to get suitable clothing or already had it (What? I have a fez that we could use. What's that? Not very Post-Apocalypticy? Well then.). As she was largely in charge of how the actors looked, it was reasonable that she be in charge of make up too. However, I tried out some manly make-up techniques myself which are at the bottom of the page.

Costumes

This is one of the costumes we plan to use when we film. The leather jacket connotes images of hard, rugged wearers, just how we would want one of our survivors to be.

This is the same type of nightgown that Tom has and will wear as the Radio Host. We hope that this gown conveys a certain level of insanity for the Radio Host. This image courtesy of Google Images.

We also have blooded T-shirts for the zombie and girl zombie to wear. These generally just further show them to be 'infected' and zombieish (lets pretend that's a word). We have no images of these so you'll just have to wait and see.

Other elements of the costumes, such as boots we are relying on actors for, all boots, including walking boots, Wellington boots etc. look pretty hardcore, so we request that our actors come in them, the setting is rather muddy anyway.

Make-Up

My fellow team member Charlotte has done quite a good post on make up HERE, never the less, I did some research into this myself.

Here are some research videos on Make-Up:

DISASTER UNSTRIKED

Balance Is Restored To The Universe

A new hope has arisen and we now have 2 potential actors to replace Alex. On Thursday one of our valiant members went down to the Drama department and looked around for actors who are free on Sunday. She managed to find two that are interested by bribing them with the offer of a copy of the film to put in their port-folio. And so, peace was restored to the classroom and a sense of normality to the people. However, the ugly head of the Dark Forces is looming just around the corner...

To Be Continued...

(possibly, if we do encounter any further problems)

DISASTER STRIKES

The Forces Of Evil Have Played Their First Move...

The dark clutches of evil have seen fit to crush our mortal dreams into chaos, with not a thought of the consequences that this will make on our AS Media grade! Alas, our rising star Alex has been cast down by unrelenting daemons and must visit the hospital on Sunday, interfering with our plans. If there be one spark of light in this dark hour, it is a lesson. A lesson that we must be prepared for all eventualities and prepared should a dark veil envelop us once more. We must now scramble to meet this shadow of gloom and try to get another actors on short notice...

To Be Continued...

Planning to Film

Planning a date

We wanted to do the outside shots with the protagonist first as this shot is required for the insert shots with the radio host, having chosen our setting, we decided to start filming. Ideally we need a date that we are all available, our actors are all available, and the weather isn't too bad. We are all available at the weekend and so are all the student actors (Alex, Summer). However, Martin works on Saturdays and so we will be forced to film on a Sunday. Weather allowing, we will be filming on the 17th of November, here is the weather:

Its a little cloudy but at least its dry, therefore, we will be filming on this date.

Filming Equipment

We will be getting a camera and tripod from school, but what else do we need? I will be taking another camera and tripod so that we can make a 'making of ' film. We will also be taking a webcam too put up in trees and possibly another camera from school from the photography department. We will also be taking stepladder(s) to get good low angle shots. We will also obviously be taking any props or costumes as well. However, we also need to take into account other factors such as food. There is a place just down the road from the setting that we can get food.

Title

What should the title of my film be?
We came up with several ideas that we liked but were not sure how to pick one or what it would look like. To test which one would be best we did a short survey:


R D O (like RADIO) - 6 votes

Broadcast - 2 votes

Wireless - 0 votes

Listen - 0 votes

Radio - 5 votes

Orphans 'n' Radios - 8 votes


Result
Although Orphans 'n' Radios technically got the most votes, this was more of a joke suggestion and votes were placed on it purely because it was funny. Therefore, we decided to go with the second highest voted which was RDO and we each liked this one most anyway.

What should the logo of the title be?
28 Days Later font

Agency Font

 Alien font

Sherlock font 

We are still undesided on this, but we will cross this bridge when we get to it, when we are actually editing. :)

Settings

Settings

Our storyboard demands that we need at least 2 settings; a place for the radio man, and a place for the protagonist.

This small radio station is at school and easily accessible. If we were to put something suitably apocalyptic on the wall behind (warning poster for example) then it would convey the genre pretty well. We also thought that if we put like a sleeping bag in the shot too it would tell the audience that the RH lives there and reveal stuff about the back story.

Outside Location

a few of us already had ideas about this and after much discussion we decided on the one shown below. On Thursday last week, me and Brad and a friend went to check it out.

We have no idea what this used to be but it looks abandoned and strangely post apocalyptic.

I thought at first it might be a really bad golf course but we now believe its perhaps an old landfill sight or something.

On the right we see two uprooted trees, which connote that something is wrong in the world.

It has lots of places where we could make a makeshift camp for the protagonist to find the radio in.

There are mounds of earth at the sides which are like trenches and where the girl could hide. This would also make it easy to do low/high angle shots

The weird landscape makes it believable that a bomb has gone off there.

As you can see, the setting is not too remote and is quite accessible. This image shows it being covered in trees though, so what has happened since this image was taken? Why? and by who?

WOW, this setting is full of natural mystery, it is the perfect location...

We also took some videos to explore the setting, get a feel of what it looks like on film, and to experiment with shots.

There is also a dark, low key lighting room at school and a green-screen room which we could use, however, I don't think these will be necessary. 

Actors

Finding actors to play our characters

We designated one of our members (Brad) to find a cast for our film. He was able to find willing actors from a combination of friends, drama students, and his family. After running the potentials past the rest us we chose;

The Cast

Summer

This is Brad's little cousin. We needed a young child to play the role of the child and she was readily available. We had no issue with time with her as, being a schoolgirl, she has the same time off as we do.












Martin

This Brad's Uncle and the father of Summer. He looks pretty tough and is ideal for playing a survivor. It would also mean that Summer has some close family with her when filming. Martin is set to play either the expendable character or the protagonist, we have not yet decided.

 Alexander Dawes

Alex is a drama student (hence the dramatic photo) from school in the same year as us. He will be ideal as he actually has some acting experience. Alex is set to play either the protagonist or the expendable character.









Thomas Williams

Tom is a friend who was happily prepared to help us out. He is ideal to play the radio host. Tom has a good voice for a radio presenter and it is believable that he would end up an insane hermit who lives in a radio station in a post apocalyptic world.

Storyboard Animatic

Story Board Animatic

In order to get a feel for how long our work would last and how it would play out we decided to turn our storyboard into an animatic. 

Animatic

Script

The Script

RP: Radio Presenter

S: Survivor

D: Dead survivor

RP: Welcome to day 237 since 'the incident' it's only 33 day until Christmas. Maybe we can get together? That'd be fun I suppose... you know where I am. Remember, I'm watching you.

S: -Whistling and looking for bag
RP: And that's the weather forecast for to-

S: Hello? -Fumbles through rucksack to find radio-

RP: There's someone behind you...

S: -turns around and shoots other survivor

D: Random dying noises.

S: -rummages through pockets and finds a picture of the dead guys daughter, looks up and sees the little girl standing there

RP: Well done.


This is a rough idea of the finalised version, though we will use this as a base idea we may alter it slightly in editing or on the day of filming.

Planning: Sounds

List of sounds we will need

The sound of a twig snapping,
Dialogue,
Music for the radio place and the woods,
The sound of a gun being fired,
Rummaging sounds when searching through bag,
Other digetic sounds,

Storyboard 2

Planning our storyboard

After we each had done our own story board we took elements from each of them and put them into one. We liked the idea that the protagonist - a lone survivor - is put in contact with a sinister voice on the other end of a radio. We took the one idea from a story board that we see the radio host setting up his equipment and the titles start to appear here on his equipment. The scene is then changed into that of the protagonist via an in shot picture turning into an actual shot. 

Our story board shows that the opening scene will be in the Radio Host's lair and titles will appear on various pieces of equipment and underneath/on a mug. The shot will then focus on a monitor that is meant to be showing CCTV footage of our protagonist and as the shot zooms in on the footage, it turns into actual footage and the next scene goes on from there. First of all we see the protagonist making his way into a forest as he is attracted by music/voices. This is shown with multiple camera angles and shot types.  Eventually he finds a van (or just a bag if we don't get a van) and opens it up to find a radio/walkie talkie inside. We will use an over shoulder shot looking into the van/bag and a shot from inside of it plus maybe others we haven't decided on yet. When our protagonist picks the radio/walkie-talkie up, it stops playing. After the character starts either messing with its buttons or just clicks it on and says hello, the radio hosts voice says "behind you". The protagonist turns to see a survivor looking at him, the protagonist is shocked and instinctively shoots him. He then goes over to the dead man and finds a photo in the mans pocket, it is of a little girl/boy. The protagonist looks up from the corpse and the photo to see said little girl/boy staring at him. The radio host says something sarcastic and the clip ends, with the title on a black background.

I later did a short comic to sum up what happens;

Story Board 1

Planning our Storyboard Ideas

The first thing we decided to do was plan our story by doing storyboards. Each of the 4 members of our group did their own storyboard so that we could take elements that we liked from each of them to put into our final one.

This was my story board. It follows a single character doing their daily routine in their post-apocalyptic world. It was inspired by the beginning of I Am Legend. The main element taken from this was the use of a picture that the character looks at. However the radio transmissions at the beginning also helped form part of a much bigger picture...

This storyboard was done by someone else in my team. It shows how the main character sees another and gives chase after the second character runs. The second survivor ends up dying and the protagonist survivor loots his corps. While doing this he finds a radio/walkie talkie and is contacted by someone on the other side.

This is a picture of my team hard at work, though you can only see two of us.

Ideas

Getting a feel for our movie
Before doing our storyboard or planning our props and stuff, we wanted to brainstorm our ideas in order to get a feel for what our film opening would be like. Here are some mood-boards and brainstorms.