Final Cut

Production Diary 15

After trying different things to try and fix the CCTV shots, we have started to add masks and filters which correct colour, this has allowed the picture to become clearer, and improve the colour of it.

We have now started to try and export it however, the time says it will take over 6 hours, and it is taking a very long time just to encode as well. We will try to export it again next lesson.

Production Diary 14

One of the new computers has finally been set up, so using Adobe After Effects we have added a night vision filter to our CCTV shots. We tried to export them from after effects but it didn't work, so they have been imported in to Premier straight from after effects.

The quality of the shots were perfect when they were first imported into Premier, however when they are added to the timeline they become blurry and the colour changes.

Production Diary 13

We've finished all the editing except for adding filters over the CCTV shots. So now we don't have anything to do, apart from continuing to update are blogs.

Schedule Update

Production Diary 12

We've continued to make small adjustments to the final cut, however we are still unable to add the night vision filters to the CCTV shots as the computers still haven't been updated.

Script: Haunted House

Voice Overs:

Earlier this week I received an anonymous e-mail regarding this "haunted house". After doing some research I decided to get my team to check it out.Journey*:

Molly - How far is it?

Sophie - I have no idea. It's just down this path and then we're at the haunted house.

Harry - (Sarcastically) Looks pretty creepy to me. 

Sophie - Oh my God, it's too far, I'm going to have a f***ing heart attack.

Molly - It's about f***ing time!

Ashleigh - Whoa, I can definitely sense something here.Haunted House**:

Harry - So are we going to set up base here?

Sophie - Yeah, that seems like a good idea.

Ashleigh - I sense a great spiritual energy coming from down here.

Molly - Is that a basement? It's so dark!

Ashleigh - There's definitely something down here.

Molly - Ready?

Sophie - Let's go!

Molly - Where should we put the camera?

Sophie - I think over there. Then we can catch anything coming down.

Molly - Oh, there's lights! Do the work? Yes! We have power.

Sophie - I think I've found another location.

Molly - Yes!

Sophie - I'll e-mail the owner now.

Molly - Get on that! ... We've got something! It's down there in the basement! ... Come on guys, it's freezing. ... Lucy do you know where it is?

Ashleigh - It seems to be coming from that corner.

Molly - Quick! Grab the head torches! ... Are you sure it was in that corner?

Ashleigh - Yes, It's definitely over there.

Molly - Oh my God, the bottles floating!

Sophie - Oh s**t!

Molly - Oh my God, what was that?

Harry - I don't know, oh my God! It's behind you!

Ashleigh - What?

Molly - What's wrong with her?

Harry - She must be possessed

Molly - Oh no! We need to exorcise her! Get the Holy water! (Exorcism follows)

Ashleigh - Why am I wet?

Molly - You were possessed!

Ashleigh - I'm epileptic you sh*ts!

Harry - How was I supposed to know that?

Molly - Idiot. Are you ok?

Ashleigh - Ow.

* Some of this has been removed for the final cut

** Includes adlibs and some removed for final cut

First Cut Feedback

Holding Shots Steady
- Hand held shots fit the style of the documentary
- Some shots can be steadier
- Only steady when its meant to be
- Intentional shaky camera, some shots are shaky though.
- Shaky/ part of it, but too shaky

Framing of Shots
- Group shots framed very well, could have more individual focus through-out the house scenes
-  When shaky camera wasn't used, use of shots was decent

Appropriate Material for Task
- Clear Conventions used for the style
- Smile too much

Selecting Mise En Scene
(colour, lighting, props, setting)
- Clear use of props and setting to create an atmosphere
- Lighting and contrast needs to be adjusted
- Effective low-key lighting, but sometimes too low-key
- Lighting a bit dark

Editing for Meaning
- Could be developed by ensuring shots are structured to fit the tone
- Smiling/Corpsing
- Use of good contrast to create supernatural effect

Varied Shots Transitions and Post Production Effects
- After effects still to be added
- Bleeping needs to be fixed as it doesn't cover the sound, the epileptic scene needs to be fixed. A fast forward needs to be added to the waiting scene. Night vision needs to be added.

Use of Sound
- Sound needs to be consistent across the piece
- Very loud, clipping, laughing. Could use more voice-overs.
- Fuzzy
- Effective rock music
- Swear bleeps aren't very good

Use of Titles
Some unfinished, a clearer title sequence could be included
- No titles (very few) only channel 4
- Channel 4 was used

Overall Comment
- Some high quality footage has been produced and a level 4 can be achieved with the addition of more work.
- I think it could use more voice-overs, and some shots can be sped up and shortened. But overall very good.

Production Diary 11

I've just spent over an hour editing the copied version, only for another team member to tell me how she's completely changed the idea to edit the first version in the original idea, buy editing it in a way that makes the copy I have edited redundant, so the copy I have been editing has been deleted and I have wasted over an hour of my time on something completely unnecessary.

We have started continuing to edit her version, by changing the transition between the talking heads to a dither dissolve, as well as deciding to add the sunset clip in with a voice over, over the top.

First Cut

First Cut Review

The first cut was finished in a rush so there are quite a few things that need to be fixed and added. As the school computers have yet to be updated we still haven't been able to add the night vision affects to the surveillance camera shots. The bleeping over the swear words also needs to be fixed as it is very  high pitched and doesn't cover the sound of the swear words. Some of the transitions, like between the talking heads doesn't work so we need to change them to something that works better.

We have decide to create a copy of the first cut and create two different final cuts, one edit in the original idea and the other being cut down. Our final cut will be based on which cut works the best.

Production Diary 10

The first cut is due next lesson but we haven't quite finished editing yet, we still need to fix the scream, which needs to carry over the door closing, as well as bleeping out the swear words. I will add the finishing touches and export it in my free hour before the lesson. The computers till haven't be updated so we can't add the night vision filter to the CCTV clips yet.

Target Audience

Age: 12+
If this was focused as a real ghost hunting documentary instead of a spoof I believe the rating would be 15 as it would be quite scary, however because of its comedic affect and the characters being young adults the target age is for teenagers, however adults may also find the documentary interesting and funny to watch. The age rating could also be higher if there was more technical talk, and swearing, however the language is easy to understand and any swear words have been bleeped.

Gender: All
The documentary is focused at both males and females as either gender could be interested in watching it, and it follows the group as a whole; however due to the nearly all female crew it would be possible for it garner more attention from males.

Social class/group: All
The documentaries would focus on social groups interested in the supernatural, and not focus on a social class. The show would air after or just before the water shed and would therefore gain the attention of those who are looking to relax after a working day, whether that be at school or work.

Ethnicity: All
This focuses on all ethnicity's as it doesn't focus on them.

Demographics: C1/C2 D E

• C1/C2: Lower middle class & Skilled working class
• This class may be interested in our documentary as they may look for a way to relax after work, and may find the documentary easy and funny to watch.

• D: Working Class
• This are normally adults in their 20's as this is similar to our target age I think they would be interested in this as they may find the supernatural interesting our want something easy and funny to watch after working. This working group also has more time to Lower middle class workers and therefore have more time to watch it. 

• E: Lower Grade workers & Students
• I believe this class maybe interested in watching the documentary as they tend to be students who have just left school or are still in education, that may find the show funny and be interested in this subject matter. It may also interest them as they are most likely the same or similar ages to the characters. This is also because they are our main target audience.

Psycho-dynamics:
The main psycho-dynamic would be spectators, as they are the people who would be interested in watching a show about the supernatural and would enjoy it. Critics may also enjoy watching the show as they may want to compare it to other ghost hunting shows, as it is a wide genre with a large fan-base.

Schedule Update 2

Production Diary 9

We have most of the footage added now we just need to add the titles over the top. However Premier has been annoying as we keep needing to render the video before we can continue editing, which takes as long as 15 minutes.

Production Diary 8

We have decided to try and get all the footage cut and into the timeline before we start adding filters and transitions as there is only a short amount of time before the first cut is due in. So far we have gotten to 5 minutes.

Production Diary 7

We got all the filming finished at my aunts and now all we need to do is edit it all together.

Locations

Talking heads: For this we used a small spare room at school. We had to use the corner of the room as there was art on the walls. We also had to use a photography light, so the the room was brighter and the lighting on the camera wasn't as dark.





Intro: We filmed this in one of our local grave yards, it was difficult to get the correct lighting as the trees created a lot of shadow.

Journey: We filmed this along a small path near my aunties house, however the differences in lighting along the path allowed us to make it look like it was longer than what the path was.







Haunted House: We filmed the main part of our documentary at my aunties house as it was an old cottage, and had an old wooden garage which worked well as a basement, especially as it had a room above it which we used as pretend ground floor, before going down into the basement.

Production Diary 6

We filmed at my aunties house, the camera was annoying though as it kept giving the picture odd colour filters, meaning we kept needing to turn it on and off. We also struggled to film in the dark because of the lack of light, and before we could finish filming the camera died,  so we're going to go back there in a few days when we have more time.

Production Diary 5

We've started to edit our introduction however the lighting is annoying as it is different colours in the different shots we took and, the shadows our too dark, we've tried to fix them using filters in Premier however its been difficult.

Production Diary 4

Today we went to one of the local graveyards to film our introduction; us walking in slow-motion towards the camera, I was a bit worried about filming as it was very cloudy and had been raining earlier in the day, however luckily for us the rain had stopped by the time we came to film and the clouds didn't cause too much of an impact on the picture.

Schedule update

Characters & Costumes

Liz: the manager, played by Sophie Felstead
Liz is the manager of the team,m she finds the locations for the team to investigate and is bent on making it big in the show biz world.

Liz likes to be comfortable so wears t-shits, jeans and a hoodie, along with her glasses.








Lucy: the medium,played by Ashleigh Woodberry
As the groups medium Lucy is very spiritual and nobody really knows why she agreed to help. Lucy always speaks in a soft pleasant tone, and is the mediator between any fights in the team. however her odd personality always has the team wondering what she's thinking of.

Lucy wears a bandanna, glasses, cream shirt and a long black and white paisley skirt.







Raven: the techy goth, played by Molly Weiss
Raven is the teams technician as well as a got. normally seeming reserved she often becomes very excited and expresses her love for the supernatural when the teams equipment begins to get readings.

True to her goth nature Raven wears a black beanie, leather jacket, t-shirt and jeans. along with dark make up.






Grant: the cameraman, Played by Harry Goodman
Only in it for the money Grant doesn't care for the supernatural like the rest of the team. Being the only male in the group sees that he is the one normally carrying the heaviest equipment.

Grant wears a leather jacket, white polo top and jeans.

Production Diary 3

We've started to edit our talking heads section, and its been quiet easy, apart from hoping the Premier doesn't suddenly crash, and trying to get the correct starting and finishing points of each section where we're not in character. We've also looked at music to go over our introduction, as well as play quietly under the talking heads.

Script: Talking Heads Updated

Liz:

Hi, my name is Liz, and I am the manager of the Non-corporal Entity Association. My job is to find locations for us to investigate, and make sure our equipment is up to date. I have a gut feeling that we are going to be big! This is where our career begins!

Lucy:

My name is Lucy, and I am a medium. My job is to advise the team on any supernatural activity, and to communicate with the lost spirits. H-hello?...Who's there?...Oh hey there...Oh not much, just sitting in an interview, how about you?

Raven:

My name is Raven, and I am the technician. My job is to monitor the recordings that the equipment gives me; like the thermal and EMF readings. I just love the supernatural, its like...My life. 

Grant:

My name is Grant, and I am the head cameraman. My job is to make sure the cameras are in the optimum positions to get the best footage. I am pretty much just here for the money really. (Interviewer - You know you're not getting paid, right?) What?!

Production Diary 2

We filmed the majority of our talking heads, however one of our group members left during filming, we're not sure why but he has now left the group, so we've asked our friend Sophie to help us, and we're going to film her section of the talking heads on Monday.

Animatic

Talking Heads Scripts

Max - Alan
- My name is Alan, and I am the manager of the Non-corporal entity Association. My job is to find locations for us to investigate, and make sure our equipment is up to date. I have a gut feeling that we are going to be big! This is where our career begins!

Ashleigh - Lucy
- My name is Lucy, and I am a medium. My job is to advise the team on any supernatural activity, and to communicate with the lost spirits. H-hello?,,,who's there?,,,oh hey there...oh not much, just sitting in an interview, how about you?

Molly - Raven
- My name is Raven, and I am the technician. My job is to monitor the recordings that the equipment gives me; like the thermal and EMF readings. I just love the supernatural, its like...My life.

Harry - Grant
- My name is Grant, and I am the head cameraman. My job is to make sure the cameras are in the optimum positions to get the best footage. I am pretty much just here for the money really. (Interviewer - You know you are not getting paid?) What?!

Production Schedule

Production Diary 1

Creating the animatic was difficult as the computers at school need updating and Adobe Premier kept crashing, and because of this we needed to keep saving the project after we had added to it, otherwise we would lose all the work we had done.

Shot List

1. Slo motion walk & falling over
2. Posing & title
3. Talking heads - Sophie
4. Talking heads - Ashleigh
5. Talking heads - Molly
6. Talking heads - Harry
7. Location & narration 1
8. Location & narration 2
9. Location & narration 3
10. POV journey to location 1
11. POV journey to location 2
12. Arriving at the house
13. Surveying the location
14. POV setting up equipment 1
15. POV setting up equipment 2
16. Fast forward sun setting
17. CCTV of house with time & location 1
18. CCTV of house 2
19. CCTV of house 3
20. Scanners beep
21. Team goes to investigate room
22. Team finds room very cold
23. Team sees a floating chair
24. Team freaks out & runs, dropping equipment
25. Someone holding up chair
26. Team talks about what happens
27. Harry takes photo, Ashleigh gets possessed (epileptic fit)
28. Ghost runs into a wall
29. Team carries Ashleigh outside & douse her in Holy water
30. Team exorcises Ashleigh
31. Ghost opens door
32. Team screaming
33. Door closes on the ghost
34. Team Screaming
35. After the break...

Documentary Research: Most Haunted & Ghost Hunters

Most Haunted
Most Haunted is a British paranormal reality TV show about a group of people researching haunted locations in and around the UK. First aired in 2002 on the channel Really it has since had 17 series and 197 episodes, as well as an online edition of the show. Each episode is around 30-40 minutes long depending on the season and is played weekly. It was originally aired in the UK but is also shown in international countries. The target audience is adolescents and adults interested in the paranormal.

Crew roles:

• Yvette Fielding - Presenter
•  Karl Beattie - Producer, Director, Cameraman
• Stuart Torevell - Rigger, Cameraman
• Fred Batt - Demonologist, Historian
• Gregg Smith - Director of Photography, Cameraman (2015)
• Eamonn Vann-Harris - E.V.P (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) specialist (2015)
• Glen Hunt - Sceptic, Parapsychologist (2015)
• Darren Hutchinson - Sound and Cameraman (2015)

Series 1-4 saw a more theatrically filmed show, using steady came and coloured lighting at night to create a higher emphasis of quality production, as well as using dry ice and illuminating the windows.

However in series 5 due to the show becoming more mainstream it lost its grungy look. The shows music is original, produced to picture by Alan Clark, who used his own sounds and samples. 

Ghost Hunters

Ghost Hunters is an american paranormal reality tv show originally airing on the american channel "Syfy", it premiered in October 2004, and the show is now aired internationally. The producers are Craig Piligian, Tom Thayer, Alan David and Rob Katz. Its target it audience is adults and adolescents who are interested in the paranormal. The show follows the team as they investigate supposedly haunted locations.

The team uses a number of high-tech equipment, including night-vision cameras, which we plan to replicate in our piece by using filters.

The shows success is largely due to the audience it has garnered because of its mix of paranormal investigation and interpersonal drama. This audience had grown over the years as the show has become more and more popular, leading to cast members signing on with talent agencies to help the manage their public appearances. They have also created a website where they can share stories, experiences and footage with fans  which has also lead to an increase in its popularity due to its interactions with the fans.

Pitch

Initial Research

March of the Penguins
Director: Davis Guggenheim
Release date: 9th December 2005
Production companies: National Geographic Films, Bonne Pioche, Wild Bunch
Intended target audience: This is intended for all adult audiences, as an informative piece of media. It may also appeal to adolescent audiences.

Synopsis: The documentary follows a colony of emperor penguins through their hardships through out the Antarctic year. Showing their long march to the breeding grounds, survival through the harsh winter and the perils of raising their young.

Documentary narrative & representation techniques: The type of documentary is Direct Cinema: showing the natural lives of emperor penguins in chronological order, with minimal interference from the crew.
All narrations can be reduced to binary opposites, for example: predator vs. prey - krill, fish, squid -> penguins -> leopard seal.

Effectiveness: This documentary is effective as it succeeds in informing the audience about the penguins lives. This is done through narration (by Morgan Freeman) over each scene of the penguins, describing and explaining exactly what is going on at that point.

For example in this picture we can see the penguins marching to their breeding ground, this is narrated over, explaining that they have many  hardships to come, and that some die before they reach the breeding ground. This is effective as it causes the audience to begin to feel sympathy for the penguins. Especially in this shot as it shows the great distance that the penguins have to travel.






TT3D: Close to the Edge
Director: Richard De Aragues
Release date: 22nd April 2011
Production companies:  Isle of Man Film, CinemaNX
Intended target audience: This intended for all adult audiences as an informative piece of media. It may also appeal to adolescent audiences.

Synopsis: The documentary follows the month building up to the TT as well as the week full of races. Focusing mainly on Guy Martin and why he and others continue to risk their lives in the worlds most dangerous motorbike rice on the Isle of Man.

Documentary narrative & representation techniques: The type of documentary is Talking Heads & Compilation: This shows interviews with racers and other that take part of the race as well as a compilation of old footage and images of the racers during and after the racers. Narration has also been used to inform the audience of what is going  in certain points  of the documentary

Effectiveness: This Documentary is effective as it gives the audience an incite into the lives of the racers and behind the scenes of the TT. It also informs the audience of what happens before, during and after the TT, allowing them to see all aspects of the races. The effectivness is achieved through a mutlitude of interviews, narration and following Guy Martin around.

Main Production Review

Production group: Ashleigh Woodberry, Harry Goodman, Max Barnard and Molly Weiss

Chosen production task: Documentary

Ancillary task:

• Radio trailer
• Magazine listings

Finalised ideas so far:

• Spoof ghost hunting documentary
• Talking heads (with ghost hunting team members)
• Slow motion walking introduction

Work produced so far:

• Planing ideas and basic story line