ethanbarkham

[ethanbarkham]

23rd April - Crit Reflection

Our film was the first one screened. I agree with all the feedback we were given. There were moments during the film that could be interpreted as quite a confusing story to keep up with.

It was such a difficult task to shoot in a moving car that there were moments that we were struggling with the workload.

As a result, there were one or two shots that we missed that could have helped tell the story better.

I agree that the edit could have maybe been tighter, however there was a limited amount of footage that was usable because of focus and gimbal issues. So I argue Isaac did the best job we could with what he was given. The edit was worked around the coverage that was good enough to be in the final cut. So that being said, I think Isaac did a very good job with an edit that seemed impossible when the rushes were first seen.

Our strong points were the performance of the actress and the sound design. Tom M (sound des) did a brilliant job with an excellent score that elevated the film to make the narrative more impactful and surreal.

The performance by Olivia was down to her professionalism and courage to be on a film set that was quite peculiar.

From this project and experience I learned that a test shoot is very important and crucial for a project like this. We should have invested more time for the test shoot to have made the first day of shooting easier on ourselves.

I think filming in a car was a challenge in itself, however I do think the project was good enough to merit why we had to shoot in a car. That being said, I won't be filming in a car anytime soon because the risk and stress was too high.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

21st April - Sound Design Review

Isaac picture locked on the 20th and we were both happy with the cut. Tom M started the sound design and had many ideas. It was crucial that the sound design went hand in hand with Chloe’s dialogue.

In order to create a surrealist effect on the audience, we thought it was necessary that every time Chloe described something that she was dreaming, the sound design would convey a particular aspect of the dream to the audience. This way we were getting inside Chloe's mind and exactly what she was feeling.

For world building, Tom M composed a score that did exactly that. It is eerie, sombre and morbid which was what we were both after.

The hardest part for him was creating a sound design that nullified the engine of the car. The hum of the car was quite striking in the rushes and because of that almost none of the shot’s sound matched.

Therefore, Tom’s time was mostly taken up by trying to smooth out the dialogue and white noise coming from the car. Nevertheless he made the time to make a compelling sound design which I argue is one of the strongest aspects of the final film.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

10th April - Edit Review

I went into MAV for the first time to look at Isaac’s most recent edit. At this point, I had already seen a rough cut that Isaac had sent to me a couple of nights before.

It was very impressive how Isaac managed to create a cut with the footage he was given. The syncing alone will have taken ages as well as the fact that seeing the clapper on screen would have been difficult because of how dark the set was.

The cut that I saw at MAV was very good. I liked it straight away because it was not rushed and every shot had time to play through and had breathing room. However it had to be cut down because of time constraints.

It worked out perfectly that Isaac had total control over the edit because it gave him a space to implement creative decisions with the edit that I think worked best for the film. We were both on the same page on how the edit was going to bring everything together.

He created a cut that expressed emotion and tension which was difficult when you bear in mind the amount of time he had to invest into the edit to make something relatively cohesive.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

27th March - Shoot Day III

The final day of shooting. We started a bit later tonight as we only had 45 minutes with the actor for Jerry to get reaction shots. Then it was all about b-roll.

We filmed exterior locations within the car as it was moving and certain inserts that were needed to elevate the dialogue from the character of Chloe.

We were out in the car for only about an hour or so to get all the b-roll. To end the night we transferred all the video and sound files to two different drives for the editor to have a copy and backup copy. This took an hour.

It was a successful three days of shooting that was very stressful for me personally because I was constantly driving for hours for three nights straight. It was difficult at points to get the right lighting and camera angles but we managed to get through it.

I hope for the best for Isaac with the edit who I know will have a difficult task at hand. It is a dark looking film but Isaac is more than capable of putting together a good edit. I have so much faith in that man.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

26th March - Shoot Day II

Again the call time was 21.00, however we used the time before to look at the rushes from the previous night.

The dialogue sounded crisp with the lav mics and the shots were decent enough when the camera wasn’t shaking due to potholes. Lighting worked with what we were trying to achieve. Blue underlit lighting was meant to implement a sadistic and sinister tone to the setting in the film.

We set off again at the same time with Olivia and we met my father (the actor playing Jerry) for the first time. We had the same setup, except when he was driving the car, I hopped into the car with Tom A. I gave direction through the phone to Olivia and father after each take. I could hear everything they were saying through a phone call with Lachlan. We filmed the two actors' shots together for about an hour until the schedule said we had to move on.

Afterwards we went back to Merchiston Avenue to pick up the cameo actor (Saif Nasem) for the clown character to film his shots with Olivia for an hour also.

Then finally we went to the exterior location on Camus Avenue for the final scene. The weather was clear all night until we went outside where it started to drizzle with rain. We marched on and filmed anyway. We wrapped with Olivia at 01.30 that night.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

25th March - Shoot Day I

21.00 is what the call time for the crew was. However all the crew was there to start to set up before 20.30.

Lachlan needed time to set up the lights in the car to find the right colour and brightness to light the car. He also needed the time to set up the camera on the gimbal he was using to film with.

Tom M used the time to set up the LAV mic as well as the boom. Tom A was there just before shooting commenced. For the whole night he was in his own car staying behind us to monitor any traffic that could come our way.

Once Olivia arrived, I spent my time with her discussing anything she wanted to ask about the character or story or about the set. She was well prepared and knew all her lines.

We started the first take just after 10pm and ran through the whole script three times with two different angles from the camera. This is because we used today as shooting the two main ‘master’ shots that would implement the bulk of the dialogue. It was only Olivia on set.

The actor playing Jerry would be here tomorrow and the third day for b-roll. As well as that, the ext scene will be shot tomorrow as it requires both actors on set.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

24th March - Test Shoot

Lachlan and I met at Merchiston avenue at 10pm to drive the route with a camera to test shoot some of the shots in the shot list. He had Alix as a stand-in for Olivia.

Lachlan played with source lighting and natural lighting from outside the car. We experimented in what shots and angles could elevate the narrative.

It was also worked out where everyone would be situated in the car. Me the director in the driver’s seat, Lachlan operating the camera would be in the passenger seat, Olivia playing Chloe would be in the back seat diagonally from the driver’s seat and Tom M boom operating would be in the passenger seat next to Olivia. Lachlan and Tom would switch seats when Lachlan needed to change the angle of the camera.

The source lighting would be placed on the footrest between the back seats to create an underlit effect. Tom A would be in a car behind us to monitor the traffic and safety of our car.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

20th March - Rehearsal

Tom the producer and lachlan the dp and myself met with the actress at a study room in Merchiston Library for a rehearsal with the actress.

It was intentional that the actor playing Jerry was not present because I did not want there to be any familiarity or chemistry between the two actors.

Olivia came in full costume to prep for the role and we organised the seating arrangements like it would be in the car. We read through the script from start to finish three times.

In between rehearsing I would give direction on what line should be delivered in a certain way or through a certain emotion. However, the first read I gave no direction in order to see Olivia’s interpretation of Chloe.

Olivia had most of her lines learnt already which made the rehearsal very free-flowing and natural.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

15th March - Actress Meeting

A contact of Lachlan expressed interest in the lead role of our film so she sent us her showreel. I was impressed so Lachlan and I decided to set up a meeting at Lowdown Coffee shop.

Lachlan, Olivia and myself spent about an hour discussing the narrative of the film and the character of Chloe. As the director I gave her insightful context and background for her character and her motivations. Olivia asked a lot of questions and as we went on, the more excited she was to be a part of the project.

We also just talked about everyday things to get to know her more. I think it is very important to create a safe environment for people who you may be working with.

As a result of this meeting, she signed on to the artist agreement and we had found our lead. Olivia’s personality already resonated with the character she will be playing so it was quite an easy decision.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

12th March - Location Scout

Lachlan (dp), Tom A (prod) and I (dir) went on a location recce to work out the best possible route for all the int shots in the car as well as finding an ext location for the final scene.

It was decided that our starting point was to be Merchiston Avenue to end up at 42 Camus Avenue. Camus Avenue at Fairmilehead Park was to be our ext location for the last scene.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

27th February - Script Change

It was pointed out during our pitch that it was strictly prohibited to have an actor act whilst driving. Therefore, Isaac came up with a new and improved second draft of the script that completely opposed the narrative of the first draft of his screenplay.

The script was rewritten to have the character Chloe as the lead and the driver as a looming presence. Chloe’s perspective is how we see the story be told. She recollects her dreams and visions she has been having to who she thinks is her husband Jerry. However, what she is remembering is the events of her death. The driver is her husband Jerry who is meant to be a personification of death transporting her to the world of the dead. Isaac based this off O’Henry’s short story ‘From the Cabby’s Seat’ along with the Greek mythology ‘River Styx’.

The title ‘Sherbet’ is slang for cab. It derives from the cockney rhyming term, 'sherbet dab' (the sugary tooth-dissolving treat that you chow down with a lollipop).

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

Presentation Week

Overall our presentation (group 6) had a positive reception. We managed to achieve the 15 minute time-frame, we answered every question and we managed to make a lasting impression on our audience.

Our biggest consideration to think about was a note on logistics. The actual filming in the car. Of course we as a group knew this would come up and in preparation we have discussed in length various health and safety protocols that we will follow.

Another consideration we have to think about is the casting of the role of the driver Jerry. The reason for this is because the whole film is based on dialogue and a solo performance. Therefore, the weight and success of this film will be carried on the actor portraying this character.

Another point to make is that our working title ‘Sherbet’ has now became our film title. Sherbet is a word used to described a cab driver. It derives from the cockney slang sherbet dab. Dab rhymes with cab. That is the context and definition of our definitive title.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

Character templates for our driver.

Steve McQueen in Bullitt

Michael Caine in The Italian Job

Ryan O’Neal in The Driver

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

I am keeping this in mind for our adaptation of ‘From the Cabby’s Seat’.

Ethan.

#Youtube

[ethanbarkham]

Film Adaptation

First day back for Tri2 of 2ndYr. The main task was to assemble a group for the coming trimester. The group I will be working with consists of Tom Arnott (Producer), Isaac Sparks (Writer/Editor), Lachlan Cartwright Milloy (Cinematographer) and Tom Mikulin (Sound). I will be taking up the role of director.

So far Isaac and I have been regularly conversing to narrow down our options for what short story by O’Henry we will be adapting. The three ideas we have came to an agreement on are pictured below.

I am partial to ‘From the Cabby’s Seat’ because I argue the dp would have lots of opportunities to create some visuals that could aid the narrative. However I have faith in Isaac to make the correct decision on what short story would be best to adapt.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

Film Narrative 2 - Production Review

We arrived at CRL to pick up equipment for 10 in the morning. Director was about 20 minutes late. We had problems setting up the camera because the pieces to assemble the camera were not correct. However Ben the Equipment guy helped and resolved the problem. I was busy making sure the right gain on the MixPre3 were correct. I had to absolutely make sure I got this right. We shot the film in the chapel. If I got the sound wrong, it will ruin everything. I have learnt you can get away with poor image but you can't get away with poor sound. The chapel has a strong echo when recording sound. -20 db did the trick.

Once the camera, sound, lighting and actors arrived and rehearsed a bit we were ready to rock n roll. I had no trouble recording the sound. I had to accommodate to the actor's voice. I managed to cope with the actress as she naturally quite. We blocked all the scenes and made sure I knew what I was doing to follow the actors during the scenes and at the same time keep out of the shot.

It was a smooth shoot. No problems occurred. Once we wrapped. I recorded some room tone so I would have an easier job in sound design. I also recorded a few sound effects for authenticity for some noises.

We handed back the equipment right on time. No complaints on my part. I thought I done a good job of the sound recording.

Ethan.

[ethanbarkham]

Film Narrative 2

The second trimester is well under way. We are now into week 5. I am in a production group with Judy, Ciaran, Sean and Isla. A group chat was quickly set up by Ciaran so we could communicate easily to keep everyone in the loop on progress and meetings that are set up to discuss developing ideas and deadlines.

Everyone has contributed ideas for the narrative for our film 'Only for You'. The film is about two lovers still in school, however when jealousy gets the better of the guy, things take a turn for the worst, for both of them due to paranoia and trauma. When I was reading the first few drafts, I really enjoyed the idea of the girl having serious character development, she goes from one that you feel guilty for to someone you just can't stand the site of. Ciaran is a brilliant writer who knew exactly what he was doing and knew exactly what we wanted to get out of this kind of project. I am very excited to be a part of this.

The guidelines we have to follow for our film is that it has to be no more than two characters, filmed on location at CRL campus, no more than a duration of 3-4 minutes and there has to be an off-screen presence.

All the roles are set in stone now and I am glad I will be the editor and in charge of sound. I am very eager to try and understand the Avid editing software. I haven't got much experience editing, therefore I see this as my chance to take on a new role I haven't properly tried out before.

My personal next steps for progression for this project is to write up my first sound report. I will have to do my research in order to execute this task properly. However, I have no doubt I will enjoy the challenges ahead of me.

Ethan.