Major Project: The Shoot

Double Exposure was shot over a combined total of 7 days, excluding re-shoots, which consisted of two half days. As director it was my responsibility to ensure the production ran smoothly, I collaborated with every member from producer and cast to make-up and runners. The shoot ran into a few errors and there were issues that we knew prior we would run into, such as daylight.

The breakdown of my role within the week was as followed:

Day 1

• Arrived to shoot early to assist with set dressing and preparations.
• Welcomed Cast and Crew before introducing them to the set.
• Began by running through the shooting schedule for the day and reminding myself of the shot list and storyboard.
• Filming was postponed as the sound recorder discovered an issue with the microphone and cable, despite previous checks and practices with the equipment. This resulted in time and daylight being lost as a new microphone was sourced. Upon arrival the noise and distortion from the microphone was less but still prominent. As a large portion of the day was lost we could not afford to lose any further time so I called for filming to commence.
• While the replacement microphone was being sourced I had the Director of Photography begin filming pickups and shots that did not require actors, while I began blocking for the first scene with the actors.
• Also during this time I called for the actors to go into make-up and the costume department to provide their first outfits.
• While I was blocking, the DOP and sound recorder would set up so that once I was finished with the actors we were ready to film the very first rehearsal. I made sure to capture the first take as this can be the fresh/best take, depending on the performance and direction.
• We attempted a drone shot in the beginning, however the drone would not work due to difficult to connect to GPS. This was a shame however did not worry us as later on in production we were able to achieve a more effective opening shot.
• We had planned on filming 3 daylight scenes during the day but due postponement, we were only able to completely finish 1. Shots were missing from the other scenes which was flagged by our editor during dailies. This was a poor first day and I knew the rest of the days had to improve significantly in order for us to finish the film.

In conclusion, the first day was a poor start to our production. I discussed with the production team that we could not afford another day like this otherwise we would risk overrunning our production period. The shots we had got were good, however we had missed a large number of shots due to rushing to film before the daylight disappeared. I knew that the next day had to improve as the first was a harsh but important lesson on the importance of time management and completing scenes. Time would have been better spent shooting two effective scenes rather than rushing three.

Day 2

• I arrived early to run through the list of scenes to be filmed on the day, also reading through feedback from our editor, detailing what shots were still required to shoot. The comments mainly stated that we needed more coverage, something that I had suspected at the end of the day. I ensured through the next days that detailed coverage was achieved.
• The shoot followed the same practice as the prior day, allowing us to achieve 4 scenes out of the required 5. Even though a scene was missed, certain scenes took priority as it was the last day our actress Gabby was on set, so we had to ensure all of her parts had been covered.
• The second day was much more thorough, the shoot proceeded as planned and close collaboration with our cast and crew was maintained as I kept the production moving.
• We were able to achieve effective scenes through detailed coverage.

Overall the second day of filming was more effective than the first. The cast were perfoming well and the filming crew along with the make-up and costume department were working in tandem and to a professional standard. I was very impressed with the mood and effort from the entire production team.

Day 3

• This filming day was one of our longest so far. We had the huge task of filming 8 scenes in one day. I did not allow this to disrupt my work flow, I focused at each performance, each shot and each scene at a time focusing on attention to detail and ensuring everything we did was correct and that I was content that it fit within the film.
• We finished all 8 scenes.
• Our Producer would remind me of the time remaining, of whom I would ensure we were sticking to schedule.
• The cast and I collaborated consistently and they were able to produce fatastic performances. Our DOP was producing some fantastic shots and our crew each performed their roles to a professional standard. This allowed us to work effectively and stick to time.
• Filming on this day did not commence until very late, due to night shooting, however, with the actors agreement, we continued to work on. The actors were keen to continue, as was I and I assured our producer of this.
• Our editor provided us with feedback from the previous day informing us of a few required shots which we were also able to achieve. She noted our improvement in coverage and the standard of the work we were producing, which was a huge boost to our moral.
• One scene that required more work was the death of Dan. We shot this and while shooting we were running out of time with daylight. For this we roughly shot and blocked out the action, aware that we would need to re-shoot. This provided time for our editor to highlight what we were missing.

Day 3 was a moral boost for the crew. Other than a few issues the day was a success, making good progress we went into the next day. Although the production team were tired, due to the long days, we were making good ground and I tried to make sure get proper sleep to start each day as fresh as possible and ready.

Day 4

• On the fourth and final full day of filming we needed to film 6 scenes.
• The Editor provided us with feedback on the event before, highlighting the death of Dan scene, with suggestions and what we still required.
• Our production team was in a rhythm and routine by this point. While I let the make-up artist and costume designer know of the scene we were about to shoot, the crew would get equipment ready. I would then block the scene with the actors while the crew would presume with final tests, the DOP would conduct white balancing and camera set up so that upon my go, we were ready. The Producer would inform me of time and the schedule. This was the general set up of each day, demonstrating the professionalism on shoot.
• We re-shot the death of Dan scene and through collaboration from the editor, actors and DOP we were able to achieve a convincing and effective death of Dan. This is something I was proud of as it highlighted the teamwork and collaboration of the production team.
• We filmed all 6 scenes.

Even though the amount of scenes we had to shoot in the final days was a tall order, I believe that this was a testament to the cast and crew who collaborated fantastically, in order to finish on time. I ensured during to focus on each thing at a time remembering the poor first day as an example to not get overwhelmed by time constraints.

Day 5

• On the Friday we were scheduled to finish at 12pm due to location constraints so we had only 2 short scenes to film, as to not run over.
• Our editor informed us of no required re-shoots, also confirmation that the death of Dan was now very effective which filled me with confidence for the final day.
• Once more the production team collaborated professionally and effectively to complete the required 2 scenes.
• Once all filming at the house location came to a conclusion I assisted with de-rigging and deconstructing the set. Assisting with the moving of equipment and thanking actors and crew for their help.

Filming at the house location overall was a success. A shaky start which, through collaboration and hard work, resulted in a great deal of good coverage.

Day 6

• Day 6 consisted of a short but very detailed scene within a coffee shop.
• As before, while I blocked out the scene with the actor the DOP and Producer (acting sound recorder) set up equipment to be ready on my call.
• Even though this day of filming was shorter, the level of detail was just as high. The rhythm I was in as director reflected my performance on the last days of shooting, focusing on each detail at a time.
• I was meticulous and obsessive with framing as during this scene I was looking to reflect her calm and controlled emotions. This simple yet key moment had to be carefully blocked and framed to achieve the desired effect. My aesthetic research into Stanley Kubrick and Wes Anderson came into play during this scene. As can be seen below:

Day 6 ran smoothly, my attention to detail with framing and collaboration with the DOP during this stage is something I am proud with as it has created one of my favourite moments in the film.

Day 7

• The final day of shooting was for the hill scene.
• Once more I commenced blocking with the actor, in the mean time our DOP and Producer (acting sound recorder) set up equipment.
• Although the day was cold, I did not rush or commence filming, like other days, until I was totally happy with what we shot. I focused my attention once more to performance, framing and fine details as to ensure the scene flowed and worked.
• The team collaborated well and we concluded the shoot on a high.

The final day of shooting was effective. We shot everything we needed and we collaborated well to achieve great visuals.

Critical Reflection of Shoot

My critical reflection of the shoot was overall a positive one. I feel that I effectively performed the role of Director to a professional standard. While the first day was a poor start to the shoot, it set an example of what not to do. Each day following this was an improvement and allowed us to achieve a visually great film.

Unfortunately, the sound recording was a huge mark on the films professional film. It is something that was and is very frustrating, however given our budget and student status, it stands as a prominent reminder for a professional sound recorder with professional equipment.

Collaboration on set was one of our strongest points. The whole production team worked together better than could be asked and the success of the film is a representation to all of the teams hard work.

In conclusion, I feel this project has provided me with valuable experience directing. Something that I not only thrived in but enjoyed. Although I still can improve, I feel it is a great thing that I understand where I can improve and that it has only reinforced my desire to be a Director.