Production.
Trials/ Experimentation.
Clone Experimentation Using Final Cut Pro.
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This was our first attempt at creating a clone using Final Cut Pro. This is essential as it is one of the key moments in our teaser trailer and forms the basis for the majority of our film, story-line and plot. We filmed two separate shots- ensuring that the camera remained in the same position using a tripod to secure the camera and minimize movement. The first shot was of Nicole standing on the left side of the frame- facing forward at (what would soon be) another image of herself. Secondly, we filmed another shot of Nicole entering the frame from the right hand side, stopping, and raising her hand as if to touch her clone in wonderment. We then uploaded both of the clips onto Final Cut and overlapped the two pieces of footage, cropping the first so that the second shot of Nicole seemed to enter the first frame. A similar action to this will be used in our final teaser trailer as the main character sees himself in a glass containment unit and touches the glass in a moment of shock and awe. |
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This is our second (and more ambitious) attempt at experimenting with creating clones. We chose a slightly more ambitious task in an attempt to stretch ourselves and increase our editing abilities. Also, it helped us feel more confident about using the Final Cut software as well as the camera.
We chose to use a horizontal divide across the screen, rather than the same vertical one as before. To do this we filmed two shots; one of Caitlin sat on the table facing (what would soon be) herself on the floor, and a second shot of her lying on the floor and facing up- responding to the wave by waving back. We had to ensure that the camera remained perfectly still in both shots and none of the visible scenery was moved or adjusted even slightly as it would have distorted the whole image and the divide would have become apparent to the audience. After filming this we used Final Cut Pro to overlap the two shots before cropping the first and making both "Caitlins" visible in the frame. We did have to adjust the brightness and the hue on the second shot because the lighting seemed slightly brighter and therefore made it quite obvious that the two shots were different, however this was easily fixed and the outcome seems very successful as our second cloning experiment. |
Cloning Using The Green Screen.
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We decided to experiment with using the actual green screen that we have access to at school to try and create the scene in which the clone comes face to face with himself. We chose to try and do it this way because we were having difficulty finding a suitable location for this scene and therefore wanted to see if we could replicate a futuristic room where the clone was being 'bred'.
We copied the same process which we had previously done, in terms of filming two shots of the same person, then editing the two in Final Cut to give the impression that the clone is coming face-to-face with themself. However, this time we chose to take advantage of the green screen. To do this, we manipulated the lighting to make sure that the green background was bright enough to remove afterwards, then 'keyed' out the green which left us with two clear images of our actor against the chosen image for the background. However, one small factor that we overlooked when using the green room, was that we failed to notice that the plug sockets were not covered in green and therefore showed up clearly when the rest of the green was removed. We have decided not to use this technique because it is clearly unrealistic and scouting a real location would prove more visually pleasing. |
Voice-over Trials.
The voice-over is, perhaps, one of the most vital aspects to our teaser trailer; therefore making it an area in which we are unable to compromise. We needed the voice to have a certain feel of authority, without being cliché or too 'Hollywood'. It needed to have a gruff edge and assert a certain feel of dominance, power and importance.
To give us a real idea of how the voice-over would sound on the actual trailer, we recorded the voices of people whom we believed could sound the appropriate way when reading the appropriate script. To do this, we printed a few lines from 'Taken' (the same lines for each person made it easier for us to see which voice was most suited). We chose these lines because we believed that they portray the same mood/ atmosphere that we want our voice-over to create, as well as being the right length for us to really get to grips with how the individual voices work and sound on a recording. We asked the different people to read these lines into the recorder- we then gathered together and played back the recordings which we had collected, before eliminating the weaker ones and deciding which of the stronger ones would make for the best voice-over for our teaser trailer.
Here is the script which we had asked each of them to read as we recorded:
"I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you."
To give us a real idea of how the voice-over would sound on the actual trailer, we recorded the voices of people whom we believed could sound the appropriate way when reading the appropriate script. To do this, we printed a few lines from 'Taken' (the same lines for each person made it easier for us to see which voice was most suited). We chose these lines because we believed that they portray the same mood/ atmosphere that we want our voice-over to create, as well as being the right length for us to really get to grips with how the individual voices work and sound on a recording. We asked the different people to read these lines into the recorder- we then gathered together and played back the recordings which we had collected, before eliminating the weaker ones and deciding which of the stronger ones would make for the best voice-over for our teaser trailer.
Here is the script which we had asked each of them to read as we recorded:
"I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you."
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In the end, we had decided not to use the voiceover in our teaser trailer despite the effective sound of it individually. When we later tested it alongside our footage for our trailer, it didn't sound very good acompanied by the music and it was decided that the trailer seemed more effective with the simple dialogue used within the shots of footage themselves; it seemed a bit too much information to proccess with the voiceover and dialogue both on the trailer.
Props.
Test Tubes/ Lab Equipment.We required these props to really set the scene and make it clear to the audience that the man in the footage was a scientist; the test tubes with brightly coloured chemicals create an obvious indication as to who and what the scientist is.
These were also our first choice of props rather than other scientific equipment because these indicate that he is an experimental scientist and is using these test tubes to create/ test chemicals; adding to the idea that he is the man who creates the clones and is experienced in doing so. |
Torch.For the footage of our antagonist walking the corridors of CNT, we had decided that it would add a greater impact if he was using only a hand-held torch to see the names on the doors and to find his way around. This would also make the whole feel of the shots more mysterious and secretive; it implies that he is not supposed to be there as there are no main lights on.
Furthermore, this creates a sudden moment of tension when the antagonist comes across the clone and the lights come on; making the whole scene feel as though he has been found out or discovered. |
Lighting.
In order to create this particular shot, we wanted the source of light to focus on the protagonist. For this reason, we have turned off all the lights in the storage room which as a whole darkened the overall container. To place attention on his character, we have only used one source of light; a torch which was angled downwards at the protagonist who is further exposed as the camera moves closer. The blue tint which was created against the metallic surface of the container enabled us to form the desired colour scheme which as a whole helped to create a sci-fi setting that links with our chosen genre.
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As the scene leading up to this point of the trailer is filled with darkness and the protagonist holds the torch which is the only source of light presented; we have decided to carry this effect on as he enters the container. The torch helps him to focus the light on parts of the clone which subtly enables the audience to be introduced to this main idea of the storyline. As the lights are turned off and the torch gradually enables us to see the clone, the tension is able to suddenly increase which ends up in the clone himself becoming 'activated'. In order to fully expose his presence as soon as the actor looks up, we have switched on all the lights at that particular time in the storage room which as a result lit up the entire container.
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As we were filming in a science lab, we did not want to have any complex lighting used as the main focus of the scene was the dialogue between the two characters. However it was important for us to expose the characters of Nero Azariel and the scientist clearly to our audience, in order for our storyline to be fully understood. For this reason, we have used the natural lighting coming from the windows in the science lab which enabled us to lit the scene and the characters particularly well.
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In order to gain the build up of tension which leads up to the protagonist seeing his own clone, we have decided to presented the corridors as poorly lit. This enables us to convey a sense of mystery and at the same time increasing the suspense, thus engaging our audience and gaining their interest. As well as this, our main genre is sci-fi/ thriller and therefore in order to represent the part of thriller, we have decided to use the lighting style to help us to achieve a sense of unease within the audience watching it. For this reason, as the protagonist paces around the dark corridors, we have decided the torch to be the only source of light, exposing only the key parts such as the large number of doors as well as the corridor itself.
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In this particular shot, we have wanted to largely contrast the previous corridor scene which is only lit by a single torch. However as it was important for us to show the protagonist's reaction clearly after seeing his own clone in the container, the corridors were required to be well lit. In order to achieve this, we have used the lights which were provided to us in the storage room. As soon as the protagonist leaves the containers, we have immediately turned on all the lights and therefore we were able to achieve the desired lighting which exposes his sudden reaction.
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