LO3: Production Materials
Equipment Used, pre production materials used and legal
For the filming of my promotional video/trailer, I used a Canon 2000D which I and other crew members used in both freehand for shots such as close ups or any panning/tracking shots that required an extensive use of movement (i.e. vertical movement). I also used a tripod for wide shots, some panning shots and medium shots where little movement from the camera was required (i.e. moving left and right). This therefore, allowed for an extensive amount of movement and shot types during the production process.
Furthermore, we used many props during the trailer's development to try and denote the conventions of fantasy media such as a d20 dice, rolling mat, (prop) knives, wooden staffs/sticks, a 'spell-book' and potions. These would add to the general immersion of this being a fantasy world with conventions from pre-existing fantasy media such as Dungeons & Dragons.
Throughout the production of my trailer, I used my storyboard. As stated below some of my shots did change so that the audience got to see more of the setting and what was happening within the story, I also used my risk assessment to make sure the safety of my cast and crew was carried out correctly (I elaborate on this below) as we were filming outside there was a lot more risks such as weather and environmental objects such as branches and trees. Because my trailer is an action/fantasy film I wanted to use my props as a key way to show the genre such as weapons and costumes. I also made sure that to add a comedy element key dialogue was used in this, editing in post production will also coincide with this.
This wide shot changed slightly, primarily in its orientation of cast members; originally planned as a static shot, in filming this became a panning shot between Salazar and the two other members fighting one another. Otherwise the rest of the shot is the same as what was planned on the storyboard: medium close-up of Salazar and a wide shot of the other two fighting. The reason for this change was to emphasize the comedy sub-genre which the trailer takes through having the focal point of the shot, what was intended to be Salazar and the adventurers fighting, to the adventurers taking over the shot entirely as it focuses on them. Within conventions of a trailer, this helps to convey the kind of catharsis other comedy, fantasy/adventure promotional videos have achieved (e.g. Monty Python & The Holy Grail or Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves).
Based off the risk assessment, potential dangers in filming this shot would be tripping and potentially hurting someone with the prop knife however, we were able to avoid any injuries or possible risks through being careful with equipment and how the actors moved through the scene.
In comparison to the storyboard, this scene remained unchanged other than a few edits to the costume. Camera angle and shot type (high, medium close-up) remained consistent. The reasoning behind this shot type was to create connotations of Salazar standing over the thief whilst insulting him to fit further within conventions of a comedy trailer; being a short scene that conveys the character's relationships.
Risks were minimal in this scene with the only potential danger being dropping equipment and hurting someone with the 'lock picking equipment' however, both of these were avoided through being careful with the equipment and props.
This shot didn't differ from what was planned: a medium close-up of the wizard washing his face and turning around from some shouting outside. In editing however, the voiceover announces the 'Evil Wizard' with additional reverb to give the antagonist's introduction more enigma. However, in-keeping with the comedy sub-genre, I wanted the denotations of this 'evil' wizard just washing his face to create a juxtaposition between what Salazar is saying and what is actually happening. This therefore, fits within the conventions of a trailer as it introduces the antagonist and the tone/premise for what their character is going to be like in the rest of the film.
Risks were again minimal however, a potential hazard could've been water on the bathroom floor where this scene was filmed, leading to a trip and possible serious injury if the actor or cameraman landed on a hard object (i.e. the sink). This was avoided by ensuring the floor was dry before filming and standing on a bath-mat.
This scene was similar to the original storyboard with the only slight difference being the pose of the warlock when holding the staff/stick to strike his enemy. An action match then conveys the conventions of an adventure through representing some kind of conflict/combat; the fantasy costumes furthering this by representation of the fantasy genre too. As a trailer this action match would denote the trailer as such genres. The expression the adversary combatant makes when defeated was also done to further comedy through over-exaggeration.
Potential risks in this scene included accidentally hitting or poking someone with a stick causing injury or damaging equipment. This was avoided through being careful with the props.
This scene was changed slightly to become a wide shot of all the cast rather than a medium close-up of Salazar looking toward the camera; the shot of the dice being moved was also changed to be a cut after Salazar moves it to highlight what he'd done. This shot follows the conventions of the fantasy genre by way of denoting fantasy equipment (a 20-sided dice). Through editing the incidental music to cut when Salazar comes into frame, this also furthered the sub-genre of comedy. The effect of this as a trailer follows conventions set other trailers of the same genres: the use of 4th wall breaking seen in the trailer for Monty Python & The Holy Grail.
Potential risks in this scene included accidentally hitting or poking someone with a stick causing injury or damaging equipment. This was avoided through being careful with the props.
This shot was changed to include less characters (due to lack of cast) however, the subject and shot type remained the same (high angle two-shot). The reason for this was entirely out of feasibility and lack of cast however, the use of a two-shot instead gave the impression of a duel which fits the conventions of Fantasy/Adventure somewhat more successfully. The short cuts between parts of this duel also leave out detail which is conventional of a short trailer.
A potential risk would've come from the prop knife and stick/staff in accidentally hitting someone with them or tripping when getting into position to film on the uneven terrain, causing injury and damaging equipment.
Similarly to the previous shot, this one was only slightly changed to include less characters (due to lack of cast). Otherwise, the shot type (wide two-shot) remained the same. This continued the denotation of a duel (something typical of the past, a time period most fantasy media uses) and the exaggeration of the high-angle over the defeated thief helps to further the comedy portrayal of the fantasy genre in the scene.
Risks would include dropping the prop staff (especially onto the actor on the floor) causing injury or falling due to the uneven terrain; this would also potentially damage equipment if caught during the fall.
These shots remained unchanged and followed the same structure as the storyboard. Shot-reverse-shot structure translated into the filming stage with a juxtaposing high and low angle between the protagonists and antagonist. This creates a binary-opposition which informs the audience of the relationship between the protagonists and antagonist within the trailer through a concise sequence of juxtaposing shot-types.
A potential risk in the first shot (of the three protagonists) could've been cars or passers by either taking equipment when it was out of use or driving into it. Within the second shot of the wizard, a potential (but unlikely) risk could've been the actor falling out the window therefore, leading to serious injury. This was all avoided however, by keeping equipment in a safe and monitored space and being careful around the window.
Comparison to Production Schedule
My production schedule was successful in its role through planning when filming dates and other pre-production materials (like call sheets and risk assessments seen below) would be produced as well as editing times to create a clear understanding/timeline for the trailer's production. This is evidenced by the fact that filming was successful due to the pre-planned dates/schedule and editing. This therefore, resulted in no issues or necessary changes to production from pre-planned documentation.
Comparison to Call Sheet
My call sheet allowed me to organise when and where staff/crew would be on-set for each scene of the trailer: the comparison below shows the planning and crew following the planning. This conveys how the call sheet was successful in planning filming dates with the involved production members. This therefore, resulted in no issues or necessary changes to production from pre-planned documentation.
Call Sheet
Second Meet Date/Time: Saturday, 6th April 2024
Meet Location: Weston Park Sheffield
Director: Oliver Clements
Camera Person: Carlos Ionescu
Sound Person: Wojciech Kowalski
Assistants/Runners: Wojciech Kowalski
Make up/ Hair artist: Oliver Clements
Actors: Oliver Clements, Carlos Ionescu, Dumitru Alexandrei, Wojciech Kowalski
Comparison to Risk Assessment
In my risk assessment, I highlighted some issues like falling due to uneven surfaces in rural areas and the use of a prop knife during filming however, this issue was avoided as we now have a final product with all crew members and equipment unscathed. Other issues like poor weather were avoided by rescheduling filming dates to predicted better weather.
One issue however, which went against the risk assessment, was a member falling which I documented as an exemplary warning for how to avoid this issue in the future.
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