Production Diary

Pre -production 
After I got into a group of three, we debated which script, out of the three chosen, we would use to create our ten minute short film. While we thought of using the script written by someone in the group, it was decided  that this would not be feasible during our time frame and for other logistical reasons, such as having to learn how to create the effects for the specific production.
Therefore, we decided to use a screenplay for a horror short written by another member of the class because it would be less time consuming in post production and it would only need one location.

We also had to think about and plan our effects especially, how to obtain the effect of a dead body which was resolved by using a CPR mannequin. During this stage, we had most of the props required, e.g mobile phones and some food but also had to produce certain props, eg modified newspaper clippings and we created a sign for the child's room.

Part of the pre production was deciding on a location which didn't prove hard because I offered the group the use of my house for the duration of the production with the agreement of my parents. This was done on the logistics of time and distance from college to location being under half an hour. This made it more cost effective than hiring a location.

The hardest part of the planning was creating the story boards as each member of the group was in charge of a third of the script and therefore we had to think of ways to make them join up and not look like 3 different sequences. To do this we, divided the script into 3 sections; beginning, middle and end and then planned in such a way that the first shot of someone else's sequence is an exact follow up action wise of the end of the previous one.

Casting was easy because we are using members of our group as actors but we had to decide who would take which character. Characters were given but changed due to deciding using different people worked better in differing characters; eg the dad needed to be an older figure.

It was decided that we would each direct and film our section of the script except for one member as he is needed on screen for all the production. It was decided that I would not act at all, but directing my sequence and supporting the other sequences when required.

Planning the timing of filming was done by looking at our timetables and deciding to go out to location during the days when we all have the same free periods and could use the time most effectively. As we do not drive this needs to include lunchtimes as well as class-time as appropriate to make the best of the filming time.
Production
Filming was the hardest part of the production. This was cased by the fact that we had to adapt to cramped space of the location . This caused to work over time with wanted group deadlines .  Which caused to hurry the filming and therefore did not get enough coverage.

Another problem we had was consistency of light, This was caused by changes in the whether, we tried to control this by using the blinds and blankets to control the levels of light entering the room. While this had   worked to some extent the control of light wasn't perfect as natural light bled through. We will be looking to improve this in post production by

Post production

Post was production  by far the easiest of the stages.  Editing wise the seququce was divide in into three meaning that we could work on the final project at faster pace  and therefore finish it faster. However this brought back by the lighting problem , which caused our footage to greatly differ on color tones . This caused us to take a lot of time  from editing to find the right balance of right in order create a fore fluid scenes.