CCR: How Did You Integrate Technologies? (Planning)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. This post is a plan for the CCR (Closed Camera Review). Let's begin.

Context:

After researching—and using—the Blackmagic camera (previous post), I realized it was time to plan the CCRs with the things I've done so far. Later, I could add more elements or experiences.

To answer the question 'How Did You Integrate Technologies?' I first need to have an idea of ​​what I'm going to include. This constitutes the tangible (hardware) and intangible (software) parts.

Hardware vs. Software:

Capture Hardware:

For this category, I used the tripod and tripod adapter, as well as the CD lens, a light for the adapter, and its respective charger. I also used the director's cell phone.

Production Software:

Blackmagic camera (mainly) to record the film's opening.

The regular iPhone Camera App to take behind-the-scenes photos.

How do I plan to answer this question?

I've already seen many past CCR blog posts (from previous students) answering this question. I've noticed that this is the question they always answer most simply because it's relatively the easiest. It's also the question they answer using the simplest method.

My main idea is to answer it in a comic strip style. Each element I use (hardware and software) would be a character. I'd have a simple story that introduces the characters and shows their use in our production. Something like a superhero comic. For example: the tripod's powers would be changing size like Ant-Man and having the strength to stabilize things like the Titan Atlas.

Example of a comic with deanimated objects

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this collection of thoughts.

-Dragorite

Recording an improvised coverage shot (implementation)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, I'll be discussing filming improvised sequences from a cinematographer's perspective. Let's begin.

Context:

As I mentioned before, we're filming our opening sequence in the school's media center. The problem is that it's an unsafe location, as it's not always available. In fact, we can only go during fourth period (study hall) on green days. This is because we have complicated schedules and can only be there after school on very specific days (when there's club).

Recently, the travel and tourism events began. Now the media center is more in demand than ever. This past week was packed with events, right during fourth period.

Since we were filming scene 1—which is in the back of the media center—we didn't have many problems, but there were a few, like these, that we managed to overcome:

Disorganized materials: The Travel crew left a lot of things in disarray, but we used it for mise-en-scène.

Interruptions: We were interrupted constantly, with people opening doors and things like that. But we used it to take a break or reshoot that take.

The problem:

The librarian thought we were the ones who left the mess and that we probably wouldn't be able to film there again. The issue is that we're short on footage, we need to finish scene 1, and film scenes 3 and 4. Also, the actor from scene 1 wasn't available that day.

The solution:

While we waited, our director had an idea: to film some coverage shots. This coverage shot was for the beginning of scene 1. In the script, there was a shot of the boy running before reaching the library, but we discarded it. We used that idea to include it in the scene, but since the actor wasn't there, we had to convert that tracking shot into a POV.

The challenge:

For this shot, I (the cinematographer) had to simulate jumping off a fence and running. All this while simulating the height of the actor (Sebastian) - 5'11" - while I'm 5'4". Compensating for a 20cm height difference wasn't easy. Basically, I had to jump and run with the camera mounted on the tripod with my arms outstretched. It was a difficult shot to film, to be honest. My director usually tells me the camera has to be steady, but this time he said no, so it was weird to film (since you never know how shaky enough is).

Coverage Shot take 3

Takeaway:

Definitely not everything goes as planned; the difference is how you approach it. We chose to improvise instead of staying still. For example: the mess, the change of location, and the interruptions.

Eligiendo lentes para la produccion (Planning)

Hello reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, I'll be choosing lenses to use in our production. This is part 1.

First,

Why are lenses important?

I watched this video to help me answer this question:

According to the video, lenses create mood, can alter the viewer's perspective, and change how the audience perceives space, depth, and emotions.

After this brief introduction,

Context:

*Disclaimer* These memories may not be exact since remembering isn't like replaying a movie, but rather like reconstructing a memory.

In class, our director was checking the equipment because we needed to charge the light for our film opening—since we would be filming that day. I remember asking the professor about lenses. In our previous production, I had already looked at lenses, but we never used them. This time (now with more information), we realized they would be useful for our production.

This leads to the question:

Why would lenses be useful for our production?

After being at the media center (location), I noticed the lighting looked strange. I tried several lenses.

Elements of the mise en scene (Implementation)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, I'll be talking about the mise-en-scène for our film opening. Let's begin.

Context:

The second scene takes place in the main part of the Media Center. Although there are already several things there for our mise-en-scène (library items, and even free extras), we also need to create some prompts necessary for the plot.

What do we need for scene 2?

Since scene two is about Maria M., a frustrated artist, one of the most important things for the mise-en-scène is artwork, pencils, paper, and even books.

Since we didn't have any artwork, creating it ourselves would take a lot of time. I'm in art class, so I thought of asking the teacher if she could borrow some drawings and artwork. She gave me two folders with artwork from students who had left the school, so we had creative freedom to use them however we wanted.

*photos*

Meanings behind the mise-en-scène:

Our editor had the brilliant idea of ​​using colorful things for scene 2 and colorless things for scene 3. This is because there's a change in the character after finding the book. After using the book, the character loses their creativity. This is reflected in the lack of color in the mise-en-scène and the book's illustration.

Making the book for our film (planning)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, I'll be talking about the process of creating the book. Let's begin.

First,

Why is the book important?

As I mentioned in previous posts, our film opening is a causal agent. In this case, the causal agent is the book. This means that the book is a crucial object for the plot since it has significant implications for the story.

Context:

In class, my team and I were discussing props for the mise-en-scène. I suggested I make the book, since I had the materials at home and already had an idea of ​​how to do it. At first, I thought about making a book from scratch, using a large cardboard box, papier-mâché, glue, and paint. Since the goal was for the book to be unusual, the idea of ​​a large, sturdy book seemed good.

When I got home and started working on it, I realized it would take longer than I thought. I changed my plans and told my team. I decided it was better to make a new cover or cover an existing book.

I used a book I already had at home, covered it, and got to work adding the details.

the covered book

Ideas:

Our director had a clear idea of ​​what the book would be like. The initials of the book's title should form AI, for Artificial Intelligence. This had connotative meanings for the plot. But we didn't want to call the book that, since it was related to art.

We had to choose between two names: Artificial Irridissence and Artificial Ink (my suggestion). In the end, we went with Artificial Ink, which was shorter and easier to spell—by the way, the idea came from the scene in the movie 'Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo' where the artist paints figures that come to life with ink.

Color:

The book had to be simple and unusual, so we decided it would be a dark color or black.

Other details:

The book wouldn't have an author, but it would have an illustration on the cover. The illustration would also have connotative meanings.

I had creative freedom for the illustration; these are the meanings:

The image shows a light bulb. The most famous symbol to represent an idea is that of a light bulb, since it was a very ingenious and revolutionary invention. In this case, it's broken, which implies a lack of authenticity. The brain also represents ideas, but more like "fuel." Then there's the bouncing beam of light, like an inverted prism. This represents the illusion of creative ideas that actually bounce off as empty ideas, without substance.

Final results:

cover

Side

Takeaways:

Often, less is more. Especially in our film opening, when you're up against the clock. For example: a shorter title, fewer words, less color, and a simple illustration that tells a story.

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this collection of thoughts.

-Dragorite

Measurements (Planning)

Hello reader. Welcome to my blog. This post will be about the measurements of the location where we'll be filming, mainly for scene 1.

First,

Why are measurements important?

Although it may seem insignificant, we need measurements for many things. Since we're filming primarily in the school's Media Center, we have limited space. So we need measurements to organize ourselves properly, prepare the mise-en-scène, and arrange the actors and other elements.

Context:

For scene one, we'll be using the back of the Media Center. It's a narrow space. Also, one of the actors we cast (Sebastian) is a very tall boy. We needed to know how tall he would be compared to the bookshelves. Also, for the book—Causal Agent, an important prompt for the plot—I needed to know how big each shelf was so it would fit—and also to have a comparison with the size of the other books.

Taking the measurements: 

 

Technology Using (Research)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, I'll be researching the Blackmagic Camera App. I'll be looking into its technical capabilities and planning how to integrate it into my production to achieve a cinematic look. I will also include the other technical cinematographic elements that I will be using. Let's begin.

First,

What is the Blackmagic Camera App?

The Blackmagic Camera App is a professional manual control application that brings the interface and internal processing of high-end digital cinema cameras to a smartphone.

Key Features I'm Researching:

According to the main page of the Blackmagic Camera Website

Manual Control: Full authority over ISO, shutter angle, white balance, and tint.

Monitoring Tools: Professional overlays like focus peaking, zebras, and false color.Why use this app for our production?

Color Grading Flexibility: By shooting in a log profile, we retain more dynamic range.

Consistency: It allows us to lock settings so the auto-exposure doesn't ruin a take.

Cinematic Feel: We can set a specific shutter angle to maintain natural motion blur.

Some of the features Blackmagic offers:

Zoom Control Feature

Auto Exposure Feature

Touch to Focus Feature

ISO

Hardware:

Tripod

Tripod adapter

CD lens 

Light (for the adapter)

Director's cell phone