Interviewing a Mentor: Graphic Design in the Real World

My kernitic text motion project - Audio source is from Seinfeld

Vixen Skate wear: Click to watch my Flash website intro page sample

Overview of the script: The 2 pathways

I had 2 concepts for my sort film. The first was to make a traditional sort film about the local heritage of Bath following the given brief to the line. The second script would essentially be 2 films in 1 and it would blend these two ideas together. This would be a real challenge, but ultimately more fun creative.

The film would begin as a traditional piece about the heritage of Bath until just under half way though, then a diversion to reveal an interesting sub-plot into some of the other fun things to you can do in Bath. This would be ‘where to find the best cocktail in Bath’ and who makes it? I went with the second idea. I thought it would be more interesting, humours and ultimately more entertaining for the audience.  It would also allow me to undertake a more diverse dialog with the public involved, framing of shots and ‘freeing-up’ the range of creative elements that I could incorporate as opposed to just producing a film about Bath and its heritage.

The overall story board would revolve around me following this rather transitional brief then suddenly, taking a whirl-wind diversion into a more rapid form of entertainment. This would be ‘my take’ on Bath and what it has to offer. In short; this means real fun, which means alcohol; which means cocktails. I investigate Bath searching for this experience. This would involved many twists and turns; including myself quite simply ‘getting it wrong,’ by walking into various venues, shops and restaurants and asking, “Do you make cocktails?”. This of course, would be done for comic effect and give an interesting twist of irony to the film. Then, after much searching, find myself in the establishment that is indeed housing the very man that can, will and does make the best cocktail that you had ever tasted.

Research:  What I did

There was 2 elements of reseasearch which I undertook for this film. Firstly, was to take a bus tour around Bath. I found to be very helpful and well worth the time. And even though I never really used any of the places of interest on the Bath bus tour, it did gave me a new perspective and appreciation on Bath. This in turn did benefit the work as I felt this feeling came through in some of the interviews. To further my research, I watched many kinds of historical and documentary styled videos on YouTube which I used as cross-reference material. This reminded me of the narrative of such films. Watching these rather formulated and conservative examples, gave me the idea to revolt and inspired the change of direction with in my film.

Permission for filming : Yes and No!

The film was set in different locations and needed props and a venue for the Pub scenes. I had to ask permission from Mr. Alan, MD of Bath Abby House Brewery and Abby Ales. Also, Mr. James Timothy the Assistant Manager at the Assembly Inn for his involvement in the film itself. Fortuity, they both accepted and I was able to film on this location 3 times respectively. Each time, filming for about an hour or so; even when James was working within the bar, which I liked as it gave a more organic feel to some of the scenes.  We utilised the bar itself and a few props: bar unities, bottles, cocktail equipment, pool table, soda sprayer and glasses.

Problems and alterations: What went wrong and how I had to re-edit my film

My entail introduction of the second half was to venture around various establishments and ask if they “Could make the perfect cocktail?” These selected places and venues were not bars or public houses, but merely shops, cafes, restaurants and other miscellaneous venues. This again, was done for comic effect and may have given another humorous element to the film. But this was not to be the case. Firstly, getting permission from some of these venues was not granted. Also, arranging a time slot to come in and film on a location e.g. shop floor or a local Restaurant was incredibly difficult. After many telephone calls and attempts to arrange a shoot at a local clothes shop, I was forced to abandon this entire scene. I also tried to film in a friends shop, but the manager refused on business grounds. After reviewing the captured footage that I had already filmed, I decided that this range of scenes was no longer needed and would also make the film far too long. In retrospect, I feel that I made the right decision as these scenes would not only put me over the time frame, but would indeed detract from the narrative of the film.

The Working Processes: What I did and how

I worked on this film about 2-3 days every week from 4/10/10 up to the present day to get the results that I wanted. I had already written the script and had a fairly good plan of what was required.  I walked into Bath City centre on my own; armed only with my HD camera, tripod, Canon 450 SLR and with the firm intention of getting the footage I required. Some people accepted and more refused. In the end, I managed to get 4 interviews that I knew where entertaining enough to stay in the final edit of the film. This would be more than adequate, as I wanted fun people that had confidence in front of the camera. In truth, I found that many people would suddenly become extremely camera shy and ‘freeze-up’ just as I was about about to place the equipment in front of them. I wanted individuals that could not only could talk with conviction and confidence, but people who I could interact with myself and would fire back with answers quickly even when put under a little pressure. I was also fortunate enough to grab an interview with local presenter, Mr. Jon Monie. Needless to say, he was perfect and truly added a funny, quirkiness to the film. He responded to my various challenges and cues with professionalism and seamless comedy class.

What roles and why? Lights, camera, action

James Timothy was the natural choice for the end lead-role as the crazy, manic and slightly off-the-rails cocktail bar tender. I have worked with JT before and have known him for many years. JT is also a very competent presenter and all around showman of his trade. He was a perfect fit for the role in every way. He not only delivered a highly informative and entertaining piece on ‘How to make the perfect cocktail’, but played alone with my direction and endless takes in the search for that comedy gold!

Groups and Individuals: Who and how?

All of the interviews were conducted by me. I would ask them a few questions which were already scripted, and then as they grew in conference, I would feed them various lines or the occasional joke or innuendo to see what their reaction would be. As I had already struck-up a rap-pore with interviewee, I knew how far I could push them and the situation. Some individuals were more receptive to the cue-lines and improvisation than others, but I felt the results came through in the end. There was no collaboration with any other group/s or member/s from the college or otherwise who assisted with myself on the completion of the project.

Filming techniques and post production : What applications and equipment did I use?

Equipment used for capturing this film: Sony HD motion camera, Tripod, Canon 450 SLR – still photography with speed flash. Equipment used for all post production: Adobe Premiere Pro CS5, Adobe Photoshop CS5, I DVD.

For the first section of the film, I was working towards a very structured and traditional historical effect, with the classical music, the slow frames, still jpg photography shots, long shots, panning and the simple conventional framing for the one-to-one interviews. Then, for the second part of the film, I went the other way entirely. The concept being one of speed, tight framing, fast panning, zoom shots and rapid cuts. Also incorporating various post production techniques such as; when the cocktail is being made, I wanted to give the effect of speed and motion. Whilst editing I therefore used many fast cuts, transitions and low camera angles to promote this media style. From one type of framing to another I felt that I managed to capture the elements of each filming method and presentational techniques to a fair degree.

Was the film a success? It’s in the can baby!

I tried to do something different. I was given a very mainstream brief which could have lent towards a very linear and mainstream brief. What I tried to active, was to take a very traditional formula of a typical local history and heritage film and blend it with a more contemporary sub-plot using humor and an entertaining sub-culture of today. In doing so, I had in fact made two sort films. Now the real challenge was, how should I blend these two pieces together whilst maintaining the films fluidity and keeping within the time constructs. I toke a seemly very mainstream topic (if you are not into films of culture heritage films that is)!  And tried to give the text a unique twist; whilst maintaining an undercurrent of humor which lent itself to almost every element of the film, from the introduction and interviews and onwards to the conclusion itself. This in turn; I felt, gave yet another element and a more in-depth range to the finished film and as a result a more creative, interesting and entertaining project.

Location list

Milson Street (film)

Enzo’s Chip shop (cut from film)

Assembly Inn (film)

The Roman Baths (photography set)

The Circus (photography set)

The Abbey (photography set)

Production Diary

Brainstormed ideas for my film — 10/10/10

Began writing the script — 13/10/10

Finished script — 18/10/10

Made various phone calls to ask permission to film on locations — 20/10/10

Re-wrote the script — 23/10/10

Re-wrote the introduction of the script — 25/10/10

Made more phone calls to re-confirm times and days of filming for locations and actors — 28/10/10

Filmed the end ‘How to make the best Cocktail’ with James Timothy – 7/01/11

Re-filmed fill in scenes with James Timothy – 9/01/11

Filmed at Enzo’s Chip shop & Interviewed Jon Monie & guy in chair — 11/01/11 

Filmed at the Assembly Inn – Interviewed Alan Morgan, Andy Brook, the cook — 13/01/11

Filmed at the Assembly Inn – Re-filmed end scene and fill in clips for ‘How to make the perfect cocktail’ — 14/01/11

Re-wrote parts of the script & cut out Enzo’s chip shop scene — 15/01/11

Filmed fill-in scenes in city centre — 17/01/11

Wrote voice over for film / did the VO for film — 18/01/11

Re did VO for film — 19/01/11

Re did introduction of Film – 20/01/11

Cut Chop shop scene from the film and re-edited film (parts) — 21/01/11

Re edited film (parts) — 22/01/11

Re did of the VO (parts) — 23/01/11

Re edited film (parts) — 24/01/11

Our 48 hour film challenge production.