Production Day gave us the opportunity to use and experiment with any film equipment available in order to produce shots we would like to include in our music video.
As my idea for my music video is largely a montage of transitions and different camera types, I wanted to experiment with a range of shot types and cameras.
As for the editing of the demo reel, I used the backing track of the song I will be using, that being 'Whats My Age Again?' by blink-182. During production day, I even shot some b-roll with intention of doing dynamic transitions in my reel, as seen in the computer and fisheye transitions.
The main alternative camera I wanted to experiment with was the Fujifilm XT-5, largely due to its film replication software. this would enable my film to achieve a nostalgic grain and colour palette without having to go through the hassle of editing it on outside software such as DaVinci resolve. I had access to the camera through a friend. As primarily photography camera, its filming capability was less sophisticated. In general, the cameras automatic functions such as autofocus and exposure were tricky to navigate, requiring manual adjustment. In addition to this, the camera is super sensitive to light. All this adjustment would not be economical during filming as my film has multiple shots. Though I will not be using this camera in my final film, when it did work, the shots were beautifully coloured and achieved the perfect nostalgic feeling.
In addition to using alternative cameras, I wanted to make use of multiple types of lenses, the first of which being a fisheye lens. This was not my first time using a fisheye, as a relatively straightforward piece of hardware, however was the first time it was used extensively. Though the fisheye achieves the perfect wide angle, it does however includes the hand or arm of the cameraman unless strategically placed. I will figure out a way to work around this minor problem as I do want quite a few fisheye shots in my film.
The other lens I wanted to experiment with, which i had never used before, was a macro lens. I wanted my open series of shots to be a gradual zoom out of the human body, so the use of a macro lens, which allows for extremely sharp, close up shots would be extremely useful. Though not particularly difficult to use, the macro lens took a bit of time to understand, especially with respect to focus. I successfully attained the close up shots of a mouth and eye
The gimbal, a heavy piece of tech which required an app, was the piece of equipment I was most intimidated by. In addition to this, we were facing technical difficulties which only prolonged the filming process. However, with aid from the internet and film technicians, I was able to learn how to create a 360 degree rotation shot with the DJI Ronin. As the shot I wanted to achieve was dynamic and involved me moving backwards, the weight of the gimbal made it very difficult. Despite this, I recognise this was my first time using a gimbal and it was a very successful first attempt, and will be utilised in my film.
Overall, I achieved the bulk of shots I wanted. most importantly being the spinning gimbal and fisheye lens. However it was very tiring and taxing, especially when faced with numerous technical difficulties, leaving me and my group unable and unwilling to go off campus for further shoots.
This process has revealed to me how difficult maintaining consistency with light and focus across multiple cameras and lenses. This is something that will need working on as my plan to use multiple mediums still stands.
I would consider my Year 13 production day to be very successful as I will be using most of the newly acquired knowledge and techniques with hardware in my music video.
