Although it was still very cold, we had to carry on with the production and go out and film. It was around 15 or 16 degrees at the day, so we were all freezing, especially poor Grace in her dress. This footage better be good.

This time, we needed another model/actor, to portrait the main male character. After considering quite a few potential candidates, we decided to ask Kenneth, who we found really suitable for the part. Luckily for us, he agreed to help us out and come to the beach at 8 in the morning. Thank you, Kenneth, you are the best!

The filming process went well, we shot all necessary cutaways and narrative fragments, and were done by 10 am. We already were much more comfortable using the equipment and adjusting the settings, so the process felt easier and more relaxed. Except for the part where we were all freezing and had to run around and jump to warm up.

Unfortunately, we have to delay the filming. In order to catch the right lighting and to avoid crowds, we have to start filming at St Kilda beach at 5:30 in the morning, plus  Grace has to run around in a short summer dress. So, since the temperature has dropped to 12 degrees at night, it is not possible to do it. I like Grace too much to do that to her. So, for now, we are waiting for a more or less warm day.

After we started editing, it became clear that the green screen videos and beach videos don’t go together. The soft, natural, romantic shots from the dawning beach are too different from bold, fierce shots from the studio. Plus, I’ll have to admit, we couldn’t handle the three-point lighting after all: it looks yellow-ish and overexposed.

So, after discovering that striking difference between two sequences we were presented with a choice: try and make them work together or focus on just one part? After some debating, it was decided to only keep the beach segment and expand it by adding a hinted narrative. Although it was sad to leave all the green screen footage unused, Grace and I both agreed that it would be the best.

For now, we started changing the storyboard and editing what we already have. The date of filming the rest is yet to be set.

Here are some shots we took during the green screen filming.

The Second part of the filming took place in RMIT’s green screen studio, where we spent approximately 5 hours. This time, Grace was working the camera and directing, while I was a model and a makeup artist.

We were going to film several separate segments: the “closing eyes with hands”, the geometrical makeup, and playing with the paint. It was interesting to take on a different role in the production and experience the process as the person in front of a camera. Sometimes it was pretty challenging to find the right angle or to show the exact expression that the director wanted. I think, the biggest obstacle we had to deal with was lighting: it was pretty difficult to set up the three-point lighting perfectly and I kept getting shadows and overexposed areas on my face. Not to mention, the green screen studio is rather small even when it’s empty, so with all the props, the production crew, and lighting there was no space to move the lights around.

All in all, it was an interesting experience. To be honest, I am not too sure about this footage: it was a difficult idea to carry out and none of us is even familiar with film production. So I guess we’ll see how it is in post-production.

Here are some inspirations our team found for the green screen filming. We mostly wanted to play with paint, unusual, geometrical make up, and closed eyes. After failing to reach several make up school and agencies, we decided to do makeup ourselves, especially since I am pretty skilled in the area.

IMG_8439-2knoey8 IMG_8444-v6o0xu IMG_8434-s4o0lp

Here are some of the clips we filmed at St Kilda beach. It’s not much, just a little sneak peek to give you an idea of what direction we are working at. One direction.

P.S. The actual quality is times better!

Meet our production crew: Super Grace and Wonder Katia! Would be delighted if Henry Cavill was with us as well…

My partner Grace and I are both very new to the media: we just started uni in July. So, naturally, we don’t have much experience with cameras, settings, tripods, and the production process in common. This first day of filming has become a real adventure and an exciting challenge, in which, I believe, we succeeded.

As mentioned in previous posts, one of our locations was St Kilda Beach, where we planned to film all “fabric scenes” and “mirror scenes”. Although beautiful, this location gave us several issues to worry about, in particular, inability to use artificial lighting and constant presence of people. We killed two birds with one stone and decided to go there early in the morning when there are no people and the light of the dawning sun is in bloom. We arrived there art around 5:30 am and started filming immediately. That day, Grace was modelling/acting, and I took over the camera. I would like to thank Grace for her amazing patience and professionalism: she never complained or whined or said anything negative about the process at all, and was an outstanding model. If I will ever be in need of a model again, I will definitely ask Grace.  As for the production, I have to say, the lighting was better than we could’ve ever hope: it was magical! Although, people started to appear disturbingly early and by 8 am it was really difficult to film because of the never-ending wave of cyclists and dog walkers. Honestly, I was shocked by amount of joggers and cyclists so early in the morning. I know it’s healthy and etc., but at what cost?!

All in all, the filming went really well and we were done by 9 am. It was an incredible experience and we were both satisfied with what we’ve done. Hoping to keep up the good work!

I just realised that I probably should have linked the song we are making a video for… Well, better late than never.

https://softcorporate.bandcamp.com/track/boats

In my opinion, it’s a truly beautiful and sensual song, and I’m really happy that’s the one we are working with. Although the band decided not to intervene with the production in any way, I would like to meet them one day and thank them for beautiful music they are making. Keeping my fingers crossed for their successful future!