Lesson learnt.

Lesson learnt.

I think we were all quite surprised by the amount of formalities and restrictions that needed to be dealt with before filming anything as outlined in this week’s lectorial (that isn’t a word by the way). Formalities that are absolutely imperative unless filming yourself under translucent bedsheets in a blacked out tent somewhere in the Alps… well… provided you didn’t have branded bedsheets that is. Because if you did, you might as well chuck that camera off the Matterhorn and go back to retail. It’s not allowed.

But sarcasm and council permissions aside, there’s definitely a net grain of wisdom to be had in all this.  On any type of production, small or large, planning is the most important thing you can do. Before the camera starts to roll, people usually say with confidence that they can “wing it”. This is never the case. The preparation and planning period should be at least ten times longer than production. At least. And this is the lesson we learn in the week 5 practical.  Strangely,  it was a very useful activity, since it put us  into a situation where we would inevitably make the mistake of lack  of planning.  The first aspect that needed careful planning time were there was none, was the requirement of the three-way interview. Thus roles for three individuals (including actions, words and staging) needed to be spontaneously decided upon. To add to the complexity, each person needed to be a cameraman at some point. We also had to find an interesting setting,  shoot cut-always and also  allow travel  time  to and from that location. When such a location was eventually found, cameras needed to be set up. Having to do this in about 40 minutes meant that indeed, we learnt first-hand it’s pointless to do anything without planning.

On any type of production, small or large, planning is the most important thing you can do. Before the camera starts to roll, people usually say with confidence that they can “wing it”. This is never the case. The preparation and planning period should be at least ten times longer than production. At least. And this is the lesson we learn in the week five practical.  Strangely,  it was a very useful activity, since it put us  into a situation where we would inevitably make the mistake of lack  of planning.  The first aspect that needed careful planning time were there was none, was the requirement of the three-way interview. Thus roles for three individuals (including actions, words and staging) needed to be spontaneously decided upon. To add to the complexity, each person needed to be a camera operator at some point. We also had to find an interesting setting,  shoot cut-always and also  allow travel  time  to and from that location. When such a location was eventually found, cameras needed to be set up. Having to do this in about 40 minutes meant that indeed, we learnt first-hand it’s pointless to do anything without planning.

The first aspect that needed careful planning time were there was none, was the requirement of the three-way interview. Thus roles for three individuals (including actions, words and staging) needed to be spontaneously decided upon. To add to the complexity, each person needed to be a cameraman at some point. We also had to find an interesting setting,  shoot cut-always and also  allow travel  time  to and from that location. When such a location was eventually found, cameras needed to be set up. Having to do this in about 40 minutes meant that indeed, we learnt first-hand it’s pointless to do anything without planning.

Below is the result of our slightly unsuccessful experiment. An experiment that has lead its participants to thoroughly understand the importance of planning.

But enough self-deprecation,  we did the best we probably could.