As the picture from my “Wall of True to Form” suggests, (Week #8C), there’s a list of things to be covered in the upcoming test shots with Magic Lantern. I’ve done some self-experiments with my DSLR around my apartment, just trying to familiarise myself with the Magic Lantern interface and functions to achieve proper exposure, follow focus, and shooting in RAW. Now the next step is to actually shoot a sequence and see how that pans out.

I’ve arranged to shoot at one of my mate’s apartment where she will be carrying out a mundane routine and I’ll just keep shooting the same routine over and over again to experiment different types of shots, angles, technique, and maybe even explore the use of lighting. The whole point of this experiment is to see what type of shots work in order to achieve a general cinematic look, and steering away from the “home video” feel. Things to consider in making the look cinematic would be, focal points, exposure, lighting, camera movement… Since it’s a mundane routine, I can rule out any narrative or plot lines that may or may not influence the image of being cinematic, and just focus purely on constructing the shots. I know this might backfire, as the narrative and plot would drive what makes an image cinematic as well, but I would like to focus on the technical side of things first, before diving into the creative writing aspect.

Currently, I’ll put the abandoned building idea on hold first, and roll out the kinks on shooting on a DSLR with Magic Lantern, before returning back to the same place for more shots and experiments. The place is a little out of the way for both Reza and I, therefore, we need to have something solid to shoot and work towards, the next time we’re there. Now that we have a good idea on the location that we are going to work with, we can slowly brainstorm ideas for a storyboard and script for our next shoot at the abandoned building.