Inspiration

Source of Inspiration

Southpaw

To do the tracking shot we decided to follow a theme that is somewhat similar to Southpaw. The idea of wrapping hands in boxing tape to get ready for the match is exactly something we want to achieve as the idea is simple and to the point. It is much better than our previous ideas of a boxing fight or the mother abusing the protagonist one. We didn't realize at the time that our previous ideas were way too complicated to do and not as simple as we thought they would be.

The tracking shot we did during Day 3 was taken as more of a test run rather than actual footage we could use due to the low quality of the shot. At least because of that we were able to practice how to properly produce tracking shots.

One shot however, came out extremely well and if we are able to use it I believe it would make a very good ending shot before the title screen appears. It was the shot where we used the chiaroscuro effect. I believe it came out extremely well quality wise and its symbolism parallels to that of our film title 'Black Heaven'.

The chiaroscuro shot

Here are a few example shots from Southpaw we plan to achieve during the day we go for filming. 

This time we will make sure to keep things to a minimum. We won't have too many people, only Eman who plays the main protagonist will be shown getting ready to get into the ring. We will still incorporate the shot's we got of the mother during Day 2 of filming, because we need them for the story telling purposes. However, only the good quality shots will be used, and since they appear in flashback format we will use quick cuts to quickly replace them with the better quality shots we will hopefully obtain during the fourth day of filming.

Entry

While editing, the four of us noticed that the shots we had taken had once again not come out properly. The shots of the mother had come out unfocused, not only that but

With the thoughts of re-shooting some of the scenes, we asked the actress who played the mother if she was available. Unfortunately, she couldn't due to her own work load, and we were left with thoughts on what we could do to improve our video. Time was running short and we couldn't afford to redo the whole project, so we decided to come up with a new idea that we could add into some of the better shots so the flow wouldn't be disrupted.

We decided to do another tracking shot, this time at a gym. We made sure that we have a better high quality camera at hand so that the shots wouldn't be too unfocused. We also had a stabiliser a hand so the tracking shot can be done more smoothly.

We also have planned everything together beforehand so that we won't waste our time as we did the first few days of shooting.

This time I hope that everything goes better than the previous days of filming. We have learned from our mistakes, and I hope the new shots that we get from filming will help us complete the film, and not cause any more problems.

Editing Process: Day 2

Editing Process: Day 1

Editing Idea

Inspiration for flash backs: Vixx's Error

We struggled quite a but to figure out how we could out put the scenes together so that they wouldn't be awkward to watch. We tried to use different types of methods to do this. For example, we tried to show the flashbacks first and then cut to the present time, we tried to put the scenes around a bit hoping it would make sense. Unfortunately, nothing worked.  

To avoid  shooting any more we all decided to search up what we could use. Whilst looking for different ways we could present the flashbacks and present time in our film opening more smoothly, I remembered this music video I once watched. The idea of having different filters and transitions to present the flashbacks seemed like a good idea. It would help us set the time frame apart, and make it easier (and less confusing) for the audience to watch. It would also help us in achieving the desired continuity affect.

Difference in past and present times in the music video

Filter for present time

Filter for past memories/flashbacks

The transition they used for cutting between past and present was wavy and robotic which suited the theme of their music video, but it wasn't something we could use. 

In order to fit the theme of our film opening we used a more standard 'flash' transition which helped us tell the story of the film opening in a more smoother manner. Along with that we also used 'cross dissolve' and 'fade' so we could have different types of transitions instead of only one. Moreover, for the flashback scenes we set a filter known as 'desert glare' in order to set it apart from the present time shots. 

Thanks to this idea telling the story in our film opening became much more easier to do, and once we showed it to our teacher he also agreed to it giving it a better flow.

Behind The Scenes: Day 3

Log

Production Team

Eman: Speaker, editor

Nour: Camerawoman

Ramsha: Camerawoman, microphone handler 

Sasha: Speaker, editor