First Shoot: Eleven

Last weekend (25-26th January) we began shooting our short film 'Eleven'. We arrived at our location two hours before to set up equipment and discuss what shots would work best. Our call for our actors was 10:30am and the shoot would begin at 11am. This was to make sure that we had time with them to go through the script and tell them what our intentions were for each scene. Our schedule was very tight. We had to make sure that each scene had to be finished at a specific time. Saturday's shoot was a lot more intense due to the arguments that were in the family home. It took a lot longer to organise the set up and how many takes each scene needed. Here are some photos of our first day shooting:

Setting up Blake's reaction shots of Father leaving.

         Blake's extreme close ups whilst recording a wild-track. 

Sunday

Sunday's shoot was a lot more relaxing as we only needed close ups of Alex (Father) and Blake. We were a lot more decisive about our set up and what shots we wanted for each close up. 

Setting up our soft boxes, camera and sound for shooting.

Eleven: The Look & Style of the Film

Now we have finished the script we need to start thinking about the look of the film, and the different types of techniques. Jacob, the director, has the final decision on visuals. The film look we are aiming for is as close to a documentary film as we could achieve. We also wanted the film to look as real as possible, the way we are going to achieve this is by using a shoulderImage mount, this allows me to hold the camera while resting it on my shoulder. This shoulder mount gives us shots that are very steady but also gives a little human eye feel, this is inspiration taken from documentary films.

Eleven: Costumes

Each of characters costume choices have been chosen based on how we want to represent them to the audience. A first impression is key towards an audiences feelings towards a character. Every characters costume has been chosen to reflect their personality. I've researched some clothes that would suit the conventional middle class lifestyle that Blake is surrounded by. Here are some costume ideas for our cast:

Blake's Coat

Father's Coat

Sophie's Dress

    

           

Casting

We have nearly finished casting for Eleven. With a week to go before shooting, it is essential that our actors have at least a week to prepare. Getting into role is key for making sure that they play their character as realistically as possible. We have given them the final script followed by shooting times and schedules so we're ready to go when we start shooting. At least half of our cast are friends who have acting experience, whilst the others are actors who we found on Casting Call Pro- A website that specialises in actors who would be available to act in certain projects. For the Father we received over twelve applications to play the part. I sat down and looked through their photos, acting experience and videos. This gave me a great idea of who was appropriate to play Blake's father. We still haven't casted Sophie (Blake's piano teacher). However I've been asking family friends of their availability. As the weekend is getting closer, I have to make sure that I have an full cast as soon as possible.

Eleven: Prop list

Here are a list of props that will be used in our film:

We wanted minimal use of props to focus more on the characters and narrative. However the props we used were very important for the narrative.

Football- Opening scene with Blake, Tom and Dad's playing football in the park.
Car Keys- Father throws keys towards Blake, the trigger for the affair being revealed.
Piano Books- Used in every piano lesson and when Blake leaves Sophie's house.
Pen and Paper- Father writing his leaving note.
Suitcase- Father leaving.
Piano- Used in Blake's piano lessons

Shooting Schedule

This week I have made a shooting schedule for Eleven.

We have organised a five day shoot. I have planned out each actors times, dates and locations so they know exactly what time to be on set. Having an organised schedule gives me and Jacob time to set up before shooting and having talking to actors how we want the scene to be delivered. I have sent out this schedule and final script to actors hoping for a response as soon as possible. I have planned the dates according to when me and Jacob are free. It's vital that actors know well in advance when we're shooting so they can start to vision their characters and get into role.

Storyboard

This is our first storyboard for Eleven.

This is a brief example of each scene that we aim to shoot. Now the script is finished we know exactly what want and how we want to shoot it. Having a first draft of a storyboard makes it a lot easier to vision each scene in a clearer way. When we are on set we will have our storyboard with us at all times to make sure that we have no hesitations over what to shoot next. Unlike last year we had to think on our feet about what angle to shoot each scene. Having a planned storyboard will guarantee that each shot is already organised. For us it's key to have a fully finished storyboard at least a week before we shoot. This will make our time a lot more flexible with actors and setting up each shot.

Eleven: Casting Intentions

After finishing the script we are about to cast Eleven. Me and Jacob have discussed how we want each character to represent the narrative. Here are some of our main character intentions for casting:

Blake: A young boy, aged 9-12, preferably mature looking so the audience can sympathise and understand his journey.
Father: Middle aged, slim build, attractive so it's believable that the affair would really happen. A charming presence so the audience view on him is divided. We don't want our audience to immediately despise him after he betrays his family.
Mother: Middle aged, slim build, attractive, innocent looking, shy, vulnerable.
Sophie (Piano teacher): Attractive, aged 30-35, warm personality.