Mark Cullen Academic Fellow - Digital Human Visualisation Creative Technologies Digital Content Creation – Moving Image

Presentation Outline Project Outline Short Film Format Script Writing Character Development Storyboarding Production Schedule Resource Planning Technology Tips and Tricks Asset Creation and Gathering Digitising the Movie Special Effects Editing Final Outputs

What’s it all about?

The Short Film Productions of 5 to 10 Minutes Amateur ++ Production Concise Tight Story Line Beginning = Complication 1 = Middle = Complication 2 = End Research – Use other works! Look at short films! Tips – Keep Dialogue to a Minimum –Shoot Indoors more than out –Realise Limitations of Technology and Skills –Be aware of lighting and techniques

Short Film Script Writing Refer to Handbook for Formatting!!! Overview of scenarios, actions, sounds and dialogue Get the idea of start middle and end –Think Elevator Pitch –Think Drama, Humour, Lesson Learnt etc. –Think of YOUR experiences –Project yourself –Observe and listen Limit Characters Limit Dialogue Character Development Sheets etc.

Shooting Script Run down of Shots for film Non Scripted Applications –Music Videos –Documentaries –Scene setting sequences –Narrative scenes Describes each shot before production Storyboards can usually suffice

Character and Motivation Grid CharacterTypePersonalityAgeReason Richard Vincent Private Detective Cool, Wise, One Liner Type – Briscoe (Law and Order) c. 60Solve the Crime. Attracted to Ellie strangely. Aware she is poison. Ellie MahonGlamorous Lady Shrewd and Calculated. Beautiful but Deadly. Sharon Stone in Casino c. 30Hires Hit man Vinnie BonesHit ManSilent, deadly and sadistic C 45Hi man

StoryBoarding Shows shots, sound effects, timing dialogue. In general uses an industry standard set of notations Must contain enough information for anyone working on the film to work with Animatics – New method

Production Schedule Work out when you will need equipment Work out resource management –People –Equipment –Lighting/timing –Events at specific times etc Asset control and creation –Sound FX –3d Elements –Music –Title pages –Overlays etc. Gantt charts showing project management and Breakdown

Resource Planning When will you need cameras, lighting rigs, editing suites, mics etc? Will you need a blue/green screen? Will you need people to help? Will you need actors? Do you need specific help from me? REMEMBER TO TEST AND RETRY! What are the hand in deadlines?

Technology Tips and Tricks Workshops (possibly) –Steady cam production? –Portable Green Screens? –Mufflers for Mics –Shutter Speeds and still shots etc. –Sound editing and syncing Creating good shots Limiting sound and Video depreciation Correcting and changing shots

Asset Creation and Gathering Creating assets needed for production Costumes Sounds, Music Equipment – ON THE CHEAP! Titles and overlays etc Project Folders Presentation

Digitising Digitising form your camera to computer Digitising for DVD and You Tube Using Final Cut output options Utilising the Assets in Project Folder Video and sound quality and formats Online resources and communication

Special FX Image overlay Filters and effects in Final Cut Colour Correction!!!!!!!!!!!! Green Screening Adding elements to the scene Explosions and the cool stuff (Bangers willing) Lifting sounds from external sources Compositing

Editing- Final Cut Editing Digital video Transitions Camera Shake Compositing Loops Titles and Overlays Adding Sounds and Sound FX

What do I want to see This is not a short film production class… it is about digital compositing. Use techniques learned or ask about new ones to create an budget classic. We will try anything as long as it is planned. I can provide transport or shooting trips etc if needed Be creative in your thought and push the boundaries… 1 great 30 second well compoisted scene scene is better than a 5 minute boring shot… Look at your timing

Final Outputs Final Cut of Project 2 Breakdown of techniques (makine of type affair). Use stuff from project 1 here too as testing examples. Upload to Vimeo Channels Folder containing Storyboards, Gaant charts, etc

Questions and Answers