Cutaway shots SHOOT Thursday 7th January 2016

Hallway Shots: 7th January 2016

Today I shot two key pieces for my montage scene. I planned out the shoot in my book and logged in the key details I wanted to capture in each shot. Originally I wanted to have Stephanie reading in the OLC, however it was so busy to create the shot I wanted, so I decided to move onto the re-shoot of the window.

First shot-Pensive Window RESHOOT

 

 I framed the shot of the window to my liking, allowing Stephanie to be confined in the walls and not in the open. This allows insight into the character further as she is held back from what she want to do most, much like when she is sitting on the bench. I changed from a handheld shot to a tripod in order to get a better frame. However this reduced the size of the image. The scale of the shot was something I had been particularly proud of, so I will look into seeing if I can use the black bars to my advantage in post production, or I will have to scrap the wider shot completely.

Before (Right)           and After (Left)

Comparing both images, I do prefer the first shot because of the scale of the window outweighs Stephanie. In editing I have tried slowing down the image and reducing the timing of the shot, which has helped its performance as a shot. On the other hand, the second shot is more stable and allows for Stephanie to look more pensive, however I believe the original image, when edited, will sell the narrative more than the Reshoot I have done. 

                              I slowed down the image in order to get a smoother look to the shot.  

Second Shot-Reading Training Book

After framing the window shot better than the original, I noticed the stairwell behind us had an interesting texture on the banister. I quickly set up my shot and allowed for Stephanie to read her book alone in the silence.
This shot involved me pulling focus onto the protagonist, and I felt that the bobbles in the stairway gave texture to the performance area and gave life to the barren surface. This juxtaposes the earlier shots in the montage as Stephanie is blocked in or restricted in the frame. As she becomes more and more confidant in herself, the images begin to open up and vary in depth.

The final shot, which should have been shot today, was the hallway shot in which Stephanie is listening to a football Podcast. With time fleeting I attempted to shoot the shot I intended, but I was not impressed with the framing and I felt it didn't push the narrative forward.
However, upon further consideration of the content and meaning behind the shot, I have decided to build the tracking dolly first in order to replicate more dynamic shot outside.
My plan is to shoot Stephanie walking by using the Dolly. She will peer over to the Astro Turf before she continuing to walk by it.
I feel this shot will push the narrative forward more as it conveys Stephanie's conscious being on football. The Astro itself is then depicted as a sacred ground to the protagonist, becoming an important part in how she proves herself to be worthy of a place on the team.

Targets for next time:

• Speak to the Football Team Again and get a day planned for the shoot (possibly Monday 19th January) (Opening and Closing Shots)
• Shoot on Friday and allow the dialogue to flow between Stephanie and her Sister, Jane. 
• Get wide establishing shots for the room as it does not feel we have traveled far
• See if I can get a wide shot of Stephanie walking home.