Thoughts for next filming session

My next filming session will be on the 31/10/09. This will be at the pub they play at. My first concern is the lighting. Yet i feel confident in brightening the footage if needed. As they don't live every week, re-filming might be difficult. So i am going to have to make the best of the footage i have when it comes to filming the live performance. This means i have only the one night to be able to get it right.

My second concern is the fact that, the location itself is very small, with lots of people, on halloween. This makes me think it's going to be a nightmare (haha) to film. However I have spoken to the owner of the pub and she's sure there will be room.

My third concern is that the track i'm making a video for is only going to be played once, as their encore track. This means that once again, i will only have the one change to be able to take footage that will be completely synchronous with the song itself. With this in mind i think that it might be best to film the singer for most of the track, as i will be able to synchronize it with the lyrics in the video.

As long as i get enough footage, i think i'll be able to play around with it to create a result, that looks pleasing.

20/10/09 Filming [Riley's Bar]

After phoning Riley's Bar and asking them permission to use them as a location for filming, the manager informed me of a poker table playing cards and playing chips that were available to use. This group told me they would all be available to come and be filmed after playing. I was able to get valuable footage of the group playing poker and specifically acting up for the camera. After a couple of hours I felt i had enough footage, good and bad, to be able to play around with and use for the final video.

I also needed to make sure i included the specific shots that i wanted. I feel i have enough, but i wont know for sure until i start putting everything into order.

Update

Due to the manager of the 'Stanley's Casino' not getting back to me after three reminder calls, i have decided that it would be best to set up a backup plan, so i am ready to film as soon as possible. If the manager does get back to me then i may be able to use that as well, but if not then i am not left waiting on somebody else. Also according to the receptionist he would want to hear the song and listen to the lyrics, as anything that is negative about gambling, would not be in his best interest.

I have found a couple of examples of the idea i want to pursue. Looking at the examples in Snatch but mainly Lock Stock, has helped me think about what i need to do to create a location that will look realistic. I am hoping to be able to use a local boxing club that i used to be involved with, to use the same effects as the scene in Lock Stock. This means i need to get permission to use this location as well, which i will be doing before the end of the week.

"Gambling Den" in Lock Stock

Shots
- close ups - faces / cards / chips
- eye level - viewer feels like they are engaged with the video
- high angle - leaving the building -inferior
- extreme close up - eye
- deep focus shot - show other players
- low angle - superior / power / wealth

Mise en Scene
- lighting - low level - faces in shadow / cards in shadow
- Smart casual - suits / open collar - smart shirts [EDITED] The suits will be used for the live performance and the a rougher look will be used for the 'casino' shots. This was decided after a discussion with Destruction Preventer.

Editing
- transitions - cut / fade / cross dissolve
- pace of cuts speeds up to build the tension
- 180 degree rule - to show the conflict between the two characters

The backup Location - "Gambling Den"

Today i am going to phone the casino and make an appointment with the manager. However if it turns out that it's not possible to film at the desired location, i will require create a backup plan so as not to fall behind in my schedule and make sure i hit my deadline. 

For example instead of playing in a smart/posh casino, a more underground, illegal 'gambling den' might represent the band more appropriately. Ideally a posh looking casino would be preferred as this makes a good contrast with the backstreet local pub feel of the live performance. 

Location where this could take place:

-Basement

-Garage

- Attic

- Even a low lit rough looking room

Props

- Plastic chips

- Roulette wheel

- Playing cards

- Money (notes)

- Items on the table (keys, watches, jewelry ect..)

Costume and Character Representation

I don't think a smart costume such as a suit would suit a gambling den, yet it has been used before. Although thinking about it, a suit that has been roughed up would create the right representation considering the location. This could mean an open collar, jewelry, tattoos.

It is important that the way the character looks, reflects how he is playing. So for example at the start the characters are to look smart, to represent their wealth. But gradually as they lose money their appearance needs to slightly change to look rougher. The appearance needs to be directly emotive of the character. This way by the end of the video, when there is no money left, the final shot could be a high angle of the character in shadow, with his head slumped in his hands looking a mess followed by a fade out. 

[edit] - i will know today if this plan will be needed or not, yet is there incase it is.

Detailed Filming plan

First seconds (no longer than 10 secs)

High angle (roulette wheel) > cut

Film technique (Reverse) - guitar / drum sticks > cut

High angle (roulette wheel) - Tracking in > cut

Close up (Lead vocalist) - microphone in shot > cut

High angle / close up (roulette wheel) -  spun with ball 

*Track starts as wheel is spun*

Shots of each member of the band (cuts) to each one quickly. (no longer than 10 secs)

*riff*  - show all the bad playing together in the shot from perspective of the audience (crowd) while crabbing to the side sometimes being obstructed by the odd person in front *silhouette*

Camera technique - graphic transition - to introduce casino..

UNFINSIHED