Evaluation-Reservoir Dogs

Once we had finished our filming and making of Reservoir Dogs I think the whole group felt satisfied with the outcome of it. as a group we worked really well together and co-operated well. There was a vast difference in ability and experience of people using camera’s and FinalCut, which meant we all had different strengths and weaknesses to work with. However despite this, we managed to create we good standard of work.

Whilst planning our film for Reservoir Dogs each individual in the group was appointed a role and we all worked to achieve what we needed. Such as the camera person mainly focused on the shots and techniques used whereas the stylist focused on what character was wearing what. This meant that people could focus on certain aspects of the scene so we could get Pit as accurate as possible. This was a time saver so when it came to knowing what to do and when to do it, there wasn’t too much confusion. We allocated the storyboards to the most artistic people in the group to make them as good as possible.

During filming, it took a while for the group to settle in the ‘cafe scene’ we had to do. This was perhaps down to the lack of time we had to film the scene and so we were rushing. Furthermore, there was some camera operating issues, but as a group we managed to sort them out promptly. Once we got filming, everything came together and ultimately this scene only took 5 takes to do, which meant we had more time to work on more time to work on the time consuming scene outside. Whilst outside, the filming went well. As we went along we found successful ways of filming through trial and error. The camera man did all the filming themselves without much help of the group which meant it got done quickly and wasn’t stressful. It allowed the rest of the group to focus on their acting and which character does what. Perhaps this is why our film was successful as it was, because the group co-operated well and were organised. Throughout filming we tried to follow the storyboards however ideas got added in as we went along and progressed.

Editing seemed easy to achieve due to the fact I am experienced with using MACS now and FinalCut. this meant that I could successfully and confidently cut and edit the scenes we captured to fit as much as possible with the original. The most difficult task with editing wan adding the names and text on the screen personally, however; once I had completed a few scenes this became more easier. It was a rather quick task that I managed to get done in 3 lessons which meant it wasn’t time consuming. Overall, this exercise was thoroughly enjoyable and the group I worked in was a good mix of abilities and so people’s weaknesses were others strengths. The film we produced wasn’t perfect but if we were to repeat this then we would make sure to be more precise with time keeping and double check we know the running order of the original so we can follow that rule with our film instead of questioning what to do in the day.

http://vimeo.com/81930351

Editing our version of Reservoir Dogs

After filming, we began editing. However, instead of working as a group it was now an individual task. We downloaded our footage onto the MAC and I started cutting each clip to get the best part of the film to use. I achieved this by using Final Cut Express.

I cut each scene we had filmed to what I needed for my scene before anything. This was so I could roughly begin to see where which clip would go where and whether it fit with the original. I went to record my voice for the voice over part that we had to do for the beginning of the scene. This was for me to use later once I had finished editing.

After cutting each of the scenes, I edited some of the transitions such as the fade to black at the start of the clip between the cafe, the credits and where they are walking. This didn’t take too long because I had sorted where all my clips were going so it was a matter of finding the suitable parts.

After doing this, I had to change the motion of each clip to 50% slower than the original filming we got. This was because the original clip was in slow-motion and I had to achieve this in my re-make. Next, I had to tackle the credits that appeared throughout the clip. Once finding the ‘title’ add-in I simply wrote and edited each of the names on to the clip where they were supposed to go. This was simple once I had figured out how to change the colour, font and size. I then had to adapt the credits at the end of ‘Reservoir Dogs’ where it is a slide transition. Similarly with the names at the end of the clip. Once I had done this, all I had to was remove the sound from the original clip and add in the music soundtrack of George Baker- Little Green Bags. Then add in my voice over that I had recorded.

Filming our version of Reservoir Dogs

When filming our version of Reservoir Dogs we started in our school canteen to re-make the scene where they get up and walk out of the scene. We began by getting everyone sat down where there characters were in the clip. After getting the camera set up, we shot multiple takes of the scene where they get up and walk out to get as many opportunities as possible for a useful shot. It took roughly three attempts to get the right shot, this was because each time it was slightly different how people walked out and so we wanted it to look as similar as possible to the original clip.

This was the shorter part of filming, after we went outside were we would do the main part of filming. To begin with, we filmed where the characters walk along the wall in a group. This didn’t take many attempts to get due to the fact it was a simple shot were the we simply had to keep the camera still and walk past it parallel to the wall.

Next, we began shooting the individual shots for when the character walks towards the camera. This was perhaps the hardest part of filming because we didn’t use a dolly and so we couldn’t get each shot exactly how the original was. Because instead of keeping the same distance between the person and the camera we had to walk towards the camera, as it was stationary. However; we kept the camera in the same place and kept it running whilst each person walked towards it in their shot which allowed many takes and room for error. So we could get the best shot out of the situation.

After doing each individual shot for each character, we filmed the last part where the characters are walking away towards the road. This was simple and only took one shot, because we kept the camera central and viewed as a wide shot, we walked away until we were near the road to make sure we had enough filming to work with.

Planning our version of Reservoir Dogs

To begin with, the class was seperated into boys and girls. To begin to plan our re-make of Reservoir Dogs we had to appoint jobs to people. This was so people to focus on different aspects of the clip we got given. I was appointed Director and so I had to watch the video many times to figure out all the parts that we would need to clearly to know in order to successfully film. For example which character is which, the running order etc.

After appointing jobs we watched the clip over and over again on a projector screen. This was so everyone could be sure to catch the important aspects they needed such as the camera person to get the camera shots correct and for the costume designer to figure out which character was wearing what.

Once we had established the running order of the clip we turned to make our storyboards, this was what we intended to stick to when filming so we knew exactly what to do and when. After this, we began planning the props we need for shooting on the day. Such as the costuming ideas and the props on the table that were in the cafe this was so on the day we could be well organised before filming began.

After discussing all of the above as a group, we decided on our locations that we would use and actually went to look at some of the places that we could possibly use which meant that we could find the best suited places. Once we had done this, the group were ready to film.