The filming begins!
We have completed week one of filming. Our week has been made up of filming on location at our own school and the local gaelscoil, where we are borrowing their classroom. Our film has a dance scene (don’t ask!) and we needed a non carpeted floor, our own school didn’t have this so we jumped ship!
It has been hugely challenging, to be honest, but rewarding, which sounds corny. I can be a rushed, impulsive person at times but the filming and the editing process that follows has helped hone in my perfection skills, never mind the children!
The editing team is made up of 1 5th class & 1 6th class student. Really easy to work with, great eye for details and perfectionists too!
We have had to reshoot 2 days out of 5. This may not sound like a big deal but once you start filming, it is just agony to reshoot all over again for continuity. One of our main actors wore sunshades in the first shoot, the next day he left them at home, we had no choice but to reshoot without the glasses…Cue angry Directors and producer!
The biggest learning curve is for the director of photography and director. They are learning so much, they are emotionally drained! The director has to deal with restless and noisy extras, get the actors to improvise, make sure the extras are not looking directly at the camera (which they do a lot of!), check for lighting and sound and generally approve and sign off on all shots. The DP (or the Director of Photography) is responsible for the overall look of the film. The DP might ask themselves questions like ” Is there too much light in this shot|” “Have I framed it well?” ” Do the character’s faces look too pale and if so, where’s my makeup artist?”
The reshooting has been good for us all. Every day after filming ends we meet with the directors, DP, editors and foley artists( the children responsible for sound and sound effects) and review the filming. They are learning to look for the details, they are learning to see with a critical eye and not accept mediocre efforts. They are learning how to challenge the actors, to reframe shots and to interpret the storyboard and script.
Next week, we begin rehearsals for the dance scene and a break from filming and a full week getting to know iMovie and editing our film.
The children are doing brilliant, really happy with their progress. Not only that, it is teaching me the biggest lesson of all-its all in the detail.
Last Update: August 17, 2017