Filming Journal 3: Final Day of Filming

Filming Journal 3 - Final Day of Filming:

On the final day of filming, we filmed all of the interior bedroom shots that make up the 'Flashback Scene'. This section of filming required only two members of the cast; the male and female protagonists. We decided to film the shots in chronological order due to the fact that a large proportion of the shots consisted of 'montage'- like pans and tracking shots, that could be filmed first with ease before considering the more complex-shots such as writing on the Polaroid. The Polaroid shots were deemed more complex due to the need for continuity, whereas the montage shots are highly sporadic and spontaneous. 

Within our risk assessment, we had noted that the interior bedroom location had very small dimensions, thus, making it difficult to film in due to the limited space. This had a profound impact on attempting to frame the shot of the couple walking through the door together and after attempting several takes I decided to cut the shot, as I felt it didn't appear visually interesting, nor very naturalistic. 

To ensure the performance of the couple was realistic I directed the actors to begin having a humorous conversation before the camera was rolling and instructed them to gradually move closer to one another. I began filming halfway through their conversation, by which time the actors were more comfortable with one another, which made their reactions more genuine. 

As we were also filming shots of the following day within this location, it was also a priority to utilize lighting in order to decipher time of day. In order to establish low-key night-time lighting, we closed the shutters, reducing natural lighting exposure. The use of only a sole lamp light provided a soft, mellow and warm-toned lighting to the mise-en-scene, creating a homely feel which alluded to the fact that the lovers felt at home with one another. The use of only the lamp also cast shadows of the actors upon the wall, something that was particularly aesthetically appealing when the female protagonist gets out of bed, casting her moving shadow over her sleeping lover.