Shooting 'October Sands'

We shot October Sands in Newcastle - Embleton on the 25th of February for four days and we headed back on the Monday.

The journey to Newcastle was one journey I will never forget as we almost never made it up there. We missed our first coach which mean we had to book another which we did, we then missed that coach and tried to catch up with it. The coach was heading to Golders Green and we were in the cab going hysterical. Looking back at it it makes me laugh and happy as we all (Me, Nayomi and Ethan) pulled together as a team. We eventually made it to Golders Green and got on the coach.

We started filming the next day as we got there too late in the evening. We didn't stick to the storyboard exactly as we skipped a few shots and went back to the ones we needed shooting and added a few of our own. This was to have variety and more choice as to see what suits better.

Filming October Sands was exciting and so much fun however it was very draining and tiring. The reasons were because of the time schedule. One of the reasons were because we didn't realise how time consuming the bathroom scenes would have taken. The lighting was difficult as we had to make sure the splashing of the water wasn't getting into the light bulbs. To prevent that from happening we covered it in a transparent plastic bag. We used a smoke machine to add effect and mystery at why Robert was melting. Also it was challenging for me to make sure the boom stick was in the appropriate area and was picking up on all significant sounds as Robert was shouting and in my opinion, making slight disturbing noises however suited his state of mind as it was severly deteriorating due to his lack of emotional hunger.

I had to make sure the boom stick wasn't getting wet as Robert was splashing hysterically using his arms, waving them everywhere. This is overwhelming me and it can be stated boom operating can be very demanding.

Overall, my role in the October Sands production was to operate the boom, make - up, costume and prop organising. I enjoyed the production of October Sands to the extent where Ethan and the film itself ahs inspired me to go away and create a stylistic piece of film. Something which is passionate to me as much as it clearly was to our director Ethan Race.

Schedule for October Sands

Week Number: Commencing Project Phase Tasks and Deadlines

• Mon 1st Feb PRE-PRODUCTION 1 All crew members notified of duties (ALL)

1. Script Development (ETHAN)

2. Casting calls posted on websites and checked (NAYOMI)

• Mon 8th Feb PRE-PRODUCTION 1 Script Completed (ETHAN)

1. Initial Storyboard for class (ETHAN)

2. Casting calls posted on websites and checked (NAYOMI)

3. Rooms booked for Auditions (NAYOMI)

• Mon 15th Feb PRE-PRODUCTION 1 Auditions held (ALL)2 Casting Decisions made (ETHAN & NAYOMI)

1. Rehearsals arranged and held (ALL)

2. Special effects research (CANSU)

3. Tests of film techniques (ALL)

4.Materials/props/costume lists drawn up (NAYOMI)

• Mon 22nd Feb PRODUCTION 1 Final Rehearsals held (ALL)

1. All materials/props/costumes bought and prepared (CANSU & NAYOMI)

2. Location Prep (NAYOMI & CANSU)

3. Shoot (ALL)

• Mon 1st Mar POST-PRODUCTION 1 Editing (ETHAN)

• Mon 8th Mar POST-PRODUCTION 2 Editing (ETHAN)

• Mon 15th Mar POST-PRODUCTION 3 Editing (ETHAN)

• Mon 22nd Mar COMPLETION 4 DEADLINE: 16TH MARCH

• Mon 29th Mar COMPLETION

• Tues 30th: ArtsDepot Show

Exibition at ArtsDepot: Responsibility of the CLOSE Production

On the 30th March, all the students who study BA Film Video and Interactive Arts and BA Sonic Arts at Middlesex University will be displaying their work at the ArtsDepot, North Finchely. Both groups have come together to put on a public exhibition featuring film screenings, performance and installation based work.

The Film, Video and Interactive Arts department has been abuzz with activity since early January with the students personally interpreting their theme of CLOSE on their own filmic terms. All productions/films' theme, despite having a short narrative, display a wide range of genres and film making styles. Having spent the last two years producing and learning about film and video, I have come to learn many ways in which film is interpreted.

My Contribution towards the production of 'Close'

I chose to help out in whatever way possible during the Exhibition (production) and was responsible in taking photos representing the people who were there, displaying the Exhibitions atmosphere and to have on record.

I wanted to capture as much as possible during the exhibition therefore took as many photos as I could including our lecturers, familiy members and friends. I took over one hundred photos however did not see the relevance in posting them all as the photos I have chosen give an idea of the happy fulfilled environment we were in. In terms of the Exhibition itself I believe it was a success and that the students of FVIA as well as the visitors left feeling proud and content.