CityScape Planning!

I know I've already posted about actually filming the project which really does come after the planning section but hey. What's the fun in doing things in order, right...?

(My Project Book ;) )

As it turns out, planning a film is... hard. Planning a film by yourself? VERY STRESSFUL!
Because aside from writing a script and putting ideas onto a page (which my lovely writer, Rena Freefall, kindly did for me), a hell of a lot of through has to go into the actual making of a film. 

Finding actors is difficult - the fact that my lead actor dropped out in the last week leaving me actorless for a short while almost gave me a heart attack.
Sourcing props is very expensive.
Planning how long filming will take/what shots to use is nigh impossible given that there are a lot of external factors to take into account for an indie film as unlike big budget films, we don't have the luxury of telling the public to get out of the way. Which isn't usually a problem - except I was very determined to have my film take place in the midst of London's biggest and brightest, and therefore busiest spots.

However, all that aside, I loved it. Every stage of it. From telling my idea to a writer, to seeing it written on a page, to finding places to make the story come alive, to facebook stalking all my guy friends to finding a replacement actor. To drawing hilarious stick-men storyboards (which I really wish I had taken a photo of now to show you, because they really were appaaaaaaallingly drawn....) to doing time sheets and prop sheets and costuming. It was... amazing. To be completely in charge of my own project for the first time really was an amazing experience - and even more of a learning curve!

I am not expecting this film to be anything great, or to get anywhere or for anyone even to watch it (outside of myself at least 101 times to over analyse it of course...).
But that's okay. Because that's not what this project was about. 

This project was about me proving to myself that I could direct, produce and film a short film. That I am capable of doing all these things, even if it is going to be an extraordinarily amateur film. But that's okay. Baby steps right? 

All of this being said however, I do intend to make this the very best that I can, because a lot of work went in to it, not just by me, but also by my lovely actors, cameraman, writer and the music guy. 

So. Here's to another Indie Film :)

Until Next Time~

'CityScape' Filming!

From behind the camera...

[Messing around backstage!]

Acting is a passion of mine, as you might have gleaned from my blog. In fact, creative endeavors in general seem to dominate the majority of my life, whether it be acting, drawing/painting, writing, singing, piano playing and, as of recently, also directing. 

[Roses, in a flask!]

One of the great things about having been part of more experimental theatre companies from a young age with a focus on devised work is that, whilst you develop important acting skills, there are many opportunities to develop one's ideas and experience some directing. 

[On location - can you guess where? ;)]

So last January, I set myself five resolutions. One of which was to make my very own short film, which as of yesterday I have finally managed! (Well kind of... I still have all the post-production to do, which is obviously a massive ordeal!). But for me this has been a great learning curve so far, from all the ordeals of the last post, through all the unexpected problems during filming. However I am really happy with the footage so far and can't wait to start putting it all together. But first... About Filming!

Introducing the Actors:

[Lead Actress: Anoushka Probyn]

[Lead Actor: Thomas Kirby]

The premise of the film is that it is essentially a love chase round London's brightest sights. It will be a short artsy/fashion film which I intend to be only a few minutes long (five at maximum). 

[Best. Steak. Baguettes. Ever. #Camden]

[Food Break!]

[Tea Break]

[Drinking]

[MORE FOOD!]

It was a very fun experience for me and I feel that I have learnt a lot from this! And whilst I found cinematography to be a fun experience, I felt that being behind camera and focusing on footage distracted from my ability to direct. Next time I will definitely find a cameraman/woman to help! Also someone to properly do cinematography as that is definitely not where my talents lie!. I would also bear in mind that sometimes, the general public just get in the way... 

However in whole, I'd say it filming was a success! Now onto postproduction! :D

THAT'S A WRAP! ;)

xxx

CORRIDOR TRAILER~

So! As you may have seen in the title, Corridor has an official trailer now and ready for public viewing!!

Hopefully update soon~

Corridor~

[Promo Shot - Lucy]

Why hello there my happy reader and welcome to Pollzable~ 

As you may or may not know, as of last summer (2012), my friends and I started up an amateur production group where we pool our talents, ideas and time into one big pot, also known as Team Awesome. We started by just making a short Youtube series entitled 'The Loser Crew' (link on Youtube below) before starting a fun side dramatic re-enactment of Tara Gilesbie's 'My Immortal' (again, link can also be found below). This summer however, we decided once and for al that we wanted to step up our game a little and so, for the first time ever, Team Awesome is proud to present the short film - 'Corridor'.

Written by the wonderful Olivia Cole, 'Corridor' is a film about a young girl, Lucy, who, at the beginning of the film is already presented as injured. As she makes her way down the school corridor (as seen in the photo above) she starts to reminisce about moments in her life and ponder on what 'it all means'. Through these memories, you get to see pieces of her life and her personality until the climax at the end. 

Filming overall lasted roughly the duration of a week, which, for a 14 minute production is actually not too bad! As our first short film, I feel the experience really made us grow as film makers and to see the idea grow from an initial script which I read first during a lecture, to going on set and filming to watching the rough cut, it was truly fantastic. 

In this particular project, I played the role of Lucy. Having only really experienced stage acting and usually in a non naturalistic, very physical style before, it is suffice to say that, for me, screen acting is something that I not only find more difficult, but feel that I have a lot of room to improve. However, on whole, I believe that I did at least a reasonable job of the role, my main aim to make the character as naturalistic and as relate-able as possible during the memory scenes so the audience can better understand her and the message she has to give. I have discovered, however, that I find it rather difficult to act like I am dying in a convincing manner. ^^;

Overall, I am very proud of the work that we have all done in this project and am so very grateful to Olivia Cole for entrusting this role to me. I hope that I did the role justice!!

The film is currently still in the stages of editing, with music being written as we speak by the amazingly talented Mr A Godfrey, and will hopefully be finished by end of September latest for submission to film festivals for the upcoming year or so. Needless to say, I am practically simmering with excitement to see the final cut!

It's been a great experience and I just wanted to say a final well done and final THANK YOU to everyone involved with the project and I can't wait to work on the next one with you all!

The film should be viewable at some point in the future. Link will be posted here.

In the mean time however, feel free to browse:
- The Loser Crew
- My Immortal    

Thanks for reading and I hope to see you soon! :)

xxx

Freespeech with the BBC workshops~

[Filming at the BBC, Bridgehouse building, MediaCity, Salford]

Hello there again! Again, it's been a while since my last post, but hopefully they shall be more regular from now one... (?)

In June, I managed to get the unique opportunity to do a filming workshop at the BBC, in the new and shiny MediaCity, Manchester, as part of BBC Learning. The workshop lasted only a week, however, in that week we managed to create 2 short films, one of which was produced and aired as part of the BBC, Freespeech. The other was put onto the BBC Freespeech website. It was a very very fun experience, and rather eye opening. I got to see how everything in the BBC was made as well as picking up many skills, from scripting to camera work to editing! 

It was a truly great experience and this has only strengthened my desire to one be a part of a BBC Production, as an actress :)

~~~

Hallo liebe Leute! Ich bin jetzt noch spat, aber hoffentlich kann ich mehr schreiben...(?)

Im Juni, hatte ich die Erfahrung, um ein workshop mit dem BBC, im MediaCity zu machen. Es hat nur fur eine Woche gedauert, aber wir haben zwei kurze Filme produziert, ein fur die Fernsehsendug 'Freespeech', und ein fur die Webseite. Es war ganz spass und ich hatte das Gelegenheit um sehen, wie man eine Script schreiben, und ein Kamera benutzen!

Es war ein ganz gute Erfahrung und ich hoffe, dass ich als Schauspieler fur den BBC arbeiten konnen!

And so that's all! 
If you could like any more information on the project I did, here is a link!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01c7xvj

[Um dieses Kuchen zu machen, geh hier! :) Kuchen!] 

xxx