Filming day 2

Today we came together to look at the footage filmed in Bradford so far, and discussed about what we needed. We then filmed the other groups discussing, and working together. Some screenshots of footage:-

Research: Event Horizon – Cuckfield Bonfire

I attended the Leeds Bonfire night last year and tried documenting it.

I was not happy with the outcome. While I was filming, I thought there were so many problems such as the location was too dark, it was very crowded hence very difficult for me to move myself and my view was constantly blocked by the crowd, the bonfire was too far away and so on.. By the end of the night I simply thought to myself that the Bonfire night was simply too awkward and too inconvenient to be filmed. Of course, as with hindsight I usually am, I was wrong.

<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/31702030″>Event Horizon</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/millerandmiller”>James Miller</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

While researching for more promotional style videos, I came across this video of another Bonfire Night in Cuckfield called Event Horizon. I was stunned by its absolutely beautiful visuals put over Shostakovich / Jazz Suite No.2 IV. Waltz I. Reversing the footage of the exploding fireworks and the bonfire in slow motion took it to another level. It turned something that was not novel or particularly fascinating(extremely common in fact) such as fireworks into something so beautiful and arresting. Of course, fireworks are beautiful by itself, but each individual flare or explosion begins and ends so quickly, watching them live is like sampling ice cream again and again and never actually having the pleasure of enjoying an entire scoopful. The technique used in the video was in my opinion absolutely genius, because it allows the viewer to really appreciate the charm and artistry of the fireworks, slowly and calmly, stretching it’s extremely short display of a second or less into 5 seconds or more. The classical track of orchestra music definitely played a big role as well into turning the sequence into something that was simply pleasant to watch.

I’m not sure how similar the Cuckfield Bonfire was to the Leeds Bonfire, but based on what I can see the Cuckfield Bonfire had lights installed around the location, which of course helped with illuminating the visitors, something that was absent in the Leeds version. But besides that, overall, it didn’t seem like a video that was very difficult to achieve, had I known the potential of such techniques.

Filming day 1

We arrived Monday morning to film the ‘before’ state of the space, the preparation – cleaning, moving, painting, window illustration etc. After lunch we went out to film the city of Bradford. We setup the slider in the City Park to film sites that were immediately recognizable and identifiable as Bradford.

After that went around the city to look for higher vantage points to film the cityscape of Bradford. We first tried the Bradford Ice Skating Arena:-We 

We went in, spoke to the receptionist and got access into the building. We told him what we were doing and he brought us to the through the buildings to the windows which had the best view of Bradford. Unfortunately the windows weren’t facing the Bradford City Centre, but I think we still think we got some good shots. Here are screenshots of a couple of the clips:-

The man suggested a few other possible locations to film if we wanted to capture the City Centre, one of which is the National Media Museum which you can see in the picture above with the Ice Skating Arena. We tried the museum afterwards, but could not get any good enough view points. Next, we went up the National Car Park from which we got the best shots of the city. Here are some screenshots:-

By the time we returned to ReBooted, it was always beginning to get very dark, and so the timelapse that we had planned for the window had to be postponed till the next time.

Research: The Making of A Corporate Promotional Video

I was trying to find out what production techniques professionals use to shoot promotional videos besides the obvious and basic techniques that I’ve used for the Bramley Baths video. I found this video of the behind the scenes of a corporate promotional shoot, in which the video team uses a wide range of techniques to create a “dynamic, energetic segment”.

<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/60777705″>The Making of A Corporate Promotional Video</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/wilkinsonvisual”>Wilkinson Visual</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

He creates hyperlapses/timelapses of the client company assembling a product, something which takes a long time. A timelapse is the perfect solution as it compresses the process down into just a few seconds.

“A subtle camera movement adds another level of interest”

He uses a camera slider and a motorized dolly to create motion time-lapses/hyperlapses to capture the assembling processes. With the right angle and lighting( in the video he shoots from above the assembler of the product), he is able to turn something I thought was boring into an engaging and fascinating series of actions.

He also utilizes a steady cam to shoot what would normally be shot statically, for example staff speaking to client on the phone, or staff repairing a product, to add an element of motion into his shots.

“By itself it may seem arbritrary, but in a edit where maintaining the viewers interest is of paramount importance”

Dynamic shots such as these carry energy and gains the audiences attention, while also enabling the camera the capture and show more surrounding space and environment, placing the subject in context.

He also uses the camera sliders for real time shots to eliminate handheld shake, creating really smooth sequences which are pleasant to the eye.

Finally, he ends with the tip of  “Adding a movement to your camera shot should be a choice…There should be a reason to the motion, and be careful of not overusing this techniques too often in the same video”

Seeing that we have both the camera slider and a steady cam in the college, I definitely plan to use them for this upcoming video. I do not think that we have a motorized dolly but I should be able to manually move the camera along to create a hyperlapse as I have done so for my final piece last year.

Research : Wild Woods of Bradford

When we were given the video task, I returned to this promotional video of The Wild Woods of Bradford.

I like how the video began with audiences positive feedback, not just from one or two people, I counted 7 different people giving their thoughts on the event. I am immediately inclined to believe that the event was a success. I also like that the feedback were received from audiences of different ages and different backgrounds,  showing us how all-embracing and exciting the event programme must have been. It depicts the multi-culturism of Bradford very well, showing footage of people from all ethnicities dancing together and enjoying the event.

The video is very positive throughout, and communicates the message that Bradford can be just as exciting as any other city.

Research : Eventbrite, Leadercast 2014

 

I came across Eventbrite’s blog on ‘6 Great Examples of Organisers Using Video to Promote Events’, in which the author talks about 6 different types of videos used by organizers and their individual effects.  The first and only example I was able to take from for this project, is the ‘The glossy promotional video’ example. It first outlines the purpose and usefulness and such videos, which is that “It can serve as a reminder of a great day for attendees and help attract new delegates and speakers for next time.”

Link : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/blog/6-great-examples-of-organisers-using-video-to-promote-events-ds00/

The example video that they used is a promotional video for Leadercast 2014, a global leadership conference. I must say, it is one of the best promotional videos I have ever watched. Having no relevance to me, I genuinely felt as though I wanted to be part of the event.

<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/98751470″>Leadercast 2014 Event Recap (Short)</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/leadercast”>Leadercast</a&gt; on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

“Well-chosen soundbites from the keynote speeches played over the top of footage from the day enables anyone thinking of attending to gain a good understanding of what to expect in just a few minutes. The use of music, time-lapse footage and slow motion all help to add interest and make this really inspiring viewing. Who wouldn’t want to be part of this event after watching this”

Besides what’s mentioned above, what also caught my attention was the use of graphics to illustrate certain points and to imprint names of speakers or countries into the viewers memory such as :-

 

Also, I really appreciate use of many beautiful and cinematic shots to complement the ideas being conveyed, or simply to retain the viewers interest and attention.

Shot list

Here is my shot list :

1. Bradford cityscape – search for high vantage points : carpark, hilltop
2. Streets of Bradford – street on which Rebooted is located and more
3. Shots to show multiculturalism of Bradford – City centre, around the city park, park benches, train station
4. Timelapse/Hyperlapse with slider of window illustration
5. Timelapse/Hyperlapse with slider of preparation of space : cleaning, painting, installing etc.
6. Film preparation of space : close-ups, wides
7. Film an object related to Grotto in motion using High-speed(frame rate) camera, example : Zine falling into goody bag, paint splashing against a wall
8. Shots of people having their photo taken in the photobooth
9. Pan shot to show the entire Rebooted space – camera panned to follow a person walking in from the entrance into the space.

Responsive Video Task.

Today we were reassigned into different groups, each having a different task. Our group – Fern, Katie, Ruta, Molly were briefed to create a video of Grotto. From what I understood, the video was to be promotional & documentary. We were to document our exhibition from start to finish – the making of it, transforming of the space and installing the work, the exhibition itself and feedback from our tutors, audience and students. The finished video was to be sent to the college’s marketing team for promotional purposes for Viscom.

Here are my notes from the briefing of this task with David :

-positive promo video

-potential interview with radio station

-Use high-speed camera

-video length 3-5mins

-Include city of Bradford in video : Northern Victorian City

-Show visually multiculturism

 

 

 

 

Our pitch/presentation

Exhibition layout

Here is how we decided to group the work and where to situate them.