29/01/2016 - Filming session #1 and prop making.

 Today I met up with my friend/the main actor, Gun (yes that's his name). We were very productive today, finishing the props (police documents) and also filming 2/3 sections of the opening's plot. (another one couldn't be filmed as the other actors weren't available and we had time limits)

The filming sessions were divided into two with a dinner break in between.

Here is the list of equipment used for today's session:
-Metal handcuffs
-Fingerless gloves
-Black Trench coat
-Police documents
-Black folder
-Camera Tripod
-Lamp
-Pocket flashlight+knife
-Pizza.

1. Prop making

Character Design

Prior to filming, I took several photos of my friend (the actor) to make it reminiscent to that of a film's promotional poster. This was also done to compare the concepts I planned and the final products of character costumes.

1.The Protagonist

I intentionally chose this area as the background as it resembled Prison cells and the idea of being trapped. Even though he acts as a beacon of justice, the detective is metaphorically imprisoned in a scenario where he must pick between "justice" and the family he loves.  

2. The Antagonist

The light basking on the antagonist's face conveys the idea of her being self-righteous. This can be seen when she justifies her actions (murder) for the sake of protecting her family.

Filming Processes 

The Interrogation

Comtrolling the lights in this room was in fact pretty hard since it's a facility room and there were no light switches. We had to dial the office in order to turn it on/off. The darkness alone was not a suitable atmosphere for filming. As you can see below, even with a little bit of lightning the footage is quite (help me Mr Harrison)

The lighting in this scene is very dramatic, using the "chiaroscuro" technique. This was derived from 20th century German expressionist films influencing Hollywood Horror and Thriller. The intention is to make the suspect's face stand out from the darkness and enable the audience to see her hostile facial expression. Criminals in popular films/series often have spotlights pointed at their faces to signify that they have been identified/discovered by the authorities and are now at risk.

Lupin III , spotted by the police
(1971)

Abel is caught by the authorities!
Bridge of spies (2015)

To create this shot, there was a person holding a lamp at my/the actress' face as it was being filmed.

The Light scene: After the detective clicks his fingers, the lights turn on. This was done by adjusting the camera's tripod to zoom into one of the lights in my room. I then recorded myself turning it on and off, then reversed the speed so that the footage went backwards. It was added to show the power status of the two main characters . In the beginning, The detective seems to have the upper hand, being able to control/manipulate his environment. The light symbolizes justice and being entitled the role of a detective he must carry this "light" of justice and shine it upon the suspect.
To do this, I adjusted my tripod at an upright angle, zoomed closely to the lights in my room and started filming as I went and turned it off.  Below the picture is the final product!

After we finished filming, me and Gun took some parody photos and on the way back we almost lost the handcuff keys! (meaning that we'd be stuck like this)

have you seen the new friendship bracelet designs????