River Tees Rediscovered

We were given a brief to create a promotional video for River Tees Rediscovered, a local organisation; the video is to raise awareness, increase interaction, encourage visitors to take part in activities. The video is to go onto their new website and showcase a range of projects. The first draft was due the 7th December for final draft to be completed in January for their new website. They agreed to give us any facts and logos that need to be used but the logo is being changed because of their rebranding; they also agreed to give us some stock images of the area.

On the 28th September 2016 we looked at the brief in detail going over everything we had been given and what it means to us as the filmmakers. A lot of concerns were raised mostly due to the fact that there are 21 projects mentioned in the brief that need to be shown in the video. Also, needing to get to all of these different places posed a complication for us, as our bus passes only take us to Stockton and currently no one in the class can drive. We made a mind map with all of our immediate thoughts and ideas about the projects and the style of filming we would use. Then on the reverse side we wrote down information as it came to us, things such as details about project, their leaders and correspondences as well as important information about the video itself. The mind map allowed all of us to participate and link ideas as well as being clear and available for everyone to see and go back to and add anything new or important.  

We decided it would be best to go into smaller separate groups so that the projects could be divided and everyone could have a part to play. We did this by looking at peoples' strengths and wants, we decided that since this is an external project we thought everyone should develop their skills in the areas they are comfortable with rather than have people try new things for it not to work out and the client who we have the brief with not like it and a reshoot may be needed. We split up the groups into a director, camera operator and a management and paperwork person; this allowed us to split up groups or couples of people who often work with each other and branch out. We elected 2 people to be boom operators who will go with the necessary group when needed. 

We decided on some questions that we would like to be answered by the client which will help us plan the filming and editing of the video. 

I did a write-up of the session/meeting (see above) which included who was present, what we did and talked about and a copy of the groups we decided one and the questions we came up with. I completed this in the hopes that each meeting someone else would do a write-up of the meeting for future reference so that we could look back at what had been done when and who was present. 

I started a log of the hours and sessions spent on River Tees Rediscovered and who was present at meetings and sessions and what was done. This allowed me to document the hours I had done and also included the filming times in the folder so that it was available there and not just the calendar in the room. 

On the 5th October 2016 we continued planning by researching the projects and locations we would be filming, we tried to figure out the best ways to get to the locations and the best way to get footage, especially exterior footage where it wouldn't look the prettiest. A concern was raised as to how different the filming may look if done by different people as each person has their own style and view. We tried to decide how to overcome this, believing that each project may look different but overall will go well together. We finalised the questions ready for the meeting with the client. 

On the 6th October 2016 we had a half hour meeting with our client Jenny, she talked us through the brief we had and explained the projects we should feature. The original 21 projects were reduced to 9 possible projects however others should still be mentioned in the video She gave us contact details for people in charge of the projects so that we could find an appropriate time to film the projects. I listened and took notes for my own reference especially for when I would be editing a video as I would need to know what to include on the video and what would feature on the whole video. 

A week after the meeting with Jenny, (12th October) we focused more on what we will film for the promotional video, we looked at the different projects with people contacting  the people involved to try and find a possible time or event to film. Jenny emailed us the current logo to use until the new logo had been designed as well as the stock images, she had been in touch with her media team who said the video needs to be an AVI file.

I started research on the projects involved and put them into the folder. This was the information available on the website that the video will feature on. I used the research to break the folder into sections for each project therefore all paperwork corresponding to each project would be organised into that area of the file so that everything was organised. 
I took responsibility and organised the folder putting in paperwork as it came to me from others in the class, this was important as it helped avoided things getting lost or misplaced.  

I wrote on the location of each project so that when we were planning events we could decided who was best to go as to who could get to each location easiest. 

Matthew and Rhys made a calendar/schedule for the upcoming weeks to write events on so that everyone could see the filming dates and we could write on who was filming what.

It was decided that Kane, Matthew and myself would go and film at the Tees Barrage so on the 19th October we started to prepare. Kane and myself created a shot list of what we think we'll need to film but since we aren't completely sure what will be there to film and what access we have it was very limited however I believe the filmmaking will be very reactive and we'll think on our feet . We printed off release forms and decided on questions if we choose to interview a contributor. We had already been given a risk assessment from the client so we familiarised ourselves with that knowing what risks are present and how we need to avoid them and comply with the health and safety. 

On the shot list we separated it into sections and left gaps so that we could write in more on the day when we had a better understanding of what there was to film and how it would look on camera. 

Also I organised the other risk assessments and communications evidence we had into the relevant sections of projects. 

We filmed at the Tees Barrage on 21st October, we got a range of footage of the variety things can be done there, hopefully advertising and promoting more people to get involved there. Since we weren't sure what would be available the shot list was only a basis and we filmed a lot more than what was on there. Kane was predominately on camera however I did take a few shots, I made a note of the shots we had filmed so that it could be used in post-production. We only used the shoulder mount as we felt it would be a hassle to set up a tripod for every shot and since we weren't sure on the space we would have available it made sense to just use that piece of equipment, however this meant that we could not film an interview with our correspondent and that some shots will be not be completely steady, to get over this we can stabilise shots in post. The experience was very useful as it has opened more opportunities to film for them with Matthew giving his contact details to be in charge of that. We observed all health safety put into place, not going too far to the water or behind any railings, only going where we were told we were allowed on the tour. 

Kane was mainly on camera and I recommended on which shots to get and whether they needed to be reshot due to shaky shots or other reasons. I did film some shots myself. 

On the back of the shot list I wrote down extra shots we had filmed that weren't on the list so that I could use them in post-production when labelling my footage. 

To show good industry practice and to comply with legal regulations we got a location agreement signed by our correspondent at the Tees Barrage. This is a formal contract that allows us to use the location on camera and also acts as a formal contract. 

When we arrived on site, we were given a copy of their paperwork which included a filming/photography licence. Prior to filming we had to send them a copy of our liability insurance which protects us if clients or members of the public suffer personal injury or property damage because of our business. We also had an artist release form available in case we interviewed the correspondent, this legal document would allow us to use the person's voice and appearance for the project. 

Our main correspondent for the film had sent us a range of risk assessments that covered the projects, we familiarised ourselves with the relevant risk assessment that included working near water.

Upon arrival we were given a tour and health and safety brief; the tour told us where we would be allowed to film and that if we wanted to be closer to the water we would have to wear a life jacket and be accompanied by a staff member.

At the end of the shoot we completed the Daily Production Diary stating what had been done at this shoot, this will be useful in post-production when footage needs to be labelled and logged.

We considered legal and ethical issues throughout the whole project, using artist and location release forms for each shoot; artist release forms were signed by everyone who appeared on camera agreeing to their image being used in the promotional video. The location agreements were signed for the same reason and although the projects were aware of this film being made we still ensured to have the signs formed as a matter of fact and to use to show us working at a professional level.