A Film in 5 Minutes

10th January 2015

BARBARA
SURVIVAL GUIDE
My Strengths
Creativity
This week with our live
recordings I felt that my idea
even though I had to change it
last minute I used my location
well to its extent and I also used
my creativity and this gave me
more freedom and play when
writing it and creating that vision.
Director

I believe my directorial skills

were at its peak this week
when I was directing the actors
and camera crew on Harriet's
live production and I felt I was
in control and I knew what I
was doing and had a vision of
the look and feel of the
programme and captured how
Harriet wanted it as well.

26/01/15
Scenes:
-Harriet
-enchanted
Could be a musical for theatre, really up beat and physical
Really animated for camera
Dynamic in performance
Very Disney
Can't see a lot of change in her thought process
She is in the character
Quite a jarring character to play
Love her innocent
-catching fire
Dynamic change in emotion
Change in attitude

Articulate

See a lot in her eyes

This week I have used the right

terminology when being dierent
rolls as well as in my writing. I
also felt that when explaining the
dierences between theatre and
film and dierent types of filming
has been clear as well as my
presentation of my scenes this
week I felt my presentation came
across analytical and
communicated
clearly.
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A lot of great camera angles used

Love the intense build up
Couldn't put this in theatre, made for film
Really into the character
Vocal tone was really in the moment and suited the action

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10th January 2015

My Weaknesses

Commercial Castings:

Patience
When we were setting up
for the news live recording I
started getting impatience
because nobody was
listening and we could have
started but people feel they
need to wait for gavin and
during this time I should
have relaxed and used it
wisely.

Doing something that heightened reality and as the actor you

have to bring a believability to it.
Think about clothes I.e.: coke advert wear something with
red on.
Julia: Toyota aris
Playing a young. Woman in a loving relationship and she
brought a new car and the boyfriend gets in the car and
marmite and toast and I tell him aggressively and I become
mental and get my own back on him.

Writing
Even with little time I
didn't get to write a lot of
my survival guide I had a
basic structure and
improvised but I could have
written more and had more
of a clear vision to where I
wanted it to go.

Director /
First AD says
on studio:
Credits rolling
Going Live in 10- 5 silent
Cutting to (Video transition) VT in 20 seconds actor has to keep talking

Being myself
I found it very hard to be
myself, when recording I
felt like I still had to be
entertaining like on the
quiz show and I was trying
to help and have input but I
wasn't myself and I need to
work on this and how I
come across, especially if
cameras pick up everything!

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Going to VT in 5

Rehearsing Scenes:
-Harriet // strictly
I wasn't involved in this live recording so I was elected as
director of the piece, I wasn't sure what this role i tailed being
the studio version but it almost involves being first AD as well
when running the ga. I liked being director but because I
haven't felt particularly comfortable within the company

A Film in 5 Minutes

10th January 2015

again at the moment because of tension and bitchiness I wasn't too forthcoming with being such a
demanding role. As director I was in charge of what camera is getting which angle and what is being
shot as well as the look, I communicated with the camera operators who were Charley and Amber to
see what vision they had as this DOP. As the director I had to count in the credits, cameras and the
actors. I can see the advantages of rehearsing because it's better for the actor to know what they are
doing and what cameras to look into as well as the camera operators communicating with the director
to know what they want and making sure they
aren't in shot of other cameras. That is a major
disadvantage of shooting on multi- camera even
with two that the angles are harder to get
because of visibility of other cameras in shot;
this is why gavin said it would cut to another
camera and then back to the original after they
are out of shot. I found it interesting being
director and seeing the role and how dierent it
is compared to being a director on a film set
because there is a lot more responsibility on the
crew side when being in studio and the director
in film is more involved with the actor as well as
crew. There is more freedom in film to get dierent angles and shots unlike TV especially live
recording because there would have to be live editing during the show.when looking through the
cameras in rehearsals I could imagine where the edits and cuts would be in place and the shots and
angles I thought were experimental and darling for a multi- camera production.
I feel within myself I have been using more terminology for the set and trying to communicate with
the crew in technical terms rather than just stand there but sometimes I don't know if I'm being right
in what I'm saying. I felt when I was the director of Harriet's piece I was communicating with the
actors but it was a rehearsal more for the crew in my head and getting the shot, I wasn't too focused
on the acting which is something I am going to look out for next time when I am directing a live
recording or a TV production.

Gav Notes: Good directional skills and got time to play around.

- Action
Camera b start Ms cut on however
Camera a wS centre the judges, pan left follow in. Final dance position cut
Camera b track in follow judges to seats side on
Harriet bananas into shot camera a Ms
Cut intro of contestants camera b until start of dance
Camera a wS until cha cha downwards cut
Camera b follows panning around the action cut

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Camera a to judges reaction panning right to routine cut

Camera b still panning around cut
Camera a cut to side wide of action cut

10th January 2015

Company Strengths

Going for it

Camera b top right track out Harriet stop

As a company we have been really

diving into the tasks we have been
set this week with the live
recordings and the commercials
and I think that is a positive
because Alex didn't want to do it
but we were supportive and she did
it and was glad.

- Connor // chat show

Having fun

I was appointed as sound for this production, personally I hate being

sound I'm not too sure what I'm looking for and I don't have very
strong arms so spending ages holding the boom above my head even
when it's is locked arms it is arm to maintain. I felt even when
rehearsing the sound was a little unless because we would need to set a
level and when it came to doing it live we would need a sound check
before we went up to check the levels. It was useful to understand
where I am going to be pointing the mic at to favour the speaker but
the problem with talk shows is that I can always change each time.
Normally in studios the mic would be on a crane and the sound
operator would control it from there so that they are not in shot;
because there are only three dierent angles on this live recording of
Connor I don't move a lot unlike my direction for strictly.

This week we have been

having so much fun and on
this process as a whole we
have been really enjoying
ourselves but I felt we let
go with our freedom of
creativity this week which
is a strength.

I found it hard being the sound operator because sometimes the

volume would be too loud when Connor was doing his big
introductions but then too quite when it came to speaking level during
the chat section. Also clapping makes a very loud and sharp sound that
is distorting for sound especially in a room like the black room which
has good acoustics. I felt that the angles of the cameras weren't very
creative and I think Daniella found it hard to have a vision on a piece
that isn't her idea like the chat show. She found it hard to communicate
what she wanted with the camera operators debut Levi took his
indicative and communicated his vision to Daniella where they came to
a conclusion. Connor when there were ten seconds left he froze and
Alex tried to help him out however he just froze and once the cameras
are rolling they are rolling and I think we all need to understand the
pressures of improvisation, this is something I predict Sam to be very
good at.

With our live recording and

the commercials this week
it just showed and proved
how diverse we are as a
company and individuals
and what creativity we
bring to the company and
with this being emphasised
this week I think that is a
major strength.

Camera b final centre shot

Camera a on judges reactions bottom left
Camera b on contestants bottom left
Camera a scores centre on to judges cut

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Diversity

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Company Weaknesses

Attitude
Some people in the
company like Alex were
being very negative about
doing the commercials and
this quiz and that really
brought down the positive
energy for others so I think
that needs to be addressed.

10th January 2015

27/01/15
Rehearsing Filming:
- Julia // Barbara's survival guide

Teamwork
As a company I think it was
harder to work together because
we were more on the acting side
than having a lot of crew but I
also think during the lie
recording in some like the quiz
we didn't help each other out.

Energy
This week I feel the energy has
been quite low and I think with
some negative energy flowing
around I think it has been
harder. Some of the company
including myself have been
working and are tired but we
need to bring the energy up and
that is up to us.

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Barbras survival guide is the show for the live recording, I really
started getting into the idea. Gavin was the director for my piece
which I was happy about and he knew what shots he wanted and
communicated with my vision of what I wanted as well. Just
rehearsing I didn't feel that much of a pressure however when the
cameras are rolling for real I think these will be more pressure on me
to improvise. Some of what I am saying is improvised so it's hard
sometimes for me when my words get twisted and mumbled, so I
need to work on my diction and clarity when speaking. It was lot of
fun to be involved and because I was working alone with the camera
but observing the action of other actors I felt that this really was a
good parody and because we were all characters and acting no as
ourselves we had more freedom with expression and physicality.
I found what the other actors brought to the performance influenced
what I was saying as well with my observations and I was really happy
with how the piece was unravelling. I felt the comedy was naturally
coming out and I think I will be able to bring the delivery as well as
the action leading up to a climax. I didn't have the 20 seconds before
VT so I found that I was playing the moment but didn't feel that
pressure to continue to improvise but I felt that Charley's moment
with me really helps having a moment of silence and being in the
moment. It was really fun to be in and film and rehearse and it was

A Film in 5 Minutes

10th January 2015

how I imagined with Levi following me and giving the action cam aect.
- Charley and Lewis // quiz show
I was a participant in charley and Lewis game show, I felt because I was being myself I was not acting
and corpsed but being myself I don't know if it's classed as corsping. I liked the concept and idea and
the eort that went into the game show but it wasn't very lively like Keith lemon makes it and gets
reactions from his contestants and some taking the piss, I think there needs to be more risks that can
be taken in this performance. The hosts are the main runner of the show who drives the piece and as a
duo its a lot easier to bounce o other people. I like the idea of the quiz but it's the least complex
production we have rehearsed or filmed the cameras are just still and we again are using multi camera
so it is limiting but you can everyone on camera. I think Alex got into the swing of being director and
felt the pressure of live TV but as the actor being myself I didn't feel the pressure I felt like I was just
there for entertainment and to have a subject in shot. There needs to be more fun and improvisation
and Gavin said just play and look into shooting stars.

28/01/15
Rehearsing:
- Alex / Levi / Daniella / Amber // news
This production took a long time to set up but we also had walkie-talkies to communicate because we
were using two camera on two separate locations. There was a news theme and Daniella's children in
need got included into this and the running connection was hurricane Dennis. I really liked the idea
and I was an actor in Daniella's piece as a teacher in pyjamas so I played the character of an upbeat
teachers who was down with the kids, I thought the idea was fun and there was a great atmosphere
when rehearsing this. I also doubled up on crew as the auto cue and cuing in Erol and the actors on
some sections, we with limited crew members i think we did really well to communicate and work
collectively as a team to make the rehearsal run smoothly.

Filming:
-News
We filmed the news production straight away after rehearsal so we were still knowing what we were
doing and it felt more real and I could feel the pressure of the live TV more after going through the
rehearsal and then doing it because there were a few errors but it ran smoothly on our side. This multi
camera use what more of a challenge and felt more real like the industry because of the dierent
locations and although we didn't have high technology such as ear pieces and radio mics we did our
best and communicated well inside of that. There was a pressure to get it right because of the one
take and when we were counted down into action some of them weren't long pauses inbetween and
when it was silence for ages it made it even more nerve raking but thrilling to be apart of.
-survival guide

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A Film in 5 Minutes

10th January 2015

It was my turn for filming and because it was outside we wanted to make sure the lighting was still
bright so we could capture the detail. Personally the style of my production was more like a sketch so
I almost felt like it wasn't live recording but a pre recorded VT in a live recording. I really enjoyed
myself though, I felt because I out on a character as well as chose the style and piece I wanted to do it
gave me the freedom and relaxation inside of that. I felt pressure to get everything right and I know
before I have muddled my words up and rushed to try and get everything out but I really took the
moments and wanted to make sure that I was making the most out of my time and the location. I felt
that it ran smoothly there were no major cock ups and I had fu and so did the other company
members because it was so bizarre. When you first hear going live and the count down it really turns
your stomach like it would on theatre and that sense of once your in it you can't stop and because my
piece was quite improvised I felt that gave more of a sense of a theatre piece.
-strictly
I was the director on this one and I felt that when recapping and grabbing the cats and crews
attention I did this professionally and quickly, I recapped for the camera operators and went through
the shots and angels. When I asked if they needed
any more details they could ask me or anything
they wasn't sure on and I was assured they knew
what they were doing but it seemed during the run
I still had to direct and cue charley to go. I thought
Amber knew what she was doing and I trusted her,
although looking through the camera in some
shots I thought that the focus wasn't on point
mainly with charley throughout the whole
production. As the director I felt a pressure to
make sure everything was running smoothly but
again I was more focused on the cameras than the
acting but I feel if something went wrong it was on
my head.
I think the actors seemed relaxed in front of the camera more than they have in the past and I think
it was because we were more ourselves. There were a lot of camera movement in this piece and I feel
that is were the complication comes in and I wanted to make sure everything was good considering
once the cameras roll that it is.
-Jonathan norton show
My arms kept aching being boom operator but I did a better job than when we rehearsed it, I felt that
it ran smoother than it did a Connor was a lot better but I think that's because everyone was more at
ease with having a rehearsal. The show ran smooth and Connor really grew into his presenter persona
when it was the end, unfortunately it was the end so it was as he was saying goodbye. I had the level
control open because I know that Connor speaks louder at the beginning when introducing and the.
Goes really quite so I made sure that the levels were always hitting the middle but when there were
claps it did make it a lot harder. I thought it was entertaining to watch but made me want to be apart
of the chat show even more.

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A Film in 5 Minutes

10th January 2015

- ben and Jerry quiz of the year.

I found it really fun being a part of the quiz even though we already knew the questions there was a
lot more meat to the quiz when the introductions, it did go on quite long and there was so energy or
buzz unlike the other ones. I feel when it is theatre someone picks up the ball of energy or the scene
changes and that was just a small dip but in this situation of live television it was hard to do that and
when I tried to help as Lewis asked I got cut down. I was being myself but a heightened version
because i don't feel I can be myself on camera. When it came to the filming I didn't feel nervous
because it wasn't my production or my idea but I could tell that Lewis and Charley were drowning in
this dead energy which was very hard to bring up the pace and create which made me think it must be
so hard for Keith lemon and the shooting starts presenters to always keep the energy up in a studio
and for that to be translated well onto camera. I think that the hard thing about TV and especially live
recording it is hard to create an atmosphere and energy that translates well and creates the same
atmosphere on camera unlike theatre when audiences are there with you in the moment and feel that
energy live.

Rushes:
Camera A
-News
Camera A: Very nature Alex, nice lighting and shot. levi very news reporter very nice vocal quality.
Not great lighting, not a smooth transition to Alex, not great reacting to the ear piece. Good cues
with use of the multi cameras on dierent locations.
- barbras survival guide
- Really funny character, the timing worked really well, the comedy added a great undertone to the
overall performance. There was more focus on the action but I did my commentary which added to
it. Creative and funny.
-strictly
The sound is too much. The cmaera is not completely in foucs with camera a some joggy camera work
not always in focus went out of focus on judges, should have already been on the judges and focused.
Shouldn't of had to zoom in and out on scores, bad from charley should have been more prepared.
-Jonathan norton show
Keeps getting the words mixed up Connor. Levi some nice camera work but needed to keep looking
into the focus. The sound is quite quiet but sounds at a good level. Alex nice performance acting as
Megan trainer. Charley is very natural when his talking out of focus when on Alex at first. Alex nice
for going for it as the singer with lip syncing. Sound would be better if there was a radio mic on
Connor because of clapping distorted the sound. Nicer more performance from Connor towards the
end felt more like a send o.
- ben and Jerry quiz of the year.

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A Film in 5 Minutes

10th January 2015

Wide shot hasn't got everyone is it Daniella and Erol are slightly cut o. Dead energy, should be up to
the presenters. Charley doesn't look interested. Tried helping and the. It got cut down and the energy
died even more. Every time I tried to pick up the energy the hosts cut me down. I think buzzing in
would have given more energy and urgency. The first correct was very loud. Nicer when they did the
impression and added more shooting stars into it. Sound when correct when they got louder was to
distorted. Correct got repetitive, should have come up more sayings. The zoom in was very out of
focus. Charley comes across very aggressive and getting his words twisted so you can see the pressure
getting to him. Lewis is more quite, they are trying to be funny which isn't funny. No heads in the
wide shot for the hosts.

29/01/15
Rushes:
Camera B
-news
Love ambers performance animated but still has that news reporter attitude and vocally quality. The
camera goes a little joggy on Daniella sometimes. The sound is a little scratchy. Nice presence with
Daniella cheerful. The timing was great just on Daniella's first entrance. Can't wait to see all of the
news presenting stitched together.
- survival guide
Connors forge of Erol was really out of focus. Some nice shots on
the girls and at the end with charley. When you saw Levi it didn't
matter as much because it was a documentary. There are moments
of both footage where you can edit it smoothly.
- strictly
Nice camera work Amber in focus. Out of focus when introducing
the contestants. Nice circling shot, saw charley in shot see it in
editing. Sound again too sharp. Nice shot when Harriet is walking
back really added a presenter feel. Hiccups in dialogue with
Harriet not smooth. Nice ending shot with the panel and
contestants in the background but shouldn't have looked into the
camera as well.
- Jonathan norton
Sound is really sharp with the clapping. Connor doesn't look like
his listening to the actors or interested looks like his thinking about his next dialogue. Out of focus
and sharp panning. Can see how they could be edited together with the close up and the wide master
shot. Getting smoother towards the end with zooming. Connor is not enjoying the song. Charley at
the beginning. Ing looked me icing but got into it and did some comical looking towers the camera.

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A Film in 5 Minutes

10th January 2015

Connor slight look into the camera looked like don't record me. Connor got more into it standing up.
Clapping sound too much at the end.
- ben and Jerry quiz show.
Some sharp camera movements and not always in focus, when zooming in it wasn't necessary at the
beginning could be left with a mid shot. Nicer zoom in when the focus was favouring one actor.
Daniella's really listening and having fun. Levi's reactions into camera are funny. Out of focus
sometimes when zooming in.

Commercial Casting:
I really enjoyed my commercial casting, I felt that it wasn't harsh and it felt relaxed and everybody was
warming and friendly but Lewis did play it quite cold but I I didn't let that phase me. I thought that I
came across very enthusiastic and friendly towards the panel. I really wanted to be made a fool of and
I felt that it was quite formal, after looking at the spoof video and the feel they give o in the room I
wanted that. Knowing the commercial I was going up for I thought it would be more heightened but I
also wanted to bring a honest reality to the performance. I felt the casting was quite fun and I enjoyed
myself but it was completely dierent to a normal casting because you improvised and mimed a lot
which in an audition they tell you not to do so you are encouraged to make an ass of yourself. It's very
dierent style of acting as the casting director directs you throughout the whole thing which almost
feels like a workshop where we did the fairy tales but it's such a surreal experience.
It was very strange being on the other side and being on the panel, it was fun being on the other side
and watching these people make such an ass of themselves but at the same time it was just another
realisation of this is what they are looking at and for. I felt like no one was bad, there were a few non
eye contacts and closed body language or like charley shaking hands but not with everyone. I felt like
whatever the person everyone came across well and I would have employed all of them I felt it was
more about their performance than about the person because they all seemed to bring a part of that
to their performance which brought the honesty to it.

-Daniella

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A Film in 5 Minutes

10th January 2015

Seems nervous
Closed body language
Nice vocal quality
Nice youthful fresh look
Warming personality
Smiley good for kids advert
Fiddly
Nice attitude
Responds well to direction
Nice awkwardness but was quite small could have been bigger
-Harriet
Very polite
Nice smiley entrance
Closed body language
Listens well
Very animated but with props that will become more natural
Heightened but still had a gentle movement to it
Patient
Nice energy and smiling
There aren't a lot of movements just very princess like with her hands
Trying to respond well to direction but got a little confused
Come across really well would employ.
-Sam
Kept looking down at the floor
Really honest come across warm
Seemed a little nervous
Really natural
Really animated
Didn't mind making fool out of him
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A Film in 5 Minutes

10th January 2015

Really got you to imagine you were seeing this imaginary place
Nice exit friendly said goodbye made eye contact with everyone

-charley
Shook hands with people but not everyone
Open body language
Responds well to direction.
There for the job
Came across quite professional
Had quite a presence but it had a little laziness attitude
-Lewis
(Didn't look up)
Monotone voice sounded disinterested
Why did he take his shoes o?
Wasn't afraid to get into it noise wise
Nice reactions

Quiz:
Personally I was looking forward to the test but really nervous about this as well, I was surprised at
the question and the amount as well as the content because I revised a lot and some of it I knew and
some I wasn't sure but some wasn't in it but that's what I revised. I took some educated guesses so we
will just have to see if they pay o.

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A Film in 5 Minutes

10th January 2015

A Film in 5 Minutes

Action Plan:
Patience
Writing
Be yourself
Energy
- Teamwork and attitude

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