GRAD SHOW: CREWING FOR TJ

I sure have been busy these last two terms, and when TJ asked me to gaffer for his grad film I had to say yes. We had many meetings as a crew to discuss the upcoming shoot and looked through all the pre production. It was super thorough, and so instantly I knew what TJ wanted me to do. Myself and TJ had meetings to talk lighting, gels, colour, equipment and pre lights so I was all up to speed with everything that was needed of me. We arranged a pre light and I felt that helped a lot and reassured us both that we could do it. We had four shoot days which seemed like a lot, but they were super crammed on the day, yet still a lot of fun. I feel it went well the whole shoot, despite the fact that lots of the equipment was faulty or broken, but we managed to resolve it all. I feel that I did my job well as a gaffer and gave TJ what he wanted, he seemed pleased with the lighting outcome so that was reassuring. I tried my best to keep the lighting as similar as possible when I had to change the lights around. There were a few difficulties as the space on the third and fourth day was super cramped, so some of the lighting doesn't match up as nicely as I wanted. But it isn't unfix able in post production colour grading. 

After the shoot was over, TJ asked me if I would like to edit and I said yes of course because it was a great opportunity and felt like I was up to the task. However I got a week into it and had to go to hospital with heart problems relating to stress and felt that maybe I had taken on too much in one term. So after discussion TJ handed the edit over to Nina and Rufaro. I am dissapointed in myself that I couldn't see the edit the whole way through but if I had continued then I know I would have made myself more ill. Overall I enjoyed working on this shoot so much and love helping others and getting stuck in doing what I love, and I can't wait to see the final piece. Below are only a few images I took, there will be some more BTS coming as Preston took those pictures. 

I hope you enjoy. Thank you.

DANCE FILM: CREWING FOR GRACE AND JOE

I was fortunate enough for Grace and Joe to ask me to light for their film. I wasn't too sure on the concept as I feel they may still have been forming it but when they said gels I said yes instantly! Joe told me what gels they would be using, what shots and lights they were having too so I was fully prepared to work with my equipment when I got it. Unfortunately I was really ill the day of the pre light, and was very apologetic for it, but I feel this did not stunt my performance. We had two shoot days from 9:30 until 6/7 ish. The first day was a little tricky as Grace and Joe were of course stressed and everyone was getting into the swing of their roles, but once we were all settled the day went really smooth. We managed to shoot all the white lighting and the blue gels. I sadly didn't get any pictures of the white lighting. I feel this day was a big success as we filmed a lot, Joe and Grace were really happy with the lighting and positioning of all the lights. I had a lot of fun as I had to re adjust every light after a shot and kept me busy and on my toes. 

The second day there were a few people missing in the morning due to illness but as we had a lot to film and wanted to get the equipment back before stores closed we got stuck into it. I stepped up to the first AD role, nervous at first as I have always wanted to do it but was a little scared I couldn't. But Grace and Joe were happy with me as first AD and said I did really well. We had to change a few shots around but that was all ok and easy. It was a lot of fun as I was telling them what shot was next and lens and then running to go help adjust the lights so it was really fun being super busy. I managed to keep us on track, and even ahead of schedule so we managed to film all of orange and orange B roll before lunch. Then I re set the lights and put the red gels on. I feel that I excelled at my job on this shoot, I was attentive to the lights and constantly checking if they were in shot, as there were a lot of mirrors, and making sure that Grace and Joe were happy. I even got to step up to first AD for the day which was so fun and feel I did well at as we managed to finish the day 3 hours ahead of schedule.  As I hadn't worked with Grace or Joe before it was a great opportunity and I really enjoyed it. Below are some pictures I took from the shoot days. 

I hope you enjoy. Thank you.

DANCE FILM; CREWING FOR NINA

Due to doing research and working with lights a lot Nina asked me to help on her shoot with lighting. We had a meeting and this would be a 4 day shoot in the evenings and we would be filming a different scene every day. Nina discussed with me colour palettes and gels that she wanted so that when it came round to the shoot I was prepared. As this was a piece about stereotyping, culture and heritage I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get the certain look Nina wanted but she reassured me that it would be ok.

On the first day we set out to complete the filming for the white lighting. I met the dancer, and she was super lovely and setting up the lights to Nina's standard I felt I did well and made sure she was super happy with them. The shoot went really smoothly and everything was done within the time given as a lot of time and work had gone into the call sheets that Nina had made, and we also had an incredible crew too. The second day was also a success and I felt the lighting was to a high standard and was making sure it looked ok on the monitor and if I needed to move any lights for any shot if it was in frame or too strong on the dancers face.The third and fourth days went amazing too, as well as shooting everything Nina needed she made sure we were having a good time, and were hydrated and with snacks. I really enjoyed working with Nina and her beautiful film.

Personally I feel that I completed my role to a high level as a gaffer, I made sure the lighting was just to Nina's taste and standard and was constantly seeking to improve or push my work further in any way. I feel since studio shoot I have really grown in my lighting and gaffer abilities. Of course there is a lot more for me to learn, but I feel I am on the right track, I am passionate, people are pleased with my lighting and continue to use me as a gaffer. I feel this is a field of work I would love to explore more. Luckily I had a lot more opportunities this term to broaden my portfolio for gaffer work which kept me super busy. Below are some pictures from the shoot.

I hope you enjoy. Thank you.

DANCE FILM:UPDATE

After proposing our idea for our idea, myself and Danielle got to work trying to source dancers and get our pre production together. However, due to us both being very ill during the Easter break, we were unable to get everything together in time as we were unwell and we had to take care of ourselves. This was a massive shame as we had big ambitions with this dance film but illness lead to being delayed. Although, I had a quick chat with Rosie and she said that due to us crewing on so many shoots that we would be able to make up our grade from our contributions to people's projects.

I hope you enjoy. Thank you.