Chain-saws, treading on toes and lighting for TV

Brief 4= “each group will produce 1x1” of “actuality” using only the contributor on location”

More ‘live action’ filming this week, however, all the groups need to be careful to not shoot ‘profile’ sequences or ‘instructional videos!’ This is a tough assignment because the action needs to drive the story rather than the interview but you need to ensure that there is a strong human element in your story so your viewer does not lose interest. 

Well, I decided to contact my old-colleagues at Trelissick Garden and we filmed the very kind, very patient, garden team splicing, chopping and chain-sawing wood ready for the winter. It proved to be quite a successful shoot, we got some great audio from the cutting equipment and the gardeners were really communicative and interesting contributors; many thanks to Dick, Ivor and Tom.

In terms of the production team, we had a bit of a reshuffle this week, Tim took on sound, while Dan and Catherine each took a camera and I liaised with the Trelissick staff in the background also trying to interject shot-suggestions over the machinery noises.

Overall, I was disappointed that I did not have the opportunity to shoot this week, because I do intend to put camera down as my technical speciality, however, three cameras would have excessive.

Memo to self: do not be timid about trying new things or treading on other people’s toes!

Excellent lighting session with Pete today, practiced three point lighting on Katherine seated in the middle of the TV studio on an office chair, and it was surprising how flattering, how ‘televisual’, good lighting can make a person look versus standard indoor/domestic lighting.

Editing tomorrow, Unit 110 hand-in on Friday so new modules next week and tele-tastic three minute wonders to come….