Coordination - Pestilence
Before we begin the filming process, we will need to first do some coordination.
Technologies
To be able to film and edit this movie, we will be using the following hardware and software:
- iPhone 13
- Tripod
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Blackmagic Camera
- ASUS ROG Strix G16
- OBS Studio
- Figma
(amongst several other pieces of set hardware)
Recording Tech
To record, we will be using the same iPhone 13 from the last project with the same Blackmagic Camera software. Blackmagic Camera is special because it provides additional features and control compared to the stock iOS camera app. The software offers advanced video settings, such as higher frame rates or logarithmic color profiles. Filming with the Blackmagic Camera app results in footage with a more cinematic look. If you would like to learn more about why I use Blackmagic Camera with my work, you can check out the blog by clicking here.
Originally, I was planning on securing a DSLR camera to film, specifically a Cannon EOS 90D, from the TV production department of my school. After introducing the project to my TV production teacher, however, he was concerned about potential damage to the camera whilst on set. These cameras are not cheap, after all.
So, Jaydon, I, and the TV production teacher agreed to use my phone to film. Despite being unable to utilize the EOS 90D camera, my TV production teacher still stepped in. From him, I was able to secure a tripod with a holder for a phone. The tripod is very helpful so that the camera can be in a consistent, fixed position, free of any shakiness.
Set Tech
For Scenes 1, 2, and 3, we will use some working technology props.
So far for what we have planned for Scene 1, we will incorporate two devices, an iPad that will be used as a fake POS, and a phone that will run a fake store app. I will make the UI (user interface) on a program called Figma, a UI/UX prototyping application used in the real world for the development of user interfaces for software. The devices will have Figma installed and will display the prototype with the relevant buttons becoming functional.
For Scene 2, we plan to use a laptop running a Kali Linux VM to give Digital Phantom a workstation to do his, well, digital abuse. We plan to just run Nmap (port scanning tool) on the VM as we want to balance the screen time between Digital Phantom and his workstation. The terminal output, along with the rest of the ambiance, is enough to tick the "Hollywood logic" box of a "hacking scene".
For Scene 3, we will use the A/V equipment that is on set to display the movie and Digital Phantom's interception. We will use OBS Studio (with several plugins installed) to display the graphics onto a projector/display on set.
Post-Production Tech
To edit, I will still be using the Adobe Creative Cloud programs, specifically Adobe Premiere Pro to edit the video. I may end up using more programs during post-production (i.e.: to create vectorized post-production graphics), so it will stated in the respective production blog.
Actors
Since the beginning of the year, we have been scrambling like crazy to find actors for our film. We have asked friends and classmates from our school to help us with the film. Some could help, some could not. We were able to secure three lead actors, along with a few background actors to bring some life into the scenes. Scene 1 would obviously look very awkward without any background actors!
Schedule
As follows, here is our filming schedule:
- Set Scoping: 1/28/24
- Main Production Filming 1 (MPF1): 2/4/24
- Backup Production Filming 1 (BPF1): 2/11/24
- Backup Production Filming 2 (BPF2): 2/18/24
- Backup Production Filming 3 (BPF3): 2/25/24
Any changes to the schedule will be noted in a future production blog.
Each actor will have access to a workspace on a productivity software called ClickUp. We will have our schedule, script, and everything else posted there. As for communication, we will exchange phone numbers and discuss via text message.
