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Showing posts from February, 2024

Preparing for Post - Pestilence

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Now that our group is nearing the end of filming, it is time to get everything situated for post-production. First things first, I need to make a folder with all of the assets for the project. It will follow the same file-sorting convention as last time: For context, here is what each folder will contain: Audio - SFX, voiceovers, etc. Cameras - video sources from the cameras used in this production. Docs - any documents related to the production of the video, including a local copy of the storyboard. Project Files - the folder that will contain the Premiere Pro project file and its autosaves. Note that this folder may also contain some After Effects project files if a decision is made to add some graphics that may not be possible to add using Premiere Pro alone. In this case, another folder will be created inside of the project folder named "Graphics" for video sources other than the cameras used in the video. Sequence and Audio Settings As for the video settings, all camera

A Breif Look: Digital Set Pieces - Pestilence

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This production will employ some working props for use in the Pestilence film. Currently, they include: a Point of Sale (POS) iPad for the tech store Zephyra's outgoing phone running the tech store's app Zephyra's new phone, which was maliciously jailbroken a Projection screen displaying a film in the theatre some demonstration devices inside of the tech store Digital Phantom's laptop a mic connected to the laptop Scene 1 Scene 1 includes the Point of Sale iPad and demo devices for the tech store. Zephyra walks into the store with her phone and opens the store app to initiate the pickup process. The cashier can interact with the iPad to "take the pickup order" and give her the phone. However, the applications are actually illusory. The applications are designed from scratch in Figma, a UI/UX design and prototyping platform. I collaborated with Nickolas, a long-distance friend from NYC, with experience in UI and UX design, to create the design for the POS and c

Whew! Time to take a break! - Pestilence

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  After the filming of Scene 2, we ended up taking a long break. All of our actors and crew, including myself, were busy with something. We had so many school assignments accumulating on our schedules that we ended up having to adjust our schedules to accommodate them. One thing is for sure: We were going to attempt to film Scene 1 again on the day of MPF3. However, we could not do that since one of our main actors, Sarah, could not make it that day. So, after talking, Jaydon and I decided that we were going to reschedule it for March 3rd, 2024. That date would be final as the project deadline is coming very soon. No excuses, no delays. All of the cast and crew were asked if they were able to make it that day. So far, no one stated that they were not able to. If any of the cast could not come, a replacement would have to be found to fill in their role. In this case, I am going to CCFL to finally attend youth service after several weeks of not being able to due to the conflicting produc

Speedrunning the Theatre - Pestilence

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One down, two scenes left to go. With the time ticking for us, we were only given a certain amount of time to be able to film this one scene where Digital Phantom shows off his absolute criminal activity. So, let's get right into it! Our goal today is to get Scene 3 filmed. Here is what we needed to do: Set up the scene Set up the camera Set up the projector and sound system FILM! We arrived at 9am  and got straight to work. There was not much arrangement to be done, other than clearing any obstruction that could disrupt the illusion that the set was an actual movie theatre and not the Black Box. Not only did we have to move some set pieces that were in the middle of nowhere to accomplish this, but we also had to cover the A/V booth to preserve the continuity of illusion. Afterward, I connected my laptop to the installed projector and audio system. Once everything was set up, all that was left was to wait for the actors! Before they came, Jaydon and I took a short break and we got

The Lair, a success! - Pestilence

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It's the second day of filming! Today is rather easy because it is just Jaydon and I being on set doing all of the work. There is not a ton of direction to give, and everything is quite straightforward. The goal today is to get Scene 2 filmed. Here is what we need to do: Set up the scene Set up the camera Set up the microphone (to record) Set up the diegetic sound FILM! Jaydon and I learned our lesson about telling actors to arrive at the very same time that we arrive, only to have them watch us set everything up while they're chilling. It was quite an embarrassment, but we ended up learning the truth: they were here to  act , not to prepare. Despite the error made last time, we still stood to our word and arrived at 9am to set up. Since the only actor was Jaydon himself, we were the only two people there at the Black Box, and we did not have to wait on anyone. We could then begin our work immediately. Setting up At the Black Box, I started to unpack, and we got straight to set

The Store! Sort of. - Pestilence

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FINALLY!  Today is the first day of filming. Today is February 4, 2024, otherwise known as Main Production Filming 1 [MPF1]. So much planning has gone into this project, and now it's time to film the first scene of the opening sequence to a movie with an arbitrary science fiction story about a cyberattacker. Arrival I met Jaydon over at CCFL around 11 am. Sarah, who is playing as the tech store cashier, arrived at the same time that I arrived. We greeted each other, and then we promptly walked straight to the Black Box. As soon as we got in The Black Box, Jaydon and I started setting everything up. We arranged the available props that were in the room and immediately started planning  the tech store set. Do you see what's wrong with that? We essentially RUSHED to complete the set, with some props missing since other actors were bringing them in, and they had not arrived yet. Dumpster Fire Crowd Control While setting up the set, Jaydon received a call from one of our actors, Mar