22 December 2012

Shooting: Equipment - The Panasonic HDC-SD90


Panasonic HDC-SD90

Specifications

- 1980x1080/50p Recording
- 28mm* Wide-Angle & Intelligent 40x Zoom
- New HYBRID O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)
- 5 Megapixel Photo Camera
- SD Card Memory
- Microphone Slot
- Optional 3D Lens

While given the option to use the school provided HD cameras that had proved resourceful on the occasions we had used them, we have decided to shoot our film opening with my fellow director's personal camera, the Panasonic HDC-SD90.

We had used it previously on our Preliminary Task, shooting in standard definition, and this time we intend to utilize the camera's full capabilities of shooting in 1080p, as well as the wonderful zoom and stabilisation features. Thus far the camera has not failed us and we certainly hope it will not in the production of this film.

4 December 2012

Pre-Production: Fight Choreography Analysis

As we had explored in our preliminary task, fight sequences can be hugely exciting to choreograph and execute. The final product was a testament to that with the multiple fights being the standout parts of the project. However there was a certain lack of preparation involved, and while that may have slightly added to the grittiness of them, with our final opening sequence, in which we hope to have a small fight towards the end, we want to make sure we are fully choreographed. Thus it is important to analyse fight sequences in popular films to improve our skills.

 

The Bourne series of films are the best example of well choreographed and exciting fight sequences in mainstream Western cinema. The use of close quarters combat really helps to add a sense of danger and intensity and Bourne succeeds heavily at this. The brutality of the sequence is a key aspect to take back from this as perhaps this is something we did not explore too greatly in the preliminary task. Each and every punch, hit and kick is earth shattering, and whilst we do not wish to go full out in our opening sequence, a sense of this ultra-brutal intensity to the fighting would aid it very well. There is a significant use of nearby furniture, objects and surroundings in the fighting, making the impacts even more shocking as the combatants smash into tables and walls.

Compared to the majority of recent action sequences - as well as our preliminary task which was incredibly tightly cut in order to make the hits look authentic - this sequence features some longer shots which less frequent cutting, showing the level of dedication and actual pain that the actors went through the achieve this sequence. We will perhaps be unable to accomplish this without raising an alarm in Trafalgar Square, as public violence is presumably frowned upon, however we can make sure we rehearse the actors involved in the fight as much as possible to ensure it looks gritty as well as slick and cinematic.