Diary
13/10/2019
The First Get together | Yamination Studio
-
Session lasted between 13:00 - 17:30
-
Started the day by making my way to Yamination studios to meet the cohort of 2019 BFI academy.
-
On arrival I was registered, provided with an ID and paper work to fill.
-
I met a former BFI academy graduate Rajab Mahmood, who I knew from the Birmingham Young Film makers network.
-
It was great seeing him there as it made it easy to feel comfortable in a new environment.
-
As I was early, I got to introduce myself to the tutors and ask some questions about the program.
-
Then when everyone arrived we got into groups and proceeded to play a game of introductory bingo.
-
A prize of two cinema tickets were on offer, so i put my best effort and won the game.
-
I later on used those cinema tickets to watch the Joker and 21 bridges in Isense.
-
As the day proceeded we sat down and work on film ideas, it was difficult to come to a final idea because everyone had amazing film ideas.
-
I pieched a couple of ideas i had in mind, it was great to see everyone being respectful and intrigued by others idea.
-
We also got a tour of Yamination studios and met Drew the man behind the studio.
-
Personally I was personally didn't know anything about stock motion animation and was a marvelous to found out about it.
-
I was also proud to have met a man ( Drew) who has worked on fantastic Mr.Fox. One of my favorite movies.
-
After the tour we formally met our other tutor, Michael Clifford. Who is a BAFTA winning director and he shared his experience of the industry.
-
At the end of the day we were set a task of writing a review for the following week and doing our SWOT analysis on film making skills.
20/10/2019
Test of Master Classes | MAC
-
This session was between the hours of 13:00 - 17:00
-
After arriving at the MAC, we got back into previous groups to work on film ideas.
-
We also met one more tutor, Danial Alexander.
-
Then everyone shared their preferred group idea to Nerina, Drew and Daniel Alexander.
-
We also got to talk to Daniel Alexander in depth and take his masterclass on Lighting.
-
The class taught me about three point lighting, the difference between cold and warm lighting. He also showed us on how to make an artificial light blend into a scene.
-
Lastly we all came together to discuss our final ideas, and no one could settle on one. As all the ideas were good and practical.
-
Then we settled on working more on it on our trip to Warner Bros studios.
28/10/2019
Production Day One| MAC
The day started with the group getting back together in the Deloitte Room at the MAC. Janette started the day be telling us to get ready for the week ahead as it was going to be hectic and fun. She also introduced our action day, where we hold an event for young people at the MAC. The event was named Digifest, and we started panning for it. We then got into groups to work on ideas we could deliver to the children on the day. The group came up with fantastic ideas as: poster making, photo booth, puppet pals and green screen posters. While we were working on our ideas, we were presented with an opportunity to choose different masterclasses. Such as camera, sound, editing and screen writing. I chose to participate in the camera, sound and instead of editing my group did a short clip about reviewing the exhibit at the MAC. I also had a chance to speak to Nerina about some ideas I had for the film. Finally today it seems like everyone is leaning toward the halloween party idea.
29/10/2019
The day of the Tea Party| MAC
Throughout all the production days Tuesday the 29th was one of my top favourite. This was due to the range of fabulous masterclasses from Camera given by Daniel Alexander and Sound by Dr Neilman. To add on top of this, i had future career advice from Yen Yau which was eye opening. It gave me a clear idea about what opportunities to look out for and keep an eye on. Lastly the cause to my great excitement that day, tea party. The party was filled with amazing cakes and teas and even more it provided us with a clear networking opportunity.
30/10/2019
Film Production Day ONE| BCU
To start the day we all met in the Birmingham city university in the film department section. Then we were introduced to Chris, the Director of photography for our short. It was a great surprise to me as, i know and have worked with christ on one occasion. I took this second opportunity to know him well and provide a helping hand with the job. As I was very keen to learn from him.
After everyone got there we all had a briefing for the day and got told about one of Master class with Christ, lighting. He astounded me with the amount of technical knowledge he had about lighting and his kit in general. You could tell he really love and knew what he was talking about. I learn about light gels to change the colour of the ligith and why a light gel is different from LED lights of different colour.
In the afternoon we had lunch as a team and a talk about Nation Film Television school residential. Which I thought was a great opportunity to continue my learning of filmmaking forward. Especially my interest in cinematography.
After this the live action crew, me being one of them, had to go to location to shoot a couple of scenes. We had children actors and a tight schedule, which made it a hectic night shoot. I directed a scene with the Kids outside come to trick or treat. We had a problem with shooting the Zombies as makeup was booked for the next day, we had to be creative and use a silhouette. This was a packed day as you see and I think this was we get a real experience of what it would be like working on a film set.
31/10/2019
Party shoot | Lamp works studio
This was a big day we had a studio booked and we need to shoot the most important scenes. I contributed by helping Christ, DOP, with the camera, gear and lighting. It was enjoyable and tiring as it was an all day shoot. I also contributed in a couple of scenes as an extra.
1/11/2019
Last day of Boot camp| MAC
As I was part of the live action crew, I was instructed to meet my other team at the MAC. We then started to develop on the ideas we had for Digifest and make teams. The teams made a kit list, on things we need and a list of hazards for the risk assessment. After a while we were joined by the animation team and they let us know about what they have been upto, making the titles and the conversation they had with the sound actor.
After lunch we had a talk by a flat pack festival representative, who told us about the opportunities and about her career journey. While this was going one by one we were getting feedback from Nerina about the week.
Lastly to end the week we had a pizza party with everyone.
Day 8
Digifest & Premiere| 14/11/19
The final day of this wonderful opportunity has come, it is both a joyous occasion and melancholy. We get to share our work to our families, friend and film industry profession and on the other hand it means an end to filmmaking for a while for me. Until i find the next opportunity, or start working on my own short.
The day started with all of us gathering together at the MAC, in preparation for our Digifest. My group has chosen to go with the puppet master workshop, in which we use an App called puppet pals to help the young children create a short narrative video. Then by using the large television screen we display their work.
The second half of the day was the long anticipated Premiere. But it wasn't just our film, the BFI organised a whole list of programme with flat pack festival. I stood at the front presenting with my colleague Emily. It was the best way to end the BFI Academy.