"Trapped" - A Zombie Short
- Thread starter HBlack
- Start date
HBlack
Underage Member
UPDATE
Did some test shooting today. The footage I got looks good, and with enough pre production this should look pretty awesome. It also led me to the realization that making this is going to take quite a while (a few months). Right now I'm still figuring out and fine tuning lighting setups, framing and storyboard revisions. It's going to take several more sessions of working on that before we're even able to practice/do runthroughs with the crew. Then rehearsals with the cast, working with the makeup artists, and rehearsals with the cast and crew together. This is all before we can even start shooting.
The most difficult part is organization and relying so much on others. I have to make sure that everyone involved dedicates themselves fully and comes when they're supposed to (5 other crew members including makeup artists, 4 cast), and that my organization is good enough to allow them to do so and to keep everything running smoothly.
I've learned that shooting in a basement with little room and low ceilings isn't pleasant. It makes it very difficult to light shots in which people are walking around as well as any wide shots because of the difficulty of obtaining good overhead lighting, and keeping the lights out of the shot. I also realized it's going to be extremely crowded in there, with 8 people, 3 lights/stands, cords, monitor, tripod, dolly+track, boom mic, all in one small work room. I'm going to need to block out certain sections of shooting and determine the order I'll be doing them in. All shots that require a barricaded door will be done together, shots that require bounced light off the ceiling, shots that show the ceiling, shots with dead people in the frame... Then within those segments I need to do every shot that requires a certain lighting setup together to save time. Again, more pre production.
I wish I had a sound guy involved, as well as a really solid director of photography, but I don't have that luxury. This means I'm going to have to be paying attention to the audio quality/levels, the performance of the actors and the shot composition all at once, while shooting it myself a fair bit of the time (as opposed to watching on a monitor). It's not the best situation, but that's what you get for not paying anyone.
Did some test shooting today. The footage I got looks good, and with enough pre production this should look pretty awesome. It also led me to the realization that making this is going to take quite a while (a few months). Right now I'm still figuring out and fine tuning lighting setups, framing and storyboard revisions. It's going to take several more sessions of working on that before we're even able to practice/do runthroughs with the crew. Then rehearsals with the cast, working with the makeup artists, and rehearsals with the cast and crew together. This is all before we can even start shooting.
The most difficult part is organization and relying so much on others. I have to make sure that everyone involved dedicates themselves fully and comes when they're supposed to (5 other crew members including makeup artists, 4 cast), and that my organization is good enough to allow them to do so and to keep everything running smoothly.
I've learned that shooting in a basement with little room and low ceilings isn't pleasant. It makes it very difficult to light shots in which people are walking around as well as any wide shots because of the difficulty of obtaining good overhead lighting, and keeping the lights out of the shot. I also realized it's going to be extremely crowded in there, with 8 people, 3 lights/stands, cords, monitor, tripod, dolly+track, boom mic, all in one small work room. I'm going to need to block out certain sections of shooting and determine the order I'll be doing them in. All shots that require a barricaded door will be done together, shots that require bounced light off the ceiling, shots that show the ceiling, shots with dead people in the frame... Then within those segments I need to do every shot that requires a certain lighting setup together to save time. Again, more pre production.
I wish I had a sound guy involved, as well as a really solid director of photography, but I don't have that luxury. This means I'm going to have to be paying attention to the audio quality/levels, the performance of the actors and the shot composition all at once, while shooting it myself a fair bit of the time (as opposed to watching on a monitor). It's not the best situation, but that's what you get for not paying anyone.
Last edited:
HBlack
Underage Member
Held auditions tonight. Pretty small turn out (9 people), but that's about what I expected. I now have my two leading roles filled, and I'm pretty certain on who I'll be casting for one of the supporting male roles. Still one more role to fill, but I'm sure I'll find someone. Updated with cast pictures.
HBlack
Underage Member
Some examples of my makeup artist's work. These things should look amazing if I can throw together the budget for it.
Another delay, I'm going on vacation. That kills 2 weekends, but rehearsals and meeting with the makeup artist is the weekend after.
I'm also contemplating renting a glidecam 4000 smooth shooter system (arm, vest, steadicam) for the outdoor shooting. It's $100 for the first day, any thoughts? I'm concerned with how well I'll be able to operate with no practice.
NC17z
Well-known member
If your still shooting with the Canon SD Camera... Spend a little more money and BUY a Glidecam 2000 Used on eBay or here in the market place. Then you'll have it for future shoots... No matter what kind of Glidecam/Steadicam you use, Balancing cant take quite a bit of time, and then getting good with it is a whole n'other story... It will take more than a day to get any good, however, you may get lucky...
Kegan
Spam Assassin Mod
Which camera will you be shooting with? Z1u, V1u? How are you going around budgeting this if you don't mind my asking? So you've found someone who can operate a steadicam and are going to rent both the camera and steadicam and have someone operate it? That's usually pretty pricey.
By the way, Lee is playing the lead actress on a set I'm working on - very versatile actress.
-Kegan
By the way, Lee is playing the lead actress on a set I'm working on - very versatile actress.
-Kegan