Finished!

Finished!!
So we’ve finished a final cut of our Edale film and it has a
proper name. ‘Two eyes, two sights’. I
must admit I am quite pleased with the final outcome. I feel it portrays our
theme well and fulfils what we were trying to create in terms of atmosphere.
As it begins with the shot of the train station it is quite
clearly a ‘normal’ scene but them it is quickly cut in with a flash of body
horror this is where the integration between the two Edales begins. It creates
the feeling that there is a bubbling of tension. In order to create an
atmosphere of the two rival worlds we decided to put flashes of one in the
other. This also helps to even out the pace of the film by beginning with these
short flashes it makes the pace through the whole film more even rather that
jumping around all over the place.
The purpose of the body horror here is to establish a sense
of unease. It also begins to portray our theme which is that there are two
sides to every story. There are two different world encompassed within Edale
and we are trying to show these and the tension between them there for creating
a ‘portrait of a place’. There is the tourist view of Edale, the biscuit tin
view if you will. A village filled with summer walkers and more hard core
winter hikers. Then there is the other side. A village such as Edale is steeped
in the ancient ways of this country, its ancient belief systems and the generations,
who have lived, worked and died there. This
is there fore a magical place. There is then a sense of two conflicting world
within the one place. We continue to show this through the film placing
elements of each world within the other.
The film is split into three parts. Tourist Edale, the
turning point and then the ‘witch’ Edale. The first part aims to show that
underneath all the beauty and picturesque there is something darker lurking
beneath the surface.
The turning point. We chose to have the shot of the nettles
here for an important reason. We feel that a nettle reflects the theme of the
film. Two sides to every story. A nettle even though it stings us is an
incredibly important part of the natural world. It provides perfect homes for
butterfly eggs and therefore caterpillars. It is also the perfect cover for
Corncrakes to nest. So like the Edale we are trying to create it has two sides.
To expand on this idea, and to relate it more to the film, a nettle is part of
the nature and beauty that the tourists come to see. Its vibrant green colours
the countryside in a way that is aesthetically pleasing. On the other hand it
is an important element in witch craft, used as part of spells and as food it
reflects our theme of the film perfectly.
To continue talking about this turning point we have incorporated
cuts that are reminiscent of a heart beat. This is important as a heartbeat
creates images of the life force of the village. This struggle between the two
Edales is what gives it its atmosphere that we are trying to create in this
film. Also the candle which we chose to intercut the nettle with. It is a
useful tool in the practise of witchcraft consequently its presence signifies
the presence of this other worldliness. Also it approaches the camera so it
conveys that the other world is coming close it reinforces the idea of one
encroaching on the other.
In terms of editing we tried to create a sense of tension,
the short bursts of the ‘witch world’ in the tourist one at the beginning
builds pressure between them. It shows that they are, not fighting, but they
are at odds with one another. This reinforces the idea of the portrait of a
place as we are trying to capture this through our use of editing. This editing crease a sense of unease through
the whole film.
The final shot cements this. We chose to use a canted angle
because it connotes disquiet therefore is sums up the film and what we were
trying to show.
AS a whole I feel that the film is mostly successful and it
completes our aims. However there are obviously still problems, it still does
not feel as if it flows perfectly. It still has a certain disjointedness that
is not just adding to a sense of unease but maybe confuses the audience
slightly. So as for things I would have done differently this is one. Also as a
whole I fell we could have been more organised with regards to story boards and
a location scout. I also think that we could have utilised the effects in final
cut pro to create an even weirder vibe to the film.
In terms of team work. I believe that Poppy and I worked well;
we both put in equal effort and expected that in return. I think that we are
both happy with the amount of work that the other did. Also we discussed ideas
and themes at length so that when we went to actually, physically make the film
we were very much on the same page. This was very helpful as we were both
comfortable with letting the other take a shot that they spontaneously came up
with, without having to worry about how it would fit in with our own vision of
what the film was supposed to be.
One other major thing that this project has taught me is how
much we take sound for granted. All the way through the edit I was always
thinking about sounds and songs that would fit so well and enhance the effectiveness
of the film.
So, to conclude our film ‘Two eyes, two sights’, I feel fits
the brief to create a portrait of a place and even though there is still room
for improvement, I am happy with the result and how we carried out the task
allocated to us.

Rough Edit!
Right so we’ve got a rough edit done. It is in no sense of
the word perfect but it’s a start.
I think that the pace is one of its biggest downfalls, it’s
very inconsistent and distracts the audience from the film. For us, the pace is
actually very important as we want to create a sense of a build up and a crescendo
in the film. As it moves from the tourist view of the village too the one steeped
in mysticism. Also it will help to
create drama in the piece. The thing with the pace is that the film is very
jumpy anyways so the challenge will be is t make it flowing enough to be
watchable and still jumpy enough to create a sense of unease.
Another aspect that needs t be polished is the idea that
there are two halves in the film, there are two different worlds encroaching in
each other. In order to show this the most basic out line is that we have ‘tourist
Edale’, then a turning point, then ‘witch Edale’. We have decided that the best
shot for a turning point is a shot of the nettles. This idea is taking shape in
the rough edit yet it needs a lot of fine tuning.
One thing about the rough edit is that it moves around quite
a lot there is does not stick to the outline that we initially planned. In
other words it does at points feel like a random collection of shots. This is
there fore something we must address in the final edit.
Another problem that we have highlighted is that it does
seem a little boring at points. Especially in the second half it is simply shot
after shot of apparent ‘witchy things’.
To address this we are going to put in flashes of each world in the
other. This will create the idea that they are encroaching on each other.
I found the edit tutorial really helpful. Not only does it
help to get an outside perspective but to hear a tutor’s opinion on the working
process before the final presentation relieves the pressure slightly. It allows
you to take a step back and critically evaluate your work before the final
presentation. This was invaluable for Poppy and I as it highlighted these issues.
We had some idea of its downfalls but having them pointed out really helped us
identify and sort them out. Another thing that was helpful about the tutorial
was hearing an audience point of view. It was clear we had not met our
intentions completely in conveying the theme but we are getting there.
One thing I will say about the film even at this stage is
that I think it has a really strong theme and because of this I think the film
is made more effective. The idea of having two different worlds competing with
each other in the context of this village. This paint a certain image of this
place, we’re not trying to portray a battle ground but show what can be going
on underneath the surface and the atmosphere of tension that this creates.
So, to conclude, yes the film has a long way to go in terms
of editing but is heading along the right path. We have a strong thematic
element that will help us as we create the fine cut.

Evaluation of the Edale shoot
The best thing to say about the shoot is that it went well.
However I am not going to say this because it is boring and would probably not
get me any marks.
Once we arrived in Edale it was clear that the weather was
not on our side. The misty and rainy conditions did not lend themselves well to
the picturesque tourist haven picture we had originally planned to create.
Obviously we couldn’t do anything about this and we had to carry on regardless.
The weather conditions did create an extra level of atmosphere for the darker
side of the film so it was not all bad. The conditions did mean we had to be
creative with carrier bags and make a rain cover for our camera.
So firstly contrary to our original plan, we decided to
start shooting out in the fields rather than the village. The reason for this
was that we wanted to film out in the field before they became too sodden to
set up the tripod properly, as the mud can get quite bad. We took a few wide or
establishing shots. We got a lot of shots that one might expect to find in a
holiday album. Shots of the green country side, of hills and valleys. As we
were already out in the field we decided to get some of the shots for the ‘second
Edale’ once again because we wanted to shoot there before conditions made it
difficult to do so. This has taught me that you have to use problem solving and
logical thinking to get around aspects that are out of your control. So for example
we knew the weather was bad and would probably get worse making conditions out
in the fields difficult and potentially dangerous. To get around this we
decided, contrary to the schedule we would get our necessary shots while we
still could.
Next we went to get lunch and discuss what we had achieved
so far, what we needed to still do and to check the kit was all still ok and nothing
needed seeing to.
When we began filming again we went up to the train station
to begin the planned ‘film walk’. We did take all the shots we had planned to
but because we worked out that we had a little extra time we went across from
the station into an empty car park where there were disused pieces of track.
Although not planned we wanted to film these, because of the meanings we could
derive from them if we were to put them in the film. The railway is a symbol of
Britain’s past industrial strength and power. So by showing rusty tracks it can
symbolise the break down of this and therefore fit in with out theme of there
being two Edales. The idea of rust, or decay could symbolise that the ancient
ways are dying, the witchcraft is being taken over by new powers. I’ve always
loved how you experience little moments of inspiration like that from seeing an
everyday object.
We later headed through the village taking many shots in
order to create the idea of the tourist built Edale. The church, the little
quaint café etc. The only challenges this presented was directing members of
the public, who whenever they see a camera either decide to walk right in front
of a perfect shot or have a minor panic attack. To get around this we decided
that ne person film while the other held the brolly over the camera and kept a
lookout.
Later we walked through the village to a little water fall
in the woods. We were told about this place by a friend who had been able to go
out on a location scout. It was perfect for ore of the witch scenes as it was
gave exactly the creepy vibe that we are trying to capture with this film. The
most difficult part of this bit of the shot was that we were using a candle and
incense therefore it was rather important that we were careful not to set fire
to the Peak District. It also highlighted the importance of checking out
locations before a shoot. Had we not known about this little spot them the film
could potentially loose some of the atmosphere that we intend to create when we
head into the editing process.
That was our filming done. Looking back at it I feel Poppy
and I made a very good team. WE were both on the same page and were both
equally as enthusiastic about the project and our idea. We talked about shots
and ideas and how they would fit into our already discussed outlines. We
thought through things together and worked well as a team but still appreciated
that the other might come up with a really good shot idea and even if you can’t
see how it will fit into the film you let them roll with it. Film making is a
team exercise and it is important to trust the other members of the team when
it comes to the creative concepts in your films. I feel Poppy and I worked so
well together because we spent a lot of time discussing ideas beforehand and consequently
had a very similar vision of what we imagined the film to be.

All in all, I feel we had a successful day of filming and we
dealt well with any problems we encountered.
Included are some Photos of us filming, taken by Joeley
Beckett, Thankyou Joeley.

Final Plans for Edale

Final Plans.
Right, D-day approaches! As it does Poppy and I have been
putting together our ideas in order to come up with a final plan of action.
Unfortunately for several reasons it was not possible for us
to get out to Edale before the shoot. This is a sort of hindrance but we were
able to get around it. Firstly we researched the area in great detail. Looked
at maps, photos, and on the internet. Due to Edale being such a tourist
destination there are many sites where there are numerous reports of what the
area is like. Both the village and the surrounding countryside. This had been
an invaluable resource in our planning. From the many reports from online and
from friends who were able to visit beforehand we have been able to ‘pain a
picture’ of the location. From this then we have been able to come up with our
final plans.
So our final idea; every place is not entirely what is
seems. This may sound like a cliché but we shall approach it in such a way that
this is not how the final film turns out.
The main out line is really quite simple, there are two
Edales, and one is the norm, the tourist attraction, the quaint little village
seated in the beauty of the peak district attracting visitors from miles
around. The other is darker and hidden from view. It is an ancient place steeped
in the magic that runs through the hills and dales of the peaks. Our intention
s to create an experimental film that reflects this.
Our plan for tomorrow is to do the shoot in two stages.
First we film the first Edale. There images with be that of any typical holiday
photo book. The train station, where most adventures begin. The main village,
where there is the typical tourist draws, the pub, the little cafes, the grand
old church and the national trust visitors centre. Then there is the beautiful
countryside. Vast sweeping hills that draw in walkers all year round. We intend
to use a lot of wide shot for this, in order to encompass the beauty, as anyone
would taking holiday snaps. It is important to us that we show the idea of a
holiday, as the weather will most likely not be on our side we will need to
pick our shots carefully in order to reflect, those holiday memories that we
all hole dear.
The second stage is to shoot ‘the other Edale’. We will do
this handheld. There are two reasons why we have chosen to do this. The first
is that it will create even more of a noticeable difference between the two Edales
is one is obviously from a tripod and the other is not. The other reason is
that by shooting from a handheld camera, we can get closer to our props. It
will be possible to create really extreme close ups and make it feel much more
personal. Also it will be a lot more spooky, the audience will feel as if it is
from there point of view, they are taking part in it. This creates a bigger
impact on them, which in turn makes the film more powerful. In terms of
locations for this part of the shoot. We have seen a few photos on the internet
giving us ideas as well as advice from friends about the places they found when
they got out there. One place we definitely want to film is in the woods. Woods
have many connotations which will make the film more effective. They are seen as
places of magic and wonder which enforces the ideas of mysticism and witch
craft. However they are also seen as places, where things lurk in the shadow,
they are places of the unknown. After all in almost every fairy tale there is a
scene where the protagonists are threatened are scared while in a wood. They
are places of the unknown, shrouded in leave they can hide another world from
us the outsiders. These elements are essential to help create meaning in the
film. By choosing to shoot here we will be able to have a major effect on the
audience simply by playing on their preconceived ideas of place.
Playing on the audiences preconceived ideas will be a big
part of the film. We are aiming to create an atmosphere of creepiness in the film.
Therefore it is important that we draw on the ‘fears’ that the audience may
have of witch craft. Many people have misconstrued ideas about what it is, but
for the purposes of this film I could be incredibly helpful. By playing up to
these ideas, for example with the clay effigy or ‘sally’ as we have now names
her. This obviously relates to not only witchcraft but also to voodoo and many
other ancient practices. By doing this we hope to tap into that part of the audience’s
mind that see this as dangerous or scary. This will make our film more
effective.
Anyway, getting back to the actual shoot. In the second half
of the day we intend to also film in the graveyard. In terms of planning for
the film we decided on this because it is the perfect way to represent the two
Edales. We have the churchyard, a tourist spot, of beauty but also with
religious and historic connotations that stretch back for at least a thousand
years. We intend to use these and by placing ‘sally’ in this situation we will
be able to create meaning for the audience. The two Edales ‘light and dark’ in
the same shot.
So, to conclude, our plan for tomorrow is to shoot is to
shoot in two parts. Firstly we’ll shoot the tourist shots using the tripod and
do a ‘film walk’ from the station through the village and a bit of the countryside
in order to get the scenic shots. After Lunch we shall continue to film the
witch scenes through the use of hand held.
All in all we’re ready to get filming.

More Ideas!

Edale Shoot

Furthur Inspiration and Ideas.

So we've taken the idea of witchcraft as a central theme and have decided to go down the path of experimental film.

Poppy has suggested the idea f showing 'Two Edales'; one a typical tourist, peak district, 'biscuit tin' village. The other a darker side of magic and mystery. It is fair to say that this idea is influenced by folk horror such as 'The Wicca Man' or 'Blood on Satan's Claw'. These both have this idea of a double edge sword. On the one hand these settings are idyllic and beautiful. People live and work in peace but on the other hand there is a secret. A dark side.

We aim to show what can lurk beneath what appears to be a perfectly normal place.

One idea for how we aim to convey this is through camera work. The shots of 'pretty Edale' will be taken while the camera is on the tripod. This way they will be very formal, showing beautiful views and connoting the postcard image. The the 'witchy Edale' would be shot with handheld. This would convey a sense of creepiness and be more up close and personal. This can be seen in films such as 'The Blair witch Project' where it make the film more scary.

Also after continuing to research different perceptions of witchcraft from my own, inspiration has continued to come from stories, where the fear of witches is very prominent, and a fear of the unknown is a major theme. This is something we will maybe look at in the film. Ghost stories are also proving to be incredibly useful. The setting is always vital in these and finding ones from around the Edale area it is clear how the landscape has influenced the stories and also how the landscape has soaked up years of tales and legends. It is clear to us that this is now a perfect way to show both the beauty and mystery of the Peak District.

This book has been a source of information and inspiration for this project. It is not only interesting but is full of images and ideas that spark creativity in my mind. As we are going to have an element of witch craft in our film this book has been useful. Its extensive information had been incredibly helpful. Also it has helped to snowball the creativness that the pendle witch child documentary sparked.

Props

So after a little bit of a shopping trip, Poppy and I have a few props.

Firstly we have some incense and a candle. We thought these would be useful as these are objects that are used in witchcraft to this day. Therefore they have the cultural connotations that the audience will recognise.

Secondly after finding a block of air dry clay in a craft shop we have decided to make a clay effigy. (Inspiration can come from the oddest places.) This is actually a rather vital prop though. There are many connotations linked to clay dolls such as the one I've made. The link the audience is most likely to make is too a voodoo doll. These have connotations of evil and bringing harm to people. Also there is a long history of clay likenesses being used to bring harm to people with magic. This of course fits our film perfectly.

WE have decided to put her in a red gingham dress. The cultural codes that are associsted with this fabric are what makes the doll even more disturbing. The fabric is closely linked to young school girls, this then connects it to ideas of innocence and purity. By placing the connotations with those of evil that come from a clay effigy it becomes even more disturbing.