Filming Difficulites

Throughout the filming process, I encountered numerous problems and difficulites that affected my filming in some way or another. I did try to over come these problems by finding solutions or re-structuring my filming around the problem which in most cases was possible.

The first major problem I came across was been able to obtain a successful tracking shot. In order to achieve a professional and high standard tracking shot, a dolly and track is needed. Although this sort of equipment was available to me through my college, the equipment was quite bulky, large and heavy and I did not have transport that would be appropriate for such equipment. I tried to overcome this problem by using a makeshift track and dolly through the use of a wheelchair and scaffolding planks. I did manage to achieve a smooth surface on which to run the wheelchair but I could not strap the tripod and camera onto the wheelchair so that the footage would be smooth and not jerky. After two failed attempts at achieving a tracking shot, I simply changed the type of shot and used several long shots that when edited will create an elliptical effect.

The second problem that occured was the battery on the camera. Having fully charged the camera the night before I filmed at my first location, I expected the camera to last at least three hours. However, I did not realise that I had been using the camera alot to take pictures with, which affected the battery life and therefore I was unable to record as much footage as I would have liked. I did manage to achieve good footage which I think will still work and will be sufficent enough for my video and I live very close to the first location so if I need to re-record, I can't see it been a problem.

A further problem that I encountered was the weather. The deadline for filming my music video was set in Autumn when naturally, the weather is damp, dark, winding and consists of rainfall. The previous night of rainfall affected my filming at the second location at High Farm near Elwick. The field was a crucial part of my storyboard and was needed. The grass was soaked with rain, creating a muddy field in which me and the main character sank into. To overcome this problem, I flattened out a cardboard box and lay it on the grass, helping to creating a protective barrier between the mud and the tripod on which the camera stood. With this done, I did manage to achieve the main shot I wanted from the field which I am pleased about.