Production and Post-Production

After weeks and weeks of preparation it was finally time to shoot our final major project. A week prior to this we realised how behind we were. As discussed in a previous post me and Jack completed all the production work while Kelly and Sam continued to create the props and sets. As a group we thought this was fair as both Kelly and Sam done art at GCSE whilst me and Jack had excelled in English and Media.

On the Wednesday before scheduling to shoot, Kelly and Sam thought they would be able to work better from home as they had the necessary materials there. We agreed that all of this would be completed by Monday, which is when we were scheduled to start.

Again on Thursday, Kelly and Sam continued working from home whilst me and Jack spent hours working together with Paschal to find music for our animation, along with completing the animatic. Later on in the day, Kelly and Sam shared concerns that they didn't think they would be done in time, and asked me and Jack to create the characters. However as we didn't have the materials to do so, we gave them the weekend complete everything.

On Sunday we were informed that Kelly would not be able to attend the first day of shooting. She also informed us that the rest of the characters still hadn't been done, and she said it she would be completing it later in the day. As she was the one who had all the props and sets, we unable to start shooting and was already a day behind schedule. As a result of this we agreed to stay outside of college hours to try and catch up.

On Tuesday we all met at college at 9am. Me and Jack gathered up all the required equipment from our equipment list, whilst Kelly and Sam continued with the sets, props, and characters which still hadn't been completed. As all the equipment was in place, and the sets and props were ready for scene one, me and Jack thought it was best start shooting, following the detailed storyboard that Sam had created. As I was directing, I decided it was appropriate for me to be one animated the card whilst Jack operated the computer taking many frames per movement. As a pair we worked in chronological order but due to the other half of the group slacking with their given task, we were delayed in our schedule even further as we were unable to carry on without certain props. Kelly and Sam went for lunch at 12.30 and informed us they would be returning within the hour, and staying until 7pm to make sure we were sticking to schedule and making up for lost time. Me and Jack decided to work through lunch but as props were not yet completed we were delayed even further whilst we took on the role of completing them. Me and Jack carried on filming until approximately 4pm, which at that time they had still not returned. Me and Jack pleased with the amount we accomplished after being delayed so much, so we decided to leave out all the equipment for them to carry on when they returned. Nothing further was completed.

On Wednesday we returned to the room at 10am to discover that nothing had even been touched. They informed us they were 'confused' so they thought it was best wait until the following day, even though they both have our numbers if they had any queries. As the heat was getting too much for us me and Jack thought it was appropriate to take a quick break for a breath of fresh air, so at 1pm we decided to go for 10 minute break, which Kelly and Sam were adamant about not taking. When we returned Kelly and Sam informed us they would be going home, leaving us to carry on with shooting whilst creating props as we were going along as still they had not been completed. We worked until 5pm and managed to get over half away through filming.

On Thursday, me, Jack and Sam carried on with shooting, alternating roles as the heat was making me delirious. Kelly was again unable to attend, which is disappointing as she had already missed a previous day of shooting.We stayed as long as possible a got a considerable amount of scenes completed.

The following Tuesday, everyone was present as we continued with shooting, and what felt like forever, it was finally completed. As Kelly and Sam left early, it was up to me and Jack to proceed in checking the animation through, duplicating or removing frames where necessary to make sure the animation was running fluidly. On Wednesday, me and Jack came in early to edit the animation, whilst Sam and Kelly finished off work from other units. We then asked them to finish off the editing so that, so that me and Jack could make the finishing touches on website. Before we left to go home, me and Jack checked the progress of editing and made adjustments to make it look more professional and relatable. The music we decided on using in the end was:
- The Squirrel Nut Zippers - The Ghost of Stephen Foster
-Manu Chao - Me gustas tu
We then exported the animation and transported onto my memory stick.

Overall it took me and Jack approximately 2 weeks to completely shoot the animation, with the occasional check-in from Kelly and Sam. I am very disappointed on the lack of commitment and effort by some members of the group. However, me and Jack worked tirelessly, even working extra hours, to make up for the slacking of the other half of the group. I am happy with the result.