MM - Day 2 (21.12.15) Shoot Reflection

The time set for arrival for the extras was 3:00 PM at my house. Since the house attack scene was shot just the day before, I didn't have much time to look over the footage. I woke up earlier and started to set up the house for the party. Days prior, I had done tests with how I would light the house to appear like a party. The main idea that I had was that it had to be very colourful and energetic, to contrast the dimness of the other scene.

Previously, we had created a Facebook event with details of the party, to attract extras, as we would need quite a number to create the correct atmosphere. The combination of word of mouth and convincing our friends to be in the film, we got 9 extras. This seemed few, but we would pack them all into the shots to create the illusion that it was a full party. We invited Tom Williams, out of gratitude towards letting us shoot in his house the day before. Since I live in Crowborough, and most of the extras lived further away in Tunbridge Wells and beyond, I gave details of the bus route for those unfamiliar with the area.

Taran was in town at that time and I co-ordinated with him to get some party supplies. He brought a hefty number of glow sticks. George King, one of our extras brought some empty alcohol bottles, which I thought would add to the authenticity of the party. He also brought, at my request, his set of Cards against Humanity as it was a common party game. Once everyone arrived, we gave them some time to interact and talk to each other. Lara was the only actor for the day but she didn't know anyone, as she went to a different school, so this time was vital in getting her chemistry with the others just right in time for shooting. When they were settling in, myself and Taran chose the locations for each different scene. I again, was main camera operator while Taran directed the Lara and the others. But he also joined in on the party atmosphere and acted like an extra. Since little was planned in terms of actions, it was quite unpredictable so I shot much longer takes/shots rather then cut after each action happened. 

Often when shooting, I didn't tell the actors that I was filming, so this gave everyone a very natural and believable performance.

I thought the shoot went quite smoothly, we only had some specific beats that we had to film in a precise way, but the rest we just let everyone do what ever they wanted. I think it was a very exiting and fun atmosphere and this helped give it a very authentic feel, rather then too forced.