Project Pre-Production
On this page of my portfolio, I will be discussing the work I have been doing during the 'Project Pre-Production' both internally and externally. I will present my involvement in the Arden Shoots in the first few weeks of the semester, the Cheshire Fire Service project I have been heavily involved with and then my pre-production for our final major productions which will be filmed in March, 2025. In addition, external, client based work that I have been doing outside of university hours.
Arden Shoot ' The Hauntings at Cedar Park'
Below you will find my involvement in the Arden shoot 'THACP'. For this shoot I volunteered as Director. This was my first time directing a shoot with crew and actors at The Manchester Film School. I wanted to test myself and push myself out of my comfort zone, taking on a brand new challenge. I will provide feedback about how this shoot went amd how pre-production helped me to succeed at the end of this section.
First group planning session (PPM 1)
This drawing was done by myself the first time all HOD's were in the room together. I drew a rough lighting plan and storyboard with lens sizes in collaboration with the DOP and camera crew. We would be working in small groups so collaboration was key.
Lighting plan
This was the three-point lighting set up that the DOP, Gaffer and I agreed on. It was only a rough guidance to help progress further planning and was later adapted based on equipment and working space. As Director, I ensured I had a lot of creative input but on the other hand, giving my HOD's freedom with their input and advice on their specialism.
Finalising Storyboard
This picture captures me drawing up the final storyboard for 'The Hauntings at Cedar Park'. I used different colours for the backgrounds to highlight seperate locations and different colours to differentiate characters.
THACP Storyboard Final
This is the final storyboard of The Hauntings at Cedar Park that I drew. I added in lens sizes and camera movement to help the DOP and camera department.
THACP Shot List
This is the shot list I created during pre-production of our shoot. It was a half day shoot so this is why there was only 5 shots and room for a 6th. I wanted to shoot full coverage to ensure we had enough coverage when it came to the edit. This also helped the actors as they had not previously done a lot of acting for the screen and more theatre based acting.
THACP PPM 2 Notes
Here are some notes I made when figuring out the shots we were going to be attempting, and also the lighting setups. Ginny my DOP gave advice on lighting when in the PPM.
On Set
This image shows when we were first on set and going for takes.
Rehearsing With Talent
Here I am going over lines with our actors, giving insight on how I think the delivery should be, and answering any questions they may have, whilst our crew are setting up camera and lighting in our prep morning. Our script supervisor was also with me to take notes on timings and continuity in the talents dialogue.
Note taking after and during a take
This image shows when I would be taking notes based off which take I thought was better and any other key points that would be helpful when it came to being in the edit suite. I will show examples of these notes shortly.
Watching takes & Note Taking
Here I am pictured watching a take. I would take notes and then discuss with the talent if anything needed to be changed and if another take would be needed. If another take was not needed I would also assure them that they did well and to keep going. Here I would also discuss with the script supervisor if continuity was in check and give my opinion on which take I preferred.
Revising notes during setup change
This image shows my POV whilst our talent take a break and our camera team change to the next set up. Here I would be revising notes that I made about previous takes and discussing with my 1st AD if we are on schedule, ensuring to keep in mind I wanted to try for a 6th bonus shot.
My Notes for THACP Shoot
These are the notes I was taking whilst we would be shooting. I circled the take I preferred most to help with the edit.
Onset Observation Form
I gained feedback from my tutor who was doing an onset observation form whilst watching our shoot take place. I had to fill out this form below with NOS titles in which I wanted to receive feedback from.
Feedback about 'The Hauntings at Cedar Park' Shoot
The feedback that I gained from this form has helped me in vast amounts. I received very positive feedback based on the majority of the National Occupational Standards I chose. Although directing is not my chosen specialism it was a great experience to throw myself into the unknown and have a go at directing. I learnt many things that can also contribute towards my own specialism as a production designer. For example, leading a team, collaborating with other departments and executing tasks efficiently within a strict time schedule. From the feedback I have been given from my onset observation, in order to improve at directing, I know that I need to increase the amount of supporting evidence to my HOD's for example costume and lighting. In addition, further research into acting terminology will help improve my directing towards actors, I will also grow in confidence with more experience.
Cheshire Fire Service
Below you will find the pre-production work I have been involved in for the client based project for educational drive safety videos.
Client
Brief
What does this project involve?
The Cheshire Fire Service have asked a group of students at The Manchester Film School to create a sequence of videos that will help the target audience of 18-25 to drive safely. The videos must not have a fear factor to them. The client would like 5 videos, individually based off of one of the Fatal Five elements which are: Careless driving, Speed, Seatbelts, Drink & Drugs and Distractions. I am part of this group that will be taking on the challenge of presenting the client with something they are satisfied with and can then take into college's and universities to show students and help prevent driving fatalities. When I was asked if I wanted to take part in the project in 2024 I was keen to get started as I think this project can give myself a lot of experience working for a client, fulfilling their needs but also I hope we can make a difference with the message we are portraying when creating these videos that will then be shown to many.
My Fatal Five Video Pre-Production
During pre-production for this project, I have been coming up with original ideas which I have then had to present to my peers for feedback. I would then make amendments before presenting to our client. Below are my presentations that I made and then presented to the client.
Drink & Drug Impairment Idea
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Seatbelt Idea
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Speed Idea
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Careless Driving Idea
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Using AI to create mood boards/storyboards
Below are some of the mood boards/storyboards I have created using generative AI. I did this to help with visualisation to present to the client on how my ideas might look through mise en scene, lighting and camera angles.
Careless Driving Idea
Speed Idea
Drink & Drug Impairment Idea
Collating Fatal Five Ideas From Peers
I volunteered to collate the ideas from everyone contributing towards this project and then shared them with the rest of our group in a PPM.
Communication
Beware Out There! FMP
Here I will be presenting my pre-production that I have been doing for our upcoming final major production that we will be filming in March 2024. I am the production designer and costume designer for this shoot.
Pre-Production as Production Designer & Costume Designer
Below is the pre-production that I have been doing in preparation for our shoot in March 2024. This is my first time as a production designer on a major shoot. Production designers craft the visual aesthetic of a film or TV drama. In addition, they are also responsible for designing sets, managing construction crews, and contributing to the overall visual style of a film production (ScreenSkills, 2022). It has been a great experience so far and I have been researching and learning from others as much as possible in preparation. I have previous experience as a costume designer as this is a role I had in addition to Art Director in the second year at MFS. By having this role I want to prove I can take on the challenge of being a HOD, It is my ambition to work in the art department as a Production Designer in the industry so this is a great opportunity to express my passion.
First Script Breakdown
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Secondary Research
Here the Director is presenting to myself and the other HOD's, Public Information films from the 1970's. I made notes on costume, locations, aesthetic, mise en scene and props. This was a really helpful part of pre-production and helped me create the art treatment.
Creating The Art Treatment
Beware Out There! Art Treatment
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Original Notes From Reading Script
Notes From PPM & Personal Meeting with Director
Mood Boards for Locations
For the first two mood boards I used pictures taken by myself in and around the county where I live to get a sense of authentic British countryside and farmland. Whilst out and about capturing these photos it was very helpful in the inspiration for choosing the location we would be filming in as this is something I had input with.
Farmland
Living Room Interior
Countryside
The Moors
Costume Original Concept Drawings
Below you will find the original costume design drawings that I drew myself. After discussions with the Director and PPM meetings, script breakdowns and research, I was able to finalise these designs of how I would like the costumes to be in our film. I now need to source these costumes within budget.
James' Mum
Linda
Farmer
James
Props List - In Progress
Sourcing Props
I purchased this 1973 Phillips Radio as one of our key props. I was searching for a specific aesthetic when looking for our radio, I wanted a period accurate radio with a wooden grill exterior on the front which I managed to find. This was due to the design of our living room set that it will be placed into. I was able to purchase this key prop from eBay.
Location Scout Prestwich Park
External Work
Next, I will be presenting work that I have been doing externally outside of university hours. This includes work for The Manchester College, and an external client.
Work for The Manchester College
I was asked to help out with filming for The Manchester College open event for the 'Performing Arts'. This was a great experience and I grasped at the opportunity to help out. This involved filming at the open day, students arriving, performance based filming including dance, musical theatre, singing and filming at an art gallery in Manchester.
BTS of Filming
Pre-Production for this involved talking with the client regarding the locations we would be shooting in, the content needed, a due date for the edit and also permission from who we would be filming. The shooting would be done over two separate days, one for the open event and one for the art gallery. I would be filming with the help of a peer, we would both chose to use the Sony α6400 as this is a small mirrorless camera, good for handheld shots and effective in low light scenarios. A lightweight camera that would be easy to manoeuvre throughout multiple busy rooms at the open event at City Campus and then later at the art gallery. This edit is currently in progress.
MM Jazz Cabaret Event Filming
Whilst filming at the open event I was approached by a jazz dance teacher working at The Manchester College. Martina (IMDb.com https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10857766/) asked for my social media as she was impressed by the filming we were doing that night. She was shortly in touch via Instagram saying she wanted to collaborate with my peer and I at a Christmas event she was hosting at a jazz club in Manchester. We then exchanged multiple emails organising filming and photography coverage of the event. We decided that I would be filming and my peer would be photographing the nights event. Pre-Production for this involved a lot of communication to figure out what would be required in terms of the filming, logistics in a busy, small space and the edit of the showreel that was needed.
Communication
Filming at the event
Here are some BTS photos of when I was filming the event itself and the dress rehearsal.
The Edit
The next day after filming I started to edit the footage into a showreel that was required by Martina for her social media such as Instagram and Facebook. After completing the first draft I sent it to Martina that same day and we then met up, made a few changes she wanted to, I also gave my advice on what could work and the edit was complete, leaving the client very pleased with how quickly and professionally the work was executed and delivered back to her.
Feedback
Showreel Draft
Showreel Final Product
Additions
Here is any extra work contributed towards pre-production including research into my role and my pre-production presentation.
Interviews with Industry Professionals
Simon Pegg & Catherine Tate
In October 2024, I was lucky enough to have a face-to-face conversation with renowned actors Simon Pegg and Catherine Tate. I asked them advice on Directing actors, how they like to be directed and any other industry advice they may have. They were both very keen to offer their advice and it was a great experience to have that one-to-one chat with both of them about working in the film industry. I was able to take some really helpful notes away from the conversations.
I would like to thank both Simon and Catherine for their time and giving me some very important advice that I was then able to put to use when Directing my first ever shoot in the first few weeks of the semester.
Research Into Role
I have been using this book 'Designing For Screen' by Georgina Shorter. This book has helped me learn more about production design, designing props and set builds and concept drawings. I have put this research of my role into practice during pre-production of Beware Out There!
Pre-Production Presentation
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Conclusion
In summary, reflecting on my learning journey and where I was at the start of the semester, I was a lot less confident and had a lot less knowledge of my role. Comparing that stage to the one I am in now, I have certainly grown in confidence. This is one of the soft skills I wanted to improve on and my communication skills. I am now able to conduct a team and collaborate with others to achieve a specific visual style. Taking on a HOD role was a big step for me and is something that I was aiming to do going into the third year. That was only made possible by my growth in confidence, research and feedback from peers and lecturers, something I don't think I would have taken on if it was last year. I want to improve my knowledge of the production designer role in more depth as I progress. Attention to detail and creativity have always been soft skills that I have been confident in and have been able to adapt them to work in a film industry environment, however, leadership is a soft skill that I would now like to focus on. With my role in the upcoming FMP I will be able to develop my leadership skills, by leading a team of art department crew and collaborating with others to help achieve the directors creative vision on screen. I hope to look back on the work I have produced and be proud in how much I have developed from starting at MFS, then being in the second year developing my skills to putting those same skills into practice in a FMP in the third year. Being involved in client work as a solo project outside of university has helped my confidence a lot and given me key soft skills to apply in the industry when searching for a job or doing freelance work. The tasks I have ahead of me now are taking everything I have developed in pre-production into production of the FMP. I now need to start making props for our film, and delegating jobs to the rest of our art department crew to split up the workload and help meet deadlines. I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for the next semester and beyond.
From top left clockwise: Karen Gillan, Billie Piper, Jodie Whittaker, Nick Frost, Richard E Grant, Khary Payton, Antony Starr, Mark Williams, Sir Ian McKellen, Ioan Gruffudd, Rob Brydon, Giancarlo Esposito, Daisy Ridley.