Toerags - The edit

So the last few days Dan Baugh and I have been assembling rough cuts of all 3 episodes, so far everything is looking good and we are working on getting each episode tighter, and finding the correct buzz tracks/atmosphere sounds that will suit our film.

We have also set up a Facebook page for 'Toerags' http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Toerags/299707950141424 Where we are keeping people up with the process.

We have also been collaborating with Francesca Fry who is in her 3rd year of Graphic Design at UCA she will be designing our opening and closing titles as well as designing up a sleeve for the DVD she has been updating her process on her web site; http://francescafry.tumblr.com/ She is using this as her major project for her course, here are some of the ideas she had sent me to choose from and also some of the rough edits she has done so far.

Toerags; Thats a wrap!

Today Dan Baugh and I meet at the studios to sort out all the footage we've shot over the last few days, we finished filming yesterday well ahead of schedule, the shoot went really well and all cast and crew were amazing we had a blast filming with great people. We've got hundreds and hundreds of clips to sort through before we start the edit, we are hoping to have a rough cut of every episode by monday.

Toerags

So with all the episodes written for 'Toerags' Dan Baugh and myself have been busy finding locations, finding/auditioning actors, making/sourcing props and creating shot lists and call sheets.
We have decided on a 3day shoot the week commencing 19/11/12.
As usually with all our projects its really hard work trying to get actors to commit to a 3day shoot free of charge, so Dan and myself are doing our damnedest to pull in as many favours as possible.

Toerags

So I handed in my finished draft 15 page script for 'Toerags' for Simon to read, he came back and suggested that it might work better in 3 episodes and it will help with use of the 3 act structure. So after a discussion with my director Dan Baugh we decided to cut the original 15 into one 5min episode and I would write 2 new episodes, which are now written with episode titles 'Throw Bombs On It' and 'One Lump Or Two' the story seems to be a bit clearer now, but Dan and myself feel the show has lost a bit of its charm, I've had to lose the friendly banter between the boys and replace it with story. Have I done the right thing?? as first and foremost it is a comedy...Drama second.

Green screen work shop

Today we had a green screen work shop with Kim Brooke, 

I've never done green screen before so it was good to be shown the basics on how its all done, hopefully I'll be using green screen in the future for some of my projects.

Kim set us a task where we had to read out a newspaper article in front of the green screen and then edit the back ground of the green screen, here is my first attempt at green screen. I can only apologise for my poor presenting skills. 

My sit-com turns to a comedy drama

After a long chat with Helen we decided that I'm not writing a sit-com I'm writing a comedy drama, Helen explained to me that a sit-com is written and based around a certain situation where mine doesn't really have one particular situation, which would make it a comedy drama.
I was also originally going to have a group of 4 friends but I have decided to change it to 3 friends as I am trying to distance myself from it being like The Inbetweeners.

I have also come up with a title for my comedy drama, it has took me a long time to come up with a title  and I'm happy I finally have one and it is..............Toerags

Basically from the moment I knew I was going to write a comedy drama I knew straight away what song I'd have for my open title, one on my favourite songs by one of my favourite bands, 'Toerag' By The Rifles. Below is the link

http://youtu.be/_4aRaHukqf4

Helen has also asked if I could give it a episode title, so I have decided to call it 'Going out out'
I got the title idea from a stand up comedian called Mickey Flanagan, I was watching a DVD of his stand up and he had a great joke about people in this country going out drinking, enjoy the link below.

http://youtu.be/fqpfT7YMDtM

Major project, sit-com

So for my major project I have decided to write a sit-com based around a group of friends in there mid 20's, I've also asked Dan Baugh to be my director to which he accepted, so now all thats left is for me to write a script.

theses are some of the comedy's I've been watching for inspiration;

Kent film office

I have really been enjoying my time a Kent film office, so far this week They have sent me out to be a location scout and take pictures of loads of different over Kent, this has keep me really busy as I have been here there and everywhere, I then edited all the pictures I took and uploaded them to there data base for future reference.

Some of the locations I went and took pictures of where; The blue lake at Halling, Cuxton Marina, a derelict car park behind Aylesford paper mill, The Jane Austin tour in Tonbridge. Here are a few photos I took.

Kent Film Office, work exp

Today I start work at the Kent film office, I'm not really sure what to expect, but I am looking forward to getting involved, and hopefully learn more about the does and donts when filming in around Kent, or to know what I can and cant get away with while filming.

JML

I've just spent the last 2 days working on JML at the Maidstone TV Studios, I have worked on this production before as a runner but this time I was sound assistant, which was something I haven't done before but I really enjoyed,  I had to mic up the presenters and guests with radio mics and make sure the batteries didn't run out, and also provide a stick mic to the presenter when it she need to speak to the audience.

Superstars ITV

I have spent the last 2 days working on ITV's new show Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Superstars' being a studio runner for Fountain Studios, Wembley, London where they also film some of ITV's biggest shows such as The X Factor, Britons Got Talent and Red Or Black.

'Superstars' is a talent show where they are looking for someone to play the role for the west end play 'Jesus Christ Superstar' it is hosted by Amanda Holden and the judging panel consists of Andrew Lloyd  Webber, Mel C, Jason Donavan and Dawn French.

I've had such a good time, everyone has been really nice and friendly and I had chance to meet and chat to most of the staff ie camera ops, camera assistance, floor managers, studio managers. They have also asked me to go back in December for 2days work on The X Factor which I'm very excited about and cant wait.

Done & Dusted, my final day

So today was my final day at Done & Dusted, and today I had a few odd jobs to get on with, like ringing around voice over agencies to get confirmation for some female voice over artist that Done & Dusted had previously enquired about doing some work on some of there productions, so it was a case of myself getting speaking to the artists agent and agreeing times and dates.
I have enjoyed my time at Done & Dusted , everyone has been really helpful and friendly and I will be sad to leave, I loved the "the hustle and bustle" of a busy production office and really gave me a good insight in to the media industry,  all in all it was fun.

Done & Dusted, day 7

Today on my work placement wasn't very exciting i had to collapse a load of tables and load them into a waiting van as well as boxes of tapes, I then with a few other Done & Dusted employees jumped in the van and travelled to the other side of London to Done & Dusted storage container to store the tables, where in the storage container was like a Santa's grotto full of props, costume, bits of set from loads of Tv shows which was really cool to see, I then made my way to drop the tapes off at there edit house....Not the most exciting of days.

Done & Dusted, day 6

Today I was mainly in the office all day helping out for there prep for there Olympic in-house shows.

Basically they were making shows for the audience inside the arenas, not for TV broadcast, where they would have a host of ex olympians and celebrities get interview and be shown in between events.
So my job was to gather up all the guests info and put into a spread sheet, information such as, name and address of guests, phone number, contact details of agent and plus 1's, where they where getting picked up from and where they where being dropped off and time of arrival. and making sure all there release forms where signed off.

These guests included Sir Ben Kingsley, Tessa Saunderson, Steven Fry, Sharon Davis to name a few.

Work placement, day 5

Today at Done & Dusted I got chatting to one of there creative directors Hamish, I was asking him questiones about how he got into the industry and where did he start, he was really helpful and gave me a good insite, I also was asked to run some tapes round to Done & Dusted editing house is Soho which is just a 5-10min walk from there office, they showed me around and I stayed for about an hour watching them edit T4 on the beach, everyone was really busy so I didnt really get the opportunity to ask any questions.

Done & Dusted, day 4

Today on my work I was pretty much sat in front of a computer all day I had to sort through about 100 head shots and re size and crop them and save the in alphabetical order, so it would be easier for them to look through, i also had to create a "make up" list of all the make up required by the models they were using for a shoot, then near the end of the day I was asked to take a trip to Canary Wharf to the Olympic office to pick up some Olympic passes for some of the Done & Dusted staff.

Done and Dusted, day 3

Today at my work placement I had a lot of running around to do like collcting new stationary and coffee runs, I also had to make my way to Wimbeldon tennis court to meet a Done & Dusted employee to hand over a laptop, where they let me have a sneeky peek at center court.
Later on when I got back to the office I was given £500 to collect 5 jackets from the shop Zara on Regent street, I've never had the luxary of a shopping spree like that before, all in a days work I suppose!

Done & Dusted, day 2

So I'm on my second day at Done & Dusted, my first day there wasn't much going on, I was just meeting everyone and getting used to the office and doing general office work and coffee run but I enjoyed it, they have just finished doing T4 on the beach but they are already gearing up for the Olympics, I'm looking forward to getting involved.

Work placment. Done & Dusted

This week I am starting my work placement with Done & Dusted at there production office on Oxford Street, London. I am very excited as they have done some really good productions, the sort of TV shows that I myself watch on TV like T4 on the beach, and The Brit Awards to name a few, here is a link to there web site if anyone is interested in finding out what other productions they have done http://www.doneanddusted.com/

I cant wait to get started, and I am looking forward to what they have install for me.

Working on a video game at the studios

I got a call from Emma Norris from the Maidstone TV studios saying that there was a comapany called Audiomation

 (who I'd worked with last time they used the studios) where coming back to use the studios and they asked if they could use me again, Audio-motion shoot video games so it is totally different from anything I've ever done and there is alot of people walking around in wet suits with what looks like little golf balls all over them and red glowing cameras everywhere


It was a lot of fun, helping them set up platforms/sets and and even getting a go at being a camera op

As Live

So after a hectic week of getting everything finished for as live, it has all finally come to an end.
I have spent the last week running round like a headless chicken, with finishing the poster, liaising with all the bands and the host, sorting out band equipment, putting up poster everywhere, handing out leaflets, trying to get a studio audience, 2 rehearsal days and the big record day! And after it was all over, I stayed behind and help de-rig the studio.

A week of unsigned live

This week has been very hectic as I've had a lot to do like organise a band to come in for our rehearsal on Tuesday, and we managed to get hold of a band called 'Crybaby Special And The monsters' who were really good and professional to work with, it also feels I'm never off the phone/emailing people trying to keep everyone in the loop.

Lauren W and myself also sat down together and done what we hope is the last edit of the script, it feels like its flowing a lot better than it was before. I also created a mood board to show how i thought our presenter should be dressed for the day of record.

As live with Hans

Today we had Hans in for our production meeting, we got through alot today, sorting out some issues with the show and tying up a few loose end and make a few phone calls, it fells like everything is falling into place before the show. :)

As live

Today I spent the day with Lauren Woodfall working on the script for as live and fine tuning it with Helen, I also helped Lauren with the finishing touches of the poster, the script is getting there and the poster is now done and it looks great.

Fiction adaptation edit

Fiction unit

I was up bright and early on Monday morning to do my shoot for my fiction unit and it all went to plan I'm pleased to say, I have spent the rest of the week at the studios editing it all together and its looking good although I am struggling as I was hoping to add a few effects to it but I'm not as savvy as I'd like to be on final cut, or computers in general for that matter but I'm getting there.

fiction unit; story board

So here is my storyboard for my fiction adaptation, I've had it storyboarded for about 4weeks but I've been so busy I haven't had chance to film it.

I don't want to give to much away but the man with a beard in the storyboard is going to be a reference to  "the jabberwocky" and I've cast this guy for the role.

As Live rough running order.

My rough idea of a running order.

00:00. titles
00:20. Hosts introduction
00:45. Host showing off the stage/band seating area
... 01:00. host will chat/joke, talk about to guests in there seating area
04:10. introduction for the first VT
04:15. run VT
05:45. Interview with guests
11:45. host winds up the interview and announces whats still to come on the show
12:00. introduction for the next VT
12:10. run VT
13:40. interview and Band performance
20:40. chat with audence about preformance, introduce next VT
21:30. run VT
23:00. Indeepth interview with bands
25:30. Idle chat/banter between host and guests, the host thanks everyone for coming
26:30. host introduces the band to play out the show
29:00. roll titles with band still playing in the back ground
30:00. The End

As Live. Band and presenter bio's

Standing On Giants Genre Indie/ Rock/Pop Members Simon Briley - Vocals/Rhythm Guitar Ant Grant - Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals Alex Gettinby - Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals Daryl Crowley - Drums Manager Victoria Stuart

The vivacious band, Standing on Giants first leapt onto the stage back in February '09. The four members of the rock/indie/pop band are currently climbing the roots of the music scene which has seen them perform alongside acts such as Bloc Party, The Holloways, Kid Harpoon, Kid British, Underground Heroes and The Crookes. In the summer of 2010, Standing On Giants released their debut 3 track EP ...‘No A Medias’, with Alex Gettinby producing it before he came into the fold as a fully fledged member of the band in January 2011. Standing on Giants released their debut single "The Signs" in August 2011 to very warm critical acclaim, followed by the 4 track EP it featured on, a month later. It was recorded at Alex's studio, but mixed and mastered with the help of Angus Wallace (The Prodigy, The Fall, Ian Brown) @ Far Heath Studios, Northamptonshire. The Soundcasters Members Simon Watson Tom Webzell Scott Russell Matt Gibson The Soundcasters were formed in early 2008 through a mutual love of a variety of music ranging from Latin Jazz, to 70’s Punk. As young lads, this gave them a unique edge in today’s music scene of teenage bands and with such a wide knowledge of music it took a short while to find their original sound. Their first EP had a 60’s pop feel to it that had a huge response from a mixed audience which expanded their fan base. With their second EP, produced by local, respected musician Ben Jones, The Soundcasters have returned with a more mature image, feel and sound. The Soundcasters are influenced by such bands as The Beatles, The Band, The Animals and newer bands like The Arctic Monkeys, which is where they developed their 60’s Indie style from. The Charlie Rivers Band Genre Acoustic/Rock/Alternative Members Charlie Rivers - Vocals/Acoustic Steve McCormack - Guitar/Vocals Steve Bassett - Bass/Vocals Ashley Rushman - Drums/Samples Charlie learns guitar and discovers ability to sing...starts out solo...is introduced to Steve who also has a playing/singing talent to behold...duo is formed...gigs ensue...history starts to form...album "1/4 2 3" is recorded...Jamie joins to play bass after attending a wedding of a close friend from school...the close friends step brother is Charlie...history is almost made...Jamie meets Ash thr...ough mutual employer...suggests Ash becomes the missing piece of the puzzle...EP is recorded...then album "Tender Chaos"...video for 'Crazy' shot...EP for Crazy Recorded...Jamie leaves band for a new life in San Diego :-(...Steve Bassett joins as new Bass player. Male presenter; Adam Dowling Radio Presenter, club DJ and music producer Adam hosted the breakfast show on kmfm's Shepway & White Cliffs Country station from July 2007 to March 2012. With features such as The Intro Teaser, Not The 8 O'Clock News, Have I Got A Tune For You and The Voice Changer, plus accurate weather forecasts from Folkestone's own Cloud Master. Female presenter; Jess Coote

As Live

A productive two days, Sunday night Lauren Woodfall and I went and meet someone who we had in mind as the male host for the show after chatting to this guy I think Lauren and myself both came away with the feeling that he's the guy we want to host the show, so all that's left to do now is to get him in for an audition and see how he handles a camera being pointed at him. Lauren and I spent a few hours in the library writing a rough script for the auditions.

Also after a productive production meeting with Hellen and the promo team it felt like the "As Live " wheels where starting to move, as we now have a few deadlines put in place.

As Live production meeting minutes

Meeting started 05/03/12 12:09

Present; Alex, Dan, Dean, Lauren W, Hellen, Zee and Lauren H.

Viral ad discussions; Promo team to design a Facebook page and a Twitter page. Design Tickets, posters, logo, website and titles.

Promo team will have a mood board from the 2 Laurens by Wednesday 7th March.

How many audience members are we allowed? Hellen to email Emma Norris

Lauren W to get a floor plan for the studio.

Dean to looking to getting a theme tune for the show.

Promo team to deliver 6 logo ideas on 16/03/12

Advertising to be shot and ready to go live on 27/04/12

Promo team to have social networking done by 24/03/12 also leaflets/Posters/Flyer's done by 26/03/12

Logo to be chosen from the 6 ideas 26/03/12

Contact the VT team to discuss dates for the 'Maidstone gig guide 15/03/12

Hellen to contact Emma Norris about available dressing rooms for auditions w/c 19/03/12 and also you find out a start time for the day of the record.

Meeting finished 05/03/12 13:05

Fiction ~Unit

Today I went to the library and got out the film 'The Jabberwocky  to see if it would inspire me for my filming and also my essay. I enjoyed the film and I was look for out for some homage I could use but sadly I didn't really come across any, so all I need to do now is storyboard my ideas and try and put them in some order.

As Live

So I've spent the last 2 days scouting bands and presenters, we now have loads of possible bands/artists to choose from although I feel we maybe running a bit thin on the presenter front, but trying to find what you want for free is hard, although the few we have got are exciting so maybe we've already got the perfect presenter we just don't know it yet.

As Live

Today we were given our roles for 'As Live I was given the role as assistant producer which I'm happy about, I'm looking forward to writing the show with Lauren I think we can work well together as we get on well and have very similar musical interests, the first job I was given was to find a young, pretty female presenter so I've spent most of the evening on sites like Starnow email and looking at pretty girls headshots! Its not a bad life.

What a waste of time!

So all them hours, all the stress over the last few weeks developing my idea  have been worthless, after working so hard on an idea I really believed in and on a project I'm really passionate about. To say I feel deflated is an understatement, i find myself asking what is the point! Is all the hard wok worth it just for yet another knock back!

That's What I Call Entertainment! Theme tune.

So I decided to write a catchy theme tune for my As Live show 'That's What I Call Entertainment!
Don't worry if it gets commissioned it wont be my hideous voice singing it, i want it to big a "big band" song, a bit Frank Sinatra, anyway hear it is, sorry if it makes your ears bleed.

As Live unit

After yesterdays tutorial I came out pretty pleased, Hellen gave me some good advice and she thinks I've got a great idea! Now I've got to put all the pieces of the puzzle together for my pitch on Thursday.
I've also written a fun jingle for the start of the show :D

I'm also feeling a bit anxious about Thursday, I know I've got a great idea and I've worked really hard on developing my idea and the thought of it getting cast aside is upsetting. But lets wait and see.

As Live Unit

Today we had a great lecture with Hans, he opened our eyes into just how much goes into making a TV show,he showed us things that I would never of thought of, and he was a great help introducing us on how to direct a live show, I found today a really helpful its pretty daunting how much is at stake when directing a live show but also really fun.

I have also been racking my brains as to what to call my 'As Live but I think I may have it! I've noticed it seems to be "the in trend" on a lot of shows to use the shows initials on props, prompt cards and the shows Twitter/web page ect. Like 'Brititans Got Talent use B.G.T  'Some For The Weekend use S.F.T.W and 'The Only Way Is Essex use T.O.W.I.E to name a few, my idea is to call my show 'Thats What I Call Entertainment! which means I would use T.W.I.C.E! As my actually spells a word would it be a good idea to use it to my advantage????? as Xfactor have X Factor The Xtra bits I could have T.W.I.C.E with a slice!!!! I'm not sure if this is a good or bad idea, any input welcome.

As Live workshop

Dan, Maddie, Hennie and I are working together to record a mock up news report on the subject of a fuel rise.


The initial running order is as it follows:
1. Maddie (the host) in the studio set introduces the story reading the scripted introduction.


2. Maddie passes the story over to Dan (on scene reporter) in front of a taxi rank


3. Dan introduces Dean (the taxi driver)


4. Q1, What is your average fuel consumption in a week?

5. Q2, Are you having to work more because of this rise in price?

6. Q3, How has the rate of custom varied with these rises?

7. Q4, Do you think rates will have a long term affect on your business?

8. Q5, Does this rise make you consider a change in job?

9. Q6 Have you considered investing in an electric car?

10. Dan links back to the studio

Fiction unit

I found yesterdays lecture really help full, I was really struggeling for ideas untill yesterday, I had'nt even choosen a poem!!! But Ive got loads of good ideas now and I'm a lot more excited about the unit than I was. The music videos Helen showed us were great and helped me generate loads of ideas, I'm going to really push myself on this project and maybe do something a bit "wacky" Thats the plan anyway.

As Live Brainstorm

Here is the out come of my 'As Live brainstorming section, I will be adding more very soon.

As Live

After a brainstorming session on our first day back at uni I thought its time to share my as live ideas so here it goes.......... I want it to be like my take/up to date version of TFI Friday, full of good guests, loads of jokes, puns, party tricks, a loud/rowdy studio audience, live music/stand up to play out the show, and a really cool set a colage of bands, film and tv, and of course a great host!
like TFI it was famous for it littel sketches such as 'Ugly Bloke' 'Freak Or Unique' I have come up with what I think is a great idea called 'Pun-believable' which will be "pun" related
I've also got an idea for a character to be involved with the show I'm a big fan of Shooting Stars and Soccer a.m and they are 2 shows I looked at closey when sorting out my ideas, and they always use characters in the show to add humure like 'George Daws'
 Angelos Epithemiou   and Barry from soccer amI want my charater to be a cleaner/handyman/propman or maybe an announcer!!! I think it would be good for jokes, if he and the presenter do not get on, so he can but in, flirt with females guest or in the audiance, even gets to show off his party tricks!
Anyway these are my ideas so far. I might even have a minor celeb up my sleve!!!!!!!

As Live

I can barely contain my excitement for the new year ahead, I've got loads of ideas for the 'As Live' unit I don't know where to start, I loved working on the pub game last year and the thought that it could be my own show this year is very exciting, I'm like a kid at Christmas, let the hard work begin!