Short Film Productions- Rob N Keiron- Pornography: 'A Cockumentry'

PART ONE...

PART TWO...

PART THREE...

PORNOGRAPHY 

: A Cockumentary

2009
  

  This is definitely not what you may be thinking... Ever wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes of a pornography? Well, now is your chance to get a Directors point of view. 

ITS NOT ALL GLAMOUR, ROCK 'N' ROLL... 

I assure you!

AIM:
To be able to come across clear and direct when playing different characters, to become open to things going wrong and take on roles and responsibilities throughout the process. 

OBJECTIVES:

To be confident with my lines, though I have a script.

Try things outside my comfort zone.

Learn and understand the process of what goes into the making a short film.

Not to be afraid of the camera.

Hello followers :) 

I am Sarah Carter.I am the script writer within Pornography: A Cockumentary. (PAC)

I have previously worked on Rosemary and Thyme.

"After rehab I was obviously out of a job and the Horse Tranquilizers lost me the use of my right knee. I was in a bad financial place, so I did the honorable thing and sold my body for money. 

Whilst working a street corner, a young man- which happened to be Mike Pounder pulled up to me. I did what i had to do. But just as I was about to hit him over the head with my pocket mini dictionary, he commented on my good work. 

We got chatting and I told him about my script writing ability. I took him back to my flat and showed him my work. He loved it, and offered my a job- Everything was fab...

So I finished what I had started in the car, not the beating- the trouser friendly kiss. I began writing for them both ever since." 

I was asked to play the part of Sarah. C, I can tell you I had no idea what was going to be involved all I got was

 

"got a character, she is doped up on Horse Tranquilizers and bathes in Jack Daniels you'll be good for it" 

Rob told me exactly how to come across to the camera which was really helpful and previous drama experiences helped. 

I have never taken part in a short film until now. I have to learnt that different parts do not have to be recorded at the same time or in order. I went from recording the first scene to the middle scene, this was difficult as in the two different scenes my character was in a different frame of mind, so jumping from one to the other was a hard task changing emotions etc... The jump didn't phase me as knowing everyone around helps with confidence but as it was a complete change it took a few takes to get it right. 

A really important factor I have gained is that even though you may not finish filming in one day, you have to  look EXACTLY the same the next day clothes, makeup, and hair shoes. This i learnt is so when the film is edited together is seems in sequence and normal.  

I had a very closed attitude before I began filming, I thought having this as a school project was out of the question as there are some parts that are past the mark. Yet are really amusing, which will draw in an audience. It is also up to me to become my character to make it realistic throughout. 

I have a better understanding if I were to do something like this again, as we were on set for a long time,and doing something a little bit different. I would be more prepared for anything in the future. 

I have another chance to develop my knowledge further as I have another short film on the 8^th 
February.

I can take my skills that I have 
learnt from this recording to the next short film. To make the 
process easier, from that

I will be able to make new goals. See my knowledge develop further with this experience as my previous knowledge.

click here: 20 Feet 

This has really helped me in opening myself to the camera the follow on blog link to this is here.It shows my developed found skills from this placement. 
click here to see music video 
or below...


It was an amazing process from start to end, I felt like I had become my character Sarah when we had finished, I felt an emotional connection with her and felt like I couldn't let her go.I felt that I could become her as I love to be quirky and different (NOT SO DIFFERENT -that I want to take horse tranquilizers or throw my television out of my window. Just to clarify) 


For te future I would like to become a character that is NOT in any way shape or form related to me, somthing more reserved, I fell if this is the case it would be more of a challenge.


Personal:I love short films. 


GemmDave
♥

Recording different microphones (studio tests). 25th January 2010

25th January 2010: 9.30am

  Today for the CDM (thats creative digital media)students, I had to prepare a song with a backing track for them to record for there assignment.

AIM:

To put into practice and reinforce the knowledge I have gained in the past and build on it to develop for future purposes. 

OBJECTIVES:

• To be professional in every aspect and to do what is expected of me (the artist) within the studio.
• Get involved within the recording process as much as i can.
• Ask necessary questions widen my range of understanding.

Hello followers :) 

I had a chance to be in the studio for a take of 'Beautiful' by Christina.A. But I didn't know they wanted me to do a lot more than I had anticipated. Such as studio tests on microphones.

Their assignment task was to record many different samples through as many different microphones as they could to get the best sounding takes and to reason with each other why this was...

Seeing as I was doing the song Beautiful, they decided that they were going to take snippits from me doing a 10-20 second take from the beginning of the song. 

This helped me relax into the environment and become accustomed to everything that was going on around me. It also gave me a lot of time to warm up as it was the morning you wouldn't think that there was much time to practice!! WELL your WRONG!.

PRACTICE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU WHEN YOU ARE A SINGER: 

• TO YOUR ALARM CLOCK (IF MUSICAL)
• TO/IN/FROM THE SHOWER
• WHISLT WAITING FOR YOUR TOAST
• ALONG TO THE HUMM OF THE MICROWAVE
• IN THE CAR TO THE RADIO/TRACK
• WHEN YOUR AT THE STUDIO YOU SHOULD BE READY AND WARMED UP!! :)

So this extra time was really good for my voice. 

A HELPFUL TIP:

Oh did you know..

DON'T:-

DRINK COKE 
EAT CHEESE 
CONSUME BREAD

before singing it tightens your vocal chords making you sound schreechy and different to how you would like to sound. It takes 3 hours to ware off so think prior to studio sessions what you consume.

Some of the testings were really interesting for me, whist they were looking for the best sound they could get I was focusing on dynamics in which mics and levels and were they all correct. This can helf me in the future as I can speak to the engineer to say what I know and have a conversation about what sounds best and the most important factor.. WHY!


 Some takes were glitchy in places but I think thats the sensitive microphones and me being to loud. In a recording session you wouldn't be there for 2.5hours just testing to see if your mic is okay. This session showed me how intricate things can be. Spending that long on tests is a long time, but the outcomes were good and you can see a real difference between particluar microphones if you know what your looking for e.g.- depth, range, ambience, all round feel. 

This session was boring as it was the same thing for 2 and a half hours- yet informative. I have learnt to explore different techniques that I can use with different mics such as the placement in relation to myself, as they al have different pick up patterns.  


Mic 1. CS5; Studio Projects (Pjt)
Mic 2. XM18005; Behringer
Mic 3. T97; Multi-Pattern;Studio Pjt.
Mic 4. T3; Duel Triode; Studio Pjt.


The tube microphone was left to warm up for an 1.5hours.




:) 
GemmDave

♥

Incorporated Music Video- 25th January 2010

  25th January 2010: 9.30am

Today for the CDM (thats creative digital media)students, I had to prepare a song with a backing track for them to record for there assignment.

Hi followers :) 

Today I was able to help the CDM students in completing their assignment, killing two birds with one stone as they say. They had three tasks and I managed to do all three in a morning.

The tasks were:

1) To create a portfolio of work from testings of microphones and which worked best and why?

2) To make a music video with a song

3)To record the song for the music video.

From this I managed to decide on what I wanted to get out of doing it, as it is for the benefit of someone else.

AIM:
For mike to have a successful outcome, by producing a video for the cover of 'Beautiful' by Christina Aguilera. To gain more knowledge that i can use for the future.


OBJECTIVES:

To be professional in every aspect and to do what is expected of me (the artist) within the studio.

• Get involved within the recording process as much as i can.
• Ask necessary questions widen my range of understanding within making the video

This section of my blog is about the Music Video.

I did not know anything about the video before I started helping them it was a... 


"Oh and by the way we have to shoot a music video too do you think you can do that"

I felt a little uncomfortable as anyone would to have that thrown at them. As i wasn't dressed for a video... etc...

But then I thought [LIGHTS GO ON!!] that I can pull it off because its going to be a video showing my progress to that point of when its finished! Using black and white, stills and slow motion. It can look really effective in a video. I have been told I have a wild sense of humor and love to make people laugh. I didn't think much about it but after the video had been done I looked over and reflected on the facts and it is true. The video shows the real me! I thought this was going to a hard task but half way through I forgot about the camera and carried on.

I can say I am a bit of a nightmare when the camera is rolling. Well whether on or off, (you should always have it on when I am about!)

I can imagine how much footage is of me laughing or making practical jokes, I think I would be a lot more conserved in another recording studio where I don't know anyone. The more comfortable I am the more I am myself. 

For the video they wanted to "capture the real me" this was quite hard but after the practice (for me) and the microphone tests (for them) I totally for got about the  camera, so the end result when I eventually see it will be a captivated me!!

SCARY THOUGHT!

My end product of singing was not to bad but we didn't have the studio for long and we had to do it as quick as possible. If I had more time I would have liked to sort the ending it feels weak and I did not quite reach the note as it was done in one take. 
I need to learn to say that I am not happy with something,  I find his really difficult, I think this won't only help me in these situations but in real life as well. 

I find myself, that I really pick out the bad points rather than the good parts throughout the song where as most of it is in tune and is a good take.I should be proud of things that I achieve yet I have come to the point where these points are overlooked. 

:) 

I have reinforced skills I have learnt at KEVICC- recording with Rob and Kieron at KEVICC for Pornography: A Cockumentry. I feel more comfortable in front of a camera after working with them. 


EVALUATIVE TIPS I HAVE LEARNT OVER THE COURSE OF THIS WBL...

· Don't look at the camera directly (unless directed to) 

· Learn - lines. 

· Understand the impulses that drive your character

 

· Respond to the impulses and then… · Do the thinking 

· Understand the impulses of the character to whom you are playing (even in a monologue or singing)

 

· If the characters to whom you are playing are imaginary you must still allow them to confirm or surprise your expectations 

· Understand the nature of the space your character is in 

· Be aware that your audience is always listening and watching from the auditorium 

· Relax – it’s only life. 

· Remember that (because of the adrenalin in your system) what seems a long time to you will be a short time for your audience 

· Slow down 

· Allow time to think 

· Experience and enjoy

GemmDave
♥

Music Mill 25th Jan- 'Recording: Beautiful- Christina Aguilera'

25th January 2010: 9.30am

  Today for the CDM (thats creative digital media)students, I had to prepare a song with a backing track for them to record for there assignment.

AIM:
To have a successful outcome by producing  a cover of 'Beautiful' by Christina Aguilera. To gain more knowledge that i can use for the future.


OBJECTIVES:

• To be professional in every aspect and to do what is expected of me (the artist) within the studio.
• Get involved within the recording process as much as i can.
• Ask necessary questions widen my range of understanding.

I feel that I have had experience in the past, within the studio but I have always been in the studio for another purpose than myself. Either doing backing vocals, or the technical side of things. It does come in handy that I have studied music technology for a number of years so I am not a stranger being in there! Its oh so different when your on your own...

The Day

There was three parts of the morning that I knew about this recording was the last section of the day. The other two are mentioned in other posts on todays date at The Music Mill. (go to these sites?).. click here. or click this one. LUCKY DIP! 

9.30 am

Only the sign of one person of the group there trying to set up on his own, so this gave me a chance to get my knowledge out (that is a bit dusty) and get stuck in helping set up the desk and the microphones. 

Even though the desk is very different to what I am used to it all works the same, through the channels and strips. After working for about an hour it became easier, it was a creative working session where I used trial and error to correct mistakes. For example- Just forgetting to turn mute off when re-recording over the track before. This is something I have learned many times but when you are in a different environment you forget the simplest of things- for the future I took more notes that I can refer back to.

Afternoon:

Recording the song 'Beautiful- by Christina Aguilera' felt better after the morning sessions of microphone testing. As my voice became warmed up for the recording and comfortable to do a run through and a first take all the way through. This is better because if you do it in sections it is very hard to "drop-in". (This is when you run up to a particular section and drop in on the part that you do not like or that you want to do harmonies over the top. You can do it again as many times as you wish, it is keeping with the song so nothing sounds out of place. This made me have a better understanding of how artists I personally listen to have different sections and get it PERFECT!  Clever really!! Did you know that before any of this computer business was invented to chop bits of songs together they would have to cut up the tape and stick it together again (TODAYS -CUT & PASTE!!) we shouldn't take it for granted!

This picture is of me. 
TIRED but still going on. 

Singing the same songs for a few hours can get on your nerves so if you are thinking of going to record a particular song THINK WISELY. You will end up hating the song when you come out of the recording session!! Believe me!! But when you listen to the song again you will hear things you didn't hear before or sections that you played over and over to get right end up being the bits you remember for a specific thing such as the harmony that you did. This gave me the chance to develop the recording to the standard that the producer wanted. 

I really enjoyed being the artist for the CDM students, they were very helpful and because I know them from sessions before, we had a friendship so it wasn't awkward. I have been in situations that have been really horrible and I did not perform to my best ability. Having a good relationship with your producer and engineer is helpful as you become more productive and time is used wisely.

At the most basic level, the role of the musician in the studio is to deliver a performance of high quality that can be released to the world (or at the very least, be turned into something that can be released).

My evaluative parts are written in questions I have asked myself. if i was reading this what would I want to know... Also it makes it easier for you as the reader as you can go to a section you are looking for or more interested in.

ARE YOU WANTING TO DO THE SAME?:]

 As I mentioned the studio can be a daunting place for many musicians, and as a performer there’s a fair bit of pressure on you to, well… perform. Here’s some advice to help you get a grip on your role in the studio and how to make the session productive, effective and comfortable...
Contact your local studio to see if you can sit in on a few recording sessions or see if and set up help is needed in the studio or for a local band helping set up with them, its a tedious process but 

you got to start somwhere :]

'I HAVE WASHED DISHES FOR Matt Helders'! (AKA 25% OF THE ARTIC MONKEYS) yes yes! (: If that does not give you an incentive I don't know what will!! 

TRUST THE PRODUCER

First, don’t listen to those people who insist you need to be in complete control of each studio session. Unless you’re producing your own work, you’re there simply to be recorded. You have complete control over your work, of course, but once you’re in the studio, trying to run things will detract from your overall performance.

Be willing to be led. You don’t need to be in charge. Giving control of the session to the producer will remove a whole host of anxieties and fears from your mind, allowing you to focus on your performance. They are there to look after the session and the recording. You’re not. You’re there to deliver the best performance of the song that you can.

PRACTICE & PREPARE :]

Don’t come in unprepared. Spend more than enough time practicing the song and knowing each and every second of your performance. Once you know your performance, though, don’t continue the ball-breaking practice sessions.

Knock back to a rate of practice that effectively maintains your current familiarity with the song, without overdoing it. You want to know the song perfectly, but you also can’t get to a point where you hate it by the time you’re ready to record. The lack of passion bleeds through onto the recording every time.

COMMUNICATE :o

Communication is always very important to a successful session.

Communicate your artistic intention and vision. The producer isn’t there to create a vision for you. They know that the artist is the one with the vision and that’s why the artist has created, painstakingly, these works of musical art. However, they can’t turn around and make that vision a reality without clear knowledge of it.

This sort of soul-baring discussion should take place well before you go in for a tracking session, but keep this in mind and feel free to steer the producer in the right direction and back to your intention as the session moves along. Remember, the producer works for you.

Communicate your physical and mental state. The producer can’t know whether to bother with another ten takes or call it quits until the next day unless you communicate your ability to continue.

There’s a tendency to only communicate negatives—feeling tired, voice is getting sore, fingers are getting sloppy on the frets. Remember that positives are equally important so that everyone can kind of gauge what’s happening and how much longer it’s going to happen for.

Get Familiar with the Studio Environment 

Know the space. Know the microphone. Know the engineer. Know the producer. Nothing makes a musician shaky quite like an uncomfortable and foreign environment. Take the time to know the sound and reverberation of the room you’re tracking in, the sound of the microphone(s) you’re working with, and get to know the people who will be capturing your performance.

I’ve spoken with producers who say that some musicians will “go into a funk” in an environment they can’t connect with; if the studio is too tidy, for instance. Leave nothing to chance.

DON'T BE AN IDIOT :)

Feel free to ask stupid questions, do a million takes and be a pain in the backside in general, but don’t be the moron who goes out drinking the night before a vocal tracking session and then come in with a voice that can’t produce an audible sound.

Don’t be the idiot who forgets to restring his guitar two to three days before a session and comes in expecting to use either old, crappy strings, or strings that keep going out of tune because they haven’t been broken in.

Be smart, respect the time of the producer and the engineer, and the fact that studios aren’t cheap. When you fail to prepare or take appropriate measures, you are letting everyone around you down.

ENJOY IT [:

As this chance does not come around every day make the most of it. Relax, enjoy & let the great tunes roll.... :) 

♥