ROUGHT-CUT SCREENING

For the rough-cut screening we showcased scene 1, half of scene 9 and a montage of interior/exterior cutaways. After receiving the footage approximately one week before the screening, it was my duty to convert and log the footage. These tasks took four days to complete giving me just a few days to assemble something for the screening. I took an executive decision and decided that instead of creating a rough assembly of all 10 scenes for the screening, we would instead assemble a strong cut of the first scene and half of scene 9 (the torture scene), as scene 9 is considered to be one the key scenes in the film. The director agreed that due to the lack of time available because of our filming schedule being pushed back one week, we preferred to showcase a better quality cut than a bigger cut that lacked depth and structure. The montage sequence towards the end featured cutaways that are to be included in the final. Both the int and ext shots connote an eerie atmosphere and setting for the piece.

The rough-cut was assembled in the following order-

Scene 9 -> Scene 1 -> Montage

I decided to arrange the cut in this way because scene 1 and the montage synced/merged with one another.

The rough-cut that was shown at the screening is displayed below.


Home Away From Here - Rough Cut from SHU Film & Media Production on Vimeo.

Feedback from the tutors during the screening -

Annie - Beautifully shot. Cinematic. Complex character connections, make sure the film has 'room to breathe'. 

I believe Annie is correct in saying the film should have room to breathe. This coincides with Jordan's vision of having pauses after certain shots, to allow the audience to connect with the main protagonist and reflect on the events that take place.

Jordan - We are looking to lose some lines of dialogue.

Certain lines of dialogue delivered from James (played by Jack Simmons) aren't well acted, therefore as a group we have decided to lose some of lines, and we are seriously considering re-voicing him as his accent/dialect is not like the strong Yorkshire accents delivered from the other actors (his family within the film).

One key point I am taking from the production of this film is the extra time one should allow for fixing problems i.e. Re-voicing the main protagonist. Throughout the last 3 years at university I have learnt that problems will almost always occur. 

Mark - Locations are good. Play with the natural elements.

Joel has thusly decided to emphasise the elements of nature in the film by introducing the sounds of wind, animals, water etc. The atmosphere correlating with the footage should connote a sense of solitude and vastness. 

Susannah - Cellar is creepy. We should try playing around with the "Help me" dialogue. Too literal at the moment. Detach it from the images. Stutter it, create whispers.

Neil - Lose "Help me". "Space design" for sound.

Currently I am in two minds to whether Joel should include the "Help me" lines of dialogue in the opening scene or whether he should cut it out completely. I agree the line is too literal however by breaking the dialogue up (introducing a 'stutter' effect), it may reflect/relate to the character's current amnesia. 

Chrissie - Not as violent as expecting which is good. Good use of locations, decaying wood etc. "Can smell it!".

I believe what Chrissie is attempting to say is that by showing less, is giving more. A 'philosophy' I have always stuck by. I chose and a held shots that didn't psychically show the torture taking place to allow the audience to use their imagination. 

Chris - Likes the lake scenes and cellar is effective. Dirty lens noticeable.

Unfortunately almost every shot in the opening scene the lens features dirt. Therefore I will cut out the shots in which this is most visible. This is highly unfortunate as the shots that will require deleting are indeed the better ones.

It was then decided that a rough-cut needs completing within one week. I will achieve a full rough-cut by (approx.) Friday 10th May... In hindsight I am happy with the feedback on our film. I will take the comments into consideration and act accordingly.