The Pre-Production was a very important stage for us because this is when we really began to research Dance Videos and Phobias and come up with a stylistic approach and a concept which worked. I feel like we have met what we wanted to create however we have moved more from an creepy edgy approach and into an experimental and alternative style with has effects to give it the edginess and darker side we wanted however it is still continuity aware to show off the dances full potential and interpretation of the subject.
I felt I fulfilled my role within the group to the best of my ability as Director as I was very invested in this project as this was originally my Phobia idea so it was interesting to be able to start from scratch and progress it forward to make a finished Dance Video. In the idea and production stage I stayed very focused on the style I wanted however I was open to experimentation and ideas so this is how we developed it from a general phobia piece to a specific piece focusing on three phobias (Arachnophobia, Claustrophobia and Astraphobia). All these were chosen because they were each focusing on a Phobia to do with a very different aspect of life. We also developed it from a multiple performer piece to just a single dancer but this has helped to give our dance the empty and lonely connotations and atmosphere we wanted when tackling a harsh but personal topic. We decided to take the phobias in a very conceptual way as we didn't want anything literal and this helped myself and Grace the dancer to create choreography which we felt was strong.
The choreography was made in a very experimental way where by we kept experimenting with contemporary dance moves and motifs using inspiration we had found and also from the research we had completed. I then slowly built these moves together with Grace to form the routines. We also got feedback which I found really helpful so we were able to go back over the dance and improve it based on suggestion so we could make it even more interpretive of each phobia. I was very confident with the dance going into shooting and I also trusted the other group members and crew to get their parts of this process ready. I did also get myself involved in the technical process as well as the pre-production work leading up to this by writing the synopsis and treatment etc. I also had meetings with DOP to discuss the shot list to achieve the style we wanted and I also attending meetings with tutors with DOP to discuss the lighting plans and make sure everything was feasible. I felt on set because I had been so involved in each process I was able to help wherever and whenever needed especially in trying to tackle problems.
Pre-light was probably one of our biggest struggles as a group because we had so many technical issues with equipment and lighting however because we then weren't able to complete a pre-light due to the lighting not being safe to attach in the studio we instead used this time to experiment with the equipment so DOP and camera team could work out exactly what they wanted to use on shoot. Myself and Grace (Dancer) then used the time to continue to Choreograph while Katherine (Producer) used the time to complete some paperwork. We then after Pre-light as a group addressed all the issue we had had meaning we were able to resolves all of these and got ourselves the correct lighting with the correct safe attachments and this meant the shoot went a lot smoother because we had fixed all the problems we already had encountered prior to shooting.
On shoot our team worked well together yet we struggled to get a flow at the start of the day. This was because we hadn't had a chance to try filming the dance yet and we also needed to brief the crew and set up a lot of the studio and equipment. However once set up we threw ourselves into the deep end and began filming following our schedule and we began to get a nice flow. Katherine (Producer) was sitting calling the shots off the schedule and noting down timings and takes etc. Then myself as Director would tell the crew what piece of Dance was being filmed in that shot so that Sugini (DOP) could instruct her camera team on how to set up and position themselves. I would then prepare Grace (Dancer) in which part she was performing and let her run through giving her any instruction as necessary. The after each take I gave Grace feedback to keep her motivated and then myself and Sugini would decide if another take was needed (always filming at least two) then we would proceed as needed. We had a really fun but productive time on set actually finishing in 2 days as opposed to 3. I am actually very sad this process is over as I enjoyed it so much.
Editing was a trickier task because we then had to begin to make decisions as to what needed to be in the Dance however Katherine as Editor took instruction really well and understood exactly what we all wanted from the final product and with all our hep she was able to produce a piece which we were all very happy with. My main focus was to try and keep it interesting and exciting for an audience as it was 6 minutes long but I feel we have accomplished this as best as we could with the effects we have added like I mentioned above but also each effect is done for a specific reason to enhance the phobias presence.
Overall I feel the final piece is slightly different to what I set out to make in terms of not being as dark but I am still really happy with it as we have accomplished an ascetically pleasing continuity aware video with a conceptual meaning which hopefully creates tensions and drama when the audience watches it.
