Production - Day 6

After strong thoughts, ideas and preparation after our rough cut review, the main criticisms were revolving around the lighting of the shots in Southbank, Millennium bridge and the lack of variety of shots at Millennium bridge. Also from our review, we found that most our shots were very still, with less movement which needed to be changed. Therefore, our plan was to meet up at Waterloo station, film at Southbank then head to Millennium bridge to re shoot and add to our filming shots.

Weather conditions
Today was by far the coldest day of the winter,  let alone the coldest day during the filming process. Every member of the group had numb hands, feet and did not come as suitably dressed for such a cold day. Filming today was the hardest day due to these circumstances although we knew what we had to do, so we tried to complete this filming session as soon as possible!

Problems at Southbank
When we reached southbank, we set up the equipment and got into position, ready to film. As soon as we was going to start, two security guards had told us that the area from the road to the London eye is private and must ask for permission to film. We were unaware of this, as we had filmed at Southbank in the very same spot more than twice for roughly 2-3 hours all together. This was really unfortunate for us due to the fact that we were firstly unaware that we needed permission considering we filmed there before without hassle, but also because we had come back to southbank to improve our shots that we had filmed before. This meant we had to find another location to film a base track in a last minute instance.
This last minute change was very stressful especially knowing that the deadline was getting very close. We had to think as a group as to where we would film the base track.

Moving on from Southbank
We could not waste any time waiting about at Southbank thinking what to do as we had so much ahead of us. We moved on to Millennium bridge were we were going to re-shoot the other base track after criticisms from the rough cut review. on the way, we thought as a group as to where we could possibly film. When we got of the bus and walked towards the bridge, we searched for locations that would be suitable for the base track. Our luck came when we arrived at Millennium bridge,as directly next to it there were trees similar to those at Southbank, but with circle lights on the floor rather than blue lights on the branches as they were in Southbank. It was very cold and we needed to make the most of the time we had, so we set up the equipment on the bridge.

Risks/Setting up the equipment on London bridge
All of us had been affected by the cold, especially because we were standing over water, which made it more cold. We had to be careful whilst setting up the equipment for a number of reasons.

• Setting up on a bridge was dangerous, as the wind could blow the equipment away. Aware of this, we gathered together and set up together, rather than setting up equipment individually like we would usually do.
• The cold had affected our ability to set up. Stiff hands prevented us from setting up easily, as safety locks on the lighting stands and fig rig were really hard to turn with cold hands.
• It was packed and because it was cold, people were rushing. Realising this, we set up on the side of the bridge instead of blocking the way of people in the center.

How did the filming go on the bridge?

Because it was so cold, we tried to complete the filming as quick as possible. We came prepared with spare batteries so that we would have enough light to film with. Due to the wind, whilst Farha performed, I had to hold on to the light stand so it didn't drop whilst Jenny filmed and Shrepsa held and umbrella to prevent the equipment from getting wet. we managed to film quickly without Farha getting nervous or distracted, which helped us to finish quicker. We also did a re-shoot of the ending with the light we had.

Filming in the newly discovered base track location next to the bridge.

After a long difficult filming session on the bridge, we moved to the trees were we planned to film the base track of farha. However, although we came equipped with spare batteries for the light, we were down to the last battery which was slowly running out. We had to act fast and film quickly as it was dark and the shots would not come out clearly if the light ran out. We knew that we would have to come back and film again because the light was getting dimmer, so after a few performances from Farha, we packed up and left to go home.

Today was the most difficult and stressful day, but credit to the whole team for managing to get through it without giving up, especially to farha who had to perform in clothes that were not suitable for this type of weather. Because of the very cold weather, we were not able to take pictures to upload as everything was getting very difficult!