Filming

I thought the filming went very well.  We managed to get the whole production filmed in just over an hour as we split the workload between our group of four; with one pair filming one scene, whilst the other pair filmed another, as we had two video cameras. 

These were the cameras we used:

They were both identical and we used the same two cameras throughout; on the same settings, to ensure the film was the same quality all the way through.

We didn't use a dolly at all whilst filming, as we found the result wasn't as smooth as when we controlled the camera manually - although, even then, some shots weren't as smooth as, ideally, we would have liked (e.g when we were tracking the mummy from behind down the hallway).  However, for the over-the-shoulder shots between the characters, the close ups, the overhead shot of the characters at the table we used a tripod.  This ensured the camera stayed perfectly still throughout the shot, meaning the result looked very professional.  Using the tripod meant we could easily get matching eyeline shots, as we just kept the tripod at the same height.  We also used the tripod for some tilts and pans as the tripod kept the camera at the same level as the action which meant you would always have the characters in the shot - you just had to move the tripod arm in one direction or the other.  Although, sometimes, the shots were jolted as the person controlling the camera begun to move the arm of the tripod.

A difficulty we faced whilst filming, was getting the correct lighting.  Onscreen, the light areas were enhanced and looked too bright.  We couldn't do anything about this, physically, as we couldn't dim the room's light.  Looking back, we shouldn't have filmed some shots (e.g the cowboy rejoicing at 'killing' the mummy) right beneath a light, which made the shot distorted and look very bright.

Our group worked well together.  We were either working in pairs, or altogether as a group; and on each shot we all had a go of filming it, until one of us got a good shot that we all agreed on - which we would then film a few times.  Filming was a bit slow to get started, as I think everyone was slightly wary of the cameras and the prospect of having to order around actors - knowing exactly what we wanted to do and how it would look in our heads, but not quite sure how to make everything work - we didn't want it to turn out seeming completely crazy and over-the-top.  However, once we'd gotten over the initial shock of actually having to film something and we'd started on the first shot, everything moved along fairly quickly and we were surprised to have all the shots we needed finished in just over an hour. 

I enjoyed the feeling of making something happen: the fact that we thought of the idea in our heads which we then put on paper and it has finally come before our eyes; a sense of achievement and knowing it was all our own.