Aiman's Blog

 Numerous platforms were used for editing and our team was constantly in contact during this post production stage. We were all discussing which clips to use, and the order and sequence that they were used in. We also frequently consulted our teacher.  One scene that we had recorded but decided to extract during the post production was the one in which Sarah runs away while Ali chases her with the brick. It did not turn out the way we visualized it and hence we decided to leave it out. Another shot that we decided to extract was the one of the headphones during the ending. It didn't turn out as cinematic as we had hoped so it was best to leave it out altogether, rather than experimenting with it.  Haseeb experimented a lot with the sounds and audios and shared them with me from time to time. He searched and compared and evaluated numerous scores and then went with the ones on our final project. 

 The equipment we used during shooting is listed below: Iphone 11 Gimbal Q4 Stabilizer Boya MM1+ microphone (with deadcat filter) 

  We scheduled the second reshooting on Sunday, 19th February. We decided to use a road that was empty, and less frequently used and usually isolated. We all arrived on location around 9-10 and brought our equipment with us.  Moiz reached slightly late so during that, we rehearsed, practiced, and tried out a variety of potential takes/shots. We also took a master shot then, on ultra wide angle.  Then we started recording and took a variety of camera angles, shot sizes, and camera movements. Luckily, the weather was cloudy so the tones during shooting appeared bluer and cooler. We also maintained low exposure while shooting to achieve a gloomy and eerie sort of look. Here are the behind the scenes pictures from the shooting. Moiz and I trying out both props (potential murder weapons)

  The props we used in our final project are: The dairy.  A brick. Headphones. A pink rose. A knife (replaced with the brick). I made these with Cardboard, black chart, and aluminum foil. They did not turn out too well. 

  We had asked our classmate, Muskaan Ifan to act for us as Sarah, the female character. She had agreed and we had scheduled the shooting for Sunday morning, 9 am, while taking into consideration her availability. However, due to unforeseen occurrences, she told us she could not be there, as she had to leave town due to some emergency.  We then had to recast last minute, and so we asked another classmate and friend, Zara Khan, if she would be able to act for us. She also fortunately lived close to our location. She shortly confirmed that she can act for us. We then discussed her character with her, as well as her costume.  Zara Khan, casted as Sarah. 

  Here is a time lapse of my team and I working during the reshoot.  On a light, humorous note, since we didn't have control over wind or the direction of the wind, I used a notebook to make the pages fly and turn. 

  We had scheduled reshooting on Tuesday, February 14th, Despite my many attempts, it was only possible after school. Moiz, our actor, had afterschool classes, yet he was still helpful enough to make time for us.  We took a variety of takes for every scene, with diverse shots, movements, and angles. The footage was very satisfactory. Our footage was now a lot more cinematically enhanced.  Moreover, the conditions were favorable; the lighting at the time of shooting was good, and we got somewhat of a golden hour.  One problem that we were expecting during shooting was that it was Valentine's day. We were expecting a lot of couples, individuals, and families in the park, as well as flower carts and vendors. Although there were very few vendors, there were still a lot of people. Some were visible in crucial shots that made them look significant to the narrative. So I, along with Zuha had to go up to them and politely request them to move slightly, outside of our frame....

One of our group members, Rushaan Mohsin decided to leave the group.  We then had to redistribute the roles, and carry on with our group of three.  I (Aiman) took up the role of producer, prop designer and scriptwriter. I would continue to oversee logistics, and make arrangements.  Zuha Imman continued as the writer and director of the opening sequence. Haseeb Shah took up the role of cameraman, editor and co-producer. The team agreed to be flexible with roles and we all would help each other when needed. We will also work collectively on some tasks. For example, previously, I had predominantly done the casting. This time, Zuha and I both managed the casting of the female cast. 

  Our initial attempt obviously had a number of shortcomings. Those mistakes, on the bright side, helped us. This time, we would have experience, as well as a greater insight regarding what to do and what not to do. We would be more prepared, and more mature with dealing with filming. More importantly, we made a list that would help us counter issues that will or may arise during reshooting.  Problem: shakiness Solution:  Although we had previously used a gimbal, the ground was filled with a lot of semi-buried rocks that interrupted Haseeb, our cameraman from proceeding effortlessly. This time, we'll make sure to either pick a tree that isn't surrounded by half buried rocks, or I will dig those rocks out. We will also take multiple takes to get the perfect footage.  Problem: acting Solution:  This time, we will make sure that Moiz gets purely into character and does not look directly into the camera. Moiz is a very supportive, understanding and flexible guy, and...

Since we had previously not known that we'll have to reshoot, we encountered a number of problems and had to do some things from scratch. The problems that arose were:  Actress: Our original actress, Zainab Mehsud had moved to another country. We needed to replace her now with another actress. Location: Although we hadn't lost the scene one location, we still had to do something about scene two in terms of location. The Centaurus Mall's underground parking required permission for ethical purposes (although we could've done it without permission like many people do, it is still not ethical.) Moreover, the lighting in the parking compromised the quality of our project. We needed to find a new location.  Time: Our deadline was really, really close, and amidst that, it was hectic, doing so many tasks, such as finding an actress, finding a location, shooting, editing and finalizing. Scheduling was particularly hectic, as I had to make sure that ALL crew members were availabl...

  Due to changes in location, I had to make another updated story board. Canva.com has been an immense help and allowed me to use a variety of graphics that I made the storyboard with. Here are pictures of the storyboard as due to some issues, the uploading of the file keeps failing.

  The days following our completion of the first attempt were surely an epitome of utter chaos and uncertainty. We could not decide whether we should reshoot and re-edit the same story and script and execute it in a better way, or change the entire script and narrative. Haseeb mildly persisted on changing the narrative altogether. Zuha, and our teacher suggested that we stick to the same narrative, just execute it in an improved way. Being the producer, I obviously had to be as flexible as I could, which at this point had become increasingly difficult. It was sort of up to me to keep everyone on the same page. I was trying to create negotiations between both parties and get them to agree to one or the other.  We also came up with several ideas, and shortlisted them to two potential narratives we could go with.  Story 1: A fastidious schoolgirl is reading in the library, when her phone rings; an unknown number is calling her. She picks up the call but no one seems to respo...

  Images taken by me, Zuha, from Pinterest and Google.  I used Canva.com to make this.

  My team and I were highly dissatisfied with how the first rough cut turned out. It had many, many shortcomings that convinced us that we were not going to have this project as our final product.  I believe that there's a good and bad outcome to almost every event. Like most bad events, the bright side of this rather disappointing project was that we learned a lot, regarding what to do AND more importantly, what not to do. A vital shot in the beginning of the shot (the one that follows the establishing shot, Ali's OTS) has two men sitting on the bench in the background. We obviously first didn't pay much mind to it, because we agreed that it adds to the verisimilitude and realism of the film and "normal, routine" park environment. However, our teacher reminded us of codes and semiotics, and suggested that two men in the frame shown specifically during an over the shoulder shot so early on in the movie might allow the audience to infer that the men might be relate...