60 Second Titanium SWEDE Video

So... this happened.

In class over the past two weeks we were set the challenge of reproducing the first minute of David Guetta's Titanium video in the style of a low budget SWEDE. The class was split in two, placing me (Assistant producer/ actor/ clapper board extraordinaire) with Josh F (Director/ Cameraman), Josh G (Actor/ assistant editor/ assistant producer), Molly (clapper board extraordinaire), and Jacob (assistant story boarder).

During pre-production, we produced a detailed storyboard of the shots, angles, and timings in the first minute of Titanium. From this we then came up with a ordered shot list so we knew what we were going to film and at what time.

After completing this, Josh, Josh, and I took a trip to the drama teacher to collect props and decide what else we needed. We ended up leaving drama with the boys coat, and an old-ish phone for the teacher. This meant that we still needed a checked shirt (provided by Josh G), a red beanie, and yellow cardigan/shirt (which I provided).

As assistant producer i made sure that we were on time and doing the correct shots at the correct time. This meant that i had to look closely at the storyboards and plans which we followed to a tea. I also did the clapper board in every shot i wasn't acting in; this allowed me to focus on where we were in the video at all times. As I mentioned i also played the teacher in the video, meaning i had to make sure that i played close attention to exactly what the teacher did throughout their section of the video and do my best to replicate it. During post-production, i worked closely with Josh F and Josh G while they were editing. This allowed me to learn the basics of editing, as well as manipulating the colouration of the video to match the original.

Although the video came out well in the end, it wasn't without it's struggles. Whilst filming we found that the group was getting quite frustrated due to trying to get all the shots we needed in the short two hours we had to film. Looking back i think we could of planned this better so we didn't get as agitated. Similarly, we forgot that there was a lesson change in the middle of filming, so our destroyed set was actually destroyed by passing students as well as angry teachers who didn't understand that we weren't just making a mess. Because of this Josh F ended up having to CGI in the rest of the rubble over the first shots of the video to make it more like the original. In hind site i think this was our biggest challenge during the project.

However, it wasn't all bad. We filmed at least two versions of each shot that we needed as well as the occasional extra, due to our pre-production lists and good focus throughout filming. We also successfully edited the video to the song to the extent that every change in shot landed on the change in the actual video. Fowler (Josh F) was responsible for this.

Overall, filming was my favourite section of the project. We had fun, dressed up and looked like fools. What else do you need.

From this experience I will use my new understanding in editing and camera skills and take them on to my coursework video in march.

How many elements of theoretical framework did you (and your group) need to consider during this process? Write a little bit one each element of RAIL.