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E L L I E S T E P H E N S O N

On the 11th March 2013 our media group decided to meet at 6pm at Brentwood Train Station. Initially, Amber and Ellie went to the location and carried out the crucial risk assessments of the location. We asked the managers if they gave us permission to film and they agreed as long as we didn’t disrupt the commuters. The first problem that we noticed was that it had just stopped snowing, so it was still cold and beginning to become icy. This was not only a safety hazard but it also implemented our filming. If one scene was shot in different weather conditions to another it would ruin the effect of continuity editing, which is essential in our video. However, when it came for the time for us to meet, Rosie contacted us and informed us that the camera wasn’t working. This mistake was timewasting and pointless, but we learnt that we always have to have a backup camera if the central camera stopped working.

E L L I E S T E P H E N S O N

After this problem arose we had to reschedule filming for the 18th March 2013. We had checked the weather forecast beforehand and learnt that it wasn’t meant to snow. Also, we found that we had chosen the right time to film, but originally we were concerned that our filming schedule would be interrupted by the rush hour of train commuters. Furthermore, we decided to hire a camera from the media studies department just to make sure we would have a fully functioning backup. Therefore, we met again at 6pm and walked up the platform to the location. We chose to film further up the platform because it seemed more deserted and we knew it wouldn’t bring too much attention to us.

E L L I E S T E P H E N S O N

We had planned a story board beforehand so we began to film Amber walking towards the station sign, pick the book up and begin to read. We decided to us a number of shots in order for this part of the scene to look effective. We eventually decided to use a high angle shot in order to show the characters’ vulnerability and exposure. We then decided to use a close up shot of Amber’s face covered by the book. After this, Ellie applied the make-up to Amber whilst Chloe and Rosie looked for train times so we could get the most realistic shot of the train passing. We then used a close up again on Amber’s faced covered, but this time she dropped the book to reveal her possessed features. We then used a side shot of Amber walking up to the yellow line; she slowly dropped her bag and the book, (something that is similar in all our scenes), and walked slowly up to the tracks. We then filmed a close up of Amber’s shoe slowly going over the yellow line, we slowed this part down during the editing process and realised the true extent of its effectiveness. It really created tension and the audience are left willing to watch on to see what happens next.

E L L I E S T E P H E N S O N

After this, Rosie and Chloe walked to the opposite platform whilst Ellie directed Amber’s actions. We wanted Amber to be visible when a train passed but then the last shot of the scene would be a wide shot of the deserted platform. Chloe suggested that Amber should run away with the train when it approaches, an idea that proved very useful because we didn’t have to worry about filming a second shot of the station with nobody there. The first time we tires this shot it resulted in being too blurry but luckily, we were able to film this complex shot the second time we tried it. We believe that this shot is the most effective of the video because it is so realistic. We actually used a real train in the shot and that emphasises the fact that this is a daily occurrence. This puts our viewers on edge and alarms them as it can happen to them.

E L L I E S T E P H E N S O N

Overall, the second day of shooting the train station scene proved to be harder than anticipated. We learnt from the first day of shooting the forest scene that we needed to really plan the shots and storyline of the scene. However, we encountered a lot of problems that restricted our initial decisions. Nonetheless, I believe that this is the best scene in the thriller because the audience can really relate to the events; they know that people die due to jumping onto train tracks but they do not know specifically what happened to Amber’s character as that question is left unanswered. This no doubt attracts the audience’s attention and wills them to watch on.