This blog contains the Pre-Production report of Annie – The
Musical, produced by the Musical Theatre course. It covers our plans for
filming, as well as the initial plot of Annie.
Pre-Production
Job Roles
Camera Operator
The camera operators are responsible for operating the
cameras, maintaining composition, and to capture different shots and angles
throughout the filming of Annie. All four team members are Camera Operators, and
are in charge of their own separate cameras.
It is imperative to check all camera equipment in the Pre
stage. There is always the risk that one of them may not work on the day. The
hazard could be resolved if found quick enough.
A recce is needed for the location being used for filming,
as well as a review of all set plans. It
is best for camera operators to review the films script before actually
filming, so that they know the layout of all scenes beforehand, and be able to
capture the footage without fear of missing action.
The script itself should be discussed between the director
and camera operators, covering all aspects such as camera positions and risks.
One example would be if a camera tripod is placed where the actors need to
stand. This problem could be averted by discussing the positions beforehand
with the Director.
According to the team’s camera plan, both camera 1 and 2 are
on the Ground floor, at opposite ends of the stage. From those two points, we
can capture mid shots of any action (E.g. singing) around stage. Camera 3 and 4
capture better wide shots than the other two, since they are further back. They
have been assigned to focus mainly on the wide shots.
Sound Recorder
A sound recorder is required to operate and maintain the
equipment used to record sound. They are used throughout industries such as
live performances and film. Their job roles are split into pro and post
production. While in production, the recording of all the audio is carried out.
Mixing, editing and enhancing the recorded audio is done in post production.
Annie –
Breakdown
Annie, the broadway musical, is based around a comic strip
by Harold Gray, named Little Orphan Annie. Annie, a young orphan living in a
rundown orphanage in New York City, believes that her parents will be coming
back for her. She continuously attempts to escape the orphanage only to be
stopped again and again by Mrs Hannigan, the cruel orphanage matron.
An
opportunity arises which requires one of the children of the orphanage to be
chosen to accompany the billionaire Oliver Warbucks for a week, to increase his
public imagine. Annie is chosen, much to the dismay of Mrs Hannigan. Both Annie
and Oliver gain a bond, and Oliver wishes to adopt Annie. Although first, they
must solve the problem which has been nagging Annie forever – her true parents.
With the aid Oliver places a
reward for the true identity of Annie’s parents, causing many frauds and liars
to step forward. Including couple Rooster and Lily, who have devised a plan
with Mrs Hannigan to claim the reward by pretending to be Annie’s parents.
Since Mrs Hannigan knew many secrets about Annie that the other couples did
not, they almost claimed the money, until news reaches Oliver Warbucks that
Annie’s true parents had passed away. Rooster, Lily and Mrs Hannigan are taken
away, and Annie becomes Oliver Warbucks’ daughter.
The show lasts for around an hour and a half.
Idea
Development
Our team was present for one of Annie’s rehearsals. We were
able to view the theatre, and decided on where cameras needed to be placed. A
recce check and risk assessment was carried out, for health and safety reasons.
Minor problems were noted, such as blocking exits, and loose wires. Our cameras
would have to be operated by batteries instead of another power source, since
there wasn’t any nearby plug points at many of our camera spaces.
Idea
Refinement
After watching the rehearsals, we realized that the actors
needed alot of space to run into the audience. Two places specifically were
used, and our camera plan needed those spaces. We decided to improvise by
moving the two cameras which were on the ground floor slightly further back,
giving actors room to act.
Equipment
List
·
4 camera’s
·
4 camera microphones
·
4 (Charged) large batteries
·
4 (Charged) small batteries – spare
·
8 Tapes (2 per person)
These tapes can carry roughly 1 hour of
recording time. Between the interval, camera operators must change their tapes
to make room.
·
4 Tripods
·
4 Tripod plates (Making sure they match the
correct cameras)
·
4 Headphones (Closed)
Set
Construction
The set was not made by us; therefore we had to mould
ourselves around it. Minor problems such as having cameras in the way of
apparent acting were fixed in preparation.
Rehearsals
One rehearsal was attended a week before filming. From
there, we gained an invaluable insight in what the theatre looked like, and how
we were going to plan from there.
The
Playback
(Still needs to be done)
Overall
Review
Filming started at 2:00pm. We arrived an hour earlier to
prepare in advance. More minor problems were found, although with the help of
my team and tutor, we managed to solve them. All cameras worked fine, and we
were able to capture all the footage successfully, changing tapes at the right
time, and taking good, sturdy material. Unimportant issues, such as certain
actors slightly bumping into the ground floor cameras are easy to ignore, since
it is possible to change to a sturdier clip of footage when one camera becomes
shaky. We successfully captured all the camera shots we discussed. Wide, mid,
and panning to name a few.
(More of this needs to be done)
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