All Quiet on Set!

Filming Process and Lessons Learned

On our second day of filming, the priority was to complete the rest of the film's scenes. Because we had extensively planned out the scenes with one another, my cinematographer/director and I were able to shoot efficiently and with ease. The main issue I anticipated would come from the filming sessions was the sound and transition from the first scene to these scenes.

An unedited blooper of scene 2, where Pam is meant to be left reminiscing about her friend, specifically the video they took together from what will play before the scene.

This failed attempt was due to the unserious we felt by having our cinematographer play the 'mom' calling Pam out to attend the funeral. From this take on, I suggested we have no one speak for a couple seconds and that I would later record an older woman to play the part of the mom to increase the realism of the scene. The goal is to keep the voiceover audio smooth and consistent with the visuals; the door opens, the 'mom' begins to speak, and then Pam snaps back into reality. 

The unedited version of a take that was not a blooper, where there is an indicated pause in which I will have to edit a voiceover in.

An edited version of scene 2 with the audio isolating feature tools on Adobe Premiere Rush turned on and a darkening filter applied to the scene to develop a solemn mood. The voiceover is not added here just yet, but the sound quality is much quieter and attentive to what is desired for the audience to hear the most such as the door opening and Pam's sigh.

The exact filter added over the take can be seen in the screenshot above. These scenes being shot in daylight with significantly better lighting than scene 1 is what makes the filters show up successfully and not worsen the quality by any means as it does to clips with existing poor lighting or grainy areas. 

Creating Meaningful Props & Semiotic Signifiers

Scene 2's addition of Pam throwing out a tissue was suggested as a way for me to incorporate editing techniques I learned and strengthen the impression the audience has of Pam's mental state. In pre-production, we finalized the idea of having a close-up of Pam's trash can, in which failed attempts at her eulogy speech can be seen crumbled inside.

However, there was never a specific way we would cut to this shot that flowed, and in production from my previous film, so having Pam place a tissue in the trash can which I would then edit as a straight cutaway to the trash can close up, would tie several connections of the scene in one. Therefore, my film partner and I began making props that would help achieve this effect and make a point of the representation issue we intended to portray.

Scene 3 of the trash can close up with the eulogy speech and tissues visible.

Key words such as eulogy and overdose are in focus, as we crumbled up the surrounding parts of the letter that we did not want attention on. The trashed papers give the impression that Pam had a lot of difficulty finalizing a speech, reflecting her struggle to cope with her friend's death and also contributing to the audience that this is the day of her funeral. With editing, scene 3 will be a cutaway. The ending of scene 2 will straight cut into this scene to look as though it was continuous; placing the tissue in the trash and then putting on her shoes to leave.

The finalized eulogy speech cover with a bolded, big title stating, "Remembering My Best Friend, Abby Donovan 2006-2024" to seal the understanding audiences will have when watching the scene.

The teal necklace that the actress who played Abby was wearing in scene 1 is also sitting on the paper and is picked up with hesitation by Pam before going to put it on. This draws a further connection between them, as does the title of the paper which refers to Abby as her best friend in the past tense of remembrance. 

As far as audio considerations go, this may be where some kind of slow, sad music starts to play, but at a low volume enough for the diegetic sound in the film to still be heard as the silence is unsettling when quieted and isolated using Adobe Premiere Rush.

Additionally, these prop creations added scenes that developed semiotic signifiers that visually provide signs for the audience to piece together. In scene 1, Abby fidgets with her necklace as the camera drops below her eyes, conveying guilt. The necklace being placed on the eulogy speech, off of Abby, and now in Pam's hands signifies that the owner is no longer here to wear it. People who suffer from grief are left with the belongings of their loved ones and an empty, nostalgic feeling when around those objects which is also why the hesitation and straight cuts between these areas around the room will accentuate this representation.

Overall, I learned the importance of visualizing how scenes will go together before even reviewing the footage in post-production on this filming day. This is so problems with the shots can be addressed ahead of time and fewer pick-ups, if any, will occur. I was able to contribute well-thought-out ideas through my role(s) that proved to change the quality of our film and the editing and sound design process significantly!