Set Build Week

During our set build week i found that as a group we worked well, however a few arguments did occur mainly because of valuable decisions we had to make as well the amount of change that involved our set. We broke off into groups, so while the two boys got on with creating the steps the two girls and i began painting the walls.

The Walls and Steps

We had already began the walls the friday before the shoot as it was such a big task it would of taken up one of the set build days which we couldn't afford to loose. The friday before Nikita, Ian and I picked four poly boards that would eventually be our back wall. We drew the bricks in place being carful that each poly board lined up so the brick wall would look as realistic as possible. By using our key/knife we cut into the lines we had made, followed by using a hot air gun to melt in the lines creating the guttering between each brick. Using water we could save parts of the polo board that stopped it from melting, and worked on other parts of the 'brick' by melting the centre of them to cause the imaginary nicks and bumps in a wall.

Four Poly Walls - ready to be painted

On the first day of the set build week we were then able to paint and texture the walls.  After the walls were painted and dry, we were able to put them up by screwing them into four flats. We supported the flats and weighed them down for safety. We moved the walls back as far back in the studio as possible to enable us to use the full length of the studio. The steps that had been created by the boys we then plastered and moved into the centre of the studio.

Painted Walls and plastered Steps

Different angle of walls and steps

After the walls were up, and the steps left to dry, as a group we all started filling the cracks in the bricks with filler to give it more texture and to make it look more realistic. It made the cracks a sandy colour instead of cream.

Using the filler to fill in the cracks of the bricks

More or less finished walls, painted and
filled (Notice the colour difference)

Archway and Lighting

By the second day

We came back onto the set the second day and cracked on with putting the finishing touches on the wall, and i was left to paint the walls. As a group we got a camera out to see what the point of view was, after moving the set around we were able to adjust the lighting.

Half way through painting the steps

As you can see the colour difference, we wanted to match the walls with the steps. I done this by using the 'Slate' coloured paint, and sponged it on randomly.

Our Imaginary Coffin

Our set

We began using lights and capturing our set on camera all linked up to the Mac. We created a simple frame to give us the example of the size and height of the coffin without having to move the heavy per-specs box.

The boys began to create the Arch after we moved the lighting round and worked on our measurements for the curve and height of the arch. We had to move the steps into a more central position and the camera seemed to be moving further back in the studio and as low as possible.

In process of creating Arch

Archway Frame

The Archway was coming along at this point, after a few trips to Wickes at the bottom of the road we were able to pick up more wood, paint and plaster to finish the Arch.

The Frame

What the camera can see is covered

The Plastered

And a base coat painted when dry

Notice tip of Archway needs more wall

While the archway was coming along we noticed that the angle the camera was at meant that the archway's point showed above the polo wall. We then had to create and extra line of bricks to cover what you can see.

Finding out where the wall starts and ends

The wall finished with the extra part made above and the second coat of paint sponged on.

Creating the extra wall

Flooring, lighting and the coffin

Once the arch and extra part of wall was up we concentrated on the lighting. We struggled to get it right, i found this part of the week the most stressful as we ket changing the lights over and over. It felt like and impossible task, and the group seemed to loose interest towards the end of the day, it was stressful trying to motivate everyone.

The lighting that we ended up using was HMI 1.2kw light, this was our main lighting and was positioned directly above the steps (where the coffin would be) by goal posts. It was so it wouldn't overpower the model and still allowed detail to be seen. 

We used also Arri Continuous Lights (300w) to aid our HMI light and control the highlights and shadows. Most of these lights we used blue gels and frost to soften the light. 

With the coffin we needed to cut into the top step to enable the coffin to slide into it as the height was to high. We then placed what we cut out of the step back in which would support our model. This in place, were were then able to peel the safety sticker off of the per-specs which enabled us to re-adjust the lighting, and take many test shots before our shoot day.

Part of step that had been cut out

After we got the set ready for the coffin to be place into the step, we then put Tarpaulin onto the floor. We had to struggle when lifting the steps as with the plaster it was heavy, however it needed to be done as new reflections would arise when the lights were positioned.

Taking the protective cover off the coffin

Take note on lighting

Lighting on back of set

Our set

With the images above you can see the lighting suspended above the coffin, also a red pillow and blanket was placed inside. We laid the sand and stone onto the tarpaulin and marked off where the camera could see it so we didn't waste any. We were careful and practised the poses with one of our group members sitting in the coffin

We most struggled with getting the lighting right, however i feel we were prepared for our shoot day. There was a mad rush to buy some candles to place randomly and unevenly on the steps of the coffin and floor. We used the heat gun again to melt them to make them look as if they had been there for hours and hours.

Lit candles, flooring, lighting completed.

Shoot day


During the shoot day i feel it went quite smoothly. We had left the set ready for the shoot the day before and our model had arrived on time as well as the make up and stylist. We all took turns in using the camera as we struggled most with the focal point, the positions we were asking our model to get into were  difficult, making it harder for her to hold the pose as still as possible. Myself and Nikita both took it in turns to direct the model, as i would tell her what i could see and what needed changing (her hair on her shoulder, or necklace has moved etc..) Nikita was behind the coffin making sure what i was saying was being changed.
I feel we both did well in making sure that the model felt comfortable and warm, the heat from the lights was enough to raise her temperature so we gave her regular breaks throughout the shoot. Towards the end of the shoot we decided to change the pose so instead of her raising her leg into the air she was resting it on her ankle. I personally really enjoyed directing the model, trying to make sure all the minor details were ok including the model herself.
Regrettably the model had to leave earlier than planned, we did as a group believe that we had the image we wanted but there was much room for improvement. As we still had time to spare, we looked at out images we had taken and adjusted the lighting to create a darker background. We also changed one of the lights so we could keep her face alit the next day. It gave us chance to reflect on the day and prepare ourselves for the final day in which we would do the process all over again.
On the friday the model seemed more prepared and confident, i think it was because she knew what to expect. The shoot moved on swiftly and we took many photos until we as a group decided we had got the shot.It was all over so quickly i now wish we had spent a little more time on the last few images, however i am happy with the image we choose. It was strangely depressing having to tear down a set we had spent months preparing for, the money we spent and time we put into it. It was an eventful day but also a sad day.

Taking down our set

Final Dimensions used

Arch

Arch width: 2159.6mm

Column Dimensions: 609.6mm x 304.8mm

Middle height: 1676.4mm

Inside column width: 1554.48mm

Outside column height: 2438.4mm

Elevation of hardboard from ground: 260mm

Distance from back of right column to steps: 1778mm

Distance from back of left column to steps: 1778mm

Back wall

Height (Edges): 2438.4mm

Height (Middle): 3048mm

Width: 4876.8mm

Steps

Bottom: 2133.6mm x 1219.2mm x 177.8mm

Middle: 1957.8mm x 1042.4mm x 152.4mm

Top: 1830.8mm x 915.4mm x 152.4mm

Coffin

Height (Before reduction): 762mm

Height (After reduction): 609.6mm

Depth: 774mm

Length: 1676.4mm

These measurements were calculated using a 75mm focal length.

Final non-edited image