DIRECTING AND SHOOT DAYS PORTFOLIO
stills taken by: Selina Moussa and Jana Dakhil
Reflective Day 1 Shooting
Collection and Pre-Shooting Meeting:
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The day began with gathering all necessary materials: I collected the camera, Sierra got the sound equipment, and Selina brought the SD card.
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We held a pre-shooting meeting to familiarize ourselves with each other, having a chance to discuss our intentions, meet each other. Review the shot list and timetable, and talk with Clare. Our goal was to make her comfortable and set the tone for a natural and authentic filming process without overwhelming her with equipment and setup. This is our initial point of contact all together
First Location - The Garden:
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Our first shoot was in Clare's garden. Selina, Selma and myself were immediately on the same page, being playful, experimenting, exploring the potential of the place, the action and composition. There is a sort of synergy in between us three, a complementary collaboration, and it was revealed to me immediately as we experimented with shots and directed Clare to work in her garden. Clare exhibited a natural ease in front of the camera, acting entirely herself, showing a range of authentic actions and emotions effortlessly.
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We initially faced technical issues with the sound equipment, so we began without it. This approach helped Clare acclimate to the camera while Sierra resolved the issues. Once everything was set up, we continued working in a close-knit collaboration.
Exploring Color and Symbolism:
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Clare's love for color was something we wanted to highlight. We paid careful attention to her wardrobe, selecting vibrant yet subtle colors like deep reds and oranges to create visual motifs throughout the film.
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This focus on color also facilitated deeper connections with Clare. For instance, her orange gloves, a gift from a child in Bangladesh, became a symbol of her emotional experiences and helped us bond with her early on.
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It was also a way to showcase her colorful wardrobe, clothes she likes and she feels herself in.
Natural Interactions:
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We aimed to keep the process natural, allowing Clare to engage with her garden while we set up and experimented with different shots. This approach captured her authentic actions and emotions, emphasizing the project's theme of finding beauty in the ordinary.
Challenges with Interior Shots:
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Moving indoors, we encountered lighting issues and struggled with the camera settings, resulting in some grainy footage. Despite the frustration, we adapted and continued to focus on capturing the essence of Clare's everyday life.
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The use of natural light, though challenging, was crucial to maintaining the authenticity we sought to portray.
Collaborative Direction:
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Directing with Selma was full of ideas, joy, collaborations and good creative collaboration. It is the appreciation pof filmmkaing, of Cklare and cinematorgeaphy. We complemented each other well, shared ideas openly, and worked efficiently. Selina, our DP, was instrumental in exploring creative shots and angles, adding depth to our vision,
Interview Scene Challenges:
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We attempted an interview scene around a tea table, but it didn’t go as planned. Technical issues like a barking dog and poor lighting disrupted the shoot, and Clare felt uncomfortable with the direct questions.
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Clare’s discomfort highlighted the forced nature of the interview format. She felt as though we were trying to extract information rather than capturing her true essence. This feedback was valuable, prompting us to rethink our approach.
Reframing the Approach:
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We decided to abandon the formal interview format and focus on capturing natural conversations and moments. Clare's insight helped us realize the need for a more casual, intimate approach to convey her story authentically.
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For example, instead of broad questions like "What did you learn in Bangladesh?" we needed to ask more specific, intimate questions that would elicit genuine responses without overwhelming Clare.
Getting to Know Clare:
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One revealing moment for me as a director, still discovering Clare, was when Clare answered one of our questions, when I was asking about her voluntary work, and her helping "other people". I believe I might have used the phrase: your attraction to the other. This made her react strongly and initiated a discussing the principle of "othering" and questioned the notion of "the other" versus "the norm." This insight was representative of her essence and the depth we aimed to capture in the film. If other people are the other, then what Am I? The Norm? I don't believe in this, all equals.
Conclusion:
We ended the day by reassessing our strategy. Moving forward, we planned to let conversations unfold naturally, recording meaningful moments as they occurred rather than forcing structured interviews. This approach aligned better with our overall goal of capturing the extraordinary within the ordinary, ensuring an authentic portrayal of Clare's life and essence.
Reflective Day 2 Summary
Start and Initial Challenges:
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We began the day by shooting outside in the street and the park. Unfortunately, we faced significant delays due to recurring sound issues linked to the batteries running out. Sound was crucial to our film's construction, so this was a considerable setback.
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In such situations, it's essential to think quickly and efficiently. I reassured Sierra while we tried to find solutions, such as sourcing new batteries. Despite our efforts, we lost some sound recordings for the scene. However, I had anticipated potential issues and planned extra time on the last day to reshoot and re-record scenes, including the park.
Adapting to Sound Issues:
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Despite the stress of not having sound, we continued exploring exterior and public spaces. We reminded ourselves that we could always rerecord and play with sourcing sound later. Although the process was slower and more stressful, we managed to capture good shots.
Building Relationships:
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After a challenging morning, we returned home to eat soup that Clare had cooked for us using the leeks she had cut in the scenes we provoked. This simple act highlighted our growing relationship, almost like a little family. After lunch, we felt revitalized and less stressed, allowing us to achieve more in the afternoon.
Intimate Filming Experience:
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The afternoon reached a new level of intimacy in our relationship with Clare and in our filming, especially during the bathroom scene. Initially, Clare was worried and uncomfortable with this scene. About the idea, the fact of showing this vulnerability. However, once she got into the bath, she became incredibly relaxed and happy, sharing her thoughts naturally and beautifully. She was so relieved, she expressed how relaxing, and cathartic that moment was her. In this shooting we got probably the most powerful shots, finding the intimacy, the connection to Clare.
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Clare talked about the book she was reading, "The Awakening," discussing the rewriting of narratives and the possible endings for women in the 19th century. This was a cathartic experience, embodying the themes we aimed to explore. The natural light was perfect, and we captured beautiful, meaningful shots.
Further Filming and Creative Development:
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We continued filming in the bedroom, working with dim lighting. This time, the camera performed well, resulting in more beautiful, meaningful shots. We now have more and more ideas and a stronger sense of direction, as Clare leads us, we follow and we explore her own narrative throuh the strucutre we have laid for her
Collaborative Creation:
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A particularly enriching aspect was writing a common poem between Selma and Clare. This process involved two visions, two perspectives, and two universes complementing each other, symbolizing the cycle of life.
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Through these experiences, I can see the poetics of the film emerging. The essence and meaning of the film are beginning to build, reflecting our themes of cycles of life, beauty in the mundane, and the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Overall, Day 2 was a mix of challenges and triumphs. Despite technical issues, our ability to adapt and the growing relationship with Clare allowed us to capture profound and beautiful moments, bringing us closer to realizing our film's vision.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Reflective Text on Day 3
Overview and Challenges:
On the third day, we focused on filming the remaining outdoor scenes, including those at East Street Market and Oli Food Center. This required us to learn the importance of asking for permission and obtaining consent from shop owners and people in the market. Filming these scenes was hectic due to the abundance of visual content and the bustling environment. This provided a lot of footage, thanks to Selina's keen eye for capturing dynamic images. While this is beneficial for the variety of shots, it will likely present a challenge during the editing process.
Improvised Filming and Team Dynamics:
Selma and I found ourselves constantly moving around, discovering new angles and moments to capture. We followed Clare closely, allowing her to navigate the familiar space of the market and interact freely with people. This created a very organic and spontaneous filming environment. Although we were somewhat scattered, this freedom enabled Clare to authentically express herself, enhancing the authenticity of our project.
Sound and Environmental Considerations:
Fortunately, we resolved our sound material issues from the previous day. Sierra recorded many interesting ambient sounds, which will be instrumental in creating a layered diegetic sound composition during editing. We were also fortunate with the weather, as rain never interfered with our shooting schedule.
Filming in Public Spaces:
Filming in crowded places required us to remain focused and efficient. We had to be mindful of our surroundings, respectful of people's space, and discreet observers rather than imposing presences. This approach ensured we captured authentic interactions and moments without disrupting the natural flow of the environment.
Bus Scene:
One of the final scenes we shot was on a bus, which proved to be a fascinating and enriching experience. The movement of the bus, combined with Clare's interaction with the condensation on the window, created a powerful visual metaphor for our exploration of cycles and circles. Clare's spontaneous actions, such as drawing circles on the foggy window, symbolized the themes we aimed to explore throughout the shoot.
Reflection and Team Cohesion:
The end of the shoot was marked by a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Clare was happy with the process, and the whole team worked exceptionally well together, bouncing ideas off each other in a creative and reliable manner. This collaboration was invigorating and laid a solid foundation for the next phases of the project. Despite our exhaustion, we were content and enriched by the experience, feeling that we had truly captured Clare's essence—the beauty and simplicity of her everyday life, making the ordinary extraordinary.
Conclusion:
Day 3 was a culmination of our efforts, challenges, and triumphs. It highlighted the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and the power of authentic storytelling. Moving forward, we are excited to continue this journey, knowing that we have captured the essence of Clare and are well-prepared to bring our vision to life in the editing phase.
CONCLUSION
Conclusion of Filming Days
Reflecting on our shooting days, I can see reflect on how the journey was both challenging and rewarding, filled with moments of personal and creative growth.
During this experience I experienced and developed skills of:
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Directing: Selma and I together, guiding the team and ensuring that our vision was consistently communicated, trying to create and enhance the intimacy and authenticity that exudes of Clare. One memorable moment was when we were filming Clare in her garden. Directing her to work naturally while we experimented with different shots felt incredibly fulfilling, especially as it was one of the first ones, and revealed to us her naturality in front of the camera.
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Time Management and Locations: Managing our schedule and locations was crucial. For instance, coordinating the shoot at East Street Market required careful planning and quick thinking when dealing with busy public spaces. My very precise Timetables and shot lists were essential to keep track of the scenes and locations we still had to go to and experiment with. without that, we would have been completely overwhelmed.
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Organizing the Shoot: From gathering materials on the first day to troubleshooting sound issues in the park, I made sure everything was in place and running smoothly. It was a constant process of resilience, rethinking and logistics, making sure everything was in place to have the best experience.
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Constant Trio Collaboration: Working closely with Selma and Selina, we continuously exchanged ideas and experimented with creative choices. I rarely worked as much in synergy with other creatives, then I have had with those two. The shoot was filled with joy, laughter, discussions and ideas fusing.
Successes:
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Trio Collaboration: Our team dynamic was exceptional. Selina’s keen eye for shots, combined with Selma’s and my direction, created a harmonious workflow. Throughout the shoot, we instinctively knew how to step back , direct Clare, let her act how she feels and make ourselves disappear. Clare’s natural emotions and essence truly guided the shoot.
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Development of Clare as Our Main Character: Our relationship with Clare deepened over time. By the second day, she felt comfortable enough to share personal stories, like her emotional connection to the orange gloves from Bangladesh.
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Finding Authenticity: We captured genuine, everyday moments that reflected Clare’s life beautifully. The scene where Clare relaxed in the bath, discussing the book "The Awakening," was a perfect example of this authenticity.
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Beautiful Imagery and Color Composition: We paid close attention to color, using Clare’s vibrant wardrobe to create visually striking scenes. The rich reds and oranges became recurring motifs that added depth to the film’s visual narrative.
Challenges:
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Excessive Freeness: The freedom in our filming allowed for authentic moments but resulted in an abundance of extra shots. This will be a challenge during editing. For instance, during the market scenes, we filmed so much that sorting through the footage will be daunting.
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Lack of Equipment: The absence of tripods led to some shaky footage, especially in the interior scenes with poor lighting. While this was frustrating, it also pushed us to be more creative with our shot composition.
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Technical Struggles: Sound issues were particularly challenging. On the second day, we lost valuable time due to battery problems, but we managed to adapt and continue without sound for a while.
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Initial Challenges with Clare: At first, Clare was defensive and suspicious of our intentions, especially during the interview scenes. Her feedback helped us realize the need to step back and let the narrative unfold naturally.
Solutions:
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Embrace Imperfections: We decided to incorporate the natural camera movements and quality as part of the film’s authentic encounter. This approach was evident in the street and park scenes, where the handheld shots added a raw, personal touch.
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Keep Detailed Documentation: Maintaining a thorough breakdown of files helped us stay organized despite the excess footage. This meticulous organization will be crucial during the editing phase.
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Adapt to Talent: Continuously adapting our approach ensured Clare felt at ease. This was especially important during the bathroom scene, where her initial discomfort turned into a relaxed, natural portrayal
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Flexibility: Being able to reframe and rethink our approach was crucial. Accepting that some scenes wouldn’t go as planned and finding new ways to capture Clare’s essence allowed us to create a more authentic film.
Next Steps:
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Editing: Editing will be a challenge, especially with Selma away and the abundance of footage. We need to reconstruct a narrative that encapsulates Clare’s essence. The goal is to weave together the best moments, like Clare’s spontaneous storytelling and the symbolic bus scene.
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Reframing the Narrative: Our focus will be on how to best reframe and present Clare’s story through the footage we’ve captured, ensuring the final product remains true to her character, and the poetics that surround her.