Production Diary

 In this post I will show off my production diary, this includes behind the scenes of my filming production and the codes and conventions I used etc.

Phase 01: Setting the Camera (Phone)

While a smartphone may not be a proper camera it does produce high quality videos and image due to it being a model (I phone 11) that is still up to date, although it isn’t the most advanced phone to exist it gets the job done.

The phone cover I have also acts as a stand to help balance the device when recording so I never really got to use a tripod for this one. 

This device allows me to produce high quality images as well as live videos.

Phase 02: Setting up the scene 

Before recording I had to set up each scene, using printed paper as backgrounds I gave combined them to give an illusion of the scenario environment.

In preparation I have used multiple backgrounds and each time a new scene starts I change the backgrounds.

Phase 03: Lighting prep

It’s not much but I used a torch to add lighting effects, for example by using the torch I can alter and move the shadowing based on where I point it, in addition I use a combination of natural lighting from the outside window of my room or use a switch to activate the ceiling lights.

Phase 04: Moving the figures

The hardest part is to make my figures move, why? Well it is to balance them and avoid making any mistakes, otherwise if a figure falls during a shot of a set it can possibly go wrong and I’ll end up having to reshoot it.

What I had to do was to carefully use my hands to move the figure and their articulated limbs whilst memorizing where and when to move them at the right pace at the right time.

Another problem can be that if I move a figure too far in a high fps frame (like 20 frames) it can look to rushed and the movements of the character will feel unnatural.

Phase 05: Rinse and repeat

The final step is to repeat most of what I have already done, for instance each time a set a new scene I would have to change the lighting, the scene itself and of course the characters that are featured in this animation.