Pre-Production

TEST SHOOTS

1)

The first test shoot was ok. At this point I just wanted to see how the actors were on camera, they hadn't been confirmed yet. I had a few shots I wanted to try out. In particular the one where Takeshi rises into the shot. It's my favourite. I love how the lamp post has split the screen in two. Essentially they are two halves of the same being. They are each other. I think I'm going to make the theme of symmetry a thing in this film. It just seems right


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAx_-PEZ7dA


2)

The 2nd shoot was also ok. It was at my house. I wanted to test out the big dining room scene. Discovered that if I wanted to achieve my vision everything would have to be prepared before hand. I annoyingly decided nearly everything had to be symmetrical. It will be a bit of a pain to set up the shot during the actual shoot.

Also test shooted a few of the bedroom scenes. I opted for simple shots. I want the scenes in reality to be quite boring in order to reflect how Sayuri feels about her life

3) 

I actually had a shoot on this day but had to cancel due to not receiving production designs items in time. I made use of the day by having a test shoot at the location. It went ok. Discovered that I couldn't have the birds eye view shot of Sayuri folding origami on the table. The ceiling there was sloped and too low to allow the jib to work.

It was quite a straight forward shoot as all the shots were simple.

LOCATION SCOUTS

The places I've scouted for the film are:

House Scenes:

Bleasdale Cottages

http://www.bleasdalecottages.co.uk/

Dream Scenes: 

Rivington

                  

http://www.about-rivington.co.uk/section/138/shaws-park-and-knollshaw/

Cuerden Valley Park

http://cuerdenvalleypark.org.uk/

PRODUCTION DESIGN

I knew acquiring the production design for my film would be a major problem. This is because the majority of props and costumes are Japanese. LUCKILY, I met a woman at at event at the Atrium who was able to provide the majority of what I had on my list. I'm not even sure how it happened. It's almost like it was supposed to or something.

The list was as follows. The bits in red are Tako's comments on whether she could get them or not. I didn't mind compromising.

PROP LIST

Bento Lunch boxes x2 - Tuesday 18 March I have traditional ones

Vintage/Traditional Japanese crockery (plate, bowl and side dish sets) Friday 21st March I ll see what I can do

Pairs of plain chopsticks x2  
ok

Pair of extravagant chopsticks x2 Friday 21st March I ll see what I can do

Japanese hair ornaments (Kanzashi) - Tuesday 18 March ok

Any vintage Japanese artifacts - Sunday 16th March 
what sort of things? can you tell me more persisecly?

Japanese books and manga - Sunday 16th March 
Books, yes but i dont have manga

Japanese cloths and linen - Sunday 16th March 
I ll see what I can do

Japanese Tea set - Monday 24th March 
ok

COSTUME LIST

 Men's Yukata x2 - Tuesday 18  March 

I will ask Mari-san whoes daughter did dance at the party.

Men's Kimono - Tuesday 18 March 
I will ask Mari-san whoes daughter did dance at the party.

Girl's Yukata x2 - Tuesday 18 March 
I will ask Mari-san whoes daughter did dance at the party.

Furisode Kimono - Tuesday 18 March Ok

Susohiki Kimono - Tuesday 18 March 
mmm it is difficult..

Knowing that the hardest part of Production design is now sorted. As for Sayuri's and Takeshi's costumes, I'll be getting them from charity shops. I've been thinking a lot about colours and what they represent. I want each costume to say something subtly so it's going to hard work picking the right things. I'm thinking greens, blues and yellows. 

http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/meaning-of-colors.html

Shot Lists