Kate at Film Oxford - The Edit no. 2

Sarah and I have been able to get into Film Oxford again this week to crack on with editing the tattoo film. we've managed to get a time line going that to date is just over 2 minutes long.  We have over 2 hours of film so this is great.

As we placed interesting film clips onto the time line we could see our story developing. We're going to have four stories playing along side each other. Some just using images and some using the interview image and sound we got. This seems to be piecing together nicely and once you get going it feels natural as to what the next clip is going to be. Getting started is definitely the hardest part it can feel overwhelming with all the footage and so little time of it to use.  Preparation is key here logging the clips clearly so you're not having to trawl through them repeatedly as you can't remember what they are!

The process is definitely a slow but rewarding one. This was our second editing session, in total we've spent 7 hours and we only have just over 2 minutes of film, this shows how long the process can take, well for us amateurs anyway.  It felt as the creative side of my brain was working yesterday with lots of good ideas, but when it came to using the software to create the effect my brain kept going blank. For instance laying the interview audio over different images, in the first instance I couldn't remember how to do it.  With the help of Stewart, a Film Oxford worker, my memory was refreshed. I suppose the only way to remember and learn the skills are to get on and practise them, which is what I am doing.

Sarah's definitely got the editing bug and wants to do the course at Film Oxford which of course would be fantastic.  In the mean time we shall soldier on with my sieve head. Don't get me wrong we're really enjoying the process but it ain't as simple as it looks!

Other business, been working hard on my college work today only a few weeks left until the modules deadlines so the pressure is really starting to build. I'm just not academic, it's just taken me two years to find out!

Kate Film Oxford - The Edit

So, started the edit this week on mine and Sarah's tattoo film.  We used one of the great edit suites at Film Oxford. We hadn't looked at the film we'd got before this, we didn't now what to expect. We weren't expecting great sound quality as the studio was quite echoie plus there was allot of back ground noise with the buzzing of needles and thrash metal music playing!  These were the problems that we discovered on the day of the shoot so we set a separate interview room where we could speak with people away from the other noise. We weren't sure how well this was going to work and didn't feel that confident.

  We were pleasantly surprised however when watching back the footage, the sound was good and the quality of the picture was okay too.  With our minds put at rest we cracked on with the editing process. Now I'm no expert and Sarah's never done any film editing so we knew we just had to crack on using the best of my knowledge, it wasn't the fear of making editing decisions that made us nervous, it was using the Adobe software!  Actually once I'd got it open and began, the course I had taken at Film Oxford all seemed to come flooding back and we managed successfully to import all the footage, name it and begin our time line. Well done to us!It was actually quite exciting to see what we had and how we could piece it together to make a hopefully fun and interesting short. 

  The hard part really starts on our next editing session with the time line having to really take shape. We have 2 hours of film and we aim to make a 3 or 5 min short so we've got our work cut out, quite literally!  It's interesting how when you see what footage you have a film takes shape in your head. Obviously before we started the film we had an idea of the style we wanted and it looks very much like that is what we shall achieve, but until you see what you've got it's hard to say for definite how the film will look. We had some great ideas that came to us during watching the footage so we should be fine. It's very addictive you know you could sit there staring at the screen for hours and hours if you're not careful.  We intend to go in again next week to continue so watch this space.

  In the mean time still busy back at college, 2 work heavy modules for my last term at Ruskin finding very difficult to fit in with the kids and all.  Need to really focus can't afford to balls it up on my last term. I finish in July God knows what I'm going to do then. If anyone has any ideas or wok offers, don't be shy!

Kate at Film Oxford.....been on shoot

Hi, I've been away for a week or so, the Easter hols, kids off school blah blah bah, just getting back into the usual routine.

Been on the second day of shooting in a tattoo studio, already done a day a few weeks back. My friend Sarah, (a good friend whom I've met through Ruskin) and I decided to have a go at making a short film. Her son was going to have a tattoo and having discussed the idea of a film in a tattoo studio saw this as the perfect opportunity to go along with a camera. We've got a couple of hours of footage including tattoos being done, interviews with tattoo artists and a tattoo remover. Hopefully we'll be able to put an interesting short together with what we have.

Faced the usual problems sound, lighting pinning people down to chat to. Of course there's a few things that we would do differently next time on the shoot but it's all a learning process. Enjoying the experience that's the main thing and it's definitely confidence building. Hope to start the edit next week, I know this is a long process but I'm excited to see what we can put together. Will keep you posted....quite literally!

Back to college this week for my final term, can't say I'm looking forward to it, in my head I've left already. Not being very academic it's not a place where I thrive, the placement term has been my best term.  Going to be a very busy 10 weeks with course work, college, kids, and film making. Wish me luck!

A brick through my window..please...anyone?! (Not literally of course)

Now I know this is not related to volunteering at Film Oxford but I felt the need to Blog and I don't have a another Blog account. Note my serious journalist style font! 

So, Samantha Brick has turned heads for all the wrong reasons this week with her article in the Mail which sparked all kinds of 'hating' to spread over the net and TV. This could be the wrong move for me to react but lets face it, my Blog ain't going world wide so I should be safe.

Now, Samantha Brick is your stereotypical sexy woman, blond, blue eyes, 'well stacked' so I see why she gets the attention. I don't believe her to be universally good looking such as J-Lo or Beyonce but none the less she is Barbie-esque and matches the type that we are led to believe most men find attractive and sexy, note I say most, not all, I do know that not all men love a Barbie figure! I imagine that she does get a a lot of attention from men and negative attention from some women, do i think that it is a cross to bare? Maybe, but not as heavy as the one I'm lugging about!


Here's my problem. I have no partner and have been single for a few years. When meeting new people be it at work, on a course or out socially the conversation will always turn to relationships are you married, single etc. On replying that I am single I am then usually asked if I choose to be single and I always say the same, that it is not by choice but that I never meet anyone, not from being to choosy or not liking anyone but from from not ever getting chatted up in the first place. This is usually received by disbelief which believe me is very flattering, though whether people are just being kind (probably are), I don't know but the fact remains the same I do not pull, ever!


Now I know I am not universally good looking and definitely no sex bomb.  In fact I see my self as rather manly, un-sexy and average looking. My eyes, mouth and nose are in the right place but there is nothing particularly pretty about them, my figures alright but I ain't no Kelly Brook, but people, especially women, find it hard to accept that I do not get chatted up. In fact they tend to go one further saying 'If I was gay I'd chat you up', 'I was thinking how fanciable you are!' or 'What a waste of a good woman'. I do actually think at this point, oh Christ they really are feeling sorry for the old singleton left on the shelf, but the fact is I do hear it and do wonder, if this is the case then why do I not get approached, let alone asked out on dates.One theory I have is that because I am so blokey (in my head having partly evolved into one in their abence), that women actually start fancying me and men are put off!

I suppose circumstances play a big part in your chances of being hit on. Let's face it unless Hugh Grant parachutes into my close at the end of the tiny village where I live, then he ain't never gonna get his chance. What? If Cameron Diaz can get her door banged (let alone elsewhere by the end of the night) by Jude Law in the Holiday then I too live in hope! I know it's a film! This is what years of being single has done, I've become deluded by Rom Coms and when you live in the middle of no where single handedly raising a 5 and 7 year old the isolation can start to play tricks on your mind. Anyway, I tried to tweet Hugh this week but he doesn't have an account so that's over before it started, his loss. I wonder if Jude Tweets...


The point I'm trying to make is that poor Samantha Brick is plighted by being chatted up and adorned and I am plighted with the opposite so I beg she stops moaning. Don't get me wrong, I'm not desperate, but it does make you question what is going on when women are in disbelief at you not getting chatted up and the men are running a mile!

Kate Duffy - Had a break!

Hi Ive had a little break after handing in course work and finishing my placement. I say break what I mean is that I'm still doing "stuff" but more for my pleasure.

So what have I been doing, well, I nearly had a break when a theatre script I wrote very nearly got picked by a theatre company performing at an Oxford theatre before heading to Edinburgh Fringe. It was very exciting to be so close but extremely disappointing not to have got it, this time. What it has made me realise though is how much I do want it. Before now I would have been terrified at the prospect of having one of my scripts, film or theatre, being put into production but I am so ready now. It would have been an excellent start to my career beyond college but I am also aware that if I had been chosen then I would have been extremely lucky as writers very rarely strike it lucky with their first script and the first production company to look at it! Anyway, I've sent it else where the experience as definitely boosted my confidence.

I've also been involved in a joint project with my fellow writer and other half of Sisters Ink Writers, Sarah. We headed off to a Tattoo studio for a day to shoot in the hope of making a short film. We've got to go back for another shoot day for more interviews before we can edit.

This I would never have done pre Film Oxford, I just would not have had the confidence. Even if nothing comes of it the learning experience is brilliant. I really enjoy the process and hope to make more films in the future along side my writing.

It's not all been good this month though when one of my projects fell by the way side. I wanted to enter a sit com script to the BBC's comedy writing competition but after completing the outline I didn't have enough time to write the episode required to enter. I'm kicking myself on that score but I have to remind myself that I can't do everything! Just not a good month with college dead lines the same week. Hey ho, I'm still going to write it, I'll have to find something else to do with it instead! Oh I know, in cupboard next to the rest Ha! No, that's the old me, this is the new me!

Went to the theatre last week and saw a contemporary production, it wasn't really my thing, sooo intense but still a great experience none the less. Have made a vow to go and see some kind of theatre once a month. Lets face it, gone are my raving days then followed by drinking grown men under the table, can't take the 3 day hang over and the shame. It only happens very rarely now urghh....I'm just  wincing at the thought of my birthday last year......let's just say I woke up with no voice and a badge saying I love c**k pinned on the arse of my jeans. I had no part of it of course, no seriously I didn't, can't remember anything past 10.30!

No, I'm cultured, intellectual and focused now, that's the new me. On that note I'm off to watch the Witches of Eastwich,.....I know, my depths know no boundaries.

Kate Duffy at Film Oxford - Head on the Block!

Wow what a week to end on! Yes, can you believe it, my placement time has come to an end, 10 weeks gone in a blink of an eye. I've enjoyed my time here so much more than I could have ever imagined, and I say that in a good way of course. I was really looking forward to coming to Film Oxford, after all, I did apply here, but I wasn't really sure where I as going to fit in and what role I would play. On starting, it became clear that I would get the oppertunity to assist in lots of different areas giving me a wide range of experience whilst learning lots of new skills.

Anyway, last week was a busy one with the 2nd week of the Reel Women course running and then the screening night being held on the Friday. The Reel Women group worked on capturing, logging and editing film footage, pictures and vox pox's.  The group really worked hard pulling together and putting their ideas together about how the film should sound and look, getting it finished in time for the screening night. I really enjoyed the past two weeks assisitng Ali with the course, working with a mixture of women and making friends that I shall stay in touch with, and maybe work with in the future.

A screening night in conjunction with The International Women's Festival was held on Friday. Ali and myself went through the Film Oxford database and picked out some local women who worked in the industry to come and talk about their experiences in film making and working in the media. Hannah Vale, a local woman who is successfully achieving her goal with a career in the media, joined a couple of other women film makers showing their work followed by Q&A's. This group included myself and Sam McNern with 'Booty Call' it was great to see it on the screen at last!

I've always said no one is interested in the writer or who they are when watching a film, this point was proven when Sam had questions from the audience and I, none. This is the beauty of being the writer, if you were to become a successful writer, you'd earn the respect and credit, but you can still go down Tescos in your PJ's and no one knows who you are. Perfect! The night was a great success with a great audience getting the chance to network as well as make some new like minded friends.

Actually, it's been such fun at Film Oxford that I've asked if they will let me stay on as a volunteer and I'm pleased to say they have agreed! Must be my tea making skills. I hope I can continue learning through experience and I hope I can contribute to Film Oxford's fantastic team of staff. Who knows where it may lead me. I shall contiue to Blog if permitted so please keep reading!

I highly reccomend anyone out there who has thought about volunteering at what ever it may be to give it a go it's done me the world of good and I have noticed that my confidence is finally growing which is such a massive thing for me. It's definately worth it! Off now to sort out 10 tonne of college work for tomorrows dead line. They'll be some fretting and sweating in bed tonight! Oh Matron!

Kate Duffy Film Oxford - Reel Women On The Block!

 This week has been a busy one with it being the first week of the Reel Women course. I've really enjoyed it and have loved being busy out and about, meeting different people. A short film about the Lord Mayor of Oxford is the groups project and week one saw the group being introduced to the camera, lighting and  other equipment, planning the film, and the actual shoot day. When you look at it wrote down this is allot to get done in three days and Ali does a brilliant job of getting the group trained, organised and prepared.

DAY 1 - HANDS ON TRAINING

DAY 2 - PRACTISE SHOOT

On the shoot day we split into to two groups, one shooting the interview and one getting vox pox's and any other interesting external  footage that could be used in the shoot. I was in the group that filmed the interview and luckily we had a great subject Lord Mayor Elise Benjamin  who was interesting, funny, and very co-operative. The shoot felt good to do quite nerve racking and some times rather stressful but all in all a really great experience which all the group appeared to enjoy, I got quite a buzz actually and was pleased with how the day went.

                                                                  

DAY 3 - ON LOCATION

However, after watching the footage on our return to Film Oxford I found myself feeling disappointed at the mistakes that had been made which could have been prevented on the shoot.  Hindsight is not a great thing and I wish I had found my voice a little more on certain matters, I was left feeling disappointed and frustrated with MYSELF and NOT with anyone else in the group let me make that clear. I must add though that I am over it now and I realise that it is all a learning curve and in that respect I have learnt sooo....much.


            
On Friday I met with the Shadowlight Artist group which is always an inspirational and enjoyable experience. We heard about their different projects and how they are progressing, watched a rough cut of one of their films which looked amazing. The group also updated their web pages and I, after a quick training session, helped with this. Russell brought in his script with the re-writes he had made, he'd taken all previous feedback on board and had tightened it up nicely.

All in all I've learnt a great deal at Film Oxford this week and  have enjoyed it greatly. I'm really looking forward to editing the footage for the Lord Mayor film, I feel confident that a decent little short will come out of it ( I still think the film should be called 'There's Something About Mayory'  no one else agrees though, I don't know why?) Also, we have a screening night this Friday where we will be showing films and talking with local women film makers in conjunction with The International Women's Festival. We'll even be showing a short I wrote which was made by, Sam McNern a film maker who has also completed courses at Film Oxford. Nerve racking or what!

Looking forward to the week ahead after a full on weekend with kids where my 5 year old insisted on wearing her roller skates everywhere resulting in my dragging her along at top speed likened to Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do Av 'Em when we got caught in torrential rain. I've never laughed so hard, you should have seen her face. I need adult company!


Look