Final Set-build Workshop

For our final set-build workshop we focussed mainly on trying to finalise our decisions on set depth, size of window, position of camera, lens choice and model positioning.
We first considered what sort of window we would want, we used pieces of wood to create a frame allowing us to also experiment with sizes. We also used a strip of tape to experiment with the idea of a divided framework; the first image shows the strip in the centre of the frame however due to the angle of the camera from the window, approximately 45 degrees, the strip becomes angled and not centred. This makes the central beam look wonky and out from the rest of the angles in the scene and makes it difficult to position the model without obscuring her. 

We then moved the central parting so that it divided the image into a smaller section on the left and larger section on the right. This allowed us to divide up the characters more and create this East vs. West division with the Western character being made to look smaller and less important. 

 In the end however we chose to get a window frame without any partition as we felt without it there is a more voyeuristic feel with the audience made to feel part of the target of the female characters gun. It creates more of a dynamic scene with line of the frame drawing your eye in to the image and towards the female figure.
In the end we have decided to use a window of the measurements: 35in x 24in, without a partition anywhere through the frame. 

In the images we tried to use similarly sized objects to represent our props for example, a work table as the desk, a computer as the television, a trolley as the trouser press. In our images the objects are in the same place as we plan to put them in the final set build; otherwise issues such as the height of the desk and distances between props will be tackled and sorted on the week of the shoot. We also experimented with the positioning of both models, starting with our initial idea of the woman in the doorway and the male character at the desk by the window.

 We wanted to experiment with size of models in proportion to each other in the frame as although the female model is the centre of attention she in effect will be dominated by the males size, although I feel we've tackled this by the clothing they will be wearing we still wanted to enhance the images 'wow' factor as much as possible.

In the end we decided to keep the male model where he was because by himsitting on the body the audience is then disconnected from the scene. We did move the female model forward a little but the main different was the distance between the frame and camera and the lens used.
We moved the camera further back but by using a longer lens we were able to compress the scene making the figures more proportional to one another. This makes the woman more central to the image and much more of the focus; and despite the height of the camera being no different from the previous shots the camera begins to look more level making the models look less dwarved. We are very happy with this result and hope to recreate it on the day however of course we will also play around with different ideas on the day such as the position of the male model eg. standing up/ sitting down/ leant over etc.    

From this days workshop, Ian produced a diagram of our set with all of the measurements which we photocopied and gave to Jonathan so that he knew how much space we would need. This also allowed us to give measurements for carpet to our supplier who is giving us the carpet for free. Jonathan has looked at all of the group's diagrams and decided to put us into studio 1 and although we haven't worked in that studio yet we presume that we will have enough space to create our scene in there due to the very long set build we have.