Week 1:

This week we were put into teams once we decided the role that we wanted as part of the project; I chose to be the director and was put In a group (Team Digby) alongside Dan as Studio Manager, Beth and Producer, Yeliz as script editor and Geneva as production co-ordinator. The drama that we decided upon as a group was Lucy and I as we felt that it was a but more challenging than the others as there was three different ways that the audio needed to sound as she has speaking normally to her mum/sister, Speaking in her head and Digital speaking (Texting) Jeramy has arranged that he will send us potential actors for the drama and for us to listen so that will the next thing for me to do as director.

Week 2:

I listened to the actors that Jeremy had sent over and found that each of them were very good for the part. I then asked the group on their opinions and took their thoughts into consideration, they all agreed and thought they were great for the part. We had then been told that we were going to have a play around in the studio’s to get a feel of what it will be like on the day and to decided how we are going to make the sounds that we need.

Week 3:

This week we met in the studio, we had to decide how we were going to record the actors for example using flats, recording in the booth to just recording with the stereo mic’s in the classroom. We were given the other group to use as actors and to get the to go through the scripts in the three different ways that we could record. We decided on three different ways that we could record and this would highlight the three different ways that Molly (The main character) would sound. We went with:

Internal head voice – This is going to be recorded in the booth as it sounds more intimate and personal and more like you are in her head.

When she’s in her bedroom – This is going to be recorded in the room with stereo mic’s and no flats as it makes it sound bigger and a slight echo like a empty bedroom would.

Digital voice – We decided to record this in the room with the stereo mic’s but with the flats to make it sound more enclosed but have a different sound to get internal voice overs.

We then met as a group and went through the script, we decided what parts we would record where and the order that we would record them. We went through and numbered each line so we could input it in to the time sheet and decide the time allocations. We decided to record it chronologically but with the three separate section. For example first we would do the whole script excluding the internal voice overs and digital, then go on to the digital voice and then internal voice over. This will work as we will have everything in place and the actors in place and also ready and organised for post production. We then went through sound effects, how we would source or record them and props. With the final script complete and all the paper work to make sure the recording day goes smoothly we are ready to record in 2 weeks time.

Week 4:

As the Director my main role will be exorcised on the day or recording, but the prep for the day needs to be done so it goes smoothly. So I double checked all of the necessary paper work had been done through the Producer and Production Co-Ordinator. The only thing that needs sorted out before the day is snacks/drinks for the actors and arranging the travel payment. I feel completely prepared for the day of recording as the team has really worked well together and as a team and kept the communication strong between us.

Week 5:

We were supposed to be recording this week but because of the weather we have had to cancel the actors and reschedule them for another day. The day we have been given and gone forward with is March 16th. This has caused problems as some of our actors aren’t available on this day, so we will need to reconvene with Jeremy to discuss our options and what we can do from here.

Week 6:

Day of recording:

Today we came in at 10:00  and are set to record at 12:00 we made sure everything was set including snacks and drinks and made sure all of the timetables and scripts were in order and printed off ready for the actors and ourselves. We went up to the studios 15 minutes prior to the recording to have a read through with the actors. We all introduced ourselves to the actors to make sure they felt comfortable offered them drinks and snacks. Myself and beth let the actors know what to expect during the recording and how we have organised and set out the day. We ran through the script and then highlighted all the things that they done really well that we would love to keep and any amendments or changes. We also had the writer Chloe Harris and her tutor with us whilst we were recording so I made sure she also felt comfortable to say anything and I also asked throughout the recording if she had anything that she would change or if that’s how she envisioned the scene when writing it, as we needed to take this as an advantage as she wrote the play and could help us to understand the script and what she imagined when writing the play. We recorded the play chronologically bar thing out the internal monologues and phone contestations as we were recording them differently (In the booth and with flats) we recorded the general conversation using the stereo microphones without any flats, this created a bedroom feel and made it sound quite empty. We recorded each scene 3 times changing things as we went through to make sure it sounded its best for example. Moving closer or further away from the mic, using the props to create more sound effects or ad-libbing in places that need background sound. the recording as a whole went quite smoothly and sufficiently until the end we were quite tight for time when were recording the booth scenes so we just recorded every line once and beth listened over to them as they were popped in the drive and listened out for any mess-ups with the actors or mic’s then we would do retakes at the end.  When all of the recording was done we thanked the actors for their time and effort that they put into our play and wished them luck for the next play they were recording.

Side note*

Throughout the whole recording I made sure I kept making sure that the actors were comfortable and showed my appreciation thorough out, I always gave praise when needed and showed my enthusiasm with all that they were doing. For example when the actors tried something off of their own back i made sure to show how i felt about it and that it added greatly to the script this i felt made them comfortable to do what they felt the play needed as they have previous experience of acting and can feel what a scene needs.

Week 7:

Dan is prepping all the audio and then myself, Dan and Beth will sit-down to discuss the sound effects and transition music. We all met in the studio to listen to the audio and to gather sound effects that we all felt fir the play and the feel of the scene. I wanted to find a good song that fitted the play and that will softly carry the listener over to the next scene. I’m very passionate about music (Classical and Movie scores) So I already had in mind a song that we could use from a film called Me Before You, I showed Beth and Dan they both loved it as well so that is what we decided to use.

The rest of the editing process was dan just asking for our opinions on the treatment for the sound effects and music and as the director I put across my opinions and suggestions and Dan was the ‘Technical Wizard’ followed it through. He matched the crazy ideas I had in my head to the audio which was amazing! I am very happy with the overall piece and I think we have all worked so well as a team and that the creative visions I had when I read the scripts were mirrored with everyones efforts and across the team.