The Process Of The Life on Mars Clip

Filming to re-enact the opening of Life on Mars was an extremely educational and enjoyable exercise.

As a class, we firstly watched the original clip from the series several times, followed by individually watching the clip. By doing this we were able to identify the particular shots used within the opening, therefore guiding us for when we re-make the clip using our own facilities and equipment. We made a note of the shots used alongside taking screenshots of them to help recognise what type they were quickly when directing. As well as classifying the type of shot, we also noted down the length and time that the shots took also making filming easier.

When coming to filming, we chose a group of 3 and decided upon our main protagonist who would act throughout the opening clip. To get the specific shots we had to create certain positions using the filming equipment, such as the tripod for when birds eye view shots are used and also to stabilise the shots preventing ‘shaking.’ Another piece of equipment used was the dolly, which allowed us to perform the final tracking tilt shot used within the clip. We had to take many shots of the same part both using equipment and hand-held camera work as when editing we needed to compare to see which clip was most effective. This allowed variation within our version of the opening, showing our multiple skills.

Throughout editing we had to choose the best clips taken to ensure it could look as precise and as similar to the main clip. We had to cut the clip at the correct point to allow transitions such as ‘dip to colour’ to look effective. It was difficult to perfectly match the audio to the clips as they often were too short and needed slowing down to enable them to fit properly. However, editing was surprisingly a quick and simple task but there were a few aspects that we could have perhaps improved on.

The several problems we faced could have been and were easy to overcome. One common issue was the length of our clips matching the original opening. Unfortunately, we as a group did not record parts for the required times needed therefore when coming to filming we did not have enough footage to cover the audio and clip needed. This meant that we could simply slow down the footage furthermore causing it to be longer or repeat the clip. We decided to slow down the clip as by repeating it, the clip often ‘jumped’, by slowing it down it was not as obvious that it was not at 100% speed. Another issue faced was the fact not all the shots required were filmed. For example, when the footage from the forest was taken, we did not acknowledge that there needed to be a clip of a female in a red coat running through the greenery. Alongside this clip, we also did not film the shots for the end of the opening where the actor sits up. This consequently affected our audio fitting with the clips resulting in slow motion having to be used. Lastly, we should have filmed the final shot of the tilt shot whilst tracking the actor spinning around them slower as it should have lasted longer compared to what we had originally filmed. If we had gone slower it could have perhaps made the clip more effective, despite this I believe our opening is rather effective and replicable of the original clip.

By taking part in this exercise it has made me realise that without recognising, there are various types of clips used within openings of films/series’. It has begun to make me think about how I can use these different shots within my film opening for my coursework. I have been able to get used to new equipment which I may not have used before, and how to edit effectively on FinalCut. This task has enabled me to think about unique shots that could be used to increase the professionalism of an opening/film extract as well as the way in which they could be portrayed by using different transitions.

In retrospect, despite the issues that were moderately overcome, the opening which we as a group created was effective in the sense that despite lacking professional equipment and lighting, what we produced was to a good standard considering the absence of facilities.