Reflective Essay

Actor/ Producer/ Writer and Director of Sokolov.

For this project after reading the brief I have decided to produce an interactive narrative film. The genre I went for is war. In the beginning I wrote the script for Sokolov. The story opens with a conversation between the commander and Jake Fisherman discussing about Nikolai Sokolov. The story takes place during the beginning of the Cold War. Sokolov is a German rocket scientist, a family man but because of his great knowledge of rocket ships he was forced to work for the 3rd Reich during Hitler’s New Order. While his family was held captured in case he tyres to flee, after the great fall of the Nazi empire Sokolov was tracked down by the Russian Agents and was used to create the first rocket to orbit the earth which the Soviets eventually achieved. Shortly afterwards the Americans found out the success of the rocket and got their spies to infiltrate Sokolov and sneaked him out of Russia. But soon their found out and had the idea of buying missiles form Chain and conducting it in Cuba. The Americans did not feel comfortable with his idea of a missile pointing straight at them and announced a Code Red. Soon both powerful nations came to a conclusion in which the Americans return Soklovo back to Russia or if not we will go into a nuclear war and eventually the Americans given into to the idea and returned Sokolov to the Eastern front. But after 9 month Soklovo managed to get in touch with one of the America spies that helped him before and explained to them how the Russians are conducting a new nuclear weapon which he has developed and its all most in completion. The Soviets moved Soklovo in the front borders of Kazakhstan a new nuclear test site was built. Know Jake Fisherman the head of the Americans Arms Force is given this assignment of infiltrating Sokovo in the high ranks mountains in Kazakhstan and to bring him back safely before the nuclear weapon is complete.

During the research time I’ve done an interactive diagram explaining and detailing all the actions and options my character offers, were the viewer he/she can interact with my character by pressing buttons and that every choice you make it comes with a since of responsibility with it. For creating this I used Apple DVD Studio Pro Volume 4 and Apple Final Cut Studio Pro 2010. After the diagram and went ahead in developing the script which included hours of important world history research, which turned out to be great. Along with it I included synopsis and a treatment to help me express my whole story in a nutshell.

During the development research I took the liberty in visiting my location before hand as it was a great idea because it gives a clear over view of how I should shot my script. I also took pitchers around Trent Park forest such as space of direction, exit ways, lakes and also I checked the news wither report during shooting week so I can be more prepare for what it’s to come. But unfortunately the 18th January it was raining heavily that morning so luckily I had produced some rain jackets for and my team and also waterproof kits to protect the camera equipment which I borrowed form the Department Media Workshop. Know as I was in the process of my project next step was to create the storyboard, detailing what happens in every single shots. By doing this it helped me create a batter direction to filming the project.

After visiting the location I went on search for my main actors. But unfortunately the three actors I original hired for this role did not turn up on the day of shooting which was on the 18th, so instead I called up Siam Ahamed from Interactive Arts class and Timeyin Jones from screenwriting class and myself to act in my film and so Siam and Timeyin both agreed to help me shot the film on the day as there were both free on the time. Before shooting my script me and the team had a brief meeting that morning and went through the risk assessment, floor plan of the forest, script, storyboard, treatment, synopsis and equipment handling. The meeting went well and we started shooting on location.

During the first two week into the research I visited Trent Park Middlesex office to get an all location clearance which I had to explain what my story was about, why I liked this location and how useful it is to my project, and what equipments will I be using and finally I was warned because the Forest is open to the public I must not use or express any weapons to the public as it could possible scare them and signed a location clearance form which I downloaded from Oasis plus on Documentary.
After I was done shooting I presented a release form which I created using he Middlesex University- Video/Film/TV production/processes/roles and procedures booklet. I needed this simply to get permission to use their image and audio sound, which was signed and returned to me. I also done a Call sheet to record what’s been happening during the day of the filming, this included title and programme name, date and time of filming, list of crew/actors/s, lunch time breaks and any special requirement. In the day of the shooting I provided so refreshment as I thought it would be a great idea to make them feel comfortable so they can perform well enough for me and it went very well, even though it was wet, could, full of mud and windy it managed to make them feel good and motivated them even batter.

What I could do next is making sure I pick the right actors for the role and making sure there are willing to work hard and help each other. Picking a dryer day for shooting so we can avoid any rain, water damaged equipments but although I was prepared for the season you can never be too sure of what’s going to happen next.