Getting prepped for the Presentation Date

Well I am mainly responsible for getting the items together for the group's presentation in January. So now I shall begin the process. 

After making the call to Sherece to locate a piece of wood( she indicated she had) we need to paint on the info "THIS WAY TO HIDDEN TREASURES". It is just to work on it now, as I truly want a to pull off a vintage looking sign. This will be fun.

Tonight I located a couple more of the jams the Producer requested(to be added to those I suggested) to be considered for sound beds for the documentary. Once located I emailed them to the group for listening.

MORE RESEARCH: Today I felt the need to communicate with someone I've known for years Mr. Junior Lett, who works at Cott,as part of my role as a researcher. Just to make sure all my bases are covered in executing my role as Sound operator efficently, I will request from Mr Lett something possibly in writing, affirming that we can use the beds for the project. Even though I know from research that copyrighted music can be used for school assignments for free. From the phone call I made to Mr Lett, he stated as a means of protection we should communicate with the folks at copyright organization informing them of the songs selected for the Documentary. 

So tonight I will forward that information to the group members, primarily the Producer via an email to make certain they are aware of the information I gathered. The producer informed me and copied me into a correspondance sent to Mr Lett tonight.

COTT: Copyright Organization Of Trinidad and Tobago.

It's Really a Wrap

As the title indicates it was a wrap today with regards to shooting the vox pops!

At first we thought it would be difficult to get responses as the beach was not as packed and the persons all looked like they weren't up to being bothered! After setting up the equipment we proceeded to get persons to respond to our questions. The shoot itself started approximately 10:30 am and ended around 12 noon.  In total today we got eight to nine persons, who gave us great responses. Today wasn't all that difficult at all. 

Audio was great and from all ends flowed smoothly.

Onto the next part of this project.....editing(to be done by Simone) and presentation for the 27th January 2010. I am working with Trixie on the creative aspects of the groups presentation. As well as awaiting feedback from Sherece pertaining to the piece of wood needed for the sign.  Also in an email correspondence the Director requested some more music beds...apart from what I submitted sometime ago. Once everything works out well tonight I will email her them promptly. If not tomorrow morning. 

Jillian

Saving Power Narration Complete

This was a small meeting today, to get the narration completed. Trixie, Simone and myself gathered at the audio room at 4:30 pm. Once hooked up and ready the recording began. The entire recording session took at least an hour to an hour and a half to complete. As agreed I filled the role as Narrator for the documentary, presently mainly  the facts we obtained. Trixie controlled the recording software -Adobe Audition 3, as it would have been difficult for me to pull off both roles today. 

Both the Producer and the Director seemed pleased with the completed piece for the Documentary.

An essential factor that was included in the narration is that of the complied results received from those interviewed via vox pops, one on one camera interviews and literature research.

Onto the shoot carded for this coming Sunday at the North Coast to begin at 10 am. 

Final Shoot in the sister isle-ACHIEVED!!!

We landed in Tobago at 6:30 am and quickly dropped our bags off, changed clothing and heading out for the 2 hour drive to Hermitage. There were still visible signs and obstruction along the roads due to the storm Tomas two weekends ago. It was really difficult at times to get to the beach as there were still areas on the road to be cleared from the road slides. Maybe that too was the reason we passed the entrance...however after finally getting there the shoot started promptly. 

I performed the usual audio duties and hooked up the equipment for the shoot. Everything was clear, however the only battle at this location with sound was the natural sound...the ocean waves etc. Above is a photo of this beach, well deserving of attention. Only one fact it needed....proper entry to the beach.

Next we headed to lunch , and absorb in a well needed break. It was a long day. 

Our final shoots took place at Store Bay and at Pigeon Point, where we go some feedback to be used in the documentary as part of the vox pops. At Store Bay it was a bit challenging with the audio as there was so much music around for the shoot. So I certainly have to see it the audio can be used. My fingers are crossed. Next it was to Pigeon Point which was a lot quieter and proved to be a better location in terms of getting proper audio for vox pops.

All in all it was a long day. 

Three days of Project activity wrapped up in one blog.

On Thursday last our group members met with our lecturer to discuss and inform her about our current position with the production of this documentary. Ms Sampson placed some questions to us to assist us on remaining on the correct path in perfect and intended execution of this project. Both the Director and Producer explained to Ms Sampson the present problem with our next interviewee...who is sadly unavailable until a later period(of course to which we don't have time). So it looks as though we may either do one of two things...locate another interviewee or conduct the interview via phone and record the discussion. It was suggested if all else fails we should go to the TDC site to get pertinent information.  This will be confirmed later on next week. 

Time is really drawing really near, pure pace.We should be able to record the narration next week in time for Ms Sampson's next meeting with us on the 18th November, 2010. On this same date as well  I am to present the results from the collated data from the one hundred questionnaires we distributed. On the note of those questionnaires results, I completed it on Thursday night and emailed it to Trix for her approval. We agreed to discuss it further -when I stayed at her place from Friday night to today. As I required a bit of clarification on how I displayed those results. Other than that she was pleased with what she saw! I am pleased she is pleased...hope everyone else is as well, when I present the result to the group.

So from working at Trixie's from 5 pm until 1 am on both the results of the questionnaires and the narration script...it was a long but productive night. I found it so easier to do, when working mentally especially on creating a product. We are a bit worried about the length as there is so much information we would like to include, and we have not even finished Tobago yet.  I also played a couple songs that I thought would give that great connection to Trinidad and Tobago in terms of music for Trix in order to get some feedback. She was pleased. One of those songs we stumbled upon is Shurwayne Winchester and Maxi Priest's - MAKE IT YOURS. Even the titled we love as it is the message we want to send out to our primary target audience, making every beach in the documentary "yours"- stay to get away. So we wait and see what the others think! So as of now the results aren't completed. 

Today however we conducted the shoot in front of the Hyatt Hotel and Waterfront in POS. Slowly the anticipation for this all to finish is rushing upon us, many things to be encounter in working in groups. My idea however of the San Fernando Hill as an option (as the ladies felt insecure about the safety of the Lady Young and Lady Chancellor), was shut down due to tight schedules and I guess location. In my opinion that would have given the fantastic skyline view to compliment the host.

Trixie and I got there promptly at ten am and met the other members there. Without hesitation I did what was to be done and placed my audio equipment on and mic up the Host. The entire shoot provide great footage, great landscape shots and a presentable unification of groups members "do what you have to do to do what you want to do"(cite here). In achieving all the required shots we called it a wrap at 11:30 and around there.  Both the Director and the Camera woman remained ate the front to recored various cut aways so we shat see how it goes. 

One productive weekend.

Next week we head to Tobago for sure (once there aren't any storms coming our way again). Sadly though the trip won't be as long as  we hoped for. As standbys you really have to take what you get!

Tomas caused a delay

ITINARARY FOR TOBAGO TRIP        SAVING POWER X 4

From 29th October - 31st October 2010

Date	Time	Function	No.	Location
29th Oct.	PM 9:45 10:05 10:30 11:00	Depart Piarco Arrive in TAB Have light dinner Sleep	1 2 3 4	Piarco Int'l Airport Crown Point Int'l Airport Judy's Home away from Home Judy's Home away from Home

 

Date	Time	Function	No.	Location
30th Oct.	AM 6:30 7:00 7:10 7:50 8:50 11:10 12:10	Breakfast Head to Fort Milford Arrive at Fort Milford Head to Store Bay Head to Pigeon Point Head to Hermitage Hermitage (Close Documentary)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Judy's Home away from Home Fort Milford (Intro)    --0-- Store Bay Pigeon Point Hermitage Bay    --0--
30th Oct.	PM 2:10 3:10 7:00	Depart Hermitage Arrive at base & rest * Unwind / Leisure Activities	9 10 11	Hermitage Bay Judy's Home away from Home Anywhere the wind takes us

 

Date	Time	Function	No.	Location
31st Oct	7:00   12:05 1:05 1:25	Some beach   Check-in Depart TAB Arrive in POS	1   2 3 4	- - Anywhere  - -   Crown Point Int'l Airport Crown Point Int'l Airport Piarco Int'l Airport

*  Please walk with appropriate clothing for *unwinding.  Of course, this depends on the success of the morning shoots

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Well above was the detailed itinerary for one of our final shoots, to be done in Tobago!! Tickets purchased it was just to board the 9:45 pm flight. However due to the "Tropical Storm Warning" placed on the country, we decided as a group to forgo that trip, until another time. 

This decision was a safe call, but at the same time...it is sort of pushing us back a bit with our production.

The Production assistant tried her best to get us on the next weekend flight(which is this weekend -the long weekend) but that proved unsuccessful. Not a surprise really as of course there are tons of people heading over for the long weekend. It does seem however that our trip to the sister isle would be next weekend.

So as I suggested to the group it was best we get what we can now now with the free time, hopefully my group agrees. This suggestion was made so we could just to shoot what we can right here with a wasted weekend..so the Introduction for the documentary is still to be done...this weekend is a fabulous opportunity to do that! One area for shooting the Intro would be at the Hyatt water front. I also mentioned in chatting with Trixie(the producer) the lookout in Morvant, which gives a spectacular view of the city and surrounding in Port Of Spain or even Lady Chancellor which also offers a similar viewing. Also we should be doing alot of the cutaways as well at various points of Trinidad on Saturday! Trixie will however mention to the Director the most recent thoughts. 

Also I will head across to Trixie's on Friday(the Divali Holiday) to begin bringing our heads together for the  construction of the narration. I have already been viewing a few documentaries to get a feel of not only the sound of the narrator but what sort of limit was placed on the information provided...as we need to remember it is a 10-15 minute documentary! I am 95% complete with the questionnaires...as I am converting the information to graphs and pie charts etc. That information is needed to contribute towards the narrations. I have not received all the questionnaires distributed but that obviously was expected. 

Another challenge we have encounter is the unavailability at the minute, of the representative Michelle Low Chew Tung from TDC (The Tourism Development Company). Trixie mentioned if indeed the availability issue continues then we will have to resort to a telephone interview with her and simply using the audio. I am hoping if we are left to that last resort I can organize to do it at ebony where we do have the facilities to do that. 

So at this point paranoia hasn't fully stepped in but there is hope. Well I too the unplanned free time to search for some literature that would assist me in my role as Sound Engineeer! 

READING:

I located this book on Google books called The documentary film makers handbook By Genevieve Jolliffe, Andrew Zinnes. This book offers vital information in the execution of my role. It is certainly a book I will share with my group mates to assist us all in pulling off this great documentary. 

The books offers advice from the importance of silence sometimes over any audio or bed at all. it states "Appreciate the power of silence. Sometimes the best tension is created when nothing is being heard"  Jolliffe and Zinnes (2006). The book also makes mention of use of sound effects to assist the delivery of the footage, as well as to be wary of one's selection of beds. As with that choice you don't want draw the attention away from the viewing of the documentary. 

 

 

Most recent events

After yesterday's meeting with our Lecturer we sailed on smoothly to a perfect finish of our project. Trixie unfortunately was not able to attend this meeting due to work commitments, however Simone (the Director) lead the discussion in informing our Lecturer as to where we are at present and what would be out next step.

It was agreed that once one of the footage with a bit of bad audio due to faulty equipment back in our shoot at Yarra Bay, was consider improper to use, we will be heading back to a re shoot at Yarra a date to be announced. Mayaro seems to be one of the scheduled places that will be marked off the the carded events,as we can obtain more primary date (vox pops) at another beach.

 In an informal discussion with the Director we tossed around ideas for the sound of the footage, from sound effects to music beds. 

Some of the sounds she requested  included "crickets", rewinding record,sound of  the national instrument, and other caribbean related as well as Trinidad and Tobago related beds. I suggested some tracks such as: 

• Nah leaving by Denise Plummer, 
• 3 Colours by Bungi, Faye Ann, and David Rudder
• My Land by Roger George.
• Brotherhood of the Boat by Brother Marvin

Tonight I read though some links shared by my group mates, with myself on the destruction of beaches along the same coastline as that of Columbus bay. The articles(see below) indicate the present determination to do what is needed to save and work on issues of that part of the country coastline. 

 

http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2010/07/19/sea-claims-lands-houses-icacos
http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2010/10/19/backhoe-unclog-icacos-tributaries-1000-day
http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2010/10/18/more-relief-icacos-way

Next meeting is carded for November 4th. So until the next blog..

Unable to attend

Yesterday my group members conducted an interview with representatives of the IMA. Unfortunately due to work(as I was on air at the time of the scheduled interview) I was unable to attend and fulfill my third role of interviewer.

However both the producer and the director did shed some light on how the interview went. All thumbs up they said. The interview started at 9:30 and lasted maybe an hour, we gained all the required information needed from both interviewees on the scientific end of some of the beaches in this country. The persons interviewed at the IMA done.

I viewed a few documentaries for the main purpose of tapping into the sounds used to compliment the footage, from sound effect to beds. Particularly one called T&T Eco Destination Video. So I have gained an idea on what sound(local music) would fit well with the Saving Power Production, it also gave me hints for when I narrate the piece. Earlier today I went through a book today called Radio production by Robert McLeish which wasn't mainly on Tv Production but shed some light on production of sound.

I was really hoping to have completed the results from the questionnaires by this weekend but I still await the 25 questionnaire from Sherrece, which she may have brought to class today, but unfortunately I wasn't able to attend. Fingers crossed by Monday. 

Well that is it for tonight

Macqueripe and Chagville

Another element of our needed research took place today across in the western part of Trinidad. The group met at 9 am and headed to our first location Macqueripe. Well one of the first surprises we noticed was the faulty microphone we received for filming this weekend, as we began setting up for the shoot. Luckily we walked  with the lapel microphones which indeed we had no choice but to used primarily instead of secondarily as planned.  

At first it was a bit difficult just like Maracas to get willing participants for our project...as most persons again shied away from the on screen publicity. As agreed by our Lecturer we aimed for a total of five persons on each shoot. Again I interviewed all persons for the Vox Pops, it was a joy to do that. 

Our second location was to Chagville. Honestly I couldn't see what was the attraction for many to this beach...which seemed un-kept and didn't possess the accompanying landscape. However at this beach we gained the opportunity to interview a life guard off camera. This Lifeguard provided us with answers to some vital questions pertaining to things beach goers should look out for. Practices they should get involved in or should not get involved in. As well as answers to other pertinent questions that viewers should be privied to know. 

So all in all it was another satisfactory day for us the members of Saving Power! 

Tonight I worked my other role as a researcher for this documentary. I worked on Trixie's responses from the questionnaires she distributed on the Excel sheet...another long night after a long day. I should have the rest of the questionnaires from both Sherrece and Simone by week end. 

J

Time to tally!!-Stage 1

Well it is 1 am, exhausted but onto another project. I decided to begin the process of putting together the data, part of the Quantitative part of the research for this Production for which i am responsible. Data has been entered on an excel sheet(for easy access) from my respondents for the minute. As the other members hand in their responses I will continue my part. The information from this will be essential for preparing the narration for the documentary. 

As mentioned earlier the group members have agreed, to give me the questionnaires by weekend. 

Most recent happenings ...Its good so far

One of the first issues raised at all today pertaining to the project was from Trixie making us aware that the interview with representatives of the IMA is now confirmed for the 25th October,2010. Unfortunately due to work...I won"t be able to attend that scheduled meeting. 

Well the meeting started at 5:30pm  with only three members as...Simone is currently out the country with a well needed break.  Todays meeting was to show Ms Sampson some of the footage recorded so far, one tape viewed was the "Vox Pop", the "Sunset" Clip and the shoot at No Man's Bay. Ms Sampson was pleased with what she saw as well as satisfied with the amount of persons interviewed for the vox pops(five per beach). Only one small suggestion to the Camera woman to capture footage in SP and not in LP. Other than that...we on.

As for the sound/audio, Ms Sampson was pleased. I was like "whew" because I was a bit worried (as mentioned in the last blog), but I heard the tapes as well and it was fabulous. A huge smile!

I kindly asked the present members to walk with the questionnaires to begin collating the results. The sooner the better as other assignments will soon  pile up and this too will become difficult to accomplish.

 Everything else went fine for now, an unto the next shoot...at Macaripe and Chagaramas.

 

After 16 years I finally hit Maracas Beach

Ok..today started off with me meeting Simone in Port of Spain for 8:30, feeling pretty good as I was early and got there at 8:20am. We headed to Maracas to meet the other members of the crew and promptly started the shoot. Firstly ofcourse getting our individual properties in gear.

Todays shoot was to obtain vox pops from the beach goers as to find out why they preferred Maracas (which is one of TnT's most popular beach) beach or if they were aware of others unpopular beaches in the twin island. At times it was a bit challenging to get folks who were willing appear on camera, aswell as due the heavy activity in today's Maracas Open Swim Day events, also caused some difficulty in getting many participants. However when we did, we received sufficient feed back that would be great for the research. Some admitted it(Maracas Beach) was good for the adventurous types with a preference of the rough waters. Some stated mainly because of its popularity and some just came due to the beach being a regular venue. In all it was a productive day.

 From my position as Sound Operator....recording was great! I would feel comfortable hearing or viewing the clip just to feel at ease. I am not sure if I may be going deaf with my constant usage at work with loud headphones that may be impairing on my judgment for this project. There were struggles with the natural sounds from the ocean, to the huge crowds and to the complimenting breeze. 

My secondary role today which I enjoyed was the Interviewer, with the assistance of Simone helping me with the photos which we showed the interviewees as I directed questions to them.

Oh and the sun was HOT today...great weather for the beach goers, but horrible for us the production crew...

We wrapped up the shoot at just after ten after the Director called it a day. We cancelled Las Cuevas due to time, however, we will continue to get interviews at other beaches. Good day with the team.

Next trip some popular beaches in the western parts of the island.

J

Anywhere I could of gotten the response I took it.

Well today I had fun distributing more of the questionnaires. Passing them out any where I could whilst I conducted my daily activities. Each que I stood in I roped in at least 2 persons; from the Cable payment line, the mobile payment line, the one in the bank and even on the taxis I commuted in. Finally for today I harassed my hairdresser. Persons were so wiling I loved it. So hopefully by Monday I should have all 25 completed.

What was next on my project agenda for today...well in a line at mobile bill payment line, I saw one of my old lecturers who was willing to offer me a twenty minute fresher course on the audio element of recording. This is vital as I would love to be on point for that day when I am required to set up the studio to do my narration. That was so nice of her to agree. Hence that takes care of part of my Role as Researcher.

Tonight I am spending another night perusing the musical beds for the final piece!

I am really tired...but I have some reading to do. So until...night night

Today I was the Sideliner...Not a good day

The group met with our Lecturer today...but honestly though, I was not verbally involved today. At this point no one knows nor understands but the show must go on. Out meeting with Ms Sampson started at 5 pm. As we disclosed to our lecturer; due to the past two demanding weeks(working on other school assignments) not much was done since our last meeting, except prepare for the next shoot. My imperative act for this coming Sunday's shoot is to gain firstly a decent pair of headphones as, as mentioned from the last shoot -the schools headphones were impossible to work with. Attached below you can see the current Production Schedule for upcoming shoots. The shoots include another trip to Tobago, a visit to Mayoro  and even Macqueripe to obtain some primary data (other than the questionnaires distributed). Again details can be seen below.

The Producer quickly mentioned to the Lecturer the current position with our meeting with the representatives of T.D.C (Tourism Development Company) and the Institute of Marine Affairs! Hopefully once both our timing work wonderfully together I will conduct the interview on those dates(still to be announced).

So tonight issues raised, were the changes made on the questionnaire which has already been distributed. Ms Sampson firstly put the question out there asking if there were anything we required a quick tutoring on. The Director agreed to having a quick lesson on using the JIB. That is carded for the 19th October 2010. It has now come to mind that I would require a quick run through of the audio recording process for when I have to do the narration for the Documentary. So right after this I will book a date with Ms to do that. The Director also required run through as well for her part of the group project. 

For next meeting with our lecturer we are required to bring footage and email individual footage to her for perusal. 

At the end of it all a impromptu meeting was held after our meeting just to clarify Sunday shoot. It seems fine for now.  

Tentative Production Schedule 26^th Sept 2010 – 8^th November 2010

 

Date	Time	Location	Subject
Sunday 26th Sept 2010	8am – 1pm	Las Cuevas / Maracas	Obtain vox pops of beach goers / Interview with a lifeguard or two Get questionnaires completed
Sunday 3rd Oct. 2010	ESSAY / PORTFOLIO WEEKEND BREAK
Tuesday 5th Oct. 2010	5:30-6pm	Project Workshop with Ms. Sampson
Sunday 10th Oct 2010	9am–12pm	Chagauramas / Macqueripe	Obtain vox pops of beach goers / Interview with a lifeguard or two Get questionnaires completed
Sunday 17th Oct. 2010	ESSAY / PORTFOLIO WEEKEND BREAK
Tuesday 19th Oct 2010	5:30-6pm	Project Workshop with Ms. Sampson
Sunday 24th Oct. 2010	7am–12pm	Mayaro	Obtain vox pops of beach goers / Interview with a lifeguard or two Get questionnaires completed
Friday 29th - Sunday 31st Oct. 2010	All weekend	Tobago	Vox pops / close hermitage / intro to documentary / questionnaires
Monday 1st / Wednesday 3rd / Thursday 4th Nov. 2010	4:30 –6pm	Trixie / sherece / Jill – collate research Trixie and Jill – write narration Simone – editing
Tuesday 2nd Nov 2010	5:30-6pm	Project Workshop with Ms. Sampson
6th Nov / 8th Nov 2010	3:30pm – 5:30pm	SBCS Audio room	Record narration

 

Dates for interviews with TDC / IMA to be announced.

 

 

KEY
	Production shoots etc.
	Break for assignments
	Tobago trip
	Workshop with lecturer