Reflections from the test shoot
Problems with shooting
-The group encountered lighting issues, as due to a crew member arriving late, the natural light diminished quicker - leading to evident continuity errors between shots.
The chosen location, in Ella's room, was found to be far tighter to shoot in than previously thought, and this hindered our shooting possibilities because tracks and pans were much harder to perform.
Problems with storyline
The group didn't have the sufficient props in time, such as the moodboard and relevant photos as the shots & continuity were prioritised over props and small details, meaning the film's edge of unease was missing.
Our overall production didn't convey enough of the social media aspect, and many of the shots & effects which we'd hoped would create a sense of dread in fact resulted in audience confusion. An example of this is with the stalker's heavy breathing which came across as odd. Also, our main actress Celine was unable to make the test shoot, leaving potential room for error in the main shoot.
Looking ahead...
Hopefully, as a group, we can now push ahead with making the necessary improvements to both the storyline and eventual shooting setup.
I feel personally that although it seems a huge step backwards having to re-develop and re-plan, it is important in the long run to ensure a professional and, crucially, an audience-approved final outcome.