Liverpool Residential

The morning of Monday 18^th we traveled up to Liverpool by train for a three day residential to film our ‘Liverpool Stories’ Documentary. Prior to leaving, we had prepared all relevant paperwork we would require during the trip, including actor and location release forms and risk assessments. We had also put together a shot list and storyboards to help structure an idea of what we wanted in the documentary.

After arriving, later in the afternoon we decided it would be a good idea to use the rest of the spare time we had that day to take trip down to Albert Docks where the Duckmarines are based. By doing this it allowed us to get a look at the area we had to work with prior to filming, and decide on other shots we could add, things we couldn’t do, etc.  We also took the opportunity to go into The Yellow Duckmarine office to meet some of the staff. We were aware that the gentleman dealing with our filming access and knowledge was away on a course, but the rest of the staff were very friendly and able to help us organize some interviews and set ups for the following day.

Heading back to the hostel, a Yellow Duckmarine actually passed us on a tour outside where we were staying, allowing us to be able to plan shots along that stretch of road.

 

Later that night, Sophie and I decided to alter our shot list, and produce a new one in more detail. We made a note of all areas/aspects we could film in, then within those areas, exactly what we wanted to capture. For example, in the office, we wanted to film the staff working, close ups of merchandise, newspaper articles and an establishing shot of the office. We also planned things we could be doing throughout the day to make the most of the time available. We also made a new set of questions for our interviews the next day with the crew, thinking of every possible question relating to the tour guides and Duckmarines as possible. I planned all this out in a notepad that I would be able to work from during the full day of filming.

 

On Tuesday, we arrived down at the Docks around an hour and a half before they opened the first tour of the day. By doing this, it allowed us to get the shots inside the office we required before it started to get busy, as we were shooting during Half Term. Dalena also sorted out actor and location release forms with Paul and other memebers of staff we interacted with. Once we had finished, Charlotte and I boarded the 10:45 boat trip, during which Charlotte filmed majority of the tour and I collected some sound. We also made a note of interesting landmarks and areas along the tour that we would later be able to go back and capture again. Unfortunately, the tour proved very awkward to work with. While trying to collect sound, it was very obvious that the loud engine noise of the tour bus would prove to be hard to work around. Charlotte also struggled to get clear, steady shots as the movement from the bus was extrememly bad. However, aside from the difficult circumstances she worked really well to prodcuce some great shots. We also noticed that the built up areas and buildings constantly affected the light and camera.

While we were away, the rest of the group used the time without the camera to walk around Albert Dock collecting voxpops from the public, getting some of their personal opinions of the Duckmarines.

We then started capturing images around Albert Dock, such as an old merry-go-round, boats and scenic shots. We also filmed the Duckmarines in action around the docks as they submerged into the water and drove around. We had arranged an interview with one of the tour guides in front of one of the Duckmarines during the afternoon, however while waiting for him we were lucky enough to capture a voxpop with one of the other drivers who was able to provide us with some in depth details about the history behind the boats. Although he asked not to be filmed, I feel this was something that could of been a positive contribution to our documentary when we begin edting.

Once we were happy that we had captured everything we needed from the docks, we set off back towards the hostel, taking the route that the tour boats used. Along the way, we got shots of some of the landmarks that are visited along the tour including one of the cathedrals and a statue of Queen Victoria. While doing this, we tried to keep track of the last few tours of the day. Luckily during a few stages, the Duckmarines passed us on the streets of Liverpool and we were able to grab some shots of it driving through the streets. We were also able to capture the bus from different angles and levels, shooting from on top of a multi-storey carpark, and one of my favourite shots in front of one of Liverpool's cathedrals, driving into shot, and round the corner.

That evening we looked back at some of the shots to see if we would need to use our final day of filming to capture anything else, or reshoot anything. We were happy with everything and thought that the only thing that might be nice to grab as well would be the sunrise the following morning.
 

On the Wednesday morning we got up and reached the docks at 7am in order to try and catch the sunrise. Unfortunately, it was extremely foggy that early in the morning and we were unable to get any useful footage. However, everything we had got the previous day was fine and we were happy to finish filming and return to Sheffield Wednesday morning.