As mentioned in the last post, we attended the GPU last weekend to do a bit of shooting for the blog, MuslimMatters.org. Our main goal was to interview Baba Ali, but we managed to catch a few seconds with the nasheed artist, Zain Bhikha too. Here’s the video:
Baba Ali Interview: A Sneak Preview
Here are some screen grabs from our interview with Baba Ali of Ummah Films, at the GPU 2010. The main interview was shot using a Canon HV20, but I had the idea of using the HD video function of my iPod Touch 4G to capture some B-roll, from which the following stills were grabbed. Though the quality is no where near ideal, I think it is sufficient for B-roll, and the graininess could even add some character?
iPod Touch: HD Video Test Run
I recently upgraded my iPod Touch, replacing my beloved, trustworthy first gen with a sleek, dare I say: sexy, 4th generation model, that finally features the same 720p HD video capability as the iPhone4. I hope to eventually create a short movie using footage shot on the iPod alone, as was done with the iPhone4 a few months back.
Here’s a three second clip I shot on the train home last night – no postprocessing, other than trimming. The guy in front of me was asleep, yet every so often he’d tap his feet. The funky shoes called to me.
Clearly, the quality isn’t good enough to warrant throwing out my Canon HV20! But I do like having a handheld device that can shoot better quality footage than my ancient mobile phone. It could be improved with some postprocessing jiggery-pokery. And of course, the provision of good lighting and a stable platform, (i.e., NOT an artificially lit, moving train carriage) would make all the difference too.
Like Oil and Water
Salams all. I’m Nida – also known as Mehzabeen’s shadow and stressmaster while helping her work on the FOSIS video. Inshallah in future I’ll be passing on any tips and tricks about video production I pick up while doing a Masters in Science Media Production at Imperial. But for now all I’m good for is delivering interesting anecdotes from the set of the FOSIS video.
I’d say the most valuable thing I learned while working on the FOSIS video is this: never work with brothers. There are several reasons.
1) They are incapable of taking direction- its like everything needs to be translated from English into Brother speak. Example:
Sis director: Ok now look shocked.
*Bro pulls a face*
Sis: Look shocked!
*Bro grimaces some more*
Sis: Oh for crying out loud … *says something scandalous*
*Bro looks shocked*
*Sis quickly starts filming*
2) Then there’s their general unwillingness to do anything interesting in front of camera. You’d think some of these guys had never been asked to wrestle a squirrel puppet in a public space before.
Sis: Now rugby tackle the squirrel.
Bro: *shuffles around a bit* Do I have to?
Sis: *looking fierce* YES
Bro: *rugby tackles squirrel*
Sis: *Filming on her camera*
Bro’s mates: *Filming on their mobiles*
And then there was the prayer room scene. Don’t ask how me and Mehzabeen managed to wrestle the guys into those masks (Easter egg: Look out for Salman Waqar – attempting to hide his identity through cunning use of his prayer mat cape).
Alhamdulillah we pulled it off in the end and all in all it was a fun experience- but I know what I’ll be carrying through onto the next project. Lesson learnt: no brothers.
Doctor, Director: New Short from Ummah Films
Ummah Films have released their latest short film, titled: Doctor, Director (Watch it via Vimeo). It only cost $7000 to make and was financed from public contributions. It falls under the genre of bitter-sweet romcom, providing a glimpse into the emotionally charged, socially awkward world of Islamic proposals. A Muslim version of Meet the Parents – without the gross out comedy.
I don’t wish to fully critique the film so soon after its release. Criticism is certainly very important in order to increase the quality of future productions – but offering it five minutes after release is akin to a kick in the gut for the team that put in so much hard work. Trust me, I speak from experience! Instead, I’ll share what I honestly liked about it.
I thought it was very funny in places, especially little things like the mother’s excessive hospitality and cleanliness. I also sympathized with the plight of the main characters, Ali and Layla, perhaps because I’ve been there myself. The overall picture quality was really good, and there were moments of true artistry with the directing, masha’Allah. Part Two of my review will come later, though none of my ‘negative’ criticisms are all that harsh (I hope!).
I’ve only been involved in a hand-full of productions, but I know script-based films are much more challenging than filming events, vlogs, or conducting interviews. Further, I personally think comedy and horror are the most difficult genres around: so hard to get right, and so easy to get wrong. I think UF did make something chuckle-worthy, masha’Allah, and they have definitely improved a lot over time in terms of their production value. Much respect to them for their efforts, and I look forward to the next big project.
iMuslim
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