Digital News Production: OB Shoot & Changes

Unfortunately, we ran into a huge problem with our OB shoot just two days before filming. We had planned way in advance for this so it was unexpected. Below are the steps taken for our OB...

• We decided on filming the midnight launch of Assassin's Creed Syndicate - which ties in perfectly with out package story
• It would be perfect for an exciting atmosphere and having gamers to interview
• We decided on Bluewater as it draws a lot of attention for game events and is well lit
• We contacted Game at Bluewater on the same day as getting our group together
• They said it was very likely to be able to go ahead
• They stayed in contact with us over the next few weeks, telling us it will be fine to film but they need to double check with the Game company itself
• A lack of communication on there end left us in the dark of possible issues
• We had our presenter decided on, our call sheet and script created, equipment booked.....
• And they contacted us to say that we are not allowed to film in Bluewater, as well as neither outside or inside of any Game store. This is due to the company having a multi-million pound deal with Ubisoft, Assassin's Creed's developer. So they can't have anyone involving them in discussing flaws and issues with the game

After this, the issue that instantly flagged up was how little time we had to arrange an entirely new shoot. There are little other stores that hold midnight launches, and while we attempted to contact any local stores that were planning one, it was too late for us to get their permission.

So our new plan was to still stick to the theme and roughly stick to the original script by going with the Assassin's Creed Syndicate midnight launch. However, as we could no longer attend a midnight launch, we had to play on the fact that we hadn't been allowed into one, and were left out in the cold to talk to people who had just attended a launch.

The new location was Maidstone town centre, in Fremlin Walk. This was due to the amount of shops, knowing the area to know where would have good lighting and where we would be uninterrupted. We were also able to get their permission to film very quickly.

Problems we ran into during filming

• Once again we had issues with noise on location. As there were staff cleaning shop windows with a rather large and noisy machine in the background. So we had to make sure to film when it was as quiet as possible.
• The camera was quite shakey due to the lightness of the camera, so our shot isn't completely perfected.
• It proved to be quite difficult to fit the OB into no more or no less than two minutes without dramatically speeding up or slowing down our presenter talking.

Positives

Our presenter and interviewees were brilliant to work with, Candice delivered her lines in a very energetic way and our interviewees gave great answers. We also worked together very well so there were no issues with filming itself.

What I would change

• The camera to a Sony. So that it would have had more weight behind it to be less shaky.
• A more upbeat location to make our OB much more lively.

Final result

It's not what we were aiming for in comparison to our original plan, so it's not as energetic nor has it got as much going on as it would have with our original plan. However, our presenter brings it to life very well and there are interesting topics dicussed. I think it looks great and thanks to our presenter and thinking on our feet after a last minute change of plans, it's turned out very well.