How To Make A Short Film: Episode 2 'Test Flight'

Episode 2 starts in 2012 with the re-boot of the failed Doppelgänger project into a new film called Rocket Rider. Now focusing on just one sequence from the original story, the camera and visual effects tests can begin. Will director Ross Bradley finally be able achieve his vision?

This three-part 'how to' / 'making-of' documentary series examines the perils of attempting to make an over ambitious short film on your own. Originally planned to be a 15 - 20 minute narrative film called Doppelgänger, this series tracks the highs and lows of the films creator, Ross Bradley, over a 5 years period. The Initial euphoria of success is short lived with the collapse of Doppelgänger in 2011, turning into a determined bloody-minded slog, with a project re-boot to a new film called Rocket Rider. Highlighting many aspects of film production, this series is provides an interesting insight in what you should and shouldn't do when making a film.

OTHER EPISODES:
How (Not) To Make A Short Film: Episode 1 'Crash & Burn'
https://youtu.be/CDFk-wSzKs0

How (Not) To Make A Short Film: Episode 3 'Take Off'
https://youtu.be/6WoCI27BR44

THE ORIGINAL DOPPELGÄNGER LOG LINE:
A test flight goes badly wrong and the pilot of an RAF F-35 Lightening is forced to eject. But when Flight Lieutenant Alex Kavanagh lands, he discovers he’s in Nazi-occupied Normandy, 66 years before he took off. In strange surroundings, he comes face to face with his very own doppelgänger, Spitfire pilot Flight Lieutenant Christopher Taylor. Will Alex Kavanagh be able to face his inner demons and find a way home?

ROCKET RIDER LOG LINE:
An RAF Test Pilot is trapped in a stricken jet descending rapidly to Earth. Will he be able to eject in time? And what was the experiment for?
Duration: 5' 55"

ABOUT ROCKET RIDER:
Made and funded myself, Ross Bradley, 'Rocket Rider' is a ‘proof of concept’ short film to show my visual eye as a director and to test filming techniques for two yet unmade projects. The project also satisfies my life-long desire to create my own Hollywood action sequence.

This project has been an exciting challenge: the F-35 cockpit set began life as two photographs and was eye-matched to scale and built using plywood, art board and a vast array of switches and bottle tops. I also had to research and source the authentic flying clothes and a Martin Baker ejection seat, which took 10 months alone. Studio space has also been improvised, resulting in the blue screen set being re-built and filmed in numerous barns, village halls and garages in Worcestershire & Warwickshire. Out of the films 152 shots, 101 involve visual effects. Having no previous experience in film VFX, I had to discover the techniques and then learn the various software packages needed to complete the film.

WATCH ROCKET RIDER:
https://youtu.be/riyQzmmPvmA

EXTRA ROCKET RIDER CONTENT:
Actor Stephen Michael Critchley talks about performing in Rocket Rider
https://youtu.be/d70z0voUMwQ

Rocket Rider: VFX Before & After:
https://youtu.be/MdqT2PWsv54

Видео How To Make A Short Film: Episode 2 'Test Flight' канала Ross Bradley