Release date

The likely release date for our film will be the Thursday 2nd of February, we aim to have finished all the editing and work around the film on this date and have it released.

Classification of film

’15′

Suitable only for 15 years and over

No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

Discrimination

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

Drugs

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language

There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest  terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity

Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex

Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme

No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

Violence

Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

Distributors likely to touch film

I will be using my own distribution company to distribute my film. This means I own all rights to my film. I came up with my own distribution company. Luja productions.

Its an independent distribution company distributing my film.

Audience feedback

I spoke to a group of ten people  who had been given an initial idea of our film, the genre the synopsis and what we wanted our audience to feel after watching our film. I used a research method of a questionnaire to help sum up peoples general thoughts and comments after talking to them about my film, to make it easier to sum up and conclude the feedback.

In general the comments were positive although there were a few negative points about whether the story line was relate able for our audience or whether they would enjoy it. They thought the synopsis for the film was very good, and sounds enticing and they would happily watch it. When I asked if I was hitting the target audience they felt perhaps this film could be conceived for a slightly older audience due to the slightly dark story line. They liked the characters but a small amount of people felt the second actor lacked importance and could almost be seen as unnecessary. The location gave very positive feedback, because the location is local, the feedback was good, because it is familiar and relate able and in some ways makes my film seem more real to them.

I think I may need to improve in some areas. I think with the audience I may need to adapt the story line to fit a younger generation audience, because that is my original target audience. With the synopsis I am going to stick to my original idea because the feedback was positive, I am going to leave it as it is. I think I will give the second actor a much larger significant part, and perhaps have a few CU shots of the second actors face to add importance and significance to this character. I will also keep my location as the feedback was positive and I do not think I need to adapt it.

I am very happy with the feedback from the focus group and the evidence in the questionnaires. I will change and adapt the small areas in which the focus group found fault to better aim my film at my target audience of teenagers.

Shooting Schedule

Coming up with a shooting schedule was difficult we overcame many problems such as weather and fitting the shooting around college and work times.

We began filming,
 TUESDAY 20th December 2011 (AM). We filmed for 2 hours. Actors used - No actors involved. Shot Numbers - 1, 2, 3, 6. Location - Hastings Beach, Underground Car Park. Synopsis - Establishing settings. Props - None.

WEDNESDAY 21st December  2011 - No Filming.

THURSDAY 22nd December 2011 (PM)- 1 hour of filming. Actors used - Protagonist and first actor. Shot Numbers - 4, 5. Location - Hastings Beach. Synopsis - Introduction to characters drinking, setting shot. Props - Bottle of drink, Characters costumes/make up, High heeled shoes.

FRIDAY 23rd  December 2011 (AM/PM) - 2 and a half hours of filming. Actors used -  Protagonist. Shot Numbers - 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Location - Underground Car Park. Synopsis - Protagonist in underground car park, protagonist drunk in underground car park. Props - Bottle of drink, Protagonist costume/make up, High heeled shoes.

STORYBOARD

SHOT 1 - Panning view of seaside

SHOT 2 - Shot of Sign background of seaside

SHOT 3 - Waves crashing against shore

SHOT 4 - Protagonist and second actor dialogue, sitting on ledge

SHOT 5 - Cars travelling past beach where protagonist sitting on ledge

SHOT 6 - Underground car park

SHOT 7 - Protagonist stumbling towards camera in underground car park

SHOT 8 - Protagonist drinking walking towards puddle

SHOT 9 - View of protagonist stumbling through puddle, reflected in puddle

SHOT 10 - Protagonist stumbles towards stairs

SHOT 11 - Several shots of protagonist sitting on stairs with head in hands

SHOT 12 - Protagonist falls to floor next to stairs 

Props/Casting.

We don't need any large or significant props, however we will require a bottle of alcohol for the protagonist. No stage make-up is required, we just need natural make up, to suit the persona of the protagonist. However dress is significant, we have dressed our protagonist in a fashion which would suit her persona, and our protagonists dress is up to date.
We chose Molly Hemsley to be our main character because we felt she was able to fit the way we wanted our protagonist to come across. We also used one other character in our filming, because this was a last minute decision I played this character.

Location Research

We will only be using two locations for our filming, I feel this will make it a lot easier and the filming wont take as long.

Our first location is Hastings Beach.

This is the exact location where we will be shooting, I managed to locate our exact position on Google Maps (www.googlemaps.co.uk). 

I think I have chosen a suitable place for filming, because of the range of shots possible because the beach is so large. Also the lighting is really good in my chosen location so the pictures will be clear. Furthermore I feel that the scenery will really fit the atmosphere of our film.

One disadvantage is the surface of the beach, because of the stones this could become a problem I have to over come when using a tripod. Also another disadvantage is the passing traffic could be noisy, which could have an effect on our choice of sound, and whether its diegetic or non-diegetic. Finally because our location is outside the weather could come to be an issue, so we will have to do research on the forecast pre-filming.

Our second location is an underground car park on Robertsons Terrace.

This is the top entrance to the car park, I cannot get an exact picture of the underground car park. The benefits of shooting there are is it is indoors so weather will not be a problem, so this makes our shooting schedule more flexible. Also The shooting space is large and there is a range of different spaces to use to shoot some scenes. Finally the atmosphere and scenery in the underground car park suits our film and the narrative. One issue may be how busy it will be, because it is a car park people will be using it all the time, meaning filming could be interrupted or delayed depending on how busy it is. Also lighting could be an issue for there is no daylight down there, so relying on the lighting underground could be a problem we may have to over come.

Screenplay for opening of film

I came up with a general idea of a script for our film.

This dialogue will take place in one of the first few shots of the two Characters shown sitting on the ledge on the beach.

Character 1: Have you had a bad day then?
Protagonist:: It's been alright, I guess
Character 1: (Drinks from bottle) Urgh, do you want some of this?
Protagonist: Yeah alright then (Takes a swig from bottle)

The dialogue in our film is very short, this is only a very rough idea, I think we will use non-diegetic sounds in our final film, it will suit the atmosphere of our film.

Idea for my Media Film

Sypnosis
A girl lives in Hastings by the beach. She is rebellious and she spends a lot of her time with her friends and little time at home. One evening she meets a friend and they begin drinking on the beach. She becomes unconcious and wakes up in a strange place, and the film is about her escape back home and what she encounters.

Narrative
The shot begins panning across the skyline of the beach at sunset, establishing setting - EWS (Extreme Wide Shot) as camera pans.
Then there is a MS (Mid shot) of a signpost, detailing various destinations in Hastings.
There is a several shots of the same scenery, this scenery is waves crashing against the shore, the first shot is a WS (Wide Shot) then a MS (Mid Shot) then a MCU (Medium Close Up) Then finalizing on a CU (Close Up Shot).
The camera then switches to a MS (Mid Shot) of the protagonist and a character sitting on a ledge drinking and talking.
Then the camera goes to a VWS (Very wide shot) of the road beside the beach which shows cars travelling past, and another insight to setting.
The camera then returns to a LS (Long Shot) of the protagonist and another character sitting in the same position drinking.
Then the camera comes closer to a CU (Close up) of the two characters, some dialogue is heard here.
The camera then reverts back to the first shot, of the skyline using a EWS (Extreme Wide Shot) but no panning.
The shot then fades out and fades into a EWS (Extreme Wide Shot) of an underground car park.
The protagonist is seen in the distance stumbling towards the camera from far away. Still staying in EWS (Extreme Wide Shot).
The camera then changes to WS (Wide shot) and from a side view you watch the protagonist stumble towards a puddle.
Then I use a  CI (Cut In shot) so you can only see the protagonists ankles as she stumbles through the puddle. Water reflects picture.
Then the camera changes to a MS (Mid Shot) as the protagonist stumbles towards some stairs.
A front view of the protagonist stumbling towards stairs, using same shot, MS (Mid Shot).
Then the camera changes to infront of the protagonist as she sits on the stairs and puts her head in her hands, three different shots, as the camera moves closer to her face, begin with MCU (Medium Close Up Shot) then a CU (Close Up Shot) then finalizing with a CU (Close up Shot).
The protagonist then gets up, side view, MS (Mid shot) as she falls to floor, camera reverts to WS (Wide Shot) then back to MS (Mid Shot).
The camera then switches to POV (Point of View shot) and camera fades in and out as protagonist looks at surroundings, camera panning from POV (Point of view shot).

Opening to Control

I will be analysing the use of sound in the opening of Control.

00.19 secs ~ The shot begins on a close up shot of the supposed protagonists face, there is four seconds of silence.
Then the director has chosen to use diegetic sound, the protagonist's monologue, "Existence, Well.. what does it matter? I exist on the best terms I can. The past is now part of my future. (Camera switches to a mid-shot of protagonist sitting in room, head in hands) The present is well out of hand."
00.46  ~ Title on screen "Control"
00.59  ~ Protagonist shown walking along past a block of flats, director again using diegetic sound of protagonists footsteps, all that is heard.
01.15  ~ Director uses diegetic sound. Protagonist walks past playing field, can hear boys playing with a football off screen, dialogue from boys off screen "Get it in", no obvious indication of dialogue source, however source is implied to be present by the action of the film, so diegetic sound.
01.23 ~ Screen changes to mid-shot of protagonist walking past boys playing football, all characters are visible. Dialogue, "Pass us the ball then.. Knob Cheese". Also overlaps footsteps. Both Diegetic.

Types of sound

I will be looking at two different openings and studying the uses of sound and the effect this has on the film. There are two different types of sound, Diegetic and non-diegetic sounds.

Diegetic

Sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source is implied to be present by the action of the film: 

• voices of characters 
• sounds made by objects in the story 
• music represented as coming from instruments in the story space ( = source music)

Diegetic sound is any sound presented as originated from source within the film's world 

Digetic sound can be either on screen or off screen depending on whatever its source is within the frame or outside the frame. 

Another term for diegetic sound is actual sound.

Non-Diegetic

Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in the action: 

• narrator's commentary
• sound effects which is added for the dramatic effect
• mood music

Non-diegetic sound is represented as coming from the a source outside story space. The distinction between diegetic or non-diegetic sound depends on our understanding of the conventions of film viewing and listening.  We know of that certain sounds are represented as coming from the story world, while others are  represented as coming from outside the space of the story events.  A play with diegetic and non-diegetic conventions can be used to create ambiguity (horror), or to surprise the audience (comedy). 
Another term for non-diegetic sound is commentary sound. 

Film Theories

There are four different film theories as to the way that films are created. The names of these four theories are Todorov, Propp, Barthes and Levi-Strauss.


Todorov's Theory


Todorov stated that all narratives follow a basic structure. This structure is that films start with an equilibrium, then there is a disequilibrium which is the followed by a new equilibrium/resolution.
The equilibrium is described as a period of calm where setting and main characters can be introduced. The disequilibrium is a period where a problem occurs that the main characters must solve and the new equilibrium/resolution is where the problem has been solved and the characters can go back to living in  peace. This theory is also known as the "Hollywood" style film or the "Classic" style film. This is the simplest style of narrative.

Propp's Theory

Propp's theory is that there are 8 main character types. These are; the hero, the villain, the donor, the dispatcher, the false hero, the helper, the princess and her father. It is possible for one character to be in more than one of these categories as the theory does not state that each character type has to be a separate person.
The theory also states that once the character type of a particular character has been discovered it is easy to figure out what kind of role they will play in the rest of the narrative. For example, it is clear that the hero will save the princess.

Barthes' Theory

Barthes stated that a narrative will establish enigmas and mysteries as it develops. The enigmas provide clues to what will happen at the end of the narrative. It is also the aim of the narrative to solve the mysteries that have been established throughout. This is called the enigma code.

Levi-Strauss' Theory

Levi-Strauss' theory was called the theory of binary opposition. This theory sates that tension within a narrative is based on wither conflict or opposition. This can be through two opposite sides fighting. That is the simplest form of binary opposition but it can often be more on an ideological level. It is likely that the two opposing sides will represent different ideologies, such as in Star Wars with the Rebellion conflicting against the Empire. The Rebellion represents good and the Empire represents evil.

Genre Research

I looked at three different genres to help me decide which one to use for my media filming.


The first genre I studied was Horror. Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural. The genre has ancient origins which were reformulated in the eighteenth century as Gothic horror, with publication of the Castle of Otranto (1764) by Horace Walpole.


The second genre I studied was Thriller. Thrillers are a genre of literature, film, and television programming that uses suspense, tension, and excitement as the main elements. A common subgenre is psychological thrillers. After the assassination of President Kennedy, the political thriller and the paranoid thriller film became very popular. Successful examples of thrillers are the films of Alfred Hitchcock.

Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewer's moods such as a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, suspense,excitement, tension, and terror. Literary devices such as red herrings and cliffhangers are used extensively. The cover-up of important information from the viewer, and fight and chase scenes are common methods in all of the thriller subgenres, although each subgenre has its own characteristics and methods.

The third genre I studied was Sci-fi. Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible (or at least non-supernatural) content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities. Exploring the consequences of scientific innovations is one purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas".

Science fiction is largely based on writing rationally about alternative possible worlds or futures. It is similar to, but differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation).

The settings for science fiction are often contrary to known reality, but most science fiction relies on a considerable degree of suspension of disbelief, which is facilitated in the reader's mind by potential scientific explanations or solutions to various fictional elements.

I finally decided on choosing the genre of Thriller for our film, I feel there is a lot more ideas to play with this genre. Also after studying opening sequences, we feel it is effective the use color schemes and special effects and graphics to compliment themes such as thrillers.

Bibliography - www.wikipedia.com 

Opening title sequences: 25th hour

I also looked at 25th hour.
Cornered by the DEA, convicted New York drug dealer Montgomery Brogan reevaluates his life in the 24 remaining hours before facing a seven-year jail term.

This is the first screen shot of the sequence, i really like the range of blues the director has chosen, it creates a moody atmosphere. I also like the way he has contrasted it with the shadowed white titling, which is in capitals for the production company, although below the writing isnt capital which is also a very effective contrast.

The next screen shot keeps the theme of the city and the color scheme of a range of blue colors, i like the viewpoint also, it creates a sense of 3D effect, looking up to the sky. I like the directors choice of views and colors, it has given me a lot of inspiration to use a color scheme in my opening sequence.

The above screen shot is a shot of several titles in the opening sequence, from studying the opening to 25th hour i have learnt about using color schemes, and contrasting dark backgrounds with lighter titling. I like the effect of the shards of light the un-knowingness of what the shards of light is adds to the theme and genre of thriller.

Film Opening Rubicon

I studied the opening of Rubicon.
Rubicon is a modern-day political thriller set in the NYC-based offices of the American Policy Institute (API), a federal intelligence agency. The series follows protagonist Will Travers (James Badge Dale), a brilliant and beleaguered intelligence analyst who, after a shocking tragedy, begins to uncover clues that could point to a complex and sinister conspiracy.

I like the use of colours the director has used here, also the letters, it cleverly fits the theme of a spy, and is designed to look like a spys work.

I like the way that the director has hidden the names of the actors within the sequence, the shot pans around a document full of information, then the information is blacked out revealing only the the actors name. Also the use of the yellow highlights important information, here it highlights the word 'mission' which adds to the theme of thriller/spy movie.

The camera then pans round to a piece of money, and it scans it and zooms into the face, and another actors name appears as the yellow highlighter crosses the note of money.

The above screen shot is a range of sequences from the opening title sequence of Rubicon, i really think the director has hit the theme spot on, and cleverly hidden all of the actors names within the sequence. All of the images are related to the spy/thriller theme and cleverly gives you a idea of what the films going to be about.

Art of the title: Blue valentine

The film i chose to study the opening of was Blue Valentine.
The film centers on a contemporary married couple, charting their evolution over a span of years by cross-cutting between time periods.



To get ideas for the beginning of our film we studied the beginings of several films, Blue valentine was one of the ones we studied to fit it with our genre of thriller.

This is one of the screen shots from the opening, i really like the way the director has overlapped the writing over the pictture, and also the special effect fireworks bursting over the top help sets the atmosphere for the film.

The film begins to start using the same style of editing the director uses throughout the opening few minutes. I like the way the director has capitalized the second names of the executive producers.

This is a screenshot of several titles during the title sequence, i really think the colors have set the atmosphere for the film, and the way he has laid it out has inspired me and given me several ideas for my opening, for example the over lapping of the graphics and the fireworks special effect and the writing over-laying all of this.

Logos

For our Two minute film task, we were asked to design logos for our production company that will be used in the final opening for out films. We used a familiar workshop to design our logo, Adobe Fireworks.

We tried and made two different logos before coming to a desicion for our final chosen logo.

This was our first logo;

This was our other logo;



We ended up choosing the final one because we felt it suited the style of our film which is indie.