Filming Schedule

Unforunately I am limited to one date of filming opportunity, as the 10th was the only day they were free. However I do have pre-planned back-up dates incase of any last minute emergency filming needs to be done. These would be used if for example while looking over the different shots of film and spot a mistake, I chave my back-up dates to re-film the shots I need. The date in green is my first back-up film day, then into orange as my next, then finally my absolutely last day to get my filming done is in red.

With a majority of the opening sequence being filmed indoors (shots 1-27) do not have to worry as much about weather conditions. Unless, of course, with extreme weather conditions which may be either seen through a window or heard during filming. Whereas I am slightly concerned about shots 28-35 because of filming outside, I am very conscious of the weather. Hopefully I can get my filming done completely on the first day, however if needed I hope the other filming days have similar weather conditions to match the other shots. Most of the props needed are all easily accessible, as well as access and permission to film in my chosen location.

Opening Sequence Animatic

When creating my animatic I found it difficult to draw the exact angles that I wanted for certain shots. However I feel that this over-come through the description given in the script. At the time when constructing my storyboard, some of my credits were not decided on where they would be placed or whether some would be used. For example, at the time I did had not decided on my music and therefore couldn't write about recieving consent from Lewis Mokler about his song. Though now I have recieved all the information needed for all of my opening credits, I will most likely re-draw and post them to show all completed credits.

I am slightly disappointed that the voice recordings of the charcters aren't clearer and of a higher volume compared to the non-diegetic sound of the song. On the other hand I am happy with the clear quality of the song. I believe that while filming some adjustments might be made to better accomidate the location and how it looks in final editing. One change I have been pondering is to make the transition of fade to black before the title of the film appears and afterwards, to try and emphasise that it is the title of the film.

Casting

Having already thought through about my characters I knew the appearence that I wanted my actors to have. My actor for the role of both Natlie and Adam had been cast. Unfortunately the actor I orginally wanted to use for the role of Adam pulled out and I am now currently looking for another male actor to fill this role. The characteristics I am looking for is a tall and broad-shouldered, average-looking male. But looks as though he has that sinister underside to him.

Production Logos

A variety of different production logos were thought of. One was already thought of and designed. This was my idea to bake an actual carrot cake with white icing ontop, then to write ontop of that in orange icing writing 'carrot cake'. To then next write on either side of the cake in white icing 'a' and 'production'.

For my second production logo I have yet to decide on. During the lesson, some ideas were thrown around and we had an experiment on the Live Type software. This helped to create a few more ideas and show other ways of creating and presenting our production logos.

The name 'Tricky Films' was developed from 'Circus Trick Films', then I experimented with other fonts. I will most likely try some other animations with the two names 'Tricky Films' and 'Robotic Eagle', to help decided which one shall become my second production logo.

With a majority of production logos the image associated with them is very literal or link to the visual in some way.

Therefore when creating my own production logos, I will also produce a literal image to go with the name. For example, with 'Robotic Eagle' I hope create a bird/eagle that is covered in a robotic form above the name. Then for 'Tricky Films', I will most likely have the name spread out along the top of a group of fanned cards.

Music For Sequence

Upon completion of my storyboard and script, I turned my attention to what music I would use in my sequence. I felt that the music should be relevent to my main character's (Natalie's) emotions about relationships; already I knew that I wanted something acoustic. Inspiration struck me when I thought about the many unsigned bands/artists in Bury St Edmunds that I could use. Luckily a few weeks back I went to an event called 'Bury Sound', where various bands/artists from Bury St Edmunds performed. One of the artists from the competition performed with only an acoustic guitar (Lewis Mokler) and had recorded his own songs onto Youtube. After listening to his collection of self-written songs, one seemed to fit the profile of the song I wanted. This song was called 'Bubble-Wrapped Heart' and the lyrics suited to the character of Natalie being cautious about a relationship after Adam's abuse.

Of course I e-mailed Lewis Mokler to ask his permission to use his music for my film sequence, and thankfully was granted permission.

This is the URL where I downloaded the music:
http://lewismokler.bandcamp.com/

Scripting

Scripting a film sequence was a new experience for me which I quite enjoyed.

I favoured the idea that you could explain your directions in words, rather than with pictures if you can't draw the shot exactly how you want it. As well as being able to put character instructions in there as well helped to reinforce the emotions displayed by the character.

There was some confusion as to which software to use to write my script with. Each one had both their pro's and con's. I eventually went with Celtx, a program that I downloaded myself onto my own laptop. I found this software extremely easy to use!

Here is my script:

Storyboarding

I have found that whilst storyboarding my opening film sequence has helped me to process all the different variety of shot types that I want to use. Because of this I have made sure to include as many shot types as I can, yet not over-loading the sequence.

I've also included a few continuity techniques within the sequence.

180° Rule

(Establishing shot)

Match-On-Action

Eyeline Match

As the developement of the storyboard has progressed it has made me more aware how how long my shots should be compared with ofther films within the social realism genre. There is a tendency to have longer shots than you would find in a horror film. I feel that I have done this quite well, however some of my shots could possibly be last for a more extended period of time than I have written down. Although I do not feel this is a major issue at the moment as some timings may change during the filming process depending on numerous variables.

At times for some of the shots, I have found drawing the specific angle I want was difficult at best. Fortunately, I feel that a better description of the cinematography I wanted was given in the instructions of the script.

For some I have used an extreme close-up shot to make it easier for the audience to read the credit.

Whereas for other credits I've used a medium shot to keep the narrative moving, while also showing the credit.

I've added in extra shots from my original sequence that I had planned. These include an over-the-should and close-up while tracking.

They help to keep the audience involved in the character's movements and help to change the POV (point of view). Changing from viewing the character, to seeing things more as they see them. It also provided a better way of transition from the character being in one environment to another. Also breaks down the length of time it takes for the character to move. Instead of one long continuous shot of the character walking down to the kitchen

Film Idea

Resulting what I have learned from my questionnaire I have now decided on my film idea.

Storyline
Natalie Simmons, aged 16 years, gets her first boyfriend but after a while he is not what he appears to be. Her boyfriend, Adam Carlson, becomes abusive and possessive. Trying to deal with it all on her own Natalie begins to crack under the pressure, until she opens up to another who had been in the same situation as her before. As she gains the courage to speak out about her suffered abuse, the situation is resolved and eventually she starts to move on.

Location begins at the girls house/apartment, then progresses to the car park just outside of her house where Adam is first introduced into the film.

Natalie

(Played by Olivia Lewis)

Questionnaire Results

From these results I am going to analyse the most popular film, 'Bend It Like Beckham', to compare it with my film idea and opening sequence.

This emphasises the importance of having a developed narrative and storyline. But to also have characters that suit the role that they are playing.

The prioritising of the different issues offered was surprising, as there were no votes for alcohol abuse being a top priority. However, it has shown me that my storyline being based on a abusive relationship will be well recieved as people care about the subject.

The idea of the credits being a part of the actual film/setting was very enthusiastic. No-one was against the idea, this has only encouraged my drive to acomplish this to the best that I can.

The comments recieved of why Guy 4 was the better choice was said that he looked to have a darker side to him. Others said stereotypically because the actor appeared older and therefore could more easily overpower the female character. With the other actors some chose them because they thought them to have 'scary-looking' eyes. From this I can conclude that the actor to play the role of the boyfriend will have to have the characteristics of a dark eye shade to look 'scary', and look muscular to a degree to look able to over-power the female character.

Questionnaire

The first question asked was:

I used this as an opening question to get a feel for the most seen film, then to analyse the varying aspects of that film.

The following question asked:

The options were either actors, storyline, setting/location or special effects. My reasoning for asking this was to know that what my audience thought was the most important aspect, so I could fully develope that element to match perfectly to my target audience.

One of the main reasons for making a social realism film is to make an impact in some shape or form. So in asking for a film that has made an impact on them, it would show to me a percentage of how successful they were at that objective.

I already knew the issue that I wanted my film to be based on, relationship abuse. However, I wanted to know whether or not my audience thought it to be a real issue to even consider making a film about. Therefore for one question I gave a five issues of a similar background that could be inter-linked, (one could lead to another), and asked if they thought them to be a real priority in society.

I felt strongly about having my opening credits actually within my film. I wanted to include this question to ensure that my idea would be well received by my audience.

From these two questions I could analyse the a couple of the elements given in those selected films to see how they were filmed, edited and performed.

This was aimed to help show me just how aware people are of social realism films.

My last question showed four male actors, some know well -known, some not so well-known. I asked them to select an actor then give a reason why. This would outline some features that I would look for in my actor.

Audience Profiles

Target Audience:

• Females, 15-19 year olds
• Lower/Working Class
• White-British ethnicity

FEMALE

• I am 17 years old.
• I am of white-British ethnicity
• When looking at British films I find that we are quite successful in the genre of social realism, for example; 'Bend It Like Beckham' (2002), 'About A Boy' (2002) and 'Billy Elliot' (2000).
• I take pride in my appearence and care about others opinions of me.
• When reading through magazines I love to read the real-life articles and problem pages.
• I regulary check my Facebook account to see what everyone is up too.
• The genre I favour mostly at the moment on my iPod is soundtrack. It doesn't matter to me whether the track is instrumental or not. If it is powerful in its communication of emotion and compliments the scene or shot it is used in, it goes on my iPod.
• I like for the plot to have an impact, but I prefer for them to contain an element of humour to lighten up the atmosphere from time-to-time in the narrative. I know that a film is good if even hours after the I've seen the film, I continue to ponder the storyline.