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.

'Art Of The Title'

This Is England

Shots from left to right

Shot 1

• Not much is established about the storyline, other than what social class our character may be in and the general look of most of the setting and locations in the film.
• The title is shown first in bold and capital letters. The rubbign away of the white in the title coudl suggest how something within the storyline affects the innocence of a character.
• The mise-en-scene is of a run-down area of flats, this gives the indication of its genre (social realsim), but also similar locations will be used and the social standing of the characters.

Shot 2

• Show three males dressed in a common sub-culture group from the era that the film is set in, 1983.
• Credit is shown in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen in the same font style and colour as the title.
• Location seems to be a staircase from a a council flat estate, graffiti can be seen in the background to suggest this.

Shot 3

• A group of people are shown during a concert becoming quite aggressive (this is shown through their facial expressions).
• Again the credit is positioned in the bottom right-hand corner, still in the same font style and colour.

Shot 4

• From this shot we get no information about the film.
• Although it could hint at the age group/range that we will see in the film.
• Also the quality of the camera focus gives it a better sense of realsim.

Shot 5

• Showing three males wrapped in the UK flag, maybing hinting that there will some sort of unity between a group of characters in the film.

Shot 6

• Shows how developed technology which indicates a rough time period in which the film is set.
• We are known introduced to some racial diversity (the boy playing the game).
• Continuing with the font style and colour when presenting the credits and the same positioning.

Shot 7

• A group of people during a riot/fight. This could suggest political issue during the time period that the film is set.

Shot 8

• A wide/establishing shot is used to show the isolated location.
• The presence of the army could be to suggest that there is some sort of war going on in or during the film within the UK (showing of the UK flag).

Shot 9

• Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher are shown to express that there could be some political issues that are worked into the storyline. (Margaret Thatcher was a Conservative Prime Minister from 1975-1990. Ronald Reagan was the American President during 1981-1989) This could provide some knowledge of the political standing at the time the film is set in.

'The Art Of The Title'

To Kill A Mockingbird

Shots starting from left to right

Shot 1

• This first shot tells us nothing about what could possibly progress later on in the film.
• However we can tell that there is involvement of a young child (hands distinctly belonging to a child).
• The diegetic sound of the boy whistling, the rustling of objects being moved and the movements of crayon against paper all emphasis his innocence.

Shot 2

• The title of the film is in capital letters and in bold emphasis. A substance has been placed on the paper that spells out 'To Kill A Mockingbird', so that when the child scribbles the crayon over the top it would reveal the title of the film. 
• The presentation of the title is done in a creative and unexpected way which will stick in the minds of the audience. And as the title it is centered in the middle of the screen.
• Use of black and white could be a suggestion towards an issue that may be faced in the storyline (racism). But also may just be to use the colours of a mockingbird, to emphasise the title.

Shot 3

• The following opening credits are in the same style of font as the title itself, as well as being in capital letters also.
• The camera is panning along the other objects that were shown in the box.
• The credits are lined along the center of the screen, as though they were resting on top of the pen.
• The pen in the foreground is clear, where as the background is unfocused. This puts the audiences attention on the pen and opening credits.

Shot 4

• The marbles (one black, one black and white) agains hints at the issue of racism being present in the film. Or again to follow a mockingbird colour theme.
• The font style and use of capital letters stay the same.
• The word 'introducing' is slightly off center, so to stand out in contrast with the black marble.
• In the reflection of the marbles we can see the shape of a large window. This suggest that the location is a large open area/room within a building. (Attic style room or flat?)

Shot 5

• Once again we are shown the objects that were in the box at the beginning of the sequence.
• Two actors and their characters names (one male and one female) are presented next to the two dolls in the box of their allocated genders.
• Font style and use of capital letters is the same.

Shot 6

• Again the foreground is focused, where as the background is unfocused.
• Positioning of the credits is still in the centre of the shot but off to the right. This could be to show more detailing of the pocket watch (possibly significant?).

Shot 7

• Maintaining the colour theme a black and white marble is shown.
• The credits are positioned in the middle of the screen and have been placed as if to appear to be resting on top of the harmonica.
• Foreground focused, background unfocused.
• Fonst style and colour of the credits remains the same.

Shot 8

• Now we can see the what the result of the crayon sound is. A child-like drawing of a mockingbird, this could be signifying that the child is aware of racism but remains unaware of its concept.
• Again the colours are black on white.
• Credits placement is on the center of the screen.

Shot 9

• The drawing of the mockingbird has been torn.This could either suggest the denotation of a mockingbird literally dying in the film or the connotation that could mean their final understanding of something (racism).
• Credits are placed in the middle of the shot.