Rush number one

Changes so far

Changes so far:
Opening sequence.
After shooting and filming shots 1-26 I realised that shot five and six were unneeded, and so I cut the shot completely and continued to use shot four to seven to create continuity more realistically for the viewer.

I also cut the use of shot nine looking at Ben watching Lucy open her card from him, to reduce the camera movement of cutting from shot to shot too frequently. This allowed for the flow of shots to be more relaxing when the audience watches is watching.
I then realised that shot nine was useful in letting the audience understand that Ben's reaction to Lucy opening the card shows his happiness for giving her a present to show her his love.

Editing schedule

6th December 9:00am: Edited descriptions of clips to help me prepair when I chose the right clips to put into my final sequence.

10:00am: Chose and placed shots 1-11 into place on the editing suit, and cut shots to create continuity.

11:00am: Edited 'Ho Hey - The Lumineers' to get the song lyrics play in time of the shots 1-11 then fade out. I then placed the edited song onto the editing suit to fit with my shots. I then did the same editing to the song ' Give Me Love - Ed Sheeran' to fit the lyrics with the shots, placed it onto the editing suit, then lined it up with the correct shot to create a flow of the song beat and the shots.

Shooting schedule two

Updated animatic

Before i finished filming, i realised that extra shots were needed to improve the narrative; and to convince the audience that her husband had died as a soldier at war, without showing footage of him fighting or in army uniform.  I story boarded extra shots of my protagonist getting out of bed and looking at news articles related to the war. I also included my protagonist switching on the radio in the kicthen, playing the same song that played at the start, to remind the audience of when she was happy with her husband.

To do list:

What I need:

• Recce report - evidence for locations
• Pictures of costume/prop considerations
• Evidence of casting considerations
• Shooting/Edit log
• A risk assessment
• Scan in exmaples of screen play
• Shots of my film to explain why I used those shots

Shooting schedule one

Risk assessment for shooting

Preparing actors before filming

Because of my low budget and limited time for pre-production and production i had to make sure my actors and locations were available for shooting.
I prepared my actors by:

• allowing them to see the storyboard and anamatic before shooting for them to visualise what i would like for the characters to do
• allowed them to see the screen play also for the desired movements for the characters
• allowed time for run throughs a day or an hour before i begin to shoot
• when shooting i made sure not to shoot for too long, to allow for my actors to focus and not strain their concentration

Film Music Choices

The Lumineers - Ho Hey (Time - 01:06-01:16, 01:32-01:52)
For the beginning first 12 shots (40seconds)
This song suits the beginning of my film because of the upbeat folk music. It will hopefully put the audience in a happy mood and then link their mood with what they are watching on the screen (the characters happy together and celebrating their anniversary)


Ed Sheeran - Give Me Love (Time - 00:00-02:01)
For the 23 remaining shots.
The lyrics of this song link well with what my protagonist will be doing and thinking throughout this sequence. The slowed down tempo will put the audience in a sadder mood, and realise that the protagonist is upset because she is now alone.

Shooting script for my creative project

Anamatic

This anamatic, or a storyboard, allows the actors for my film and myself to:

• see the whole film in a visual form
• allows me to see the layout of the film
• see what lighting/camera shots are needed
• allow me to 'try out' ideas
• allows actors to visualise movements needed from the character

Casting considerations

Casting Considerations for Bradley:

Josh Worthington, 18.

In terms of typage, Josh was unsuitable for the role of Bradley because of his light coloured hair. I wanted to have a character that had a dark brown or dark blonde coloured hair to fit the rugged appearance of a soldier. I felt that Josh's light hair colour made him look innocent and didn't convince the audience of his role in the army. I also felt that his build didn't match the fitness requirements intended to convince the audience that he was a soldier based in Afghanistan.   

Riley Wong, 17. 

Although Riley was very capable of following my shooting script and pulled off a convincing actor, in terms of typage Riley's appearance wouldn't have convinced the audience that he was a soldier. His glasses gave the stereotype that he was very intelligent and would most likely be in a office or a highly skilled job rather than outside in the elements. 

Casting considerations for Sarah:

Georgia Corrigan, 17.

Georgia was also very capable at convincing the audience of her role as a widow. But her light coloured hair didn't match Bradley's darker colour, which made them seem less of a couple. Although her hair colour gave the impression of innocence, I wanted a character with darker coloured hair to give the code that she was mourning for her deceased husband. 

The characters I chose to use were suitable for each other because of their similar hair colour and their similar height. These similarities made them look a comfortable couple on screen, and the way the were comfortable with each other on set allowed me to portray a convincing couple for the audience to watch. 

Screenplay examples and research

American Beauty (1999), Sam Mendes screenplay

The layout of this screenplay is very similiar to how i want to layout my own, except my own screenplay didn't include any script due to it being silent. This screenplay gave me ideas of how to layout my own, using bold, italics, editing directions and centering of text.

These two pages gives me more of an idea of the detail needed to be included. I referred to these two pages when writing my own screenplay so that my layout was clear and convincing of a professional screenplay. 

Prodution Timetable

Prop list

Prop list:
wedding ring
bedside framed picture of husband
bunch of flowers
red letter and anniversary card
red clothing for the protagonist (dress or skirt)
husbands clothes (to scatter over bedroom floor)
husbands watch

Evaluation of Maltese Falcon reconstruction

Evaluation for ‘The Maltese Falcon’ reconstruction.

During the reconstruction of this sequence our group came across difficulties that complicated the production. Although the final product was a success, the post production became very important to get the correct position of the camera for the shot.

The main obstacle our group had trouble with was the continuity throughout the sequence, because we had a limited time to complete each stage of production, we were pressured to complete shots in hour slots in our college timetables. A result of this was having to rearrange our mis-en-scene in the exact position as the previous shots, this became a problem when we were editing. Georgia’s scarf (Mrs Wonderly) is visible in the shot 1:11, but then isn’t in shot 1:31. Unfortunately because we were pushed for time we couldn’t re-take this shot to correct the continuity, which was a good learning point in the fact that a lot of planning is needed to avoid these little mistakes.

Another continuity obstacle we didn’t take into consideration was that because we had to film on different days, the weather would change the lighting that was coming through the window and would in turn change the lighting within the room. We attempted to counteract this problem by using blinds and a portable LED light, which worked in our benefit in the final outcome by helping to create a film noir effect, which we were aiming for.  Although we were pressured for time, I feel the final outcome of our reconstruction and the continuity for a rushed amateur film was of a high standard. This obstacle has proven that a high amount of time and planning is needed to organise shots and camera angles for my own creative project.

Our budget was very limited, and we were required to use our own clothing and possessions to create the mis-en-scene inside the room. Despite the fact we had to improvise with some objects, I feel that what we did use was very effective at replicating the original clip.

All actors throughout our reconstruction were amateur, and although the acting wasn’t of a professional standard I feel that it was effective and the actors created a believable character for the audience to be interested in. We printed off the script from The Maltese Falcon, so that the speech and stage directions were precisely the same in our film.

Cinematography was the most frustrating obstacle that our group came across. Our project was very low budget so a classroom was our only option for the setting; this gave us the challenge to try match our setting with the setting of the original film. A result of this was that we had to change the position of the camera in a particular shot when Archer enters the office (2:00), and frame him entering the shot from the right side of the room not the left. Our group also had no access to a lapel microphone, so we only had the microphone that was built into the camera. This will be become a challenge for when I begin to film my own project, and figuring out how to use them effectively.

Our group ended up with a few extra hours before the deadline, so we decided to create a gag reel of all the wasted or humorous clips that we had left. The gag reel is evidence of the obstacles you have to overcome when working with amateur actors that are nervous in front of the camera, and the pressure they are under to learn the script.

In conclusion, I feel my groups’ reconstruction of the Maltese Falcon was well organised and we were able to work together effectively and create a convincing sequence that allowed us to practice our filming, editing, and team working skills.

 

Audience

I have chosen to aim my film at the audience 15-25 female because of the genre and the conventions. The genre, romantic/drama, implys love instantly which then implys emotions are involved within the narrative. Traditionally women are more interested in films that highly involve emotions and love because they are stereotypically more in touch with their own feelings, so therefore can relate to the characters feelings in the storyline easily and can understand the situations they are involved in. The audience I chose will be 15-25 because that is the average age when relationships are usually still unsteady, and heartbreak and emotions are a main part in couples lives. Which is why I aimed my audience at this age and gender because it will attract the majority audience.

Camera tips

I researched camera tips for my shooting to allow for a more professional look for my film. It also helped to improve my knowledge of using a camera and filming.

• To not zoom in and out. Zoom in OR out which allows for a nicely composed shot.
• Always, if i can, to use a tripod for a steady shot.
• If i can, use the manual focus not auto focus which helps to make the main character look sharp.
• To be aware of windows or the sun position to make sure the character's face is not in the dark.
• To not use the cameras effects, always edit the shot on the computer editing software to allow for manual editing of your wanted shots.
• To try not centre the subject in the centre of the frame.
• To allow a few seconds of the camera running before and after action to make sure non of the shot is cut off.
• To make sure the actors go from just before the shot to just after to allow for precise editing of the continuity of the shot.

The Maltese Falcon: Filming

First day filming: Filmed the longer sequences of dialogue (Georgia) to allow more time for filming the more tedious camera angles and dialogue.

Second day filming: Completed the first 6 shots (Georgia, Josh and I) and dialogue with extra shots in case editing and continuity doesn't fit.

Third day filming: Friday - should allow us to complete the full film sequence, giving our group the whole of next week to edit or re-take shots if needed.

Editing was completed on the second week of production, and we had enough time remaining to create a blooper reel.

Final production
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGTfzuD70EA&feature=relmfu

Final production gag reel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjFXNOoV9PI&feature=relmfu

Todorov narrative structure

Protagonist - Sarah Sanderson (Lucy Berriman)

Antagonist - Bradley Sanderson (Ben Dale)

Equilibrium - Sarah happy with her life, with someone with her that loves her.

Disruption - Sarah's husband passes away.

Quest - For Sarah to find happiness again, and move on from mourning her deceased husband.

Aims and Context

A sequence of a drama/romance genre film for my imagined film, 'Remembrance'. It will show the life of the protagonist and her husband before he was killed in action that will appeal to my target audience of 15-25 year old females.

My aim is use my learning from FM1 about cinematography, mis-en-scene and non digetic to create a situation within the film that the audience will be able to relate to and become emotionally involved and feel propelled to carry on watching. The studies i have done will allow me to explore the codes and conventions to create an emotional response, and the use of flash backs will create the starting point for the narrative to grow on.

In order to assist with this project i have been studying 'P.S. I Love You' and 'Dear John' to influence my ideas.

Genre Conventions

Characters

Sequence characters
Sarah Sanderson (25-30 years old) (protagonist played by Lucy Berriman) is a office worker for a pharmaceutical business, whose husband was killed in action 8 months ago in Afghanistan. Her job is very demanding at takes up a lot of her time, which is she prefers because it keeps her mind occupied from her memories of her husband.

Bradley Sanderson (32 years old, antagonist played by Ben Dale) protagonists deceased husband which only appears in the beginning sequence of the film. Shown as a very loving, kind husband which was taken unwillingly from his wife.

Unseen characters:
Holly (26 years old) is Sarahs childhood best friend and helps her through everything. Sarah confides in Holly and follows her advice. Holly and Sarah get on so well because her husband is also in the army, and she understands how hard arm wife life can be.

Debbie (mid 50's) is Sarahs mum, and has grown distant to her since she moved out at age 22. Her mum has started to make contact with Sarah again once her husband died and is becoming a mother figure again.

Phillip Jones (27-30 years old)  is Sarah's new work colleague who catches her attention and distracts her from her demanding job. He is a refreshing break from her haunting memories.

Synopsis

Synopsis:

A flashback of Sarah and her husband opens the sequence, and sets the narrative for the film. The flashback ends dissolves into a shot of Sarah waking her up to an empty bed. As she is preparing herself for work, flashbacks occur throughout the house that show her deceased husband. The flashbacks imply she was happier when she was with him, and when the flashbacks stop the narrative is able to continue with how her life will carry on without him. The flashbacks are set in a warm tone, that will clash with the blue/grey tone over the present shots of sarah to show a happier part of her life when her husband was alive.

Story type

Story type - Romance/Drama

The beginning of this film (00:00-25:48) inspired me for for the beginning of my own film, the flash backs in the beginning of P.S I Love You are similar to the flash backs I will create. The mood of the clip in P.S. I Love You is created by the tone of the lighting. I intend to use this technique of warm lighting to set the atmosphere of my own film so that the audience recongnise that the shot is a flashback, and that the characters when in the shot were happier compared tot he cold, dark atmosphere set in the present time shots.

The storyline and romance narrative of Dear John inspired me for the storytype of my own film. I liked the idea of John having to be away from his love due to being in the army. I felt it was a part of many poeples lives so they would be able to relate to easily. The stereotype of the type of man that is involved in the army is a strong, powerful leader. So in my film when my protagonists army husband passes away, she is left with a large influential part of her life missing. This is a very relateable part of life for anyone, which is why i made my protagonists husband die in action, so that the women of the audience could have a emotional relationship with my character's feelings and situation of having someone who was a big part of their life pass away or leave them.

Influences for my own film

Atonement
This film is a romance/drama/mystery, but set in 1935. I liked the storyline because it involved a loved one leaving for the army, which is what I am planning for my own film. The complications and obstacles Cecilia has to overcome is relateable for the audience watching, and involves their emotions into the narrative. Many conventions that were used in this film, such as the use of letters, and the use of red poppies are used to connote love/romance on the front cover of the poster. I will be used in my film to imply love.

Never Let Me Go
Although this film's narrative is different from my own film, the way that music at the end scene pulls the audience's emotions into the narrative is what I hope to achieve for my own work. This film's genre is still a romance/drama/fantasy, and so still carries the typical conventions of a romance film. For example, the hardship the protagonist couple has to overcome, and the separation they have to deal with through the film will be used in my film for when the protagonist's husband passes away. The use of medium close ups on the protagonist's face allows the audience to see the emotion she is portraying, which then allows the audience to link her emotions to the words she is speaking. The non-diegetic music is slow and intense, the use of the strings as the instrument builds the emotional effect on the audience.



Australia
This film also helped me understand the use of conventions when connecting the audience to the characters feelings and emotions. When the Drover is away for months on a time,  leaving Sarah Ashley alone in the house, the audience begins to build a bigger relationship towards her and her emotions through the use of performance and non diegetic sound. I intend to use this technique for my own film, and to build a relationship between my audience the protagonist.

P.S. I Love You
time: 23:00-24:50
This scene inspired me to use flashbacks as a way of showing the audience of how happy the protagonist is when her other half was still alive and living with her. The use of acoustic music softens the mood of the scene and relaxes the audience into concentrating on the happy parts of the protagonist's life. The diegetic music (time: 24:46-24:52) brings the audience back to reality, and reinforces the idea that her husband has passed away and she is left alone by the use of the lyrics "the night is bitter, the stars have lost their glitter"
time: 37:46-38:48
The use of flashbacks in this scene inspired me for the second scene in my film.The use of light and dark lighting  reinforces the happy and sad connotations of the scene.

Genre, story type and conventions

Genre: Drama/Romance

Story type: Romance

Conventions and codes:

• Emotional conflict between protgonists
• Happy ending
• Theme of love
• Peaks and throths in storyline
• 'Boy meets girl' storyline
• Female protagonist
• Characters easily accessabile to audience
• Use of red clothes to indicate love/passion
• Realisation at end of the film
• 'Tear jerking' scenes
• Real life situations
• Realistic settings

Brief

I am going to create a opening sequence of a romantic/drama that will use cinematography to introduce the story type to the audience, the first set of shots will set the narrative and allow the audience to predict what might happen.