Final Creative Ideas – Main Task

22/01/2010

Our assignment brief for the main task was – “You are to create the title and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes”. The first task that we needed to carry out was to think of and develop some creative ideas for our film.

Our original idea took the genre of a action/thriller, gangster film. Our plot was this – 3 mob bosses are put behind bars, but offered a chance to gain back their freedom by carrying out a ‘dodgy’ piece of work for a top secret governmental agency. Their task would be to infiltrate and break into a vault, containing extremely explicit video footage which would cause chaos throughout the nation, but avoiding the authorities and other mobs at the same time. The inspirations for this film came from other films such as ‘Lock , Stock & Two Smoking Barrels’, ‘Snatch’, ‘Scarface’ and ‘The Godfather’.

Our second idea was also of the same main genre, but the sub-genre was a sniper film. The plot is – There is one man, on the edge of insanity, seeking only one thing in his epic quest: Revenge… This idea was inspired by films such as ‘Rambo’, ‘Shooter’, ‘Sniper’ and ‘Saving Private Ryan’.

The third idea took the genre of a typical football hooligan film, such as ‘Green Street’ or ‘Football Factory’. The plot would be where 3 brothers attend a West Ham VS. Millwall game, where there is a certain tension between the 2 teams throughout the match, however get caught up in the violent riot that erupts after the game.

Our 4th & final creative idea was a youth-culture centered action film/drama. The plot would be where a youth is dragged into a gang, and all of the drug-related, gun-related crime and issues that come with it. This idea was influenced by films such as ‘Kidulthood’, ‘Adulthood’ and ‘Bullet Boy’.

In conclusion, we decided that ideas 2 & 4 were the strongest and would be our primary ideas, because they would be easiest to make, with the resources to make and potentially the most effective pieces to compose.


SMART Targets – Main Task

22/01/2010

Final Creative Ideas

  • Specific – Research & compose at least 3 main ideas
  • Measurable – When at least 3 ideas have been made
  • Agreed Upon – When entire group is content with ideas
  • Realistic – Think of realistic and achievable filming ideas
  • Time Based – Complete all creative ideas by 15/01/10

Complete Research

  • Specific – Research deeply into at least 2 of the creative ideas
  • Measurable – Completed when enough research has been conducted to gain an insight into ideas
  • Agreed Upon – Agreed by group members that enough research has been conducted into ideas
  • Realistic – Research only relevant materials
  • Time Based – Complete all research by 22/01/10

Assign Production Roles

  • Specific – Assign each member of team at least 1 production role
  • Measurable – Achieved when each member has a role
  • Agreed Upon – Each member is happy with their role
  • Realistic – Give realistic roles
  • Time Based – Assign all production roles by 29/01/10

Complete Pre-Production

  • Specific -
  • Measurable -
  • Agreed Upon -
  • Realistic -
  • Time Based -

Book Equipment

  • Specific -
  • Measurable -
  • Agreed Upon -
  • Realistic -
  • Time Based -

Production

  • Specific -
  • Measurable -
  • Agreed Upon -
  • Realistic -
  • Time Based -

Evaluation – Preliminary Task

11/12/2009

Introduction

For our task, we were given the choice of 2 pathways; to create the front page and contents of a magazine for college students or to create a short film obeying to specific guidelines given to us. I chose the video pathway, where we were required to make the opening sequence of a film, which demonstrated shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule. Our original idea was to develop a horror film, so we conducted research on existing horror film clips, using YouTube as our primary source. We found many intriguing and appropriate film clips, such as the Saw series. We developed the idea of a scene where someone is walking around in a derelict building, in a very curious manner, then they get attacked maliciously by a mysterious murderer. However, we came to the conclusion that we did not want to create a horror as such, but more of a thriller. We decided this because we felt that it would be easier to film and would be more appropriate for our target audience. We kept the idea of a victim and murderer, but the research had influenced us to create a less violent and viscous film, but a film that had more of a sense of tension to keep the audience in suspense and mystery. With our final creative ideas proposed and research finished, we planned the footage that we were going to collect for our film and found a suitable soundtrack which would help add to the tense atmosphere/mood of the film.

We did this by creating a detailed storyboard and script so that we had a clear view of what our film should be like. The storyboard showed the camera angle and shot type, the location and position of the actor(s) in the specific shots, and the dialogue between characters. But before we could proceed with this, we had to scout for a suitable location for our filming to take place. We found a corridor within the college which had good lighting potential, and a good range of available positions to place our camera. Once we had found this location we completed our storyboards and the script. We had problems initially with the development of the script, due to the fact that we thought it did not have a long enough duration, but decided in the end that it was suitable for the tension that was needed in order for our film to have a dramatic effect on the audience.

The filming of our first scene went mostly to plan, apart from when we were required to intervene with the lighting for our film, due to health & safety rules and regulations. Despite this minor flaw, we managed to collect some good footage for our piece. We captured all of our footage for the first scene and edited it before we begun on our second scene. However, we had some minor problems with the fact that our first scene did not entirely match the plan of the storyboard, but decided that the changes that we had made were for the best. In terms of actors I acted as the victim and we got a peer to play the part of the murderer. There was no difficulty in terms of acting.

Whilst we were making our product, to ensure the process was efficient and completed well, we completed a set of production documents to record the procedures that we had taken in the making of our film. These included an edit log, call sheet, camera shot list, location release form, location scouting, personal release form, production budget proposal, talent release form, storyboard sheets and a risk assessment form.

Finished Product

Our finished product actually differed quite a vast amount from what our original ideas were, in terms of the narrative, dialogue and editing effects. We originally decided that we would make a horror film with a female victim in a derelict setting. We changed this to more of a thriller genre with a male victim [due to constraints of actors available] in just a very minimalistic, plain building. We changed to a thriller in order to make it more appropriate for our target audience and changed the location due to accessibility of our new location within the college campus. The editing effects at first were going to compose a Gothic theme to our horror, but because we changed the genre to a thriller we decided to use de-saturation and negative contrast to create a tense atmosphere to our piece.

After reviewing the finished product, we had successfully matched the design brief, obeying the 180 degree rule and including shot/reverse shot. The changes that we had made to our film [slightly different genre from original idea, change in main story from storyboard, different bible quote for script] After showing our film to peers, we gained feedback via a questionnaire. We asked the audience to watch our piece then immediately fill out the questionnaire after. In our questionnaire the average rating [roughly] was 7/10. It was pointed out that there was too much ‘just walking around’ at the start, and too little dialogue. We did however create tension in our piece, as people were not sure what was about to happen to the victim. Our audience thought that the effects and editing was good, however they felt that our piece did not have a clear narrative. The long intro also lead some people to be slightly bored until the action begun when the killer was introduced. The soundtrack also was criticized for not being very dramatic, but too plain. However, some actually suggested that the soundtrack contributed to the tension and the mystery of the film.

In conclusion of our finished product in terms of the effect that it has on the audience, it created the tension that we intended, however it could have been more interesting and perhaps shorter in order to deliver the action quicker and more effectively.

From creating this product, I have learned a wide range of useful skills that I can apply to future projects. We had training sessions with the camera and equipment, which obviously aided the making of this product and will help me in the future with other media products. I have also acquired editing skills, by using the software Final Cut Pro which means that I can now edit film clips.

Product with Regards to Audiences & Institutions

Considering the genre, narrative and editing techniques that are within our film, an institution such as Lionsgate or Twisted Pictures would possibly publish and distribute our film. These institutions have distributed films such as Saw, Dead Silence and Blood Trails, which are similar to the type of genre that our original ideas were influenced by.

Our product uses some forms and conventions of popular thrillers, most noticeably The Da Vinci Code. We used the same type of costume that Silas wears for the murderer, which adds a sense of mystery to him. Even more noticeably is the biblical quote that we used before the end of the film ["It is because of thou that you are in Christ Jesus, that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption, that you shall die."], which is very similar to the theme of The Da Vinci Code. However we actually developed the idea of using a biblical quote from the end scene of Pulp Fiction, which is a completely different genre to our piece, but did influence our creative ideas.

In contrast to other thrillers, our film uses a more horror orientated mise-en-scene than the ‘typical’ thriller. Most thrillers, such as Jaws which, although uses special effects, has a more naturalistic mise-en-scene, but still has the tense atmosphere that we re-created in our piece.

In conclusion, our film does use the themes & conventions of other films of a similar genre, and would most likely be distributed by the above institutions.


Final Product – Preliminary Task

11/12/2009

Here is our final film for the preliminary task, video pathway.


Production Log – Preliminary Task

11/12/2009

6th November 2009

This weeks work consisted of further research and planning for our actual filming. We researched into quotes to use in our piece, and found that using a biblical quote, such as the one from the end sceneĀ of Pulp Fiction. Using a biblical quote would add a sense of mystery and eeriness to our piece, because of the obvious religious reference. After researching further specific biblical quotes, we have chosen to use “It is because of thou that you are in Jesus Christ, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption, that you shall die.”

We have also completed the storyboard for our film, and have started our script. In this session then we have manged to complete the creative ideas & research aspect of our preliminary task, however it would have been better if we had managed to complete the script. Next session we will look to scout potential locations for filming, and acquire the actors that we need to begin filming. We should also aim to start the filming if possible, once we have learned how to use the appropriate equipment.

13th November 2009

In today’s session we learned how to use the appropriate equipment, including camera. tripod etc. in order to collect the footage for our preliminary task. From completing this tutorial, it has enabled us to begin filming for our piece.

We managed to find actors for our piece, and found potential locations to film in [these are shown in post 'Potential Locations for Filming - Preliminary Task'].

We have gathered footage for the first scene of our task. We used various types of shots including close-up, extreme close-up, long shot and medium shot. We filmed from angles including high angle, eye level and low angle. We also used camera movement techniques including panning, dolly shots, static shots and hand-held shots.

We managed to successfully gather enough footage for the first scene, however had difficulty in doing so. We had some minor lighting issues, but managed to deal with these. Our filming was interrupted quite a lot and had various health & safety issues, therefore next time we should film in a more appropriate and suitable location.

In the next session we hope to complete all filming, and begin on editing of the footage that we have created.

20th November 2009

This week we focused on editing the first scene of our film. Because we had a lot of time to do this, we managed to successfully edit and complete the whole first scene of our film using Final Cut Pro. Next week we need to complete ALL of the filming for our whole task, and perhaps begin on editing for our second scene.

27th November 2009

Today’s session consisted of completing all of the filming for our preliminary task. We had to use a different location to what we previously had, which we found a better location to film, because there was less health & safety issues with the lighting than in our first filming location. We successfully gathered all of the footage needed for our film. We had to ensure that the location in which we filmed was very similar in appearance/theme to our first location, to ensure continuity. We began to edit the second scene of our film, and hope to complete all editing by the end of next week.

4th December 2009

This week’s work consisted purely of editing our piece. We have now finished all editing, and so decided to gain some peer feedback of our piece. We handed out 10 questionnaires to people in our class, and asked them to answer them according to their opinion of our film. Most feedback was good, and the audience seemed to gain a sense of suspense from our film, but it was mentioned quite frequently that the first scene of our piece was too long and tedious, because it was just the victim ‘walking around’.

In the next session I hope to complete the evaluation of the film, and hand in all work for marking.

11th December 2009



SMART Targets – Preliminary Task

09/10/2009

Final Creative Ideas

  • Specific – To achieve a clear, detailed final creative idea which complies with the assignment brief
  • Measurable – To know what stage of developing the idea I am at, and to know when the idea is finalized and complete
  • Agreed Upon – Myself, tutors & peers that idea is good enough and consider any improvements
  • Realistic – Sufficient knowledge, adequate resources [PCs, Macs] and aware of enough time to complete idea
  • Time Based – Complete & note down the final idea by 02/10/09

Complete Research

  • Specific – Clearly identify & take note on typical films of this genre
  • Measurable – Research 4-8 films [no more than 8]
  • Agreed Upon – Self-agree, agree with tutors & peers that the research is relevant & suitable
  • Realistic – Knowledge of genre is efficient, make use of resources [PCs, Macs, DVDs etc.]
  • Time Based – Complete research into other films of the same genre by 09/10/09

Assign Production Roles

  • Specific – Clearly state & detail what the roles will include & confirm who has which roles
  • Measurable – Know if all roles have been assigned, & recognize
  • Agreed Upon – Ensure that all roles are agreed with everyone
  • Realistic – Only assign roles which can be fulfilled, ensure that everyone has clear knowledge of what the roles include & make sure that there are suitable resources for the roles
  • Time Based – Assign & detail all roles by 14/10/09

Complete Pre-Production

  • Specific – Ensure all documents are identified & completed correctly
  • Measurable – Make list of all documents & tick them off when completed
  • Agreed Upon – Agree that documents are relevant & completed correctly with tutor
  • Realistic – Gain knowledge of what all the documents are and what ones are needed
  • Time Based – Complete all production documents by 28/10/09

Book Equipment

  • Specific -Book specific equipment [...]
  • Measurable -Identify what equipment is booked & confirm when all equipment needed is obtained
  • Agreed Upon -Agree with tutors & peers on what equipment is needed
  • Realistic – Only book needed equipment, check that enough resources are available
  • Time Based – Book all equipment by 30/10/09

Production

  • Specific – Accurately produce film & make sure that it accords to all planning & assignment brief
  • Measurable – Clearly detail how much needs to be done & keep track of what has been done
  • Agreed Upon -Agree with tutors, peers etc. that the footage is suitable
  • Realistic – Use available, realistic resources & locations
  • Time Based – Finish all shooting by