Pre - Production Planning feedback

About a girl - Brian Percival

1.Identify the genre/s or style/s used

• Social realism
• Grainy image
• Low key lighting
• Bland colours- beige, black, grey
• Lower class clothes - Jacket, jeans, scruffy hair
• Realistic and recogniseable settings
• Beginnig, middle and end
• Stereotypical young girl- wants to be older, likes music and singing

2. How does this film use genre/style conventions uniquely?

• The film uses the song 'Stronger' as a trademark for the girl. It is as if she lives her life through the song.
• I like the different paces of the shots and also the fact that the continuity isn't smooth. This is delibrate an dmakes the girl seem as if she is on edge and that her life is a bit mixed up.
• I like the way that it uses social realism and a monologue. I think that it is more like a documentary as the girl is talking to the camera slightly. The story is coming from her, not on a voice over, which makes it seem more personal.

3. How does the film use the short film format?

• I like the fact that the opening and the ending - during the credits - are the same. It seems to sum up the girls character.
• The narrative has a beginning, middle and end, which keep it structured.However, the ending is interesting as you dont expect the girl to throw a newborn baby into a river. This makes the audience wonder where the baby has come from? It could be the girls baby or her mums, as she says 'i keep a lot of things hidden.'
• I like the fact that the audience dont suspect her to do anything like that so when it happens it is a complete shock. The plastic bag she is carrying fits the role as it isnt a posh bag or one with a big slogan on it. It looks like a bag from the corner shop which makes it even more shocking.
• I like the way that the film builds up to a crescendo at the end. When it shows the girl speaking, she is walking beside a path. You dont think about where she is going as her story distracts you.
• i think that the embedded clips used when she is talking is interesting, as it is like she is showing us examples of her life. This may be to confuse the audience, as they think that somehting will happen in the flashbacks, which seem as if they are in the past, rather than in the present.

4. What do you find interesting about the useof sound?

• I think that the Britney song is used very well as it tells us what era it was. It is also used to resemble part of her life, especially as the girl is singing it.
• I like the idea of a monologue and would like to use this in our film. I think that it makes it slightly more personal. The way that the monologue stops when there is a clip works well as it might clash if she is talking over the top. I would like to use this as i feel that it is a good way to use dialogue.

5. Themes and issues and representation

• The film is about a deprived girl who doesnt get on with her Mum so she wants to live with her Dad. However, he doesnt want her as she is a lot of hassle. This shows that she is somewhat neglected by her family and is seen as a nuisance. She says that she wants to start a band and become famous, as this seems to be the only way that she can get out of poverty. The end of the film shows her throwing a baby into a river. It was in the plastic bag that she was carrying throughout the film. The baby could have been hers as she is talking about her future life of becoming famous. She knows that noone will accept her if she has a child.
• When she is talking about the dog, she could be referring to the baby instead. She says that a dog died and it got thrown into the canal. I think that she has kept the baby hidden in her room and her Mum has told her to get rid of it. So from past experience with the dog, the only thing that she can think to do is throw it into the river.
• The only part where she talks like an adult is when she talks about the dog. After she throws the baby in she starts talking about an ice cream. She is mature for her age but she knows how to be a child as well.
• The audience feel very sorry for her as they can see that she doesnt have a lot in her life. However, at the end of the film they may feel slightly disturbed when she throws the baby in.
• A typical northern stereotype is used here as she is quite poor. Northern people are the poorest in the country. The clothes she wears resemble her background. It could resemble a careless family on benefits as the Dad is more likely to spend his money in the pub rather than on his children. Her Mum is also seen with scratchcards. It is as if her Mum just wants the lucky break and wasting her money on scratchcards is her way of escaping her life, even if for just a second.

'Ideas' group

We opened a group on Facebook in order to receive ideas in which we could illustrate in our own piece. We briefly explained what the synopsis is (in the info box) so this gave the members a taste of what the movie includes, also helping them build ideas for us.

Doodlebug- Christopher Nolan

1. Identify the genre/s or style/s used

• Social realism
  
• Items you would find in a house of an office as you are unaware of his location.


• Low key lighting/Black and white- works well as it adds mystery because at some points you can see what is crawling on the floor.


• Realistic setting.
  
• Black and white clothes adds to the insanity of the character as everything is plain and there isn't any colour in his life.
  
• Small room- padded cell.
  
• Minimalistic.


• No homely touches to his personal space.


• No dialogue, just non-diegetic music

2. How does this film use genre/style conventions uniquely?

• It uses the music to tell the story. There isn't any dialogue apart fromthe woman on the phone. I like this as it shows that music can be more than a filler for silence. In this it builds up the anticipation and the tension as you are waiting for something to happen. This would be a good technique to use for our short film as it would continue the flow of the story.


• I also think that the shots that are used add to the narrative as they are of various pace and length. The shot at the end where the man is lying on the floor lasts around 8-10 seconds. This keeps the viewer interested as they want to find out what is going to happen.


• I like the way that the lighting is used with the black and white format. It adds mystery as you cant see what he is looking for or if it is even real.


• The zoom in to the clock makes him seem a little insane as it seems that he has only got alimited amount of time to find the creature or something could happen.
  

3. How does the film use the short film format?

• The film begins in disequilibrium as the man is trying to find the creature. Tthis then sets the scene for the movie as that is the narrative for the rest of the film.


• I like the ending of the film as you find out that the bigger man is infact the man being chased by an overriding power. The little man seems to be the leader as when he steps, the bigger man follow him. The camera works well here as the little man holds the power but the camera is at a high angle which indicates that he has got less power.


• I like the fact that the opening titles are related tothe film. The doodlebug logo is represented by the characters eyes, which tells the audience that there is a relationship between the name Doodlebug and the character.
  

What do you find interesting about the use of sound?

• I like the way that all of the sound is non-diegetic apart from the phone ringing. When the phone rings, it makes the audience jump as they are concentrating so much on the character. This engages them more into the rest of the film. I would like to use this technique on our film as i like the way that it keeps the audience interested event though it makes them jump.


• I think that the phone ringing could be his mond playing trick on him, because as soon as he picks it up it goes onto the dial tone. He also puts the phone in the water as a signal that he doesnt want to be disturbed by anything until he finds the creature. This shows that his mental state has been disturbed and that hedoesnt have contact with the outside world.

5. Themes and issues and representation

• The film is about a man who is in a house or a room. He thinks that there is something in his house that is crawling around. He tries to catch it, but as the film goes on, it seems as if it is his subconscious playing tricks on him.
  
• I think that this film represent his mental state as he isn't in contact with anyone else. When the phone rings there isn't anyone there. It seems like he has been put in a padded cel, so he has nothing to do. In the film you never see any pictures on the wall or any homely touches which signifies that it could be temporary.


• The audience feel for the character as they wonder what he is doing in the room. However, they dont sympathis with him as there is nothing to make you feel sorry for him.

Monologue

This is the beginning of our monologue. We haven't finished it yet as we are completing the storyboard before we carry on with the monologue.

Oh it's Mum again, shes always worrying about me. Everyday for the last two years she's been calling me at 3:33 on the dot. Its becoming a bit obsessive now but I've got used to it. It all started when Dad got sent to prison for drug dealing. He used to say it was corn flour but I knew exactly what it was. Me and Dad didn't get along much but I feel gutted that he left me and Mum on our own. I don't mind that much as I've been alone my entire life, but it really affected Mum. She didn't take it well, cried for days. She kept repeating 'It wasnt his fault" , over and over again. It scared me a little if I'm honest with you. I didn't want any outsiders to find out what had happened, but someone found out and the words spread like fire. Even now, people still use my Dad against me, even though it's been so long since he went away. My grades are slipping at school, I didn't notice until my teachers gave me a warning. There isn't anything which gets me out of bed in the morning... except for this one girl in my class. She hangs out with the popular people, but seems quite nice. She's really pretty and it's embarrassing whenever she catches me staring at her. I should be careful, but I never am. I've talked about her and the rest of my problems with one person I met about 2 years ago. She doesn't talk much but she's a really good listener. Oh, and it's weird how she has the same name as the girl in my class, kind of looks like her too. Mum says I'm 'ridiculous' for trusting her but I just think she's jealous because I don't open up to her. I don't need her help, I just need my friend.

Storyboard/Animatic (NOT COMPLETED!)

NOT COMPLETED! (Shots 11 & 18 are missing, more shots will be added as well as a voiceover).
Shot 11 consists of Timmy blowing his nose & Shot 18 is the teacher taking him to his seat in class.

Response to the audition.

Due to the posters being taken down after we had realised that we hadn't received permission on sticking them around the college, this created less awareness for the auditions which is why the plan become unsuccessful. We weren't aware of the fact that we could have used the internet as an access to reach out to people, such as posting the poster, plus info, on the Central Sussex College group wall.

Search for locations

I chose to focus on these settings (in Haywards Heath) as they conve-y an idea of Jimmy's background and how this plays a large part of his unhappiness because of the working class image, making him a outcast. The colours of the settings definitely illustrate a dull, sad lifestyle of the character. The picture with the blue door will need permission as it is located behind a store

Location Scouting

I have looked at some locations in Burgess Hill where we could possibly film. I thought that the locations would be suitable as they fit the character well. However, these are only my options and we have to come together as a group to decide where the final destinations will be.

Auditions

We decided we want to hold auditions for the role of the lead role. As we're looking for a specific look, for instance, a male who looks somewhat young and innocent, it was important to see what the performing arts student have to offer. I have stuck the posters up around the college and hopefully, we will receive a positive response next week. A classmate recommended a Year 1 BTEC performing arts student who we have sent an e-mail to on GroupWise to inform him of a possible meeting next week.

The script below was chosen as it conveys a lot of emotion and we will be testing the actor on his ability to illustrate the right kind of emotion needed for our piece, plus, the dialogue is to help them get into role, despite our piece not including conversations, just a voice over (monologue).

Script for audition: The Champ (1979) - Franco Zeffirelli

Doctor: [Champ has just died] I'm sorry.
T.J.: [Georgie and Jackie start to cry, TJ is shocked] No! Champ! No! Champ. Is he out? Is he out? What's the matter, Champ? Champ, wake up! Wake up! Wake - wake up!
[kisses his head]
T.J.: Champ, wake up, Champ! Hey, don't sleep now. We got to go home. Got to go home, Champ.
[Georgie collapses into sobs]
T.J.: Georgie. Don't cry. Georgie.
[TJ goes to the doctor]
T.J.: Mister, help me. Wake him up! Wake him!
Doctor: We're all real sorry.
T.J.: Please, wake him up!
Doctor: Let's go outside.
T.J.: No, no! I don't want to! I don't want to!

[runs to Jackie]
T.J.: Jackie! Wake him up! Wake him!
Jackie: TJ, please.
T.J.: I want Champ!
Jackie: TJ...
T.J.: I want Champ!
Jackie: TJ. Please, TJ, listen to me. He's gone. He's gone, son. He's gone.
T.J.: [shakes his head and backs away from Jackie] No. No! He's not gone! He's not! He's not!
Jackie: [Annie comes in, a smile on her face until she sees Champ and Jackie trying to calm TJ] Please.
T.J.: He is not dead! He is not dead! I want Champ!
Jackie: Please, listen to me, son.
T.J.: I want Champ!
Jackie: TJ, please, listen to me!
T.J.: I want Champ! Champ! He is not gone!
Jackie: [he and the doctor try to drag TJ away from Champ] Come on, son. Come on. TJ.
Annie: TJ.
[TJ walks towards her and hugs her, holding on tightly as he sobs]

Pre - Production Planning

• The theme we would like to base our production on is 'Social Realism'.
• Ideas we have liked/been inspired by from research.:
  

1. Working class families (Wasp/Eight)
   
2. Monologues (Eight)
3. Change in pace (long/short & fast/slow shots) (Lou Lou Lives Here)
4. Remaining in the same setting (Elevator)
5. Restrcited narrative.

• Favouring the idea of following a male child and his struggles with bullying and family issues. (Monologue explaining the situation) - Holding auditions for AS performing students.
• Attract an audience for both adults and teenagers, as they could relate to the situation as well as empathise with the character.
• Key shots we would like to use will be close ups and extreme long shots. This is to convey facial expressions to show the victim's emotions as well as showing how lonely and distant he is from the rest of society. By doing this, we fell that the audience can empathise and maybe sympathise with Jimmy. Although using these shots specifically, we are still going to use various shots and camera techniques to ensure that we have a lot of variety.
• The name of the film will be 'Anonymous'
• The name of the lead role will be 'Jimmy'. We have chosen this name over others such as Jack and James because it sounds like a 'rough' name and could be something that you are bullied for as it is not very popular.
• The reason to why he is being bullied is due to his father being in prison, this has effected his home life, including his mother.
  
• When filming we are going to try and include the college or school environment, a park and a lower class way of living. We may try and film in a block of flats as this portrays an element of being less 'well-off'.
• To focus attention on the protagonist, we will include the voices (and possibly a blurred identity) of other characters as we want the main focus to be on Jimmy.
• We have already discussed what our possible first 10 shots could be so a storyboard including those is soon to be made.
• The list of props we would like to include: Crusha, milk, cheap trainers, make up (for bruise), phone.
• All 3 of us will be taking the role as an editor, director/camera person, casting director and searcher for locations. This is important as we feel all our opinions count in every aspect of making this film so we are willing to put our input into everything and not rely on one person to do a certain sector.
  

Research feedback.

Joyride (Gillespie) 1995

Identify the genre or styles used.
1.

 Dark colour and settings used
 Music high pitch and slow
 Camera work used: big close ups of his body parts when in the back of the car.
 Not a lot of dialogue used which causes it to be scary.
 Shadowing on the face
 Props used: clothing, weapons car ect.
 Big close ups of face
 Zooms into face when something occurs
 Camera work includes fast cuts to show the tension of the storyline.

2.


-The genre would be seen as a cross between thriller and horror. The fact that violence is used throughout the film though the audience does not see it is quite unique. The director allows the audience to imagine what would be happening
- there is a sense of comedy throughout the short film the irony that the main character survives from the kidnapping and attempted murder, then is killed by the electricity volt box. The audience does not expect this and this is another unique area of the film.
- Not a lot of dialogue used. The use of music works very well throughout.

3.

The film is quite simple with a structured beginning middle and end.
-Starting with the main character, we are able to see his personality. The genre is shown from the music, setting camera work and lighting.
- the film then starts to become very tense and captures the audience.
-The main story line happened in the first 2 minuets, this being one of its main advantages; as it is a fast storyline the tension builds quickly without the audience getting bored or distracted.

4.
There is little dialogue included in the short film.
- the use if music is consistent throughout the film. In certain points it is used to cause excitement and suspense.
- The sound effect of the police walking up, the use of foot steps is loud and unnerving for the audience
- I think the use of sound effects work well, when there is violence used the sound is key as we never see the actual killing.
- The idea of using sound when violence is taking place works very well. it leaves the audience to imagine what may be happening. I think we could extend this idea in our short film.

5.

- The story being about a man being kidnapped and the obstacles which the suspects come across on the journey. I think the audience feels sympathetic towards the victim, having many chances to escape from the murderers yet not being able to until the car eventually crashes. I think this short film is produced very well; it is suspenseful and causes a lot of tension for the audience.

About a Girl - Brian Percival (2001)

Clip of About a Girl

• The first 40 seconds introduces the girl in a long shot, shown in the style of silhouette, her singing supports the social realism aspect of the stereotypical image of a teenage girl being interested in pop music and perhaps that she maybe the main focus of the film.

• The handycam creates a shaky effect everytime she's being followed in her monologue, this creates the idea as if we, the audience, are her friends, hence the colloquial manner she is speaking in.

• The colour scheme of the areas she walks through uses a lot of browns, greys and black portrays a mundane feeling, as if nothing ever happens in the location she lives at.

• The point above contrasts to everything she talks about, as she mentions her aspirations, her family and friends which gives the impression that a lot can occur.

• You receive the idea of what her class/background is, just from one shot which shows a row of semi detached houses, this explains why she speaks in the fashion she does.

• The help of the costume also helps the audience quickly figure out her working class background, and this also supports the stereotypical image of the large hoop earrings and large, puffy jacket.

• 
• The sound of her singing on the bench contrasts to the boisterous singing of the men in the pub in a particular scene. This shows the separation between her and her father which many audience members could sympathise with.

• What I could use and be inspired by from this film is how she gradually changes the theme of the film from a character quite protagonist to someone who the audience would decide to be antagonist. The setting is similar to what I would want for my film too. However, I won't be using such a drastic ending as the theme of my film looks the a different concept of a child/teenager's life.
  

Eight - Stephen Daldry (1998)

Clip from Eight

• An extreme long shot is used in a shot to show Jonathon kicking a football into the air, this correlates to what he is saying within the scene, about his father being an astronaut. The effect Jonathon makes verbally of something being flung into the air creates the effect that his football is acting as an astronaut in a rocket.

• Much of the background music (diagetic sound) is a violin, this conveys a sweet and innocent feel as it links in with the spirit of Jonathan and plays off at how young the lead protagonist is.

• A handycam was used in the shot where he talks about his father, it focuses on Jonathon, especially as the lighting includes a back light and a fill light, creating a shadow which emphasizes how lonely Jonathon looks at the table.

• Linking in with the previous point, the objects of the plant pot and food on the plate are an obvious symbol of his father as he remembers what he father was fond of once he sees the props.

• The props and the setting where Terry & Jonathan are hanging out whilst watching football is very realistic from their body language to the props on set such as the TV and stacks of CDs.

• 
• This is for something where the audience such as boys their age or parents who have children around that age can relate to witnessing or being a part of.

• It can also seem nostalgic for some if they look back at their childhood as well as relating to Jonathon's problems.

• When Jonathon is playing football on the beach, the commentator's voice played in the background is displayed as a diagetic sound because the audience witnessed the cassette being played.

• However, with the shots of the camera placed at a low angle, mid close up, the sound is much louder as if we've entered Jonathon's mind and he's playing for an actual football match which then creates a non diagetic feel because it's not part of the real world anymore.

• 
• The shot of the children running past Jonathon, with him in focus and the slightly blurred illustrates how he could be seen as a outcast which adds to the loneliness and how different he may be feeling in general compare to the other children as he has a look on his face which expresses how he has a lot on his mind.

• What I can take from this film is how essential the monologue is, instead of relying on dialogue from a variety of characters, the focus on one person's opinion was powerful, especially from a youth's perspective which I feel created a lot of sympathy towards him from the audience.

Eel Girl - Paul Campion (2008)

BBC Film Network - Eel Girl

• The scientist's working room is set to be dark and overcrowded with scientific props, illustrating a complex situation is to take place and the audience will not be able to predict it unless more is revealed.

• The mid close up, over the shoulder shots, held at eye level, tells the audience that the dialogue between the characters will be important, as well as their facial expressions helping along the way, to express what they feel.

• The facial expressions of the scientist shows once the policewoman shows he weapon conveys concern and urgency as if he has been caught in a tense act.

• It begins to become technical as the camera work has large close ups of what occurs on the monitor, and this is key as it informs the audience what the second scientist is getting involved in.
• 
  
• His action leads to introducing the main act of the film, which isn't in the norm as she is half eel and half human. Her type conveys a very creepy atmosphere due to her appearance.

• The camera pans from the man, down to the tub which is filled with an unknown substance and then back up to a door. That door symbolizes for something more to come and the red light flashing above is a typical symbol of danger and when it turns green, it instantly illustrates how the danger has been allowed to be revealed.

• Once the scientist realizes the door will be open, his facial expression shows how he still can't grasp how real the creature is.

• Once the door opens, Eel Girl is shown at a medium long shot but doesn't show herself entirely, only revealing half her face and a little of her body, leaving the audience with a little to witness and allowing them to imagine what the rest of the character look like. Her hand is webbed, this is a hint for not being socially normal, despite the distance, it's noticeable that her features are not in the norm either.

• A non diagetic, contrapuntal sound is introduced, it has a slight futuristic tone to it, relating the scientific aspect of the story. However, once he enters the premises where Eel girl is, the music completely changes to something softer, something which would typically relate to a love story.

• His feelings for her is firstly shown when he grabs his legs, licks his lips and pulls back his collar, this reveals sexual tension from the scientist. He gives in to the idea of walking into the room once he notices her hormone levels are beyond what was expected, this is told through the unknown substance she lays into. Plus, the way she is presented with no clothes on is a temptation for the scientist to take an unethical step.

• The acoustic music remains contrapuntal and continues playing to the end.

• When the creature eats the scientist, the horror theme, quite unexpectedly, merges in as it's very graphic with the eating and movement of his body inside of her stomach because the scientist believed she was fine, so the audience would instantly she was 'safe'.

• By the end of the movie, the audience have been informed that the scientist was the protagonist and the Eel Girl was the antagonist. Nevertheless, this may have not been so obvious at first impressions because when a person/people are experimenting or keeping someone stored, especially in an environment which is shown in the film, you would assume the scientists would be locking up against the person/people's wishes.

• The advantage of this plot being shown in only 5 minutes is how it remains mysterious and it doesn't reveal much as soon as the film begins, allowing some dialogue to interfere before the shock is shown. This might be a disadvantage for many as they wish lots more was shown, such as how the scientists found her and how the relationship between the scientist and Eel girl started.

Joyride - Jim Gillespie (1995)

The movie

• The piano playing as the background score is non diegetic and quite haunting, this is a typical attribute towards thrillers because the sweet sound of the piano is meant to be a sign of the innocent act who is soon to get caught into trouble.

• The mise en scene reveals a sense of who the man is and what he does. For instance, his luminous jacket, the dialogue said whilst he is on the phone and the damaged fuse all sum up that he fixes electrical fuse boxes. This also says how he is likely to be the lead, or atleast, one of the lead characters during the film.

• The camera zooms into the boot of the car whilst the man is putting his tools in, this could be a hint as to what might happen later, and why the boot is involved.A wide shot appears straight after the actor stops his car, this is to emphasize the danger of being alone, as well as the creepy atmosphere of it being dark. The setting where it has stopped which is near the woods once again, another thriller trait.

• It had a tendency to not reveal any of the gore, for instance, the smack of the axe against the victim's head or the murder scene of the policemen/woman, this allows the reader to imagine the violence which creates a chilling effect, especially with the help of the sound effect.

• Once the protagonist is kidnapped, the camera is held at a extreme close up of his face, this allows the audience to understand his fear of the situation, and this type of shot continues to run through the scene as he tries to escape from the boot.One exception is when the camera uses a long shot to show his whole body whilst he is in the boot, this is to show the space he has to suffer with and how it situation may lead to difficulty for him to escape.

• Once the police enters the film, the audience can instantly understand that they play the roles of protagonists and this is featured as a symbol of hope but the film continues to allow the antagonists to have more power with the help of their ruthless strategies involving violence.

• However, the police are introduced once again and the chase leads to drastic consequences taking place such as the protagonist having petrol leaking as well as a sparkling fuse beside him and the car crashing into a tree but luckily, this stops the chase.

• As the saving takes into place, the lead realizes he's returned to the place he left before everything begun, this leaves with a sense of irony and a happy ending.. until the broken fuse he chose not to fix, due to it not being a serious problem, sparks on him, leading him to burn alive. His death is hidden and once again, leaves the audience imagining his death, with only the sound of the flames to listen to as the screen blackens.

• The reason behind the choice of the lead protagonist is to illustrate how these situations can occur at any time, and most importantly, to anybody, creating awareness of kidnapping and how it could happen on a daily basis.

Lou Lou Lives Here - Hazel Grian ( 2003)

• The film begins with a girl laying in a field alone at daytime, this would allow the audience to instantly assume she has been harmed or soon to be harmed, especially with the shaky camera work which looks as if she is being followed and watched over by anyone.

• The audience could take the act of the child licking her wound in as an act of innocence or something a little more abstract as she is capable to be anything the audience wants her to be.

• The opening credits is very simple and stuck with the colour scheme of black and white.

• As she walks through the woods, the non diagetic sound of the piano contrasts to the diagetic sound of the harsh wind, both sounds represent the innocence being led to danger as she is an easy target, especially as she is alone.

• A tense score occurs once the back of a van is witnessed, this conveys a sense of danger for the girl and is a warning sign for the audience, causing a restricted narrative.

• Once the girl is being chased, the film loses continuity and uses a lot of close ups on the leaves, trees and one specific one of the antagonist being caught on a branch which shows evidence that that van was dangerous. The pace differs by slowing down then going very fast with very random spinning shots of the sky, this leaves the audience wondering what is bound to happen next.The sound of the man groaning would typically relate to a dangerous character and the score quietens to allow the audience to listen.

• A blurred effect was used to show the attack from the point of a view of the dog as well as to hide the violence.

• The entire movie is set in black and white, after a brief discussion, it was revealed how this effect correlated to the dog, and how dogs see in black and white.

Lessons learnt from the foundation portfolio

One of the many attributes applied towards the portfolio which I came away gaining more knowledge of is how planning was crucial, this would include

• What to shoot
• Where to shoot
• How to shoot

Fitting the filming into a daily plan which would include many of the group members as possible.
Much of the time it was difficult to plan a day of shooting with Danny & Gareth, so we all had to be aware of what we wanted to achieve individually, just in case we had to film on our own. It was important to be aware and have a variety of

• Transitions,
• Type of shots
• Type of angles

As we shot outside majority of the time during filming, we had to take lighting into consideration, trying not to forget how key it was to keep the a limit to the darkness we needed for an eery atmosphere with the shots in the store cupboard.

As the shots didn't come out as planned, this didn't leave us much time for a decent amount of work on editing and the variety wasn't enough as it didn't create continuity and we went wrong on match on action in one area with the lead actress.

Research Tasks

Lou-Lou lives here (Grian, 2003)

Identify the genre/s or style/s used

• Black/White
• Thriller/Social realism
• Handheld camera
• Non diegetic music
• Realistic hair/make-up
• Naturalistic lighting
• Diegetic sound effects
• Realistic locations - park/house

How does this film use genre/style uniquely?

• The fact that it is in black and white adds mystery to the film. It also means that you cant tell when it is set because you cant see the design on the girls clothes. However,this doesnt take anything away from the storyline.
• The fact that it is coming from a dogs point of view but is showing a girl adds to the mystery as you are not sure what is happening. This makes the reader to continue watching as they are intriged by what will happen.
• The lack of speech and the heavy breathing adds to the suspicion that the girl is a dog as her movements are very jerky.

How does this film use the short film format?

• The film is very fast paced which keeps the continuity smooth and seamless. The opening is interesting as the fist shot is of a telephone mast. It continues with a long shot of somebody lying on the floor. The telephone mast detracts the attention of the audience as they may start to wonder why there is a mast in the film. The girl on the floor is acting in a peculiar manor as she licks a cut on her leg. This is not very human like so the audience may start to expect that something isnt right. The end sequence shows the dog running away after atacking the man, which could be an owner. The last scene is a sign on the house where Lou-Lou lives which says 'Beware, Lou Lou lives here'. This gives the impression that the dog could strike again at any moment.
• I wouldnt use this style in my short film as the viewer may become slightly disorientated or confused during and after watching it. I also think that the storyline is very indepth and requires a lot of thought from the viewer. I am saying this as i have watched it a few times and i am still struggling with the storyline.

What do you find interesting about the use of sound?

• The use of sound is very apparant in this film. There is both diegetic and non diegetic music. The non diegetic music at the beginning adds to the tension and build up the narrative of the film.
• During the film there is heavy breathing, especially when the girl/dog gets angry. This is instead of having speech and i feel that it adds greater effect to the film. There is very little dialogue apart from the word "Lou-Lou". This is whispered slightly and can only be heard if you listen closely. It is like a subliminal message, as if the girl is being brainwashed.

Themes and issues and representation

• The film seems to be about a girl who transforms into a dog. At first, you think that she has been attacked but then you see her acting strangely as she licks the cut on her leg. SHe then follows a bird in the sky. SHe seems to have dog like characteristics of a dog at the beginning. She then walks around and it is as if she has been possessed by something. She tries to catch a dead rabbit in the road but a white van stops her. The white van could represent animal catchers of stray animals. She runs away and goes to a field where a man walks out of the bushes behind her. He is holding a small rabbit which sets the girl off and she attacks the man. This is when she turns into the dog as after the attack, you see the dog running off. The audience are wondering if the man has been put under the same spell as he is left as the girl was found.
• The audience are not positioned in a certain way as there isnt a protagonist or an antagonsit. This means that the audience can think what they like about the characters as it doest matter how they are seen.

Resarch Tasks

Conversation Piece (Stewart, 2009)

Identify the genre/s or style/s used

• Social Realism/ Comedy
• Diegetic and non diegetic sound
• All close up shots until record is played
• Dark clothes
• Plain/antique background
• Low lighting represents mood
• Grainy image

How does this film use genre/style conventions uniquely?

• This film uses sound to its advantage. It is social realism but there isnt any speech only music. This makes it different to any other film as there isnt a film where speech is represented by music. I like the continuity editing, it flows and keeps the audience interested as they can imagine what they are saying. Ther speech is represented by different musical instruments. The womans voice is very high pitched, which could represent her nagging, while the husband has a very low sounding instrument, which makes him seem very laid back.

How does the film use the short film format?

• The opening of this film shows a normal couple. They are in sepreate rooms, which could show that they are distant, maybe even leading sepreat lives. The husband is relaxing, reading hte newspaper while his wife is asking/nagging him about a broken vase. Before the end of the film the record stops. This could stand for hte equilibrium held within the house, after the diruption caused by the broken vase. However, the music plays again which could restart the disequilibrium again.

What do you find interesting about the use of sound?

• The fact that the sound is diegetic and non diegetic may add some confusion to the audience as they dont know whether the characters can hear the music or not. It is diegetic when hee first puts on the record. It seems as if he is just relaxing as he just picks out his favourite song. Then, his wife asks about a broken vase. You cant hear the words that they are saying but the tone of voice is resembled through the tune of the song.

Themes and issues and representation

• The film is about a couple who are having a marital argument. The wife finds that a piece of her vase is missing and questions her husband about it. He denies that he has anything to do with it. When they have had the argument, you see that the husband had the piece all along and you are left wondering whether he made them have an argument on purpose?
• The typical husband and wife stereotype is being portrayed here as couples are known to have little arguments and rows. The audience may not feel sympathic towards wither characters as they are both in the same situation. However, male viewers may feel for the husband an female viewers may feel sorry for the wife.

Research Tasks

Eight (Daldry, 1998)

1. Identify the genre/s or style/s used

• Social Realism


• Low lighting which creates a sad effect


• Grainy image- high contrast would make the film look too happy and upbeat which isnt the style that they are looking for


• Recogniseable images- the beach


• Clothes- the Mum wears dark clothes while John wears brightly coloured clothes. This shows that the two characters are feeling two different emotions.


• The TV tells us what sort of era it is and the football match they watch is the 1998 world cup. This makes the year they are in very clear and the audience begin to think of events that happened near that time.

2. How does this film use genre/style conventions uniquely?

• This film is like a monologue. It has one character telling there personal story, although it affects more than him. It uses this technique well as it keeps the audience engaged as it is very personal.


• The monologue makes it seem as if the child is alone, even though he lives with his mother and has some friends. However, wearing the Liverpool t-shirt makes him feel closer to his Dad as that is wear he died. The anthem "You'll never walk alone" could be poignant here as it is a song that represents his life.

3.How does the film use the short film format?

• The narrative is structured where in the beginning, John is very wary of disclosing any information about his life. He starts off by saying 'My name's John and i am 8 years old'. This seems like he is trying to get into contact with his Dad or for someoneto help him. You dont find out anything else about his life until near the end. During the film he suggest jobs that his Dad could have done. This is all fantasy and made up.


• At the beggining he is also going though the ages of time. He then stops at the 60's and says thi was when my Dad was born.


• At the end, John then reveals that his Dad died in a football match. You can then piece together the story. It reveals why his Mum doesnt want anything to do with football in the house as it is a reminder of what happened to her husband.

4. What do you find interesting about the use of sound?

• There is non-deigetic music usedin this. It becomes apparant at the end of the film where the Liverpool anthem "You'll neve walk alone" is played. It is a symbol for John that he will never be alone. It could be another reason why he supports Liverpool as the team has sentimental value to his family.

5. Themes and issues and representation

• The film is about a young boy whose life was turned upside down when his Dad was killed. In the film, John said he never knew who his Dad but he knows a lot of things about him. His Dad was obvioulsy a big part of the family and the Mum seems to still be in mourning, even though it is 8 years after he was killed. John misses his Dad as a role model so he uses his best friends Dad as someone to look up to.


• It positions the audience in a very sympathetic place as it pulls at the audiences heart strings.
  

Research Tasks

Wasp (Andrea Arnold, 2003)

1. Identify the genre/s and style/s used

• The genre is social realism


• It uses a hand held camera which creates makes the audience feel uneasy and vulnerable. it makes it seem as if you are there as it is not set up, as such.


• It has a grainy image


• The clothes are dark and worn which shows that their lives are depressive


• They use natural make-up and there hair is unwashed, showing that the mum may not hav been able to pay her bills this month


• It uses naturalistic lighting and when inside uses low lighting to suggest mystery


• It also uses realistic prop such as the buggy and the bag of sugar. The locations are very realistic as it is set on a housing estate.

2. How does this film use genre/style conventions uniquely?

• The genre uses style conventions uniquely as it uses a hand helod camera. This makes the drama seem more real and makes it seem as if the audience are actually there. The long shots make the film more true to life as there arent any fast paced shot sequences.

3. How does the film use the short film format?

• There is a clear beginning, middle and end. It disagrees with Todorov's equilibrium theory as there isnt any balance in the beginning. The family are just as poor at the start as they are at the end. The opening shows the family walking. You can tell that they are not well off by the clothes that they are wearing, even though you dont know anything about them. The opening relates to the ending as they leave with Dave in the car. You are still wondering about where they are going and you dont know why the mum wanted to be with him.
• I like the style of this film as it represents a really good piece of social realism. I like the way that the camera is used. When it shakes it makes it seem less smooth and it makes the family have a more erratic lifestyle.

4. What do you find interesting about the use of sound?

• The sound is diegetic and very realistic. There isnt any non-deigetic music but there is diegetic music in the pub which adds to the tension. If there was non diegetic music, i think it would ruin the effect of the realism that is created.

5.Themes and issues and representation

• The film is about a young mum who is unable to cope with the family that she has. The pregnancies were most probably unplannedas she hasnt taken the time to think about money or where she will live. She then meets an old friend named Dave who she tries to befriend- maybe for money. I also think that she likes him because he can offer her some stability in her life. She leaves her eldest daughter in charge of the three others. While in the pub with Dave, the oldest finds some chips on the floor. They leave dirt around the youngest baby's mouth which then attracts a wasp. It flies into its mouth but comes out again. The children call the mum over, which ruins her reconcilliation with Dave.
  The last few scenes are of Dave and the family driving off in to the distance.


• The audience are positioned to feel sorry for the children as they are the innocent parties in the situation. They are not protagonist or antagonists. They are there to feel sorry for but they do not do anything to save anyone or help anyone else out.


• There is a stereotype of a poor woman who has made mistakes in her life. She has a lot of children for someone her age. This film could represent the lower class people living in this country. It shows how hard home life can be when you dont have any money, which is something that the majority of people on this country dont see. It could also show the country that the amount of benefits a lower class family recieves may not be enough, although the mum in this doesnt spend her money wisely.

What i have learnt from the foundation portfolio

From making a thriller trailer, i have learnt that it takes a lot of time to make a film. You need to put a lot of effort in to make a really good product. In the foundation, we put in a lot of effort but it was very rushed as we were still thinking of ideas and trying to organise the storyboard.
I also learnt that the white balance i an important aspect of filming as if you dont adjust it, it can ruin your entire film.
Also, i think that you should try and complete filming in the shortest time frame possible. In the foundation, we filmed our enitre trailer in one day. This helped us a lot as we didnt have to try and make the hair or make-up the same. However, this is going to be a problem as we are now making a short film. I will suggest that we try and film the film in a weekend, as the weather shold be relatively the same and no one would have done anything drastic to themselves.
Another thing that i have learnt is the planning of the storyboard. It takes a lot of time to do and needs to be very accurate. During the thriller, we didnt get a chance to make the animatic as we were so busy trying to film. This put us at a disadvntage with the other groups as they had furthered there planning and research stage while we were behind.
Researching other films is also ver important. During the thriller production, we never did any individual research, it was only in class. This time i am going to research a lot more films, so that i get a better idea of the three genres that we can choose from.