Too much black screen: 29seconds
Audience Feedback (Rough Cut and Final Cut Ver. 1)
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Rough Cuts
This is the first rough cut, including all the initial clips we wanted to use. It has no editing except for the scenes being cut to make sense. We got feedback from both our class, the target audience and our teacher as we could get feedback from someone who knows the media area well.
This is the second rough cut with basic editing and music at the beginning and end credits.
We decided, after feedback to re-shoot the zoom scene without the manual zoom. Instead Loomis runs into the camera and stops on his eyes as opposed to stopping straight away and the zoom in on his eyes. We did this because its easier to replicate in the next scene when it zooms back out.
Although we wanted the zoom out to be shaky the first zoom out was definitely too shaky. We decided to use a skateboard which was still shaky but more professional.
Cinematography
The tilt shot downstairs
The POV shot w/blur
Software
In our film we intended to have sinister, eerie sounds/music. We also needed it to be copyright free and came up with these:
www.freeplay-music.com
www.creature-commons.com
www.copyleft-music.com
We found Freeplay Music the most useful as you can pick the genre/mood of music you want and it will bring up a list of sounds related. We also found out the video game, halo's OST although we have yet to find proof.
www.freeplay-music.com
www.creature-commons.com
www.copyleft-music.com
We found Freeplay Music the most useful as you can pick the genre/mood of music you want and it will bring up a list of sounds related. We also found out the video game, halo's OST although we have yet to find proof.
We used IMovie '06 for the editing stage although it had limited editing variations.
Equipment
1) The camera we will be using is the Canon MV 920 E. It is 115 mm in length, 49 mm in width, 92 mm in height and 375 grams in weight. The LCD screen is 2.7 inches. The video type is PAL, it also has white balance presets:
- Auto White Balance
- Preset White Balance (Indoor/Outdoor)
- Custom White Balance
The following software can be connected with the camera:
- Canon Photostitch
- Canon Imagebrowser
- Drivers & Utilities
- Canon Zoombrowser EX
It uses a mini DV tape for playback. The image format is JPEG, it has special effects such as Art, Black & White, Sepia, Mosaic, Ball, Cube, Wave, Colour Mask and Mirror. There is a built-in image stabilizer and is available in widescreen. By using either normal movie mode or digital photo mode you can choose from shooting programs such as spotlight, portrait mode, night mode, fireworks, sport mode, sunset, beach or snow.
2) As we didn't have tracks or a professional camera to prevent a lot of shaky camera work we decided we would use a skateboard and Sam would film while one of us pulled it.
Locations
Scene 1 - Door: We used this location originally as it fit with our initial idea of panning the camera. However when this didn't work we incoorporated the same location into our second idea. These doors fit the scene as it is made more obvious that it is a school. They are also the right weight to run through effectively without hurting oneself.
Scene 1 - Stairwell: We originally used the stairwell for the panning shots showing the protagonist running and title screens. However after discussion we decided this wouldn't work and therefore decided to cut it as one long shot viewing the entire stairwell. The scene is slightly too long though as it would be scarier with fast paced editing. Because of this we may change location.
Scene 1 - Bottom Stairwell: The bottom stairwell was used to create a decent point of view shot and to show him coming out of the door relevant to the next scene.
Casting
When we began casting our media we decided that we wanted a countertype main protagonist. Our first choice of casting for this character was Ashley Caton as he takes theatre studies and has blonde hair, blue eyes and isn't of a very big physique. However, he became unavailable. Therefore our final choice of cast is as follows:
- Lawrence Mellor
- We chose Lawrence as he was the perfect countertype because of hair colour, physique and as he had previous acting skills. Because we knew him, it was also more likely he would give up his time to film as opposed to Ashley.
- Holly Stephenson
Screenplay
Screenplay
Screenplay Revised
- This is the first screenplay used to make our rough cut.
Screenplay Revised
- This is the revised version of our screenplay, with new additions.
Storyboard
Storyboard
Storyboard 2
Storyboard (New)
Storyboard 2
- This is the first storyboard, with basic shots and cuts.
Storyboard (New)
- This is the new storyboard with updates on the stair scene and point of view shot.
Prelim Task
Boom, here's the cable 2 =D
There are many improvements to be made that I have noticed since the prelim task. Various technical issues need to be experimented with and camera angles were shaky at times. Seen as the last two films including this one have consisted of two actors, Sam and I, another actor/actress is necessary.
- If I could do this again I would acquire permission to use copyrighted music as it would help to give the film extra recognition and can in some cases turn to fit to fit perfectly.
- In one of the later scenes when the door is opened, the handle is shown not to go down on the other side because it is broken.
- We also should of used white balance as a lot of the scenes were too dark.
- Some of the shots were rushed and we probably should of taken more care to avoid shake. This also made it hard to edit.
My Initial Ideas
1) Basic storyline: Teenager [medium build/height, 17yo] running through school, narrative engima means you can't see what is chasing him, several scenes of buildings being run through, climax=dead end, turns to see hooded teenager? [same attributes as protagonist] walking and stops.
Audience Age: 17-35
Location: School
Genre: Horror/Thriller/Action (maybe)
Audience Age: 17-35
Location: School
Genre: Horror/Thriller/Action (maybe)
- Screen split vertically, on left extreme long shot, pan across new building from D floor stairs. Music slow, chilled yet slightly sinister. Camera pans in circle slowly and character A runs and heads down stairs and music picks up. Camera still circles but as it comes round for 2nd turn, on E floor stairs showing him running and same again for F floor. On right side still/extreme long shot of stairs from outside, seeing him run all the way down to the bottom. Runs out of doors, over to K block and/or new building with fast paced camera editing, finally reaches dead end as music slows down and camera long shot. First person view looking up the wall and then turn around to look at character B. He walks forward as camera zooms. Goes closer till screen turns black and titles begin to roll.
2) Basic Storyline: Character A (17,male) walking from one place to another, camera follows and cuts to different camera angles/shots. Epic music.
Audience Age: 17-35
Location: Leeds
Genre: Action/Thriller
- Closed train doors. Medium shot of doors, they open and character A steps out. Looks right, then left, begins to walk down platform. Camera starts at feet and moves up with slow zoom out. Several different camera shots as walks to exit of station and into leeds.
Codes And Conventions Of Film Openings
There are many common characteristics that make an opening of a film. Firstly there is usually an establishing/opening shot of the setting. If the film is a sequel they refer to the prequels as much as possible. They also use inter-textual references to other films of the same genre, to establish with the audience what the genre is e.g. the Bride of Chuckie with ref. to Jason,Halloween etc. as well as verbal references either by using lines from the film or using the name directly.
There are 2 contrasting points that are used in the opening. They either open by explaining the main protagonist(s) in detail, showing the setting and basically explaining everything at the beginning, or open on a narrative enigma, showing the characters and/or setting but not giving anything away e.g Sin City. Within the first point the use of freeze frames to show someone clearly while narration explains who they are, are sometimes used.
Certain genres use specific characteristics. for instance horror usually beings with some type of scene where the main characters are engaging in something wrong or illegal. They also incoorporate the blonde dies first stereotype.
Initial Analysis Of A Film Opening
Media Analysis: Gone in 60 Seconds
Information
Director: Dominic Sena
Year of release: 2000
Production Companies: Touchstone Pictures/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Distributors: Buena Vista International/ Falcon/ Filmes Lusomundo/ Gativideo/ Yorin/ Mainosteleviso/ Touchstone Home Video
$25,336,048 (USA) (11 June 2000) (3,006 Screens)£1,715,147 (UK) (6 August 2000) (394 Screens)
$90,000,000 budget
Titles
Non-Diegetic music, sinister
‘Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ road sequence fits with film storyline – road, fades into ‘Touchstone Pictures’ road and long hand on clock *60 seconds* link – fits with genre. Sound of Mustang which is ref. to main car in film. Green tint glow changes as pace picks up
Music and pace signifies Action/Thriller
Producers name shown again synced with car noises, genre link
Font is standard font used down the side door of Shelby Mustangs – main car in film, writing ‘racing’ across screen
Clock ticking, sub-consciously makes adrenaline go up – clock fades into clock face in real time ticking.
Picture gives exposition but narrative enigma on characters, who are they?
Sub title sequence, actor/actresses names with calmer, happier music. Shows pictures of characters growing up, gives more exposition
Music synced with camera movement, sped up around cars signifies importance, Sepia camera tint signifies age
‘Drag’ flashes up as camera passes sped up, idea of drag race – links back to cars, scene in first few minutes and genre of the film.
As pictures move past, someone disappears from the pictures, possible exposition of feud within people in pictures
Different colour tints in main titles, different moods and situations throughout the film
2 Minute Clip
Establishing shot, long shot, Porsche (top of the range in 2000) shows instantly the films about cars, on spinning podium lit up shows its important
Extreme long shot of whole garage, product placement *Porsche*, lighting only on centre car, others in shadow – anchorage of importance of car.
Non-Diegetic music fades out into diegetic, gangster rap associated with wrong doing.
Interlocking voice into scene to 3-shot, very slight low angle to emphasise engine raise in bodywork. “On the corner of Wilton & Wetherley” gives more detailed indication of area.
Narrative enigma, who are these 3? ‘Tumbler messed up’ mention of another character not in scene. Mentions place and shows garage again providing anchorage it’s the right place. Nicknames and visual shows they are all quite young – audience mature youth (15-35)
‘Sunday 11:58pm’ gives time and date, night time signifies something wrong is being done.
Characters confirm it is the right place
Black male is first to swear, stereotypical black male accent/dialect and vocabulary – slang, swearing.
Driver calmer than others, denotes he’s one of or is the central protagonist – name given as Kip (first name given) connotes that his name is given first therefore denotes he is most important
Faster paced music coming in over the top, denoting a fast/adrenaline scene coming up – high angle shot of several blunt objects signifies violence.
Countertype comes in as white male resorts to violence and black male tries to be rational
Medium tracking shot, 180 degree rule flips to front body shot, then back to window – brick and attempts to stop ‘Kip’ connotes he is about to smash the window
Camera slows down, character goes out of frame with friend still shouting at him, emotional climax – music becomes louder/exaggerated smash of window
Fault in film – both doors smash but in next shot only one is smashed
Porsche centre shot signifies importance, tracking shot down car and Kip behind it, denotes he will soon be involved with the car.
Black male returns to stereotype, constant slang comments, narrative enigma quickly solved
Long shot down the showroom to Porsche, connote he will smash through it
Typical Hollywood ‘will he-wont he’ style, other car won’t start will he escape?
Ref. to Dukes of Hazzard known for driving cars through everything
Exaggerated window smash, first person shot (over the shoulder) quick editing – lighting on face of person driving other car to show how close it is – epic
Low angle shot of civilians skidding into the middle of the road, smoke, glass, natural lighting to emphasise smoke
3rd driver makes it away, out of scene
Tracking shot next to car, fast to signify speed of car with slightly exaggerated car rev.
Close 2-shot with no speech, just worried movement and facial expression
New scene – establishing shot extreme long shot with slow zoom, dim lighting to gives sinister feel but new character bouncing tennis ball – childish effect counteracts lighting.
Explains in detail, sexual act – target audience 15-34
2 new characters brought in, narrative enigma – who are they.
Stereotypical grumpy older man and younger on computer
Narrative enigma on scene before, integrated into speech as unknown older man asks the question – next scene back to the Porsche to answer question
Cliché of ¼ mile drag race from the lights relates to American culture, also ref. to main car later on as Mustangs heavily related to muscle cars and drag races. Goes against by using newer cars – Porsche 911/Honda Civic.
Stereotypical woman, blond/busty – Kip flirts with her to rile driver of Civic into a race.
Kip sounds drunk?
Engine’s rev, signifies race – engines get louder as adrenaline and anger goes up.
Stereotype of black male in jail
Main car slightly ahead as they’re more important so they will win.
Medium shot with hint of extreme long shot down the middle, signifies epic race.
Red lights ahead denote danger, stop
Lighting just on road, shadow around, and night time shows its typical street race.
Kip still coaxing other driver, exaggerated tyre skid for effect.
Docudrama style camera shots, panning both cars, fast paced editing for added pace.
Sudden pickup in Porsche speed connotes they have won, denotes an obstacle will soon make things worse.
Pan of police car, foreshadowing of what is to come.
Porsche comes onto scene, back off again, exaggerated skidding of civilians again and back to the police for effect.
Police calling for backup – criminal in background laughing, shallow focus to deep focus as camera switches to criminal.
Information
Director: Dominic Sena
Year of release: 2000
Production Companies: Touchstone Pictures/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Distributors: Buena Vista International/ Falcon/ Filmes Lusomundo/ Gativideo/ Yorin/ Mainosteleviso/ Touchstone Home Video
$25,336,048 (USA) (11 June 2000) (3,006 Screens)£1,715,147 (UK) (6 August 2000) (394 Screens)
$90,000,000 budget
Titles
Non-Diegetic music, sinister
‘Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ road sequence fits with film storyline – road, fades into ‘Touchstone Pictures’ road and long hand on clock *60 seconds* link – fits with genre. Sound of Mustang which is ref. to main car in film. Green tint glow changes as pace picks up
Music and pace signifies Action/Thriller
Producers name shown again synced with car noises, genre link
Font is standard font used down the side door of Shelby Mustangs – main car in film, writing ‘racing’ across screen
Clock ticking, sub-consciously makes adrenaline go up – clock fades into clock face in real time ticking.
Picture gives exposition but narrative enigma on characters, who are they?
Sub title sequence, actor/actresses names with calmer, happier music. Shows pictures of characters growing up, gives more exposition
Music synced with camera movement, sped up around cars signifies importance, Sepia camera tint signifies age
‘Drag’ flashes up as camera passes sped up, idea of drag race – links back to cars, scene in first few minutes and genre of the film.
As pictures move past, someone disappears from the pictures, possible exposition of feud within people in pictures
Different colour tints in main titles, different moods and situations throughout the film
2 Minute Clip
Establishing shot, long shot, Porsche (top of the range in 2000) shows instantly the films about cars, on spinning podium lit up shows its important
Extreme long shot of whole garage, product placement *Porsche*, lighting only on centre car, others in shadow – anchorage of importance of car.
Non-Diegetic music fades out into diegetic, gangster rap associated with wrong doing.
Interlocking voice into scene to 3-shot, very slight low angle to emphasise engine raise in bodywork. “On the corner of Wilton & Wetherley” gives more detailed indication of area.
Narrative enigma, who are these 3? ‘Tumbler messed up’ mention of another character not in scene. Mentions place and shows garage again providing anchorage it’s the right place. Nicknames and visual shows they are all quite young – audience mature youth (15-35)
‘Sunday 11:58pm’ gives time and date, night time signifies something wrong is being done.
Characters confirm it is the right place
Black male is first to swear, stereotypical black male accent/dialect and vocabulary – slang, swearing.
Driver calmer than others, denotes he’s one of or is the central protagonist – name given as Kip (first name given) connotes that his name is given first therefore denotes he is most important
Faster paced music coming in over the top, denoting a fast/adrenaline scene coming up – high angle shot of several blunt objects signifies violence.
Countertype comes in as white male resorts to violence and black male tries to be rational
Medium tracking shot, 180 degree rule flips to front body shot, then back to window – brick and attempts to stop ‘Kip’ connotes he is about to smash the window
Camera slows down, character goes out of frame with friend still shouting at him, emotional climax – music becomes louder/exaggerated smash of window
Fault in film – both doors smash but in next shot only one is smashed
Porsche centre shot signifies importance, tracking shot down car and Kip behind it, denotes he will soon be involved with the car.
Black male returns to stereotype, constant slang comments, narrative enigma quickly solved
Long shot down the showroom to Porsche, connote he will smash through it
Typical Hollywood ‘will he-wont he’ style, other car won’t start will he escape?
Ref. to Dukes of Hazzard known for driving cars through everything
Exaggerated window smash, first person shot (over the shoulder) quick editing – lighting on face of person driving other car to show how close it is – epic
Low angle shot of civilians skidding into the middle of the road, smoke, glass, natural lighting to emphasise smoke
3rd driver makes it away, out of scene
Tracking shot next to car, fast to signify speed of car with slightly exaggerated car rev.
Close 2-shot with no speech, just worried movement and facial expression
New scene – establishing shot extreme long shot with slow zoom, dim lighting to gives sinister feel but new character bouncing tennis ball – childish effect counteracts lighting.
Explains in detail, sexual act – target audience 15-34
2 new characters brought in, narrative enigma – who are they.
Stereotypical grumpy older man and younger on computer
Narrative enigma on scene before, integrated into speech as unknown older man asks the question – next scene back to the Porsche to answer question
Cliché of ¼ mile drag race from the lights relates to American culture, also ref. to main car later on as Mustangs heavily related to muscle cars and drag races. Goes against by using newer cars – Porsche 911/Honda Civic.
Stereotypical woman, blond/busty – Kip flirts with her to rile driver of Civic into a race.
Kip sounds drunk?
Engine’s rev, signifies race – engines get louder as adrenaline and anger goes up.
Stereotype of black male in jail
Main car slightly ahead as they’re more important so they will win.
Medium shot with hint of extreme long shot down the middle, signifies epic race.
Red lights ahead denote danger, stop
Lighting just on road, shadow around, and night time shows its typical street race.
Kip still coaxing other driver, exaggerated tyre skid for effect.
Docudrama style camera shots, panning both cars, fast paced editing for added pace.
Sudden pickup in Porsche speed connotes they have won, denotes an obstacle will soon make things worse.
Pan of police car, foreshadowing of what is to come.
Porsche comes onto scene, back off again, exaggerated skidding of civilians again and back to the police for effect.
Police calling for backup – criminal in background laughing, shallow focus to deep focus as camera switches to criminal.
Coursework Task
The brief set for our AS coursework production is as follows:
Preliminary exercise: Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.
Main task: the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.
All video and audio material must be original, produced by the candidate(s), with the exception of music or audio effects from a copyright-free source.
THE DEADLINE FOR A COMPLETED PRODUCTION IS THURSDAY APRIL 2nd.
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