Filming Evaluation

On Saturday 13th December we captured nearly all of our opening sequence footage. We went to London for the day, starting early in the morning. The reason we started early was so we could capture daytime shots, to signify a happy atmosphere. The first shot we took was of the main male character on the train. This was fairly easy to take, only being a short shot. On the train he used a newspaper for a prop in the shot, which connotes his personality to the audience. The shot also showed that he was travelling alone. Because we planned to split screen this shot with a similar one of the female character on the train, we did this on the way back. We filmed this shot on the way back so it would look like they were both on different trains. Also to show this we filmed from a different facing seat.

When we arrived at Victoria we took a Bus to Westminster. This gave us a good opportunity to film from the top floor of the bus, the journey. The shot turned out surprisingly well, considering it was from a shaky bus. We were lucky because the front seats of the bus were free, and the window was relatively clean. This was not the case the second time we took the bus, when we tried to capture more footage. The second time the seats were full up, and the windows were dirty. After we took the footage from the bus, we took various shots around Westminster. These shots included a shot from a bridge, a shot of London Eye, shots of The Thames, and a street shot.

We also took shots of the two protagonists walking. These shots would take a few takes, because people walked in the way or looked at the camera. The shots we were happy with look genuine, because they were filmed amongst a crowd of strangers. One of the final shots we took was of the characters on a bench. These shots were separate, but we filmed them on the same bench. When we edit we will split screen the shots so that it looks as if the characters are sitting next to each other, when they are actually alone. This will signify to the audience that the characters will meet later in the film.

Both costumes for the characters, signify something about them. The female character is wearing casual clothes, because she is on a casual outing in London. Pink shoes were worn, which signifies her femininity. The male protagonist is wearing a suit, which signifies he is smart, and careful. It also connotes that he is a clever character, because suits are usually worn by educated people.

To conclude the day was successful. We captured all of the expected shots, and some unexpected shots such as the one on the bus. Only a few more shots are needed now, which should be easy to film, such as shots of alarm clocks and coffee stirring.

Film Pitch Feedback

*Test audio.


*Good locations.


*Will they bump into each other too much before meeting ?

No they will only actually bump into each other at the end of the sequence, instead they will be just missing each other.


*Will they let you film in the Shard ?

We have contacted the main desk at the Shard, and they gave us permission.


*For the sunset times, make sure you look up the times correctly because now it is winter it gets dark very quickly.


*Shots are very hard so make sure the cameraman knows what he is doing.

We have planned the shots we need, in enough detail.


*Good strong character ideas.


*Good development in the story line.


*Are you going to have credits ?

Throughout the establishing shots, at the start.


*Romance is an original idea.


*Detailed ideas regarding location.


*Complex shot types.


*Contrasting characters-ideas that 'opposites attract'.


*Would be a good idea to go out and practice complex shots.

We have created a preliminary filming sequence, where we tested using a split screen, which was something we thought would be complex.


*Well structured.


*Who will be playing the main characters ?

We are using actors within our group, with Josh and Sara as the two protagonists.


*Like the idea of a split screen completing different activities and then joining shots when they meet.


*Like the idea of the meeting at Hyde park, very romantic/typical.


*Will you have dialogue as cafes are quite noisy.

The cafe will have one dialogue line, this may be an issue so we may film this shot in a park instead.


*If your main cameraman is not filming, who will be confident in shooting the pull focus shot ?

We have practices this shot, and so we know what we are doing.

Our filming plan

Tomorrow my group and I are going to start filming for our opening sequence. Our plan is to get the majority of the filming done tomorrow, spending the whole day filming. We are going to London to start our filming, where we can get the establishing shots and some shots of characters done. We will not be getting interior shots such as: stirring coffee, the alarm clock and the opening of the door. These shots will be done at the start of next week. Our checklist for tomorrow is:

•  Shot list
•  2 Cameras
•  Tripod
• Props- folder, train ticket

Our two actors will need to be dressed according to their characters personality. With the suitable clothes we planned. Our list for tomorrow is as follows:

• Establishing shot of London (London Eye, London Bridge, The Shard, River Thames e.t.c.)
• Characters walking down the street
• Female protagonist weaving through the crowd
• Train ticket close ups
• Female protagonist being charitable/generous
• Both protagonists sat on the train.
• Characters almost meeting.

In some of these shots our plan is to create a split screen, so we will have to take that into consideration when filming tomorrow. Hopefully our filming tomorrow will go as planned.

Film Pitch

The Princess Bride Opening Sequence Analysis

After the institutional logo the title appears, which suggests the films setting. The font is fancy, and it looks like typical old fairy tale writing, signifying the film is set in the past. In addition it connotes that it is a fantasy, similar to a fairy tale. The title is before any seen of the film, signifying to the audience the films setting from the start. This contrasts with the scene after the title of the video game, creating narrative enigma of why the film is set in modern day with a title which suggests otherwise. The shot of the TV is the focus of the first scene, with a black outline around it. This signifies to the audience that the screen is the only thing the boy is focusing on, ignoring his surroundings, suggesting he is immersed. When the shot changes to the boys face, it is clear he is playing this game, which can be shown by his serious expression which signifies he is very focused. In this shot the boy blinks rapidly, connoting that he has been playing this game for a long time because it is putting strain on his eyes. On the other hand it could signify that he was concentrating so much on the game he kept his eyes wide open before needing to blink rapidly. A normal shot angle is used at 0:41 to show the boy, his mum, and the TV screen in one shot, showing that everything is in one room. When the boys mum is feeling his temperature, the boy is paying no attention, still looking at the screen. This suggests to the audience that the boy may be pretending to be sick so he can play his video game. The boy in the sequence is dressed in pyjamas, signifying that he has not left his bed, connoting that he has been playing video games since he has awoken. On the other hand the mother is fully dressed, in casual clothes. This signifies that the time is past morning, so the boy is not dressed for a reason. This is because he is ill

In the boys room is lots of decoration props. These include a number of posters, toys and snacks. Posters are associated with children, being in a conventional kid's room. Some of the posters in his room contain: a motorbike, a car, an american footballer and a wind surfer. These posters denote that the boy likes sport, connoting that he is a typical boy for his age. This is because these things are typical hobbies for boys. The toys in the room signify the boy is young, and enjoys to use his imagination, which he will have to use in the book read to him later in the sequence. A drink and a packet of crisps can be seen behind the boy at 1:48. The crisps suggest that he enjoys junk food. Conventionally kids like junk food, signifying that the boy in the clip is typical for his age. The boy's room looks quite cluttered, full of items. This also signifies he is a typical boy his age. At 1:00 the boy's mum opens the curtains, this is a conventional motherly thing to do, which connotes she is a typical mum. Through the use of props, the audience can learn that the family in the film are average people. This means the audience can feel a connection to the film, because they can relate to it.

At 1:10 the boy's mother says that maybe his grandad wont pinch his cheek, which is followed almost instantly by the grandad entering and pinching his cheek. This scene is a joke, and it signifies this film is partly a comedy. The grandad enters quickly, with the audience assuming that he is going to pinch the boys cheek, because of the line before hand. As soon as the grandad enters it can be signified that he will be quite a comical character. The present he gives to the boy is wrapped in bright gold paper, which is usually associated with expensive and grand special items. This connotes that the present is something special both to the boy and the audience. The boy is already excited because it is a present, and kids are usually excited by them, but the gold wrapping could of made him even more excited. However the fact that the wrapping is gold emphasises the disappointment he feels when he finds out it is a book to the audience. The gold wrapping could connote that the story to come is very special, because the book represents the main story of the film. This book is read later on, and so the gold wrapping could signify that the story is going to be special. The grandad at 1:50 tells the boy all of the features in the story. In the sequence the boy could represent the audience, because he is an average boy which is the films target audience. Therefore by the grandad telling the boy about all of the features in the story, the audience are also being sold on the book. From the present opening shot, the sequence has been building excitement for the audience. By showing the grandad reading the book, the audience can feel a connection with the narrator, something unique to this film.

Only diegetic sound is used in the scene of the boys room, separating the real world to the story told by the grandad. This creates a realistic atmosphere when the boy and the grandad are shown. When the grandad starts telling the story non-diegetic music begins to play. The soundtrack is peaceful and happy, signifying everything is happy at the start of the story. It also connotes the feeling of love the 'farmboy' feels for the woman. The music gets louder, when the man and woman are together and about to kiss, to signify the feelings the two feel for each other.

Lots of close up shots are used when the story is being told of the man and the woman. These shots clearly show the characters facial expressions, showing their feelings for each other. At 3:10 the woman looks stunned, signifying she is happy to of found out the 'farmboy' loves her. The two characters always look at each other affectionately, clearly connoting their feelings to the audience without the need for the grandad's narration.

When the man and the woman first kiss there is a sunset in the background, which is very conventional of a romantic scene. The sunset is bright orange, signifying the love of the two characters is passionate. Only the silhouettes of the characters can be shown making the audience focus on the action of their kiss and not their expression.

Research into the Thriller Genre

Thriller Definition:

Thriller is a genre of literature, film, and television programming that uses suspense, tension, and excitement as its main elements. Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewer's moods, giving them a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, surprise, anxiety and terror.


The aim of most thriller films is to create suspense for the audience. This is often done through narrative enigmas, which are either for the audience or the protagonist to figure out. For example in Se7en the two protagonists are trying to find out who the killer is. This starts as a narrative en
igma for the characters and the audience. By the end the audience and the characters usually solve the mystery. Most thriller films contain violence, either through action scenes or when the antagonist is shown. The violence varies depending on the age rating, sometimes showing gore in a high rated film such as Pulp Fiction, or showing gun fights but no blood like Inception. Conventionally thriller films have a realistic explanation for narrative enigmas, as opposed to supernatural. Usually the film is a horror if it is not realistic, such as The Shining. Although there are some exceptions such as Sixth Sense. Quite often there are two sides in the thriller genre of the good and the bad. In thrillers the good character is shown in a positive way, so the audience can be rooting for him. The two sides are usually clearly shown, through their binary opposites. Therefore supporting the theory, with the good characters having a shared good nature and the bad characters having an evil or deceived view. Often in the genre there is a confrontation between the protagonist and the antagonist. The film would of built up to this dramatic climax, where the two characters will have some form of battle.















Conventional colours in thriller films are bland, not being very colourful apart from a title or a key object. This is because thrillers usually have a serious, realistic tone,which is signified by the colours. Bright colours usually connote a happy, upbeat film, which goes against the connotations a thriller is trying to show. Typically the images shown are of the main characters in the film. This is because famous actors usually play roles in thriller films, and so showing them can draw the audience in as celebrity endorsement. Also the expression of the faces shown can signify their personality and views. Characters usually are wearing everyday clothing, or a uniform suitable to their job. This is because most thrillers are set modern day, and are about realistic serious characters. Common props used are weapons, usually guns, because there is conventionally a battle between the protagonist and the antagonist. Sometimes the villains have a unique 'bad guy' weapon such as an axe, or the captive bolt gun in No Country for Old Men.

Other props used in thrillers are usually everyday items, such as a pen and paper to write reports or a newspaper. These items are in thrillers to bring the film to life, and make it seem realistic to the audience. Phones are a common prop, because it is a way of characters communicating, providing suspense as the person on the other end cannot be seen. A phone is iconic of the Taken films, used in a dramatic way, where the protagonist and antagonist can talk before a confrontation. Music in thrillers is almost always instrumental, and usually creates a tense dramatic atmosphere. Films by Christopher Nolan show this with a very loud and intense soundtrack, which makes the film seem much more dramatic. Because thrillers aim to provide suspense, music which shows this is important. The moment that the mystery is discovered is a key part of the film and so normally tense music which complements this is used. Thrillers use a variety of different fonts that are relevant to the film, for example the font of the new Robocop looks technical and robotic.

Some typical actors in thrillers are: Liam Neeson, Steve Buscemi, Samuel L Jackson, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.
Conventional thriller directors: Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino and the Cohen brothers.

According to the Uses and Gratifications theory audiences would enjoy thrillers for entertainment, because they would enjoy the film. But possibly also for interaction, because thrillers can have a complex and unexpected storyline, that can be a strong talking topic.

Famous examples of Thrillers: No Country for Old Men, Fargo, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Sin City, The Departed and Taken.

Group film idea

Title of the film: Young Love

Genre: Romance

Age Rating: 15
This is so that our target audience of teenagers can watch the film.

Characters:
Name: Jack
Age: 18
Role in Storyline: to fall in love with Sarah
Job: Currently in college.
Personality: Kind, good-hearted, popular, sociable, friendly.

Name: Sarah
Age: 18
Role in Storyline: to fall in love with Jack and to be relatable to the target audience.
Job: Currently in college.
Personality: Kind, good-hearted, shy, quiet, friendly.

Locations:
Shots of London, showing many iconic buildings. They will include a shot from The Shard, a shot of Big Ben, London Eye and Tower Bridge. These shots will be taken at sunset/early evening.
One scene might be set in a cafe, where the characters will encounter each other. However if that does not work out we will set in Hyde Park. Another will be in both character's rooms, and at the train station. All of these shots will be filmed in London.

Storyline:
The start will show the two protagonists going about their daily lives, passing each other without realising. Both characters will then be shown separately with their friends and family, which will show the audience their personalities and backgrounds. In this part of the film it will become clear that both characters have recently been in a break up. A quarter of the way through the film these two characters will meet officially, rather than passing each other in the streets. Here they will get to know each other, and begin to fall in love. Halfway though the film the two characters will begin to date. Three-quarters of the way through the film the characters begin to argue, which ends in them breaking up. Then the characters are shown single and lonely, before the female character makes a grand gesture and they get back together, for a happy ending.

Opening sequence target audience

Age
Our film is aimed at teenagers from the age of 12-20. This is because the two protagonists are teenagers, and so the audience can relate to them.

Gender
The film is aimed at females. Our sequence is going to be very conventional of a romantic film, and most romantic films are aimed at women. Females generally enjoy romantic film more than men, and so we are aiming at the majority of romance fans.

Social Demographic
D, C1 and C2. This is because the two protagonists in the film are only young, and so are still in education, with low paid part time jobs. The audience are meant to be able to relate to the characters, and so they wont be very wealthy.

Personality
Both characters in the film are friendly, kind people. Therefore the film is aimed at an audience that is of the same personality.

Relationship status
The target audience of the film is people who are not in a relationship. We are targeting single people because they can relate to the characters, and feel like this could happen to them. The film is about love, and so people who want to find love can watch it to feel good.

Media Grouping
The audience to our film would most likely enjoy conventional 'feel good' romantic films such as: 'Bridget Jone's Diary', 'Pretty Woman', and 'Grease'.

Uses & Gratification
According to the theory our film will appeal to an audience through escape and entertainment. The film will provide the audience with a form of escape from reality, because it is about true love with the purpose to make the audience feel good. Entertainment is the main purpose of our film, and so this will be provided through the story line. Also entertainment will be provided because the audience can become immersed 'escaping' from reality.

Utopian Solution
Richard Dyer's theory suggest that audiences will be more attracted to media that solves their problem. Therefore our film will solve certain audiences problems. An audience can watch the film to be entertained, so their problem of boredom is solved. In addition an audience that feels lonely because they are single, can watch the film to show them they can find someone.

Opening sequence initial ideas

When picking the film genre for our opening sequence, our group was divided. Half of us wanted to create a thriller/horror clip and the other half a romance/romcom. In the end we decided on a romance film because it would be more original as most people in our class have decided to create a thriller sequence.

The original idea for the sequence was that it would be a romantic comedy, with scenes of a man failing to propose to a woman. The shots would be failed ways to propose such as the man putting a ring in the woman's coffee, where she would not notice it. We decided not to go with this idea, because we would need adult actors as teenage actors would look to young to be proposing. Also we thought it would be difficult to make the sequence funny, and therefore not denoting the genre to the audience.

Our main idea is now a very conventional romantic sequence. The opening would start with our two teenage actors single, and hint at how they would meet later on in the film. The shots in the clip we show them going about their daily lives, and how they occasionally cross paths without realising. We were thinking of using a split screen at the start to show both characters routine, starting with them waking up. This would clearly show the audience that they are the protagonists and that they will meet.

We are going to use two very conventional romance characters. The first is a male teenager, who is confident and popular. The second is a female teenager, who is quite shy and lonely.

The locations we would want in the clip are: iconic London buildings, a café, a park and a train station.

Preliminary Filming Evaluation

Our preliminary filming clip was much shorter than we anticipated when we planned the piece. The length of the video is not the problem, but the speed is. Watching the video can be confusing, because of how quick it is. The first shot, of the split screen was meant to be quick and so the speed was not a problem. It was meant to be quick because Sara was late to a meeting, and so she was walking quickly to signify this. The main problem of the clip is how quick the dialogue is. This is partly because of the script, which is unnatural and very short. However I think the problem was the fact that there was no pause between the speech, which would of made the scene look much better. Therefore we have learnt that next time we should let the camera run longer before and after each line, so that we can edit the shot down to a suitable amount. Just before the dialogue scene it looks as if the bag held by Sara disappears, because in the next shot she has her arms crossed with no bag. This could of easily been avoided, with attention to detail. The split-screen was added, because we would like to use one in our opening sequence. It was simple to do, and gives the effect we intended, showing the two characters before they meet. A problem with the scene is that it was too short, so that the audience do not have time to compare the two sides. Another problem with the scene is that the reflection of our cameraman can be seen. The action scene with the door opening turned out relatively well, but to make it smoother next time the exact position of the door must be remembered. During the dialogue the lighting from the left was too strong, so that the actors looked dark, something not taken into consideration. We created the preliminary video quite quickly, missing out lots of small details which would of made the clip look much more professional. When it comes to creating our opening sequence we will have to act precisely and take our time much more than in the practice video.

Preliminary Filming Task