Post Real Shoot

Well Hello there!!!
I have just returned from our first REAL shoot!! I thought it was best to blog my thoughts now, while everything is fresh in my head!
Firstly: mise-en-scene = WOW.
I think we arranged everything so convincingly!!
The things that were most successful today were:
- Mise-en-scene...sooo perfect
-Getting each shot arranged perfectly
-Organising sound
-Perfecting the dialogue
-Finalising the costume (which looks great!)
-Getting every shot from this setting! (We met our target! woo hooo)

Things to remember for next time:
- I know its no fault of Mary's, but i would have loved it if she was there the whole way through!!
- Have props wayyy before hand! There was a lot of running around.

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Second Test Shoot - Reflections!!

Hello!
I have just returned from our second, much more productive test shoot. I'm really glad we now have the ball rolling - hopefully towards an extremely successful final piece!
As i had previously mentioned, our original location was proving very difficult. So today we tested the new location, which is predominantly indoors.
This made our jobs much easier, and we managed to get work done a lot more swiftly and with less failed attempts!
Tomorrow is our first REAL shoot. I'm so excited yet anxious at the same time. We've now established each shot type, music and other sound effects. Things to remember for tomorrow are to be careful and keep continuity in mind throughout the shoot. Also, i want to make sure we get all the shots of this particular setting done tomorrow, so that we can concentrate on other tasks at later dates.

Hope everything goes well tomorrow!!

Preliminary Task Evaluation

For the Preliminary Task, my group consisted of Charlotte, Jack, Mary, Nisha and me. We all agreed, early on, that the best way to work was to each adopt a role and stick to it throughout the course of the project. Fortunately, everyone was swiftly able to reach a unanimous decision about who would be taking on which responsibility.
However, the whole group shared ideas for the shot types, story board, the dialouge and editing.
The tasks were set out as follows:
Mary - Director
Me (Bisma) - Camera work
Jack - Sound work
Nisha and Charlotte - Actors
Our sequence was planned very careful and with precise regeards to the video breif. We began by choosing the best and most careful locationand walked through to be sure that we would not face difficulties durin the shoot.
Our next step was brainstorming ideas, after which we developed our story board and script. Once our idea was finalised and double checked, we ran through the entire sequence without cameras, to obtain a better insight as to what our finished scene would look like.
The technology we used consisted of Cameras, sound equipment and editing software. We recorded our preliminary task using mini HD Cannon DV cameras and tripods. Our sound equipment consisted of a mic and a set of headphones for Jack to make sure that in each take, dialogue and other necessary sounds were clear. Once we had our range of footage, we used a technique known as Non-Linear editing on Premier software to edit and complete our work.
Factors which had to be considered before our shoot were:

• organising actors within the group, making sure we had enough people for other roles
• limit on time
• being precise in meeting the breif
• testing sound and lighting in our chosen location

Overall, I think our preliminary task was hugely successful! During the filming process, we were able to obtain a few takes of each necessary shot, which resulted in a much easier editing session. A further success, is that we were able to meet the breif exactly, and use a range of shot types. Furthermore, post production was also a success. Our final edited project comes across as seamless and proffessional!
Of course, as in every task, we realise that we could have made improvements. I think our main improvements are associated with continuity. You may not have noticed, but behing the teacher's desk, if you closely watch the computer screen, it goes from having a file open, to being blank. Continuity error! Also, at the the end, as Charlotte begins to leave, you see her tuck the chair in. But, when the camera begins to pan..its back out again! Yet another error!
I feel i learnt many things during the course of this task. Being the camera woman really gave me an insight into what would work and shots which looked better than others. I also realised the importance of continuity and the the secret to invisble editing is DETAIL! I feel that i can take these lessons with me to my final piece, which should hopefully be an even bigger success than this task!

Test Shoot!!!

On Sunday 23rd November, me and my FABOULOUS, AMAZING group went out to do a test shoot.
I'd just like to say, yes i was late. I am sooo sorry to all members of my group. I won't let you guys down again! Promise!
However, lateness and harsh weather conditions aside, for me, the test shoot taught me a lot, as I'm sure the rest of the group will agree.

Location Problems.
So many! Our first location idea was a car park. Here's a list of the problems we faced;
1. Even early in the morning, there were too many interruptions by cars and people which seriously cut into our precious filming time!
2. Lighting! A potential issue for any out door shoot. It was very difficult to achieve lighting that did not look like it was being purposely used!
3. Sound. Not going to be easy to avoid echoes in an empty car park!
4. Continuity was proving difficult with cars moving virtually the whole time we were filming!

HOWEVER
Positives!! I am so pleased with the way, despite many many setbacks, we managed to pull through.
Even though the location didn't work out, we carried on like proffessionals, and now we have a VERY clear picture of our shots and shot order! So that's a great achievement.
Also, now we know what doesn't work, we've scheduled a second test shoot for Friday which should go brilliantly!

So, i shall be updating about that, and posting more exciting ideas soon! :D

BLK feedback

Please keep up with your Stage 1 posting Bisma - you need to show how the project is developing from your own perspective.

No evidence for this so far on this blog. Try to avoid long-ish gaps between posts.Please see the main blog posts for advice on how to proceed with your individual blog if you're not sure what you should be doing.

Your evaluation and continuity sequence link? What's going on?

MAKING A LOW BUDGET FILM

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Character Analysis - Different Genres

I decided that it would be useful and fun to analyse the representation of characters in three different genres. To make it more interesting, i decided to explore genres that I have done the least work with so far. So Here are the genres that i chose:
Teen Movie Mean Girls
Comedy Meet the Parents

Drama Green Street Hooligans

Character 1: Regina George {Rachel McAdams}:
-Mark Water's Mean Girls (2004)
In Mean Girls, Regina George's character was what one would typically expect of a high school 'queen-bee': Very two-faced, fake, popular yet feared and extremely good looking.
Rachel McAdams was perfect for the part, playing a convincing role and successfully portraying the duality of Regina's personality.
Rachel was made to seem more 'the part' as her character was always looking immaculate with a full face of make-up, an expensive-looking wardrobe, and style sports car. Everything about her was made glamorous, even to the extent of her gym clothes.
The way Regina walks, talks and carries herself throughout the film gives an air of confidence, femininity and lastly but most significantly danger.
'I, like, invented her, you know what I mean?'

Character 2: Jack Byrnes {Robert De Niro}
-Jay Roach (2000)

Jack Byrnes: every man's nightmare. The most fussy, perfectionist of a father-in-law you could ever come across. The father-in-law that wouldn't accept anything less than absolutely perfect for his little girl.
Robert De Niro played the part exceptionally.
This character was constructed and conveyed so brilliantly for a number of reasons. Firstly, Jack lives in the most perfect, peaceful neighbourhood, with a functional and practical family, living in a pretty and neat house. His life is very systematic, his routine very organised. His speech and dress reflect this. Mr. Byrnes always looks very prim and well-dressed with an eloquent manner about him.
With such a structured and ideal family life, Jack Byrnes is evidently the head of the house. He is the one to please, and ironically the most difficult to please. The way he carries himself and strides rather than walks, firmly places him in the mould of the 'Big Man' or someone important.

'I have nipples Gregg. Could you milk me?'

Character 3: Pete Dunham {Charlie Hunnam}
Lexi Alexander (2005)

Pete Dunham is what you might expect of a young East Londoner. Dedicated football fan...possibly too dedicated. He is prepared to risk his life to represent his football firm. This die hard attitude was acted amazingly by Charlie Hunnam.
With his speech and mannerisms, Charlie was able to convey a laid-back character, who is just like another young 'lad' with the exception of his passion to support his football team and firm by 'Standing [his] ground.'
Pete's wardrobe establishes his character further. Throughout the film he is seen in track suits, hoodies and a signature long trench coat. This creates a very 'street' image as well as one of authority within his gang. The way Pete walks also cements his personality: Cocky, strong and confident.
Similarly, his speech contributes to his image. He has a 'cockney' style dialect which confirms the fact that he is definitely a Londoner.
'Yes..cheeky slag!'

Opening Credits

Our final coursework piece is to plan, shoot and edit the beginning two minutes of a film. This will include the opening credits. So, as part of my research i decided to look at the styles of opening credits of two horror films: John Carpenter's Halloween (1978) and Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd (2007).
I chose these because even though, stylistically the examples differ hugely, they still both conform to typical horror conventions and convey the genre brilliantly.
First, i looked at the Halloween opening credits.




To begin with, there is just a blank screen with chilling music. The effect of the music at this point, is that it is quiet, eery and gives the impression of something lurking or being in hiding.
The font of the credits is very significant. Traditionally, black and orange are the two colours which signify Halloween. Here, the orange writing on the black background connotes the plot and of course the film's title.
Then, as the credits appear, a carved Pumpkin appears on the left hand side of the screen. It has a smile, but combined with the scary music, the flickering of light from within it and the fact that half of it is in shadow, looks spooky, mysterious and would have the effect of making an audience feel uneasy.
At first, it is not blatent, but as the credits roll, the camera zooms in and the Pumpkin appears to inch closer and closer to the audience. This is a great way to make the audience feel like they are already getting more involved with the film, and being literally drawn in. It also adds to the ambience of fear and would be effective as an unnerving image to be pulled in to. This continues, and at the end of the opening credits, we find ourselves dangerously close to the strange Pumpkin.
Compared to the Sweeney Todd opening credits, this format was fairly straight forward but nevertheless successful in creating ambience for the film about to come, and conveying the genre well.
It must be considered that the films were made 29 years apart, so there was probably a restricted range of effects for John Carpenter to use.
Here is the next set of opening credits: Sweeney Todd.





The music begins before the credits actually start, so as to prepare the audience for what is coming and create the tone for the film. The music itself is similar to the funeral march and has the same 'deadly' feel to it.
I also spotted that the usual Warner Bros. background of a blue sky scattered with shite clouds, has been formatted to a dull, scary looking sky. What a great way to set the tone?
The slow camera movement as it tilts to reveal the sky makes builds up the suspence and the expectation for what is coming. The storm and silhouette of the city are, again, typical of the Horror genre.
Then as the camera pans across the city and reveals the inside of the window, there is a drop of blood where we expect rain. In the same frame we see the chair. This chair is significant to the film's plot and that is why it is introduced during the opening credits. It is in a spotlight while the rest of the room is in darkness, which emphasises its importance.
The rest of the opening credits follow the trail of blood as it flows through the chair's mechanisms and out through the trap door in the floor. Later, it will become apparent that this is a representation of the journey the victims experience on their way to become the contents of meat pies. This almost works as a 'forewarning' to the audience as to the horrors they are about to witness.
Meanwhile, the music builds up as a crescendo to build up the thrill and sense of danger.
Evidently, thought the Sweeney Todd credits were much more detailed and graphic, both films were successful in conveying the genre. However, with Sweeney Todd, the plot was dived into straight away and more was revealed from the start.



What needs to be included in opening credits?
Here is a list of the types of names to mention during opening credits:
- Film studio
-Director presenting the film
-Film title
-Producer/Executive producer
-Main actors
-Featured actors
-Screenplay artists
-Director of photography
-Editors
-Music directors

The Importance of Narrative Image - FINAL DESTINATION

Narrative Image is an important aspect of the commercial success of any film. It is made up of many features which piece together to represent a film before it is released. A successful portrayal through Narrative Image will result in payment at the box office. It will conform to the classic conventions of the genre of the film to ensure the attention of the desired audience.

'It is the promise, and the film is the performance and realisation of that promise.' John Ellis, Visible Fiction.

The Narrative Image of a film is conveyed in many ways. For example through posters, radio advertisments, television trailers and front-of-house posters.
I have chosen to look two aspects of the representation of James Wong's Final Destination (2000).

This was the poster advertisement of the film before its cinema release.
I think this poster works well to convey the genre and allow interpretations for the plot. However, it is still enigmatic and does not give away too much about the film's plot.
The genre (horror) is made apparent because of several factors, like colour choice for example. The poster is primarily dark with a red anchorage which could connote blood or danger.
Lightening bolts are traditionally associated with horror, so this also adds to the construction of the genre through the Narrative Image. The actual image of the characters also comes acorss as quite chilling. They appear to be coming out at the audience, and half their faces are replaced with skulls. This reference through images of death, emphasises the genre further, as does the film's slogan:
'No accidents. No coincidences. No espaces.'
Without being blatently obvious as to what the film is all about, this cluster of three is effective in captivating the audience. The thought of nothing being an accident or a coincident conveys the idea that everything is happening for a reason. Each word is a plural: accidents, coincidences, espaces, telling the audience that there is probably a string of bad events to come. 'No espcapes' is clearly a reference to danger and being trapped, another clue as to the film's genre.
This is the trailer used to advertise the film before its release:

As you can gather, the trailer gives away more of a film's plot than a poster is able to. This is evident here. The montage of images which was used for the construction of this trailer reveal what the audience can expect from the film, by defining the basic plot. The first set of montaged images establishes the main story. The combination of diegetic sounds (screams and explosions) and non-diegetic sound (chilling music) firmly places the film in a Horror category.
There is a message split in to two parts which reads: 'You may get a second chance at life...But you can't cheat death.' As well as keeping a sense of mystery, this line lets the audience in to the film a little bit more, making them feel more involved. All the clips which are used have some significance in portraying the horror theme. For example the use of small rooms (confined spaces), dark places, shots at night, funerals and montages of injuries or deaths.
The significance of the film's slogan is also evident here, as is is quted by a character and shown in the trailer. This slogan would then go on to be a basis of recognition for the audience of this particular film.
Certain lines of dialogue are used to create a sense of fear and captivate the audience. for example:

'He knows which one of us is next.'
'By walking off the plane, you cheated death. YOU have to figure out, when its coming back at you.'
'No body has control over life and death...Unless they are taking lives.'

The way the trailer ends is very clever. You see a train coming speeding towards someone who is stuck in a car. But, the trailer ends before you can see the outcome of this event. This arouses the audience's curiousity. What happens?