Research and planning tasks
Create a blogpost called 'Research and planning' and complete the tasks below. First, watch this clip on the mistakes beginner filmmakers make - it will help you identify the errors to avoid when planning and shooting your film.
There are loads more tips and tutorials from Darius Britt (D4Darius on YouTube) that we would recommend watching as part of your research and planning. These include:
Now complete the following tasks:
1) State the genre you have chosen - horror or coming of age drama.
Coming of age
2) Choose at least five films in your selected genre and watch the trailer and one scene from each film. Make bullet-point notes on everything you watch, commenting on camerawork, editing, sound and mise-en-scene.
Kidulthood
3) Write a 250 word statement of intent for your film scene. This should follow AQA's guidance (look in your coursework booklet) and clearly lay out how you will use media language to meet your brief. You should also discuss what representations you plan to create (either reinforcing or challenging stereotypes) and how your scene would appeal to an audience.
Originally, i had planned to do a horror film, however i changed my mind as i found the setting i have around me could be put to better use for a coming of age drama as it is a familiar scene for the audience and they will be able to identify with it. I am aiming to reinforce stereotypes but put them in a context which is different to the way they are portrayed within mainstream media in order to draw sympathy from the audience. I intend on doing this through the reasoning the characters give for their actions. The conflicts that happen within this scene will cause audiences to think about how they would react in the same situation which allows them to relate to the characters. It will appeal to an audience in the age range of 14-25 as the surroundings and themes within the film will be familiar to them and something they are used to seeing. If it isn't, as they live in the same environment, they will be seeing another persons viewpoint on controversial issues that are in urban London. Within the short dialogues the characters have with each other I will try to create a narrative behind each character which outlines their personalities and different situation in a brief manor. Each different backstory of each character tie together to lead to the final scene. Different decisions will be made which lead to the final outcome. I was inspired to create this coming of age drama by the Kidulthood trilogy films as they relate to issues within lower to working class London. As there arent any females within the any of the scenes, i find that the audience may be mainly male as they will be able to relate to it more. Within these urban coming of age dramas, I noticed that they use mostly natural lighting in order to deviate away from making the film look too glamorised. Especially as this will be a low budget film, I wont have access to using studio lighting in most of my shots. The use of local popular culture such as music, slang and clothing. In my film scene, the focus will be more on the dialogue than the music because of the nature of the scenes.
4) Write a script for your film scene. You'll find guidance for writing a script in the BBC Writers' Room (click on the Script Library to read real examples of professional scripts).
5) Storyboard at least five key shots from your scene, take a photo of the storyboard and upload it to your blogpost. What visual style are you trying to create? Storyboard sheets are available in DF07.
6) Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar. I advise using a simple table on Microsoft Word to set out your shot list - you can find an example here.
7) Plan your mise-en-scene: what iconography are you including to ensure your audience understands the genre? Plan your cast, costume, make-up, props, lighting and setting.
There are loads more tips and tutorials from Darius Britt (D4Darius on YouTube) that we would recommend watching as part of your research and planning. These include:
- How to brainstorm ideas for a short film
- How to write a short film - principles of drama
- Nine things to check before pressing the record button
Now complete the following tasks:
1) State the genre you have chosen - horror or coming of age drama.
Coming of age
2) Choose at least five films in your selected genre and watch the trailer and one scene from each film. Make bullet-point notes on everything you watch, commenting on camerawork, editing, sound and mise-en-scene.
Kidulthood
- Natural lighting adds to realism
- Close up shots reiterating reactions and facial expressions
- Establishing shots showing area
- Action shots
- Tracksuit and hoodies
- POV shots immerse audience
- Fast paced editing during fight scenes
- Flashback to previous film
- Flash on screen when character gets punched
- Quotations to show message behind the film
- Action codes
- Shot reverse shots
- Slow motion
- Subverts and reinforces stereotypes
- Changes in camera quality- references past
- Low-key lighting when he exits jail
- Stationary camera makes it seem like audience is spying
- Cctv like footage adds to realism
3) Write a 250 word statement of intent for your film scene. This should follow AQA's guidance (look in your coursework booklet) and clearly lay out how you will use media language to meet your brief. You should also discuss what representations you plan to create (either reinforcing or challenging stereotypes) and how your scene would appeal to an audience.
Originally, i had planned to do a horror film, however i changed my mind as i found the setting i have around me could be put to better use for a coming of age drama as it is a familiar scene for the audience and they will be able to identify with it. I am aiming to reinforce stereotypes but put them in a context which is different to the way they are portrayed within mainstream media in order to draw sympathy from the audience. I intend on doing this through the reasoning the characters give for their actions. The conflicts that happen within this scene will cause audiences to think about how they would react in the same situation which allows them to relate to the characters. It will appeal to an audience in the age range of 14-25 as the surroundings and themes within the film will be familiar to them and something they are used to seeing. If it isn't, as they live in the same environment, they will be seeing another persons viewpoint on controversial issues that are in urban London. Within the short dialogues the characters have with each other I will try to create a narrative behind each character which outlines their personalities and different situation in a brief manor. Each different backstory of each character tie together to lead to the final scene. Different decisions will be made which lead to the final outcome. I was inspired to create this coming of age drama by the Kidulthood trilogy films as they relate to issues within lower to working class London. As there arent any females within the any of the scenes, i find that the audience may be mainly male as they will be able to relate to it more. Within these urban coming of age dramas, I noticed that they use mostly natural lighting in order to deviate away from making the film look too glamorised. Especially as this will be a low budget film, I wont have access to using studio lighting in most of my shots. The use of local popular culture such as music, slang and clothing. In my film scene, the focus will be more on the dialogue than the music because of the nature of the scenes.
4) Write a script for your film scene. You'll find guidance for writing a script in the BBC Writers' Room (click on the Script Library to read real examples of professional scripts).
"No Further Action"
INT. Protagonists' cousin's car
Protagonist gets in front seat of car
Cousin: What you saying cuzzy you ready?
Protagonist: Yeah i got everything.
Cousin: When you make it big time make sure you don't forget me you know.
Protagonist laughs
Protagonist: Yeah of course man, thats even if I do make it anyways
Cousin: You will if you stay off these roads, its crazy out there. Stay focused because trouble will find you even when your not looking for it.
Protagonist: I know cuz, I try man
Cut to:
EXT. Protagonist leaving the car and bumps into an older friend
Older: What you telling me you good?
Protagonist: Yeah man just going football
Older: Ahh you still on this football ting? Its a dream man, your too late for that now.
Protagoist: Nah im trying be the difference, im gonna change that
Older: Yeah if you say so but listen dont be walking round without anything on you anything can happen at any time you know. You lacking right now?
Protagonist: Yeah im only going football
Older: So? Listen, take this, you can put your trust in it.
Protagonist: Yeah man just going football
Older: Ahh you still on this football ting? Its a dream man, your too late for that now.
Protagoist: Nah im trying be the difference, im gonna change that
Older: Yeah if you say so but listen dont be walking round without anything on you anything can happen at any time you know. You lacking right now?
Protagonist: Yeah im only going football
Older: So? Listen, take this, you can put your trust in it.
Older hands Protagonist a knife
Protagonist: Nah i dont want that man, what if police search me?
Older: Take it man im looking out for you, anyway i gotta go somewhere take care of yourself.
Cut to shot establishing shot in another car with hooded characters watching Protagonist walk into football ground
Hidden Character 1: You sure thats him? He looks like a civillian fam.
Hidden Character 2: Listen, im telling you thats him
Hidden Character 3: Fam stop all the bickering lets go get him then
Hidden Character 2: Word man I beg you stop moving shook
Hidden Character 1: Come we get him another day its bait here
Hidden Character 3: Wait for what? We been trying to get this guy for time and now your trying to tell me bout 'another time'? Your on some joke ting i'm going NOW.
Hidden Character 2: Come we go then!
Hidden Character 2: Word man I beg you stop moving shook
Hidden Character 1: Come we get him another day its bait here
Hidden Character 3: Wait for what? We been trying to get this guy for time and now your trying to tell me bout 'another time'? Your on some joke ting i'm going NOW.
Hidden Character 2: Come we go then!
3 Characters start chasing the protagonist, they catch up and start repeatedly beating him
Camera moves away, a scream is heard and sirens
Cuts to police on crime scene looking for evidence, retrieve bloody knife
Cuts to police arresting protagonist on suspicion of manslaughter.
End of Scene
5) Storyboard at least five key shots from your scene, take a photo of the storyboard and upload it to your blogpost. What visual style are you trying to create? Storyboard sheets are available in DF07.
6) Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar. I advise using a simple table on Microsoft Word to set out your shot list - you can find an example here.
Car Scene 1
Shot No.
|
Shot
|
|
1
|
Mid Shot of Protagonist filling bag with football boots
|
|
2
|
Action shot of Protagonist running down the stairs
|
|
3
|
Action shot of Protagonist leaving house
|
|
4
|
Action shot of Protagonist entering car
|
|
5
|
OTS shot from backseat of car showing both Protagonist and his Cousin
|
|
6
|
Shot reverse shot of Protagonist and Cousin while speaking in car
|
|
7
|
Back to OTS shot from backseat after dialogue and during goodbye
|
|
8
|
Action shot of Protagonist leaving car
|
|
9
|
Tracking shot while protagonist is walking
|
|
10
|
Camera circles to back of Protagonists head as he puts headphones on
|
|
11
|
Camera circles again and falls back to low angle mid shot as
Protagonist drops ball and starts dribbling while walking
|
Protagonist bumps
into older friend
Shot No.
|
Shot
|
|
1
|
Older friend enters long shot with back to camera, head down walking
towards Protagonist
|
|
2
|
Reverse shot to OTS shot of protagonist as he greets older friend
|
|
3
|
Shot reverse shot during dialogue
|
|
4
|
Close up of Protagonists shocked facial expression as he is handed
knife and dialogue
|
|
5
|
Reverse shot to mid shot of older friend during dialogue and as he
leaves
|
|
6
|
Tracking shot as Protagonist carries on walking to his destination
|
|
7
|
Establishing shot including 3 hidden characters in car on other side,
dubbed dialogue inside car played over shot
|
Car scene 2
Shot No.
|
Shot
|
|
1
|
Close up on mirror pointing towards hidden character 2 carrying on
from previous dialogue
|
|
2
|
Outside shot car showing 3 characters within car, dialogue continues
|
|
3
|
Closeup on Hidden character 1 during his dialogue and reactions to midway
of Hidden charcter 3’s response
|
|
4
|
Reverse shot to Close up of hidden Charcter 3
|
|
5
|
Action Shot of all 3 characters jumping out of car
|
Chase Scene
Shot No.
|
Shot
|
|
1
|
Close up on side of Protagonist’s face, 3 characters running in his
direction in the background
|
|
2
|
Reverse to POV shot of hidden characters chasing Protagonist
|
|
3
|
Reverse to tracking dolly shot of 3 characters running and getting
closer
|
|
4
|
Long shot of Protagonist getting caught in dead end
|
|
5
|
POV shot from protagonist of hidden characters beating him up
|
7) Plan your mise-en-scene: what iconography are you including to ensure your audience understands the genre? Plan your cast, costume, make-up, props, lighting and setting.
- Using natural lighting makes the coming of age drama genre seem more realistic
- Wearing familiar tracksuits and hoodies
- Car
- Using local slang
Comments
Post a Comment