VLADIMIR PROPP

Vladimir Propp argued that stories are character driven and the plots develop from the decisions and actions of characters and how they function in every story. Which correlates to my film opening which is very much built of the idea of the protagonist and antagonist. By the way we filmed and edited the film, the aim was for the audience to distinguish the two. 

Vladimir Propp Theory by Grace Clare

CONSTRUCTION: SHOT LIST

 

STUART HALL - FEMME FATALE STEREOTYPES

 

Stuart Hall Kiss of the vampire Femme Fatal Stereotypes by Grace Clare

THE POSTER FOR MY FILM: EXTRACTION

SOCIAL GROUPS AND ISSUES

SOCIAL GROUPS AND ISSUES 

 I used the app, Pinterest, to identify categories included in my film opening such as identifying social groups and issues. This gave me visual ideas and inspiration e.g locations.

Theme

Issues

Location

From ideas taken from pintrest I created boards and I could then create the visual of what I want from my phone. I discovered the location of which I would like to have filmed, I found social issues that are very present within today's society. The locations selected are dimly lit and appear isolated creating a creepy atmosphere. The boards similar to my film opening have the perfect atmosphere and highlight current issues within society in which creates awareness. My group and I had props within the boards, in which included: brain scans from a MRI scan, criminal weapons, crime scene boards and thriller book covers. Overall I created a visual representation of what I wanted my film to look like and what it would contain. Meaning my production company would be more likely to achieve and create a better film opening. 

CONSTRUCTION: BBFC CERTIFICATE

CONSTRUCTION: BBFC CERTIFICATE 

Film Certificates are decided and awarded by the British Board of Film Classification. The BBFC watches films and videos all the way through and awards an age rating and insight to each one.The BBFC uses published Classification Guidelines for certain age ranges, ensuring that the content of the film is age appropriate and that children or young people do not see films that are unsuitable for them.

I researched how the BBFC classifies films by studying their website. I learned that a certificate may have strong language and may show violence. but is must not dwell on the infliction of pain and injury. Whilst a 15 certificate film may contain threat or horror, a sustained focus on sadistic threat is not acceptable. Therefore, as our film does not contain any of the other unacceptable categories (like dangerous behavior, drugs, discrimination, nudity or sex/sexual violence), I came to the considered opinion that our film EXTRACTION would be likely to receive a 15 certificate. 

To make my certificate I found a suitable template and edited it in Powerpoint.

INTERVIEWING FILM DIRECTOR

INTERVIEWING A FILM DIRECTOR 

To explore the character and directors aims in this movie, I set up a hot seat interview, questioning Ollie who plays the character of the stalker, as well as being the director himself. This enables viewers to analyse the story and gain a more in-depth idea of the plot and motive. When directors create character roles, they try and get the actors to inhabit the role and make it as realistic and believable to the audience that they are who they're acting as. From the interview I was able to learn things such as why this movie is unique and different to other productions, furthermore acknowledging the influences such as Elon Musk and science. 

PLANNING: RISK ASSESSMENT

 

PLANNING: RISK ASSESSMENT

A risk assessment is necessary to avoid any injuries or dangers which we may come in contact with throughout our filming. This table below presents these possible dangers and how we avoided them. I categorised this table into the main themed risks: Location/Environment, Weather and General Public. 

HEALTH HAZARD: 

These are all the factors which could be dangerous and are highlighted as risks to us. For example, we identified the fact there were rabbit holes where we were filming, factors of which may be dangerous to us due to if we accident stood in one it may injure us.

RISK LEVEL:

This is judged with labels, H, M or L, standing for high, medium and low, judging the health hazard by how dangerous it is. None of our risks we discovered were labelled H, mostly medium and low. An example of this is when we labelled the rain risk as M due to the rain wasn't an extremely significant risk, however it could effect us when filming.

RISK EXPOSURE:

This is a list of how and why the health hazards are dangerous, for example, we evaluated the 'trespassing' problem by explaining that being found in a location which we weren't given permission to film in may result in us being banned from there or just get in trouble with the teachers. 

CONTROL MEASURE: 

This box explains how to avoid the dangers and reduce the risk of them, such as wear more layers of clothing to avoid the cold weather when filming.

FEEDBACK - BEFORE AND AFTER FILMING SCENES

FEEDBACK by Grace Clare

SOCIAL GROUPS AND ISSUES

CONSTRUCTION: CALL SHEET 3

CALL SHEET 3 - CLAREMONT GARDENS/SCHOOL

Call sheet 3

Date of shots 16th of November 

Filmed at The Belvedere Tower at Claremont Gardens , in which you can see here on the map. 

Crew members include:

Name: Olivia D

Number: 07*******64

Email: LivLovesPonies@gmail.com

Name: Millie L

Number: 07*******23

Email: MillieMillie2005@hotmail.com

Name: Ollie H

Number: 07*******21

Email: OllieWollie@outlook.com

Name: Grace C

Number: 07*******92

Email: GracieC1889@icloud.com

Used to Film:

IOS 14.2 iPhone 11 Pro Max Camera 

Used for Lighting:

IOS 14.2 iPhone 11 Pro Max torch light 

Props:

iPhone x2

Headphones x1 

Wardrobe: 

Millie L - Black hoodie, headphones, school uniform

Ollie H - Full suit in black

CONSTRUCTION: CALL SHEET 2

CALL SHEET 2 - BELVEDERE TOWER

Call sheet 2

Date of shots 15th of November 

Filmed at The Belvedere Tower at Claremont Gardens , in which you can see here on the map. 

Crew members include:

Name: Olivia D

Number: 07*******64

Email: LivLovesPonies@gmail.com

Name: Millie L

Number: 07*******23

Email: MillieMillie2005@hotmail.com

Name: Ollie H

Number: 07*******21

Email: OllieWollie@outlook.com

Name: Grace C

Number: 07********92

Email: GracieC1889@icloud.com

Used to Film:

IOS 14.2 iPhone 11 Pro Max Camera 

Used for Lighting:

IOS 14.2 iPhone 11 Pro Max torch light 

Props:

iPhone x1

Headphones x1 

Coffee Mug x1

Wardrobe: 

Millie L - Black hoodie, headphones, school uniform

Ollie H - Full suit in black

Grace C - Lab Coat and suit/smart attire 

CONSTRUCTION: SHEET 1

 

CALL SHEET 1 - CLAREMONT FAN COURT SCHOOL (OUTSIDE)

Call sheet 1

Date of shots 11th of November 

Filmed at Claremont Fan Court school (outside), in which you can see here on the map.

Crew members include:

Name: Olivia D

Number: 07********64

Email: LivLovesPonies@gmail.com

Name: Millie L

Number: 07*******23

Email: MillieMillie2005@hotmail.com

Name: Ollie H

Number: 07*******21

Email: OllieWollie@outlook.com

Name: Grace C

Number: 07*******92

Email: GracieC1889@icloud.com

Used to Film:

IOS 14.2 iPhone 11 Pro Max Camera 

Used for Lighting:

IOS 14.2 iPhone 11 Pro Max torch light 

Props:

iPhone x2

Laptop x3

Headphones x1

Wardrobe: 

Millie L - Black hoodie, headphones, school uniform

Ollie H - Full suit in black

Olivia D - Smart work attire 

TV DRAMA ANALYSIS - HUSTLE

TV DRAMA ANALYSIS

HUSTLE 

The initial establishing shot presents a high end dress shop which initially introduces the audience to three actors, a male shop assistant, a higher class woman and a women who we discover is unable to pay for her chosen item as it's out of her price limit. The female characters contrast each other in the way of which one customer seems to fit in perfectly, picking out a luxurious dress and dressed in fancy clothes, however the other is made to feel less important and uncomfortable, due to being unable to purchase an item. The high angle shot used when meeting the first women, looks down on her, making her look smaller and less important, and highlighting her shabby, untidy appearance. The audience are able to gain an understanding that she doesn't below there and isn't a common customer. This contrasts against the other female, whose clothes are pristine and from the high end, and hair and makeup immaculate, making her out to be from the middle to upper class. Her character matches the shop assistants presentation, being smart and agile. 

The dialogue between the shop assistant and the first women discuss the pricing of a dress, and allow the audience to construct an idea of each character and the way in which they are treated defines their status. His hands are kept behind his back whilst talking to her, and nose stuck up in a patronising manner. The dialogue between this women and the higher class women is significantly obvious. This is evident in the way he initially doesn't mention the actual price of the garment to the first women, instead offers her a lower deal due to her appearance and less wealthy manner, unlike the second women who asks for a specific brand- which may be due to her previously buying something from the brand. We are also able to identify her as quite spoilt and wealthy through the hand gestures used when trying on the dress, flexing the bright diamond ring on her hand. Furthermore, the use of her hand gestures and excitement in the fitting room presents her as childish and giddy. The directors use tilt pan terminology from foot to head of the wealthy customer trying on the expensive new evening dress which is done purposefully to construct her as the sort of client that the shop assistant wants to impress as she is slim and makes the dress look beautiful; by ending the camera movement on her face, the audience sees her vain reaction to her image in the mirror which furthermore presents her character and arrogance.

The scene is then switched to a gentlemen's club, where we are introduced to more characters, two elderly men and a younger man, who we discover is trying to become employed by the elders, to participate in their mischievous plans. The room is glamorous and filled with expensive items such as glass cups and silk table cloths, and the men and all dressed in deluxe suits with shiny cufflinks and pristine handkerchiefs folded in their pockets. The elder men are seen to be interviewing the younger man, and impressing them with glasses of whisky and serious conversation, in order to hopefully recruit him in their mischievous plans. The two shot camera angles are used to show the exchange conversation between the client and interviewer. When this is happening, mirroring is used to show what they both have in common, and present the fact they're on board with the discussion. The camera is then flashed back to the shop scene, where the wealthy women creates a dramatic scene about losing her diamond ring which she explains her husband brought her. She rushes off and clarifies that if the shop assistant or anyone in the shop finds her ring, they'll get £5000. The audience later discover this is all a planned out scheme which results in her work partner finding the ring and getting paid money by the shop assistant in return for handing him the found ring. The audience become instantly engaged when this is discovered and become eager to find out more about this business and their devious plans. 

PLANNING: OUR COMP LIST

 PLANNING: OUR COMP LIST

To create the poster style presentation of my comp list I used a website called 'Canva', a editing website that allows you to select a template and is super accessible and easy to work with. 

Debunking Common Meditation Myths by Grace Clare

PLANNING: MY TARGET AUDIENCE AND HOW I ENGAGED THEM

PLANNING: MY TARGET AUDIENCE AND HOW I ENGAGED THEM

From the FutureLearn course that I am following Distribution: Connecting Films With Audiences, I know that all products are targeted at specific audiences. I needed to plan how to reach my target audience. Therefore, I needed to know who they are (factors that may be relevant include age, gender, ethnicity, social class), what their media needs are (so that I could produce a product that they will want) and how to reach them (to market my film). I will show how my research has shaped and  influenced my planning. I started by investigating how brands define audiences in preparation for creating my own audience profile for my AS Foundation Production. I investigated how Bauer Media define their audiences. 

This is my interpretation. Of my target audience, what they like and what would engage them. 

PLANNING: MY AUDIENCE QUESTIONNAIRE

PLANNING: MY AUDIENCE QUESTIONNAIRE 

I am using Google forms to create a questionnaire for my target audience and send it to people who are likely to watch our film. I will ask questions referring to age, gender, what types of films they prefer to watch, what influences them to watch a film and where they prefer to watch it. Our production team want to make a film that would appeal to young people aged 15-35. Our questionnaire will be useful to ensure that our type of genre will appeal to this audience. Through the use of Google Forms I will be able to collect this data.

These are the questions I intend to ask:
(Opening message) I would be grateful if you complete this short survey on films and what you prefer

1.  What is your gender?
2.  What age category do you fit into?
3.  Which of these your film genres would you watch? Pick as many as you wish.
4.  What was the last film you watched?
5.  What platform would you most likely use to watch a film?
6.  Which of these trailers have you seen?
7.  Which of these platforms would you use to find out about films?
8.  What is the most likely reason you would watch a new film?

This is how I can find my target audience from using these answers to the questionnaire. I used google forms to create said questionnaire. I sent it to my peers and teachers. I received great feedback; not only with the questionnaire, I received multiple compliments on the layout and how easy it was for them to access and complete. 

ART OF THE TITLE - SHERLOCK HOMES

ART OF THE TITLE - SHERLOCK HOMES 

Art of the title Sherlock Holmes opening scene 

The film opening of Sherlock Holmes conveys certain codes and conventions which match the Mystery film conventions. This title sequence clearly emphasised and showed the well known cast, which will encourage interest and hyped around the film. As for the expectation which comes alongside the well-known names. Within the film opening the soundtrack used creates suspense and drama but also fits in with the old, vintage style of the film set in 1890 London. As well as this the soundtrack is fast paced, with heavy instrumentals which once again helps to gage our attention. Personally I really like the illustrations and the way this was created and edited. The smooth transitions and front of the writing suits the film almost perfectly. The splats of ink and the handwriting highlights the fact that this is a historical genre film. Along with the credits being shown we also see some famous faces from the illustrations made with ink. This is all clearly made with editing software. The ink also moves into live images which were taken from within the film the music reflects the mystery in the film and again the historical era. 

ART OF THE TITLE - SPEED

ART OF THE TITLE - SPEED

Art of the title Speed opening scene 

Speed is a very action packed film starring Keanu Reeves, about a bus that is clocked on a time bomb, and that has to stay a certain speed to not crash. Firstly, the 20th Centure fox introduction appears, which draws attention to audience because it is a popular company that known for producing very good films. the text is in a 3D blue that is very big, to catch attention. The background is a panning shot running down a building which creates mystery and curiosity. We see some live action at the start which is a lift going down, this being a mid shot. The blue lettering separates the writing from the video behind. This catches the views eyes and so its easier for them to read the credits and recognize the big names from within the film which keeps them interested in finishing the film. I personally really enjoy the font. As the elevator goes down a new credit appears this is very slick which reflects the smooth editing and use of technology. We later find out there someone within the elevator. The title is introduced by coming together from different angles into the middle of the screen. 

After the credits, a scene of a man walking out of an elevator and discovering something off in the electronics room occurs. This also ensues mystery and wonder for what will happen next. During the opening credits, there if fast paced music, to show to the audience what type of film you are watching. It represents a faced paced, action packed film with lots of excitement and build up around it. The music is also very slightly mysterious which also represents action, as the mystery is that there could be a mastermind behind the whole film, which there is, as someone sets off the time bomb and has the intention of blowing it up. There is then a long shot going in towards the mysterious item, being a bag, then camera then slowly zooms in. 

PLANNING: FILM TREATMENT

PLANNING: FILM TREATMENT

Write a treatment for your film opening. A treatment will normally contain:

• A title that is dynamic and engaging
• The top line - an 'elegant sentence' that sums up the action
• The big question - what is the cliffhanger? what is the enigma that will unfold?
• The synopsis - one or two paragraphs outlining the plot
• Characters - brief introduction: Adam, 35, a dreamy design engineer.... Lucy, 25, a disenchanted doctor... Mary, 18, an idealistic student...

NEXT 

• After writing the treatment, you create a STORYBOARD  (hand drawn on the sheets that I give you)
• and a SHORTLIST

BRAINSTORM INITIAL IDEAS

• Girl with super brain being stalked by crazy doctor or scientist
• Aimed at a younger audience, that being young adults potential teenagers
• The scientist wants to take the girl completely to study her and take as a test subject 
• Potentially the government after her
• Some potential locations include; a hospital, train station, science lab

We initially brainstormed multiple different ideas and genres to start off with. We have access to a boat house, and therefore thought planning something which involves that location would be successful. 

Locations for Shots:

• London
• Train station 
• Hospital 
• Elevator
• Woods
• Empty car park
• Walking down an empty dark road
• Dark room hacker screens 

Props: 

• Pin Board
• Documents
• Pictures
• Files
• Doctors notes 
• earphones 

Effects:

• Clips from YouTube
• Titles
• Background music/sounds
• Filters
• POV filters

Simple shots ideas:

• Earphones in music playing walking down lonely street, music out silence. Mixed shots of doctor and girl to create following creepy scene
• Dark room with hacker screens and reflecting in glasses 

Behind the scenes:

We printed images of my friend, Millie, then wrote on the images with

with a red pen to look like she's being stalked. 

We used youtube to create these hacking effects on the screen. 

Here Ollie is taking pictures of Millie through the trees, the long shot with 

trees obstructing the view of the camera will create the feel of that she's being watched. 

Liv is taking more pictures of Millie to add the the "stalkers" collection. 

PLANNING: TOP LINE & BIG QUESTION

 

TOP LINE & THE BIG QUESTION

I watched a presentation by Frank Ash who is the creative consultant for the BBC. He has taught story telling and creativity techniques to teams across the BBC and beyond. What I learned form the presentation was how important it was to focus on the audience: what interests them ,how does the film make them want more. 

For Frank Ash film makers need to think of what the top line and the big question is. He calls the top line 'one elegant sentence' that sums up the story. He then says we then need to leave the audience wanting to find out more which is the 'big question'. Having learnt from Frank Ash's video, I have decided to sign up for Film Distribution from on the Future Learn website. 

FILMING AN OPENING SEQUENCE: ALWAYS FOREVER

 

FILMING AN OPENING SEQUENCE

Here is my start of the film exercise that I completed with a group within my class. We came up with a story line which is illustrated through the items/props on the tabletop. We used a range of camera angles including a long shot and a POV (point of view) shot. We had a small section with live action that included the two 'main characters'. I was inspired by the opening sequence to kill a mocking bird, the multiple use of angles, the child humming in the background and the use of props all put together looked truly amazing. I wanted to achieve this for my own opening sequence I was very proud whit how my opening sequence came out and my friends in which I worked with should be very proud too. 

RESEARCH 

We viewed three examples of opening sequences filmed in in a similar 'table top' style. 

Using art of the title, we watched Delicatessen (1991, Jean-Pierre Jeunet) and noticed how its inventive camerawork tells the story and set up the theme. Another excellent title sequence is was that of To Kill A Mockingbird. We also reviewed last years students.We then use these as an inspiration to create an original title sequence in groups by setting up mise-en-scene using props from out prop collection. 

PLANNING 

Before we started filming, we laid out all the props that were elements of our film narratives mise-en-scene on the table. We also research and discussed audio for the soundtrack of the opening sequence. The option for our title sequence uses the soundtrack Always Forever by the Cults. 

FILMMING

We filmed the 'live action' element, uploaded the footage into the editing software in which was iMovie, using this editing software we planned out titles, credits, special effects and the soundtrack. 

My friends participated with some of the acting and I mostly directed and filmed them. 

BEHIND THE SCENES 

RESEARCH: FILM OPENING ANALYSIS AE FOND KISS

 AE FOND KISS 

1. There were nine titles displayed during the opening sequence to the film. The producers decided to show so many titles to give the film pedigree and to influence possible new audience by showing them familiar names. In which would also create more publicity and catch the audiences attention. 

2. The images that were prioritised in the opening sequence include the nightclub and the small shop.  This is prioritised because it opens up the setting and the establishing scene which shows where we are and what type of culture we are watching; which is the Islamic culture meaning the nightclub has a mixture of cultures. Since this is a Bollywood film they don't have intimate scenes. 

3. The connotations of said nightclub and shop include the introduction of two characters those being the brother and the father. Within the nightclub is Bhangra music and a Bollywood film in the background being projected on the wall. This highlighted the culture of those within the club. 

4. The genre is reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset by use of audio and camera angles. Within the start of the film after Tahara and Casim had run through the school into the music room 'coincidentally' being introduced to the music teacher in which Casim experiences a forbidden romance with. We first pick up the connection between them with a close up to Casims face after her had met the music teacher. They also showed a POV (point of view) shot through the door as Casim. The use of audio is also very important, it because a gentle sweet tune after their first encounter together. Said audio is what gave the name to the film in which is a poem. 

5. The film establishes enigma from the outset via Taharas speech. Through said speech we learn that she attends a Catholic school. Yet she is not a Catholic she is Muslim. Which is her family's religion. As her brother falls in love with a Catholic girl whilst being Muslim; each of them supposedly have their lives planned out for them. 

6. The use of Bhangra music appeals towards the Pakistani audience, whilst the choice of main actors may appeal more towards a younger audience. The choice of setting in Glasgow may appeal to a Glaswegian audience too. 

7. The technology has been used very efficiently. For example There is a pan shot over the skyline of Glasgow, and the use of editing is also very efficient as we have a certain scenes within the nightclub and then we are shown a shop. These are very different settings yet they merge together due to the smooth transitions.

COMIC LIFE

 COMIC LIFE 

I put together these photos and camera angles together with my knowledge of camera angles in media studies, making Sam appear smaller and bigger in certain angles to change his physical appearance. For example I have taken a long shot to make Sam look smaller in the top left photo, by using my knowledge of camera angles.