One Week With Rachel Final Film Opening

film - Tash and Matt from Tash Barrett on Vimeo.

This is the final product from all the research I have done to make a professional final piece that does not look shabby but well executed.

Costume Boards

Setting Board (Outdoors)

Pre Filming

Before stariting the filmopening I took a photo shoot of the main 4 characters of the story.

James played by Chris Wilkie.
Rachel played by Kerry Watkins.
Matt played by Michael Jones.

The photo shoot was successful as all the actor were enthusiastic and comfortable with each other and the cameras presence. They all were easy to get hold of and were nearly always free for filming.

Setting Board ( Inside )

James' Props

Premission for filming

This is the premission from the three actors in my film opening.

Filming Schedule

19/11/11 - Start taking some test footage and if all goes well begin filming James's opening scene of his house.

20/11/11 - Continue with the open scene at James house, must be finished!!!!

27/11/11 - Begin filming the end of the film opening with James (main character) and Matt (semi main character)

3/12/11 - finish filming James in his room packing.

6/12/11- Film James and Matt's convosation in the car towards the end of film opening

10/12/11 - film the flashback scene in one go ( hopefully )

13/12/11 - Film anything that I feel needs to be refilmed because of contanewity errors and wrong shot angles.

As I gather my film footage I will start editing it together so that I can see what needs to be re-shot and what I need to change to make the opening scene more smooth and prefessional. I will be editing the footage inbetween my shoots so that I can see the overall look of my film opening. I plan that I should have this all done by the deadline of 16 December 2011

Storyboard

storyboard from Tash Barrett on Vimeo.

This is my storyboard. From this I now have a more clear view of what each shot will have and how each turn of even comes into shot.

Questionnaire Results!

Question One: What is your gender?    
Male= 4    Female= 6
The reason i asked more females then males is because there were more willing females to answer my questionnaire then males.

Question Two: What is your age?   
16 or younger= 5    17-21= 5   (Rest were 0)
This shows that the younger generation is more interested in taking part of research

Question Three: What is your occupation?  
Student= 10 (Rest were 0)
The target audience is teenagers of 12 and above.

Question Four: Do you watch Romantic Dramas? 
Yes= 6    No= 4
To see how many people actual watch my film genre.

(a) If no, how could it be improved?   
Less Boring= 1    N/A= 1    More Energy= 2
This is so I can see how to make our film more appealing to our target audience.

(b) If yes,what do you find interesting about Romantic Dramas? 
Obstacle couples face= 1  Relateable= 1  Funny= 1   N/A=1   Romance= 2
So that I know what makes a Romantic Drama interesting to the normal audience.

Question Five: How often do you watch Romantic Dramas? 
Everyday= 0  Once a week= 2   Twice a week=0   Monthly=5   Never=3
To find out the average time that the film genre is watched by target audience.

Question Six: What would you say is your favorite Romantic Drama?
The Notebook=1   Titanic=1   N/A=3   Notting Hill=1   Love Actually=2
So we know what kind of style in Romantic Dramas attract the audience.

Question Seven: Do you prefer a slow paced storyline or a fast paced storyline?
Slow paced= 1   Fast Paced= 9
So we know how long we should drag out certain parts of my film.

(b) Why?  (Slow paced)
Makes you wonder= 1

(Fast paced)
Stays interested= 6   Excitement= 2   Action=1   Everything happens at once= 1
To gain an idea about what makes different paced films interesting to my target audience.


This will help me know what I must do to make my film appeal to people who already watch Romantic Drams but also to entice people who don't watch them into watching them.

The script

INT JAMES BEDROOM - DAYTIME

*James is sat on his bed packing clothes and other essentials

Needed for a holiday in the UK. He is looking at a picture

Of a girl he met last year.*

*In James’s bedroom where there is a bed and a set of draws.

His room is rather messy as he has got clothes out that he

Is packing.*

(JAMES NARRATING)

As I was growing up I was always told I would find

The One. And I did find the one. But as everyone

knows good things never last.

*James picks up a picture of a girl that is on the set of draws

in his bedroom. He gives a slight smile before remembering

the time he had with this girl. *

EXT- WOODLAND AREA-DAY

(In style of a flash back)

James and Rachel are walking in the woods/park having

a good time talking and laughing.

In a wood/park there are leaves on the ground, it is late

autumn. It’s a sunny day and there is a slight breeze.

JAMES

                                    I’m really glad I met you. This has been the

                                    Best week of my life.

RACHEL

                                    Yes I have enjoyed it to. I will never forget

                                    This week.

JAMES

                                    I won’t either.

INT-JAMES BEDROOM-DAYTIME

James is sat on his bed still looking at the picture.

He gets a text on his phone from matt. He reads the

Text.

James’s bedroom where there is a bed and a set of draws.

His room is rather messy as he has got clothes out that he

is packing.

TEXT FROM MATT

                                    Waiting outside. When you are ready.

                        (pause)

(JAMES NARRATING)

                                    I have never seen Rachel since that week

                                    Last year. I promised her I would never

                                    Forget that week… lets just hope she hasn’t.

*James now finished packing leaves the room and walks

Through the corridor and out the front door to where matt

Is waiting to set off on their holiday.*

EXT- ROAD OUTSIDE JAMES HOUSE-DAYTIME 

 

James carries his bag and puts it in the back of the car.

James and matt then get into the car.

An urban area with a road through it. Trees blowing

In the wind, a dry day.

MATT

                                    Are you ready to go then?

JAMES

                                    Ready as I will ever be. Do you think

                                    Rachel will be there again this year?

MATT

                                    You can only hope mate.

*The car now drives off down the road.*

Insitutional Research

This research will help me gain knowledge of how institutions again money, what they produce and how to make my text look like the real thing.

Universal Studios.


Universal studio's is one of the oldest American movie studio's still producing. They have been around since 1912, founded by Carl Laemmle.


What kind of text do they produce?


The kinds of text that they produce is mostly films. For example:


- Little Fockers                          - The Bourne Ultimatum
- Despicable Me                         - Knocked Up
- Get Him To Greece                  - Van Helsing
- Hellboy 2


How do they make money?


They make money from supporting/ producing new films. Making merchandise for the film's fans to buy, as well as making ride to further promote there films and increase their money intake.


In what way is your film similar and different to other texts they make?


Similar: They are similar as its a genre they are familiar with and have made a number of them. They will focus on the aspects of love in this type of genre. Our text is film


Different: Its not payed for. Has no experienced actor/actresses in it. No special effects, team of camera men, wardrobe, lighting, set, etc.


In what way so i think my text can look like a 'real' product?


I believe that my text can look like a real product if I use a variety of shot types, such as; match on actions, over the shoulder shots, extreme close ups and establishing shots. Also if i use actor who can actual act their part perfectly, not a friend who can't take the role seriously and keeps cracking up and laughing during scenes. Also if i can stitch the overall film together so it flows smoothly it'll look alot more professional instead of looking like a students work.


Why I feel my text is appropriate for them?


I feel that my text is appropriate for Universal because they have made a variety of romance related films that are well known and loved, though they are mostly comical. I would like to give them the chance to be involved in a different type of of genre that they are both used to and new to.


How much of a production budget would you expect to receive in the real world?


The production i would expect to receive is a type one borderline type two budget.
Type one: British funding, actors, no foreign input
Type two: Some European funding but still mostly British input.
This is because its a simple film, that doesn't need any special effects or big Hollywood actors. The film just needs a few well known faces and alot of less known actors to make the film interesting.


How my text will be broundcasted in the real world.


Type of cinema's and TV Channels:
-Vue           - Sky Movie
-Channel 4  - ITV
-BBC1         -ITV2


What would I do to ensure that my film has a presence on the Internet.


Use an animated banner that if is click will link to my films trailer. This would be a interesting and eye catching way to bring attention to my film.

This helps me understand what my text needs to have to be able to become a 'real' text product.

Actors Profiles

Here is my actors profile gicing background information about the Main Characters relationship to other characters as well as there place in the story.

BBFC Guildlines

Who are the BBFC:


The BBFC is a British non government body that decided the classification of films due to their content.


Main Issues:


Discrimination: The use of offensive materials referring to gender, ethnic backgrounds, disability, sexuality, age and religion. Also its impact of its present in the film will have an effect on its classification. My film will show no discrimination towards any groups as our films focus is not on the view of a group from other's point of view.

Drugs: The use of drugs must not be shown in a way which makes it seem glamorous or promote the misuse of drugs. It should not be shown as a glamorous activity in films for younger viewers. The film will show only the use of alcohol for a short amount of time. I'm using alcohol in my film because it shows the stereotype of teenagers: that they are known for going out drinking at parties.

Horror: Though some people enjoy scary sequences the level of horror in films can have a dramatic effect on the classification. Even though children like to be scared sometimes the classification of the film helps to stop then from getting too much of an intense experience. There will be no horror in my film as it does not fit the genre that my film is. It also has no place in the events that take place.

Imitable Behaviour:  This is behaviour which is dangerous to be copied such as; self-harming, suicide etc and also violence towards others and the use of assessable weapons SHOULD NOT be glamorised. There will be no imitable behavior in my film as it would be inappropriate for my classification.

Language: In some films there are a uses of a variety of swear words to expresses a majority of emotions such as anger, hatred and sometimes sadness. For example: 'fuck', 'shit' and 'bitch'. Swear words will only be acceptable if the use of them is justified. Obsessive amount of swearing on the hand will not be acceptable. There will be a small amount of swear words in this film to express the characters anger and sadness in the film.

Nudity: There aren't any constraints on nudity in films of an educational or non-educational nature. Nudity will be allowed if context is of a sexual nature. There will be not nudity in my film as its inappropriate for my films classification.

Sex: There cannot be any strong reference to sexual activities. Ex specially if not related to the films context. There will be no strong references to sexual activities within my film but there will be a few glimpses of kissing in the film which is kept discreet. Other that that there is no sexual content in the film.

Theme: There are no themes that are not aloud to be shown to 12 year olds. As long as they aren't of a mature nature.Films that are aimed at children at the age of 12 and above are able to use a variety of themes to make the film exciting as long as the more extreme themes of a sexual or violent nature are kept discreet and are not the aim focus of the film.

Violence: There will be some use of violence, but it cannot be graphic or gory. References to sexual violence must be kept very discreet and must have a very strong justification for its use. There will be no violence shown within my film as it is not relevant to the story's tale.

The certificates of films:


U - A film with this certificate should be acceptable for viewing by children over the age of 4 due to there being no drugs a very small amount of sexual activity (kissing), use of 'menacing' violence, brief horror just enough to not cause the viewer to become scared.


PG - Are films that should be watches with a parent's guidance. Tend to carry an 'Anti drug' messages. No glamorisation of easily accessed weapons or dangerous behaviours that a child could copy.


12A / 12 - Are films that are for kids of 12 and above. 12A's are only found in the cinemas. Brief discriminatory language and behaviour. Use of drugs are infrequent if used. Dangerous behavior is used but do not dwell on the details to prevent children from copying them. Nudity is allowed but any sexual context and must be brief and discreetly portrayed. Moderation of violence is used but they cannot dwell on details.


15 - For teenagers of 15 and over. Drug use is shown but is not promoted or provide encouragement for its misuse. There will be brief use of strong swear words but it will not be repeatedly aggressive. Nudity and sexual activities will be shown but not with strong details. Violent content is strong but does not dwell on the gore or the infliction of pain.


18 - Only suitable for adults. Where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, erotics or endorse sexual assault


R18 - To be shown only in licenced cinemas and sex shops and can only be sold to adults older than 18.Any material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959. Material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity (for example, paedophilia, incest or rape) which may include adults role-playing as non-adults. The portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent (whether real or simulated). Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent.


The certificate of my film.



Discrimination:Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

Drugs Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.

Horror: Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

Imitable behaviour: Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free.  Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language: Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent.

Nudity: Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

Sex: Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme: Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

Violence: Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.

The effect on the material types i can and cannot use in my film:


There are no big dramatic changes in the materials type i can use in my film. The material I had already chosen to make up my film where all suitable for the viewing of a 12 year old. There was no violence. No strong sexual activities only perhaps a brief view of kissing. The will be no discrimination of any type in any shape or form. No nudity. No Horror. No theme restrictions. There is going to be brief exclamation's of swearing that will be infrequent. Only drug used is alcohol which will not be glamorised or promoted. No use of imitable behavior as it would be unacceptable for my chose of classification.

Romantic Film Presentation

This presentation is on research on the film genre Romantic Dramas.

Giving you the outline of the setting,props,characters,storylines,cinematography and sounds used throughout the film as well as examples of the genre.



Thrillers Presentation

This is my record of my presentation on the genre Thrillers. Showing the settings they use the people,storyline. The methods they use. The different variations of the genre and many sub-genres. Films which fit the genre and some background information on Thriller movies and what you expected to see in them.

Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task from Tash Barrett on Vimeo.

This is my preliminary task for helping me get used to using the equipment such as camera's, tripods, computer editing software and different shot types such as match on actions when a shot changes when a character is doing an action such as sitting down or throwing a ball, and over the shoulder shots where the camera is looking over the characters shoulder while the character is engage in a conversation with another and vise-versa.

Audience Research Questionnaire

This will help me gain more of an idea about the target audience as I will hand this out to people who are willing to take part in my questionnaire.

Questionnaire for Media

What is your gender?

Male__      Female__

What is your age?

16 and under__    17-21__    22-30__    31-50__     51 and over__

What is your occupation?

Student__    Employed__    Unemployed__   Stay at home parent__

(a)  Do you watch romantic dramas?

      Yes__      No__

(b)      If no why not? How could they be improved so they would interest you?

__________________________________________________________

What do you find interesting about romantic dramas?

_____________________________________________________________

How often do you watch romantic dramas?

   Everyday__    Once a week__    twice a week__   monthly__   never__

What would you say is your favourite romantic drama?

_____________________________________________

(a) Do you prefer a slow paced storyline or a fast paced storyline?

     Slow paced__       Fast paced__

(b)Why?

_____________________________________________________________

I hope to achieve a more of an insight to peoples view of Romantic Dramas and understand why they like and dislike them.

Audience Targeting!

This research is to help me understand the target audiences gender and age. So I can understand the things that I can put in my film without it being inappropriate for the classification I chose. ( See BBFC Regulations )

The target audience for my Romantic Drama film will be women between the ages of 13 and 30. Perhaps young males between 13 and 16 who are having relationship trouble/problems.


The traditional target audience for a film of my genre is women, of all age as females are stereotypically knows for being obsessed with the idea of love. For example, true love. Though my film will be more based on love from the younger generation's ( teenagers ) view, it'll capture their take on "falling in love".


The Socio-economic classification of my target audience will be C1 and C2 which is 54% of the population therefore i am targeting the biggest target audience with my film.


The general interest of my chosen target audience will be the hope for a happily ever after relationship or ending in life. People who are optimistic about love concurring all odds and people who are currently in the "perfect happily ever after" relationship.

I now know what my target audience is and the percentage of them I am showing an interest in.

Textual Analysis

This is to help me understand the way a Romantic Drama opens so I can gain some inspiration about how I want mine to start.

Textual Analysis of the film: The Bodyguard.

The film begins with the sound of gunshots and a black screen, a few seconds after the first gun shot a man’s face appears in a extreme close up cutting off the to of the mans head and the bottom of his chin. His hand can be seen in the bottom right of the screen holding the guns, which are both slightly blurred as you see the gun shift showing the audience that it is the gun being fired.

This then cuts to a medium close up of another man lying on the floor with his face looking at the camera and his hands by his chest, fingers spread out as if he has fallen and landing in this position.

Then the scene cuts to a mid shot of the first male character ( will be noted as male #1) still holding the gun, wearing a tux knelt beside a black car. Then the title “The Bodyguard” appears in bold white lettering almost touching the bottom of the screen accompanied by the music which fades in as the text appears then fades once the text has dissolves. The music is sinister and melancholy giving you the feeling that perhaps the shooting was not for any valid reason making you wonder wither you should dislike the character or not.

As the text dissolves the camera does a reverse-zoom, slowly travelling backwards to become a medium long shot of the same scene. Then the reverse-zoom continues to go backwards into a long shot/ wide shot of the scene to include the body beneath male #1 and the security guard coming down some stairs from the top left corner behind male #1. Showing the audience that the scene is set within an underground level car park. The reverse-zoom still continues becoming an extreme wide/long shot showing yet more bodies lying in male #1 among the other cars parked in the car park. The reverse-zoom slowly becomes a high angled shot giving the audience a more clear idea of the setting/surroundings. This overall section is one long take.

Then the piping running across the ceiling of the car park blocks us from the scene and the as it moves from view we see that the scene has changed to a close up of two brandy glasses on a polished wooden surface being filled with brandy from a tear shaped bottle, by a shaking white hand.

The blocking of the pipe shows the change in time as we are taking back before the shooting The camera travels up the body of the holder of the bottle showing the face of the man who was gunned down by male #1 at the very opening of the film (will be noted as male #2). This then widens into a two shot of Male #2 and male #1 standing behind him.

This is then followed by another long take as the camera pans around so that male #2 is now opposite male #1 instead of behind him.

This helped me out as now I understand what can be used in a Romantic Drama opening scene to make it perfect for my genre choice.

Film Synopsis

This is my film synopsis based on the genre Romantic Dramas. Showing traditional aspects seen in this genre such as; boy meets girl and girl meets boy, they fall in love. But my film has a unique twist to it. The boy and girl are reunited after a summer romance and go through the motions once more and ends with a cliff hanger to make way for a sequel if proven successful.

My film synopsis

James is sat at home getting ready to go on a holiday in Cornwall. We see him looking at a picture of a girl, that he met there last year. We later learn the girls name is Rachel. As he thinks about her, he has a flashback about his time he had with her last year. He is interrupted when his friend, Matt, texts him to tell him he is outside ready to go. He then leaves the house to go Cornwall. – Film opening

We then see him in the car driving over the moors on the way to Cornwall.

(pan shot following the car as it drives past). thought the journey they are talking about what they will do in Cornwall and James is wondering if Rachel will be there this year. James and Matt arrive at their destination and get out of the car. They both look at the place where they are staying (We see an establishing shot of the holiday home). They both go into the building and get ready for an evening out on the town.

That evening, James and Matt go to a party on the beach in the near by town, they have a BBQ, play games and go to the night club. Later on in the evening James is alone on the beach thinking about Rachel when a girl walks bast him. He realises it is Rachel and runs after her to say hello.

Over the next week James and Rachel spend time together getting closer and closer and beginning to fall in love. On the evening before they leave, Rachel gets a call which is from her boyfriend (Jake) and this is when James hopes are shattered. later that evening, Rachel leave and James is left thinking he will never see her again.

The next day Matt and James leave to head home, James is still feeling heart broken from the events of the previous day. On the journey back Matt tries his best to make James feel better, however he is unsuccessful.

The next day we see James on a bus going to work. When he gets to work he finds out that there is a new girl there that he needs to show around. He sees the girl and realises it is Rachel. There is a silence between them and then James says in a shocked voice, “Rachel?” 

(This is where the film ends to create a cliff hanger and allow a sequel to follow on if needed)

This reminds me of how my story will go and is also my original version if i chose to change it.

Codes and Conventions

The first blog piece I have done in completing my film genre work is researching the different things that you can find in Romantic Dramas. This is because the genre I have chosen is Romantic Dramas and I want to use the correct codes and convection's of the genre, so I have researched Romantic Dramas so that I can be positive that my film will fit perfectly into the genre.

For a Romantic Drama the settings used would be:


-Beach towns or beaches.
-In a variety of places as the characters may have many meetings and accident throughout the film.
- Places we associate with being romantic like beaches, restaurant's, couples homes. Places where the main characters are isolated and can show affection freely.
-workplaces of the main characters

Romantic Drama Props:


-Flowers or chocolates
-presents
-nice clothes/ swimwear
-Car
-Mobile phone
-Photography
-suitcases  

Typical Action in a Romantic Drama:


-Boy meets girl
-Girl meets boy
-They grow close
-They fall in love or one of them do and have unrequited love for the other
-Lovers are pulled apart by tragedy,betrayal, jealously or mistakes
-Period of time where both characters or one of them are mourning there lose
-They are pulled together by a spontaneous moment/decision
-They are reunited though sometimes they remain apart.

Common Character Types of a Romantic Drama:


-Male lead character
-Female lead character
-Friends of both main characters
-Their family members
-Competitor of one of the main characters affections

Typical Storyline of a Romantic Drama:


- Boy meets girl
-they spend lots of time together and fall in love
-become separated by a tragedy or problem
-spend time mourning each other
-are thrown back together
-live happily ever after

Sound/Music:


-Piano solo's that can moves between melancholy to happiness
-Brief dialogue in parts maybe more in others
-maybe some narration to help explain scenes
-songs that are related to love or break ups.

Cinematography/ Editing:


-Flash backs of the past not in all romantic dramas but are used occasionally
-Little editing as the film is based purely on reality
-many different shots of the characters apart and together

This was useful as it let me know what audience expect from my film genre. The film always involves a man and a women who fall in love through a variety of events but always end up coming apart at the end and sometimes being reunited once more. I now know what my film should have in it not only to make it fit the genre I have chosen but make it more interesting.