The message of my film is moral. The message is to not treat people badly as what goes around comes around. Another message is not to take life for granted. There are many messages. It depends on how the audience interprets it. This is usually the same with all films.
The tagline to my film was "To Live is to Suffer, but to Survive is to find meaning in the suffering". This goes well with the film. The main character is suffering in his life, so consequently he tries to end his life. He then saves a boys life and the boy shows him gratitude. The main character then feels good about this (he has found meaning in the suffering). He feels accepted in life.
Monday 14 December 2009
Friday 11 December 2009
Effects
One of the main effects in my film is the stabbing scene at the end of the film. Fake blood was used to produce this effect. It looked a lot more real than I thought it would.
Another effect in my film is the near miss with the car. Maxine Eldret was driving the car which earned her a `Thank You` credit.
Another effect in my film is the near miss with the car. Maxine Eldret was driving the car which earned her a `Thank You` credit.
Lighting
The lighting in my film is that of a natural, average winter day. There weren’t many resources available that we could have professional lighting. I wanted natural lighting for my film so that there is as much realism as possible.
Mise-en-Scene
The mise-en-scene in my film is gloomy and dull. This is to represent the loneliness and misery of the main character. The main character wears dark clothing to represent his mood. The weather is gloomy like his mood. The car park at the beginning of the film is empty which represents the emptiness of the main character’s life. These are just some examples of mise-en-scene in my film.
Thursday 10 December 2009
Music
After months of searching for the right music, I have finally found the music most suitabl efor my film. There are two tracks that will be used. One will be used at the beginning and one at the end. Both tracks are by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis and they are actually from the film: "The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford". The tracks are called: "What Must Be Done" and "The Legend Of Jesse James". The former will be used at the beginning of the film and the latter will be used at the end of the film.
Beginning of Film.
End of Film.
End of Film.
Saturday 5 December 2009
Reshoots
While reshooting the first scene I took a lot more care in making sure the actors stood in the perfect positions so that the continuity wouldn't be such an issue. I used all the same shot types. The filming of that scene didn't take very long.
I then filmed the second scene. I didn't use the tripod for any panning shots, however I did for still shots. I think the handheld effect works out to be more effective as it makes the audience feel they are following the subject.
For editing, I did exactly what I did before and replaced the old footage. There are still minor continuity issues, but that is expected. It is very rare that a film has perfect continuity. Also the handheld effect worked well, I feel, after seeing it on the screen.
I then filmed the second scene. I didn't use the tripod for any panning shots, however I did for still shots. I think the handheld effect works out to be more effective as it makes the audience feel they are following the subject.
For editing, I did exactly what I did before and replaced the old footage. There are still minor continuity issues, but that is expected. It is very rare that a film has perfect continuity. Also the handheld effect worked well, I feel, after seeing it on the screen.
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Editing Part Three
The editing for this scene didn't take very long at all. There were no problems at all. The finished scene was just how I wanted.
However, I realised that the continuity in the first scene wasn't that good and the tripod in the second scene had made a lot of noise and you could here it on the film. Therefore I need to reshoot these scenes in their entirety.
However, I realised that the continuity in the first scene wasn't that good and the tripod in the second scene had made a lot of noise and you could here it on the film. Therefore I need to reshoot these scenes in their entirety.
Tuesday 1 December 2009
Shooting Part Three
I have shot the final scene in my film. The main problem was timing the car and the actors at the right time. There were many takes where the car was much too far away from the two actors. The main actor was pushing the younger actor out of the way of the car so the car has to be close to the actors so that it shows that the car almost hit the actors. We got it in the end.
Another problem that occurred was the camera's battery ran out when we needed another three shots. It was getting dark so we needed to hurry. We ran and charged the camera for about ten minutes which was just enough. We then ran and filmed the rest of it. It was still the same level of brightness outside so the scene is good and it is finished.
Another problem that occurred was the camera's battery ran out when we needed another three shots. It was getting dark so we needed to hurry. We ran and charged the camera for about ten minutes which was just enough. We then ran and filmed the rest of it. It was still the same level of brightness outside so the scene is good and it is finished.
Saturday 28 November 2009
Editing Part Two
For this part of the film, I mainly used straight cuts. However I used a couple of fades. I used a fade to show thet time had passed within the scene. I had the main actor walk towards a tree with a rope in his hands. Then there was a fade and the main actor was sitting in the tree with the rope around his neck and the tree. I did this to save time and also to make the film more interesting. If the audience were watching someone set up the rope, it would be very boring and time consuming. I feel the way I did it as the best way to do it. I also used a fade at the end of the scene so that I can add the next scene onto it.
Saturday 21 November 2009
Shooting Part Two
I have just finished shooting the second part of my film. I had no problems but I think I will reshoot some of it because I think another shot would be suitable rather than one I have used. Also, the tripod made too much noise when I was panning the camera to the left. It made a creaking noise.
Filming was not interrupted at all. It was delayed at one point because my lead Actor couldn't get up the tree in order to get one of the shots.
Filming was not interrupted at all. It was delayed at one point because my lead Actor couldn't get up the tree in order to get one of the shots.
Tuesday 10 November 2009
Editing Part One
I have just finished editing the first part of my film using "Pinnacle". It is very easy and Straight forward to do at the moment. However, I think it will get harder as I progress because I have to do different things, such as add transitions and music.
Saturday 24 October 2009
Shooting Part One
I have just shot the first part of my film. It went according to plan. I got all of the shots I needed. My actors did everything I told them to do.
It was hard to get certain shots due to the public interfering and getting in the shot just because they were wondering what we were doing.
I recorded each shot three or more times just in case something was wrong with one of them (e.g. if the tape gets scratched).
It was hard to get certain shots due to the public interfering and getting in the shot just because they were wondering what we were doing.
I recorded each shot three or more times just in case something was wrong with one of them (e.g. if the tape gets scratched).
Friday 16 October 2009
Cast Change
My Cast:
Alex Varney
Stephen Shaw
Nick Craske
I chose Alex Varney to play the main character in my film because he is the only actor I know that can convey emotion in such a way that will connect with an audience. I had other actors in mind if Alex Varney couldn't play the character but Alex Varney was my first choice.
I chose Stephen Shaw for the role because he is good at playing serious and emotional characters.
However just as we were arranging to shoot the first part of my film Stephen Shaw decided that he didn't want to do the film after saying weeks before that he would. I have found a replacement for Stephen and the replacement should be better. Stephen Shaw's replacement is Harry Ebsworth. Harry Ebsworth will be better because he is a much funnier individual, and seeing as my film is a comedy, I feel that it is appropriate. Stephen Shaw on the other hand isn't very funny at all. I feel that Harry Ebsworth will be able to reveal a funny side to such a serious, disturbed character.
I chose Nick Craske for the role of the young boy because I've seen him in stage productions that required him to act naive and pathetic and he was very good at it. It is a small role in my film but it is an important one. He was my first and only choice for this role.
My New Cast:
Alex Varney
Harry Ebsworth
Nick Craske
Alex Varney
Stephen Shaw
Nick Craske
I chose Alex Varney to play the main character in my film because he is the only actor I know that can convey emotion in such a way that will connect with an audience. I had other actors in mind if Alex Varney couldn't play the character but Alex Varney was my first choice.
I chose Stephen Shaw for the role because he is good at playing serious and emotional characters.
However just as we were arranging to shoot the first part of my film Stephen Shaw decided that he didn't want to do the film after saying weeks before that he would. I have found a replacement for Stephen and the replacement should be better. Stephen Shaw's replacement is Harry Ebsworth. Harry Ebsworth will be better because he is a much funnier individual, and seeing as my film is a comedy, I feel that it is appropriate. Stephen Shaw on the other hand isn't very funny at all. I feel that Harry Ebsworth will be able to reveal a funny side to such a serious, disturbed character.
I chose Nick Craske for the role of the young boy because I've seen him in stage productions that required him to act naive and pathetic and he was very good at it. It is a small role in my film but it is an important one. He was my first and only choice for this role.
My New Cast:
Alex Varney
Harry Ebsworth
Nick Craske
Thursday 8 October 2009
Tuesday 6 October 2009
Sunday 4 October 2009
Creating Poster
Credits
The credits at the bottom of most posters. The font used is "Bee One". The computers used for creating the posters do not have this font so I have used a standard font.
Photo
This is the photograph I took for my film poster. I was satisfied by everything about the photograph apart from the face of the facial expression of the main character, so I took the photograph again. The only good thing about the new photograph was the facial expression of the main character. So, what I did was take the head from the new photograph and place it onto the head of the old one using Adobe Photoshop. It didn't look legit right away but after I adjusted some of the settings it looked just fine. Below is the photograph with the new head.
Thursday 1 October 2009
Blocking
I have done all of my blocking. I will be filming in South Woodham Ferrers Town Centre, Bushy Hill (a.k.a Radar Hill) and South Woodham Ferrers Industrial Estate. There is nothing stopping me from getting the shots I need so everything should be fine.
I'll be filming in the town centre early in the morning so that there aren't a lot of people around. When there are a lot of people, they tend to interrupt and thwart our efforts at getting the film completed.
I'll be filming up bushy hill at about midday as that is when the lighting will be best to film. This is important so that the audience can see clearly what is happening on screen.
I'll be filming at the industrial estate on a sunday at about 2pm. On a sunday there tends to be no one working so we won't be interrupted and the road will be clear for us. I'm filming at 2pm just so that the lighting is just right. It should work out that the lighting in my film is just like that in a normal day. We filmed the first scene in the early hours of the morning, the second at midday and the third just after midday, so the lighting should be perfect.
I'll be filming in the town centre early in the morning so that there aren't a lot of people around. When there are a lot of people, they tend to interrupt and thwart our efforts at getting the film completed.
I'll be filming up bushy hill at about midday as that is when the lighting will be best to film. This is important so that the audience can see clearly what is happening on screen.
I'll be filming at the industrial estate on a sunday at about 2pm. On a sunday there tends to be no one working so we won't be interrupted and the road will be clear for us. I'm filming at 2pm just so that the lighting is just right. It should work out that the lighting in my film is just like that in a normal day. We filmed the first scene in the early hours of the morning, the second at midday and the third just after midday, so the lighting should be perfect.
Sunday 27 September 2009
Poster Design Brief
After researching posters for black comedies I now know what I am going to do for mine.
The title will be in big writing across the top, with the tagline underneath it in smaller font. All the text will be over the picture which will take up the whole page. There will be the credits at the bottom of the poster in small font as that is the conventional way.
The picture will be of a miserable looking man with his arms crossed and a noose hanging round his neck. Behind him there will be buildings and a tree. The sky will be cloudy to represent the gloomy subject. The character on the poster will be wearing mostly black to represent his moodiness. The character will be looking at the camera because on posters the characters often look at the camera.
I haven’t followed the conventions of a black comedy poster completely. For example, I don’t have a very funny tagline. I didn’t want a humorous tagline because I decided to challenge this convention and be creative. Also I feel that my film deals with quite a serious issue.
The title will be in big writing across the top, with the tagline underneath it in smaller font. All the text will be over the picture which will take up the whole page. There will be the credits at the bottom of the poster in small font as that is the conventional way.
The picture will be of a miserable looking man with his arms crossed and a noose hanging round his neck. Behind him there will be buildings and a tree. The sky will be cloudy to represent the gloomy subject. The character on the poster will be wearing mostly black to represent his moodiness. The character will be looking at the camera because on posters the characters often look at the camera.
I haven’t followed the conventions of a black comedy poster completely. For example, I don’t have a very funny tagline. I didn’t want a humorous tagline because I decided to challenge this convention and be creative. Also I feel that my film deals with quite a serious issue.
Review Page Design Brief
After researching film review pages in magazines, I now know what I am going to do for mine. It will be done in Microsoft Publisher.
I am going to do a double page review. The left page will consist of the review itself, the cast and crew of the film and the title. The review will be written in three collumns as I feel that that is adequate space for a full film review. Also in the competitor magazines, they use three collumns most of the time. The main text will have a number of quotes from the text in big font in amongst the text. It will be seperated from the main text by red horizontal lines.
The right page will consist of a photographic still taken from the film and a caption underneath it. There will also be a box at the bootom of the page containing interesting facts about the film.
At the bottom of both pages, there will be page numbers and the magazine name and website.
I am going to do a double page review. The left page will consist of the review itself, the cast and crew of the film and the title. The review will be written in three collumns as I feel that that is adequate space for a full film review. Also in the competitor magazines, they use three collumns most of the time. The main text will have a number of quotes from the text in big font in amongst the text. It will be seperated from the main text by red horizontal lines.
The right page will consist of a photographic still taken from the film and a caption underneath it. There will also be a box at the bootom of the page containing interesting facts about the film.
At the bottom of both pages, there will be page numbers and the magazine name and website.
Monday 17 August 2009
Shot List
This can be compared with the Storyboard to make more sense.
1. Establishing shot
2. Close up
3. Close up
4. Medium long shot
5. Medium long shot
6. Midshot
7. Midshot
8. Over-the-shoulder shot
9. Over-the-shoulder shot
10. Over-the-shoulder shot
11. Midshot
12. Midshot
13. Over-the-shoulder shot
14. Over-the-shoulder shot
15. Over-the-shoulder shot
16. Close up
17. Midshot
18. Medium long shot
19. Establishing shot
20. Long shot
21. Midshot
22. Midshot
23. Long shot
24. Low angle midshot
25. Low angle midshot
26. Close up
27. High angle medium long shot
28. Midshot
29. Establishing shot
30. Long shot
31. Medium long shot
32. Midshot
33. Medium long shot
34. Long shot
35. Low angle medium long shot
36. Long shot
37. Close up
38. Midshot
39. Close up
40. Low angle midshot
41. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
42. Low angle over-the-shoulder shot
43. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
44. Low angle over-the-shoulder shot
45. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
46. Low angle over-the-shoulder shot
47. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
48. Low angle over-the-shoulder shot
49. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
50. Low angle over-the-shoulder shot
51. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
52. Low angle over-the-shoulder shot
53. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
54. Close up
55. Close up
56. Low angle point-of-view shot
57. High angle midshot
58. Close up
1. Establishing shot
2. Close up
3. Close up
4. Medium long shot
5. Medium long shot
6. Midshot
7. Midshot
8. Over-the-shoulder shot
9. Over-the-shoulder shot
10. Over-the-shoulder shot
11. Midshot
12. Midshot
13. Over-the-shoulder shot
14. Over-the-shoulder shot
15. Over-the-shoulder shot
16. Close up
17. Midshot
18. Medium long shot
19. Establishing shot
20. Long shot
21. Midshot
22. Midshot
23. Long shot
24. Low angle midshot
25. Low angle midshot
26. Close up
27. High angle medium long shot
28. Midshot
29. Establishing shot
30. Long shot
31. Medium long shot
32. Midshot
33. Medium long shot
34. Long shot
35. Low angle medium long shot
36. Long shot
37. Close up
38. Midshot
39. Close up
40. Low angle midshot
41. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
42. Low angle over-the-shoulder shot
43. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
44. Low angle over-the-shoulder shot
45. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
46. Low angle over-the-shoulder shot
47. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
48. Low angle over-the-shoulder shot
49. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
50. Low angle over-the-shoulder shot
51. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
52. Low angle over-the-shoulder shot
53. High angle over-the-shoulder shot
54. Close up
55. Close up
56. Low angle point-of-view shot
57. High angle midshot
58. Close up
Monday 10 August 2009
Script
1. EXT. TOWN CENTRE. DAY. 1
ALEX STARES AT THE ATM WITH AN UNHAPPY, MISERABLE LOOK ON HIS FACE.
ALEX
Bollocks!!
ALEX WALKS AWAY FROM THE ATM. THE CAMERA PANS AND TRACKS WITH HIM AS HE STUBS HIS TOE.
ALEX
(In Pain) Ahhhh! Shit!!
ALEX CONTINUES TO WALK WITH THE CAMERA TRACKING BEHIND HIM. WE THEN SEE A TWO SHOT WITH ALEX AND GARETH. ALEX THEN TURNS AROUND AND SEES GARETH. GARETH WALKS OVER TO ALEX HAPPILY.
GARETH
Hi!
ALEX
What the fuck do you want?
GARETH
I just wanted to say hello.
ALEX
Well you've said it. Now fuck off!
GARETH
There's no need for that tone.
ALEX
You're right, I'm sorry. FUCK OFF!!
GARETH
What on earth is wrong with you?
ALEX
Just fuck off!
ALEX STARTS TO WALK AWAY.
GARETH
(Saying to himself) Someone's moody today.
ALEX
(Turning around and walking back towards Gareth) What the fuck did you just say you little
cunt?
GARETH
Nothing.
ALEX
Why don't you just go and buy some water based lubricant and penerate your mums rotting corpse? Prick!
GARETH
That's a disgusting thing to say to a person. Why would you say something like that?
ALEX
I instantly regret saying that. It was a horrible thing to say, I'm sorry. I still fucking hate you, so fuck off!
GARETH
(Starting to cry) Fine!!
ALEX WALKS AWAY.
ALEX
Shit!
FADE TO:
2. EXT. A FOREST. DAY. 2
ALEX IS WALKING ALONG WITH THE CAMERA TRACKING IN REVERSE IN FRONT OF HIM. ALEX THEN ENTERS A BUSH TO URINATE WHERE HE FINDS A ROPE. ALEX THEN FASHIONS A NOOSE OUT OF THE ROPE AND FINDS A SUITABE TREE TO HANG HIMSELF FROM. HE THEN TIES THE ROPE TO A BRANCH OF THE TREE, AND JUMPS OFF OF THE BRANCH WITH THE NOOSE AROUND HIS NECK. THE ROPE SUDDENLY BREAKS AND ALEX FALLS AND TWISTS HIS LEG.
ALEX
(In Pain) Ahhhhh! Fuck!
ALEX THEN THROWS THE ROPE BACK INTO THE BUSHES AND LIMPS AWAY IN A LOT OF PAIN.
FADE TO:
3. EXT. A ROAD. DAY. 3
A YOUNG BOY (NICK) IS PLAYING WITH A BALL WHEN IT ROLLS INTO THE ROAD WHILE A CAR IS COMING. ALEX SEES NICK STANDING IN THE WAY OF THE CAR SO HE RUNS TO SAVE HIM. HE SAVES HIM JUST IN TIME.
NICK
(Frightened) Thank you!
NICK THEN RUNS AWAY. ALEX SMILES AS HE HAS EXPERIENCED SOMEONE GIVING HIM GRATITUDE. ALEX CANNOT STAND UP DUE TO HIS BAD LEG. GARETH THEN TURNS UP. GARETH SEES THAT ALEX'S LEG HURTS SO HE PUSHES DOWN ON IT WITH HIS FOOT.
ALEX
(In pain) Get your foot off my leg!!
GARETH
You deserve to be in a lot of pain for what you said to me earlier.
ALEX
I said I was sorry.
GARETH
True, you did, but I don't think you meant it.
ALEX
I did mean it.
GARETH
Well, I'm still pissed off.
GARETH THEN PULLS A BUTTER KNIFE OUT OF HIS POCKET.
ALEX
(Laughing) What the fuck are you gonna do with that?
GARETH
Stab you with it!
ALEX
It's a butter knife, you fucking retard!
GARETH
Well, it's all my mum had at home.
ALEX
(Laughs) You fucking idiot!
GARETH
(Angry) Shut up!
GARETH THEN THRUSTS THE KNIFE INTO ALEX'S NECK.
ALEX
Aaaaaaaaahh, Prick!!!
GARETH THEN RUNS AWAY. THERE IS A CLOSE-UP OF ALEX IN A LOT OF PAIN BUT LAUGHING. SLOW MUSIC THEN STARTS TO PLAY AND THE CAMERA SLOWLY TILTS UPWARDS TO LOOK AT THE SKY. CREDITS. END.
Tuesday 4 August 2009
Film Design Brief
My film:
- will contain a variety of shot types
- will have a character dying
- will contain music
- will contain lots of swearing
- will deal with depression
- will have one main character
- will be set in a small town
The film will be about a young man who is fed up with his life as nothing is going right for him. He tries to commit suicide but fails. He then saves a young boy from being hit by a car. He then gets stabbed in the necked and killed with a butter knife by someone who he offended in the beginning of the film.
Thursday 30 July 2009
Survey Analysis
From my questionnaire results, I now know what I am going to do for my film. The film will deal with depression and have one main character. The film will be set in a small town where not a lot of people live. It will be character lead and will contain lots of swearing. The main character is going to treat people badly throughout the film until the end when he saves a young boy from being hit by a car. The main character has no friends in the film. The film will have a moral message. The music in the film will be slow and soft. The actors will be young newcomers. The film will end with the main character dying.
Survey Results
(30 People)
1. Are you: Male 15 Female 15
2. What age category do you fall into?
18 – 25 12
26 – 32 10
33 – 40 3
41+ 5
3. What is your favourite Black Comedy?
(17 people said Pulp Fiction, 8 people said In Bruges, 3 people said Very Bad Things, 2 people said Grosse Point Blank)
4. What do you like a black comedy to deal with? (tick all that apply)
Death 19 Drugs 3 Terrorism 1 Rape 7 War 1 Sex 3
Race 3
Insanity 2 Depression 21 Other 0 (please specify)………………………
5. How many key characters would you like a black comedy to have?
1 8 2 8 3 9 4 3 5 2 6 0
6. What sort of place would you like the film to be set?
Isolated (e.g. in the lonely countryside) Busy (e.g. in a town centre)
16 14
7. Would you prefer the film to be character lead or story lead?
Character lead 19 Story lead 11
8. How much swearing would you like there to be in the film?
None 2 Some 9 Lots 19
9. Do you want the main character(s) to treat people badly?
Yes 17 No 13
10. Someone is going to die in this film. How would you like the death to be?
Comical 5 Sad 7 Dramatic 14 Sudden 4
Other 0 (please specify)……………………………………….
11. Should the main character have any friends?
Yes 3 No 27
12. Would you like there to be a moral or political message?
Moral 20 Political 1 Neither 9
13. Would you like there to be a love interest?
Yes 7 No 13
14. What sort of music would you like there to be?
Slow 14 Fast 4 Violent 2
Other 10 (4 people said Emotional, 6 people said Sad)
15. Would you prefer established actors or newcomers in the film?
Established 10 Newcomers 20
16. Would you prefer older or younger actors in the film?
Older 9 Younger 21
17. Would you like the film to be location centric, character centric or story centric?
Location Centric 10 Character Centric 10 Story Centric 10
18. The main character is going to save someone’s life in this film. What should he save them from?
A Stabbing 6 Drowning 4 Falling from a high distance 5
Medical Condition (e.g. a heart transplant) 5
Other 10 (3 people said being raped, 7 people said being hit by a car)
19. Should the person who is saved be male or female?
Male 16 Female 14
1. Are you: Male 15 Female 15
2. What age category do you fall into?
18 – 25 12
26 – 32 10
33 – 40 3
41+ 5
3. What is your favourite Black Comedy?
(17 people said Pulp Fiction, 8 people said In Bruges, 3 people said Very Bad Things, 2 people said Grosse Point Blank)
4. What do you like a black comedy to deal with? (tick all that apply)
Death 19 Drugs 3 Terrorism 1 Rape 7 War 1 Sex 3
Race 3
Insanity 2 Depression 21 Other 0 (please specify)………………………
5. How many key characters would you like a black comedy to have?
1 8 2 8 3 9 4 3 5 2 6 0
6. What sort of place would you like the film to be set?
Isolated (e.g. in the lonely countryside) Busy (e.g. in a town centre)
16 14
7. Would you prefer the film to be character lead or story lead?
Character lead 19 Story lead 11
8. How much swearing would you like there to be in the film?
None 2 Some 9 Lots 19
9. Do you want the main character(s) to treat people badly?
Yes 17 No 13
10. Someone is going to die in this film. How would you like the death to be?
Comical 5 Sad 7 Dramatic 14 Sudden 4
Other 0 (please specify)……………………………………….
11. Should the main character have any friends?
Yes 3 No 27
12. Would you like there to be a moral or political message?
Moral 20 Political 1 Neither 9
13. Would you like there to be a love interest?
Yes 7 No 13
14. What sort of music would you like there to be?
Slow 14 Fast 4 Violent 2
Other 10 (4 people said Emotional, 6 people said Sad)
15. Would you prefer established actors or newcomers in the film?
Established 10 Newcomers 20
16. Would you prefer older or younger actors in the film?
Older 9 Younger 21
17. Would you like the film to be location centric, character centric or story centric?
Location Centric 10 Character Centric 10 Story Centric 10
18. The main character is going to save someone’s life in this film. What should he save them from?
A Stabbing 6 Drowning 4 Falling from a high distance 5
Medical Condition (e.g. a heart transplant) 5
Other 10 (3 people said being raped, 7 people said being hit by a car)
19. Should the person who is saved be male or female?
Male 16 Female 14
Thursday 23 July 2009
Survey Questions
(please complete this survey in black ink)
1. Are you: Male Female
2. What age category do you fall into?
18 – 25
26 – 32
33 – 40
41+
3. What is your favourite Black Comedy?
………………………………………………………………
4. What do you like a black comedy to deal with? (tick all that apply)
Death Drugs Terrorism Rape War Sex Race
Insanity Depression Other (please specify)………………………
5. How many key characters would you like a black comedy to have?
1 2 3 4 5 6
6. What sort of place would you like the film to be set?
Isolated (e.g. in the lonely countryside) Busy (e.g. in a town centre)
7. Would you prefer the film to be character lead or story lead?
Character lead Story lead
8. How much swearing would you like there to be in the film?
None Some Lots
9. Do you want the main character(s) to treat people badly?
Yes No
10. Someone is going to die in this film. How would you like the death to be?
Comical Sad Dramatic Sudden
Other (please specify)……………………………………….
11. Should the main character have any friends?
Yes No
12. Would you like there to be a moral or political message?
Moral Political Neither
13. Would you like there to be a love interest?
Yes No
14. What sort of music would you like there to be?
Slow Fast Violent
Other (please specify)…………………………..
15. Would you prefer established actors or newcomers in the film?
Established Newcomers
16. Would you prefer older or younger actors in the film?
Older Younger
17. Would you like the film to be location centric, character centric or story centric?
Location Centric Character Centric Story Centric
18. The main character is going to save someone’s life in this film. What should he save them from?
A Stabbing Drowning Falling from a high distance Medical Condition (e.g. a heart transplant)
Other (please specify)……………………………………………….
19. Should the person who is saved be male or female?
Male Female
1. Are you: Male Female
2. What age category do you fall into?
18 – 25
26 – 32
33 – 40
41+
3. What is your favourite Black Comedy?
………………………………………………………………
4. What do you like a black comedy to deal with? (tick all that apply)
Death Drugs Terrorism Rape War Sex Race
Insanity Depression Other (please specify)………………………
5. How many key characters would you like a black comedy to have?
1 2 3 4 5 6
6. What sort of place would you like the film to be set?
Isolated (e.g. in the lonely countryside) Busy (e.g. in a town centre)
7. Would you prefer the film to be character lead or story lead?
Character lead Story lead
8. How much swearing would you like there to be in the film?
None Some Lots
9. Do you want the main character(s) to treat people badly?
Yes No
10. Someone is going to die in this film. How would you like the death to be?
Comical Sad Dramatic Sudden
Other (please specify)……………………………………….
11. Should the main character have any friends?
Yes No
12. Would you like there to be a moral or political message?
Moral Political Neither
13. Would you like there to be a love interest?
Yes No
14. What sort of music would you like there to be?
Slow Fast Violent
Other (please specify)…………………………..
15. Would you prefer established actors or newcomers in the film?
Established Newcomers
16. Would you prefer older or younger actors in the film?
Older Younger
17. Would you like the film to be location centric, character centric or story centric?
Location Centric Character Centric Story Centric
18. The main character is going to save someone’s life in this film. What should he save them from?
A Stabbing Drowning Falling from a high distance Medical Condition (e.g. a heart transplant)
Other (please specify)……………………………………………….
19. Should the person who is saved be male or female?
Male Female
Monday 20 July 2009
Film Certification Research
Both the `15` and the `18` classification pages have been copied and pasted from the `BBFC` website.
After looking at these two pages I have decided that my film will be an 18 as there will be strong language and imitable behaviour.
Saturday 18 July 2009
Review Page Research
Empire
This is a film review from the magazine `Empire`. The title of the film is in big font at the top of the page. The picture from the film takes up a little bit more than one page. There is the film details first (Director, Producer, Screenwriter and the Cast) and the plot of the film. Then there is the review. In the middle of the review is a quote in big orange font from the critic. Finally there is a summary of the review and a star rating out of five for the film. Depending on how popular the film is expected to be the reviews differ in size.
Empire magazine uses an informative but chatty mode of address.
This is a film review from the magazine `Empire`. The title of the film is in big font at the top of the page. The picture from the film takes up a little bit more than one page. There is the film details first (Director, Producer, Screenwriter and the Cast) and the plot of the film. Then there is the review. In the middle of the review is a quote in big orange font from the critic. Finally there is a summary of the review and a star rating out of five for the film. Depending on how popular the film is expected to be the reviews differ in size.
Empire magazine uses an informative but chatty mode of address.
Q
In `Q` magazine the image takes up less than half a page. There is the film title and details first. Then there is the star rating out of five and the review. Like `Empire` there is a quote from the critic in the review in bigger font. As this is a music magazine, the bigger sized reviews will be the films that have the most to do with music.
Q magazine uses a informative but chatty mode of address.
In `Q` magazine the image takes up less than half a page. There is the film title and details first. Then there is the star rating out of five and the review. Like `Empire` there is a quote from the critic in the review in bigger font. As this is a music magazine, the bigger sized reviews will be the films that have the most to do with music.
Q magazine uses a informative but chatty mode of address.
Friday 17 July 2009
Poster Research
In BrugesIncongruous Juxtaposition is used in this poster. It is to show the contrast between the tourist and the violence aspect of the film. There is a swan, a postcard rack and medieval buildings in the background and the main character is holding an ice cream which shows the tourist aspect of the film. Two of the characters on the poster are holding guns showing the violence aspect of the film.
The poster also shows what time of year it is in the film. We can tell from the clouds, the clothes and the way Colin Farrell is standing. He has his arms crossed and his collar up connotating that it is winter. All of the characters are wearing coats also.
The title of the film is quite large so that people straight away know what the film is called. The tag line is just above the title which is very common in film posters. The tag line also suggests that there is a tourist and a violent aspect to the film: shooting is violent and tourists sightsee. The three main characters names are on the poster so that people know what the actors' names are.
Finally in very small font at the bottom of the poster the rest of the main crew are shown, e.g. the director, the producer, etc. The production companies are also shown at the bottom.
FargoThis poster has a homely feel to it because of the tapestry effect. However there is a picture of a dead person and a overturned car. The title of the film is quite large so that people know the name of the film. The tag line is under the title. The filmmakers names are above the title instead of the actors names because more people would know the filmmakers names than the actors names as they are more accomplished. The audience of `Fargo` are also more likely to watch it because of the Coen Brothers rather than the actors.
Fight ClubThis poster shows the two main characters and their names in big font. They are accomplished actors. The title of the film is in big font at the top of the poster. The title is on a bar of soap because soap is a big part of the film. The tag line is under the title. The dark colours of the poster suggest that it is a dark film.
Grosse Point BlankThis poster has the two main characters on it. One of whom is holding a gun and wearing all black. The tag line mentions a hitman so you straight away know that the man with the gun is the hitman. The poster is quite a colourful one showing that it won't be a dark film. There is a body outline in the corner suggesting that there will be death in the film. The expressions on the characters faces shows that the film is a comedy along with the bright colours.
You can tell that these films are comedies from their tag lines. They are all rather humorous. Most black comedy posters use incongruous juxtaposition because the link between the two opposite things is funny.
Monday 13 July 2009
5 Minute Films
I have watched four five-minute films and I have noticed that there isn’t often a lot of dialogue in them but there can be. I think all five minute films differ overall. One of the only things they all have in common is they all only contain 2 - 3 scenes.
I watched a number of short films on Youtube for research on five-minute films. The films I watched were different genres. I did this intentionally so that I could see the differences in the genres.
The first one I watched was `Lovefield`by Mathieu Ratthe. This is a combination of Horror, Suspense and Drama.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4meeZifCVro
The second one I watched was titled `Monday Morning`. This is a Black Comedy.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jqqSPJKTfY
The third film I watched was called `Last Gasp`. This was also a Black Comedy.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RBYecVVTM8
The final film I watched was `Black Button`. It was a Drama.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrKnhOJ-R80
I watched a number of short films on Youtube for research on five-minute films. The films I watched were different genres. I did this intentionally so that I could see the differences in the genres.
The first one I watched was `Lovefield`by Mathieu Ratthe. This is a combination of Horror, Suspense and Drama.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4meeZifCVro
The second one I watched was titled `Monday Morning`. This is a Black Comedy.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jqqSPJKTfY
The third film I watched was called `Last Gasp`. This was also a Black Comedy.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RBYecVVTM8
The final film I watched was `Black Button`. It was a Drama.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrKnhOJ-R80
Sunday 12 July 2009
Black Comedy Research
Competitors
In Bruges
Very Bad Things
Natural Born Killers
Fargo
The Cable Guy
American Psycho
Fight Club
Grosse Point Blank
Office Space
The Matador
Pulp Fiction
Burn after Reading
“Wikipedia” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedic_genres
Black comedy or dark comedy
Black comedy deals with disturbing subjects such as death, drugs, terrorism, rape, and war. Some dark comedy is similar to the horror movie genre. Television examples include Brass Eye.
“The Free Dictionary” http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Black+comedy
Black´ com`e`dy (blăk´ kǒm`ĕd`ŷ)
n.
1.
(Drama) a comedy that treats of morbid, tragic, gloomy, or grotesque situations as a major element of the plot.
Conventions (I gathered these black comedy conventions by watching the highlighted films above)
Character – Immoral. Quite strange. Normal looking. Usually more than one key character. Swear a lot. They do bad things but they don't do these things for immoral reasons, e.g. in `In Bruge` Colin Farrell's character was suicidal because he killed the wrong person, so he did feel bad for doing what he did.
Plot – Someone usually dies. Not a common sort of story.
Shot Types – All types are used. Close-ups used often.
Locations – Often isolated locations.
Music – Used very often, differs in type.
Black comedies are usually slow paced.
In Bruges (2008) – Bruges is quite isolated in the film as not a lot of people are there. A few people die in the film. The characters are immoral as they are hit-men (contract killers). They are average looking people. There are a few key characters. Slow music is used. The film is quite slow paced. There is also a lot of swearing.
Fargo – The location in this film is also isolated, they are in a small town with a low population from the looks of it. Also there are quite a few scenes on a really long empty road. The characters are immoral; one man pays for his wife to be kidnapped and some other men kill some people. There are a few key characters. Slow music is used throughout the film. There is a lot of swearing.
Fight Club – The house the two main characters live in is in the middle of nowhere, there is no one around for miles. The characters are also immoral as they are beating people up very violently. There is a lot of swearing in the film. They are average looking people. The film is quite slow paced.
Burn after Reading – There is more than one main character. They are average looking. The characters are immoral as they are cheating on their spouse, breaking into peoples houses and blackmailing others. People die in this film. The film is quite slow paced also. There is a lot of swearing.
Swearing is used a lot in black comedies because it makes the films a lot funnier. Not all black comedies have a lot of swearing in but most of them do.
In all of the films I have written about, close-ups are used to show emotions of the character. Emotion is a very big part of black comedies I feel.
In `In Bruges`, close-ups are used to show the emotions of Colin Farrell’s character, Ray. He is upset and feeling deep remorse for accidently killing a young boy.
In `Fargo`, close-ups are used to show the emotions of William H. Macy’s character, Jerry Lundegaard. He is worried because he has paid to have his wife kidnapped and it is all going wrong.
In `Fight Club`, close-ups are used to show the emotions of Edward Norton’s character. He is feeling deep boredom in his life and he is constantly tired because he is suffering from insomnia.
In `Burn after Reading`, close-ups are used to show the emotions of John Malkovich’s character, Osborn Cox. He is feeling bored and is getting more and more paranoid as the film progresses. For example, a close-up is used when he is sitting at home bored and then the phone rings; a sudden look of excitement comes on his face because he will get to talk to someone.
(I viewed all of these films to gather this information)
In Bruges
Very Bad Things
Natural Born Killers
Fargo
The Cable Guy
American Psycho
Fight Club
Grosse Point Blank
Office Space
The Matador
Pulp Fiction
Burn after Reading
“Wikipedia” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedic_genres
Black comedy or dark comedy
Black comedy deals with disturbing subjects such as death, drugs, terrorism, rape, and war. Some dark comedy is similar to the horror movie genre. Television examples include Brass Eye.
“The Free Dictionary” http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Black+comedy
Black´ com`e`dy (blăk´ kǒm`ĕd`ŷ)
n.
1.
(Drama) a comedy that treats of morbid, tragic, gloomy, or grotesque situations as a major element of the plot.
Conventions (I gathered these black comedy conventions by watching the highlighted films above)
Character – Immoral. Quite strange. Normal looking. Usually more than one key character. Swear a lot. They do bad things but they don't do these things for immoral reasons, e.g. in `In Bruge` Colin Farrell's character was suicidal because he killed the wrong person, so he did feel bad for doing what he did.
Plot – Someone usually dies. Not a common sort of story.
Shot Types – All types are used. Close-ups used often.
Locations – Often isolated locations.
Music – Used very often, differs in type.
Black comedies are usually slow paced.
In Bruges (2008) – Bruges is quite isolated in the film as not a lot of people are there. A few people die in the film. The characters are immoral as they are hit-men (contract killers). They are average looking people. There are a few key characters. Slow music is used. The film is quite slow paced. There is also a lot of swearing.
Fargo – The location in this film is also isolated, they are in a small town with a low population from the looks of it. Also there are quite a few scenes on a really long empty road. The characters are immoral; one man pays for his wife to be kidnapped and some other men kill some people. There are a few key characters. Slow music is used throughout the film. There is a lot of swearing.
Fight Club – The house the two main characters live in is in the middle of nowhere, there is no one around for miles. The characters are also immoral as they are beating people up very violently. There is a lot of swearing in the film. They are average looking people. The film is quite slow paced.
Burn after Reading – There is more than one main character. They are average looking. The characters are immoral as they are cheating on their spouse, breaking into peoples houses and blackmailing others. People die in this film. The film is quite slow paced also. There is a lot of swearing.
Swearing is used a lot in black comedies because it makes the films a lot funnier. Not all black comedies have a lot of swearing in but most of them do.
In all of the films I have written about, close-ups are used to show emotions of the character. Emotion is a very big part of black comedies I feel.
In `In Bruges`, close-ups are used to show the emotions of Colin Farrell’s character, Ray. He is upset and feeling deep remorse for accidently killing a young boy.
In `Fargo`, close-ups are used to show the emotions of William H. Macy’s character, Jerry Lundegaard. He is worried because he has paid to have his wife kidnapped and it is all going wrong.
In `Fight Club`, close-ups are used to show the emotions of Edward Norton’s character. He is feeling deep boredom in his life and he is constantly tired because he is suffering from insomnia.
In `Burn after Reading`, close-ups are used to show the emotions of John Malkovich’s character, Osborn Cox. He is feeling bored and is getting more and more paranoid as the film progresses. For example, a close-up is used when he is sitting at home bored and then the phone rings; a sudden look of excitement comes on his face because he will get to talk to someone.
(I viewed all of these films to gather this information)
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