Monday, 20 December 2010

Our cast photos

Beth Rashbrook as Rose

Tom Brown as Doug



Grace Rowe as Shelby

Daniel Lloyd as Chad


Harriet Hawgood as Mary

Tuan Lai as Ching-Lee

Group

We have decided to make 2 of us the Directors and 2 of us the Producers. Here are the photos and roles below. We will all be equally sharing the role of filming and editing.


Sonia Lall (Director)


Katie Brunt (Director)


Beth Rashbrook (Producer)


Beatrice Fatusin (Producer)

Feedback

My group presented our Brief and Treatment to our class and received feedback from our idea. Overall, it was positive and they all said that our movie has definite potential.

Most people liked our narrative structure of starting in the present then going back to the past. A few did not understand it well but that may be that they did not understand our opening title sequence. Everyone liked our sterotypes of our characters as well as setting and how they all link into our genre of Rom-com. Futhermore, one feedback really liked our thinking of when to release our film because how it would attract to the audience.

We also need to work on how we would record the song by Jets as we are not allowed to use it because of copyright. Our group have decided to use a band that would change it around a little so it did not sound like the original.

Sunday, 19 December 2010

Planning

Location: Angelica Rae's Bedroom and Common room Lockers

Characters: Rose-Beth Rashbrook in 2 costumes: Both dresses, pretty, girly. Hair nice
and styled in Bedroom shot and frizzy and horrible in another shot.
Doug-Tom Brown in 2 costumes: Bedroom look jeans and a hoody, common room in
a baseball jacket and jeans.
Shelby-Grace Row in photograph: Low cut top and tight skirt, pink lipstick pouting
Mary-Harriet Hawgood in photograph: Mug shot maybe? Glasses, hair in bunches,
nerdy smile.
Chad-Dan Lloyd in 2 costumes: Photograph can be a posing one in a open shirt.
Common room in a baseball jacket and jeans.
Ching-Lee-Tuan Lai in photograph: Checked shirt, jumper, tie properly done with a
goofy smile.

Date of Filming: We have not made a definite date but we hope to film in the beginning of
January 2011.

Things to do:

  • Confirm with Angelica about using her room
  • Getting a photoalbum making sure it is a colour linking in with a school colour
  • Taking photographs of our characters infront of a clear background

Monday, 13 December 2010

Rom-Coms

I did a little bit of research on rom-coms to help gives ideas for our rom-com.

The narrative tends to be like Torodov's theory with the male and female character meeting over a disagreement then one of them growing fond of the other person which then creates the romance of the film ending in a good way. This means that rom-coms do not end in a 'happily ever after'.

Rom-coms are a sub genre from comedies as it adds the romance in it. They tend to be light hearted and many are chick flicks.

Rom-coms started off rather basic from Shakespeare such as Much Ado About Nothing however, now they are big and loved by many women as well as men such as Sex and the City, Bridget Jones and Notting Hill.

Thursday, 9 December 2010

Written storyboard

Shot 1: Summit Entertainment. Jets - Are you gonna be my girl. (runs through title sequence).
Shot 2: Pass Out Productions.
Shot 3: Pan shot of dorm room. Boxes everywhere.
Shot 4: Shot of packed boxes.
Shot 5: Shot of one box with college name on. Close-up.
Shot 6: A couple messing around. Long shot.
Shot 7: Knocking box over.
Shot 8: Picking up things off the floor.
Shot 9: Picks up graduation book
Shot 10: Front cover with typography on it saying ‘Graduation Day!’
Shot 11: Turning page, first photo of character and their name
Shot 12: Turning page, second photo of character and their name
Shot 13: Turning page, third photo of character and their name
Shot 14: Turning page, fourth photo of character and their name
Shot 15: Turning page, fifth photo of character and their name
Shot 16: Turning page, sixth photo of character and their name
Shot 17: Turning page, picture of geek and jocks throwing stuff at her with
Directors/Producers names
Shot 18: Match on action shot of then this photo coming to life with the throwing taking
place

Distributors

Miramax - Happy-Go-Lucky (British Comedy)
Bridget Jones' Diary 1&2 (British Rom-Com)
She's All That (American Comedy)

Summit Entertainment - Sex Drive (Comedy)
Twighlight (One of the most popular films made)
A Lot Like Love (Comedy)

Universal Pictures - Get Him to the Greek (Comedy)
Kick Ass (Comedy)
It's Complicated (Rom-Com)
Role - Models (Comedy)

I have looked at 3 major distribution companies that have made films that have done well in blockbusters. Furthermore, I have looked at those that have distributed many comedy films which links into our genre of 'Graduation Day'. Even though Miramax has distributed many successful British comedies, my group has decided to go for Summit Entertainment because they distributed Twighlight which was a huge hit especially targeting the teenagers and 20's which is similar to our target audience also.

Monday, 6 December 2010

A few key concepts

Institution: It is responsible for making the media texts.

  • Commercial - have to make money to survive wanting to access large audiences
  • PSB - required to provide a public service when broadcasting.
  • Independent - Have to be able to sell their texts in order to make money for their company to survive.

Therefore, to make a Rom-com film we would be in a commercial institution.

Torodov's theory: Starts with an equilibrium then gets disrupted by an event/s. Then problems are resolved so order can be restored. (Narrative story)

Our film will not be torodov's theory as we plan to disrupt the narrative and start from the very present and go back into the past. However, when in the past it will apply to Torodov's theory because of starting off with an equilibrium, getting disrupted and then a resolved problem.

Cinematography : Includes camera shots and camera angles.

James Bond Goldifnger vs. Casino Royale








James Bond’s opening title sequences are known for it’s traditional opening of the hole of the gun showing us who the Bond is. I am going to compare Goldfinger and Casino Royale as Goldfinger does not show the traditional convention of the bullet hole however; Casino Royale does in a much more modern way.
Immediately, the audience could see a difference in the way both films are by Goldfinger having a black background which connotates darkness and mystery with a gold hand appearing standing out. This links into the title of the film but also expands on the idea of how this Goldfinger stands out amongst everything. Even the song introduces a mysterious tone to it as it is quiet slow with calming instrumentals with a powerful woman’s voice. In contrast, in Casino Royale we see the traditional gun and are introduced to our Bond character. The fast pace rock music immediately gives a sense of action and power which the audience knows that James Bond is all about. The colours of red blood dripping down show that many are killed in this film and also when the card symbols (hearts) are shown the audience can see that both are incorporated. Furthermore, gambling and murder are both bad which shows that Bond does not play by the rules.
Goldfinger has a slim beautiful woman painted in gold which is linked into James Bond because of his love of beautiful women. Through this woman is shown some shots of characters and first of all introducing Sean Connery. The woman may suggest that the Goldfinger is linked to a woman but also may in the way of Bond getting to the Goldfinger. Through the woman characters are shown to be smoking cigars and wearing black suits and white shirts which is all very smart and middle-class which shows that money and wealth is involved. Furthermore, cars are involved which connotates there may be car chases but also gives a masculine approach as fast cars are known to be adored by men. It is all shown through the gold woman on a black background which again could suggest that there are hidden secrets.
Casino Royale is completely different. It has been made in 2006 so it would be expected to be much more clear in shots and modern. It is brighter, more graphic with the diamond and heart shapes going everywhere as if it was blood and bullets from a gun which Daniel Craig who plays James Bond holds at all times. It introduces the new Bond actor Daniel Craig as quite immature and aggressive when fighting and shooting in a cartoon way; as cartoons are known as childish. The whole loud and upbeat music suggests chaos. Daniel Craig is in black and white which stands out from the colour and chaos of the scenes. This shows that this Bond does stand out and may be different. Furthermore, the scatters of lines could suggest travel which Bond may be doing. In Bond films he is known to travel all over the world.
From analysing an old James Bond to a new it clearly shows that the excitement and danger is shown more in Casino Royale than Goldfinger. Also, the colours and rock music suggest it to compared to a classic song which simple but contrasting colours.

Karin Fong

http://www.scribd.com/doc/44775026/Karin-Fong
Karin Fong

Thursday, 2 December 2010

Se7en Essay

An opening title sequence is a very important part of the film. It introduces characters and most importantly what kind of film it is going to be e.g. comedy, thriller e.t.c. Within the opening title sequence to se7en there are many things that make up this tense thriller/action film through the mise-en-scene, sound, cinematography and characters.

We are introduced to our first character Somerset who is played by Morgan Freeman. There is a wide shot of his kitchen which is dark and dull with a touch of light coming through from the window. The connotation we can gather from this is how alone he is, but also where his house is incredibly tidy suggests he works a lot. The light seems to impose on his privacy showing he wants to hide away in a confided area. Moreover, the cold lighting gives a dim atmosphere suggesting the genre of a thriller film. Whilst in the kitchen the audience can see the mise-en-scene of a chess board. This could connotate that Somerset if very strategic but also he is always one step ahead. There is then a close up of Somerset’s ‘tools’ he uses in a very neat way. The audience would notice the police badge which will give an obvious clue that he is a police officer. Furthermore, the way he picks up his belongings is in a very particular order which suggests that he has a routine and likes a system to follow. Also, we see Somerset put on his tie along with wearing a shirt and braces. Following this he notices a speck of dirt on his jacket and takes it off. Here the audience would be able to see that he is very smart but also because of his occupation he has authority to dress smart. Furthermore, he notices small details which would tie in with his job in finding small details very quickly.

In the shot of a murder scene we then see Somerset approach with a hat on and glasses. The hat stands out meaning Somerset’s character will stand out in the film along with having importance. The glasses could connotate intelligence which we also could gather earlier on from the chess board. The audience could then feel that Somerset is humanistic when he asks if the children saw the shooting. This gives a sensitive but also caring feel to the cold and blue feel of the shot. Then arrives a cocky, confident character Detective David Mills played by Brad Pitt. This attitude is shown by the mise-en-scene of him chewing, chewing gum, wearing a basket ball tie and also wearing an un-ironed shirt. His body language also suggests he is comfortable in his clothes which then mean he does not want to make an effort to look presentable.

When walking out of the crime scene there are people walking around casually as if nothing has happened. The diegetic sound of police sirens amplifies that crimes go on a lot around this area. Also, the weather is dismal as it is raining which suggests a bad mood and atmosphere. Whilst in this scene Somerset and Mills are walking shown by a tracking shot. First Somerset is in front and then Mills walks in front which connotates that they are both trying to fight for hierarchy in their relationship. Whilst Somerset is walking down confidently with his hands behind is back in a typical detective outfit, Mills is walking along holding his head as if he is uncertain or stressed dressed looking rough and not like a detective. In a mid-shot of them both Mills tries to fight for dominance again however, Somerset becomes higher and ends the conversation by walking off. This amplifies that Somerset likes to be in control but has power also. It then switches to a shot of Somerset in bed in his dark bedroom with only one light on. The mise-en-scene of the unpacked boxes suggests that he is never home but always out working. Also, many books are seen which again shows that Somerset is intelligent. It then has a cut to a close up of a metronome with the ticking sound as if it is trying to distract Somerset from the diegetic sound coming from the outside world. It could also suggest that he finds it difficult to go to sleep after trauma from the crime scenes so this soothes him. Furthermore, it could connotate a countdown to the action of the film. The screen then goes black with the sound of lighting which is scary, loud and daunting which fits into the mood of the film.

The shot is then of pages turning, a shot of two hands that look crooked, old and scary. The flashes and small area of light suggest privacy and secrecy. The typography is also in white and a handwriting font which looks scratchy and old. This could give the connotation of white being pure but also how pale someone goes when dead. The handwriting could suggest that every death/murder is recorded as in many of the shots in the opening title sequence books are shown full of pages of writing. It is as if this character is keeping a diary of every bad deed he has committed. Some of the shots of books are shown in red which suggests blood which then immediately gives the audience a clue of death and murder which links into the genre of murder. There is a extreme close up of a person’s fingers which looks chapped holding a razor. This could suggest this person is scratching away his DNA so he does not get found out. There is then a shot of this person turning a page which could suggest this person is onto their next murder. All these shots are flashes which gives a sense of wanted to be hidden quickly and not wanting to be found out. There are also film strips to show this person is recording and documenting things that are obviously important to keep but then gives a mysterious sense of why he is filming/photographing and keeping these images. A noticeable shot is a close up of what looks like a document from somewhere about women. This person is crossing out words such as ‘transsexual’ and ‘homosexual’ which suggests this person wants to demolish these things. Lastly, we see this person cut out ‘God’ on a dollar note. This gives the connotation of this person being religious and the idea behind it that this person is murdering because he believes God told him too. This shot is put with the lyric of the song ‘you bring me closer to God’ which again suggests this person is killing for God. Whilst these shots go past there is an eerie soundtrack of non-diegetic sound what sounds like machines scratching and also screeching which could give a connotation of a woman screaming. The mise-en-scene and cinematography as well as sound and dark lighting of this opening title sequence already gives such a scary impact on what the whole film is going to be like.

Monday, 29 November 2010

Title Sequences

Love Actually
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_saCHD4Wzqk

Rom Com with Hugh Grant who is known to do Rom Com's. Immediately we know the genre of the film. It introduces love in all forms notn just romantic love. Only digetic sound of Hugh Grant and the non-digetic sound of a soundtrack which sets the tone of soothing love and romance. It sets the location of Britain with Heathrow airport with an establishing shot. It uses mid-tracking shots to show people running up to loved ones but also close-ups to show emotions of the people. The codes and conventions are clearly shown through Hugh Grant being a British, Rom-com actor and being in London Heathrow airport for location. The themes of love, family, friends, relationships are clearly shown also with the cinematography of mid-shots and close-ups of people in an airport running up to each other with love and such happiness.


10 Things I Hate About You


The location of the film is clearly shown in an American city but most importantly a high school which then connotates the film for a teen audience. It is shown by an establishing shot capturing many students in the school. The fun song suggests happiness and feeling quite free and young which links in with school students. The whacky typography suggests the genres of a comedy and a teen film. Only one main character is shown by standing out and being different by the song she plays being different to the one on the soundtrack. It is a rock song with the lyric of 'I don't give a damn about my reputation.' This suggests that people hold grudges against this character especially with her having dark clothes and car which is in contrast with the sunny scenery. The themes of the film are shown by the hatrid of the main character and also school life and about the prom. It does not suggest it is a comedy however, but we could maybe guess it from the bright colours in the typography.

A Cinderella Story




Warner Brothers has distributed a fairytale modern take to Cinderella but creating into a romantic comedy aimed at young girls preferably teenagers with the touch of comedy in it. It starts off showing fairytale writing and with the non-digetic sound of violins to give an enchanting effect. A dolly shot moving quickly through beautiful scenery leading up to a castle with a female young voice gives the connotation of innocence, dreams and wanting to find that Prince Charming. As the digetic sound of the young girls voice the audience could sense this is the main character and who portrays Cinderella in what turns into an establishing shot of a castle to an American valley.

A fun upbeat song then starts which gives a more fresh feeling to the movie especially making it modern. We are introduced to a young girl with her dad who is quite sporty with the wide shot of her playing baseball. This film has gone against the stereotype of a little girl wearing pink but a sporty, girl that is happy and seems confident. The sunny weather gives a rather opptimistic atmosphere for this film. The typography changes also by being pink and swirly. This immediately connotates that it is a girly film but also still holds that fairytale feel to it. The last shot we see of the opening title sequence is the girl and her dad in her bedroom in a pretty cottage. The room is blue which again does not fit the stereotype of a young girl which then amplfies that this character is going to be unexpected but different also.


She's All That


Thursday, 11 November 2010

Continuity Piece

Continuity Evaluation

  • What did you find diffilcult about this task?
In this task I have not found many things difficult but an enjoyed this challenge. However, incorportating all the different shots was tricky as we had to make sure we did them all correctly.

  • What new skills have you acquired or developed?
The new skills I have developed are filming an 180 degree rule and a match on action shot. I have used these skills correctly.

  • What worked well?

All of our continuity piece worked well because we included all what was required as well as making a humorous storyline. When editing we also added a theme song at the end to make it even better.

  • What could myself or my team done better?

I believe there was nothing more myself or my team could have done better as we had done the best of our ability. We were organised and worked well toegther too.