Friday 21 March 2014

(Evaluation) 7.What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Through filming our opening sequence I have realized that filming scenes in the correct way and using the camera and editing it in the best way takes a lot of time and concentration. Evidenced also by our preliminary, perfect editing takes concentration and time. Also technology isn't always reliable as we have had to re-upload film clips multiple times after uploading has proved unreliable at certain times. Also we have realised that lots of time is needed to complete the filming and editing process and it is something that cannot be rushed as mistakes will be made.

(Evaluation) 6. Looking back at your preliminary task (the continuity editing task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?


Record and upload voice >>

(Evaluation) 5. How did you attract/address your target audience?


(Evaluation) 4. Who is the main target audience for your product?



Below is our survey that we handed out to around:
Although it's basic we wanted to keep it short so that we got the exact information we needed.

(Evaluation) 3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

As our film is not of as a high a quality as, for example, a Hollywood film and because it's not an action packed, family movie it may be better under an institute such as Warp Films. It uses film festivals and low-budget advertising to promote the film to mostly a UK audience and not so much internationally. The film is much more relatable to normal middle-class audiences so it may be promoted by word-of-mouth. They would distribute the film to the appropriate audiences in order to guarantee some popularity. 


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(Evaluation) 2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?



 In our opening sequence all of the characters are in their early 20's. In a comical way it presents the naivity of young love as young people make a lot of mistakes while meeting and choosing the right people to trust in life. It is relatable for other young people with the way all the characters speak and dress. However I am presented in a stuck-up way which causes audiences to come to a pre-judgement automatically as they sense that I'm maybe a selfish character who is going to cause problems. The film is set in modern day and all characters are presented as typical middle-class characters to allow audiences of all ages to relate as they think 'oh, they're normal just like me'.

(Evaluation) 1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Monday 17 March 2014

Film day

Today is film day. we are going to take advantage of the sunny weather and film all necessary footage to then move onto an editing stage.

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Filming

Tomorrow we will begin filming. We will film the part when Louis and Taylor are walking down the road using a road nearby school and we will then edit the cafe/restaurant from a different area into the film to make it appear as if its all been filmed in the same place. We'll ensure that the editing creates a fluent opening sequence so that the difference in filming area can't be recognised. Hopefully the weather will be sunny and cheerful to deceive the audience so that the ending is completely unexpected.

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Final Production Logo


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After reconsidering the final logo we had created , we decided to change our logo as we felt that it was not professional enough and therefore would not represent the quality that we want our viewers to feel when they watch the sequence.

Monday 3 March 2014

First Draft Of Script


Script

First person to appear on screen is Taylor.

Taylor: Where are you? (i appear on the phone)

Louis: I'm on my way, chill out, how far are you?

Alice: I'm here just call me when you're here.

Louis and Taylor: Alright.

(Both boys are walking towards each other and are surprised to see each other) 

Louis: Long time.

Taylor: I haven't seen you in ages!

Louis: I know mate you've gone missing.

Taylor: Haha how have you been man?

Louis: I've been good thanks where are you off to?

Taylor: Just off to meet the Mrs!

Louis: What? since when?!

Taylor: It's been a few weeks mate, I think she's the one!

Louis: Funny you've said that, cause i've found someone too.

Taylor: Yeah mate thats good to hear.

(Music starts to play as both boys continue to walk with each other, The scene changes to Alice waiting in the restaurant/cafe) 

Alice: (on the phone) Yeah I'm meeting Taylor now and Louis later, Ha don't worry they'll never find out.

(both boys walk in to the restaurant/cafe still oblivious to what will happen)

Taylor and Louis: well i'll catch you later

Alice: Oh god, i gotta go (puts the phone down)

(Taylor and Louis realize what is going on as they both look at Alice and then each other in shock. Alice's facial expression is panicked)

- END OF OPENING SCENE-

Final Character Profiles

In the script we are referring to ourselves with our real names, but we will have different names in the play. We are in our early 20's and are all middle-class. Louis is called Jerry, I'm called Samantha and taylor is called Tom. 


Both of the boys used to be friends at college. They left not so long ago so when they bump into each other they quickly begin chatting again as if they were never parted. This is mostly helped by Tom's outgoing personality.

Jerry - He is quiet and reserved. He is an introvert who spends times with friends, but reads alot and think of himself as quite intelligent. He is an opposite to Tom.

Tom - He is an Extrovert who is outgoing and friendly. He is just as intelligent as Jerry, but it is understated. He socialises a lot and his friends are the most important thing to him.

Samantha - She is an instantly dislikable girl who is stuck-up and impatient. She has played Tom and Jerry, but act as if there is no problem with it. She doesn't even appear guilty before her secret is exposed proving that she's a selfish girl with no concern for Tom or Jerry's feelings. She is too relaxed for her own good.

Alternative Filming Locations


As a group we need know that while producing our opening sequence, things will run as smoothly as we planned and therefore adjustments will have to be made. Despite deciding our ideal locations we would like to film certain scenes some companies may not allow us premission to do so and therefore we need to make sure we address this with the respected owners/managers before filming in their businesses.


If we can not film in the 3 locations here are two  places we will like to film if our plan to film in our other locations does not go to plan.


The Rib Shack - 5 Station Square, Petts Wood

This location would be a good back up as it is similar to Joe's Kitchen in Bromley. The scenery is ideal and covers what we want to incoporate in a particular scene in our sequence.  The  Rib Shack may be easier to film in also as it may not be as busy as our  other locations because of the area it is in.


















Cafelicious - 408 Crofton Road,Locksbottom

This location is another good altenative location and is similar to cafe scenery you might find in our other location , Costa Coffee. Again , this will be another quieter option for us to film as it is not as busy as Bromley.

Saturday 1 March 2014

Film Name

We have chosen the name 'Dating Sam' as its a nice simple name giving an automatic over view of the plot of the film. Also it points out one of the main characters, but the name still keeps the film mysterious as Audiences don't know how the film is going to pan out. We shortened the name of the female lead in(our opening scene) our title from 'Samantha' to 'Sam' so that it is more simple and not as long winded to say.

'Dating Sam'





Wednesday 26 February 2014

Preliminary Evaluation

Our preliminary task was only a basic combination of different camera angles and shots with two characters having a basic conversation. It indicates that when filming we really need to ensure that our shooting is accurate and we try to act as natural as possible when being filmed. Also although some background sound allows it to seem realistic we need to ensure that there is not too much to the point where it becomes a distraction from the actors.

Rule of third: Composition rule of thumb in photography

180 degree rule: From this task I learnt the importance of the 180 degree rule. It is important as it displays the whole of the setting in which you are filming. It gives the viewer full understanding of the surroundings in which you are filming and therefore the scene does not become confusing and unclear.

Match on action editing: Moving closer to a an object , which in our film was the opening of the door. The action is the shot of the hand reaching for the handle and opening the door.

Reverse reverse shot: The conversation between myself and taylor shows how we effectively used the reverse reverse shot without the conversation coming across as scripted or unrealistic. In our preliminary task the camera shots used to go back and forth between the two of us run smoothly and therefore helps to make the conversation effective.

Preliminary Task


Tuesday 25 February 2014

Location Update

Depending on how busy Bromley is at the time we want to film we may have to find somewhere quieter to film like Petts Wood at a time when there is going to be a lot less people using facilities such as the station. So choosing a time way before or way after rush hour would be ideal.

The types of characters found in Romantic Comedies: Female Protagonists

1. Innocent and Unassuming
2. The Advice-Taker
3. The Inexperienced Girl
4. The Girl Who Gives It All Up For Love
5. The Gorgeous Klutz

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Target audience and certificate for the Opening Scene


When looking at romantic comedies , most of the target audience would be either teenage or an adult audience. There are a lot of aspects which go in to determining what audience you target when making an opening scene. Every genre will vary depending on the nature of the content in the film and this then explains the rating the film is also given.

Here are a few films I looked at when analysing how past romantic comedies narrowed their audience and age certificate they were given and for what reasons.


Friends With Benefits

This film was given a certificate rating of 15 ,which means that it is suitable to be seen by an audience of the age of 15 years and older. The film was certificated this rating because:

- There is frequent use of strong language
- Strong sexual reference and activity
- Discriminatory language or behaviour


Ghost Of Girlfriend's Past

This film was given a certificate rating of pg13 ,which means that it is suitable to be seen by an audience of the age of 13 years and older. The film was certificated this rating because:

- Some content may be inappropriate for children 13 years and   under
- There are aspects of the film which could suggest that parents need to decide whether it is suitable for their child to see this film

- It is 'suggested' that parents or careers are present when children 13 years or younger watch the film.




Final ideas for Filming Location


While discussing potential filming locations., these are few locations that we would consider filming if possible. These are locations which we feel would best help make our filming as effective as possible.

Joe's Kitchen - IntuBromley Shopping Centre

 

Joe's kitchen would be a good location for us to film one of our scenes as it has the ideal scenery that we would ideally like for our clip. This would also add authenticity the scene and therefore help this dramatic scene as both Taylor and myself go to meet Alice and found out we have been speaking to the same girl.


Costa Coffee - Bromley Market Square

Costa Coffee would be another ideal location to film as this is another place that fits under the same category as locations previously seen in other romantic comedies e.g.
coffee shops ;cafes

Initial Logline


Monday 24 February 2014

The types of characters found in Romantic comedies: Male Protagonists

1. Confident Alpha Male
2. Open Minded Type
3. The Lazy Type
4. Unconfident and 'nerdy'
5. The Player


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Call Sheet

We do not feel ready to create a call sheet yet as we feel we need to do it nearer the time.

Budget £££ (Props/Equipment)

We do not need to spend any money on our opening sequence as we are using our own costumes and props to film it. We won't need a lot of props as most of it is very character focused and very much focused on reactions of the characters to the situation curing around them.

Alice - I need to wear some kind of red to foreshadow the coming danger and be dressed up and looking smart to make sure that I fit in with the restaurant setting. All I need for the restaurant scene is a table with two chairs, a wine glass and plates and knives and forks.

Taylor - Taylor only needs to be dressed slightly smart as he is on his way to a restaurant. Also to make him look upper-class.

Lewis - Lewis also only needs to wear smart clothing to fit in with the fact that he is going to a restaurant. He also needs to look upper-class.

Friday 21 February 2014

The Comedy Element

Obviously we need to make sure its funny. Although we're not going to incorporate any jokes as they could not be found funny, the actual conclusion and its element of surprise could be found humorous as well as the naivety of the two boys as they walk to Alice at the restaurant. However the romantic side is that these two boys do in fact like the girl very much as an audience would see as they carry on watching the film. Although we have to be careful to not make it too much like 'This Means War' we must keep it unique.

Place to film

When filming the street scenes somewhere like Bromley could be good as its busy, but not too busy and there are wide streets so we won't really be disrupting anyone. The restaurant scene is probably best to be done somewhere like a quiet Café maybe in Bromley, Orpington or Locksbottom at a time of the day when its not so busy and if the owners do not mind.

Ending scene of the opening sequence

This shows the scene when everyone realises what has been going on.

Name idea's

Film's like 'That Awkward Moment' and 'This Means War' reflect very similar situations to our opening sequence so something along those lines, but still unique could be a good idea. 

Maybe something basic like 'Confusion' could work, but I think I need to have discussions with my group and build up a list of different ideas and maybe use a survey to decide on the correct idea. However we don't want the name to be too obvious as people will then know from the start what is going to happen.

Character Profiles

Taylor - A relaxed boy who is very oblivious to the event that's about to unfold. He remains smiling and cheerful and greets Louis with surprise. They have general conversation and he speaks kindly of the girl he is going to met.

Louis - A chilled out character who seems to always be prepared for any unexpected events, but the one that's about to happen takes him by surprise. When he bumps into Taylor he holds relaxed conversation only bringing up that he is meeting a girl when Taylor mentions it.

Alice - An impatient and instantly dislikeable character. She appears stuck-up in contrast to the two boys making them appear all the more a victim. in the opening sequence before the boys enter the restaurant she appears smug making it obvious that something is going on, but audience don't know quite what's happening. However when the boys come in at the same time she straight away appears panicked as she realises she's been caught.

Beginning scene idea

Music needs to be light-hearted and jolly so that audiences do not suspect the coming events. The scene in which Taylor/Louis can be seen walking happily down a street could be filled with happy music. I imagine it to be slightly similar to a scene from Spiderman when Peter Parker is walking happily and obliviously down a street sun shining down upon him. However Taylor/Louis will not fall over like he does......

Opening Sequence - Camera angles and shots



Camera angles are highly important in capturing all the emotions and reactions in our opening sequence.

Mood Board - What makes a good/bad logo?

When deciding on my production logo I created a mood board of different logo's to decide on what sort of logo's were popular. Also what kinds of colours they used and how relevant the logos were to a variety of different companies.


The coloured logo's are much more fun and more attractive. The basic black and white logo's tend to be for big more serious companies who have already established enough attention and customers and therefore don't need such a bright fully coloured logo. For example Sony have a very professional looking logo and also they are advertising to adults much more than children as children can't afford to but Sony goods alone. Adults therefore care less about bright exciting logo's and much more about the product. As well as they fact they do not want a bright inappropriate logo on their technology purchased from Sony. This is why I think my template logo of 'RWS Productions' is a good idea as the bright colours will attract audiences from a variety of differing age groups and it will not effect the quality or impact of the opening sequence as it just adds a quick fun, eye-catching moment towards the beginning.

Production Logo

As a group we haven't decided yet 100% on what sort of logo we're going to use, but we'll probably play it safe with something nice and basic like 'RWS Productions'. Although its not a major part of opening sequence it still needs some thought as obviously all films have the big production companies posted somewhere in their opening two minutes along side the opening credits. This is the basic idea created on paint:


When the idea is completely decided on we will use something more professional such as Photoshop, but this is the basic starting idea.

Thursday 20 February 2014

Opening Scene - Editing

Break down of the sequence (a bit of treatment)

The opening sequence will be broken up into scenes;
~ It will begin with either Taylor walking in the street looking happy.
~ Then to me sitting in a restaurant looking calm and smug.
~ Then it will go back to Taylor as they bump into Louis and they then begin talking as it is clear they are both friends and then they start to talk about the girl they are both going to meet thinking that they are seeing two different girls.
~ It goes to me sitting at the restaurant looking slightly impatient as I wait for my date.
~ Then both boys go to enter the restaurant seeming slightly confused as they enter the same place
~ It then leads on to focus on me and then my face as I look up and see the two boys in panic and then the two boys looking at each other as they realise what has happened.

Then it'll end leaving the audience in suspense. This is the breakdown of the different scenes in the opening sequence.

Target Audience ~

The target audience can be a variety of different people, the film can be watched by anybody, but children of younger ages may not understand the film. The more sophisticated comedy or romance found within a movie can mean that younger children may be confused or not understand. I had a look on the internet and came across some statistics on mirror.co.uk and it showed that 85% of the audience who watch Romantic Comedies are in fact female and the most popular age group is normally young adults aged between 25-34 and they aren't as popular amongst young people as I thought especially those aged 15-18. So overall I think the movie needs to be aimed towards young adult woman, although we will not make it to specific to a certain audience otherwise we are restricting ourselves and I feel that the opening sequence will hopefully be able to be enjoyed by all people of many different age groups. I found this information on the website below... :)

http://audiences.visualdna.com/mirror/audience/entertainment/romantic_movie_lovers

Romantic drama

It's all good creating a rom com opening scene, but what does the genre actually consist of...

Romantic Comedy definition - Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centred on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily". Another definition states that its "primary distinguishing feature is a love plot in which two sympathetic and well-matched lovers are united or reconciled"

A Romantic Comedy comes from to key genres put together:


Romance -  are romantic love stories recorded in visual media for broadcast in theatres and on television that focus on passion, emotion, and the affectionate romantic involvement of the main characters and the journey that their genuinely strong, true and pure romantic love takes them through dating, courtship or marriage. Romance films make the romantic love story or the search for strong and pure love and romance the main plot focus. Occasionally, romance lovers face obstacles such as finances, physical illness, various forms of discrimination, psychological restraints or family that threaten to break their union of love. As in all quite strong, deep, and close romantic relationships, tensions of day-to-day life, temptations (of infidelity), and differences in compatibility enter into the plots of romantic films.

Comedy - Comedy is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. These films are designed to entertain the audience through amusement, and often work by exaggerating characteristics of real life for humorous effect.

Weather......

So I think to be honest, weather is a huge part of our opening sequence, the weather needs to be bright so that it creates that cheerfulness at the beginning as the two boys walk along talking about this girl they've met and it'll mean more people are out making the surrounding area more realistic and rain will then not be an issue. It seems a bit cliché, with a man walking along thinking of his girlfriend usmiling in the sun, but I think it'll make the ending of the opening sequence that bit more effective so I'll definitely need to keep an eye on the weather to find the best day!

Cast

Cast:

 

Louis and Taylor - are the two men that are being played by the same girl. They are both friends, but don't realise they are seeing the same girl until she makes a mistake and agrees to meet them both at the same time by mistake. They are friendly and chatty and like the girl, but are utterly shocked when they discover they are seeing the same person. The audience feel sorry for them when they realise what's happened! then it just motivates them to want to watch the rest as they want to see what happens as a result of this incident.

 

Alice - I'm playing the girl who is playing Taylor and Louis and shots of me will be shown as they accidentally bump into each other and proceed to the restaurant as I sit there calmly, looking quite stuck-up so that the audience automatically don't think very well of me. When they both walk in suddenly my face drops and I try to remain calm, but am evidently panicking as they both walk in and realise what has happened. By looking uncomfortable when my secret unfolds it causes tension to reach a high when the audience feel the shock of the characters and want to watch on and find out more

Opening Sequence - Mise-en-Scene

The mise-en scene will have a huge effect on the audience when it comes to our opening sequence. The opening scene with the two boys (Taylor and Lewis) walking towards the restaurant, talking, should be bright and busy to make it seem causal and so that the audience does not suspect anything weird. However they should both be smartly dressed suggesting that they are about to go somewhere quite important. Then when they arrive for the lunch, chatty and cheerful a classy restaurant setting with me sitting along dressed possibly in red to alert the audience top some kind of foreshadowing danger could then make them realise that something is going wrong and then the stillness to reflect the shock and the surrounding quietness will emphasise the surprise at what has happened to the two men sinks in. The colour red may be related to Curley's wife from 'Of Mice and Men' as she is always dressed in red or wearing red to foreshadow the danger she causes amongst the men.
 
 

Independent Studio



Existing Independent Studio

What is an Independent Studio?

Independent studio are often small companies that are privately owned.


Working Title













Working Title is an independent film studio based in London. Films such as Billy Elliot and Four Weddings have been produced by them. They have been running since 1983.

Thursday 6 February 2014

Things we need to consider when filming: The public




As we can see here filming may be difficult to film because of how busy this particular road can be. Therefore the time in which we film is important because it has to be a time where we can get enough filming done effectively without too much interference from the general public. Also the lighting has to be good for us to so we can't film too late in the day.


Monday 27 January 2014

Risk Assessment

As we will be filming in areas filled with public its a risk that people may get in the way or we could be causing an obstruction while filming. Therefore we need to ensure that we film in an area at a certain time of day that will mean there are less people around and that we are less likely to find it difficult to film certain scenes. Filming during a weekday at a time when most people are at school or working will mean that there will be a lot less people around which will be much more appropriate. Possibly a sunday could be a good option as shops close early and after that very few will be around as they will normally be home. This will mean there may not be anywhere open to film the restaurant table scene, but we need to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages to filming at certain times and then choose the right place to film our opening scene.

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Film Music



Within a comedy and a romantic comedy at that music is likely to be fast pass and light and jolly to fit in with the mood that film producers are trying to create amongst the audience. Or tense high-pitched music could be used in the build up to a certain moment. In this Bridget Jones scene to fit in with the funny and romantic elements to this scene the music changes in accordance to what is happening within the scene to impact upon the audience and make them feel the mood of the scene as it goes from humorous to romantic. Sounds cringey, but yeah.




Children of Men (9/10) Movie CLIP - Miracle Cease Fire (2006) HD


This leads on from what i mention at the end of my last post. Background music and the filming technique can make all the difference when it comes to impact on the audience.

Children of Men

url.jpgLast night i watched the film children of men and realised just how much of an influence sound and especially mise-en-scene can have upon a film. As a movie based in 2027, no human in the world is able to reproduce and illegal immigrants within England are either killed, deported or stuffed into refuge camps. The main character Theo helps his ex-girlfriend get a pregnant girl across the country to a save haven where she can give birth to her child and hopefully present the world with a new hope for life.
Set in London and large areas of countryside the grey, smokey and crumbling setting around Theo  other characters reflects the pain, suffering, despair and loss of hope as people feel as if they have nothing to work towards and the undeveloped city around Theo reflects exactly why they have nothing to work towards as the city looks as if it is progressing in no way whatsoever. Within the first few minutes a terrorist bombing attack takes place in a cafe that Theo visited only a moment ago full of saddened and hopeless people as the youngest person in the world is murdered.
url.jpgThe mise-en-scene is dirty and all adults appear empty and depressed as being the last generation makes life seem pointless to them. The happiness and fun of younger adults and children is vacant and the whole world is corrupt with terrorism and a loss of order. The film is extremely engaging and the cutting of sound and the intensity of the scene where the baby is carried through a group of soldiers is my favorite as it has a huge impact as the audience feels and senses the hope and happiness that the characters in the movie would have felt as they realise that there is a new chance at life and that something as simple as a baby can create peace and unification of the world

Tuesday 21 January 2014

Mood Board


Alot of these movies were very successful highlighting how romantic comedy is a popular genre. However, although our opening sequence will be planned out it will not be of as high a quality. This mood board represents just a few famous romantic comedies. Using more modern romantic comedies to work with such as 'This is 40', 'Bridesmaids' and 'Warm Bodies' will allow us to create humor for a more modern audience as peoples humor towards romance and elements of a movie may have changed or developed over recent years.

Monday 20 January 2014

The Three Act Structure

Final idea and settings for opening scene to movie

The chosen genre is romantic comedy and the plot is similar to the film 'This means war' in the way that two men fall in love with the same girl without realising. Although at the end both accidentally meet the girl at the same time and realise that they are both being played.
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The settings will be basic and very character-focused to maintain the intensity of the moment when both male characters realise that they have been seeing the character. The settings will be light to ensure they have no effect on the mood of the film and only the actions and speech will have an effect on the audience. The filming will be done in the street as the two male characters walk towards the restaurant to meet the girl, they are having a conversation about the girls they have both met who they are planning to now meet and when they both walk into the restaurant tension rises as they both approach the table and look at the girl and eachother in confusion as the girl sits in shock as she realises that she has been caught. The two men will be friends which also means that the moment of realisation is intense as they cannot understand how they never realised what was really going on making the moment almost humorous.

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Wednesday 15 January 2014

Initital 25 Word Pitch Ideas

"Tom and Jerry think they have found 'The One' when meeting new partners but through their naivety are in a relationship with the same girl."


"Two friends who are in awe of their fantasy girl fight to save their friendship after discovering they are dating the same female."


"Sam who has the admiration from two close friends endures a series of ups and downs as she decided which boy she wants the most."