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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.