In conclusion...

I have really enjoyed making my own film opening in a genre that I appreciate and have been inspired by for ages, and for the next year’s task, I am most certainly going to choose the film option again. Doing this has got me more interested and aware of the whole media, especially film, and the fact that making films has become much easier for amateur and professional film makers, there is a huge variety of film out there and to made. It has also given me the interest of possibly following this as a career path, even at this early stage.

Here are links to a couple of past foundation project blogs that I looked at to give some idea of what is to come in this years AS course in media, and I have used them as a guide to know what important things I should include in my film and blog.

- http://hollyamelialaurafoundationportfolio.blogspot.co.uk

-  http://victoriaparkersmediablog.blogspot.co.uk

Who would the audience be for your media product? - Evaluation

I have already said what the audience would be in my previous posts along with a audience questionnaire, but that was before I fully completed the foundation project, and in hindsight it hasn't changed that much, but I think it has created more audiences for itself, because it started off as a typical gangster film, but then I realized, despite the statement sounding cheesy, has got more to it than a typical gangster film, and I think that it could attract the attention of people would like dramas, as it deals with a person  trying to move on from what he used to do. again the age rating for my audience is around 15-18 years as it has some action and violence but the dialogue is toned down from what you would normally hear in a gangster film.  

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the final product? - Evaluation

From when I finished my preliminary task I feel that I have learnt that time management is key when filming, because I wanted to get as much film as possible in the first day, but I didn't want to rush it, so I had to shoot over the course of three days to get the best looking footage, unlike my preliminary task, where I only had one day. Another thing I have learnt is not holding a shot for too long, and the effectiveness of the 180 degree rule and editing, despite these being basic filming techniques, it really made a difference in quality of the film.

This is an image from my preliminary task

I think that I have learnt that casting is really important, and it is better to choose someone because they fit the part of the character, not just because they were the first person who came to mind, unlike my preliminary task, where most of the actors were close friends, because I knew they would do it. I feel that the film making partnership with Alex has improved, because I felt with the preliminary task I was maybe being too easygoing or sugar coating any criticisms that I made when filming the task, which could affect the film, but with the foundation project, I was more serious and if I felt that something could of been improved on I would same, and with small things like props in the background that I thought would give the film more detail and layered I would recommend. 

How did you attract/address your audience? - Evaluation

I attracted my audience with opening scene by doing it in black and white, which would catch modern film audience's attention as black and white films are not so common any more, also might make them want to find out if there is any particular meaning to the use of black and white, also the use of alcohol, gun props and clothing, i think would get them intrigued. I addressed my audience by including young people playing quite adult roles, and I would like think that people who watch my film might get influenced to make their own gangster film. I think that because of the  use of young people in my film doing adult activities, it speaks to my audience (around 15-18 years) to say that we the right and freedom to do what older people do.

THE BRIEFCASE

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

In my media product, The Briefcase I have used many conventions of real media products, such as Pulp Fiction, with the whole briefcase enigma, Snatch, British gangster film, and American films like Goodfellas, attempted realistic violence, also the look and name of the protagonist Simms was influenced by a character in a a quite unknown action-comedy film called Straight To Hell, and I think that the audience were aware of the subtle references or homages to these real media conventions, and I think that my film has challenged the genre, by filming a gangster film in the more south-west of England, which I don't think there are any. Although I have attempted to create my own take on the British gangster films, it not exactly unique or totally original, but I had to include various clichés and plot devices to keep the film interesting and to have a familiar feel.

The film Pulp Fiction gave my film the enigma  of  the mysterious briefcase

What have you learn't about technologies from the process of constructing this product? - Evaluation

I have learnt that choosing the right camera is very important, as I couldn't use the HD camerabecause half of film was filmed on a normal camera and the quality would look very different, but I now know to use the high definition camera in my next film piece. The apple macs, i have learnt, are a really useful and easy to use in the editing part of the film process, also in lessons I've have been taught a brief history of editing, and how hard and time consuming it was, I feel really grateful that with technologies like Macs is a lot easier. The voice recorder, which i had never used before, became very useful in adding a voice over, also in creating foley sounds such as ring tones and an alarm clock which i could not capture on film.

What kind of institution might distribute your media product and why? - Evaluation

I think that Focus Features, which is a British film production and distribution company , might distribute my film, because I think my film has a more independent feel to it, and not a big Hollywood blockbuster film, also because it was filmed in the UK with an all British cast and Focus Features have been know to produce these kind of films for example ‘In Bruges’, and I think that they would understand the style of my film, as my film has more an art film style for example noire or expressionist. The age rating that I want is a 15 certificate, because it has some violence, use of ‘alcohol’ and representing young people in this way. I think Focus Features would agree with me, because having this rating makes it more open to a wider audience.

Colours in culture

When the two Visitors from UWE came to our media class, we were given a 'colours in culture' sheet, which is used to find out what colours in your film connote. in my film I made the most of it black and white, the connotations of this is death and misery, which is the colours the antagonist James is wearing and what the protagonist Simms is supposed to feel, also Simms is wearing a grey suit, which, according to the sheet connotes intelligence.

Audience feedback

Today we were visited by two media practitioners from UWE, that specialises in film production and magazine design. They gave some constructional criticism about my film, for example the opening credits need to be shorter, the scenes after James has been shot need to be shorter, the lighting need to be better, and the ending credits need to make more sense. I have also shown the film to my target audience, which is late teens and adults and have received positive feedback. here are some quotes from the audiences:

- "Altogether i thought the film was very enjoyable, it was a clever intake in the action/thriller genre!" - Harry Tully 17

- "The film was very interesting and fun to watch" - Alex Package 17

- "I thought it had some good enigma and I wouldn't mind seeing the rest of it!" - James Phillips 19

Here are some constructive comments that Myra Lee from UWE said about my foundation film project:

- shorten the opening titles

- rearrange the credits

- re-shoot alarm clock scene

I think that if I complete these improvements, it will make the film better for my audience.

How does your media product represent particular social groups? - Evaluation

In my media product The Briefcase, young adults have connotations of being criminals, alcoholics, and generally unlike-able people because I wanted to mix the emotions of my audiences, as the protagonist has done bad things but he isn't necessary the bad guy and is trying to leave this way of life behind him and is the character that you want to see succeed.

The social economic class that the film has connotations of lower to middle class, because of the protagonist living in a rough bedsit and locations such as the Severn bridge in the North of Bristol, which is the setting of my film. I feel this connotes the location as a bad place, which is intention of the film but in real life it not true.

Final filming day for 'The Briefcase'

I have recently finish all the filming for my foundation film project, this has mostly been re-shooting the end dialogue and title sequence, which my media teachers advised I do to avoid a 'potted film', which is a term used when a film opening gives too much away cant really develop. but i think it went well and got some really good cinematic shots of the severn bridge.

I decided to re-shoot the ending to this location because the previous location was too boring anddidn't really fit with the plot or style of the film, also I filmed some tracking and closed framed shots of the protagonist Simms played by Toby Spence walking across the bridge which will give some greats opportunities to put the opening credits in.

Semiotic critiques

Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation. In film not only words are used, but through camera angles, mise en scene and lighting. In my foundation film project The Briefcase semiotics have been used to show what kind of place the film is set and to give the audience a better understanding of what the characters are like.

Lighting as played a major part in my film, for example in the opening it is shot in black and white to give a noire style and to show how dull and melancholy the protagonist feels, but when the protagonist Simms has escaped from a gangster, it turns into colour to show that life might be getting better for the protagonist. The use of black and white connotes  that the beginning is in the past.

Film Evaluation

I have recently shown my foundation film to my media class and teacher, and i've got some feedback on what good about my film so far and what improvements to make. I have been considering having a black and white effect on my film to give it more of a noire film style and it also con notates that the scenes in black and white are in the past, this has been used in many films such as Casino Royale, also to cover up the quality of the camera i have used. i am also going to reshoot some dialogue scenes and reshoot the ending of the opening.

My media studies teachers have recommended doing it in black and white and then turn to colour at the end of the opening, in the style of the beginning to Casino Royale, which I think will look good, and they have also said about re shooting the ending of my opening, to a more suitable location, maybe somewhere iconic, like the Severn bridge.

 In the shooting scene in my film I realised that I broke the 180 degree rule, but I had a reason for it. When there is a POV shot through Simms, and look as if the character James is shooting Simms. But I have learnt from my mistakes, and I now know how important the 180 degree rule is. 

Opening to Casino Royale

In the opening of Casino Royale it is black and white, but then turns into colour.

Opening credits and title cards research - GANGSTER/CRIME genre content analysis

here's one I made:

http://prezi.com/webydvnctmpv/opening-credits-and-title-cards-research-gangstercrime-genre-content-analysis/

This is a prezi presentation of my title card research. Prezi is a new Cloud based pretension software, which shows presentation in a more interesting way. This is an example of the new technology that i can use for my blog post.

Sound equipment

In my film their is a scene in which the protagonist Simms gets a phone call from his boss. To do this I used a Roland EDIROL R-09HR MP3 recorder to record the voice of the boss as if he was having the convosation with Simms on the phone. I will also use this to record the sound of an alarm clock as I cant find the right sound on imovie.

Editing

I am now in the stage of editing my foundation film project. With the use of imovie I think it make it easier and improve the quality of my film.

Opening credits and title cards research - GANGSTER/CRIME genre content analysis

For my foundation film project opening film, I have been considering the opening credits which will include myself and everyone else who starred in the film and helped me create it. I think that it is an important part in a film because it the first thing the audience will seen, so it is important to attract them and show what kind of a film it is.

This is the title card from the 1979 British gangster film The Long Good Friday, it is very basic and bold by using white capital letters and a black background which I think works with these type of films.

This is from the film Raising Arizona. It also has a simple tile card

but the text is filled in with a landscape shot of Arizona desert, which shows the audience where the film takes place.

The title card used in the film Dr No is again basic but effective and I really like the use of purple and red text on a black background, it makes me think of other spy/ thriller films from the 1960's.

Questionaire answers

these are the answers of my gangster/crime/thriller questionnaire. I ask a mixed group of ages, teenagers, adults and OAP, so i could get varied responses.

1)
yes/yes/yes/yes/yes
2)

anuvahood/scarface/scarface/snatch/the godfather
3)
comedy, action/nudity/awsome soundtrack/good story/humour
4)
more action/more fast paced/more fast paced/better acting/ore developed story

5)
hard to get interested quickly/cheesy humour/no/no/not original any more

From the answers I have learnt that the crime/gangster/thriller audience is a very popular one as all answered with yes and that they expect and like many different things with different age groups, because the older generation wants better acting and a more developed story, whereas the younger audience wants more faced paced action with some humour. This questionnaire will help me in my film making process as I now know what the audience wants and don't wants.

'The Briefcase' day 2 of filming

Today was my second day of filming, and most of it was retaking scene do to an error with the camera, but it went well and I also filmed some more scenes. I have filmed all the footage I want to at the moment and now I am at editing stage of the film process. something that i found difficult today was recreating the set the way it was before but with the help of one of my actors I was able to do a good job recreating it.

Alex making fake blood

'The Briefcase' day 1 of filming

- Today I have filmed most of the scenes for my foundation film project, I am very pleased that it all went to plan and that the film followed the storyboard. All the actors in my film were very patient and made their roles look believable, the set of the film, which I had to create in my bedroom went to plan and looked just the way I wanted it.

- The directing and camera work, done by myself was good and throughout I have tried to follow the 180 degree rule to avoid jump cuts, also I am pleased that my film making partner Alex Smith, who has been away for quite awhile (due to a medial operation) was able to do the FX for the film and also some camera work.

- I had planned to compete all the filming today, but because of the days getting darker earlier in January, the lighting wouldn't match the rest of the footage, which would cause a major continuity error, but there is only as small amount that needs filming. What I have learnt in my first day of filming is that time management is crucial and I will have to complete the rest of the film as soon a possible, but I will not rush it.

Audience research questionnaire

1) Do you like crime/gangster/thriller genre films?
yes/yes/yes
2) If so what are your favourites?
anuvahood/scarface/scarface
3) what would you expect to see in these films?
comedy, action/nudity/awsome soundtrack
4) what would like to see in them?
more action/more fast paced/more fast paced
5) anything that you don't like about them?
hard to get interested quickly/cheesy humour/no

I have included qualitative structured questions so I get a more depth answers.

Crime genre research - SNATCH

The 2000 British gangster film directed by Guy Richie is set in the London criminal underworld, the film contains two intertwined plots: one dealing with the search for a stolen diamond, the other with a small-time boxing promoter named Turkish who finds himself under the thumb of a ruthless gangster known as Brick Top. The film features an assortment of colourful characters, including gypsy Mickey O'Neil , arms-dealer Boris "the Blade" Yurinov, professional thief and gambling addict Frankie "Four-Fingers", American gangster-jeweler "Cousin Avi", and bounty hunter Bullet-Tooth Tony. It is also distinguished by a kinetic direction and editing style, a circular plot featuring numerous ironic twists of chance and causality, and a fast pace.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snatch_(film)

This film gave me the idea to make my own British set crime film because I think that the characters, humour, story and setting makes the film really interesting and its an atmosphere that i will hopefully create with my foundation film project.

Prop guns

These are the two BB guns props I am going to use in my film 'The Briefcase'. I wont have to worry about filming them in public because they will be used in my house. The top gun is the one the protagonist is using and the bottom one is the one the other gangster is using.

Film narrative

For my film 'The Briefcase' i have been thinking about the narrative of the film, because it is only the opening to a film which will be the exposition, this is the opening premise and setting the scene, it will end with a small development part. The i will start the film will not inform the audience too much so they can guess what will happen so i will try to tell the story in a specific and unique way, as if i am going to make a full length film.

30 degree rule

When I am filming I will have to think about the 180 and 30 degree rules. I am explained the 180 in my previous posts, but the 30 degree rule is when your filming with two camera positions, it is important to make sure that they don't go below 30 degrees, otherwise it wont look very different and professional. This change of perspective makes the shots different enough to avoid a jump cut. Too much movement around the subject may violate the 180° rule.

Filming schedules info

I have got all the actors, props and script ready for the filming that will take place on 15th and 16th of January. The actors in my film said they will provide their own costume suited for their role and the location is set up for filming. If I will have to film on different day which may be after the shoot, I will have to make sure the lighting and weather is the same to avoid continuity errors. I planned to shoot on the 7th and 8th of Jan but both actors were unavailable due to revision for their exams, but the new dates will most certainly go to plan.

Woman represented in media

This is the podcast that I referred to when I was talking about representation in my previous blog entry.It really made me think about woman in media and I was surprised by some of the statistics in the podcast. 78% of articles for the guardian are written by men, 72% of question time is for men and 84% on radio time.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/audio/2011/dec/09/media-talk-podcast-women-in-the-media

This is a link to The Guardian website and podcast media section.

Audience

For my foundation film project 'The Briefcase' I have been considering what my audience is, and I decided that this film would appeal to teenagers around the age of 15-18 and adults of all age, anyone who likes gangster/crime-thriller genre films. I will create a questionnaire about the genres, which will help me understand what the audience would expect and like to see.

Second draft storyboards

Representation

From the work I have done on the script, storyboards and casting, I have been considering what and how I am representing topics like age, gender ethnicity and nationality. I have an all male, white british cast, because the films I have been influenced by to make my film in that genre and style, e.g Snatch, has mostly british actors and set in the UK.

This represents the british as quite rough and not the stereotypical posh, tea and crumpets brit, which is the direction i am coming from with my foundation film project. Not having females in my film is not me being un PC or just lazy, this is not intentional, but I have only done it in this way because previous films in the genre of crime have done it in this way. I having only really considered this when I listened to a podcast from The Guardian media section, which talks about the representation of woman and age in media.

Script for 'The Briefcase'

This is the script for my film 'The Briefcase'. Parts of it are different to my previous script because this is a updated and improved version. From looking at my previous script I have made some changes which i think will make it better and easier to film.

Protagonist - Simms - Toby Spence
Antagonist - James - James Scott

The film starts with Simms waking up to the sound of his alarm clock in his apartment, he stares at a black briefcase in his room, then he hears a car pulling up and he loads his gun, there is a knock at the door and it is another gangster called James, wanting to talk to him, Simms lets James in.
Simms: so, what do you want then?
James: I think you know what Simmy boy.(making himself a cup of tea) All I want is what is what you stole from the boss.
Simms: which is?
James: the briefcase!
Simms: oh OK. I got it for ya(cocking his gun). Its right hear.
Simms shoots James in the head and searches his body, he finds another gun and a flick knife. He then picks up the briefcase and walks out of his apartment. He walks down some stairs and and walks out of the building, he answers his phone, his boss is wanting to meet him, h. the opening end with him walking down a street and the opening title and credit come up.

'The Briefcase' info

LOCATIONS
In my film, it opens with the protagonist, Simms in his apartment,It will be filmed in either my room or in my partner, Alex Smith's room, which will have to be dressed up as a rubbish old bedsit, to make the mise en scene look more believable and realistic. this is the main location in the film and he is using this as a hideout. I have uploaded a picture of a staircase in my previous posts, which will also be used in the film. the staircase is located in Marlwood School, so I will have to tell the members of staff if it is OK to shoot there.

PROPS
I have got all the props that are going to be used in the film, which include 3 BB guns, a dress suit, a flick knife and an alarm clock. I will not have to worry about using these props, because I am not filming with these props in public.

CAST & CREW
Director/editor/camera - Me
Simms - Toby Spence
James - James Scott

storyboard info

I have uploaded all of my first draft storyboards for my foundation film project. To get a closer look click on the image. follow the numbers in order on the storyboard so it will make sense!

3)B

even more storyboards

3)A

2)B

more storyboards

2)A

1)B

storyboard

1)A

This is my first storyboard for my foundation film project.

Research on opening of films, gangster genre

GOODFELLAS

The film opens with gangsters, Henry Hill, Jimmy Conway, Tommy DeVito in a car driving at night to bury the dead body of the man that they have murdered. This scene is a fast forward in the protagonist's life, which segways into the opning credits. There is good use of lighting in a this scene for example, when they open the boot of their car to look at the body, the red rear lights are on which makes the whole scene look red, which could mean danger, blood or death. I like the idea of starting the film with a later scene, I think I will start my foundation film similar to this.

preliminary task evaluation

I have competed my preliminary task. This is an evaluation to cover the good points and problems that I came across when filming and editing.

GOOD POINTS

When I was filming I was pleased that I was able to use the camera (that I had no previous experience with) with no problems and could start and cut at the right places, this made editing the film much easier. I was also pleased that the film followed my plan and storyboard, which is a very important part in the film making process. With help from a special guest from Apple, I was able to use imovie and edit my film, add video and audio effects and to know when to use them in the right scenes.

PROBLEMS

A problem that I faced when filming was getting the actors to perform without laughing, which made it hard to edit out without making the film look unprofessional, but considering the age of myself and the actor in my film, I thought we were quite good. Another problem was steadying the camera when filming, this makes consider using a steady cam in my foundation film project.

The text in red means EVALUATION

my preliminary task

http://www.youtube.com/user/steveFLSN1?feature=mhee#p/a/u/0/6X0_vRUwYHY

this is a link to youtube that shows my preliminary task.

this is an early list of the scene sequences in my film

1. protagonist wakes up in his apartment by the sound of alarm clock

2. gets out of bed

3. someone knocks on his door

4. protagonist loads his gun

5. opens door to find a gangster is looking for him

6. invites the gangster in

7. has a conversation about a briefcase he has stolen which belongs to his boss

8. protagonists shoots the gangster

9. 2 or 3 more gangsters in a parked car hear the gunshot and decide to go and have see what has happened

10. the protagonist kills the other gangsters

11. loots the body of one of them

12. camera focuses on the stolen briefcase

13. protagonist picks up the briefcase and (steady cam shot) walks out of his apartment, down a flight of stairs and walks down a street to end the opening.

I will upload storyboards of the film to help illustrate it.

The black suit and tie idea, that the protagonist in my film will wear. From Reservoir Dogs

film plot summary and ideas

For the foundation project, I am doing a gangster/crime/action film. It starts with the unnamed protagonist waking up in his grubby flat (possibly my garage); tired and beaten up for unknown reasons. I have decided to dress the protagonist in a worn black suit and tie ('Reservoir Dogs' style), because I thought it looked cool and neat.In the film gangsters are trying to find and kill him because he has stolen a briefcase, which belongs to the gangsters. In the film you will never see what is inside of the briefcase, this adds mystery and is a reference to the film 'Pulp Fiction'. You may notice that I referred to two Quentin Tarantino films, this is because my film has been mostly influenced by Tarantino's story and character styles.

180 degree rule

For my preliminary tasks i will be filming a duologue showing the 180 degree rule.

The 180° rule is a basic guideline that states that two characters  in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera passes over the imaginary axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line.

 This is my first post on my blog, for my media coursework I will be posting info about my foundation project piece and other parts of my media work.