Finding a Title

An important part of the process was to come up with a suitable and fitting title name for our film. As a group we brain stormed ideas of titles. Some of the title ideas included, Unknown, Daisy, Dazed, Daze and Missing. After a long discussion we decided to go with the title Daze. This title was later changed to Daisy. Once having feedback on the title 'Daze' we released 'Daisy would be more fitting and appropriate. With feedback it became apparent that a person would be in 'a daze' and having daze on its own could mean to many things, which may confuse the audience. Other names that we discussed were left as some titles were already titles of films made and others were ones not everyone was in total agreement on. 

Shot Variety

When filming a variety of shots our group found this a tricky part as when we first began to plan we did not discuss what angles and movements of the camera would work and be necessary. Once the first lot of filming in the cellar had been done we then got feedback and from this feedback it was very clear we did not have a lot of shot variety. From then on any other filming session we done we all planned what angles would look good and we also had many takes on the same scene from different angles.
Shots such as close ups were used to show tense in the girls face as she is in the cellar frightened, mid shots and long shots to show the whole body.
Low and high angle shots were also used along with zoom ins and outs. With the zooms this was done in slow motion to create tension to the scene.
We filmed part of the scene in a part and in this scene was a girl walking her dog. This involved an establishing shot and a pan movement.

Images

As our film is based around a kidnapping we decided on shot of the opening will show the character of daisy imprisoned in a cellar. On the wall of the cellar where the teengage girl is being held there are going to be pictures of teenage girls; this has relevance as it will highlight previous girls which have been kidnapped and killed by the man and also future targets. We focused on teenage girls with profiles of brown short hair, and also who were very petite. The images will be scattered on a brick wall with a map in the centre. On the map there will be pins stuck in and this also shows areas in which the killer has targeted. The main purpose will be having an image of the present captive and the area on the map which she was taken from.

production labels

One task throughout this process was to design a production label. This label had to be fitting to all genres of film however needed to suit our film genre. When making our production label we undertook research in order to help us find conventions of a production label. The conventions I found were that the name needed to be bigger than an image or other wording on the page, and also the image needed to link in with the label title. When we began creating the label we looked through many font syles, colours, patterns and sizes to fine the most fitting and eye catching writing and image. When designing our production label we wanted a professional and ordered look for the label. For example we considered the font of Pixar and how they reflect the playful nature of the company. We had this in mind when developing our production company. The two inital names we went for were 'ASK G' and 'Cameo'. We designed two very different labels and ASK G was alot more striking than Cameo however Cameo Productions was very simplistic yet effective. The end result was ASK G. We all came to a mutual decision on which production company to have in the opening two minutes.An image was added into the black background of ASK G. The red light shining through makes the label look more professional with more detail added.
A few more changes will be made to the chosen label. The changes are going to be to the word 'production'. We will make the word in a black font as the pink is distracting from the main title.

Voice Over

Initially in our two minutes worth of filming the only sound was music which would be non diegetic. Once further planning had taken place we decided to add in a voice over, this added tension and useful information to set the scene. The voice over was of a news report on a missing girl. 
'Breaking News - Yet again another teenage disappearance has been reported. As of yesterday this has been the 19th abduction within the past six weeks. The victim is 17 years old and is currently studying for her A-Levels. Her parents, Deborah and Martin Robinson are holding out in the hope that Daisy will once again be reunited with them so that they can live a normal life.'
This voice over would take place while the titles appear on the scene. Having this voice over would not detract from any filming for those watching as there would just be a black background while the voice over is on. 

Production timeable for December update

With the production timetable which was set out as a group we all managed to find enough time today to complete our filming. On the 1st December we managed to complete filming the park scene where I was walking the dog.  As we have completed the filming ahead of schedule which is a benefit because now we can all concertrate on the editing process. As filming is finished we will now have more time for editing because we will not need to film on the 8th December, and the time can be put towards other tasks for media.

Why I chose Universal as the production company for my film

The reasoning behind chosing Universal as the production company for our film this that it is a highly recognised production company. Also from research it has became clear that it is a commonly used company and was the production company behind the film 'Taken'. The Film 'Taken' is a thriller like the one we are making so it made sense to follow the theme as when researching many thrillers it showed Universal was the main production company.
We also looked at other production companies such as Pixar, 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate and Spyglass. as a group we under went research into finding out the most appropriate company for our film which has a thriller genre. Very quickly it became clear that Pixar produced animation films and although 20th Century Fox have covered some thrillers they were also known for there family film based productions. We decided against Spyglass and Lionsgate productions as they are not as well known and recognisable as Universal amd 20th Century Fox.

Film certificates

To be confirmed - In some instances films had not been certified before the website was uploaded.

Universal, suitable for audiences aged 4 years and over. Check with consumer advice before allowing under 4's to view this film.

Parental Guidance - General Viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.

12A with Parental Guidance - 12A means that the BBFC have classified the film unsuitable for children under 12. However, they may still watch the film, as long as they are accompanied by someone over 18 at all times during the showing. Advice is given regarding the content of the film and the ADULT must decide if it is appropriate for the accompanying under 12. Please note: proof of age may be required.

15 - Suitable only for persons of 15 years and older. Please note: proof of age may be required.

18 - Suitable only for persons of 18 years and older. Please note: proof of age may be required.


The film rating for our film is a 15. This is because there is volience in the film only suitable for 15 years and above.

Permission for filming

We did not need permission for filming as it took place in a cellar; the cellar was in Shannon's house and as she is part of our group this made for easy filming as there was no restrictions as to we were could film there. The only permission which was needed was for the use of the cameras. We needed to give a letter in to say we take responsibility for the cameras for the time in which we had them.

Production timeable for november update

With the production timetable for November we decided to highlight in yellow all the dates which we were all available to film. These dates were all carried out. However more dates in Decemeber were needed as once we uploaded the filming we were all in agreement that we wanted to do the filming again. The reasoning for this was that we wanted more angles for this scene and the inital idea of the cellar scene and how it could be filmed had changed.

production timetable

Storyboard

This is a clip of our storyboard that we came up with for the second idea. This was the idea we all were planning on going with, when it came to beginning the filming process our ideas changed. The idea of having a child in a park has now been taken out of the opening, as it would be very difficult to try and get the right emotion from the child in order for the thriller theme to be carried out. Also the age of the targeted girls changed to teenagers rather than young girls. We decided to change the age of the targeted girls child to teenager because otherwise it would not have fitted in with the profile of the killer. The beginning of the storyboard has changed, however the girl being locked in the cellar still stands. 

Conventions of our film

Filming Sessions

Each filming session brought new challenges to the group. These challenges included making sure the make up and costumes were the same each time we filmed. The main location took place in Shannon's cellar where I was tied up and sitting on a chair.
The very first session we had to clear the cellar so that nothing other than the chair was left. Also quite a lot of time was taken up when trying to get the accuracy right of the camera. Once we had over come this and how to use the camera effectively other filming sessions became easier and we could go straight into filming the scenes.
One major difficulty we had to overcome was the tight space in which we filmed. In the cellar there was not much room to have me, a chair, and a tripod let alone three other people filming. So filming in the cellar was difficult as the people filming had to lean over objects in order to film successfully. To overcome the small space we used a few point of view shots which took up less space and we also wanted to portray the cramped conditions which she was kept in.
I enjoyed each filming session as it was also a learning process as we went along and new ideas came to us all along the way however the cellar was freezing so in-between shots they put a blanket over me as I was wearing very thin clothes.
As the filming sessions were coming to an end we became quicker at getting the shot and angle.
The filming session which took place in Gillingham park was one of the harder ones to film as the tripod was not tall to capture a long shot so a very steady handed was needed. We also used Shannon's dog in the scene which was difficult because any squirrel, cat or dog which came past distracted the dog and we had to film all over again. This session took around an hour to complete as were using the camera to show many angles and camera movements.

props, costumes, actors and setting part 2

the props, costumes, actors and settings have now changed in the filming of are film opening. The reasoning for this is that we have changed the ideas for our film and the park scene with the young girl in has been taken out. the setting will now just be the cellar. The girl in the cellar will still have the same costumes and props surrounding her as before.

Other props which have now been added are:
A map on the way pin pointing the killers targets
Images of teenage girls which will aslo be pinned to the wall, this will represent furture targets and also girls previously targeted

The only actors now involved in the scenes are the teenage girl, the killer and also jsut a voice over of a female news reader.

production timetable

Ideas for our film part 2

I feel taking the second idea for the film was the right idea, although this will be more of a challenge as so many things are going on and the music, lighting and setting needs to give the impression and a clear sign of a thriller. I think in the end the results will be better from having chosen to do the seconded idea. Next we will look at how we are going to film the different shots in the two minutes worth of filming.

props, costumes, actors and setting

The props which we would use are a wooden chair and a rope when the girl is captured in the cellar.

A butterfly hair clip would be dropped in the park when the girl is taken. Make up would be needed to give a blemish to the child’s face so that the audience knows it is the same child later, and also it is relevant to the rest of the film when the girl is found.

There are many costumes used in the filming, and the costumes are:

·     Casual family wear for the mum and dad

·     Ripped clothes (shorts and a vest) for the girl who is in the cellar

·     Casual black clothing for the man in the park

·     Black clothing and a balaclava – to hide his identity from the girl

The actors, which are needed:

·     Dad

·     Mum

·     Small child

·     16yr old girl

·     Kidnapper

There are two setting for the two minutes of our filming. The first setting is in a park and this is where the child is being filmed. The seconded setting is the cellar where the girl is kept 10 years on from her kidnapping.

Ideas for our film

Genre: crime

Idea1: A prostitute is walking along a street where it is common for prostitute to be. We see suspicious men and groups of guys walking past. Many of them are drunk and some in black clothing and hoods covering their faces. The next shot would be of a police briefing showing a shot of the women gone missing. The last sight of her was when a man pulled up in a car and the prostitute starts arguing with the man. 

Genre: Thriller

Idea2: the dad is filming his small child in a park and then turns to film his wife. When turning back to the child she is gone. The park is empty and the child is nowhere to be seen. A black screen comes up with the words ‘ ten years later’. We see the girl 10 years on, sitting on a chair in a dark cellar with her hands tied behind her back. New information has arisen and the case of the missing girl has been reopened.

Creating an animatic storyboard

Creating an animatic storyboard was very useful as doing this casued indepth discussions on the transistions which should be used when filming the real thing. We then spoke about the angles and camera movements which we would plan on using. The main benefit of doing a storyboard was that it set out the structure of the film and which shots were vital to use in order for the film to flow.

Research

Once we had come up with a film consept as a group we decided to research famous kidnappings of young girls. The main case we came across was of a girl called Joyce Lee Dogard. She was a young American girl who was taken from her home and kept by a man for main years. As a group we watched an interview in which Joyce spoke of the time away from her family. She spoke of her emotions, treatment, the area in which she was kept and what conditions she lived in. All this was key information which we considered when creating a realistic film of a kiddnapping.

The film Home Alone has the genre of adventure and comedy. The opening scene first begins with 20th Century Fox as this is the film studios which were used to produce Home Alone. 20th Century fox is known for being associated with comedy and family orientated films.
Next a black background appears, and this is when the Production Company and main actor’s names are shown. The font is in bold white and clearly written in the bottom centre of the screen. Your attention is draw to this as it is all you can see on the screen at that time. Once the first main actors name is given a moon comes into view and a zoom in shot is used to make the moon more visible in the top right corner. Our attention is now drawn to the moon which slightly deceives the viewer as there is a dark background with the moon which looks uninviting and gloomy. Just from the images you would begin to think the film would be much darker and danger would be involved. However as the music has been playing from the very beginning we known the film will be light hearted and fun as the music makes us feel happy and festive and unconcerned. An image of a blue 2d house moves across the screen with the moon still visible, when the house is central the film title also appears in blue. After the title is shown the words Home Alone disappear just leaving the house. Then a zoom out shot is used giving an impression the house fades into the night. Titles are still coming up at the bottom in white bold font of casting, music is by and associate producer.
The image of the 2d house cuts to the first shot of a decorated house, the house is key to the film as it sets the scene by showing where the film is based and also the time of year. Festive music continues while the camera zooms in till it reaches the house then the dialogue of people takes over once inside. The scene which takes place inside the house is of a number of children and adults, who are packing for a holiday.
This is easy for families to relate as the house is frantic as and it also appears they are running late so everyone is charging around trying to get ready. Home Alone is a family based film and from the opening it will already have drawn people in as it is festive, light hearted, funny and also many parents may be able to relate even to this opening scene.

Ideas from film openings, which we will make manageable

Kiss the Girl

To make the film kiss the girl manageable for our group to recreate, we would change aspects such as the killer hiding in the cellar rather than the loft. The killer could come out at night and creep up the stairs and spy on the girls in the house. The man would drug the girls by dissolving a tablet into their drink next to them. She drinks and when drugged the woman wants the man.

The Butterfly Effect

This film we would need to make more manageable is the butter fly effect. This could be done by the scene being set in a school office where it is dark and looks empty. The other parts of this opening scene are already realistic and easy enough for us to manage, as it is set in a sunny day with a mother and son, the mother could be doing the gardening, or fixing something and the sun would be talking to her. 

Fiction Films

Genres:

Action adventure

Animation

Rom com

Horror

Thriller

Western

Science ficton

Cime

Musical 

Examples:

The conventions of a horror film are to Frighten and panic the audience causing alarm and have terrifying shock finales. Another convention of a horror film is the music as there would be a lot of non-diegetic music which has a very deep bass to it but also the music gets faster and faster so the audience knows it is building up to something frightening. Also there would be dark and shadowy lighting which would run throughout the film to add more suspense.

The conventions of a romantic comedy are the encounter of a potential couple in a strange or odd situation or circumstance. The couple are often very different in temper and how they live life, this gives the comedy to the film. This centres the film around the idea of two people finding true love.                                                                             
The music is light hearted and upbeat keeping to the theme or romance and comedy. Funny events happen which evolve the two main characters and the film beings with a voice over or some explanation of the main characters.

The conventions of an action film are a damsel in distress, who is saved by the hero and a villain who may be represented as a people or natural disaster.  Also there is a situation where the hero tries to defeat the villain he does not succeed so another event happens and the second time the hero defeats or overcomes the villain. Other conventions would be a battle and fight which is a typical in the plot and in this weapons and gadgets would be used. Explosions and destruction is another main convention of this genre as it makes the audience worry.

Preliminary task

                      

When making the preliminary video as a group we needed to include three different types of shots. These shots included the 180 degree rule, continuity, and shot reverse shot. Making what we all thought would be an easy filming task certainly wasn’t without its problems and mistakes.

When we originally started filming the video it was going to be based on a school parents evening, however this did not work out as we need to use a school office and there was a lot of background noise from things going on around use. Also another issue which arose was the continuity in lighting and clothing, as we did not have time to film all in one go. Filming was done over a period of two days. The lighting and clothing did not show continuity as the clothing of actors where different and as one day of the two it was raining which made the lighting through one of the windows very different.

We all agreed to scrapping this idea and taking the filming outside and to film in one go. The second video had two actors and let us all be more creative with ideas and camera angles and positioning. The 180 degree rule was followed throughout as we made sure we did not cross over to the other side at any point in our final preliminary filming. This was the easier of the shots that had to be included. With the filming outside in the wooded area continuity was not an issue with it came to the setting as we filmed on the same day in an area which would not change in the time we were filming there. The continuity which was different in the beginning was making sure feet positioning and body positioning was exactly the same. This was trickier as it was a windy day and the main actor’s hair was blowing around, so from each shot we needed to make sure it was the same. This is something which has been made aware to us all for when it comes to filming the Film Opening. The shot reverse shot was hard to film as we were in a little space by some trees and when looking at the filming a shadow of me was in the opposite camera. This was easily correctable and will be remembered when it comes to filming our opening.

Doing a preliminary task was very useful as it highlighted just what things needed bearing in mind when filming. Also making the mistakes we did will hopefully help to resolve these issues in the real task if they arise. Music will need to be added to the real film opening as our preliminary was based on a thriller but without the music it lost a lot of effect.

 

Research Of Film Openings

When researching film openings we found the conventions of a thriller included the dim lighting, tension music and much more. However quick cuts and angle changes are the main conventions as this adds suspense.
The film Taken was one of my favourites and found this very useful when creating are own film. The titles came up over the photoage and tension music was also played.
The conventions which we plan on keep in our film is low key lighting, tensions music, slow motion to add suspense and a wide variety of shots.

Film Opening Analysis

The film Home Alone has the genre of adventure and comedy. The opening scene first begins with 20th Century Fox as this is the film studios which were used to produce Home Alone. 20th Century fox is known for being associated with comedy and family orientated films.
Next a black background appears, and this is when the Production Company and main actor’s names are shown. The font is in bold white and clearly written in the bottom centre of the screen. Your attention is draw to this as it is all you can see on the screen at that time. Once the first main actors name is given a moon comes into view and a zoom in shot is used to make the moon more visible in the top right corner. Our attention is now drawn to the moon which slightly deceives the viewer as there is a dark background with the moon which looks uninviting and gloomy. Just from the images you would begin to think the film would be much darker and danger would be involved. However as the music has been playing from the very beginning we known the film will be light hearted and fun as the music makes us feel happy and festive and unconcerned. An image of a blue 2d house moves across the screen with the moon still visible, when the house is central the film title also appears in blue. After the title is shown the words Home Alone disappear just leaving the house. Then a zoom out shot is used giving an impression the house fades into the night. Titles are still coming up at the bottom in white bold font of casting, music is by and associate producer.
The image of the 2d house cuts to the first shot of a decorated house, the house is key to the film as it sets the scene by showing where the film is based and also the time of year. Festive music continues while the camera zooms in till it reaches the house then the dialogue of people takes over once inside. The scene which takes place inside the house is of a number of children and adults, who are packing for a holiday.
This is easy for families to relate as the house is frantic as and it also appears they are running late so everyone is charging around trying to get ready. Home Alone is a family based film and from the opening it will already have drawn people in as it is festive, light hearted, funny and also many parents may be able to relate even to this opening scene.

From this film opening everything which we see in the scene would be very managable to do in our own film opening, as it is a very simple however an effective opening. I would not take any ideas from this as for my film opening the genre is crime and this is adventure and comedy, so everything from font size and background colours and music would be very different.

Film Opening Analysis

The film Home Alone has the genre of adventure and comedy. The opening scene first begins with 20th Century Fox as this is the film studios which were used to produce Home Alone. 20th Century fox is known for being associated with comedy and family orientated films.
Next a black background appears, and this is when the Production Company and main actor’s names are shown. The font is in bold white and clearly written in the bottom centre of the screen. Your attention is draw to this as it is all you can see on the screen at that time. Once the first main actors name is given a moon comes into view and a zoom in shot is used to make the moon more visible in the top right corner. Our attention is now drawn to the moon which slightly deceives the viewer as there is a dark background with the moon which looks uninviting and gloomy. Just from the images you would begin to think the film would be much darker and danger would be involved. However as the music has been playing from the very beginning we known the film will be light hearted and fun as the music makes us feel happy and festive and unconcerned. An image of a blue 2d house moves across the screen with the moon still visible, when the house is central the film title also appears in blue. After the title is shown the words Home Alone disappear just leaving the house. Then a zoom out shot is used giving an impression the house fades into the night. Titles are still coming up at the bottom in white bold font of casting, music is by and associate producer.
The image of the 2d house cuts to the first shot of a decorated house, the house is key to the film as it sets the scene by showing where the film is based and also the time of year. Festive music continues while the camera zooms in till it reaches the house then the dialogue of people takes over once inside. The scene which takes place inside the house is of a number of children and adults, who are packing for a holiday.
This is easy for families to relate as the house is frantic as and it also appears they are running late so everyone is charging around trying to get ready. Home Alone is a family based film and from the opening it will already have drawn people in as it is festive, light hearted, funny and also many parents may be able to relate even to this opening scene.

why I chose Media Studies at A level

I decided to take media studies at A level for a number of reasons.
One was because I chose this option at GCSE and got an A grade. I also enjoyed the whole course; everything from making CD covers and anaylsis TV comedies and action films.
Another reason for chosing this option was the of the new apple mac computers, which has great techknowledging for helping with our film making.
I would possibly like a carrer in media and am very interested in the work that goes into film making and all the fine details and camera work behind the scenes.