Scene Rushes Without Editing

This is a look at my first scene without any editing.



I think that in terms of flow it works well because there is a shot that I need to add in when editing.

However, I need to edit these clips because we had to film in lower light than usual which has resulted in some grainy footage. As this is the very first scene, it must look professional; if audiences started watching and saw this they may turn it off because they would think it was unattractive before getting to the scenes with more appealing lighting conditions.

If I reduce the grain using After Effects and it still looks unprofessional, my options are to reshoot or to alter my narrative structure so that we do not begin with this scene and create the wrong impression.

I will also be taking out the audio and adding sound effects or alarms, ringtones and my soundtrack.

I saved my videos efficiently in order to make it easier when putting them together, which it did...

 I went into my 'To Use' folder for this date and had split them into different scenes. I then opened the 'Getting Ready Morning' folder and found all of the videos I needed, all specifically named so I knew what they were.

I then imported them straight to my project in Premiere Pro and it was easy to order them because I had already renamed each file.

This is what my cyber-bullying scene looks like without any editing.



I think that these clips flow together well.

I am also happy with my lighting in these shots. In particular I like the section where my protagonist looks directly at the camera as half of her face is lit with red. This effectively symbolises the negative effect which this bullying is having on her; it is taking over.

Again, I will be taking out the audio and adding my soundtrack, which will increase the sense of sadness and audience sympathy.

Structure of a Film Review

I found this on BBC Bitesize as a guide of structuring my film review. I found that it worked well as a key to organising my piece of writing.

1.    Introduction: this gives an overview of who is in the film and what it's about. It also sums up the reviewer's conclusion about the film (so readers can form an opinion without reading the whole of the review)

2.    Paragraph 2: the reviewer then describes the plot and the action, while informing the reader which actor plays which role.

3.    Paragraph 3: the reviewer then analyses the film, talking about the director and then the actors, looking at good things as well as bad things.

4.    Finally: the review informs the reader when the film is out (and sometimes, in a local review, where it can be seen).

 

Where Could It Go?

Included:

• Research into BBC, Channel 4, Youtube, Facebook, festivals, schools and parent groups
• Planning into where my film could potentially go
• Deciding where is the most appropriate for my target audience
• Short film festival examples

Genre Research

Included:

drama genre research

conventions

how I used conventions

silent genre research

how I used/challenged silent genre conventions

documentary research

Included:

• silent genre research
• conventions of this
• how examples use conventions
• how I will use conventions

Costume Ideas Spider Diagram

I will use a stark contrast in costume between my protagonist and antagonist; this will highlight the negative effect created by the bullying.

The fact that my main character begins in more colourful clothes which gradually get darker shows her decline into depression.

Story Ideas Moodboard

Story Moodboard

Anatomy of a Short Film Poster

I labelled the different parts of a film poster to understand their function and conventional placements. This ensured that I included everything in my own. I analysed these as seen on the poster advertising one of my related films.

The purpose of a (short) film poster is to advertise it to potential audiences. This means that another necessity in a poster is that the genre is clear as this attracts different audiences. For instance, I do not like horror films and would not go see one or buy one of these. Therefore, the poster needs to tell me that I will not be suited to it, but appeal to lovers of the horror genre.

Included:

• Identified all aspects of a film poster
• The purpose of a poster

Anatomy of a Double Page Spread Article

The purpose of a double page spread article for a film is to advertise it to potential audiences. In addition, reviews enable these potential audiences to make a decision about seeing the film from a reliable source-the film reviewer. The article gives inside details into the film itself, cast, director and sneak peeks. Therefore, the purpose is to attempt to encourage people to see the film for themselves.

Update 17/01

Today I finished writing my double page spread article and review.

I had previously planned what I wanted in each paragraph and made notes of key phrases which I would like to incorporate such as 'directorial debut' and 'heartbreakingly honest'.

I followed the brief plan which I had made and wrote my first draft of the article. I then highlighted the sections which I wanted to alter slightly and continued until I was happy with it.

After purchasing professional film magazines such as Total Film and Empire, I am confident that I used a suitable mode of discourse to the potential readers. For instance, I sued direct address to create a relationship between the reviewer and reader as this would make the writer more trusted and reliable.

Update 10/01

Today I organised my video folders for the final time with which clips to use, and which are just spares...

I copied the videos into each file...

 so that I had spares and could delete the ones I was not going to use...

 whilst still having copies. I renamed my videos...

so that I knew what was in each one without having to open them all the time.

Filming Schedule

This is the filming schedule which I made at the beginning of my project and have been adding to this throughout my work. I have found it very useful when organising filming because I know exactly who I need and what for.

Please find this below...

Double Page Spread Flat Plan

After conducting my research on the style and layout of double page spreads about films, I decided to put all of my ideas into a flat plan. I will reference this when I come to creating this document.

Please find my flat plan below...

I think that this is a good layout because:

-there is a good amount of text in order to review the film
-the main image is the first thing seen on the page due to being at the top and large, which means that it does not look too text heavy, but appealing
-the conventions of film magazines such as 'Total Film' and 'Empire' have been taken into account, such as the section headings and labels
-the layout is simple enough to navigate but look interesting on the page
-my research allowed me to use my own ideas in a professional layout

Storyboards

This is my animatic storyboard which I created in order to give me an idea about how some of the shots will flow together like in the film itself...



And here is my detailed storyboard of what is involved in each shot, camera angles and any additional note such as how shots will fit in with mise-en-scene, the themes of my film and cinematography. I have also outlined ideas about any effects which will be added during editing.

Poster Flat Plan

Before creating my poster, I made a flat plan to work from. This tells me everything I want to place on the document and the general area.

I decided to create two different versions, one portrait and one landscape. This is because I saw a landscape film poster and was immediately intrigued because this opposes typical conventions of movie posters. Therefore, it would be interesting.

Please find below my landscape poster flat plan...

I think that this is a good layout because:

-the text is broken up with the image and so does not lose interest
-it is clear that the product is a short film as stated at the very top
-the graphic features of awards logos attract attention and encourage people to watch more if they are at the top
-the tagline will make it clear that the product is about bullying so it is not mistaken for a horror
-there is an element of mystery with the 'dead arm'

And this is my portrait flat plan...

 

I think that this is a good layout because:

-the text is still broken up with a central image
-it is again stated at the top that this is a short film, which some student-made short film posters do not
-the graphic features with still gain a lot of attention
-the tagline will again make the genre clear
-an image of a face may allow my audience to relate to the main character immediately, especially if her eyes are crying
-the face may also make the poster more inviting and personal
-a close up of the eyes in the image may encourage people to watch because the main character is looking directly at them


Therefore, I will consult these when I come to construct my short film poster. I think I will make two versions matching each of these plans and decide from that which looks the best.

Poster Title Font

Update 03/01

Today I was really able to get ahead with filming the bullying scenes. These are vital in my piece and now that I have more shots of these I can begin editing the montage together.

Please find my video diary below...



And here are some clips from today's shoot...



I am extremely pleased that I have more material between my main character and antagonist now because I can edit the montage together professionally with the editing and music.

My favourite shot of the day is the one at the lockers where Izzy spins and rests her head against them.

I brought these costumes. Ellie's is a red fluted sleeved top and Izzy's is navy blue. This dark colour against the bright red lockers and bully's top reflects the dark place she is in. Furthermore, there is a little red in Izzy's top. I chose this purposefully as this indicates that she is being 'poisoned' by Ellie's evil, as reflected with the red.

I am pleased I provided the costumes because it meant that they completely suited the character and I got my desired effect.

I also used the mirrors to show reflection, as this is a prominent theme in my piece.