Trouble production

This is the logo for our own production company 'trouble productions'.

Improvements

Improvements

We handed in our first draft (Without credits, all shots and our own production logo) and gained feedback from our teacher and class mates. We all decided that there were many improvements to be made. The first improvement needed to be made is cutting down on the length of the production company logo's as 3 was too many and it made it too long with nearly 30 seconds of logo's. We then need to shoot some shots of the body in the forest again as we agreed the murder weapon with blood at the end needed to be more prominent and clearer. We need to add a shot of Billy washing his hands again as it was agreed the shot of the tap without Billy was pointless and unnecessary. We also agreed that the zooming out of the body was for too long. Some of the running away shots also need to be cut and shortened, the music for this section will also be changed as it is too dramatic as does not fit it with the theme of our film. Finally we decided that we just need more shots to explain more showing that it was Matt and Billy who killed the boy in the forest.

Good Shots

Good Shots

 Throughout our opening scene we have 3 shots that work really well we have the zooming out on the body shot, the shot where Billy falls over and the shot showing the CCTV sign. The zooming out on the body shot is really effective as it starts up close in on the body slowly zooming out revealing a big wide empty forest making the body seem smaller and smaller, this shows how the dead body is all alone suggest whoever has done this and left the body here is gone and the reason it is here is unclear.
The shot where billy falls over looks very effective in a long shot from the side of the two. We show Billy falling over to show how he is nervous and anxious over what he has just done and is not paying full attention when he is running. We also see how Matt looks back at him and does not stop to help his friend showing he's scared and just wants to get away from it all.
My favourite shot however is the close up of the CCTV sign as it is showing that they would have been seen running away from the crime scene. It is also a very interesting and nice shot looking over the bridge.

Film Companies - Opening Credits

Film Companies - Opening Credits

We decided that our film would be produced by Revolver Entertainment as well as Trouble productions, we also decided it would be funded by BBC films. At the beginning of our film we need their animated logo's. We have used the trailer for the film city rats as it also was produced by Revolver Entertainment and has the logo at the beginning   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUuF3KWUmSY 

We will also use this clip as it has an animated BBC Films logo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBvCbJImgPk

Special Affects

Special Affects

For our film we are not going to be using to many special affects because it is quite a quick and filled starting to a film. We have decide that nearly all of the shot transitions are going to be clean and quick, however there is a scene where the two boys are running down the long path and for this we have used a small fading transition so it make it go quicker and it shows that time is passing by. I think that we have been able to do this well and the transition looks really good and doesn't slow down the pace of the film.

Current stage of editing

Current stage of editing

At this stage we are quite near to finishing the first cut of our film opening the things we have left to do is to add the music and sound effects which we do have we just need to overlay them on the video. We also need to add the rest of our clips and edit them, and then we need to add the film production companies, logos, film credits and the film name. Once all these things are done our first cut will be complete.

Filming day 4

Extra Filming 

Whilst editing the clips we had together we discovered that the total time was below 1 minute 30 seconds, as the project has to be 2 minutes long we did not have enough footage. We then decided that as a group we would add more flash forward clips between each different shot of Billy and Matt running away. We will take a range of different shots and then decide which few we should do. 

Some of the ideas included: A shot of Matt or Billy taking off their jacket, a washing machine spinning,  Billy splashing water in his face after washing his hands, Matt putting his head into his hands and finally a text saying either 'Don't tell anyone' or 'This never happened' or 'What have we done'. 

We also decided we needed one more shot of Billy washing his hands. 

Filming Day 3

Filming Day 3

 On our 3rd day of filming we started off at the same location as last time but in a different area. To start off with we planned out all the different shots that we were going to take and compare them against the story board that we had created. Once we had planned all of our shots we started to experiment with the different angles and distances from which we should take then. After deciding we begun our filming. 

After two hours we had finally got all of the shots that we needed and we were able to capture everything we needed just before it started to get dark. I think that the shots that we got are very good and are able to create the sense of panic that we were trying to show. I think that after some editing and cutting the shots we took would end up being very smooth and will follow our storyboard very well. We have now done all of the filming that we need, unless there are a few shots that need to be re-done.

Filming Day 2

Filming Day 2

Our second day of filming was during our double Media Lesson on Thursday the 29th of November. During this time we filmed the flashback scene showing Billy washing his hands. He had put dirt of them to make it more realistic (he gets the dirt from when the boys were running away and he fell over). We filmed the scene in the school toilets, it was made to look as if he had found the nearest sink possible and that being a public restroom. We did three different shots a Point of view from Billy, a over the shoulder and a close up this was to show different shots every time it flashes back. Each of these flash backs will be quickly flashed onto screen as the camera zooms out from the dead body. They will be linked in with white noise and a static screen to help portray the sense of panic as Billy is washing his hands.  

Film Production Companies

Film Production Companies

The name of our group’s film production company is going to be called Trouble Productions we have yet to make a logo for it however we are working on it. Other production companies I have looked at include Pathé, Revolver Entertainment and BBC films this is because they have produced and funded films that I think are similar to our film and film opening in particular 'The Ratcatcher' and 'Shank'. We also believe that Revolver entertainment would suit our film due to films they've produced such as 'Kidulthood' Aand 'Ill Manors'

Sounds and Music links

Sounds for Media
These are links to all the music and sounds needed for our scene, music for when the boys are running away, static white noise for the flash forward (and for the image) and  forest noises for the when the body is laying in the forest.

Running music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NL4hpgYw5g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2pZ3zp4Cvg

Static white noise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El8mLrBSPlA

Forest noises

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeEahTsLLXU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWt3uGELets

Change In Murder Weapon

Change In Murder Weapon Rock - Road Sign Post

For our film idea we was originally going to use a rock as the murder weapon but when we got to Trapstyles woods on the first day of woods we saw a broken road sign post that we believed would be a better object as we could not find a decent rock to use. As the post  is a silver colour we also decided that the fake blood we show up a lot clearer than it would on a rock. 

First Day Of Filming

First Day of Filming

 

For our first day of filming we had set out a plan to try and film as much as we could. We had our storyboard set up to see what we needed to film and our camera and tripod were ready. We decided to film our opinion scene locally, we were filming in the local woods called Trap styles Woods, show in this picture.

The camera we were using was a Canon Legria FS200 with an additional microphone to be able to capture the sound perfectly.



Our first day of filming did not go quite to plan. In our story board we have go a certain way of filming those first few clips. The starting clips of the body on the floor. However when we came to filming it we couldn't find the position that we needed to get that shot that we wanted. After about 15 minutes we had got the tripod in a place that was able to make the shot look very close to what the storyboard looks like. After filming this scene we didn't feel like we had got the best shot that we could get. We kept moving our camera and tripod around to get different angles and make the body different sizes when zooming out. After an hour or two we were happy with the shots that we had got. Luckily just before it started getting dark. Instead of filming the quantity we had captured quality. We decided we would start on our other scenes in our second filming day. Overall we are very happy with the outcome of our shots.

Weather problems

Weather Problems

 

After our first day of filming we decided that we would try and film the following day. However on the saturday before we were going to start filming it started to get really windy and rain alot. The problem that we faced was that we were in the forest so it would of been dangerous for us to be filming there as the ground would of been slippery. We also had the problem of the rain hitting all the leaves on the trees and creating a very different background sound to what we started with. We are now looking ahead of tme. We are researching when the weather will be good for filming and we are going to be filming on the days that the weather issimular to what we started with.

Idea Mind Map

 

This Is Our Idea Mind Map For Our Film Opening

 

It includes ideas for the film name, setting, costumes, visual style ect. this is so when we start filoming we have a clear idea of what we are doing.

 

 

Film Opening Plot

Film Opening Plot

The camera starts off zoomed in on an object covered in bloody leaves. It then zooms out to reveal the object is in fact a human leg. The camera keeps moving up the dead body until it reaches the head when we realize it is actually in fact a human body. It then cuts to a fast moving sequence of cuts showing the two supposed killers fleeing from the scene of the crime. It then cuts several times to the supposed criminals cleaning their bloody hands in the sink.

Costumes

Costumes

 

When our group was thinking about what clothes or costumes we wanted our characters to wear we really thought hard about the type of characters we were trying to create. The story is about three young boys, one, that is dead from the start and the other two that are the murderers. We decided that the first boy should have his own identity then the other two boys could have similar identities.

 

Boy No 1.

Our first character is the boy that is dead from the start. We decided that this character is going to be quite clever so would be classed as a geek. We decided this because we needed a reason for the other boys to then attack him which caused his death. As the plot was that he would be camping we decided that the most suitable clothing for this character would be some traditional camping gear.

To start with we have got the walking boots, walking boots would be the most suitable shoes for a camping trip so we decided that this would be the best shoes for our character to wear. Next we have the jeans, they are just normal jeans, again they are jst a decision that we made beacaus we thought they would be suitable for the characters personality. We have then got the red shirt. We decided to have the shirt red because it is symbolising death and blood. It is also symbolising danger. Then there is just a normal camping coat that we again though would be a good thing for him to wear.

 

Boys No 2 & 3

Our two other character are going to be very similar in character and personality. So we decided that they could also be very similar with the clothes that they wear aswell. We decided that our two other characters were going to be characters that acted like chavs. We also decided that they would dress like them too. To start off we decide to just go with traditional white trainers. Then the black jogging bottoms and hoodie will both symbolise dasrkness and a different side to the boys. It will symbolise that the boys are like the Grim reaper as they are wearing all black. Then the hat is just an eaxtra feature we decided to have. We will have someone wiht a red had as uit is again symbolising death and blood.





 

Sound and Music Ideas

Sound and Music Ideas

 

The beginging of the scene we want it to be silent other than the noises of the forest. We can not just record this as Trapstyles woods is right next to the A10 so would pick up unwanted traffic noises. This means we will need to make our own diagetic sounds for the scene including wind, leaf crunching, and crow noises to represent death. During the flash back we will need to find a noise that is non diagetic and loud to catch the audience off guard we will also need to seperately record a tap running and heavy breathing. For the boys running away we need the noises of their footprints, heavy breathing and music to add to the drama. The music we are looking to find is some loud drumming music to build tension within the scene.

Location

Location

For our location we have chosen Trapstyles woods with the body lying in the ditch (Bottom left corner) zooming out to reveal the rest of the woods (Bottom and top right corners). The other images are images of woods and roads around the Trapstyles area, which will be used for shooting the two boys running away from the scene.

Storyboard

Storyboard.

This is our Storyboard for our film opening, it includes each shot we will use with the camera movement and the timing, when it comes to filming we are planning that some shots, timing and camera movements may change.

Final Film Treatment

We looked all of our film treatments and decided Jimmy's film 'It Never Happened' would be the best one to do as we decided we could have a clear opening scene for this. This is the film treatment for that;

My film idea is a drama about two close friends both 16 years of age called Dan and rick who one day decide to have a joke by picking on a kid from their class who has a stutter, it starts off with the two friends leading the kid into the woods claiming they want to show him a dead fox, then when they get there you see them start mimicking the boys stutter as he starts to back away the boys start throwing stones at him then as he tries to run away Dan picks up a rock and smashes it against the boy head and he falls to the ground a while later they realise that the boy is dead the rest of the film is about the increasing mental strain and the different trails the two boys have to go through in order to cover up what they have done. The film is from a different perspective because you are seeing this from the villains point of view, however as we follow these two boys it give up an insight into their personal lives and their background and creates conflicting emotions and opinions about these two boys and about what they have done.

Film Treatment: Dean Gilbert

Film Treatment: Dean Gilbert (72 years, 5 murders)

Our group all decided to create different film treatments and then we would choose one, this is my idea.

My film is a Horror/Thriller film and is based all around one main character Dean Gilbert, the film shows his whole life. In the present day Gilbert is an old man on his deathbed at the age of 72. We then begin to look back on his life discovering that he is a serial killer, killing 5 people throughout his life spanning across 60 years. With use of a voice over he takes us through each of these moments in his life explaining them and showing how they link. We also see into his childhood and how this affected his future life growing up in a violent home.

This leads to his first victim, his father who was violent towards him and his mother. When Dean was 12 he came home from school to find his father viciously beating his mother he panicked and picked up a knife from the kitchen and stabbing his father in the back killing him. As he was only 12 and possibly saved his mothers life his mother helped him dispose of the body and hide it from the police. We then see the rest of these murders.

A bully at his school who he strangled at the age of 16.

His girlfriend who he drowned in the bath at the age of 21.

After that he was then sent to prison after handing himself in, whilst in there he kills his fellow inmate whilst in a fight Dean smashes his head against the wall.

And finally when he was released at the age of 65 he murders a prostitute also by stabbing her as he did to his father all those years ago. The film ends with Dean closing his eyes and him dying.   

Main Production Task

AS Media Studies Production: My Group

My Group

In our group we have from left to right ( Matt Elsom, Billy Saxon, Jimmy Beaton and Max Allum)

Film opening analysis

Film Opening analysis

Straight away you see the recognizable of Disney to let the viewers know that this is a Disney made film.

We are also then introduced to the film title, The Muppets. This is not the same Muppets logo that is used on the film poster but one made to look old fashioned as it goes back in time.

We are then introduced to the main character of the film (Walter) with him narrating over a montage of his past and how he grew up, giving a background to the story.

During that montage we are introduced to the other main character Walters’s brother Gary, we are also introduced to the first of the opening credits. The actor’s name, as his name is first we see that he is the main star of this movie.

Next we are introduced to where the scene is set in Walter’s and Gary’s hometown, this is not however were the majority of the film takes place. It is only the beginning; this is good, as it does not give too much away.

This is a funny moment from the montage showing what a fun family film this is and gives us an indication that it will be like this throughout.

This is an important show as it shows Walter discovering the Muppets for the first time; it stays on this shot for a while to show their importance. There are also more opening credits of the executive producers.

This introduces us to all the other main characters in the film, the Muppets as a collective with Kermit at the front showing his importance.

This being the final shot of the opening scene shows the directors name like all film do.

Overall I believe this is a brilliant film opening as it has all the main components a film opening should, introducing all the character, setting the scene, not giving too much away, and the credits blend in with the scene and it doesn’t become frustrating sitting watching them all.

Preliminary Exercise Final Cut

Preliminary Exercise Final Cut

Evaluation of the Preliminary Exercise

For this Task I was in a group with Amber Law, Matt Elsom, Cristi MacFarlane and Tom Hurst. Overall i believe that we did good job of our preliminary exercise we made a few mistakes which we will have learnt from for next time. We correctly used all the necessary techniques such as match on action following someone walk through a door and over the shoulder shots to show a conversation for an interview. The biggest mistake made by our group was when we had taken shots. A few of them the camera was angled too high showing too much of what was above the characters. There is also the shot of the clock that did not work as we wished it would, it just looked out of place and ridiculous. Apart from them all the other shots were steady, and used appropriate camera angles.

Editing worked well and the whole piece ran through smoothly. The scene ran for exactly 30 seconds which it was supposed to do, we cut it down by shortening each clip that was perhaps longer than needed to be. One shot that I believe we did well during editing was when one of the characters was walking through the door it when from POV of them pushing down the door handle to the door being pushed open from the inside of the room. This worked as it was cut at the right moment so it did not overlap. 

All of the sound went according to plan with no unwanted back ground noise, there was only one shot where the sound did not go according to plan. In the POV shot of the door handle being opened there is no sound at all. We did not know this had happened until we got to editing. If we had more time for this exercise we would have shot that again. In the end the absence of sound in the shot worked as it builds tension before he goes in for the interview. 
Overall for our first production I believe our scene went well.

Max Allum Preliminary exercise

Max Allum Preliminary Exercise