A2 Media Progress Diary 5

A2 Media Progress Diary (19/12/14-19/01/15)

Since coming back from the Christmas break we have realized that there are some errors in the filming of the film that we need to correct, so we have had to re-soot our film. Also we have created a questionnaire to find obtain the opinions of the audience of the rough cut for our film. This questionnaire has been posted on alongside the rough cut of our film on you tube. The responses we got from this were analysed then used to improve our film, resulting in some changes to the film. In the coming weeks we expect to be closer to finishing the final cut of the film. Also the music in the film at the moment is basic and doesn't exactly match the film at the moment, so I will be searching to find music that suits the film better.

Re-Filming Sections

Section 1- Bedroom Scene of Hitman waking up - This section of the film is too dark, and when it came to editing it was harder to see the parts that would fit together, as action within the shots just seemed hard to define action/movement
Section 1.b- Bedroom Scene of Hitman waking up - When the Hitman goes to get his phone to take down stairs, there is a shot missing in the middle, and when it is played though it just looks like we have added a jump cut in making it flow less, also by this being too dark it makes it harder to view the Hitmans intentions to grab his phone anyway.
Section 1.c- Door scene - when the door is opened, there isntr a suitable shot of it shutting from the inside and the next best shot is of the hitman opening the parcel from the inside.
-These two sections will need re-filming with extra lighting and more choice of shots for the action sections.

Section 2 - Car Scene - We think that a shot of the Hitman driving the car would be good for when he is driving off to kill Quincey, as the shots lack a sense of the Hitman driving, so a simple close up of his face while he is in the car driving would look good.
- Getting this shot will be hard due to the character playing the hitman not being able to drive (we used another source for the driving scenes) so to achieve a sense of the Hitman driving we will have to frame the shot so that the viewer cannot see the out side, leading up to be able to do the shot while stationary.

Section 3 - Breakfast Scene - When the Hitman is getting the butter out of the fridge, the actor playing the hitman grabs the butter with different hands in different shots and we found it hard to find a shot of shutting the fridge door that matched with any other of the shots round it.
Section 3.b - Breakfast Scene - As the Hitman walks to get the toast from the toaster the camera is placed on both sides of the 180 degree line in two different shots.
Section 3.c - Breakfast Scene - as the Hitman takes

Added Shots in Outside Follow Scene

After the editing process of our film and putting together the shots we shot during principal filming of the follow sequence we came to the conclusion that to break up what felt like a long-winded scene we needed to film and include some close ups of the characters during the scene to give the sense of emotion and tension that the scene carries and that the characters possess. As well as this we need a close up of Alex's character of the hitman when he looks up to see Max's character has disappeared, to break up the action. And finally a close up of Alex drawing his gun, and looking around to find Max's character. Overall these shots will break up a long scene and make it seem shorter and more intense, which improves the overall look and production value of our short film.

Filming and Editing the Fight Sequence

The fight sequence in our film is the most important couple of scenes in the film so it is extremely important that as a group we film and edit this section as well as possible, as this sequence has the most action and intense feel to it and is basically what the whole film revolves around.

It was very important that when we were shooting the fight sequence that we were as efficient as possible as it was a hard section to shoot and was very important to get it right. It took us three separate days to film this section due to the complicated nature of the sequence and also due to the fact that time was tight for us to film so we had to spread it out over three days to be able to get it done, this was a challenge itself due to the continuity of the scene needing to be right and with us filming on three separate days we had to make sure we had the continuity in place.

These are some pictures taken by setting up a smartphone in different positions in the room to be able to catch a behind the scenes look at us creating the film and filming the action sequence filmed in the toilets, as well as catching us deciding on what shots to do and how to go about doing them.

To edit this sequence we decided that it would be best to include as many different shots that we filmed as possible and edit them together so it flows as quickly as possible to give a real sense of tension, action and pace to the viewing audience.
These are some pictures to show us at different points in the edit.

Photo Storyboard

Editing Process Diary

This is a short video from the early stages of the editing process. At this point we are just putting our shots into chronological order in terms of the final film, however we are staying to make it flow as if this is the final cut of the film.

During this video max is in the editing chair and is putting together the sequence of Max himself working in his office and then leaving at the end of the day, this scene is placed near the middle of our film.

Shooting Schedule 27/11/14

On this day, our sixth day of principal filming we will shoot the part of our film that is to be the scene leading up to the climax of the film and then the film climax itself. This will involve Alex's character (hitman) driving in to the car park, him leaving the car and waiting for Max's character (Quincey Kent) to walk past so Alex can pursue him. We will then film the pursuit and the confrontation where Alex is shot in the knee cap by max, for this bit we will need our prop trousers which we are going to cut a bullet hole in and douse in fake blood.

For this days filming we will need:

• Alex (Actor)
• Alex's Costume (Suit)
• Max (Actor)
• Max's' Costume (Suit)
• Driver
• Shot List for selected scenes
• Script
• Camera (HD 1000)
• Tripod
• Props (Gun, Bullet wound trousers, fake blood, car)

Title Sequence Photo storyboard

Shooting Schedule 18/11/14

On this day, our fifth day of principal filming we will carry on shooting the part of our film that is set 2 years previous to the present day. Last time we got to the part where James's character (Carlos) is in the bathroom and fights the hitman. In this days filming we will carry on from where we left off and continue finish the fight scene until Carlos gets shot. At which point the Hitman will walk out. This did spill into a third and final session but we have very little left to do and so should be easily completed before the end of the day. 

For this days filming we will need:

• Alex (Actor)
• Alex's Costumes (Suit)
• James (Actor)
• James' Costume (Suit)
• Shot List for selected scenes
• Script
• Camera (HD 1000)
• Tripod
• Props (Gun)
• Toilets being cleaned sign 

In Film Radio Channel

During the film, when the Hitman is in the car driving to quinceys office to intercept him, I thought it would be a good idea to include a radio station in the background. in the radio station I would be able to include information such as the time. Because the section when the Hitman drives off towards quinceys office, it will be towards the end of the working day eg. 4:50 but previous shots have shown the Hitman waking up and getting ready, to not confuse the viewer, having either a fade to black between answering the phone and the part where he gets ready which includes a written time on screen showing the viewer of passing of time, or more inconspicuously we could have the radio station. By doing the radio station we could include hints as to what is going to be happening later in the film. Such as saying things like "This next song is for people that would KILL to get out of work." these small aspects could work well to help the viewers understanding of the situation and will lead to a more excitement for the twist at the end of the film, due to the viewer being able to work out small clues throughout, giving them a sense of accomplishment.

Photos from filming day 4

On this day we filmed the fight scene which takes place in the toilets in the office building, max and james' characters work in.

This from before we started filming, we were positioning ourselves for a long shot for the action where James' character lands the first punch on Alex's character.

Here max is consulting with Alex about how to go about the shot of Alex picking up the fun he originally dropped.

Photos from filming Day 1

This is a photo from our first day of filming, which took place in Alex's house and involved him, as his character the hitman waking up, making some food and then been told via phonecall about his next job, he then opens the package he is left, to find his instructions.

A2 Media Progress Diary 4

A2 Media Progress Diary (10/11/14-19/12/14)

Since the last post we have been busy and completed a lot of work. All of the blog work required before filming has been completed and filming has been finished. We have started editing and have got a basic rough cut together. After the Christmas break we plan to continue editing and work towards getting a final cut together.

Making and using of the Props/Make Up

For the film we will need to use some props to make the film realistic. The props that we will most need is fake blood and fake guns as well as good costumes. We will use the fake blood to show bullet wounds and injuries and use the guns to show how the bullet wounds came about. Of course there are more than just these props that we need to use but these are the ones we need work on to get to look realistic and the ones that will help make our film look the most authentic.

We have researched some techniques to make our props as good as possible. As the guns we will be able to buy are brightly coloured and look unrealistic we have found a way to use spray paint to make our gun props look more realistic. We found this video showing us this technique.

This is what the guns looked like before them being sprayed.

This is Alex spraying our prop guns black to make them look real and authentic, we took a photo of the end result.

 In the scene where the two characters are brawling in the toilets the fake blood will need to be used there to make the fighting seem real, also when the character gets shot in the knee at the end we will need to find a way to use fake blood there. Our initial thought was to soak the knee of some trousers with the fake blood and cut a bullet sized wound in the blood to then cover the actors knee in blood to show where the bullet hit. I have also researched some techniques in which we can use to make the fake blood look realistic, While researching I found this video that shows some good ways to use to fake blood. This may be helpful for the scenes in our film where the action takes place. However this may be beyond our skill level so we will have to experiment and find some better simple yet effective ways to use the blood.

Also as part of the film at the end the hitman character gets shot in the knee. We will need to use make up and props to make this look real.

In order to get the desired effect of a bullet wound to the knee, we bought a 2nd pair of grey trousers to match the hitmans suit. We then used some cling film to warp around the hitmans (Alex) knee. We first put one layer on then added a second layer on top but we split this and opened it up to look like broken skin. We then put a bandage over Alex's knee and cut that too. At this point we smeared strawberry jam over the clingfilm and bandage where it was cut open to stain it red and give it the texture of a bullet wound. The trousers were then put on and some fake blood was sprayed over the wound we created and the surrounding area to look like the blood was dripping and seeping out of the wound. 

Here are some pictures of how we did it:

Here are some pictures from the film that involve the props we created:

Elliptical Editing example

In our film we need to have a title sequence. The title sequence we have planned to do shows the hitman character being filmed getting dressed into his suit. In order to make this look good we will need to edit it appropriately. After doing some research I have found a clip from the film Commando that we could use as inspiration.

This clip show the character of Arnold Schwarzenegger getting ready for battle. This is a good example of what we are trying to do. The clip is a good example of elliptical editing, which is editing that allows the current event's on scree duration to be shorter, which is something that we will need to do to make our film look as professional as possible. This clip is a good marker to set our work too. This scene also has a certain rhythm to it which would be something that would be effective in our film and something that we should try to add into the title sequence of our film.  

Shooting Schedule 11/11/14

On this day, our fourth day of principal filming we will carry on shooting the part of our film that is set 2 years previous to the present day. Last time we got to the part where James's character (Carlos) goes into the bathroom and encounters the hitman and then starts to tussle with him to prevent death. In this days filming we will carry on from where we left off and continue with the fight scene until Carlos gets shot. This may take longer that first thought so we may not actually finish it in the one session so it may spill over into a third session. After this there will not be much filming left to do, just the final scene and a few other small scenes and re-shoots of filming mistakes.

For this days filming we will need:

• Alex (Actor)
• Alex's Costumes (Suit)
• James (Actor)
• James' Costume (Suit)
• Shot List for selected scenes
• Script
• Camera (HD 1000)
• Tripod
• Props (Gun)

A2 Media Progress Diary 3

A2 Media Progress Diary (10/10/14-10/11/14)

In the past month we have been busy. We have completed the main blog work required in the pre-production phase. We are now filming and have filmed three of the scenes in the film. Now the majority of lesson time consists of doing additional blog work, editing the footage that we have shot to create a rough cut and searching and experimenting creating music to use in the final cut of the film. Over the coming weeks we expect to carry on filming and get a good chunk of the filming done and then edit it in our lesson time.

Shooting Schedule 4/11/14

On this day, our third day of principal filming we will be shooting the part of our film that is set 2 years previous to the present day. This starts with James' character leaving his office and going to the toilet, he is followed by Alex's character who is there to kill James' character. We will film up to the point where Alex confronts James, (the start of the fight scene). We will film the actual fight scene on a different day. This is a medium sized scene.

Also on this day we will film, two shots which will be used early on in the film of Max's character on the phone to Alex's character, as well as Max writing the note that is in the package delivered to the Hitman's house.

Lastly we will be recording the dialogue that features in the film as a voice over, both Alex and Max's characters have voice overs.

For this days filming we will need:

• Alex (Actor)
• Alex's Costumes (Suit)
• James (Actor)
• James' Costume (Suit)
• Max (Actor)
• Max's Costume (Suit)
• Shot List for selected scenes
• Script
• Camera (HD 1000)
• Tripod
• Props (Gun, phones, paper (note))

Genre Theories

Genre is a term that can be split up into different categories, based on characteristics that they share, for example, settings, storyline's, narratives, characters and themes. 
In particular, genre can be referred to Films, and they can be classified as being a particular genre, for example, Action, Horror and Thriler. 

Steve Neale states that 'genres are instances of repetition and difference' and 'genres are not systems, they are processes of systemisation'.
He also say's that, definitions of genre are historically relative and are therefore historically specific. Believed that there was a system of expectation and that by using own knowledge and applying conventions of the genre, the audience should be able to infer the narrative and storyline of the music video. He also declares that difference is essential to the economy of genre; mere repetition would not attract the audience.

While researching genre theories I found this prezi that outlines a few more genre theories.

http://prezi.com/az3nups9huvw/genre-theory/#

I also found this slideshare that describes genre theories in detail and states David Bordwell's theory as well as some other theories.

Genre theory from Andy Wallis

Narrative theories

Vladimir Propp analysed a whole series of Russian folk tales in the 1920s and decided that the same events kept being repeated in each of the stories.

These 31 functions are as follows:

1. A member of a family leaves home (the hero is introduced as a unique person within the tribe, whose needs may not be met by remaining)

1. An interdiction (a command NOT to do something e.g.'don't go there', 'go to this place'), is addressed to the hero;

1. The hero ignores the interdiction

1. The villain appears and (either villain tries to find the children/jewels etc; or intended victim encounters the villain);

1. The villain gains information about the victim;

1. The villain attempts to deceive the victim to take possession of victim or victim's belongings (trickery; villain disguised, tries to win confidence of victim);

1. The victim is fooled by the villain, unwittingly helps the enemy;

1. Villain causes harm/injury to family/tribe member (by abduction, theft of magical agent, spoiling crops, plunders in other forms, causes a disappearance, expels someone, casts spell on someone, substitutes child etc, commits murder, imprisons/detains someone, threatens forced marriage, provides nightly torments); Alternatively, a member of family lacks something or desires something (magical potion etc);

1. Misfortune or lack is made known, (hero is dispatched, hears call for help etc/ alternative is that victimised hero is sent away, freed from imprisonment);

1. Seeker agrees to, or decides upon counter-action;

1. Hero leaves home;

1. Hero is tested, interrogated, attacked etc, preparing the way for his/her receiving magical agent or helper (donor);

1. Hero reacts to actions of future donor (withstands/fails the test, frees captive, reconciles disputants, performs service, uses adversary's powers against them);

1. Hero acquires use of a magical agent (it's directly transferred, located, purchased, prepared, spontaneously appears, is eaten/drunk, or offered by other characters);

1. Hero is transferred, delivered or led to whereabouts of an object of the search;

1. Hero and villain join in direct combat;

1. Hero is branded (wounded/marked, receives ring or scarf);

1. Villain is defeated (killed in combat, defeated in contest, killed while asleep, banished);

1. Initial misfortune or lack is resolved (object of search distributed, spell broken, slain person revived, captive freed);

1. Hero returns;

1. Hero is pursued (pursuer tries to kill, eat, undermine the hero);

1. Hero is rescued from pursuit (obstacles delay pursuer, hero hides or is hidden, hero transforms unrecognisably, hero saved from attempt on his/her life);

1. Hero unrecognised, arrives home or in another country;

1. False hero presents unfounded claims;

1. Difficult task proposed to the hero (trial by ordeal, riddles, test of strength/endurance, other tasks);

1. Task is resolved;

1. Hero is recognised (by mark, brand, or thing given to him/her);

1. False hero or villain is exposed;

1. Hero is given a new appearance (is made whole, handsome, new garments etc);

1. Villain is punished;

1. Hero marries and ascends the throne (is rewarded/promoted).

• the villain, who struggles with the hero (formally known as the antagonist)

• the donor,

• the helper,

• the Princess, a sought-for person (and/or her father), who exists as a goal and often recognizes and marries hero and/or punishes villain

• the dispatcher,

• the hero, who departs on a search (seeker-hero), reacts to the donor and weds

• the false hero (or antihero or usurper), who claims to be the hero, often seeking and reacting like a real hero (ie by trying to marry the princess)

Although the plot is driven by the actions and choices of the hero (the protagonist), these narrative functions are spread between the main characters. Propp also defined these character categories:

• the villain, who struggles with the hero (formally known as the antagonist)
• the donor,
• the helper,
• the Princess, a sought-for person (and/or her father), who exists as a goal and often recognizes and marries hero and/or punishes villain
• the dispatcher,
• the hero, who departs on a search (seeker-hero), reacts to the donor and weds
• the false hero (or antihero or usurper), who claims to be the hero, often seeking and reacting like a real hero (ie by trying to marry the princess).

Another theory of narrative is Todorovs theory which goes as follows:

Todorov’s narrative theory from Great Baddow High School Media

Shooting Schedule 30/10/2014

On this days filming we will be shooting the first part of our film as it will be in the finished article. This is the first scene through to the end of the title sequence. This is a medium sized scene with a short but effective title sequence which is mixed in with a range of shots that we will filming on this date. The scene involves Alex's character the 'hitman' awakening in his bed and going to his kitchen, before he is made aware of his next job. The title sequence is in between shots of Alex's character getting his Hitmans' suit on.

After we have filmed this we will shoot the scenes where Alex's character makes his way to the given location of the job, this will involve filming the Hitmans vehicle driving along, as well as a couple of car interior shots.

For this days filming we will need:

• Alex (Actor)
• Alex's Costumes (Suit, casual gear)
• Shot List for selected scenes
• Script
• Car
• Driver (As Alex cannot drive)
• Camera (HD 1000)
• Tripod
• Package (prop gun, image of target (max) and instructions)

Shooting Schedule 23/10/14

Shooting Schedule 23/10/14

On this date we will shoot the very first scenes of our film 'Hate Mail'. The first scene we will be filming is the scene involving only the character 'Quincey' played by Max. This is a relatively short scene that involves Max's character 'Quincey' working away in his office then looking to a clock and leaving his office to set of home after a late night at the office. This scene will take place towards the end of the film and immediately after this scene will be the end scene in which the 'Hitman' get filmed by 'Quincey'. We are not filming in chronological order.

We wanted to start filming with a easy and short scene and leave the harder and longer scenes until the end, as this was logistically easier for us.

For this days filming we will need :

• Max (Actor)
• Max's Costume
• Shot List for selected scene
• Script
• A clock
• Chair 
• Computers
• Camera (HD 1000)
• Tripod

Possible Filming Techniques

I was researching how to be able to achieve smooth and effective tracking and small rising shots and came across this video. It shows how to get very effective shots of this kind which also look great, it is also a simple method. This is something that we are going to incorporate into our filming process.

Shot Lists

Questionaire Results

This video shows the results of our questionnaire from a selection of respondents. While filming people answering our questionnaire we decided that it was too long so we shortened it down and asked fewer questions.

After collecting the data we collated it in to graphs to help us see more clearly what our respondents had said about or film to see if anything would need changing. The results are as follows:

This shows us that the majority of people understood our story line, however a select few did not. While this does not warrant any changes to the story line we will have to make sure that while filming and editing that it flows and makes as much sense as possible.

When asked what the certificate of the film would be all of our respondents said a 15. This means that it is clear that this film contains scenes of violence and of an unsuitable nature for those under 15. This will help us to attract our target audience.

   
The respondents gave a mixed responses when asked if what genre they thought the film was. The majority said action however there was an exception of Adventure, Drama and Thriller. Our film is actually an action thriller. So it is clear that there is some obvious elements of action in the film. But our film is lacking the elements of tension and suspense that appear in a thriller film. Our story is also seen to have elements of other genres, which is good as it means our film will be appealing to a wide range or people, however this is very different to what our film actually is so it is a bad thing in the way that we may not reach our target audience.
We feel that when watched it will be more clear what genre the film actually is. We may have to consider making some changes to add the thriller elements and to make it more obvious as to what our film is trying to be.  

Finally the last question was would you go an watch the film. Everyone we asked said that they would go and watch the film. This means that we have come up with a good interesting idea that the vast majority of people would want to go and watch.