R+P Post 20: Reflections So Far

So far I am really happy with the way our pre-production process has gone. We were well organised through our meetings at school and we worked well as a team, which can be seen through our communication on our Facebook group page and our group chat. Our preparation for the test shoot has been extremely helpful and it shows all our effort has gone to good use. If we had not made the storyboard and animatic so detailed, we would have been less clear on what we had to do for filming, The test shoot was useful, and even though we started a bit later than our scheduled time, we managed to get back on track and so we finished on time. We had a break in between so that we did not overwork ourselves and we will repeat this for our main shoot.

We have identified errors both on set and at the edit suite which we hope to address before our main shoot. Lighting was an issue, as it was often too shadowy in the bedroom and the lighting downstairs did not match. Therefore, we decided to work with our school technician, Chris to find any solutions and we now have much more knowledge. For example, we can raise the lighting higher, to achieve the lighting effect we want and also we can set different options on the camera itself. Finally, it appeared to us that we had a couple of the jump cuts when we had finished our edit. Therefore we have decided to add in some shots, and extend some. For example, we will film Shayam going down the stairs from a step earlier.

In order for the next stage to be successful we need to continue to work efficiently and quickly as a team, especially when it comes to the edit. It is essentially for us to meet deadlines. As that we have done everything once, it should be easier.

R+P Post 19: Our Rough Cut

We plan to begin this as soon as we can; once we have filmed our test shoot and returned the kit, so that the footage can be uploaded. We want to get started as soon as possible so that everything we would have filmed can be reviewed and the issues we come across can be improved in time for out next shoot. The rough cut should be very useful in exposing obvious errors such as jump cuts and continuity errors but also show if aspects such as lighting work and any shots that we think no longer work. This will be the first time that we get to see actual video footage with our music so it will be interesting to see if they compliment each other.

The process:

1. We will watch our footage and select the best shots
2. We will place them into a separate folder
3. We will put the shots onto the timeline and cut them
4. We will add the music
5. We will add the titles

Upon reflection, the rough cut helped us massively. We found out some things needed to be fixed/changed for the main shoot:

• The bedroom scene was not long enough so we will add another make up shot, of Stacey putting on blusher
• It did not make sense for Stacey to still have to finish getting ready downstairs i.e. by putting on her shoes because it slowed the pace down too much. So this will take place in the bedroom scene next time
• The throwing of the detective badge on the floor seemed a bit confusing and pointless so we have come up with a better idea of having her put it into a drawer, where we see lots of IDs such as passports and credit cards, which make her seem more mysterious 
• There were a couple of jump cuts which we will fix by making the shots fit better to each other e,g. she can put the make-up into the bag whilst she is still in her getting ready area
• The lighting was too bright and created shadows that were too potent so next time will try and get the light to seem subtle and more intimate     

  

  Amy, Shayam and I working on the rough cut in the edit suite

R+P Post 18: Our Test Shoot

We plan to do a test shoot in order to get a better perspective of what we want our opening sequence to look like and to see if everything we are planning on doing actually works when it comes to filming. This will take place on 7th February 2015 at Shayam's house. Amy and I will arrive at 9am, hoping to start filming by 9.30. The half hour in between arriving and shooting should give Shayam enough time to get ready and Amy and I to set up all the technical equipment. We may also need to tidy up some of the rooms that we are using for filming. Hopefully the practical skills we have already learnt in media and the preparation we having done leading up to this shoot will result in a successful first attempt at our opening sequence.

Left: I am directing, Amy on camera and sound & Shayam acting. Right: Amy and I testing camera angle and lighting

Overall, our test shoot was really useful for several reasons. We were able to see and work in our location for the first time and so get a sense of how and where to put camera positions next time. We also got to try out the lighting which was not as effective as we would have liked. This was crucial, as it meant we would have to get some advice on how to solve this before our main shoot. In terms of our roles in filming, Amy and I rotated from operating the camera and being director, which worked well. We are likely to do this next time and we would be even more efficient now that we have done it once. Below is a short collection of shots that we struggled with on our test shoot:

R+P Post 17: Our Planned Costumes, Props, Hair and Make-Up

Now that we have decided upon Shayam as our actress, we have to plan a costume for her and so we have brainstormed ideas. We want something stylish and sexy, as this is a common convention for femme fatales. We definitely want her to wear stockings. However, we do not want the outfit to be too promiscuous as Shayam should look classy as well.

Based on our research and what we had in mind, we asked Shayam if she had anything that matched our vision and she did. She narrowed it down to three outfits and we made a group decision on the final one.

  

Shayam 'before' picture

Shayam in costume

Gene Tierney, Laura

Films that inspired our costume, hair and make-up choices included:

            

           Angelina Jolie, Mr and Mrs Smith

• The classy, stylish dress in The Devil Wears Prada. There is a feminine but yet powerful aspect to the characters through how they dress.
• The tight fitting, short outfits that Catherine wears in Basic Instinct give her instant sex appeal
• In terms of hair, classic noir films such as The Big Sleep with Lauren Bacall and Laura with Gene Tierney were inspirational. This 40s/50s hairstyle that they have is classy in its own way and we wanted to try and do something similar. 
• The sophisticated look of Angelina Jolie in Mr and Mrs Smith is what we wanted to achieve with our make-up. We wanted to make Stacey look effortlessly beautiful and classy rather than overly girly, to demonstrate her power and darker side. 

We have also created a Prop List. Since, we have added an iPad, iPhone and gun

R+P Post 16: Casting

Originally, we wanted an actress who was actually in her twenties to play the role of Stacey. However, none of us knew anyone who matched this description and so we thought that we should go with our second option: to use one of us.

We want to follow a professional process. Basing it upon acting capabilities and having the overall 'look,' we have narrowed it down to Amy and Shayam. I will take individual pictures of them so that we can imagine visually who suits the part more. This reflects the industry, as at auditions, auditionees bring a professional 8"x 10" photo called a "head shot."

Shayam Head Shot

Amy Head Shot

We chose Shayam in the end, and practical aspects also helped us to make this decision. As we are filming at Shayam's house, it will be more convenient for her as she can get ready beforehand, in the comfort of her own home. Additionally, Shayam has a large variety of outfits suitable for that of a femme fatale character.

Normally, there would be a casting call. However, we do not believe that this is necessary as we only have one actress. Another thing we are choosing not to do is to create a call sheet. In the film industry, this is essential because not all actors are necessarily needed for some days of filming. For our short opening sequence, however, Amy and I share the roles of director and camera operator and Shayam has her role of actress. We are aware that we will all be required for the days when we shoot our sequences and at no point can we afford for someone to not be there, hence why a call sheet is not necessary in our case.

R+P Post 15: Our Planned Filming Location and Set Design

We decided that we would film at Shayam's house and as she lives in Southgate, her house would be easily accessible for Amy and I. We chose Shayam's house as the scenes we have planned match the design of her house the best. For example, downstairs in the hallway, she has a mirror and a sideboard with drawers, which we need for shots that reveal the gun and our character putting on the gloves.

Top down plan of our filming locations

Set design is crucial in a film for two main reasons. It is important that it is designed in a certain way so that there is enough space for both the actors and film crew to move about and get camera shots at the right angles. Secondly, it helps to set the atmosphere for each scene.

Our Set Design

The bedroom

The front door and hallway

The downstairs mirror and sideboard 

The stairs

After filming our test shoot, we were able to decide on how we can improve the set for the main shoot and make it more realistic. Firstly, we can dress up the bedroom more, by adding perfumes and jewellery, so essentially make it more feminine. Also, downstairs, we can remove more coats off of the pegs to clearly demonstrate that our character lives alone.

R+P Post 14: Our Production Schedule

We decided the dates for our shoots earlier on in the project so that we would know information in advance and therefore there would be no risk of clashes with other things. It also meant that we could be more prepared in time for our shoot. We agreed on:

• Saturday 7th February for our test shoot
• Friday 20th February for our main shoot
• Saturday 28th February for our back-up shoot

Before we can shoot, we think it would be sensible for the teachers to sign permission forms for us to use the equipment and inform them of our plans. This way, there would be less confusion if something was to go wrong. Additionally, we are demonstrating that we have initiative as we know that they would want to make sure we are safe.

We also decided to create an edit schedule, whereby we meet every Monday and Wednesday lunch in the edit suite in the media department. This will ensure that all the editing can be done quickly, especially since we have also all agreed to work on the footage individually if we have spare frees.

Our shoot organisation form with shoot dates, locations, approved signatures and transport plans

R+P Post 13: Our Shoot-Board

After the animatic we decided that we needed to create a shoot-board. This will include details vital for the test shoot, for example images of each shot, details of props in the shot and any dialogue. Moreover, there will be blank spaces which we can fill in during the shoot. We can write in how many takes each shot had  which will speed up the editing process. We will all contribute to creating this document but I also have the responsibility of looking after it on my memory stick and making sure we do not get confused between older versions and new versions.

We have to think of the order that we would shoot. The logical thing to do would be to film in one location at a time and do similar shots together. For example, Stacey begins in the bedroom and makes her way downstairs into the hallway later. Lots of the shots at the beginning are close ups so we think it is it better to do these first and this will save time.

On set, the shoot board was crucial as it helped with our organisation, as it was a schedule as well as a props and shot description chart. When we needed to know what to shoot next and roughly what it should look like, the shoot board helped as it it contained this information. Professional film makers would never shoot a film without a shooting schedule, as they need to have a structure to the shoot.

R+P Post 12: Our Animatic

We intend to create an animatic on Adobe Premiere Pro to help us to understand how our opening sequence will flow; the transition of each shot. It is crucial that the shots are timed correctly and fit in with each other. Getting a sense of time visually will help us with our test edit and main edit. In the film industry, animatics are used to bring the storyboard to life essentially, and this is what we wanted to do as well.

We will make the animatic by taking individual pictures of each post it note on the storyboard, before importing them onto Adobe Premiere Pro. We know we will be able to adjust the time of each shot, according to what we have previously planned. Furthermore, by doing the animatic on this program, we will be able to put titles over the shots, as we would in our footage edits.

Overall, the animatic (above) was beneficial to our opening sequence development in the sense that we had a clearer idea of what to expect for our upcoming edits and we were also able to make changes to anything that did not work so well.  For instance, originally we had put credits over face parts but we realised this did not look right and so we were able to change this. We also added the backing track to the animatic to see if it went with the shots and it did.There was an opportunity to seek out potential continuity errors and avoid this in preparation for our shoot. We had a basic idea of how all fundamental components (shots, titles, music) would integrate.

R+P Post 11: Our Storyboard

We have decided to create a storyboard to help us through the early stages of pre-production, for a number of reasons. Firstly, we want to get a visual sense of our opening sequence idea. Secondly, we know it will be essential later on, for example, for the animatic. Lastly, it makes us more efficient in terms of time as we have a better idea of how our story will work. A large majority of film directors use storyboards to display their thoughts and visions for their film. Ridley Scott, for instance, always uses them.

Our Storyboard

We will use colour coded post it notes and stick them onto a large sheet of sugar paper:

Green = mid shot
Yellow = close up
Blue = long
Orange = master
Pink = titles

The post it notes and sugar paper were intentional. The post it notes meant we could easily rearrange our work or remove it; it did not restrict our work as the drawings did not have to be permanent. We chose to use large sugar paper as it meant we could stick it up to our workstation and easily see the images. Additionally, we could read the images clearer as being able to fit so many in one line helped the flow of the story. Lastly, there was space for the three of us in the group to work on it.

We based the storyboard on a timeline we initially created. This contained the basic description for each shot and the time. Each sheet of A4 paper for the timeline represented 30 seconds. All the shots appeared in order from left to right - the same with the storyboard. The main difference between the timeline and the storyboard was that the storyboard had drawings on.

R+P Post 10: Reflections So Far/Looking Ahead

Our work ethic has been very good so far and we have successfully  kept track of time, as well as work worked well as a team. There has been a balance of individual work and supporting each other. An adequate amount of research has been achieved through setting ourselves targets and feeding back.

We have come up with a number of decisions already. For example, we have decided that Stacey will be played by Shayam. Also, we have decided on the props and costume that will be used. There will be a gun, gloves and she will wear a black body con dress with a smart coat. 'Devil Wears Prada' inspired the costume as the aim was for our protagonist to look classy and business like. 

We aim to produce a storyboard, animatic and shootboard to help our development towards the making the film. We want to continue working well as a team and being on time to meetings and meeting deadlines. Also I want to perform to the same level for my own individual work. 

R+P Post 9: Our Script

The use of dialogue in our opening sequence not only makes it more interesting but is also essential for the audience to have an idea about what our protagonist is going to do next - go on a blind date. The fact that the conversation takes place over the phone and we just here her speak is significant because it hopefully demonstrates that she says what her date wants to hear but is actually thinking other more sinister things. For example when she roles her eyes and when she is looking over the photos.


Script:
"Oh hi! I was just calling to say - I'm running slightly late."
"Hahaha! Well you know what they say: first impressions count."
"I'm excited to meet you too. I feel like I know so much about you already."
"Alright then. See you soon."

Other neo-noir and noir films which include dialogue in the opening include 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Kiss Me Deadly.

R+P Post 8: Our Opening Sequence Idea

Opening Sequence
Our opening sequence focuses on our main character - Stacey. As she is central to the film narrative, we believed it was important to display part of her story first. She is essentially doing her typical going out routine. Stacey first appears on camera pulling up her stockings, before adjusting her whole outfit. She puts on make up and packs her bag, but she takes out her detective badge and throws it across the room. This is followed by her leaving the room and going downstairs into the hallway, which is by a mirror and a sideboard. First, she puts on her shoes. She then makes a phone call which is accompanied by her flicking through images of the man she is meeting. When she hangs up and puts her phone away, she finishes dressing up by opening the draw and putting on her gloves. In the drawer we will see a gun. She then picks up her bag and walks out. From the outside we will have a shot of her face for the first time, and when she shuts the door, a short duration of 'black video' is used for effect, before cutting to the film title (Unlawful.)

Titles
The first titles to be seen will be those of our film production company 'Starlight Pictures' and our distribution company 'Lionsgate Films.' Our credits will run all the way through the opening and can be seen over the shots. We believe this integrates with the fast paced concept. The font will be white, as it is in the film 'The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo' and the positioning will vary, similar to the credits in 'Dexter.' The font will also be quite straight forward and simple, so that the audience's attention is focused on our protagonist.

Iconography and Continuity
We will film the getting ready section in our actress Shayam's bedroom. The rest will be filmed downstairs in the hallway but we see the transition from the two areas, through the stairs. Low key lighting will be used to add mystery to the setting and demonstrate that it is evening. We will use match-on-action when the badge lands on the floor and when she opens the front door.

Sound
As well as dialogue and music, sound effects will be used. This includes for zipping up the bag, walking on the stairs, walking with her heels on and slamming the door.

R+P Post 7: Our Film's Title and Plot Outline

Title: The title of our film is 'Unlawful.' This connotes the story, genre and main character perfectly. It is ambiguous in relation to the narrative, as it plays on the word 'lawful' which is used in marriage - an event in our film. Furthermore, it is simultaneously ironic as being a detective, our protagonist is suppose to uphold the law; yet she commits crimes.

Synopsis: Stacey, a female detective seduces her husband-to-be, before killing him to live happily alone with his earnings. Meanwhile, she has been put on the investigation team to find the killer and so has to cover up her tracks...

Our film follows the main character, Stacey, who is a police detective in her early 20s. She has a complex mind and is constantly unsatisfied. Below is the plot to 'Unlawful' in more detail:
Beginning - Stacey stalks a rich businessman and gets him to fall in love with her after one blind date. This results in their marriage.
Middle - Stacey kills her husband and inherits his money. She is then put on the case for his murder and has to constantly cover up the truth. As she was his wife and she is a detective, she is not suspected.
End - Several months pass and Stacey is living happily with her money, until a new detective is put on the case and gets suspicious. She then puts her charm on him but the film finishes without revealing whether or not he finds out what she's done.

Film References:

As the beginning part of 'Unlawful' is heavily based around the concept of femme fatale seduction, we looked at some existing films to help develop our ideas. In 'The Last Seduction,' Bridget Gregory is a scheming, manipulative woman who uses men for her own benefits and to get out of sticky situations. It demonstrates the power women can have over men, perhaps through their intelligence as well as sex appeal. Our character is quickly able to seduce a rich man into marriage, showing how enticing her nature is.

Our film also treats money as being an urgent desire in life and even though our character has money, she is not satisfied and wants more, reflecting the ability that money has to make you a materialistic and self conceited person. It is quite like the real world in some ways. This can be likened with the film 'Belle.' In that society, marrying into a family of wealth was all that mattered above everything else, enhancing the idea that money is the most important thing in life.

Finally, in 'Unlawful' we aim to capture an element of romance through the brief relationship and marriage, which is common in film noir. In the 1950 film noir 'In a Lonely Place,' Laurel and Dixon spark love interest before the truth of Dixon's past life starts to unravel. Correspondingly, the seemingly innocent romance our protagonist shows towards the businessman in our film is soon revealed as shown to be something very different.

R+P Post 6: Our Chosen Genre and How We Plan to Connote This

Our chosen genre for our film is neo-noir, which is essentially a crime drama film. Our film also has sub genres of action and thriller. Conventions of the film noir/neo-noir genre include low key lighting, black and white, shadows, suspense, mysterious music and murder. The genre is communicated through our opening sequence in a number of ways:

• There is mysterious, tension building music which is fast pace to signal that our character is mysterious 
• The profile on the iPad makes her seem stalker-like and secretive (corresponding the effects of shadows)
• The disposal of the detective badge signifies she is not all she seems
• The identity of the woman (essentially her face) is kept secret until the end
• The captivating, dark effect of the graphics
• The revealing of the gun and ID cards/passports
• Low key lighting which creates an ominous atmosphere
• Femme Fatale character

We used some films as means of inspiration for our opening sequence and to denote the genre. In the crime thriller film 'Se7en,' the identity is concealed but we still see his actions and this has an exciting and ominous effect. Furthermore, the flickering titles created a mysterious atmosphere.  In the opening for 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,' dark, edgy graphics are used to achieve a sinister feel and set the scene of the film. Thirdly, we took inspiration from the music used during the murders and/or prior to the murders in several Columbo films. For example, in 'Murder by the Book' (1971), the theme song is full of suspense and mysterious, demonstrating that the character is up to no good. Additionally, the fast pace and excit
ing element of the music we have chosen to use could be influenced by 'Pump It,' the theme used in 'Pulp Fiction.' In the neo-noir film 'Basic Instinct,' the leading character is Catherine Tramell, who is connected with a murder and seduces the detective working on the case. Similarly, we have incorporated this convention of the femme fatale through our female character who is shown to have a gun and throw away her police badge, insinuating that she is not the person the audience thinks she is.

We chose this genre because there are many interesting stories to be told. Not only does it build up lots of excitement through conventional events (murder, lies etc) but it also focuses highly on the lives of the characters, allowing the audience to build a personal relationship with them.

Neo-noir films have essentially introduced elements that were not available with the classic noir films. The violence is more potent and the visual effects and style are more believable. Some directors who have contributed to the evolution of classic noir include Scorsese with 'Taxi Driver,' The Coens with 'Fargo,' Tarantino with 'Reservoir Dogs' and Michael Mann with 'Heat.'