This is the final cut of our film opening The Journey, a social realist indie production following an abusive professional tennis player who must rebuild himself and his life after he suffers brain damage in a car accident. Taking influence form social realists such as Paddy Considine's Journeyman and Tyrannosaur, and older films like My Beautiful Laundrette and Withnail and I. Our primary target audience is males aged 18-25, and females of the same age being our secondary target audience. We would hope for a BBFC rating of 15 to allow for a larger audience, but it is likely that it would be pushed to an 18 (like This is England, Sweet Sixteen and Tyrannosaur). Changes since the last rough cut: the audio has been levelled, and more ambient sound has been added The idents were also added
Sound:
different cars driving by sound effect
using the volume levels to keep it even
foley sound of panting
camera whir sound removed
dog barking sound added more successfully
dialogue at the end matches with the visuals, and the "good afternoon" was cut for verisimilitude
music in the car volume has been fixed
dialogue audio is quieter now
the phone ringing is also quieter and less jarring now
audio fade at end
Titles:
there was a wonky title at the start, that has now been fixed
the film title has been put after the car crash before the light flare - look better. Also made longer so looks less like an inter-title
Editing:
more match cuts in the first cross-cut scene, this adds more meaning to the scene, showing the connection between the 2 characters
trims were made so that it is closer to the 2 minute mark
reactions to the news he will not play tennis again are shown
How did you integrate technologies - software, hardware and online - in this project? ... What I cover in this post:
Different software/online resources used (blogger, FCPX, Instagram, youtube, slideshare etc)
How we engaged with audiences online
Different hardware used (cameras, tripods, etc)
Disruption, digitisation and convergence
Web 2.0 (UGC, applied examples we took influence from)
... Creative use of technologies:
I chose to make 2 vodcast covering hardware and software to answer this evaluation question creatively. They cover all the different software and hardware we used, throughout filming an pre-production. ... Digitisation, Disruption and Convergence:
As technology is constantly advancing, production, distribution and exhibition are becoming increasingly cheaper and more accessible to more people - expensive reels no longer have to be bought to make films, and even our production has been made digitally.
This allows films with micro-budgets to have a greater chance at distribution - Le Donk and Scor-Zay-Zee is an example of this, with a micro budget it still managed to have a theatrical trailer and then a straight to DVD release. Professional equipment used was extremely limited. An example which took it even further is Hinterland, which had a budget of only £10k, filmed using a 15 year old camera and then released in indie cinemas with director Q+A sessions. The film was never released on DVD, but given a simultaneous release on iTunes. The film definitely achieved some successful distribution, as it made it onto a top indie films of the year list. As it is so easy now for anyone to make their own films relatively inexpensively and self-distribute them, the term convergence is used to reference this: the line between producer and consumer is blurring as cheaper technology becomes available. The importance of Netflix and Amazon Prime in this disruption cannot be overlooked, as they offer films directly to audiences, without theatrical releases, and are still massively successful. This threatens theatres, as if people are able to watch Oscar winning films such as Roma at home on Netflix, there will become increasingly less need/want for people to go to cinemas. Although this disrupts conglomerates, it can be beneficial for indies, who are able to market and sell their films completely online, like the example of Hinterland, which did have a mall theatre run, but the majority of its marketing was one online through twitter.
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Web 2.0 Web 2.0 describes how the internet has become driven by users, converging the line between producer and consumer. An example of this is user-generated content, like the fan-art that was made for the Cornetto Trilogy, or the poster for Hinterland which was also fan-made. This web 2.0 theoretically allow indies more of a chance at achieving successful distribution online, by setting up twitters, instagrams and being able to engage with audiences directly.
Screenshot form my PowerPoint on distribution (from eval q2)
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Screenshot form my PowerPoint on distribution (from eval q2)
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Screenshot form my PowerPoint on distribution (from eval q2)
... FCPX I made a youtube FCPX tutorial series called TechTips, a friendly guide on how to use different elements of one of the most critical pieces of software we used. I integrated this software with online resources (youtube and the blog). Here is the links list:
... Communication using social media (facebook messenger) we got more involved in sharing ideas through calls and messages, and a group chat was made with the whole cast in it so that we could make sure everyone had all the information they needed (including costume, time/place, scripts etc.) This is one of the earlier versions os the screenplay which we shared with the cast (also making print-offs), and as it was updated we could email them the new versions to read over before shoots: ... (SAM'S WORK) ... ... This is Sam's vodcast on the same topic ...
... This is the second rough cut put together Changes made:
Sound
the music has been changed to give it more variation, the last recording was a bit repetitive (the update post is here)
ambient sound of cars going past, dogs barking, and hospital background noise has been added for verisimilitude
the nurse's voice has been recorded over for better sound quality
the music playing in the car has now been fixed so it doesn't overlap with the jogging scene and make the continuity confusing
audio-bridges are also being used now
Editing
Now the training scene is cross-cut with the packing scene, this speeds up the pace, which was too slow before
Titles
the titles have been completely changed, both in wording, order, position, transition effect, size, capitalisation, names, and wen they appear on screen
this is to make it more resemble the genre conventions we noted in other examples, particularly Withnail and I and Journeyman
This is our second attempt at filming the tennis training scene (link to first sample scene here) ... Changes
Coach
we added the character of the coach to this one, for verisimilitude,
but also to appeal to a secondary older target audience
Script
we added dialogue so there is more semblance of a plot
this also adds to verisimilitude
More shots
we got way more shots this time for variety, and because it comes close to being an action scene we want fast-paced editing, with lots of short takes
we also got shots of Tanay warming up
Shots of the building
we got shots of the outside of the building, with the coach smoking before he goes in to train with Tanay
Directing
this time we got much more involved as directors, demonstrating to Tanay what we wanted him to do
... Feedback
Sound
there are issues with the sound, and it is a little difficult to hear the dialogue
there is the loud wind sound outside the building
but, the ambient sound of the tennis balls in the other courts came out nicely
Costume
the costumes are realistic looking, and work very well
Acting
Tanay really looks like he's playing tennis, achieves verisimilitude
The acting during the dialogue is good, Tanay seems really frustrated
Positive feedback
one audience member picked up on the heavier themes from just this 45 second clip, thinking it could be about the difficulties and pressure of professional sport
This is the first full rough cut of our film opening The Journey, with credits and idents. Originally we wanted to have the jogging cross-cut throughout, but when we tried it made it extremely hard to follow what was happening, as it looked like Tanay was out jogging, and then was also playing tennis at the same time, so we removed the jogging we had cross-cut throughout the opening.
... Feedback Upload the version with the cross-cutting that made it difficult to follow Get audience feedback Idents:
Maw Productions - too short, add toyCo ident
Red Films - sound needs fixing (hiss) add music
Journey Films - cannot read the paper, looks too much like it's part of the film, the paper doesn't work. better lighting, things going into suitcase, when bag is dropped and spilt open, picked up, on ground says Journey Films
fade to black, fade up from black - more conventional for social realist
Font - too simple, make company name in upper case, make names bigger than the rest
could use sans serif for non-names
add film title
more cast names (with, introducing, featuring)
Harriet B. - stands out, no reason why it is written like that
make post with all titles, font, case, size, reasoning
Sound:
There is no sound in the first scene, no diegetic, Foley or ambient - unnatural. Sound of footsteps and packing - get sound of cars going past, a dog barking. Add to verisimilitude
sound of Cathy sighing needs to be louder
jogging - exaggerate breathing and footsteps
don't include music unless you have a shot of switching it on - music when he is jogging must be lower
camera wind sound - have to rebuild audio
all sound has to be louder
music does not work at all
audio is not synced up
Editing:
need to trim wiping face shot of tear, because otherwise it looks like she's just wiping her face
packing scene drags on
training scene does not need to be linear chronologically - put in shots of him hitting the ball. Acting is not super convincing so this will help with maintaining verisimilitude
use shot of convo from other side
transition to jogging is very episodic, not smooth - fade needs to be quicker (maybe try a cross-fade, audio-bridge (start next scene audio before end of scene)
Start jogging scene with extreme long shot
PACING - needs to be quicker, shorter takes or cut some out
keep bits of guy in car shorter - threat of danger, foreshadowing - even hybridity style (verging on horror e.g. Dead Man's Shoes), make film more widely appealing
speed up car (maybe add gear clunk sound) - add engine sound
shot is very bright, keep shots of driver short
shaking camera - cut off end of ELS jogging
can see jogger from inside the car
speed up car
could make 2 stopping events - show determination. taking breath is too long
can cross cut between accident and hospital (flashing back to trauma)
ENDING - too abrupt, maybe hands bring gripped, or his eyes shutting again
A review of the second attempt at the packing scene showed us that we needed different music - the music we were using was very repetitive, but got the tone right.
Using the same chords, but a different finger picking pattern, I created this music to use in future cuts
This is the 2nd attempt at filming the scene where the tennis player's partner (Cathy) is leaving him
CHANGES
Much more set dressing:
tennis equipment is placed throughout the room
photos of the couple and the tennis team have been added for verisimilitude
female beauty products and jewellery were placed on the surface in front of the mirror
stereotypically female books were placed on one side of the bed, and stereotypically male ones on the other
the wardrobe was changed so that there is a clear divide between men's and women's clothes
a larger suitcase that is more realistic for a permanent move
Character creation had more detail:
we prepared a business suit (black trousers, smart shoes with modest heel, shirt and a blazer)
and a long, smart looking coat for when they leave the house
a watch, something teenagers do not usually wear
modest make-up (lip gloss and mascara)
More directing for the acting:
there was more demonstration of the actions (e.g. wiping the tear away)
there were issues in following direction with the actress previously playing the tennis player's partner (saying she felt uncomfortable in front of the camera) so a change in cast was a good idea
new shots:
close-ups of the set dressing
shot of the suitcase being slammed onto the bed so that we can attempt an almost match cut from the joggers foot landing on the ground
... FEEDBACK
Genre/target audience:
the people we asked all though it was aimed at teenagers, though one though the target age would up to 20 - this could be because the lead of this scene is played by a teenager, though we have gone to a lot of effort to dress the character so that they seem older
Improvements
the sound editing has clear issues - make the ambient sound quieter and the music louder
the lighting got mixed reactions - one said it seemed good, the other not realistic
we did use the lighting to create some shadow on the face of the lead as she wipes a tear to show the gloominess, but the rest is the lighting we had available, which is the natural lighting of the room
Positive feedback
everyone said that the music fit
there was no confusion as to what the narrative was - it was clear that she was leaving
no one said the set dressing seemed posed or unreal - it fits in
the genre guess was never far from accurate, but we did not expect teenagers to be able to guess if it was a social realist film
on recording audio (google details) - noise reduction in FCPX - reduce background hiss
dutch angle, varying focus and set dressing good (first shot)
trim hand opening cupboard door - pauses unnaturally
maybe trim door and keys in post box
maybe quicker cross cut between crying bits to make it more convincing as you can't see tears
do not want to lose verisimilitude. Maybe get 2 shots of her wiping face, not continuous shot - loses convincingness as its continuous
slight continuity breach between hand wiping face in the 2 shots
start music when she is holding the picture
ring, earrings and office clothing good (power point embedded to show all things added)
lighting is bad, lense might have been blurry. quite dark except for bright zones
maybe try some non-linear editing? or don't as in rough and final cut all is cross-cut with jogging
focus work - some is bad some is good
about blur - see if sharpening tools in final cut
maybe shorten takes or transition/cross them over to disguise
maybe film a drop of water falling onto picture, very tight focus, to show tears
maybe bring clang in earlier when she drops the keys then trim take slightly
trim unnecessary movements so time
for second instrument ask music teacher what instrument she thinks is the second one in Tyrannosaur
ask if students play is
direct them to record long, sad notes and then record
MAIN ISSUES:
sound and out of focus shots
music could be better - the music is a little dull - look at Tyrannosaur and spacing between notes and pacing, use 2 instruments - better simulacrum
...
Music update
A review of the second attempt at the packing scene showed us that we needed different music - the music we were using was very repetitive, but got the tone right.
Using the same chords, but a different finger picking pattern, I created this music to use in future cuts
planned the jogging and car crash scene to be refilled 3 times - cancelled because our protagonist could not make it on 23/01/19 and 03/02/19, on 05/02/19 Sam fell ill and we couldn't find a replacement driver in time
Have asked someone else who I able to drive if they would play the role so that filming can take place this weekend
We have edited sample scenes for the training scene and the packing scene, and filmed audience feedback - we will be making adjustments and putting together a full rough cut (vey likely to happen before the final scene is filmed so we will use the initial sample scene for the jogging and car crash scene)
we filmed the hospital scene on the 14/01/19
We rented out a tennis court for an hour and filmed the training scene on the 13/01/19
We have gone over our genre conventions posts for details and ideas for the scenes we had to reshoot, like the shots of the trees in Journeyman, the almost match-cuts in '71 and the set dressing in My Beautiful Laundrette and Withnail and I
We've worked on looking at some ideas for the evaluations questions and how we want to answer them
After getting some audience feedback, they all agreed that the first font fits best for our social realist film. The sharp edges (serif-font) connotes seriousness. The second one fits better for a horror/slasher movie and the third one it too childish.
Casting Tanay Saigal The protagonist/tennis player He is needed from: 11:40-12:30 3:15-4:30 Hannah Ni Leigh Evans The partner of Tanay She is needed from: 11:40-12:30 3:15-4:30 Sam Lau The coach He is needed from: 11:40-12:30 3:15-4:30 Harriet Barlow Tanay's teammate She is needed form: 11:40-12:30 3:15-4:30 School nurse Nurse She is needed from: 11:40-12:30 3:15-4:30 Location The school nurses' office in our school, we had to ask the nurses for permission and we gave them a brief of what we want to do - we had to be flexible for shooting because if a student came in the space had to be free We eventually filmed after school so we had more time to get all the shots we wanted Date: 27/12/18 - cancelled because actor could not make it 28/12/18 - cancelled because nurses office was occupied 07/01/19 - " 11/01/19 - " 14/01/19 Time: 11:40-12:30 3:15-4:30 Equipment
Sony A58
Tripod
Dolly
Props
printed out picture of brain scans
folder
bandages
blanket
trophy
cigarettes/packet - we included this in the training scene because it made more sense
Nurses outfit
Coach's costume
Shot List
POV shots of Tanay waking up (hand-held)
MS 2 shot of teammate and partner next to Tanay in bed
CU BE of Tanay's face waking up
ECU hand nervously tapping on trophy
MLS 3 shot of coach arriving
shot reverse shot sequence for dialogue
CU HA of trophy being put on bedside table
MLS 3 shot of all dialogue
OTS MLS of nurse coming in and her dialogue
MS of nurse's dialogue
CU OTS of nurse pointing at brain scan images in folder
CU of coach's reaction to tennis news
try
try a few different shots for reactions to the news
CU of various things in the space (looking at watch, stethoscope, bandages etc.)
Screenplay
I showed the screenplay to the nurse, and she suggested edits for her lines to make them more realistic, those are the ones used in the final cut ...
Here we see how I recorded and created the background music for our film opening. It's a melody on the guitar with notes that are several seconds apart just like in Tyrannosaur.
...
(MY WORK)
Review notes:
The jogging is not realistic (takes away from verisimilitude)
get involved as director and demonstrate
Use stabiliser
See if actor can grow a beard to make him look older
Add sound of heavy panting for running
POV GoPro shots of running
Add water to make it look like sweat on the protagonist (for verisimilitude)
Bring towels to show tennis player wiping sweat off of himself
Try and film the final cut before the end of autumn (colours show up nicely on camera)
not enough shots
not enough shot variety
bring water bottle to make Tanay look sweaty
create a coach character - verisimilitude
get sound of tennis balls
create dialogue
get shots of Tanay warming up
see if you can get someone to play tennis with him
Over the course of this week we each looked at some different locations for filming the jogging and packing scene, before deciding on the ones you see in the sample scenes. We took either a Sony A58 or used our phone cameras. The tennis training scene will be filmed in Tanay's tennis club, and for the nurse scene we will try and film in the nurses' office at our school when they aren't busy. We chose a street near our school with forest area on one side for the jogging scene because it was very accessible and not very busy, and my house for the packing scene. These are the locations we discarded, either because they were too far away, too busy (risk of continuity errors with people walking past), lack of space for cameras:
(SAM'S WORK) Casting Samuel Lau Driver of the car He is needed from 15:15 - 16:45 Tanay Saigal Professional Tennis player/protagonist, Jogger who gets hit by the car He is needed from 15:15 - 16:45 Location Setting: Forest in Cents Date: 17/11/18 First sample scene (lack of verisimilitude, lack of shot variety) 03/01/19 Poor image quality, mistake in set dressing and lack of shot variety 15/01/19 Tanay unable to come 23/01/19 '' 03/02/19 '' 05/02/19 Sam fell ill and we couldn't find a new cast member who could drive in time Time: 15:15 - 16:45 Equipment
