Research:Film Classification - Planned Certifcate of my film

The certificate of my film I decided will be a 15 certificate. The reasons for me deciding to choose this certificate are because of the audience of my type of film and other films similar to genre. I found that with films similar to mine that I’ve studied (Skyfall etc.) to have a reasonably high audience of teenagers and in particular people aged 15+ in these sorts of films, so it would therefore make it suitable and appropriate to make my film a 15. In terms of appropriateness, I feel that my film would fit in with the 15 certificate because it would contain violence/language of a reasonable level but not too extreme of what would expected of an 18, this is why my film would be a 15 certificate.

Planning:Practise Titles

As research for our film, we looked at a number of different style fonts, in the hope to give us inspiration for our own. After looking through hundreds of different types of typography, we came to the conclusion we wanted to narrow our searches to a more simplistic, classy but not unnoticeable type of font. We decided with our film having elements of the crime, action, thriller genre, it would be best to gage both information and inspiration from titles of these genres. Here are just a few examples of titles we have looked at.

This title looked good, but we are going to use a dark background, so black font colour won’t be seen well with it:

 

 



Alternatively, we can use a white font colour in order to make our title stand out more(Our Favourite):

 

 

The following title, I thought is more of the type of audience that this font intends is people who are interested in drawing by hand. I think this because the letters itself look like someone has drawn them. The font is easy to read and again it is bold and clear. This font would suit a website/leaflet/poster etc aimed at children. Although it was generally a good title, we unfortunatley dismissed it:

 

 

This title made the movie seem like it was a horror film. Our film genre is an action thriller and we dismissed this title:

Planning:Online Tutorials and comments

Photoshop
Click here to see the website I learned how to use photoshop.



I found this website very useful as I am a beginner and it explained everything very well and in detail to me. It showed me the complete production and workflow practices in producing internet delivered video graphics. It showed me how to get out the most out of Adobe Photoshop which saved me time as I had to learn those skills.

Photoshop is a computer program that lets me retouch, reshape, and completey change, distort, or combine pictures that I have used in the opening two minutes. Sort of like Microsoft Paint on steroids.

Planning:Consideration of Representation in film(Stereotyping)

Representation is the process by which the media presents the ‘real world’ to an audience.
 
Stereotypes are a form of representation in which groups of people are characterized by attributing to them qualities that some individuals possess, and which later become associated with the whole group.

For example, Punks are forever associated with safety pins in their clothes and bodies, and Mohican haircuts. This is the stereotype of a punk although there will be many punks who do not look like this.

In our film, we have guards with dark skin colour(Zubin Parekh and Muhammed Rahman). One of the more common stereotype examples is stereotypes surrounding those who are Black. Saying that all Blacks are good at sports is a stereotype, because it’s grouping the race together to indicate that everyone of that race is a good athlete.

Black People
After doing my research, I have found out that the following list is how black people are stereo typed:
Lazy
Thieves
Illiterate
Smoke

Fried chicken lovers
Drug users
Hate white people
Untrustworthy
Ghetto
Loud
Rude
Slang
Athletic
Always expecting something for nothing
Welfare Recipients
Deprived
Dangerous
Deviant
Disturbed
 

Disabled people

1. Inspirations - Indomitable disabled person, aka "Super Cripple" overcomes every challenge, "doesn't think of self as disabled" never asks for help, declines accommodation of any kind, climbs Mt. Everest in a wheelchair with cheery smile.

2. Deviant, Sinister and Evil - naturally crooked, operate outside normal rules of nature and society must be contained controlled or destroyed.

3. Victims - vulnerable, weak, tragic object of violence and abuse.

4. Exotic Freaks - generate feelings of horror, aversion, fear of difference, embarrassment.

5. Clowns - comic relief, laughable appearance, funny voices, the butt of jokes, dumb and dumber, court jesters, fool.

6. Pitiful and Sweet - pathetic, innocent, grateful for crumbs, sometimes speak gentle words of extraordinary wisdom (especially if intellectually impaired) need to be looked after, in film and fiction often finds miracle cur.

7. Twisted and Bitter- chip on shoulder, whining, acrimonious, angry and difficult, taking out inner hurt and rage on the world, okay to ignore their concerns, pointless trying communicate with them.

8. Burden and Outcast - costly, non-contributing burdens on society, can’t and don’t "fit in" anywhere except amongst others of same kind - should be segregated, institutionalized, provided with the bare minimum or euthanized (better off dead anyway), preferably prevented from reproducing.

9. Non sexual - can never be in a relationship.

10. Incapable of full participation in everyday life - nothing to do with how society is built or organized, just can’t learn, earn, play, socialize, shop, travel, go to a nightclub or use the phone.

Stereotyping is not only hurtful, it is also wrong. Even if the stereotype is correct in some cases, constantly putting someone down based on your preconceived perceptions will not encourage them to succeed.

Stereotyping can lead to bullying form a young age. Jocks and Preps pick on the Nerds and the Geeks; Skaters pick on the Goths, so on and so forth. Stereotyping is encouraging bullying behaviour that children carry into adulthood.

Stereotyping can also lead people to live lives driven by hate, and can cause the victims of those stereotypes to be driven by fear. For example, many gays and lesbians are afraid to admit their sexuality in fear of being judged. It is a lose-lose situation, both for those who are doing the stereotype and those who are victims.

Planning:Cast

The main cast of 'Swan Song' was officially announced at a press conference held at the Savoy Hotel in London on 9 December 2013. Daniel Malamud was announced as the main actor in the film, Ross Grove, saying he felt lucky to have a chance to act in such a big Hollywood film. As the film's principal villain Aran Alisiroglu was cast, playing a cyber-terrorist who is seeking revenge against those he holds responsible for betraying him. Alisiroglu described Baker as "more than a villain", while Malamud stated that Grove has a "very important relationship" to Baker.
Starring:

• Daniel Malamud as Ross Grove. I have been chosen to act as one of the main actors in this film, although I don't have much experience in acting, I have taken the risk in directing and acting in this film. Giving me a massive amount of work to do. I believe this will be a good challenge for me. As I am willing to put a lot of hard work into this project.

• Aran Alisiroglu as James Baker- Aran has acted in 'The Pursuer' previously to our 'Swan Song'. He is also currently involved with the new coming film 'Rise to the Top(RTTT)'. Aran has accepted a vital role in this film acting as the main antagonist, knowing this film will be a major hit and also suit this role as an actor, keeping his reputation up as an actor.

• Zubin Parekh as Tré, Guard 1 - Zubin knows his art form, and he knows his drama. We are so lucky to have Zubin acting in our film, however small his role might be. He will be working as a guard. We chose Zubin for this part as he is better at the physical side of drama then the vocal part. He was the most physically able of all the actors who came to play the part, and seeming as the guard needs to be that. 

• Richard Young as Voice of Narrator/Guard 2 - previously starred in the Sins of the Martyr, Richard has accepted a small role in this film. Acting as on of the guards. Richard has recently starred in the Osiris Unbound, and has a very busy acting career ahead of him due to the reputation he has build in the films he has acted in.

o   Muhammed Rahman as Humza Alfieri, Guard number 3 - directing ‘Empty Barrel’ and ‘Rise to the top’. Although having minor roles in both films, Muhammed, will have a minor role in 'Swan Song'.

Planning:Documenting Influences on Production

I picked up a video camera and really fell in love with making videos let alone films, which was the first real step into the film business. Prior to that I was absolutely in love with movies from a young age, I never thought about it as a career but when I picked up a camera I thought "is it possible" and I just started experimenting from there. Here are some things that have influenced me to make the film I have made:

Director - Steven Spielberg
Undoubtedly one of the most influential film personalities in the history of film, Steven Spielberg is Hollywood's best known director and one of the wealthiest filmmakers in the world. Spielberg has countless big-grossing, critically acclaimed credits to his name, as producer, director and writer.
He sets himself to be a good role model, as we aim to make our film as good as his.

Location – Therfield School

Using this location was convenient for us to use as my associate and me came up with the script, we would struggle to film it anywhere else. The school is a big location, we can get many types of shots in, and we used it to say that one of our main actors is back to education so it’s the college he attends.

Films

Skyfall, involves a lot of action, me, as the director of ‘Swan Song' believed that the newest James Bond film (Skyfall) is marvellous and we should follow the steps of it, if not, surpass it. There are a few other films such as The Bourne Ultimatum, and Casino Royale (another James Bond film) which include tremendous fight scenes, chases and more, these films inspired us and influenced us to direct an action film, the almighty ‘Swan Song'.

We have a broad range of films we're working on. We like to do a film, if you take for example ‘Swan Song' that is a film with a very specific demographic. We really wanted to make a film that pleased that younger adult mass and I am sure I will score incredibly high with that audience.

Research:Audience and Profiling

Below is a description of the typical person who represents the marketability of the film. His hobbies, interests and pursuits are all linked in some way to the genre I have chosen: thriller, crime and action.

·        BBFC rating of 15.

·        15 to 50 year olds.

·        Mainly males, maybe some females.

·        Old teens and young adults.

·        Action lovers and action film enthusiasts.

TARGET AUDIENCE PROFILE

This is Smith. He is 18 and is currently studying A levels in Psychology, Law, Media and Maths. On the completion of his A levels, Smith hopes to go on to University and study Law and one day hopes to be a barrister. He has an interest in Law and crime. This is also due to the fact that his Dad is a security guard at a prison who deals with criminal and thieves daily.

Smith is very active and enjoys sport. His hobbies include going to the gym, swimming and playing football with peers who are the same age as him. Smith also enjoys going to parties as he likes to spend time with his peers and likes to socialise. He also enjoys spending time with his family and friends by watching movies together at the cinema. He frequently watches films at the cinema with his peers and has a particular interest in the action and thriller genre. This is due to influences such as his family's occupation and his particular interest and studies.

Smith enjoys spending time with his family and is interested in the stories that his father relates about work as a prison officer. As Smith and his father are both interested in crime, they regularly watch crime shows together. They also have an interest in TV drama and the crime genre and therefore like to work out who the criminal is without many clues before it is revealed to them.

Smith is intellectual and is getting high grades in his current subjects that he is studying. He also likes to know what current world events are happening, economically, politically and socially.

As a student who doesn't have a lot of money and doesn't currently have an occupational job, Smith would fit into the DE social class category. Above is a table from the BFI statistical yearbook 2012 and shows the films with an above average DE audience share. From this, there are not many clues as to what sort of film would appeal to the DE social class.

From the table above, however, it is clear that there is a market for the crime, thriller genre and it would appeal to the age group of 15-24 so this would also appeal to the typical person in the marketability of my film. As the Inbetweeners movie is at the top of the table with 67% of the audience being in the age of 15-24 shows that the marketability for this film is interested in the idea of partying. Also, it could suggest that this age group would also be interested in films such as the Inbetweeners movie because they might be able to relate to the characters more so than in other films, therefore increasing the interest in the film.

From this information, I can incorporate certain and ideas and themes that are popular in the films listed above into my own film. For example, I think the idea of a house party at the start of my movie in the opening sequence will really appeal to my target audience (15-24) as this age group is interested in films such as the inbetweeners movie which has this theme of partying and having a good time throughout. Also, I can use the idea of the main characters being in the region of 15-24 years old as this would help the target audience to relate to the characters and the film more and are therefore more likely to watch the film.

In the target audience profile of Smith, the typical person who is likely to watch the film also enjoys socialising and going to parties themselves so are also more likely to be interested in watching a film that incorporates these themes.

Why is the audience important to us?

It’s important to get an idea of what my potential audience would like to see and what they do with their time, so I can advertise in the right places and not somewhere that they wouldn't see - like the newspaper. 16-24 year olds are the most common users of social networking sites, so it’s obvious that I would try to advertise my films on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Another clever marketing strategy I would be likely to use would be advertising on buses and billboards because it will emphasise on my film being an urban theme. Also a lot of college students and university students are likely to catch buses and be walking around cities and towns - with my film on display for all to see.

The best marketing strategy, arguably would be word of mouth as its quick but effective - as you tend to trust your friends and family as they have actually seen the films to judge whether it was good or not.

Research:Costumes - Guards

For these the guards we thought that wearing suits would be suitable as we do not want to make the guards seem over the top with full body armour, but be portrayed as private executive guards. In all traditional action films, all pricate guards wear suits, this makes them looks intelligent, smart, and good looking, even though they are protecting another actor.

Research:Costumes - James Baker

The type of costume we choose for a character is very important because it can help the audience to get to know the character, for example their class, where they live, age or even gender. The choice of costume we have picked I think represents our character and the conventions that go with him.

For Baker's costume we thought simply that as he is attending college, it would be smart-casual dress code, which is very easy to do, considering we come to college every day!

Research:Costumes - Ross Grove

We decided that Grove should wear a thick jacket - a body warmer. This helps to identify him as we thought about putting him in a suit but this may have caused confusion between him and the guards. Also, we didn't think a suit would be suitable for this character as we don't know what he has been doing before he came to the school.

Research:Props

Guns – Grove and the guards will be using weapons such as a pistol to brawl, and will be used for the shooting of Baker. This would create tension and action for the audience as guns are dangerous. The guards would probably be using more advanced weapons such as assualt rifles.

 Phone - Grove will be using this after he has killed Baker, ringing his associate, letting him know that it is over, this is so that his associate knows that Grove is coming out and needs to be picked up.

Research:Location Map

It was important that we produced a map, for use by our cast and crew, in order to give us a sense of area and distance between each of our filming locations. We used Google Maps to produce the below image: 

Research:Location Scouting

Location 1: Ashtead

This is a picture of the type of location to be used in our film. We've been to this location many times and felt that they are the right fit for our film; we visited it at the appropriate times in the evening as it would give the right atmosphere into what the film could potentially have. The locations at night would grip the audience with fear and give them a sense of anticipation.

Location 2: North Leatherhead

Despite my associate and me feeling location 1 would be the best location; we still feel that this location is good suited and effective for our opening two minutes. We just feel that this location has useful elements that are most and more suited to our film genre and guidance of plot.

The graffiti, council flats, urban look environment and good lighting help enforce the genre clichés and but would not help get the best out of our planned film which is why this location is considered the worst within our opinion.

Location 3: Therfield School (Most likely/Favourite)

We chosen this location as one of the locations because we believe we can make a good chase scene in this location as its big. Our idea on making an action thriller involves the main character going back to college, so using this location would be most convenient. We would need to film in this location when its empty and quiet to make more suspense and tension.

Planning:Script

 Swan Song

[Grove entering the school, he has help waiting outside, they are speaking through an earpiece]

[As Grove tries to walk past innocently, hoping they won’t know what he’s doing, one of the guards spots his gun]

[Grove runs into some guards]

GUARD 1

STOP!

[Grove takes out the guard, but back up arrives and he has to fight them off]

[When the guards are dead, he is frantically trying to find Baker]

[He eventually finds him, and Baker has no idea what’s going on]

GROVE

[Grove takes out another guard, whilst Baker is in class, he throws the guard into the class and Baker runs away]

BAKER

Oh shit!

[Grove goes to shoot Baker. But he has already started running, after running round half of the school, Grove starts to give up, as he walks away, Baker has luck as Grove is caught up by fellow students]

BAKER

[Grove sees his Baker and as Grove shoots, Baker manages to duck and only get hit on the leg. He can't manage getting away now, he leans on the wall]

GROVE

Its over. [Shoots Baker]

[Grove adjusts his jacket and walks away, looking satisfied with his actions]

Planning:Shot List

As a director, it is my responsibility to translate the written words of a script or outline into the compelling visual images that effectively tell my story. I can do this by focusing my audience's attention on the part of a scene that is most important at every moment.
I Have started by creating a shot lists to help me look back at when I am creating the storyboard.

Organizing my project before I shoot would save me time during the edit stage.

Pan: Fixed camera position, horizontal movement.

Tilt: Fixed camera position, vertical movement.

Tracking shot: Camera moves with action in any direction.

Crane shot: Camera rises or descends.

Zoom: Fixed camera, optical motion toward or away from subject.

Dissolve: Transition with one shot fading out as another simultaneously fades in. While this is not actually performed during the shoot, it needs to be planned for in the edit.

Rack Focus: Shifting the focus from something in the foreground to something in the background, or vise versa.

XCU: Extreme close up. For people, maybe just the eyes.

CU: Close up, the subject fills the frame. Emphasizes detail. For people, this is a usually a head shot, with perhaps only the tops of the shoulders visible.

MS: Medium Shot, the subject seen from the chest up.

FS: Full Shot, the subject seen from head to toe.

WS: Wide Shot, the subject seen within the larger environment.

EWS (Extreme Wide Shot):The view is so far from the subject that he isn't even visible. Often used as an establishing shot.

(OSS)Over-the-Shoulder Shot:Looking from behind a person at the subject. Used to show two people speaking to eachother.

Point-of-View Shot (POV):Shows a view from the subject's perspective, to make the audience feel as if its them.

Weather Shot:The subject is the weather. Can be used for other purposes, e.g. background for graphics.

Noddy Shot:Usually refers to a shot of the interviewer listening and reacting to the subject.

Two-Shot:A shot of two people, framed similarly to a mid shot.

Planning:Own Film Treatment - 'Swan Song'

 

Directed by Daniel Malamud and Richard Young

Starring

Daniel Malamud - Ross Grove

Richard Young - Voice of the Narrator, Guard 2

Zubin Parekh - Guard 3
Aran Alisiroglu - James Baker
Muhammed Rahman - Guard 1

Synopsis

Ex-Prison Warden Ross Grove is on the loose and dangerous. Armed with knife and gun, he heads to the local school to seek vengeance. James Baker, innocently studying in his Geography lesson is about get a small surprise. He has trouble getting to Baker, having to fight through numbers of undercover guards. Was this set up? By who? By the time he gets there, he is battered and bruised, but able to put up a fight while Baker is desperately looking for options. Time is running out and he runs. The chase is on. They are hastily navigating the school when Grove gives up. As he walks away, Baker grabs one of the fallen guards guns and attempts to take Grove out but he sees it coming dodges it and ends Baker. As Grove lies there, beaten and out of breath, he wonders, was it really worth it?

Codes and Conventions
The codes and conventions of our film are similar to that of an action film, being fast-paced with fights and shoot-outs. Our film opening also has a chase scene. These are all typical, expected conventions in an action film. Another convention of action films is that there is always a motive; this is similar to Swan Song as Dan (Grove) has a motive to kill Aran as is shown by the flashbacks while he is walking into the school. Lastly, one of the most common conventions of an action film that we have included in ours is death.

 

Planning: Moodboard - Swan Song

This mood board should help us to come up with ideas for our action film and get the creative ideas running.

Action:

Research:Our own Film Institution - 'Paradox Entertainment'

Paradox Entertainment was founded in November 2013 by myself, Daniel Malamud, and my associate Richard Young. It is currently comprised of two sub divisions - Paradox studios and Para Cinema.

Paradox Cinema is a production company that specialises in virtually no-budget 
blockbuster epics. Our upcoming project is the feature-length motion picture 'Swan Song'(Release Date 2014 TBA), which aims to revolutionise cinema. An exclusive prologue will be released early 2015 to generate interest and hype. 

Here are some practice titles I have created for the opening scene:

Research:Other Film Institutions

Here are a few of the smaller institutions who are independent:
DreamWorks:

DreamWorks tend to make films aimed at a younger audience. DreamWorks films include: Shrek and Madagascar.

 

 

 

Lionsgate Entertainment:

In recent years Lionsgate have started to have to join together with bigger companies in order to get the money needed to make films, but they are still making, high grossing films. Famous for Hunger Games and Saw.

 

 

 

 

Relativity Media: 

Relativity media at the moment is very low-key, seeming as it was only founded in 2004, and is still growing. Their films include The Social Network and Bridesmaids.

 

 

The Weinstein Company: 

Formed in 2005 by the Weinstein Brothers. The Weinstein Company seems  to be aiming to do well in the film industry. They made The King's Speech.

 

Revolver entertainment:

Revolver entertainment is a film institute that’s originated in the UK. They distribute mainly British films consisting of some variety of film genres. A reasonable percentage of these films that they've distributed are urban/action films including Kidulthood, Anuvahood.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer:

MGM has been having financial problems, so haven't really been releasing anything,  They tend to make a wide range of films. MGM films include: the James Bond Franchise.

There are more film institutions out there, but they are not accepted as big. The ones mentioned here are the 'official mini-majors', but there are a lot more.