Progress...

We've decided the following...

1. Location
2. Roles
3. Characters
4. Most props

We need to decide and arrange the following...

1. Finalise props
2. Costume
3. Time scheduling (filming etc)
4. Storyboarding
5. Scripting.

Essay #3... Analyse similar genre of film. 'Taken.'

1.

As you can see, this is a video camera shot, almost like a memory of the protagonist. Which suggests that the protagonist is reminiscing about happier times, which leads us to believe his current life could be miserable, or without meaning. This shot will show relevance later on in the film. 

2.

This is part of the credits during the opening sequence. Credits are vital to every film, in any genre. Depending upon what production company or any studios are used, this could subliminally make the audience enjoy the film more.

3.

You can't really see much in this screenshot, however that is a convention of the crime thriller genre. Low level lighting is key in any thriller, and here you can see the successfully achieved this. 

4.

This is almost an establishing shot, as we can see the city that the film is set in, although the location does move later on in the film. But location establishment is key in any film, and being in a city is usually stereotypical in crime films. Establishing shot, this reveals where the film is set, or reveals a location.

5.

This is what I meant by the first screenshot proving relevance later on in the film. Although the shot isn't particularly revealing or a convention of crime thrillers (although the low level lighting) it reveals the protagonist being very anal about wrapping a present, which reveals a lot about the character. Close up, revealing what the character is doing.

6.

In the background of this image we see a relatively large estate, which is fairly stereotypical for a crime thriller genre. Usually the owner of the large estate is the victim, which is what is unveiled later. Conforms to the stereotypical crime thriller genre. Extra long shot mixed with wide shot, reveals location.

7.

Here we see the well dressed protagonist. Be at for a special occasion, but usually in crime thriller genres, the protagonist looks usually professional, even if they aren't wealthy. Wide shot, reveals character identity, props and potentially location.

8.

There is always some conflict in the opening sequence of thrillers, and this conforms to this. Here, we see the protagonist being in an argument with his ex-wife and his ex-wife's husbands' employee. 2 shot and over the shoulder shot combined here, reveals facial expressions and character identity.

9.

Here you can see the relationship between the protagonist and his daughter. This relationship will become more apparent later on in the film. Over the shoulder shot, showing the protagonists emotions seeing his daughter.

Location pictures continued...

This is the primary view of the route to the toilet.

This is the view of the route to the toilet where the criminal will come from.

Location pictures.

The following are photos of our intended location to use...

This is going to be our establishing shot.

This the pub where the robbery will take place.

This is the view of the pub when you enter.

Feedback from the presentation.

1. Be more specific with identifying characters.
2. Presentation wasn't gripping (compared to other presentations.)
3. Add better Sound effects compared to the preliminary film.
4. Mise en scene - Control over extras.
5. Availability of actors/characters.
6. Shooting schedule - Location availability?
7. Locations... Are they ok to use?
8. Continuity skills need to be improved to maximise the quality of the film.
9. Look at crime/thriller conventions before producing the film.

Presentation for our main media film.

Initial idea...

• A pub robbery. (A quick break-in and escape with no real plot.) 

Plot...

The films is our first initial idea that has been developed and improved. The film will start off with an aggressive man entering a pub. He quickly orders a drink, and almost instantly finishes the drink. He then walks to the toilet and shoves a man on route to the toilet. 

After going to the toilet, a man (suspected to be the same man who the story was following previously) with a balaclava on, walks up to the bar, pulls out a gun and demands the contents of the till to be emptied into his bag. After shooting a protagonist, he runs off with the money from the till, gets into a car and escapes. 

He disposes of his supplies in a river. After this he goes to a secluded area to count the stolen money. After this, he takes off the balaclava and it turns out to not be the suspected man who the film was following at the start - providing a twist for the audience.

Filming...

The film will take place at night. This would be more realistic for a robbery and it will give dark lighting to all the scenes outside of the pub. 

Inside of the pub there will be more lighting and it will not be dark, as you would expect from an internal location.

Characters...

• Suspected criminal - (Violent, aggressive man)
• Bartender - (serves the suspected robber)
• Criminal - (The actual criminal. Robs the pub, escapes in the car)
• Protagonist - (The hero who is shot by the criminal)
• Extras... (People in the pub to give a more realistic film)

Locations...

• Pub - Robbery takes places here.
• Pub toilet - There will be a flashback here, to show the audience how they were confused between the suspected criminal and the actual criminal.
• Street - Where the film begins (establishing shot)
• Car - (Internal) This is where the escape will take place
• Secluded area - Where the criminal takes his stolen money to count it.

Roles...

Idris Saqib - Suspected criminal/masked criminal.

Max Lovely - Protagonist & organising props.

Nathan Holliday - Cameraman/Director.

Ryan Boyce - Organising location, casting. Potentially the unmasked criminal? Muggle.

To whom it may concern
I give permission for this group to use my public area in order for them to film for their media project.
Sincerely, Brenda Boyce

The BBFC!

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an organisation that classifies British films to age groups; U, PG, 12, 12A, 15, 18 and R18. The BBFC is an independent, non-governmental body which has been classifying cinema films since, it was set up, in 1912, and its been classifying videos since the passing of the video recordings act 1984.

The areas that the BBFC have to consider when classifying a film are; discrimination, drugs, horror , imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, theme and violence.

The guidelines that the BBFC follow, when rating films, take into account the various UK laws which the BBFC must consider and apply when rating films. The guidelines are updated every four years and the current version was last updated in june of 2009 which means the next one will be published in the june of 2013.

There are 7 film classifications that the BBFC have to take into consideration before every film is released. They are the following.

The first classification is U. This stands for universal, and this means that the content is suitable for all ages.

The second is PG. This stands for Parental guidance. This means that again it is suitable for everyone, however some scenes could be slightly unsuitable for younger children, so parental guidance is advised.

The third is 12A. This classification is only used in cinemas, and was only introduced in 2002. 12A classification really means that it is unsuitable for young children under the age of 12 years, however they can be permitted to view the content if the person is accompanied by an adult of 18 years at least. Films in this category often contain "mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, moderate swear words, infrequent strong language and moderate violence/sex references."


The fourth is 12. This is usually given at the stage of ancillary markets or otherwise known as, after the cinema stage. Nobody under the age of 12 should be allowed to view the content or purchase a copy of the hardware. Films in this category often contain "infrequent drugs, infrequent use of strong language, brief nudity, discreet sexual activity, and moderate violence."


The fifth is 15. Only people at the age or over the age of 15 are admitted. Anybody under this age, are not permitted to view or purchase any hardware with this classification. Films in this category may include "adult themes, hard drugs, strong language and one use of very strong language, moderate-strong violence/sex references, and undetailed sex activity."


The sixth is 18, only adults are admitted to view the content. Nobody under this age can view or purchase any hardware or software in this classification. Films in this category "do not have limitation on the bad language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and strong violence/sex references along with strong sexual activity is also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context."


The last, and rarely used is R18. Films in this category "can only be shown at licensed adult cinemas or sold at licensed sex shop, and only to adults, those aged 18 or over. Films under this category are always hard-core pornography, defined as material intended for sexual stimulation and containing clear images of real sexual activity, strong fetish material, explicit animated images, or sight of certain acts such as triple simultaneous penetration and snowballing."

Preliminary film - Finished Article

Preliminary film finished!!