Film Magazine Review: Reader Profile

What breakfast cereal do they eat? Coco Pops

What mode of transport do they use? Economy cars or public transport, e.g. busses and trains

What accommodation do they live in? At home with parents, university halls, small student flats

What do they drink? Soft: Coca Cola. Alcoholic: Spirits

What TV shows do they like? Sitcoms e.g. Friends, The Big Bang Theory. Soaps e.g. Eastenders, Hollyoaks. 

What is their favourite meal? Pizza

What are their main types of interests? Socialising, whether that be at parties or a trip to the cinema to see the latest films.

Where do they go on holiday? They go on holiday to places with a young population and a party atmosphere e.g. Malia, Zante, Malaga, Cos. 

Do they vote? Yes, for The Green Party or Liberal

Film Poster

Target Audience

Although our overall films target audience is teenagers/students, we have decided to focus more on the female sector of our audience for the purpose of our film posters. We have chosen this specific target audience out of the wider bracket as the main character is a teenage girl for most of the short film and therefore our largest audience will probably be teenage girls, so it makes sense to focus more on them as they will be the ones more interested.

Genre

We have decided to make our film poster using the same conventions as a thriller film would. Even though thriller isn't our main genre, our film does have some dark aspects to it. We have also agreed that the type of person who would enjoy a thriller film, may also find our film interesting and it may be beneficial to their life. The purpose of our short film is educational, but we do not want this to put teens off watching our film, so portraying it as a type of thriller will hopefully interest more people.

Planning-taglines

As shown in previous research tag lines use written codes to link in with the movie, give away more information about the film and make it is usually quite memorable and short with the use of literary devices. Below are a few ideas for my group's film: Happily Ever After?

Idea One:

An ending fairy tales don't usually have

The theme of fairy tales is mentioned in this tag line which goes with the title of the film. It shows a twist to the story and foreshadows that the ending is not going to be what audiences would usually expect with fairy tales allowing them to get prepared and it creates suspense.

Idea Two:

The End begins from birth

"The End" links with the theme of fairy tales in the film however also links in with the death of our main character making it a play on words. Also the fact that the end begins is another play on words as the words contrast each other. By mentioning birth it foreshadows to the audience that there is some form of ageing within in the film.

Idea Three:

Will you get out of life alive?

This tag line mainly focuses not on literary devices but rather the message that it puts across. This one foreshadows the ending of the film however not completely as audiences are left to question whether the main character will survive or not. Also, the depressing gloominess in the tagline contrasts with the cheerful title of the film.

Idea Four:

we are our own poisoned apples

This is a play on words and links in with the film quite nicely. The poisoned apples mentioned has to do with the fairytale 'snow white' but also has to do with death which foreshadows the plot to the audience. By mentioning that we are our own poisoned apples it foreshadows the suicide in the film but also shows that people make their own choices and their death is the result of their own decisions and paths they have taken.

Idea Five:

Can the end always be happy?

The use of the rhetorical question mimics the title slightly since that is a rhetorical question also which speaks to the audience in a way and allows audiences to make plots and have ideas of their own and then see whether they are surprised by the plot or not. The words "happy" and "end" are also in the title  which helps link the two together.

Idea Six:

How will your fairy tale end?

Again the use of the rhetorical question links nicely with the title as well as speaks to the audience. The question is open meaning that it builds suspense and tension and raises questions for the readers.

Shooting Schedule

Session 1

Date: 29/10/12

Time: 1pm-4pm

Location: Lammas Park

Shots: 4-8; 9-11; 12

Actors: Greta, Johnny, 3 extras

Crew: Eva (camera and directing), Migle (camera and directing), Calum (props)

Costumes and Props: change of costume for Greta to show ageing, young childish costume for all actors, hats and scarfs

Equipment: SD camera, SD card, tripod

Potential Issues: 

-Lighting: sunlight will start to dim the more it gets into the afternoon showing inconsistency

-Weather: if it is bad weather such as rain it could damage equipment and distort the image

-Public: due to many of the shots filmed in this session being in a public park there could be legal issues to not get the public in the footage as they may complain that legally they should not be filmed

Risk Assessment: 

-Low: the playground in which the majority of the shots are filmed in have been specifically built with safety precautions since children play in them therefore the risk of something occurring is low. 

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Session 2

Date: 29/10/12

Time: 7pm-9pm

Location: Eva's house 

Shots: 22-26; 27-29; 30-32

Actors: Migle, Liam, girl extra

Crew: Eva (camera and directing), Migle (directing), Calum (props and camera)

Costumes and Props: cigarettes, alcohol bottle with contents that looks like alcohol, fake smoke

Equipment: SD camera, SD card, tripod, lighting

Potential Issues: 

-Lighting: due to these scenes being night time scenes the lighting may be too bad to get clear footage therefore street lights and makeshift lighting may have to be used

-Weather: if it is bad weather such as rain it could damage equipment and distort the image. Due to these scenes being in the night time there may be a chance of fog or mist which could distort image

Risk Assessment: 

-Medium: night time scenes always have a safety risk as more dangers arise such as youths in the public  not liking filming to be happening or seeing expensive equipment used, also cars may not be able to see us properly therefore there is a chance of injury through that. We will have to make sure to use lighting to be seen and not harass the public. 

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Session 3

Date: 1/11/12

Time: 1pm-3pm

Location: Eva's house

Shots: 13-17; 18-21

Actors: Migle, Eva

Crew: Calum(camera), Migle (directing), Eva (directing and camera)

Costumes and Props: alarm clock, robe, change in costume for Migle

Equipment: SD camera, SD card, tripod

Potential Issues: 

-Lighting: one scene is meant to be in the daytime whilst one is meant to be in the night time therefore for the night time scene lighting must be changed somehow to make it look like it is night time rather than daytime which is when it is actually filmed

Risk Assessment: 

-Low: it is in a house therefore the risk of injury or something happening is low along as precautions are taken with filming

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Session 4

Date: 3/11/12

Time: 5pm-8pm 

Location: Migle's house

Shots: 33-38

Actors: Migle, all party extras

Crew: Eva (camera and directing), Migle ( directing), Calum (props and camera)

Costumes and Props: cigarettes, alcohol bottles with non alcoholic content, shot glasses, fake smoke, 

Equipment: SD camera, SD card, tripod, lighting

Potential Issues: 

-Lighting: to create the party scenes there has to be flashing lights however this may distort image

-Public: the neighbours on the street may get disturbed due to noise

Risk Assessment: 

-Low: these scenes will be done inside the house therefore there is a low chance of risk. 

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Session 5

Date: 13/11/12

Time: 5pm-8pm

Location: Eva's house

Shots: 39-41; 42-43

Actors: Migle

Crew: Eva (camera and directing), Migle (directing), Calum (props and camera)

Costumes and Props: fake needle, photographs

Equipment: SD camera, SD card, tripod

Potential Issues: 

there are no potential issues with this session

Risk Assessment: 

-Low: due to these scenes filmed in a house the risk is low

Location Research

When it comes to planning our short film we had to try and consider various locations to be used for difference scenes. Each location had to be visited, checked if they were available for when we needed them, if they were suitable, and which had the easiest access. We do not have the funds to have paid for locations meaning that we had to be creative and geographically aware of local locations which were free for public use as when it comes to using cameras there are legal links with the public possibly not wanting to be in any footage without consent.

Possible Locations:

Migle's home:

This location would be used for again one of the "house party"scene where the main character is seen to overload on alcohol and become as they say "wasted". The fact that it is in a home portrays Britishness as mentioned before youths in Britain do not have the funds or the legal age usually to go to private clubs etc. therefore resort to using their friend's homes. It portrays delinquency also as stereotypically it is common for youths to have parties when their parents are not around. The main room can be used as it large enough to fit a large number of people inside it however can make it look like they are tight together. The garden may be used for any smoking scenes to portray the youths being tempted into the drugs route. Also, since it is one of the cast member's residence it means there will not be a price to use the location and it will be available. However, if this location is used neighbours will have to be warned about any noise disruptions as to not have legal issues.

Eva's home:

Eva's house will mainly be used for the bedroom scenes, where Greta will be shown sleeping, fighting with her mum, and in the final scene, dying. This room is suitable to use as it is a typical young childs/teenagers room filled with posters of her favourite movies. The room will be available to film in whenever we need it as it belongs to a member of our groups who has no objections to this. Another part of Eva's house that will be used is the ground floor window for the sneaking out scenes. Although this window is in fact on the bottom floor of the house, we are going to film from a low angle, making it look higher than it actually is. This is ensures safety when filming. The film is again situated in Eva's house which means there will be no travelling between bedroom scenes and sneaking out scenes. It will also be available to film whenever we need.

Elthorne Park:

This is a large, forested park that is open to the public. If this location were to be used by us it would be used for one of the montage scenes where the main character is drinking and partying with her friends. It is a good location to use as it portrays Britishness since British youths do not have the money to go to paid for locations usually therefore tend to settle for parks. Also, if this location were to be used due to the large space there would be areas to film without disturbing the public who may not want to be in any footage. One problem that could arise however is that the park has certain times that it can be locked therefore if we want night time footage we would have to film it before the park closes. Also, if we have a large number of extra's to create a "party" atmosphere the noise may disturb passers by therefore if the location were to be used we would have to regulate noise with our actors.

Lammas Park: 

This is large, family friendly, public park, equipped with 2 playgrounds which will be perfect for our playground scene where we show the first transition of Greta growing up. If filmed on an early morning, this playground is usually empty and we will be free to film as we please. It also has all the facilities needed for our scene; swings, slide and see saw.

Gunnersbury park: 

Another possible location is Gunnerbusry park. This is a good option for us to look at since it is freely open to the public. Though not as large as Elthorne park there is still enough space inside the park to find a more deserted area to use for filming some of the smoking/drug scenes to portray British youths. The main location problems we have come across when it comes to parks however is that most of our scenes that we need to film in park must be when it is dark: with that there are safety issues, issues with the times the park closes, and legal issues with the public. Gunnersbury park could also possibly be used for the beginning playground scene as it has a large playground. Gunnersbury park is situated in our local area and very near our school so we could film there promptly straight after school. 

Street:
The street we have chosen for the argument with the boyfriend scene is very near to Eva's house, this is at our advantage as it will save time travelling from location to location. The wall we have chosen is the back wall of some garages, this means that we should not be disturbing anyone as we are not that near any houses. On this road there are a number of streetlights which will be useful as we are wanting to film in the late evening. We shall film directly under and streetlight to capture the image, however if it is still too dark then will bring our own powerful torches.  

Storyboard

Storyboard

In order to make the storyboard, I had to make small changes to the script in order to adapt it to the medium. For example, the playground scenes were made to look further away and silhouetted, in order to give the idea of reminiscing of the past. This can be linked to the ending and can be seen as an element of foreshadowing, as it makes it seem that the main character is remembering her past or it is flashing before her eyes. In addition, the script does not go into too much detail as to how each shot is filmed, so as to give me some aspect of control over the shots and showing how each shot should be framed etc. There were some parts which I imagined would be difficult to film, such as the party scene, so I left the storyboarding simple and allowed the montage to be shot sporadically, so as to make it easier. Finally, I was able to show things that were not clear in the drawings such as movement through the use of arrows, which make it clear what is happening and how.

Casting

Young Greta: Greta

We chose Greta as she is the little sister of a member of our group and therefore will be reliable when turning up to filming sessions. Even though she is 12, she is small for her age so can get away with playing an 8 year old, but at the same time, with help of thought out outfits and tasteful makeup she can   be made to look older. 

Older Greta: Migle

Migle is perfect for the roll of older Lauren as not only is she a member of our group so will always turn up to filming sessions, but she is willing to play the part and is a good actress. Again, it will be easy to show the changes of her age throughout the film by her costume and makeup. 


Mum: Eva

As Eva is aslo a member of our group and will therefore turn up to all required filming sessions.

Boyfriend: Liam

Liam is a confident actor and easy to rely on to turn up to filming sessions. 








Young friends: Emily, Lucy, Kirsten, Johnny

These are real friends of 'Young Greta' so will be easy to rely on and will look the right age.

Older friends: nameless extras

These are real friends of members of our group so will be easy to rely on and will look the right age.