Post 14

Ancillary Task 1 - Postcards

One of the independent study tasks set in the process of making our short film was to design a film poster or postcard. To begin with I analysed the conventions of a film poster. Here is an example made up film poster I have drawn to show the conventions that are typically seen:

After looking at the main basic conventions of a film poster. I then analysed some professional film posters concentrating specifically on the comparisons and differences between british film posters compared to ones advertising a film from the USA.

Why short films might find it hard to market their film using this strategy and why we might use postcards.
Most high budget films use posters as a way of advertising their film however our task is to make a short film on a very low budget making it more suitable for us to make a postcard. Marketing a film is an expensive strategy for a short film on a low budget meaning that advertising your short film is hard to make it successful. Short films also prefer to use postcards as they are cheaper to make as they are smaller but are also easier to distrube. This is either done by handing them out or they have space on the back for an address which means the audience can send them to their friends who can recommend your short film to others. Taking this into consideration I feel that the best option when marketing my film is to use postcards rather than posters. Although posters and postcards do have very similar conventions we have also chosen to make postcards because the space for the address can be used to target potential employers and funders to support any further work done.Therefore postcards have the ability to specifically target their audience of short film enthusiasts and those looking for new talent.

My analysis of postcards
Postcards are the most common marketing strategy when looking at the making a short film. After looking at a variety of postcards I can see that the conventions are very diverse.

The postcard for the short film 'On a Life's Edge' begins with a very short summary of what happens in the film, the details of all the production comapny and their logo as well as the duration of the film. This information given is needed for a postcard this is because when they are distributed at a film festival, the audience are immidetely given the chance to work out what the film is about and if they wanted to go and see it they will know exactly when and where to go. On the front of the postcard we are given an image of the setting of the film this helps the audience to identify the mood and the tone of the film and almost give a hint of what might happen in the film. This postcard gives editors and distributors a chance to analyse and review the film. Postcards are a simple way of advertisement and as well as being easier to make they are also easier to distribute and hand out. Postcard designs tend to vary meaning we have to analyse conventions because there is no strict guidlines to making a postcards this is because the information in them tends to be up to the producers and can therefore vary.

Another postcard I studied and analysed is 'Divine', the front of this postcard is an image from the film showing four young girls. This postcard is very similar to the one above in the fact that it includes the name of the distributors as well as the production company and their details. 'Divine also has a slogan of 'Let's go to church', this catch line works to give the audience an insight to the overall concept of the film but doesn't give anything away and helps the audience to remember the film in just one line. The name of this short film at the top and the colour scheme of the white lettering and clothes against the black background creates a sense of mystery but also an eerie atmosphere that in some respects engages the audience.

Conventions of film postcards
After looking at both film posters and postcards we decided that it was best if we promoted and distributed our film using a postcard, this is because we are making a short film. I am going to analyse some film postcards to see what the conventions might be. I am going to look at the front and back as this is what I will be creating. I will then be able to draw conclusions to see what I may include in my film postcards.

The first film postcard I analysed is On a Life's Edge, the front of the postcard has an establishing shot of a location which as an audience we assume is from the film and is an iconic location. The building on the front of the postcard sticks to the rule of thirds and the colour has been toned down to give it a brown sort of colour rather than just black and white making this postcard different and unique. This colour could be used for effect, however it could also have a significant link to the film and the characters and sets the overall mode and tone to the film. The title of the film is located at the bottom right of the page in white with a grey outline and the production name 'Carlton' at the top left, this postcard as kept everything a secret and not given away any twist. The back of the postcard is used to display the information rather than the front. The features on the back include the title, synopsis, cast and crew list, duration of the film and companies that have helped. This gives the audience a lot of information to take in before even watching the film and helps them to decide whether its something they would want to watch.

The second film postcard I looked at to see the types of conventions they use was 'The Hero's Journey', instead of having a few photos included within the film there is a dominating picture that is also the background for the postcard and this image introduces the audience to the main character of the short film and starts hinting towards the plot. The reason that this postcard could use characters as it's image is because this could be a more character lead plot rather than a plot based concept. The worn away edges add authenticity and make the postcard look much more professional. The font of the title reflects the genre of an action film, however the image on the front does suggest that its more 'fun'. The postcard also has a slogan similar to a film poster 'Enemies in the base, enimies in the base!' this could hint towards the plot and lead the audience into wanting to know more. The back of the postcard is very plain with a white background with a lot of space to write any details, there is an image from the film in place of the stamp and at the bottom there are logos from production companies.

My Initial Ideas for my postcard

My Postcard Designs

Image ideas for my postcard

Justification for why I designed them

Feedback on my postcard designs



Post 13

Pre-production Documentation

Key -       contribution to task

Summary
Initial idea thought up by me and Sade written by Casey

James, a young man still at school is at a crossroads. Unsure of his sexuality and with a girlfriend, he finds himself torn between what he knows and what he might know. James has a girlfriend, Roxanne, but he is one of the lads, he plays football and is accepted in his peer group. James has to decide which path he wants to take and a series of scenarios traces his journey.

Stylistic Influences
Written by Casey

Our short film has been influenced by the style of Jean-Luke Goddard and the French New Wave; we will experiment with camera, sound and editing.

The film will be visually enhanced by French New Wave style cinematography, sound and lighting, including the use of dropping sound. All of the symbolism of James’ homosexuality will be extremely subtle; as the idea is that the audience will not discover he is gay until the final scene.

The film will open with an establishing shot of the protagonist, James, standing in the toilets. There will be a close up of his face, to show his expression, before showing a close up of his mobile phone screen, reading, “keep it to yourself” from the recipient ‘Ashley.’

James then walks out of the toilets to find his girlfriend, Roxanne, waiting for him on the stairs. She excitedly stands up and holds his hand, while he doesn’t appear to be all that bothered. The camera will show a medium shot of them from behind, walking out of the doors together.

Throughout the piece, the audience does not know the name of James’ girlfriend (Roxanne); they are intended to assume that her name is ‘Ashley.’

As they walk out of the building, James and Roxanne are surrounded by a group of ‘lads,’ James’ masculine friends, talking to him about football. The sound will be dropped in and out in the style of Jean-Luke Goddard to symbolize James trying to block them out, block out the masculinity.

The film will then cut to a short scene of James in goal, whilst playing football. At this point, he is content, and focused on the ball. Roxanne is dressed in pink clothing, waiting for him next to the pitch. After the game, James and Roxanne walk off together. They are walking through the school together talking, when shouting can be heard. James looks round to see Ashley being brutally beaten up by the ‘lads,’ who are shouting homophobic abuse at him. There are different shots of James, showing his extremely concerned expression, and loosening the grip of Roxanne’s hand. Roxanne pulls James away, grasping his full attention, and takes him towards a bench.

An establishing shot shows the audience that James and Roxanne are alone. Roxanne wants to kiss James now that they are alone, and so moves onto him. James is shown to be somewhat uncomfortable with this, but awkwardly kisses her anyway.

The film cuts to show James in goal, taking part in another football game, only this time, he is somewhat more distracted. The camera subtly shows James focusing on the players, instead of the ball. The film cuts to the next scene to show James walking out of the changing rooms, having subtly removed his masculine football shirt, and replaced it with a pink polo shirt, when both Ashley and Roxanne approach from different directions. Tense expressions are exchanged, and in the style of Francois Truffaut we will freeze frame the character’s faces, just for a split second to emphasize them. Ashley then walks away as James completely ignores him, and focuses on Roxanne. Once Ashley is out of sight, he then quickly says that he has to leave, and also walks away. As he leaves, Roxanne shouts to him, “I’ll see you later anyway” and James just nods his head. The ‘lads’ who are also around the changing rooms here this, and shout, “oi, oi!” James doesn’t respond, and walks away, embarrassed.

The film cuts to a close up shot of James walking alone, showing his confused and upset expression. He receives another text from ‘Ashley’ reading, “Come and see me later.” James then kicks some pink flowers at the side of the road out of frustration, and petals go everywhere.

A close up shot of a couple’s hands held together is shown with intimate lighting. It is clear that the people who these hands belong to are in a bedroom. Dialogue of James’ voice is heard over this shot, as he says, “I know I’ve done the right thing, Ashley.” The camera will then cut to a 3/4 two-shot to reveal that the two people holding hands are actually James and a male Ashley, revealing that James is gay.

All of the symbolism of James’ homosexuality will be extremely subtle; as the idea is that the audience will not discover he is gay until the final scene.

Script
Originally written by Casey and me and then developed by Fatima and me

 

Storyboard

Made and put together by all members of the group

Shot list

List of shots thought of by me and Fatima and written by me

LOCATION	SCENE NO	SHOT NO	DESCRIPTION
INT – boy’s toilets	1	1	Establishing shot of the room with James from behind shaking his hands, wiping them down his trousers and pulling out his phone.
		2	CU of James’ expression with the text message displayed across the screen.
INT – outside the toilets	2	1	Establishing shot with Roxanne sitting on the stairs waiting.
		2	¾ shot of Roxanne sitting on the stairs still waiting
		3	LS of Roxanne sitting on the stairs as James walks out of the toilets to meet her
		4	Shot of James and Roxanne meeting and walking off. Shot/reverse shot with dialogue. Camera pans to the left.
		5	LS of Roxanne bumping into a young child and him dropping his books.
		6	CU of James’ reaction to Roxanne’s actions
		7	LS of James helping the child to pick up the books and standing back up.
		8	Cu of James’ reaction smiling.
		9	James and Roxanne walk out of the doors together, child walks off in the opposite direction.
EXT – Walking through the school	3	1	LS of James and Roxanne as they walk out of the doors to be greeted by John and his friends.
		2	Two shot of James and John exchanging dialogue.
		3	Over the shoulder shot from John camera facing James .
		4	Over the shoulder shot from James camera facing John.
		5	Sot of boy 1 moving in closing to Roxanne and her then snuggling into James.
		6	MLS of James exchanging dialogue with John over boy x’s shoulder.
		7	Shot over James’ shoulder, panning Ashley’s movement.
		8	MLS of James and John exchanging dialogue over boy x’s shoulder.
EXT – Football pitch	4	1	MCU of James in goal
		2	Establishing shot of the pitch showing all the players at the other end.
		3	MCU of James in goal
EXT – Outside changing room	5	1	¾ shot of James coming out of the changing rooms to meet Roxanne
		2	MCU of James’ reaction
		3	¾ shot of James and Roxanne walking along camera pans along with them.
		4	LS behind James’ shoulder of Ashley being pushed into view by John and then the boys gathering around.
		5	MCU of James looking concerned
		6	CU of James loosening the grip of Roxanne’s hand
		7	MCU of James looking ashamed
		8	CU of John shouting abuse at Ashley
		9	CU of football player 1 shouting abuse
		10	CU of football player 2 shouting abuse
		11	MCU of John shouting abuse and kicking Ashley
		12	MCU of football player 3 and John shouting abuse
		13	LS over football player 2’s shoulder of James being dragged away by Roxanne
EXT – On a bench	6	1	LS of James and Roxanne approaching a bench
		2	Two-shot of James and Roxanne sitting on the bench
		3	Over the shoulder shot of Roxanne speaking
		4	Over the shoulder shot of James speaking
		5	Over the shoulder shot of Roxanne speaking
		6	Over the shoulder shot of James speaking
		7	Two shot of James and Roxanne on the bench
EXT – Football pitch	7	1	ECU of James with no sound
		2	MCU of players feet with the ball (sound re-enters)
		3	CU of James with no sound
		4	MCU of players feet with the ball (sound re-enters)
		5	CU of James with no sound
		6	CU of players feet (sound re-enters)
		7	CU of James with no sound
		8	MLS of striker scoring
		9	¾ shot of John’s angry reaction
EXT – Outside the changing rooms	8	1	Two shot of James and Roxanne by the changing rooms
		2	MCU of James looking disappointed and confused in himself.
		3	¾ shot of Ashley walking towards the camera
		4	MCU of James delivering dialogue
		5	¾ shot of Ashley walking away and out of shot
		6	MCU of Roxanne exchanging dialogue
		7	¾ shot of James replying and walking away and out of shot
		8	¾ shot of Roxanne shouting to James
EXT – School car park	9	1	LS of James sitting on the railings playing on his phone
		2	¾ shot as a text comes through which will read across the screen
		3	MLS as James replies to the text
		4	LS as a car pulls up and James gets in
EXT – Archway	10	1	CU of James and Ashley’s hands held
		2	Two-shot of James and Ashley
		3	¾ shot of James speaking
		4	¾ reverse shot of Ashley’s reaction
		5	LS from James and Ashley from the front which will then pan up to a shot of the sky where the credits will roll

Shooting Schedule

Production Design
Written and made by Casey

Location Reece
Pictures and text taken and put together by me and Sade

Technical Reece
Drawn and created by me and Fatima

Equipment List
Created by me

Cast Details

Props/Costume List

Created by Fatima

Scene	Props	Cast/ Crew	Costume/Hair and make up	Location	Lighting	Responsibility
1	-Phone	-JAMES -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-School Bag -Trousers -Shirt -Jacket/Coat -Shoes -Flat yet messy hair.	INTERIOR – TOILETS – MORNING	- Camera light [If needed] -Turn on light switches if needed.	- It’s the group’s responsibility to ensure that the location and props are available. Or if the lighting is needed or not and if it is in working order. - It’s the characters responsibility to ensure that their costumes are available during filming.
2	-Books	-ROXANNE -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Dress -Coat/Cardigan -Top -Shoes -School Bag -Hair down (straight) with excess make up.	INTERIOR – HALLYWAY – MORING	- Camera light [If needed] -Turn on light switches if needed.
		-JAMES -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-School Bag -Trousers -Shirt -Jacket/Coat -Shoes -Flat yet messy hair.
		-YOUNG BOY -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Non-uniform yet smartly dressed -School Bag -Flat hair
3	N/A	-JAMES -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-School Bag -Trousers -Shirt -Jacket/Coat -Shoes -Flat yet messy hair.	EXTERIOR – WALKWAY - MORNING	- Natural lighting. - Camera light [If needed]
		-ROXANNE -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Dress -Coat/Cardigan -Top -Shoes -School Bag -Hair down (straight) with excess make up.
		-JOHN -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Non-Uniform yet smartly dressed -School Bag -Messy hairstyle
		-EXTRA’S -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Non-Uniform yet -smartly dressed -School Bag -Messy hairstyle
4	-Ball -Goal Post	-JAMES -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Football Shirt -Shorts -Socks -Trainers -Flat yet messy hair.	EXTERIOR – FOOTBALL PITCH – AFTERNOON	- Natural lighting. - Camera light [If needed]
		-EXTRA’S -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Football outfit -Messy hair style
5	N/A	-JAMES -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Football Shirt -Shorts -Socks -Trainers -Flat yet messy hair.	EXTERIOR – WALKWAY – AFTERNOON	- Natural lighting. - Camera light [If needed]
		-ROXANNE -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Dress -Coat/Cardigan -Top -Shoes -School Bag -Hair down (straight) with excess make up.
		-ASHLEY -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Trousers -Shirt/Top -Jacket -School Bag -Shoes -Flat hairstyle
		-JOHN -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Football Shirt -Shorts -Socks -Trainers -Messy hairstyle
		-EXTRA’S -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Football Shirt -Shorts -Socks -Trainers -Messy hairstyle
6	-Bench	-JAMES -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Football Shirt -Shorts -Socks -Trainers -Flat yet messy hair.	EXTERIOR – BENCH – AFTERNOON	- Natural lighting. - Camera light [If needed]
		-ROXANNE -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Dress -Coat/Cardigan -Top -Shoes -School Bag -Hair down (straight) with excess make up.
7	-Ball -Goal Post	-JAMES -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Football Shirt -Shorts -Socks -Trainers -Flat yet messy hair.	EXTERIOR – FOOTBALL PITCH – MORNING	- Natural lighting. - Camera light [If needed]
		-EXTRA’S -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Football outfit -Messy hairstyle
8	N/A	-JAMES -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-School Bag -Trousers -Shirt -Jacket/Coat -Shoes -Flat yet messy hair.	EXTERIOR – OUTSIDE CHANGING ROOMS – AFTERNOON	- Natural lighting. - Camera light [If needed]
		-ROXANNE -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Dress -Coat/Cardigan -Top -Shoes -School Bag -Hair down (straight) with excess make up.
		-ASHLEY -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Trousers -Shirt/Top -Jacket -School Bag -Shoes -Flat hairstyle
9	-Phone	-JAMES -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-School Bag -Trousers -Shirt -Jacket/Coat -Shoes -Flat yet messy hair.	EXTERIOR – CAR PARK – AFTERNOON	- Natural lighting - Camera light [If needed]
10	N/a	-JAMES -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-School Bag -Trousers -Shirt -Jacket/Coat -Shoes -Flat yet messy hair.	EXTERIOR – CROSS COUNTRY ARCHWAY – EARLY EVENING	-Natural lighting. - Camera light [If needed]
		-ASHLEY -CASEY -KELLY -SADE -FATHEMA	-Trousers -Shirt/Top -Jacket -School Bag -Shoes Flat hairstyle

Health and Safety
Created by Sade and put into a table format by me
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HEALTH AND SAFETY
Location	Hazard
6th form boys toilets	·   There is the issue of someone falling over electricity cables, ·   The possibility of the floor being wet, and someone slipping ·   The large amount of people being within the room may cause collisions ·  The possibility of tripping over wires of power cables used for lighting
Downstairs science corridor	·   Other people may drift into our shot (close area off ·   The possibility of tripping over wires of power cables used for lighting ·   Possibility of Roxanne falling down the stairs ·   Possibility of James hurting himself when coming out the door
Outside 6th form-by P.E. area	·   The possibility of rain-which can sabotage filming and effect electrical camera equipment- could cause electric shocks ·   The possibility of mud being on the floor-and causing film crew and cast to fall over ·   The possibility of film and cast members falling over and hurting heads on concrete ·   The possibility of ‘Ashley’ being kicked to hard- must ensure it is carefully acted out/he is protected by padding ·  Possibility of cars coming down the road
Common outside school	·   The possibility of the ground being wet- and film crew and cast slipping on mud ·   The possibility of rain-which can sabotage filming and effect electrical camera equipment- could cause electric shocks ·   Possibility of the bench being wet and slippery and causing ‘James’ and Roxanne to slip over ·   The possibility of ‘James’ and ‘Roxanne’ falling off bench and hitting head on concrete ledge
Football field in school	·   The possibility of the ground being wet- and film crew and cast slipping on mud ·   The possibility of rain-which can sabotage filming and effect electrical camera equipment- could cause electric shocks ·   Possibility of James and other cast members falling over when acting out football scene ·  Possibility of camera tripod falling in the mud
Cross-country opening	·   The possibility of the ground being wet- and film crew and cast slipping on mud ·   The possibility of rain-which can sabotage filming and effect electrical camera equipment- could cause electric shocks ·   Possibility of James falling in archway and into brambles ·  Possibility of cars coming down the pathway