Initial Ideas

The Task I will be aiming to carry out is producing a two minute opening of a film extract, including credits.
The genre of film I will be aiming to make is a comedy. We decided to do this genre as we felt we could add many ideas and would naturally field this area. We thought of some ideas we could possibly use for our film opening to fit our genre.

1. Evolution of Man
• The main idea behind this was a drunken, unemployed and disgusting man transforming his life into a respectable, clean and hardworking human being
2. 3 Amigos
• This idea is about 3 lowlife party animals who desperately need to find a job in order to earn money as without that money they would lose their house.
3. Limbless Men
• The point behind this idea is that there are two characters, one with no arms and one with no legs, who have to overcome everyday life and improvise through occurences.

The Idea we decided to use was the 3 Amigos. We felt this was the most justifiable and relateable storyline out of our choices for our target audience. I feel this is suitbale for our task as a lot of modern day teens and young adults and unemployed and do nothing but party and spend money on alcohol and fast food rather than earning a living. This is increased with modern day economic crisis.

Storyboard

Location Choices

We decided on locations to do the filming.
The choices for the Front Door are:

• Joe's front door
• Luke's front door
• Friend's front door

We chose Joe's front door as we felt the stones on the front would add more effects for the postman when walking over, with the sound more likely to be louder. The front of the house is also quite clear as well, so it suit our scene more. we also decided to film the inside of the house for when the letter goes through to add more continuity.

The choices for our field scene were:

• Countesthorpe Community College Field
• Countesthorpe Park
• Joe's Back Garden

The option we chose is Countesthorpe Community College Field. We felt this was the best choice as all three locations fit the criteria we need, however the College field is the closest location to where we will be, so it makes most sense to film there.

The choices for our Bedroom scene were:

• Joe's bedroom

When we invented this scene, we already knew what bedroom we would use. The bedroom is the perfect size for how we want it and it's layout allows us to change the surrounding with props to make the scene.

The choices for the Living Rook scene are:

• Joe's living room
• Luke's living room
• A school classroom

We decided to go for Luke's living room as it is of a nice size and very open so it is easy to film in. It also local to the college so it is easy to access in a short time. The problem with filming in a school classroom is making the room look like a natural living environment. Luke's living room is also where we will be recording the guitar hero scene.

Film Opening Analysis

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

             

The opening of this film starts off with four young adults gathered around the table casually talking, suggesting they're roomates who hang out together. There is also the idea they are unemployed or have low end jobs. Later in the opening, they start rehearsing as a band, reinforcing their unemployment. This is the type of film we are aiming to create.

Before the opening starts it uses the usual universal promotion credits, however it has been edited into a video game sound and image, with it being pixelated. This increases the idea of them being young adults and teenagers that waste their day playing video games and using technical and electrical equipment.

It shows the credits with all of the colourful, fast paced and flashing colours to give the audience the idea of action and excitement, with the band playing the opening of a rock song just before with a soundbridge going into the credits. This shows that they will be providing the excitement and will be essential to the movie.

The opening of this extaract makes the audience want to watch the rest of the film as it provides a foundation for the film to build upon with funny moments throughout the opening sequence acting crucially to the audience perception of what to expect in the remainder of the film.

We chose this extract as an influence as it is a film full of excitement and action but still with the comedy values that we want to base our film upon.

Superbad

             

The opening of this film starts with the outline of figures dancing on a background of one solid, bright colour. It is the outline of the same characters in each frame, with 3 characters appearing in the frames. This is used to put the credits on whilst providing some entertainment. The music used in the sequence is disco music with an eighties feel. This provides the idea of parties with the dancing figures in the background. The music is quite simple but catchy which gives the idea the film wont have a complex storyline but will still be interesting and humourous.

The opening scene is two teenagers on the phone to eachother, talking about typical teenage topics including porn. This instantly tells the audience the film will be about teenagers partying and fooling around, with sexual humour and witty metaphors involving the world of sex and puberty.

This film keeps the audience watching as the opening provides an uncertainty on what the plot is, but the viewer already gets the idea that it will be packed with fun, humour, stupidity and action.

We chose this extract as it exactly what type of film we are aiming at, with it reaching out to a young audience with the teenage humour with relateable characters whilst still managing to provide a thick storyline full of entertainment without going over the top on humour.


Step Brothers
               
The opening of this film starts with someone creating a lot of mess making food and putting the food in the microwave, making him look like a lazy slob. You then see who you presume is his mum telling him she's leaving. You presume she's his mum from the way she treats him, as well as his child nature suggesting he's lived in a covered and protected environment. It then cuts to someone playing guitar hero enthusiastically who is told by an older person who is obviously his dad that there is money for him on the table for food. The next scene is the two respective parents meeting on a business trip and hooking up.
From these scenes we get the idea they're the two main characters who have been and are going to be sponging off their parents all their lives, however with the title step brothers, we expect the parents to get married and the two sons either having difficulties living together, or getting on with eachother and scheming in some way, possibly against the parents.
This opening keeps you gripped as you realise that the two sons are going to meet eachother, but you wonder how they will react to each other and accompanied with the humour at the start, you expect many moments of laughter and comedy.
We chose this film as it fits in with the idea of unemployed adults who need to get a life and job. This film is good as it builds on a strong storyline with good humour which is the direction we're looking for in our film opening.

Credits

The way the credits are presented has major importance in the opening of a film. If credits are presented during a time of action it is likely the audience wont notice some of the credits, where as if the credits are presented with nothing else going on, the audience will become bored and lose concentration, also leading to the audience ignoring the credits.
We decided to place our credits on a background of someone playing guitar hero so the audience can see the game on screen with the credits printed over the top of the clip, as well as listen to the music from the game whilst reading the credits.

Also the font will be key to the credits. There is a lot to consider when choosing a font, such as the size, colour and clearness of the letters. If the font is too small, it will be difficult for the audience to notice and then read them. If the font is too big then it will fill up too much of the screen and hide what's going on in the background. If the colours chosen are poorly chosen, they will blend in to the background and become difficult to notice. Also if the font chosen isn't clear and easy to read, it can become a strain on the eyes trying to read each credit. Some example of credits I have analysed are:

Superbad

The font used in this is clear and bold, which makes it very easy to read. The font is also very basic with lots of straight edges to make it more clean and readable. The colour stands out from the background but doesn't contrast, so it is better presented. The size chosen is a strong choice as well as it is big enough to read but not too big that it covers up the screen too much. The credits could show a few more name and roles per frame as the background needs some more room taken but isn't necessarily needed to be improved. The choice to make the font all upper case does make the font clearer and larger to read, but does make it less obvious that they are all names.

The Ringer

The Ringer's font also is quite clear but manages to add a sense of class and perfectionism to the writing as it looks more posh and professional. The colours chosen could have been improved as the white font on the light grey background makes it difficult to read. Although it isn't too difficult to read, it would have been wiser to change the background to a colour which is easier to put a font colour over, as it is difficult to put black or white over the top of it. The size of the font is perhaps too big as it covers up the whole screen, however this is the effect they were going for and is useful as it helps the white font stand out from the grey background.

Starsky and Hutch

The effect this film went for with the fonts is a thicker and curvier type font but still of a quality good enough to read. The white colour on the ocean in the background means it stands out well. The background of having an ocean means the size of the font can be as big as needed as the background is the same on the whole screen and the main effect of it being there is to be calming as well as help the font stand out.

Questionnaire

To help with our, we decided to do a questionnaire to help get an understanding of what the audience wants. We decided to produce our film based on these answers. We asked 20 people:

What is your favourite genre of film?

• Comedy - 11
• Action/Thriller - 4
• Horror - 2
• Fantasy - 1
• Rom Com - 1
• Animation - 1

Although we already decided to do a comedy, this further increased our decision to do so. Our other option was to do an action-comedy but the votes in this question lead towards just a plain comedy.

What is your favourite comdey film?

• Superbad - 5
• Green Hornet - 3
• School of Rock - 3
• Kickass - 2
• Pineapple Express - 2
• Year One - 1
• Scott Pilgrim vs. The World - 1
• Step Brothers - 1

The publics favourite comedy film is Superbad, with Green Hornet and School of Rock just behind. We decided to go along the superbad type film, but changed the storyline a bit to add our own edge. Instead of having teenagers partying we decided to go for young adults who have done too much partying trying to get a job. This works as the next part of someone's life compared to Superbad but still with a similar comic storyline that makes Superbad so successful.

Would you rather see a new range of actors or tried and trusted?

• New Range - 7
• Tried and Trusted - 11
• No Preference - 2

Although the audience said they would prefer more famous actors, we haven't got the budget or the contacts to get big name actors. However, there is a fair size of those who voted for a new range of actors which is more promising for our production.

Do you think films need a high budget to work?

• Yes - 8
• No - 12

More people said that films don't need a high budget to work so it is still likely we will make a good piece for our project. Although a bigger budget would clearly improve the chances of making a good film, it is encouraging to know that the audience is happy with a lower end production.

Do you think music impacts films?

• A lot - 12
• A little - 7
• No - 1

All but one of the participants think music is a factor in films. This means we will have to take strong consideration into the choice of music and sounds inputted into our movie and the effect they make.

Actors, Outfits and Significant Props

We carefully chose our actors and outfits as these are key to creating a character. The actor will have to capture the personality and lifestyle of the character to help create a more convincing character for the audience to connect with. The outfit of the character and the appearance of the character gives an instant perception to the audience. The actors who will be representing each character are (In order of appearance):

• Postman - Alex Williams
• Wilf - Joe Pike
• Ziek - Rowan Penn-Williams
• Noah - Luke Parkin

We also chose the basic outlines for the outfits with room to maneouvre depending on how we feel they fit into the scene:

• Postman
• Polo Shirt, Tracksuit Bottoms, Newspaper bag

We chose this as this is how you would typically expect as postman or teenage delivery boy to be dressed as they deliver letters.

• Wilf
• Plain Pajamas (when going downstairs)
• Plain Shirt, Jeans (living room scene)

We chose this as it fits under the smart casual dress sense of today that is considered trendy. This makes the character look reasonable responsible as well as modern and youthful, which is how we want the character's personality to come across.

• Ziek
• T-shirt, Boxers (bedroom)
• Buttoned shirt, Jeans (living room scene)

We chose this as it makes the character seem modern with a rockstar edge as well as seeming to have no responsibility and self pride about his image, proven by his nightwear. We want the character to come across as careless and lazy, which is what the bedroom outfit portrays. The living room outfit gives him the rockstar look as well as an image of independency and self chosen fashion, as if he cares little of what other people think and is prideful of his own fashion.

• Noah
• Shirt, Jeans (outside)
• T-shirt, Jeans (living room scene)

We chose these outfits as they also give a touch of modern day trend as well as a bit of the rockstar image. The shirt and jeans he wears in the field shows he's been out partying for the night and has gone woken up with little sense of where he is. The outfit looks smart but will be scruffy and messy to show he started with the sense of being trendy but ended up going ove the top. The outfit in the living room shows a more casual and laid back side to the character, showing he just chills out and does nothing in his spare time. It also gives the idea he stays indoors a lot if he's not out partying.


We will also have to arrange certain props for a scene to add to the storyline or effect;

• Outside Front Door Scene
• Paperbag
• Letter
• Inside Front Door Scene
• Letter
• Bedroom Scene
• Pizza and Pizza Box
• Clothes (Scattered on Floor)
• Magazines
• Outside Scene
• Plantpot
• Living Room Scene
• Guitar Hero
• Console
• TV

Risk Assessment

We have analysed the areas of our production which could be potential health risks and could cause serious damage. Most of our shots have no areas where we can suffer damage and risk someone getting hurt. In one of our scenes there will be a part where a plantpot falls onto someone's head. To make this acceptable we decided to use a small and light pot to reduce and damage and pain inflicted by it to a minimum. We feel this is an acceptable amount of pain as it is unlikely to cause any long term damage and may not even hurt at the point.


Another health risk which could occur includes the cluttered room during one of the scenes, which could cause someone to trip. To solve this risk we have decided to reduce the people in the room at one point to a minimum and make sure there is a safe and clear walkway for the actors and cameramen to operating without tripping and hurting themselves.


A further health risk is the loose wires from the cameras and other electrical devices being used. This can sorted by either moving the wires next to a wall or holding down the wires to the floor. This will stop the chance of someone getting their foot caught on a wire and potentially injuring themselves.

Film Certification

 

Suitable for All

These films should be suitable for all ages to watch this film.

For a film to suit this certificate it must:

• Contain no discriminatory language or behaviour unless disapproved.
• Not have use of illegal drugs unless branded as bad in a more educational way.
• Reduce levels of horror to a minimum and horror scenes must be brief, mild and infrequent.
• Use bad language very mildly.
• Use only naturally nudity with no sexual intentions. Sexual behaviour must be limitted and subtle.
• Treat problematic themes sensitively and appropriately.
• Reduce violence to a minimum. Threats at most.  
• Not have any potentially dangerous behaviour which can be mocked.

Parental Guidance
These films should generally be suitable for people of all ages to view, but could contain scenes which could affect or upset younger childer. These will be suitable for ages of 8 and above.
For a film to suit this certificate it must:

• Contain little discriminitive behaviour and what is included must be presented negatively.
• Refer to drugs as being unsuitable.
• Not extend use of horror scenes.
• Be limitted to mild use of bad language only.
• Use only naturally nudity with no sexual intentions. Sexual behaviour must mild and discreet with inuendo and references only.
• Treat themes as being unacceptable, although more serious themes can feature.
• Be limitted to moderate violence without detail.
• Not have any potentially dangerous behaviour which can be mocked.

Suitable for 12 years and over
These are films suitable only for ages 12 and above.
The 12A rates the film suitable for someone below age 12 with the company of a parent or guardian.
For a film to suit this certificate it must:

• Have none or very little discriminatory language and behaviour throughout the extract.
• Not overpromote or encourage the use of drugs to appear glamourous, and the use of drugs must be infrequent.
• Not exceed an acceptable level of horror, with disturbing scenes being infreqeunet.
• Not overuse strong language. Moderate language is allowed.
• Not have sexual nudity and if so for a very brief time fitting.
• Not exaggerate detail on violence. A controlled amount is acceptable.
• Make sure mature themes are suitable for younger audiences.

Suitable for 15 years and over
These films are suitbale for ages 15 years and above.
For a film to suit this certificate it must:

• Not endorse discriminatory behaviour.
• Make sure inclusion of drugs doesn't promote or advertise use of drugs.  
• Use strong scenes of horror without sexual intentions.
• Not use the strongest of language frequently, unless justified. Strong language can be used.
• Not use nudity in strong detail. Sexual nudity is allowed but not overpromoted.
• Brand sexual activity without strong detail. Sexual references are allowed except the strongest.
• Not dwell on too much detail on violence and pain, although a larger extent of violence is allowed.
• Make sure imitable behaviour doesn't dwell on detail. 

Suitable for 18 years and over

These films are suitable for ages 18 and above (Adults.)