Friday 18 December 2009
Task 5: Script
The Preliminary Task
- Match on action
- Shot reverse shot
- 180 degree rule
The Letter: Storyboard
Evaluation of Continuity
For our task, we decided to film a simple sequence of a girl handing over an envelope to a boy. Although we thought it would be difficult to film the sequence continually without editing, we found that we managed this by signalling when the camera was recording and not changing position until a few seconds after wed paused the camera to make sure the film was consistent. Also, the 180 degree rule was a new concept to us and thought that this would be an obstacle when we change camera angle. However, we found that we could use the rule to our advantage as we could successfully film from this direction the door when the girl enters and leaves and the boy sitting at the table. It benefitted us when filming the shot reverse shot element and there is a consistency in the movement of the camera. It gave the effect that the audience is eavesdropping on the scene, whereas if we hadn't followed the rule the camera angles would be directed from all over the room which would cause confusion. We had some difficulty in the match on match action, as we had to change position of the camera to film the movements of both the characterss and a close up of the exchange. The actors had to keep completely still whilst we changed the camera position to maintain a smooth flow between shots. When we watched the sequence over, we were all pleased with the result as we included the three compulsary features and maintained a smooth flow throughout it. At the end of the sequence, we were a little disapointed when there was a slight jump between the movement of the girl, but overall this did not effect the sequence. In doing the preliminary task, we found that it has helped to give us an understanding of what will be expected of us in out final piece. We are also more experienced with the camera and the different shots used to convey a characters expressions, movements and action and we can be aware of the slight errors we made in the preliminarty task so that we avoid them when we eventually film the final task.
Friday 4 December 2009
Task 4: The Pitch
2) The opening sequence starts with a scene early in the morning in a woodland, the weather is cold and misty which creates a tension filled mood and atmosphere. The woodland is silent and deserted, whilst a voiceover is used from a news report to give the audience narrative clues. The report explains how a body has been found. The camera then flashes back to a scene where men in white suits are walking through the woodland searching, and the voiceover changes to a distressed persons phonecall informing the police. The camera then cuts and focuses on a body in the woodland.
3) A group of teenage friends are at a party, they are celebrating their graduation. They then begin to think they are being watched and they think that people are going to crash the party. Three armed men then break in and all the friends are taken and held hostage.
4) A story about a marriage that has turned sour. The husband has an affair behind his wifes back which she eventually finds out about; she can't see the marriage working out any longer so she decides to leave her husband. He then proceeds to kill her because he is angry, possessive and regretful about the affair and the consequences.
Main Idea
The main character in the film is Harry Morgan aged 34, who is happily married to his wife Jane, 32. As the story develops the audience is told that their marriage is 'on the rocks' because Jane is unable to conceive. They both become suspicious of each other as Jane believes that Harry will leave her for another woman due to her infertility, and Jane often has late nights out due to her increased depression.
Jane's behaviour and accusations pushes Harry away, subsequently he has an affair with another woman. However, Jane catches Harry and his mistress redhanded when she walks in on them to inform Harry that he is a father-to-be as she has finally fallen pregnant. Jane is distraught but decides to try to work through the problem for the sake of their child, but she keeps the secret to herself as a way of punishment for what Harry has done.
Eventually, Jane decides that she can't get over what Harry did behind her back and leaves him. Harry has a change of personality as he becomes possessively violent towards Jane and he follows her whereabouts until he has a chance to kill her.
Harry is then sent to prison for the crime he has committed, he is later told that he has not only killed his wife but his unborn child after Jane's post mortem has taken place.
Characters
Harry Morgan, 34
Married
Location- London
Occupation- Lawyer, Crown Prosecution Service
Harry is a highly respected man because of his successful profession. He has spent most of his life working with criminals and serving justice to poor victims.
He has quite a reserved personality and he likes to keep his emotions to himself. These character traits change throughout the film as he starts to become aggressive and violent.
Likes- Playing golf.
Jane Morgan, 32
Married
Location- London
Occupation- Cabin Crew, London Heathrow
Jane is a happy and high-spirited woman, she is extremely sociable and out-going which are traits that she has picked up from her career.
However, throughout the film she starts to become depressed because she realises that she cannot have children.
Likes- When Jane is not working she likes to go out socialising to catch up with old friends or meet new people.
Till Death Do Us Part
The opening sequence begins with an extreme close up of Harry in a dark and dingy prison cell with angry, depressed and psychotic facial expressions.
The camera then fades to suggest to the audience that Harry is having a flashback of him and his wife's marriage in happier times.
The camera then cuts back to him in the prison cell, an extreme close up of him, with the sounds of Jane's voice and her laughter in the background tormenting him.
The camera then fades to again suggest a flashback to the audience, and Jane can be seen reaching for a doorhandle. The door can be seen opening, but the audience does not get to see that Harry and his mistress have been caught which creates tension and suspense.
The camera then zooms in on Jane's face to show her shocked and distraught facial expressions.
The camera cuts back to Harry pacing up and down the prison cell. The pace of the editing quickens to suggest his frustration and to create tension for the audience, and also to keep them guessing as to what is happening.
The camera then fades to another flashback of Jane running from the house. The use of a handheld camera will make it appear to the audience that she is being chased.
The use of a focus pull on Jane when she is caught is to show fear in her facial expressions, and then to give the audience narrative clues as Harry's shadow is slowly bought into focus so that the audience realises something terrible is about to happen. Diegetic sound of Jane screaming is used, then the camera blacks out and the credits begin to roll.
Location Ideas
The opening sequence will be based on London. We are considering travelling to this city to make the film more realistic and relatable for the audience. However, as we have limited time to create the film we may use Sutton Coldfield as a potential location to create the effect of a busy and wealthy lifestyle. London would be a suitable location as this city reflects the characters and their professional careers.
The opening will be filmed in a prison cell to give the audience narrative clues about the films plot. We have approached Sutton Coldfield Police Station to ask permission to use a cell. They put us in contact with Dave Cross who gave us permission to film at Sparkhill Police Station's Museum in a mock cell.
During the opening sequence the film will be shot in a house/apartment to portray the characters wealthy lifestyle and to give the audience narrative clues as to what the story is going to be about. This part of our opening sequence will be filmed at Kirsty Guilfoyle's house.