90 Minute Sypnosis - Olutobi Odeleye

Rebecca 90 Minute Sypnosis

Weekly Update - Safia Shafi

This week we have finished editing our first draft and we hope to upload it very soon.  Editing was a challenging and interesting process; we think that our product has been greatly improved by it. 

Logo/ Justification - Olutobi Odeleye

As I am an experienced and a confident user of Photoshop CS5, I used this advantage in making our company Logo. The Letters in the logo “TLS” is made up of the first letter of our names.  I used various blending options on Photoshop to bring out the crooked look of the logo, which justifies the thriller genre in which we are exhibiting. Likewise the letters are joined, to add to the "creepyness" of our clip.The grey, black and red colour used for the logo represents emotions the protagonists and the antagonists portray in the film, and likewise the code and conventions of a thriller film.

Blue Screen Technology - Olutobi Odeleye

Blue Screen Technology

In order to make the graphical context of our opening more of higher standards, we decided to add the blue screen technology.  This is used primarily in the making of movies, this technology allows actors to perform in front of a blue background screen, upon which background images are superimposed later by computer. Blue screen is a technique that is referred to as colour keying, colour -separation overlay.

I also looked into films that used blue screen, I found that 300 (2006, Zack Snyder) used blue screen in particular.

From the acclaimed graphic novel artist Frank Miller, came the story of a heroic Spartan King who led his soldiers into an epic battle against the Persians. A few years later, this graphic novel has been made into a successful film filled with action-packed scenes benefited by the art department of both the 3D and visual effects. The film as a whole has been built with computer-based effects like visual effects and 3D, but also used actual props to make this film more believable to the audiences. Because the movie was based on a story of an ancient Greek legend, this was the best opportunity for the story to seem more realistic through a motion picture, and visually impacted with the technology of the film art department. Throughout some parts of the film, the environment shots are mainly an actual miniature sculpture that has been shot from a primary angle in a blue screen, and then later adding in the background along with the characters in the scene to make it look like an actual setting. From everything to all the battle scenes to a normal setting scene, the actors were shot in a blue-screen room along with props and limited built-environments on the set.

This as added to our inspirations and we would use this technology, by creating an artificial background

In additional, we are also checking YouTube for tutorials on how to do the settings required, likewise with the help of our teacher.

Weekly Update - Laura collins

We already started filming, and it is going rather smoothly however we had minor weather delays the first day we started as it started to rain. However we got really nice filming. we still need to upload more things on our blog.

Treatments - Olutobi Odeleye

Treatments

Production

The product that will be set is an opening sequence two-minute thriller sequence titled “REBECCA”.  The marketing campaign techniques we are going to input into our sequences would be accessed through the mediums of the Internet, Social networks, Billboards and TV.  Our aim is to manipulate our target audience so they can be engage on the product we will deliver. The Internet will allow us to target our audience effectively because it makes it easier for the consumers to access the product. Hence why a fan page is also created on Face Book so the audience can act interactively to share opinions and engage in the product. This shows elements of proliferation as we are constantly finding new ways in which the target audience could be aware of our opening sequences, and give feedbacks by engaging them in various accesses of mediums. Merchandising will also be provided to our consumers, as we are promoting our product.

Target Audience

The target audience for the sequences would be directed towards the age group of 15+ because the BBFC was considered before thinking of the target audience which this emphasise on what is appropriate and in appropriate for this age group. Also in considering the demographic social class status, D1-E will be targeted because on average 15+ age group are considered as students who doesn’t earn above the maximum of £5000 a year hence different  criteria’s need to be examined in making sure they kept engage,  and how its applied and represented as them. However this thriller can still be applicable to the older audience of perhaps 21+. The first example to examine will be to use the language in which the target audience can associate them selves with or perhaps understand in order to engage them and keep them entertained. Both male and female will be interested in this thriller genre therefore the enigma must be put across to the audience and a positive vibe or effect must be created.  To intrigue the audience we must use techniques such as using both suspense and twist in the opening sequence of ‘Rebecca’

Context

The product will be exhibited through many media mainstreams and platforms in order to target our audience directly. This includes YouTube, its a video blog platform in which people share videos and interact amongst themselves, this medium attracts younger audience as they have access to internet and the computer, also video blogs shows high level of involvement, once our opening sequence is uploaded to YouTube, we could here audience feed back, and likewise it could be distributed to face book through HTML, or hyperlinks from YouTube.  Television is a media mainstream in which a high population of our target audience use , they specifically watch Channel 4 , E4 ITV1 etc, because there is audience identification and the TV shows, films are drama direct there aims towards the younger age group, therefore we would make good use of this advantage and distribute our sequence to this channels. We aim to be successful in making the audience familiarise or be aware of our product by the ways in which we hope to publicise our opening sequence.

Media Language

In our opening sequence we are going to use different technical aspect in media to illustrate what is happening in the scene to the audience. E.g. the Editing technique shows juxtaposition of shots where Rebecca (Protagonists) is running away from something perhaps from the audience perceived as the “antagonists” in whom she’s running away from. Then the camera zooms out as she is running away, and long shot is used to see where she’s running to or establishing the surroundings of where she is running, then close up is used on her face, so the audience sees that she is in fear and anxious about something, this makes the audience sympathise with the Protagonists and creates an enigma in the audience wanting to find out what happens next.

Then also when Rebecca trips and falls down on the floor, transitions is used as the scene freeze and there is a caption placed on the screen. This gives the audience time to reflect on what is going on in the sequence and also engage them and bring about the conventions a thriller genre creates. In the area of cinematography a POV (point of view) shot is used and also the camera is shaky, which shows the anticipation and rushing effect of the character which makes the audience see them as the protagonist’s character. The next scene shows Rebecca barging someone as she runs and a 2 shot is used to show a direct physical contact, the 2 shot must be successful in establishing that the unknown character is not related to the Protagonists in any way the camera then goes to a medium shot of her running away, this connotates the urge and desperateness in running away from something.

Within our opening sequence the use of sound will be used effectively, e.g. score music would be used to create the thriller conventions, and perhaps major keys will be used to create tension and to create a negative atmosphere. The 15+ age group are not likely to be engage with a soundless or monotone piece of production. Therefore the use of tempos dynamics discordant will be used effectively. The Diegetic sound that would be used would be the one or two use of dialogue this is because the aims of using just 1 or 2 dialogue must prevent the audience from diverting their attentions to the conversations but rather just be engage in the build up of the sequence and how it leaves them hanging in suspense. E.g. when Rebecca Barge’s into the unknown character, the unknown character says “Are you okay?”She replies in a vulnerable voice back “get off me”. Non-diegetic sound will be used will be from the beginning of the film until the main dialogue  which then rises again after that conversation is over. synchronous sound will be used where Rebecca insert the key inside the door , and then opens the door which establishes the protagonists as entered into another surrounding perhaps perceived as an escape from the antagonist, this gives audience has a sense of relief. Then when she punches the Antagonists who is seen at the end, the phone drops on the phone from his hands also. Now the audience are now able to put everything in order as the antagonists being the victim or perhaps the typical convent enemy.

The props and lightings shows that the thriller convention in the sense that, strong lights are shown on the character’s face so the build of fear is created.

Institutions

The institutions of this film production are a group of three students from Havering College of further and higher Education. We formed the company in year 2010 and established ourselves through different mediums. The company name is called TLS, which is the first letters of each of our names Tobi, Laura and Safia. The company Logo is called TLS, and our Motto is called “Capturing Moving Image in High Def”.

Our product will be distributed across the internet through many different mediums such as the internet, newspapers TV etc which enables us to target consumers globally.

Representations

Representation is the way that media products construct a sense of reality and offer us the idea that we are seeing on the screen is related to the real world, so it is being represented to us. Our film production characters are represented as the typical hegemonic stereotype of males and females. When Rebecca was running endlessly whilst acting as a frightened person and portraying a victimised character, this could be represented as a female who is weak, defenceless and always the easier target. However when it reach the end scene, where the audience then finds out that she tired the antagonists to the chair, the reverse portrayal is shown, where now the female is represented as someone who has “guts” , very brave, and likewise twisted. While John the antagonist is represented as defenceless because he is tied up to chair, also demined where the audience could see he is wearing his boxers only.

Genre

Within our open sequence we plan to stick with some of the typical thriller convections such as having a twist at the end, as our location doesn’t maintain a sinister, unnerving surrounding but the opposite which helps create enigmas raised as it becomes unexpected. Another convention we plan to use which is commonly used in thrillers is the ‘good vs. evil’ characters; this will be shown more in our featured film synopsis, as there will be a clear protagonist and antagonist. At the beginning of the open sequence the audiences have a sense that they can tell the clear antagonist but as we proceed on within the film it becomes clear at the end which is where the twist comes in that there is more than one antagonist. With the use of our location going against a typical thriller scene it raises tension which brings about the unexpected incident.  

Meeting Minutes - Olutobi Odeleye

This meeting consists of the three of us I, Laura and Safia. We arranged to meet up on the 16th February 2011 to discuss the progress of our production. This meeting lasted approx.30 Minutes, GMT.17:00- 17:30pm.

17:00 – 17:10pm: Individual Work.

We had an overview of our work individually in order to see how far we have gone, likewise check the task list to see if they are correct and oversee what still need to be done. We had an issue where one of the group member felt the work was not spread evenly hence we had to re do who was doing which task was left, and set it out evenly.  We also did background research of other people who had completed their 2 minute opening sequence in the previous years, to motivate ideas from for our thriller genre piece.

17:10 – 17:20pm: Filming.

We started talking about our potential locations and when we would start to film, we had three different sceneries in nearest town we could use, which was a subway tunnel near the station, near the market and the park. We decided we would have to go view these locations before we decide to use any of them. Laura whose role is the camera person, wanted us to go over the story Board and to discuss how we would implement the shots for the production and thought of new shots. However we concluded on the date we would start filming which is the 3^rd week of February, on the 15^th, a Monday because that is when our Actress (Emma Worby) would be available.

17:20 – 17:30pm: Moving Forward.

We had insight from our teacher on other things that need to be put on the group blog, and things we should add to our individual blog. Also we have to make sure we start filming and finish editing at the same time, in order to focus on the overall evaluation of the production.

Conclusion

We aim to have finished filming two weeks time commencing the above date.

180 Degree Rule - Olutobi Odeleye

For our “Rebecca” opening sequence we will implement different camera positioning and frame works in order to put across our narrative clearly. For example 180 degree rule, depths of field, Rule of 3rds etc.

180 Degree rule

This is a basic rule that means that two characters always have the same left and right relationship to each other, when filming you shouldn’t cross the line of vision this is an invisible line that has been established in the first shot. The media producers follow this rule to move the story along in a logical way that won't confuse or disorient the viewer. When a camera crosses the axis connecting to two subjects it is called crossing the line, and the new shot is called the reverse angle. Crossing the line when filming over the shoulder shot shifts the people’s eye line, meaning that the two people should always be on the same side. It also helps the viewer not to miss vital parts of the film. This was of beneficial to our production as we had different practice in putting the 180 degree rule to use. For example in our preliminary task taught us how to be consistent and resist the temptation of crossing the line whilst filming.

30 Degree Rule - Olutobi Odeleye

30 Degree Rule

The 30 degree rule is a rule used in filmmaking with the purpose of creating continuity between different shots within a larger sequence of shots. It should also be noted that the 30 degree rule isn’t a scientific standard. Many filmmakers use an “anything more than a 10 degree change in angle” while others say no less than 25 degrees. However, a 25 to 30 degree minimum change in angle seems to be the agreed upon norm. Well, when moving your camera between shots the camera should be moved a minimum of 25 to 30 degrees (with a maximum limit of 180 degrees) to avoid jarring transitions also known as jump cuts. This helps the camera person seamlessly piece together a larger sequence of shots in a harmonious manner.

Between shots you can change your camera’s depth, perspective and angle. All of these changes should be motivated by your story and flow with the pacing of your film or documentary. You’ll need to think both about the artistry of each shot and what the camera is trying to communicate but you’ll also need to think about the technical fundamentals of each change in position.

BBFC - Olutobi Odeleye

The British board of film classification (BBFC), originally British board of film censors is a non governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of films within United Kingdom. It has statutory requirement to classify videos, DVDs and some video games under the Video recording Acts.  This is very important and started when young people began to watch films which were inappropriate for their age. The BBFC was set up in 1912 for cinema screening however it also started to put age certificates on videos and DVD’s since 1984. They take many factors into consideration when classifying a film. They look at Language, Horror, Drugs, and Imitable behaviour, Nudity, Sex, Discrimination, Theme and Violence.

For our film production we have decided what is best suited to a 15 certificate. We reached this decision after examining each of the factorsbelow:

Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
- Our film does not contain any discrimination in anyway, because we understand that discrimination is a very sensitive case.

Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.
-  We are aware that drug taking may be shown in our film, but however there will be no drugs in our film and it will not be promoted in anyway.

Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.
- As our film is a thriller it will not contain any elements of horror.

Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
- There is no display of any accessible weapons in our film. Likewise is there anything in which could be copied by our target audience will not be in our film. However the Protagonist may use a form of weapon in which cannot be accessible e.g. Gun.

Language
There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
- There may be minor use of language in our film e.g. the protagonists will use strong language. However there will be none in our sequence making our film suitable for a 15 certificate.

Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
- There will be no nudity in our film. Except the antagonists is dressed only in his boxers which could portray sexual context, but to its minimum.

Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.
- There will not be any sex scenes in our sequence nor our film.

Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
- As all themes are allowed our film will be suitable for our 15+ audience.

Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
- Our film contains one scene of violence however it's not particularly strong. There are no verbal references to sexual violence; there will be no portrayal of sexual violence in our film.

Some of the above information was collected from the BBFC'S classification guideline publication which can be found on http://www.bbfc.co.uk/

Weekly Update - Tobi Odeleye

This week we are continuing our research and planning.  We have researched the 180 degree rule, the 30 degree rule and the BBFC and we will be uploading our work soon.  This week I will complete the treatment and the logo and then upload them.

Preliminary Task Evaluation - Safia Shafi

Preliminary task evaluation

On the 9^th of November my group and I completed our preliminary task , at the time we set our selves roles, Laura was the camera woman, Tobi was the director and Safia was the editor. Before carrying out the preliminary task my group and I didn’t know much about editing or how to use a camera however after completing the preliminary task we learnt how to set up the camera, we were shown how to set up the tripod and where to put the tape.

Our preliminary task involved a character leaving a room and opening the door, walking across the corridor and sitting down on a chair opposite another character where they both have a quick conversation. Before filming the preliminary we planned what kind of shots we would use, We used a variety of shots for our preliminary task, most of the shots we used were long, medium shots and over the shoulder shot. The purpose of this is to ensure that we understand the different camera angles, shots and to understand the 180degree rule, which we now completely understand as we applied the rule in our preliminary task.

Also this was very useful for the editor as she learned how to edit, and put her skill in to practise by editing the preliminary task. At first the editor found it difficult as it was there first time editing however in the end they were able to successfully complete the task and overcome any problems they had.