Peer Review of Our Opening

The reviews we had back form our class were mostly complimenting our editing techniques and how professional our camera angles were, they also mentioned our production logo; saying how professional and well made it was. the non diagetic audio was criticized for lack of tension, which we agree with. 

After we filmed

What was the weather like when we was filming?
The weather was extremely sunny and we found it too bright at times to get the exact footage that we were hoping for. But we did get the warmth that we were hoping for and it wasn't raining so we can not complain too much on the weather conditions.
Where did we film?
we was not allowed to film at our original location due to safety reasons but we did find a back up location at some garages and a parking lot along hills road. This was ended up being an ideal location to collect the footage that we wanted.

Editing process

Throughout the editing process there have been lots of drawbacks, including our footage getting corrupted and conditions for filming were not consistent. The film has all gone together well but the shots wanted were not produced as the surface we were filming on was to rough to use a dolly on therefore the shots are all static. This creates a amateur looking effect that had to be countered by adding effects and transitions throughout editing.

The sound track went through many edits before it was suitable and in time with the film, the first edit was not suitable and did not create the desired effect, it was to happy and did not make a serious looking production. The diagetic sound has been removed as I think it would be to gravely and consistent and would cause an irritation for the audience.

When putting both soundtrack and film together there were lots of little changes to be made to go together with the cuts and transitions. After many little changes the footage fitted well with the soundtrack and started to look more professional.

The  finished production has create the desire effect whilst not giving much away about the story the cut at the end makes the viewer wonder was it real, is it a dream and how much will this charcter pay in the story.

Rough Cut

In our rough cut we have changed part of our film to make it seem more suspicious, due to this it appears a very basic and cryptic opening sequence. We aimed to give off this effect because the opening sequence isn't supposed to give the film away. It comes across very confusing although it would be unraveled if we were to film more. This intrigues the viewer as to what part the charcter plays in the film is he a main role or is he a dream, all will be revealed if you watched the entire film. We are pleased with the rough cut but there is still much more to do as we still need credits and a title.

Backing track for rough cut

Our first attempt at the music for our project didn't go to well. We didn't have the chance to fit the music with the film as it was unfinished therefore when we finally put it together we discovered it didn't match very well or sound like a thriller, it was too happy.
Due to this we are going to research more into thriller music and create a new soundtrack which suits the film.

Soundtrack Screenshot

This is our second attempt at the music, we are still unsure whether or not to use it as we yet have to add in some sound effects, we have made this one relate more to thrillers and sound more dark.

Problems

Our films have unfortunately been corrupted somehow, this was out of our control therefore it is something to do with the computer. This is a major set back as we now have to re film because we are unable to use the current film we were originally using. 

We are lucky to be able to re film as this is the solution to our problem, despite this we now have limited time and we may not be able to get some of the shots we used before. This is due to weather conditions, days people can't do and traffic etc. 

We are planning to come round this problem and make our film as successful as it was looking before. 

Fight Club Music

The cult classic Fight Club (1999) was a very popular psychological thriller, the music in the opening sequence matches this mood. There is no diegetic sound as the sequence is an animated series of shots going from an adrenaline gland all the way to the tip of a gun pointed at the main characters mouth. The music is rough and metallic, this gives a good impression of what is going to come in the film. The band used is Dust Brothers an American metal band.

The music creates a good intro to the film as it builds tension within the animation sequence, along with it being called fight club you start to build an image of what is going to happen later on in the film. When the animation stops, so does the music it cuts to a real shot of the gun in the main characters mouth, the music cuts to a monologue from the main character explaining what is happening and creating a good starting image for the rest of the film,.

Inception music

The opening scene to Inception doesn't have a soundtrack or much music atall, despite this there is sound that starts before we see the first scene. This music doesn't occur for very long although the duration is long enough to build up tension and excitement. It is also stereotypical of a thriller as it is very deep and non diagetic.
It has a strong effect on the audience as it brings the scene together and starts it off, this gives away what genre the film is before it even starts and attracts the audiences attention.

The sound we will use in our film will be a similar to inceptions as our film possesses the same characteristics.












 

Target Audience

Our certificate is an 18, despite this our target audience can range from 16 to any age, this is because the storyline is basic and easy to understand. It does contain adult themes which explains the certificate, although 16+ can relate to this even though they are unable to watch it at the cinema/rent it etc.
The gender that our film is aimed at is mostly boys but it can also apply to girls depending on what type of film they enjoy.
People who would like our film would be those who are entertained by physiological thrillers and action films. Our film includes conventions from both of these genres alongside horror. Despite this we have stuck to the main genre of Thriller.
There are many existing films which have similar themes to ours, these include Momento and Fight Club.
They relate because they are based around memories and similar themes.
We will capture our target audience by using codes and conventions which apply to their interests and current themes which will keep it modern.

Top 10 filming tips

1. When possible use a tripod- this is to keep the camera steady to make it easier for the viewer to watch.
2. Get a good variety of shots- for example close ups, mid shots, long shots etc to make the story-line much lore interesting.
3. Check your focus, exposure and white balance.
4 Good time keeping- for example do not make the film to long of to short so that the viewer does not understand the film.
5. Recording- make sure when you are filming that you are actually recording and are getting of the footage that you need and remember it is better to have to much footage than not enough.
6. Film shots that match the story-for example keep to the story-line and do not go off task.
7. Work as a team- share your thoughts and ideas to ensure that the whole group takes part and come up with the best ideas possible.
8. Wear headphones to block out things such as wind.
9. Don't film to much. Although it is better to have to much than too little footage, try not to get too much otherwise the editing process will be too long.
10. Carry spares with you. For example a battery, you do not want to run out of battery while filming as it is very frustrating and wastes a lot of time.

This intro was made using after effects, it took about 30 minutes to make. This is also our final intro and it will be used for the introduction of our opening scene.

Inspiration for Opening Sequence: Koyaanisqatsi

The film Koyaanisqatsi was a experimental film made in 1982 using footage collected from all across the world from all walks of life. It uses sped up footage to represent the sped up aspects of life in the present and also in the natural world. It took years to complete and is a really gripping film for having no dialogue. There are no characters or script, it all works from the flow of the film and the music.

 

 

storyboard 1

Script (with annotations)

The opening sequence first starts on top of the roof in central Cambridge,
(EXT, Establishing Shot, Central Cambridge)

Where the main character is standing on the edge of the room looking over at all the people, thinking about his plans to control the world.
(EXT, Long/Tracing Shot, Central Cambridge)

He then turns around dressed in all black, his face is also blacked out, so it appears as one big black shadow. 
(EXT, Overshoulder/Long Shot, Central Cambridge)

Then there will lots of cuts of mini urban settings to create a sombre mood that will run throughout the film.
(EXT, Montage of Urban Enviroment, Central Cambridge (This will be a reoccurring theme throughout the sequence))

The charcter will then be seen from behind before turning around and before you see his identity the shot cuts to black with the titles of the film.
(EXT, Mid, Central Cambridge)

The next scene is with the same character sitting in a very dim room surrounded by dark electrical equipment.
(INT, Establishing Shot, Central Cambridge)

TV screens showing obscure video (memories) this is a clue to what happens further on in the film.
(INT, Montage, Unspecified Dark Location)

The shots pan across the equipment and cuts to shots of the dark room and the character sitting at a big dingy computer terminal.
(INT, Tracking, Unspecified Dark Location)
The next shot is a close up of his hands at a rusty broken keyboard tapping furiously. The screen fades then pans across the screens flickering images. (Such as  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2iaB6vsQ4Y) 
(INT, Tracking (Reverse), Unspecified Dark Location)

The shot pans back across the room to black.
(INT, Fade, Unspecified Dark Location)

End of scene. Will be in more depth when finalised.

Health and Safety concerns

1. being on an edge of a  roof top will be a health and safety concern and may have an effect on if we can film there or not due to health and safety reasons.
2. One health and safety concern is having an actor on top of the roof looking down may cause some unwanted attention from members of the public. so whilst we are filming members of the public may cause a health and safety issue.
3. When we are filming at the bottom of the building we have to be careful of on coming traffic such as members of the public, cycles and cars.
4. Another health and safety concern is whilst filming near traffic light we have to be considering the amount of people that are trying to get past and the oncoming traffic.
5. The person who is filming on top of the roof is in as much danger of falling off as the actor is, so it is vitally important the person filming doesn't go near the edge while filming.

6. The weather is also a health and safety concern. for example if it is wet and rainy, it makes the ground slippery which increases the chance of slipping over. 

Videos to represent memories.

In the main characters lab there are screens representing memories of the people he is editing.
These videos have to look as the audience would think memories to look, random and fast paced, to get this effect I have found mash up videos from the nineties to give an effect of it being in the past and obscure.
Examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewuZnCRtqhE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhtUcdFdPrM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdEKmfT-WE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFfDEPqAMC

These will be on the screens in the lab.

After Effects CS5

Adobe After Effects CS5 is a professional editing program used by companies such as the BBC and movie producers, it can make advanced looking film intros with ease,  as our group had access to the program we thought we'd take advantage of this and make our introduction clip for our film using this program, it is now finished and looks very professional.

EDIT

The opening sequence first starts on top of the roof in central Cambridge, where the main character is standing on the edge of the room looking over at all the people, thinking about his plans to control the world. He then turns around dressed in all black, his face is also blacked out, so it appears as one big black shadow. Then there will lots of cuts of mini urban settings to create a sombre mood that will run throughout the film. The charcter will then be seen from behind before turning around and before you see his identity the shot cuts to black with the titles of the film.
The next scene is with the same character sitting in a very dim room surrounded by dark electrical equipment and TV screens showing obscure video (memories) this is a clue to what happens further on in the film. The shots pan across the equipment and cuts to shots of the dark room and the character sitting at a big dingy computer terminal. The next shot is a close up of his hands at a rusty broken keyboard tapping furiously. The screen fades then pans across the screens flickering images. (Such as  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2iaB6vsQ4Y)  The shot pans back across the room to black. End of scene. Will be in more depth when finalised.

Shot Location Recce

The shot locations are based on being as urban as possible this will help encourage the grimy feel of the film. The rooftops and graffiti are very obvious themes for a urban setting, electricity substations and danger of death sign have underlying connotations for later on in the film. The rooftops give an overview of the scene and start to introduce the character.

This shot is very easily arranged with most streets having a substation on them finding one that is as a menacing and grim as we want could be more difficult. It needs to be very industrial to have the desired effect.

 This shot shows the streets around the shot and puts the location in perspective.

 These shots show the rooftop locations around the city that are easily accessible and overlook busy or interesting areas, hopefully we will shoot on a sunny day and then make it more monotone in the editing stage.

 The graffiti is there to give ideas of what is coming later in the film, this piece could be used but a selection are available depending on how the mood of the film is coming along.












The locations will be visited and decided wether they are suitible for use.
The interior location is shot later and this will be in a very dingy room with electrical equipment and broken computers this gives off the image of a crazy computer antagonist.