First cut

What went well

Most of the shots we took were in focus and any camera movement was steady.

Issues

When we had edited our first cut, we found that there were a few mistakes we had made.

Timing

The timing distribution between each title was too quick, which prevented the audience to be able to read them comfortably. Because our opening sequence is too short, we hope to add in an extra scene in which we can cross cut to. This will not only make the sequence longer, but it will also give the audience a better insight to the story line.

Text

One of the first mistakes we made was with the text. The text went over two shots which is very unprofessional and looks clumsy. Also the text is too light for the shots filmed so blends in with the background. We also had comments from people who had watched the clip that the word "starring" is not supposed to be used in opening credits. 

Shots

Some of the shots we took will need re filming as the angles we used were not suitable and their were also shadows within them that shouldn't have been. In the scene where we followed josh (the main protagonist) with the camera, the camera was not held steady and therefore created a clumsy looking cycling scene.

Music

We then realised that the music we had chose for opening sequence did nit fit with the scenes. This is because the ace of the music did not match that of the protagonists cycling speed.

Improvements to make

• Remove the word 'starring' from the titles.
• Add an extra scene of the protagonist getting ready to reinforce the idea of the film being a coming of age film, and to extend the opening sequence.
• Add a short scene between when they find the research lab and the clone by filming their feet walking to ensure that the scenes look fluid
• Move the titles around or extend the shot length of one particular scene so that the film title does not appear over two different shots.
• Distribute the titles more evenly.
• Make the titles smaller.
• Record the voice over of a reporter. This will give the audience a better insight to the narrative and allow us to experiment with cross cutting techniques.

Learning comment

Throughout filming I have learnt that is important to plan the filming before you go to film as it is much easier to film shots and dialogue etc. when you have planned them using a script and story board.

Typography

          

After researching the typography our target audience liked the best, we combined it with our previous research into typography in opening sequence. We then made the text for the opening sequence. We used the typography our target audience liked the most and then created the credits. We put the credits in the right order and put them on the screen fir the correct amount of time. The only thing that went slightly wrong is the size of the text which is slightly too big. We will have to change this when creating our final cut. 

Cloning practice

We did this practice to see if we could include a person in the same shot twice. This would allow us to  include the main character and his "clone" in the shot. 

What went well 

It was possible to include one item twice in one shot. It also looked quite effective in some of the shots we did.

Things to improve

There was a clear lighting divide in the shots which did not give the effect we were hoping. 

Learning comment 

I think it would be best if we didn't use this filming technique in our opening sequence because it is too risky. It may also be easier to just have a stunt double play the characters "clone".

Location, props, and risk assesment

Location

Attempt 1

Our original filming location was going to be the one below. However, because this location was too far to travel with the bikes, we had to film somewhere closer. 

   

Attempt 2

We then decided to film in Thornbury because it was closer and because the actors starring in our films lived there. This meant that we could use their houses in the sequence. 

Fashion

Props

Risk assessment 

Music for opening sequence

Learning comment 

From this I know what music I will be adding to my opening sequence. It will also allow me to determine the speed the bike needs to go in order for the pace of the bike to match the pace of the music. The music we chose had connotations of sic fi and the 80's era which was exactly what we were looking for.

Analysis of previous students work

                

                       

                        
     
                       

Learning comment 

From this I now know what works well, and what doesn't work well in an opening sequence. One of the things that all three opening sequences got wrong was the steadiness of the camera. This is something we will have to be extra careful about when filming our opening sequence. Taking this into consideration, we will most likely film all the shots on a camera on a tripod to make sure every shot is steady. 

Using green screen

Music video 

   

To test out the use of green screen we decided to lip sync to a song. This allowed us to establish if when a person moved in front of a green screen, if the green screen would falter. 

What went well

Camera 

The camera angles used were good and allowed us a wie shot of the green screen 

Sound 

The sound was easy to add to the video. 

Lighting

The lighting in the area we filmed matched the lighting of the image on the green screen, and so they all looked part of the same image. 

Green screen

The screen was completely flat and so the image was perfect with no gaps at all.

Background image

The background image we used was animated and therefore looked very realistic. 

Improvements to make 

Sound 

The sound didn't quite match up. To fix this problem we could play the music whilst megan and ethan sang to make sure they were in time.

Camera 

The camera was slightly out of focus for the majority of the shots.

Green screen image

The character looked slightly out of place in comparison to the background which was a shot of the woods. 

Learning comment

From this I have learnt how to use the green screen. However, i now know that in order for the scene to look realistic the character in front of the green screen needs to suit the background image. E.G: If the background image is the desert, the character needs to look worn out. 

Audience research

Target audience of current coming of age films

               Written questionnaire

Video interview 

 Learning comment 

From this I have learnt about the target demographic of my movie genre. This will help me when i plan my movie as i will know who to aim the opening sequence at. I have also researched the plots of coming of age films to broaden my knowledge about the genre. I now know to include key elements into the narrative such as stereotypes and a typical teen disruption to the equilibrium.

Draft & Final script

Draft

A small dark council house in a quiet city area. There are sounds of a TV in the background and there are only two people home; Tom and his mum.

Tom opens door and begins to exit

Toms mum

“Good bye T-“

(Tom completely ignores her cutting her off by putting his headphones in and putting his backpack on)

*Popular 80’s music plays*

A quiet street lined with houses. The walls are covered with graffiti.

Tom leaves the house, shuts the door and picks up his bike and cycles down the road, further down the road Tom’s friend cycles next to him and they nod to each other

A larger, wider road with less houses.

tom and his friend see a figure led in the middle of the road and skid to a stop, they get off their bikes

Tom takes out his headphones

Tom

“What is that?”

Toms friend

 “I dunno, just turn him over and see if he’s alright or something”

Tom walks over and rolls the figure over

The clone opens its eyes

Second attempt 

 

 

SCRIPT

AMBLIN ENTERTAINMENT LOGO ANIMATION APPEARS

A small dark council house in a quiet city area. There are sounds of a TV in the background broadcasting a news story about clones. There are only two people home; Michael and his mum. Michael is a teenage boy who is wearing a check shirt and a denim jacket. A faint 80’s song is playing the background.

Michael opens door and begins to exit.

Michael mum

“Good bye M-“

Michael cuts her off by putting headphones in (songs volume increases to maximum volume), then puts his backpack on. He leaves the house.

Slow zoom onto news story behind him.

Reporter:

“Later this week Clone Intelligence Research & Development, more commonly known as CIRD produced their first clone.”

HUMANOID TITLE APPEARS

A quiet street lined with houses. The walls are covered with graffiti. Michael leaves the house, shuts the door and picks up his bike which is laying on the floor outside the house. Michael then cycles down the road.

Cross cut to news coverage

Reporter:

“However due to a breach in security the clones created have broken loose from their quarters and are now on a will of their own accord.”

Further down the road Tom’s friend Joseph appears. Joseph is wearing black glasses, and a bright ski jacket. He begins to cycles next to Michael and they nod to each other.

Reporter:

“Doctor John Smith who led the team of experimenters is currently being held for questioning under the assumption that the clones escape was not accidental. Please be advised that the clones created have not yet been tested”

Cross cut to news coverage

Reporter:

“And therefore may be dangerous”

A larger, wider road with less houses.

The two boys see a figure led in the middle of the road and skid to a stop, they get off their bikes to investigate.

Michael

(Michael takes out his headphones)

“What is that?”

Joseph

“I dunno, just turn him over and see if he’s alright or something”

Michael walks over and rolls the figure over.

Clone

(opens its eyes)

a close up of the clones red eyes.

 

Final attempt