Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Major Project: Auditions

A big part of any film production is the cast, and to get the cast you must carry out auditions.

AUDITIONS

 Ellie arranged the auditions. On the day we had three pairs of people to audition. Ellie thought it'd be a good idea to audition male and female pairs as Bobbie & Clive together, which I think was a good idea as we could begin to establish relationships between the cast early on.

Ellie created adverts on mandy.com and our three pairs were:

Sophie & Nik

Sophie & Nik were our two favourites from when they first applied. We liked their showreels and looks wise they fit our characters. We started their audition by giving them an introduction to the film and their characters. Once all of that was out of the way, we got them to read through the entire script. Normally you would choose a few scenes but as our script is quite short, we asked them to do the whole thing.

Once they had run through it a couple of times, we asked them to act them out how they felt they should be. I wanted to understand how they saw the script, instead of me telling them how I want them to see it. I wanted to test to see if they had fully grasped our vision.

Our final step was an improv session. We wanted to test their acting ability, and find out if they were naturally funny. I gave them the situation 'you are trapped in a lift... what happens next'. We asked them to act out a scene with no preparation.

Feedback for Sophie & Nik included:
- Good. Funny.
- Nice chemistry between the two.
- Nik maybe playing the character too slapstick.
- Sophie maybe playing the character too confrontational.
- Improv was very good from both of them.

Overall they were very good and before we had even seen anyone else we were very happy to choose them as our cast, but we had to give everyone else a chance.

Corinne & Craig


We asked Corinne & Craig to do the same as above. Feedback for them included:
- Corinne maybe above our desired age range, but good actress.
- Craig funny, but maybe plays the character too dumb and childish.
- Very funny people, worked well together.
- Both from the same place which is a bonus.
- Craig could play Frank the security guard.

Overall they were good, but not what we were looking for, however we do think Craig could play Frank the security guard if he is up for it.

Andrew & Anca


As with all of the auditions, we followed the same process. Andrew & Anca are good friends so their chemistry was already very developed.

Their feedback was as follows:
- Anca has a very strong accent which honestly is maybe a bit off-putting, and we feel doesn't feel the character.
- Andrew was maybe playing the character too loved up and not nervous enough.
- Both good actors.
- Chemistry already very strong.
- Biggest downside is Anca can't do our proposed shoot dates.

Overall not bad, but as Anca can't do our proposed shoot dates, that pretty much ruled her out.

After reviewing the audition tapes and looking over out feedback we decided that Sophie & Nik would be best to play Bobbie & Clive. We will also ask Craig to play Frank

*UPDATE*

Sophie, Nik, and Craig have agreed to play Bobbie, Clive, and Frank.




Monday, 29 January 2018

Major Project: Character Profiles Draft 1

In preparation for our auditions, I have created some character profiles for Bobbie, Clive, and our security guard, who is now called Frank (named after Frank Hamer, the sherif who captured Bonnie & Clyde).

CHARACTER PROFILES DRAFT 1

Each profile details:
- Name
- Age
- Height
- Build
- Gender
- Description
- Apperance
- Personality
- Actions
- Character Development

These character profiles are based on the information we have been using to write the script. Although we hadn't written it down until now, this is how we have been viewing the characters throughout the entire writing process.

During the auditions these profiles will be used to help the actors understand the characters we are asking them to play. They will receive the script and a copy of the profiles in advance so they can prepare for their audition.

By creating these character profiles, the actors will be able to better understand the characters, and we will have something to reference as we continue to work on the script.

Friday, 26 January 2018

Major Project: Triptych Logo Creation

As part of this project we needed to come up with our own production company to use in the film.

TRIPTYCH LOGO CREATION

 As a group we came up with the name 'Triptych'. It's definition is:

"a set of three associated artistic, literary, or musical works intended to be appreciated together"

We felt this word perfectly defined what we were as a trio. Three associated artistic views coming together to create something that is to be appreciated as one. Triptych is also a film term as it is the name of film posters slit into three sections like the example below.

Triptych poster for The Hobbit
Our next step was to create a logo that we could use in the film, and on the poster. We discussed as a group some ideas for that logo. We were thinking something dark with a nice bold font. We also wanted to include the three separate works idea, or in this case three separate lines. Using this information, we came up with this.


We feel this logo incorporates the ideas we had and the idea of what a triptych is. The next stage is to animate this for use in the film. This will be done at a later stage.

Major Project: Script Draft 7

Following on from our feedback on the sixth draft, we have written a new seventh draft.

SCRIPT DRAFT 7

Changes to this new script draft include:
- Some minor dialogue changes during scene 2 to speed the pace of the scene up slightly. This mostly included cutting down or rewording some of the lines.
- We have cut out the lines about the guns during scene 2, as this conversation is now going to take place later on in the script during scene 3. We have done this to help increase the pace of the scene, and to beef up scene 3 a bit more. As well as this it means we can keep the joke guns a secret for longer.
- The conversation about the guns now takes place outside the car in scene 3. This increases the length of scene 3, which makes up for the decrease in the length of scene 2. It also means we now reveal the laser guns a bit later in the script than they originally were.
- The 'Mary Berry' line is now completely delivered by Clive in scene 4. We felt all of the comedy lines should be delivered by him throughout the film to keep it consistent with his character.
- Clive's line about stage fright in scene 4 has been removed to help the scene flow better into the '3, 2, 1..." countdown into scene 5.
- The scenes involving Bobbie & Clive searching the office have been cut because we have re-written the end of the film.
- Bobbie's run in with the security guard has been cut, and the security guard now comes in later in the story. This is to add some tension and challenge to the story after the 'apple' situation has happened. This will work in the favour of pace, and keep the audience hooked for longer.
- In scene 7 the two are now interrupted by the security guard after Clive finds out about his promotion. Bobbie is forced to hide, and Clive has to talk his way out of the situation. Whilst hidden, Bobbie plugs a hoover in that is in a side room. This distracts the guard who then goes into the room. As he does this Clive slams the door behind him and locks him in. The two then leave the office. We decided to make all of these changes to the end to add a moment of jeopardy for the audience. Clive's promotion & job is now put on the line when the guard turns up right at the last minute. We decided to still have the security guard locked in a room so we could keep our original ending from the last script as we like that ending. The security guard coming in at the end, instead of during the middle works much better for pacing, and it a much better challenge for our main characters to overcome.
- The ending is the same.

Soon we will be carrying out some auditions, and this is the script draft we will be using, as we are happy that the story will not change too drastically from this point onwards.

Monday, 22 January 2018

Major Project: Location Recce

In preparation for our shoot, we completed a location recce.

LOCATION RECCE

 Pretty much from the start of the project, when we wrote our first idea down, we knew that Ellen had a good location in mind for us to use. It's an office/warehouse location that some of her family members work at. After conversations with the boss, Ellen arranged a location recce for us.

During the recce my main focus was looking at each room at the location and working out how I could shoot each scene in said location. I was looking at where I could put the camera, and (even though it's a DOP thing) how I could light each room. As well as this, I looked at the many different rooms we could use as the storage room location. I needed to decided which one was best for the film, but also think about the health and safety aspect as they were working warehouse locations. For this I worked with the producer.

Whilst at the location I was also able to create a floor plan which I can use for blocking later in the pre-production process.

Below are some pictures of the chosen rooms at this location:

Possible storage room 1

Possible storage room 2

Office

Office

Office
I will use all of the information I have learnt during the recce whilst creating my next shot list, and whilst I create my blocking for each scene. We are yet to decide on which room we will use for our storage room, but we will decide this before the test shoot. As a group we will use this new information when writing the next script draft. We can now carefully plan each scene as we know how each room is set out.

This is our only, and final location choice. It is very suitable for our needs. We have worked out how to black out all of the windows so we can shoot during the day and make it look like night. The only downside is as this is a working office, we can only film at night, or during weekends.

Thursday, 18 January 2018

Major Project: Script Draft 6

Based on feedback from our fifth draft, we have written a new sixth draft.

SCRIPT DRAFT 6

Changes to the script include:
- We've removed what was scene 4 where they run across the car park towards the building. We felt this didn't work with the story anymore, and was just a scene we had left in from the original idea. Instead the two now leave the car, and it cuts straight to the scene that takes place outside the building. This will work better pacing wise, and is more believable for the characters, as by removing the scene, we have removed a strong element that suggests Clive is an idiot who doesn't know what he is doing, when in fact we want him to come across as intelligent.
- During what is now scene 5 Clive no longer shouts "I will kill you". This went against the idea that Clive has actually planed the whole thing. He wouldn't say this; it is out of character. By removing it, he no longer seems scared or stupid. He has set this up to fail, and so he wouldn't scream that upon entering the building.
- In the same scene Bobbie no longer tells Clive to threaten anyone he sees. This felt out of character for her. She is not a violent person, and this is her last resort. She wouldn't tell Clive to do that, and she wouldn't do that herself.
- For the ending, we added the detail of the security guard holding a phone up to his ear and sirens being heard in the background. We wanted to suggest to the audience that unfortunately our main characters have been caught in the act, and so their problems are not solved.

This new draft is not too different from the previous one. The changes are mostly to make the characters actions and dialogue more believable.

Wednesday, 17 January 2018

Major Project: Script Draft 5

Before receiving any feedback on our fourth draft we have decided to write a fifth draft as their are some major changes to we want to make to the story.

SCRIPT DRAFT 5

The new story flows as follows:
- Bobbie & Clive drive into the car park and park up outside the warehouse. We have decided that both of the characters should arrive at the location at the same time. This makes more sense and is more believable than the previous beginning where Clive turned up afterwards on his own.
- They're conversation in the car is not initially about the crime they are about to commit. We want to throw the audience off at the start. By getting the characters to not directly reference what is going on, the audience will be left in the dark, and as the action begins to unfold they should hopefully be surprised.
- Bobbie finds out that Clive has the wrong masks and guns, and Clive assures Bobbie that this is the correct place. We added the line "I know it well" as a little hint to the audience that something else is going on. It then becomes clear later on that Clive works at the location, and so that's why he say's this line.
- The two head over to the building and outside the door Clive attempts to end the heist, but Bobbie ignores him and they continue. This is another sign for the audience that Clive is not up for this, but Bobbie is desperate and so is willing to continue.
- They burst into the office area and upon realising that nobody is around, they head to the storeroom.
- Bobbie now lies to the security guard and locks him in another room. We chose to remove the scene where she knocks the guard out as we felt that was very out of character for her. Her lying to him and locking him away is more believable for her character.
- They head into the storeroom and Bobbie discovers they are robbing fruit and not phones like she thought.
- Bobbie finds out that Clive works in the building they are robbing. They argue, and then Clive finds out that he has a promotion and so they don't need to worry about money anymore.
- The two head back to their car and begin to leave but are stopped by the security guard that Bobbie had previously locked in a room. The film ends.

All of the changes made to the script to create this new draft reflect the new story outline set out above. We made these changes to the storyline because we felt we needed to make it more believable and we needed to get to the point a bit quicker than we were in previous drafts. In terms of the ending, it may change.

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Major Project: Shooting Script Draft 1 & Shot List Draft 1

Now that we have a script and storyline we are happy with, I have created a first draft shooting script and shot list.

SHOOTING SCRIPT DRAFT 1

 Before I created a shot list, I went through the latest script draft and made a note of the shots I would like to use for each section. I did it in the style of a live TV show script, where the shots are written onto the script in the order they appear on screen. I did this to ensure my shot list would have enough coverage for every scene. It's basically an edit of the film paper. As I'm the editor as well, this will help me further down the line.



All of the shots are based on my research and also my vision for the film. I have tried to ensure that each part of the script has enough coverage. I will be able to use this during editing to help speed up the initial assembly process.

SHOT LIST DRAFT 1

 Using the above shooting script as a reference I then created this shot list.



The shots in my shot list are based on my research, my vision for the film, and everything I have learnt about coverage whilst on the course. I have included shots like:

- MS two shots
- CUs
- Stabilised tracking shots
- LSs

I have chosen to include whip pans in homage to Baby Driver, which is one of the influences for 'Bobbie & Clive'. I have chosen to include a few long tracking shots in homage to Quentin Tarantino, who is one of the directorial influences for this film.

Overall all of my shot choices are based on ensuring I have enough coverage of each scene to ensure I can establish good scene geography and help the audience understand and see what is going on. I want the shot choices to complement the script, and I beleive the shots I have chosen do so.

When we complete a test shoot, I will try out some of these shots to see if they are the correct choices.

Monday, 15 January 2018

Major Project: Mood Boards

An important part of the pre-production process for me as a director is to ensure that everyone else on the production, especially the DOP, understands my vision for the film. To do this I have created some mood boards.

MOOD BOARDS

 I have created a mood board for each of the three main locations currently in the script. Each mood board has some images on it that I feel represent the look and feel I would like to go for in each of those locations. This will help the DOP understand the style/set dressing I'd like, and it will also help the producer understand the sorts of locations I am looking for.

Below are the mood boards for each of the three main locations:

Car Park Outside Office

For the car park location I am looking for something very industrial, with lot's of concrete and corrugated metal buildings.

Office


For the office location I am looking for something that looks like an office that is always in use, with computers, desks and chairs everywhere. Preferably one that doesn't have very harsh lighting.

Storage Room


For the storage room I want to go with something small and clean. A room filled with lots of cardboard boxes, preferably with a big shutter door.

I will use these mood boards throughout the production to help others understand my vision for the locations, and I will update them if anything changes.

Saturday, 13 January 2018

Major Project: Directors Statement

To help others understand my vision for 'Bobbie & Clive' I have come up with my own directors statement for the film.

DIRECTORS STATEMENT

In the past my directors statement for all of my projects has been:

"I take a great interest in the filmmaking process. Watching something go from being words on a page, to visuals on a screen, is wonderful. I believe that anyone can make a film, but only certain people know how to make a masterpiece. By mixing audio, visuals and storytelling, you can create a more powerful piece than by using just one art form on its own. I want to create films that represent my personality and the way I see the world, and to do this I try to use the camera to tell the story in a handheld, realistic and rough manner. I like to roll for as long as possible and keep the camera moving, following the action as it progresses. And over the years I've produced work that I feel represents my vision. But, without incredible directors like Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams, I wouldn't have a vision, because I wouldn't be making movies. I'm inspired by the work they have produced, and I'm driven by my passion for the industry. My hope is that this passion comes across on screen, and that when people see my work, they will understand my vision and how it represents my view of the world."

For this project I wanted to amend that slightly. I do not feel that a handheld and rough manner will work for 'Bobbie & Clive', however I do want to keep it looking and feeling realistic. Using this, and information I have researched on similar films, this is my directors statement for 'Bobbie & Clive':

"Bobbie & Clive will be fast paced and slick, with a realistic and natural look that complements the realism of the story. The characters and their stories are believable, and so I want to look of the film to match that. I want steer away from rough handheld shots, and instead use smooth stabilised shots that add to the polished feel of the film. Working with a strong team of people, good audio, visuals, and storytelling will be blended together to create a well formed vision. The style of Bobbie & Clive will hopefully take inspiration from filmmakers like Edgar Wright, Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams, mixing all of their uniques styles together, to create something unique in its own way. My hope is that this film represents me as a filmmaker and helps others understand my passion, and my view of the world. I want people to see this film and fully grasp its concept, and I will do this through my directing of the performers, the camera, and the edit"

I hope that this new directors statement for 'Bobbie & Clive' helps others understand my vision for the film, and the direction I would like to take with it. I will apply this statement to all aspects of production for the film.

Image:

Thursday, 11 January 2018

Major Project: Costume Design

As the Director, one of the many things I have to think about is costume design.

 COSTUME DESIGN

 The costume design for each character plays an important part in the story, so nothing should just be chosen for the sake of it. I have thought carefully about each character and what they should wear, and I have backed this up with relevant research.

BOBBIE

Interestingly in this story, Bobbie is the Clyde. She is not the Bonnie, because she is leading Clive into the robbery, rather than the other way round, which is how it was with Bonnie & Clyde. Bonnie didn’t usually take part, she was just present.

So because of this, Bobbie will wear dark clothes, that highlight her professionalism (even though this is her first robbery), her leadership and her confidence. I have based the design on Lorraine Broughton, the lead character in the film ‘Atomic Blonde’ (2017). In the film, Lorraine is a spy who is sent to Berlin to retrieve something. I have chosen to base the costume design on her, because I feel it follows the conventions of a female spy costume, and because I feel there are similarities between Lorraine, and Bobbie. They are both strong female leads, with a male partner who helps them complete their mission.
I would also like to include an element of the Bonnie costume design from ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ (1967). To do this Bobbie with wear a necktie, similar to the one in the mood board below (top left corner).


Using all of this information, Bobbie’s costume will consist of:
- A black overcoat (possibly with a leather jacket underneath).
- Black jeans or leather trousers.
- Black ankle high boots
- A black t-shirt or shirt
- A dark necktie
- Tights over the face (in some scenes)

In terms of hair style, I am thinking black or brown and about shoulder length, if not tied up in a ponytail.

CLIVE

Clive is not as confident as Bobbie, in terms of stance and actions. He is also nothing like Clyde as he is not the leader in this situation. He is not very prepared for this robbery (Bobbie is still not the most prepared, but hides it). As well as this Clive has something to hide; he has set the robbery up to fail because he doesn’t want his wife to do something stupid. This will all be represented by his costume design.

Clive’s costume is more casual than Bobbie’s. It’s designed to look as though he has grabbed the first items of dark clothing he could find in his wardrobe. I have based the design on Douglas MacRay, a character from the film ‘The Town’ (2010). In the film Douglas falls in love with a witness of one of his bank robberies. Douglas has to hide this from his partners in crime because he is afraid they’ll kill her, thinking she will go to the police. Clive and Douglas have one thing in common, they are both trying to hide something from their partner in crime. As well as this, they are both amateurs at the task that they are carrying out.


Using this information, Clive’s costume will consist of:
- A black hoodie.
- A dark t-shirt under the hoodie.
- Dark jeans or chinos.
- White shoes (shows he’s an amateur because these will make him easier to see)
- Black or brown leather gloves
- Tights over the face (in some scenes)

In terms of hairstyle, I’m thinking black or brown, short and roughly styled, to show it was done in a rush.

SECURITY GUARD

The security guard is present during the robbery, but is quickly knocked down by Bobbie. Our characters forget about him, but he appears at the end to ruin their getaway, leaving our characters fate in the air. The character is your typical security guard, a strong man hired to protect something. His costume design is based on a basic security guard outfit, which is often the same across all film genres. The mood board below gives you a sense of what this is.

I have chosen to loosely base the design on that of Paul Blart from ‘Paul Blart Mall Cop’ (2009). I believe this is a good representation of what most people imagine a security guard looks like. Similar to our security guard, Paul Blart is underestimated by the audience but by the end of the film is the hero. It is questionable as to whether the audience of our film will see the security guard as a hero or not, but in the eyes of the law he definitely would be.


Using this information, the security guard’s costume will consist of:
- A white or light blue shirt, with a black tie.
- Black trousers.
- A security badge.
- A walkie talkie.
- Black shoes.
In terms of hair style, it can be anything but long hair. The security guard must look tidy and well presented because he is a professional.

I think these chosen costume designs will work well for the characters and film.

Major Project: Bobbie & Clive Test Logo Graphic

One of the first things I always like to do for every project is create a test graphic which often features a test logo for the project.

'BOBBIE & CLIVE' TEST LOGO GRAPHIC

 I often create these test graphics so I can show others what kind of style and tone I'm going for. It also helps me begin to understand the style and tone of the project too. For 'Bobbie & Clive' I wanted to create a graphic that featured a logo, and background that I felt matched the style and tone I'd like to go for.

I feel this film will take inspiration from films by Quentin Tarantino, especially the film Pulp Fiction, and possibly the film Kill Bill. Pulp Fiction has a very distinctive logo in a yellow western style font on a red background. This logo stands out and also matches the tone and style of the film. Kill Bill uses a bold font in black on a yellow background, which also stands out and matches the style and tone of the film.



As well as those two films, 'Bobbie & Clive' will obviously take some inspiration from the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. One of the many logos for the film uses a western style font in red. It's becoming clear that the colours red and yellow appear to be prominent in the action/heist genre. I found this to be true whilst looking at many other action/heist movie posters.



Using this research, and my plans for the style and tone of 'Bobbie & Clive', I used Photoshop to create this test logo graphic.


I decided to go for a western style font because the film is loosely based on Bonnie & Clyde which is has some western tones. I also decided to go for the yellow and red combination, as well as some purple. The yellow of 'Bobbie' stands out against the red, and by having a different colour for 'Clive' it shows that there is a difference between the two characters. Bobbie's name is more in the style of the action/heist genre because she is more up for the heist than Clive is. I chose to make the '&' white so it would also stand out against the red. I decided to add a grunge overlay to the red background as I felt it would give the film a rough tone, insinuating that the film is rough and heavy like most heist movies. The film is not rough and heavy, but I want it to look like it is. The actual plot of the film should be a surprise to the audience. 

I like this test graphic, and I think it accurately represents the style and tone I want the film to have. It also fits in with the conventions for action/heist movies, and the styles set out by the Tarantino examples I referenced.

Wednesday, 10 January 2018

Major Project: Pulp Fiction, & Baby Driver

Pulp Fiction. Baby Driver. What do they have in common? Absolutely nothing, but I have chosen to base my research for 'Bobbie & Clive' on them.

PULP FICTION

Pulp Fiction is a 1994 film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It's about a few different stories of crime taking place in Los Angles, that all subtly link somehow. The film uses it's timeline in a unique manner to tell the stories at different times, but also at the same time (e.g. a character dies in one story, but then later appears in another story that takes place before the story where they die).

Why Pulp Fiction?

 I have chosen to look at Pulp Fiction's use of the camera to tell a story. Tarantino is know for using long tracking shots in his films, and this one is no exception. There is one scene where two characters discuss they're plan as they walk to the location where that plan is going to take place. I like how this is done in one long take as it highlights the journey to that location, and makes that journey important and worth seeing. It makes sense because the characters would discuss this on the move rather than elsewhere for example in the car outside, or where ever they met up at the start of the day. I would like to include a scene like this in 'Bobbie & Clive'. I want to use a long tracking shot that actually has meaning, and isn't just put in for the sake of it.

Another scene in this film I would like to talk about is the opening scene that takes place in a diner. Two characters are eating food and having a mundane discussion. As the discussion develops it becomes clear that they are about to rob the diner, and they do. I like the way the audience is left in the dark until the very last moment. I would like to include this idea in 'Bobbie & Clive' somewhere. It might work at the start when the two arrive at the location. We could keep the audience in the dark as the fact that they are about to carry out a heist. We will work on this in future script drafts.

BABY DRIVER

Baby Driver is a 2017 film written and directed by Edgar Wright. It's about a young music lover who works as a getaway driver for a kingpin. Edgar Wright has a very unique style, and that's one of the reasons why I was so drawn to this film.

Why Baby Driver?

Like Tarantino, Edgar Wright likes to use long tracking shots to tell parts of the story. He uses a few in Baby Driver, with the most notable one being the near the beginning. The main character heads out for coffee, and we follow him on his journey to the coffee shop and back. This scene takes place in real time, and I like how the audience is taken along for the journey. I would like to adapt this somehow and put a shot like this in 'Bobbie & Clive' if I can.

Another thing that drew me to Baby Driver is it's use of sound design to create a very detailed world for the audience to explore. I think sound design will be a key detail for 'Bobbie & Clive' and I hope I can work with Ellen to create something really detailed and interesting for the audience.

Images:

Tuesday, 9 January 2018

Major Project: Script Draft 4

Following on from the feedback on our third script draft, we have written a new fourth draft of 'Bobbie & Clive'.

SCRIPT DRAFT 4

This new draft involved making some minor story and dialogue changes. By changing the dialogue, we are beginning to mould the characters into who we think they should be.

The changes include:
- Removing Bobbie's line "No! We're going to go in there and scare the crap out of them!" from page 2 because we felt it was out of character for her to say that. It sounded too aggressive, and not like something Bobbie would say. She is nervous but hiding it, and she doesn't want to scare or hurt anybody, so she wouldn't say this.
- We've changed the masks from monkey masks, to a pair of tights. We feel that being the amateur that he clearly is, and including the fact that he is setting this up to fail, Clive would've thought tights are the best option. He has cut holes in them so they can see and breathe. Visually, we feel that tights will looks funnier than monkey masks, and the audience will be able to see facial expressions better.
- On page 5 we decided that only Clive should duck and dive across the car park and Bobbie shouldn't. In this film Clive is the source of the comedy, and Bobbie is acting confident in front of Clive. She doesn't understand why he is ducking and diving, if he has just told her that nobody is around. We didn't want Bobbie to look stupid in this scene, so we removed the element of her ducking and diving.
- On page 6 we decided to change the line "take it in now, cause if this goes tits up, you won't be seeing these bad boys for a long time buster" to "*sigh* Pack it in!". We felt that the original line was out of character, and that the new line sounds more like something she would say, and something a wife would stay to their husband in this situation.
- On page 9 Bobbie now agrees to Clive calling an ambulance, but says they should do it after they've stolen the goods. Bobbie is a nice person, so she would care about the injured security guard, not like in the previous draft where she didn't appear to at all.
- The ending of the film is still the same with the cliffhanger. This is still something we want the film to have.

Apart from these small changes, the script is pretty much the same as the previous draft. I still feel there are some bits that need more work, but I'm sure this will change over the next few weeks.

Monday, 8 January 2018

Major Project: Script Draft 3

As we now have a new idea for our major project, a new script draft needs to be produced.

SCRIPT DRAFT 3

This new script draft still contains some elements from the original 'Stick Up' idea. These elements include some dialogue, the 'apples' plot twist. Most other elements have changed.

The new idea breaks down as follows:
- Clive meets Bobbie at the location. She has clearly been waiting a while for him.
- The two argue about Clive being late.
- Bobbie realises that Clive has forgotten to bring the guns.
- Clive finds their children toy guns in his bag, along with a pair of tights and some head torches he had purchased for the heist.
- Bobbie questions if the location is correct. Clive assures her that it is.
- After another short argument, the two enter the building and find it empty.
- The two split up, and Bobbie runs into and then attacks a security guard.
- Clive finds out what happened and thinks they should get help for the guard, but Bobbie convinces him not too.
- Bobbie discovers that the storeroom is full of apples, instead of expensive goods. It becomes clear that Clive misunderstood what she meant when she said she wanted to rob an apple warehouse.
- As Bobbie is leaving the building, she discovers a picture of herself and Clive on a desk in the office. It becomes clear to her that Clive actually works at this warehouse.
- Clive defends himself, before discovering a letter on his desk that offers him a promotion.
- The two decide to leave, believing that because of this promotion, their problems are solved.
- Whilst back in the car, the two discuss the event, before realising they'd forgotten about the security guard.
- The security guard confronts the two in the car park, and the film ends.

This new cliffhanger ending is something we decided to add because the film is quite short, and we felt a cliffhanger ending would work well, and keep the audience wanting more. It allows the audience to come up with their own ending based on what they've seen and heard.

We also decided to add an additional character to this new plot so that our main characters had an antagonist. The security guard acts as a challenge to overcome. He is quickly knocked out, and so the two beleive they've overcome the challenge, but they forget about him, and he comes back to become a challenge again at the end. This element is something that was missing from the original idea and script drafts. It's an important part of any story.

In this draft Bobbie and Clive clearly have a troubled relationship. They argue constantly, and Bobbie subtly blames Clive for their money troubles. They're a middle-aged married couple with children, so they have a lot of responsibilities, and they've decided this is their last option. Clive keeps a secret from Bobbie by setting the heist up to fail, but it doesn't go to plan because a security guard turns up, and Bobbie discovers the truth. Decisions about the two characters are based mostly on being able to still use dialogue from the original drafts, but this will change. The characters need to be developed more, at this moment in time I still don't really know who they are.

At this moment in time I believe there are many of elements in the script that need changing. A lot of it is still the same as the other original idea, and this means it's not really consistent as a story. Some of the dialogue seems a bit out of character. I also feel their isn't much character development.

Overall as a first draft for this new idea I think it is a good starting point. We will get feedback and start working on the fourth draft.

Major Project: New Idea 'Bobbie & Clive' & 25 Word Pitch

Although we haven't received feedback on our initial idea yet, we have decided to make some major changes.

 NEW IDEA: 'BOBBIE & CLIVE'

 When I was looking into the genre of heist movies, I found the original 'Bonnie & Clyde' movie from 1967. I liked this idea of a husband and wife crime duo, and so I pitched an idea to the rest of the group called 'Bobbie and Clive'. It's pretty much the same as our previous idea (in terms of scripting), but one of the characters is now a woman, and the two are husband and wife. After initial discussions with the group, we also added in a new character, who would act as the antagonist. This character is a security guard at the warehouse, who catches the two in the act.

I would say this idea is extremely loosely based on 'Bonnie & Clyde'. We will write some nice references into the story, and I will think of some interesting things we can do visually to reference the real life criminals. The idea that the two end up accidentally robbing a fruit warehouse will stay the same, but the ending will be re-written to accommodate the new character arcs.

25 WORD PITCH

Like the original idea, this one can also be summarised in a 25 word 'Elevator Pitch', with a few word changes:

In a desperate need for money, Bobbie & Clive take part in a heist, but to their surprise, it's not as easy as they thought

I feel this pitch effectively sums up the new idea, and like the previous one, leaves the reader's mind open to what the story might actually be about. I like this new idea, and I like the play on words with the title, something which actually relates to the play on words in the script with the apples.

We will now use this new idea to work on the third draft of our script.

Sunday, 7 January 2018

Major Project: Script Draft 2

After sharing the initial script draft with the rest of my group, we worked together to write a second draft.

SCRIPT DRAFT 2

My group's initial thoughts were positive. They liked the idea, but the script needed some work. So we all sat down to produce this second draft, and these are the changes we made:

- The first change was to set the story at night rather than during the day. This made certain parts of the script more feasible, for example the fact that there is nobody around to stop them stealing from the warehouse. Because of this change, head torches were added to the costume design.
- We decided to change the bananas to toy guns. This decision was made because the bananas were not threatening enough. It'd be easier for our characters to convince someone a toy gun was a real gun. We also added in a line spoken by Dave to allow us to do some audible comedy with the sfx the gun makes.
- Although the monkey masks are still in this script, they were highlighted as something we will probably change in future drafts. This is because the bananas are no longer in the script.
- The scene outside the warehouse entrance was re-written because there was too much repetition of lines spoken in an earlier scene. As well as this, we added in a joke about stage fright, so we could highlight the bromance between the two characters. And we added in a line which shows this is their last resort.
- The joke about a banana being in Dave's pocket was removed because the bananas have been removed.

These were all of the changes made at this moment in time. We pretty much edited some of the funny moments, and changed a prop, nothing too major. This draft will be looked at by Simon, who will then provide feedback.

Saturday, 6 January 2018

Major Project: Script Draft 1

After coming up with an initial idea, and once I had completed some additional research into screenwriting, I wrote the first draft of a script for our Major Project: 'Stick Up'.

SCRIPT DRAFT 1

This first draft of the script was written without any input from Ellie and Ellen. I wrote it to better help them understand my idea, before we began working as a group to make changes to it. It follows the outline I have already set out in a previous post.

I wrote this using all of the information I had researched into screenwriting, and followed the structures I had learnt about e.g. beginning, middle, end. I will now break down the script page by page to explain why I wrote certain things.

SCRIPT BREAKDOWN

 Page 1 begins with a clear description of the location for this entire story. I describe the location as 'seemingly quiet' because I want to leave it open to what could occur during the story. Are they actually alone or not?

As the first character enters the picture, I describe him ducking and diving in a 'clumsy' manner. I have done this to highlight that he is not a pro at this, and it also shows that maybe he is a bit nervous too.

The two characters begin to argue straight away, and it soon becomes clear that Dave has turned up with all of the wrong supplies for the robbery. This again highlights that they are amateurs, and that maybe this is their first time doing something like this. They are not at all prepared. It is also clear that there has been some miscommunication between the two. I have written that in at the start because it becomes important later on in the script.

Dave tries to convince Steve that the bananas will work as guns. I have written that they are bananas because it provides a clue as to what is to come. Fruit becomes an important part of the story.

Steve then begins to question why the area is very quiet. Dave convinces him that this is because it's lunchtime and so everyone is away. So at this point Steve starts to become suspicious, but ignores it and continues with the heist. It then becomes clear that Dave has also brought the wrong masks, again highlighting that he is an amateur. I chose monkey masks, because of the banana guns. I thought this would be a good bit of humour for the script.

As Steve and Dave head over to the warehouse, I have written that they are both ducking and diving, but I also added that Steve seems more confident that Dave. I have done this to show the audience that Steve is also an amateur, but he is more up for it that Dave is. This also suggests that this was probably Steve's idea, and Dave has been dragged along for the ride.

When they get to the warehouse entrance, it becomes clear that Steve is maybe not as prepared either, because he is vague about his plan. I wrote this in to again highlight that they are both amateurs and to confirm the fact that this was Steve's idea.

As the two enter the warehouse I have written that Dave shouts that he will kill everyone. I wrote this to highlight his nerves, compared to Steve who just tells everybody to get down.

Whilst searching for people, I wrote that Dave is scared when he can hear someone at the end of the isle he is walking down. It is revealed to be Steve, who makes him jump, and makes a joke about the banana gun. I decided to have this moment, to highlight, that the smallest things are worrying Dave because of his nerves. It also highlights that maybe Steve isn't taking the robbery very seriously.

Once they eventually open the boxes, it becomes clear that they are in fact robbing an apple warehouse, and all of the clues in the script prior to this scene become clear. There was a miscommunication between the two characters, something I highlighted in the initial scenes. It also explains why nobody is in the warehouse, because fruit, according to Steve, is not worth guarding.

At the end of the script, it becomes clear that the two characters have realised that maybe this isn't the best way to get some money together. Finally, as they try to leave, the car won't start. I wrote this in because the car was the one thing that Steve was in charge of arranging, so I wanted to highlight, that he had also made a mistake during the heist, not just Dave.

Overall I think this initial script does need a lot of work, but it will be enough to show the others in my group what I am thinking for this project.

Friday, 5 January 2018

Major Project: 'Stick Up' 25 word pitch

All good ideas can be summarised in 25 words or less. This is known as an Elevator Pitch because it designed to be short enough to be said to someone in the time between two floors in an elevator.

'STICK UP' 25 WORD PITCH

 After completing some research into 25 word pitches, I found that there are 4 important things to include:
- Protagonist(s)
- Goal
- Motivation
- Conflict.

I then broke my idea down into those four things:
- Protagonist(s)- two friends, Steve & Dave
- Goal- to make some quick cash robbing a warehouse
- Motivation- They need money, quickly

Using this information, I created this 25 word pitch:

Two friends in desperate need of some funds decide to steal stock from a warehouse. To their surprise, it's not as easy as it seems.

This pitch is exactly 25 words, and I feel it does effectively sum up the idea. I also feel it leaves the readers mind open to what could happen to the two friends as they carry out this heist. As well as this, I believe it is intriguing enough to persuade someone to watch this film, or in the case that these pitches are often used, fund/make this film.

Research source:

Image:

Thursday, 4 January 2018

Major Project: How To Write A Good Script

Before I began writing the first draft of the script, I wanted to complete some more research in the area, to ensure I wrote the best one possible.


HOW TO WRITE A GOOD SCRIPT

 My first thought was to go back to what I learnt in the first year during my unit about screenwriting. I felt if I refreshed my memory on the basics first, this would aid me in writing a good first draft.

I first learnt that of course every script begins with an idea, which is usually formed by brainstorming multiple ideas. In my case, I brainstormed using other heist movies as inspiration. I also used the film 'Baby Driver' as a key element of my brainstorm. From this, each idea needs a beginning, middle, and end, something I have already written out for this idea, which will make writing the initial draft easier.

The key ingredients for a good script are:
  • Character- All stories are about people. They give it meaning. In this case, my characters are two friends, Steve & Dave.
  • A Goal- They need something to aim for. In this case, my characters aim is to steal something of value from this warehouse.
  • Conflict- The protagonist needs something to face or overcome. This helps create drama. In this case, my characters need to overcome the lack of correct masks, guns, and knowledge of how to complete a heist.
  • Change- A change of affairs. The world we are in needs to be different by the end. In this case, my characters realise they are robbing the wrong place, and so it becomes apparent that maybe they are not quite cut out for this.
It's also important to think about Who? What? When? Why? and How?
  • Who? Two male friends.
  • What? Robbing a warehouse.
  • When? Lunchtime.
  • Why? They need money.
  • How? Using fake guns and bad masks.
Moments are a really important part of any script. They are the parts of the script that you want to stand out; to be that one bit that everyone will remember after they see your film. The biggest moment in this film, is the twist at the end. I feel it is something people will remember about the film.

Speaking of the ending, I found it is really important to know the ending, and the events leading to it, before you begin writing. To aid this, I wrote an initial structure plan before I began writing the script. This is in another blog post, which can be found here.

As well as all this, there were a few smaller points I learnt too:
- You can't say it, you have to show it. Use action, behaviour and drama. This basically means avoid dialogue that tells the audience something, and instead use actions to show the audience something.
- People do not just open up about their emotions, and therefore your characters shouldn't either. This means that you need to give your characters a reason to open up. The two characters should also have some kind of pre-existing emotion which means they'd be happy to open up to one another.
- Avoid too much explanation, let the audience work it out for themselves. This works in tandem with the 'show it, don't say it' point.
- Think about whose POV it is. If you don't know whose point of view you're telling the story from, it will make it difficult for everyone involved to fully grasp the concept of it. It can be multiple POVs if that's what the story requires.

Moving on from this research, I also used a website called Screenwriting.info, to find out more about the process of writing a script. From this I found out these key points:

  • The script should start out as an outline of the plot, which includes character descriptions, actions, visuals, behaviours etc... This will help everyone on board understand the project from the get go.
  • This article also reiterates that you must show the audience things, not tell them. This is because a film is a visual medium. In the script, write what the audience will see, and what they will hear. Don't write that the characters say what they can see and hear.
  • Conflict is really important. There needs to be some form of it to make a good story. In this production, the conflict comes in different forms. They need money. They end up stealing the wrong thing.
  • There should be something at stake, which in this case is the fact that they need money. If they don't get the money, something bad could happen.
  • Finally I learnt that scripts have to look a certain way. In this instance, I will be using Final Draft which will format the script correctly for me.
I have found all of this research really beneficial. Although I have written a few scripts during my time on this course, this will be the most in depth film script I have written. I have already created an outline of the story, so I can now get on with writing the first draft, using all of this important research to aid this.

Sources:

Wednesday, 3 January 2018

Major Project: Comedy Drama

For my major project I want to create a comedy drama short film, so I have conducted some research into the genre to better aid my idea development.


COMEDY DRAMA

A comedy drama, also known as a dramedy, is something that combines elements from both the comedy and the drama (also known as tragedy) genres. Early television examples include the US sitcoms Hennesey and CHiPs. In television now comedy dramas are often referred to as sitcoms. In the UK early examples include the tv series Minder, and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. 


In the film industry comedy dramas are very popular, and most comedies have an element of drama even if they don't define themselves as a comedy drama. Some popular examples include Juno, Adventureland, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and The Truman Show. These examples all mix more serious topics/ideas with comedy.


Another definition for a comedy drama is a production where the characters experience a change for the better and work things out with hope for the future. And there are two types of comedy in a comedy drama. The first is high comedy, which uses social satire, wit and subtle characterisations that are geared towards an educated group. A good example of this is The Big Bang Theory. The second is low comedy, which uses bad jokes, physical humour, and silly visuals to make people laugh. A good example of this is The Three Stooges. I want to aim more for high comedy.


Why comedy drama?

I want to create something that uses a serious(ish) theme or topic as it's heart, but uses it to tell a light hearted, fun, and comedic story. I feel for me this is a suitable genre. I don't want to do something really serious, and I don't want to do something really slapstick, so this is a good 'best of both worlds' genre. I want my characters to experience a change. I also want them to work things out and have a happy ending. Comedy drama is defintely the right genre for me.

Images:
https://ourpastimes.com/what-is-the-name-of-comedy-tragedy-masks-12181683.html
http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/19432/celebrating-clement-la-frenais-auf-wiedersehen-pet
https://www.intofilm.org/films/3039
http://hotcountry1035.com/possible-spinoff-of-the-big-bang-theory/

Major Project: Initial Idea- 'The Stick Up'

For the  major project I will be working with Ellie (Producer & Co-Writer) and Ellen (DOP & Co-Writer). As a group we decided that we wanted to create a short fiction film (about 10 mins). We all like the idea of doing a comedy drama, as opposed to a drama or a sci fi etc...

INITIAL IDEA- 'THE STICK UP'

At first I struggled to think of a good idea for this project. I guess you could say I had a writer's block. Everything I thought of didn't really work out, or wouldn't work for this project, until I watched Edgar Wright's 'BABY DRIVER'. It was at that point I realised I wanted to make a comedy about a heist of some sort. I've always been a fan of Edgar Wright, and I've always been a fan of heist movies like the 'Ocean's' films, 'Reservoir Dogs', 'The Town' and 'The Italian Job'. I've seen a few heist comedies as well like 'Tower Heist' and 'Logan Lucky'. It's pretty clear the market has already had it's fair share of comedy heist movies, but I had an idea I felt would be different.

I wanted to create a film with a good twist at the end, so I came up with the idea of two guys carrying out a heist, who end up stealing the wrong thing because of a misunderstanding. In this case the misunderstanding is that they accidently rob an apple (as in the fruit) warehouse instead of an Apple (as in the phone company) warehouse. I felt this would be a good payoff for a short comedy film. I pitched the idea to the rest of my group and they liked it, so I started working on a structure for the story, and an initial script draft. I decided to call it 'The Stick Up', which is another name for a heist or robbery, and it also sounds like 'stitch up' which is when you set someone up, because one character sets the other one up to fail.

My initial plan for the structure was:

Beginning-

- One character (Dave) arrives late. He runs across the car park of an unidentified warehouse, and gets into a car.
- He is greeted in the car by another character (Steve). Steve and Dave argue about why Dave is late.
- It becomes clear that Dave has bought the wrong guns and the wrong masks. Although Steve is annoyed, he continues with the heist.
- Steve also questions why it's so quiet, Dave assures him that it's because everyone is on lunch.

Middle-

- Outside the warehouse entrance it becomes clear that Steve doesn't actually know what he is doing, which makes Dave more nervous.
- Steve and Dave break into the warehouse. They search the warehouse.
- Whilst searching, somebody makes Dave jump. It turns out to be Steve playing a prank.

End-

 - Steve and Dave search boxes, only to discover that they are filled with fruit.
- It becomes clear that Dave thought Steve wanted to rob an apple warehouse, not an Apple warehouse.
- Steve storms off. Dave follows.
- The two of them get back into their car, only to discover that it won't start.

I will use this initial structure to create a first draft of the script.

Tuesday, 2 January 2018

Major Project: Brief

The Major Project is the final project on this course.


MAJOR PROJECT

 For this project, there are three options that can be taken:

Pre-Production Continuation

 - This option allows us to develop our project from the Pre-Production unit into a film. So in my case I would be taking Pleasure Park into production.

New Project

 - This option involves coming up with a new idea, and taking that into production. Due to the reduced time frame, it doesn't need to be as long as the projects produced by the people choosing the first option.

Long-Form Writing

 - This option is for students that want to focus on just writing. It involves writing a screenplay, which can be based on the idea from the Pre-Production unit, or a completely new idea.

I have chosen to follow the new project option, as I feel my pre-production idea is too big to take into production at this level. This means I will need to come up with a new idea, or with a group who already have an idea for the major project.

My initial plan was to work as an editor on another groups project, however after discussion with them, and with my tutor, it was decided that I'd work in another group as the Director/Editor/Co-Writer.

So for this project I will mainly be working as a Director, but I will also have the role of Co-Writer, and Editor.