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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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