Joshua Jones: Television Production

Major Project: Cast Rehearsals

As part of the pre-production process Ellie organised a rehearsal day with the cast.

CAST REHEARSALS

In preparation for the rehearsals we set up a camera and some sound recording equipment so we could watch everything back afterwards if we needed to.

The aims of the rehearsal were to:
- Run through any new script changes with the cast in person, and take feedback on those changes.
- Block and then rehearse each scene.
- Work out any problems before the shoot days.
- Allow us to assess how our actors were playing the characters, and provide feedback on that.
- Run through all dialogue to help the actors remember it more.

We started the day with just Sophie and Nik as they are in every scene, where as Craig is only in two so we didn't need him until the afternoon. We ran through each scene, breaking it down into sections and blocking out each section. Whilst doing this we worked on dialogue and actions to suit the actors and the characters better. Sometimes you don't notice things until you see someone act them out in front of you.

Sophie & Nik rehearsing

Later in the day Craig turned up. He watched the other two run through their scenes again. I wanted to ensure he fully understood the rest of the film as it was important for his character. We then blocked and rehearsed all of his scenes, which didn't take too long.

Me directing Nik & Craig during rehearsals

I'm really glad we rehearsed all of the scenes in advance. It highlighted any issues now, which will save us time on the actual shoot days. As we have also blocked the scenes with the actors now, it will also save us time, which is always a plus.

My hope is the cast will take home what they have learnt with them and use that to keep rehearsing in time for the shoot days.

Sunday, 18 February 2018

Major Project: Prop Creation

As part of the pre-production process I wanted to create a couple of important props for the film.

PROP CREATION

Props are an important part of any film, and they shouldn't just be chosen at random. Each and everyone one should be important in its own way and have a link to the story. Some of the props for this film needed to be created by us, so I took that role onboard.

Clive's Promotion Letter

Although the letter probably won't be on screen for long, I want to ensure that it looks as realistic as possible. I also want it to contain some important details for audience members paying close attention.

This is the letter I created:

Clive will only read out the first paragraph in the film, but I added more information to make the letter look more realistic.

There are some important details in this letter:
- The letter details Clive's last name (which we can assume is also Bobbie's last name), Barrow, which is also the last name of Clyde, from Bonnie & Clyde.
- The date on the letter is important, but I will come to that when talking about Frank's security badge.
- I decided to call the fruit company the 'Parker Fruit Company' as Parker is the surname of Bonnie, from Bonnie & Clyde.
- Bonnie's middle name and surname are Elizabeth Parker, and so I chose to call the CEO of the company the same names. The signature is fake, and just one I came up with, but again it adds to the realism of the letter.

Overall I think the letter is very realistic.

Frank's Security Badge

Frank's security badge is an important part of his costume. It will help make his character more believable. I wanted to ensure it looked real, even if it doesn't appear on screen for long, or at all. I also wanted it to contain important information for eagle-eyed viewers.

This is the badge I created:

The photo on the badge was taken during our rehearsals. The badge has some important details on it:
- Frank's surname is Hamer. Frank Hamer was the name of the sherif who caught the real life Bonnie & Clyde.
- It says that Frank's security licence expires on the 3rd March 2018. Clive's letter is dated 2nd March 2018. This suggests to the audience that Frank is about to lose his job, otherwise his licence would have already been updated. SIA licences are normally renewed a month before they expire. This suggestion gives Frank a motif to steal from the company, as he is about to lose his job.

Bobbie & Clive's Photo

It is important that the photo on Clive's desk looks real, and looks like one he would keep on display for his co-workers to see. It also needed to stand out enough that Bobbie would notice it when she walked past the desk.

This was the photo I created:

The original photo was taken during the rehearsals. There isn't any important information in this photo.

Bobbie & Clive's Car

This isn't really a prop creation, more a prop choice. The car we use must fit the characters, and so we have chosen to use my Renault Clio. My car is cheap, and could easily be sold on screen as a car that has many faults with it, which their car needs to have. This will explain one of the many reasons why they need money so bad.

We used my car during the test shoot so we know we can use it in the film and it would be an issue for the camera or the lights. There is enough room inside for a scene to take place.

Saturday, 17 February 2018

Major Project: Shooting Script Draft 3 & Shot List Draft 2

Using the latest script draft I have updated the shooting script and shot list.

SHOOTING SCRIPT DRAFT 3

The shooting script is laid out like a studio tv script, where the shots are written on the script in the order they appear on screen and when they appear on screen. This will help me ensure I have thought carefully about the coverage I want for each scene. This will also ensure I put every shot I need in the shot list. During the editing process these shooting scripts will be very useful.

SHOT LIST DRAFT 2

This new shot list is mostly the same as the last draft, but includes shots for the new scenes. Scene 3 is now mostly one long tracking shot in homage to Edgar Wright and Quentin Tarantino, however I have include some CUs as well some we have additional coverage for the edit. My shot choices for all of the car scenes are based on my research from Baby Driver & The Cloverfield Paradox. I have ensured I have enough coverage of every scene to give us multiple options during the editing process.

Major Project: Script Draft 10

Following on from feedback on our ninth draft, we have written a tenth script draft.

SCRIPT DRAFT 10

For this new script draft we mostly made changes to the ending scenes of the film. We have also written a completely new ending different from any ending we have had so far.

Changes included:
- At the end of scene 2, and leading into scene 3 Clive now can't open his car door and instead is forced to crawl across the middle of the car and out of the drivers door. He then asks Bobbie when she's going to get the broken door fixed and she responds "when do you think". We have added this small bit of action and dialogue in to highlight a possibility as to why Bobbie & Clive need money so badly. The car could just be one of the many things they need money for.
- During scene 5 after she has burst in and said "this is a stick up, everybody down", Bobbie says "I've always wanted to say that". This has been added to reference the character detail that Bobbie is a housewife who spends her days watching action movies and heist movies. This line shows that she is a big fan who has always wanted to try it out herself. A line near the end in scene 11, "that was pretty thrilling", also highlights this detail.
- During scene 6 there is now an unknown car parked in the storage room that Clive doesn't recognise. As he works there, he would know if it is out of place or not, but won't say as to not reveal the truth to Bobbie. This car is a small hint to the new ending, and a clue to Clive to work out what's going on.
- After Frank enters in scene 7, Bobbie still drops her gun, but instead disappears off screen without the audience seeing, therefore leaving them in the dark like Clive who is wondering where she is. A sound is then heard off screen coming from the storage room. This prompts Frank to ask Clive to leave, which Clive does. Clive notices that Frank has an apple in his hand and questions it. Frank explains himself and the two go their separate ways. These changes were made to aid the new ending we have created. Franks actions, and the apple he is holding, are clues to this new ending. For this new ending to work, Bobbie had to disappear.
- During scene 11 Clive now has a moment of realisation when he discovers that it wasn't Bobbie making the noise in the storeroom. This has been written in to accommodate our new ending.
- The final scene has now been completely re-written and the tables have been turned so Frank is in fact the one being caught in the act. We wanted the audience to still get a cliffhanger, but one where they know Bobbie & Clive are probably okay. Bobbie & Clive now catch Frank stealing fruit from the storage room. This new ending is much funny and much more of a twist to surprise the audience with. It is also more interesting for the audience, and will allow us to do some interesting things in terms of how we film some of the scenes, and how we dress the sets etc...

This new script draft is probably our final one.

Thursday, 8 February 2018

Major Project: Script Draft 9

Using feedback on our eighth script draft, we have written a ninth draft.

SCRIPT DRAFT 9

For this draft we made some changes, mostly to the end of the film:
- In scene 2 we removed some lines of dialogue to increase the pace of the scene more. Our main aim is to get to scene 6 in the storage room as soon as possible, so were cutting down the prior scenes.
- We added a line about where they are being the back entrance to the building. This change was made to explain why Bobbie doesn't recognise it as Clive's workplace.
- Scene 3 now takes place on the move from the car to the building. This has been done to again increase the pace of the film and keep it going from scene to scene. It will also be visually more interesting for the audience.
- In scene 5 we changed a line of dialogue for Bobbie were previously she spoke about how the office was empty so they should move to the storage room. We felt it was too wordy and so we cut it down to "come on". We may cut this line all together in a future draft.
- During scenes 8 & 9 we have made some major changes. Whilst under the desk Bobbie's toy gun falls out of her pocket and onto the floor. Franks spots this and picks it up. Bobbie then crawls away and hides nearby. She tries to talk to Clive, which attracts the attention of Frank. As Frank heads towards her, Bobbie plugs a nearby hoover in, which makes Frank walk towards that instead. The story then continues in the same manner as the previous script. We did this to extend the length of tension created for the audience by increasing the amount of time Frank is a challenge for Bobbie & Clive. In previous drafts, the challenge was resolved too quickly. This will work better for the story overall and the audience will fell the tension for longer.
- The ending is still the same.

Wednesday, 7 February 2018