Casting decisions

For our film we need four actors/ characters. These are;

1.       Lead Character

2.     Attacker 1

3.     Attacker 2

4.     Clown

As a group we have decided to use the idea of challenging the representation of gender. As our lead character we will use a tall male around 20-25 years old. The young male lead character will challenge the representation as it is usually a young female who falls victim in films. We will also use two teenage females to play the attackers as this will also challenge the representation of gender as it is normally males who play violent, abusive, controlling characters. The clown will be played by a suitable actor depending on how we will portray the clown. We have not yet decided whether to use a costume, mask or face paint/ make up to depict the clown character. Anybody else who features in the film will be the general public who happen to appear in the scenes. We will make them aware of our presence and allow them to decline their appearance in the film.

Distribution of our film

As our film is not a feature film it would not be distributed into cinemas and then onto DVD/ Blu Ray. As it is a short film under 15 minutes our film would be distributed on the internet, either on a private website or a popular website such as www.youtube.com. Using the internet, our film would be more likely to be seen by our target audience of teenagers and young adults as it is easily accessible and free.

Research into film distribution

Once a film has been produced, it is distributed through the relevant means. Feature films tend to appear in cinemas. The time the film spends in the cinema depends on its popularity. Once the film has finished its stint on “the big screen”, after a short period of time the film would be released on DVD/ Blu Ray to rent/ buy. This method of distribution is the most profitable as it allows the public to pay to see the film in the cinema, then, if they enjoyed it, buy it on disc. The accessibility of the film on disc also permits other members of the public who have not previously seen the film to buy it. Other mainstream films go straight to DVD as the production company and distributors do not think they will benefit from the films time in the cinema. There is also an opportunity for these films to appear on cable and terrestrial television. Most short films tend to distributed over the internet as this is where they will receive the most exposure to the target audience. Many short films also have the opportunity to gain more exposure from film festivals.

Context within our short film

As a group we have carefully considered the context of our film. Firstly we decided that the film would be set over a four day time period. We have chosen this time frame as it will allow us to extend the narrative allocate more time for events to happen so they do not seem rushed. We have selected an arcade/ seaside as our primary setting as this relates to our target audience as it is light hearted and fun. This will also make the audience question why the dark events are happening in such an enjoyable, cheerful place. The scenes will take place in the early evening. This will give us the opportunity to decide what reasons the character has for being at the arcade and will allow us the chance to use different lighting techniques within the film.



Representation within our short film

We have decided that the actors we will use in our film will go against common representations in the media. The main representation we will challenge is gender. We have chosen a male lead character to suffer the actions of the clown, instead of the typical female victim that appears in so many films within the horror genre. Also, we will use two female actors in Chloe’s mugging scene. This challenges the gender representation as it is widely perceived that males are the most violent and likely to attack someone. We may also challenge the representation of class and will film the biblical speech that one of the mugging attackers says in both a well- spoken manner and slang. We will decide when editing which fits best with the narrative of the film. The actors in the film will be young as to not alter the typical representation and stereotype of the characters in this genre of film and also to relate to our target audience.

Dialogue

The only dialogue that features in our film will be in Chloe’s scene. One of the female attackers will read this to the male character just before they both attack him. The dialogue is taken from an ancient Hindu scripture Bhagavad-Gita, Chapter 9, The Most Confidential Knowledge. Verse 18.

“gatir bharta prabhuh saksi
nivasah saranam suhrt
prabhavah pralayah sthanam
nidhanam bijam avyayam” {1}

English Translation;

“I am the goal, the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge and the most dear friend. I am the creation and the annihilation, the basis of everything, the resting place and the eternal seed.”

The reason we have chosen this section of dialogue is because it is about the Hindu God, Krishna (Krsna, Sanskrit) and everything is a creation of Krishna and life exists on the energy he creates. Krishna is the ultimate goal and controls everything. This ties in with our narrative as our film centres around the idea of fate and how it is impossible to escape your own destiny.

{1} http://www.asitis.com/9/18.html

Target audience

When deciding on the target audience for our film we had to consider a number of things such as the actors and the settings we use. When we decided that our target audience would be adolescents and young adults we decided that using a young male would be best as the male audience may be able to relate to him, and the female audience may find him attractive. We also decided that the setting of an arcade would be ideal as they are popular amongst the younger generation. Our chosen genre of horror also relates to a high demographic of our target audience. We are primarily making this film for the audience it would be distributed to and not just the examiner, so as well as showcasing our talents to the examiner we have to create a flm that is suitable for our target audience.

Pre- production meeting 2

Today we all sat down together and began to plan the details of our film. We discussed topics ranging for the target audience of our film, suitable locations, costumes, props and dialogue. Over the next couple of days we will all go away and think of suitable ideas that matches are chosen criteria, then come back together to select the ideas that we all agree would be best for our film.  We will carefully choose these aspects as they are crucial to the structure and detail of the film. If they don’t connect with the narrative then our film will feel disjointed and separate from the story.

Changes to my shot script

After producing the rough version of my section of the short film, I re-evaluated my shot script. When looking at all of the shots with the group we decided that my scene needed more variation as it featured a lot of medium shots so I have added the shots of clowns stalking sequence as the man drives home. I have decided I will also make the sequence of shots between the clown and the man’s reactions longer as this will give me an opportunity to use special effects on the scene. I have also considered the scene when the male character looks at the wire and realises it is not plugged in. To give this scene extra depth and include more variation of shots, I will also add a point of view shot of the characters hands pulling the wire towards him.

Rough version of my section

Today we created a rough version of my chosen section based on my shot script. We filmed the version using the members in the group as the characters and areas around the school as the setting. The main aim of producing the rough version was to establish approximately how long each of our sections would be and if any shots needed to be added or replaced. Producing a rough version also gives us the opportunity to see how our section looks and how easily the shots fit together and if there is continuity throughout the film.

Shot script

Once we had all decide on which part of the film we were going to create, we started to make our shot scripts. My first shot is an extra long shot which will last around 25 seconds and feature the lead character walking the length of the landscape within the shot. The following shot is a backwards tracking, long shot of the same character. These two shots should be the same as Chloe and Karlene’s but with some aspect slightly changed so it is clear the shots are on different days. My next shot differs from the others as there is no coin and the character is visibly looking for one. The next series of shots are also the same as Chloe and Karlene’s and begin with the clown moving in the box, then a reaction shot of the main character, following with a shot of him receiving the ticket, all of these will be medium shots. After this, there will be a sequence of shots between the clown and the main character showing his reactions to what is happening. My section will then end on a long shot of the character checking the wire and realising it is not plugged in then running back to the box where the clown has disappeared.

Idea of narrative structure

As a group we have decided on the narrative structure of our short film. We will use chronological order to convey our story with occurs over a period of four days. We will also include recurring actions and events within the short film to create the idea of each day repeating with only small details changed, almost like the film “Groundhog Day”. As they story progresses, so does the threatening nature of the film, resulting in a puzzling and chilling climax of a stalking sequence with the clown following the male character's home.

Idea for my section of the film

As a group we are very happy with the idea of a film that centres on fortune and fate. To achieve the division of roles, we have had to basically plan out our film and divide it into four. We have divided it fairly regarding the content of the section and have decided to plan out our own part, provided we stick to the basic plan. I have chosen section 3 as I feel it will give me the opportunity to use many of the skills I have learnt during my time studying media. As the film is set over four days, my part begins on the fourth, with the same beginning shots as the previous three days, however, as he looks around and realises there is no coin, the machine starts on its own and produces a ticket that reads “Beware the Clown”. As he looks back at the machine, the clown starts to move, almost as though it is malfunctioning. There will be a sequence of the clown and the man’s reactions towards it. For this sequence I am considering using special effects. The man then rushes towards the cable and plug of the machine to find that it is not plugged in. He then runs back to box and sees the clown is not there. It is when the male character then runs to his car that the final section, designed by Paige, begins.

Outline of final decision in terms of narrative and themes

We have decided that our film will centre around the simpler idea of fortune and fate. Our short film will be split into four separate days. This allows all four of us in the group to control our own sections. The narrative will centre around the theme that a person’s fate is already laid out for them in their future and it doesn’t matter how the person tries to change events, fate cannot be avoided. We will show this in the four fates that the man is given throughout the film. We have also decided that instead of the traditional fortune teller that is used in such films as ours, we will use a clown. This gives a modern twist on the narrative and theme. We have already begun to design our props and discuss who we will use as actors. We have also chosen who will take responsibility over each section of the film. Karlene will be responsible for the first section, in which the man goes through two separate days and receives two fates. Chloe will then be in charge of the second section which will show the third day and third fate. I will take responsibility for the fourth day and the final fortune. Paige will then control the last section in which the man is stalked home by the clown. There are many links to ancient scriptures and superstitions that involve the idea of fate. There are also many films, books and pieces of art that we can use to gather information and inspiration in regards to our narrative.

Pre- Production meeting 1

Today we sat down as a group and discussed our proposed idea of a film about the “Seven Deadly Sins”. We have decided that dividing the film up equally and fairly would be quite difficult and there would be a lot of content to fit into a film of approximately 5 minutes in length. We would also have to link the film together with a theme that is tough to decide on. As a group, we like the idea of fortune, and how events link together to form a persons fate. By developing this idea further we have moved away from the initial idea of the “Seven Deadly Sins” and moved more towards fortune telling and physics. We believe that this will give us a wider range of themes to work with and more chance to showcase our creative talents.

Outline of chosen decision in terms of narrative and themes

As a group we have decided to focus on creating a film based on the morality tale “The Seven Deadly Sins”. To coincide with the number of sins, we have chosen to make our film 7 minutes long and perhaps include separate chapters for each one of the sins. We have considered a number of different ways in which to distinguish between the chapters. Our ideas include using graphics in between the individual sections or changing the form of each of the chapters for example using animation, chat show and documentary form. Another concept we have thought about is how to keep continuity throughout the chapters, and as a group we have discussed many ideas on how to do this. Using the same character throughout the short film would link all of the chapters together as it would be clear they apply to the same person. By using characters that appear in chronological age in the film, the idea of continuity through the film is parallel to the continuity of life. Another way to create continuity is through the soundtrack. By using the same music all the way through or sound bridges over the chapters, the separate parts of the film join together.  On the hand, we have considered deliberately keeping all of the chapters separate, essentially creating seven unique stories, getting rid of the continuity aspect. This idea however will make it difficult to show the target audience that each part of the film is connected to one main idea, being the seven deadly sins.

To decide our target audience, we have to consider the main representations in the media. These are;

·         Gender

·         Age

·         Race

·         Class

·         Sexuality

·         Nationality

By deciding the specifics in each of these areas, we can determine a target audience and create our film accordingly. The seven deadly sins in themselves are seen as predominantly male sins, and the majority are classed as teenage traits. The method of distribution also affects the target audience. As our film would be distributed on the internet there are two main things we have to bear in mind. As the main audience that has access to the internet is teenagers and young adults that’s primarily who our film should be aimed at. Also we have to be careful what shot sizes we use in the film. As the film would only be seen on a small screen, close ups and medium shots would be best, if not, the detail within the shots would get lost.

          The Seven Deadly Sins, also known as the Cardinal Sins are a set of vices that have been used since early Christian times to educate people on humanity’s sins. The recognised list of the seven deadly sins consists of Lust, Greed, Gluttony, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride. There are a great number of different media texts that have been influenced by the seven deadly sins and these reach over many genres, from the literary works of Geoffrey Chaucer to the songs of heavy metal band Bullet for my Valentine. Another example of media influenced by the sins is the film Se7en (Seven), directed by David Fincher, and starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. Se7en is a serial killer thriller in which the murder uses each one of the sins to punish his victims. The painting by Hieronymus Bosch, “The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things” was painted in 1485, showing that the sins had relevance and importance over 5 centuries ago.

                      

 Heironymus Bosch, "The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things" 1485

The religious definition of sin is the act of violating a moral rule. In some religion, sin can not only refer to physical actions taken, but also to thoughts, motivations and feelings. Religion promotes the idea that any sin is punishable by other people, God in life or afterlife, or the universe in general. The main contemporary attitude towards the seven deadly sins is that they are bad things, to either punish or mistakes to learn on. This change in attitude from religion may be explained by the impact of the media.

            As a group, we have not decided what the main theme of or film will be but we have come up with a number of ideas. Our first was to make a film showing that the seven deadly sins were still relevant today in modern society, either as good things that provide motivation, or undesirable traits/ unavoidable biological instincts. Another idea we are considering is to make the audience question the difference between religion and science, through the sins themselves and the effects they have.