Some genre classification of films

I analysed some films for why they where given the classification it had, so i could compare with my own to see what classification to give our film.



Sherlock homes -  given for contents of action violence, and course language.


Comparing this with our film intro they both contain violence and possibly moderately offensive language. 





Mystic river -     given for contents of  strong violence,disturbing scenes,blood and language  


Comparing it with our film, they both have language issues and violence, however the violence is not as strong in our film and  there is minimal blood and gore in our film.





The fugitive -     given for contents of strong  violence, language 


Compared with our film there is violence (although not as strong) and there is bad language also. the only difference being the strength of the language.



Dial M for murder -   given for contents of moderate violence


Compared to our film opening, they both have moderate violence, the difference being ours has not only bad language but possibly more violent scenes.


Taking into account the BBFC and these similar films, i think our film should be rated a  
because of its physiological distress and violence and language.

preliminary task

my preliminary task was to film someone opening a door and having a conversation about football to another person. it includes tracking shots, shot reverse shots, close ups and reaction shots. 


evaluation 
i found that the directing of the actors worked well in my video, as well as the close up shots and useing the 180 degree rule. but the shot reverse shot was annoying because it was difficult to edit due to sound differences and multiple dialogue. 
i also found the setup of the equipment to be quite complicated at first then after a few shots i got the hang of it.

BBFC

Who are the BBFC and what do they do ?
The British Board of Film Classification are an independent, non-government body funded through fees it charges to those who submit films and video for classification. They study through certain guidelines to give the media piece a classification I.E 
U,     
PG, 
12A, 
15, 
18 , 
R18. 

This is taken into consideration by looking for certain amounts of :

• Drugs 
• Sex
• Nudity
• Violence
• Gore / Horror
• Imitable behaviour
• Language

Films that have been banned

-The human centipede two

-pink flamingoes 

-cannibal holocaust 

These films have been banned for very offensive acts of violence, obscene gore or offensive sexual violence.

Job roles in our group

Director - Will Davidson

Camera man - Lewis Pickering

Prop designer / actor - Kane Guichard 

Actor - James Quinlan

Actor - Calum Dowse

Actor -Tim Gramson
Editors - Lewis Pickering, Will Davidson and Kane Guichard
Sound men  - Will Davidson and Kane Guichard

With me and lewis behind the set, we needed to hire some actors to play our various characters. we looked at some past performances and costume varitey to conclude that it shoulc be played by these actors.

shooting schedule

Storyboard

storyboards

1 to 3 are the opening scene.

Frame 7 explains Shot type: Extreme close up. Camera movement: tracking along side man 1 walking. Notes:man 1's hand covers the Directed by... as he puts hand in pocket. Frame 8 explains Shot type: extreme close up . Camera movement: tracking in front of man 1 walking. Notes: edited by is put onto man1's shirt.

Frame 9 explains Shot type: Close up. Camera Movement: tracking shot in front of man 1 walking. Notes: Edited by... covered by the zip. Frame 10 explains Shot type: close up of shoulder. Camera movement: tracking while man 1 walks. Notes: camera and sound by.... on man1's shoulder.

frame 11 explains Shot type: close up on shoulder Camera movement: tracking shot while man 1 walks. Notes: camera and sound by... wiped off by left hand of man 1.

4 to 8 are extreme and close ups because it creates tension and curiosity making the viewer want to see more.

10 to13 are the shots to option one in which we might use.

15 to 18 are the frames for option 2 if used.

frame 24 establishes the sniper is aiming at the two people.

19 to 26 are also extreme and close ups to create more tensions and enigma. 

Script

PROLOUGE

PRESS ROOM

Chief of police in conference room with flashing camera lights, explains the resent deaths and the measure he will take to prevent them in the future. Slow zoom toward chief of police.

CHIEF OF POLICE:

At 03:40 this morning, Police SGT Samuel Ward was                                                                             found outside 34 Baker Street and confirmed dead at the scene. It is suspected that he was murdered by strangulation.

Zooms out onto TV in electronics store window, showing a live news report audio gets quieter.

CHIEF OF POLICE:

This seems to be connected to the previous killings of inspector Amy Grant and Police constable Ian Jones, who were found on the 5^th at 0215 in the early hours within the same operating area.

News report goes static with actor walks by, with edited so many hours later fades to black with text still there into the next scene.

THE MEETING 

PRESS ROOM/NIGHT STREET

Close up on the pavement with production logo intergraded into it. A foot steps into it and walks of out of shot.

Straight cut to an extreme close up on his pocket with director’s name above it. Man1’s hand goes into pocket and covers the text.

Close up on mans shirt with the edited by… text. The man 1 then zips up coat.

Camera and sound by… on man1’s shoulder and is brushed of by his hand. Man 1 stops to meet another mysterious man 2.

Option 1: tracking shot following man 1 up to man 2 in shot revealing a shadow in the window while man 1 and 2 exchange an object between them.

Option 2: stationary shot of meeting place man 1 and 2 enter shot from the left and right and exchange an object.

Camera moves forward on dolly into the centre of man 1 and 2 zooms into window following a transition into...

NIGHT STREET/WAREHOUSE

Muzzle of sniper with a slow extreme close up arcing shot of the whole sniper. Moves to behind the shoulder of the assassin showing the two men in street. Cuts to finger on trigger. Trigger is then pulled cut to black with title. 

film analyses 2#

SHERLOCK HOMES 

overview of the film

the story of a different but genius detective who trys to solve the case of the acts of murder, in Victorian England.

conventions of the film opening 

enigma :

• why do the men have guns ?
• who is the man running at the start?
• why is he running ?
• where are they going?
• why is he planning the attack? 

other conventions :

• introduction to main characters
• music sets the mood for the genre by being quick pace and light and quick
• introduction to location my running through the streets of old London town 

Costume 

Sherlock homes is in casual Victorian clothing , where as Dr Watson is wearing smart clothing showing a difference between them and creating a conflict of clothing. 

Actors

Robert Downey JR - an actor known for interesting action characters

Jude Law - an actor known for lovable characteristics 

Mark Strong - and actor seen as the  big bad boss "intimidating"  

Make up 

Sherlock homes appears grubby, the other actors are fairly clean.

Props

Horse and cart, Shotguns and Revolvers.

Setting 

The streets of Victorian London, England  at night to give a suspense to the mood

Editing 

They have put the production logos into the street pavement, there are lots of straight cuts to keep the mood of action.


Lighting
the lighting is low key to also help keep the mood tense and mysterious , creating enigma


Camera 
there is tracking shot following the cart telling the audience it is of importance, there is a close up on Robert downey JR showing hes is the main character.


sound 
-diagetic : horses, guns reloading, people running
-non diagetic : tense music

Job Roles in Film

Producer -  the oversee the whole film and may also be involved in marketing and distribution.  
       there roles include 

• raises money for the production
• arranges the shooting schedules
• keeps the film in budget
•  comes up with ideas

Director - is a person who visualises the script and arranges the actors to create a scene.

• organises the films scenes 
• visualises the script 
• can sometimes pick the actors  
• gives motivations and motives 

Camera operator - is a person who captures the film in all types of light and location

• they transport maintain and use the equipment
• they capture the film and maintain the mood through camera
• they take creative shots and angles 

Sound operator  - is the person who capture the sounds in all types of conditions 

• they transport maintain and use the equipment
• they capture the sound using mics and booms

our pitch

our pitch ideas

feedback 

• may be too much for two mins
• keep it simple 
• what enigma will it raise?

with these comments we have simplified the story line and given the characters more depth

Key questions to considered

1. Is it practical ?
In my opinion yes it is , it set in a street location, with average actors and average plots however the most difficult part is the props I.e. the sniper although Kane is making a replica from wood.
2. Is it an idea that works to the strengths of the group ?
Yes, I think that is because it combines our interests and creative ideas with room in the genre to expand our creative abilities.
3. Will it show off the skills you have learnt so far on the course ? 
Yes, we plan to use a variety of camera shots we would have not known if not for on the course, the conventions, denotations and connotations which will better the structure of our film opening. 
4. Is it something you can reasonably shoot and edit in the time available ? 
I think so because it is quite a simple film opening (less is more) but I imagine it will take a good few hours editing and shooting another good few hours to set everything up.  
5. Can you get access/ permission to shoot in the chosen location at the chosen times?
Well its on the street which is public property, we may struggle finding a rooftop.
6. Can you organise lighting to use in that location ?
well we will be using natural lighting, and street lights.
7. have you included dialogue ? if so, will it work to shoot conversation in that location 
yes, possible not we may have film the dialogue as a close up inside a recording studio to avoid the hustle of the street 
8. do you have guaranteed high quality reliable actors to play the characters ? 
we will be staring in one groups film therefore we have come to an agreement to act for each others films although we are try to use adults more as it will look more professional.

Logos cut scenes

Target audience

We did some research into target audience by looking at the uk film council, to help us realize what genres would be in the interest of the general public and who our film introductions should be aimed at.



thriller/suspense is our genre so we where pleased to see it being the second popular choice. with 28% people choosing it as there favorite. There are advantages for this being it can be a popular amount most people however it can mean , people expect a lot from us based on our genre of film.



 by analysis the data we found from the UK film council we found that our target audience is that females 35 and older enjoy watching our particular genre of film. however with it being the second most popular a large percetage of 35 + males also like to watch the film.

anyalsis of mystery films

Characters - shady unknown characters 

                    - detective character 

Mise-en-scene - costume - long trench coats, hats, suits 

                             lighting - low key lighting, street lights

                             actors - males

                             make up - rain drenched 

                             props - guns, bullets 

                             setting - alleyways, cites and streets 

iconography - shady costumes

                      - guns 

                      - night streets

                      - clues 

narrative - cliff hanger moments, moments of suspense , non linear 

themes - revenge, conflict, mystery 

sound - diagetic - guns 

                             - cameras 

                             - dialogue 

                             - footsteps 

          - non diagetic - music

                                  - narrative voice   

what other films is it like?

The sniper character we hope to have some qualities of mystery from Ezio from Assassins Creed Brotherhood game, but also have the the intelligence of "hitman" when planning the killing. The detective we hope to have some qualities like sherock homes.

film analyses

Full Metal Jacket – 2 Minute Intro

View more presentations from will

analyses of previous AS work

i looked for a video similar to our ideas, but Dead men was the nearest genre of film i could find closest to our idea. 

Costume: - the runner is dressed normally,  

                  -the killer has his face hidden with the hooded top

Lighting: - high key lighting during the killing

                - low key lighting on the mysteriously died scene.

Actors: - all males

Male up: - non

Props: - gun 

           - tv (for report)

Setting: -woods (creating classic stereotypical death place)

             - dark house ( killer is hidden) 

              - 

Pitch idea for a film opening

The synopsis (the basic story line and genre) 
several men murdered and the police are investigating it and there is a assassin killing certain men. The genre is thriller/mystery.
The 2 minute opening (what happens)
it starts with credits over slow music, then quick white edit into press conference, where a n important man TBE talks about some resent murder. then as he talks its cuts to a man walking down a rainy street all alone.Then seen through a sniper scope and cuts to the guy with the weapon all in black. then shot to his finger as it moves onto the trigger an as he pulls the trigger it cuts to black and you hear the bang then title.
who are the target audience?
15+
enigma
who is the killer?
what are his motives?
who will he strike next?
will the police catch him ?
locations
conference room and dark alley and streets and hopefully a rooftop 
casting and characters
chief of police, mod guy, press members, the assassin, the murdered man , then the resently murdered guy.

conventions of a film opening

there are a few things that go into a film opening to make it the best it can be, and most films will contain:
-establishing shot
-introduction to characters 
- enigma
-titles and credits 
- narrator
-set the story
-sets date/location
-music can reflect mood/genre
-lighting can set a tone

genres

i am really interested in the murder mystery genre or gangster genre. from watching good fellas i have though of some good connotations,

 e.g. black and white, long shots, night time, posh black cars, shady characters and pathetic fallacy. 

Ideas

SUDDEN BRAINSTORM
title - then a monologue of a resent series of murders over the top of a person walking in the rain, long coat, dark shots meets a shady character on a street corner and hand over a letter  or file, the genre is thriller and it creates lots of enigma and the pathetic fallacy creates the connotation of a murder mystery, thriller genre.

this picture i have found is the best image to describe it so far.

Ideas

Props
we have obtained some dpms (destructive pattern material/ camouflage clothes) and kane is making a fake sniper. it is currently undergoing construction. we also have the use of a flying suit and a flying helmet. These items can expand our creative ideas.

Enigma

What is enigma ? it is the questions the film asks at the beginning to keep the viewers interest. All questions relating to Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. This can be done by using close up shots on face or back of heads so the body and face isn't recognized.

For e.g. in blues brothers as one of the brothers is let out of prison there is only back of head shots and extreme close ups on his sunglasses. The characters also wear sunglasses through out the film, asking the question why. Another e.g. being the Dark Knight , in the opening scene the joker has his back turned from the camera and all the criminals have masks.

Other ways enigma can be posed is by using speeds of shots and type of camera filming, quick shots indicating urgency and danger (usually hand held shots). while slow shots are for more relaxed and mood setting scenes. 

For e.g.  mission impossible three , the opening scene is very quick dialogue (narrative for the first few seconds), and held camera shots and quick speed shots showing danger and setting up the mood for action and tension.

ideas for 2 min intro

genre - thriller , comedy , shooter

Our Group

I am Will Davidson, i am 16 and love war, sci-fi , comedy and thriller genres. i will be working with lewis Pickering and Kane Guichard , who are 17 and 16. i have known Kane for 5 years and lewis for 2. we all go to cadets together twice a week so we are pretty close mates

me

kane 

lewis

Brief

Video 
The main task is to create the titles and opening of a new fiction film to last a maximum of 2 minutes.