Things we must do by:

Friday 25th of March:

• Evaluation to be filmed, imported and edited
• Finish editing the production

April 1st:

• Poster, edited and completed
• DVD, including evaluations, menu and movie

What I would of improved/ changed overall in my production

• Changed the story so it was based inside- this would of allowed us to use the lighting kit and achieve film noir conventions better
• Taken more shots
• Found different music earlier
• I would not of filmed in the day time
• We should have started editing earlier
• I should of checked that all my group was up to date with what they were supposed to be doing
• Changed what the villain was wearing and how he was presented
• Changed the femme fatales' dress and makeup
• Done different shots- not just walking shots throughout the sequence
• Made sure the group was happy with what they had to do and make sure they knew when things had to be done for
• Started the poster straight after production

Editing Deadline 18th of March

Today is our deadline for our edited movie. We recieved the V.O. last night, all we need to do is put the V.O. in as well as the music and cut clips accordingly.

Pictures from Production- Filming

 We couldnt use the lighting kit outside- so we improvised using 3 industiral building torches, mirrors and white sheets.

It started raining during filming so we used umbrellas so we could carry on filming despite the weather.

It was hard for the actors to keep walking up and down steep cobbled streets, one in high heels and the other recently recovering from a broken leg, so instead of using loads of different alleyways and hills we used the same areas filmed from different angles- they look like completely different places!

Pictures from Production- Scenes

Pictures from Production- Poster Images

 We are going to use certain aspects of these pictures in our poster- for example the poses, postions, costume, car, expressions etc

Pictures from Production- Getting Ready & Costumes

Actor for our voice over

After the acting workshops during our media lessons we approached the actor assisting with the workshops (Simon Ockenden) and asked if he would be willing to do our voice over. I have recently contacted him asking if he would be available to do the voice over soon.

Hello Simon,
We are from Sawtry Community College and were in your class for an acting workshop recently. We were wondering if you would be available to do a voice over for our A- Level media Film Noir Production. The voice over is from a 2 page script, spoken in American dialect. We hope you are able to help us as we were very inspired by your demonstrations and advice in the workshop. Would you be able to come to Sawtry Community College any day of the week beginning 28th of February to 4th of March during the times of 9.15 am to 3.00pm?

Thank you for your time and we hope to hear from you soon

Emily Wilson (Amy Batten & Ruth Cooper)
Year 12 SCC Media

Props

Day of filming- Diary 9:30am

I spent most of yesterday evening making phone calls to group members, making sure everyone knew what time they were coming, what to bring and the time-scales for the next day. We have had a lighting problem as the generator we were supposed to be using is too big to take in the car with all the other kit. We have gone round many peoples houses and asked if they have large torches we can use instead. I really hope that lighting isn't an issue today, it is so important that we get it right first time because we are relying on so many people today that may not be willing to go to Stamford again for a second shoot.

I'm worried about the weather because it has been raining, i will have to check with my neighbour if it is still OK to use the car. We decided not to use one of our actors yesterday, it wasn't working out and he was unwilling to do the things he was expected, was unreliable and overall it is the last thing someone needs when there is so much other stuff to sort out, so we have a back up actor instead, which i hope will look just as good.

Day of filming- 24 hour Weather

Stamford Weather Today:                     Peterborough Weather Today:

Our Shooting Script

FADE IN

1. EXT. STREET – NIGHT.

BEGIN TITLES.

Looking down on a cobbled road, we cannot see the surrounding’s slowly begins to PANS UP revealing an empty dark street.

END TITLES.

A ALINA’S silhouette appears walking brisk fully across the street in the distance she disappears down an ally on the opposite side and is shortly followed by DETECTIVE RHILEY following closely behind her.

DETECTIVE RHILEY (V.O.)

It was 9.32, a cold February night. I took my mind off the bitter chill, reminding myself that tomorrow would be Valentines day. I usually have no interest in this pointless, money- making scam of a "holiday", but this year was different... 

2.  EXT. ALLEYWAYS – NIGHT.

ALINA comes into view she passes by shortly followed by DETECTIVE RHILEY. They go down several alleyways both walking calmly but swiftly. ALINA looks behind her with a smile she turns a corner she knows he is following her and will keep her safe.

DETECTIVE RHILEY (V.O.)

Alina. Beautiful beyond reason and as sharp as a tack. Her soft skin as radiant as the moonlight and her eyes as hypnotic as the stars themselves. She had been wanting to help me out on this case for some time now, I was doing well to keep her out of all this, but my oh my is she persuasive. A fine little lady like her could captivate any man long enough for me to lock him up- I never doubted that. Not once. I just can't see her hurt. Following her through the twisting and turning of these god forsaken alleys, darkness in one corner and danger lurking round the next. I stayed a distance behind her, as I was instructed.

3.  EXT. MEETING POINT – NIGHT.

DETECTIVE RHILEY stops with his back against the wall, the CAMERA PANS across slowly to reveal that ALINA is now being greeted by JOHN STOKES who is giving her roses. She shows her appreciation by kissing his cheek. DETECTIVE RHILEY is simultaneously peering round calmly waiting for the right time to move in. You see ALINA with JOHN as she tries to distract him by charming and flirting with him.

DETECTIVE RHILEY (V.O.)

I'm a private detective you see, following was not so much my forte. leading though- boy oh boy could I lead. Detective Riley- best in this town, solved every unsolvable case so far, solo. Until now- this guy here is John Stokes, nasty little thing he is, but as smart as hell... committed more crimes than all the crooks, murderers and kidnappers I caught all together. Dangerous. I've been trying to catch him for months and now just a few metres away from me... all I can do is wait. And pray.

 

JOHN STOKES catches a glimpse of Rhiley around the wall and lunges at ALINA. This is followed by a shot of the roses slowly falling out of her hand and onto the floor and he grabs her. Rhiley begins to run towards them when he hears ALINA’S muffled cries.

JOHN STOKES pushes ALINA into the car. Before DETECTIVE RHILEY reaches them JOHN STOKES speeds off with ALINA hostage. The CAMERA PANS UP slowly revealing the car moving further into the distance until it disappears completely and DETECTIVE RHILEY slowly coming to a stop as he realises he can’t catch them.

DETECTIVE RHILEY (V.O.)
I tried. With everything I had in me. I ran. Ran like I never had before... [beat] A chill hit me, not the cold, not exhaustion, but I had lost her, let her down. I hadn't kept her safe, a broken promise.... [Beat] And like that she was gone.

FADE TO BLACK

Practice Acting- Scene from Memento

It was interesting to see what we would be asking our actors to be doing from a first hand view. It was also quite helpful trying to establish what kind of mood you needed to set, i feel it was helpful as now i know what i need to ask of our actors and how we can convey the right atmosphere by the acting.

1940's Hair & Make up Practice

Before i did the practice hair, make up and costume shots i decided to look up some tutorials. I did quite a bit of research using YouTube, but most of the tutorial videos on there used 'a modern twist to the 1940's style'. Make up was quite straight forward, pale concealer, foundation and power (fix it all in place with talcum power- also makes it more flawless). Shade eyebrows to frame the face, a beauty mark could also be used and statement coloured lips. Use a highlight to bring out more angular features such as bridge of nose and cheek bones and use minimal eye make up (ideally just a subtle mascara).
I got the idea for the hair from this traditional 1940's hair style tutorial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1jI3rRZpZ8

I used this idea as the basis of the style, however i changed it at the back and used a curling iron instead. I feel it is very classy and suits the character of Alina very well. 

Risk Assessment

Booking Kit

We have booked 2 cameras, 2 tripods

and 2nd use of lighting kit for the 12th

of February. We will be taking the kit

on the 11th of February and returning

it on the 14th of February.

Music Reseach

Film Noir is based in the 1930/1940/1950 time period. There was little available in terms of computerised music (if any) all pieces of music had to be composed by musicians, often creating an orchestral piece of music for the film. This worked well as the music was capable of creating drama, suspence, tension and action. It kept pace and created an atmosphere. Music like this was often used to convey characters very quickly, for example the main character/ detective could be summed up very quickly with a statement piece of music during a scene, and the introduction of the femme fatale could be made more sensual by by using soft orchestral music and strings.

I found this piece on freeplay music, I think it will be appropriate for the following around the alley ways scene:

8. Faure Requiem (Offertory) (8:59) - Found on Frequency Orch. Faure Requiem

This contemplative piece features rising, mystical chanting and an opulent backing of strings and organ, the theme speaks of kind reminiscence and hope.

Feeling: Spiritual/Uplifting, Graceful/Luxurious, Thoughtful/Introspective, Spiritual/Uplifting | Style: Orchestral/Operatic

Instrument: Strings, Organ, Vocal Chorus | Tempo: Slow

Composed by:Arranged By Dave Greendale,BMI

Published by: Freeplaymusic, BMI

http://freeplaymusic.com/search/category_search.php?t=s&i=91

The beginning of this piece i feel suits the film noir genre very well however as it goes on it is a bit too cheerful and upbeat for the film noir style:

2. MC Tchaikovsky Concerto for Piano and Orchestra 1 in B Flat Minor Opus 23 First Movement (20:47) - Found on MC Tchaikovsky Concerto for Piano and Orchestra Opus 23

Regal horns, flowing strings, and resounding, virtuosic piano outline this famous first movement. The piano part uses call-and-response techniques with pizzicato strings, as well as perfectly accenting the orchestra as a whole.

Feeling: Cinematic, Dramatic | Style: Orchestral/Piano

Instrument: Orchestra, Piano | Tempo: Medium

Composed by:Arranged by:Leonard Handler, BMI

Published by: Pleasantville Music Publishing, BMI (50%) and Freeplay Music, BMI (50%)

http://freeplaymusic.com/search/category_search.php?t=s&i=122

I think this music will tie in very nicely in the scene where Rhiley is chasing the car and realises he has lost Alina, and the strings will go very well with the film noir genre:

7. Abandoned (2:00) - Found on Drama Vol 1

"Rich warm strings set a deeply-felt backing for a gentle piano melody for a cinematic, film-score feel."

Feeling: Suspense/Terror, Dark/Mysterious, Sad | Style: New Age/Atmosphere

Instrument: "Warm strings, high piano" | Tempo: Slow

Composed by:Robert Davidson, BMI, Scott P. Schreer, BMI

Published by: Freeplaymusic, BMI, Freeplaymusic, BMI

http://freeplaymusic.com/search/category_search.php?t=f&i=4

Lighting Workshop

The lighting kit includes:

• 1 power lead
• Safety gloves
• Lighting Stand
• Clips
• Red head with barn door
• Safety adaptor
• Filters/ colours

Important things to consider:

• Leave it for 25 minutes before packing it away
• Always switch it off when not in use
• The light should always be parallel with one of the legs
• Always use gloves
• Warn people before you turn it on
• Start with lights at low level
• Always use safety adaptor
• Never replace the bulb
• Check what the natural/ other sources of light are
• Make sure you have all the parts of the kit
• Place camera to the right of the key light

3 Point Lighting:

Film Noir:

'One light says it all'



Advanced Camera skills

There are 4 main ways of framing a shot:

1. Hold in hands (handheld)
2. On a dolly (tracking)
3. Crane (high angle, establishing)
4. Tripod (other)

The Rule of Thirds is key when considering how to get the best possible shot:

• Try and position the actor so they aren't right in the middle of the frame
• Eyes must stay on the top line
• Nose must be either side of the two vertical lines
• Make sure you leave plenty of head room
• Whichever way the actor is looking make sure there is room to that side

White Balance is key when achieving a good quality shot:

Never film in auto focus always on manual:

• Exposure- both over and under exposure ruin shots
• Under exposed= add more light
• Over exposed= take away light

This is extremely over exposed, too much light has been used and detail has been lost. You can tell a shot has been over exposed if it looks a bit too bright and the background is hard to separate from the foreground. To prevent overexposure, test the lighting before you record.

This shot is under exposed, there is not enough light in the shot. detail and colour has been lost as it is shadowy and dark. To prevent under exposure like this check for natural light sources before you film so you can set up a shot based on what the lighting is like. 

• Try to avoid zooming in or out during a shot, it is often jumpy and ruins the mood of the shot as it makes the audience very aware of the camera
• Multiple people shot= a wide shot, NOT a 'group shot' as a group can be anything from 3 people to a thousand
• Never cut on a move as it means the sequence is messed up in editing and continuity editing doesn't work

P.S.C.- Portable single camera (filming with just one camera)

Multi camera set up:

• Saves so much time
• Bigger crew- more fun to film and get much more shots, however communication is often an issue
• Less likely to have continuity problems

Other tips:

• Always film the wide shot first
• Make sure that the shot size it the same when using multi camera
• One operator per camera