How closely am I following my story board and shot list (part 2)

Although I have stuck to most of my storyboard and shot list very closely and followed it in order, I decided to add more shots into the trailer.

This shot is just another mid shot of Chris getting kicked in the groin by Harry. It was filmed in a street near the alleyway. The location for this shot wasn't really that important. I thought that if I film another shot of this happening to Chris then the trailer would have a montage effect.

The same goes for this shot, it is similar to shots I've already used, however, when added into the trailer it will, again, create a montage. This repetition of similar shots shows how often the bullies attack Chris' character.

This close up of Chris' face after he has just been kicked in thr groin. I chose to shoot this as I thought this was a good shot to end the montage with, instead of the close up of Glen.

This is a mid shot I thought I'd shoot mainly because the classes reaction to the other shots of him weightlifting was very positive, as they found this funny. Therefore I chose to shot more. The setting is the same as the others, in the living room and the mise en scene involves the soft toys on the sofa.

I already have the shot of Chris on the punchbag, however, for his hardest punch at the end I thought it would be appropriate to edit this in slowmotion as this looks very funny.

I have already got a shot of Chris posing in the mirror, however, I felt another would fit in well, as that way it seperates all the same things like talking and prevents them all be done in order.

For the section of where Chris is working out, I have decided to move around certain clips to vary whats happening on screen al through it. For example, the shot where Glen asks "SO what are you gonna do about those boys?" is followed by a few shots of Chris exercising and then it goes back to him replying.

How closely am I following my story board and shot list

For most of my shots, I have completely stuck to my shot list and story board. There are a few slight difference and a few more shots I've added in.

Shot list description: A long shot from the side showing the two main geek characters (Chris and Glen) getting kicked in the groin at the same time, by the two bullies (Nick and Harry’s characters). Both groups are standing in a line like formation which should give a very humorous point of view for the audience

As you can see, the actual shot is very similar to how I planned it to be.

Another example:

A close up of the back of Chris’ legs with a foot come up and hit his groin. I want to use this shot as it is filmed in a very different position and looked very amusing when I practiced it with the cast.

As you can see, the actual shot is very similar to the story board image and shot list description.

Blocking

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The first place I have chosen to film is the living room in Chris’ house. The main reasons that influenced my choice were that the lighting can be easily changed, because the windows have thick curtains that block most of the sunlight and there are a range of lights where the brightness can be changed to suit the scene. As well as this, it’s quite an open space so many different angles and camera positions can be chosen. It also has a large mirror which is essential for the shots capturing Chris talking and posing in the mirror. Also suitable mise en scene can be placed around the room due to the fact that it is quite open and has lots of shelves and other storage places. This room will be used to film the shots of Chris exercising and talking to Glen as well as the mirror shots.
The second place I will film is an alleyway in South Woodham Ferrers. This is because it has many different turnings which could potentially be used to film in. As well as this, it will be easier to film in than other alleyways due to the fact that it is not very busy and few people walk through it.
The third place is in Chris’ garage. This is because he has a garage door which is easy to lift and open as well as the fact that he has a punch bag which can be used for the shots involving it.

Shot List and Script

Shot List
The introduction to the character (first scene/few seconds)
1. Starts off from a fade to a mid shot showing the garage door opening up revealing Chris standing there. There will be a slightly low angled shot to make him seem grander and maybe a little bit heroic when the voiceover and music is added to it.
2. A speeded up zoom into his face, a convention used in trailers (however its usually a very fast track, but I am unable to do this as I do not have the equipment to do this successfully).
3. A big close up showing the characters face more. This quick approach to seeing the Chris’ amusing facial expression will give a comical affect as well as quickly introduces the viewer to the character. It also gives them a chance to make their first impression of the character

The scenes of the characters being bullied (this is outside in various alleyways)
4. A fade to a long shot of Chris getting attacked by the bullies from a side angle. This angle and distance gives the viewer a clear view of what’s happening to the character. The sudden change from a brave and heroic appearance to getting hit by bullies creates a humorous juxtaposition.
5. A close up of the back of Chris’ legs with a foot come up and hit his groin. I want to use this shot as it is filmed in a very different position and looked very amusing when I practiced it with the cast
6. A long shot from the side showing the two main geek characters (Chris and Glen) getting kicked in the groin at the same time, by the two bullies (Nick and Harry’s characters). Both groups are standing in a line like formation which should give a very humorous point of view for the audience
7. Then a reaction shot of Chris’ face in a medium close up
8. A point of view shot from a bully showing Glen’s reaction. From a slightly high angled position to make him look smaller and less superior

Scenes of character in dark living room mirror scene
9. A medium close up of Chris talking to himself in the mirror. I plan to have dark lighting in the scene to set a more dramatic mood. I will also have to use a diagonal angle as the mirror will reflect me and the camera if not done so

The scenes of Chris working out and talking to Glen (all in characters living room)
10. A close up of Chris doing push ups. This captures his funny but struggling face showing that as well as his character cant stand up for himself, he is also physically unfit and not strong. The camera has to tilt upwards to follow his movements
11. A mid shot of Chris doing shoulder presses with small dumbbells. I plan to use a slightly diagonal position for the camera so I don’t capture him straight on. I don’t wish to do this as it does not always look right if the subject is not doing something interesting
12. An over the shoulder shot, from a medium close up position showing Chris play a boxing game on the “Wii”. This point of view allows us to see him moving his arms with the games console and at the same time show the television screen, making it clear what it is that he’s doing
13. A medium close up of Chris still playing the “Wii” from a more frontward position, however from a slight angle. I will be extra careful not to cross the “line of action” as the scene is the same as the previous shot
14. A mid shot of Chris posing with his “muscles” in the mirror. I plan to do this from an angle to make sure the camera is not reflected
15. Another mid shot of Chris punching a boxing bag. The distance of a mid shot allows me to capture both Chris’ movements and facial expressions, as well as the punch bag itself. I will use a slight angle by filming with the punch bag slightly closer to the camera as it fits everything into the shot easier
16. An over the shoulder shot viewing Glen talking to Chris. I will use a slightly high angle shot to capture both of them in the shot, as they are laying down playing chess.
17. Straight after this I will film another over the shoulder shot of Chris talking to Glen, in the same conversation. I will again use a slight high angle to capture everything in the scene
18. After this a mid shot of Chris bicep curling a dumbbell. It is from an angle to capture the mise on scene of the living room. However, I have yet to plan what or where I can put background objects in this scene, so the angle will have to be chosen on the day of filming. The section closes with Chris dropping the dumbbell as its too heavy for him

The scenes of Chris confronting the bullies (all set in an alleyway)
19. From a fade I will then go into a long shot showing Glen being beaten up by the bullies. The long shot captures the bullies from head to toe which is important as they will be kicking Glen whilst he’s on the floor
20. After this I will use a long shot of Chris running round the corner of the alleyway shouting at the bullies to stop. I will use a slightly low angle to suggest he is bigger and braver than before. I hope to film this shot on a sunny day because it will make Chris look darker and less easy to see, which is a typical convention in film when a superhero turns up. The darkness from the alleyway and the brightness behind Chris will help me pull this shot off
21. The camera will go back to the two Bullies reactions of Chris appearing to save his friend, using the same camera position as I did when they were beating Glen’s character up
22. I will then go back to Chris who will say his lines and then start to approach the bullies, still from a low angle
23. Then an over the shoulder shot of Chris walking up to the bullies with them in the background – over his shoulder
24. After this it will fade out to a still image of the films name and viewing details, pause for a few seconds, then cut to a close up of Chris saying his line to the bullies. The camera will be directly on Chris, giving a slight point of view shot from the bully’s perspective, but also as there was no fade from the image, comically makes his face appear on screen in an intimidating way. This last quick shot is a regular convention of trailers and if I get all aspects of this shot right, the trailer can end on a very funny shot


Script and Songs/non diagetic sounds

Shot 1: I will have a voice over of “When a boy gets pushed to far, he becomes a man”. For this I want a serious deep voice speaking, with an American accent. This is used in probably over half the trailers seen from mainstream films. It gives a sense of seriousness and an epic setting. The American accent makes the film sound much more of a bigger project, which again, gives the impression that it will be epic. However, once the viewer has seen Chris’ face as he is revealed, they realise the film is not grand and epic. All the tension built up, all the drama is just a comedic anticlimax. As well as the voice, I will use some dramatic but slow music to help the scene look even more dramatic. This will last all the way into shot 3.

Shot 9: I will have Chris’ character say “I’ve been picked on for too long. Revenge is a dish best served cold”. This very dramatic and dark line sums up his attitude towards the bullies. The dramatic and dark tone is reflected by the dim lighting of the room. The dialogue will be put over the following shots and the actual shot itself of Chris will be cut shorter. The voice going over other shots is a convention that regularly appears in comedy trailers. Similarly to shot 1, the contrast between the seriousness of the music and script, and Chris’ ridiculous character, creates a very humorous effect. As well as the dialogue, I will have the song “Club Foot” by “Kasabian” starting and playing all the way through until the still image just after shot 23. I have picked this song because it has quite an energetic and tough feel to it, plus it has been used in trailers for such action fighting films like “Green Street”. The tune is a well known one and is often associated with someone going through hardship or fighting, for example trailers for wrestling matches have used it or professional boxers for their entrance song. It is a more than appropriate song; however I would not consider it a fighting film cliché when used for a comedy trailer.

Undecided shot/s: I will have the deep voiceover saying “Starring Chris Craske” “And Glen Russling” somewhere during the scenes of Chris working out and talking to Glen. This voiceover obviously tells the audience who is starring in the film. However, the deep voice is used in many action trailers when a famous star such as “Vin Diesel” or “Jason Statham” is well known for their “tough guy” serious characters. Therefore using another action film trailer convention enforces the contrast between seriousness and humour.

Shot 16: Glen’s character will ask Chris “So what are you gonna do those boys?”
Shot 17: Chris’ character will reply coldly “I’m gonna get those boys”

Shot 22: Chris will say “Halt! Leave my friend alone!” The halt is the sort of language someone as geeky and pathetic as the character would say when trying to be intimidating. It is also a word that nobody really uses in modern day speech, which shows his inexperience of being in a confronting position.

Shot 23: As he is walking towards the bullies I will have him shout “Would one like a piece of me?” Again, using the word “one” to refer to someone you’re speaking to is something that is very rare in modern day speech. This again shows his inexperience. As well this, the actual line “would one like a piece of me” is a well-worn clichéd phrase, and shows the character does not, again, know how to be confrontational.

Shot 24: He will aggressively say “Give it your best shot”. This is challenging but at the same time no where near as threatening as the character would intend it to be.

Story Board (part 3)

17. This shot shows Glen being beaten onto the floor by the bullies. It is in the same alleyway we see earlier shots of

18. This is Chris running round the corner of the alleyway. The natural light from outside the alleyway should darken Chris as he will be filmed from inside the alley. I will do a long shot with a slight low angle to make him look more heroic.

19. This shot just shows the bullies shocked looks as they spot Chris. It is a long shot to show Glen on the floor as well as the bullies.

20. A mid shot to show him shouting "Halt". His hand is raised in a stop signal. The light will still be causing a shadow over Chris and the low angle will still be on him.

21. An over the shoulder shot of Chris approaching the bullies. He will be saying "Would one like a piece of me". It is an over the shoulder shot howver as he moves towards the bullies the camera wont move with him, therefor it will turn into a mid shot.

22. A close up of Chris saying "Give it your best shot" with a challenging expression on his face.

Story Board (part 2)

9. This shows a mid shot of Chris doing shoulder pressing with really small dumbbells. Other mise en scene I will use will be soft toys which I will place somewhere. I think this would be appropriate as soft toys have many different connotations to dumbbells, and shows the viewer the character is trying to be someone he isn't.

10. This shows an over the shoulder shot, from a medium close up of Chris playing the wii. The mise en scene I intend to use is an actual wii, a tv screen and maybe a soft toy placed above the television.

11. This shows a medium close up of Chris playing the wii.

12. This mid shot is of him posing in the mirror trying to flex his muscles. To make this shot as comical and stay true to the character, Chris will have to be as relaxed as he can and not tense any of his muscles, making them appear smaller and hardly there.

13. This mid shot shows Chris punching the boxing bag.

14. This shows an over the shoulder shot viewing Glen talking to Chris. He says "So what are you gonna do about those boys?" I will include a chess board for some "nerdy" mise en scene. The fact that they are playing chess casually has many geeky connotations with younger crowds, who are the target audience.

15. I then have an over the shoulder shot of Chris coldy replying "Im gonna get those boys"

16. This mid shot shows Chris bicep curling a small dumbbell. I will include some soft toys in the background just like I will with the shot of him shoulder pressing dumbbells. At the end of the shot he will drop it to close the section of the trailer where he is working out.

Story Board (part 1)

1. This is a shot of the garage door slowly opening up revealing Chris standing there. The shot is a mid shot from a slighlty low angle to make him seem bigger and more masculine. The voice over of "When a boy gets pushed too far, he becomes a man" is used as well as the one tone dramatic music. I will have two people pulling up the door who are out of shot, as the door is not electric. The mise en scene in the garage will just be "junk" and a "punch bag", typical objects that would be found in many garages.

2. Then a zoom into a big close up of his face. This will give a clear view of his face for the first time and show how humourous he will appear.

3. A long shot of Chris being hit in an alleyway. I will place a dustbin in the shot to emphasise the fact that they are in an alleyway. This will only be a brief shot.

4. A close up of the back of Chris’ legs with a foot come up and hit his groin. This again will only be a brief shot to give a montage effect.

5. This picture shows the shot of the two nerds being kicked in the groin at exactly the same time by the two bullies. As well as the humourous view point we see it from, it also shows how pathetic and helpless they are by letting bullies kick them whilst they are lined up.

6. This shows a big close up of the two reactions of the geeks to this. The shot of Glen is in a point of view shot from the bullies.

7. It then goes to Chris' living room. This is Chris talking into the mirror "I've been picked on for too long. Revenge is a dish best served cold." The dark lighting of the room will reflect his dark and revengefull mood. I do not intend to worry too much about mise en scene as the the shot is a medium close up and does not go on for very long. Therefore the viewer would not have enough time to see any of it, especially in a dark room. As this shot starts the agressive song "Club Foot" by Kasabian starts.

8. A close up of Chris doing push ups. It is still in the living room but more lit up.

Casting

Casting
The main character that is being bullied: Chris Craske
I have chosen Chris mainly because he has an excellent sense of humour which would go well with the part he plays. As well as this, he has a foolish personality and is often considered a “class clown”. Due to this, I feel he wouldn’t have any issues playing a character as ridiculous as this character.
The bullied friend: Glen Russling
I have only chosen Glen to play this part because of his appearance. He has long ginger hair which can be styled into a typical nerdish fashion (as many geeks have been portrayed with long ginger hair), which obviously suits his part. I have not really chosen him for anything else as he is only used in a few shots.
The first bully: Nick Craske
I have chosen Nick because he is Chris’ brother and therefore the chances of him being available to film on the same day as Chris are quite high. He doesn’t really have an intimidating appearance however he can be dressed up as a typical teenage hoodlum, e.g tracksuits, baseball caps and hoodies.
The second Bully: Harry Eldsworth
I have chosen Harry because of his large and intimidating appearance. If someone was describing a typical high school bully that appears in children’s cartoons or t.v shows, the description wouldn’t be far off Harry’s appearance.

Finished Poster

Here is the finished poster. I have added in a smoke image behind the main subject (Chris) to connotate his “revenge” and “temper” is rising like a fire, or is scorching, just like the metaphorical fire inside him. I simply copied and pasted this image from google images.

Film Poster stage 4

Here I have inserted the image of Chris by cutting it out of the original photo using a lassoo and paint brush tool. These tools enabled me to cut his head out effecively with the option of painting over any odd pixels using the paint brush tool. The poster shows the character with a challenging facial expression which has the connotations of him in a “winning” mind state. The grin on his face enforces this.

Film Poster stage 3

I have now added the films tagline revenge is a dish best served cold" in plain white capitals font to stand out from the black. The line is from my script and is a very important line in my opinion to the films plot. I also included the detials of when the film would be out in bolder font, obviously to show the viewer when they can view the film. As well as this I inserted a red line at the bottom of the page to seperate the black from the very dark green that is below it. This colour is to help the bottom text stand out more and make the posters bottom half look less boring.

Film Poster stage 2

I experimented with the position of the text in the poster and came to the conclusion that it looked better positioned to the right. I think this is because the text isnt big enought to be in the centre without wasting space on either side, therefore moving it to one side solves this problem.

Film Poster stage 1

To begin with creating my film poster I opened a blank page onto photoshop and decided on having the canvas size as slighlty smaller than A3. I created a black background and then inserted the titlle cleverlast in the writing style of rockwell bold, the same as the magazine. As well as this I put the actors names in white bold sans serif font above the title and the film details in times new roman below it. As well as this originally had the main actor Chris Craske's name as the most left name, however this didnt look right to me so I chose to have the two Craskes next to each other in the middle.

Film poster photo shoot

For the poster I have planned to show a close up of Chris' face lookin slightly aggressive and therefore capturing the humourous, and almost oxymoron of a "nerd" who looks like he's ready to fight someone. I took them in Chris' house, one because his lights enabled me to set a dim lighting tone, and create almost a shadwon effect on his face, and two, it was easier for him to sort his appearance out at his own house. Here are the photos I took.

This bottom photo was the one I ended up using. Mainly because, unlike my others, its very sharp (not blurry), not at a stange camera angle and the flash of the camera is not really reflected off of his glasses. All of the other pictures have these problems.

Secondary Task - Film Poster

As well as a magazine, I have to produce a film poster showing my movie. I would ideally like a poster which shows a close up of my character, with the image giving a clear impression of who he is and many connotations of what the film could be about.

My Film Plan

I have decided to make a trailer following a bullied nerd who finds himself being pushed too far and decides to fight back. The trailer shows him training with punchbags and weights to be more tougher and able to retaliate to the bullies.
The characters are:
The main character who is bullied
His friend (who is also a bullied geek)
The two bullies.
All the characters will be unamed as I feel their names won't be important in the trailer.