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.