Tree!!!

Upon arriving at the set today for our test shoot, we discovered to our annoyance that a nearby tree had fallen on the shack while we were away. This has completely ruined our location since it interferes with our filming and we cannot work around this. As well as falling onto our set, it has blocked the path and therefore made it difficult for Joe to get to the location due to his crutches.

We then had an emergency group meeting and decided it would be best if we changed to our plan B and found a new location, which will mean us making some changes to our idea.

Joe

Yesterday we went to Joe's house to visit him after his operation. Although this was mainly to catch up and talk together as a group, we showed him the storyboard and confirmed that it was to his satisfaction. This allowed us to begin creating shot lists today.

I hope to see Joe back at school soon.

Influential films

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lEZgY5-L8E

Unfortunately the embed code has been removed and due to problems with sharing the clip to my personal blog I can only provide the link.

In particular I like the switch between a handheld POV and then the reaction shot of the man's face between 2:28 and 3:40. I think that this would work well in our piece when switching between the girl's POV and then the shots of her taken from a first person view.

I also think that the lighting would work well in our piece as the darkness is a common part of the mise-en-scene in horror films.

Initial ideas

1) Horror/thriller. Girl is out walking dog but it runs ahead. Hears noise from inside the building and so walks through the gate, then around the building looking inside. Sees a shadow moving about inside and so cautiously approaches door calling out for the dog. Can see hooded figure rise behind her. Cuts to title slide

The shack

2) Film noir. Man receives phone call from friend saying “I need help, they’re coming for me. Meet me at a café in half an hour”. An hour later he turns up at the friend’s house. Finding his friend on the floor dead, he removes an envelope addressed to him from the pocket and leaves.

Billy Bob Thornton in The Man Who Wasn’t There

Film project

Hi all

We've begun the film project now and so I'm starting off writing on the blog

Here goes...

Loose Ends #3

i) Usually in an opening sequence there is an important incident. This could be a murder (Se7en), an escape (Mission: Impossible) or something being stolen. This incident will be the catalyst that sends the protagonist on their journey.There can also be the build up to an important event, such as in Legally Blonde.

Usually the protagonist or the villain are revealed to the audience in the opening sequence and so this will set the scene for the film ahead along with the event/s that take place.

ii) The opening sequence sets the scene for the film. This could be done by showing the main characters and through their actions and personality the audinece can see what will happen.

They also demonstrate to the audience what normal life (or equilibrium) is like before the disruption that happens in the film. This disruption may also take place in the opening sequence but doesn’t always. Often in films such as James Bond the event in the opening sequence is somehow linked to the main story, but this may not be revealed to the audience straight away. This helps build suspense.

iii) The audience is able to see the equilibrium in the film. By doing this they can see the contrast once the disruption occurs. Using Barthes’ theory (the enigma code), means that early mysteries are shown which will link to the ending of the film and so set up a surprise or twist for the audience.

iv) The makers of the film use opening sequences to show where and when the film will take place and therefore satisfying audience expectations of the film. They also use it so they can put in any extra information before the main plot begins that may be useful throughut the remainder of the fil and will probably tie in somehow.

Analysis of Rear Window using Barthes' Theory

Action/ Proairectic Code: He takes a phone call from his boss. This could lead to him doing a job and so the audience wonders what will happen.

The people around him are seemingly important as the director makes sure we see what they are doing e.g. there’s a man shaving across the road, a couple lying on a balcony, a woman doing exercise and school kids walking by. This gives the audience the impression something will happen involving one/ some of these people.

Semantic Code: The man is the main character. It is his view from which we see the film and so we know that the film will involve him and probably something that happens whilst he is in his wheelchair.

Enigma Code: Why did the man stand in front of a car and break his leg, is this important to the story? What is the job the editor wanted him to do that he mentioned over the phone? Why are the nearby people so important? Why does he have so many fashion magazines?

Referential Code: This is set in a city. This gives the audience an idea of the setting and the time period in which the story takes place. The director is Alfred Hitchcock so the audience can expect a film typical of him i.e. usually a crime and a storyline with twists and turns.

Symbolic Code: The cast and wheelchair represents broken leg, meaning he can’t walk. Since it is daytime and he is at home we know that he isn’t working, probably due to him being confined to a wheelchair. All the flats being together tells the audience that the film will most likely all take place here as it is possible to see everything form his position.