Filming - The First Sequence

My group filmed the first sequence for our media coursework, which involves introducing the main characters for the first time, after they've become DIY heros. We decided to film it this way, because we believed it would be better for the audience to familiarize themselves with the costumed vigilante form of our characters straight away, as it tells the viewer what the entire film would be about.

As we wanted to include a voice over segment at the start of the film, we decided to go with a slow pan, in which each of the characters would introduce themselves when the camera fell on them.

We filmed shots 1,2,4,5,6,7 and 8 today, we will proceed to edit together these shots before getting feedback from the teacher to see if our style of filming is going in the right direction.

We are pleased with what we have shot so far, if any re-shoots need to be made we have decided they will be done in the window of the 28th of December, till the 2nd of January (excluding the 31st of December and the 1st of January).

The second segment which is the flashback segment of the film, showing the characters before they become heros, we've decided to film in the week starting the 3rd of January, as we will have other students entering our school scene, making it more believable.

Storyboard Revision

Here's the updated version of our storyboards we decided to change a few things to make it more towards our target audience.

Storyboarding

This is my groups storyboard for our coursework, it corresponds with our script and shot list. Hopefully we can implement each

animated idea in our storyboards, into our final production.

Shot List

-Establishing long shot (1)

-Extreme close-up x4 (2)

-Medium long shot (3)

- Medium close-up panning shot (4)

-Medium panning shot (5)

- Medium-long tracking shot (6)

-Long shot (7)

-Medium shot (8)

-Tilt shot/ Establishing shot (9)

-Medium two shot (10)

-Medium close-up two shot (10)

-Tracking shot (11)

The Kickables Script

The main characters Sam, Josh, Adam & Matt are stood outside their local Secondary School looking for trouble, they are dressed in makeshift costumes, using such things as face paint, paper masks and 3D glasses to cover their identities.

(All speech listed below is Voice Overs)

Matt: DANGER! Ha you weren’t expecting that were you?

I’m captain awesome and I’ll be your superhero for your lifetime!

I became a superhero because I felt the urge to bring justice to the world… well Bristol at least… and also for the chicks. Superheroes get the ladies… hopefully. Of course there is also Sam… (17.5secs)

Sam: Cheers Matt. Hey I’m the mysterious man. Ever been called a queer or a bit of a loser. I have. So I made a stand against crime. Injustice is everywhere and its up to me and my fellow partners against crime to do something about it.

Lets not forget josh… (18secs)

Josh: Thanks Sam. Mega Boy is my name. Kicking crime is my game. I stare punches in the face. I became a superhero because I was bored at home and mum says I need to get out more. I’m called mega boy because I am unusually tall for a sidekick.

Now over to Protector… Adam? Adam? (17.2secs)

Adam: Hey hows it going?

Josh: Its going good… Remember were supposed to say a bit about ourselves…

Adam: Alright lets get to it! I’m Adam and I like Doritos. Best game of the year Fifa 11, EA you fucking did it with that game…

Josh: No no no… you are supposed to tell them about your superhero!

Adam: Oh okay… I’m Protector and I’m an alcoholic.

Josh: Perfect…

Matt: Wait you’re an alcoholic?

Sam: You actually serious?

Adam: Well not really, I mean it only counts if you throw up right?

Suddenly Matt spots something on the ground. He picks up a pack of cigarettes.

Matt: (Disgusted) It's cigarettes!

The others look at him seeing what to do next.

(Dialogue from this point is diegetic, unless specified)

Matt: (Shouted) Look over there!

Matt points in the direction of what he's seen. Josh, Sam and Adam all look to where he's pointing. There are two hooded youths stood over by the trees. Matt pulls out his lightsaber.

Matt: Let's go!

All four characters run in the direction Matt pointed to earlier. The youths hear the Kickable arriving and turn around, our heros stop just in front of them.

Youth 1: What the fuck?

The Kickables prepare for battle.

Josh: Alright pricks it's go time!

The Kickables advance on the youths. The screen cuts away to a twenty seconds later sign, when we return wes see Sam, Josh and Matt in a heap on the floor. The youths pick up and carry Adam over then drop him on the pile.

Youth 1+2: (While fist bumping) Yeah!

Enter title credits. At the end of the title credits, cut to a shot of the school, with six weeks earlier labelled in the top left hand corner.

Sam: (V.O) We never used to be hero's, just ordinary guys.

Sam and Adam walk throught the school gates on the left side.

Sam: (V.O) See there's me and Adam back in the day. You may be wondering why there's just us two, well let's say we never used to see eye to eye.

Josh and Matt walk throught the school gates on the left hand side.

Textual Analysis - Bruce Almighty

From 2:20 to 3:20...
{Thats the way the cookie crumbles.}

Mise en scene

Bread and pastries to show that they are in a bakery. Lots of people shows town goinng about their everyday lives. (comedy about life). Parking signs, shop windows, people from different working backgrounds.

Camera

The camera shake shows that they have a low budget for the clip during the medium shot of Bruce and the two bakery workers. This makes the viewer realise that he is at the bottom of his field of work. The obvious camera jump highlights the mistake and reiterates the low budget feel of the sequence. As the camera shakes some of the heads of the characters get cut off. [Low budget]

Editing

Slow motion. There is no point to it. It is simply for humerous purposes only. Spontanious and random. (We should be carful when using random comedy in our piece because we dont want to lose the structure of the story). The cuts are relatively average paced as it is meant to seem like an average film with a twist.

Sound

Calm peaceful townsfolk music to start with.
Non diegetic: Chariots of fire is popularly known for its sporting references in running races. Ironic that it was after Bruce said 'que the cheesy inspirational music!'. (3:02) Music fades out when scene changes (sound bridge).

Textual Analysis - Hot Fuzz

Sequence from 10mins20 to 13mins29...

Mise en Scene

The viewer instantly recognises they are in a pub as there are lots of drinks, glasses and the room is poorly lit. The hight sign in the police station is a stereotypical thing you would see. All the mise en scene plays on the conventions of the locations perfectly.

Camera

The slow zoom (10:30) shows that we are travelling into Angels mindset and he is about to realise something. The fast tracking shot shows his perception as he look around the room. When the camera is on him, he is in focus as he is the one with the power. There is a low angle shot of him when he approaches the table which shows the teenagers as inferior.(10:53). Match on action on the door of the car and the police station shows his haste and desperation as it is a quick cut and appears rushed.

Editing

The blur on the fast tracking shot has been edited in to show the pace of his perception and the fact he cannot believe his eyes. SHOCK. During the processing scene there are a lot of bright flashing transitions to show all the pictures and evidence being taken. Time is shown to pass through the use of superimposition on his hand to show he had a lot to write. Fast motion is used to show his efficiency with his job.(An ellipsis passes)(13:12)

Sound

Firstly there is diegectic pub music to set the scene. Soon after a non diegetic beat is heard which builds in volume leading up to Angel questioning the teenagers. This symbolises his heart rate as he realises crime is near.

Hardcore music is used in the processing scene to create a serious contrast in mood. contrast=humour.

Questionnaire Results

These are my groups results from our survey into the comedy genre. We are aiming our film at teens so there are a lot of questions that revolve around teenagers.

Film Certificate

My group has decided that our film will be a 15 certificate, as our designated target audience is the 15-25 years old range, and will be mainly male orientated. Our audience would more probably be students, who are more likely to enjoy teen comedies.

It will be a 15 certificate as we wish to include frequent use of strong language, verbal referances to sexual behaviour and stong violence, as in accordance with the bbfc guidelines.

This relates to our target audience because frequently in teen comedies, there are scenes where characters talk about their sex life/attempt to get laid, also in our questionnaire sex was one of the highest voted "most commonly associated with teen culture". Swearing would also be frequent in our film, as teens are normally associated with being foul-mouthed.

Our film would be targeted at the Explorer (Rubicam and Young), as they are the first to try out new ideas and experiences, with our genre of film being a niche genre in the film industry, with few films having emulated it, the genre of our film also allows it to differentiate itself from other films, something that the Explorer searches for.

Are mode of address will appeal to the younger audience, because we aim to use indie music, which is widely appealing to a younger audience. And also because we are just school students in our coursework, it will help in connecting with our target audience, as they would have or are experiencing similar things at the moment.

Teen comedies that have a 15 certificate include Youth In Revolt, Kick-Ass and Adventureland.

The 18 Certificate

Suitable only for adults

No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema.

No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.

In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.

In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Sex education at ‘18’

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works at ‘18’

Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.

Th 15 Certificate

Suitable only for 15 years and over

No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

Discrimination

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

Drugs

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language

There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity

Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex

Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme

No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

Violence

Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

The 12/12A Certificate

Suitable for 12 years and over

Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.

The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.

The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.

Discrimination

Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

Drugs

Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.

Horror

Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language

Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent.

Nudity

Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

Sex

Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme

Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

Violence

Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.