Preliminary Task

For our preliminary task we decided to set up a confrontation between two male protagonists, in this case a student and a teacher. We were able to match the camera and sound techniques to create  meaning for the audience. We planned the preliminary task quite carefully before starting,  storyboarding our ideas systematically to ensure the narrative was coherent. In readiness for our filming agenda, we considered the merits of different sorts of camera shots, for instance, using low angle shots connoting sense of power.  We then created a shooting schedule, allowing for actor availablity and room availability, enabling us to film in a linear sequence, which reduced continuity issues at the editing stage. The practical process of filming went quite smoothly due to all the aformentioned planning. We also decided to keep dialogue to a minimum, the thinking behind this being that a story must be told visually.

Our story-line was a child getting kicked out of class and sent to the head-teacher, who then rang his parents. We kept to the narrative of our storyboard; however we made some slight changes to our script as we were unable to hear the mumbling complaint as the student character exits the classroom, changing it to 'God's sake man'.

We included techniques like match-on-action, when Dammy walks through the door, shot/reverse shot using the 180 degree rule, which worked particularly well in the conversation between Mr Hull and Dammy to highlight the power dynamics. We set it in a school because we were able to use it as the perfect mis-en-scène; it was also a location which met our objectives of time efficiency and practicality.

The following lesson we began the editing process of the footage we had recorded for our preliminary task. Using the Mac computer we learnt how to use the editing program, Final Cut. One of our key editing objectives was to ensure continuity. Additionally, it was important to make sure it all made sense, in order to create a sense of realism. We carefully marked the 'ins' and 'outs' at the precise spot on the footage in order to achieve this.This is why our decision to film in a chronological linear order was advantageous, as it made the editing phase more efficient.

We experimented with titling and settled on an informal front, to allow the audience opportunity to identify with the student.  We then did the titles, writing our names over the opening scene so it would more interesting than the more usual fade-in from black. Finally, it was uploaded onto YouTube and hyperlinked to our blog for our class to peruse and provide feedback.

The task allowed us to use a range of equipment and learn how the choice of shot and sound can really impose meaning on the audience. We also had to consider 'reception analysis' as we wanted to our target audience to identify with either the teacher or student, depending on their point of view.   

In conclusion, we believe our preliminary task was extremely successful. Everyone in the group focused on a different area to utilise our time effectively. Although I was also involved in all areas, editing was my priority focal point. We were very conscious of the need to edit for continuity, using the editing system Final Cut, which would give our film a sense of realism. We adhered to the brief we were given. The footage of our final edit flowed smoothly, with no surprising cuts and within a relatively short sequence, we deployed a wide range of filmic techniques.

Plot summary

The initial establishing shot shows Legjenda who is walking home from school.  A quick cut then shows an image of the full moon. There is no need for us to show her arriving at or getting into the house.

The second interior shot will be of her in the downstairs bathroom brushing her teeth. As she is brushing her teeth, the reflection of her face will remain in the mirror; however the protagonist does not see this, it is only visible to the audience.

Legjenda then goes upstairs into her room and lies down in her bed. The camera retreats downstairs back into the bathroom where the light is still on. The same reflection seen earlier is bizarrely still in the mirror. It then emerges out of the two-dimensional mirror and moves towards the camera.

The reflection is then shown moving up the stairs into Legjenda's bedroom. The camera cuts to Legjenda who is lying in bed with the lamp on, her eyes closed. She suddenly opens her eyes and looks around. The camera quickly shifts and zooms into the lamp, which fades into an image of the full moon as seen earlier.

Storyboard

Storyboard:

This is a moving image of our storyboard which we created in pre-production. It clearly establishes the chronological order in which the events in our film Beyond Relaxation take place .

We constantly referred back to our storyboard to remind ourselves of the various shots and angles we had selcected for in our film and to discuss the most effective ways of realising our plans.

Moon research

During our collaborative planning, we felt strongly that having a real shot of the moon for our opening would make our supernatural thriller seem more naturalistic.

We researched when there was going to be a full moon and determined that this would occur at 2:40am on March 11th, necessitating us to have to stay up and record this shot. Although this would be a slight inconvenience, aesthetically we were unanimously resolved to having this shot edited into our film because it would be effective in achieving a spooky, supernatural feel, in keeping with our chosen genre.

Location and costume research

Research - Location, Costume And Film Trailer Influences:

Last weekend, our group met up at Porcester Library to create the storyboard for our film which will help us work out which shot we will be using and when. See storyboard blog for fuller detail.

Location:

We then went to Dammy's house to check if it was suitable for our filming. When we got there, we realised that there was a problem with not having a bathroom downstairs which was required for many of the shots. Another obstacle was that the mirror was not right in front of the sink in the bathroom. Not least, it would be quite far to travel back and forth for filming. Consequently, we decided to change location, selecting Legjenda's house which was much more conveniently located and therefore was much closer for travelling purposes. There was much more space to deploy different camera angles and the stairs leading up to a bedroom were in a position we could use to our advantage to film different shots. The mirror was in front on the sink which was essential for the camera not to be seen. Lastly, for our exterior shots, the area would be relatively quiet at night.

Costume:

The costume design for the one female role was crucial to establish her character in an economical way appropriate for a short sequence. In the exterior shots, Legjenda will wear trousers with a black coat and scarf, together with high heeled shoes which will be worn to make a clicking noise while walking. This gives us the potential to diegetically enhance the sound of her steps to add a sinister effect. For the interior shots in her house, Legjenda will be wearing pink pyjamas, which will make the scene more realistic and therefore add to the ominous impact of the supernatural effects.

Research Influences - Mirrors Trailer:












In the trailer for the film Mirrors, there is a moment at approximately 33 seconds into it where the camera swiftly moves forwards into the darkness. This shot is quite similar to the one we use in our supernatural thriller where the scary, supernatural Legjenda, the reflection of Legjenda from the mirror, walks up the stairs in the dark. Although our idea was inspired by Mirrors, we made it our own by having the camera move up the stairs instead of straight along. Another difference is that our film Beyond Reflection is a bit darker in mood, in keeping with the sense of foreboding of the supernatural genre.

A key moment of our narrative arose from our idea of having the charater Legjenda's reflection still in the mirror after she has gone away. I think in Beyond Reflection, this effect works very well. However, were we to film it again, I feel it would have looked more supernatural if the audience could see a bit of the shoulder moving away in order to make it look more realistic.

Costume

The selection of high heels was important, so that when recording outside the audience can hear the female character Legjenda's steps as she walks. This was also a consideration in our choice to record the footage in a quiet location where sounds echoe more at night. The sound of footfall is also a conventional audio device that helps augment a suspicious, menacing mood, as it is stereotypically associated with the fear of being followed, particularly when the footsteps are heard to speed up suggesting panic.

I also chose for the character Legjenda to wear a coat with a scarf so the audience would also know the wintry season and would be able to imagine how it would feel to be in her position feeling the cold and being eager escape the dark streets to get to the safe warmth of her home. The adds to the effect of the way this expectation is then subverted.



The other following pieces

of the costume we chose because
they look smart and shows that
she has come from college so it
gives the audience an idea of her
lifestyle.

Also with regard to
some of these items the
contemporary audience of
reception will be able to identify
with the protagonist because
the items were recently
purchased in the shops of
London and are quite popular
with females of the protagonist's
age group.

This style and dress also has the
advantage of representing the
urban capital of London as
a location where statistically
people are less safe on the streets. 

 Legjenda's slightly glamorous
handbag contrasts with the look
of a more traditional college
bag and also connotes her
vulnerability as a female walking
alone at night.
This adds to the irony that it
is within her home, traditionally
connoting safety, that she finds
herself at risk.

Costume

I decided to choose this type of pyjamas for the character Legjenda. It gives her a youthful look nothing too smart or grownup. The sweet, child-like image and colour pink connnote her innocence and vulnerability. Also this type of costume would be more readily identified with by our target audience as we are aiming primarily at the 16-24s age group.