Location

Locations with films in general are very crucial in making the plot of the film believable and realistic to their audience.They need to be accessible to their audience and easily recognisable, setting up the scene.

With the research on audience which I previously carried out on my TMG (Target market group), I will need to make sure that the locations which I choose are not too specific as this could decrease the number of people in which my short film would appeal to. 

Even though the locations which I have located are primarily situated within a school, they are not too obvious. As a result, it makes it more accessible to a larger audeince.

The locations which I have chosen include;

• School hallway, outside the Coffee bar
• Toilets
• School hallway near exit 
• House landing 
• Bedroom 

School hallway, outside the Coffee bar

This location was used for it lighting as it was bright and had both natural and artificial lighting. This was important as it was used for the 1st bully scene. Due to the fact that the real world clips were desaturated and turned into black and white, I wanted the 1st bully scene to be lighter. My overall intentions were to have each bully scene progressively getting darker and darker in light, so that the scenes would match. The reasons for this, was because I wanted it to be symbolic for the unhappiness and the state of mind of my protagonist to be getting darker and more unhappy and unable to cope.

Toilets

The toilets were used, because they are a global feature, so it meant that people all over the world would be able to relate to the situation and concept of bullying with within toilets.

Additionally, the tile pattern on the walls, I thought, would be an effective visual on screen, especially when edited in post production to turn it into black and white.

School hallway near exit 

This location was used because of its limited lighting. As I have previously mentioned, I wanted the bully scenes to progressively get darker throughout my short film. I therefore thought that this was an effective location to achieve this. Moreover, the fact that the scene was back light, meant that it created shadow in the characters, which I believed would enhance the artistic feel to my short film.

I additionally thought that the use of the stairs was an effective concept, and believed that this could be used to imply the level of hierarchy between characters within the film.

House landing  and Bedroom

<images>

Both these locations were also used for their global use. Everybody will be able to relate to the idea of the sanctuary of bedroom and the fact that they are considered people's 'safe place' and 'haven', away from the rest of the world. 

Music

This is a testing clip which I have recorded. The first is the scene without the use of a soundtrack, whilst the latter has had a cover song of Sia's- "Breathe me" played over the top of the scene.

It can be seen from these two tester clips that the latter, (the one with the soundtrack) is more effective in creating the emotion needed to make my short film successful.

From this I can see that to make my short film have the desired emotional effect, I will need to try and incorporate mood music within it.

Music

The sound within films is very important. It is both the diegetic and non-diegetic sound which is what primarily create and enhances the emotion within the scenes. Within the film company which my film will be released with, music is a crucial feature in their films. Many of the films which they make a produce consist of no dialogue, but are instead consisted of mood music soundtracks.

Similarly, in my short film, mood music also plays a key part. The use of the soundtrack helps to evoke the necessary emotion to make the scenes and as a result the whole film effective. My intention is to use sad and iconic songs which the audience will automatically recognise. Within this, I am hoping that these emotions that the songs bring to the audience will help enhance my film. The range of songs will be from both the music industry, and also from the film industry. This should then increase the chance of the audience recognising some of the songs within my short film.

The sad songs which I intend to include within my short film are covers of;

• Eva Cassidy’s- fields of gold
• Evanessence – my immortal
• Celine Dion- My heart will go on
• Sia- Breath me
• Funkedelic- Maggot brain

From the testing which I carried out on whether the scenes were more effective with the inclusion from music, I found that

Progression of Time - Sky

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Progression of Time - Sky

 Due to my film being set over a long period of time, I want to visually show this to my audience in a visual way.

With the cloud scene, I will set up the film camera within my garden and leave it to film for a couple of hour.

Once it has been filmed and uploaded to the computer, I will then speed up the clip. This then means that the speed of the clouds was visible and visually effective.

Ideally, I would have liked to have shown the progression of time through the use of a sunset or sun rise. However, this could be too problematic to film, especially with the safety of the camera. 

Overall,  I believe that using the visual movement of clouds to represent the progression of time will be effective. It will also adhere to the artistic nature and content of short films.

Symbolism - Burning Paper

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Symbolism - Burning Paper

I have decided to go with the the idea of having stop motion pictures of pieces of paper with specific words written on them, to burn. This is because I feel that this will have both symbolic, but also have a sense of literal meaning also.

Following on from the lighting results which I got from the stop motion pictures of the flower, I decided to use artificial lighting for the images. Thus meant that I could then eliminate extraneous variables from the the environment which could cause variation within the lighting of each picture.

The specific words which I decided to include and use to be burnt were;

•  Happiness
• Hope
• Life

These will be used to represent the characters emotions and are designed to represent how they have lost their, happiness and hope. Also the use of life will be used at the end to show the audience that their life has been destroyed and that they have killed themselves.
These are the images which will be burnt. 

The use of the typeface will be intended to appear hand written. But they are also designed to represent that character's vulnerability through the use of the the very thin font.


 

Symbolism - Candle

This is then end effect of the stop motion picture scene of the candle burning. 

In the end, this frame was not used. The reason for this was it was not effective as I had originally hoped. Although it was artistic, I did not feel that it contained the dramatic, thought provoking connotations and symbolism compared to other stop motion pictures scenes which I had captured.

Symbolism - Candle

 NEEDS TO BE ALTERED

For the burning candle I also initially had difficulty setting up the shots and framing the scene effectively.

These two images above were the orginal set up of the frame. They were not used due to the position and lighting of the candle within the frame.

Instead, this shot and frame type was used. This was because, the lighting made it look more professional (the use of artificial light through the use of a lamp). Additionally, the main focus of the shot was in the top 3rd of the frame. By having this it made the transition of the candle burning seem even more effective and dramatic though the stop motion picture. 

The candle was designed to represent the burning out of the character. The original intention was to have the wax dripping off of the candle, which was designed to have a more artisitc but also sinister and gritty effect. however, due to the type of candle used, there was not excess waste produced. 

The shot still looked effective, but it could almost appear that the camera was moving, rather than the candle melting. It is only through the dent on the candle stick that it is evident that this is not the case. 

Symbolism - Flower

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This is the finished effect of my scene, consisting of <number> stop motion images.

Symbolism - Flower

PLAN 

My plan was to include the images of a wilting flower.  It showed the way in which a flower dies when it has no water, and as a result starts to wilt.

I placed a flower within a waterless vase and set up the camera so that the flower was central within the frame. I then manually set up the focus of the lens so that the flower is in focus. 

To start with, I took a picture of the flower every 30 minutes as the flower still had a supply of water stored within its stem.  When the flower started to lose it original shape, I then altered the time within shots and shortened it to every 10 minutes. Finally, when dramatic differences started to occur I started to take pictures every 4 minutes. The overall process of obtaining this scene took the duration of 15 hours. 

Originally, I had a natural lighting for the scene, however the result of the shot was not effective as I had originally hoped, I then set up a lampshade which was directed at the flower. With this I also ensured that the flash of the camera was turned off. As a result it made the shot much more effective and professional. To control the extraneous variables of the lighting further, I closed the curtains. This then meant that I had complete control of the lighting, meaning that the artificial lighting I created was constant throughout all of the shots. 

This was the original set up for the shot. It used natural lighting and was not zoomed in.

This was the second set up for the shot. The camera had been zoomed in, but the overall effect of the shot was not effective.

This was the next set up for the shot, it had artificial lighting, but the flash on the camera was on. It still did not create my desired effect. 

This was the final set up for the shot, the camera had been zoomed in so that the petals of the flower were in the top third of the frame. It also had artificial lighting without the cameras flash. It achieved the effective and professional appearance which I wanted.

Symbolism

Within my short film I intend to include symbolism, as a result, it should make it appear more artistic. Symbolism within short films is a common feature, thus showing that I have complied with some conventions of short films. Symbolism also plays a key part in ‘Whitestone Motion Picture’s’ short films, for instance, in “The Candy Shop” there was the use of candy sweets and shop, designed to symbolise and represent the sexual exploitation of young girls.

My intention was to create a similar effect within the story of my own film.
I will  include scenes of;

• A wilting flower
• A burning candle
• The burning of pieces of paper with either a photograph of my main character, or with specific words written on.

 They will be incorporated in my piece to show the decay and sadness growing within my main character. Similarly, I want to incorporate stop motion picture scenes within it. This is because I think this added additional artistic feel within my short film and effectively show what I am trying to represent. These intended scenes will then be captured though individual photographs which I will then attach together, to make stop motion picture.

Colour Theory

Colour can be crucial within short films. They subtly indicate information to their audiences about the film and characters. Due to the limited time of short films, directors cannot develop their characters to the same degree as feature length films. They therefore have to use aspects of the mise-en scene (lighting, sound, editing, etc) to indicate to their audience about their characters. Within my own film I will also try to use this and indicate to the audience, information about the characters through the use of colour and their connotations.

This is some research I carried out on individual colours and the connotations associated with them.

Colour Theory

Costume

Costume played a critical part in my short film. The main intention for the costumes were to separate the scenes and indicate to the audience which scenes were connected and in the same time. Overall it indicated the chronology of the film.

The are the costumes which will be used within each of the scenes of my short film. Creating this table enables me to see which costumes will be needed for each scenes.

	Costume A	Costume B	Costume C
Scene I		N/A	N/A
Scene II	N/A	N/A	N/A
Scene III	N/A	N/A	N/A
Scene IV	(need)
Scene V			N/A
Scene VI		N/A	N/A
Scene VII Scene VIII	N/A	N/A	N/A
Scene IX			N/A
Scene X
Scene XI	(need)	(need)	N/A
Scene XII
Scene XIII		N/A	N/A
Scene XIV	N/A	N/A	N/A
Scene XV		N/A	N/A

Script 1

Final Idea

I have decided to go with Short Film Idea 2. 

This was because the plot of the film was loosely based on real events which occurred within America in 2010, specifically, the multiple suicides of people being bullied due to their sexuality.

This would be ideal, as the production company which my film would be involved with, "Whitestone Motion Pictures", frequently release films which present moral messages. By using this film idea would coincide and fit nicely with their theme.

 In order to make it an effective short film, I will need to develop the story further.

Here are some links to articles which have been published on these suicides.

• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1316782/US-gay-community-reeling-epidemic-suicides-teenagers.html 
• /http://www.aolhealth.com/2010/10/12/gay-teen-suicide-surge/

Feedback

This is a copy of the questions and answers which I gained from getting audience feedback on the Film Ideas which I presented. 

These results show me that Idea 2 for a short film was the most popular. I chose one of the reason why they thought so, stating that they thought it was effective because it was based upon real events. 

With the designed which were presented, only one person though that there was a point which could be altered to make it more effective. They said that having a person within the short film telling the main character to stand up to the bulling would make her suicide less justifiable and thus the audience might not sympathise with her.

I will take these points into consideration which I create my short film.

Film Ideas

These are 3 possible ideas which I could create and make into a short film. 

Following suit of the boutique production company, "Whitestone Motion Pictures", they each have a moral meaning and message which is presented through the duration of each film.

They are as follows; 

Short Film Idea 1 

The story line for this short film idea is primarily presented to the audience in reverse chronology. The basis for the story is set on a girl being convicted of murder, but at the end of the short film it actually shows that she didn’t kill the victim, but rather the victim committed suicide and that the main character was actually trying to prevent it.

The short film opens with an In Medias Res (translated to; in the midst of things), of a fade-in to a close-up of the actresses face. The whole event is in slow motion and is primarily silent apart from the occasional diegetic sound of the main character’s heavy breathing, and towards then end the sound of the police officer.

The camera is a pan shot back from a female teenager/early 20’s standing still and looking distant. There is a blue flashing light being reflected on her face, although from what is unknown.  The camera still tracking backward, reveals that the character has blood on her hands. As the camera tracks further it is visible that there a policemen in the background running and that the flashing light washing coming from a police car. The character then looks down to reveal that there is a dead body at the base of her feat and that there are police officers tending to them. She then returns her gaze forward, still looking distant.

The next scene fades in and is located in a court room and consists of a mid shot of the main character standing behind the prosecutors/defendant stand being asked questions about the event by the prosecutor. During which the main character is visibly affected although does not break down.  The screen then cuts out; however there is still the diegetic sound of the courtroom. The sound then cuts out too, but resumes with the persecutor asking the jury whether they find the defendant guilty or not. When the jury announce that they find the main character to be guilty the screen comes back in revealing a close-up of the main characters face to show her reaction.  <she could possibly be show a picture of the dead person>

The following scene is of a long shot, where the main character is lying on a bed in her prison cell and looking at a photograph. It then cuts to a picture of her face and then to a point of view shot of the image which reveals to be of her and the victim. Thus showing the audience that they actually knew one another and that they were friends (suggested by the fact that in the image they have their arm around one another and are smiling). The camera then goes back to the close-up of the main character showing her crying, and wiping the tears away. This scene ends with the character closing her eyes and the screen cutting to a black screen.

The final scene consists of a long shot of both the main character and the victim sitting outside on the ground at night. The victim is holding a knife to herself and the main character is shouting at her (the victim) to put it down. Both characters are crying and it is revealed to the audience that the victim is actually trying to kill them self. Using a mid-shot the characters, the victim then stabs the knife in their abdomen and the camera changes to a close-up of their face. In a wide shot, the main character then screams and holds the victim as she starts to collapse to the floor. Holding the victim in her arms the main characters starts to cry and in a close-up of her face she starts to talk to the victim. The camera then reveals, using a mid-shot of both character, that they are both covered in blood and that the victim is close to death. When the victim has died the main character then pulls the knife out of her lifeless body and holds it in her hand whilst calling for help. The screen goes black whilst the audio is of calling for help. The screen returns to reveal her standing in the same position as the opening sequence of the short film. The opening sequence then replays.

Then main point of this short film is to be thought provoking for the audience and as a whole is designed to show the audience that they should not judge people on how they look and make judgement on people and situations they do not fully understand. 

Hopefully, when the opening sequence is replayed at the end the audience will have a completely different emotion towards the main character. As at the beginning they might be resentful and dislike the main character for being a murder, whilst at the end they are pitiful and like them as they realise that they were actually trying to save the victim. 

 Short Film Idea 2 

The short film follows a teenage female protagonist who is being bullied. It shows the defence mechanisms she uses in order to cope with the bullying. Whenever she is bullied, she goes into her own world. In her own world, she is with a girl of a similar age; however their connection to the protagonist is unknown. One time when she is bullied, a person finds out and tells her that she needs to confront the bullies. When the protagonist does confront the group of bullies then beat her up to a greater extent. At this point within the film, it is revealed that the protagonist is gay and that her girlfriend killed herself. When the protagonist tries to use her defence mechanism and go into her own world, she ends up reliving the memory of finding her girlfriend dead after committing suicide. Within this scene it is revealed that the person within her own world was actually her (dead) girlfriend. After this, the protagonist is unable to cope and after the brutal beating she goes home and commits suicide in a similar fashion to her girlfriend.  

This short film is designed to show the harsh reality of bullying and was based on the hurtful events of the multiple gay suicides which occurred in 2010 in America.

Short Film Idea 3 

 This film idea consists of the story of a girl who is in an abusive relationship. It shows how she uses her imagination to get away from the abuse which she suffers and endures from her partner/boyfriend.

It follows her as she first, tries to unsuccessfully fight him when he jealously attacks her, but as the story progresses she loses hope and gives in the abuse. During the film she creates a defence mechanism of going within her own head to escape from the abuse.

As the short film progresses the protagonist relies more and more upon her defence mechanism to cope with the events within her life. 

This is until she sees that she needs to cope with what is happening and stop her partner from attacking her. She then takes charge and finds the courage to walk away from her abusive partner. The short film would then end with her calling the police, and the last shot would be a close up of her face smiling with relief as she finishes calling the police.

My intention would be to have the abuse and defence mechanism scenes being split and both being shown on screen. This would then show the audience that they are happening simultaneously. Furthermore, I would also match the actions within both of the scenes. For example, as the protagonist is moving with the force of her partner, she could be in her own world dancing with the same movements. 

The design and moral message of this short film would be to show audience’s that they have the power to control their lives. Additionally, that they have the power within themselves to be strong and get through horrible and difficult situations. 

 Short Film Idea 4

This short film idea is about two teenage girls who live opposite one another and are very similar in character, but have never met due to their social class. Through the film they are only able to communicate through the use of writing messages on pieces of paper through the windows.  The film follows the two characters first meeting and then the development of their friendship.  

The short film opens with a blank screen, music is playing. Using a split screen, an image on the right will appear of a girl sitting on the floor, holding one hand towards the centre of the screen. This then fades out, and on the other side of the screen (the left) an image of another girl is presented sitting is the mirror position of the previous girl. This then fades out, and then both of the shots are placed next to one another, which is designed to show the contrast between the two characters. This will be created through the mise-en scene; the set, costumes and the use of colour symbolism, which I intend to use in this short film. Following this, the title of the short film will then fade in at the top of the screen, to which the split screen of the two girls will fade out into black screen, leaving the title.

At the beginning of the short film, the girls come to notice each other from living opposite. They then start writing to one another on pieces of paper and keep contact and make conversation through the notes. They introduce themselves to one another, which will primarily act as a method of introducing the protagonists/ characters to the audience.

The short film focuses upon the idea/concept of not restricting yourself because of certain groups and social groups, but rather, to be friends with people who you want.