Secondary Research

With the box office returns forecast to pull in around $58 million during its opening weekend in the U.S. it looks as though Woodley’s second vehicle could beat the $54 million that Divergent pulled in on its first weekend. For the film’s makers, this projected profit for a film that only cost $12 million to make must have 20th Century Fox delirious with joy.

The success of The Fault in Our Stars may be down to the new female oriented demographic or a type of ageism. Whatever factor has been instrumental in the movies beating Tom Cruise at the box office, the fact remains that Shailene Woodley has proved that she can carry a film and has done so twice. What will be interesting in the future is just how well a Woodley film performs against a Jennifer Lawrence film instead of an older Tom Cruise movie.

sticking with The Fault In Our Stars, it was the top romance film from 2010-2014

This research proves that Romance films are becoming extremely popular, especially within the age group that i am aiming to provide for. A film like The Fault in Our Stars have gained millions from it and has become one of the most popular romance films in 4 years.

Timeline

This is a timeline showing the tasks that I need to do and when they need to be done by.

Time For A Change

Blumer and Katz

Todorov's Narrative Theory

Sound Techniques

AMBIENT
Background sounds which are present in the scene e.g. animals, people, weather etc.

SELECTIVE
Sound which is used to place emphasis on certain things in a scene.

SOUND BRIDGE
At the beginning of a new scene the sound is carried over from the end of the old scene.

SOUND EFFECTS
Sounds which are used to make a psychological impact or place emphasis on certain things in a scene.

SCORE
Music which is played during a scene which can create a certain mood, link two scenes or help add to the plot.

SILENCE
Used to create suspense or get some sort of reaction from the audience.

THEME MUSIC
Music which is played throughout the movie and is used to develop the narrative and match the theme of the movie.

VOICE OVER
The voice of a character which is used to guide or inform the audience but can also mislead them.

SYNCHRONOUS

When a sound matches an action or event on screen and can be used to emphasize it.

ASYNCHRONOUS
When a sound or music does not come from the diegetic reality of the movie.

DIEGETIC
Sound which is the source is currently coming from someone or something on screen e.g. characters speaking.

NON-DIEGETIC
Sound which the source does not come from something that is happening on screen e.g. narration.

IDENTIFYING A PIECE OF MUSIC.

The music that I choose to use for my piece will be similar to this song but with a slightly softer touch to it. A song that I am thinking of using at the moment is 'This Is What It Takes' by Shawn Mendes. This song is about fighting for the person you love and doing anything for them and I believe it will go nicely with the trailer that I will make. 
The lyrics put across the message that I am trying to put across in my trailer. It is a soft piece of music that has its elements of climax to contrast the with darker parts of the trailer. I think it is a definite option for what I am going to create.
On the other hand, I feel like an instrumental might be better because the lyrics might take away the effect of the dialogue and other sounds that will be used.

Editing Terms

CUTTING

This is when one shot suddenly changes to another shot. Cuts are made very regularly. Cuts aren't always left as a sudden changes from one shot to another, sometimes these cuts are transitioned as a fade, wipe or dissolve.
There is always a reason for cutting a shot; this could include:

• to change the scene and setting
• to compress the time
• to vary the point of view
• to build or create an image or an idea

SHOT/REVERSE SHOT

This is where several shots are edited together between alternate characters. This is very typically used in a conversation situation.

EYE LINE MATCH

This consists of two shots. The first shows the character look off in one direction. The following shot shows what the character is looking at.

ACTION MATCH

This is when two different views are shot of the same action, and are edited together so that the action appears to continue uninterrupted.

JUMP CUT

When a single shot has an interruption. The interruption is either the background changes instantly while the figure in the shot remains the same, or that the figure changes instantly while the background remains the same.

PARALLEL EDITING

An editing technique where two or more shots, set in different places, alternate, these are usually simultaneous, and actions are linked in some way.

DISSOLVE

Dissolving is a transition used in between two shots so that the shots don't suddenly change. dissolve is the transition in which one shot fades out while another shot fade in, meaning at one moment in this transition the shots are blended together.

FADE IN/FADE OUT

Fading into a shot is when the screen appears just a blank, black screen to begin with, and then the shot begins to fade in. This usually occurs at the beginning of a scene to indicate a softer, quieter introduction.

Fading out of a shot is when the shot is shown on the screen and then slowly fades out into a blank, black screen.

SUPERIMPOSITION

This is where two shots are blended into one, and unlike dissolve, this is not a transition between the different shots.

LONG TAKE

A shot that is a very quick shot that takes a very short length of time before cutting to the next scene.

SHORT TAKE

That is a very quick shot that takes a very short length of time before cutting to the next scene.

SLOW MOTION

When the action on the screen has been edited to move at a slower rate than the original action did. This can be used to do the following:

• Make a faster action more visible to the audience
• to emphasise a moment or a reaction
• to create an unusual ad strange feeling about a familiar or ordinary action
• to emphasise violence

Within my trailer I will probably use a lot of fade in/fade out because I feel like it links nicely with a romance film because it's so soft and relaxing. I'm also thinking of using slow motion at the beginning when the two characters first make eye contact and the idea of 'love at first sight' it shown. to emphasise the dramatic scenes, I think cutting and shot/reverse shot will show the conflict and the stress related scenes for the characters; the fighting and the arguing that goes on.

Lighting Effects

• High key lighting - indicates a bight lit scene with a few shadows; usually provided by one source of light.
• Low key lighting - is where the lighting s more towards the greyer and darker scale, where there is a good deal of shadow ad where the key light is less bright and does not dominate.
• High contrast lighting - is where there is a strong contrast between bright light and shadow, with a small amount of in between grey scale. 

Lighting can either be hard or soft light:

• Hard light clearly illuminates areas, sharply outlines and illuminates characters, brings out detail and texture and markedly separates light and shadows. hard light gives a hard, crisp, sharply defined appearance, and casts a sharp, clearly defined shadow
• Soft light covers a wider area with a more diffuse light, diminishes outline and clarity of characters, minimises shadows and reduces modelling of details and texture; soft light tends to hide surface irregularities and detail.

Spun glass diffusers are used over the front of studio lights to soften and diffuse their beams and to reduce the intensity of the light.

Three point lighting is the standard method used in visual media such as film, still photography and computer generated imagery.

1. Key light

This is the main light.

It is usually the strongest and has the most influence of the look of the scene.

The key light is placed to one side of the camera/subject so that this side is well lit and the other has some shadow.

It provides hard light, like that from the sun on a clear day: a bright light with hard edged shadows.

It provides excellent modelling by highlighting the shape and contour of the subject.

2. Fill light

This is the secondary light and is placed on the opposite side tot eh key light.

Its light can be likened to indirect sunlight or reflected light from the environment.

It is used to fill the shadows created by the key. The fill will usually be softer and less bright than the key and casts soft indistinct shadows.

It is sometimes referred to as the highlight as it is often used to give a sheen or highlight to an actor's hair

3. Back light

The back light is placed behind the subject and lights it from the rear.

Rather than providing direct lighting (which the key and the fill give), its purpose is purely for modelling - to provide definition and subtle highlights around the subjects outline.

This helps separate the subject from the background and give a three dimensional look.

Possible Shot TO Use

AN EXTREME LONG SHOT

This contains a large amount of landscape. It is often used at the beginning of a scene or a film to establish general location (setting). this is also known as an establishing shot.

A LONG SHOT

This contains landscape but gives the viewer a more specific idea of setting. A long shot may show the viewers the building where the action will take place.

A FULL SHOT 

This contains a complete view of the characters. From this shot, viewers can take in the costumes of the characters and may also help to demonstrate the relationships between characters.

A MID SHOT

This contains the characters o a character from the waist up. From this shot, viewers can see the characters faces more clearly as well as their interaction with other characters. this is also known as a social shot.

A CLOSE UP

This contains just one characters face. This enables viewers to understand the actor's emotions and also allows them to feel empathy for the character. this is also known as a personal shot.

AN EXTREME CLOSE UP

This contains one part of a characters face or the object. this technique is quite common in horror films. This type of shot create an intense mood and provides interaction between the audience and the viewers.

A BIRDS EYE ANGLE

This is an angle that looks directly down upon a scene. this angle is often used as an establishing angle, along with an extreme long shot, to establish setting.

A HIGH ANGLE

This is a camera angle that looks down upon a subject. A character shot with a high angle will look vulnerable or small. these angles are often used to demonstrate to the audience a perspective of a particular character.

AN EYE LEVEL ANGLE

This puts the audience on an equal footing with the characters. This is the most commonly used angle in most films as it allows the viewers to feel comfortable with the characters.

A LOW ANGLE

This is a camera angle that looks up at a character. This is the opposite of a high angle and makes a character look more powerful. This can make the audience feel vulnerable and small by looking up at the character. This can help the responder feel empathy if they are viewing the frame from another characters point of view.

Shot List

Costume

Daniel (Ronnie)

In the first scene where he is walking through the school playground,. he will be dressed like a normal sixth from student. He will be wearing a suit ( Shirt, tie, waistcoat, trousers) with plain black shoes and a smart black coat over the top. He will also be wearing a pair of blue beat headphones to make him look more independent and lonely and to complete the outfit, he will be carrying his guitar.
When he is sitting in the park playing guitar, he will be more casual. He will be wearing a pair of black jeans and trainers with a casual red t-shirt. I thought red would look nice as it symbolises love and hate and the brightness will make him look like a target from both Sophie and Sam.
In the last scene where he is with Sophie on the couch, he will be wearing similar jeans again, but with a white t-shirt instead just to change it up a bit. 
Daniels costumes will be quite plain and simple throughout to link with his personality. He doesn't want any attention on him so he doesn't wear anything bright of outgoing.

Sophie (Niamh)

Just like with Daniels character, Sophie will be in a smart outfit at the start to link with the dress code of a sixth form student. She will be wearing a smart blouse, skirt, heels and tights as well as having her hair up. She will also have no make up on.
When in the park with Daniel, she will be wearing, light blue skinny jeans, converse trainers, a loose top and she will have her hair down.
This will be the same costume when she's in the scene with Sam as its at the same point.
Finally, when she is with Daniel on the couch in her home, she will be wearing a casual dress with skin toned tights and ballet pumps.

Sam (Jack)

For most of his scenes, Sam will be wearing black jogging bottoms, black trainers, white t-shirt and a black hoodie. This is to make him look suspicious and quite careless. There will be one moment where he is waiting outside the school for Sophie where he will be in a smarter styled costumer; white shirt, blue jeans and trainers. This is to try and make an impression for Sophie, but it quickly backfires.

Risk Assessment

Filming Schedule

Day 1

Part 1

Location: Shirley High School front playground/corridor.

Characters/actors needed: Sophie (Niamh) and Daniel (Ronnie)

Costume: Ronnie - Suit, coat, headphones, guitar. Niamh - blouse, skirt, blazer, hair up.

Scene: First scene of trailer; Daniel walking through playground and spotting Sophie in the corridor.

Part 2

Location: Shirley High School front gate area.

Characters/actors needed: Sam (Jack), Sophie (Niamh) and Daniel (Ronnie)

Costume: Jack - jeans, t-shirt, hoodie and trainers. Ronnie - suit, coat, guitar. Niamh - dress, tights, slip on shoes, hair up.

Scene: Sam outside the gate phoning Sophie. Sophie declines call and goes back to Daniel.

Day 2

Part 1

Location: Lloyd's Park - open area by a tree.

Characters/actors needed: Sophie (Niamh) and Daniel (Ronnie)

Costume: Ronnie - jeans, loose shirt, trainers or boots. Has his guitar with him. Niamh - hair down, shorts, vest and cardigan. Converse/van type shoes.

Scene: The couple first meet.

Part 2

Location: Lloyd's Park - woods (later in the day so its a bit darker)

Characters/actors needed: Sam (Jack) and Sophie (Niamh)

Costume: Niamh - hair down, shorts, vest and cardigan. Converse/ van type shoes.

Scene: Sam trying to win Sophie back.

Day 3

Part 1

Location: Outside my house in the evening so its dark.

Characters/actors needed: Sam (Jack) and Daniel (Ronnie)
Costume: Sam - Black jogging bottoms, white top and black hoodie, half zipped up with black shoes. Daniel - Jeans, boots, t-shirt.

Scene: Sam attacks Daniel.

Part 2

Location: Inside my house.

Characters/actors needed: Daniel (Ronnie) and Sophie (Niamh)

Costume: Niamh - leggings, vest top. Ronnie - Jeans, jumper.

Scene: End scene of the sofa.

I need to find out what days are available for everyone so the filming process can run smoothly.

Change In Logo

After repeatedly looking at my existing logo and thinking there was something missing from it, I started to feel like my logo wasn't good enough and I wanted to change it.
I wanted to use a more colorful picture to represent the city and I wanted to get rid of the sun because it looked too childish. I thought including more colour would link with the idea of the different lights around the city. I also thought the idea of just one building doesn't represent the idea of a city which is what it was meant to be based around. 

After re creating my logo many time, I created this.

I am a lot happier with this logo and I feel like it will go well with the style of my trailer. The colours are really bright but soft to support the idea of a happy and romantic film. I stuck with the same style of font for the title, however i got rid of the shadow and created a reflection instead so it sat perfectly above the picture. I finally added an effect to make the image look sloped just to make it more interesting. all together the logo is more eye catchy and looks a lot more professional for a trailer based on a romance.

Setting/Location

1ST LOCATION

The first form of setting would be Shirley High School. I’m going to use the front playground when the character Daniel is seen walking up, the front gate to show the character Sam waiting and watching them and also the corridor where the couple first make eye contact. It would be during school hours so there will be other children in the background. I want this effect to make it look more realistic. I’d probably need some sort of permission from a teacher to say that it is acceptable to film around the school.

2ND LOCATION

The second setting will be Lloyd’s Park. I want to use the park as the place where the two characters Sophie and Daniel meet. It will be in the afternoon so it should still be light out. I chose this park because it is big and open to everyone and there are lots of areas of the park that I could film in. I want to use the woods in Lloyd's Park as well to create the dramatic, tense atmosphere between the characters, Sophie and Sam. It will be a bit darker at this point to really set the dangerous mood.

3RD LOCATION

I will probably use the street outside my house in the evening to show a bit of the attack scene. This area is quiet so shouldn’t draw much attention to what we are doing. No one but my neighbours goes down there. I will do it when it is dark out to really emphasise the attack and to still link with the realistic sense that most danger happens at dark. This is another place where I probably won’t need permission because it’s just outside my house, however I would probably need to warn my neighbours in case they don’t realise its acting or think we are too loud.

4TH LOCATION

The last location that I would need to use is my living room. It would be lit to make it look like a safe place. And it will show the comfort and warm of the relationship. I would probably need permission from my parents to make sure it is okay for a part of my house to be in the video.

Plot Synopsis Of My Movie

The whole plot of my movie is the highs and lows of the young couple, Sophie and Daniel. After his mum passes away, Daniel is forced to move in with his dad. He has to start a new school and decides to keep his distance from people; he doesn’t want to fit in or be a part of anything. He hates going home as he doesn’t get along with his dad so plays guitar in the park for hours after school. One day, he is lucky enough to meet Sophie, a girl from his school that he instantly makes a connection with. They talk for hours every day for months and slowly start to create a relationship between them. Everything is going great for the couple until Sophie’s ex-boyfriend Sam comes into the picture. Sam tries to win Sophie back by turning up to her school, her house and trying to buy her new things. He ends up ruining everything when he and his mates attack Daniel when he is on his way home. Daniel’s dad starts to worry that things are getting too out of hand so forbids him from seeing Sophie anymore. Daniel doesn’t take this well and they end up arguing. By the end of it, Daniel expresses how lost and betrayed he feels by his mum and is comforted and supported by his dad. From that moment on, his relationship with his dad has grown stronger. Sophie and Daniel continue to stay strong and forget about Sam until he tries to set Sophie’s house on fire when he is drunk one night. Sam is caught and is sent straight to prison. At the end of the movie, we see Daniel and Sophie leaving school and going on holiday together. They are strong, happy and enjoying the time they have as a young couple.

Script

Voice over - Daniel (Ronnie) walk through school on his own.
(music starts - soft, tense music to show the feelings of the character Daniel)

Sophie (Niamh): Have you ever felt alone?... Lost?...Unwanted?

But then you have that moment, when your eyes connect from afar and you know, you just know, that everything will be okay.
(new music starts - more upbeat and romantic)

Conversation in park - Sophie (Niamh) and Daniel (Ronnie) first meet.

Sophie (Niamh): Hey

(pause)

Sophie (Niamh): I'm Sophie (holds out her hand)

Daniel (Ronnie): Daniel (shakes Sophie's hand)
(music from previous scene is carried on through to this scene (sound bridge))

Conversation in woods - Sam (Jack) tries to get Sophie (Niamh) back.
(romantic music continues from climax section to give the dramatic effect from the scene (sound bridge))

Sam (Jack): it's me you need to be with! (grabs Sophie's arm)

Sophie (Niamh): Leave me alone Sam! (pulls away and starts walking off)

Sam (Jack): No! (grabs her arm again and pulls her close to him) I wont let you be with him! I won't let you go!

Fight scene - Sam (Jack) tries to get rid of Daniel (Ronnie)
(dramatic music continues (sound bridge))

Sam (Jack): Stay away from her!

Daniel (Ronnie): (laughs) Never!
(sudden stop in music)

Conversation in house - Romantic scene on couch.

Sophie (Niamh): What are we gonna do?

Daniel (Ronnie): (smiles) Whatever  it takes.
(music calms down and becomes quieter so the dialogue can be heard clearly as its the most important text)

Analysis Of The Vow

Group Plan

WORKING ALONE

I have decided to work on the media product alone. I thought it would be easier for me on my own so I could experiment with my own ideas in the way that I want to do it. I feel like I might be restricted if I was in a group. I also wanted to work at my own pace and not have to stress about getting work done quickly for other members of the group or the work not being at a good enough standard to meet their work; I didn't want to have the responsibility of letting others down.