Thursday, 22 December 2011

MISE EN SCENE: Characters' Actual Costume- Death Scene/Argument Scene

Actual Costume


Roland


For Roland's costume we kept simple but quite typical in terms of what a teen boy would wear. The playful impression of the mickey mouse jumper over the school boy like polo shirt, ties in nicely with the brown chino's. His coat suggests he perhaps is on his way out, which eventually does happen as he storms out after their argument.



Jennie
For Jennie's costume, we wanted to keep it simple with some aspects of colour; the scarf. Natural looking make-up and dark nail polish; we think this subtly suggest she takes some effort in her appearance. With her coat, we again wanted to give the impression both characters were on their way out before the argument flared up.

POSTED BY TOSIN

SHOOT UPDATE: Sunday 18th December 2011

Shoot 3- Update




 (Bedroom Scene: Re-shoot- Shahnaz and Jennie)

 (Death Scene- Roland after being run over)




(Clips from our montage: Jennie and Roland)



We changed a few aspects:

-Instead of filming some clips in a local park, like previously decided, we filmed it in the same bedroom that Jennie now shares with her female lover (but we changed the bed sheet to imply a totally different time frame). We decided using the same bedroom seems more personal and more intimate, in terms of wanting to the real chemistry between Roland and Jennie.
- We added a quick POV shot of the unknown driver (in the car: showing the dashboard) in the death scene.
- Instead of creating bruises or scars or even using fake blood on our character, Roland's, t-shirt we thought it be would more effective and realistic to scatter the fake blood on the concrete road near his head, to suggest a fatal head injury.

PICTURES TAKEN BY: SHANHNAZ, STEPHANIE, KULSUMA, TOSIN
POSTED BY TOSIN


We again all took still images of our work and efforts in progress.

Sunday, 18 December 2011

SHOOT UPDATE: Sunday 4th December 2011

Shoot 2- Update


We again all took still images of our work and efforts in progress.




(Night time Montage Clip- Location)

(Male character of Roland-Montage Clip)


(Argument Scene- Location)

We changed a few aspects:

-The positioning of the argument scene was decided to be the bottom of some stairs as it will look more forseeably that the character of Roland will easily storm out the front door after that.
- Instead of the aerial shot of Jennie's eye (entering the dream) we decided on a simple close up shot, as it appeared less shaky and smoother.
- We decided to have one of the clips from the montage with a dark night/moon backdrop with just Roland. This was to appear more romantic and almost as if Jennie is the one filming him, as he messes about.
- We also realised we wished to re-shoot the bedroom scene on our next shooting day with a different second main character (the lover).

PICTURES TAKEN BY: SHANHNAZ, STEPHANIE, KULSUMA, TOSIN
POSTED BY TOSIN


Wednesday, 14 December 2011

Videography Plan - Shooting Script (2)

 Shooting Script

Our planned shooting days had to be extended as many scenes required to be re-shooted.

Day 3: Sunday 18th December 2011- Bedroom/Death/Montage Scenes
(Location: Tosin's house/Road/)


Day Three Shoot:

Start Time:  12pm
Approximate Duration: ---
Finish Time: ---

Some parts of the bedroom scene need to be re-filmed as we decided the performance of our second main character didn't suit the rest of our opening. Consequently, we cast another Shahnaz instead who fortunately is ofcourse a member of our group and knows exactly what we envisioned in terms of how the second main character should be and will play it well.

Although, we have completed filming the argument scene, we are still yet to film the death scene and missing clips for our montage.

Bedroom Scene
Costume/Make-up- (Same as previous for Jennie and now Shahnaz)

Death/Montage Scene
Costume/Make-up
-(Same as previous for Roland and Jennie)

(Props all kept the same)

People who need to be Present:

Shahnaz
Stephanie
Tosin

Kulsuma
Jennie
Roland


POSTED BY KULSUMA

DECONSTRUCTION- Eastenders Car/Death Scene


Decontruction- Death Scene



                         
This is the deconstruction of the scene where the character, Danielle in Eastenders tragically dies after Ronnie discovers the truth, that she is Danielle's biological mother.

Danielle is wearing a white top as to symbolise purity and innocence with a yellow cardigan which is quite bright and is usually associated with happiness and sunshine. This is contrasting to the scenery which is quite dark and scary.

When Danielle gets run over, there is only blood on her face and not on her clothes. Simarilily, we may able to achieve the same effect using limited amount of blood so it will be on the face and not the clothes as we will need the clothing without it being ruined just in case we need to film earlier parts of the film opening again.


The scenes and constumes are very juxtaposing. Ronnie (mother) is wearing glamarous clothing which is completely opposing to the tragedy of events that later take place.
Danielle's clothing seems trendy, young and casual which hides the fact that she has been carrying around such a big secret.


This is a really good close up shot of Ronnie as it shows the deep emotion on her face and the fact that it changed from zooming in to Danielle's face shows the heartfelt connection between the mum and daughter and the beginning and end of their relationship.


POSTED BY KULSUMA

Tuesday, 13 December 2011

TYPOGRAPHY- 'Loving Jennie'

Typography- 'Loving Jennie'

Now our group has decided on a name of our film, we have a few researched options, that we feel will be suitable for our film genre and our audience can understand.

To aid us in our research into different font types, we used 'dafonts.com'.










Below are the shortlist font types we collectively have decided on:



(bebas neue)


This font is edgy, yet has a sense of subtle femininity to it, and could possibly satisfy the general themes of our film of heterosexual love to lesbian love.




(jenna Sue)



This font is typically used for titles in films etc that have similar genre to ours. The curly letters collectively resemble handwriting of perhaps a love letter and it's also a font type that our audience can quickly see and assume the genre of our opening.

Similar to the above font type, this one seems like handwriting which gives a personal feel to it. Again, its a font type that will be synchronous not only with our genre but the type of impression, we wish our opening, to give to our desired audience.



(harting)

This font looks like type writing letter and it appears as if it has been written sincerely by an actual person, complementing the possible reality of the film and that this could actually happen. The roughness of the lettering creates an edgy effect which symbolises the drastic change in sexuality our protagonist goes through to make her the lesbian she is now.




 (aerial demented)



This font's shattered effect shows how our protagonist's life became quite shattered and shocked her when her lover was ran over, the font portrays this but it doesn't mean that she's given up, because the title forms actual words, it also reflects how she has picked up the pieces from the past and is giving love another chance although her sexuality has changed and her outlook on life, as she comes to term with the harsh reality and somehow she finds an inner strength that emerges in the form of her sexuality.






POSTED BY SHAHNAZ/TOSIN

DECONSTRUCTION- Greys Anatomy Death Scene


Deconstruction- Death Scene



We decided to use a close up shot zooming into or actor, Rolands, eyes. This idea was inspired by this scene in Greys Anatomy as it will show the actors last expression and we want our audience to really emotionally connect and understand the tragedy of this scene when watching.
We were initially having difficulties thinking of where the blood will be placed but after watching this Greys Anatomy advert, we got inspired and decided that mimicking it would be the way forward and effective for the atmosphere we are trying to create here.


POSTED BY STEPHANIE

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

FILM TITLE IDEAS

We thought of many names for our film opening and after discussing the connotations and relevance of each to our flm opening, we came up with:

- Changes
- The Three of Us

- Our Route
- Way we are
- Loving Jennie
- Swings

After deep thought, we decided to shortlist it to :
- The Three of Us
- Way we are
- Loving Jennie

We then decided on the name 'Loving Jennie'  as we believed it suited the film. We got the idea from the previous film called 'Loving Annabelle',  a lesbian based film which came out in 2006. We feel that the name is short but meaningful, and in a way denotes our film as our main character is called Jennie and our co stars are all involved with her.

Posted by Kulsuma/Shahnaz

SHOOT UPDATE: Monday 28th November


Shoot 1- Update

As we filmed the beginning of our opening, we all took still images of our work and efforts in progress.








(Bedroom Scene)
Upon beginning to film, we realised a few aspects of our prepared storyboard (this includes certain camera shots etc) in execution wasn't either practicable or something we felt added anything to the scene or atmosphere we were trying to achieve, but we also added a few new shots:

- The extreme close ups of Jennie's mouth and nose etc was not needed nor adding anything. Only a extreme close up of her eye is needed, to signify the beginning and entrance of her dream.
- The shot where Jennie reachs for her bra on the bedside table; instead we simply placed the bra in the background of the shot. We'd rather leave it to the audience's imagination as what whose bra it is etc.
- We added a low angle shot of the messy floor of the bedroom; this is to, not only establish the setting a bit more. but also because the props scattered across the floor are each significant into understanding who the character(s) is and implies certain events maybe that could have previous happend that resulted in the room being messy like that.
- We also added a pan where Jennie goes towards the window and we managed to get a close up of her face looking out the window  (A reflection of her face against the window)

PICTURES TAKEN BY: SHANHNAZ, STEPHANIE, KULSUMA, TOSIN
POSTED BY TOSIN

TESTS SHOTS/CLIPS

TEST SHOTS/CLIPS

We took it upon ourselves to ensure that we are clear about the type of shots we want to include in our opening and just how we will go about constructing it; through filming short experimental shots and clips using a volunteer. 



For example: This is a test shot is of how we would go about the extreme close-up of our main characters eye in the very first clip, entering the dream sequence.



POSTED BY TOSIN

Monday, 28 November 2011

MISE EN SCENE: Characters' Actual Costume- Bedroom Scene

Actual Costumes

Jennie



Jennie's costume was kept as we intended, with connotations to the colour and even style of her attire. The red open vest could connote love, passion, desire, and deep feelings. It could also simply suggest what this character would typically wear to join her partner in bed. In a sense, it is noticeably open which again could play into a vulnerable side to this character and her feminity. (Jennie is also wearing a pair of black leggings.

Shahnaz



We feel even though its very similar to the above characters costume, the connotations mean something rather different. In contrast to Jennie's vulnerable side, the openess of the vest top again could represent the openess she has with Jennie, especially phyiscally. But then also suggest not much regard to full decency (bra showing through) and again suggests what this character would typically wear to join her partner in bed aswell.

Typically the colour white would be symbolic to purity and innocence but we feel that because white is such a prominent, bold but yet basic colour, it could almost represent just how bold and certain this character is in her sexuality. (Similar to Jennie, Shahnaz is wearing a pair of tights)

IMAGES TAKEN BY KULSUMA
POSTED BY TOSIN

SOUND- Acoustic Choice (MattLungleyMusic)


Sound

As we intend the non-diegetic sound in our film opening to be acoustic, we began research into unsigned acoustic artists that produce original songs, as we understand the copy right restrictions on using other songs.
We came across a particular unsigned artist 'MattLungleyMusic' on Youtube with original songs that would be more that suitable for our film opening and just our whole genre and plot in general. We then took it upon ourselves to request permission from him to use his songs in our opening and he fortunately said yes, shown below.





Matt Lungley


 

Below is one particular song we considered as next to perfect for the type of atmosphere and overall 'feel' we intend to create and it would also be synchronous with the events happening.



POSTED BY TOSIN.

Sunday, 27 November 2011

CHARACTERS (Changed)

CHARACTERS

Main Character
Name: Jennie Jarnot


  


No particular body or even face type preference, although her brown eyes would be key for the extreme close up shots, but mainly a girl who indeed who has a convincing look of the average 15-17 year old girl. 
Although the results of our audience survey showed caucasian to be the most voted ethnicity for our characters, we think our chosen actress, Jennie above would still be suitable for the part, as she isnt english but yet this aspect stands as almost intriguing, in a sense that the audience could make their own assumptions as to her background, actual race etc.
Character: The Boyfriend
Name: Roland Emojevbe

The male character in our opening, we want to look around the same age of our main character 15-17, not too tall and medium build. We deliberatly chose him to be Black as we think this type of interracial relationship (Roland and Jennie) isn't typical at all but this is for the purpose of keeping the audience generally interested, subverting stereotypes and an impression that our film opening isn't predictable. We also feel that this young couple would suggest an urban feel.

Character: The Other Girlfriend (Changed from Lucy to Shahnaz)
Name: Shahnaz


The other female character featured in our opening is set to be the lesbian lover to our main character. Although only showed for a quick clip, we intend this character to be socially considered pretty in terms of appearance so, with that said we don't wish to play into bold stereotypes of a typical lesbian with the short/cropped hair etc but rather small touches that subtly reflect this sexuality. With this in mind, we decided to use our own group member Shahnaz as we feel she would be appropriate in portraying a convincing lesbian.


POSTED BY TOSIN

MISE EN SCENE: LOCATION (Road)


Road Ideas


Another main scene in our opening is to be set on a street or road. Using a road or street allows the audience to quickly put two and two together and realise the death presumably was caused by a road accident.


We decided after our male character engages in the argument with the protagonist is when he storms out of the house (above) and comes head on with death on the road ahead.

 We intend to get close up shots of our protagonist cradling the lifeless body of the male character in the middle of the road.


POSTED BY STEPHANIE

Thursday, 24 November 2011

INSPIRATION: Other AS Trailers/Music Videos/Openings



'The 11th Hour'

- This particular example made excellent use of fast cuts (1.09-1.16) when one of the characters was being hit. The cuts made the impact/hit seem more intense, it was effective in creating tension for an audinence. The non-diegetic sound matched well: as the happenings heightened as did the sound.
For our opening, we think its important that we, as the above example, understand what time of mood we wish to show with the use of sound, ensuring it matches the plot and character actions well. Also for our death scene whereby the male characer gets hit by a car, we think it would be much more effective if we use fast cuts to again, increase tension.




- although this example is a music video, it perfectly makes use of slow motion in exactly the type of scene we intend to as well; an argument scene. Each outburts and gesture clearly shown and exaggerated with the use of slow motion.
The extreme close-ups of the characters face was effective in a sense it really stressed to the camera, just how exactly what she was feeling was written all over her face. Perfect examples of a close up reaction shot.
From about 4.31-4.39 the previous clips of the girl on her journey were cleverly, rewinded to the beginning point; this was a clever editing feature as it really shows just how one decision made on the characters part has this, chain of effect on the rest of the happenings, which i think really pulls the piece together.


Hush




To me, this media production was very creative and the imagination factor of this was very high. The music I thought matched the genre of the clip which I assume is a drama/thriller; the music is mellow and touching just as the sensitivity of the topic is. 
At the beginning of the clip, I feel as if the sepia/black and white effect was very effective as it was of a flashback and the sense of nostalgia was heightened with the lack of colour as if it was a real flashback. The transitions in these 25 seconds suited the purpose of memories as the fading of it made the short clips connected more and reflected how memories are thought and how they fade in and out of peoples heads.
I think the extreme close up shot at 0:46 was very effective and showed real emotion and it was almost as if you could read the actor's mind while she read the letter and her eyes were following the words. The word that stands out at 0:47, 'infertility', makes us comprehend the actor's reaction more and I think this was cleverly done as an extreme close up shot was used straight after this of her eyes again so it's almost like we can feel her sorrow.
The title shows at 1:07 and this is done when, assuming, the main actor has left the room.
The connotations of white for the title can be that of the unknown, an act she does which she may think is innocent but not for the audience and it's a colour normally associated with children.
The fact that the title is on it's own can possibly reflect the loneliness of the actor.
The cuts used from 2:22 which cross cut to the main actress to the mum in the park is a very good editing technique as we see what's happening in both parts rather than just having to focus on just one and missing out on what was happening in the other if it were all in one pan.



POSTED BY TOSIN/NAZ

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

MISE EN SCENE: LOCATION (Park)

Park Ideas

 The location of the park and especially the bench is a casual setting which represents the comfortable nature of the couple. An open space like a park, we feel is a great place to reflect the couple's open playful and fun nature towards each other. Suggesting just how great things were before the tragic event.
The scenery with the fresh grass and the general outdoors, we feel would suggest the calm relationship between the couple because nature typically connotes serenity and gentleness but the leaves, changing seasons, could also symbolizes that although they may go through harsh times they will still have a stable relationship.
A casual place like this we think adds a sense of realism without making the characters chemistry seem plain.



POSTED BY STEPHANIE

MISE EN SCENE: LOCATION (Bedroom)


Bedroom Ideas

This room may be considered as for the cluttered room scene as there is a sence of unorganisation and no structure of the room which is what we want to be reflected in the scene. However, this room hastoo much of a boy-ish ora which is not what we are going towards even though there is a lesbian couple involved.

As there is a calm structured feeling to this room, it will be considered as the structure needed in our film, opening. Although there is a sereen feeling, it may be too structured and basic for the idea we are going for as although they are happy there is almost an emotional wall blocking one of our charactors because of the loss and suffering she has gone through.


This is an ideal setting of a cluttered room we are aiming for as in the scene we are creating, the clutter will not be overwhelming but will have a particular unplanned organisation feel to it. As the camera is tilting this will also give a good effect as we will be able to see the details of what is on the floor and will then explain why it has been placed there.



Our actual choice of Bedrooms


                    
As mentioned above, we intend the room to be not too feminine and not too orderly. We feel that the above two options for our bedroom scene are plain enough, sort of a blank canvas, ready and suitable for us to add certain props (clothes and extras to make the clutter) that we feel will reflect the protagonist and create a more personal feel. 
We want collectively the room and mise en scene to slightly reflect the character in a way that can maybe not be immediate know through speech or action.
 

POSTED BY STEPHANIE