OTS Story Boarding

Whilst Emily worked in photoshop to create our production/studio logos, Lily and I worked on creating a basic story board of our OTS.

Our opening title sequence will start with an extreme close up of our Femme Fetale whispering into one of our anonymous male characters ears, with the echoing line that will sound distorted and faraway, "Do you trust me?". This will fade into a fast-paced series of extreme close up shots to a building sound collage of speech and music. When the music hits its crescendo the shot will change to close up of the Femme Fetale blowing a kiss, forming an action match with the shot of the gun shooting a bullet. The shot will echo and change to see the Femme Fetale's hands dragging down the blood-stained shirt. This will then cut to an extreme close u of her eyes filling with tears.

The is will fade to black before our titles start. Our titles will include the words rising from or being written with various typical iconography seen in film noir, including:

- Title rising from cigarette smoke
- Title wipe as Femme Fetale pulls up stockings
- Title appearing in spilt alcohol
-  Title written onto credit card used to cut drugs (specifically some sort of powdered drug like cocaine)
- Title across cards/poker chips
- Title written in red lipstick on mirror
- Zoom into title in newspaper article
- Title rising from blood on shirt seen earlier

We unsure of the order of these titles and it will be decided later in pre production.

Plans for Filming -

We have planned to film the pre-titles sequence of our OTS on the 18.12. We will be filming the interaction between the Femme Fetale and her various suitors. We will be using Aiden Rawlinson and Adam Burton to play our male characters, and Bridie Megee as our Femme Fetale. We first planned to film in dark room at school but after discovering they will be taken up with photography exams, we decided to look into filming in one of the drama rooms.

Production Company Logo - Red Productions

Emily, our editor, has made the logo for our film production companies.

She explains this further in her blog post.

http://eappsasmediaproductionschs2015.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/ots-editing-unfinished.html

Sound Within Film

In class, we looked at the opening scene of the 2011 film 'Priest' and focussed specifically on the elements of sound in the extract.

We made notes on:
- Dialogue (Words/Vocals) - Sound that is part of the script/screenplay. Dialogue is usually within the diegesis of the movie but can sometimes be amplified to further impact the scene and emphasise a characters words.
- Ambient Sound - This is an element of sound that is often non-diagetic, and applies to sounds used to create a natural base layer of sound in the seen that helps the audience's suspension of disbelief. Ambience is often created with the sounds of birds or leaves in outdoor areas, the creaks of furniture and doors in other parts of a house, traffic and chatter on a busy high street etc.
- Soundtrack/Score - The soundtrack or the score includes any music that is edited into the film. Most films have a soundtrack that is a mix of original and unoriginal tracks.
- Silence - When you listen closely to a film you will discover that there will be almost no time in which there is complete silence. This means that silence can be very effective when attempting to disorientate or scare your audience.
- Sound Effect/Foleying - Sound that is the direct result of an action within the scene, for example the sounds a door being closed or a hammer knocking in a nail. Sound effects are often parts non-diegetic as they are sounds from the diegesis that have been amplified to create more impact on the audience. Sometimes sound effects are completely non-diegetic, in which case they are created by a process called foleying.

OTS - Mise-En-Scene and Location

http://lpotterasmediaproductionschs2015.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/ots-mise-en-scene-and-location.html

This is some of Lili's early exploration into the mise-en-scene elements of our OTS. As head of pre-production design, she has scouted locations for filming what props and costume we will need.

Experimenting with Garage Band

Today I experimented with recorded sound effects like tapping to create a heartbeat type sound, heavy breathing, and piano tracks sourced from the software. I liked the some of the effects this type of sound created and will most likely use similar techniques to record the sound collage we hope to include in our OTS. When developing the music to our titles I will hope to record some music I have originally composed and create a typical jazz blues feel with a small amount of modern un-typical musical elements like acoustic guitar and sound effects found in Garage Band.

BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) - (R18) Rating and What Applies

R18: Restricted 18. To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults only.
The following content is not acceptable:
• material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959
• material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity which may
include adults role-playing as non-adults
• the portrayal of sexual activity which involves real or apparent lack of consent. Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent
• the infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity
• penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm
• sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which do not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable
These Guidelines will be applied to the same standard regardless of sexual orientation of the
activity portrayed.

Neo-Noir - Examples of the Typical and Untypical Elements

Together, we looked at three examples of films in the Neo-Noir genre (The Red Riding Trilogy 1975, Blade Runner and Bound).

All three presented a lot of the typical iconography seen in traditional noir films, including guns, cigarette smoke, and red lipstick around Femme Fetale characters. All showed the presence of an Anti-Hero type protagonist, despite the fact that in Bound they are female she still fits the character archetype.

Film Noir Conventions

In class, we looked at themes, contexts and common iconography seen in the Film Noir genre. Together we brainstormed several typical conventions of the genre, such as:

Iconography -

Red Lipstick (Femme Fetale)                                 Cigarette Smoke

High Heels (Femme Fetale)                              Trilby/Fedora Hat (Anti-Hero/Male Characters)

Guns/Weapons                                                          Alcohol 


Shadowed Lighting -

Typical Plot Features -

- Enigma/Mystery
- The Anti-Hero's Fatal Flaw
- Crime
- Flashbacks/Non-Linear Narrative
- Elements of Lust and Seduction Usually by the Femme Fetale (Fatal Attraction)
- Pathos From the Anti-Hero's Past
- Manipulation and Blackmail
- Moral/Social Message Within Narrative

BBFC (British Board of ~Film Classification) - (18) Rating and What Applies

The rating (18) mans that a film will contain scenes unsuitable for those under the age of 18.
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 us to risk harm to individuals or, through their behavior, to
society. For example, the 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 sadistic or sexual violence
which make this violence look appealing; reinforce the suggestion that victims enjoy sexual violence; or which invite viewer complicity in sexual violence or other harmful violent activities
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity in the context of a sex work (see below) or
where the primary purpose of the images in question is sexual arousal In the case of video works, 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 or 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.

BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) - (15) Rating and What Applies

The rating (15) means the film may contain some scenes unsuitable for those under 15.
Discrimination: The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language. 
Drugs: Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.
Imitable behaviour: Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.
Language: There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification. 
Nudity: There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail. 
Sex: Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually 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. 
Threat: There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable. 
Violence: Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context

BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) - (12/12A) Rating and What Applies

The rating (12/12A) means that the film may contain materials unsuitable for those under 12.
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:Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail. 
Imitable Behaviour: No promotion of potentially dangerous behaviour which children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives. No endorsement of anti-social behaviour. 
Language: There may be moderate language. Strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.
Nudity: There may be nudity, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet. 
Sex: Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed.  Moderate sex references are permitted, but frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable. 
Threat: There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences. Although some scenes may be disturbing, the overall tone should not be. Horror sequences should not be frequent or sustained.  
Violence: There may be moderate violence but it 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 its depiction must be justified by context.

BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) - (PG) Rating and What Applies

The rating (PG), or Parental Guidance, means that the film may contain some scene unsuitable for very young children.
Discrimination: Language or behaviour of a discriminatory nature is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of, or presented in a historical or educational context, or in particularly dated content that is unlikely to appeal to children. Discrimination in a character that children can easily identify with is unlikely to be accepted.
Drugs: References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.
Imitable behaviour: No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to
copy, if that behaviour is presented as safe or fun. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives. No focus on anti-social behaviour which young children are likely to copy. 
Language: Mild bad language only. Aggressive or very frequent use of mild bad language may result in a work being passed at a higher category.
Nudity:There may be nudity with no sexual context.
Sex:Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo only. 
Threat: Frightening sequences or situations where characters are in danger should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.
Violence: Violence will usually be mild. However there may be moderate violence, without detail, if justified by its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy).

Notes on OTS ideas

We created a page of brief notes on our ideas for our OTS, including a basic plot idea, mise-en-scene, iconography, and job allocation. These ideas will be further developed later and i will upload a video of my class presentation presenting these ideas and my role in camera direction and music production.

BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) - U Rating and What Applies

The rating (U), meaning universal for all, means that the film is suitable for all those of 4 years or older. Films under this classification should be set within a positive framework and contain a reassuring counterbalance to any violence, horror or threat.
Discrimination: Behaviour or language deemed to be discriminative is unlikely to be acceptable unless very clearly disapproved of within the feature.
Language: Only very mile bad language that is used infrequently will be acceptable.
Nudity: Nudity must be occasional and not to be seen within a sexual context.
Sex: Sexual behaviour of a mild nature (i.e. kissing) and references to such behaviour is accepted.
Threat: Potentially scary or unsettling sequences should be infrequent, brief and mild with a positive outcome and unlikely to cause anxiety to younger children.
Drugs: Use or reference to illegal drugs must be infrequent and incongruous, or portray a clear anti-drug message and educational purpose suitable for young children. Anti-social or potentially  dangerous behaviour which young children may copy must be clearly disapproved of and no realistic or easily accessible weapons are to be included.
Violence: Violence should be generally very mild. Mild violence will be acceptable if justified by context (i.e. wholly unrealistic, comedic, animated).

What is the 180 Degree Rule?

The 180 Degree Rule is a rule in shooting and editing in which the camera is kept on one side of the action. The rule is designed to ensure that other cameras that are running are not in shot and to keep the shots flowing nicely, especially when filming a conversation between two people that involves over the shoulder shots. The camera must never cross the line/ axis of action and if it does, it risks giving the impressions the actors role has been reversed.