Character and Narrative Theory (My Own Film + The Notebook)

I have created a mindmap that compares character and narrative theory to my own film as well as a successful authentic film (The Notebook). This has allowed me to see which aspects of the theories are present in a real romance genre film and which ones are present in mine allowing me to see if I need to make any final minor changes to the storyline, characters etc. After comparing the two I am happy with my storyline and characters for the time being.

Problem

Recently I have received a phone call from the library I was planning on filming in informing me that it is no longer possible for me to film there due to them fearing it may disturb their customers because of this I have had to take time out to contact other possible locations and I am currently waiting to hear back from them.

Script Draft 2

I have changed quite a few scenes in my film due to not being 100% happy with them. I have removed what were scene 2 and scene 9 which were present in my first draft and changed the location of was scene 7 in my first draft. As well as this I have added in an extra scene at the end where Imogen receives a text from Mason. I am now happy with the context of my script and believe my next draft should be my final one.

Research into Flashbacks

As a key element of my film is going to be the flashback scenes I figured it would be a good idea to do some research into them and how to successfully feature them within a movie. Below are just a small selection of some of the advice I came across.

Props and Costume

Before I start my filming I decided it would be beneficial to decide whether or not I needed any props or costumes. I came to the conclusion that I would in fact need some however, they would be easily obtained.

Costume

Main girl

• Jeans
• Top
• Casual Shoes
• Coat

Main boy

• Jeans
• Casual Top
• Coat
• Hat

It is also vital for my film to ensure that the main female actor is wearing the same clothing throughout the film when she is in present day and is wearing different clothing during the flashback scenes

Props

Mobile phone for the main character

Practice Editing

In order to ensure that we are confident enough with editing we were set the task to edit a film to the soundtrack of a song. Below is the editing of the movie Finding Nemo to the soundtrack of the Jaws' theme tune that I completed with Amy Oughton and Cory Smith

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Initial Storyboards

Over the past few days I have been working on producing the storyboards for my film. They're not my final ones as I'm still not certain on the locations so will be producing a more detailed updated version in the next few weeks. The research I have conducted into different theories as well as my first draft of my script has really helped me to produce my stroyboards.

Script Draft 1

In order to ensure that the actors in my film are familiar with what it is I'm wanting them to do I have produced a script. My script will be developing more in the near future however for now I have summed up briefly what each actor will be doing at each point in the film. The scenes in my script may also change as I haven't yet received confirmation for permission to film from the coffee shop.

Character Theory

For the past day or two I have been doing some research into character theory. It was been quite helpful as I can now confidently apply some of these characters to my own film which has helped me develop my characters personalities further.

Narrative Theory

Recently I have been doing some research into narrative theory, this was quite an interesting theory to look at when considering the storyline of my short film.

Genre Theory

I have been doing some research into the different genre theories that many films are based around. This has been extremely helpful during the planning stage of my production as I am now aware of different genre theories I could apply to my film.

 

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Location Response

Today I received an email back from the library, which is one of the locations I am hoping to use in my film. I will be providing them with the information they have asked for and will be awaiting a response.

Contacting Potential Locations

I have been quite busy recently contacting potential locations that I could use as a setting for my short film. Below are just a small selection of emails and letters I have sent out to businesses asking their permission to use their locations in my short film. I am yet to hear anything back from them but I hope to hear back soon.

Music Rights

It is important that I have permission from music publishing companies before using the songs they have produced and published with different artists. Due to this I have ensured that I have contacted both record producing companies asking their permission to use their songs in my short film.

The first company was Warner Music who I tweeted asking permission to use the song Skinny Love by Birdy which will be the first main song played throughout the film in order to help the audience emotionally connect to the main character.

 

As my film is going to be longer than 3 minutes it is important that I have a second song. I have chosen How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding as I believe the pace and tempo will allow the transaction between the two songs to be smooth and barely noticeable. I have Emailed Universal Music Group, the producer of this record, to ask permission to use the song in my short film.



 

 

My film relies heavily on the background music to help tell the story as there will be limited diegetic sound. The first part of my film will feature an upbeat pop song as the main character is seen studying whist listing to music which will be the song by Sigma ft Paloma Faith so I made sure that I contacted 3beat the producer of this record to ask their permission.

Final Music Choice

After a few days of intensely listening to the songs that I had short listed I finally decided on the three songs that I am going to use in my film. The first song I have decided on, which will a sad slow song played through the first half of the film is How Long Will I Love You, I decided on this song as I felt that the lyrics really related to the character and helps to portray the mood that I would like to come across. The second song I have decided on is Skinny Love which will play during the second half of the film. I chose this song as I feel as though it will allow the audience to make a connection with Imogen (the main female character) during the final scene. I believe both these songs also help to tell the storyline effectively.




My second song which would be the happier one of the two that will feature right at the start of the film will be Changing by Paloma Faith ft Sigma. I have decided on this song as I feel like it helps to represent the normality of the characters life before she receives the text.

Locations

Today I spent the day walking around Newcastle city centre and Gateshead town centre taking pictures of all the locations I have contacted that could potentially feature in our film. Having pictures of the locations has really helped me to create the mise-en-scene of the film within my mind and has massively helped me when drawing the storyboards.

locations - Kizoa Video Maker

Actors

In order to help with the planning and preparation process I decided it would be best to have a list of the different characters I will need to feature in my film. This will help with the casting process.

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Background Music Ideas

Mu short film is going to rely heavily on the background music to help create the mood as well as helping to keep the audience engaged. I felt it was important to spend a considerable amount of time researching relevant songs. I decided to feature two songs in my film in order to represent two different moods, the first song I decided should be Happy upbeat modern song in order to help portray the character as a normal teenage girl, the second song I decided should be slower sadder song to represent the change in mood/ heartbreak the character is having to cope with. After listening to multiple songs I have managed to narrow it down to three songs each.

Sad songs

• How Long Will I Love You - Ellie Goulding
 
• Skinny Love - Birdie
   
• Hopeless Wanderer - Mumford and Sons
 
Happy songs



•  Changing - Sigma ft. Paloma Faith
   
•  Use somebody - Kings of Leon


• The Saturdays - If This Is Love 

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Article Flat Plan

After analysing the reviews featured in real film magazines I have decided to base my review on the ones featured in Little White Lies. I made this decision as I thought these reviews looked more modern and professional. I have devised a flat plan of what I would like my film review to look like.  

 

Article Analysis

For the second part of my ancillary task I am required to produce a review for my film. Because of this I have researched and took examples of real film reviews that feature in well-known film magazines. Unlike the film posters the film reviews I looked at typically had the same conventions present however. in most cases the layout was completely different, this meant that the decision of what layout to use was completely down to personal preference.

Film Review Analysis

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Poster Flat PLan

After analysing authentic film posters and learning of the typical conventions used I have devised a flat plan of what I would like my poster to look like. This is going to help me massively during the production stage of my poster.

Poster Anaylsis

For my ancillary task I am required to produce a poster that will advertise my short film. In order to ensure that my poster looks as authentic as possible I have analysed 4 poster that advertise high profile films of the romance genre. I have learnt quite a bit from analysing the posters such as common conventions and the typical layout of a romance genre film poster.

poster anaylsis 2

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Common Conventions of a Love Story

As my short film is a love story I thought it would be a good idea to research common conventions of a love story. This has really helped with my planning stage as as a result of it I am planning to make small changed to my initial thoughts in order to keep the audience engaged more.

Pitch

I have created a pitch for my short film which brefily outlines my target audience, the main characters and the storyline.

Questionaire Results Anaylsis

After presenting my questionnaire results in pie charts I decided it would be best to then decided on what my actions were going to be as a result of distributing a questionnaire. I have now made my finial decisions on what my genre will be, who my target audience are and what the basic storyline is for my film. In the next few days I am planning on creating a pitch to state all of my decisions.

Questionnaire Results Analysis

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Questionnaire Results

I have created A prezi to present the results I received from my questionnaire. The feedback I have received has really helped me with my planning process as I am now aware of my target audience, what genre they'd prefer and what time of storyline they'd most enjoy.


 

Responses to Questionnaire

My questionnaire was completed by 50 people who were a range of ages and were a mix of both genders. Here is two copies of the type of responses I got from the questionnaire. One copy is from a male and the other is from a female. 

 

 

Questionnaire

I have devised a questionnaire as part of my planning process which is available to fill out online. I I am also planning on printing out the questionnaire and handing it out to a variety of people of all ages and gender. Once I have collected all of the results I will post it on my blog. The purpose of the questionnaire is to find out vital information such as who my target audience are, what they want to see, what music they like etc.


Create your own user feedback survey

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Analysis of Short Film 4

Short Film 4

Analysis of Short Film 3

The Long Distance Relationship

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Short Film 3

Analysis of Short Film 2

Short Film 2

Analysis of Short Film 1

Short Film 1

A2

For my A2 coursework I have been informed that I will be producing filmed piece. My initial thought after looking through the options was to produce a short film, in the next few weeks I am hoping to have finalised my idea's and to have a pitch for my film completed.

A2 Podcast