Evaluation

Final version of film intro

This is the final version of my film introduction.

Permission for use of music

Here is the email that I sent to WMG records requesting permission to use one of their songs in my film introduction.

Permission for use of music

Here is the email I sent to Domino records label to request permission for use of a song owned by Domino for use in my film introduction:

Storyboard

Below is a short storyboard I drew to help me arrange and visualize a sequence for my film. This will help me when I come to shooting the sequence.

Voiceover

Here's the script for the voiceover I plan to record and use at the opening of my film:

“My name’s Jamie alright? Yeah I’m just a normal guy, no job, no money and not much of a life to be honest. My mum kicked me out you see, she said it was the final straw when the police got involved but I'm just not the sort of guy that walks away when things start to kick off. If I’ve learnt one thing in life, it’s not to take any shit from anyone else. I’m living with my uncle Pete and he’s a waste of time. He never stops drinking apart from when he’s collecting his dole money, a bit of a knob head really.

One thing I have got is my brother, Danny. He’s more like a best mate though, always there when you need him. We’ve been through everything together, thick and thin. Someone once said to me that the most important thing in life is family. Try telling that to the dad that I’ve never seen. All my family have ever done is shit on me. Apart from Danny, me and him have started dealing drugs to try and make a bit of money. You’ve gotta do something haven’t you. Danny’s worried that we’ll get caught but as long as we stick together we should be fine, plus I fancy a new pair of trainers.

So that’s me Jamie Macintyre, and this is the day my life changed forever.”

Prop List

Props I intend to use:
Alarm clock
Wallet
Train ticket
Deodrant
Chain
Tooth brush
Hair gel
Photograph
Fridge magnets
Frying pan
Bacon Sandwich
Mobile phone
Glass of milk
Bottle of Jack Daniels
Glass
Beer can
Bag of drugs
Gun
Theatrical blood

Location Photos - Bridge

Here are photographs of another location I plan to use in my film. I think this bridge will be a good setting for the drug deal/fight scene because it is secluded, dark and atmospheric. Hopefully the walls will create an echo on the voices which will add to the scene.

The Script

The Script

Characters - Jamie Macintyre, Danny Macintyre, Brucie and friend, Uncle Pete, Tramp

Scene 1

(Jamie Macintyre wakes up and rushes to get ready. He makes himself a bacon sandwich, which he stuffs in his face and follows it up by downing a glass of milk. He then walks into the hall, opens the living room door and stands in the doorway.)

Jamie: “See you later Pete, I’m going …”

(He stops in mid-sentence and realizing that his uncle is asleep on the couch with a glass in his hand and a bottle of alcohol on the table next to him. Jamie Shakes his head and walks out. He then leaves the house and sets off walking up the road.)

Scene 2

(Jamie walks through a small alleyway that leads to a park where he meets his brother Danny Macintyre)

Jamie: “Danny!” (Shouts enthusiastically) All right brother?”
Danny: “Yeah I’m good Jamie you?
Jamie: “Nice one, yeah I'm not bad man, you got the stuff?”

(Danny reveals a bag of drugs from his pocket and shows it to Jamie)

Jamie: “Good man! We should make a fair bit of money from it.”
Danny: “Yeah if it all goes well”
Jamie: “How’s mum?”
Danny: “I think she’s okay, she’s never been the same since dad left though. How’s living with Uncle Pete?
Jamie: “Disaster mate, he’s never sober!”

(Danny laughs and the two brothers approach a tramp sprawled on a park bench. The tramp stretches his arm out towards them)

Tramp: “Change! Spare change!”
Jamie: “Piss off!”

(The two continue walking as the tramp continues to wave his arm at them)

Danny: “Are you sure we can trust these guys then?”
Jamie: “They’re old friends mate, we shouldn’t have any problems”

(Danny looks apprehensive)

Danny: “Yeah…Remember what happened to Finch?”
Jamie: “He was an idiot, what happened to Finch will never happen to us because no one messes with the Macintyre’s!”

(The brothers both smile and punch each other’s fists. They walk into the distance as the tramp slides of the bench onto the floor.)

Scene 3

(A train rushes over a bridge as Jamie and Danny walk around the corner of a footpath and head towards the bridge. Waiting for them underneath the bridge are two males of a similar age and build to the two brothers. One is wearing a blue Fred Perry jacket and is leaning against the wall of the bridge. The other is standing a few feet away wearing a black coat and reflective shades. The brothers approach the two males and the one wearing blue turns from the wall to face the brothers. Jamie faces the male in blue.)

Jamie: “All right Brucie?”

(The male in blue just nods his head showing no emotion in his response.)

Brucie: “You got the stuff?”

(Jamie tips his head slightly towards his brother and Danny takes the bag of drugs out of his pocket and throws it on the floor in front of the male in the black coat. The male takes his shades off places them in his coat pocket and picks up the bag. He then tears the bag slightly, licks his little finger, places inside the bag and tastes some of the substance. The male turns to Brucie and nods in approval.)

Brucie: “We’ll take it”
Jamie: “Nice one, where’s the money?”

(Brucie turns to his companion then draws a gun from under his jacket. He points the gun at Jamie and advances towards him.)

Brucie: “Here’s the f*cking money!”

(Jamie stumbles backwards in shock with a terrified expression as Brucie continues to shout at him. The other male looks smug and Danny looks as shocked as Jamie.)

Jamie: “Woah Brucie man! What are you doing lad?!”
Brucie: “You know how this works”

(By now Brucie has the gun pressed against Jamie’s forehead. Suddenly Danny lunges at Brucie grabbing his arm holding the gun and pulling it away from Jamie’s head. He then slams Brucie into the wall smashing the gun out of his hand. The male in the black coat reacts the quickest and runs towards Jamie grabbing him by his jacket and head butting him to the floor. He then throws a serious of punches at Jamie who puts his arms up in defense. Danny throws a punch at Brucie and connect with him square in the face. Brucie slumps down the wall a little and Danny grabs him, about to finish him off.)

Jamie: (shouting) “Danny!!!”

(Danny turns away from Brucie, grabs the male punching Jamie and throws him backwards. He then helps Jamie to his feet. Jamie wipes the blood from his nose and runs towards the male, Danny follows. Jamie throws a series of punches at the male who staggers backwards. The male then comes back strongly with a powerful left hook, knocking Jamie to the ground. Seeing this, Danny goes into a rage kneeing the male in the head. The male falls to the floor and Danny kneels over him swinging many punches. Jamie is unconscious on the floor and Brucie is still, lying against the wall. Suddenly Brucie wakes up and slowly starts to move towards the gun on the ground. Danny continues to punch the pinned down male.)

“BANG!”

(The gunshot rings out. Danny suddenly stops punching and grits his teeth. He then keels over and lies still. Brucie is holding the gun pointing it where he just shot Danny. He then gets to his feet, walks over to the male in the black coat and picks him up. The two stagger away from the bridge. All the commotion seems to bring Jamie back into consciousness. He slowly crawls over to his brother.)

Jamie: (laughing) “Danny boy”

(As he draws closer to his brother he suddenly becomes worried)

Jamie: “Danny, Danny!”

(Jamie puts his hand to his face and lies over his dead brother)

END

Location Photos - Park

Here are some photos of one of the locations I plan to use in my film introduction:

I am considering using this park as a location becuase it has certain elements that fit the urban working-class feel which harmonizes with the narative and characters. The dingy alleyway with concrete fencing covered with graffiti fits percieved stereotpyes of working class areas. I want to display such stereotypes in my film therefore I think having the main character walk through this alleyway will be effective.

The park is also the location where I plan the two brothers to meet up. I think the park is a fitting location for the scene becuase it is relaxed and the audience can focus on the two brothers and warm to their relationship.

Furthermore I plan to add small amounts of humour that support the relaxed mood of the scene. This will be the presence of a tramp sprawled on the park bench asking for change and then falling off the bench. Though the conversation and setting of the scene are relaxed, Danny reveals a bag of drugs to his brother which creates doubt in the mind of the audience as to whether this relaxed atmosphere will last.

Feedback from target audience on my idea

I posted my idea for a film intro on the social networking site facebook. I did this to recieve feedback from people of a similar age to myself which is the target audience of my idea. After posting my brainstorm idea I recieved the following comments:

Research - Sequence from skins

In my film intro I want to include a short sequence of the main character getting ready in the morning. I managed to find a clip from the television series skins that is similar to what I have in mind. It’s a fast-paced sequence of the character “Cook “getting ready to go out.
The editing of the sequence is fast-paced and uses straight cuts which create a rushed feeling. All of the shots are close-ups/extreme close-ups so the audience just sees small snippets of the action such as the hair gel in his hand and pulling up the sleeve of a jacket. A jump cut is used between the 3rd and 4th shot from a close-up of both the characters hands to an extreme close-up of his fingers as he buttons up his shirt. The jump cut helps to add a sense of speed to the sequence.

Film Titles Thought Shower

I eventually chose the title "Blood Justice" becuase the film is about a brother that takes the law into his own hands to avenge his brother's death. .

Green Street Hooligans Opening

Green Street Hooligans
The film opens with a close-up shot of the character we later find out to be named Matt Buckner. The lighting used is low key, half of his face is lit and the other half is in shadow. The camera slowly eases in to the character’s face to zoom in on his emotion.

This shot cuts to a medium long shot of the character which reveals to the audience the character’s physique, how he dresses and some of his surroundings. The props used such as his backpack suggest he’s travelling somewhere. A small American flag can be seen on the check-in desk which tells the audience Matt is in America and possibly an American.
The woman behind the desk who briefly enters the shot is another prop used to make the scene realistic. The camera avoids showing the woman’s face as she directs matt, this shows she isn’t significant in the scene and all the focus is on matt. The opening music is introduced here along with the titles. The music is quite a calm song which creates a relaxed mood to the opening. The titles of the actor’s names are displayed in a simple white text and are placed in the dark areas of the shots to stand out. For example the first two titles are superimposed over Matt’s body as he is wearing a dark coloured jacket.

The following shot is a more of a mid-shot where the camera focuses on what Matt takes out of his bag. The camera is moving in this shot to follow matt’s actions as he places money on the counter. The next shot reveals more of the setting and the large sign behind the desk saying “international ticket desk” suggests matt it at an airport. This is confirmed by the long shot of the airplane taking off with sky scrapers in the background. From the buildings the audience might be able to tell that it’s New York.

There is a long-shot of Matt walking through the terminal accompanied by a voice-over where the character introduces himself to the audience. We learn his name and that he was kicked out of Harvard University therefore we assume he is an intelligent person but perhaps troubled. The lighting and colour throughout the opening scene are very natural to create a realistic look similar to the style of a documentary.

Film Intro Idea Brainstorm

The Plan

I plan to complete the following before I shoot my film intro:

- Brainstorm ideas for the content
- Research film openings
- Present my ideas to the target audience
- From the feedback create a rough script
- Receive further feedback from the audience and improve the script
- Create a storyboard video
- Go out on a location scout
- Photograph the locations that I want to use in the film
- Make a list of all the props that I intend to use

Introduction to AS Media Coursework

I have chosen the option of creating an introduction to a film for my AS Media coursework. I chose this becuase I found creating film the most interesting and challenging task out of the preliminary work. My main role in the task was to edit the video, here is the final version...

AS Group 24

AS Group 24