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Feedback

I uploaded a few photographs from my storyboard onto my Tumblr and got some feedback from my friend that I screenshot below.

Production Company

Film 4
Film4 is Channel 4 Television’s feature film division. Film4 develops and co-finances films and is known for working with the most distinctive and innovative talent in the UK, whether new or established.

Under the Skin
A mysterious woman seduces lonely men in the evening hours in Scotland. Events lead her to begin a process of self-discovery.

Ex_Machina
Ex_Machina is a psychological thriller, played out in a love triangle between two men and a  robot girl. It explores big ideas about the nature of consciousness, emotion, sexuality, truth and lies.


Both these films, a product of Film 4, have their similarities by having this utopian, futuristic theme by new film makers with new ideas. The cinematography of the films are also something different, a new way of viewing. The perception of these narratives is something unique in a contemporary art form. The films are more of a work of art rather than the 'old Hollywood' style of making money through film in big stars, familiar narratives and sexualising women. Instead, there is more of putting a point across about society. These are the qualities in Sugarcoated and a reason why Film 4 would be a participant to our film. Sugarcoated has a contemporary way in the perception, cinematography and casting. The film isn't laid back and wouldn't be an appropriate blockbuster due to a difficulty in many people understanding the idea. There are many thoughts left for the audiences interpretation which may not be so popular and can be intimidating and personal. However, through research of Film 4's many Oscar nominations and critically acclaimed films, Sugarcoated would be a possible film to pass.

Screenplay

Sugarcoated

INT.CUPBOARD - DAY

The cupboard door is shut, SCORE BEGINS PLAYING, the LIGHTING IS FLORESCENT PINKS AND BLUES IN THE COLOUR REPRESENTATION OF SWEETS. The door begins to open gently revealing a DARK LIGHTING INSIDE THE CUPBOARD but the door is not quite fully open when the next shot begins.

INT.DINING ROOM - DAY

The atmosphere is cold surrounding a dining room table with four chairs and four people, 1, 2, 3 with a chandelier lingering over the top. The room is filled with REDS, WHITE AND FLORESCENT BLUES. Vintage furniture, paintings and sculptured statues(representing humanity) surround them juxtaposing to their utopia inhumane personalities. 
The characters are placed on the four chairs around the table covered creation of candy. They are all wearing white.

1: She has a leading personality, brainwashed 

she has all evil in her. Her eyes never blink as if immortal. Her eyes are darker than the others, she is the dominant character.

2: The total opposite, we see a weaker victim. The innocence is seen through slow movement and sadness in her eyes.

3: Anonymous her eyes are constantly shut with googly eyes on top.

1, 2, 3 begin to attend to their meal with appreciation. All four begin to pick their teacups filled with brightly coloured glitter pouring in their mouths. The atmosphere begins to become unsophisticated as they want more. They begin to drown in glitter and paint representing candy.

  INT.CELLAR - NIGHT

The cellar is empty. The ONLY SOURCE OF LIGHT FROM AN UPSIDE DOWN LAMPSHADE ON THE CEILING IS FLICKERING. 1 then appears as a shadow following with 2 and 3 one by one appearing as silhouettes to then reveal 3s glowing white eyes in the darkness. The cellar is now BLACK AND WHITE loosing its FLORESCENT tone. The key is now turning, locking by an unknown source.

INT.DINING ROOM - NIGHT

The COLOUR IS BACK BUT WITH A GOTHIC TONE.

2: Covering her face with black paint. 

1: Licks her lips and fingers.

3: Opens her eyes

INT. DINING ROOM/CELLAR/ - REVERSE OF NIGHT

Everything is reversed back to the cellar.

INT. CUPBOARD - DAY

The cupboard door is wide open with BLACK LIGHTING INSIDE BUT FLORESCENT BLUE LIGHTING ON THE OUTSIDE. The SCORE ENDS WITH SILENCE DURING THE SCENE. 

Screenplay

Screenplay

1. Interior or exterior, day or night, scene setting, upper case
2. Further described in detail, lighting, any sound is written in upper case
3. Character placement, character introduction in upper case
4. Character description, costume, props, action
5. Description of action in detail
6. All dialogue lower case and centred next to character name in upper case

Search for screenplay within the genre, upload extract on blog

Make own screenplay of opening

Sound

Pere Ubu - Road To Utah from fire records on Vimeo.


This is a video I found on Vimeo that is from a film. The scene consists of music that I thought works really well with the theme of the opening. Its called 'Carnival of Souls' which is the same idea of how the characters are represented, children surrounded by a carnival Sugarland. The scene itself has similarities as the woman in the car enters Utah, seen on the sign 'Welcome to Utah', she suddenly experiences strange presents from an odd looking man causing her danger as she crashes. This is similar to the storyline of our film as the characters enter a dystopia.





I found this music on YouTube and links well with the idea of the music box layered on top of the dark uncomfortable deeper sounds that gets louder syncing in with the change into dystopia of the opening. The idea of slender man is the uncomfortable presence of danger which is just a feeling especially in the music as it changes volume and further deeper instruments. 

Targets

Opening Blog Targets
Enigmatic (pose a question) mystery, suspense.
Hook the audience
Introduce the key subjects or characters - trait goals
Reflect on the process of filmmaking
3 opening sequences that are analysed
Storyboard
Draft photographs, props, location
Analysis of credits and how you might be inspired
Analysing sound and copyright free sites

Annotate draft videos and share with team
Annotate the best photographs and say why
Composition of sweets
Credits design
Planned the shoot together, available times with crew, location.


Due Friday 20th

 

Reflect on the process of film making/photography
3 opening sequences that have been analysed - on the same genre as yours
Draft photos of locations, actors, props - share them on INSTAGRAM and post on blog
Analysis of credit sequences that are timed and how you might be inspired.
Start analysing sound

Research into production/distribution companies - what type of product do they normally make ? Would you use them or make your own name?

Experiment with your title fonr

Audience research into your genre - what do audiences expect in your genre in terms of storyline/characters - feedback could be via fbook

Opening Title Storyboard Videos

 Cellar

These are my own videos

 from Natalie Brooks on Vimeo.

I took some shots in the cellar experimenting with lighting, effects and colour. I used the app 8mm to edit with the video clips. I played around with the lighting in the cellar as well as the light on my camera which made both an exceptional success to what my intentions are.

Smoke from Natalie Brooks on Vimeo.

These are a few experimental clips with smoke including a reverse effect. I had taken these clips on my iPhone.

Media Film Experiments from Natalie Brooks on Vimeo.

This is a mini storyboard that took 5 minutes of experimental moving pictures with the themed effects. I just wanted to play around with the camera movement to further see how I envisioned the opening. I think the little montage became to look like a surrealist film, edited on my iPhone.
These are a few examples of how the visuals link to surrealistic cinema.