Professional Audience Feedback

PROFESSIONAL FILM MAKER'S FEEDBACK -

This the the feedback that we revived from a professional film director who has made many films in his life time. I think this will help as it will interesting to see what an industry expert will think of our film and any advice and tips he could give us will be much appreciated.

I learnt from this exercise as it really helped us me look at my film in a critical way as the expert really new what he was talking about and picked up on the same details that will really help us in the long run to get a great looking film.


Questions & Answers:

What part of the film was the sequence and how could you tell?

It is clear that it is the introduction of a film because there is correct titles and the music is also an indication that it is at the beginning. As well as this, there is the establishment of the characters (the boy and girl) This makes it clear to the audience that the focus will be on them though out most of the rest of the film.

Could you tell where the film was set in time and place? What made this clear (or confusing)?

It has been portrayed as being contemporary as the fashion of the characters and the location that you have chosen has been very modern. This is especially clear when it comes to the house shots as the boys flat is very modern and clean cut. Also there are no effects to go along with it making it very realistic and contemporary.

Who were the main characters and did you feel you could understand them? What technical or visual elements were most helpful for this?

The two main characters were clear as they are the only two characters on the screen in the two minutes. The boy looked liked he took care of himself and seemed a bit vane which helped with getting the comedy element of the genre across to the audience. The girl on the other hand seemed to be more serious but still was getting ready to go out and have some fun. The visual elements were that they was a lot of mirror shots showing them getting ready.

Is the genre clear? How could you tell?

The genre is not 100% clear but it is mostly clear. The thing that you could do to help this is to enhance the titles by making them in a brighter variety or colours.

What makes you want to see the rest of the film?

I think the main thing that makes me want to see the rest of the film is that you want to see how the girl and boys relationship will develop as it is not totally clear in the two minutes. This makes the audience very curious to see what will happen next.

The film as a whole... what did you think?

I think the film as a whole is very good and the editing is of a very high standard and quality as it has very short cuts and makes the whole thing flow. In addition to this, I think the music choice is very good and has stuck to the conventions of Rom-coms and is very catchy. However, you have also twisted the conventions so that the male is the main focus which i think it good and has added a quirky touch to the whole thing.

The things that we changed as a result of his advice...

We changed some of the titles colours as we agreed with him that they needed to be far more bright and colourful to fit the genre of Romantic comedy. As well as this, we did tighten up some fo the shots for editing wise to make them more flowing. Finally we dragged out the ending by putting a blank screen and the title of the film 'Mixed up' staying on the screen.

Audience Targeting - Detailed target audience profile

Audience profile -

Gender - Female

Age - 15-40

Interests - Going out, meeting friends, socialising and drinking for pleasure.

Personality - Fun, out going, loves a laugh and believes in true love and romance.

Audience Research

This is detailed audience research finding out about the specific audience that my film is going to appeal to. This also makes it clear that many people that I got opinions and made the genre and audience very clear. I also chose to do the audience research in a mind map from as I think it is more visual and pretty to look at for the reader.

I have learned from doing that identifying your specific audiecne is very important in making your film because if you didn't you would have no target to work towards and you would not do correct focus groups and a lot of people wouldn't like your film. In addition, by doing this it was obvious that the audience was females and quite young.

FEMALE - 16 YEARS OLD

The first person that I interviewed was a young girl of 16 and she made it very clear to me that she is defiantly in the target audience as she says in the dislike mind map that "I like everything about Rom-coms" This was very helpful to me as I could immediately put her into the target audiecne.

 FEMALE - 39 YEAR OLD

The second person was an older female as i thought it was important to find the top band of my target audience so that i was at know risk of showing it to someone that wouldn't be able to relate to it. The main thing brought up in her answers was that she did not like that to be to cheesy or predictable. However over she liked Rom-coms and I think she is very much in the target audience but the top end.

FEMALE - 16 YEAR OLD

The third person was the same age and gender as the first person as I got such a positive response from the first 16 year old female, that I wanted to see if it was the same in other 16 year old. There was mainly the same response as she had to think long and hard to think of anything that she didn't like about Rom-coms and but 3 positives and only 2 negatives.

MALE - 16 YEAR OLD

The last person that i asked about Rom-Coms was the same age as the two most positive responses, but this time it was a male. I asked more females then males as i think it is quite obvious already that the genre of Rom-com is more focused at women as films like 'Bridget Jones Diary' and 'Legally Blonde' are far more suited to the female audience with the girl main characters and not a lot of violence and action scenes. I thought this was interesting to compare to the females answers as he made it quite clear to me that he is not part of the target audience.

The Boy Characters Props

This is a visual aid to help you see the specific props that I used in the movie with each character. I have done this so i can explain what and why we used these props and which ones worked well and which ones didn't.

I have learned from doing this that the amount of detail that goes into a film, even in the first 2 mins is extremely important as it really helps the over all look of the film. In addition, I have a lot of admiration for the people that have to pick out every little prop it was very challenging.

THE BOYS PROPS

This is the razor used by the boy in the film and because it was a very long clip it had been fast forwarded and this has actually worked very well as I think it goes well because the girls hair clip is fast forwarded so i think it works really well. Also i think that this is a very typical think for a man to do before he goes out. so works well.

This is featured in the film when there is a match on action and the boy is doing his hair. I think this is a very typical thing for a man to do so worked well. In addition, the style of pot with the bright colours makes it very obvious that it is a hair wax pot.

This is the deodorant that the boy uses after he has got changed into clothes and is nearly ready to go out. We decided NOT to use this clip but we have the clip of him putting on the aftershave with hes hands on his neck. But we had a lot of props like this on the edge of the sink to make it look very masculine and like a boys pad bathroom to go along with the genre and stereotypical things of girls and boys.

This was the phone used by the boy to get a text from his mate. I think this phone is very plan but masculine as it have normal colours and is quite heavy and chunky so i think this worked well as it looks like the typical phone of a boy.

This is the can or beer that the boy have before he leaves to go out for the night. I think this is very convincing and even though the boy actor is quite young I feel by having him drink it appeals to the target audience and is very typical of a night out.

(The props in the photos here are not the exact props used but are very close to the real thing)

The Girl Characters Props

THE GIRLS PROPS

This is the hairdryer that the girl used to do her hair i think this worked well as we fast forward the clip and her hair looked really effective being blown around by the hairdryer i think this is just another necessity that every girl used when she getting ready to go out so again, making the film very realistic.

This was the foundation that is seen in the match on action in the film when the girl is getting ready. We also did have a clip of her putting the foundation on but we decided against it as the camera angle wasn't very good and we didn't really think we needed it.

This is the blusher blush that the girl uses when she is looking directly into the mirror I really like the close up shot that we used to get this and the actress did a good job of making it look very convincing and natural. This again is a very typical thing for a girl to use for a night out.

This was the mascara that the girl used in an extreme close up in the film but we decided NOT to use it as it looked very odd going from the mid shot to the extreme close up and it was hard to got the camera in the right place to get the full affect of the make up.

(This phone is while and silver in the real film)

I think this phone is very girly as it is very cute and in the final film it have a mirror bit round the edge. There are many things that helped this film and i think the distinction between girl and boy, even though they are very stereotypical they also have a cute twist like the guy plucking his eyebrows usually seen as a very girly thing.

This is what the girl drinks out of before she goes out and there is a match on action of her picking the drink up and then drinking it. I think this established that she is completely ready to go out as she is having pr-drinks and this is very typical of a night out.

Shared Props

PROPS THAT BOTH CHARACTERS USE:

This prop was used by both characters as the boys uses it first and experiences a lot of pain and then the girl uses it and does it very fast without pain. This prop helped with the comedy element of our film and was very effective as helped us get across the genre of the film - Rom Com.

Again, this prop is used by both characters as the are both getting ready for a night out and have just had a shower. This makes the film look more convincing as they are both in the towel and look like they are about to get ready and there is also I link between them, giving the audience a glimpse that they will be linked throughout the whole film. I think this prop was just a simple necessity but worked very well.

(This towel is in white in the final film)

Characters: Costume...

Costume:

ALEX'S COSTUME...

The male lead will be wearing similar clothes to this. He looks smart and sophisticated yet what he is wearing is still fashionable. This is what typical young adults wear out and this is why it is perfect for our character.

I have learnt from this as it has really given me an idea of what the characters costumes will look like on screen.


These costumes are available as the actor has got the clothes and items that we have selected for him to bring to the setting of filming.

The Shoes will be simple but stylish to go with the young theme of a Rom-Com and will make him look very smart.






JENNY'S COSTUME...

The main female character will be wearing a similar dress to this, high heels and look like she is about to go out to a club.  

Her hair will be down and she will look well presented to show she has made an effort and is going to go out somewhere nice.

A dress that is sophisticated yet trendy and looks like she is going out to a club/party.

I have learnt from this as it gives an idea of what the costumes will look like on screen. Again, the clothes we be available as the actor has the items and is bringing then to the set of filming.

     

High heeled shoes to show that it’s in the evening. They well be sexy and stylish to show her personally and confidence she has in herself.

BOTH OF THESE MODELS ARE NOT THE ACTORS FEATURED IN THE FINAL FILM!

Characters: Main & Minor...

Characters:

Boy – Alex                                      

• Funny and quirky personality

• Laid back

• Enjoys to be with friends

Girl – Jenny

• Strong and independent

• Can be a bit uptight

• Works hard and enjoys reading

Girls Best friend – Zoe

• Typical blonde

• Outgoing

Boys Best friend – Dan

• Funny, sarcastic and loveable

• Chubby

Bookshop Owner – Toby

• Polite and intelligent

• Gentleman

Jenny’s Cousin – Katelyn

• Shy but hidden quirky personality

• Very pretty but doesn’t realise

Jenny’s Sister – Danielle

• Loud and intrusive personality

• Very flirtatious

More Settings - Inside the Living Places

Inside Boys Flat - BATHROOM...

 

This will be used when we film the main male character getting ready to go out. I think this is a suitable place to shoot this as it looks modern and like somewhere a young adult would live.

In the background of the shot and by the side of the sink we will place male products so that the viewer can identify the difference between the girls room and the boys room.

I have learnt from this that setting is very important in the production of a film.

This is where the shot of the male lead will get out of the shower, you do not actually see this but you see his wet feet hit the floor as he steps out.

The bathroom is modern and simple. This helps to show that the male lead is a young adult because it suits the characters personality.

Inside Girls House - BEDROOM...



This will be where we film the female lead getting ready to go out, this is a suitable room as it is girly and the viewer will be able to identify the difference between this room and the bathroom that the male lead will be in.

I have learnt what shots are suitable and to make the distinction between male and female in setting is important.

I have linked the exterior and the interior of the settings quite well as i think they look convincing but they are in fact false. I have linked the outside of the boys flat with having a very modern and clean cut bathroom that looks appropriate for the style of flat that is featured. In addition, i have also done this with the girls setting as the outside of the house looks very quirky and cute and the inside has got a bright and funky designed wallpaper to go along with the outside of the building. 

More Settings - Specific Living Places

The Living place of: The Boy...

This is where we have decided we wanted to boy to be living as the overall effect of this building is very modern and quite edgy and masculine. They type of boys pad that any young 20 year old would want to live in.

 I have done this as i think it is important to get the setting right and to establish where the characters are before the filming can begin on them.

I have taken a photo of a close up on one of the flats so the audience know which flat is the characters and where they will be focusing.

I have learnt from this as this has given me the idea to have a long shot of the flats and then cut to a close up to let the audience know that the character is in that one specific flat.

 The Living place of: The Girl...


This is a long shot of the girls house that we filmed for our Rom-Com. I have done this to get a view of setting and gave me ideas of what angles that i could take of the house and which character i wanted to use and it is the house with the red door.


I have learned a lot from this as it gave me lots of ideas and i think that this location/setting is perfect for the Rom-Com genre that we are going for.

This is a longer shot of the house so you can see the street it is on and where the location really is. I did this so we could get a perspective on the camera angles.

Settings Board - Location location location

SETTING: Some Ideas for final filming shots...

This is the decided setting for the Rom-Com the city of Plymouth but we have decided to use the specific part of the barbarian not the main busy streets for the first 2 mins.

I think this setting is very appropriate for the type of genre we are aiming for and this helped me get an idea of what angles i wanted to use for the main filming.




This a very iconic land mark of Plymouth and i think will make it obvious to the viewers where they are and what type of setting it is.

In addition i think that this has helped me see what camera angles are good like the image to the left is an extreme low angle shot.

I think that this will really help make my film look authentic as there are many different shots and the setting is very beautiful and romantic... perfect for the Rom-Com genre.

This is just another shot of the front of the hoe of Plymouth, again a very recognisable shot.

There is drakes island and the lido in the foreground and this will again confirm the setting to the viewer as Plymouth.

This has helped me, by again helping with me decide what camera angle are best for the film and what the look of the film will be.

This Image that i have taken is of the chosen setting for our Rom-Com the beautiful shore line and harbour of Plymouth. I think this is a very appropriate setting as it is has a city behind it and many coves and beaches where romantic scenes can be shot.

I have done this to show the setting of the film so you can get a feeling of where it is and what sort of characters they are for the location that they have chosen to live.

I have learnt that by taking pictures of the setting really helps you get a feeling of how the film will look on screen (through the lens) This will help me visualise what the overall look of my film will be like and what the genre is meant to be.

This is also an original image of where the Rom-Com is going to be shot as it is very cute and has many things that the characters could be doing. We want both or just one of the characters to be living in a stylist flat in the Barbarian area.

Music Ideas for Film:

Music Ideas

The ideas that we had for our Rom-Com is a very high tempo and upbeat song that it well know and you can sing along to it.

We have the ideas for this as in most Rom-Coms we have analysed there has been an upbeat song in the first 2 mins of a little bit into the film. This will make our film seem very professional and make the over all affect of the film on screen, with visual and audio together.

I have learnt, thinking about the music for the film it has made me appreciate the hard choice and how much of a difference it has made to our ideas and film as a whole.

IDEAS:

• The Rumble Strips – Girls and Boys in love (we have picked this one as out final song choice)

• Vampire Weekend – A punk 

• Arctic Monkeys – Fluorescent adolescence

• Fratellies – Chelsea dagger 

 

• Train – Hey soul sister

• The Drums – let’s go surfing

• Elise Doolittle – Skinny jeans

 

• Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Wed sand

Storyboard + Film sequence Ideas of Final Film

Untitled from Bethany Neave on Vimeo.

I have done this storyboard as it gives a clear indication of what our film will look like and what the decided genre is. In addition, this also gives an idea of what shots that I will be using in my film.

This exercise has made me think about the over all look of the final film and what the shots will look. I have really got a feel for what the film will look like and this only being a basic storyboard it gives me something to expand on and add to. Over all it has given me lots of ideas for the final film.



First Draft Ideas for Film:

   
Untitled from Bethany Neave on Vimeo.    

I have done this video with voice over to explain the simple ideas that I have had for our film. By doing this it makes it clear what the ideas are and i can refer back to them in the future to help me chose the final idea.


From doing this exercise i have learnt all about the importance of planning and brain storming the ideas to help and structure the ideas as a whole. This research will help me in the future to make the ideas come together to create our final film.

1st film synopsis - Lamb Storyboard + 2nd Film synopsis - LOVE ACTUALLY

Lamb Storyboard film from Bethany Neave on Vimeo.

I did this video as a practice of when i will be storyboarding my own peice of work and to get an idea of what sort of shots will be good to use for the start of a film. I also did this so that i could get in idea of how long and how many shots I can get into 2 mins of film.

By doing this exercise i have learnt about all the different shots that are in an opening sequence of a film and how many there are. This will help me in my own film making as i can aim to get something as of good quailty as the film Lamb.

2nd Textual Analysis:

Textual Analysis – Love Actually

The film that I have chosen to analyse is Love Actually, which I think is one of the most iconic and best romantic comedy’s that has been made in my lifetime. The general background story of the film is that there are 10 different stories but with some more important than others. There are about 3 Stories that are seen as the most important and are focused on the most. There is the prime minster (Hugh Grant) and his story, Jamie (Colin Flirth) and his romance with the Italian girl on his holidays and finally there is the story of the dysfunctional rock star (Bill nighty) and his friendship with him manger. In addition the general thing for all the 10 story’s is that of ‘Love’ Hench the name and the stories all end up with things working out and everyone is quite happy, with all the couples that were focused on together. All of the separate stories that are seen at the film cross over at some point in the movie as they all ether meet one or a lot of the other characters.

In the first to minutes for the film there are many things that suggest to the audience where the film is set and in what time in history. The setting is made clear as there are many mid shots and close ups of Gatwick airport and this is re-enforced why the dialogue of Hugh Grant talking about the arrival gate at Gatwick. The shots and editing is quite slow pace as the shots last up to 5-6 seconds and some of the shots are even in slow motion to emphasize the emotion that the people on screen are feeling and to look at the love that is all around us. As well as this, it is very clear to the audience that it is set in present day times as there are many things to indicate this such as, the clothes worn by the characters are quite normal and modern. It is also made clear that the film is set around the build up to Christmas day, as the studio scene in which bill nighty’s character is introduced and they are singing about Christmas and there is text that comes up on the screen in front of a shot of a massive Christmas tree that says ‘5 weeks till Christmas’ And finally it is set in London as there are many shots of London e.g. big ben, the London eye and times square and Gatwick airport.  

The main characters are introduced, Bill nighty and Colin firth are actually on screen and are introduced to the audience and are doing something. To go along with this Hugh grant is the first character that is introduced but it is only audio/his voice that you can here as he is explaining about love. This is the narrative voice and makes clear that the build-up of plot is all about Love, in all its forms. In the studio scene where Bill Nighty character is introduced the shots used are mainly close ups and mediums but there are some long shots where you get the feeling of the setting and how many people are there in the scene.

The Story is made clear as there narrative voice says about Love and then there are lots of indications that they from is about Love (it is even in the title). The audio/ music of half of the first to mins is of a gentle pretty piano song to go along with the dialogue and which makes the Romantic side of the film clear and then there is the strong comedy sense of the film as Bill’s characters swears and they music played is a mick take of a classic song.

In conclusion, the main elements of the opening sequence that I found effective are the slow shots at the beginning of people in love hugging. I think the editing has really done the scene justice and has made the genre clear to the audience. Also, I found the setting shots very effective as they may have been short but they really made it clear to the audience where the film is set and what time of year that it is. I am defiantly going to try the idea of the setting shots to help the audience understand the setting. Finally the thing that I am going to do differently to Love Actually is I am going to make it more obvious to the audience who the main characters are as I am only going to introduce 2 and they are both going to be on their own making it very clear that they are the only main characters because in Love Actually there are many and it is quite hard to distinguish.