Footage from trip to China Town.
Wednesday 27 September 2017
Filming permission and location change
I spoke to Barshu Restaurant during my trip to Chinatown yesterday, and the manager said it was unlikely that I would be able to film in the evening due to the busyness. However, he did say it could potentially be a possibility.
I then went across the road to a Mediterranean Bistro, which was full of mosaic lamps; I was instantly drawn to this place because of this - I then decided to ask for permission in there as well, as this would give me more options.
I then went across the road to a Mediterranean Bistro, which was full of mosaic lamps; I was instantly drawn to this place because of this - I then decided to ask for permission in there as well, as this would give me more options.
The manager at this place said that I would be able to film, but the best times to do this would be at either 7am or 2-3pm. However, I spoke to him at 5pm and the place was empty, so I may be able to stick to my original filming schedule.
Tuesday 26 September 2017
China Town research
For the scene between the boss and the protagonist, I ideally need to find a restaurant with an open kitchen to be able to film some cooking. The place also needs to look authentic, as this will make the trailer look more aesthetically pleasing.
I am looking for a classic Chinese place, e.g. red and gold colouring with warm, low lighting. This will make the footage look atmospheric and 'mysterious'.
After Google searching open kitchen restaurants, I found two places in China Town:
1. Open Kitchen Bar and Restaurant
2. London Chinatown Restaurant
I had a look at them both, and decided that neither place had the look that I was going for.
I then searched 'traditional Chinese restaurants in London Chinatown', and found a place called 'Barshu Resaurant', which looked ideal.
This place is reasonably spacious, which will allow room for a camera and a tripod without invading other people's space. The room is lit with warm lightbulbs, both yellow and orange, and the walls are a dark colour which helps build an atmosphere, as well as there being embellishments such as an intricate wooden wall design.
On the Google review, it says that it is busiest at 9pm - I will therefore try and film as early as possible, which will be around 6 - 7pm.
I am looking for a classic Chinese place, e.g. red and gold colouring with warm, low lighting. This will make the footage look atmospheric and 'mysterious'.
After Google searching open kitchen restaurants, I found two places in China Town:
1. Open Kitchen Bar and Restaurant
2. London Chinatown Restaurant
I had a look at them both, and decided that neither place had the look that I was going for.
I then searched 'traditional Chinese restaurants in London Chinatown', and found a place called 'Barshu Resaurant', which looked ideal.
This place is reasonably spacious, which will allow room for a camera and a tripod without invading other people's space. The room is lit with warm lightbulbs, both yellow and orange, and the walls are a dark colour which helps build an atmosphere, as well as there being embellishments such as an intricate wooden wall design.
On the Google review, it says that it is busiest at 9pm - I will therefore try and film as early as possible, which will be around 6 - 7pm.
Sunday 24 September 2017
Animatic
Here is the animatic for my trailer. I have taken the soundbites from the internet as well as the soundtrack that has been used.
I have chosen to use three tracks for my inspiration:
1. Dream Collapsing - Hans Zimmer
2. 2020 - Suuns
3. Freak - LFO
For the final cut of my trailer I will use my own recorded soundbites as well as my own composed soundtrack.
I have chosen to use three tracks for my inspiration:
1. Dream Collapsing - Hans Zimmer
2. 2020 - Suuns
3. Freak - LFO
For the final cut of my trailer I will use my own recorded soundbites as well as my own composed soundtrack.
Saturday 23 September 2017
Voiceover
I used Johnny Depp's voiceover in the trailer for 'Black Mass' as the influence for my own.
It is ominous and gives the notion of threat and a sense of 'impending doom'. However, it is spoken slowly and deeply rather than too dramatically. I think this works really well as the subtly of this makes the speech even more powerful, and draws the audience in further.
(See my research and planning post on 'Black Mass' for further notes).
(See my research and planning post on 'Black Mass' for further notes).
My own voiceover:
Final ident
This is the final visual cut of my ident, Orbit Productions. I will add the sounds and fades in and out in FinalCut.
Friday 22 September 2017
Ident construction
First ideas:
I wanted to have an image to do with space and the solar system, as I think idents work well with a black background. As space is black, this would make sense for a backdrop.
At first I thought of using an image of the moon, perhaps being seen rotating in its cycle before stopping and the production company name appearing.
Something like this, for example:
Development:
I then looked at some of the effects in After Effects and came across 'radio waves'...
I wanted to have an image to do with space and the solar system, as I think idents work well with a black background. As space is black, this would make sense for a backdrop.
At first I thought of using an image of the moon, perhaps being seen rotating in its cycle before stopping and the production company name appearing.
Something like this, for example:
Development:
I then looked at some of the effects in After Effects and came across 'radio waves'...
I loved the circular motion of the waves, and instantly made me think of the planets orbiting the sun.
As this also fits into the space theme, this was perfect.
Construction:
I began by downloading an image of the Sun and each planet with a transparent background and importing them into After Effects.
I later decided to only include Mars, Earth, Venus, Jupiter and Neptune as I could not fit all of the planets into the composition without them disappearing completely from the frame. Saturn was especially difficult to include due to the rings.
A quick stop tour through the process:
1. Created the composition: 4k (3840 x 2160)
2. Create new camera - this is the only one I will need for the whole ident. This is made 3D.
3. Dragged the Sun into the composition
4. Add a 3D layer to it
5. Create new camera - this is the only one I will need for the whole ident. This is made 3D.
6. Create null object (for the Sun - rename to become 'Null Sun'.) Place this in the middle of the screen.
7. Repeat steps 3 - 6, but for Venus.
8. Select the Pickwhip tool and drag to the Null - this is called Parenting. [The null becomes the parent layer, meaning anything that happens to the null will also happen to the planet that it has been paired to]
9. Create a Z rotation by clicking and dragging along timeline
10. Create key frame at zero.
11. Repeat steps 7 - 10 for each planet. Each planet is resized and set to a different orbit speed. (Slower as they get further from the Sun)
12. Change the planets orientation to look more realistic: change from auto orientation to 'orient towards camera'
I then decided that I wanted the camera to zoom out from the Sun and rotate around my truncated solar system, before the whole thing is seen from a birds eye view. I wanted to have this effect as it feels as if the camera is flying through space - this is more engaging and immersive. The ident title would then appear over the planets once the camera has fully zoomed out.
13. To move the camera closer to the Sun: change the position of the camera - change the key frame
14. Move the Y position to zoom out. Click and drag along timeline
I then chose my title font from 'DaFont' and downloaded it. My original idea for the text was to have a small circle orbiting the 'O', to look as if it was a tiny little planet in an orbit.
Something like this...
I then tried to draw the 'O' with a circle tool, and subtracted the inner to make it look like a ring rather than a solid circle. I wanted to tilt it in order to match the rest of the font, but it would not let me as the circle is a solid and followed the central path.
Then, I had another idea - I could use the Jupiter as the 'O' for the title. It would stop in its orbit as it comes in line with the text, whilst the rest of the solar system fades.
15. Enlarge Jupiter to match font size
16. To stop Jupiter when in line with text: add new key frame
17. Fade in text: 0 - 100% over two seconds. End at 8 seconds
18. Fade out planets: 100 - 0% opacity over two seconds. End at 9 seconds
'Orbit Productions' is then all that is left on the black screen with Jupiter as the 'O'.
Wednesday 20 September 2017
Film location reference - Bladerunner
The dystopian landscape of Bladerunner is a combination of American and Japanese culture. The dark streets are full of neon lights, and in the first scene Harrison Ford is seen eating at a street food bar. I loved the look of these scenes, and wanted to co-operate this into my own trailer. I decided I would film in China Town to achieve a similar look.
Tuesday 19 September 2017
Locations and reccee shots
Note: I may not use every location on this list; some are essential, some are ideas.
1. China Town - crowds, streets
2. China Town - restaurant; kitchen
3. China Town restaurant; front interior
3. Tube (interior)
4. Protagonist's bedroom
5. Room for party; large living room? Something like...
6. Office (empty) at night
7. Elevator with mirror - ideally infinity
8. Bathroom with mirror above sink
- James's bathroom
- My bathroom
9. Car (interior, by window)
10. Stairwell, building block
11. Street at night (lens flair from streetlights)
12. Theatre room with lights (small scale)
13. Mirrored hallway
1. China Town - crowds, streets
2. China Town - restaurant; kitchen
3. China Town restaurant; front interior
3. Tube (interior)
4. Protagonist's bedroom
5. Room for party; large living room? Something like...
6. Office (empty) at night
7. Elevator with mirror - ideally infinity
8. Bathroom with mirror above sink
- James's bathroom
- My bathroom
9. Car (interior, by window)
10. Stairwell, building block
11. Street at night (lens flair from streetlights)
12. Theatre room with lights (small scale)
13. Mirrored hallway
Tuesday 12 September 2017
Narrative outline
This narrative is based off Todorov's theory that all folklore tales follow the same five part structure.
Part one: EXPOSITION
The protagonist is a young man, around 21, struggling with money. He has been involved with an illegal enterprise in order to get jobs which pay well.
His newest job requires information to be gathered about a fast upcoming company, which is becoming a threat to his boss's business.
The catch is, his mind must be in an altered state to do this, and the only way this can be done is to take a certain drug -
'Lilium Dicentra, a flower originating from the Amaryllis plant. It allows the occipital lobe in the brain to be enhanced and used to its full potential. The LD affects the brain’s ability of lateral thinking. It creates new pathways in order for alternative connections to be made.'
The trip will last for three days - in this time the job must be done.
The protagonist is a young man, around 21, struggling with money. He has been involved with an illegal enterprise in order to get jobs which pay well.
His newest job requires information to be gathered about a fast upcoming company, which is becoming a threat to his boss's business.
The catch is, his mind must be in an altered state to do this, and the only way this can be done is to take a certain drug -
'Lilium Dicentra, a flower originating from the Amaryllis plant. It allows the occipital lobe in the brain to be enhanced and used to its full potential. The LD affects the brain’s ability of lateral thinking. It creates new pathways in order for alternative connections to be made.'
The trip will last for three days - in this time the job must be done.
Part two: DEVELOPMENT
The protagonist takes the drug (in the form of a cup of herbal tea), as his first concern is his lack of money. He travels home after his discussion with his boss in China Town. (The normality here is clearly shown in order to contrast with his drug trip.)
His trip begins that night. The first stage of the drug has a similar effect to Speed; he therefore becomes extremely focused and energised, and begins to research the company. He stays up all night as he cannot sleep; already he is beginning to seem unstable.
The protagonist takes the drug (in the form of a cup of herbal tea), as his first concern is his lack of money. He travels home after his discussion with his boss in China Town. (The normality here is clearly shown in order to contrast with his drug trip.)
His trip begins that night. The first stage of the drug has a similar effect to Speed; he therefore becomes extremely focused and energised, and begins to research the company. He stays up all night as he cannot sleep; already he is beginning to seem unstable.
Part three: COMPLICATION
After coming down from the first element of the trip and feeling exhausted (whereby making him more mentally vulnerable), the second part of the drug kicks in; the 'acid'/psychedelic trip begins.
As his mind is unable to comprehend the drug, he begins to have a bad trip; he is under extreme pressure to do this job but he cannot think straight. Meanwhile, the company have realised his intentions and are onto him; not only does he have to complete his job, he is now 'on the run' from the people that are out to get him.
Throughout this trip, he sees the world in an altered way. (His disorientation and paranoia will be shown through camerawork and editing.) He is shown cracking under the pressure and affects of the drug.
As his mind is unable to comprehend the drug, he begins to have a bad trip; he is under extreme pressure to do this job but he cannot think straight. Meanwhile, the company have realised his intentions and are onto him; not only does he have to complete his job, he is now 'on the run' from the people that are out to get him.
Throughout this trip, he sees the world in an altered way. (His disorientation and paranoia will be shown through camerawork and editing.) He is shown cracking under the pressure and affects of the drug.
Part four: CLIMAX
The third stage of the drug is similar to Valium. The film now moves at a slower pace.
The protagonist feels isolated and fearful, as he cannot remember what he has done. Has he found the information? If so, where is he keeping it? Time is almost up.
He decides to take drug again in order to recall the information, however this time he knows how to cope with the trip.
The third stage of the drug is similar to Valium. The film now moves at a slower pace.
The protagonist feels isolated and fearful, as he cannot remember what he has done. Has he found the information? If so, where is he keeping it? Time is almost up.
He decides to take drug again in order to recall the information, however this time he knows how to cope with the trip.
As the protagonist now knows how to handle the drug, he uses it to his advantage and manages to gather the information.
However, when he finds it, he reads the research documents that are included in the files. There is research about the drug that he has taken - the company are trialling it - and if it is successful, it will make them extortionate amounts of money. This is why they are becoming a threat to his boss's business.
The files read that the drug will eventually fatigue the brain, causing it to crumble from exhaustion - and in effect also killing the body which it inhabits.
The protagonist's boss has used him as a guinea pig. The protagonist dies.
Narrative reference - Limitless
For my narrative outline, I have taken references from the film 'Limitless', as this story draws on many of the same themes as my own.
Limitless:
Facing unemployment and his girlfriend's rejection, writer Eddie Mora is sure that he has no future. However, this changes when a friend of his gives him a drug which produces enhanced mental acuity. He then becomes addicted to this untested drug, and rises to the top of the financial world. However, the side effects of this drug as well as Mora's dwindling supply threaten to collapse everything that he has managed to build.
In reference to this, my narrative includes:
- Protagonist struggling with job / making money
- Takes new, unknown drug
- Enhances mind / brainpower abilities
- Has fragmented memory / memory loss (In Limitless, it is suggested that Mora has killed someone but cannot remember doing so)
- Becomes involves with threatening rivals due to taking this drug
Limitless:
Facing unemployment and his girlfriend's rejection, writer Eddie Mora is sure that he has no future. However, this changes when a friend of his gives him a drug which produces enhanced mental acuity. He then becomes addicted to this untested drug, and rises to the top of the financial world. However, the side effects of this drug as well as Mora's dwindling supply threaten to collapse everything that he has managed to build.
In reference to this, my narrative includes:
- Protagonist struggling with job / making money
- Takes new, unknown drug
- Enhances mind / brainpower abilities
- Has fragmented memory / memory loss (In Limitless, it is suggested that Mora has killed someone but cannot remember doing so)
- Becomes involves with threatening rivals due to taking this drug
Shotlist
Note: There will be cut to blacks when editing to music - I have not decided where these will be yet.
(Voiceover)
1. China Town - establishing shots; chefs cooking/preparing food
(Voiceover)
1. China Town - establishing shots; chefs cooking/preparing food
2. Close up of knife chopping fish
3. Close up of food in pan - sound bridge from sizzling to crowd sounds
4. China Town - James (protagonist) walking through crowd
5. Shot from back - motion
6. Close up (front) - motion
7. Shot from above (from window if possible)
8. Close up of bell / part of door of restaurant he goes in
9. Close up of Andy (boss) sitting at table
10. Waitress walks in front of the frame. We see James sat opposite him when she leaves frame (James speaks)
11. Close up of waitress walking with tea tray - motion
12. Wide shot of table as waitress arrives, places tea down
13. Cutaway of waitress walking away
(Andy speaks)
14. Close up of tea cups from above... their hands then take the cups from the tray, taking them out of the frame
15. Over the shoulder shot of Andy
16. Cutaway of flower painting/artwork on wall
(Voiceover)
17. Long shot of James on tube home
18. Shot of James in mirrored lift
19. Wide shot of James at computer screen (side profile, framed by window?) - light shines on face. Can hear computer keys tapping
20. Close up of eyes - screen reflected in it
11. Close up of waitress walking with tea tray - motion
12. Wide shot of table as waitress arrives, places tea down
13. Cutaway of waitress walking away
(Andy speaks)
14. Close up of tea cups from above... their hands then take the cups from the tray, taking them out of the frame
15. Over the shoulder shot of Andy
16. Cutaway of flower painting/artwork on wall
(Voiceover)
17. Long shot of James on tube home
18. Shot of James in mirrored lift
19. Wide shot of James at computer screen (side profile, framed by window?) - light shines on face. Can hear computer keys tapping
20. Close up of eyes - screen reflected in it
21. Wide shot of James silhouette in bathroom doorway. Clicks on the light
22. Cutaway of tap - slowly dripping
23. Shot from above - James lying on bed, coloured lights saturating shot. Can still hear tap dripping
24. Shot from above of the sink - James's hand gripping sides (as if it is his POV)
25. Shot from side of sink - arm in the frame. Pan up to see James's wet face staring in the mirror
26. Wide shot of James sitting on bed, leaning against wall, coloured lights saturating shot. Can still hear tap dripping
27. Close up of James's face in mirror. Water dripping down face
28. Cutaway of lit up water
(inter-title)
(Returns to the scene)
29. Over the shoulder shot of Andy
22. Cutaway of tap - slowly dripping
23. Shot from above - James lying on bed, coloured lights saturating shot. Can still hear tap dripping
24. Shot from above of the sink - James's hand gripping sides (as if it is his POV)
25. Shot from side of sink - arm in the frame. Pan up to see James's wet face staring in the mirror
26. Wide shot of James sitting on bed, leaning against wall, coloured lights saturating shot. Can still hear tap dripping
27. Close up of James's face in mirror. Water dripping down face
28. Cutaway of lit up water
(inter-title)
(Returns to the scene)
29. Over the shoulder shot of Andy
(Voiceover)
30. Cutaway of strip light flickering
31. Wide shot of James walking down empty office at night
(Inter-title)
32. Wide shot of James walking through formal party
33. Cutaway to extras within scene - close up of drinks in hand
34. Close up of file draw opening
35. Medium close up of car door opening, James getting out of the car
36. Close up of hand flicking through files
37. Two men in suits in party - both turn to look at him. Hold
(inter-title)
38. James looking out of car window driving at night. Can see reflection of face and street lights
39. Shot of James banging on mirror. Lights are saturated
(inter-title)
40. Shot from above - James face underwater in bath. Both the lighting and water will be saturated
41. Close up of James's face, eyes closed and head lifted. Brings head down and opens eyes (under theatre lights)
42. Shot from above - James face underwater in bath. Both the lighting and water will be saturated
43. Close up of James staring down the camera (lit with theatre lights)
(Returns to scene)
44. Close up of James
45. Cutaway of him picking up cup
46. Close up of Andy
(Andy speaks)
47. Over the shoulder shot of James. He drinks the tea
48. Close up of James as he drinks - can see Adam's apple move when swallowing
(inter-title)
31. Wide shot of James walking down empty office at night
(Inter-title)
32. Wide shot of James walking through formal party
33. Cutaway to extras within scene - close up of drinks in hand
34. Close up of file draw opening
35. Medium close up of car door opening, James getting out of the car
36. Close up of hand flicking through files
37. Two men in suits in party - both turn to look at him. Hold
(inter-title)
38. James looking out of car window driving at night. Can see reflection of face and street lights
39. Shot of James banging on mirror. Lights are saturated
(inter-title)
40. Shot from above - James face underwater in bath. Both the lighting and water will be saturated
41. Close up of James's face, eyes closed and head lifted. Brings head down and opens eyes (under theatre lights)
42. Shot from above - James face underwater in bath. Both the lighting and water will be saturated
43. Close up of James staring down the camera (lit with theatre lights)
(Returns to scene)
44. Close up of James
45. Cutaway of him picking up cup
46. Close up of Andy
(Andy speaks)
47. Over the shoulder shot of James. He drinks the tea
48. Close up of James as he drinks - can see Adam's apple move when swallowing
(inter-title)
Friday 8 September 2017
Audience research - Summary of data
1. Most popular genre of film: Drama
2. The cinematography is the most important part of a film, followed closely by the storyline
3. The audience prefer ambiguous trailers to ones that give away a lot of the film
4. The style of cinematography is important, with the choice of shots being significant too
5. Notable concepts of interest:
- storylines that allow you to escape into another world
- abstract and beautiful cinematography
- the unrealistic being made believable
- insight into a culture that I would not normally see
- 'blockbuster trailers spoil the movie as too much is given away'
- uncertainty and ambiguity
From looking at the data, I have concluded that the cinematography is extremely important in conveying a strong storyline. The artfulness and creativity of this is able to make a film visually beautiful and therefore allows it to be ambiguous.
Audience research - Trailers survey
Here is the link to my trailer survey for target audience research:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JK9GH7G
I sent the link to people around my age (15 - 25 years old), as the certification of my trailer is a 15, and the target audience is therefore 15 - 30 years old.
Q1. What is your favourite genre of film?
The one 'other' response was Documentary.
Q2. What are the most important aspects of a trailer for you?
The one 'other' response said, 'whether it gripped me from the start - I have to be immediately intrigued.'
Q3. What 'type' of trailers do you prefer?
The one 'other' response said, 'Ones that don't give away the plot and show the best parts of the film.'
Q4. What aspect of cinematography is most interesting to you?
The two 'other' responses:
1. 'For me it's the locations but the colours that have been used within them, such as The Neon Demon in which the sets are carefully chosen and the whole aesthetic is really well thought out'.
2. 'I really like colour, but I hate the recent Zack Snyder films as he's put a dark red filter on them. It would have been good if it wasn't for that.'
Q5. What themes/storylines/concepts within film are most interesting to you? Why are you drawn to them? For example, 'I like films centred around teenage life in high school as it's realistic'.
Q6. Give examples of three trailers that you enjoyed and enticed you to see the film.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JK9GH7G
I sent the link to people around my age (15 - 25 years old), as the certification of my trailer is a 15, and the target audience is therefore 15 - 30 years old.
Q1. What is your favourite genre of film?
The one 'other' response was Documentary.
Q2. What are the most important aspects of a trailer for you?
The one 'other' response said, 'whether it gripped me from the start - I have to be immediately intrigued.'
Q3. What 'type' of trailers do you prefer?
The one 'other' response said, 'Ones that don't give away the plot and show the best parts of the film.'
Q4. What aspect of cinematography is most interesting to you?
The two 'other' responses:
1. 'For me it's the locations but the colours that have been used within them, such as The Neon Demon in which the sets are carefully chosen and the whole aesthetic is really well thought out'.
2. 'I really like colour, but I hate the recent Zack Snyder films as he's put a dark red filter on them. It would have been good if it wasn't for that.'
Q5. What themes/storylines/concepts within film are most interesting to you? Why are you drawn to them? For example, 'I like films centred around teenage life in high school as it's realistic'.
Q6. Give examples of three trailers that you enjoyed and enticed you to see the film.
Certification
According to the BBFC, a 15 classified film includes:
- There will be drug use in my trailer, as the protagonist will enter a state of altered reality. This is acceptable as it will show him in discomfort from this drug.
- Any imitable behaviour in my trailer will only be implied, not directly shown, e.g. jumping from a height.
- There will be dialogue at the start of the trailer between the protagonist and a dodgy businessman. This conversation will continue as voiceover throughout the trailer - as this interaction will be authoritative, there will not be any strong language.
- There will be no aspect of sex or nudity in the trailer as this is not the focal point of the film; the storyline does not even have room for a romantic interest.
- There will be threat in the trailer due to the nature of the illegal authorisations and the drug use.
- There may be aspects of violence, but only suggested and the injuries will not be shown. E.g, the protagonist smashes a mirror, and a shot of the broken glass will be shown instead of his injured fist.
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