264MC Short Film: Blog Task 2

As my team and I formed together for our 264MC project, we were immediately drawn to the following script  ‘A Story of Toys (Maddy Ryder)‘. This was due to its central theme of a different entity (other than humans) taking over the world (set in the future). Further capturing the toys as they set out undertaking humanely activities with struggle and unease (influenced by George Orwells 1984). Thus as my team and I looked deeper within this message, we found it to be somewhat relatable to current times in terms of regime, rules and even change.

Furthermore, we were very keen to include only still photographs, but with the inclusion of modern cinema-graphs to bring our piece to life and give it some added punch. Thus hoped to create a powerful piece of animation in a more unusual format, filming in a similar style to Chris Marker’s La Jetee (Cinebuleuse, (2012). 

In terms of the pre-production process, I began to research our idea through secondary source material. This is because, as the producer, I felt I needed to know our project inside and out for me to stand by it. Further making sure that we’d create a piece of film which would stay consistent all the way through.

My research included: *[VideoSparknotes, Orwell’s 1984 Summary]

The two examples above showcase some of our research material, with the latter proving to be our main inspiration for our film, due to style, format and substance. As for the former, (George Orwells 1984) certainly proved valuable in material for us, due to its main messages, themes and even formulation of ‘Regime’ and ‘Change’. Thus giving us a better understanding of where we wanted our narrative to go (working from the script), and how we’d make sure to get across our message clearly and coherently in order to initiate a reaction from our audience. Whether that would be in an emotional sense or more of an intellectual one (through topical based content).

I further researched my role in more detail, in order for me to prepare myself for the challenges ahead. Whilst making sure to extend my skills to various other roles which would require my attention throughout. Furthermore viewing the educational video based service Lynda.com (producing). Which helped me to pinpoint what my role would entail, and tips to excel in my role fully within a collaborative environment. Overall my role set included location scouting, liaising with our writer, creating Bio’s for EPK and organising production folder whilst keeping tabs on our Official facebook page &  TSoT fundraising page and adding content to it daily. Thus establishing variety within each responsibility, giving me a chance to extend my skills as a producer, compared to previous experiences on other projects as one.

One challenge I faced included location scouting. This is because it took me and my group time to lock in all. Furthermore proving challenging, as we had to include the nature of our project and the duration we’d need the location for, as many locations had space but months later after our project would be completed by.

In terms of our films genre, this included it being an experimental sci-fi short film. With the latter being represented through the main narrative of the central theme of “Taking over the world”. With the former aimed at our techniques adopted within our film (in terms of editing/filming styles). Thus includes modernised cinema-graphs, adding to the experimental nature of our film. As we wanted to compile a film through pictures, prompting the viewer to engage with our film, memorising the film itself as a moving piece of video as they’d link up each photo after watching full film. Thus seeping in with audience engagement and also intrigue, as we hope to stimulate the viewers thought processes through our experimental sci -fi film, fitting under ‘Sci-Fi’ (in terms of its genre).

Upon bringing focus onto our target audience (due to the nature of our film), we made sure to market our project towards a varied audience (through blogs, weekly facebook updates and more). As our film features themes of a strong political nature (deeper hidden meaning). Thus being constructed to make the viewer think and reflect, acting as an active viewer rather than a passive one. Further counteracting the ‘Hypodermic Needle Theory’ suggesting audiences take in information passively. Offering us scope and inspiration, in catering all individuals needs further featuring some elements, to bring in different people to celebrate and see our short respectively. However for certification, we have opted for a PG rating as on the surface there is no violence or even sensitive material present throughout, thus mature rating/parental guidance warning informs audiences that some scenes may be distressing for a child to watch by themselves.

Upon viewing our final film we have managed to clearly identify our narrative in each frame, through each still photograph. Furthermore, the narration leads the viewer on nicely, giving them time to understand each situation and event (i.e the toys taking over the world and struggling with humanely activities). I’d further say that although we did not include cinema-graphs in our final edit, we still managed to lift narrative with visuals, bringing up the speed of the photos as they appeared on screen, thus creating an effective piece of film, told purely through still photographs, however creating the effect of a moving film through repeat viewings and linkage of clips through one’s eyes.

In conclusion, I have learnt about the key importance of the production process, and how its important to work tightly as a collaborative workforce. Considering it was vital that we listened and communicated effectively as each role fed into another (at some point). Thus this helped me to understand patience, communication and also develop understanding (in terms of our overall goal for our project).

Although we did face considerable time constraints we hope that we have created a film that our audiences will enjoy, with its innovative premise and unique format.  Thus offering a raw representation of civilisation, on the whole, told from the viewpoint of the toys in a very intriguing way with easily digestible narrational passages and clear sound (reflecting each situation). Furthermore, as a collaborative, my team worked well in a limited time frame, further identifying each other’s weaknesses in due time. This helped us to communicate effectively and to create a mental to-do list amongst ourselves. In order for us to feedback to each other on our progress upon creating a short film representative of our team ethic and collaborative skillsets.

References

1) Cinebuleuse, (2012). La Jetee (Chris Marker). Available at: https://vimeo.com/31209852 [Accessed 27 Mar. 2017].

2) Global Pictures. (2017). The Process of Producing a Professional Short Film. [online] Available at: https://www.globalpictures.com.au/producing-short-films/ [Accessed 27 Mar. 2017].

3) Lynda.com – from LinkedIn. (2017). Creating a Short Film: 01 Producing. [online] Available at: https://www.lynda.com/Filmmaking-tutorials/Creating-Short-Film-01-Producing/129018-2.html [Accessed 27 Mar. 2017].

4) Patel, Ashish. “The Story Of Toys (Official Page)”. Facebook.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 28 Mar. 2017.

5) VideoSparkNotes, (2009). Video SparkNotes: Orwell’s 1984 Summary. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9JIKngJnCU [Accessed 27 Mar. 2017].

264MC Short Film: Blog Task 1 (1000 words)

To start off with, Dawkins, S., & Wynd, Ian. (2010) , Video Production express a drama short to be between ten seconds to twenty minutes long (any genre), but normally with a self-included narrative.

Furthermore, stating that a “good short” encompasses basic components such as the following:

• A story which is worth telling
• Convincing actors who deliver credible dialogue; the main feature, so for many years the production of short films was almost exclusively carried out without the institutional might, and money, of the studios. 

Thus, establishing a genuine connection with an audience in some shape or form. Further working on dialogue delivery and the material, in order to create a short that directly engages the viewer through representation, themes and various ideologies.

One short film, which I’ll be focusing on in this essay, includes the foreign language short, ‘Teaspoon’ about relationships and family ties. Shot very naturally with realistic settings and sounds, ‘Teaspoon’ transcends itself with its deep yet relatable storyline.

First off, I will analyse the history behind short films with clear depth. In researching the history behind short films looking into The long history of short films (Davies R, 2010), one date in particular stands out the most. This being 1894, the year Thomas Edisons Kinetoscope graced audiences. A viewing experience almost similar as one looking through a looking glass, the one shot “actuality” devices certainly created a storm when they were released. As each film depicted a variety of topics including celebrities, travelogues etc.

Rebecca Davies (Davies R, 2010) further states:

“The best-known film from this time is perhaps the Lumière brothers’ Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat (1895), which supposedly had audiences fleeing in terror as a celluloid locomotive hurtled towards them.” 

Acting as a reflection of the writer’s experiences or even interests which they have a deep understanding for. Audiences viewing experiences have adapted through the way they view short films,  based on meaning and well-researched subject matter(s).

Going back to my main example above, Teaspoon (2015)  Candid Creations (Video). Director Aban Bharucha Deohans previous jobs include being an ad-maker and an author. Having being made in 2015 the short films distributions includes the worldwide online video platform ‘Youtube’, available freely through ‘Candid Creations’ official channel (a top leading film production house based in India, headed by Aban and Kiran Deohans).

Although funding of the film is not specified directly, the husband and wife duo’s production company has been attributed to be the main production house of the film itself (including promotion).

Candid Creations official facebook page: Candid Creations

Full production list (includes cast/crew): Full crew list

In terms of working practices adopted, Dawkins, S., & Wynd, Ian. (2010) , Video Production state the following, regarding the DoP during ‘working practices’ (on set):

“Director of photography (Dop): The Dop’s role is to work closely with the director to ensure that everything is visually perfect and meets the intended style in terms of light, colour, camera movement both for the individual shots and the drama as a whole.”

Thus, in order to keep visuals tight alongside narrative, the DoP has to make sure they keep connections with the director in sync, (which is certainly evident in ‘Teaspoon’). As the connection between the set and the characters flow with ease, as the situations and look of the production proves relatable to audiences and also is believable in terms of tradition and societal values. As we are immediately drawn into the general conversation between all characters, further boosted by natural light in some scenes, and very simple decor.

It’s also very relatable to those with relationships such as this one, especially Indians. As the film explores certain expectations/traditions within indian culture. For example how the father stays with one or more of their children, instead of being posited into a care home, whilst also being highly respected by their own blood in a very matriarchal sense. Furthermore, close-ups and medium close-ups were used widely in the film, adhering to short film conventions. Thus made it clear to me of the emotional charts within the characters themselves and even the main pivotal character being distinguished from the lesser characters.

264MC: Introduction to Short Film Module/Production Diary (Week 1)

Prior to starting on our short film module, a few of my peers brought ourselves together to review some scripts from the script bank. In doing so we discussed a range of ideas, notions, symbols and so forth, in deciding which short scripts we liked the best and felt we could do in a restricted time frame. We further came to an understanding that we’d just brainstorm some short ideas, to present to the rest of our peers later on.

The following document includes all our notes discussed within our own facebook chat group. Further enabling us to support each other creatively, and to also feedback to all in an analytical fashion promoting team morale and effective communication all the way through.

264mcshortfilmscripts (collated by team member Dana Chis/Tara+)

My own notes (on my top three scripts)

Upon being briefed on the whole module we came to understand the importance of planning, group roles and time management. Further being talked about the best way to get the most out of the module, in order to really push ourselves as a collaborative to bring each script (that we choose) to life (bearing in mind the scriptwriters story as well as our own respective vision).

An important piece of text included the following video, of which we will be taking inspiration from as we’ll be shooting in this style.

 

Upon watching the following video, I began to take note of the visual style and the photographic elements of the whole piece. Further visualising the use of shadowing, heavily pronounced lighting and in-depth narration. For the latter, each dialogue piece certainly aids each photo, giving a sense of direction and emotional fluidity in engaging the viewer entirely. Even if its through purely using photographic stills, collated within a specific time frame creating a response of movement.

Taking into account our own film, we would most likely showcase a narrator within our piece to act as the ‘voice of God’, which would be heavily pronounced through camera angles and even lighting. Giving our viewers a sense of dramatic emotion through various techniques we’ll employ (high angles being one of them), along the way.

Files

Script coverage report form: 264-mc-script-report-form

Bibliography

cinebuleuse (2012) La Jetée-Chris-Marker-1962. Available at: https://vimeo.com/31209852 (Accessed: 10 January 2017).

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Day 2

Upon meeting with my group we each sat down and shortlisted our desired roles. This proved effective as it gave us a chance to pitch to each other reasons why we should be considered for role A/B and so forth. During this process, one of my peers wrote down each individuals top choices, in order to come to a conclusion as to which role would be situated to which person.

Reflecting on my own role, I decided to shortlist the following choices for myself: This included either working on production design or as a producer. Considering I had previously worked on ‘producing’ on other projects, I was more geared to stepping out of my comfort zone within the role of ‘production design’. However as roles were assigned, I slowly evaluated my choices and switched back to ‘producing’, although agreeing with rest of team that I would have a hand in ‘production design’, as its something I’d be interested in taking part in, within this particular project.

After, all roles were agreed we planned our next steps of ‘action’ this included emailing the writer of our chosen script: a-story-of-toys-maddy-ryder

and discussing with her particular aspects of the script itself. For example, considering how we’d work around the character map of Disney’s Woody and english business entrepreneur Allan Sugar. But more over so ‘Woody’, as the character itself is owned by Disney. However, we further discussed how it’s possibly to work round this if we state reasons in due time about how we are using this particular character, further not profiting from it through its usage as it’s for our own educational use.

Going back to my finalised role, this would involve me doing the following (not limited too):

– Researching possible locations

– Liasoning with the writer herself (along with a few others of my peers)

– Organising all paperwork

–

In ending the session, we agreed that we’d each go over the whole script again and analyse it with our respective roles in mind. Thus in this way we’ll be able to over any pointers through the visual process of production, whilst keeping the story intact through the writers vision.

One other aspect of our project which was attended to, during todays session included our ‘note bank’. This included a whole google doc document which we’d assigned to all to add too along the way. For example, all our research notes, back up ideas, pros and cons of ideas and much more. Further allowing us to not only keep ourselves thoroughly organised but to give us all a space in which to share all our notes and pictures within one space for all our peers to view and read over when needed/refer back too.

264MC Short Film Group Note Bank: 264MC Short Film ‘Story of toys’ Notebank

Alongside finalising all roles, I started to form together an email to the writer of the story, which we were taking on. As I began to do so, I charted my progress within my groups chat, further making sure to include all necessary details of the meeting itself. As this was ongoing, my group started to discuss possible filming locations and funding for our short film. Further touching on the use of crowdfunding sites such as ‘Indiegogo’, in order to put together a small budget for our group, to be used towards production costs/costume etc.

Message grabs

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Promotional Material (message grabs)

Upon reflecting a few of my peers came together to start collecting props for our groups short film. This included creating mock poster to be distributed out, further relying on the public to aid us with material where necessary. Promoted through various social media sites and even close connections, in order to trylu stay true to our source material, whilst thinking outside the box in how we’d accumulate all the props we’d need.