Progress Report

20/01/13: This is the point where I have completed my previous 'action plans' as I have looked into finishing the assigned taks for example, I have spoken about the; casting, locations, costume, make-up, props & lighting. I have also added pictures to show it visually as it's more clear also showing what we'll be adding in our 2-minute opening clip. Also, adding a video to show our inspirations and the areas in which we will be using in our video which is part of the 'research and planning'. Moreover, me and Rashmi have completed the script as this was our duty and we have successfully fulfilled our role as it's the script is clear and will therefore evidently aid us when doing our clip. Ashwaria had to do the storyboard once we did the script and she did. Drawing the shots and diverse scenes which will be taken place and saying how long each scene or shot will be taken place so it's clearer and time related. 


Previous Action Plan: COMPLETED 
Continue with further research and analyse from inspirations from for example, e4 teen prgrammes before the water-shed. 
Research the actors we can possibly have by going to the drama group as we want our clip to be professional.
After script is done start on the storyboard straight away.
Email the ealing council to ask for permission in various of locaations.
Research different sound which can be suitable for A step back and aslo elements of sound during the clip.
Research on the title sequence look at different aspects in teen dramas which could inspire us on the clip.

Action Plan:
Show Mr Bush our storyboard, scripts and casting etc. See whether or not it's up to the preferred standard, and if he accepts it. If not make changes to what he think we could do
Keep looking at diverse E4 teen programmes for the title-sequence ideas (more)
Start shooting

Pre-production: Storyboard

 

These are the completed storyboards and as you can evidently see there are clear shots which we are going to use, for example an extreme-close up on the eye to show that this is the type of shot we will be using for the specific scene. We finished the script and moved on straight away to the storyboard, we feel that when we start shooting we can consistently look back to guide us and set us on the right track. And if needed we will be adding on perhaps more or less shots when we feel what's right at the appointed time. But at this very moment we feel the storyboard is up to scratch and a reliable source of when it comes to us looking back on it, because it's visually helpful and their are captions and shots to carry on guiding us which is very useful.

Pre-production: Script

SCENE 1

(scenes starts of with a dolly shot of the location this will commence for 10 seconds)

Ashwaria: I'm going to finish the work off by next week, really not bothered man! Want to come mine?

Rashmi: Yeah me too.. hey I really can't and now I have to go so I will catch you later (turning to go)

Ashwaria: Okay then, whatevs

(Rashmi walks down the flight of stairs upset with her phone in her hand, texting someone. She get's out of the building and there consists of a fast shot of her walking past the shops, with her phone in her hand, we can see a close up of the suspicious someone texting her saying "Come and see me now or else". She's really worried)

*Sound Plays*

SCENE 2
(Rashmi enters the train station and there is a fast shot of the train going past and she's not standing their anymore but is in the train show the train going past and the Rashmi not being their anymore. She comes out of the train station and receives a phone call from the person whom she was texting)

*Close-up of phone*

Boy: Where are you? I have been waiting for 20 minutes now and you said you were coming!

Rashmi: I'm here.. (worried) I'm just around the corner

Boy: Hurry up or else

Rashmi: I will be there please don't do anything

(Rashmi sees him the audience are not entitled to do so instead, can only see the body-language and costume)

SCENE 3

(All the shots rewind and then an Extreme-close up of Rashmi's eye then zooming-out having a close up of her touching the locket she get's up then there's a mid-shot Rashmi's really worried)

Rashmi: Thank god it was only just a dream! I never want to meet him.. That guy... who did...... (cries)

(Clip ends with the cliff hanger)

Mise en scene: Casting, Props, Make-up & Lighting

Casting: There will only be three of us casting in our production, as it'd be less hassle and three of us will be more committed into dedicated time and rehearsing again and again. Rashmi is going to be the protagonist we opted her as she has done Drama before gaining a B which is effective, as she's good at acting and we don't want people who don't know how to act in the production because it won't look professional over all and may effect our clip. Me and Ashwaria are only playing minor roles in this because this clip revolves around the protagonist and her life, Ashwaria is going to be a college friend of Rashmi and is only going to be saying 'bye' or something to make it look she finished college, and realistic. I will be playing a different role of a boy the one disturbing her but I won't be shown (face) only the costume and body-language is going to be having a big impact so I need to make sure I'm doing that correctly.

Props: We will be using a short number of props as we feel it's not needed in our clip, there will be a rucksack which the protagonist (rashmi) will carrying as she just finished her college and she's journeying across so it's evidently needed. Moreover, there will also be a blackberry as she will be texting an anonymous person which the audience won't be aware of as they will only be allowed to know some information, this allows them to be fully engaged and assume some things. The phone blackberry can also be in line with our target audience as a lot of teenagers have them so it's a vital element in allowing them to be more so engaged, and the protagonist will be receiving a call so the phone will be needed.

Make-up & Costume: I will be wearing pale foundation to look more like a villain and a boy but I will be wearing a hoody and have low-key lighting so the audience won't be able to tell anyway, but if we do have a close-up and edit it right the paleness some of it should show to create enigma code. Rashmi will be wearing top eye-liner and maybe a bit of Vaseline  this is to connote how she's a maturer person from the past but that she doesn't have anyone to dress up for the audience can assume that, and we want to show how she's just a normal girl too hence why she'll be wearing jeans and a jacket. Ashwaria will also be dressing casually as she's in college wearing jeans and a top she'll be wearing top, bottom eye-liner to show she's a normal girl too and we're not going to have too much for the two as it wouldn't be showing the realism.

Lighting: We will be using key-lighting when filming at the train-station this is because we want to show the realism when the scene commences however, we may show an area of low-key lighting because we want to portray the enigma and suspense also this will get the audience assuming various things and that's how we want to keep their mind frame lighting will therefore help this to occur. We will be using key-lighting when the protagonist will be waking up after the dream to again create the realism and to emphasis the facial-expression and body-language. Moreover, when she finishes college their will be majority of key-lighting to depict the setting and show how everythings happening, then we'll have low-key lighting when she's alone by herself to build the tension and allow the audience to feel more so engaged and assume various of things.

Mise en scene: Location

OR

These are the two ideas our group have come up with, as our idea consists of a girl walking down a flight of stairs and we want to show how she has just finished college, so the audience are informed and know what is going on. Whilst she walks down the stairs she will be texting someone we may use a sound over to show how the tension is building up and this in turn will create the enigma codes. Whilst this happens we will be showing the setting too by the antiques which might be engaging towards the audience, and creates the scene in a whole. When she comes out we will have a mid-shot of her showing the building in a whole as this will fit the scene and in a whole look more so real showing that she's coming out of a big building (college).

Another way in which we will be using the location is having a dolly shot in the beginning of the building as this will allow the audience feel curious and engaged because it's a positive way in starting a scene I believe.

Rashmi has emailed the ealing town hall for permission and if we don't get accepted our other option will be the temple which has a lot of stairs and looks brilliant, and we have a chance of getting permission as one of our members know's someone of their who can allow us.

If we don't get accepted for Hammersmith train station we will just be doing it in Southall as we may do it very early so we can get it done and over with as we're only going to be doing a take of the train going by. Also we can go during different times where it's not as busy so it will be easier for us to concentrate. If we won't be able to shoot here I will email them seeking for permission but because it's local and we're not getting into anyone's way it should be okay. We are going to be filming the girl on the other side and of the train passing by, when it goes she won't be their this will create enigma code and would be very effective way in filming. This won't take much time and we don't need anyone in their because we will be showing loneliness and only having her and the train, may allow us therefore to shoot in Southall. 

This is the Location filming website which I found, as we are planning to film in the underground trains station, so I looked to find out the contact details. We were thinking of doing it outside of westfields as this is mostly were teenagers go and socialise or shop with firends, so there is ultimately a close link between the scene and the target audeinces.  

As you can see here I emailed the correct person in accordance to the location, which is in Hammersmith I have told the lady my details and for how long we want to shoot their. This is useful as we may get into trouble without notifying anyone, which would disturb our clip in a whole. Hammersmith is on of the places we are thinking still (Westfields) of going to as it could relate closely to our target audience and allow them to feel more so engaged. We have other locations in mind if this one doesn't work as well or our mind changes. 

Research & Planning

This is something we as a group found and we thought it was very interesting, we captured a series of idea's that inspired and intrigued us the most. What we thought were the key features of the short clip was the use of slow motion it was very effective, as when the rain was pouring it looked very engaging and made the clip in a whole more interesting. This is something we're looking forward to use as when the character is running down a flight of stairs, when she's outside we want to make it more so engaging by using slow motion effects as the audience will feel more so interested. Moreover, when the character is outside she will be pondering and thinking this allows the audience to make assumptions and feel the same emotions allowing them to be in the protagonists point of view. When the slow motion does start she could be looking left and right and the camera angles can play a massive role by having shots such as; close-ups, extreme-close up and mid-shot. The purpose of having a slow motion would allow the audience to have a certain feeling which is a thinking one about what's going to happen next, and just the weather playing a big role as it sets the whole scene.

Analyse each one, identifying their key features, codes and conventions, and saying how they would be useful/effective in promoting the film/DVD/album release.

Trailers, (cinema and TV) sponsorship, product placement.
- News items: awards, festivals, premieres.

This was an Ill Manors premier in London, and several artist answered questions from the interviewing based on Plan B, the films etc. Alesha Dixon said Plan B "keeps it real" so this straight away effective and useful as coming from an artist herself saying he keeps it real means she knows what she's talking about. Therefore, when the audience watch it they can expect to watch nothing but the truth which would encourage them more to view it even if the target audience isn't in the age range. Furthermore Alesha says "that's the thing with real life, people don't want to always face the truth but the truth is what we need and that's why I love Ben". This is showing and representing the key element as it's connoting that although the film may be emotional, hurtful or disgusting but it's the generation we are living in today. And the way the politics/governors represent the teenagers is wrong too and there should be action, by her saying that "the truth is what we need" instantly show casts that Ill Manors is seriously inspired and is an honest film which people need to see. By this instantly it promotes the film as people would want to know what truth they're talking about and come up with questions allowing them to feel curious about it therefore, enable them into watching it. "He's not afraid to say it as it is" it also shows that Plan B will speak what's in his mind throughout the film and this will allow the audience to engage because they get to know the artist/director more and possibly get to terms with agreeing with the director is understanding the message he's trying to convey.

What's useful is also having actors being interviewed in the premier as the audience get to know more about them and there beliefs. For example, 'Anouska Mond' plays Michelle in Ill Manors the drug addict who's a prostitute. And she gives an insight of her character what she is etc. This is advantageous for audiences who haven't seen the film yet as they are already able to identify one of the characters and may be curious about it allowing them to see the film in a whole. Ed Sheeran was also interviewed he was saying "He's got such a brilliant mind that he will do anything that he wants to... he collects out a lot of newspaper articles the film is based on real people". This is a very strong element as this shows how it's a true story and also Plan B has done his own research by going through newspapers consistently acknowledging real life situations that have occured and may be closely linked to the 'truth' of today's generation. Plan B said he saw potential in friends he knew and got them to be in the film, and he stated that "we didn't have the money man" to cast famous actors. And he goes further on " who would've acted with an unknown director who's never directed before". He stated working with unknown is what was going to make this film fresh, so audiences can not only discover new actors but see something different and unique which is linked to today's generation. Overall, from diverse actors/singers opinions promoting the film is useful by giving positive feedback and stating really to the audience's why they should watch it.

Promotion advertisements
- Interviews with writers, directors and actors

This is an interview with three of the cast from the movie Ill Manors, this is very effective as they are conversing about the film and stating why it's different from the web. The man on the right stated that it's a dark film and it's from a different perspective Ben's done a great way in show casting a lot of emotions and truth in it which some films don't succeed in doing. Also "everyone's doing bad for a good cause" meaning that not some of the characters are doing good they're all perceiving it in a bad way for the right reasons. Which explains to the target audience why it's set out they way it is. One of the questions to the guy at the front was "Can you relate in real life towards your character?" As he was the main actor, he couldn't relate as the character relied on older people and wanted to be the 'cool guy' however, he did state that the message they were trying to convey to the audience was very clear. So at the end of the film the audience would've taken something away if little or big with them. And it shows evidently what happens if you choose that type of lifestyle, how you'll end up giving the negative aspects. Music played a role in the film, it's unique it's not seen it done in that way. And the man in the middle said that he didn't know when the music was going to be added in he just acted, but when he looked back at it he was "at the edge of his seat" which clearly notify's the audience that they may feel the same too if they watch it taking all these perspective information into account. At the end it informs the audience saying "It's out in the cinemas on the 6th of June" also informing the audience that it's written and directed by Plan B. These information are a good way to end it because before it'd let them know again allowing them to perhaps keep that date in mind and see the film as soon.

Trailers, advertisements, promotions
- Dedicated film website

E internet has become the new way for film producers looking at an instant connection with their target audiences. From releasing the poster or a trailer of a forthcoming film first on-line  to raise money for funding films, digital media is the most-sought after platform for film makers. E-Media has aided in the success of the film as for example, nearly everyone is connected to the internet some how therefore the website can be an exceeding way of advertising as a lot of people are continuously surfing the website. The website is therefore a great idea as it's drawing the audience in, in several of ways with the way it's layout for example it's diverse from the rest. It's also a cost effectively way to promote the website which is effective. Ill Manors website comes up with a print advert of Ill Manors as the background, it contains some of the protagonists from the movie. There is an urban background behind the characters which consists of housing estates, graffiti on the walls, the rough furniture. This evidently shows the audience the type of setting Ill manors is going to be like. In here there consists of Low-key lighting, this represents the film being emotional and have serious elements. Mise en scene clearly foreshadows to the audience that the area is full of lower class people as it looks unwealthy from the surroundings. There consists of a long shoot, to show the body language of each of the characters and thins can inform the audience on the type of characters they are playing by the way they look. The layout of the website in a whole looks very unique and attainable, as it has features where you can find vital information about Ill Manors on the left such as, trailer, synopsis, director/information, links, albums etc and at the bottom it consist of the institutions of the film.