Planning - Initial Ideas

Idea: Murder/Mystery
Initially, we thought of creating some form of murder related story. The story would open with the main character seemingly on the run, but it isn't clear why he desires a route of escape. However, the character himself struggles to contain the emotions he is experiencing and is torn between what to do. Ultimately, he decides to return to what is presumed to be the house, where the murder occurred.

• We thought that the opening could begin with the main character lighting a match and starting a fire. There would then be a close up of the fire, before the main character begins throwing photographs into the flame and watching them burn. Within the flames, we could potentially include titles floating away from the fire, This may display some creativity and be of a more professional standard. However, this would perhaps be difficult to achieve with the lack of experience and our own inept working knowledge of the required software tools to create it. Additionally, we could include a voice over with the main character alluding to the murder and his inevitable downfall. 
• As the main character heads towards the home, the camera would follow him using a tracking shot. Furthermore, we could implement other titles beside him. 
• When the main character reaches the home, there would be an establishing shot and then the title of the film would appear above the main character as he walks towards the front door of the home. 
• In terms of costumes, the main character would be dressed in fairly casual clothing, but they would be torn and he would clearly be very dirty (perhaps covered in mud on some areas of the body). This would represent a sense of uncertainty surrounding the character and symbolise his own misfortune. Along with this, it may also indicate an enigma. 

Group Roles:

Written and Uploaded by Ismail Khwaja

Influential Film Feedback

Click on the link for our influential film feedback: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7hOW_D0UV0&feature=youtu.be

Action Plan
After presenting the influential film which I had analysed ('A Bronx Tale'), the class wasn't entirely sure on how that specific film related to ours. We stated that in terms of the narrative perspective, (as this occurs after the influential film opening) a murder occurs and we would be loosely basing our film on that aspect. The story would therefore revolve around a murder, but instead of there being gangsters, the story would focus primarily on the struggle of a Father and his family, as a consequence of this murder. Also, we would be adapting certain aspects of the influential film. For instance, the use of a voice over. We will only use this briefly, but it will also act as a narrative device, as the main character would say this murder will be his downfall. Additionally, the music suddenly changes and we will use this similarly to represent the shift in tone and indicate the next stage in the opening. As well as this, we will use an establishing shot, but this will not be to present the overall setting of our film, but in order for our main title to be inserted. We then posed the class several questions:

1. Where do you think the title of the film should  be placed? Beginning or end.

Their response to this was that they would prefer it was placed at the end of the opening.

2. What would you suggest if the murder isn't shown?
The feedback we received was that there should be signs leading up to the occurrence of the murder. I then pointed out that we would implement a news reporter scene at the beginning, which would inform the audience of  a murder already have taken place. This was then deemed to be an acceptable choice.

3. Do you like the idea of there being cuts in between scenes or should it be more organic and flow?
We mentioned before the response that the cuts would involve music in certain scenes. We intended to adapt the music so that it represents the main character's state of mind and to an extent be a catalyst for the audience because the story would lead to somewhere different, as a result of what has happened, Therefore, it will also be an indicator towards the darker tone being established. So in response, we were told that the cuts would be acceptable, provided the music would be suitable for what is occurring on screen and clearly reflects that. Instead of seeming incongruous in the moment it is implemented.

4. Where should we place our titles? Centre screen doesn't seem to suit our film.
The class felt that the titles in the influential film are quite basic and boring because they appear in the centre. Also, that font style was a representation of the era in which the setting of the film was and fits with the historical nature. Alternatively, we should consider placing the titles in the corner of the screen because they are usually placed in those areas.

Group Roles
Presented by Ismail Khwaja and Bibianna Fasogbon
Written and Uploaded by Ismail Khwaja

Animatic Feedback

Click on the link for our animatic feedback: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPK8G0LliN4&feature=youtu.be

Action Plan

The vast majority of the feedback received was very positive. The general consensus was that it certainly created the appearance of a film opening. It was apparent that the audience agreed on there being strong aspects within the storyboard, such as the very beginning with the news reporter being utilised as an understandable narrative device. The idea behind this was to create an immediate focus for the audience and enable them to therefore realise that the story will revolve around the murder that has occurred. Also, it was pointed out that camera shots were very effective, especially the close ups used of the main character because of the impactful emotions conveyed through the facial expressions (this was after he discovered the murder of his brother). In addition, the music implemented was deemed to be very suitable for the tone of the film and could be used within a fully licensed film. Along with this, the audience felt that the sound effects, such as the emphasis on footsteps had been chosen well and placed in the right moments. 

In order to improve, the audience suggested that if a slow motion sequence was used, it would probably be better for the actor (myself) to actually perform in slow motion to ensure that allusion was established. Alternatively, the slow motion shot could be used as a reaction shot, instead of it being at the beginning of the narrative. 

Group Roles:

Animatic presented by Ismail Khwaja

Written and Uploaded by Ismail Khwaja

Planning - Shot Schedule

Day/Date	Scene	Shot Description	Location(s)	Actors	Equipment/Props needed
	1	News reporter standing behind a murder scene talking about the details of the murder.	Park	Stella Akinwumni	Microphone?
	2	A mother in the kitchen cooking with new playing in the background.	Kitchen	Kiah Grant	Pots, pans etc.
	3	Father walking down the stairs and mother runs to him to distract him.	Doorway & living room	Kiah Grant & Ismail Khwaja	N/A
	4	Father runs out the Door.	Living room & doorway	Ismail Khwaja & Kiah Grant	N/A
	5	Mother calls the Children.	Living room	Kiah Grant	N/A
	6	Peter is running towards the murder scene.	Outside	Ismail Khawaja	N/A
	7	The policeman stop Peter.	Outside	Ismail Khwaja & ??	N/A
	8	Peter sitting on brick wall looking at the Scene.	Outside	Ismail Khwaja	N/A
	9	Police man explains what happened.	Outside	Ismail & ???	N/A
	10	Peter walks away	Outside	Ismail	N/A

Planning - Storyboard

Click on the link for our storyboard animatic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsaEph0Qu1I&feature=youtu.be

Group Roles:
Photographs taken by Bibianna Fasogbon
Edited and uploaded by Ismail Khwaja

Planning - Costumes And Props

Peter Mulberry played by Ismail Khwaja

Peter is a business man who enjoys comfortable days with his children. So to build on his look he will be dress in casual wear. For example he will be dressed in a nice top and jeans,


Sarah Mulberry played by Kiah Grant

Is also in business and has just gotten back from work so she will be dressed in modern chic business wear and props will include household cooking equipment. For example pots and wooden spoons.


News Reporter played by Stella Akinwumni

As she is reporting a murder in the cold she will be wearing a suit with probably a jumper and scarf and coat.


Police Detective  played by Fraser Harrington

As he is a police detective he will be dressed in a suit and props include a notepad and pen.


Dead Body played by ????

Will have a cloth over the body.

Written and uploaded by Bibianna Fasogbon

Planning - Shot List

Shot No.	Scene No.	INT or EXT	Location	Shot Description	Support	Speech
1	1	EXT	In front of a park.	MS of news reporter.	Tripod	Dialogue to the camera
2	2	INT	Open space kitchen.	MS OSS of mother in the kitchen	Tripod	No Dialogue
3	2b	INT	Open space kitchen.	Walks into shot to become a just a MS	Tripod	No Dialogue
4	3	INT	Stair case	Pull out shot as he gets closer to the camera	Tripod	No Dialogue
5	3b	INT	Living room	MS of the wife becomes a TS	Tripod	Dialogue between Peter & the wife.
6	4	INT	Living room leading to the door.	TS to CU to OSS	Tripod	Dialogue from Peter to his wife
7	5	INT	Stairway	CU	Tripod	Dialogue from mother to children
8	6	EXT	Road	CU movement	Tripod	Voiceover
9	6b	EXT	Road into park	POV shot of park	Handheld	Voiceover
10	7	EXT	Park	OSS	Tripod	Dialogue between police officer and Peter.
11	8	EXT	Park	LS movement	Tripod	No dialogue
12	9	EXT	Park	SRS of peter staring and sitting on the brick wall and the commotion.	Tripod	No dialogue
13	10	EXT	Park	MS which then becomes a TS	Tripod	Dialogue between police man and peter
14	11	EXT	Park/Road	MS	Tripod	Peter walking away
15	11b	EXT	Road	ES with the film name	Tripod	No dialogue.

Planning - Script

Group Roles:
Written and uploaded by Ismail Khwaja

Research into similar films

Definitely Maybe

The studio is shown as: 0:00:02 showing the universal logo. A distribution company loo which is animated. 20 seconds is spent on presenting this. Website URL is also there.

0:00:20-0:00:32 present the makers of the film (production company- working title)

0:00:35-0:00:37 shows the universal pictures presents

0:00:46-0:00:48 in association with studiocanal

0:00:59-0:01:01 a working title production

0:01:41-0:01:45 an Adam brooks film (either producer or director)

0:01:48-0:01:53 the title appears firstly definitely followed by maybe

0:01:54-0:01:57 first named actor Ryan Reynolds

0:02:00 second actor name appearing

Mise-en-scene

First seen a formal envelope this gives off an office feel as if it’s very professional. A company sticker in the corner as if it came from a Currier Company. Also has a return address with three names on it which suggest it came from a solicitor. Also it’s located in New York. Also shows the main characters name ‘Mr William Hayes. This is all within 40 sec.

0:00:42 internally the office surroundings shows the type of job he has. For example in the corner you can see the logo for a breakfast food ‘Quaker’. Externally it shows some high class buildings and skyscrapers this suggests that his job is quite important/well paid as it is I a good area. The way in which he is dress shows that he has an office job with his formal clothes. For example his tie. His desk suggests that he has worked there for a while due to some personalised items. For example the chess piece. Also due to the fact that it looks ‘lived in’. Typical office chair with his blazer on the back.

0:00:55 shows divorce papers with his wife’s name Sarah Hayes.

0:01:02 shows a work colleague as she is dressed quite formally and in the background has other workers present. 

0:01:19 shows another chair suggesting that he works with clients

0:01:23 a change in scenery from interior to exterior. The time suggest mid-day. The building sixe is quite big suggesting that it popular.

0:01:34 props headphones and music player. His clothes have altered to a now causal appearance as he has loosened his tie.

0:01:42 yellow cab is a significant reminder of New York. A new prop bag on his shoulder.

0:01:50 iconic building landmarks the crysal building.

0:01:57 grand central station also traffic and other walkers suggesting the busy New York lifestyle.

0:02:00 51^st street often referred to in songs.

Sound

0:00:04 the universal has their trademark sound which goes with the logo this makes it recognisable.

0:00:33 murmur of the office noise this is called a sound bridge the takes us to whatever is going on to the next scene so it will continue into the next scene. Also footsteps as if someone is walking up in high heels.

0:00:39 a female voice saying ‘Hi, Will package for ya’ diegetic sound comes from the character. The emphasised thud of the package landing to add the importance to the package as it has a reference to the story. Also sounds negative like minor quite down suggesting it could be bad. It’s a Foley sound added sound.

0:00:42 sound bridge of him clicking his pen which then leads us to his face suggest that he is anxious. Another Foley sound of him throwing his pen down and it landing on the table.

0:00:51 Foley sound of him opening the envelop and taking the paper out.

0:00:53 voice over of the main character which gives us the setup of the story, it suggest he is quite a sarcastic person say ‘I don’t think anyone on their wedding day would image being part of the 46% that doesn’t live happily ever after.’ Internal narrator

0:01:06 a co-worker is excited that he got the Quaker account whilst he is upset as he got the divorce paper. This gives a sense of irony.

0:01:08 his response is hmm

0:01:16 further voice over which suggest he doesn’t like his job.’ Then again I never thought I spend my days, weeks and years working in an advertising agency trying to figure out how to make kids eat captain crunch instead of fruit loops.’

0:01:17 a resigned huff again suggesting he doesn’t like his job.

0:01:20 Foley sounds in the back but Tuesdays and Friday are my favourite days I get out of work early and I o pick up my daughter Maya from school now it’s a great a feeling that you find the right track to go with the day I have found the absolute perfect song. (The background noise goes as he puts the earphones in.) (A rap song plays suggesting humour which sets the genre) the other perfect song (an upbeat song plays suggesting a sense of joy and cheer) the song talk about how life can get you down (divorce papers) but it also is good (his daughter)

Camera work

0:00:39(3 seconds) CU of envelope

0:00:42 cuts to a MCU to be able to see the setting and to see his facial expression (4seconds)

0:00:47 cuts to a CU of the envelope (3secs)

0:00:50 tilts up to the main characters face to a CU & reaction shot (5secs)

0:00:55 CU POV shot of the divorce papers pushes in (4 secs)

0:00:59 cut on to words on dark screen. (1 sec)

0:01:01 a master shot (1sec)

0:01:02 MCU of the work colleague (4 secs)

0:01:06 close up shot of the main character (3secs)

0:01:09 cut back to the master shot of him at his desk (8 secs)

0:01:18 wide shot to show the environment of both internal and external (3secs)

0:01:21 first exterior shot track shot to the left to detect the character (4 secs) reverse tracking shot of him walking

0:01:25 over the shoulder should BCU arcs from one ear to the other

0:01:30 reverse angle shot and low angle shot. (3 secs)

0:01:33 CU of his hand with the music player (1sec)

0:01:34 shot reverse shot and a reaction shot to the music being wrong (1 sec)

0:01:35 reverse shot to the music playing (1 sec)

0:01:36 reverse shot to him (2 sec)

0:01:38 reverse shot back to the music player with slo mo effect (1sec)

0:01:41 split screen over the shoulder shot and a taxi cab. MCU of him crossing the road tracking shot. BCU of his head slow motion/BCU of his face with a crowd behind tracking shot. Foot shot. Shot of the sign. Basically 20 seconds of showing his journey to pick up his daughter.

Group Roles

Written & uploaded by Bibianna Fasogbon