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