Progress On Filming

Last week (week beginning 17/10/11) we managed to get all of the film we needed to be able to complete our 2 minute childrens film opening sequence.
We started on Tuesday where we scouted out the props we needed to film, the white lab coat, beaker and poster, and found the location we needed to film the opening of the opening. We used a corridor in the science department for the scene where the poster on the wall catches a boys eye who is walking past. We thought that the science corridor would be the perfect area to use for the scene because we would need to use a science classroom for the next scenes, and it would cut out any continuity errors that could happen. We used many different camera angles for this scene including over the shoulder, POV, long shot and mid shot. These are mostly the shots we had researched and had planned to use. We managed to film all the corridor scenes on the Tuesday and uploaded them to Final Cut ready for editing.

Over the shoulder shot, similar to one used in our filming where
Danny pulls his phone out to see what time it is.

Long shot, similar to one used in out filming where
Danny walks down the corridor to see the poster.

On the Thursday we started to film the main scene, where the boy enters the classroom and decides to drink the potion which would hopefully give him amazing brain powers. It did take us the whole lesson the film the scene because it is the longest and most complicated one to make, with lots of speech and a supposed earthquake as well. Me and Joe were the main characters in the scene, with me as Professor Pepper, and Joe as Danny Smith, the boy. Danny walks in to the professors delight, sits and the professor puts the potion in front of him and tells him to drink it. We used many different camera angles for this including close-ups, long shots, two-shots and over the shoulder. We used a different variety of shots because we didn't want to be repetitive with what we were filming. Again, we uploaded the shots to Final Cut along with the shots from Tuesday, ready for editing.

On the Friday, we realised we had finished all the main filming and only had one of the shots left to do. This is a shot of the potion in the beaker, with the camera whirling around it using handheld shots, which we would use for the opening credits. We had the idea that the names of the people would whirl around the potion in the beaker, as the potion is the main storyline. We filmed it and uploaded it onto Final Cut and we then had all of the shots we need to make the opening sequence of our childrens film.





Analysing a Childrens Film Opening

I am going to analyse the opening to the classic childrens film Toy Story 2 (1999).

In the opening sequence we start off with the toys playing a Buzz Lightyear video game, however we don't know this until Buzz dies. Mainly in this opening sequence you learn more about Buzz, and we also learn who his enemy is, Zurg. We get an insight into what kind of action-packed life Buzz would live if he wasn't a toy, and this shows what the film as a whole might be like. So we can see the theme of the film, and we get a introduction to all the main characters, all the toys who are, like Woody as he has lost his hat. Also, when the TV is turned on we get a hint, not yet knowing it is one, of the main storyline in Al's Toy Barn. The opening clearly shows the target audience and categorises the film as a childrens film with the fun characters, bright colours, and the fact that the characters are toys which are a childs main fasciantion at their young age.

 

Understanding U and PG ratings

The U in U rated films stands for 'universal' meaning that it is suitable for all the audiences. These types of films always have a positive message/moral that they try to show throughout. If there are any violence, it should be over quickly and not drag on. Also, the good guy should always win and have the violence mild and not traumatizing for children. No discrimination or any references to drugs as this can create a bad image for them and it can give them the idea to copy what they see on screen. These factors are needed to be looked upon on whether the film is a U rating or not. Here is a movie trailer of a U rated movie:



The PG in PG rated films stands for 'parental guidance'. These films can be viewed by everyone in general, however some scenes in the film may be unsuitable for young children. Parents are advised to consider if they would make the child watch the film or not. The rules also about references to drugs and any other bad doings are the same as in U rated films. Its not allowed and it is illegal. Any violence should have a good outcome to balance the story and language can be mildly bad only. Not severe and harsh language. Here is a movie trailer of a PG rated movie:

Children's film

My understanding of children's films are that they are fun movies that are made and produced for mostly children. However, they can be watched and admired by all ages. They can also appeal to adults and even teenagers. Mostly a family would buy children's film to watch with the family. There are plenty different kinds and genres of childrens's films. For example, Animation, Adventure, Comedy and even Action can be implemented in children's films. They always have a happy ending and the surroundings can catch the children's eyes and focus on what they are watching. The main character is always the good that eventually saves the day at the end. Which most children will like and look up to throughout the film. There are plenty of bright colours to see and it is successful because of how children an enjoy them while watching them either in the cinema or as a DVD. For example, there is a picture of the cover for Toy Story and it shows the main characters and how they seem heroic and fun at the same time.There are also plenty of bright colours for the children to look at and not some dark, evil setting as this might scare them.

Ideas Research and Influences

The main idea for our childrens film came from our own experiences of films, we combined two films we have watched into one idea. The first film is one Jez has had influence from, called Limitless.

The trailer for Limitless (2011) can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THE_hhk1Gzc&ob=av3e

The film is simply about a writer who discovers a top-secret drug which bestows him with super human abilities, and allows him to use 100 percent of his mind.

Prop Research

For our children's film, we have a professor making  potion, so to show he is a professor, we would need a white lab coat to make it look more realistic and stick with the stereotype:

 For the little boy to even enter the room to be the test subject for the potion, we will need a poster to show him the way in. We will also need science experiment equipment for the opening half a minute, and a drink for the boy to consume to make it look like he is taking the potion, because we have shots of the professor making the potion with music playing over the top:

Shot List

Establishing shot - We will use this shot to show the audience that we're at long road the example below is something similar want. But for ours we will get signs of long road sixth form college and also a shot of reception sign. Maybe if time long shots of the bigger blocks here.

Close up - The close ups used will be on the poster when Joe finds out their is an experiment taking place. Additionally a close up of the potion to show the significance of it. Last of all various close ups on the professor and Joe.

Long shot: When Joe walking up the corridor the camera will be at a long shot. But as he is walking it will develop into a mid sho and eventually a close up.

 Shot reverse shot: This shot will be used to show the conversation taking place between Joe and the Professor in the lab. This will be effective if sticking to the 180° rule.

Hand held camera: This will be used when the shake up begins in the laboratory. Example of this on you tube clip below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXvoS8--mTE (0:45-1:00) (embed didn't work)

Point of view shot (pov):

Location Research

We are limited because of the rules of only being able to film in the school grounds, the extent of our locations is  for our type of genre is alright because for our opening scene we are in a school. 

We will need to use a school corridor in the opening scenes as we have the little boy wandering through the corridors, and he then sees a poster on the wall asking for a test subject for an experiment. This should be easy to film in as we are limited to filming in a school only.

We will also need a science classroom for where the potion is made and for when the little boy enters to be the test subject and takes the potion. This also shouldn't be too hard to find because we are limited to filming in school.

Ideas for our Children's Film

Today, we have decided on the storyline for our children's film opening. The story that we decided to go forward with is about a man who makes a potion that has the power to make someone really smart. Then, a kid decided to volunteer to be the person who drinks the potion not knowing what it would have in store for him. The kid gets some crazy brain power and eventually will help to stop a natural disaster.


plot in chronological order:

Assessment of Preliminary Project

Issues with continuity:

• When Joe (the boy in black and grey) goes inside the tennis court, it immediately jumps to Marc talking without any introduction of him. 
• Another issue is when Joe pushes the door open. His hand is in a different position when he opens the door. 

U and PG Ratings

My understanding of a U film is what the BBFC tell us it is: 'It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. U films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.' I also understand there should be no discrimination or references to drugs unless they are clearly disapproved of or have a educational purpose. The violence should be mild and not too scary, no bad behavious which is likely to be copied easily by children, and the only sexual references should be kissing, and refered to as 'making love'.

An example of a successful U rated film:


My understanding of a PG film is also what the BBFC tells us it is: 'Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.' Also, PG rated films are similar to a U rated film, as discrimination and drug references must show a educational meaning and/or be disapproved of. Horror scenes musnt be prolonged, and should be counter-balanced by something happy/good. Sexual references may be implied but infrequent, not-gory mild violence and mild bad language only.

An example of a successful PG rated film:

Childrens Film

My understanding of a Children's Film is that it is a film aimed predominantly for children, but also to appeal to adults such as parents, who would most likely buy the film for the children or take them to see it. Obvious examples of childrens films would be Disney films such as Finding Nemo. You can tell that this is a childrens film as it has happy faces on the characters, is it animated, has bright colours, and you can also tell that it has talking animals as well. These features are used to appeal to children, like the bright colours will stand out and the animals look fun and happy. It is a successful childrens film because of these features. As opposed to a film like Alien which is has a dark, mysterious and mildly scary cover, it is obvious it is not aimed at children and parents would most definintely not allow their young child to watch it.