Final Post

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Evaluation Six&Seven

Evaluation Question 4&5

Evaluation Question 3

Evaluation Question 2

Evaluation Question 1

Props

In our opening we wanted to play on society fears. Therefore by using props such as a wedding ring and a family photo, people usually feel safer when in a cab. However what we have done is used those aspects to illustrate that it doesn't always mean your safe. As in each shot we slowly show more and more about the character, the audience is lead to believe that they are safe.
This is a short clip illustrating some of the props we filmed, we did not use all the shots we filmed as some of these did not flow or fit in the one of the opening.

Showcase Feedback

The audiences freeback after the screening of our opening at the media showcase. Overall we had very positive reaction to our opening and we are extremly pleased.

Script - Dialogue

Our actor/driver was a Stefs dad. Joe isn't a cab driver in everyday therefore he didn't really know what to say. We wanted the conversation to be casual and to flow well, therefore we decided to have Ciara to sit in the back of the cab and to talk to Joe, and then later we could edit her voice out. This way we created a very authentic feel to our opening. This is the full scene of the dialogue and what we used and when.

Costume in Our Opening

Stefs dad was our actor in our opening. He wore a striped tracksuit with nike trainers. We though this was effective as it created this causal vibe. Making the audience less suspicions of the character and his intention when he was driving around as drivers usually wear something comfortable as they are sitting driving for the whole day. 

Taken and Our Film

Another film that we were inspired by and thought was targeted at the same potential target audience that our film i would be is TAKEN. This psychological thriller would share a similar story line to MAC4's 'When the Bough Breaks', if it were to be turned into a feature length film. Both story line have the same factors of kidnap and a hero character coming to the rescue.
Similarly to our opening, Taken was rated a age certificate of 15years. This was due to the strong violence and scenes of torture. If our film were to become into a feature length film if would also include strong scenes of violence, torture and may contain sexual and drug abuse. However these scenes would not been shown explicitly. These scene would also not condone or glamourise violence or any of abuse, therefore it would be classed as 15age rating from the BBFC. All factors of the film would be appropriate for 15age rating as if classifying the film as a 18 there would be a smaller target audience and therefore a lower sale. Taken was first rated an 18 age rating before the final cuts of the film was made, therefore to create a wider target audience Canal+ and EuropaCrop made changes to the film to be able to pass the age rating of 15.

ShotList

Before filming our opening our group made a list of all the different shots we wanted, as we wanted certain shots to emphasis the feeling that the 'customer' would be safe. Playing on stereotypes that what people usually lookout for when getting into cabs. This was the list we made, since then we have made some adjustments  to help the opening flow better or because the shots didn't look right. As no one in our group cant draw we thought this was a better alternative to a storyboard which is drawn.

Location - WhiteWebs

The last scene in our opening is very significant as it ties the story line together, without it the story would not make any sense. Therefore a lot was riding on that scene. We want to film somewhere that looked abandoned or a place which looked like no one could find them.

As we are not making a feature length film and do not have a budget to hire somewhere out we settled for Whitewebs.  The drive up into Whiteweb really helped capture the 'scary' feel that we were aiming for.
 The long trees which surrounded the drive up changed the tone of the opening. This made the audience start to question the driver and where it this 'customer' going. This is helping build tension, creating a very tense feel. As Whitewebs is a public area it was difficult to film the shots we wanted. One elderly man thought that we we filming something very exciting a thought that it was is big break so as we were filming the last boot scene (with only 2 minutes battery left) he though it would be a good idea to warm up before his run, right next to the boot.

Location - Kenilworth Creasent

One of the location in which we shot at was Emily and Ciara's road. We used this in the Ariel shot of the taxi driving as well as the taxi pulling away. We used different parts of the road to create the illusion that it was filmed in completely  different places. Filming here was very helpful as we could film different shots from inside the house.Such as the over the head shot which was shot from inside Ciara's house.

 

Why the Baby Sound Effect?

As a team we made the collective decision of leaving the baby sound effect in the final cut of our openinng. We discussed this at length as a groups as well as with our teacher and peers to help us to get a balanced view on the sound. We are aware this is pushing the boundaries and you are either think it work completely well or that its missed up and too far. But that is a risk we are willing to take. As a nation as well as worldwide we have become desensitised, with films and televisions shows constantly harming adults we have some to expect it, making our ending of our opening stereotypical and almost clique. By us implying that there is baby in the boot it creates so many question from the audience. Why a baby? What is a baby doing? All questions that would make you want to continue watching. If we were to make a full length feature film.

Reaction to Baby Sound Effect

This is the reaction from our fellow class members and our teacher to the baby sound effect. We felt as though having only a women is very 'been done' I though it would be more interesting as it not expected. This creates a completely story. All is explained in the video above.

Last Few Changes

After watching our opening a few thousand of times, we are still finding things we want to change. As we are constantly making adjustments to our opening, this makes us change our opinion, as well it ruining other parts of the opening such as the sound. There was also a lot of difficulties whilst filming this made the editing process a bit more tricky. Examples of this are, that we had two different people one driving the cab and the other acting in the cab. Therefore we had to layer ALOT of the sound. This causes us a lot of stress, as we have to make sure that the right engine is with the right scene and all that. Also oblivious that we actually needed the engine sound we were all talking like idiots whilst filming, thinking we would just mute the sound. Wrong! This is another thing we have to fix. Of course I leave the worst problem to the last. The Ending. Our ending has caused me such grieve. Thinking about our ending makes me want to huddle in a ball a cry for a good hour. NOTHING sounds real. All the ending dialogue we have record just doesn't sound right. As none of us have ever been kidnapped and thrown in the boot with your/ or a baby (plot twist) it doesn't sound realistic. After, all of us trying and failing, we asked Georgia to help us out. However feedback has stated that it isn't distressed enough. So we have a dilemma.
These are all the other thing that we have to change/fix:

Final Opening - When the Bough Breaks

Bone Collector Inspriation

As inspiration of our two minute opening we looked at the opening scene of the popular film, ' The Bone Collector'. The opening scene of the clip is of a New York couple who take a cab journey.
Tjis is of a different perspective of our opening as it doesn't show the passenger however in the opening of the bone collector we do not see the cab driver, therefore we have the point of view of the passengers. leaving the audience feeling the same a the passengers, not knowing where there going or whats happening. However in our opening we adapted a different approach to the opening. Creating an illusion that there is some sitting in the back of the cab, and the driver is just having a simple conversation with the passenger.

OUR TITLE

After much discussion, and many stupied titles, we finally found a title that all of us love. Due to surprise sound at the end of the baby crying, it inspired us to have something like a nursery rhyme or lulleby title for our film. As many film use this in scary/ horror films to surprise the audience, as having a child or in our case a baby is much worse then having anything else. The title is a line for the famous 'Rock A Bye Baby', these are the lyrics.

Quick Update

Quick update to tell /explain what we have done what we are doing and all that.

Final UNFINISHED Opening

 Improvements that have now been made:
1)Put some footage between the car driving and the the car being stationary.
 2) take out the baby crying? or just muffel it? - does it cross the line artistically or is it just morally wrong?
 3) Engine noise over 'nice day'.
 4) Finish title sequence.
 5) Take out extra unwanted speech.

Title Sequence

The title sequence for the TV show of My Starter Wife I think is really good. This isn't  a typical opening, however i think it is very cleverly done, it illustrates the field of the TV show and how the characters love material  possessions. Giving the audience a clear idea of what the show is like. However I do not think this type of opening would be suited to our opening. Due to the fact that we have no time for this sort of layout, as well this is made for a TV and not for a film. This is also true for the title sequence of United States of Tara. Click the photo to take you to the site, where you can see the full of the title sequence.

BBFC

If our film was to become a feature length film  I believe that the age rating would be a 15. As illustrated at the end of our opening the taxi driver has somebody in the boot. The story is going to show how the taxi driver and how he is abducted a young girl to become his sex slave. The film would include scenes of violence/ sexual violence, taboo/ discriminatory language, sexual nudity, sexual activity and frequent of use swear words. All of which is included in the 15 rated film. By rating the film a 15 we will attract a larger demographic. The drug use in the film would not promote the use of drug use therefore is acceptable of a 15.  

Music Ideas

I was just watching the 'American Hustle' trailer and I came to the realisation that the first song would be perfect for our opening. it would create a completely different tone however still creating the same sort of creepy vibe that we want to reflect the taxi driver. As well as the song, 'It's Not For Me To Say', by Johnny Mathis. 

I also thought the song 'Too Old To Cut The Mustard', would also be a good choice for our opening. This jolly tone is different to the song we already have and contrasts the plot line, however just as other films use children's rhymes, toys and dolls and other things that.seem to be innocent  to creates a scary vibe to the story line, playing on things that people felt safe with this upbeat tone would also mirror that technique.  These are the two songs that I have found and think they would be perfect for the whole story. 

Reaction to our (not finished yet) opening

After editing for a while i think we have developed writing block... but for editing. We are so use to seeing the opening that we have become nub to what is working and what isnt so we though it was time to ask other what they think for the opening. This is the first person we have ask, and are going to ask more people to create a clear understanding of what different type of people like and dislike about our clip, to give us a clearer understanding of what we need to improve and what we do not. Our first helper is fellow media student: Shaileyee

Sound

We, MAC4, have really turned it around. We finally have all footage and edited it. Now we are just making the last few additions and adjustments, on of which is incredibly important. Music/ Sound. When first coming up to the idea we thought that classic or jazz music would be perfect as there is some sort of creepy/ scary element to it. After film the perfect song popped into my head. My funny Valentine by Frank Sinatra, and when put on to the clip it was perfect. However to make the audience to view him as a 'normal man', we needed something else aswell. When filming we had the radio on and it was perfect to add that sound. Later we added some tuning to it to make it seem more nature to the audience.

Sound in Opening

FINAL IDEA PROMISE

Due to recent event such as being kicked out of Liverpool Station due to not booking and not being able to afford to book the station due to lack of funds, MAC4 had a meeting trying to get a different location to film in in substation of Liverpool Station. However after going to different location to film no where was good enough. Therefore were back to using Emily's dad and his black cab.... Sorry Paul.
if the film was to become a feature long film it would be in the genres of: crime, mystery and thriller.
The opening will finish on a sixth sense moment leaving the audience confused on there new understanding of the opening. Throughout  the opening of our film we will use a variety of shots, however to keep the mystery of the driver (Paul) we are going to use a lot of extreme close up to keep the audience wondering.

 

Day One - Liverpool Street Station

Music Inspiration/ final song

Every person in Britain must know the Homebase Advert. The song played is extremely catchy, and therefore that makes me almost certain that everybody must know this song. However as there isn't any lyrics in the beginning of the song, its one of the songs that everyone knows but doesn't know. The song is perfect for our opening the quick beat at the beginning will allow the flashes of famous London landmarks flow into the next scene. Also this upbeat tune/beat complements our story/theme.
Therefore Mac4 presents Peter,Bjorn and John:

First scene of our opening

For the first scene of our opening we decided to do flashes of famous London landmarks. Living in london we have a unique advantage, getting footage from the city. During our groups meeting/brainstorm we created a mind map of some possible location to film for this particular scene.

Final New Idea

Okay after much discussion, and frankly lots of bad things happening hindering our progression as a group we have once again changed the idea for the best. This time I honestly love this idea. This is very MAC4  if i can say so my self. Simple but good. Here's a group vlog to explain:

Youtube/Easy A Inspired Idea for Our Opening

Living in the 21st Century social media is a big aspect. People of all ages use all different types of social networking sites to communicate with people: friends, family and even strangers from all around the world. Youtube is used in 61 different countries, across 61 different languages. More than 100 hours of footage is uploaded to Youtube per minute. Many people on youtube upload Vlog and tag videos telling the world all about there lives. Communicating with people of all ages, genders and cultures. Youtube alone has allowed news and information to travel fast. Youtube the past year alone has brought us: Gangnam style, What Did The Fox Say, Harlam Shake, Shocking music videos and many many more  . So much has been contributed by youtube that they have been making Rewind videos just to illustrate a few of them. Youtube is an icon. That is why we, MAC4 want to feature Youtube in our opening as we demonstrate its power.
We have planed to use Youtube in the same sense that it was used in Will Gluk's 'Easy A'. Using Youtube to been telling a story. Our idea is to have a video from Youtube be shared on a social networking site such as Twitter. The video will be a girl, vloging, or telling her story much like Emma Stone in 'Easy A' however she is being mocked, and not taken seriously on Twitter by the timeline; however the plot thickens are the girl in the video is talk about ending her life, as she no longer wants to live. We end our two minute opening after our character in our opening spot the disgruntled girl from the video on the street.