OTS: Dolly

We decided that for our opening title sequence it would be nice to have smooth pans across the desk. The best way for this is a camera dolly. We decided that for this we would follow a video tutorial. Link to tutorial. We looked at all the things we needed from the video tutorial and hen went to homebase to get it all. 

Once we'd collected everything we started with the tubes for the dolly to roll on by driling holes through either side.

We then cut the wood to an appropriate size for the camera to mount.

Instead of a 90 degree metal strip we used plastic because it was cheaper and wouldn't affect the structure. We then cut this to size to be used to hold the wheels

Instead of a 90 degree metal strip we used plastic because it was cheaper and wouldn't affect the structure. We then cut this to size to be used to hold the wheels

We then drilled holes into the plastic so that it could be held in place by the wood and hold the wheels

We then cut more wood so that we could have a place to mount our poles

When we were adding wheels from a pair of old skates we ran into a problem because he wheels were too big to have them where the video tutorial instructs. This meant that it was very hard for to keep the wheels on the metal poles

We decided to add a strip to the end of the wheel and the used duct tape to keep it in place. This made it harder for the wheels to fall off of the track

I forgot to record a few steps but basically we took the head from a small tripod and then we used a special drill bit to hold the tripod head in place. 

I also forgot to record a few steps for this but we just drilled holes in the wood then put roofing bolts through the wood and the metal poles before 

This is the final product 

I am relatively happy with the camera dolly however wish that we had more time to create it because we may have been able to get some  different wheels which would fit the tutorial and make the dolly roll without having to be held in place. This camera dolly should reveal objects to the audience nicely and smoothly. This was also a much cheaper alternative to buying a camera dolly because they're usually very expensive. Here are a few examples Link 1 Link 2. As you can see these are around £60-£80. Although there are a few setbacks with our dolly it only cost us about £20 which is far cheaper than buying a premade one.

This post was taken from Max's blog, him and Greg decided to both create the dolly together, while I made the cutout of the go bo blinds
Max's Post: http://mshepherdasmediaproductionschs2016.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/camera-dolly.html

Research: Age Certificates

Taken from: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/

U: 

A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over, although it is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. U films should be set within a positive framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. Infrequent use of very mild bad language (e.g. ‘damn’ and ‘hell’) may be used. Characters may be seen kissing or cuddling but nothing more and this should not be an focus.

PG:

A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children. There may be mild bad language (such as ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’) in a PG film, but the context and delivery are always important. For example, these words should not be used excessively or without a purpose. Violence will usually be mild.

12/12A:

Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Strong language (e.g. 'f***') may be passed at 12 or 12A, depending on the manner in which it is used, its frequency and any special contextual justification. At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified.

15:
No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail.There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable. Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Frequent strong language (e.g. 'F***') is allowed.

18:

No one younger than 18 may see a 18 film in a cinema. Whereas a 15 may only contain short, less detailed scenes of gore and violence, an 18 may have several long gory scenes. Very strong language is allowed (e.g. 'c***'), there are no limits on frequency or aggression.
At 18 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

For our OTS, we are aiming for a 15 certificate, as we want some inferred sexual references and possibly some very occasional strong language. There is a large focus on drugs and violence, which could not be possible at a lower certificate. On the other hand, the violence and references aren't strong enough to make it an 18 certificate.


This is Greg's blog post about Age Certificates:
http://gbabstockasmediaproductionschs2016.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/research-film-certificates.html
He was the one to do the research and present the work, I copied it over to my blog. 

OTS: Final Script Version 1

Quick Information

After the first edit of our Noir film, we decided to get Max's brother Sam to narrate, this was becuase although we had Greg acting as our Everyman we needed an older person with a more narrative voice. Sam read the original script I created and improvised some lines to make it more dramatic, or changed the tone to suit the mood.

SCRIPT

(OPENING TITLE SEQUENCE)

(Everyman smoking in his office while tpying confeesion on typewriter)

"I did a lot of inexcusable things, but I lost a lot during that time. I lost my girlfriend, my job, I was in desperate need of money. It was at this low point in my life I started to work for an old friend. He came to me looking for someone he could trust, someone reliable. Who could do what needed to be done"

(CUTS TO STREET LAMP, EVERYMAN AND DEALER WALK IN FROM EACH SIDE)

"It was simple. They gave me the money. I gave them the drugs"

(CUTS TO LOW SHOT OF EVERYMAN CONTINUING CONFESSION)

"I had been dealing for a while now slowly rising in the ranks. Gaining more and more respect from the boss, for my hard work. It seemed like things were on the up...till she came along"

(CUT TO FLASHBACK OF EVERYMAN'S FIRST MEETING WITH FEMME FATALE)
(five seconds of flashback)

(CUTS BACK TO EVERYMAN IN HIS OFFICE DRINKING ALCOHOL)

"When she left she always gave me that look to say I was nothing, but, it lingered. Maybe thinking oneday I could be something more. It was after a few pickups that we started to talk. Started to get closer. In such a small amnount of time you'd learn how much a woman with truely hate her husband. Say what you want about the Boss but he lived up to his feirce reputation, he didn't seemed phased about the barrel of the gun being pointer directly into his face. You could never tell, but if he did fear death, his fears were about to become a reality"

(CUTS TO FLASHBACK ON EVERYMAN SHOOING A GUN)


FINAL NOTES/DECISIONS
We decided not to use this version, this was because the text was all in block and was unclear fir anyone needing to read it. Also the directions were very basic and unclear, where as version 2 was a lot more detailed and laid out
This comment was added after I created the second Version (25/02/2016)

OTS: Location Hunting Vlog

We needed a location for a flashback in our OTS, which is a drug trade taking place outside. We wanted a corner spot, preferably with a old style lamp post. It was important to make sure there were no modern signs or buildings nearby.We found two spots that we could use, I explain our choices and why in the video.
This video is taken from Greg's blog:http://gbabstockasmediaproductionschs2016.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/ots-location-hunting-vlog.html
We all went up the city together to do location research. Greg took the video with him and edited the video, I embedded the videos html into my blog post

OTS: Rough Script

Rough Script: In the actual script for the narration the Everyman will mention a prop from the opening title scene when the camera is panning across the room. When the Everyman mentions, for example, a gun it will focus on the prop and then the flashback will occur using that gun which could be shooting 'The Boss'
It was at this low point that an old acquaintance came to me and pushed me down the road I didn't need in my life.

It was one of my early jobs, it was a simple swap of money, for drugs. After dark in the back alleys is safe enough for anyone, the police don't tend to bother with these parts of the city after dark.

By this time I had been working and dealing for a while, slowly rising in the ranks of respect from 'The Boss'. To be honest it would have been fine, except for her. We met many a time and after a month of our secret meetings she decided to pitch her master scheme to me

When the time came around i realised I had never been to The Boss' house before this and what a warm welcome it would be to kill him within it. He seemed almost as on edge as me, unfortunately i didn't know he had plans with her as well. Except she didn't know either...

upon returning I entered the room, in the dark all i can make out from the beat of light escaping from the door frame was a crumpled body, I walked slowly towards praying the scenarios in my head were false.
Actual Script: After Greg had finished the mood board I was then able to write the narration and incorporate the props used in the opening titles scene.

Rough Script

OPENING TITLE SCENE
(Everyman sitting in office)
It's no excuse, but I lost a lot during that time. 
I lost my girlfriend, my job...
I was in desperate need of money.

(Cuts to briefcase with money inside on corner of street, light shining on money)

(Greg | Everyman Narration)

It was at this low point that I started to work for an old friend. 
(They swap briefcases)
It was simple. They gave me the money, I gave them the drugs.

(Cuts to close up shot of whiskey surrounded by smoke in his office)

(Greg | Everyman Narration)

I had been dealing for a while now, slowly rising in the ranks, gaining more and more respect from The Boss' for my hard work. If she hadn't come along...

(Femme Fatale walks in from behind camera and leans on desk)

As she left, she gave me 'that' look and walked out of my door seemingly mean less to me

(Cuts to office at different times)

(Greg | Everyman Narration)

It was after a few pickups that we started to talk, and started to get closer...

(Cuts to sleazy hotel room with Femme Fatale and Everyman embracing)
In such a small amount of time I learnt how much a woman can hate her husband.

(Cuts to over shoulder view of Everyman shooting 'The Boss')
At least he was a man who lived up to his fierce reputation. He didn't seem phased about a gun being pointed directly at him.
(Cuts to a camera positioned behind 'The Boss' and boss falls down)
But if he did fear death, his fears had become a reality..

(Cuts to Everyman outside door/meeting place)
It was almost like a dream, everything seemed to have fitted perfectly to what we had planned.
(Everyman opens door and cuts to front view of Everyman in door frame)
If only I had been expecting this...

Location For Noir Filming

Our Location

With our filming location we are aiming to use quite bare and stony buildings. If we use more bright and colourful buildings it wont match traditional noir and will be harder to make black and white without noticeable effects.

Below there are some images of possible areas we could use for the flashback of swapping the drugs: Possible places in the city are places such as Elm Street and Tombstone which have the old style cobble streets. Tombstone has some ideal spots with old lamps and steep cobble streets.
The problem with Elm street is that is has sign posts that wouldn't fit with the decade of noir. So we would have to consider using other locations or changing the angle so it wouldn't be in the shot.

This is another part of Elm Street, the benched could be used for the drug swapping scene. The bench could be used as the swapping place or at any corner, this is also a good spot because there are no modern signs or houses. So the shot would be good for noir setting.

The problem with Elm street is that is has sign posts that wouldn't fit with the decade of noir. So we would have to consider using other locations or changing the angle so it wouldn't be in the shot.

For the opening title scene there is a possibility of being able to use the studio room for the filming of the opening title sequence. This is because of the bare walls and the ability of changing the lighting easily

OTS: Props

Typewriter

I have been looking in antique & secondhand shops and I have found some good deals on typewriters. I am going to hold out on buying one for a little while because I may be able to borrow one from a drama teacher and I am waiting to hear back. Below are some of the typewriters I have found:

Gun

I searched amazon for toy pistols and I found one that looked very similar to the Walther PPK. It arrived yesterday and it looks very convincing for a toy gun. Its almost identical to the original from a distance (so long as you disregard the orange end!). I will paint over the orange end to make it look more authentic and maybe even add a red dot to the safety like the real one. Below is a comparison:





This post was created by Greg, this was because he was in charge of looking into props, while Max did costume, and I researched location
Greg's Post on props: http://gbabstockasmediaproductionschs2016.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/props-update.html

Foley Sounds

How/Where We Did It
During a double free period, me, Max ans Greg went to Max's house and went through the list of sounds creating them one by one
Creaking Leather: We used a leather seat and stretched it
Bag Drop: We dropped a school bag
Bullet Case:
Buttons: Keyboard buttons with modified sound

Group Communication

For our group communcation, we decided to use the FaceBook app, Messenger. This was easy because we could use FaceBook on our computers and on our phones. Also I was personally unable to send Images over texts and this would have made it difficult to share any ideas/props I had. We discussed different props we had and share pictures so we could agree on which ones were best. We also talked about the group name and agreed when/where to meet up for filming outside of school