Planning - Equipment

Here is the equipment I have used to film with.

- DV tape to film on
Filming onto DV tapes are again not ideal as it is easier to use SD cards or camera's with hard drives. However it is small and compact and can be imported onto the Mac computers which I will use for editing.



- JVC DV cassette camcorder
This camera is not ideal as there are many other better camera's on the market, however this was the only one available to me and it films on 16:9 ratio widescreen and with reasonable quality. It films onto DV tapes and has an optical zoom so will allow me to film my trailer.

 

- Universal filming tripod
This has helped to the hold a steady shot when filming with my video camera, has allowed me to pan, track and tilt the camera with smooth movement.

Planning - Location Release

To gain permission from the school to permit my filming days I have submitted to the following letter to the Head Master at the school, to which he has granted the request.

Weekly Update 7

This week I have carried out some more preparations for the filming stage of my production by creating a shot list and risk assessment for my production team and actors. I have also given my actors 'Actor Release Forms' to fill in and given the whole production team a call sheet so that they are all fully aware of the details of the day we spend filming.

Planning - Risk Assessment

This risk assessment was used on my filming days to make sure all direct or in-immediate dangers to the filming activities were taken into account. Safety I on the day was paramount and required all individuals to be aware of the dangers of the task at hand. 

Planning - Call sheet

This is a copy of a call sheet that I have given to both of my actors and to my production team who have helped me film. This is for consent and also to make all parties aware of what the filming consists of. This kept the filming schedule organised and the filming process more efficient. 

Planning - Actor Release Form

This is an example of an actor release form that I have handed out to both of my actors, so that I have their permission to partake in the film for duty of care reasons and legal reasons.

 

Planning - Shot List

Shot	Location / Shot	Description
1	Title	“Ischt Productions”
2	Ext. LS-MS	Mark walking down stairs and then answers mobile, focus then on skyline.
3	Title	“IT STARTED”
4	Ext. ELS	Establishing shot of London skyline
5	Int. MS	Mark taking paper out of envelope
6	Title	“5 YEARS EARLIER”
7	Int. CU	Focus on picture and information on paper
8	Ext. MCU-ELS	Mark crosses road and then establishing shot of St. Pauls Cathedral
9	Ext. MS	Iqbal on moving tube carriage
10	Ext. LS	Iqbal answering phone
11	Ext. MS	Mark through bus
12	Ext. LS	Marking chasing Iqbal through crowds on road on a bridge.
13	Ext. MLS	Mark entering office
14	Ext. MS	Iqbal Overlooking scenery
15	Ext. CU	Mark looking around
16	Ext. MS	Mark taking picture
17	Int. CU	CCTV of mark in lift
18	Int. MS	Mark cocking pistol
19	Int. MLS	Mark pulling pistol from back and cocking pistol and aims down the sight
20	Ext. MS	Mark and Iqbal face to face
21	Ext. MLS	Mark Pins Iqbal to wall and points pistol to head
22	Title	“DEFECTED”
23	Ext. CU	Mark staring directly at camera as lift doors close
24	Title	“Coming Soon, Summer 2011”
25	Title	Credits

Weekly Update 6

This week I have identified where my produced trailer would be broadcast on television with the aim to target the most awareness possible within my target audience.
I have started planning for the filming stages of my production now and have created my cast notes, shooting script, score notes and location notes.

Planning - Location Notes

Here is a slideshow containing pictures of the locations that I have selected to film at. I don't expect for all of these to be in my final film trailer, however it gives me the opportunity to select the best looking shots.
Also seeing these images will give me an idea of how the shots will look so I can chose to focus on some of the shots that may look better than others.

Planning - Score Notes

I have sent this attached file to the music studio, XL RECORDINGS to ask for permission to use music in the background of my trailer. 

As this trailer is for educational purposes with no commercial intent, XL RECORDINGS have allowed me to use this music quoting "For students we grant a gratis educational usage". 

Planning - Shooting Script

Planning - Cast Notes

Curtis Jagdev as Mark Lewis
I have chosen a character which will suit this role. Dresses well in a suit and has the “sleek” spy look.
Challenging conventions having a spy from an asian background, however I feel this actor has the camera presence to fill the boots of a main character.





Ahmed Madhi as Iqbal Saleem

This character I had to chose one which would fit the role of the ‘Terrorist’. The character I have chosen fits this stereotype and I feel will suit the role well.
I have followed conventions and stereotypes when selecting Ahmed as my terrorist character. Typically most imagine a terrorist to come from a middle eastern or african background being of dark skin colour.  

Planning - Which Channel The Trailer Would Feature

This trailer has a target audience of males aged from 12-40 so any viewing of this production will take place in between programs with this target audience already watching.

So it is likely to be in the breaks between football matches, late night comedy, car shows,  where there will be a prevalence of my target audience watching. This is likely to attract the most viewers within my target audience. 

With regards to the channel being viewed on I would place it on channels such as ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and on a number of satellite channels such as DAVE or Sky One. Prime spots would include during the half time breaks in Champions League football matches and in between dramas on Sky One. However with the more popular channels, there will be a higher airing cost so it may be more profitable to place the advert on a channel such as E4 where it would be cheaper to advertise and will also attract a large number of my target audience. 

Weekly Update 5

This has been a busy week, during which I have made the script for my trailer and to accompany this I have created the storyboard. This will allow my production team to work together and understand my vision for the trailer and hopefully will aid them during the filming process.
Also I have completed my research into my target audience and identified them including gender, age and socio-economic status. This is quite in depth targeting, but hopefully this will give me the best results.

Planning - Storyboard

Storyboard

Planning - Target Audience

I have researched and identified the following Socio-economic groups:

• A- Higher managerial, administrative, professional e.g. Chief executive, senior civil servant, surgeon
• B- Intermediate managerial, administrative, professional e.g. bank manager, teacher
• C1- Supervisory, clerical, junior managerial e.g. shop floor supervisor, bank clerk, sales person
• C2 - Skilled manual workers e.g. electrician, carpenter
• D- Semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers e.g. assembly line worker, refuse collector, messenger
• E - Casual labourers, pensioners, unemployed e.g. pensoiners without private pensions and anyone living on basic benefits

From looking at these I can specifically outline my target audience profile. This includes the ages, socio-economic groups and gender of the audience.

Here you can see a typical image of my target audience. I have identified a profile that these fit into, which is males aged from 12-40 from socio-economic groups A to D.

The reasons I have selected this audience are that it is unlikely for those in group E to be able to have the disposable income to be able to afford to go to the cinema and watch the film. Also those most interested in the action genre are males aged from 12-40 which is why i have decided to pitch this film at  this audience as they are the most likely to go and watch the film.  

Planning - Script

Weekly Update 4

This week I have come up with the synopsis for my trailer. This was a storyline not just for a teaser trailer but for a whole feature film which could last up to 120 minutes.
Also I have designed a production studio logo and created a production studio name which will help viewers identify work I have produced. This also follows conventions within the industry as all trailers and posters feature the production studio of the film on them.
I have also carried out research and planning into the certification system of the BBFC and outlined the restrictions and guidelines I must follow for my film to fit within certain age classifications.

Planning - BBFC & Classification

The specific action films I have researched and aim to replicate are:

• The Bourne Ultimatum (12A)
• The Matrix (15)
• Salt (12A)
• Casino Royale (12A)

From looking at these, three out of the four are rated 12A. The matrix, the only 15 rated film, was released in 1999, over 10 years ago, during which the strictness of classification system within the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) has changed. To compete with other productions within the market I am to make my film to conform within the 12A restriction guidelines. This also allows me to widen the range of my target audience as male’s ages from 12-15 can watch the film also, increasing popularity and gross revenue of my product.

The BBFC have published the following guidelines for any film in a 12A category. I have picked out the most important items that will relate to my action film and I shall follow these to allow my film to be released with a 12A certification.

• Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.
• Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free.  Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
• Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

From seeing these guidelines I have to make sure that there are no emphasis on injuries or blood, no dangerous behaviour and moderate scenes of physical and psychological harm. Perhaps the most important point that I will have to take note of and conform to is that accessible weapons should not be glamorised. 

Planning - Production Logo

To help produce and distribute the film, I have created an easily identifiable logo and production company name. This will be a symbolic trademark, when people see this logo they can relate it to the film I have made.
This logo contains only 3 colours and is quite simple. I have tried not to over complicate the logo and often this produces the best outcomes for companies. For example Nike can be identified by just a tick.

The company title I have decided to title after my family name. This will be shown on part of my trailer for people to see.