Showing posts with label Writing for film and tv. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Writing for film and tv. Show all posts

Friday, 23 May 2014

The Blake Snyder beat sheet.

Project Title - The Garage
Genre - Science Fiction
Date - 12-02-14

1. Opening image ( the hook, drags audience in to the film) - A weird looking machine in the garage, with a green wire on it and the camera will be zooming out from the green wire. (this is to get the audience thinking and questioning, why a re they showing us this?)

2. Theme stated (setting the theme, just say it!) - I will have my main characters best friend state the theme of loneliness. ( this will make the audience feel sorry for my main character and also get them thinking about his background )

3. Set-up ( setting the scene, 6 things that need fixing, how it is before things changed, work life, love life, home life, introducing their world ) - I will introduce the characters back life, job home and friends. ( this will give the audience an idea of what my character is like, was like and what he's going to be like )

4. Catalyst ( this is what will start my story, what knocks it over and the first thing to change ) - he's working in the garage when he's best friend says 'why don't you build a time machine' and he immediately starts thinking about it and how he could do it.

5. Debate ( obstacles, possibility, whether they can do it or not ) - he starts to doubt himself about if he can do it or not, but finally gets the motivation and the resources he needs.

6. Break into Two (beginning, middle and end, everything is different, things that need fixing would have been fixed, what's going to happen) - this is when he starts being more optimistic (this is fixed because he was more pessimistic) and he also starts to build the machine.

7. B story (background story of someone else, best friends story, something other than the main thing) -


Friday, 7 March 2014

The garage dialogue 1

Martin and his mum are talking about john.

Int.  Cafe.   Morning

Martin 
Mum, can I talk to you?

Claire
(smiles)
Yes of course you can.

Martin
(worried)
I'm worried about John, he doesn't seem himself.

Claire
(reassuring)
I'm sure he'll be fine when he finds the right person, you know what he's like, always feeling sorry for himself and thinking he's going to be forever alone.

Martin
Yeah I know, but he won't come out of his comfort zone.

Claire
He will just give him time.

Martin
You're usually right mum, I hope so this time.

Claire
(laughs)
ohhhh I will be Martin.

martin looks worried and shrugs his shoulders.

Wednesday, 26 February 2014

The garage - Main Character.

Who is your main character and what do they want?

My main character is lonely and nervous and he wants to feel relaxed and loved, he also wants to be more laid back.

What are the obstacles they must overcome to get what they want?

The obstacles are Nazis and other things, they are not going to all be physical obstacles some of them will be mental, things that he thinks he can't do and doubts, these will be most of the obstacles.

In the end, do they get it? Was getting it ( or not getting it) good or bad for them?

Yes, my character does find love and he does also work on himself bait ( mentally and emotionally ), this makes it a better story as its not just him finding love because for all the audience knows that could of been the start of the story but they do know how my character is at first and when they see him in the end he has a family and a wife and is very laid back and relaxed which looks good on him and is good for him.

Why do we care? Whats so damn compelling about this story that u should spend 110 minutes of my life watching it?

You might not care because it might not interest you, but i think its compelling because you have different kind of themes in it like action, history, horror, love, friendship and some more, i also think it would be a good film and inspire young people to believe in themselves as everyone doubts themselves and feels nervous and lonely and it just goes to show that you can find love, friendship and happiness whoever you are. The them of him being a time traveller is also very exciting if I must say :).

What does my main character need? How is this different from what they want?

My character NEEDS to believe in himself and he also needs love in his life this is different to what they want because my character probably WANTS a better job, or a better car and things like that but i try to ignore that as i don't want my character to seem selfish and just cares about the way he looks, my characters NEEDS things that cannot be bought.

Why now? Why is this story happening to my character now?

Because i think it is time for my character to find love and to stop doubting himself.

Wednesday, 5 February 2014

Diary Entry. The Garage

The most important day of their lives before the plot of your film begins. The day that made them who they are.

What is this diary like? - a daily thing, to get this emotions out as he hasn't got many people to talk to.

Optimistic or pessimistic? - optimistic


Martin Freeman. 10th April 2001

Today was the worst day of my life, i found out that my beloved girlfriend of 3 years has been having an affair with another man, i couldn't be more angry with her and myself for falling into it, i promise myself that some day i will find someone who will love me, care for me and most importantly not cheat on me and i will do the same for that person, so thank you Carrie, thank you for helping me realise that  you are not the right person for me but someone out there is.. and you never deserved my love because the right person does. have fun with your new man Carrie. Goodbye.


Thursday, 30 January 2014

RESEARCH CHECKLIST

Task 1 Research Checklist



RED - NOT DONE
GREEN - DONE
ORANGE - NEARLY DONE




·      Bowling for Columbine notes
o  Identify documentary modes (expository, observational etc)

·      Bias in the New notes
o  How bias is created through selection, headline, caption etc

·      Mind map of VTs with selection, assigned to group members and breakdown of main interest, interviewees and duration

·      5 W’s of Journalism worksheet
·      Identify 5 Ws in articles identifying  use

·      Inverted Pyramid with example of it being applied

·      30 – 50 word lead for a news item you are covering

·      Identifying research types, methods and sources of research

·      Purposes of researching notes

·      Researching the news
o  Primary research
§  Interviews, surveys, questionnaires, observations, focus groups etc
o  Secondary research
§  Internet articles, videos, audio, books, magazines, journals
o  Audience research
§  Demographics, audience classification(socio-economic, age, gender, occupation, education), media preferences, buying/consumption patterns
o  Market research
§  Product market, competition, competitor analysis
o  Production research
§  Content, resources (personnel, equipment, set up, cost, viability)

·      Interpret results – collate research, evaluate and summarise the research that you have


Wednesday, 29 January 2014

The garage - Pre Credits Visual Storytelling.

The garage - pre credits - no dialogue - visual storytelling.

Description of different visual tricks I'm going to be using;

The colour green symbolises - luck

Blue all in one - symbolises mechanic.

Red symbolises trouble/danger.

Martin will enter from left to right - to show he is a good person and he is funny.

The light will be shining on john to show his importance.

At the end shot i will make johns tool box look bigger than it is to show that he will use these tools to build the time machine, and then will zoom into them to fill the whole screen to tell the viewers that these tools will be important somewhere in the film.

In one shot i will have john looking from inside the garage to outside with a sad face and he will have uncomfortable body language. this will show 'lines' and 'boundaries' like john can't leave because he's lonely and depressed.

When john is walking around he will have his tool box in his hand and when the shot switches or follows him to martin the camera will follow the tool box to lead the audience.

John will accidentally go to drop his tool box but save it and then trip and nearly drop it a second time and save it again he will do it again the third time but not save it and when this is happening the audience knows that it is important as he nearly drops it twice and then does the third time, this symbolises importance to the viewers.

When John nearly drops it twice he will have a smirk on his face to show that he is smug about saving the tool box twice, i will also show this through body language.

There is a green screwdriver that falls out of the tool box - this symbolises luck and stands out to the audience.

When john hugs martin he smiles and the body language symbolises a friendship.


Visual Storytelling.

Visual storytelling

Body language

Few lines = few seconds

Direction ( on screen ) - hero will enter the screen from the left(read left to right) traditionally bad guy will be introduced from the right because were not used to it.(not the way our eyes are supposed to go when were taking in information) - (watching in a mirror - doesn't feel right)

Leading the eye - light, camera movement (simple spot of light) use light to make your viewer look here and there and everywhere. (paranormal activity good on a massive screen when you have no control over the sound and lighting, makes you more nervous because you doing know what bit you are supposed to be looking at) - sound - another way of leading the viewers/audience.

Balance and imbalance - humans are always looking for symmetry - something is missing/wrong - playing with symmetry something is wrong if not balanced, viewers are always looking for a shot.

Size - not limited to things being the size they actually are, framing can make things bigger and smaller catch attention of viewers and force them to look at these things. - important object - framing shots to make something big even if its not but its big to the story. (e.g engagement ring).

Lines - boundaries, (jaws, brody is afraid of water line from sand and sea) (colours) (fake scares) ( the boy who cried wolf) ( separation )

Scene to scene - when writing longer pieces a smart visual trick is to lead something to one scene from another to lead audience with you. something similar or something different.

Thursday, 23 January 2014

Types, Methods and Source of Research.

Types, methods and sources of research;

Primary and Secondary evidence are types of research.
Primary;
evidence, such as the original of a document, that by its nature does not suggest that better evidence is available
  1. Interviews - Gathering Information.
  2. Experiments.
  3. Surveys.
  4. Questionnaires.
  5. Observations.
  6. Q and A.
  7. Self shot.
  8. Qualitative - (views and opinions) (biased).
  9. Quantitative - (on a scale of 1-10)(multi choice)(statistics).
  10. Test.
  11. Emails.
Secondary;
something, in particular documentation, which confirms the existence of unavailable primary evidence.
  1. On line.
  2. VT s.
  3. Witness.
  4. Books.
  5. Newspapers.
  6. Internet.
  7. Films/Documentaries.
  8. Leaflets/Flyers.
  9. Radio/audio.
  10. TV/News.
  11. Conversations.
  12. Emails.

There are four major classifications of research designs. These include observational research, correlational research, true experiments, and quasi-experiments

Conventions of documentary - bowling for columbine ( notes )

MICHAEL MOORE

Interviews
footage
VT
news
bowling for columbine
racism
fear
stupidity
guns
gangs
crime going down
fear of crime rising
tragedies
shootings
low wage jobs for single mothers
6  year old shooting of kayla
research
9/11
feeling safe
requesting to stop selling bullets and guns
cinematography
sound
editing
mise en scene
narrative - issues, facts and information
strange opening - footage from another film (found footage)
using humour - taking the Mick
repetition
terrorism
forces you to make links between things that you wouldn't usually see - connections
linking a woman holding a gun - combined with statue of liberty
threads of stories
all coming together by the end of the documentary
linking together
'OPEN A BANK AND WELL GIVE YOU A GUN'
normal in USA
opinions
biased
using facts to show his opinion
balanced
unbalanced
no good things about guns
guns/knives?
alcohol
fags
society's attitude
Canada's news wasn't broadcasted that much about guns but they all had them.
media.

why did they do it? why did they go bowling before they killed 13 people?
voice over - linking everything together
murder in columbine
gun ownership -
psychotic
influence of the media
racism
fear
'the other'
ignorance
CONFLICT
big money for a lot of people - making guns, security reasons
making money from fear
capitalism
statistics of crime going down but the fear is going up.
crimes involving guns are normalised
we are shocked but wouldn't be in america
american values
biased



Mikeeal Kular Evaluation

Mini Evaluation of our 2-3 minute News Story on Mikeeal Kular.

Why we chose how to  run it.

We chose the running order by starting with the introduction introducing the show in the studio, we wanted to have the introduction in the studio and not straight to the VT so that the presenters can explain the stories before going straight to the VT, if we did go straight to the VT the audience would of been confused and not know the story, we wanted to inform people about Mikeeal Kulars disappearance so that people would be intrigued by it. We started with 'today we have an urgent message to send out to the public this morning', this was to show the importance of the disappearance and message to the public.

After the introduction we chose to have our primary report (our own evidence) of this story, our presenter of that story says 'i am outside farry gait crescent where late last night Mikeeal went missing from his home' this sounds more reliable and tells the viewers where it happened so that they can be informed and local residents could help find the 3 year old.

Next, we chose to use our secondary report so that we have evidence to back our primary report up, our secondary report was information off the internet as the viewers would like to see more about the story, so that they could help in any way, we had to be careful with secondary reports as some of the evidence pon the internet could be biased.

After the secondary report we decided to cut to a VT of the parents of the boy showing theyre worried and need help looking for the 3 year old.

Finally, we decided to do a voice over to inform the audience one more time of his disappearance and what he was wearing so viewers know what to look out for, we then decided to have horizontal scrolling text saying that if the public know anything about Mikeeal missing then they should call the police immediately.

Wednesday, 22 January 2014

Pre Credits - The Garage exercise.

int. the garage - morning

John Freeman; 27, short light brown hair, skinny, mechanic, boring, but doesn't want to be.

(john is working in the garage on a customers car, when the customer walks in)

JOHN;

You alright mate, shouldn't be too long.

CUSTOMER;

Okay thank you.

Martin Wright; 26, longish blond hair, chubby, johns best friend, funny, happy, unemployed,

(the customer walks out and martin walks in)

JOHN;

Why are you here martin?

Martin;

Alright.. just wanted to come cheer you up because i know how much you hate this place.

JOHN;

Oh.. right, sorry for being so snappy, i just dont wanna be a mechanic for the rest of my life.

MARTIN;

(cheeky tone)

well i dont know what you can do, build a time machine.. hahah, you are a mechanic!

(john looks shocked, and goes to hug martin for what he thinks is a great idea, then the credits start)



The garage - Pats lesson ( genre, movie exercise) turbo charged log line

Garage
Sci fi
Martin Freeman


The Garage.


The poster (martin freeman working on a machine in a garage, bright colours to catch attention, big title at the top, big clock in the garage to imply time)


Martin freeman stars as the main character in ‘The Garage’, he works as a mechanic but hates his job, he has decided he wants to go the future to see what his looks like, to do this he must build a time machine with the resources that he has in the garage.


Thursday, 16 January 2014

The start of the project.


The start of the news show.

Job roles;
Maddie Govier - Head of Writing, Art director.
Dee Ricketts - Art Director, Co Director.
Frankie Brown - Director.
Joe Brinkman - Producer.
Ellis Bishop - Floor manager, Head of Research.

Our news report;

Type; General, education, sentencing and travel.
Channel; Internet - Virgin.
Audience; To whoever it may appeal to.
Duration; 20 minutes.
Stories; Minimum of 3.
VTs; Minimum of 2.




NEEDS:
  • Running order  : 
  • List of Rules  :
  • The Script     :
  • Mood Board     :
  • Set Design    : :)Picture Below
  • Costume Design: :)Smart(suit) and sophisticated(Blouse)

    Set Design scrap book.


This first set design was designed by me and dee ricketts.




The second set design.
By myself and Maddie Govier 

   As a Group we all decided to use the the Second set design because the first design was made to be produced in the studio with the tv's behind the presenters but thought we wouldn't have a lot of space to set up as its a tight area to work with, not to mention the other equipment that'll be in the room. Therefore we thought the second idea would look to be more official. With great use of our group member of a green screen, and a tv on the corner for purposes that will be later explained. 




Five W's - Journalism.


FIVE W

What happened?
Sir Peter Fahy, Chief constable of greater Manchester police prosecuted for shooting at unarmed Mr Anthony Grainger in the chest. Therefore if convicted the force could face an unlimited fine, however its said from a secondary research by Danny Shaw ‘British police forces had been successfully prosecuted for health and safety breaches in the past’


Who was there?
The two suspects victim Anthony Grainger and Sir Peter Fahy.


Why did it happen?
This happened as the Officer Sir Peter fahy who tried to prevent Mr grainger from stealing and audi in a car park which had false registration plates.


When did it happen?
Anthony Grainger was shot in the chest after the car he was in was stopped in culcheth on 3rd march 2012.


Where did it happen?
Culcheth, Manchester In the car park.


The inverted pyramid.




The Lead: Most important information (Para) for my news show.

The Lead: Most important information (Para) for my news show.

QUOTE:
Poor GCSEs increase self-harm risk, warns Prince's Trust

People with fewer than five A to C GCSEs are more likely to self-harm than students with good results, a charity is warning.
The Prince's Trust surveyed 2,161, 16 to 25-year-olds and one in five said they did things like cut or burn themselves.
For people with poor GCSE results, that jumped to nearly one in three.
Stacy Hawkins, 22, said her mental health problems started when she moved to a new school in Cornwall aged 15.
_____________________________________________
The LEAD : Most important information
It has been recognised that poor grades are the cause of self harm risks and to be known to cause mental health issues, interviewed with self victim Stay Hawkins. This has became more known as there had been a lot of incidents of young people hurting them selves due to stress, money and college. however its also to be said on the radio young people who have been late, bunked or quit work is due to signs of mental health issues also. 
Stacy Hawkins quotes out of 1 in five "I was bullied," she said. "I didn't fit in"

Conventions of a tv show.


Following the Conventions of a successful TV Show!


  • Impartial
  • balanced
  • un-biased
  • Objective


  • EXPECTIONS > CONVENTIONS


  • Interview
  • Graphics
  • Presenter
  • Voice overs


  1. TV news conventions
  2. Definitions + Examples
  •  Facts
  • Opinions
  • Primary research + Secondary
  • Research
  • News report - Planning direct address
TV FORMAT
1. Titles
2. Summary of news
3. Top story
4. Story two
5. Light hearted final story
6. weather
7. Sport

Plan a 2-3 minute news story.


Plan a 2-3 minute news story!

Darren Thomas
 
Plan a 2-3 Minute NEWS STORY!
 
By Deanna rickets, Joe Brinkman and Maddie Govier.
 
  1. Running Order
  2. Script
  3. V-T Inserts
  4. Graphics
  5. Presenters
  6. Interviews
  7. Voice Over
  8. mini evaluation of your decision


Details of News we've decided to use for our 2-3 minute News Story.
 
MISSING CHILD
Name : Mikaeel Kurlar
Location : Edinburgh
AGE : 3
 
1. Running Order - Presenter - Supt Mcainish
  • Introduction     -   15 Seconds
  • Secondary Report -   30 Seconds (close friend)
  • Primary Report at the scene - 30 seconds
  • Cut to V-T Parents (Raising awareness)     - 15 Seconds
  • Picture of the boy V-T with local Edinburgh Police Man -15 Seconds. (Voice over)
  • Images of Crime scene (voice over) - 15 seconds
2. Script
 
Secondary report - We cant give the close friend a script or say how long it is going to last; instead we just wrote down different questions to ask on what the boy looks like, what he acts like and what kind of life he has at home and nursery.
The presenter will ask the following questions;
  • What kind of boy was Mikaeel like?
  • How was his life at home?
  • Does Mikaeel have any distinctive features that the public would notice?
  • Did he go to nursery? Did he like it there?
 
 
Primary report - 'I am outside of farry gait cresent where late last night a 3 year old boy went missing - Mikaeel Kulza age 3 was last seen going to bed at 21:00 when his mum and dad sent him there, his parents woke up and noticed he was not there and that his bedroom window was open, they contacted the police immediately'.


Picture of the boy - Voice over
Mikaeel is 3ft tall and as possible wearing a beige hooded jacket, he may also have on brown shoes, blue jogging bottoms and nightwear. If anyone has any information about Mikaeels disappearance please contact the police.

Images of crime scene - Voice over
People from the local area are doing all they can to help look for the 3 year old, posters have been put up by the parents neighbours, and the local residents are looking in the places that they think he might of gone to, if anyone saw anything suspicious last night or this morning please contact the police as it could be very helpful, or any information regarding the child's disappearance.