Planning the locations, costumes and props.

In this prezi we will explore the locations, costumes and props that we want to use. These may be altered but it gives us some ideas to work with when at the filming stage.



From my research, I have recognised that these are essential locations, props and costumes to use for our film opening. I have noticed that for the location, we must carefully consider which would fit our desired purpose, as other British Gangster films do. The costumes are also an important role as they help to define a character and his personality, if he is an antagonist or a protagonist. Props have also been shown as an important element of British Gangster films as they help to set the scene and tell the story. We have therefore chosen our props very carefully to tell the exact story that we want.

Storyboard and consideration of titles.

Below is the storyboard for our film opening. To understand the images better, the script on the previous post can be used.

Although this storyboard provides some ideas about how we want to incorporate our titles, through the film name and 'two months earlier' being written in a large white font on a black background for a full on effect, we feel unsure about how we want to incorporate others. The use of them merged into the scene could be very effective, such as the actor’s names being shown in the same scene as them. However, we do also like the effect of having large white writing on a black background. To decide which will be most effective, we will have to look at it in more detail whilst filming.

Storyboard on PhotoPeach

Script.

Below is the rough script for our film opening. The camera movements and shots can be seen clearer on the storyboard in the post that follows this one.

Script for our film opening-

OPENING SCENE- Hands, knife and cloth covered in blood. Using the blooded cloth to attempt to clean the knife.

CREDIT –Careless Picture films.

Back to the scene of hands being cleaned by a sink and being scrubbed (Close up of hands and sink)

CREDIT– Directed and written by Bethany Eastman and Briony Watkins.

Cuts back to the scene of Jack Wilson staring into the directly into the camera crying.

MAIN TITLE- HITMAN (BLACKSCREEN WHICH FADES INTO THE NEXT SCENE AND LEADS INTO THE NEXT TEXT ON SCREEN- 1 month earlier AT THE BOTTOM LEFT OF THE SCREEN)

A landscape of Bristol which will be an establishing shot, tilt camera up then down for location change into an empty alleyway.

Man runs in from side of the entrance and others chasing him but run opposite way.

He stands for a few seconds and heavily breathing.

Cuts to close up of ringing phone then camera zooms out with the phone.

Jack: *nervous & stuttering* Wh-what?!

Cuts to The Boss in his office, talking on his landline.

The Boss: One more job and it’s over. No more. But if you don’t do it, well...

Cuts back to Jack in the alleyway, sat on the floor looking fed up.

Jack: B-but I’m retired! You said that the last job 5 years ago would be my last.

The Boss: Well, you should’ve never trusted me.

Jack: Fine. *sighs takes a deep breath and exhales* This, This will be my last job. Don’t bother trying to contact me again.

Cut back to a long shot of The Boss in his Office. Pans around from side angle to face on.

Hand moves towards phone to pick it up. The camera tilts up, following it to his face.

The Boss: He’s in.

Health and safety evidence.

 

To ensure that we film our opening following health and safety regulations, we have used a risk assessment to ensure that any precautions are met and dealt with before anything goes wrong. This can be seen below.

Pitch.

Pitch-

This film is about a retired Hitman, hence the name of the film. He is told to do one last job by his old boss, and the only thing making him doubt himself is his family. Selfless Jack has to face his last ever job in order to protect the ones that he loves, by the selfish boss who knows Jacks darkest secrets. You don’t know it yet, but The Boss has a surprise for Jack Wilson, as its not Jack that has secrets.

Character profiles-

Protagonist-Jack Wilson.

Jack is a man who has been caught up in the gangster business his whole life but he has had enough so he has retired. When the boss calls him and asks him to do one more job for him, Jack finds himself feeling confused and lost. He doesn’t know what to do, he desperately needs the money but he doesn’t want his wife and children to get hurt in any way. He is a character that we as the viewer sympathise with as we don’t want him to get hurt in any way and want to protect him in a sense. Jack is quite vulnerable and easily manipulated, but he still wants to put his family first and has a sensitive soul.

Antagonist= The Boss.

The Boss’ name is never revealed and he is a very mysterious character, as well as a dominating one. He tries to manipulate the inferior Jack, although Jack still has a strong love for his family who he holds close and will protect in any ways that he can. We dislike The Boss as he seems to be cruel and heartless, using his superiority to control Jack. He also has ‘cronies’ as a defence at all times, making him seem powerful and a character that you shouldn’t threaten or fight with. His costume also makes him seem superior as he will wear a suit in contrast to Jack’s more casual style. 

Raw footage of the locations.

These are videos of the locations that we recorded during our recce. They are not recorded to a very high standard.

The first video is from the first alleyway that we looked at and the second video is from the second alleyway. Photos from the recce can also be seen in a separate post.

Planning of music.

Planning the music proved to be a difficult task as we had to ensure that it wasn't copyrighted. I wanted the music to have a dark and mysterious tone, and it also has to be discreet so that it doesn't take over the scene and become too much of a focus point. This will fulfil the traditional use of non-diegetic music in British gangster films that I have noticed during my research stage. Therefore, we asked a musician to provide us with a digitally made track that fits these conditions. He fulfilled this successfully and we have a track to work with, which is provided below. It is very suitable as they have a great air of mystery and provide darkness, which fulfils our requirements exactly.

 

Initial ideas.

The mind map below shows our initial ideas. We had a variety of ideas, such as a heist and a story based on flashbacks, although we have preference for an idea using a flash-forward instead at the moment. We want an idea that followed the British gangster route but is also unique and different to the typical and already made films.



Working with my feedback so far.

I think that it will be beneficial for my to look at the feedback that I have had so far as this will allow me to know what I need to work on and how to make my work the best that it can be. Below is the feedback from my media studies teacher, who has informed me that I am currently working at a level 4.

'Fantastic research in to audience and you clearly show how this will support your planning. the voki and rate card are a nice visual demonstration of your target audience to support your survey. You have completed some really detailed research in to openings and conventions of the gangster genre. You have really considered the layout of your blog and embraced using new technologies to present your research too.'

From this I understand that my work so far is to a high quality and to ensure that I achieve the best grade possible, I must keep my work to this high standard. This target is what I hope to achieve through planning my film opening.