Welcome To My AS Media Blog! This is the blog tracking my film opening production for AS Media Coursework. This is a re-submission of work started in September 2016. I have kept many of the original dates, but substantially revised posts, especially adding material on audience, genre and within the evaluation questions.
SHOTS OF RAPE VICTIM 1. Dutch angledLS/ELS of rape victim running through underpass.
2. LS/ELS of rape victim running out of underpass.
2. POV shot from rape victim's perspective running (with Gimbal/GoPro 4 in hand).
3. Panning long shots of rape victim running up muddy hill.
4. Panning long shots of rape victim running on the track/lane just past the underpass.
5. Panning long shots of rape victim running round the bend from track/lane to the muddy hill. 6. Panning medium shots (hips to feet) of rape victim running before going through underpass. 7. Close up of feet running up muddy hill after falling over/tripping up. 8. Dutch, high angled long shot of rape victim stopping running then looking back to see if the rapists have caught up with her. 9. Long shot in underpass of rape victim running by. 10. Worm's eye view long shot of rape victim running on track/lane just pass the underpass. 11. POV low angled medium long shot/medium shot from rape victim's perspective of the two rapists/one of the rapists. SHOTS OF RAPISTS
1. LS/ELS of rapists running through underpass
2. Low angledPOV MS/LS of rape victim looking up from floor at the two rapists.
3. Panning long shots of rapists running up muddy hill.
4. Panning long shots of rapists running on the track/lane.
5. Panning long shots of rapists running round the bend from track/lane to the muddy hill.
6. POVtracking shot from one of the rapist's perspective running (with Gimbal/GoPro 4 in hand).
7. Worm's eye view long shot of rapists running through underpass. 8. LS/ELS of rapists running out of underpass. 9. Panning medium long shot of rapists running on the track/lane just past the underpass.
LS/ELS of Emma/me continually running down the path.
Over the shoulder shot of Emma/me hiding behind a tree.
Mid angle ELS/LS of Alex and Richard running into forest.
Stalkerish shots of Richard sneaking up behind Emma/me with GoPro.
Recording Sounds
Record sounds of Emma screaming and scared out of breath.
Record sounds of Alex screaming and scared out of breath.
In this podcast I have said: 1. I have filmed and edited the first sample scene of the lair scene. I think it went quite well. Also, I need audience feedback on this scene. 2. That I am filming the second sample scene for the rape chase scene on the 21st of January at 12:00 (tomorrow). 3. At the start, I wanted Wyatt to be one of the rapists in this rape chase scene but it turns out he can't make it so therefore he won't be one of the rapists in my film opening. 4. That there is an issue for the shoot tomorrow because two people from the year above (year 13) have taken out the GoPro that I really need and want to use for some shots in the rape chase scene. 5. That I have to film the third scene (party scene) at some point next week because I have a deadline for all the filming to be done for the Monday after next week (30th of January). 6. I need to buy many props for the third scene (party scene) such as vodka bottles, a lemon etc...
Some of this was taken from Sophie Rasmussen's blog from AS last year (2015 - 2016).
Stuart McPhail Hall was a Jamaican-born cultural theorist and sociologist who lived and worked in the United Kingdom from 1951. Stuart Hall argues that audience 'readings' are individual to them and this level of meaning is as important as the producer's encoded meaning. He came up with a model suggesting three ways of reading (how we may read a media text):
Preferred Reading - Where the reader fully accepts the preferred reading so that the code seems natural and transparent. This matches producers. Contested or Negotiated Reading - The reader partly believes the code and broadly accepts the preferred reading, but sometimes modifies it in a way, which reflects their own position, experience and interest. This matches some. Oppositional Reading - The readers social position places them in an oppositional relation to the dominant code. They reject the reading (fundamentally different).
POSSIBLE INFLUENCE FOR MY FILM I may use self distribution to distribute my film. Self distribution is the process of distributing your film on your own. For explaining self-distribution, I have decided to make a podcast: ...
...
Wandering Rose/Demon Baby ...
Coz Greenop, self-financed and self-produced his directorial horror genre debut, 'Wandering Rose'. It was filmed in Scotland, following an offer of assistance from Scottish agencies and failure to get such co-operation from Yorkshire agencies. It was shot in just 12 days and produced for £30k. He decided to take a financial gamble of putting his film in the Cannes Film Festival (highly prestigious). Along with this, he arranged a London screening. From doing this he got distributor deals for DVD and VoD releases. But, the US distributor decided to change the film's name to 'Demon Baby'.
... 'Wandering Rose'/'Demon Baby' Trailer: ...
... Advantages of Self-Distribution: 1. I would have full control over the rights of my film and choose where I want it to be exhibited as well. 2. I wouldn't have to give any of the money I get from the sales of the film to my film distributor.
Disadvantages of Self-Distribution: 1. It could be very time consuming due to extra work and would take time away from working on other aspects of the film. 2. I would need to be trained legally so I could be sure that the distribution rights that I am signing would not prevent me from exhibiting my film somewhere else.
Film Examples that used Self-Distribution Warp, when self distributing their film 'Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee' came up with good marketing ideas, for example creating downloadable Christmas cards and also they collapsed the cinema release window as they promoted a fake cinematic release (trailer) campaign to advertise the DVD release by getting reviews.
Another good example of self distribution is Hinterland by Harry Macqueen (2015). Harry Macqueen rented a cinema primarily in the hope that the screening would attract a newspaper review (four-walling). All the films that have been mentioned all have VoD releases too.
For the films Four Lions, Demon BabyandHinterland, the marketing technique of touring the director alongside the Q and A events was used. This was key in creating the buzz that helped Four Lions receive an extended distribution following their unexpected high box office.
The films Halloween and Paranormal Activity were also self-distributed.
Le Donk and Scor-Zay-Zee Warp, when self distributing their film 'Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee' came up with good marketing ideas, for example creating downloadable Christmas cards and they collapsed the cinema release window as they promoted a fake cinematic release campaign to advertise the DVD realise by getting interviews. This is proof that even if you are self distributing, unusual ideas can work massively in your favour. But as I have minimal funding (micro budget) there is limited chance that I would get distribution. A good example of self distribution is Hinterland by Harry Macqueen in 2015 and Warp's All Tomorrow's Parties which was funded by the crowd. The before mentioned all have VoD releases. 'Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee' cleverly faked a cinematic release to create buzz. Many use this technique of touring the director along side the Q and A events. This marketing technique was used for the films Four Lions, Demon Babyand Hinterland. This was key in creating the buzz that helped Four Lions receive an extended distribution following their unexpected high box office. How to self-distribute your film
I did some research into self-distribution and I found a guide to self distributionon the New York Film Academy's website. 1. Get Attention While streaming and video-on-demand are growing in popularity, booking movie theaters is still vital for most unseen movies to get seen. If you haven’t picked up a distributor after major festival screenings, it’s probably up to you. Your first goal should be to find a talented graphic artist who shares your vision. Make art—posters, flyers, etc.—for your film that catches the eye while also conveying its tone or mood or theme. You’ll also need a skilled editor to craft a movie trailer that will get your movie noticed. Art and trailers aren’t just necessary for social media or buzz, they will also grab attention in theater lobbies and as windows to your film on streaming websites. Most importantly though, they’ll help you raise money.
2. Get Money Distribution is more expensive than you would probably guess, and depending on your production’s budget, could actually cost more than it did to make the movie. Renting theaters and paying for prints and ad materials rack up big costs. You may also find the need to hire assistance even if you’re distributing on your own. Use platforms like Kickstarter and more traditional grassroots campaigns to raise initial startup cash. Use your sweet trailer and posters to make people want to get involved. Find those interested in what you have to say or patrons of the arts or wealthier citizens who would like to see their name in the credits!
3. Get Ads You’ve got the art and you’ve got the money to make prints so it’s time to get the word out. Theaters want ad materials well in advance because if people aren’t seeing your movie, it’s costing them money too. Ideally you could keep them in good shape and reuse them if you’re moving from city to city, but it’s hard to keep perishable material safe in the hands of strangers. You’ll probably just have to pay for more copies, so be prepared. And remember to get them early.
4. Get Social Social media is the best way to gain buzz around your film. Use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram—anything you can get your hands on that will get your story to the masses. Share your trailer and your cool poster. Post photos from the set or from your tour or time at festivals. Post your thoughts, even if unrelated to the film, just to keep your name and the name of your project in the air. Also, use your networks to find your audience. What cities or types of people seem to gravitate towards your project? When you self-distribute your distribution is limited—that makes efficient targeting very important.
5. Set Good Dates Choosing the right release dates for your theatrical and online releases are key. You want to avoid the Fall and early Winter because the films with awards season buzz are already hogging the spotlight. You’ll also want to avoid sharing dates with major releases that are going to suck up all the audience, or, conversely, release concurrently with a film you think will turn off your potential audience so they’ll see yours instead. Counter-programming is a vital tactic used by distributors—if everyone is seeing the new sci-fi blockbuster, your low key drama would make a great alternative. And don’t forget to think small. If you’re doing one- or two-time screenings, choose Mondays and Tuesdays, days when an audience isn’t likely to be doing something else.
6. Go On Tour Touring with your film may seem old school—it was originally done to save money on costly film prints, and has fallen out of fashion as digital prints have made distribution cheaper. But it’s a great way to focus resources and meet your audience in person, forging a stronger connection. Use social media and your art to keep locals in the know and go city-by-city, staggering your dates while building word of mouth.
7. Do Q&As If you’re touring with your film, don’t just make it a series of run-of-the-mill screenings. Organize a Q&A, talking to your audience after the screening. Guest speakers make screenings more exciting and give people more incentive to come out and see it. You can also engage better with your audience and learn from them, increasing your buzz as well as teaching you how to better target a larger crowd.
8. Stream Once you feel your theatrical run has run its course, you should get your film online to stream. You can also make home video releases on DVD and Blu-Ray, though the format is quickly falling out of fashion. Distributing online later in the game is smart because it prevents potential piracy and forces people to come out to the theaters to see your film first. However, once you do go online, you’ll reach a much, much larger audience, especially considering all those who wanted to see your film but weren’t in the cities of your release. You can post on sites like YouTube, which isn’t as discriminating as companies like Netflix or Amazon, though it may give your film a less “professional” demeanor. But it’s a start.
9. Team Up If you can’t make headway with the big companies like Netflix and Amazon, there are interesting and innovative organizations and companies you might have better luck with. Groups like Indieflix and Createspace back your film with screenings and streaming and help raise awareness of your project. Some, like Indieflix, have models that allow you to get paid for each minute your film is streamed. For self-distributors, organizations like these are becoming a must.
10. Be Prepared to Work If all this sounds like a lot of work, it’s because it is. You may be physically and emotionally drained after finally getting your project on film or video, but if you’re going to distribute yourself you have to prepare for a great deal more effort. There’s a reason those with cash will pay someone else to do it for them. But if you’re an artist with no other choice, you’ll have to muscle through it. It’s not all bad though—self-distribution allows you to connect with your audience in a way many filmmakers never get to. And what’s making art and movies if not an attempt to connect?
COSTUME: Long sleeved grey T-shirt/top Black shorts/jeans Trainers Black socks
Female Killer (Emma Elväng): COSTUME: Black sparkly short tight dress Fishnet black tights Black high heels Make-up: Red nail polish
Scream King 2 (was Wyatt Uppenberg, now Richard Dannenberg):
COSTUME: Black big boots Blue jeans Stubble/beard Green t shirt Black hoodie
Scream Queen 1 (Aubrey Krizan): COSTUME: Tight long/short sleeved top Skinny Jeans - blue or a short mini skirt
MAKE-UP: Mascara Hair down Eye shadow Lipstick
Foundation
Eyebrows plucked and filled
Scream Queen 2 (Orla Hogan):
COSTUME: Tight long/short sleeved top Skinny Jeans - blue or a short mini skirt
MAKE-UP: Mascara Hair down Eye shadow Lipstick
FoundationEyebrows plucked and filled
PROPS FOR SCENES: Lair Scene:
Red Meat (beef) Tools: saws, hammers, knives, drills A set of small candles 4 tall, big white candles One big, wide, red candles Powdered sugar (1kg) Food colouring (red) Red meat container with blood left in it. Matches to light the candles Blindfold Masking tape Cables Rope/Piece of rag to tie Alex's hands together.
Party Scene: Beer cans, empty and full. Vodka bottles, empty and full. A Lemon to slice. Cigarettes, used and still in pack. Ash trays, full of ash. Maybe a rolled up, used joint (what looks like a joint). Party cups (red or white) Maybe a birthday cake to be brought in the house on surprise. Candles for birthday cake Matches to light the candles Speaker/s Knife to slice the lemon
Rape Chase Scene: Paper bag to put over victim's head.
SYNOPSIS A female gets revenge on two guys who raped her in a forest many years ago by killing them at a birthday party. She also kills the rapists' girlfriends for loving them and being together with them.
FILM INFLUENCES Jennifer's Body: There is a female killer who kills boys because she was possessed by a demon. She lures them in with her flirty, sexy way of being and her looks, then she kills them alone somewhere. The idea of the victims being males is where I got some inspiration from.
Friday the 13th Remake: The entire film opening of this is very similar to what I want to put in my film opening (a chase scene in a forest of a girl running away from two guys who are rapists). The idea of cross cutting between shots of titles and the chase scene is what I want to incorporate in my film opening at the very start.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: I got the idea of a girl getting revenge on men who treat women badly from this film. Lisabeth Salander (the main protagonist) works with a male journalist to solve the many murders of some women who were also raped by their killer. I mainly took the idea of a woman having revenge on men for treating women the way they do (as lesser, as below them). I wanted that to be the main message of my film opening, that women aren't lesser than men, but that they can also be killers and overpower/dominate men the way men do to women; I wanted to go against the norms of the slasher genre where the killer is always a man and the victims are always busty, topless, sexually active women. I also decided to change the final girl into a final boy.
CAST Female Killer: Orla Hogan Final Boy: Richard Dannenberg Rapist/Scream King 1: Alex Elliott Rapist/Scream King 2: Wyatt Uppenberg Scream Queen 1: Orla (Wyatt's girlfriend) Scream Queen 2: Aubrey Krizan (Alex's girlfriend) Rape victim: Emma Elväng
Character Names: Final Boy: Louis Prescott Rapist/Scream King 1 (Alex): Steve Knight Rapist/Scream King 2 (Wyatt): Brad Storch Scream Queen 1 (Aubrey): Casey Leigh Scream Queen 2 (Orla): Jamie Lee Riley
LOCATIONS
Forest in Sandweiler, Luxembourg.
House birthday party in my house in Sandweiler, Luxembourg.
Underground cellar/basement in my house
SOUND
Suspenseful music
Heartbeat sounds
Motionless in White - Sinematic (make my own version of this)
Thuds
FCPX Sound: Basement hit fx
FCPX Sounds: Bass fx 02 & 03
FCPX Sound: Breath female 2
TITLES
Eroded font
Red, black and/or white font
Knife slashing sound with it
Knife slashing entrance of titles
Plain white font
Horror, blood dripping font
Titles will be cut between the first scene of the film opening (the rape chase scene).
COSTUMES Female Killer:
Black leather gloves
Black hoodie
Black plaid skirt
Black spiked high heels
Black stockings/thigh socks
Final Boy: Rapist Guy/Scream King 1: Rapist Guy/Scream King 2: Scream Queen 1: Scream Queen 2: Raped Girl: WITHIN THE ALLOWED 2 MINUTES - THE DETAILS There will be use of cross-cutting within the rape chase scene - between the flashback of the rape scene and the present killing scene. Rape scene: This scene will be set back in time by a year or so, therefore I will signify this through a black and white colouring effect. There will be a girl running away from two guys chasing her in a forest. So, there will be fast action cuts, shakily camera movements and loud, suspenseful, action sound effects. Eventually when the guys catch up to her they push her down and you see close up shots/mid shots of them unbuttoning her jeans, pulling her jeans down, pulling up her shirt a bit and pulling down her bra straps. Then, finally you will see one of the guys putting a bag over her head and that would be a fade to black - this would resemble the sight of the girl being raped. Titles will be placed in between this whole scene to nicely cut suspenseful, action scenes into smaller scenes. The way that I will produce this entire scene will be quite similar to the film opening in Friday the 13th Remake, where there are cross cuts between flashback scenes from the ending of the original film Friday the 13th and titles cutting these scenes up to create more suspense.
Party scene: There will be a house birthday party that a lot of school students are at, then the two rapists (scream kings - Wyatt and Alex E) with their girlfriends (scream queens - Aubrey and Orla) arrive at the party. Also, with them there will be another guy who is respectable, kind and a bit nerdy (final boy - Richard).
Lair scene: There will be tools, blood, knives, meat, worktops, clinical tiled floor, dirt and plastic sheeting in this setting (the lair). Also in a corner of the room there will be someone tied up with ropes (e.g. wrists tied together behind back and knees tied together). In this scene the female killer will come walking down the stairs, with the sound of high heels coming down the stairs and you will see over the shoulder shots of the wall in the lair that is covered with photographs of victims the killer has killed and wants to kill. The audience will also see shots of the killer hooded, with black leather gloves on, slicing some meat harshly. With every slice/hit of the meat there will be a thud sound that is scary and loud. After the killer has killed the victim in the corner, the audience will see an over the shoulder shot of the female killer marking a large cross on one of the photographs on the wall (of Alex E).
