Title Screen Animation

I wanted to animate my own title screen because there were no inbuilt title screens that I wanted to use in iMovie. I animated it so the title is shown in a dark space before doors close in front of it making it 'Trapped'. This is what I wanted due to the film being called trapped. I wanted the door to look similar to a school door so I added two posters. One advertising a school dance, immediately giving the location of the film, and the other having the title and the director (Me). A key slides in and locks the door before falling off of the screen. This further provokes the thought of being tapped. 

To animate this, I used similar techniques to before where I changed things bit by bit in each frame manually and I also used motion tweening. This is when you give the computer the start and the end location of a symbol and the amount of frames that you want the motion to take place, and it automatically fills the frames with the motion wanted. 

Film Production Introduction

I animated my introduction to my short film because all film productions have been animated. I wanted to have my production company at the start, followed by the title of my film. I want my production company to resemble school or a media lesson so I decided to have my production company drawn onto the screen using a pencil. The background is a piece of lined paper that has been doodled on. I wanted this because it is a piece of media created within school and I wanted the production to resemble that. My production company is called Amazal because this is a mix of my name (being the head of the production) and the word amazing. It is also a short and snappy title that can easily be remembered by the audience who watch it. 

To do this, I drew Amazal on a layer and every time I created a new frame, I deleted a part of the text and then reversed all of the frames when I was done so it would draw. I drew the background on a separate layer and made a pencil symbol which I moved to the correct position for each frame to make it look like it is being drawn by the pencil. I changed the opacity on the doodles to make then remain in the background without standing out too much and taking the attention away from the production name.

Editing the more complex shot

To edit the shot, I needed to make a green screen with black banners either side. This is for the footage would sit in the middle but the black will remain at the edges. I wanted this effect to make it look like this part was shot on a phone so it looked like the character was filming himself in the trapped situation he is in.

I imported the green screen background that I made and edited my footage to the length that I wanted and pieced them together.









Finally, I added white text over it with hashtags to make it look like it was uploaded to a social media like Snapchat. The hashtags are a stereotypical thing that teenagers do and so it the use of social media which is why I want to include it.

Practicing A More Complex Shot

I wanted a shot where the actor holds the camera towards himself to parody 127 hours. I thought this would be funny because the students have only been stuck for about an hour but they are making a really dramatic situation out of it. Once I had filmed it, I thought that it would be good to make the screen look as if it was shot using a phone which is what the character would be using to film himself in this situation. This was also harder to edit because iMovie doesn't have a setting to make the screen look narrow.

Rehearsal and Practicing

I decided to practice some of the shots for my scenes so that I could test what it looks like and also so I can have a practice editing the footage. I only filmed small amounts of my script and I didn't get all of the shots that I wanted to practice with so I just had to make do with what I got. I replaced some shots that I want to use as a temporary transition between my main footage. During the time that Aaron is talking (the person who is off screen), I will have a shot of him separately. This section only needed some basic editing.

London Location Hunting

After looking around London, I have realised that there is nowhere down there that I would like to use for my magazine or poster. This is because the area seems to have similar buildings to Liverpool which is much closer and also, the area was way too busy for me to able to take a clear shot of anywhere but in Liverpool, I know of quieter locations where I am able to take shots of locations or actors, if need be, without being disturbed by other people.

Final Draft of Script

This is the final draft of my script. I happy happy with the content and I think it appropraitely fits the audience that I am aiming to entertain. There is no adult language, there are parodies of classic films that people will recognise even though they may have not even watched the original and the humour is immature. If adults happen to watch the film with their kids, they may be amused by parody moments because their is a much higher chance of them having seen the film. There are red underlined words and green underlined words because the word publishing software didn't recognise people's names, slang that I wanted to use or shortened sentences.

Draft Schedule

26/11/15 - Make the schedule for my project.

27/11/15 - Finalise my script.

02/12/15 - Location hunting in London for my poster and magazine article.

09/12/15 - Rehearsing with the actors a few of the scenes.

10/12/15 - Rehearsing the other scenes with the actors.

11/12/15 - Filming a few of the more complex shots.

15/12/15 - Practicing the editing of the complex shots.

Mise-On-Scene Costume

Because my characters are going to be young college students, I will have my actors be dressed neat and tidy in smart casual clothing. They can wear buttoned shirts, black trousers, dark jeans and/or nice dresses. The actors that I have chosen wear this during school time anyway so there might not be any need for a costume change. There may be a few little things to be added or removed but because my actors are students and it will be most likely filmed during or after school, my actors will already be ready for filming. Leon will be wearing his outfit tidily whereas Aaron will look a little scruffy with a tie that is loose and maybe the top buttons of his shirt undone. This is to immediately give the characters a look that can match their personality and gives the audience a chance to make a judgement on the characters just by looking at them.

Animation Practice

I use Adobe Flash Professional to animate because this is the software that I am used to using and it is also known as one of the best animation softwares. To get drawings or shapes to animate, you can either move it bit by bit for each frame manually or you can turn the object into a symbol.

Once it is a symbol, you can create a new frame with the shape in a different position and create a motion tween between the frames.







Flash will then automatically move the shape during the number of frames that have been motion tweened. The shape can have a number for the ease which means it will either start or finish by moving more slowly than normal. To do this, each frame jst has less movements between them so that it looks like it is moving slowly.




I had made the frames per second be 25 because this is the number of frames per second that is normally on the TV. The video will be 30 frames per second but the animation will be 25. This shouldn't be a problem because video editing softwares can play at both frames per second.

Each frame can be separately drawn and by using the onion skin technique in the last image, you can see the previous frames and can make judgements on how the next frame should look by looking at the previous movements. 

Introduction Timing (i Movie Practice)

I wanted to practice an introduction for my short film so that I can get used to using iMovie and so that I could try different timings with the locations shots that I want to take. I want to film my short film all in one location which is a convention that I have found to be in a lot of short films. Because of this, I want the location shots to immediately set the scene of the school. I downloaded a few images that I intend on recreating in my school but I just wanted to practice with the timing and how the clips fit with the song. 

Mise-On-Scene - Props

For my short film, I will need to gather or make a few props. I will need a tennis ball that can be used to bounce of the wall during 'The Great Escape' parody shot. I will also need a deck of cards so I can make a house of cards during the shot where we can see the boredom in the characters. Finally, I want to recreate the face on the volleyball from 'Castaway' on a tennis ball. I will make a tennis ball with a red hand print painted on it with a face and I will add some sort of 'hair' to the top by using cotton wool. 

Transitions and Effects

For my practice introduction, I tried different transitions. These all effect the times of the footage in different ways because some transitions made two different pieces of footage overlap whereas other transitions don't change the time because it doesn't make the footage overlap. I like to use the transition which fades to black between shots because the footage doesn't overlap. When I take my actual shots, I don't want the footage to overlap because it will look messy when there are people moving about in them. I want clear transitions like this because it looks more professional. 

Shots Order

I am not going to film my shots in the order they are in the storyboard. This is because I want to get the shots with more people in during the school time or during a time that everyone is available which is a lot easier to do than organising a time that 10 people are all able to work together. I am going to film location shots during the school time so there is footage of PE classes on the field and lessons in classrooms. I will then recreate these shots with an empty classroom and field to show the contrast and to show that time has moved on. I will then film the shot with all of the students walking down the stairs. This is so those students/actors can leave once it is done rather than having to wait for their scene. This is also the reason that I am going to film the shot with the awkward boy walking down the stairs. He can then leave once it is done leaving the two main characters to get all of the main footage.

Script Drafting

I have drafted my script multiple times now; making slight changes each time. I changed the script originally because I wanted to correct a few mistakes that I had made. I then showed the script draft to my 1st assistant director and we looked over it together and added little bits and took little bits away. My actors have also looked over my most recent draft and they are also happy with the quality.

Taking Practice Shots Of Locations

 There were three possible stairways that I wanted to use during the filming of my short film in my school. The first staircase looks like this. After taking the shots, I realise that this staircase was quite dark and narrow. I don't think I can get the shots I want with people in because of how narrow it is. There also wasn't a lot of space for the little extra things that the actors will do like building a house of cards or bouncing a ball off of the wall. I got the shot from the front of the staircase and a shot from the top because these are the shots that I want to be able to take during the filming.

This second staircase was a lot brighter which is god because I want to be able to see my actors. Once again, I took a shot from the front then a shot of the door from above. I want to be able to show students walking out of the door which is why I like this shot because there is room for enough actors to walk out while still be able to show the door and location. there was a lot of space available for the little extra things that I want the actors to do.  

 I took this low angle shot because I want this shot during the time of the awkward boy walking down the stairs. I think this shot will clearly show the boy walking down the stairs as well as making it comical because he will look slightly intimidating from this angle even though he is the complete opposite.

 I took a few extra location shots that I want to show in my short film to show that the location is a school. I like this display because it is bright and colourful and contains students in the photos.

 This is the shot of the field that I want to take with a PE class on it. 

 This is the final staircase that I considered using because of the lighting. There is a lot of natural light here which is good to see the actors. Although there is a wall, most of this room has glass walls, so when filming shots, I have to be aware of the weather because if it changes during some shots that I have filmed out of order, it will look silly when the shots are arranged in the correct order.

Again this area is good because there is a lot of space to watch the students leave through the door as well as space to make a tower of cards and bouncing a ball off of the wall.

I want a shot of the school bell when it rings because I want to show it at the start of the film to show the school day has finished.

Locations Discussion

We have sat as a group and discussed the possible locations that we can use for each of our chosen briefs. In my case, I have based all of my short film in school with teenagers as the actors. Because of this, all of my shots will be in or around my school. The furthest location for me will probably be standing outside of the school to get a shot of the main entrance  because everything I want a shot of is in the school. This makes the location slightly easier for me compared to others because I don't need to travel and have my actors meet in specific locations because my actors will already be in school and we don't need to waste time travelling. A problem I may encounter however will be that because it is a school. other students may pass by or disrupt the filming process. Considering this, I have decided that I will film after school where there are a lot less trespassers to worry about and we won't disturb any lessons during the school day. Some of my shots will need to be shot during the school day because I wan't shots of full classrooms and students playing sport on the field. These shots will then be replicated without the students to show the change in time.

'Happy Little pill' License

The song that I had decided on (Happy Little Pill by Troye Sivan) has been copyrighted and is owned by Universal Music Australia. On the webpage for Universal Music Australia, there is a contact page with the information on how to contact for various things. I filled in the information for an email for a request for the licence for use of the song. I explained that I only wanted to use the first verse and that we would appreciate it if we could have it for free.

The email read:

Dear Sir or Madam,

 We am currently creating a short film for my media studies A level coursework. The short film will be called 'Trapped' and is being made for entertainment rather than profit. We have found that you are the owner of the copyright to one of our favourite songs 'Happy Little Pill' by Troye Sivan. We have a low budget for the making of my short film and hope that you would allow us permission to use only the first verse of the song without any charge. We would appreciate it very much and once the film is completed, we can send you one of the first copies of 'Trapped' as a thank you for the license. If a fee is required, please let us know as soon as possible so we can arrange for the payment and if the song cannot be licensed then please contact us as soon as possible so changes can be made to our artistic choices. 

You can reach us by replying to the email currently being used, call 0151 638 2800 or you can post/mail to The Oldershaw Academy, Valkyrie Road, Wallasey, Wirral, England, CH45 4RJ. 

Thank you for your help. We look forward to hearing from you.

Very truly yours,

Allan Unsworth

Introduction Shots Planning

The very start of my short film will be the title and production company animated. After this, I want some shots of the school to specify to the audience that the location is a secondary school. I searched for images on the internet that I am going to try and duplicate and timed them in iMovie to fit the music. The shots I intend to use are of a corridor, a field, a classroom, a display on the wall, a school bell and the stairway that I am going to use to film all of the story. These shots will clearly show that the short film is set in a school because they are obvious stereotypical school locations and objects that everyone can recognise.

Song/Music Choices Confirmed

I have browsed the internet for a lot of different types of music to use for my different shots. I used the website http://incompetech.com/wordpress/ to search for music within categories. I have found this website to be much more useful than other websites for music. The music is all loyalty free as long as I use the name of the artist in the credits of my short film. 

I still want the start of my short film to have the song 'Happy Little Pill' by Troye Sivan. I have chosen a song named 'Disappointment' for the times when the characters are bored because the song is slow and depressing. 'For The Fallen' will be used for when Ben starts his big dramatic apology because the music has a big build up before the immediate silence that follows for the awkwardness. A music piece named 'Hitman' will be used when the characters start getting ready to open the door because it sounds very action based and sounds like the characters are preparing for a big conquer (even though they are only opening a door). Finally, the song I chose for the credits is called 'Laconic Granny'. I want to use this because it sounds like a silly song that highlights the idiocy of Kevin as he shuts himself back in after escaping. 

My song choices all sound like they are from huge dramatic moments from films which is why I want to use them to emphasise the comedic moments where the characters are in basic situations that are being presented as overly dramatic and silly.

Song/Music Choices

For the start of the video, including the introduction, I want to have happy little pill playing. This song is by Troye Sivan and the first verse has lyrics that can be associated with school. The song is actually about drugs but that is only when the chorus starts and I want it to stop after the first verse. Because this song is not a loyalty free piece of music, I am going to email the label for use of the first verse during my short film.

After this, I don't specifically know what I want as the music however I have an idea of the kind of music I want. For the scene during the time they are bored, I want a slow song that sounds a little depressing to set the mood. Maybe a song with violins, cellos or tubas because these are stereotypically the instruments that make these kinds of songs.

For the ending, I want an inspirational sounding piece of music. I want the music to sound inspiring for a big dramatic build up and apology before the awkward silence that follows when the other student walks down the stairs. The music will then start up again for more inspiration and dramatic build up. Just after this, I want dramatic heroic and action sounding music. This is to add the comical effect during the time they open the door. It will have a big action build up before the basic movement of opening a door. I want the music to sound very dramatic to not only clearly set the mood but also for a funny effect because the students will be apologising and doing basic tasks but the music will make it seem like the characters are conquering their fears and overcoming a huge situation. This contrast will be comical.

Finally, I want a comedic sounding music for the credits. I need an upbeat song that may be a bit bouncing and silly to listen to. This is so the stupid moment at the end can be made even sillier and therefor funnier which I need to keep the whole thing comical.

Draft Storyboard

I have made a storyboard for the shots, angles and music that I will use and in what order they will come. The quality of the scans aren't great but I will still have the paper copy with me when filming. I will not film in this order though because there are more practical ways to film it. At the beginning, there are a lot of shots that need to show a school day in action so I will do those first but the next shot I want to film would be the shot with the awkward boy. This is so that actor is free to go (once it is done and I am happy with it) rather than having to wait for his scene to come up. This will keep him happy and willing to do the scene and I want my actors to remain happy so that the production process is not boring and stressful. I have also noted when my music choices will start and stop at various points before another instrumental continues to play.

Trapped Reviews and Audience Research

I have shown my 1st draft of Trapped to multiple people to get feedback on how to improve it. I have shown the possible actors the script and they said it was witty and made them laugh and they would be happy to be in it. This was good because this is what I was aiming to do and I want my actors to be happy to film so they are willing to work. My first assistant director, Harry, said the script would make an enjoyable performance to watch but there were a few little mistakes to fix. After editing the script to make it have less errors and add in a little change that I thought of, He and I were both happy with the content. Finally I showed my teacher for some critical feedback and even he said it was great. I just need to think of timing so that it will be around 5 minutes including the opening and end. Because of this, I have practiced reciting the script with Harry and left moments where I will include other footage so we could have a rough idea of timing and it worked pretty well. It took about 4 minutes when we paused for the appropriate amount of times where the missing footage will be and with the introduction and credits, it should be around the 5 minutes needed for the brief.

I asked 25 people to read the script and tell me what genre it is, what age they think would watch it and what genders would watch it. 

16 people said that the script was a comedy and the other 9 said that it was a parody. This is god because I wanted it to be both and they were the only answers given. 10 people believe the script is aimed at ages 12-15. After asking why, they said it was because the script was silly which is why it is funny and because there are no swears or adulterated language during the whole thing.

 Finally, I asked what gender would you think would watch it. The majority said it was for males because it seemed like the kind of immature humour boys would enjoy. The other 8 people said it was for both but no one said it was specifically for females. This is good again because I targeted my script towards more masculine humour which females can too enjoy but it is not necessarily aimed towards them.

Trapped - Draft 1

This is my first draft to Trapped. I have named the boys Ben and Kevin for now but once I know for sure who the actors are going to be, I will change the names to their real names for the ease of the actors. I have an idea of who the actors will be and I have already asked someone, who is willing to be an actor in it, to just proof read it and see if it works well.

Script Choice - Trapped

This is the most practical idea for me to do as a short film because the location is easy to access to film in (a school), it is suitable for the actors to be students and I have the most ideas for this. I decided to change the name to just the word 'Trapped' because one worded titles are punchier, remembered and get straight to the point of the film.

First of all, the introduction can have my made up production and film title screens. I can animate these because all good film titles are digital.

The story line will revolve around two characters. Both characters will bush the button so the automatic door will open but it stays shut. Both boys panic a little and press the button more but the door still doesn't open and so the story will show what these boys do to get out. Both boys will have no pass or key card to get through the other door and so they decide to wait it out. During their wait, they can parody famous and recognisable movie situations to add a little humour. These will be:

• Bouncing a tennis ball as if in a prison cell (The Great Escape)
• Build a house of cards (Film cliche when someone is bored)
• Using a phone camera to record a video diary (127 hours)
• Drawing a face on a tennis ball named Wilson (Castaway).

At the end of the story, there will be a dramatic build up during an apology which is immediately ruined by an awkward boy who will interrupt buy walking down the stairs between them and will walk out of the door. It is revealed that the door has been unlocked the whole time. The boys will then continue their dramatic and inspirational speech nonetheless, and they will both put their hands on the door and push it open slowly. One boy will realise he forgot something and will rush back in to grab it only to find the door close behind him. He will press the button to open the door and when it doesn't work, will rest his head on the window with shame and regret. This will be the end that will lead into the credits.

Throughout the story, there will also be funny lines and jokes just to add a little to the humour but this will happen when I write a script.

Script Ideas

I'm Only Sixteen

• Everyone in the world is a sixteen year old.
• Parent and child have an argument which results in the final line being 'I'm Only Sixteen'
• Both the parent and child will be 'sixteen' to give a funny perspective and comparison to each other.

Trapped Inside School

• Two students will be trapped inside of a school building due to a locked door.
• It can parody easily recognised film scenes and concepts for highly dramatic situations even though the situation is nowhere near as dramatic.
• Tense moments where the tension is broken by something awkward.
• The students can make a normal exit with a dramatic build up of inspiration to leave, followed by a casual exit for comical effect.

Love Hate Love

• A boy is in a relationship with a girl.
• The girl is spotted cheating on him with someone else by the boys close friend.
• He then tells the boy about it and he comforts him.
• It ends with both of the boys kissing.
• A twist ending and appeals to the LGBT community.

Short Film Genres

I have watched more short films on the internet to help me decide what genre of film I want to make. A short film in particular that I enjoyed watching was a drama. This video however was nearly half an hour gives the characters opportunities to introduce themselves and give their personality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NY-VaemQ7Y

For me to do a drama piece, I think I would need a lot more time than 5 minutes so I can have a story with characters that the audience can have time to make an opinion about them.

I also liked this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

This film was a comedy sketch and was only 7 minutes which makes me think that it is achievable to make a 5 minute comedy. The comedy in this is very subtle and only people with a particular taste for this kind of comedy will actually find it funny. This is something that I want to make. Comedies are also the easiest to make into a short film because comedies have big characters with personalities that are immediately recognisable. I need to be able to introduce characters fast to have a short film be only 5 minutes long and for this reason mostly, I am going to make a comedy sketch.