Filming update

The recent change in weather made it impossible for me to record my film this weekend as I planned due to transportation issues. Therefore, I have decided to involve new actors/actresses in my film that are in my family as opposed to college friends. The reason I have done this is because the college friends who I planned to be involved are currently not very reliable due to them having their own college coursework to complete, not living very close to me, etc. Therefore, I have opted to use older family member who have more free time and their own transportation, and are more unlikely to let me down.

Font Research and Drafts

An important feature I am including in my film is the text included throughout which will portray the dialogue of each actor/actress to an audience, due to the film being silent. This is an important and well known feature of most silent black and white films and therefore, there are certain codes and conventions which must be followed. I have researched a number of films which include this style of portraying dialogue to an audience, included a film dircted by Charlie Chaplin -  a main insperation for my own film.

The text included in Charlie Chaplin’s ‘City Lights’ is very simple thin styled writing, connotating the light heartedness and fun nature of the film and the actual dialogue (and it’s fun loving theme) that is being portrayed to an audience. Additionally, the use of the open and closed speech marks visually shows an audience instantly that the text is speech from the actor/actress who has just visually (not audibly) spoken in the film, instead of there being confusion between the text possibly being a title included in the film. The background image which the text is layered over has a smokey black and grey texture, which look familiar to a piece of artist's crete/cartridge paper.

Jess Robbin’s ‘The Lucy Dog’ (famously known for the first appearance of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy) title font is very thick and bold – this grabbing an audience’s attention in a way that that this text is obviously the title of a film as opposed to dialogue/name of the setting/etc. The full title is in capital letters, and each letter is perfectly aligned with the letter next to/either side of each individual letter. Similarly to the text included in Charlie Chaplin's City Lights, the background which the text is layered on has a smokey black and grey texture, which look familiar to a piece of artist's crete/cartridge paper. This being a similar feature which is included in a lot of silent films.

The text used in Fred Guiol’s ‘45 Minutes From Hollywood’ starring Hardy from the comedy due Laurel and Hardy is very different from the fonts used in the previous film fonts that I have researched. The font has been specifically chosen to connote the Hollywood element/theme of the film, using a well recognised style of font which is well recognised importantly by an audience. The background however, follows the similar connotations of the past two previous films I have researched, the background which the text is layered on has a smokey black and grey texture, which look familiar to a piece of artist's crete/cartridge paper. This being a similar feature which is included in a lot of silent films. The difference between this film's text shot and the two previous film's text shots I have analysed, the text has a boarder going all the way around it. This border looks a like a 'fancy' wooden photo frame without the glass or a photo, but instead the film's title. This, I think, is done to add importance to the title as well as making it clear to the audience the importance of this text by singling it out from other text included in the film.

This fan made silent black and white recreation of the famous film ‘Star Wars’ also follows the codes and conventions of 1920’s silent black and white films. The text used by the director is quite fancy and sophisticated looking due to the swirls. I believe however, this is not done purposely as this is an amateur made video that looks as if he has not

My Findings

I have found from my research that similar features can be seen with regards to the font and layout/appearance of the text included in silent black and white films. I have found that the background layer of the text shots are all based around the visual artistic image of crete/cartridge paper. Additionally, I have seen that the font used for the dialogue of the actor/actress speaking in the film is very different to the font used for the title of the film - this purposely done so that the audience can tell the difference between texts. Also, I have seen that specific style of fonts can portray a specific connotation to an audience like the importance of the text, the theme of the film, etc.

For these reasons, I have decided that I will style the font of my text shots around the theme of Italy where my film is set, this theme being shown to an audience through the connotations that the actual font will portray to them. The font I have chosen to use to do this, is from http://www.dafont.com/, a website which features a large number of useable fonts. The website which features a search bar in which (when I was reseraching usable fonts) I typed in key words relating to Italy to find fonts that I could possibly use. The key words I searched were: Italy, Italian and Pasta.
 

The font I have researched and decided to use for my text shots is called Italian Cursive, 16th c (as exampled below). I think that the font well connotates an Italian theme without being to 'in your face' obvious and is easily readable. Additionally, the font appears to look fairly old fashioned (obviously due to the font being created around the font used in the 16th century) and therefore, fits in with the time period my film is set in. 
 

For the title of my film, I decided to look on a different website as I couldn’t find a font which I felt I wanted to used on http://www.dafont.com/. The website I found to research a font for my title is www.fonts-lab.com, a website which includes a small number of free downloadable fonts. Luckily, I found a font that fitted the connotations which I felt were needed to be included for the title font in the section of the website which includes free downloadable text fonts.

Blogger Problems, Other Problems and Filming Update

At the moment I am seeing a lack of blog posts on my blog. The reason for this is I am finding it difficult to get on with the work that I have to do at college due to the lack of computers and laptops as well as working laptops in the media/film department at my college. Due to this, I am finding it slightly difficult to balance my written blog work and the recording of my film because of the fact that I am only finding the opportunity to do blog work at home when I should be focusing on the recording of my film as opposed to having the opportunity to do this work during my film college lessons. Unfortunately, at the moment there is no real resolution to this as unless the college decided to purchase more computers/laptops or try and convince someone with their own personal laptop to let me borrow it during college lesson times.

Additionally, the fact that my personal circumstances have recently changed, unfortunatley I am currently seeing a dip in the amount of work I am able to produce at the moment. However, due to the fact that I will not be coming into college from approximatley March onwards (as I will be doing college work at home en onwards, only coming into college for exams) I have decided that I will have my complete footage ready for editing by mid-way Feburary. The reason I have chosen this specific date:

• is because I will have an extra 6 days of being able to record as I am no longer going on a planned college trip to America and therefore, I can record during this time
• if I have the recording done by this time (which I plan on doing), I have chance before taking leave from college to edit some of the footage at college with the help and advice of teachers
• the editing that I do at home (after finding out what specific editing software is used at college so that I can download/buy the programmes) will be only minor editing to improve my over-all film after receiving help/advice/critisisms from my teachers and an audience as I will have done the majority of filming/editing work during my time at college and can focus on the writing/blog work

Filming Update

At the moment, due to my transportation being limited (due to my parents being on holiday) I have been unable to continue with my recording from Christmas (because of this, I have been focusing on my storyboard, editing of script and film, genre and audience research). Therefore, I have decided that instead of my original idea posted previously about recording during a weekend and editing during the week, I have decided that onwards from the 25^th January, when my transport is available, I will plan a full weeks recording schedule every day for approximately an hour each day. This not meaning however I will have 7 hours of footage, but giving me and the actors included more than enough time to record whichever scene is being recorded, get the setting/props prepared, giving enough time in case transport is late (traffic, etc). I will write up this schedule on the 23^rd/24^th January  whilst sat with my Mum who will be my transportation to my setting.

Audience Research Update

After asking 26 differently ranged people in different audience types (gender, age, profession, etc), I narrowed my target audience down specifically demographically and psychographically. I have decided to present my findings from my questionnaire as a pie chart as I think it is the easiest visual way in which to see which target audience my film is aimed at.

I asked an audience from a range of ages, because I wanted to find information from a range of audience’s, different genders and different ages. I could not evenly split the four age ranges into 26 and therefore, I asked 12 16-21 and 14 22-26+. I asked more of an older audience (even if only by two more people) because I felt that information from an older 'niche' film audience would benefit my target audience research further.

I decided that when asking for an audience to complete my survey that I would ask an evenly split gender audience due to this being the fairest way in which to learn about an audience that is not specifically targeted at one sex. The reason for this is because I do not want my film to specifically target one gender audience as this will restrict the viewers of my film as opposed to targeting a large range.

I specifically wanted to ask this question about my specialised film to see the difference in ages which have seen a silent black and white films contrasting with those who haven’t. Just as I predicated, the majority of a younger audience (under 20 year olds) have never seen a silent black and white film, they have only seen small snippets which have been included in other films, been shown by their parents/grandparents, seen referenced in TV programmes (e.g The Simpsons), etc. However, every person over the age of 25 I asked this question to has seen a silent black and white film, with the additionally comment that people over the age of 35 remember watching them as a younger child as well as enjoying them.

With regards to cinema and DVD spending, the older audience spent more money on going to cinema and buying DVD’s due to having a lot more disposable income to spend on luxuries. However, the reason I found this was apparent is because the older audience seem to go to cinema on full prices and more expensive nights (Friday and Saturday prime time nights) less often than a younger audience went to cinema more often on cheaper student nights (Orange Wednesdays and Student Film Fridays) as well as buying DVDs at full price when they first come out as opposed to a younger audience waiting until they have dropped in price, or download them cheaper off the internet, or download them for free illegally. However, when I added the additional question to an older audience (21+) if they would spend more money on a specialist cinema night/DVD (e.g black and white vintage films like The Artist, directed by Michel Hazanavicius and released 2011 being shown in selected cinemas in the UK), 3/4 said yes however, 3/4 of a younger audience said no.

From this question, I can say that a younger audience is more likely to watch films through internet streaming and downloading as opposed to an older audience, especially choosing the options of downloading illegally. However, this does not mean that an older audience does not download and/or watch films through internet streaming as a number of people from an ‘older audience’ I asked this questionnaire to answered this. I find this due to digitalisation and an older audience being under pressure (it could be said) to be able to use modern technology like the internet, iPhones, downloading, etc due to digitalisation.

Filming Update

I have not posted on my blog for approx a month, the reason for this being is that I have been focusing on the actually filming of my film as opposed to work included with the overall production. Through the month of December and the December Christmas holidays, I have been recording various scenes of my film on a HD camera however, not yet have I recorded a full first draft of the film. I am planning on doing this during the month of Janurary during weekends and editing my recordings during the week during coursework classes and my free periods. I plan on having my first full draft of the film as well as the film being more or less fully editied by the latest of the 7th of Feburary. This giving me time before the Feburary half term to show an audience as well as teachers my first draft and see where improvements could be made by receieving feedback from teachers and students through general opinion and questionnares.

Release Form

I have decided to create a release form to be signed by students from my college taking part. This will act like a contract which means that when a student decides to be involved, they will not be able to back out or decide they do not want to take part in the project as this is a problem I have faced in previous coursework briefs.

Dear Student,

You have been asked personally to be included in my Film A2 Coursework project, a short film. If you decide to accept being included in this project, you will be expected to put in the dedication as if it was your own work. This includes; learning your character’s scripted lines and turning up to all scheduled recording sessions. Failure to do so will result in your tutor teacher being informed and disciplinary actions being taken.

It must also be understood by the participants involved that all photos, recordings etc. will be put on the internet as well as being shown to various students, teachers and the exam board. Therefore, signing this permission slip means you are agreeing to having your photos taken and being recording as well as these pieces of evidence being put onto the internet.

Please do take time and read this carefully before agreeing to be involved in this project, I hope that you will agree as you will be a great addition to my cast/crew.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, respectfully yours,

Hannah Baxter, Wyke 6^th Form College Student

&

BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE

I _______________________________ wish to be included in Hannah Baxter’s Film A2 Coursework project. By signing this permission slip, I am aware of the dedication included and accept full responsibility for discipline I may receive in result of failing to meet the project requirements

I wish to also give my consent to having my photos taken, being recorded and these pieces of work also being put onto the internet.

Signed: ___________________________________________      Date: ________________________

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Mobile Phone: _____________________________________________________________________________

House Phone: ______________________________________________________________________________

Email:    ___________________________________________________________________________________

Final Draft of Script

Scene 1

  Black - Film lines

  Red - Off stage directions

  Blue – Camera actions

[The first scene begins in the Italian Pizzeria’s kitchen, Luigi is working in the kitchen, washing pots with his back turned to the camera. Luigi is dressed smartly as a professional looking chief. Then, Mario walks in with a stack of plates, looking scruffy and messy with flour all over himself. The shot is a long shot and shows both Mario and Luigi’s full body and the setting of the scene.]

Luigi:      [In kitchen washing pots with back turned to the audience]

Mario:   [Walks into kitchen with a pile of plates walking towards  Luigi. As he gets closer, he drops the plates which smash. Luigi then turns towards Mario– shocked face when happening]

Luigi:      [Slowly turns around and looks at the ground at the smashed plates, then becomes angry and starts waving his arms around frantically] Mario?! Look you are so stupid! Why did I even hire you?!

Mario:   [Shrugs shoulders]

Luigi:      You know what? You have one last chance tonight or you… [walks out of kitchen to the left]

Mario:   [Walks towards broom at other side of the room and sweeps up the smashed plates on the floor]

Luigi:      [Leans into kitchen] Two very important customers will be here soon, get busy [leans back out of kitchen]

Mario:   [Stands and thinks for a moment, stands up and points figure in the air. Camera slowly zooms into Mario’s face then stops at a close up] I have an idea! [Fades out onto next scene]

Scene 2

 [Fades into scene from previous scene. The second scene begins in the seating area of the restaurant where Luigi is stood waiting to greet guests. Rosa and Rosa’s Dad enter from the left into the restaurant and are greeted by Luigi and then seated. The shot is a long shot and shows the character’s full bodies and the setting of the scene.]

Luigi:      [Stood near door, waiting for Rosa’s Dad to walk in]

R.D:        [Walks into restaurant, shakes Luigi’s hand, pats him on back]

Luigi:      [Puts hand up in the air to symbolise his happiness that Rosa’s Dad is here]

R.D:        I would like you to meet my daughter, Rosa. She is joining me this evening. [Turns to the left and extends his arm]

Rosa:     [Enters from the left and holds her father’s arm]

Luigi:      [Takes off chiefs hat and kisses Rosa on the hand, then escorts R.D and Rosa to their table using hand gestures, walks towards a table in the middle of the setting. Camera slowly tracks forwards to follow the characters to the table.]

R.D +R: [Both follow Luigi to the table]

R.D:        [Sits down at table and puts napkin on knee]

Luigi:      [Pulls out Rosa’s seat for her to sit down as well as putting napkin on her knee]

Rosa:     [Sits and smiles at Luigi for his politeness]

R.D +R: [Both pick up menus and open to look at]

Luigi:      [Walks into kitchen, leaves the restaurant on the right hand side and enters kitchen from the left. Camera pans in a right direction to follow him into the kitchen. When Luigi enters the kitchen, he is alone and he begins to frantically look around] Mario? Mario?! Where are you, our guests are here!

Mario:   [Enters from the right dressed as a very different smart waiter and walks towards Luigi, walking up straight]

Luigi:      [Shocked face] Mama Mia, it is a miracle! [Grabs Mario by the arm and pulls him towards the restaurant. Camera pans to the left following the two character walking to the restaurant]

Mario:   [Being pulled on the arm by Luigi, walks towards the restaurant]

L+M:      [Walk towards Rosa and Rosa’s Dad. Camera continues to pan to the left until the two characters are stood next to Rosa and Rosa’s Dad; the camera then begins to slowly zoom in towards Luigi and Mario]

Luigi:      This is my protégé, Mario

Mario:   [Camera cuts to a close up of Mario’s face. Mario looks stunned]

Rosa:     [Camera cuts to a close up of Mario’s face. Rosa looks shy so looks at the floor, but then looks up and smiles at Mario]

Mario:   [Camera cuts back to a long shot. Mario walks to the side of the table where Rosa is sat and grabs her hand and kisses it]

Luigi:      [Looks shocked and worried, looks in Rosa’s Dad’s direction]

R.D:        [Looks angry as he watched Mario kiss Rosa’s hand]

Rosa:     [Raises other hand to mouth as a sign of shock/happiness]

Mario:   I am Mario and I will be your waiter today

R.D:        [Takes of hat and puts it on back of chair, picks up menu angrily]

Luigi:      [Puts hand on head and shakes his head]

Rosa:     [Shy looking at Mario, picks up menu. Camera zooms into Mario and R.D at a shot so it only shows Mario and R.D]

R.D:        [Buries head in menu then puts menu down on table, closed] We will both have a garlic bread starter, and a tomato pasta dish for our main.

Mario:   [Nods and takes the menu off R.D]

R.D:        [Grabs Mario’s arm, camera suddenly zooms out at a long shot]

Rosa:     [Looks shocked and worried]

Luigi:      [Looks shocked]

Mario:   [Looks confused and shocked]

R.D:        [Whilst grabbing Mario’s arm] You don’t kiss my daughter’s hand, capuche?!

Mario:   [Shakes head vigorously, grabs Rosa’s menu and quickly scurries off to the kitchen]

R.D:        [Straightens out his tie]

Rosa:     [Looks down at the floor and sighs]

Luigi:      [Awkwardly smiling, raising hands gesturing an apology, quickly follows Mario into the kitchen. Camera pans to the right following Luigi walk into the kitchen.]

Scene 3

[Continuation from the previous scene, camera shots is a long shot. Mario is sat on the stool in the kitchen with his hands on his head looking at the floor, Luigi walks into the kitchen and stands opposite where Mario is sat]

Luigi:      [Looks at Mario, places hands on hips in a frustrated manner and starts tapping his feet]

Mario:   [Slowly looks up at Luigi and stand up, placing hands in pocket]

Luigi:      [Angrily points at Mario, then points towards the restaurant]

Mario:   [Shakes hands in fear and looks scared] No I can’t go back in there now!

Luigi:      [Picks up two plates of garlic bread from the kitchen counter and hands over to Mario, then angrily points to the restaurant again]

Mario:   [Shakes head frantically]

Luigi:      [Walks behind Mario and starts pushing him towards the restaurant] If you want to keep this job, you will serve our customers with excellent service! And don’t let that girl distract you Mario!

Mario:   [Being pushed by Luigi into the restaurant eventually begins to walk himself to the restaurant, slowly. Camera pans to the left and follows him, slowly. His hands are shaking as he holds the plates. He begins walking towards the table]

R.D+R:  [Both talking to each other, until eventually are distracted by Mario’s presence, and both look at him]

Mario:   [Begins to slowly place plates down, successfully puts Rosa’s down onto table, but drops Rosa’s Dad’s garlic bread onto his knee]

R.D:        [Stands up in shock and anger. Camera cuts into an extreme close up of his face, looking very angry]

Rosa:     [Camera cuts to an extreme close up of her face, shocked with hand in front of her mouth]

Mario:   [Camera cuts to an extreme close up of his face, scared looking from left to right at both Rosa and Rosa’s Dad]

Luigi:      [Camera zooms out into a long shot of the full scene. Quickly walks in, hearing all the commotion with two cups of coffee] Oh what is he like, so clumsy! Please, please sit down and enjoy these free cups of pure Italian coffee.

Mario:   [Looking sheepish at the floor]

R.D:        [Brushes off his suit and sits back down and nods at Luigi]

Luigi:      [Quickly places down the two cups of coffee, smiles at Rosa and Rosa’s Dad then grabs Mario and quickly walks to the kitchen. Camera pans to the right and follows the two characters.]

Scene 4

[Continuation from the previous scene, camera shots is a long shot. Mario is sat on the stool in the kitchen with his hands on his head looking at the floor, Luigi walks into the kitchen and stands opposite where Mario is sat]

Luigi:      [Looks at Mario, places hands on hips in a frustrated manner and starts tapping his feet]

Mario:   [Slowly looks up at Luigi and stand up, placing hands in pocket]

Luigi:      [Angrily points at Mario, then points towards the restaurant]

Mario:   [Shakes hands in fear and looks scared] I definitely can’t go back in there now!

Luigi:      [Points to Mario then points to two pasta dishes and a pan filled with sauce on the kitchen counter] You finish putting the sauce on the pasta and I will smooth things over with the customers. Add just a pinch of salt. [Walks out of kitchen into the restaurant]

Mario:   [Camera rotates around Mario 180 degrees so the camera is showing the front of Mario at the kitchen counter as he walks to it; camera is at a medium close up when walking Mario at kitchen counter. Mario looks at the pasta sauce and grabs the salt next to him. He tries shaking the salt to put some into the pasta, he starts hitting it harder and harder until a large amount comes out into the pasta sauce. Looks around himself, looking left and right, looking worried, but he decides to mix it into the sauce, put it onto the pasta, picks up plates and walk into the restaurant. Camera follows panning from behind until he gets into the restaurant where the camera then zooms out into a long shot of the whole scene.]

Luigi:      [Lifts arms into the air and down again] Ahh here is Mario with your main meal! Bon appetite!

Mario:   [Nervously smiling, places a pasta dish in front of both Rosa and Rosa’s Dad]

Rosa:     [Camera cuts to a close up of Rosa taking a bite of her meal and smiles]

R.D:        [Camera cuts to a close up of Rosa’s Dad taking a bite of his meal and smiles]

Mario:   [Camera cuts to a close up of Mario’s face, looking nervous]

Rosa:     [Camera cuts to close up of Rosa’s face after the has swallowed her mouthful of food, and he face looks disgusted]

R.D:        [Camera cuts to close up of Rosa’s Dad’s face after the has swallowed her mouthful of food, and he face looks disgusted. Then the camera cuts to a long shot showing the full scene, R.D picks up his napkin and put it to his mouth in disgust]

Luigi:      [Looking frantically from R.D to Rosa to Mario in confusion]

Mario:   [Begins to taking a couple of steps away from the table in attempt to slowly walk away without being realised]

Rosa:     [Puts hand to mouth and begins looking ill, puts hands on stomach]

R.D:        [Stands up in anger and points at Mario]

Mario:   [Quickly stands still and smiles nervously]

R.D:        [Walks towards Mario whilst rolling up his sleeve]

Rosa:     [Looks shocked]

Luigi:      [Stands in front of Mario waving his arms around, then putting his hands together in a pray like position and pleas] Please, I am sorry for his mistakes but he is young! Please, let me personally make you a desert.

Mario:   [Hiding behind Luigi, looking scared]

R.D:        [Rolls down sleeve and sits back down]

Rosa:     [Looks relieved]

Luigi:      [Smiling at R.D and Rosa, walks backwards into the kitchen, pushing Mario into the kitchen. Camera pans across following Mario and Luigi into the kitchen continuing the long shot from the restaurant into the kitchen]

Mario:   [In the kitchen, stands in the middle of the kitchen looking sheepish]

Luigi:      [Walks up to Luigi and smacks his head] You stupid boy! Wearing this suit doesn’t make you a good waiter! Now get your act together or you’re fired and you’ll never have a chance with that girl! [Goes to fridge and gets out ice cream and begins scooping it into two bowls set out on the kitchen counter]

Mario:   [Stands and puts hand to chin in a thinking position] There’s only one thing that is going to put everything straight

Luigi:      [Turns around in confusion]

Mario:   [Walks out of kitchen to the restaurant]

Luigi:      [Frantically finishes scooping ice cream, put the ice cream back into the fridge and runs after Mario with the ice cream. Camera cuts from Luigi leaving the kitchen to Luigi entering the restaurant.]

Scene 5

[Camera cuts into this scene, Mario is already stood by side of Rosa and Rosa’s Dad’s table and Luigi is running frantically to the table with desert]

Mario:   [Looking in Rosa’s Dad’s direction, goes to speak]

Luigi:      [Stands in front of Mario and hands Rosa and her Dad each a bowl of ice cream and kisses his fingers in a delicious fashion in an attempt to stop Mario from speaking to Rosa’s Dad]

Mario:   [Moves Luigi out of the way] Look, sir. I am sorry for all the mishaps that have happened this evening but it’s just I have been so nervous because… [Camera cuts to a close up shot of each character’s face, then back to Mario’s] I am in love with your daughter

[Camera cuts back to a long shot showing all characters. All characters look to Rosa]

Rosa:     [Stands up and holds Mario’s hand]

R.D:        [Stands up and stands in front of Mario and stares]

Luigi:      [Pulls Rosa away from Mario and her Dad]

Mario:   [Looks confident as he stares back at Rosa’s Dad]

R.D:        [Looks as if he is going to punch Mario in the stomach, but shakes his hand instead] I respect you for telling me the truth. Now Luigi, grab another two bowls of this delicious looking ice cream and come and join me and my daughter as I get to know this, decent looking gentlemen

Luigi:      [Wipes forehead in relief and goes into kitchen to get another two bowls of ice cream]

Mario:   [Pulls up two chairs and sits himself next to Rosa, firstly pulling out her chair to sit back down before sitting down himself.]

R.D:        [Sits down]

Luigi:      [Returns to restaurant with two bowls of ice cream, placing one in front of Mario and one in front of himself and sits down.]

[The scene ends by them all talking to one another, eating ice cream and laughing. Camera stays at the same shot and the scene blackens out in a circle shape, afterwards text saying ‘The End’ fades onto screen]