Film Studies Post 6 : Final Idea Pitch

 Final Idea Pitch

For my short film, I plan to create a darker tone and mysterious narrative whilst using realistic setting, costume and themes to keep the story grounded, immersive and believable. This is relatable to Daniel Chandlers conventions of context, as i plan to incorporate, involve and share particular conventions of context in my film. My film is based upon the drama, thriller genre and to therefore understand how best to suit and match this i must use particular iconography in the form of themes and settings. To create and best match these genres, I plan to use realistic, grounded costumes and settings whilst incorporating darker toned lighting, longer takes and range of shots to best show and imitate a darker, mysterious and unnerving atmosphere and tone. With thrillers in particular being characterized and defined by the moods they elicit, giving viewers heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation and anxiety.

Whilst Drama's are more intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. With the drama being able to be qualified and separated into additional terms that specify its particular super-genre, macro-genre, or micro-genre,such as soap opera  (operatic drama), police crime drama, political drama, legal drama, historical drama, domestic drama, teen drama, and comedy drama (dramedy). These terms tend to indicate a particular setting or subject-matter, or else they qualify the otherwise serious tone of a drama with elements that encourage a broader range of moods.

Narrative techniques - For my short film i plan to script  a linear narrative from start to finish, with the use of flashbacks being used later to typically reveal a hidden meaning, secret or event. This is called a Classical Hollywood Narrative and normally involves three acts (beginning, middle, end) and is based around a particular/certain event or relationship. When analysing my short film an Elipsis can be identified during which my character starts to relive the same day, through the use of certain shots, music and actions the audience can clearly identify, fill in and understand the narrative and story which i'm trying to portray. A restricted Narrative Viewpoint can also be applied throughout as its rare that us , the audience is exposed to more information than the characters, this important to allow the director to fully involved and immerse the audience throughout, keeping them entertained and intrigued.

One section of my story whereby which it could be said a Omniscient Narrative Viewpoint is involved is during the second play of my characters morning montage, as us the audience are exposed to information that character yet doesn't know or realise. With this scene in particular being based around the fact that my character has yet to realise that he's reliving the same day. However through Camera shots, angles, music and facial expressions and movement, it will be clear to us, the audience what is going on.

When further applying this to Blumer and Katz its important to consider and understand the aspects and elements involved from Personal Identification - Information and education.

Personal Identification: Due to the fact that my film is based around a paranormal activity, circumstance, its extremely unlikely that they'll be able to fully relate to my character and their situation. However to still build personal relations and understanding between both me, the director, the character and audience, portraying my characters feeling, thoughts and emotions will allow me to build an atmosphere and tone whereby which the audiences can understand and relate to the guilt, confusion and distress felt and shown in each scene. Through this it be easier to then allow the audience to connect and build a personal relationship, as the spectator connects and develops a more clear, close bond with the characters. As their left feeling sympathy,concern and maybe even distress as their afraid of what's to follow.

Entertainment and Diversion: Even though my Short Film is only 5 minutes in duration, I still this is an effective amount of time to allow my spectator to escape and immerse themselves away from their own reality into the one i'm picturing on screen. Through script writing to storyboarding, the genre of my film will allow my audience to escape with Drama, thriller films often doing this. Whilst other films and genres including political and historical requiring audiences to stay focused on the understanding and message that they're trying to portray and educate.

When categorising and planning my film, in particular the look and feeling, its best to understand and articulate the sort of look and style which i want to achieve. To create a darker tone applying characters and subsequently performance/expressions and movement will allow to further achieve and picture the darker, mysterious tone which will best suit and live up to the genre. For key scenes including the recognition moment when my characters comes to realise that he's stuck in this parallel, continuous loop, the use and combination of both confused, deranged and chaotic facial expressions will allow me to portray and create the fitting atmosphere and feel. Along with other elements. including camera/shot angles, editing techniques and sound which all will help and contribute towards the feel and look of the film.

Setting: To keep the story grounded, realistic and believable using settings which suit the story and narrative is important, whilst also taking into account the resources and availability at my disposal when choosing fitting settings.  For my film i will use a range and variety  of settings including bedrooms, classrooms, libraries, pathways and roadsides with these helping to both drive and develop the narrative, whilst creating and displaying a whole variety of cinematography techniques and elements. With them also suiting the apparent time which my film based in.

Lighting: For my film, i plan to use mainly natural lighting, as this will best suit the scenes and settings throughout my film. For the key scenes however towards the end of my film, when my characters guilt, lies and truths get exposed and we understand who, why and how he's stuck in this loop, I plan to use a darker, dingyer form of lighting as will best help to create the feeling of alone, guilt and will further heighten the emotions felt throughout. This scene will entail the characters dead friend returning as he explains and shows why he's in the stuck in the loop. When they get transported to the scene of the accident (Death of Friend) the only lighting i plan to use is the lights from the car which hit and killed my main protagonists friend, as come unearth that it was him after all and not a accident. This allow us the audience to really feel involved and immersed as if were living the story for ourselves. With other elements including scriptwriting and storyboarding allowing me to portray and design this scenes appropriately.

When piecing together my short film, i plan to use a variety of both cinematography elements and editing techniques. To help create and bring a more unique and immersive feel, tone to my film using a variety of editing techniques in the form of Montages, Invisible cuts and Jump cut whilst still also incorporating other more popular techniques in the form cutting on action and cut aways. With these techniques, cuts and transitions allowing me to develop the narrative and audience's viewpoint to create tension, suspense and whole range of emotions and feelings. When planning my film i want to incorporate a wide variety of cuts and transitions to further enhance the visual look and feel of my film, whilst also separating it away from other films. With this element allowing me to push my ability as both a director and editor with it allowing me to push the boundaries of my story and narrative. The videos below in particular show and present the type of cuts and transitions I'm keen to use.

When analysing pre-existing short films both student and professionally made productions, ive been able to take tips, confidence and inspiration, to which i plan to use and incorporate into my own. The from set stimulus short films in particular i've been able to draw particular interest and inspiration from the films "The Fly" and "The Ellington Kid", with this films allowing audience to feel tensions and suspense throughout as the narrative and story develops to create a more griping, immersive storyline as it constantly pushes the boundaries and keep us engaged, focus and interested.

This element of the films is something in particular which is important, as a director i want to create a narrative which constantly pushes and explores beyond my imagination and what the audiences expect and believe. With the use of Flashbacks and a restricted narrative viewpoint giving us an insight into the characters as cross cutting between the present day and the flashbacks from the stabbing help to drive the narrative forward by telling us the story as the narrator tells and informs us as it happened as if were apart and have experienced it for ourselves. The result of this being we feel more apart, connected with the story and instead aren't confused or left behind.

When doing my first Short Film back in february, when planning and directing my Final 5 minute Short Film, im 100% decided on the elements and aspects i need to develop and improve upon. The main one in particular being the whole narrative structure, with my first attempt being hard to follow and understand. However what was effective and good about my film was the use of effective cuts and transitions and overall cinematography and look. This is something i'm keen to build and improve upon, with both these elements keeping the audience engaged, immersed and intrigued throughout.