Second Cut!

So revised cut of the film, some different shots, different effects/sounds/transitions.

Filming done.

Filming took an almighty 3 hours yesterday and I managed to overcome the uploading failure. It turns out iMovie 11 and other editing software are notoriously bad at editing .vob files, which are ones shot on a dvd. I suppose this is a way to avoid piracy. Because of this I had to invade my loft to fetch an external drive, (my iMac is slot loading so cannot accept mini dvd discs), and essentially rip the dvd (actually committing piracy) to import my clips. I used a program called DVDripper for os x, I then had to convert the file to .m4a (I think) to import into iMovie. The entirety of the film and all shots was saved in one large clip, so was particularly annoying to find specific shots to edit. This whole process of converting drastically downgraded the quality and resolution of the film, it then was even more so downgraded as it was imported to edit in iMovie. I exported it in 720p in an attempt to salvage the remains, so am not sure how it will turn out in different mediums, i.e YouTube, vimeo and regular viewing on a file. Hit up http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AHSjE01QCqs to view the video.

Rough Cut Feedback

Cammy:

• Cool
• looks good
• but at 1:30, its mainly arm in the shot(address that in editing)
• and that little thunder crackle when the marbles drop doesn't sound too good (audio) 
• and when the marble is held up to the light
  yeah I like that (song at the end and credits)

  
  

  Anna:
  

  Amazing bro!

  Wish mine was as good as this ¬.¬
  
  
  An actual film maker:
  Dog overused.
  Sounds coule be better (effects)

ROUGH cut

Still unsure about the style and the colouring. Just got the timeline in order so yeah.

Prop by prop

So this is the box Anthony will receive in the post. Lovely looking thing with a nice finish. Found this in my loft. A few scratches and knocks only add to the authenticity.

I particularly like the design on the sides. Engravings are important in my book. 

These are the set of marbles that Anthony will receive in the post. Including the pink one that will ultimately take his life.

Postal box complete with postal label. Courtesy of Tiger Music. To be delivered by the postman. 

Solicitors letter that will arrive with the marbles. I thought I did well to recreate a real letter. Including the letterheads and disclosure panel.

This is the marble game Albert will be playing. I surrounded the inner marbles with a layer of white, white being pure and religious. Almost like a ritual board the pinky marble that kills Anthony is on the very centre circle. 

Filming schedule.

Was originally meant to be filming on the 5th and 6th of February, but my original actors have pulled out (not replying). After a regrouping with myself, I have enrolled a new set of actors and am filming on the 15th of February at 3pm. I have created shot lists and script updates.

Pictures to follow!

Final Review!

After feedback I was told to do something with the space to the right of the first page, so I incorporated a fun and quirky interest meter! Tell me what you think.

Film Review

Could not attempt a review without it looking like a bad copy, so I ignored the layouts of Empire and Total Film and attempted my own.

Posters

I've experimented with Adobe InDesign, creating three variations of my initial poster.
The first was drawnand set to scale to that of an A4 page, however on exportation, there is a thick white space border. Now I don't often see film posters with white borders around them, unless they are framed for decoration, so I don't think I'll be using it.

The second design resolves the problem by expanding the backgrouind image, stretching it to a full A4 page poster. The image is then bigger, yet the the text remains, giving the impression that it has moved closer into the image.

The third variation pushes these texts further towards the edges of the images, essentially creating a larger and more fitting version of the first poster.

In conclusion, I believe I will use the third image for the poster, as it is, in my opinion, the better of the three, as it is a good size and can be scaled down well to fit media cases such as DVDs, soundtrack CDs and other smaller, promotional media.



Photoshop Workshop

(finished image)

Today I participated in a photoshop workshop in media. This consisted of creating a satirical image of Rupert Murdoch warped into him holding an image of the world, showing his control through Newscorp.

I hope to use the skills gained here to make a authentic film poster.

Original images:

Initial Poster Idea

This is the poster I created earlier, the initial photo was taken in my garage with a block of wood with a hole cut in to create the effect. Then a marble was placed on a surface. I snapped a few different patters and then whilst creating the poster, decided on one solidarity marble would be more effective.

Feedback

• 'Colour of marble, good choice! Stands out!'
• 'Font! :)'
• 'The light around the marble makes it obvious that it's a significant part of the film.'
• 'Light and shadow adds a good atmosphere.
• 'Eerie!'
• 'Like looking through a marble. (font)'
• 'Black, like the humour'.
• 'Like.'

Proposed date of filming

I have chosen the weekend of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th of December to shoot my short film. I realised that I only have one location to shoot so this should be feasible and allow a lot of time on set to make everything perfect.

Story Time

Today we were tasked with describing our plots and characters in a innovative way.
I quickly decided that our groups way would be telling each other stories after being locked in a room together until morning. Here is the finished result.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNAgWZTowH0

Release Forms

Name of Short Film ("Ascension") ……………………………………………………………….

Name of Production Company/Organiser (“Rolling”)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Description of Involvement ……………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Date of Filming ................................................................................................................

Name of Contributor ……………………………………………………………………………

Address of Contributor …………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Contact Number of Contributor ………………………………………………………………

In consideration of the Organiser agreeing that I contribute to and/or participate in the Film, the nature and the content of which has been fully explained to me, I consent to the filming and recording of my contribution to and/or participation in the Film subject to the terms and conditions specified below.

Signed by Contributor …………………………………………………………………………..

Dated………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Script

Scene 1

Fade in

A man (early twenties, dark hair and a fair complexion) is seen leaning over a kitchen counter. He is waiting for his kettle to boil, whilst reading a newspaper.

'Ascension' appears beside him. Bottom right corner.

Shot changes to full frontal. A cross is seen in the far wall.

Doorbell.

Shot changes to a small dog, lying in its basket, slightly reacting to the noise.

Back to the man (Anthony), he is still looking at the magazine.

Doorbell.

Anthony puts down the magazine and walks away. The cross is gone. He opens a door.

Along a corridor.

Anthony walks to the door. And opens it.

Postal worker, shoulder height, hands Anthony a box and asks him to sign for it. Anthony takes it. He shuts the door.

He walks back to the kitchen, takes out a small knife and opens the cardboard box.

Close up of fingers and hands, crossed with photos on the wall and notes on the fridge.

He removes a small wooden, chestnut box and opens it, he pulls out a pouch and a small letter.

Anthony

(In head)

Dear Mr...I regret to inform you...death of your grandfather.

Pause.

ANTHONY

Please find enclosed...inheritance.

He fingers the pouch, undoing the strings and emptying the contents onto the kitchen counter. Marbles roll.

From the counter, marble rolling towards the counter.

One stops before the camera, whilst others roll past. Anthony picks it up.

CLOSE UP: marble. something is stirring inside, zoom into insides.

Scene 2

Animated. holding hands, walking towards a house. anthony and girlfriend.

Anthony close up, side on, a cross is seen behind him.

Anthony

(hesistant)

She's not..converting.

CLOSE UP:of an elderly man, side on, opposite anthony.

Grandfather

(whisper)

Get out.

The words as text slip out of his mouth and fill the frame beside him.

ANTHONY

(shouts)

It doesn't matter, like it did anymore!

GRANDFATHER

(shouts)

Get out!

The text is more capitalised and sharper.

Scene 3

Doorbell.

Anthony jumps in fright, he drops the marble and goes for the door again, in a more hurried pace. He answers the door.

Relief.

Anthony's girlfriend walks in.

Michelle

(sing-songy)

Hey, you! What's up?

They embrace.

ANTHONY

My grandfather passed away.

Michelle

Oh...well

Anthony

...yeah.

They walk to the kitchen.

Anthony

He left me these ma-

Floor, a marble.

Anthony steps directly on it, slipping. His head hits the floor.

Screams form Michelle.

Anthony stares wide eyed at the ceiling. Camera moves slowly away, ascending.

Screams mute.

Scene 4

Animation again. Anthony with angel wings, floats up to heaven. Above him, a great hand, belonging to grandfather, with a puppet strings controller.

Fade out.

Quote: Heb.13:5b    I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

My first screenplay

Treatment for initial idea

Untitled Short Film

A man, (Anthony) in his late twenties, early thirties is seen buttering his toast. He looks tired and is dressed in his pyjamas. Above him hangs a cross.  The calendar indicates, he is to be married in one week time.

The title appears on black. A doorbell is heard.

Cut back to the man, he turns to face the door and walks towards it, yawning. He fumbles for his keys, unlocks the door. The postman with a medium size box, we do not see the face of the postman. He thanks the man and locks the door.

He carries the box back into the kitchen. Staring as he finishes his breakfast. A ‘chink’ noise can be heard from the box.

The man goes to open the box; he takes a Stanley knife and proceeds to undo the box. He fishes around in the packaging and pulls a small mahogany box. He opens the box, a letter and a pouch. The letter is read aloud, he is alerted to find his grandfather has died, a left for him, the contents of the pouch.

A flashback, Anthony is holding hands walking to a house, knocking on the door. Cut to Anthony’s face, side on, another cross in the frame on the wall behind him.  He is midway in conversation, he looks nervous.

“This is the 21^st century. It’s not a big deal.”

Cut to symmetrical shot of an elderly man, obviously furious with this news, snaps back.

“You have disgusted our Lord, with this protestant scum.”

“You can’t talk about her like that.”

Cut to the girlfriend (Marianne) outside the living room, standing nervously, trying not to eavesdrop but giving in occasionally.

“You’re just like your father, a stubborn brute! Leave!”

Anthony opens his mouth, goes to speak then lets his mouth close again. He smiles.

“It was good to see you again.”

He stands and leaves; he opens the door to see Marianne smiling.

“So?” she smiles.

He takes her by the hand and walks out.

Flashback is over.

Back in the kitchen, Anthony stares deeply into the marble, he holds it at a high angle. He starts to squeeze in frustration. It falls to the floor, as Anthony goes to pick it up, the doorbell is heard again. He answers, it is Marianne. He smiles and welcomes her in, explaining what has happened in the hall way.

He reaches the kitchen, unbeknownst the marble rolls towards the kitchen door. As Anthony walks in, he falls and hits his head hard. He stares motionless, the sound cuts to an orchestral religious song as screams are heard from Marianne all around him. The cameras, above his face slowly rises up, an ascension. He is saved from sin.