How to make a video look more like a film

How to make a video look more like a film

There are 5 main things that can make a video look more like a film. These 5 things are:

• Depth of field - Try hard for a narrow depth of field. That means your aperture should be wide open. The lower the number, the wider your aperture. By allowing more light to get in at every shot, you create a much narrower depth of field. 
  
• Frame rate - Just do it. Shoot at 24p. It may not look all that hot when you’re reviewing footage in-camera, but unless you have a good reason not to do it, do it. 24p will help you achieve a more traditional film look. It will look better upon exporting from post than it did on your viewfinder/LCD. 
  
• Aspect ratio - With a wider aspect ratio, you will achieve a more “filmic” look. There are a few ways to accomplish this. When shooting, if you are relying on an LCD screen to frame your shots, take a little bit of electrical tape and cover the aspect of the LCD (top and bottom) that you don’t want in the shot; use a ruler. 
  
• Focus and zoom - You don’t have to shoot on a prime lens just to look like a prime lens. Just do me a favor: if you zoom in or out, cut out the zoom motion in post production. It’s fine if you want to jump to a close up of a Liberian fish vendor and can’t go running across a heavily-armed Freetown open market to get it. Fine, wimp, zoom in. 
  
• Colour, effects and grain - Start with this as a base: Once you have your footage ingested and in your timeline, go to your color tool of choice. Exposure-wise, bring your mids up a hair and then come back down on your blacks to level it off. Give it about 10% more saturation than you started with. 
  

Film music

https://www.jamendo.com/en/track/570067/blues-for-the-naive

we have used this link for our music in our film

Influences on our film

Influences on our film

We have come up with our film idea due to many influences. I have watched many thriller films and the way that the films keep you on your edge of your seat whilst a story unfolds provides suspense on the audience when watching it. Films such as Cellular and Abduction are good films in which the trill aspect is shown. Cellular relates to our film due to the stalker element of the film as the stalker in our film is one of the main characters. Abduction takes a different approach on this as the stalker of the victim is in a constant chase with the victim as the victim is carrying an object that the stalker wants.

Risk Assessment 2

Risk Assessment- House

Risk Assessment 1

Risk Assessment- Barnsley College Location

Editing the Interviews/Questionnaires

Editing the Interviews/Questionnaires

After we finished the interviews we brought the tape back to the computer and used final cut to edit the different interviews into one big tape so that we could compare and look over the answers that we received. This helped us to come up with different ideas for our film that have helped to improve and make the short film more interesting. As one of the public we interviewed said we needed a name for the film as soon as possible, we made our decision on calling the film 'Lights Out'.

Analysis of Video Questionnaire

Analysis of Video Questionnaire

By doing our video questionnaire we have received feedback from a variety of different audiences in order to see and hear their views on our film idea. By asking a wide range of people we were able to see if the film would interest a certain type of audience or interest a wide range of different audiences. We found out that the different audiences liked the same genres but the younger audience preferred the idea as the older audience said that they would have to see how the film panned out in order to say if they would watch it or not.

Since our film contains students and involves younger people i do see why the older audience may be cautious about watching it. Since we do not intend to mainly target the older audience this is a positive as people outside our target audience range would still be interested in our idea as well as the main target audience. Similarly, most of the younger audience that we questioned, liked genres such as dramas and thriller/horror's. This is ideal for our film idea as our film is a drama/ thriller. We intend to target the younger audience with the film and by doing the questionnaire we were able to gain good feedback on our idea and know that our idea would attract our target audience.

Treatment - Part 2: What makes it stand out

Treatment - Part 2: What makes it stand out

What makes our film stand out is that it has 2 twists. The first twist is near the start of the film and the second twist isight at the end. These twists will make the audience think and will definitely confuse the audience. I think that these twists are clever and will allow the audience to think about what is going on as well as process the shock of what is going on throughout the story. The story has not been done before and this is what will make us stand out from the other short films. Yes at the start they may think its just a general teenage film but when the twist kicks in, it will surprise them.

Treatment 2 : Summary of Storyline & what makes it stand out

Summary of Storyline

The student hosts a house party which seems to be normal and then in a flash the lights go out and they receive mysterious phone calls, knocking on doors and whispering. This then carry's on to the next day in which he receives more texts. The stalker sees him and then takes him to the students house in which he tells him information on why he has been stalking him.

What makes it stand out?

Our film stands out due to the storyline not been done before. This would make more people come and watch the film as they are interested into how it pans out. The twists in the film also makes the film stand out due to the thrill of the phone calls and mysterious actions of the stalker. The thrill element of the film would drag in audiences and the storyline would make people interested due to it being a drama and thriller throughout.

Treatment - Part 1: General information about the film

Treatment - Part 1

Title: Lights out
Duration: 5-7 mins
Genre: Drama/ Thriller
Distributor: The distributor of our film will be a local distributor called Future shorts. They area good a reliable company which we can depend on with the production and distribution of our film. They are local and very flexible.

Summary of storyline

Firstly at the start of the short film we shall be based at a students house whilst he is having a small gathering with friends. The will be watching TV and talking about general life and school and then a twist occurs. The mobiles of all of the students start to ring, but there is nobody at the other end of the line. The students start to panic as they hear noises around the house and from outside the windows.

The phone calls and the banging continues and then the power cuts out! Everything is in pure darkness and the students blank out.

He wakes up the next morning with a really bad headache and he has to go to college, at college he is getting followed and the stalker keeps messaging him. On his way home from college the stalker finally makes his approach and takes his target back to his house. This is where the twist occurs.
The stalker isn't actually the danger, he is trying to protect you from the stalker which turns out to be one of his friends from the party.

Treatment 1: Title, Duration, Genre and Distributor

Treatment 1

Title: Lights Out
Duration: 5 minutes
Genre: Drama/ Thriller

Distributor: The distributor of our film will be Future Shorts. Future Shorts are a good company to distribute our film as they are a rapidly increasing that help short films. They can show films at festivals, and this provides them with a platform in order for the film to gain recognition

Character Profiles

Character Profiles

Student 1
Age: 17
Occupation: College Student
Role in film: The target of the stalker and host of the house party
Characteristics: Outgoing, typical lad

Student 2
Age: 19
Occupation: Shop worker
Role in film: The stalker and the man that starts the phone calls
Characteristics: Grounded, Sticks up for friends, Good ethics

Student 3
Age:17
Occupation: College student
Role in film: The friend of the target and the actual target of the stalker
Characteristics: Nervous, Holds back, Rebel

Rough Script Plan/Storyline

Rough Script Plan/Storyline

For our script we are going to have to make carful decisions to ensure that we are making the right decisions and keeping to audience interested the whole way throughout the script. All though we will be able to make changes as we are filming, it is a good idea to get most of it right the first time round. But if we need to change anything we shall not hesitate to do so whilst shooting our scenes.

Firstly at the start of the short film we shall be based at a students house whilst he is having a small gathering with friends. The will be watching TV and talking about general life and school and then a twist occurs. The mobiles of all of the students start to ring, but there is nobody at the other end of the line. The students start to panic as they hear noises around the house and from outside the windows.

The phone calls and the banging continues and then the power cuts out! Everything is in pure darkness and the students blank out.

He wakes up the next morning with a really bad headache and he has to go to college, at college he is getting followed and the stalker keeps messaging him. On his way home from college the stalker finally makes his approach and takes his target back to his house. This is where the twist occurs.
The stalker isn't actually the danger, he is trying to protect you from the stalker which turns out to be one of his friends from the party.

Video Questionnaire and Analysis of Results

Video Questionnaire and Analysis of Results

As a group we have gone out and filmed our video questionnaires, we chose random members of the public and videoed there answers and reactions to our storyline so far.
 Overall the answers and feedback we got from the members of the public about our film were good, and it really made us feel good and confident about our film idea.
The questions we asked were:

• What is your name and age?
• What film genres do you tend to watch at home or the cinema?
• Do you like the film idea? (We told them the film storyline before the questionnaire)
• Would you go and watch it at the cinema?
• What would you change about the storyline if there was anything you would want to be different?
• What genre do you think it is?
• And finally would you recommend it to your friends?

These questions were all very well answered by the public that we questioned. They all gave good answers to say that they have only just got to know the story. One answer we got was that they would change the complication of the story and make it more simple which is a main worry of ours as it has to be realistic as we have a very very limited budget. We have taken into consideration the answer from this individual and we are going to be making changes to our film depending on the answers that we have received. 

Script plan

Script Plan

For our script we will have to plan out the key points and also the main dialogue of the film that will be shown throughout.

Firstly, the start of the film will be based at the students house whilst they are having a party/gathering. They will be watching tv and and talking about people in there college. The twist in the film then occurs, when there are mysterious phone calls in which the stalker just leaves the phone silent. The students do not think any of this and then another phone call comes in again from the stalker, which is again silent. Students then become slightly nervous due to the phone calls.

after this the students begin to here banging round the house and whispers with people talking outside. When the students then go to check where the whispers are coming from no one is there. Then suddenly, there is a knock on the door, again with no answer.

This is the end of the mysterious actions for the night and the students are still shaken from the events. The next day the stalker sends a message to one of the students saying that he will regret his actions after the night out that they met a week ago. The texts continue through the day in which the stalker says that he can see the student and he then sees the stalker walking towards him with the phone in his hand.

The scene then cuts, in which it opens to the student laying in his home with the house trashed. The student is left with a note by the side of him. The letter tells him what he did on the night out and why he was after him.

Prop List

Prop List

In our film we will use a variety of props that will be used by the characters. We will use real life props that we already have. Firstly we will have a land line telephone in which the stalker will ring the house of the students in order to scare them. This will be a good way in which we can convey the phone call and make it as realistic as possible as it is a drama.

Also in the film we will use beer bottles that are filled with water so that the beer looks realistic and seems as though the students are drinking properly. Also, a doorbell will be used by the stalker so that he can ring the doorbell in order to scare and threaten the students. This shows realism of the film as you would see these props in a real- life scenario.


We will also use a house of one of the people in our group. We will use this as the setting but the features in the house such as the door and tv will be used mainly in the film. This creates a student lifestyle setting in which the party will be based.

Research into similar films

Research into similar films

The stalker element of our film links it to many films across the board and allows us to implement ideas into our film from other to help us improve and develop our film.
One film which i think has a real stalker element and other elements that link to our film is:

The Stalker

This film is similar to ours in the way that it is about someone coming after a certain person for a reason they cannot explain until further on into the film. There are many scenes throughout this film where it could be seen as horrifying but also it could clever. We are going to input this sort of stuff into our film so that we can make a twist in the film.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvK-cK60wWY  

This link reviews the whole film and shows most of the film.

Analysis of a Title Sequence:Skyfall

Skyfall

In the title sequence of Skyfall the main character James Bond (Daniel Craig) is plunged into water at the start of it. This introduces the main character to the audience so they are familiarised with the character and can see the predicament that he is in as he has just been shot. After this the main focus is to introduce the characters names involved in the film so the audience can have an understanding of who is in the film.
Special effects are added to the background to show the constant falling of James Bond whilst names of other characters are placed on screen. This allows the audience to track the progress of James bond. After this the theme of guns and knives is shown due to this being a big part in the action of the film and also the main scene of the film includes these weapons.

Similarly the title sequence shows Chinese dragons and hints of the Skyfall house. These are settings during the film as the ending is situated at the house and before that James Bond travels to China on a mission.  These are where the main points in the film are and the dark filter and colours on the knives show that there is death and darkness used by the knives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pGXMq78IXQ

Researched into Title Sequences

Research into title sequences

We need to make the title sequence to our film very interesting to draw the audience into the start of the film. This can have a big impact on what the audience think and feel about our film at the start and maybe all the way through the film.
 There are many things which are known as common throughout most of title sequences across every type of film.
Usually we get to see and be introduced to some of the main characters. Maybe if its just a glimpse of them, or a whole shot of them. Most title sequences do show the main characters, just to give the audience a feel for the film as it is starting. As we can see in this picture of Billy Elliot. We can see that it shows the main character as the title sequence is on. And we also get the idea of what he does, and we can see he is very active (dancer).

Usually the main setting is also included in the title sequence so we can see and get a feel for where the movie is set. This can be used to make the audience feel more a part of the film. In the picture below we can see the setting of a film in the title sequence and it lets us know what feeling or theme it will have.

Also we see a lot of animation in most title sequences which can make the title sequence have a twist and it allows the producer to be able to input a wide range of settings and animations into the title sequence.

Potential Audience Research

Potential Audience

Dramas have many sub genres which can have many different age ratings for each different type of the genre. For example a Drama thriller might be a 15 while a Romance Drama may be a 12. We have decided that our film will be a 12 or a 12A rated film. This is because of the content we have included in the film. 

So our potential audience will be aimed at a young teenager to a mature adult. (12-25 years old), this will allow us to have a wide range of merchandise and content that will be suitable for most age groups. Also there may be older people who watch the film as the age rating doesn't limit the age, it is just a recommendation. But we shall be sending out a questionnaire that will help us decide on our target audience. 

Research into Title Sequences

Title Sequences

Title sequences is the main part in which the film presents there title, main characters and main production of the film. Sound is usually used in these to add effect and that the audience can familiarise themselves with the title sequences sound. Effects are used to show different characters and different parts in the sequence. They may fade out, dissolve or fade in between the sequence on order to keep the speed of the title up. Due to many films being different, title sequences can either be in chronological order or non- chronological.

Chronological title sequences follow the set story of the film with the events happening in the right order. On the other hand title sequences that are non-chronological will usually start with the main focus points of the film at the start and then tell a story of how that even came about.

Usually characters names are included in the title sequences through effects. this allows the audience to see who is in the film and introduce the characters so that the audience understands who they are. This may happen with a back drop of the main set of the film.

  

Research into possible distributors of our film

Possible distributors

Nova Home Entertainment

This would be a good distributor to use for our film because it is very local and would make it easy for us to distribute our film around the local area when we first release it. They are located in doncaster which is not far at all for us to get to. It is about 10.55 miles from Barnsley. This local company have always had a good reputation for distributing local films. They have a good reputation for the wide range of short films.
They are located on:

62 Ascot Avenue, Doncaster, DN4 6HE

Potential Audience

Potential Audience

Since a drama is a broad genre there are many sub genres inside drama. The audience for a drama would usually be the young mature and also the older audience of both male and female genders. This is because drama is usually based on a real life situation that the audience could relate too. The target audience for our film of the sub genre of a crime drama/ thriller would be the younger generation from the ages of 12-25 however some older people may want to watch this film due to the suspense and thrill included in the film.

Since the film is based on students the overall audience maybe students as they can relate to some of the actions in the film and may find some of the characteristics of the characters in themselves. This may also attract the slightly older audience due to the way in which other films with a similar storyline have been popular. Although the film is rated a 12A the action that takes place in the film maybe a bit mature for the younger audience of 12-14 as they may not understand the context of the film.

Make up and props

Throughout our film there are going to be many props that we will use, these will be used in many ways to make the film seem more realistic. Facial make-up will be used to portray beatings that will happen to the main character. We will try to do the make up ourselves, as we know exactly what we need it to look like and also if we were to get someone to do it it may cost us some money.

Some examples of the makeup we are going to be using throughout our film:


Bruised eye

This is a bruised eye style of make-up which will come in handy for us as we will be using some scenes which will require our characters to have been beaten and hurt.

Cuts                
  This is a cut in the skin which is made to look realistic by the many uses of a lot of make-up. This could be useful as again we could use it in scenes where we are going to be using violence or where we are going to be showing someone beaten.

Props

There are many Props that we can be using throughout the process of our film, we can use weapons such as hammers or knifes which can symbolise how dangerous the man is who is causing all of the trouble through the film. We could also use a car which i have got which would be good for us to add something into a scene and make the film more complexed in a sense.

Possible distributors

Dazzle

Dazzle films are an independent film label that deals with short 90 second films to masterpieces. They deal with the distribution, exhibition and sales of the films and they have won many UK and international awards. As they are based in London, Uk so this makes it accessible for us as it is a train journey away and can contact them easily across the phone. Also they promote films on their social network sites which would help boost the profile of the film as more people will spread the word about it as they see it.


Future Shorts

Future Shorts are a rapidly increasing company that deal with the distribution of short films. Founded in 2003 and based in London ,Future shorts hold a monthly short film festival. They give short film makers the chance to present their ideas and films to the world and on the worlds biggest platform. These are also based in London and the deal with companies around the globe. this would be a good platform for our idea due to the company being vastly recognised in the UK and also other countries. They also have special events at other big festivals such as Glastonbury and The Big Chill. As they promote films at these events our idea would be able to be promoted to the public and spread the word and popularity of our short film.

Research of Certificate

Research into Certificate

Due to our film containing suspense and frightening scenes the film could be considered either a 12 or a 12A. A 12a would only allow a parent or guardian to be with a a child under 12 years old and may be better for the film as some parts may be frightening and some children may find disturbing or become scared.

the film would not be rated a 15 as it does not contain any sexual scenes,  excessive strong language or moderate violence. Similarly there is no discrimination that takes places in the film and the violence would not be dwelled on in the film to disturb younger children.

It would be suited to a 12A due to the horror elements of the film not being sustained for a long time so that the children maybe scared and also the parents can decide if their children are allowed to go as depending on the strictness of the parents may decide if the children can go and see the film

Individual Genre Research of a Drama (Iconography and settings)

Iconography and Props

Real life issues and problems are iconographic of the drama genre because it is something that the audience can relate to and understand. This makes the audience always be able to understand the story line of the film as they can relate to what is happening and be sympathetic towards the protagonist. The Story line of drama films are often told like a journey. The classic everything is okay then something goes wrong which results in the disturbance in the film and the the equilibrium of the film where everything is resolved and leads to a happy ending. A happy ending is used in almost every drama film. This is because the audience believe the story more and understand that real life issues can be overcome. Otherwise the audience would not be satisfied with the ending if the protagonist did not resolve his problem in the film. Therefore a happy ending is essential to the drama genre and is why happy endings are used in almost all drama films. Sound exaggerated is often exaggerated in drama films. This is so the sounds of movement or a person sighing is heard and understood by the audience. This is because drama as a genre is very dramatic and therefore the sound in a drama film needs to be so that the audience or spectator knows how to feel.

Settings

There are many settings that can be placed in any typical drama or crime drama. All the following settings are examples of what can be seen in a drama:

• A Mansion
• Backstreets                                   
• A big city
• Someones house
• An estate 
• An office

Every one of these would be used in a drama, this is because dramas are all what we can relate to, no matter how bizarre or weird the drama is they will always have something involved that the audience can relate to. 

Iconography/Props and Settings of a Drama

Settings

In a typical drama or crime drama film you would usually see the main setting to be in one of the following:

• An estate
• Someones house
• A big city
• Backstreets
• An office
• A mansion

These would all typically be associated with a crime drama as criminals  would usually own big mansions due to their profits from crime and operate on the backstreets of big city's usually selling drugs or using weapons to threaten victims. Also the way in which pathetic fallacy can be used can determine the atmosphere in which the characters are set. For example if it was a dark, rainy night the atmosphere would be dark and mysterious with danger about.

Iconography and Props 

Typically in a crime drama/thriller there would be a obscure or natural setting that has an edge to it. It would be the main setting in which the main drama is set and most of the action would take place here. Usually in a drama there are a 'victim' and sometimes a 'villain'. Real life problems can sometimes be used in dramas so that the audience can relate and understand the storyline and can create emotions towards certain characters either through sympathy or hatred. Exaggerated sounds are normally used in dramas to emphasise the sound in order to create an atmosphere. These would usually be a scream, sigh, or cough in order for the audience to understand that that is a key point in the film. Props in a drama may be any real life object that someone would use like a car, gun or phone.

Similar Films

Taken

Taken is a similar film to the first idea that we have because it has the same kind of storyline. The dad is very protective over his daughter as he knows the dangers out in the world. But then as soon as he lets his daughter out of his sight, she gets taken, kidnapped by a bunch of sex trade dealers. He goes on a hunt tracking down the kidnappers. Throughout the story he conquers and seeks his goal which is to find his daughter. This is just like our film. It links with the fact that the dad in our film and the dad in taken have the same idea, they have the same goal and they are both ambitious and motivated to reach the goal they have set. In the end of both our film and taken they overcome the kidnappers and they take their children back. Both of the films are thrillers, they have action and drama involved in them, all the way through, from the start all the way to the end.


Hot Fuzz

Hot Fuzz links the the comedy storyline that we have created in many ways. This is because its about two best friends who are police officers together and one of them doesn't take it seriously and keeps messing up the job. This doesn't get the fired like in our film but it does lead to cause several  problems in the working environment. Throughout the film they make a lot of funny remarks and this really links to what i would love to do in our film, make people laugh. The film is weird but extremely funny at the same time and could be related to a community in todays time. This film has action throughout but action that is                                                                                     truly based on making the audience laugh.

Genres for my Ideas

Drama

A drama film includes lots of tension and dramatic scenes in the films. The suspense created by the film puts the audience on the edge of their seats and keeps them interested in the film so more people will watch it. Films can include conflict which puts some characters as the main focus of the film and it would interest the audience how they may get out of or struggle to fight the conflict. A drama would usually change in pace during the movie when the pace may quickly change and include fast paced scenes including action and conflict. These types of films may also include twists and challenges that a character might face during the film which makes the film full of action and a good viewing for the audience.

Thriller 

The main purpose of the film is to create suspense and excitement for the audience which will keep them on the edge of their seats. In a thriller there is usually an end goal in which a certain character or group of characters have to achieve in a certain time limit or before something happens. Crime may be a key element in these films as it puts the audience on edge and adds a degree of edge to the film as crime is involved. This is usually done by a character been put into a uncomfortable situation or a situation that may be risky to solve.

My Story Ideas

Ideas for Short film

 Crime Drama

A teenager owes money to drug dealer after not paying the money up front. The dealer keeps sending threats and violent text messages to him telling him that he needs to pay up. After a few days of not replying to these messages the teenager sees the dealer in public walking down the street in which he hides from him so he doesn’t see him. He gets a text later that day saying that he is currently being followed and he now knows where he lives.The characters involved will be one teenager and a rich drug dealer.A similar film to this is The Wolf of Wall Street where the main character Jordan Belfort is reliant on drugs and is part of a crime business frauding the law and the public

Thriller

A student is having a few friends round whilst his parents are away and he starts getting phone calls every 5 minutes with a silence when he picks up the phone. He then hears tapping on the windows and people knocking on the door but with no one there once he opens it. The next day he comes home to see that his home has been broken into and he is left notes where he can find his valuables. The criminal has broken into his house due to the actions of the student against him on a night out He then goes in search of his stuff.The characters will be a student and his friends and a criminal.

A similar film to this is Cellular where a women calls up a house to claim they have kidnapped a member of there family and then continues stalking them as the women then tries and kidnapping the other members of the family. Another similar film is Abduction where a student us on the run from a mass man hunt from criminals due to a private document that the students father stole from the criminal