Research and planning
The Four films that our opening is inspired by and screenshots
Oceans Eleven- Crime, Thriller/ Warner bros (2001)This is the main inspiration for the idea of the film as well as the having the theme a balance of action and humour. It has a light-hearted tone, especially compared to Point Break and it's the editing style in particular that caught my eye. Whilst coming up with the idea of a heist film I felt that the transitions- fade used in the Vault scene (shown below) is what we could use in the editing stage.
Attack the block- Action,comedy,sci-fi/film4- studiocanal (2011)The reason that Attack the Block is one of the four films we have been inspired by is because of it's sense of humour and that's what we want to replicate. The whole story about Attack The Block is that it's about of teenagers trying to act older than they actually are and this theme is what we a trying to place in our film- which will have three teenagers plotting and carrying out a heist. Obviously, this affects our target audience and it is worth considering that Film4 were the production company for this. For example, in the clip below this type of subtle humour is what I want to show in the opening.
About these films:The Dark Knight does not have a similar story to ours, but it's the opening heist scene that is key to our film. The opening involves a group of thugs robbing a bank, but it is really thought out well, especially in comparison to Point Break. The lighting is light (high-key) as it is filmed during the day, and generally the camera is smooth and there are no handheld movements like you may see in Point Break. Editing wise, the Dark Knight has longer takes compared to the heist scene of Point Break which is made up of shorter takes. This gives it a slightly more energetic feel the film which represents why the characters are in fact carrying out the heist- for the thrill of it. As I mentioned above Attack The Block is mainly one of our inspirations due to it's script and approach as opposed to the filming style. This is because the plan for our film is for it be part of the crime genre at heart, but made of two sub-genres- heist and spoof. It won't take itself too seriously, much like Attack The Block does. Oceans Eleven is the main inspiration for the film, due to it's; tone (not to heavy, quite light-hearted and fun), editing style (the fade/wipe transitions), shot length and story.
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Point Break (Heist scene)- Action, crime, thriller/20th century fox (1991)The reason why Point Break plays a part in the inspiration of the film opening is because of the heist scene which involves on foot camera (the tracking movement) which I think would be a suitable filming style and could create a good sense of pace. It's energetic and wild heist is unlikely to be the style that our opening will be, however the fast, handheld camerawork and editing style could be implemented into our film.
The Dark Knight (hesit scene)- action,crime, drama/ warner bros (2008)The heist scene in The Dark Knight was also chosen because of it's more steady, smooth experience compared to Point Break which was slightly rough around the edges. Both have different purposes- the Point Break scene is purposefully filmed like that to connote how they are not as skilled nor in complete control of the robbery; whereas The Dark Knight is potentially filmed on tripod (as opposed to handheld) to provide the smoother experience and to show a more well thought out robbery. Some of the shots shown below are one's that we would like to replicate- especially the one of them hacking into the security system. I would like to do this shot for when M is using his tablet to gain aces into to the system.
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Looking at film openings for ideas
Friday 30th January: Today we looked at the Whiplash opening anatomy and analysed what were the intentions of the author and how he showed this. For example, one of the things that the author wanted to highlight was how music can cause fear and red- he did this by making JK. Simmons character come out of the shadows- much like a bat or something that induces that fear (like the character Batman). We then got back inter groups and take about our idea and we came up with a heist film that will involve three 'techy' students who plan on cheating for their exams and plan to 'steal' the exam mark schemes from an exam officer. The setting will be a warehouse in which the exams mark schemes are stored in. This will allow for a combination of genres- from action to spy- to even a parody (seeing as it is a group of teenagers). I watched the opening to understand some of the conventions of a opening and really to discuss what makes this an effective opening.
Notebook work showing some planning
The plan for the story is that three teenagers are planning to steal their exam papers. The whole opening is meant to be ironic in that it looks so well-planned and the entering stage of the heist when it goes to perfection, yet when their target is right in front of the teenagers,they miss it- which is I guess the running joke. Yet, they do find it and and are completely unaware that they are being watched by another teenager- who wants to recruit them into his spy agency because he sees their potential.
Institutions
For our film I think that an institution that we we most likely partner with is Film4. This because of the films they make, often low budget,sometimes grounded British films such as Attack The Block, Four Lions and The Inbetweeners. Film4 are a production company owned by Channel Four. In 2012, the company changed from Channel Four Films to Film4 to coincide with the launch of the channel with the same name. According to the website this is what they are about "In 2011 Film4 launched its ground breaking new role in exploring innovation in film making with the appointment of Anna Higgs as a Commissioning Executive with special responsibility for innovative talent development, production and audience engagement, with a focus on commissioning film projects that have the potential to explore the spaces and relationships between traditional media, digital platforms and the real world." The most important part of the quote is the idea that they want to focus on bringing films they wanted to produce grounded films, which is essentially what our film would be. It wouldn't be a big Hollywood blockbuster but rather comparable to Attack The Block.Their typical audience, especially of the films listed is teenagers/young adults. This is similar to our target audience of young adults/teenagers and this is another reason as to why I feel they would be perfect. We are also thinking about doing a co-production with StudioCanal as they worked with Film4 on productions such as Attack The Block. StudioCanal productions also include massive blockbusters such as The Hunger Games franchise films that have a predominately teenage audience. Therefore, based on the audience of some of their films, they would be appropriate as well. For our logo we were thinking about using the square root symbol to go with the title of the film- "the square root". Inside the symbol will have the title. For example it will look something like (but with the title positioned better!):
Questionnaire
Questionnaire results of the 5 most important questions
Analysis:
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Shot list (shots we are looking to implement)
Storyboard draft
Camera Shots
Camera Movement
- Close up of characters during conversation.
- Focus pull of exam paper box as they walk past them.
- Establishing shot of warehouse.
- Dutch angle Shot?
- Handheld movement when they are entering the warehouse and escaping.
- Eye line match when M is looking for the papers using glasses.
- Point of view when M is looking for boxes using glasses.
- Mid-shot of all three characters in the warehouse.
- Cutaway when they are entering and we see Agent E watching.
- Two shot
- Over the shoulder as they are running into the building.
- Extreme close up of the exam box.
- Wide shot of the three protagonists in the warehouse.
Camera Movement
- Pan
- Tilt
- Tracking
- Trucking
- Zooming
Storyboard final
script- first draft "The square root"
Characters; Asia, M, Joshua, Agent ( 3 students- one jock, one nerd, one counter-type)
Setting- Summertime, May, at night/late afternoon, exam warehouse
Filmed in the communications center/ School and a Warehouse (Feltham)
Genre- Crime; Sub Genres, Heist/Spoof- also potentially spy
Props-Newspaper, Blueprints, Camera, Mask, Board, Tablet, Exam Paper, Pins/String, Tripod
Story line- a group of 3 students plan on robbing an exam warehouse, little do they know they are being watched.
Scene opens with over the shoulder shot, and tracks Fabian (Joshua) as he goes around the table to the planning board. *Puts cross/target on exam boards they want"
Then Panning movement of board to show planning
Fabian; "We're ready!"
Camera transition
Establishing shot of warehouse
F:"M get us into the security system"
M: (M gets gadget out, gates open)- "easy"
F: "nice.....all right let's get inside"
M: (puts on halloween mask)
F+S: "the hell are you wearing that!?"
M: (Takes off without thinking) " I thought that's what they do in the movies"
Transition........They enter the building- lights off, then M turns them on with gadget.
A: "M where are the papers"/ shot reverse shot
M: "erm...upstairs"
They go upstairs, find the room...go through papers- can't seem to find it
S: erm...guys I think it's here"
F+M: "Nah its definitely here"
S: No.. look it says exam board OCR Media exam 2015 right there" (eyeline match)
F+M: "Oh"
Suddenly, they hear the door close/open....
M: Wait.... no-one should be here at this time"
They start running.....Agent appears (standing on top of stairs, high/low angle- to show power/authority). He also turns light off but then so spotlight on him much like M does.
A: *claps* "you guys have done well.....very well"
S: Who are you??
A: I'm your new boss and that..... that was your interview"
J: What are you talking about??"
A: We've been watching you for a long time, we're an agency who need people with your talent"
(Walks down stairs and shakes their hand) "Welcome"
*Fade to black*
Setting- Summertime, May, at night/late afternoon, exam warehouse
Filmed in the communications center/ School and a Warehouse (Feltham)
Genre- Crime; Sub Genres, Heist/Spoof- also potentially spy
Props-Newspaper, Blueprints, Camera, Mask, Board, Tablet, Exam Paper, Pins/String, Tripod
Story line- a group of 3 students plan on robbing an exam warehouse, little do they know they are being watched.
Scene opens with over the shoulder shot, and tracks Fabian (Joshua) as he goes around the table to the planning board. *Puts cross/target on exam boards they want"
Then Panning movement of board to show planning
Fabian; "We're ready!"
Camera transition
Establishing shot of warehouse
F:"M get us into the security system"
M: (M gets gadget out, gates open)- "easy"
F: "nice.....all right let's get inside"
M: (puts on halloween mask)
F+S: "the hell are you wearing that!?"
M: (Takes off without thinking) " I thought that's what they do in the movies"
Transition........They enter the building- lights off, then M turns them on with gadget.
A: "M where are the papers"/ shot reverse shot
M: "erm...upstairs"
They go upstairs, find the room...go through papers- can't seem to find it
S: erm...guys I think it's here"
F+M: "Nah its definitely here"
S: No.. look it says exam board OCR Media exam 2015 right there" (eyeline match)
F+M: "Oh"
Suddenly, they hear the door close/open....
M: Wait.... no-one should be here at this time"
They start running.....Agent appears (standing on top of stairs, high/low angle- to show power/authority). He also turns light off but then so spotlight on him much like M does.
A: *claps* "you guys have done well.....very well"
S: Who are you??
A: I'm your new boss and that..... that was your interview"
J: What are you talking about??"
A: We've been watching you for a long time, we're an agency who need people with your talent"
(Walks down stairs and shakes their hand) "Welcome"
*Fade to black*
Final script 'The square root'
"THE SQUARE ROOT"
Characters; Asia = (skilled), M (tech genius), Joshua (leader), Agent E (spy)
Setting - Summertime, May, at night/late Afternoon, exam company headquarters
Locations - Filmed in the communications centre in school and at a warehouse (Feltham)
Genre- Crime; Sub Genres- Heist/ Spoof and also Spy
Props & Equipment -Newspapers,blueprints, mask, board, tablet, exam paper/s, tripod, camera.
Story line- A group of students plan on robbing an exam warehouse, little do they know they are being watched.
Fade in:
INT. PLANNING ROOM-DAY
A confined but clearly used room with planning equipment such as whiteboards, maps, pictures etc.
There are a lot of papers on the round table; three young students are sitting around the table.
The camera tracks one of them, JOSHUA as he moves round the table to the board.
JOSHUA, the leader of the group, places a picture on the board, then marks it with a cross.
JOSHUA
We’re ready!
Fade to:
EXT. OUTSIDE OF WAREHOUSE- NIGHT
There is little natural light with the exception of artificial lights outside.
We see JOSHUA, ASIA and M moving towards the entrance gate.
JOSHUA
M, get the gates open!
M gets out his gadget and opens the gates with ease.
M
Easy!
M puts of Halloween mask, ASIA AND JOSHUA look at him bemused.
JOSHUA AND ASIA
The hell are you wearing that!?
M takes his mask off immediately
They get the entrance door, M tries to barge it open but fails.
ASIA
Leave it to me
INT. INSIDE WAREHOUSE- NIGHT
(MORE)
They enter the dark warehouse, M turns lights on with gadget, we see the great scale of warehouse.
ASIA
M, where are the papers
M uses his glasses to scan warehouse
M
Erm…. Upstairs
They all go upstairs and see a pile of boxes
JOSHUA
Oh for fu….
JOSHUA is interrupted by a phone call from his mum
JOSHUA
Ahh guys, it’s my mum I gotta take this…
We hear JOSHUA’s distinct conversation in the background
Suddenly a door closes and the lights turn off, M gets a torch out.
M
Wait…no-one should be hear at this time
They students start running, until they stop and see an agent standing on top of the stairs.
AGENT E claps
AGENT E
You guys have done well…very well
ASIA
Wait….who are you???
AGENT E walks down stairs
AGENT E
I’m your new boss and that…that was your interview
Fade to black
Characters; Asia = (skilled), M (tech genius), Joshua (leader), Agent E (spy)
Setting - Summertime, May, at night/late Afternoon, exam company headquarters
Locations - Filmed in the communications centre in school and at a warehouse (Feltham)
Genre- Crime; Sub Genres- Heist/ Spoof and also Spy
Props & Equipment -Newspapers,blueprints, mask, board, tablet, exam paper/s, tripod, camera.
Story line- A group of students plan on robbing an exam warehouse, little do they know they are being watched.
Fade in:
INT. PLANNING ROOM-DAY
A confined but clearly used room with planning equipment such as whiteboards, maps, pictures etc.
There are a lot of papers on the round table; three young students are sitting around the table.
The camera tracks one of them, JOSHUA as he moves round the table to the board.
JOSHUA, the leader of the group, places a picture on the board, then marks it with a cross.
JOSHUA
We’re ready!
Fade to:
EXT. OUTSIDE OF WAREHOUSE- NIGHT
There is little natural light with the exception of artificial lights outside.
We see JOSHUA, ASIA and M moving towards the entrance gate.
JOSHUA
M, get the gates open!
M gets out his gadget and opens the gates with ease.
M
Easy!
M puts of Halloween mask, ASIA AND JOSHUA look at him bemused.
JOSHUA AND ASIA
The hell are you wearing that!?
M takes his mask off immediately
They get the entrance door, M tries to barge it open but fails.
ASIA
Leave it to me
INT. INSIDE WAREHOUSE- NIGHT
(MORE)
They enter the dark warehouse, M turns lights on with gadget, we see the great scale of warehouse.
ASIA
M, where are the papers
M uses his glasses to scan warehouse
M
Erm…. Upstairs
They all go upstairs and see a pile of boxes
JOSHUA
Oh for fu….
JOSHUA is interrupted by a phone call from his mum
JOSHUA
Ahh guys, it’s my mum I gotta take this…
We hear JOSHUA’s distinct conversation in the background
Suddenly a door closes and the lights turn off, M gets a torch out.
M
Wait…no-one should be hear at this time
They students start running, until they stop and see an agent standing on top of the stairs.
AGENT E claps
AGENT E
You guys have done well…very well
ASIA
Wait….who are you???
AGENT E walks down stairs
AGENT E
I’m your new boss and that…that was your interview
Fade to black
Story synopsis
The plot of the story is three teenager plan on robbing the exam warehouse- in which the exams for their upcoming A-level exam mark schemes are stored. They plan on stealing them for a simple challenge, and as you will see they succeed. The real twist comes at the end, when a mysterious teenager dressed in a suit approaches them and asks for their help.
Prop list + Filming Locations
Props:
Filming Locations:
Warehouse- Unit 2, Marlin Park, Central Way, TW14
Lampton school- communications building
- Planning Board
- Pictures
- Gadget bag
- Newspapers/exams
- Tablet
- Hairpin
- Glasses
- Stopwatch
Filming Locations:
Warehouse- Unit 2, Marlin Park, Central Way, TW14
Lampton school- communications building
As you can see this is where we are filming our heist scene, I think the low key lighting on the picture to the left is perfect as it connotes the tension and it does represent one way in which the students have thought about the heist- because it's less likely they will be caught in the cover of darkness. In terms of mise-en-scene, we have thought about the location in deep detail and I feel that this is the perfect setting for this film-given that the exams would in fact be more likely to be stored in a warehouse similar to this.
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The planning scene will be filmed at the communications centre at school. This will not only help establish that they are in fact students, but it also looks as if it is a detailed planning room. There will be pictures/blueprints on boards etc to take away from the fact that it is a small classroom in school.The round (ish) table will be will have plenty of exam papers and planning equipment that will show how much they have been planning in detail.
Character profiles and pictures
Fabian (Joshua): Joshua is the 'headman' of the team, he keeps them together and is always ahead of his game. Joshua leads missions and informs the group what they need to achieve. His wit and acuity makes him a likeable and reliable character. He doesn't have any technological skills however, he is capable of achieving high in anything he does with the help and power of his team.
Shivani (Asia): Asia is a crafty character who's charm and intelligence adds a boost to the team. She uses what's available to her and her surroundings to her advantage- for example a simple hairpin is a valuable tool for her.
Eshan (Agent E): My character is also a teenager- but is a part of an agency-an agency that wants the teenagers help. He's been watching them the whole time, and enters the building just as they find the exam papers. He is mysterious, yet smart- and his appearance makes him seem as if initially he can be trusted. He is clearly skilled + professional as he was able to remain undetected throughout the whole situation and the unexperienced teeagers were surprised by his presence.
Malkiyat (M): His Character is the smart one who as all the equipment in his bag; which includes all the tech and hacking of the group as well. A well known word/stereotype used to describe his character is a "geek". He listens to Joshua (Fabian), he is capable of hacking through anything and is very good with technology which the other two aren't. He is helping them because he wants a challenge he feels that everything he usually does is easy for him.
Shivani (Asia): Asia is a crafty character who's charm and intelligence adds a boost to the team. She uses what's available to her and her surroundings to her advantage- for example a simple hairpin is a valuable tool for her.
Eshan (Agent E): My character is also a teenager- but is a part of an agency-an agency that wants the teenagers help. He's been watching them the whole time, and enters the building just as they find the exam papers. He is mysterious, yet smart- and his appearance makes him seem as if initially he can be trusted. He is clearly skilled + professional as he was able to remain undetected throughout the whole situation and the unexperienced teeagers were surprised by his presence.
Malkiyat (M): His Character is the smart one who as all the equipment in his bag; which includes all the tech and hacking of the group as well. A well known word/stereotype used to describe his character is a "geek". He listens to Joshua (Fabian), he is capable of hacking through anything and is very good with technology which the other two aren't. He is helping them because he wants a challenge he feels that everything he usually does is easy for him.
Eshan (Agent E): My character is also a teenager- but is a part of an agency-an agency that wants the teenagers help. He's been watching them the whole time, and enters the building just as they find the exam papers. He is mysterious, yet smart- and his appearance makes him seem as if initially he can be trusted. He is clearly skilled + professional as he was able to remain undetected throughout the whole situation and the unexperienced teeagers were surprised by his presence. As you can see from his costume, he is dressed smart and stands out from the other characters. The inspiration for my character is from Kingsman: The Secret Service, in particular Colin Firth's character who look is deceiving in that whilst he looks normal, we are unaware of what he is capable of.
Fabian (Joshua): Joshua is the 'headman' of the team, he keeps them together and is always ahead of his game. Joshua leads missions and informs the group what they need to achieve. His wit and acuity makes him a likeable and reliable character. He doesn't have any technological skills however, he is capable of achieving high in anything he does with the help and power of his team. He is also in black because he is aware that it will be better suited to the night. AS you can see from his appearance and stance he looks confident and has the leader like qualities that you would want.
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Shivani (Asia): Asia is a crafty character who's charm and intelligence adds a boost to the team. She uses what's available to her and her surroundings to her advantage- for example a simple hairpin is a valuable tool for her. She is dressed in all black to prevent herself from standing out in the darkness too much.
Malkiyat (M): His Character is the smart one who as all the equipment in his bag; which includes all the tech and hacking of the group as well. A well known word/stereotype used to describe his character is a "GEEK". He listens to Joshua (Fabian), he is capable of hacking through anything and is very good with technology which the other two aren't. He is helping them because he wants a challenge he feels that everything he usually does is easy for him. As you can see, just like the others he is dressed in all black. He also has his gadgets- such as his glasses, watch and tablet which allow him to gain access to security systems and such.
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Props
These are the most important gadgets featured in the film. The bag on the top left is used to hold all M's gadgets such as his tablet- which gives him access to the security and gate system. This is a typical trait of films like this where they have the stereotypical 'tech guy'. M's glasses also give him access to find out the where the exams are whilst they enter the building.The hairpin belongs to Asia and it helps her gain access to a door in which M could not enter himself. The torch is used by Joshua as he leads the group through the entrance to the storage part of the warehouse. Agent E's stopwatch is seen at the end of the film and gives the audience a hint as to who he is. Throughout, the opening we were building to his unveiling and hinting at who he was. The stopwatch and cctv shot show he is watching them and when he pauses the it suggests their time is over. Given his line " 150... that's a new record" it shows that he is impressed with them and they are being potentially being recruited for something.
Filming schedule
Monday 2nd March: Make sure everything is ready for tomorrow, check script and props.
Tuesday 3rd March: Re-film warehouse/heist scene.
Thursday 5th March: Film planning scene at school.
Friday 6th- Thursday 12th: Edit!
Friday 13th- Upload film to youtube.
Tuesday 3rd March: Re-film warehouse/heist scene.
Thursday 5th March: Film planning scene at school.
Friday 6th- Thursday 12th: Edit!
Friday 13th- Upload film to youtube.