Script tutorial

• Formatting – your script needs to look like a professional film/TV script. Go to bbc.co.uk/writersroom and click on Script Library to see professional examples.

•  Superb drama and the Polish/English element really emphasises the arthouse feel. Which word in the brief have you chosen to work with?

• The scenes are certainly achievable and I think it’s good that you’re not trying to do too much. However, is there 3 minutes of film here? I also think you need to be clear where this is in the film. Patrick naturally works as a sympathetic character the audience would like – could this not be the opening scene and the full 30-minute movie would involve him trying to escape this world? However, the gun shot might need changing. 

• Lose the swearing in the subtitles – it’s not essential and it makes it easier to enter your film in competitions/show at Media Awards if it’s taken out. You can probably keep it in Polish – it will provide enjoyment to Polish speakers who realise the subtitles are slightly edited! 

• The second part of scene 2 is the area I’d work on. You need more tension, more build-up – and ultimately the promise of a narrative if the audience kept watching.

 Next steps

Create a new blogpost called ‘Script tutorial’ and copy and paste the above feedback. Then, write a list of three ‘next steps’ for your group in terms of the video production – that could be making script/shot list changes, confirming filming dates, booking a camera with Ms Quinn or actually going out and filming the first scenes.

-Make final changes to the actual script and put it in the correct format.
-Confirm filming dates with actors in the next two upcoming weeks 
-Make some final adjustments to what shots are going to be recorded and which ones wouldnt be used at all.

Research

Research

1) Write an analysis of this BFI Film Festival programme front cover. How many of the 12 key conventions of magazine covers can you see? In what way does this print product differ from a traditional magazine cover? How have the designers made this programme visually interesting?

The BFI Film Festival programme consists of large font, background image and logo. It has little information that can be seen however there is some such as the institutions name, the time period the festival is happening and who they are partnered with which in this case is 'American Express'. The cover has a black background with the writing in white to make it stand out, for the big letters it has been layered on top of a image with a male face. The cover follows the convention of 'Title of Publication' which is found at the centre of the cover to be visible and easily read due to the large font size and type of font which has block letters. Secondly, it sort of follows the convention of having a centre image as the large font is layered on top of a image. As having it a single colour such a white would make it stand out, however it would be less interesting to someone walking passed so having that gives it more of a design aspect. Further, the cover is kept simple and clean due to the colour scheme being mostly reds, blacks and blues which make it easier to look at and 'decode'. The colours such as red which is the main colour seen have the impact of 'boldness', 'passion and energy which fits well with the BFI London Film Festival and the character they try to emit. Those would be the only conventions that this cover follows as a way to keep it simple and basic but to draw the most amount of people. To conclude, the cover does not follow many conventions as it's main purpose would not be to sell anything such as a game magazine but it's more to inform about something happening such as the festival. Most film programmes such as this or for Art House cinemas have a basic concept but intriguing designs to draw attention to information and not sell products.   

BBFC Institution research

1) Research the BBFC: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government?

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is a non-governmental organisation that was founded by the film industry in 1912 and is directly responsible for the national classification and censorship of media work such as Television, programmes, trailers and adverts. Due to it being a non-governmental company it is funded through the fees it charges for submitted films for classification.It is linked to the government as it has been a statutory requirements under the Video Recording Act 2010.

2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summaries the process in 50 words.

The Examiners that work for the board would on a daily watch various combinations of films and DVD, for the films they would have to watch it in a specialized cinema and for the DVDs in a room on plasma TVs this is so that they get a similar experience as the public would. Many of the times they watch it alone know as Solo viewing. They check for:

- The context such as the plot, scenes and characters 
- Camera shots/angle and on/off screen moments
- Bad language, sex and drug reference. 

They then report back to each other to discuss the types of problems that could be controversial and if the material is suitable or if it goes against any policies  that would not allow it to be a 15. The work is then passed on to the Senior Management however the decision would be made by the distributor as the BBFC will suggest to cut some scenes out to match the category. 

3) Read this BBFC outline of the issues faced when classifying a film. Summaries the debate in 50 words.

When classifying a film there are issues such as a clash between the law for example if anything shown is illegal in places that if viewed will get people arrested. Other issue is if the clip will create harm to a person know as MORAL HARM, for example if a clip is show that shows violence and deaths it could degrade a viewers sense of empathy this can lead to anti-social behavior such as not socializing. The last issues is the language and how the clip impacts the the viewers at the end and the general feel it has, for example it the film has a dark feel to it the viewers can get left feeling down. 

4) Read this BBFC section on controversial decisions. Why did The Dark Knight generate a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate? Do you agree with the 12A certificate The Dark Knight was awarded?

The BBFC had a lot of media coverage regarding the decision of rewarding the Dark Knight a 12A certificated as they received a lot of complains from the public. The problem was that the film contained a substantial amount of strong language and violent scenes throughout the duration. The BBFC has said that the decision was made as there was not enough to breach the guidelines and has become one of the 'Landmarks' for the decisions they made.

5) What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?


Discrimination - The film must not endorse discriminatory language or behavior, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and languages.

Drugs - Drug taking may be shown but the film must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Imitable behavior -  Dangerous behavior (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.

Language - There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.

Nudity - There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail.

Sex - Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behavior, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Threat - There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable. 

Violence - May be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.

6) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Choose one 15-rated film from the BBFC case studies section and summaries the classification the film was given and why. 

A Clockwork Orange 

The movie was submitted to the BBFC in 1971 and due to a 'X' film being changed from a 16 to a 18 the movie was rated with a certificate of 18. It was rated this high as the main character showed large amounts of violence to people as well as anti-social behavior which many people from the public thought it would affect children in copying the actions. With the film being out people linked crimes/attacks to directly link to the idea of it being inspired by the film. It created large controversy among people as some have seen the movie challenging crimes of the future as a way to stop people from behaving in such a way.

Preliminary exercise feedback

Mark: 6/10

Grade: C

WWW: You’ve met the requirements of the task and posted a video alongside a solid evaluation.

The video has real potential despite a couple of flaws. The opening shot is framed very well and match-on-action works to create a smooth, flowing narrative. I agree the foreign language element really makes it stand out and I’m delighted you’ll be doing this for the main production.

Your evaluation is honest and critical – I really like that the first half of the evaluation is picking out the areas that could have been better. This critical perspective suggests you have high standards and that’s a great sign! The strengths you discuss towards the end are realistic and accurate too.

EBI: There are still definite areas to improve in both the video and evaluation. In terms of the video, breaking the 180 degree rule is a really important lesson – as you acknowledge in the evaluation. The lighting is more debateable – in some ways it creates a noir-ish feel (which was your stated aim) but I agree in places it is too dark. It’s definitely something to think about for the main production.

For the evaluation, you need to think a little about structure. You just have one block of text! Although the content of the evaluation is good I’m disappointed the word count only reaches 450 (on a minimum 500-word task). You also need more depth and detail to your analysis to reach the higher levels: the aspects you discuss (particularly the criticisms) are all valid but pick out a specific shot, transition or timing when writing your analysis. What impact does this have on the audience?

LR: Go back to your evaluation and organise it into paragraphs. Add some specific references to the production to bring the word count over 500.

Preliminary exercise

The preliminary exercise was to film and edit a 30-40 second video with the narrative having to include a person opening the door, entering ,sitting down and exchanging couple lines of dialogue between each other. There was no set theme or genre we had to follow allowing us to record what we wanted, however we had to follow certain style of editing which was match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180* rule.

 Watching the clip after editing it made me see what I could have done better starting with the more major problem of lighting. The style that I was trying to achieve was film-noir which uses low-key lighting creating mystery and making the clip feel more intense, but with the feedback I received it showed that there was too little light. It still had the aspect mysterious characters but there was not enough on a single character which didn't allow the audience to get attached, it was not ideal as it didn't give a purpose.

 Further, I failed the task of the 180* rule while doing the over the shoulder shots it was a major mistake as it was off slightly. Lastly, the sound volume was an issue while the two characters exchange speech, during the actual coursework to fix this was to get an attachable mic for better sound quality. The work has also good point to go along with the bad for example my editing skills have been crucial that made it a good clip. I stitched the clips in a way that it looks like it was recorded on multiple cameras or better known as continues editing. When the actor opens the door, the shot changes of the inside where the door finishes opening, having the editing done well creates a sort of flow and no jump cuts of sort. 

Lastly, from the feedback I got people enjoyed the aspect of a foreign language and certainly European(polish). It gives it a real art house clip feel meaning that i have given a lot of thought of using a foreign language for my actual coursework piece. The task was a visual presentation which showed me what I need to practise before recording the actual coursework such as the lighting, for example how to light a room which will add to the environment and feel of the genre it is being recorded in. I can also improve the placement of the camera as in 0:08 - 0.20 of the clip in the corner there was part of the staircase, it wasn't a major issue but the audience might have not been able to focus of the character himself due to the distraction. 

The areas that I will try to improve in the main coursework and evaluation is making sure not to break any rules such as the 180* rule that I used in the preliminary exercise. Practise more camera movements and revise how each shot can create a effect on a clip if recorded and done correctly. I would also have to improve how I use lighting so it adds to the clip and doesn't take away the feel of a noir. For the evaluation side, I have to improve in how much detail I write or specific points not only what happened but how it could be improved further and why. 

Learner Response to Exam

Mark = 23 (D)

WWW: You've picked up on some key aspects for every question which is a very good sign. Now you need to add the                      depth and theory to make the most of this potential.

EBI: - Key issue is your answers lack the depth, terminology and theory for the top levels in the mark schemes. Without               this, you won't get higher then 6/12.

         - Written English is also holding you back: Spelling (particularly of terminology) and grammar.

         - Lack of media theory frustrating - did you revise the MIGRAIN side of the course? You could have used narrative              theory, Hall's preferred readings etc.

The clip I have chosen was the ending scene of 'Bonnie and Clyde' directed by Arthur Penn which was released in 1967. The narrative has a single story about a criminal couple that traveled United States during the Great Depression which came to a end when they got shot by officers in an ambush, this scene highlights the final moment they shared. It is one of the top editing sequences to be released due to the way it was put together which created a effect on the viewer.

Firstly, the clip began with a slow pace which doesn't create any distinctive feelings as it seems peaceful and safe, it means that we have time to bond with the characters on screen with narrative happening between them. This can also give an impression of a normal car journey you might have which brings the characters to the same level as you and I, this once again allows the viewer to bond with them. The first 25 seconds of the clip have slow straight cuts that make it seamless and natural which still backs the idea of it being like a normal car ride that you might have. The use of POV during those seconds was so the viewer knows exactly whats happening which is edited with the dialogue, for example when she says "Isn't that Malcom there" which then straight cuts to a wide shot of what they see from the inside of the car. Another editing of sound and video was how the Malcom was never seen directly speaking but only once which was a far over-the-shoulder shot this might have been done to show how unimportant he is a character in the clip which backs the idea of Bonnie and Clyde being main actors.

In addition, the next 5 seconds establish four things that force the attention of the viewer which are the car in distance, Bonnie, Clyde and the bushes. The first shot that changed the speed of the clip was the car driving forward in the distance. With the straight cuts happening faster it creates tension due to the viewers predicting a sort of action to occur, this makes it seem more interesting then a normal car ride. A silence is kept through the cuts until it cuts to bird flying away, it is edited in a way that builds tension to that moment to make it fade away with a sort of decoy of action. It's done also in a way to trick the viewers perspective of the common ' A scene with a lot of tension leading straight to an action scene'.  Furthermore, the way the whole clip can be split into sections of speed  as at the start it was all slow then the shot of the truck happened which then the pace became faster, after that the scene of the birds which lead to a very fast pace. At that moment the tension is high meaning the viewers are in mystery what will happen even though the editor didn't hide any information away from us.

Lastly, the editing was done that the scene of the bushes appeared that led to even more tension and mystery happening around it as we don't know why it keeps appearing, then the silence is broken by gun shots that sounded similar to the wings of the birds. The last bit of genius editing is the fact the pace of the clip is slowing down with them being shot which may suggest the dying of the tension that was happening before. From 1:06 the silence and still camera gives the effect of emptiness and darkness which was a complete opposite of how the clip began.