Design Practice 2: Film: Brief

So my film project this time is entitled "Interpretation", I was first put into a group of myself and five other members and told that within this group we were to plan, film and edit a short script which would be given to us  as individual groups. We would have to assign each other roles from Producer, director, camera & lighting, sound design and editor, which I realise from past projects is vital for the organistation, quality and ultimatley the final outcome of a film. This way tasks and objectives can be divided upon the group, creating a much better enviroment to work in.

We were given our script which is called shift, which I interpret as a conspircie story which resides in the thriller/action genre. We began to read and make sence of the short plot, already contemplating possible alterations and new ideas we could envoke.

Short extract:

1 EXT. ALLEYWAY. NIGHT 1
TITLE: White text on black background fades in SHIFT. It shimmers as if a light source is being played across it before the screen fades out to black CHRIS is flat, flat, flat against the wall. Squeezed in as tightly as
possible, Chris listens Nearby we hear footsteps. Someone is creeping along, someone is trying to make as little noise as possible. Panicked Chris dashes through the alley. Chris is pursued by footsteps and shouts. Chris flees

2 INT. BIOCITY RECEPTION. DAY 2
Chris is momentarily blinded by the light shining in through the window. Stumbles, squints, fingers white, grip the briefcase even tighter. Nods to receptionist, hesitates, slows down then nods to security. The revolving door exit seems very far away

3 INT. OFFICE. NIGHT 3
The only illumination comes from the photocopier as it copies. Chris is nervous. Piles of papers fall to the floor. Chris hurriedly picks them up. Listening Chris shuts off the photocopier. Ducking down behind it we see the silhouette of two security personnel at the door

Next we were shown examples of existing short films to draw influences from and to get motivated

The Black Hole:



Good use of budget, clothes portray the actor perfectly as the average Joe office worker, setting the scene for the audience of a average, mundane everday night shift at the office. Good use of sound effects, powerful yet not overly complicated or expensive to use. Good camera compositions, interesting use of mid shots, closeups, macros and POV's, constantly changing to keep interest and variety. Simple gestures by the actor portray emotions of determination, excitement and anxiety. The story is a classic tale of greed made comical.

I am looking forward to getting stuck into this project and will be keeping you informed with the development and production as soon as we assign each other roles and arrange a group meeting, We already have some concepts and ideas which I will post in my next entry. Bye bye