Design Practice 1:One Shot Film: Analysis, Synthesis and Planning

Now I have the basic concepts and designs for my one shot film, but have made no solid judgements or sense of the development stage, I like to identify the implications of my inspirations and brainstorming before I continue with later processes. This allows me to learn further and avoid possible problems arising in the future. I  adapt any new ideas created by my analysis/synthesis at this point and usually incorporate them into my current project.

Analysis involves listing as many questions as you can think of regarding your project. The questions will vary from project to project but usually the majority of these questions are the same, whatever the project you are attempting. the Synthesis is the following section in the design process and is a list of answers. Quite simple really.

1) What software is most appropriate to use?
2) How long do I estimate to completion ?
3) What camera angles and lighting are best and why?
4) What story am I trying to tell?
5) What is the main function of my one shot film?
6) What existing products were prime influences?
7) What are some good books, DVDs and useful information.
8) What is every one's position in the team
9) Characteristics and Setting. ?

1) Well in terms of editing I've been advised that Adobe Premier Pro is a industry favourite for post production of films. I have been fluently using this program since the start of term and seeing as it's recommended and has all the necessary tools I need, It looks like it will do the job perfectly.

2) My estimated date of completion is somewhere between the 10th and 13th of November, I am basing this on the arranged group meetings to start production and also allowing for possible interruptions to filming such as rain, absences and getting permission to film.

3) As we are filming outside we will be dealing mainly with natural light, our aim is raise the camera over the actors head, tilted down to create an over the shoulder perspective. This will create a 3rd person view, that puts the audience in a dominant position looking down onto our actor. Setting the white balance will allow for the most realistic sunlight possible, we will have to experiment with the angles of the sunlight to ensure it doesn't appear to strong or weak on shot, reflectors are also a possibility.



4) The main story we have concluded on is the journey of a young girl trying to cope with the break up of her parents, she begins of happy, the family is united symbolised with everyone holding hands and smiling. The emotions progress to worried, the crack in the family begins to appear and the girl becomes tense. The story concludes with sadness symbolised with a unhappy face, she walks of into the distance leaving an image in the audiences mind.

5) The main function of my one shot film is to engage the audiences imagination, It's up to them to solve the symbols and pictures and interpret them in there own way. The film aims to show a journey and emotions of a young girl, hopefully keeping the audience interested and portraying a meaningful message.

6) Without a doubt the prime influence was a short sequence in a lighting documentary we watch in a seminar, It involved a 3rd person perspective of a young girl drawing on the floor, this is what we are essentially elaborating on

7) Single-Camera Video Production by Robert B. Musburger
Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics, Rabiger Michael, 4 edition 2007
Sound and Recording: An Introduction, Francis Rumsey, Tim McCormick, 4
edition (June 2002)

8) The original plan for roles within the team (Wrote my Oli):

• Director - Oli - Ensure everybody is happy with the current situation, that there are no problems, and to make sure everybody is sticking to their roles & responsibilities, as well as suggest further ideas.
• Camera - Harry - Ensure that the camera is properly set up onto a tripod, adjust white balance, check battery level, no-one adjusts the camera other than himself. General camera controls.
• Editor - Sam - Edit the footage appropriately, add colour correction if necessary, as well as time lapse. Add credits too (possibly) and obviously importing and exporting the data.
• Actor - Becky - Becky has a small figure, and we felt that because of this, she could act as the child. The camera shall only be over the shoulder, so not a lot of acting is required, just basic drawing skills (the skills of an average child!)
• Lighting - Briony - General lighting controls.
• Runner/safety - Joe - Joe will make sure that the actions we take are safely done, as well as carry out a risk assessment before we set out to film.
  
  
  9) We have chosen to replicate a playground environment for our setting, although It won't actually be shot in a playground, the camera will be facing down onto tarmac creating the illusion. This is a good setting as people instantly associate playgrounds with childish behaviour. To portray our actor as a little girl we decided on a costume consisting of a red coat, were hoping the audience will be reminiscent of little red riding hood and associate the two.
  

Samuel Dobson