Audience Feedback

We asked a small group of students from our school, their thoughts on our opening sequence. The most enjoyable elements were as follows:

- Soundtrack as it was upbeat and suitable to the genre of urban realism.
- Costume too, because it represented the youth in inner cities and cultural diversity
- Continuity: they could follow what was happening in the sequence

What they said could have been improved is as follows:

- Sound and dialogue: this could have been better by being more clear.
- Editing: This could have been more upbeat rather than slow.
- Camerawork: this could have been more fluid, taking longer shots rather than short shots.

EDITING DIARY

Editing Diary

Day One

We captured our project by using a fire-wire attached to our camera.  We attached the fire-wire into the IMac before clicking onto the programme Final Cut.  We then rewound the tape in the camera and clicked on file and capture.  We then clicked play on the camera and clicked now on capture which allowed us to upload the footage we had filmed. 

The first thing that we had to do was to cut out all the mistakes that we had filmed.  This took quite a long time as we had filmed many takes of each shot due to laughing too much!  We used the razor tool to cut on the timeline and for fine editing we used the in and out on the browser.

Ahmed Nasser

PRODUCTION LOGO

LOCATION

Possible locations for our film production.


The locations will be in and around west London.  Firstly we’ll be filming in an alleyway in London W9.  This is to create a feeling of the characters being unable to escape and represents danger ahead to the audience.

We will also be filming in our school in London W9.  The shots in school will emphasize how young the people are who are affected by drugs.  The school contains a lot of natural light and long hall ways which will offer us the opportunity to shoot some effective camera shots.

FILM DIARY

1. Day one:  We have just started to film our media project; we chose to film our second scene first due to the lack of equipment available. We chose to film the scene where the two main characters are speaking about their personal problems on a park bench.
2. Day two: we still weren’t able to film our opening scene so we moved on to our third. We chose the green room in the school premises to shoot our scene. We were filming another conversation but this time it was between the drug baron and his worker. An intense scene like this needed firm camera skills, so we experimented with different camera shots, such as the over the shoulder shot and a low angle shot.
3. Day three:  as we have missed out our opening scene, we got the equipment needed to revert back to filming it. We moved to a different location, a quiet alleyway where the chosen shot would come to its full potential. We had to create artificial blood for the scene, we did this buy purchasing tomato ketchup, water and brown sauce, with a minute of stirring, our blood was created. Then we swiftly moved on to filming the scene.

BLOOD SCENE

One of our scenes consists of the main guy which is played by Ahmed Nasser laying dead on the floor with blood coming out of his mouth at the side and splashed on the floor. The camera we used to shoot this scene was the Canon DMXM2, it wasnt difficult as we beforehand familiarised ourselves with the camera and how it works.


We filmed this scene in one of the locations we earlier stated we will be using which was the alleyway in w9 pictured. We chose to film the scene at an early time as we are aware that the place would be empty at our chosen time.

COSTUMES

The costumes will be modern and casual, the males will be wearing a normal jacket with jeans, while the females will be wearing the same, changes in costumes will occur as the mood of the video changes. The chosen costumes will emphasise the typical fashion sense for today's urban people.

Our costumes show the struggle and effort teens would go to in order to make money and look good, whether they are in school or not. We also included a headscarf for our female character to stress the realism of the number of Muslims in London. The costumes were more or less typical of what teens of the 21st century would wear.

The use of modern day school uniform was influenced from the movie 'Kidulthood'.

Character Costumes:

• N.A.S: Normal business attire; shirt and tie, leather jacket with a hood
• Sooki: headscarf, cardigan, trousers and a jacket sometimes
• Shalz: Shirt and tie with a jumper
• Extras: Jackets, hoodies, trousers and caps

ARTIFICIAL BLOOD...HOW?

For the blood scene of our film we needed blood obviously...we decided to make it for ourselves by using the following ingredients:

• Tomato sauce (10 sachets)
• Bbq sauce (1 sachet)
• Water (a few drops)

Here is a simple 2 step manual on how to create some of your own blood:

1. Pour all the sauces in a bowl, mix til thick and smooth
2. After the mixture is smooth, add water, stir again until you find it worth using

Creating our film...

Some time was taken in order for our group to get our scenes right. We worked our way through each scene precisely with enough time on our hands. The first scene we worked on was the park scene where Sooki and Nas are having a conversation about their future together and trying to sort their problems out. This took us about 3days to get it completed and we had to make sure that our costumes were the same each time in order to keep up the continuity of the film. We used many camera/angle shots to portray emotion and expressions and to make the audience feel as if they too are with them: we used over the shoulder shots, mid-close-ups, mid-long shots and close-ups. The atmosphere around us was not as loud as we thought it would be and so our voices were perfectly recorded as we played out the script. The scene was filmed in w9 the location where we have stated in our pitch that we most likely to film most of our scenes to complete our opening sequence.

The next scene we worked on was the drug dealing scene where we had some extra actors to portray the urban lifestyle of young male teens exchanging drugs for money. We also had a few props in this scene; a bike, mobile phone and fake drugs. (the drugs were made by us, we placed crushed soil and stones and placed them in a small plastic pocket) This scene took quite some time to get right as it was hard to get our actors to concentrate and the part where Nas entered behind the block on his bike. We started this scene off where Nas and Sooki were having a conversation and it was interupted by a phone call for 'business'. He leaves her alone and she calls a friend complaining that hes 'left her again'. here we used long shots, mid shots and mid close-ups. We got this right in the end and once it was edited it all made sense. This scene was also filmed in one of the locations in w9 in which we have mentioned before.

Another scene we moved on to was filmed on school premises where we filmed Nas and Shalz having a conversation also. The background was dark and the setting is just right for the script being acted out. We used low angle and high angle shots to portray who was more superior in that scene than the other. We used mid close-ups and close-ups of the pair and the atmosphere was very quiet so we had no problem with capturing the sound.

Script for Hooked

EXT - on an estate/alleyway - cold grey day

LS of Shalimur lying in a pool of blood.  Jump cuts in towards a close up of the character’s face – probably dead. Fade to black. Cut to:

INT –in a house- party scene

LS of Shalimur and other characters enjoying a party, but obvious evidence of drug taking.  Shalimur is standing at the back out of focus.  Focus pull to Deep focus of Shalimur as a character approaches him.  Money changes hands and Shalimur hands the character something secretively. 

Fade to black. Cut to:

EXT – on an estate cold day

MLS of Shalimur and Soukina arguing.

SOUKINA

It’s all about money with you.  You don’t give second thought about what I want.  What about me and you? You want to spend your future selling drugs?  You’ll end up on lock inside pen. Do you want to spend half your life looking at me through metal bars?

SHALIMUR

I aint taking drugs; im not on getting high, I get high over you.  I’ve seen you at clubs giving them a go.  It’s not me you should be worrying about.  Take a look at yourself. You aint the same girl I fell for.

SOUKINA

I dunno what’s happening to us anymore.  It’s all gone wrong round here. I just want to cut, leave this place with you and go somewhere, have a fresh start?

SHALIMUR

Don’t stress babes.  Once I’ve got enough dough we’ll bust out of here. Go somewhere nice. Away from all this shit.

Fade to black.  Cut to:

INT: in a house. Evening time – lights are low.

     The Don (Ahmed) is sitting on a chair whilst Shalimur is sitting in a lower position than him on a sofa.  The shot changes to a low angle mid shot of the Don speaking

AHMED

I’ve been hearing shit about you blood.  Your sales are down. My pockets are feeling lighter; People are telling me you’re chatting shit behind my back. You know I don’t like paigans. Blood me and you aint no joke ting; know each other for time, what’s going on with you

SHALIMUR

It’s my chick. She’s on this hype about me dealing. What’s man gonna do?

AHMED

You know what you have to do blood. Your gonna listen to your boy and forget this chick. Bro’s over hoes, remember that?

Fade to black.

INT; Same living room; low lighting

The Don is sitting in his chair laughing (MS).  LS of Soukina who is staggering around half dancing. C/u of Soukina. When the camera focuses on Soukina, there is an effect which shows she is high and disorientated on drugs. Music playing loudly.

Fade to black

INT; a bedroom, low lighting

M/s Shalimur, head in hands a gun next to him.  Close up of gun

Fade to black

Sound of gunshot

Titles

Script for Hooked

EXT - on an estate/alleyway - cold grey day

LS of Shalimur lying in a pool of blood.  Jump cuts in towards a close up of the character’s face – probably dead. Fade to black. Cut to:

INT –in a house- party scene

LS of Shalimur and other characters enjoying a party, but obvious evidence of drug taking.  Shalimur is standing at the back out of focus.  Focus pull to Deep focus of Shalimur as a character approaches him.  Money changes hands and Shalimur hands the character something secretively. 

Fade to black. Cut to:

EXT – on an estate cold day

MLS of Shalimur and Soukina arguing.

SOUKINA

It’s all about money with you.  You don’t give second thought about what I want.  What about me and you? You want to spend your future selling drugs?  You’ll end up on lock inside pen. Do you want to spend half your life looking at me through metal bars?

SHALIMUR

I aint taking drugs; im not on getting high, I get high over you.  I’ve seen you at clubs giving them a go.  It’s not me you should be worrying about.  Take a look at yourself. You aint the same girl I fell for.

SOUKINA

I dunno what’s happening to us anymore.  It’s all gone wrong round here. I just want to cut, leave this place with you and go somewhere, have a fresh start?

SHALIMUR

Don’t stress babes.  Once I’ve got enough dough we’ll bust out of here. Go somewhere nice. Away from all this shit.

Fade to black.  Cut to:

INT: in a house. Evening time – lights are low.

     The Don (Ahmed) is sitting on a chair whilst Shalimur is sitting in a lower position than him on a sofa.  The shot changes to a low angle mid shot of the Don speaking

AHMED

I’ve been hearing shit about you blood.  Your sales are down. My pockets are feeling lighter; People are telling me you’re chatting shit behind my back. You know I don’t like paigans. Blood me and you aint no joke ting; know each other for time, what’s going on with you

SHALIMUR

It’s my chick. She’s on this hype about me dealing. What’s man gonna do?

AHMED

You know what you have to do blood. Your gonna listen to your boy and forget this chick. Bro’s over hoes, remember that?

Fade to black.

INT; Same living room; low lighting

The Don is sitting in his chair laughing (MS).  LS of Soukina who is staggering around half dancing. C/u of Soukina. When the camera focuses on Soukina, there is an effect which shows she is high and disorientated on drugs. Music playing loudly.

Fade to black

INT; a bedroom, low lighting

M/s Shalimur, head in hands a gun next to him.  Close up of gun

Fade to black

Sound of gunshot

Titles

Storyboard for 'Hooked'

This is the storyboard we created setting the scene of our opening sequence and showing the first few scenes that we will be filming. The first storyboard we made was quite long and our video was only supposed to be a limited amount of minutes so we shortned it and this is our second storyboard shortened.

The Pitch

Opening sequence analysis of 'Kidulthood'

As the film starts we the audience are introduced with the title- KIDULTHOOD it is simple white font placed on a black background not giving too much away, the font chosen was perfect as it sets the mood of the film straight away. The film is sussed out as soon as we see this title as it gives off the urban feeling and impression. Some of the characters are introduced also within the opening sequence and a range of cliques are shown such as the smart, studious students and then the students who are slacking and 'not bothered'. The school uniform worn is definitely an urban street style uniform type, it seems they have made it their own and do not follow he rules off correct business dress. It is filmed in the school playground and the characters are introduced well. The opening ends with 'Come on Becky lets go!' There is also students kissing, bullying each other and smoking on school grounds.The scene with one of the characters using a school drill making something is deliberately filmed that way un-able to see what he is making so the audience are even more curious to see what happens next and keep them on their toes, and then he proceeds to hide what he was working on in a bin outside on school grounds, the audience are even more curious now wondering why he has to hide it.

The characters introduced in the opening sequence are negative and rude young people with no manners or respect for one another. Their costumes show that they are rough and violent characters also their speech proves this. They portray their attitudes straight away and the audience definitely know what the characters are going to be like. One of the girls pictured above shows off next to the boys in her year and agrees to beat a girl up just because he wants her too, this shows that she does not want to look weak in front of her friends and will do anything in order to get the attention. There are also many other characters introduced such as the main bully's girlfriend who is cheating on him with one of the younger boys from her year and who also is enemies with her boyfriend.

Kidulthood follows the life of several teenagers all attending the same school in west london. The films main focus is based on the issues young teenagers face from different social and ethnic backgrounds whilst  growing up in an urban area of london. The troubles they are faced with are sex, drugs, violence, bullying, teenage pregnancy and alcohol. The problems continue all the way through the film and never seem to end. The ending of the film is worse and results in fatal violence. The end proves that a following film will come after and continue the story of the rough lives of these troubled teenagers.

Bullet boy analysis

Bullet boy is another urban realist film set in London.  We chose to analyse it in order to look at what was effective and to further assess the  conventions of the genre of urban realist film.

The opening starts with a title screen using a white font on a black background with a quiet soundtrack.

We cut to a close up of a young boy holding a torch.  The camera bumps up and down to a soundtrack of a car and the audience gather he is in the back of a car.  The title of the film appears on a black screen.

The film then cuts to a long shot of a man lying in the cell.  He is let out and the audience can assume that he has been in overnight.  The character is weary and hand held camera is used in both scenes to create immediacy.

Bullet Boy takes place in Hackney which is a poor area of London where there is a lot of youth crime which is often knife or gun crime.  The locations are dangerous estates which have litter and seem deserted.  This made us realise that we must choose our locations to reflect a crime ridden poor part of London.  WE see a council estate of high rise flats, situated in a large, industrial city.  An establishing shot in used to show the flats, as well as the surrounding shops and area.  The other location of prison  is also established, showing the audience that the main characters come from a troubled background. 

We see three main characters two who have close relationships.  This immediately gains the audience’s sympathy for the characters.

Overall, again, I think this is an effective opening sequence which establishes the genre of the film especially through its mise en scene and introduces the main characters and hooks the audience.

Adulthood: Analysis of Opening Sequence

As well as analysing the opening of Kidulthood, we also wanted to analyse the opening of Adulthood as this was a successful film in the genre of urban realism.

We noticed that the opening of Adulthood began with a flashback and we wanted to include this in our opening sequence. We wanted to begin with a shocking image and then move back to take our audience on the journey that had led to that scene.  The flashback technique is effective in the telling of a story.

The editing used in the opening sequence after the titles is fast and this adds to the tension which is often there in an urban realist film which reflects the tension on the streets.  The titles show the production company, the distribution company and the creator of the film. 

The sequences establishes the location as an urban location with shots of the streets and clubs and establishes the types of characters, often on drubs and in violent situations ie; a character with a baseball bat, the police arriving at a crime scene and police sirens. They also establish the mood of the whole film through the fast pace and the narrative. 

There is quite a long establishing shot of traffic on the streets then we cut to a party where people are evidently taking drugs.  The main characters are introduced and these are young black London males involved in crime. 

As they smash a car window and escape whilst shooting, the title of the film is seen. 

The characters speak urban street talk which our group recognise as the film is based in our local area.  They also are dressed in costumes which are appropriate to the urban youth that can be found in the local area.  The characters are dressed in jeans, trainers, hoodies and leather and denim.  Many of them carry knives and some of them carry guns.  This creates verisimilitude as this is now the case in many central London areas.

There are some sympathetic characters that the audience will be able to relate to who do not wish to be drawn into a life of crime but are due to where they are born and brought up.  This was a point that we really wanted to make in our opening sequence because again this shows realism and it’s important for the audience to realise that social injustice exists. 

The music used is urban and fast paced and reflects the taste of the teens and therefore adds to the realism.  We want to use this type of music in our opening sequence. 

In terms of camera shots, we see low angle shots of the criminals which impress on the audience how powerful young criminals can be.  We have close up shots of the protagonists so that we can sympathise with them.

Overall I think this is an effective opening sequence with many technical devices that we can consider in our film especially the mise en scene which creates verisimilitude.

Preliminary Task

Our preliminary task was a continuity task which would show our knowledge and understanding of the following:

Match on action:  A match on action, a technique used in film editing, is a cut that connects two different views of the same action at the same moment in the movement. By carefully matching the movement across the two shots, filmmakers make it seem that the motion continues uninterrupted. For a real match on action, the action should begin in the first shot and end in the second shot

Shot reverse shot: Shot reverse shot (or shot/countershot) is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other

The 180 degree rule: The 180° rule is a basic guideline in film making that states that two characters (or other elements) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera passes over the imaginary axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line. The new shot, from the opposite side, is known as a reverse angle

For my group’s preliminary task we chose to show that we understood all of these elements of filming in a scene which was based on the idea: ‘late to lesson’.  We started off by two of us meeting complaining we were late and walking towards school.

We used a Canon XM2 DV camera and a Libec TH650-DV Tripod to film.

We had some difficulties with the tape at first, the work we filmed could not be seen properly because the tape was old. We changed the location again and chose to work in school at the reception entrance with one character coming through the doors finding another standing shouting at him that they’re late and they both go down the stairs to their lesson.

We used  shot reverse shot when the two characters had a conversation.  We used match on action when the two characters passed an object to eachother.  The 180-degree rule was used throughout.

The filming was done by Ahmed Nasser, whilst the acting was done by Soukina and Shalimar.  We together as a group planned how our idea would demonstrate the above elements.

Soukina =]