Breaking The Fourth Wall
the fourth wall is the imaginary wall between the audience and the world of a film. The camera is what restricts the on screen images to engage with the audience.
HOWEVER!
If you break through this wall and allow the world of the film to address the audience this can add a new depth to the film. i think this would be useful to use whenever Frank gets a fabulous idea in the film. By simply winking at the camera or even just acknowledging its existence, the audience feel let in and involved in the scheme. In addition to this, as Charlie is quite clueless in the scheme making it adds a layer of knowledge to the audience. As if they are more up to speed with Franks cunning mind than Charlie is.
Breaking the fourth wall is present in the film Ferris Bueller's day off. He talks directly to the camera and invites the audience in on his plans.
This is just a quick snippet from the film and a clear example of how he directly communicates with the audience.
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Interesting Camera Techniques
Another interesting camera technique that i have discovered during A2 Media is the use of graphic matches. The first recognisable example of this was in Robert Le Plage's FAR SIDE OF THE MOON. It was very cleverly shown how a model of a rocket was created by him then dissolved into a moving image of a real rocket launching.
i do not yet know where this would fit correctly in our film but i think if it could work it would make our film more advanced and really show our progression from AS to A2 level.
I think this would be a good technique to use for a transistion into another acene. I can picture Frank and Charlie sitting on a kurb down in the dumps after the cookie sales failed and to then flow into the blindman scene, we would use a graphic match of their bodie sitting on steps and with the blind fold on Charlie.
Below is the trailer of Far Side of the Moon which gave me the inspiration for this idea. Le Plage uses A LOT of very interesting techniques to make his film stand out.
i do not yet know where this would fit correctly in our film but i think if it could work it would make our film more advanced and really show our progression from AS to A2 level.
I think this would be a good technique to use for a transistion into another acene. I can picture Frank and Charlie sitting on a kurb down in the dumps after the cookie sales failed and to then flow into the blindman scene, we would use a graphic match of their bodie sitting on steps and with the blind fold on Charlie.
Below is the trailer of Far Side of the Moon which gave me the inspiration for this idea. Le Plage uses A LOT of very interesting techniques to make his film stand out.
Interesting Camera Techniques
In order to make our film look interesting and illustrate our development as students, i have researched existing techniques to incorporate into our film that we can hopefully use.
One of these is the use of split screen. We could use this for our cookie selling scene to save time and make the scene more interesting to watch. We would have three or four different doors and show Frank and Charlie walking up to them and then getting the doors slammed in their faces. So we do not have to show this procedure over and over again i think it would be useful to incorporate split screen.
Here is an existing example of numerous phone calls presented through split screening. This was taken from the film "Mean Girls" and i feel it is an efficient way to give the audience clear information in an original way.
One of these is the use of split screen. We could use this for our cookie selling scene to save time and make the scene more interesting to watch. We would have three or four different doors and show Frank and Charlie walking up to them and then getting the doors slammed in their faces. So we do not have to show this procedure over and over again i think it would be useful to incorporate split screen.
Here is an existing example of numerous phone calls presented through split screening. This was taken from the film "Mean Girls" and i feel it is an efficient way to give the audience clear information in an original way.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Final Script
SCENE 1
INT: Hotel room.
Black screen with title reading DAY 3: 3.28pm
Frank and Charlie sit uncomfortably at a table clutching a briefcase. As the camera turns a large gangster type, Big Pete, is revealed with his bodyguard holding his suitcase.
(No audio)Big Pete: so what ave' you got for me lads.(Frank and Charlie look at each other
Frank: What ave' you got for us (trying to act hard)
Big Pete looks at his bodyguards and they all burst out in hysterical laughter at the lads attempts, who also join in with a nervous laugh. Big Pete and his body guards all stop at once, leaving Frank and Charlie still laughing. They stop. Big Pete grabs the suitcase and opens it on the table to reveal that it's full of money. Charlie reaches over to touch the money, but Big Pete slams it shut before he can and demands a looks in their suitcase. Franks nods at Charlie to open the suitcase (away from camera) as Big Pete reaches over to grab the suitcase, Charlie, thinking it is normal procedure, also slams the suitcase shut.
Cut away to empty corridor, and Frank and Charlie come sprinting out of the far door. As they run down the corridor towards camera, we see both Big Pete and bodyguards in back wiping their faces and chasing the pair furiously. Extreme close ups of running feet in corridor and down the stairs with action soundtrack playing over the top.
SCENE 2 -For Sale
EXT: Estate
Black title screen: DAY 1 11.38am
Frank and Charlie are walking down the street and they begin to mess about pushing each other, as Charlie continues Frank stops beside a car. A poster in the car window reads: "CAR FOR SALE £6000". Charlie goes backs to Frank and they both nod at each other, realising that this is the car that they have always wanted. The two jump up and down and hi5 each other, but Frank stops jumping noticing the price of the car. He points at the price of the car to Charlie and they turn out their pockets hoping they have enough on them. They don’t. (Close up of the contents of their pockets: coppers, buttons, gum and a kinder egg and a half eaten cookie. Seeing the cookie Charlie nibbles it as they put the contents back into their pocket. Frank is at first annoyed at Charlie’s disregards for the price of the car as he is more interested in his stale cookie so he knocks it out of Charlie hand, then realises it’s the source of his first cunning idea.
Light bulb graphic as Franks face lights up whilst thinking of his idea.
He picks up the cookie and gives it back to Charlie, then walks out of frame to start on his scheme. Charlie is left in frame and looks around to see if anyone is watching, and then shamelessly continues to nibble the dirty cookie, and he is dragged out of frame by Franks arm.
End.
SCENE 3 - Cookie sales
EXT: Estate
(Doorbell) A door opens from the inside and reveals Frank and Charlie on the doorstep with a tray of cookies stretched out. The pair smiling broadly yet creepily and are wearing homemade sash spelling 'Brownies' across their dingy clothes.
Both: COOKIES! (SMILING)They rustle the tray towards the camera and the door slams shut on them.
Split screen of three doors. Each frame showing Frank and Charlie attempting to sell cookies and one after the other the door slams.
Fade to black
Charlie and Frank walk down the street tired and disappointed from their lack of sales. Frank turns to look at Charlie and sees him nibbling the cookie. Charlie offers Frank one. Frank gets annoyed and flicks him in the eye (flicking sound) and turns to walk aways. Charlie tries to follow him still blinded walks into a lamppost. Frank looks back. (Light bulb animation)
Charlie and Frank walk past the camera. Close up of Franks face.
Scene 4
EXT. Residential Estate
Title screen reads DAY 2: 11.51am
The camera zooms out from Franks face to reveal Charlie bandaged up for the Blind man scam.
(Sound of money pot)
Bucket reads ‘Help the blind boy’ cutaway to Empty Street (cricket sound)
Frankie and Charlie seem to have given up and Frank sees someone coming in the distance. Frank hits Charlie to get back into roll. As the man approaches Frank hold the bucket up to him but his attempt fails as the man just sniggers and walks past.
Frank and Charlie are annoyed at the mans gestures. Frank shouts back at the man. Charlie copies. The man stops turns and flinches at them whilst scowling. Frank and Charlie both jump back. As Charlie continues to act blind Frank watches where the man as he walks up to a car and exchanges packages at the car window. Frank squints and sees large wad of cash. Frank is shocked at large amount of money frank grabs Charlie and follows man. Frank and Charlie are well hidden as they follow the man around street corners and into a swanky hotel.
Arrive at room 28. Still well hidden they notice the man drop a package as he walks into a suite. Frank rushes to pick it up and opens it to find a bag of drugs inside; believing that this is what got the man his big wad of cash. (Light bulb animation) Frank gets his final idea. The door to the suite then opens behind Frank and the same man is standing there looking at the pair.
MAN: You two? You been followin’ me?!
FRANK: (nervously) na, na, na we’re here for the same reason you are…
MAN: You here to see Big Pete?
FRANK: Erm, yeah.
MAN: What you got?
Frank reveals the package he just picked up and the man looks inside, surprised that Frank has drugs.
FRANK: There’s plenty more where that came from.
MAN: Come back tomorrow and you better deliver. Try and scrub up a bit too yeah?
(Camera shows Franks appearance)
SCENE 5 (Replay of scene 1)
INT: Hotel corridor/room.
Black screen with title reading DAY 3: 3.28pm
(Sound of ‘groovy’ 70s music) Frank and Charlie strut down the corridor in their new suits, Charlie holding the briefcase full of “goods” as Frank signals to let him do all the talking. The door opens and the man (bodyguard type) is standing there. Man laughs as he shakes his head at their outfits and the pair enters the room.
Frank and Charlie sit uncomfortably at a table clutching a briefcase. As the camera turns a large gangster type, Big Pete, is revealed with his bodyguard holding his suitcase.
(No audio)Big Pete: You got the stuff?(Frank and Charlie look at each other)
Frank: Yeah we got it (trying to act hard)
Big Pete looks at his bodyguards and they all burst out in hysterical laughter at the lads attempts, who also join in with a nervous laugh. Big Pete and his body guards all stop at once, leaving Frank and Charlie still laughing. They stop. Big Pete grabs the suitcase and opens it on the table to reveal that it's full of money. Charlie reaches over to touch the money, but Big Pete slams it shut before he can and demands a looks in their suitcase. Frank nods at Charlie to open the suitcase (away from camera) as Big Pete reaches over to grab the suitcase, Charlie, thinking it is normal procedure, also slams the suitcase shut. Suspicious glances are exchanged as they slowly slide the briefcases across the table to one another. As soon as Frank has hold of the briefcase full of money, he and Charlie open it celebrating and high fiving. Frank stops dead and darts a look at Big Pete, who has also opened his briefcase, and emptied the contents of a bag into his hand for a taste test. As Big Pete dips his Pinky finger in the “drugs” and raises it towards his mouth there is a FLASHBACK – Showing Frank and Charlie laughing and filling sandwich bags with flour and sugar (make clear to audience). The scene then snaps back to real time and Big Pete’s’ finger reaches his mouth. Frank panics. Close ups of Pete’s face as he tastes the flour (slow motion). Frank then has a shocked and worried expression, he gasps. The slow motion images stop and Frank blows the “drugs” in Big Pete’s face, grabs the money and scrambles out the room.
Cut away to empty corridor, and Frank and Charlie come sprinting out of the door. (Triumphant music) As they run down the corridor towards camera, we see both Big Pete and bodyguards in background wiping their faces and chasing the pair furiously. Extreme close ups of running feet in corridor and down the stairs. Frank and Charlie manage to out run the bodyguard. In an act of celebration, they jump and high five each other. Images freezes, slowly fades to black and the credits roll. Images are then shown of them buying the car and being in it etc.
END
INT: Hotel room.
Black screen with title reading DAY 3: 3.28pm
Frank and Charlie sit uncomfortably at a table clutching a briefcase. As the camera turns a large gangster type, Big Pete, is revealed with his bodyguard holding his suitcase.
(No audio)Big Pete: so what ave' you got for me lads.(Frank and Charlie look at each other
Frank: What ave' you got for us (trying to act hard)
Big Pete looks at his bodyguards and they all burst out in hysterical laughter at the lads attempts, who also join in with a nervous laugh. Big Pete and his body guards all stop at once, leaving Frank and Charlie still laughing. They stop. Big Pete grabs the suitcase and opens it on the table to reveal that it's full of money. Charlie reaches over to touch the money, but Big Pete slams it shut before he can and demands a looks in their suitcase. Franks nods at Charlie to open the suitcase (away from camera) as Big Pete reaches over to grab the suitcase, Charlie, thinking it is normal procedure, also slams the suitcase shut.
Cut away to empty corridor, and Frank and Charlie come sprinting out of the far door. As they run down the corridor towards camera, we see both Big Pete and bodyguards in back wiping their faces and chasing the pair furiously. Extreme close ups of running feet in corridor and down the stairs with action soundtrack playing over the top.
SCENE 2 -For Sale
EXT: Estate
Black title screen: DAY 1 11.38am
Frank and Charlie are walking down the street and they begin to mess about pushing each other, as Charlie continues Frank stops beside a car. A poster in the car window reads: "CAR FOR SALE £6000". Charlie goes backs to Frank and they both nod at each other, realising that this is the car that they have always wanted. The two jump up and down and hi5 each other, but Frank stops jumping noticing the price of the car. He points at the price of the car to Charlie and they turn out their pockets hoping they have enough on them. They don’t. (Close up of the contents of their pockets: coppers, buttons, gum and a kinder egg and a half eaten cookie. Seeing the cookie Charlie nibbles it as they put the contents back into their pocket. Frank is at first annoyed at Charlie’s disregards for the price of the car as he is more interested in his stale cookie so he knocks it out of Charlie hand, then realises it’s the source of his first cunning idea.
Light bulb graphic as Franks face lights up whilst thinking of his idea.
He picks up the cookie and gives it back to Charlie, then walks out of frame to start on his scheme. Charlie is left in frame and looks around to see if anyone is watching, and then shamelessly continues to nibble the dirty cookie, and he is dragged out of frame by Franks arm.
End.
SCENE 3 - Cookie sales
EXT: Estate
(Doorbell) A door opens from the inside and reveals Frank and Charlie on the doorstep with a tray of cookies stretched out. The pair smiling broadly yet creepily and are wearing homemade sash spelling 'Brownies' across their dingy clothes.
Both: COOKIES! (SMILING)They rustle the tray towards the camera and the door slams shut on them.
Split screen of three doors. Each frame showing Frank and Charlie attempting to sell cookies and one after the other the door slams.
Fade to black
Charlie and Frank walk down the street tired and disappointed from their lack of sales. Frank turns to look at Charlie and sees him nibbling the cookie. Charlie offers Frank one. Frank gets annoyed and flicks him in the eye (flicking sound) and turns to walk aways. Charlie tries to follow him still blinded walks into a lamppost. Frank looks back. (Light bulb animation)
Charlie and Frank walk past the camera. Close up of Franks face.
Scene 4
EXT. Residential Estate
Title screen reads DAY 2: 11.51am
The camera zooms out from Franks face to reveal Charlie bandaged up for the Blind man scam.
(Sound of money pot)
Bucket reads ‘Help the blind boy’ cutaway to Empty Street (cricket sound)
Frankie and Charlie seem to have given up and Frank sees someone coming in the distance. Frank hits Charlie to get back into roll. As the man approaches Frank hold the bucket up to him but his attempt fails as the man just sniggers and walks past.
Frank and Charlie are annoyed at the mans gestures. Frank shouts back at the man. Charlie copies. The man stops turns and flinches at them whilst scowling. Frank and Charlie both jump back. As Charlie continues to act blind Frank watches where the man as he walks up to a car and exchanges packages at the car window. Frank squints and sees large wad of cash. Frank is shocked at large amount of money frank grabs Charlie and follows man. Frank and Charlie are well hidden as they follow the man around street corners and into a swanky hotel.
Arrive at room 28. Still well hidden they notice the man drop a package as he walks into a suite. Frank rushes to pick it up and opens it to find a bag of drugs inside; believing that this is what got the man his big wad of cash. (Light bulb animation) Frank gets his final idea. The door to the suite then opens behind Frank and the same man is standing there looking at the pair.
MAN: You two? You been followin’ me?!
FRANK: (nervously) na, na, na we’re here for the same reason you are…
MAN: You here to see Big Pete?
FRANK: Erm, yeah.
MAN: What you got?
Frank reveals the package he just picked up and the man looks inside, surprised that Frank has drugs.
FRANK: There’s plenty more where that came from.
MAN: Come back tomorrow and you better deliver. Try and scrub up a bit too yeah?
(Camera shows Franks appearance)
SCENE 5 (Replay of scene 1)
INT: Hotel corridor/room.
Black screen with title reading DAY 3: 3.28pm
(Sound of ‘groovy’ 70s music) Frank and Charlie strut down the corridor in their new suits, Charlie holding the briefcase full of “goods” as Frank signals to let him do all the talking. The door opens and the man (bodyguard type) is standing there. Man laughs as he shakes his head at their outfits and the pair enters the room.
Frank and Charlie sit uncomfortably at a table clutching a briefcase. As the camera turns a large gangster type, Big Pete, is revealed with his bodyguard holding his suitcase.
(No audio)Big Pete: You got the stuff?(Frank and Charlie look at each other)
Frank: Yeah we got it (trying to act hard)
Big Pete looks at his bodyguards and they all burst out in hysterical laughter at the lads attempts, who also join in with a nervous laugh. Big Pete and his body guards all stop at once, leaving Frank and Charlie still laughing. They stop. Big Pete grabs the suitcase and opens it on the table to reveal that it's full of money. Charlie reaches over to touch the money, but Big Pete slams it shut before he can and demands a looks in their suitcase. Frank nods at Charlie to open the suitcase (away from camera) as Big Pete reaches over to grab the suitcase, Charlie, thinking it is normal procedure, also slams the suitcase shut. Suspicious glances are exchanged as they slowly slide the briefcases across the table to one another. As soon as Frank has hold of the briefcase full of money, he and Charlie open it celebrating and high fiving. Frank stops dead and darts a look at Big Pete, who has also opened his briefcase, and emptied the contents of a bag into his hand for a taste test. As Big Pete dips his Pinky finger in the “drugs” and raises it towards his mouth there is a FLASHBACK – Showing Frank and Charlie laughing and filling sandwich bags with flour and sugar (make clear to audience). The scene then snaps back to real time and Big Pete’s’ finger reaches his mouth. Frank panics. Close ups of Pete’s face as he tastes the flour (slow motion). Frank then has a shocked and worried expression, he gasps. The slow motion images stop and Frank blows the “drugs” in Big Pete’s face, grabs the money and scrambles out the room.
Cut away to empty corridor, and Frank and Charlie come sprinting out of the door. (Triumphant music) As they run down the corridor towards camera, we see both Big Pete and bodyguards in background wiping their faces and chasing the pair furiously. Extreme close ups of running feet in corridor and down the stairs. Frank and Charlie manage to out run the bodyguard. In an act of celebration, they jump and high five each other. Images freezes, slowly fades to black and the credits roll. Images are then shown of them buying the car and being in it etc.
END
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Script 1 - SWITCH
SCENE 1
INT: Poorly lit hotel room
Black screen reads DAY 3, 4:00pm
The scene opens with a birds eye view of two groups of people opposite each other with a table in the middle, and two breifcases in front of them. Frank is sitting on one side with Charlie standing behind him whilst "Big Pete", who is in fact a skinny, scrawny little man, is sitting opposite with a muscly male character behind him. Both Frank and Big Pete exchange unsure and suspicious glances. Big Pete then slightly opens his briefcase revealing a mass amount of cash inside. As Frank's eyes light up, Pete slams the case shut. In retatliation to this, Frank opens his case slightly to present what appears to be bags upon bags of crack cocaine. Big Pete doesn't hesitate to reach out for the goods and so Frank suddenly slams the suitcase shut too. A few more tense looks are given by the characters as the characters slide their briefcases across the table to initiate a switch. As soon as the case of money is in Franks hands there is a cut away of Frank and Charlie sprinting down a corridor, leaving Big Pete standing helplessly at the doorway shaking his fists at the pair. Triumphant music is played and there are numerous two shots of the pair comically running away. Frank trying to hold on to his hat and the briefcase whilst Charlie is just trying to not fall over! They both look at each other, still running, and laugh at what the have just achieved.
A black screen then reads DAY 1: 11:08am
SCENE 2
EXT: Street in Estate in which they live
Frank and Charlie are walking down the street hands in their pockets kicking a can and wasting time as usual. When suddenly Frank spots a "FOR SALE" sign on a car window that he likes the look of. He goes towards it to get a better look and we see a close up of the sign selling the car for £6000. He ponders the idea of how to get money whilst rubbing his chin imagining how good it would be to have this car and finally have something to do with his days! Meanwhile, Charlie is uninterested and just looking at the car because Frank is. out of no where, Charlie pulls out a cookie and there is a slow motion extreme close up of him taking a bite. Like lightning, Frank is hit with, what he deems to be, a flawless idea! Clicking his fingers and expressing his excitement to Charlie he jumps around and points to the cookie as if the plan should be obvious! Frank runs off screen to put his plan into action whilst Charlie, still very confused, carries on eating his cookie. Frank walks back into the shot and as he drags Charlie out a black out comes in from the side.
SCENE 3
EXT: Street in Estate they live
"DING DONG!!" (sound of doorbell)
A door opens to find Frank and Charlie standing there wearing banners reading "cookies" and they are holding a box each. Frank holds out his hand (implying payment) as Charlie thrusts the box of cookies at the camera (act as a customer - point of view shot) The camera/ customer shakes his head and shuts the door. Another doorbell sounds and the same thing happens again in a different house. A third doorbell rings and this time when they answer the door, Frank and Charlie are on their knees begging for just one box of cookies to be bought, but the customer just doesn't want to know. The pleading expression on Charlie's face becomes even more desperate as he stands up and takes a step closer to the camera. This threatens the customer and he punches Charlie in the face. Once again Frank is struck by a brilliant idea (as this one failed) and as he clicks his fingers a black screen ends the scene.
SCENE 3
EXT: A street in the area they live
The scene opens with a black screen fade, revealing Charlie, bandaged round his eyes and clutching at a (help the blind) box. Frank is with him and almost like a trader of a market stall, trying to pull in punters to give them money. Long shots are then taken of the surrounding road and it is clear that there is no one around so they sit down. All of a sudden, a young man aged 20 or 30 comes along and Frank is instantly up and begging for cash for his poor friend. Charlie gets up with his arms out stretched as if he cannot see the young man, blindly suggesting he put money in the box. The man pulls up his hood and continues to walk. Charlie then throws the box on the floor, pulls down his bandage and shakes his fist at the unknown man. Frank immediately nudges him, insisting he puts the bandage back over his eyes and he shuffles quickly to do it. When he does he begins to walk with his hands out as if he really is blind. Whilst Charlie is walking around like that, Frank observes the man that they had just encountered. He crossed the road and is now talking into the window of a car. Frank clicks his fingers and the scene fades to black.
SCENE 4 (SCENE 1 again but now in order of the story, SCENE 4)
INT: Poorly lit hotel room
The scene opens with a birds eye view of two groups of people opposite each other with a table in the middle, and two breifcases in front of them. Frank is sitting on one side with Charlie standing behind him whilst "Big Pete", who is in fact a skinny, scrawny little man, is sitting opposite with a muscly male character behind him. Both Frank and Big Pete exchange unsure and suspicious glances. Big Pete then slightly opens his briefcase revealing a mass amount of cash inside. As Frank's eyes light up, Pete slams the case shut. In retatliation to this, Frank opens his case slightly to present what appears to be bags upon bags of crack cocaine. Big Pete doesn't hesitate to reach out for the goods and so Frank suddenly slams the suitcase shut too. A few more tense looks are given by the characters as the characters slide their briefcases across the table to initiate a switch. Frank opens the case fully and he is laughing and high fiving Charlie as they finally have the money needed for the car. Big Pete opens his case fully and with a smug smile takes out on of the bags. Frank and Charlie freeze as they watch Pete's actions closely. Slowly, Pete opens a bag and empties some of the contents into his hand... there is then a cut away to Frank losening his colar of his shirt and he gulps (sound of gulp). Pete licks the tip of his pinky finger and dabs it into the powder. As this happens, a black and white flashback is shown of Frank and Charlie laughing their heads off, filling plastic sandwich bags of flour. Then back to real time (slow motion) Pete tastes the powder on his finger. The film then goes back into normal paced filming and Frank aggressively blows the powder into Pete's face; blinding him temporarily. Frank and Charlie make a dash for the door and we then see the pair running out from the outside. Triumphant music is played and there are numerous two shots of the pair comically running away. Frank trying to hold on to his hat and the briefcase whilst Charlie is just trying to not fall over! They both look at each other, still running, and laugh at what the have just achieved. The scene 9and film) end with a freeze frame of them running and laughing at each other.
ROLL CREDITS
As the credits are being shown there are numerous pictures of them with the car they bought.
INT: Poorly lit hotel room
Black screen reads DAY 3, 4:00pm
The scene opens with a birds eye view of two groups of people opposite each other with a table in the middle, and two breifcases in front of them. Frank is sitting on one side with Charlie standing behind him whilst "Big Pete", who is in fact a skinny, scrawny little man, is sitting opposite with a muscly male character behind him. Both Frank and Big Pete exchange unsure and suspicious glances. Big Pete then slightly opens his briefcase revealing a mass amount of cash inside. As Frank's eyes light up, Pete slams the case shut. In retatliation to this, Frank opens his case slightly to present what appears to be bags upon bags of crack cocaine. Big Pete doesn't hesitate to reach out for the goods and so Frank suddenly slams the suitcase shut too. A few more tense looks are given by the characters as the characters slide their briefcases across the table to initiate a switch. As soon as the case of money is in Franks hands there is a cut away of Frank and Charlie sprinting down a corridor, leaving Big Pete standing helplessly at the doorway shaking his fists at the pair. Triumphant music is played and there are numerous two shots of the pair comically running away. Frank trying to hold on to his hat and the briefcase whilst Charlie is just trying to not fall over! They both look at each other, still running, and laugh at what the have just achieved.
A black screen then reads DAY 1: 11:08am
SCENE 2
EXT: Street in Estate in which they live
Frank and Charlie are walking down the street hands in their pockets kicking a can and wasting time as usual. When suddenly Frank spots a "FOR SALE" sign on a car window that he likes the look of. He goes towards it to get a better look and we see a close up of the sign selling the car for £6000. He ponders the idea of how to get money whilst rubbing his chin imagining how good it would be to have this car and finally have something to do with his days! Meanwhile, Charlie is uninterested and just looking at the car because Frank is. out of no where, Charlie pulls out a cookie and there is a slow motion extreme close up of him taking a bite. Like lightning, Frank is hit with, what he deems to be, a flawless idea! Clicking his fingers and expressing his excitement to Charlie he jumps around and points to the cookie as if the plan should be obvious! Frank runs off screen to put his plan into action whilst Charlie, still very confused, carries on eating his cookie. Frank walks back into the shot and as he drags Charlie out a black out comes in from the side.
SCENE 3
EXT: Street in Estate they live
"DING DONG!!" (sound of doorbell)
A door opens to find Frank and Charlie standing there wearing banners reading "cookies" and they are holding a box each. Frank holds out his hand (implying payment) as Charlie thrusts the box of cookies at the camera (act as a customer - point of view shot) The camera/ customer shakes his head and shuts the door. Another doorbell sounds and the same thing happens again in a different house. A third doorbell rings and this time when they answer the door, Frank and Charlie are on their knees begging for just one box of cookies to be bought, but the customer just doesn't want to know. The pleading expression on Charlie's face becomes even more desperate as he stands up and takes a step closer to the camera. This threatens the customer and he punches Charlie in the face. Once again Frank is struck by a brilliant idea (as this one failed) and as he clicks his fingers a black screen ends the scene.
SCENE 3
EXT: A street in the area they live
The scene opens with a black screen fade, revealing Charlie, bandaged round his eyes and clutching at a (help the blind) box. Frank is with him and almost like a trader of a market stall, trying to pull in punters to give them money. Long shots are then taken of the surrounding road and it is clear that there is no one around so they sit down. All of a sudden, a young man aged 20 or 30 comes along and Frank is instantly up and begging for cash for his poor friend. Charlie gets up with his arms out stretched as if he cannot see the young man, blindly suggesting he put money in the box. The man pulls up his hood and continues to walk. Charlie then throws the box on the floor, pulls down his bandage and shakes his fist at the unknown man. Frank immediately nudges him, insisting he puts the bandage back over his eyes and he shuffles quickly to do it. When he does he begins to walk with his hands out as if he really is blind. Whilst Charlie is walking around like that, Frank observes the man that they had just encountered. He crossed the road and is now talking into the window of a car. Frank clicks his fingers and the scene fades to black.
SCENE 4 (SCENE 1 again but now in order of the story, SCENE 4)
INT: Poorly lit hotel room
The scene opens with a birds eye view of two groups of people opposite each other with a table in the middle, and two breifcases in front of them. Frank is sitting on one side with Charlie standing behind him whilst "Big Pete", who is in fact a skinny, scrawny little man, is sitting opposite with a muscly male character behind him. Both Frank and Big Pete exchange unsure and suspicious glances. Big Pete then slightly opens his briefcase revealing a mass amount of cash inside. As Frank's eyes light up, Pete slams the case shut. In retatliation to this, Frank opens his case slightly to present what appears to be bags upon bags of crack cocaine. Big Pete doesn't hesitate to reach out for the goods and so Frank suddenly slams the suitcase shut too. A few more tense looks are given by the characters as the characters slide their briefcases across the table to initiate a switch. Frank opens the case fully and he is laughing and high fiving Charlie as they finally have the money needed for the car. Big Pete opens his case fully and with a smug smile takes out on of the bags. Frank and Charlie freeze as they watch Pete's actions closely. Slowly, Pete opens a bag and empties some of the contents into his hand... there is then a cut away to Frank losening his colar of his shirt and he gulps (sound of gulp). Pete licks the tip of his pinky finger and dabs it into the powder. As this happens, a black and white flashback is shown of Frank and Charlie laughing their heads off, filling plastic sandwich bags of flour. Then back to real time (slow motion) Pete tastes the powder on his finger. The film then goes back into normal paced filming and Frank aggressively blows the powder into Pete's face; blinding him temporarily. Frank and Charlie make a dash for the door and we then see the pair running out from the outside. Triumphant music is played and there are numerous two shots of the pair comically running away. Frank trying to hold on to his hat and the briefcase whilst Charlie is just trying to not fall over! They both look at each other, still running, and laugh at what the have just achieved. The scene 9and film) end with a freeze frame of them running and laughing at each other.
ROLL CREDITS
As the credits are being shown there are numerous pictures of them with the car they bought.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Character Profile - Frank
FRANK
Age: 26 Very immature, jobless with no motivation to find work although very stupid he believes that he is intelligent so he refuses to be told he is wrong, particularity by Charlie.
Main Trait: Brains of the 'program' . Although they are not very intelligent charecters Frank is the smater to the stupid twosome, I guess you could he is the blind that is leading the blind.
Humanizing Trait: Despite being ridiculously stupid and seemingly immune from emotions, he is very loyal to Charlie and will do anything to protect him.
Profession: Left School at 16, failed every exam so had no qualifications to get into college or sixth form.
Address: He has lived opposite Charlie his whole life in an East End dingy estate. (Working class enviroment).However, he has come from a stable home brought up by his Dad.
Values: A very lazy charecter that wants to climb the status ladder but without the hard grafting it involves.He will look for the easy way out of anything, he the type to not want to run but would walk fast. He sits around the house as his Dad is rarely ever at home as doesnt take an interest in what Frank gets up to.
Foil: Frank comes up with all the cunning ideas for the schemes but always wants Charlie by his side taking part in these cunning schemes. Their plans aren't quite the same with just one of them partaking in it.
Obsession: Frank is obsessed with finding the easy way out of everything! If it involves hard work, Frank ain't involved.
Goal: To get the £6000 and more in order to buy this car that he sees for sale. He likes the idea of Charlie looking up to him so he feels if his plans are successful Charlie's respect for him will continue to grow
Idol: Frank sees himself as his own idol because in his eyes he feels he can do no wrong. Put it this way, Frank is too lazy to aspire to be like any one else.
Epitaph: ''If its my idea, its a great idea!''
Internal Conflicts: Frank is full of ideas but is very impractical, he doesn't understand the error of his ways until he realises his ideas don't work.He doesn't like to be told he is wrong so the boys have to fail at a task before they realise it was a bad idea, so Frank's inability to see his errors and not think practically plays a part in the film.
Interpersonal Conflicts:Frank is not quite Frank without Charlie as Frank does not feel as adequate without Charlie looking up to him. Frank and Charlie are a double act and without each other the film creates less of an impact on the audience.
Societal and Environmental Conflicts: He has no job aspirations, no money and no qualifications, he lives in his own little bubble which Charlie finds himself in. Despite all this he is still a very happy character as he believes in his eyes he is doing no wrong.
Best Thing That Could Ever Happen To This Character (could turn out to be the worst): Alongside Charlie he finally gets the money for the car, but with no regular income who knows how long they will be able to keep the car for, as insurance and road tax are just some of the expenses that come with having a car. !
Worst Thing That Could Ever Happen To This Character: Loosing Charlie. Charlie's presence fuels him to be the ideas person he is in the film and without Charlie egging him on Frank is not quite the same.
Why The Audience Will Root For This Character: Because he hasn't got a mean bone in his body and it will become apparent how much he feeds off of Charlie's energy. Charlie is a loveable character and anyone who loves Charlie will love Frank.
Voice:'' Walking is for LOSERS! I'm so loser, so LETS DRIVE!''
Age: 26 Very immature, jobless with no motivation to find work although very stupid he believes that he is intelligent so he refuses to be told he is wrong, particularity by Charlie.
Main Trait: Brains of the 'program' . Although they are not very intelligent charecters Frank is the smater to the stupid twosome, I guess you could he is the blind that is leading the blind.
Humanizing Trait: Despite being ridiculously stupid and seemingly immune from emotions, he is very loyal to Charlie and will do anything to protect him.
Profession: Left School at 16, failed every exam so had no qualifications to get into college or sixth form.
Address: He has lived opposite Charlie his whole life in an East End dingy estate. (Working class enviroment).However, he has come from a stable home brought up by his Dad.
Values: A very lazy charecter that wants to climb the status ladder but without the hard grafting it involves.He will look for the easy way out of anything, he the type to not want to run but would walk fast. He sits around the house as his Dad is rarely ever at home as doesnt take an interest in what Frank gets up to.
Foil: Frank comes up with all the cunning ideas for the schemes but always wants Charlie by his side taking part in these cunning schemes. Their plans aren't quite the same with just one of them partaking in it.
Obsession: Frank is obsessed with finding the easy way out of everything! If it involves hard work, Frank ain't involved.
Goal: To get the £6000 and more in order to buy this car that he sees for sale. He likes the idea of Charlie looking up to him so he feels if his plans are successful Charlie's respect for him will continue to grow
Idol: Frank sees himself as his own idol because in his eyes he feels he can do no wrong. Put it this way, Frank is too lazy to aspire to be like any one else.
Epitaph: ''If its my idea, its a great idea!''
Internal Conflicts: Frank is full of ideas but is very impractical, he doesn't understand the error of his ways until he realises his ideas don't work.He doesn't like to be told he is wrong so the boys have to fail at a task before they realise it was a bad idea, so Frank's inability to see his errors and not think practically plays a part in the film.
Interpersonal Conflicts:Frank is not quite Frank without Charlie as Frank does not feel as adequate without Charlie looking up to him. Frank and Charlie are a double act and without each other the film creates less of an impact on the audience.
Societal and Environmental Conflicts: He has no job aspirations, no money and no qualifications, he lives in his own little bubble which Charlie finds himself in. Despite all this he is still a very happy character as he believes in his eyes he is doing no wrong.
Best Thing That Could Ever Happen To This Character (could turn out to be the worst): Alongside Charlie he finally gets the money for the car, but with no regular income who knows how long they will be able to keep the car for, as insurance and road tax are just some of the expenses that come with having a car. !
Worst Thing That Could Ever Happen To This Character: Loosing Charlie. Charlie's presence fuels him to be the ideas person he is in the film and without Charlie egging him on Frank is not quite the same.
Why The Audience Will Root For This Character: Because he hasn't got a mean bone in his body and it will become apparent how much he feeds off of Charlie's energy. Charlie is a loveable character and anyone who loves Charlie will love Frank.
Voice:'' Walking is for LOSERS! I'm so loser, so LETS DRIVE!''
Friday, 15 October 2010
Character Profile - Charlie
Age: 21 but not the average 21 year old. He doesn't have a job, enjoys being a "bum" and has no aspirations for the future.
Main Trait: Probably one of the dumbest people you will ever meet without being classed as retarded. Forever following Franks' word he is an easy going idiot.
Humanizing Trait: Although Charlie is too stupid for words, he is a really loyal friend to Frank and will do anything for their friendship! Even if it means dabbling in a fake drug deal...
Profession: no qualifications, not even GCSEs - he was kicked out of school at the age of 14 due to lack of committment and attendance. When he wasn't being lazy and made the effort to go into school, he was sent home for disrupting the class and being a clown. Eventually, they just kicked him out.
Address: he has lived opposite Frank his entire life and they both live on a rundown estate. However, coming from a stable home with both parents there.
Values: Charlie enjoys playing car racing video games, eating cookies that his mum STILL cooks him and being with Frank, his best friend. He's not the sort of person to give to a needy person on the street, but not because he's rude, because he's way too stupid and broke to! He doesn't drive (yet) but enjoys pretending to drive on his games.
Foil: Charlie works at the same pace as his best friend Frank throughout the film. The main difference is that Charlie is way too dumb to think of the "cunning schemes" that Frank does. Although, as the film progresses both cahracters grow to rip off a "big time" drug dealer.
Obsession: Where Charlie is a comedic character his obsession is more of a great fondness; for video games and eating. Rather than having a dark obsession his is funny. This is because the word "obsession" is usually associated with negative and sinister actions because a character likes something/someone too much.
Goal: His goal is to get money for a car. However, he is more the puppy dog following Frank with his ideas. He's more in it for the adventure.
Idol: Charlie's idol is Frank. He respects and looks up to him like an older brother even though they're not related.
Epitaph: "aint gotta be a smarty pants to make moneys!"
Internal conflicts: The child inside Charlie is constantly alive however the actions he takes out begin to mature throughout the film. He is initially a child in a 21 year olds' body because his daily routine follows that of a young boy. e.g. playing video games, hanging around with his best friend and not worrying about the responsibilities every other 21 year old should have. So, his inner child does conflict with how he SHOULD be but both outer and inner personalities are connected.
Interpersonal conflicts: Without Charlie, the film would only be half as funny as it could be as we wouldn't have a croud favourite double act. Frank would pursue the schemes on his own and it's not funny when one person fails a stupid idea! Charlie's role in the film is vital, as is Franks; you cant have one without the other!
Societal and Environmental Conflicts: he has no money, he has no will power to find a job to make money, he has no conflict with society as he chooses to be this way. He doesn't blame society for him being lazy as he is happy to be this way.
Best thing that could happen to this character (could turn out to be the worst): Him and Frank get the money they need for the car HOWEVER this could turn out to be a bad thing as the only knowledge Charlie has of driving is in his video games!!
Worst thing that could happen to that character ( could turn out to be the best): If he lost his best friend Frank. He would be lonely and heartbroken, like a child losing their favourite toy!
Why the audience would root for this character: Mainly because he's funny but more because he's so stupid! Additionally, his and Frank's duo scams in order to get money will make the audience want them to suceed. Charlie is a really likeable character.
Voice (a despcription of the inticing incident that kicks up the drama, from the viewpoint of the character): "we... we gotta get the moneys to get the car cos then we wont 'aff to walk anymore. that would be well good!"
Main Trait: Probably one of the dumbest people you will ever meet without being classed as retarded. Forever following Franks' word he is an easy going idiot.
Humanizing Trait: Although Charlie is too stupid for words, he is a really loyal friend to Frank and will do anything for their friendship! Even if it means dabbling in a fake drug deal...
Profession: no qualifications, not even GCSEs - he was kicked out of school at the age of 14 due to lack of committment and attendance. When he wasn't being lazy and made the effort to go into school, he was sent home for disrupting the class and being a clown. Eventually, they just kicked him out.
Address: he has lived opposite Frank his entire life and they both live on a rundown estate. However, coming from a stable home with both parents there.
Values: Charlie enjoys playing car racing video games, eating cookies that his mum STILL cooks him and being with Frank, his best friend. He's not the sort of person to give to a needy person on the street, but not because he's rude, because he's way too stupid and broke to! He doesn't drive (yet) but enjoys pretending to drive on his games.
Foil: Charlie works at the same pace as his best friend Frank throughout the film. The main difference is that Charlie is way too dumb to think of the "cunning schemes" that Frank does. Although, as the film progresses both cahracters grow to rip off a "big time" drug dealer.
Obsession: Where Charlie is a comedic character his obsession is more of a great fondness; for video games and eating. Rather than having a dark obsession his is funny. This is because the word "obsession" is usually associated with negative and sinister actions because a character likes something/someone too much.
Goal: His goal is to get money for a car. However, he is more the puppy dog following Frank with his ideas. He's more in it for the adventure.
Idol: Charlie's idol is Frank. He respects and looks up to him like an older brother even though they're not related.
Epitaph: "aint gotta be a smarty pants to make moneys!"
Internal conflicts: The child inside Charlie is constantly alive however the actions he takes out begin to mature throughout the film. He is initially a child in a 21 year olds' body because his daily routine follows that of a young boy. e.g. playing video games, hanging around with his best friend and not worrying about the responsibilities every other 21 year old should have. So, his inner child does conflict with how he SHOULD be but both outer and inner personalities are connected.
Interpersonal conflicts: Without Charlie, the film would only be half as funny as it could be as we wouldn't have a croud favourite double act. Frank would pursue the schemes on his own and it's not funny when one person fails a stupid idea! Charlie's role in the film is vital, as is Franks; you cant have one without the other!
Societal and Environmental Conflicts: he has no money, he has no will power to find a job to make money, he has no conflict with society as he chooses to be this way. He doesn't blame society for him being lazy as he is happy to be this way.
Best thing that could happen to this character (could turn out to be the worst): Him and Frank get the money they need for the car HOWEVER this could turn out to be a bad thing as the only knowledge Charlie has of driving is in his video games!!
Worst thing that could happen to that character ( could turn out to be the best): If he lost his best friend Frank. He would be lonely and heartbroken, like a child losing their favourite toy!
Why the audience would root for this character: Mainly because he's funny but more because he's so stupid! Additionally, his and Frank's duo scams in order to get money will make the audience want them to suceed. Charlie is a really likeable character.
Voice (a despcription of the inticing incident that kicks up the drama, from the viewpoint of the character): "we... we gotta get the moneys to get the car cos then we wont 'aff to walk anymore. that would be well good!"
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Exaggerated Expressions
I found this video online of how these two men have created a comical act with no use of dialogue but more interaction with the music, alonside clever tircks and illusions that make the audience laugh. I feel this is the kind of energy our charcters need to communicate humour successfully in our own production.
How to make money fast
When considering making a comedy surrounding a double act making money fast, i thought it relevant to research quick money making schemes that we could incoporate in our film. It was actually quite interesting to find the amount of websites that offer advice on how to make money in a short space of time.
- Actually GET A JOB!
- Sell something you own
- Become a street performer
- Beg on the streets
- Make a fake charity and beg for donations (illegal)
- Open a lemonade stand
- Have a boot sale/yard sale
- Start saving odd change although this is more of a long term, legitimate techinque!
- Sign up for medical tests
- Door-to-door sales
- Donate plasma
- Donate sperm (men only)
- Sell stuff to motorists stuck in traffic
- Scalp tickets for conerts/theatre
- Go scavenging with your metal detector!
- Gamble and pray lady luck is on your side
- Become a drug dealer! <<< there is actually a site for that :/
I thought that these ideas could generate more for us to use in our film. Not only would these sort of ideas be clear to show but they would also be funny as they can be deemed ridiculous and unrealistic - Exactly what we're looking for for our film!
- Actually GET A JOB!
- Sell something you own
- Become a street performer
- Beg on the streets
- Make a fake charity and beg for donations (illegal)
- Open a lemonade stand
- Have a boot sale/yard sale
- Start saving odd change although this is more of a long term, legitimate techinque!
- Sign up for medical tests
- Door-to-door sales
- Donate plasma
- Donate sperm (men only)
- Sell stuff to motorists stuck in traffic
- Scalp tickets for conerts/theatre
- Go scavenging with your metal detector!
- Gamble and pray lady luck is on your side
- Become a drug dealer! <<< there is actually a site for that :/
I thought that these ideas could generate more for us to use in our film. Not only would these sort of ideas be clear to show but they would also be funny as they can be deemed ridiculous and unrealistic - Exactly what we're looking for for our film!
Laurel and Hardy
Thin, English-born Stan Laurel, and heavy, American-born Oliver Hardy, were the single most popular comedic duo of the early to mid-Classical Hollywood era of American cinema. The pair became well known in the late 20’s, and starred together in 40 short sound films, 32 short silent films, 23 full length feature films, and made guest or cameo appearances in 11 others, for a total of 106 films.
I believe this to be extremely relevant to my research for my own film. Capturing the comedy through a double act in a silent film...
Here the pair use minimal dialogue in a really simple scene that portrays the humour and down right stupidity of their friendship!
I believe this to be extremely relevant to my research for my own film. Capturing the comedy through a double act in a silent film...
Here the pair use minimal dialogue in a really simple scene that portrays the humour and down right stupidity of their friendship!
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
I found this video when researching famous double acts and the issues Lewis talks about concerning money (and the very simple vocabulary he uses to explain) is exactly what i would wish to portray in my own film. Additionally, the relationship between these two characters is what i would be aiming for. They sing about not needing anything but each other - being in it til the end! And although my film would be more about the shared desire for cash their friendship is what holds their cons together.
Del Boy and Rodders
To understand how we are going to direct our desired characters, i have to research into the world of double acts. To understand what makes them funny, how their personalities have to bounce off one another and what traits they must protray in order to make the film work!
Del Boy and Rodney
- 2 simple minded crooks!
- not necessarily bad people but willing to do bad things for money.
DEL BOY - Derek Trotter, or Del Boy, is a loveable Cockney rogue and wheeler dealer. He spent the 1980s and early 1990s slaving away with his market stall flogging what can only be described as dodgy gear.
However his luck changed in 1996 when an antique watch hidden in his garage made him an overnight millionaire. He lived the high life for 5 years before losing it all in 2001 due to a stock market crash.
RODNEY - Rodders, as he is often referred to by his big brother, has stuck by Del through thick and thin. After leaving school with two GCEs in Art and Maths, he was expelled from Art College for dabbling with drugs!
Without much going for him Rodney managed to rise to the challenge of being Financial Director of Trotters Independent Traders. (the brothers family business). He is recognised by an audience as more Del boys' side kick and the run around in their schemes.
From this i can see that the brotherly bond builds a strong connection and the pair being as simple minded as they are, its understandable they get themselves into silly situations!
Del Boy and Rodney
- 2 simple minded crooks!
- not necessarily bad people but willing to do bad things for money.
DEL BOY - Derek Trotter, or Del Boy, is a loveable Cockney rogue and wheeler dealer. He spent the 1980s and early 1990s slaving away with his market stall flogging what can only be described as dodgy gear.
However his luck changed in 1996 when an antique watch hidden in his garage made him an overnight millionaire. He lived the high life for 5 years before losing it all in 2001 due to a stock market crash.
RODNEY - Rodders, as he is often referred to by his big brother, has stuck by Del through thick and thin. After leaving school with two GCEs in Art and Maths, he was expelled from Art College for dabbling with drugs!
Without much going for him Rodney managed to rise to the challenge of being Financial Director of Trotters Independent Traders. (the brothers family business). He is recognised by an audience as more Del boys' side kick and the run around in their schemes.
From this i can see that the brotherly bond builds a strong connection and the pair being as simple minded as they are, its understandable they get themselves into silly situations!
The Fall - Con Artists
One of the most famous con artists of all time...
FRANK ABAGNALE
Mr. Abagnale had collected over $40,000 from various banks across New York City and by time he had accumulated so much money, the man had faked his way as a university professor, lawyer, pilot and doctor.
The film 'Catch me if you can' was written based on his life accomplishments which include escaping from a moving aeroplane!!! - and still getting away before finally being caught and serving time in a prison in France and Sweden; that's what you call a crook!
HOWEVER!!!
Once Abagnale was imprisoned, he convinced his guards that he was actually an undercover prison inspector and that he needed the privilege of having an unsupervised meeting with his FBI agent contact. The guards believed him!
After finally serving five years in prison, Abagnale was released if he cooperated with the government in detecting fraud. Not one to miss a golden opportunity, he turned his specialized knowledge into a legitimate money-making machine in working for the U.S government.
This is an example of how a man cheated his way through his life and how some would see this negatively as falling into his lies and schemes; he hasn't been punished for it he's being put to good use!
This is the first factual evidence i have researched that doesn't necessarily have a bad outcome.
FRANK ABAGNALE
Mr. Abagnale had collected over $40,000 from various banks across New York City and by time he had accumulated so much money, the man had faked his way as a university professor, lawyer, pilot and doctor.
The film 'Catch me if you can' was written based on his life accomplishments which include escaping from a moving aeroplane!!! - and still getting away before finally being caught and serving time in a prison in France and Sweden; that's what you call a crook!
HOWEVER!!!
Once Abagnale was imprisoned, he convinced his guards that he was actually an undercover prison inspector and that he needed the privilege of having an unsupervised meeting with his FBI agent contact. The guards believed him!
After finally serving five years in prison, Abagnale was released if he cooperated with the government in detecting fraud. Not one to miss a golden opportunity, he turned his specialized knowledge into a legitimate money-making machine in working for the U.S government.
This is an example of how a man cheated his way through his life and how some would see this negatively as falling into his lies and schemes; he hasn't been punished for it he's being put to good use!
This is the first factual evidence i have researched that doesn't necessarily have a bad outcome.
Feedback on Final Treatment
- Really simple idea - easy to understand and simple yet effective.
- Like the idea of starting with the end and explaining how the characters ended up in their situation.
- Really like the idea of a comic duo/double act theme.
- punch in the face is a bit abrubt and out of the blue but if really exaggerated can work well in the world of your film.
- Exaggerated - slapstick comedy would have to be incorporated.
- over the top actions and expressions - rely a lot on characters!
- if it's a comedy it doesn't matter as much on the thematic unity and sticking to a running theme as the theme is the slapstick that MUST be present throughout!
After receiving this feedback, as a group, we decided there wasn't any vital elements of the treatment that we needed to change it was more considerations we need to take when casting and finding the locations to make this film work successfully.
- Like the idea of starting with the end and explaining how the characters ended up in their situation.
- Really like the idea of a comic duo/double act theme.
- punch in the face is a bit abrubt and out of the blue but if really exaggerated can work well in the world of your film.
- Exaggerated - slapstick comedy would have to be incorporated.
- over the top actions and expressions - rely a lot on characters!
- if it's a comedy it doesn't matter as much on the thematic unity and sticking to a running theme as the theme is the slapstick that MUST be present throughout!
After receiving this feedback, as a group, we decided there wasn't any vital elements of the treatment that we needed to change it was more considerations we need to take when casting and finding the locations to make this film work successfully.
Treatment 3 - SWITCH
Title: SWITCH
Tagline: How far will you go for a bit of cash?
Pitch: 20 year old Charlie and 26 year old Frank are desperate for cash after seeing a car they want for sale at a hefty £6000. Not bieng the brightest bulbs they take out quick money making schemes that fail; one after the other. Until they resort to 'The Switch'.
Treatment: The film opens on Day 3 of the SWITCH with the pair running for their lives down a corridor (angry looking gangsters in the background). Then flashing back to Day 1 we see their initial reason for their thirst for cash as the two see a car for sale that they really want. Needing to gather £6000 fast and dealing with unemployment and a lack of qualifications they soon realise they have a problem.
Standing there pondering their options, Charlie pulls out a half eaten cookie from his pocket and Frank is instantly hit by an ingenious idea. (lightbulb animation) Selling cookies!
Frank feels that selling cookies will earn them a lot of quick cash and so they go door to door attempting to sell them. However, door after door the customers are not interested and Charlie gets punched in the eye by the last potential customer! (montage of doors slamming, point of view shots from door)
Seeing Charlie clucth at his eye in pain, Frank is inspire to stage a fake charity (lightbulb animation) conning money out of people who think they are helping 'blind' Charlie. Frank grabs the attention of the only man walking down the street whilst Charlie shakes his money pot at him. However, the man is not the slightest bit interested and flashes a dirty look whilst putting his hood up. Charlie, forgetting momentarily that he is blind, shakes his fist at the passer by and Frank hits him to encourage him to stay in role. As they watch the man walk away they hear a screeching sound of a car apporaching and see it pull up next to the man they encountered. They see what SEEMS to be an inappropriate drug deal and this is where Frank is hit by his best idea yet - The Switch.
Frank is convinced that if they cut a slice of a drug deal they will have more than enough money to buy the car. So they go home and gather together a bundle of drugs. Flour and sugar. Believing that this is a sure in way to make some cash, they fix themselves up to look the part (switching costumes) and go to meet 'Big Pete' the hardest gangster on the estate.
The meeting place and time is sorted and the two find themselves in a hotel room across the table from Big Pete who is willing to give them the money they need in exchange for the 'drugs'. The deal goes well, until Big Pete does a taste test and finds that the drugs taste a little sweeter than they should and their cover is blown. Frank literally blows the 'drug' in Big Pete's face and the two make a run for it. Running for their lives they get free and the film ends with both Frank and Charlie high fiving each other with the breifcase full of money in sight.
Credits roll with numerous pictures of the double act in their new car.
Tagline: How far will you go for a bit of cash?
Pitch: 20 year old Charlie and 26 year old Frank are desperate for cash after seeing a car they want for sale at a hefty £6000. Not bieng the brightest bulbs they take out quick money making schemes that fail; one after the other. Until they resort to 'The Switch'.
Treatment: The film opens on Day 3 of the SWITCH with the pair running for their lives down a corridor (angry looking gangsters in the background). Then flashing back to Day 1 we see their initial reason for their thirst for cash as the two see a car for sale that they really want. Needing to gather £6000 fast and dealing with unemployment and a lack of qualifications they soon realise they have a problem.
Standing there pondering their options, Charlie pulls out a half eaten cookie from his pocket and Frank is instantly hit by an ingenious idea. (lightbulb animation) Selling cookies!
Frank feels that selling cookies will earn them a lot of quick cash and so they go door to door attempting to sell them. However, door after door the customers are not interested and Charlie gets punched in the eye by the last potential customer! (montage of doors slamming, point of view shots from door)
Seeing Charlie clucth at his eye in pain, Frank is inspire to stage a fake charity (lightbulb animation) conning money out of people who think they are helping 'blind' Charlie. Frank grabs the attention of the only man walking down the street whilst Charlie shakes his money pot at him. However, the man is not the slightest bit interested and flashes a dirty look whilst putting his hood up. Charlie, forgetting momentarily that he is blind, shakes his fist at the passer by and Frank hits him to encourage him to stay in role. As they watch the man walk away they hear a screeching sound of a car apporaching and see it pull up next to the man they encountered. They see what SEEMS to be an inappropriate drug deal and this is where Frank is hit by his best idea yet - The Switch.
Frank is convinced that if they cut a slice of a drug deal they will have more than enough money to buy the car. So they go home and gather together a bundle of drugs. Flour and sugar. Believing that this is a sure in way to make some cash, they fix themselves up to look the part (switching costumes) and go to meet 'Big Pete' the hardest gangster on the estate.The meeting place and time is sorted and the two find themselves in a hotel room across the table from Big Pete who is willing to give them the money they need in exchange for the 'drugs'. The deal goes well, until Big Pete does a taste test and finds that the drugs taste a little sweeter than they should and their cover is blown. Frank literally blows the 'drug' in Big Pete's face and the two make a run for it. Running for their lives they get free and the film ends with both Frank and Charlie high fiving each other with the breifcase full of money in sight.
Credits roll with numerous pictures of the double act in their new car.
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Feedback on Treatment
Comments from Miss. Nair on the treatment for The Adventures Of Dan and Alfie;
- hasn't been padded out - shocking to just lead to the mum leaving?
- don't have the software for the animation ideas you have
- the story needs to be stronger
- expecting more from us - something else
- depth is missing to the story
- creativeness is not flowed
- not grabbing
- need to improve the second half of the story!
- there has to be a BIG MOMENT keep the same story but play around with the order
- story isn't convincing as the mother would not leave her son with an alcoholic father
- it's twisted
- something go wrong when the mother leaves?
- end differently maybe?
*** instead of having the mother walking out have something going on behind the scenes. (Father abusing the mother) Make the mother the victim.
- the initial idea is good but the second half of the story doesn't fit.
- either work on it or start afresh
- think about how it can end
- you have a beginning now you need a middle and an end to make this story have layers and depth.
- hasn't been padded out - shocking to just lead to the mum leaving?
- don't have the software for the animation ideas you have
- the story needs to be stronger
- expecting more from us - something else
- depth is missing to the story
- creativeness is not flowed
- not grabbing
- need to improve the second half of the story!
- there has to be a BIG MOMENT keep the same story but play around with the order
- story isn't convincing as the mother would not leave her son with an alcoholic father
- it's twisted
- something go wrong when the mother leaves?
- end differently maybe?
*** instead of having the mother walking out have something going on behind the scenes. (Father abusing the mother) Make the mother the victim.
- the initial idea is good but the second half of the story doesn't fit.
- either work on it or start afresh
- think about how it can end
- you have a beginning now you need a middle and an end to make this story have layers and depth.
Monday, 11 October 2010
Opening Titles ; Saul Bass
Saul Bass was an American graphic designer and Academy Award-winning filmmaker, but he is best known for his design on animated motion picture title sequences.
Here is a very interesting opening sequence i found that Saul Bass designed and the way the words "Trapeze" flow out of the swinging trapeze is a really clever way of presenting the titles. Additionally, the footage of him actually falling and the various shots used keep the titles simple but informing the audience of what is needed to know.
This is how it links to my own work. A simple idea, executed brilliantly.
Here is a very interesting opening sequence i found that Saul Bass designed and the way the words "Trapeze" flow out of the swinging trapeze is a really clever way of presenting the titles. Additionally, the footage of him actually falling and the various shots used keep the titles simple but informing the audience of what is needed to know.
This is how it links to my own work. A simple idea, executed brilliantly.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
In and Out
Our initial idea for 'In and Out' was a dark storyline following a loved up couple destroy their relationship through their temper, anger and jealousy. Once we watched the short films in lessons however we decided to take this story from a different angle. Making it more of a comedy could really twist the story and make it more realistic.
Tagline: You think you've met the man of your dreams - then you wake up!
Treatment: Josh and Beth met through friends and hit it off straight away. They got on really well and had a lot in common. They had been dating for quite a while before deciding to take the relationship to the next level and move in together. Things were going great! They had his and her dressing gowns, ate the same cereal and Beth always had dinner ready when he came home from work.
Although, a new job promotion for Josh lead to late night drinks celebrating with his colleagues and a new female boss in the office. Beth sees the signs and isn't a fool but doesn't know if she's strong enough to leave? With his late night antics and Beht waiting up for his return home - things get heated and she confronts her suspicions of him cheating.
For this film idea we saw it to be more of a funny outlook on a man cheating on his girlfriend. Like the typical wife waiting up for the man to come home and sitting in the dark; but when he tries to creep in thinking she's asleep she quickly turns the light on and he stops dead...
This reminded me of a scene from the film white chicks where the woman's husband had been out drinking with his work mates and she switches on the light when he arrives home. This visual adds humour to a heated situation and i think it would be really fun to re-make.
Tagline: You think you've met the man of your dreams - then you wake up!
Treatment: Josh and Beth met through friends and hit it off straight away. They got on really well and had a lot in common. They had been dating for quite a while before deciding to take the relationship to the next level and move in together. Things were going great! They had his and her dressing gowns, ate the same cereal and Beth always had dinner ready when he came home from work.
Although, a new job promotion for Josh lead to late night drinks celebrating with his colleagues and a new female boss in the office. Beth sees the signs and isn't a fool but doesn't know if she's strong enough to leave? With his late night antics and Beht waiting up for his return home - things get heated and she confronts her suspicions of him cheating.
For this film idea we saw it to be more of a funny outlook on a man cheating on his girlfriend. Like the typical wife waiting up for the man to come home and sitting in the dark; but when he tries to creep in thinking she's asleep she quickly turns the light on and he stops dead...
This reminded me of a scene from the film white chicks where the woman's husband had been out drinking with his work mates and she switches on the light when he arrives home. This visual adds humour to a heated situation and i think it would be really fun to re-make.
The Adventures of Dan And Alfie! The Attack Of Kryptonite Karly
Our first draft of this story contained the same storyline as the one now but using what we've learned from watching the other short films, we have constructed richer characters with a back story, believable plot points that are minimal to keep it simple and still kept our superman twist in our theme.
Treatment:
Like most young boys Alfie always saw his Dad(Dan) as his hero. Doing most father duties his Dad was his idol. They played football together, ate ice cream together and he taught Alfie how to ride a bike. Being his Dad's sidekick was all he ever wanted. But the adventures were always cut short by Mummy(Karly) putting little Alfie to bed.
Meanwhile . . . What Alfie did not know, Daddies hidden addiction to Kryptonite was much stronger than his love for his family; but even after 5 long, yet strenuous, years mummy couldn't take it anymore. Karly leaves Dan and Alfie behind, believing they will live a happier life full of adventures without her, and hopes Dan will change his ways now he has to look after his son. But once she walks out and Alfie grows older, one drunken night after another, Daddy's super hero qualities soon fade and Alfie sees him for the villain he really is.
In addition to these changes, we changed the names to make the characters younger. We decided Karly would have more motivation to leave her family if she had been sucked into it from a young age. Giving her the back story that her and Dan fell in love young and had Alfie early on in life. So for the majority of her 20s she was stuck in a dead end family routine that she didn't want. Not to mention Dans growing alcohol addiction to drive her away more.
Treatment:
Like most young boys Alfie always saw his Dad(Dan) as his hero. Doing most father duties his Dad was his idol. They played football together, ate ice cream together and he taught Alfie how to ride a bike. Being his Dad's sidekick was all he ever wanted. But the adventures were always cut short by Mummy(Karly) putting little Alfie to bed.
Meanwhile . . . What Alfie did not know, Daddies hidden addiction to Kryptonite was much stronger than his love for his family; but even after 5 long, yet strenuous, years mummy couldn't take it anymore. Karly leaves Dan and Alfie behind, believing they will live a happier life full of adventures without her, and hopes Dan will change his ways now he has to look after his son. But once she walks out and Alfie grows older, one drunken night after another, Daddy's super hero qualities soon fade and Alfie sees him for the villain he really is.
In addition to these changes, we changed the names to make the characters younger. We decided Karly would have more motivation to leave her family if she had been sucked into it from a young age. Giving her the back story that her and Dan fell in love young and had Alfie early on in life. So for the majority of her 20s she was stuck in a dead end family routine that she didn't want. Not to mention Dans growing alcohol addiction to drive her away more.
UK Film Council Productions 5/10/10
During lesson time we watched three short films of different genres to help us generate more idea for our own. Rather than looking at the technical side of the films we focused on the characters and the believability of their actions, specific plot points and pithy dialogue. By observing this in existing films we could look at our own treatments in more detail and improve them.
THE FIRST TIME IT HITS...
This was a completely visual film with animation and exciting editing. Looking at the characters, there was a believable skater dude and a bad girl within the same location. The skater did some tricks in the hope he would impress the girl whilst she smoked and gave the cheeky eye in his direction.
Animation was then used to illustrate them falling in love and his thought of maybe doing a trick to impress her. However, the trick goes horribly wrong and the skateboard hits her right in the head. This twisted the plot and span it right into a comedic film.
It was a beleivable boy meets girl situation which had a modern twist of action that made it funny. The best part abput it in relation to helping me was that there was no dialogue. It was 100% soundtrack which was parallel to the on screen images.
ICE CREAM DREAMS...
This film had very simple plot points involving a girl helping her father sell ice cream from his van.
At first she doesn't want to go and play with the other children but by the end of the short film she has the courage to go. The characters were very believable and the dialogue was only incorporated where necessary. The mother saying "we could do with another day like this" when counting the money collected from being out selling ice cream. The characters were simple and believable but the little girl was given more depth. She had this because everytime she wanted to go and play her conscience would appear and warn her away.
HARD LABOUR...
This was my favourite of the three films as once again it had a simple base of a storyline but the realistic characters alongside their actions really made the film great. There is a husband and a wife living under the same roof with their one son and the nanny that takes care of him.
However, when both women fall pregnant (BY THE SAME MAN!) the story unfolds with twists and deception until finally the nanny takes her revenge in snatching the other womans baby because the male character made her get rid of her own. The characters were very realistic in the sense that the middle class male paid off the nanny so that she kept quiet. Additionally, the nanny claimed she had to go back to Croatia to be with her sick mother just so she could make the couple believe she was gone - but really so she could come back and steal the other baby. All of the characters were well constructed and the backstory to each one made the film as good as it was.
From this task i could work on the treatments already made within my group, and make them more believable and realistic to the storyline they abide by.
THE FIRST TIME IT HITS...
This was a completely visual film with animation and exciting editing. Looking at the characters, there was a believable skater dude and a bad girl within the same location. The skater did some tricks in the hope he would impress the girl whilst she smoked and gave the cheeky eye in his direction.
Animation was then used to illustrate them falling in love and his thought of maybe doing a trick to impress her. However, the trick goes horribly wrong and the skateboard hits her right in the head. This twisted the plot and span it right into a comedic film.
It was a beleivable boy meets girl situation which had a modern twist of action that made it funny. The best part abput it in relation to helping me was that there was no dialogue. It was 100% soundtrack which was parallel to the on screen images.
ICE CREAM DREAMS...
This film had very simple plot points involving a girl helping her father sell ice cream from his van.
At first she doesn't want to go and play with the other children but by the end of the short film she has the courage to go. The characters were very believable and the dialogue was only incorporated where necessary. The mother saying "we could do with another day like this" when counting the money collected from being out selling ice cream. The characters were simple and believable but the little girl was given more depth. She had this because everytime she wanted to go and play her conscience would appear and warn her away.
HARD LABOUR...
This was my favourite of the three films as once again it had a simple base of a storyline but the realistic characters alongside their actions really made the film great. There is a husband and a wife living under the same roof with their one son and the nanny that takes care of him.
However, when both women fall pregnant (BY THE SAME MAN!) the story unfolds with twists and deception until finally the nanny takes her revenge in snatching the other womans baby because the male character made her get rid of her own. The characters were very realistic in the sense that the middle class male paid off the nanny so that she kept quiet. Additionally, the nanny claimed she had to go back to Croatia to be with her sick mother just so she could make the couple believe she was gone - but really so she could come back and steal the other baby. All of the characters were well constructed and the backstory to each one made the film as good as it was.
From this task i could work on the treatments already made within my group, and make them more believable and realistic to the storyline they abide by.
Monday, 4 October 2010
Falling out of love with your wife because you're in love with a bottle...
This video i found on youtube demonstrates alcohol related abuse within the household. I thought this was interesting as it illustrates numerous themes of the fall and could be the basis of a film. Firstly, the fall out of love within a marriage if the alcohol abuse makes someone in the relationship aggressive. Secondly, the fall as a person through binge drinking and drowning their sorrows in alcohol. Thirdly, through ultimately spltting up a family because of ones issues with alcohol.
In and Out
Tagline: Theres falling hard for someone you love, but you fall out harder.
Josh and Beth have alot in common, they both drink coffee, enjoy watching horror films and walk their dogs in the local park. They are very similar. Oh, and they both have very short tempers.
Falling in love is the best feeling for most young couples, for this pair however it was their downfall. Anger, lust and jealousy ultimately distroyed the relationship they shared, with a combination of violence and mindgames the relationship diteriorated and they had to go their seperate ways just waiting for cupid to strike again.
Josh and Beth have alot in common, they both drink coffee, enjoy watching horror films and walk their dogs in the local park. They are very similar. Oh, and they both have very short tempers.
Falling in love is the best feeling for most young couples, for this pair however it was their downfall. Anger, lust and jealousy ultimately distroyed the relationship they shared, with a combination of violence and mindgames the relationship diteriorated and they had to go their seperate ways just waiting for cupid to strike again.
The Adventures of Frank and Alfie! The Attack of Kryptonite Kathy
Treatment: Like most young boys Alfie always saw his Dad as his hero. Doing most father duties his Dad was his idol. They played football together, ate ice cream together and he taught Alfie how to ride a bike. Being his Dad's sidekick was all he ever wanted. But the adventures were always cut short by Mummy(Kathy) putting little Alfie to bed.
MEANWHILE...
Daddies hidden addiction to Kryptonite was much stronger than his love for his family; and mummy couldnt take it anymore.Once she walks out Daddy's super hero qualites fade and Alfie sees him for the villian he really is.
MEANWHILE...
Daddies hidden addiction to Kryptonite was much stronger than his love for his family; and mummy couldnt take it anymore.Once she walks out Daddy's super hero qualites fade and Alfie sees him for the villian he really is.
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