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!
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
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.
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