Main Task - Opening to a New Fiction Film

Preparation and filming for Main Task:

Final Idea - 

For my main idea, I have deciding to stick to the idea of creating a film opening to a 'Thriller' non-fiction film. In this case, I know I have to make sure that I create an effective film opening and grab the viewers attention, as well as making the film opening persuade the viewer to keep on watching it. I also have to consider that this particular film opening has to last a total of 2 minutes.

My intentions of this story line is to be a thriller based genre where a male character has been hired out to assassinate someone, but the viewer doesn’t know who.

The majority of the film opening will be showing the assassin making his way through the streets with a variety of shots, angles and movements.

Eventually we see a point of view shot of someone creeping up behind him and hitting him round the head with a gun, at this point, the screen would go blank (as if it’s the own males characters point of view; since he has been knocked out.

I also wanted to add a twist, by suddenly reversing/rewinding the previous shots made, to repeat the same point of view shot of the person behind him about to hit him around the head again, but instead he turns around (as if he knows its going to happen) and hits the character around the head with his own gun. The same blackout technique is repeated and the character that is collapsed on the ground is a female. He then whispers/says ‘This ain’t no game.’ And the title of the film will be revealed, ‘Assassin’.

Shot List -

· 'Close up' (Of a puddle; perhaps if its raining to create more of an atmosphere - then suddenly being trodden through by the mysterious character, and a close up of the object/gun in his hand)

· 'Tilt' revealing the character walking from behind (from the feet to the back of the head)

· Various 'Point of view shots' or 'Over shoulder shots' to show what the character is viewing/looking at. (Such as: whilst walking, viewing the moon and seeing the trees pass by it - due to the movement of the character) a 'Dolly' movement can be used for this. Or using the 'point of view shot' and 'Passing Shot' to show another mysterious character, looking through the trees/twigs.

· 'High Angle' shot to make the character look vulnerable and as if someone or something is looking down on him. This shot will also be used to show the characters feet in movement, walking through the leaves on the ground.

· Blurred effect/out of focus to show the characters ‘point of view’ on the floor waking up.

· 'Depth of field' to focus on the 'gun' and hand resting on the ground.

· 'Flash Back' effect / 'Reverse' of the scenes just shown to go back and show the other mysterious character going to do exactly what was just shown, but instead, the first intended assassin turns around and suddenly hits the other around the head with his gun.

Story Board –
Here are the story boards I had made myself for planning towards the final result of my opening film sequence. Each of the orange post-it notes represent the key frames and representations of what I have pictured in my mind for this particular idea.

Planning schedule/dates -

Monday 15/11

Thursday 18/11

Monday 22/11

Thursday 25/11

Monday 29/11

Thursday 02/12

Monday 06/12

Thursday 09/12

Monday 13/12  < Deadline for Maintask

I will be following these dates to ensure that I know when my deadline is for this project and to make sure I plan sensibly and have everything done/ready before then, such as, the editing being done to a quality standard, all the shots are included and other factors that need to be applied to this project.

Asset list:

For my filming project I will need to consider and think about the kinds of equipment/assets that are required for the making of this project.
This includes equipment such as:

- Record / Filming Equipment (camera) with sound device included.

- Tripod (to hold up the camera and keep a still shot whilst filming)
- Camera charger - if the film camera needs to be charged, since it has lost battery.

- Trolley device to pull along camera if needed, for a smooth movement along the ground (specifically for the walking shots)

- One male and one female actor

- Props (fake guns) and costumes (suit and hoody for male actor and smart black dress for female actor.

Production Schedule –

Filming on Friday 26th November 2010, in the evening time. (Since it gets dark really early, i will plan to film around the hours of 5 and 6 pm.

I plan to film in the location of my village (New Ash Green) in the evening / night time

Areas for filming must be in well lit areas (street lights) - due to the fact that it will be dark and will be difficult to show the character / actor when filming.

Just before filming log:
I think I have thoroughly planned out and set up this evening for filming (26th November 2010)
I have ensured a few days earlier that my actors new exactly what they had to wear: my male actor wearing a black suit, white shirt and black tie and the female wearing a plain black dress and overcoat.
Before filming, I have made sure that I accomodated my actors in a comfortable setting. I had invited them to my home before hand and made sure that they were up and ready for filming, such as providing them with food or drink. Once they were comfortable and ready for filming, we went out before it had just reached full darkness.

After Filming log:
When we had set out to film, it had gotten dark very quickly - since I have filmed in a winter month, where darkness falls very quickly! It was extremely cold and we were out for more than two hours, gathering as much footage as possible. I found that towards the end of my filming, I found that I was rushing due to the fact that myself and the actors were feeling very tiered and cold, so we eventually returned home.
Once we had gotten inside in the warm, I made sure I provided them with plenty of food and drink. Once we were warmed up, we all decided to review the footage and have a laugh!

Script -

Alot of this film opening isn't based around speaking parts, however, there is a part towards the end which involves both characters saying one simple line each.

Female Actor - "Too slow."

Male Actor - "This ain't no game."