Toast short film recreation:

 Here is the link

Post 14: Editing techniques:

During the phone call sequence. cross-cuts will be used between the conversation of Michael and the person who picked up the phone. 

Quick jump-cuts will be used when Michael is searching through drawers for his knife and cleaved. These fast cuts intersect with the loud distorted sounds of the clock and people outside. Furthermore, the use of jump-cuts will add a sense of urgency to the scene, which perfectly fits Michael's itching desire to cast his revenge on Roberto.

I’ll also be using jump cuts/ a montage to show a lot of time has passed since he’s been looking for his weapons. It will jump between him pacing around his living room to then moments of him searching drawers and closets.

I'm going to use a dissolve when Michael has a flashback to the 1960s in which he was beaten up by Roberto. The dissolve helps show that we are seeing an event from the past. Furthermore, the use of a flashback pays homage to the Media Res narrative technique which I'm going to use, as it provides an explanation to why he wants revenge. 

The dissolve will be used again when the flashback sequence ends, and comes back to reality. As the flashback ends, the dissolve will be used to then show that everything is back in colour, representing present day. 

To show time has passed, the scene will dissolve into a night time as he waits for Roberto. 

I used this video for inspiration and to help me decide which editing techniques would be appropriate for my short-film: 

Here is the link

Post 13: Final Sound

 I don't want to use many, if any, non-diegetic sounds. This is because I want my story to be naturalistic and the use of non-diegetic sounds will perhaps take away the immersion. 

In regards to Foley sound effects, I watched this video for inspiration and ideas: Foley sound video

When Michael comes up with his plan to get revenge on Roberto, I'm going to make all the diegetic sounds such as the clock ticking and the drawers slamming shut and people outside talking, even louder and more distorted. The use of sound here physicalises Michael's deranged and deteriorating mental state, showing that it's even declined since the start of the story. Moreover, the practical sound effects such as him walking, will be more exaggerated. Even the sound of his pen will appear to sound louder when he writes the list of ways he years to take revenge on Roberto. A loud knock on the door from the nurse will be what makes Michael the most paranoid, in which he approaches the door to attack who he assumes is Roberto. 

In the flashback, I'll use ambience from New York from the 1960s to help emphasise the urban setting. 

Here is an example of a loud ticking clock, which is what I'm going to add in my piece

This will also build the sense of urgency - Michael doesn't want to waste any time and wants to get his revenge on Roberto ASAP. 

When Michael assumes Roberto is at the door, I'm going to make his reaction appear in the form of an inner-monologue. I will achieve this by adding the audio of his line when the a close-up is used on his face - Thus, showing that this is what he's thinking. 

A day in Lockdown 1 minute short film

 1 minute Lockdown routine video

Post 12 part 2: Storyboard with mention of cinematography

 

Post 8: Final Plot Outline

Michael, a retired Mafia boss with dementia, seeks revenge on an old rival who had wronged him a very long time ago.

Michael wanders away from the hospital where he’s being treated and finds his way back to his old apartment. He frantically searches for a pen and a piece of lined paper, and mumbles to himself about all the possible ways he intends on taking his revenge.

The scene then fades to a flashback and cuts to black and white. The year is 1963.

Michael exits a café and takes a seat on a bench. A rival gang led by a young man called Roberto approaches him and beats him up, leaving him on the ground beaten up.

It then fades back into reality and is no longer in black and white.

Michael tells himself that he needs to call one of his former gang members and tell him that he wants to take revenge. He tries calling, but someone else picks up instead. Michael hangs up and decides to take matters solely into his own hands. 

Michael grabs a pen and a piece of paper and scribbles down all the possible ways he can take his revenge. He crosses all the ideas out and leaves just one - Chopping him up. 

Michael searches the house for his switch-blade and cleaver. He finally finds them in a dusty box kept under his bed. He sits down and falls asleep in a chair. 

Suddenly, there’s a knock on the front door. Michael scrunches up his piece of paper and tosses it in the bin. He mutters to himself that it’s Roberto who’s at the door. The camera cuts to the knife and resting across his lap, as Michael picks them up and cautiously approaches the door.

A female voice asks if Michael is in there. Michael opens the door to which his daughter, Donna, stands there and in an unsurprised tone, says “Again, Papa?" "I thought that place was treating you for your dementia"

As his daughter escorts Michael, the camera slowly pans over to the bin, which is filled to the brim with scrunched up paper, revealing that this has indeed happened countless times.

 

Post 8: Final Script:

 

FADE IN:

EXT. MACDOUGAL ST., GREENWICH VILLAGE, NY - DAY

An old Italian-American neighbourhood in the Village.  

MICHAEL, 80's, a bit dishevelled, dressed in pyjamas and

bathrobe, wanders up the sidewalk. He's holding a bag of

shopping and mumbling to himself.  

                         

                         MICHAEL

            Where the fuck is Frankie? Yeah,

            Frankie Nose. Dov'è il bastardo?

INT. ENTRANCE, MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - DAY

Michael's at home, a little confused, worried about

something. He sits himself down on a living room chair.

EXT. CAFE, MACDOUGAL ST., GREENWICH VILLAGE, NY - NIGHT -

1963 

Young Michael walks out of a cafe, wearing a striped suit

and a hat. 

Roberto's crew drive by and jump him. TWO GOONS grab

Michael while TWO LEG-BREAKERS pummel him. They leave as

Michael is left beaten and bruised.

                                        

                                        DISSOLVE TO: 

INT. MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - DAY - PRESENT 

                         

                         MICHAEL

            I can't let Roberto walk away from

            this unharmed. He will bleed. 

            I need to call the crew and tell

            them the situation. 

Michael approaches the old dial phone that sits on top of

the desk. He dials a number and waits. Finally, a WOMAN

picks up. 

                         

                         WOMAN

                    (over phone)

            Hello.

                         

                         MICHAEL

            Put Frankie on the line!

                         

                         WOMAN

                    (over phone)

            Who is this?

                         

                         MICHAEL

            I want Frankie Nose.

                         

                         WOMAN

                    (over phone)

            Sir, no person called Frankie lives

            here. 

                         

                         MICHAEL

            Tell him I need his assistance, and

            that Roberto is gonna learn a

            lesson.

                         

                         WOMAN

                    (over phone)

            Again, I don't know who that is sir,

            I think you've got the wrong num-

Michael abruptly hangs up, cutting the woman off mid

sentence. 

                         

                         MICHAEL

            Guess I'm settling this one on my

            own.

Michael walks away from the desk. 

INT. BEDROOM, MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - DAY

Michael changes into the same suit he wore when Roberto and

his crew jumped him. The suit barely fits and is too short on the legs. 

INT. OLD BEDROOM/OFFICE, MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - DAY

Michael frantically searches the desk, grabs a pen and a

piece of lined paper. He sits down and scribbles a list.

                         

                         MICHAEL 

            Jump him. Torture him. Bury him

            alive. Burn him. Chop him up...

He crosses off all the listed ways he intends on taking

revenge, leaving only one: CHOP HIM UP. 

Montage: 

- Michael paces back and forth. 

- Emptying drawers, filled with old photos and documents.

- More pacing

- Tearing through a wardrobe

- Still More pacing

-  Finally, he pulls a box from under the bed. Inside: a

Sicilian switch-blade and a meat cleaver. 

                         

                         MICHAEL

            Yes. This is it.

He hefts the cleaver in his hand. 

INT. LIVING ROOM, MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - DAY

He sits in an armchair. Watches the front door.  And waits.

                         

                         MICHAEL 

            Roberto will come. Time to remind

            him what I'm famous for.

                                        

                                        DISSOLVE TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM, MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

It's dark now.  Michael's asleep in the chair.

JUST THEN - 

Someone KNOCKS at the door.

Michael leaps to his feet, flattens himself against the

wall - cleaver in hand. 

Another KNOCK, then someone unlocks the door and comes in

and flips the light on. 

It's Michael's daughter, DONNA,40's. She spots Michael

against the wall. He's shaking.

                         

                         DONNA

            Again, papa? 

She carefully takes the cleaver from his hand.

                         

                         MICHAEL

            Donna?

                         

                         DONNA 

            I'm gonna put this back in that

            drawer. And what are you wearing?

She leads him back to the chair.  

                         

                         DONNA

            Roberto has been dead for a very

            long time, papa.  Time to forget

            about it.  Come'on, you're gonna

            miss dinner. 

The camera pans over to the bin, filled to the brim with

scrunched up pieces of paper. 

INT. CORRIDOR, MICHAEL'S APARTMENT BLDG - NIGHT

Donna escorts Michael out, closing the door behind her.

They shuffle up the hallway and out.

                                        

                                        FADE OUT:

Post 12: Final Props

Some of the props I wish to use will consist of photographs and even a Sicilian switch-blade - Vignettes of the protagonist's life of crime that the audience will put together. These will imply to the audience what the Michael's backstory is. 

This is an example of the type of knife I wish to use as a prop. 

I also want to use an old dial phone for Michael to use when he attempts on calling one of his old crew members. This will show that Michael is still living in the past, completely oblivious to modern day. Here is a picture of the type of phone I intend on using:

Here is a cleaver I want Michael to use: 

Post 11: Final costume and make-up:

 Here is what the protagonist will wear at the beginning of the film:

I don't want him to be blatantly exposed as a mental patient until the end. Instead, I intend on showing brief vignettes that Michael is indeed a patient deriving from a mental hospital, through the use of Mise-en-scene. This will include letters scattered around his apartment that come from a hospital.

Moreover, I took inspiration from Vincent Gigante, a real former Mafia boss who wandered the streets in a bath robe. Here is an example:

Post 9: Final Setting:

The setting will be my house. Why? My house will be an effective way of establishing the modern era in which the story is set. Through Mise-en-scene, such as props, will illustrate that the setting is modern day and set in an urban neighbourhood. 

In regards to props, there will be photographs scattered around the house showing the protagonist with his mafia crew, providing vignettes of the protagonist's past, as well as motives. Moreover, this develops his character and provides insight to his backstory. 

There's a section of downtown Wymondham which resembles downtown Brooklyn: 

I want to film the section in which Michael gets jumped here, as the rustic aesthetic helps indicate that it's a flashback and in the past. Moreover, this location also appears to be more reflective of the rather confined areas that you would find in New York. 

 

Post 10: Final casting and characters

I've casted my father to play the protagonist, Michael. He fits the profile of an ex mafia boss perfectly. My father has a New York accent which fits the characterisation of stereotypical members of the Mafia. Furthermore, he is balding which will help portray that he's elderly and implies that he's been in the business for a long time. 

Michael is a retired mafia boss with dementia. He reminisces on a time when an old rival jumped him and left him all beaten up. Michael intends on taking revenge by dismembering his old foe. 

I'm casting myself to play Michael in the flashback, as I already look like a younger version of himself. This will help to portray that the scene is a flashback, and that Michael is clearly younger.

Casting Roberto and his 3 crew members of my friends - They're the same age as me, who is playing Michael in his early 20's.  

My sister will play his daughter - She's got a rather calm and caring persona, hence why I feel that she could play the role of the person who ultimately helps Michael come back into touch with reality at the end. Moreover, it’s obvious that she likes like the daughter of Michael due to the facial similarities, making it clear that she is indeed his daughter.

Post 7: Audience Research

I pitched my 60 second short film idea to my classmates and friends and received feedback.

Here's what they had to say:

- To show that the protagonist has escaped the mental hospital multiple times before, use props to show this such as make him write his revenge ideas on a piece of paper then toss it into a bin that's filled with paper.

- When filming a flashback sequence, film it in black and white to make it clear that it's an event from the past. 

- Use diegetic sounds to reflect his mental stat/emotional - make everything more exaggerated and louder, acting in harmony to what Michael is doing or thinking. 

Here is some of the feedback which I have/will act upon:

Post 6: Dragons Den

Here is the link     

Stimulus based ideas process:

 Here is the original stimulus with questions and answers: 

Here is the idea/plan from the stimulus.

Where have you been all my life + Spider short film:

 Where have you been all my life:

Spider

Post 5 production diary 1:

Here are some filming locations for my short film:

The setting for my short film will be my house because in my short film, my protagonist with dementia resides in his house after accidentally leaving the hospital. Thus, this is a fitting location. Also, I have old furniture and chairs to show that Michael very much still lives in the past in his mind. 

STORY PLAN IDEA:

This is the structure I have used to plan my film. I think it's a simple yet effective way to craft a story/short film idea. 

Student shorts films: Post 2

 Student short film 1: the idea

Mise-en-scene: 

Setting: The first shot establishes the setting which we can see is a school and introduces the protagonist, a student doing work.

Lighting: Natural lighting which makes it more realistic. 

Costume: The protagonist is wearing a uniform which establishes the setting which is a school and that he is indeed a student. 

Character expression and movement: The students facial expressions show that he is annoyed and struggling to complete his work. However, once he completes his work he jumps around excitedly showing that he's happy to have completed the work. This shows he struggles with work based on his reactions and expressions.

Sound: The sound of a ticking clock is used and could be interpreted as either diegetic or non-diegetic. The clock constantly ticking shows how pressed for time the protagonist is. Also, we hear the protagonists uplifting music playing through his earphones once he has completed the work which reflects his emotions and how happy he is at this moment. 

Cinematography: Mostly shot with a stationary camera with a wide shot to make the protagonist the primary focus. They use shot reverse shot when he was engaged with the teacher which develops the relationship between the two. Later, jump-cuts are used for comic effect as well as to show how much time has passed while he's working on his paper.

Macro elements; 

Genre: The short film has an array of mildly comical moments, thus I think the genre is comedy above all else.

Narrative: A classroom comedy about a student struggling to complete his work on time.

Characters: Student, Teacher and other students as backgrounds.

Short film 2: "Ava" short film

Setting: The film opens with a boy sitting at a computer in the library. Thus, this introduces our protagonist and that he is possibly rather nerdy hence why he's in a library.

Lighting: The natural lighting in the library is used which makes the film more realistic.

Costume: The protagonist is seen wearing a yellow shirt with a tie and glasses. This formal attire suggests the protagonist has a job or is a bit of a 'geek' so to say. Thus, the use of costume says a lot about the main character.

Character expression: The protagonist maintains a very dull and disinterested expression whilst on a date. This shows that he's more focused on his beloved Macintosh than his date and that he sees his computer as his main priority. Later on, he scrunches up his face and sobs as he despairingly watches somebody unplug his computer. Thus, this illustrates the extreme and unhealthy emotional attachment he has to old Macintosh. 

Sound: Non-diegetic music plays which has a sad tone. This reflects our protagonist's emotions as we seem him watch his computer die. Thus, the use of non-diegetic sounds helps illustrate how much this computer means to him. Also, the diegetic sounds such as when his date is talking to him, is played in slow motion and sounds all distorted. Therefore, this emphasises the lack of interest the protagonist has for what she is saying and that he'd rather be on his beloved computer instead.

Cinematography: When the protagonist is on his computer, a friend comes over to talk to him. However, this is shot so that neither of their heads are in frame, emphasising how unimportant the friend is to the protagonist and that the only face he wants to see is the computers. Thus, already emphasising how obsessed he is with his Macintosh. Furthermore, the camera zooms in on the new replacement PC to show to add emphasis on what is unfortunately replacing our protagonist's beloved Macintosh. Moreover, the zoom makes the reveal of the new computer all the more shocking.

Macro elements:

Genre: Drama - this short film has several dramatic and tense moments which makes me feel like this short film is a drama above all else.

Narrative: A man accidentally falls in love with his out of date Macintosh and later struggles to maintain romantic connections with other people.

Characters: Steven (our protagonist), his date and his unnamed friend.

Short film 3: "Break-In"

Mis-en-scene:

Setting: The Short film opens with shot displaying a modern/contemporary apartment whilst also establishing our protagonist who is on the phone. Thus, this not only establishes thera/setting but our protagonist too. 

Lighting: The short film relies on the lighting from props in the setting e.g. lamps and lights, so the short film is actually rather dark. As a result, this adds a very realistic feel to the short film and illustrates that it's late at night.

Costume: Heather, our protagonist, wears casual clothes implying that she has no motive to go out and that she wants to comfortably relax. However, the men who break into her house, appear wearing all black and balaclava. Thus, this implies that they're bad and want to conceal their identity which further implies that they're antagonists.

Character expression and movement: When the men break into Heather's house, Heather recoils in fear by running away and holding her mouth while breathing heavily. Therefore, this emphasises how truly terrified she is by the men and that she is full on panicking. Later on, when Heather shoots one of the robbers, we see her fall back in shock and and drop the gun whilst she breathes heavily and uncontrollably. Therefore, her expression and movement here exhibit how surprised and shocked Heather is by her actions and that shooting someone has instantly traumatised her. 

Sound: At the beginning, the use of diegetic sounds suggest that she is watching TV and that she is talking to somebody on the phone. Also, the use of a loud 'thud' sound is used, which implies that someone is breaking in the house. Furthermore, this establishes the thriller/horror genre. Additionally, the lack of non-diegetic sounds make the short film feel more realistic which in my opinion, makes it all the more scary and immersive. However, non-diegetic sounds such as tense music is used towards the end to further illustrate how tense and serious the daunting situation truly is. 

Cinematography: At the beginning, the camera slowly pans around the apartment to establish the setting and our protagonist. Throughout the short film, the camera tracks Heather and focuses solely on her facial expressions to show her truly petrified and scared she is. Later, the camera focuses on Heather before quickly panning clockwise to a robber. This highlights how close the antagonist is to heather and that she is heavily in danger.

Macro elements: 

Genre: The genre is a thriller because the short film is fast paced and filled with conflict and tension that propels us as an audience and keeps us on the edge our seat because we are so immersed. 

Narrative: A young woman called Heather is watching TV in her home alone before realising that two men have broke in and Heather must decide whether to hide or fend for herself.

Characters: Heather (our protagonist) and the two robbers who are our antagonists.

Why are there short films? Post 3

•  Whats the point of them? - 
• Education
• creative vision
• awards 
• entertainment.

Who makes them?Who's in them?

• Anyone with resources can. It can be as simple as being created on a smart phone with a camera.
• Students.
• Friends.
• Actors.
• Could be animation.

How and where are they exhibited?

• Feature before films in cinemas.
• Film festivals.
• YouTube and various streaming services where there's access for wider audiences.

Has this always been the case?

• When film was first made and popularised, the majority of films were short films however this was due to a lack of technology at the time of production.

Who watches them?

• Anyone with access to the websites, streaming services and festivals can watch short films and the primary audiences for short films are incredibly diverse from film to film.

Short Film Ideas and Plan: Task 4

STORY IDEAS

Subsequently, I have decided to go along with idea B because I think I can tell a captivating story in 5 minutes with this idea with a strong narrative. 

The narrative technique used will be Media Res as the short film wont have time to e.g. establish equilibrium. So, the story will open with the character already in the middle of things. However, with this in mind, it will establish the character as the protagonist and what his goals and motives are. 

Narrative + Plot: A senior man with dementia who has wandered away from the hospital, seeks revenge on a mobster who has wronged him. However, what he doesn't know is, nobody has wronged him at all and this is all in his head. At the end, people in white coats walk into his house and subsequently take him back to the hospital.

Characters: Michael - The protagonist. Roberto - The so called antagonist that Michael seeks revenge on. Sarah - The nurse in the white coat.

Mise-en-scene: 

Setting: Michaels house. However, my house will be used to portray Michael's house as it would be a rather fitting location. Establishes the modern setting. 

Lighting: Natural light will be used to add a sense of realism as I intend to make this film a realistic representation of dementia.

Costume: Simeon who appears at the end will wear a white coat to show that he is a nurse and has come to retrieve Michael. Also, Michael will wear rather casual clothes rather than what hospital patients normally wear as the audience aren't supposed to be aware that he actually has dementia until the end.

Character expression and movement: The protagonist is locked in a bitter revenge fantasy and his face reflects his thoughts and emotions. At some points, Michael will have inner-monologues, so his facial expressions will reflect what he's thinking. 

Hair and makeup: He's an old balding man who wears a robe. Emphasises his senior age.

Cinematography: Black and white whilst he's in his fantasy. However, when he's in reality it goes back to colour and we see he's wearing his bath robe again rather than his casual clothes he wears in his fantasy.

Props: Weapons, photographs and letters scattered around the apartment, reflecting his criminal past as well as subtly suggesting that he's a patient of some sort. 

Sound: Non-diegetic sounds that reflect Michael's emotions/the situation. 

Short Films Project (copy up): Post 1

Here is the link: