Pre Production

During our Pre Production Lessons, we were given two examples, extreme from each other displaying the use of good script writing to bad script writing.

The idea for this was to emphasise on the key elements that makes a good script good, and a bad one bad. After watching these two examples, we discussed as a class many elements of good and bad script writing, by concentrating on fundamental things such as Character Depth, Exposition & subtext. Having these fundamental things done correctly, should eventually help us create a good script.





SCRIPTING TASK ASSESSMENT 
For our pre-production Module, we were given an Assessment Task Of Creating a SHORT SCRIPT.
For this task we were asked to work in pairs, to create a Short Script on a topic of our own choice, but by implementing the fundamental things that are expect within a script such as it's formatting, descriptive elements, along with good character depth that was believable to the reader.

For this task I worked with Charlotte Blount, and we began by coming up with various idea's for our script. Eventually we came to the decision that we were to create a short script of a teenager that was deciding to come out to her family as gay. We wrote down several ideas within this storyline, whilst also going into more depth with the characters, therefore we knew how to implement them in to our scripts.

Here is the working progress script that we had created :

Assignment - Short Film Creation 
The task itself...
As a part of our production technology module, we were given the challenge of creating a short film, 5 minutes long, using a short screenplay script from the website www.australianshortfilms.com

We were asked to do this in groups of 4 or 5, and the main focus of this task was to prove that we understood the 5C's of cinematography, and that we were able to demonstrate this through various skills that we've learnt over the past three months of being on the Digital Film & Post Production Technology course.

As a part of the challenge, we were restricted from using any form of CGI animation, and the final edit should be produced using the AVID MEDIA COMPOSER. The reason for this, is to ensure that we are focused mainly on capturing clean, and clever footage as well as sound. (Which is vital, for any production)

We were able to use any of the relevant equipment that was available to us through the SISO website, such as the PANASONIC HMC151, lighting, such as the Blondes as well as any sound equipment.

Where to begin?

Our group consisted of 4 people :

Myself ( Sion Campbell)
Giorgia Perini
James Scanlon
Charlotte Blount

From this point onwards, we decided that to have a successful production, that we would have to plan throughly, to ensure that we had a smooth process, and that we were all able to communicate easily.

From our first discussion, we came to the decision that the easiest way forward in terms of choosing a script from the Australian Short Film website, would be to give each other a few days to review any scripts that we wanted to individually, then to present our favourite script.  By doing this, we felt that it would not restrict us, and that it would make it fair for everyone in the group to pitch their favourite.

We decided to use the social media website Facebook to keep in contact with each other in the meantime, therefore I created a private group that we were able to post, discuss anything we wanted to that was relevant to the production. This proved successful, and is something that we used often during our project.

After a fairly difficult eliminating process of the groups favourite scripts, we managed to come to a decision as a group that we were to carry on forward with the script called '' The Good Samaritan ''

The Good Samaritan - Wadim MatusewiczThe original script can be found using the link below :

http://www.australianshortfilms.com/The-Good-Samaritan.html

One of the main reasons we felt that the script was an appropriate one for this task, was not only for it's interesting provocative storyline, but the fact that it included many descriptive elements that would give us a good focus, when it came to the cinematography side of the production.

We also felt that it was a do-able script to produce into a five minute film which was also a vital part of our task, being only 5 pages long. Although it did need some adapting for it to work as a part of our production, it was no doubt a great script to work with when it came to the planning process.

Where next? 
With the decision of the Script out of the way, we were able to now move forward and make decisions on the vital roles on the production such as Director ect.

This was a decision that we didn't take lightly, as it was important to ensure everyone felt they had a fair role, and that they were doing what they felt most comfortable with, which eventually proved to be successful as we had a good working team, with very little problems.

The roles that we had assigned for the production was : 

Director - James Scanlon

Cinematography - Giorgia Perini & Myself

Producing & Art Direction - Charlotte Blount

Sound & Editing - Giorgia Perini & Myself

My personal roles in the production were based on the Cinematography, Sound & Editing, and this being combined with Giorgia. The reason for this, was because in our previous discussions, we were both very eager to concentrate on the cinematography element of the production, therefore it would be equally fair if we both took the role, keeping in close contact, and combining both of our ideas together for the final product.

Presentation - Pitch (10 minutes long)

As a part of the project, it was expected for us to Pitch our chosen script to the rest of our colleagues. The guidelines for the presentation were to keep it within ten minutes long, whilst also showing the process that we as a group went through to analyse the script, to planning the production.

To successfully do this, we decided to split the task into several roles. Within this, I took charge of the Risk Assessments & Health and Safety. The treatment document & The location Recce ensuring we had the perfect locations for filming.

The Good Samaritan Risk Assessment

Although a mundane process, this was a vital part in terms of the planning process to ensure that the project would run smoothly, avoiding any accidents. As we were planning on filming on two separate locations,  I made sure to analyse them separately, as they would require different precautions to ensure that all members of crew and cast were safe at all times. This would eventually need to be taken further when it came to booking out equipment as they required separate risk assessments through the SISO Media Stores. This was explained vaguely by myself in the presentation.

The Good Samaritan - Treatment Document 

Again, a task that could be at times considered rather mundane, the treatment document was a vital role to ensure that we had every possible understanding of the script. To do this, I analysed each page, scene by scene. Taking note of the motivation of each scene, by ensuring we had understood  the mentality of each character and their motives. This was done by also taking into consideration each location, and getting a clear idea of how they should appear. This became a very useful document when it came to the planning process, as it enabled us to get very accurate in terms of character development, choosing the correct locations, and ensuring that the final film would give out the message that the script had intended. This was explained vaguely by myself in the presentation.

The Good Samaritan - Location Recce 

As another part of the task, I took the responsibility of finding the relevant locations that suited the script. Having not being very familiar with Staffordshire and the surrounding area's, this proved to be a challenging task but an exciting one. I had to quickly familiarise myself with certain area's by exploring nearby for the perfect location. We were fortunate to have a mode of transport thanks to James Scanlon, who was capable of driving us to these locations.

Whilst searching for the locations, I was taking into consideration the fact that we were going down the route of film noir, therefore we needed somewhere that would be desolate, dark and mysterious, but still suburban enough to be considered a neighbourhood.

Reflection on Presentation - On the whole I believe as a group that we were successful in portraying and pitching The Good Samaritan in our presentation. I feel that we worked very well together and seamlessly, whilst supporting each-other during the process.

 My only concern was that I felt I perhaps should have spoke in some detail regarding the cinematography of our project seeing that it is a role that I was taking part of, combined with Giorgia. But as the presentation roles, I was given the Health & Safety, Treatment Document & the location recce to discuss, therefore felt it would be appropriate to do this, and just keep in regular contact with Giorgia regarding the cinematography.

As a group I was very happy and satisfied with our effort, and I was very proud to be a part of a group with James, Charlotte & Giorgia.