I like the ideas for the documentary as often the insight comes from
someone of your age exploring areas that are hidden from an older generations
perspective.
The way that you presented hinted at a lack of preparation but in fact
you were well prepared and have a draft of a script and a storyboard showing that
thought has gone into this work.You
style of presentation did not convince and perhaps provides a false impression.
I was not sure what medium you planned to work in from your explanation and the
idea seemed vague.
Through questioning it was revealed that there was a deal of planning
and the genesis of your idea offers mileage for exploration.It seems like a Russian Roulette Fight club
in a short film. Intriguing.
Targets
Document your research into these teen trends on your web-log to show research.
Ensure all research and planning is complete and detailed
Upload your storyboard and script to your web-log
The documentary may work if you find the narrative does not work.
In my A2 Media project there will be a total of 3 main characters and 1 side character. The main character list will consist of:
Contestant 1 - The debt riddled businessman. This role will be played by a friend called Alex Preece. I feel as though he would fit this role generally well because he has a sort of business look about him when he is wearing a suit and tie. The characterisation for this role will all be in the MES (clothing and body positioning primarily), as the character himself as bet money on himself that he will get through the game unharmed, which will result in him winning the bet.
Contestant 2 - The Thrill Seeker. The role will be played by myself, based purely on the fact that this character plays the informative part in the narrative, which in a sense will be explaining how the logistics of the "Game" works and other things within the movie.
Contestant 3 - The First Timer. This role will be played by my other friend Sam Hollis. I decided to cut the character of Contestant 2 and shift all the others along because I felt as though this character didn't add enough to the narrative to be a part of it, which was initially going to be Sam's role in the product.
Costume for Contestant 1 -
Keeping with Contestant 1's motives for being at "The Club", the actor will be wearing a black suit and tie, with vest. Easily conveying through MES that this character has money, is of the upper class, but has made it there through some illegitimate methods and it's because of these methods that Contestant 1 is in great debt.
Costume for Contestant 2 -
I figured that if Contestant 2 is there just for the thrill of potentially dying or being shot at etc., then he wouldn't get all dressed up, or look smart because he may potentially be dead. So I kept his attire simple just with a T-Shirt and jeans.
Costume for Contestant 3 -
As stated before in earlier blog posts, I wanted the characterisation of Contestant 3 to appear familiar and have some awareness of normality to it, so that the target audience could project themselves onto this character and make the entire narrative consume them. The simple hoodie, shirt and jeans is a combination of what I feel my target audience wears.
I am now in a position in my A2 Project where I have fully completed my storyboard and script for "Snap, Snap, Bang". This has enabled me to finish up on my Production schedule, ensure that all props and costumes are accounted for and ready to be used in production. I am considering showing the script to fellow actors, and recording their initial reactions to the script, as a sort of documented Read-Through.
A new introduction was developed to come before the introduction that appeared in the drafts before because of the fact that I wanted to create more of a backstory for the character of Contestant 4, and put more emphasis on the fact that he's just an average person - Not really the social outcast, but doesn't really fit in majorly with one particular group of people. In creating this new beginning I had to slightly adjust the scene after that to make sure it flowed more smoothly in conjunction with the new introduction.
The music I had created before I began writing the script is beginning to be integrated into the script just so I know where I should be editing it into the product, in in the editing process, and to aid with how the scene is developed as I continue to edit it.
I have also considered completely removing the character of Contestant 4 as they don't necessarily add anything to the narrative, due to the fact that they are such a blank character. Also, logistically, cutting the cast down to 3 characters would be very beneficial as a 4th member was planned to appear in that role but unfortunately dropped out. In doing this, I would replace Contestant 2's dialogue and actions, with that of Contestant 1's dialogue in his place.
Since the fist draft, more detail was given to the character's clothing and the description of where the games in this movie take place. All very cheaply rented rooms inside an unknown basement complex. I decided to stick with the initial narrative story as I had started to develop a few ideas that I thought would work well visually, narrativly and logistically when it was time to begin initial filming. I developed a new character, Contestant 4, who would be used as the character viewers would project themselves onto so they could feel as though they have some emotional stake in the game as it unfolds before them. I feel as though this is important to have in movies to get the movie going faster, instead of having characters that are very diverse and so unique that the audience can't possibly relate themselves to.
Basic variations with the shot types and angles were added to add some technical diversity to the overused "over the shoulder" shots which I have used a lot. One of these camera shots is the 'camera spirals around', which would be a part of various continuous take within this project. Ever since beginning Media Studies I thought it was interesting in creating a continuous shot in a small media project, but I feel as though if I took the time to create a good and interesting shot within my A2 project then that would look very appealing to the examiner, due to it's technical difficulty.
The first initial ending to the short is developed also, however I did realise in the next draft that this would be a very short product, barely making it to 2-3 minutes, and so I planned an extra 4-5 minutes after this point in the latest draft of the script.
This was a very early proof of concept draft of the script I put together just to establish some basic characters, and what this location would look like. In this first draft I wanted to get across the feeling that these characters have been in this room a long while, they're tired, the game has gone on for hours maybe and the viewers are joining in near the end of their game.
For the locations I intend to use in the project, I wanted to create the feel that these locations I envisioned in the script could be easily portrayed in the shooting of it. By doing this I already had pre-planned locations where the Exterior and Interior shots would be shot in and worked around those locations.
The exterior shot of the entrance to "The Club", even though it would only be shown briefly, I wanted to create the feeling that people would recognise where this locations was and so when they see it in the final product they would be familiar with it, and feel as though they have walked past this sadistic is locations multiple times and didn't even realise that this sadistic club existed.
The most important part of any movie production is of course the audience as this determines who a film will be marketed, what the general make up of the cast will consist of, the themes within the movie itself. It is important to identify a target audience as soon as possible into production so these you know who you are creating your movie for.
For my A2 media product "Snap, Snap, Bang", my target audience will be teenagers aged 16-19. This is based on various factors of my media product, one of which the concept of "The Club". Locating my short thriller inside an underground club appears to be a good idea because I feel as though teenagers would be able to get on board with the fact that these is in fact an underground nightclub or a bar that would actually exist, but it just so happens that this "club" invites people to risk their lives against twisted methods of violence.
Another factor is the main protagonist being a teenager himself who narratively, is who the audience will be following along with as the story develops. The character of Contestant 3 is around 17 years of age, he's recently just walked out of another nightclub (illegally) and he's walking around late at night, not wanting to go home, but not really wanting to keep drinking, which I'm confident teenagers will be able to relate really well to this. I feel as though viewers need to relate as much as possible to this character as he is the emotional arc of the movie, and when the narrative concludes and Contestant 4 has to go through with whichever method of violence he has unwillingly picked, I want audiences to be able to sympathise with how he's feeling about having to go through with this ordeal.
Teenagers aged 16-19 I feel is a good audience range to aim for because, as seen with various thrillers over recent years, the main demographic for those movies are teenagers who have got a group of friends together so they can all get scared at the cinema together. This age bracket is also very modern media efficient, which makes viral marketing and distribution very easy because of the fact they will want to comment about and share the product on a global scale so that others can experience what they have, making them very applicable to the Response Theory of "The Stimulus". This age bracket in particular, is more than any other demographic to actively buy into a product because of the fact that they are old enough to understand they are consumers, but they are also young enough to not have to worry about debt, bills, insurance, rent etc., which makes them a prime target group for large production companies, and for my A2 product.
My stereotypical primary target audience would be a male between the ages 15 and 18. Their main hobbies would include that of socialising with friends, enjoying tough sports such as Football and Rugby, listen to some EDM and Rap music. I would also put them in the B-C Socio-Econimic Class system, allowing them to get their first car quickly , go on frequent holidays and have a nice middle class home.
Madonna released "Like A Prayer" in 1989. The video depicts Madonna as a worshipper of Christ; later showing her envisioned as an Angel, who appears to show complete devotion to the religious icon, showing an underline sensual tone to her worshipping of God.
Life is a mystery (The opening lines offer some ambiguity to who is calling her name. Whoever it is calling her name, however, provides her with a comforting amount of reassurance)
Everyone must stand alone
I hear you call my name
And it feels like home
[Chorus 1]
When you call my name (As depicted in the video heavily, Madonna portrays herself as being an actual"Madonna", idolised by Jesus and the members of the Gospel church also)
It's like a little prayer
I'm down on my knees
I want to take you there
In the midnight hour (Referring to twilight, more commonly used as a reference to sexual activity. Again linking sexuality, with spiritual power)
I can feel your power
Just like a prayer
You know I'll take you there
[Verse 1]
I hear your voice
It's like an angel sighing (Throughout the video Madonna makes constant reference to her submissive worship to Jesus, the 'sighing' again creating the sexual gratification between herself and Jesus. Upon release of the video, this sparked outrage as many devote Christians were appalled at how Madonna has managed to sexualise Christianity and its key religious figures)
I have no choice
I hear your voice
Feels like flying
I close my eyes
Oh God, I think I'm falling (Upon realising she was dreaming, she resorts back to her devotion to Christ to save her, which was who her dream was about. Reinforcing her devotion through both her positive and negative thoughts revolving around God)
Out of the sky
I close my eyes
Heaven, help me
[Chorus 1]
[Verse 2]
Like a child
You whisper softly to me
You're in control
Just like a child
Now I'm dancing
It's like a dream
No end and no beginning
You're here with me
It's like a dream
Let the choir sing
[Chorus 1][x2]
[Bridge]
Life is a mystery (During the Bridge, Madonna created even more controversial topics for her depiction of the Christian Cross burning, as she dances in the foreground. However, despite how many negative reviews the music video received, Madonna made 5 million from her promotion with Pepsi from just one adverstisment)
Everyone must stand alone
I hear you call my name
And it feels like home
[Chorus 2]
Just like a prayer
Your voice can take me there
Just like a muse to me
You are a mystery
Just like a dream
You are not what you seem (At this point in the video, again Madonna depicts herself as the Virgin Mary, however, her provocative clothing and dancing suggest otherwise. Dancing inside a primarily black Gospel church, to whom the negative response for the video was highest with)
Just like a prayer, no choice
Your voice can take me there
[Bridge]
Just like a prayer, I'll take you there
It's like a dream to me
[Chorus 2]
[Outro]
Just like a prayer, I'll take you there
It's like a dream to me
Upon the release of "Like A Prayer", the pope himself spoke up about the controversial video which interlinks sexual connotations and religion together; calling to boycott Madonna's videos and forbidding her to enter the Vatican. Music Videos reviewers such as (Phil Kloer) have condemned her work for exploiting the Catholic religion as a whole, using the KKK (Burning crosses) to fuel the viewership of the video. However, another reporter from USA Today (Edna Gundersen) sees it as "She saves someone. What is the big deal behind it?".
What I hope to reattempt in "Snap, Snap, Bang." is the emptiness that is present in the "club" scenes in the movie "Fight Club". From the very beginning shots of the club being put together, accompanied by the voice over by Brad Pitt's character 'Tyler Durden'. The movements of the other characters in the scene and their sounds are amplified by the echoes in the damp and vast underground basement. What I feel David Fincher does particularly well in this scene is creating the feeling of this group of men within the movie, have promptly put this underground basement together and it is done without much preparation or planning, only adding to the overall motif in the movie that this 'fight club' is a very spur of the moment, improvised phenomenon that is taking over people that are; stuck in their dead-end jobs, not happy with their lives, much like the character of 'The Narrator/Jack' portrayed by Edward Norton.
In order to make the short believable, I felt as though I needed to actually make the game which the characters would be playing in the short. These are just a few examples of the cards that would be on the different tables throughout the different rooms in "The Club", some cards of which are better than others - 'Next Contestant' for instance would pass on the turn to someone else, taking the tension away from the Contestant who was previously playing. Others for instance are worse than others and will either permanently put a Contestant out of the game or put them in a position where it would be wise for them to quit.
I tried to keep the look of the cards simple and yet somewhat professional, as though somewhere within this universe in the short, there is a street gang who makes the cards, who are then employed by the managers of "The Club", and ship crates of the cards in weekly to use for the various different groups of people who are willing to play.
One of the good things I have picked up on about short films is they only require a limited amount of resources to film and only a few various locations to film on, for a basic short film. My initial idea for my A2 media product being an elaborate story following a character that has been brainwashed by the government to conform to certain stock-character archetypes, would have required a worrying amount of costumes and props, locations and potentially make-up to make that world seem believable on the motion picture.
A film that has always fascinated me is The Blair Witch Project (1999) as not only did it set in motion a new genre of horror (found footage), but the budget for the movie was a mere 60,000 dollars, making over £14 million in the UK box office alone on release. A movie that was put together on such a limited budget for the time, had wrapped filming within a week, was able to gather such a huge cult following years after the film had been made really draws attention to the fact that with a good team working on the project, the budget for props and costumes becomes less and less of a drawback to the overall project.
The Sound Effects I require for the short consists of:
Card Snap/shuffling effect
Gunshot effect
Footsteps effect
Knocking on door effect
Door creaking open effect
Punching effect
Woman screaming effect
I sourced these effects from SoundBible.com, however as the editing phase begins after filming has wrapped I may feel as though some effects don't work as well as I though they would or maybe I didn't need the effect at all.
Directed by Alex Colonna, Black Mask(2014) is a short film about a young daughter who manifests a dark entity, mysteriously being linked to her father's dark past. Upon initially viewing the poster, I immediately though that it was very conventional. It attempts to recreate certain conventions that make up traditional Horror movie stock-characters. one of the most significant is the use of a young girl being used as the catalyst for the 'dark entity' to animate and use to terrorise the father.
In intertextual terms, one of the most culturally striking movies in which this is done is The Exorcist (1973) which pushed the psychological boundaries on the relationship of the father and daughter, the father witnessing this entity destroying and tormenting her daughter's body.
What intrigued me about this product in particular is when the image of what girl was drawing in the trailer was revealed, it wasn't accompanied by a loud sound effect to create a jump scare, it was a slow build to the reveal and then the reveal left the audience with an eerie sound, which I feel creates a more sinister affect than using a loud sound to simply scare the audience. The child like scrawls on the canvas in Black Mask was similar to the book used in the Babadook (2014), when upon first watching this movie, the way it is incorporated into the narrative, creates a simialar tone of unease and tension.
The opening to Bad Romance appears as though it is the conclusion to the video, due to the fact that by the end of the video she has reached the highest point of fame that is fairly comparable to her own fame. Extravagant clothing, her wealth and popularity clearly expressed in product placement (Dr Dre, various jewelry, various alcohol). This editing choice is reflected in various motion pictures (Mission: Impossible III, Limitless and Memento) to the effect of both intriguing the audience with what the possible conclusion could be but also being able to allude through Act 1 and Act 2 of the production of the conclusion. As the light appears through the windows it symbolises in a way that it's time to open up a new batch of artists that the industry can manipulate and exploit. The nonchalant nature of how these key industry members operate creates an underline sinister tone for the beginning of the video. Sinister tones which appear in a majority of Lady Gaga's videos, similar to the underline theme of suicide among Gaga's house tenders in the video "Paparazzi".
The opening shots of the narrative focuses the rising light onto several white pods, one of which having 'Monster' on the front in red, accompanied by the The Christian Cross on the front. Creating connotations of that the people who have her captive are aware of who she is and the title 'Monster' acts as a warning for the people who are about to use, and exploit her. In conjunction with the shots of them leaving their pods in the next scene, the room, the pods and their latex outfits are all pure white. Connoting clearly that these characters are innocent and vulnerable to the world. Each one of their eyes is covered by their latex headpieces, emphasising the point of them being young, so naive to all of the problems in the world at this point in the development, growing into the music industry.
There are also various shots throughout the entire video which emphases the imagery of Lady Gaga doing a Feline styled dance move or with camera tricks or special effects makes herself look like a feline. In comparison with a shot later of her looking very animistic and inside of a cage connotes feelings of her being an animal locked inside of a cage, the cage perhaps representing the unequal power struggle in the music industry. Gaga using this video to make a statement on the music industry being equal to that of various mistreatment of animals practices that occur all over the world.
Another character which Lady Gaga portrays in this video is that of a Ginger haired woman in a bathtub. It can be seen that this is the purest version of Gaga we seen in the entire video and in conjunction with her emphasised wide eyes, it connotes feeling similar to what was shown before of her naivety to this world being the most prominent message expressed here. The bathtub in particular can be placed specifically to symbolise messages of Cleansing of values or washing away any past beliefs before the character is given the drink which conforms her to become tainted and operative in this world.
The significance of women making her conform to the music industries demands could be that even though these women are given a degree of power in the video, they still work for men (which is shown not soon after this shot), which reflects also the concept of the Glass Ceiling which is argued to be the most opposing force against in today's society against women. Again Gaga is trying to create multiple statements in her video about people's mistreatment, people's perception of fame and even challenging her own fans and asking why they should support this inequality.
Having her arms stretched out as she is stripped by the women gives clear symbolism to religious imagery of Jesus being on the cross; Persecution, Inequality and injustice are all prevalent here in this shot. These shots of this character being converted to work for the industry are interspliced with smaller shots of another form of Gaga who is crying in front of a high angle shot. This can be interpreted as being Lady Gaga's inner voice crying out for help and presenting a darker interpretation of the term 'Bad Romance'. One which emphasises the points of oppression and inequality in this hard career.
Throughout the entire video there are constant comparisons between Gaga willingly appeasing to what she's told to do (her duties) and her clearly showing an unwillingness to go through with them. This is another obvious toned down version of how sex slaves who are forced into sex-work are drugged to be easily manipulated and abused by who ever "owns" them.
Each man who is bidding thousands to win Lady Gaga can be interpreted as being a CEO of a different music company who wants Gaga, trying to outbid each other after seeing how much Gaga is showing how much she wants to be bought. Another strong message can be interpreted from this as Lady Gaga may be trying to challenge actually who is to blame for this "bad romance" between the artists and the music industry, and if by the artist doing everything they can to appeal to a particular record label, is it actually their fault when news is released about controversies of inequality or abuse.
I want your ugly (What Lady Gaga may be trying convey here is some self awareness to he situation. She is aware that she's a sex slave for the industry and yet she wants everything the industry she has to give to her, no matter what it does to her or other people's perception of why she wants it.) I want your disease I want your everything As long as it’s free I want your love Love-love-love I want your love
As the music video reaches its final Act, Gaga rapprochements her buyer to have sex with him on a bed that is overlooked by 2 animal heads. In conducting research into my AS movie project "Solemn Silence", I noticed that in this shot in particular that the animals heads in the background, conveniently placed each above Gaga's hands are in fact Gazelles, and is commonly a representation of the 14th century deity Baphomet. This same symbolism is seen in the videos "Paparazzi" above the lovers' bed, and in "G.U.Y" she represents herself as Lucifer, the fallen angel.
In conjunction with the next series of shots as she seemingly willingly goes to the man to have sex with him, ultimately giving herself up to him, it appears as though this shot is supposed to convey that she is sacrificing her buyer to Baphomet who is then consumed by the deity, not herself. The ending cross cuts between the fire behind Gaga and her dancing in red clothing, obvious connotations of; blood, sacrifice, love, passion, poison. All of which have been explored in this music video. By the end of the video, Gaga and the Gazelle heads are the only things in the shot not to be burned, and her buyer is a burnt skeleton next to her who was merely a tool for her to achieve fame, which is what she wanted and did so by turning to system against itself.
