Film opening sequence *Evaluation*

Evaluation of my film opening

- SugaR 'N' SpicE -

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I have found many websites for independent film distributors,

shown below are a few screen shots from the websites i have found:

Out of the four websites i found, i strongly believe that my movie would get distributed by the Dog woof: INDIE.

I believe that they would be a good distributor for my movie, as it suits the theme of my movie / film, which is (Uk independent film) Compared with the other distribution companies i found, dog woof:indie seemed to be the perfect company to distribute my film. Mainly because the others focused on short films / British films but only Dog woof:INDIE, focuses on british independant films, and that is exactly what my film is, so therefore will most likely be distributed by Dogwoof:INDIE.

My final opening sequence / video

After looking back over my feedback, i have made a few changes to my opening sequence. The main change that i made to the sequence is to change the titles, as they were said to be "too in the audience's face". 

So i re-edited them so they appear the same way (Moving out from the screen, from the middle) but instead of going all the way forward they stop half way in the black out side of the film. I decided that this was best because they re more visible and at the same time do not distract the audience from the actual film itself. 

Overall i am very pleased with the outcome of my final opening sequence. 

Shown  below is my final opening sequence, and also the draft / rough cut version. 

Rough Cut / draft 

Final Opening sequence 

Feed back on *Draft* opening sequence

Today in class, i recevied notes / feedback from every class member within my group. The feed back was on diffrenct aspects of my opening sequence, for example, Mise en scene, editing, and titles, as well as a few more.





I have just review'd the comments that people made, and i have found that the most common problem with my sequence, seems to be the titles, in 2 of the feed back sheets, two people have said that they are to "In your face".





Other than that small issue of the titles being too in your facem the other comments were rather very positive and overall very good, which in my mind means that i have done a good job in gettin my messege across in my opening sequence, and also means i havent got too much to do, in order to make it complete from draft -> completed opening sequence.

Screen shots from the edit of m film opening

Shown below are a few screen shots taken from the editing process and final production to youtube, for my film opening sequence. 

*SugaR 'N' SpicE* 

Film opening project

Refering back to my completed draft / video for my opening sequence, i have listed below some helpful tips in order to achieve a succesfull shoot / footage.

*Be creative with your ideas
*Use a variety of tecniques when shooting. (angles,positioning,contanuity etc)
*Stick to the original plan as best you can (Storyboard)
*IF you change your idea from the original plan, try not too over-complicate the idea (s)
*Learn how to transfer the footage and make sure that the cameras footage actualy can be imported, before you start your film shoot.
*Always have a back up idea, especialy with your location / props etc
*Be ambitious in your filming

My film opening *Draft video / project*

I have completed the draft version of my Film Opening for *SugaR 'N' SpicE*.

What i done to complete my film opening in draft: First of all i took the photos from my story Board, and i was faced with a problem straight away. The problem was that the photos had already been editied, so i had to back track and get the original photos back, as i needed the originals in order to cartoonize them.

I eventually was able to restore the photos to their original state, but to do this i had to restore my laptop, which was time consuming but i managed to get them back in the end. I could of easily taken them straight from my Camera SD card, but unfortunatly when i originaly took the photos from my SD card i had cut and pasted them so they were not on the SD card when i looked for the originals, so therefore i had to restore my laptop etc, but as i said i got them in the end.

When i did get the originals i moved onto the next stage, which was to edit them into a cartoon type effect (Cartoonize). I browsed around on the internet for editing software in order to edit them how i wanted, but this again was very time consuming, but i needed to edit them so to find the software or website was a must, and a very high priority in order to get any progress in my project. Eventually i found a website where you can edit you photos for free, but i was yet again faced with a problem, it was a printing website where they print them for you onto mugs, tee-shirts, mouse mats, etc etc, and as this was not what i wanted, instead of close the website and find another one, since ihad been looking and browsing for over an hour, i decided that the best idea would be to just *Print screen* what i had edited and then crop the photos in paint. I done this for all 30-40 of my photos, and overall i was very impressed with the overall outcome of my photos.

When i had the edited photos i moved onto the next stage of my project which was to edit them into a stop - motion sequence / video. To do this i used the programe (Sony Vegas 8.0) which i have installed on my laptop. Once i had put the photos into a video (which took me about an hour or so). This also includes the time it took me to make the moving titles, (KK-Productions, Director: Kirk kemp, etc). Once i had completed both the titles and video, i then renderd the final video, which took another 20-30 minutes, as i was waiting for that to render i could not do anything else as my laptop was quite slow while rendering the video, so while i was waiting, i grabed my note book and started noting down some posible song ideas, that would relate well to my video, for order to me use it in the opening sequence. When the video was renderd i uploaded it too windows movie maker, so i could add the music track later on.

I started making my soundtrack for my opening sequence in *mix craft 4.0* I soon managed to make a sound track, which reflects the mood and also fits with my opening sequence / video. Once i had finished the sound track for my opening sequence i simply, added it to my video sequence, and then i re-render'd it from windows movie maker, in order to make it a video file, to play back on my laptop.

Finally i watched the video to see wheather it was ok and didnt need any changes etc, i found that it does not need many changes in my mind, but tomorrow i will see what people think to it and see what changes can be made in order to make it better.




Shown below is the *Draft version of my opening sequence*

My opening sequence *SugaR 'N' SpicE*

Shown below is a diagram that shows the high point of my project. Where I felt that I had acieved the best to my ability.





In this diagram it shows my laptop, with annotations which point out that i was editing my photos. I believe i put in alot of work, when i was caroonizing' my photos. Overall it took me nearly 2 hours too work through all 30-40 photos, but i believe that i worked to the best of my ability and when i was faced with any difficulty i soon overcame it and carried on. For example when my laptop crashed i had to re-do about 20 photos, which put me behnd but i didnt mind, i just worked on and managed to get it finished.

Once i did get the photos finished and i put them into a video . stop motion sequence i got to work on the sound track / music for it, which i found difficult at first as the programe was hard to set up, but when i did finally get it set up i soon got to work and produced a very good sound track which fits the theme of the video perfectly in my mind.

Channel Four : Inspiration week / Open day

This is a screen shot from the website that the link within the email was for, you will also notcie a list of things i need to do inorder to apply for the placement, all i need to do now is my CV which i plan to do next week when i am back at college, as i can easily get access to the help i need in order to perfect my CV, in order to hopefully get me into the inspiration week.

Channel Four : Inspiration week / Open day

I have just recieved an email from Channel Four with a link to the application website, in order to apply for a placement on the inspiration week course.

(Shown below is a copy of the email i was sent)



Hello

Thank you for coming to Channel 4’s Inspiration Week Open Day. We hope you enjoyed it and got plenty out of your time with us - now’s your chance to apply to come to Inspiration Week.

If you’re 14-16 the master classes and workshops will run on 6th and 7th April.

If you’re 17-19 the master classes and workshops will run on 8th and 9th April.

Below is the link to get onto Inspiration Week, please apply here by clicking on it, which will lead you through to our recruitment system.

Please answer all the questions fully, stating your preferences for the master classes and workshops available.

Your completed application must be with us by noon on Friday 9th March 2009. 4Talent will then shortlist candidates and email you if you’ve been successful by 20th March at the latest.
Inspiration Week Application Form

Good luck,
Kate x

P.S. Don’t forget to join our 4Talent Alumni Facebook Group!

Kate Beveridge 4Talent CoordinatorChannel 4 124 Horseferry Road London SW1P 2TX

Channel Four : Inspiration week / Open day

I followed the link that was attached on the email, and i came to the channel four *4talent* page, and when i was there i was faced with the aplication form.

(Shown below are the questions i was asked, relating to the application process)

Application Questions

Please complete the following application questions.

*1
Tell us about a time when you had to work really hard to get something you wanted? What was it and what did you do?

Answer
Basically ever since i was 12-13 i have been into media and home film making etc, and when i gained my first ever video camera, that was brilliant, until i realised that there are many other camcorders out there which would be even better. So when i started my part-time job as a cleaner, i started of doing just a few hours but when ever i could i done more hours in order to gain more money towards the camcorder that i wanted. During the school summer holiday i worked from 12-8 at least 3-4 days a week, and by the end of the summer holiday i had just abut enough money for the camcorder, which i quickly soon order'd off the internet and i gained that within a few days of ordering it. This was when i was aged 15-16 and to this day i still use the Sony HD camcorder to produce films and short videos.

*2
Please choose the three areas you would like to learn more about on Inspiration Week. (Please note: Each master class has a limited number of place and we may not be able to allocate you your first choice). Your Master Class choices are: Advertising, Development, Journalism, Scriptwriting, Presenting, Producing/Directing - Factual, Producing/Directing - Drama, Production Management, New Media.


Answer
I would very much like to learn more about the following three courses / master class:- Producing / Directing - (Factual)- Advertising - Development I would very much like to further study these master classes, as i strongly believe that it will help my progress towards the future that much easier, and will definatly be a great oppurtunity to add work / experiance to my already growing portfolio of work, for the upcoming future.


*3
Tell us why you should be given a place on Inspiration Week?

Answer
I believe that i should be given a place on the inspiration week course, becuase i have put a great amount of work into my media both in college, and at home. I also have been constantly updating and adding to my personal portfolio, which shows all my work relating to media and film etc. This placement on the course will definatly improve apon my portfolio and my personal acievements. Overall i think if i do get a placement it wil help me a great deal, both with my work at the moment (college and personal portfolio) and also most important of all my future, i believe that this experiance will be perfect in order to show people what i have done, to show that i am outgoing and will take every oppatunity as it comes along. In conclussion, i would greatly appreciate a placement on the Channel Four Inspiration week as i like to think it will help me a great deal in my work now and definatly help me out in getting where i want in the future!

Channel Four : Inspiration week / Open day

On Wednesday 18th Febuary me and four others (Mike, Tara, Tim and Alex). Went to Channel four studios/Head quarters in London.

When i eventually got to the headquarters, i was first faced with the Channel four indent / logo outside the building, which was made out of metal scafolding type material, and straight away just from the look of the building i could tell that it was very moden and profesional, and i could not then wait to get inside, and start chatting to people etc.

When i did get into the building we were given day passes and some information booklets about the industry (channel four). Within the booklet was a comments sheet that we were told to fill in later on in the day, just to let them know that we are intrested in applying for the week long course with them.

After we had been given all the leaflets and also the comment sheet were where the directed towards the Channel four cinema. When we arrived there we were shown a short collection of films and we had a short 10-20 minute talk from one of the workers at Channel Four.

After the short films and the talk we then had the chance to talk with a few of the industry profesionals, about what they do, how they got their jobs, and basicaly was also a chance for us to show case are skills and let them know about are futures and what are plans are for the future ahead.

There were 9 - 10 seperate tables which each had different sections from the industry, some of which were *Script wriiting, Production, Advertising and many many more!* After talking with all the industry pro's i managed to hand out all my business cards which were greatly apreciated and also in return i did gain a few business cards back aswell.

Overall the Open Day at Channel Four was really good, it showed me that there is a lot to the industry but with confidence and a strong portfolio it should be simple to get a place within the industry, some of the comments that were said to me were very good indeed, comments such as: "Nice too see someone with such great attitude towards their future, and have a stong belief in themselfs and their work!" and one guy even went as far as saying "You should be the person sitting in my seat telling the younger people about the industry and media, cos' u seem to know how it goes, i dont have to tell you anything i see!"

So i was extreamly pleased with their comments as it was very uplifting to hear such positive comments from people of such status within the industry, i hope that i now can get onto the week course in march-april. (Fingers crossed!)

Shown below are a few pictures from Channel four.

Evidence of helping with film shoot

On Monday 16th Febuary i helped out with Tim's film shoot. On the film shoot I was the Director of photography for Lee who had the job role of being the behind the scene's photographer. For this i supplied both my Sony HDSR1 video camcorder and my Kodak Photo camera. Both of which were used to their full extent and were used through out the day (2-6ish).

Overall the Film shoot went very well, and i managed to get some good photos from it, and also Tim shoot some fantastic video footage on my Sony HDSR1 camcorder. I also think that Tim's overall ideas were portrayed in the final videos, shot on the day, which was the main objective for the shoot.

Shown below are some of the photos that i took on the film shoot.

Email (YouTube)

I have just recieved a very pleasing email, from a user / subscriber on youtube, the user that sent me the email must of noticed that i am keen with green screen, and have used green screen within some of my videos, shown below is the email i recieved.


ScenicVideos has sent you a message:

Free greenscreen video backgrounds

Hi, i thought you might be interested since your into green screen. I have a bunch of videos I am allowing users to download for free to use in their own videos. these are in the new HD 1280x720 standard set by youtube.

I hope you enjoy them,
Jay

PS please consider subscribing to get updated on new videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbC_6LdWrKA



This will help me a great deal, when it comes to future productions, as the actual footage for the backgrounds on videos etc, are quite difficult to find, and also when you do find them they usually cost a fair bit, and because im a student and only have a part time job, i cannot afford to pay out for green screen footage etc...

Opening sequence (Booking sheet / weekly plan)

Monday - Start risk assessment / shooting schedule 

Tuesday - Complete planning / risk assessment / shooting schedule 

Wednesday - Mike's film (Helping with continuity & sound)  

Thursday -  Sam's film (General helping out) -> (Take photos of location for tim) 

Friday - Mike's film, Sam's film and Phillipa's film (Helping with continuity, sound and acting)  

Saturday - Film / shoot my opening sequence 

Sunday - Post production of my film opening sequence (editing  sound track) 

 - HALF TERM - 

Monday - Tim's film (Location/filming/using my camera)  

Tuesday - Tim's film (Location/filming/using my camera)  

Wednesday - In London  (channel four)  

Thursday - Philipa's Film (Acting in the film/possibly help out with other filming)

Friday - Analyze my shoot (how it went etc etc) 

Saturday - Finalize -ALL- project / film opening related work. 

Sunday -  Analyze the WHOLE project  

Opening sequence (further planning)

(Click each document below to enlarge it)

Filming for my Film Opening

I have decided to go with my 2nd idea, and make it stop motion, either fully stop motion or make it a mix of live action and stop motion.

I belive that this will be diffrent from other opening sequences, and will therefore make it unique (sort of). It also gives me the chance to use my story board not only as a guide line / template but most probably use the footage within that as the final footage, in my actual film opening sequence.

I have found the location for my shoot already. (When i was making my storyboard). As i was taking photos for my storyboard, i found that my house / kitchen was the perfect location for my film opening sequence, as it is a british film based around food / school.

Considering that the film will be based around school / food the costume for the film opening is a school uniform, but to make it seem like a laid back / down to earth sort of film i have chosen to make my brother where some converse trainers, to show the individulisum / rebelious attitude of the main charater.

The props for my film are very simple to get hold of as it is all situated within my house / kitchen, some of which are: oven, pans, knife, chopping board. bag, etc.

For the post production process of my film, i will mainly use, sony vegas, and maybe picasa (to touch up the photos). i might use some other software to edit the footage together into a sort of slide show in order to make it stopmotion video.

As for the soundtrack, i will use my newley aquired software called *mixcraft 4* it is a little like garage band, but is far more advanced. i have decided to use this as it sounds very diffrent from garage band (the tunes it can create). As with garage band, the trouble is the sounds within the software libray do sound very simmilar, and you can easily tell its from garage band, and i strongly believe that if i was to use the sound tracks from garage band, i would loose the individulism / unique side to my film opening.





Overall i think my opening sequence should go very well on the shoot / edit, but all will be reveled when i actually start to shoot my film opening sequence, but as far as i know, planning is everything! I belive that i have planned this film opening well, so therfore my film shoot should go well also.

How to overcome my problems

I chose 3 of the more major problems and have decided to write how i will overcome these problems

Health and Safety

Within my opening sequence, most of the action within the scene happens in the kitchen. This involves cutting vegetables and using the oven. So this will mean that i will need to fill in a risk assessment form and i will also need written permission from my parents, allowing my brother to act in this opening sequence. Also due to my brother being under the age of 16 it is vital that i have the written permission prior to actually shooting the opening sequence with my brother in.


Location

The location for my opening sequence is all at y house so therefore i will have t film within my own time (out of college hours) So therefore when i am at college i not have any filming to do, but this means i will be free to help my class mates with their media projects etc.


weather issues (loss of time)

With the weather at the moment, which is not to great. Means that college has already been closed for two days in a row, due to the adverse weather (snow) and that means that i have already lost a few hours, in which i could of been planning further for my opening sequence, or helping others out with their opening sequence's. If the weather does change and result in another college closure, then i will just work from home, and add to my blog with work realting to my opening sequence. (for example research / planning etc)

possible Problems

Possible Problems
I created a table to show the possible problems that i could be faced with during the shooting of my film opening.

Nuisances

*External Hard Drive is broken (need to back up footage)
* Bad weather = loss of hours / days (Snow)

Minor Concerns

*Helping others (Invoices etc)
*Location (Can only shoot at home)
*Footage from my Sony HD sr1 Video camera, does not work on macs (which we have in class room)


Major issues

*Heath & Safety (young actor involved)

Channel Four : Inspiration week / Open day

In the email there was an attachement with the directions / map of how to find the channel four head quarters

shown below is the map that was attached to the email

Channel Four : Inspiration week / Open day

Below is the email i recieved to confirm i have a place on the channel four inspiration week, open day on the 18th february.

For the attention of:

Kirk Martin Kemp Long Road
Tim Hodson Long Road
Alexander Whitcombe Long Road
Michael Shaw Long Road
Tara Cox Long Road


Congratulations!

We would like to invite you to Channel 4’s Inspiration Week Open Day on

Wednesday 18th February from 12pm – 3pm

During your time at Channel 4 we will give you the opportunity to meet with industry professionals and find out about different roles in the media.

Our nearest tube stations are St James’s Park and Victoria, I have attached a map to help you find Channel 4’s HQ in Horseferry Road.

Please confirm your attendance to the above session by replying to this email. The deadline for this is Tuesday 10th February, or we may be forced to offer your place to another young person. Please also let me know if you will be coming with a parent, teacher or guardian.

Costs for travel outside of Greater London will be reimbursed for Charitable Organisations only. If this applies to you, please notify me of this in confirmation of your attendance.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me: wrl@channel4.co.uk

Looking forward to seeing you,
Kate

Channel Four : Inspiration week / Open day

Channel 4 Inspiration Week

Channel 4's Inspiration Week launches in April 2009 and will provide 160 places for 14-19 year olds who would like to work within the media industry. This initiative will give young people an all round view of the channel four industry, helping them to understand different roles within the media.

Inspiration Week is about inspiring young people by showcasing the skills, experiences and attitudes they will need to progress - as well as innovative ways to focus and strengthen their own career prospects.

Inspiration Week will take place during the Easter holidays from April 6th - 9th 2009, and will be held in London. Prior to the week itself that there will be open days for 320 young people on the following dates:

- 18 February 2009

- 19 February 2009

More ideas n thoughts.....

I was just looking at the pictures / photos i had taken for my story board, and took into account what Nick had spoken to me about on friday, which was to make my title sequence a stop motion like opening, and looking at the photos i took, it would be silly to just put them aside, and instead use them for my opening sequence.

The other idea is to make a completely new sequence using some stop motion and real action perhaps, or maybe ust keep it all stop motion.

Below are a few videos i found on you tube which reflect my ideas / thoughts:

Planning for opening sequence

Location:

The location for my opening sequence, is simple yet very applicable to the theme for my opening sequence, which is school / cooking, so therefore the location for my opening sequence will be in my kitchen, as it is easy to film in with plenty of space, and the possibility of many camera angles / positions.

Props:

The collection of props for my opening sequence are mainly cookery related things, such as pans, knife, cooker, school bag, planner etc. which yet again i have chosen becuase it is easy to get access to these items and they are relating to the theme of my movie / opening sequence itself. (cookery-school)

Costume:

The costume for my opening sequence is yet again a simple yet effective one that realtes completly to the overall theme of school, the costume in mind is my brothers school uniform, i have chosen that as it shows the school theme very well, but i have decided to allow my brother to wear converse trainers as this gives more of an edge on tha character and gives the idea of rebeling against the school and its uniform, and that again relates to the story line of my openiong sequence / movie idea.

Storyboard

When i was cutting out my seperate frames / stills, i soon relised that i had far too many, and when i started to create the final story boards, i decided to stop, and just keep the frames seperate, this was due to the amount of story boards i had, which was far too many, but what i did make is good, as it gives me a template to go by when it comes to shooting the final opening sequence.

Shown below are my story boards as you can see there were far to many, and that was just a few of them: