Age Classification

Media Studies                                         Elly Long

 

Film Classification

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/15

Opening 2 minutes of film

. Language
I expect there to be use of language once, potentially near the end; it is not too graphic, and is used as a subconscious ‘go-to’ phrase as opposed to the character seemingly thinking of the word.
If I were to make her swear on a constant rate, it may start to suggest she has something inept feeling to herself/life (which to an extent she does) but overall may suggest she has a mental disorder. Swearing generally would be associated with the more of an evil character anyway in the sense they do not care about what they do (and what they say), but again, she does it as as a subconscious state on a minimal aspect because its something someone her age, a teenager, would generally do; people in their youth tend to swear a lot, but considering her environment and that she is later on in her teens suggests a feature of levelheadedness.

. Violence
There is to be a lot of ‘violence’ in what I wish to be the opening 2 minutes of my film; the main character finds herself shooting a variety of people (i.e weapons- guns & zombies) and there will be blood, probably mostly covering the zombies as opposed to actually being ripped out of the characters.
Nonetheless, there is not too much gore, as said before, the zombies will be covered in their own blood (looks somewhat realistic, but since the Simulation is based on a game, it cannot be too realistic so as to coincide with the age rating of the film) and as the scenes progress, the main character will also in turn be covered in blood.
There may also be physical violence in terms of punching and actual touching the individual. This will be minimal as I wish to emphasis the usage of weapons (i.e guns).

. Horror
The zombies describe it all. The idea of the un-dead adds to an uncomfortable scenario for viewers as well as putting the protagonist in a tough situation with them. (To add more of a cringe element to it; something to make the audience feel emotionally, perhaps even then subconsciously comparing themselves to the character in that specific situation)

. Drugs
Potentially there may be some usage of drugs, (which I won’t outwardly suggest that they themselves are drugs, i.e heroin, moreover acting as an Additive) but the character has to be shown healing herself quickly; this may be from crudely taking pills, to a quick shot in her leg/arm/neck, potentially depending on where she has been attacked.

. Dangerous Behaviour
In general, the running about, potentially injuring herself (by accident) doesn’t really add up to the ‘dangerous behaviour’ described in the link; during the 2 minutes themselves, there would be no reference to suicide or self-harm.
There is violence, as mentioned before, which involves fighting and the use of weapons, but again as mentioned beforehand, this doesn’t come under the classification of ‘dangerous behaviour’ on the link.



If I were to continue the film there would be a lot more content which is described in the link, perhaps even dwelling a tiny bit further into the 18 category or gore. I don’t wish to make the film into something that makes people turn away in disgust of the image of blood or mutilating one another, so much as turning away in shock as to the twists and unexplained actions of the characters; in a way, the film is somewhat psychological considering the disorders some of the characters suffer from, i.e schizophrenia.
I wouldn’t want any sex-scenes, as it wouldn’t coincide with the film, yet some references may be made for potentially comical value and/or cringe.
Violence would increase as well as the creatures they have to kill; more zombies, more creatures, perhaps deformed (cliché to being an envisionment of evil and people wanting them dead) and more gruesome and creepy as the film progresses.


The two minutes I want to put across that the scenario at the time is utterly fake. It isn’t real. The blood, the zombies all the healing doesn’t actually take place in the real world, perhaps in some respect lulling the audience into a false sense of security, yet has the ominous feeling that the world seems a bit too peaceful; something wrong is bound to happen considering everything is going too well (despite her dying in the simulation at the end- pretend dead. She’s still alive in the real world- her character just lost momentarily).
To further the idea from just plain, typical zombies, the use of camera at the end of the footage suggests something more futurist, a robot for example, which as an audience, do not actually get to see in the 2 minutes. Later on in the film, it would be shown again as a sub-boss for example, almost as a stepping stone for the survivors (main group of characters).

Risk Assessment for Game Over Filming

Media Studies
Elly Long

                                                                   Risk Assessment for
                                                                          Game Over


First Scene- Computer Room.

1. Leaning on table- potential of slipping/ collapsing
2. Leaning backwards for portal- may fall back

Avoid Risks
1. Choose a table that it stable/ do not lean on it too hard
2. Lean back to a certain degree and edit the shot so that she disappears before she reaches a certain angle.


Second Scene- School Zombie Attack
1. If grounds are wet, potential to slip
2. Zombie deaths may have individual falling too fast and hitting themselves against the ground or i.e the side of a fence)
3. Also tripping over one another

Avoid Risks
1. Not to run too fast
2. Fall into a specific position/ do not have actual footage of them falling- just begin to fall then cut to another shot of them, for example, already on the ground, dead.
3. Space them out and give them a time to start running and stop so they don’t also whack into one another.


Third scene- Car Park
1. Potentially wet- risk of slipping/ falling on stairs
2. Risk of being run over (excruciatingly unlikely)

Avoid Risks
1. Be careful- do not run- or even do a change of shoes for shots and out of shots for walking.
2. Choosing an area with either less cars, or just being vigilant.

Prop and Clothing List for Two Minute intro

Media Studies
Elly Long

                                                             Prop and Clothing List
                                                              For Two Minute Film



Reality

Protagonist:
Clothing- Plain black dress; black tights; thick, black belt; black boots; goggles*
Props; USB; *goggles; stereo bag

Zombies:
Clothing
Female- (Preferred) black/ grey school skirt; white school shirt (torn and covered in blood); black school shoes/ trainers
Male- Black trousers/ grey trousers; white school shirt (torn and covered in blood); black school shoes/ trainers- preferably shoes.
Make-up-
White stage make-up; black eye shadow; red/ brown eye shadow; black eye liner; fake blood (used on face- congealed to look like cuts- also add to hands and fingers.     Watered down for the Zombie who attacks the protagonist so it looks like it spits out her blood.)





Initially

Protagonist
My original designs were somewhat different to how my protagonist turned out- she initially wore a skirt, alongside some thick black tights with two purple and black socks (one somewhat lower than the other) with some long black boots.
For her upper body she had a tight navy blue shirt with a black zipped jacket (sleeveless) on top, and wore a pair of goggles, crucial to her Virtual Reality Simulation, in her hair. The majority of her clothing is (and still is) black.

VIDEO- Creating my Titles

Similar genre research

Media Studies                                                                    Elly Long

Film
Similar genre research


My film is a sci-fi- ‘fantasy’ genre, focusing mainly on the idea of a futuristic world within that of a modern era, corrupted with the imagination of people to form an apocalyptic situation. (Within reason, its moreover hinted to be post-apocalyptic due to the reference of games, restarting to last save, overwriting etc…. )

Sci-fi-fantasy

. Terminator
- Time Travelling robots
- Androids in general
- Updated technology

. Blade Runner
- Futuristic landscape (i.e intro)
-Manipulation of general human standing (idea of robots)
- Human emotions in terms of killing (they don’t verbally claim to be ‘killing’; implies they are not human- lack emotion- not people just robots etc….)

. The Avengers
- ‘Super-Powers’ for average human
- Idea of God; overall power complications (in this case literally, there are Gods)
- In some respect, futuristic  technology in a modern era

. The Fifth Element
- Idea of aliens
- Somewhat updated technology (flying cars—yet features a man who would be considered average, and in some respect, somewhat relatable to some viewers- again, within reason)
- Power, i.e the crystals- elements.


Post-Apocalyptic

. I am Legend
- Features one guy. (dog for company; nonetheless he is alone in terms of being i.e only human throughout majority of the film.)
-Key elements of survival
- Weapons (again for survival)
-Dismal setting- grey, cold looking, undesirable landscape.

. Resident Evil
- Key survivors, generally shown working in groups
- Weapon; viewing zombies as evil and needs to be killed
- Human superiority overwritten by the idea of a ‘greater force/standing’
-Power in general; again, God complexes


By using these ideas, I can construct a basis of the different element I may wish to incorporate into my film
The overall impact for the idea of playing God, for example, generally sets a standard for the viewer to dislike that particular character- they manipulate people, go against the protagonist, and try to ruin what is a perfect equilibrium, making the idea of power brilliant to associate with antagonists.



What a few of these films have in common is death, which if I were to have to create a full film, there would be a bit of. One by one, for example, the main group that have been put together in the Apocalyptic scenario, they will be picked off, referring to the stereotypical line in which characters are killed. (i.e the irritating characters who generally lack basic sense, the moreover nerd characters, younger characters may tend to survive… for mine, I would have had 5 in the film as a group, the two main characters, given the storyline, would have survived until the end….)
By making the characters somewhat relatable to the audience, it makes them sympathise more, or even gives them relief that a certain character with a given persona has died. On the otherhand, by killing off all the group generally leaves the audience a bit irritated, yet I believe if it is played out well enough, the viewers will be shocked, even horrified, which would relate to the overall impression I’d wish to give with the entirety of my film.

Music at a lot of points would mainly depend upon the situation at hand, and is used to subconsciously lure the audience into a state where they are not only watching the film, but feeling the film.
In a happy situation, the music would be upbeat, whilst in a sad one, the music may be slow, even quiet. Then again, in a depressing situation, the music can be loud, overwhelming all the speech and general background noises, perhaps even giving way to prominent, important sound effects, i.e a gun shot.
An example of this would be Resident Evil.
Using music that the audience recognise can also be effective as if the research is done correctly, can play to the director’s wish to make them feel. A well-known sad song used already in a familiar circumstance can be used, as long as it doesn’t relate too much to its original use so as not to be pointed out for copy issues.
For example, during the two minutes of my film, I wish to use the song Plug in baby by Muse, as I believe it will coincide well with the emotions my character’s expressions are to show (whilst in combat- straight in action) and also I relevant considering the fact she is in a Virtual Reality simulation. (So a sense of irony is also at play, a sub-conscious element for my audience.)
Then again, by using this piece of music, since it’s not exactly a modern song anymore, it will somewhat alienate my main character from people who would watch it who listen to the genre of music that is favourable now (or at the time.)
It may even relate to the older side of the target-market, showing that despite the modern time that this is set in, the character has an older aspect in some respect, making her more relatable despite her given age (which is around 17).
All in all, music is very important element in films, and is executed correctly, can give the desired outcome of the scene, able to manipulate and even lead the viewers into the director’s desired outcome.

To amplify the feeling of the film or even a specific scene, lighting has to be altered, for example in I Am Legend there is an overall grey-ish tone, giving a cold, depressing outlook on the environment, allowing the audience to sympathise to the main character, who may not necessarily be struggling; even if they are not showing any emotion or physical display of struggle or discomfort, just by making the atmosphere different and undesirable from a typical, everyday scenario.
Also night-shots during an action sequence may add to the idea of the situation being ominous, even predictable. There is always the idea that something would be lurking in the dark, associating that time of the day to be feared, and again using the word undesirable; its accustomed to there being a struggle or even disruption for the main character. By making people fear darkness, it’s easier to associate antagonists with it, amplifying the subconscious reaction of people to view characters who wear black, lurk in darkness or even just prefer it, to be evil and disliked.
This is ironic because my two protagonists are somewhat associated with darkens, although my male character actually turns out to be the evil guy, allowing for the idea of darkness to attack darkness (hence the two deaths.) I’ve enhanced this idea by making my guy a schizophrenic, which makes him not all too relatable, and a generally confusing character, who leaves the audience only guessing. (His schizophrenia is only truly revealed nearing the end when he becomes/ turns to show he is the evil guy; his nicer side has no idea of him being good, and his evil sides uses his good persona to play ‘mind-games’ with the female protagonist-who is the main character sin the story.)

Genre analysis

Media Studies                                                            Elly Long

Genre analysis
Sci-fi Fantasy

Sci-Fis in themselves generally have a male protagonist focused on destroying the evil whom may be adept in some form of technology, hell bent on destroying/ controlling the world. This protagonist will have a female in mind, or have an accomplice who has one.
The female will be viewed as weak in some respect, but nonetheless strong willed; in the majority of scenes she will be wearing minimal/ tight, revealing outfits (occasionally in a future-style clothing, for ‘justification’)
An example of a sci-fi film would be Star Wars/ The Fifth Element.

Fantasies are somewhat similar in terms of character personas; be it the mainly naked woman, the hero etc. But, on the other hand, there is an element of adventure accompanying this genre, that there has to be a plot (the idea of the main character being nothing, trying to prove himself, on the way he encounters specific characters who aid/hinder his quest; saves the female who acts like she doesn’t like him; kills evil character; frees the land from eternal doom)
 Examples of this are Lord of the Rings (in a general sense within reason) and somewhat The Dark Crystal.

For my film, I’d wish to incorporate a futuristic version (obviously loosely based upon) the idea of The Never Ending Story.
If I expand on this, a boy reads a book and an adventure plays out as he reads etc, whilst mine will combine a ‘modern’ idea (if not moreover futuristic) of a Virtual Reality Simulation, where she acts out different stages and in turn accidently brings it to the real world.
As well as this, for my two minutes, I was inspired by the movie Resident Evil Afterlife, in terms of the use of slow-motion for a lot of their shots.
(An Example of some slow motion shots) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dc5iiT0f1s

Resident Evil Afterlife contains a vague desire in terms of zombies, but mainly screenshots and camera actions; this film is a Science Fiction Action Horror, so is somewhat relevant to my film.
The general tone to it (the actual colour of the shots) are dark, grey and generally give of a cold, alienated feeling, which is something I may wish to include in my film. Nevertheless, my film is not a horror, so I can only use some aspects.
As mentioned before, one of the films somewhat similar to my genre is the Never Ending Story. Given its age rating (PG) I can use just the overall image as to what the film may stand for; not a moral reason or to necessarily get people into playing video games, but to pass on a message about people as individuals.
The whole aspect of another world (literally at someone’s fingertips) intrigues me, hence why I wish to claim basing my film on it- only in this case am I adding a futuristic, and potentially overall more entertaining aspect for an older audience. (Zombies & robots, blood, destruction etc.)

The only difference between my film and these is that the protagonist is a female.
Not only does it give a different aspect on the way to view the main character, but also enhances the struggle she faces between the antagonist who is male (also her the boy she befriends from his apocalypse)
All in all, there is definitely a presence of a linear story plot, in that the main character goes from nothing to everything, faces a problem, befriends those who aid/hinder her along the way then faces ultimate evil in a one-on-one battle. The major difference is, as mentioned, gender, in that the boy still holds the role of trying to persuade the female, yet the female plays hard to get. What I have done, is have it from her view, so that the audience can understand a familiar scenario from a different viewpoint, in a different scenario.

Then again, since I am only creating two minutes of the opening credits, I can only incorporate the female engaging in general battle in the simulation. In this, she shall be attacked, use weapons, healing utensils…just to set a basic mood for the rest of the film (which is not going to be created as said before). In this, I will hopefully emphasised her environment and the creatures she is facing by using slow-motion, changing the camera angles just to really get the emotion in her expression and show how such a world she has created, whilst scary if real, is actual just fun to her since she is under the impression that it is safe and that it is not real. This would then, if there was a further hour or so to it, show the horror of the scenario of how it all becomes reality and the danger it puts not only her, but the entire world through.

Preliminary Task

A task created in a group


Video Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbGvUIkQSsE

Secondary character (not in 2 minutes)

This character does not appear in the two minutes, alongside a variety of characters I have made up for this task.
Raven is one of four that team up with Mai in my film; alothough he does not appear physically in the two minutes, during the introduction, his voice features in the background (a bit of Dramatic Irony)

His final form is that of a mutant-bird-demon creature.
He does not have anything in particualr that stands out by itself, making his overall image (and what I imagined his personality) that 'iconic'/ recognizable part.

Main character basis

The basis of my main character, Mai Heartland.
The current clothing I've issued her with I would say she mainly wears; she is perhaps the only character that doesn't have a 'final form' as of yet.

To give something iconic and recognizable, I gave her a pair of goggles which in themselves act as a numerous sights in which she uses throughout each stage.