Logo Developments

As we were nearly at the editing part, we decided to start thinking about the production name and logo. this involved us doing some intensive research into different possible production names before we could start doing a Logo.
A few names we came up with were:

• Pipedream Productions
• Spooks Productions
• Initive Productions
• conception Productions
• perspective Productions
• prescience Productions
• standpoint Productions

Our favourite idea was Pipedream productions. We started playing around with the idea of having a physical pipe with dreams coming out of it. We were really happy with our progress with it, however we were not sure if it fitted with the negative story line of our film.

 

However, we continued to develop the logo further. However, we still felt that the idea of more happier and inspiring production names were not right for the film.

After going back to the drawing board and thinking of other production names, we thought more about the film. We decided that in the film, we liked the eye scenes a lot. We then began to play with the idea of an eye being the symbol of the production name. Some names suggested were:

• Vision Productions
• Iris Productions
• Pupil Productions
• Sight Productions 
• Forsight Productions

We went on the internet to find copyright free images of eyes and found this one. Although the eye isn't the prettiest, we thought we could play around with it to make it spooky.

 

We then added darkness around the eye to make it more spooky and also so it would blend in with the black background of the film. We found this much more effective because in the eye above, you focus not only on the eye, but the skin around it.We also made the blue more blue by intensifying the colour more.

We then used brushes in photoshop to add subtle eyelashes. these added to the spooky style we were hoping for. They also made the image look more complete rather than just blurred out with black.

After deciding the fonts we thought we wanted to use, we added our final production name with our logo. We are very happy with the logo and production name, and as a whole we think it fits the style of the film well!

Next we will be editing some more of our footage. We have also decided to refilm a selection of our scenes to make them more interesting, so they will be on soon!

Font research

After much research and planning for our Production name, we have decided to call it Foresight Productions. We like this name because its interesting, unique and it fits with our film style.

Once we had decided on a production name, We decided to start looking into different font types and styles we could use for the logo and throughout the titles of our film opening. Here is a selection of possible font types and styles we have considered.

We decided we didn't want a font which would say too much about the type of film we have, for example a scary or sinister style font for a scary movie, but we also wanted an interesting font that could be used to make the titles not boring.

Next we will start making our logo!

Existing Film production companies- Inspiration for our own!

When coming to research into names for our production name, I decided to do some background research into what film production companies already exist so we can take inspiration from what already exists, but also to make sure we don't use exactly the same ones.

We will be having discussions over the next few days to decide a good name!

Moodboard

As we were finding it dificault for inspiration, or rather remembering the inspiration that we had found out, we decided it was a good idea to make a moodboard.

Here it is!

An inspiring video we found

When we were searching for different videos and sound track ideas for our film opening, we came across this video which somebody has created. We not only liked the beginning of the sound track (which was the reason for finding the video) but also the imagery was also very relevant. What appears to be the child and a fathers relationship is showing with a spooky noises in German. The filters on the whole video in a sepia style was also very effective.

This week, we have also completed more of the animatics which we have nearly finished,and i will blog them this week!

Storyboarding our ideas

We have finally finished our storyboard of our ideas of settings and sequence. We have also decided the name. We have chosen Amstetten, This is the name of the town where the event took place.Storyboard of Amstetten

The next step now we have completed our storyboard is animatic.

Further developments and planning

This week, we decided to complete our Storyboard (Next post once we've scanned it!) and do some further planning to the finer details to our film opening. We decided we would start thinking about where we would actually shoot each shot.

Production setting plan

Cellar Scene 

we needed a dark place where we can make it look like it could be the place where Elisabeth was captured, so we thought a garage was appropriate as long as we blocked out all the sunlight. Seeing as Alice was the only member of our group with a garage, we have decided to shoot the cellar scene all in Alice’s Garage. We also plan to put the old style TV in the cellar (Garage) so it looks authentic.

Memory 1 

(the young girl sitting on the floor with her back to the wall cuddling a small blanket)

We decided that because this piece was a flash back, it wouldn't matter where it was shot, as long as it kept in line with the theme. Seeing as all the other scenes were most appropriate to be inside, we decided that we could use Alice’s Garden for that scene.

Memory 2

(The same girl is sitting on the floorwhen a man approaches her and strokes her hair)

We decided that this scene should be inside with her playing with a doll or something to signify the innocence of the young girl. Seeing as i live in a old cottage, the old style of my lounge room would be more appropriate than Alice's or Georgie's more modern houses.

Memory 3

(A teenage girl holding the same blanket)

This is another scene where it really wouldn't matter where we shoot it as long as it looks old or could be old seeing as this would have to be about 15 years ago. We haven't completely decided where we will shoot this scene, but we think Georgie’s garden may be a nice idea seeing as she has a lovely little bench.

Memory 4

(Sleepover scene where Elisabeth is withdrawn from the group)

We decided that in this case it would be more appropriate to film this scene in my bedroom seeing as Georgies and Alices rooms are decorated more modern.

Memory 5

(Pregnant woman)

Seeing as Elisabeth was only pregnant in the cellar, we have to shoot this in Alice’s Garage to match the cellar at the beggining.

Memory 6

(the baby being snatched from Elisabeth)

This once again would have to be shot in Alice’s Garage seeing as in the real life story the baby was snatched in the garage.

Cast List

Elisabeth young

Seeing as we needed a young girl who looked 11, we couldn't act this part ourselves so a family friend of mine's daughter is 10 who could possible play the young Elisabeth. Her name is Amber Moxey.

Elisabeth teen

We decided that Alice Clark would play Elisabeth throughout the opening seeing as she studies theatre studies, and she had blue eyes like Elisabeth.

Extra girls at sleepover

For the sleepover scene, we need three girls to be talking, and then Elisabeth (Alice) to be on her own. We had the idea of setting the camera up on a stand, and leaving it, so me and Georgie could play two of the girls, but were not certain this will work. However the plan at the moment is that the three extra girls are Georgie, Me and our friend (Un decided)

Elisabeth present

Because Alice Clark is playing Elisabeth, she will also play Elisabeth in the present time (when they flash back to reality).

Joseph Fritzl

For the shadow, and when a mans hand touches the girls shoulder, we need a male adult to do this role, so Alice's Dad Rob Clark has kindly volunteered.

Sound effects needed

We also decided to start thinking about sound effects we could need, and this arethe only ones we can think of at the moment.

• Metal doors
• Foot steps
• Echoes Baby crying
• Echoes of girls laughing
• some kind of spooky music

The next post i do will be the Storyboard which we have created.

What Exactly is an art house film?

Seeing as we have chosen a brief which we know little about, we thought it would be useful if we did some background research on not only about the event, but what defines an arthouse film.

Basic Definition?

An arthouse film is typically a serious, independently made film aimed at a niche audience rather than a mass audience. 

What conventions does an arthouse film include?

An arthouse film usually  includes, a social realism style, a very distint style or emplasis of the director, and a focus on the thoughts and dreams of characters, rather than presenting a clear, goal-driven story.

Art films are aimed at small niche market audiences, which means they can rarely get the financial backing which will permit large production budgets, expensive special effects, costly celebrity actors, or huge advertising campaigns, as are used in widely-released mainstream films. this is a convention of an arthouse film because it shows how little money they have to produce a film, and they have to rely on talented producers.

From the research i did on Art house films, i have summarised the main points that in my opinion are the main points we must consider. Here are the conventions that makes an art house film an art house film:

1. Art house films rarely have a feel good quality.
2. They may make us feel smarter or more wise about the world.
3. They tell the truth about the world or an event.
4. They have no famous actors/actresses, just unheard of talent.
5. Very low budget films, but heavily relies on talented directors.
6. It doesn't have a general frame because there is no rules.
7. It faces topics that conventional films don't consider, E.g. Prostitution, drugs.
8. It includes different formats and ideas (unusual)
9. The director can be as imaginative as they like.
10. The film usually would have a message which makes you think out of the box.

After reading and exploring about the art house themes conventions, i'm confident that our film opening will follow the aspects of an art house film so the brief will be fulfilled. 

Organising the sequence

Ok, so we now are bursting with ideas of scenes we could include in our opening sequence, but in what order?!


We decided to start actually putting our ideas together, and organising the sequence before we story board. We definitely thought we needed a 'Cellar scene' in the opening somewhere, but we were unsure weather that should come first or second.


We decided that this sequence was the most effective!:

• The first scene is a black screen, with titles rolling across, but in the background we can here Tv Noises in the distance as well as metal doors and footsteps getting louder. This signifies that danger may be approaching because Fritzl is coming.

• The scene of Elisabeth fades in, and we see a figure standing in a low lit room (light only from the TV screen) watching a news report about Elisabeth.

• As the noises gets closer, it builds suspense, and then the camera zooms into Elisabeths Eye to start showing the flashbacks.

• Memory One. A shadow appears over a little girl holding a doll, and she reaches for her comfort blanket. we then shoot to her father touching her shoulder as she cuddles the blanket in.
• We then snap back out to reality to see Elisabeth start to panic.

• Then we go back into the eye for another flashback.

• Memory Two. An older girl, still with the blanket at a sleepover talking about boys and sex, and the girl being withdrawn from the group conversation.

• We then flash back to an even more concerned Elisabeth as we go into her third memory.

• Memory Three. A quick shot of a baby bump

• We then see the camera pan down from Elisabeth's eye to one of her hands - she is holding a piece of material which is implied to be the scrap of blanket she pulled off when the baby was snatched.

• The Footsteps get closer and can be heard loudly and then Elisabeth cuddles the blanket in.

• A man's arm reaches out of the darkness and switches off the television.

• The screen goes black again like at the start.

Now we have a clear idea of what we want to do scene by scene, we can now start story 
boarding our ideas.

More ideas

We have a clear idea of what we want to achieve now we have chosen Fritzl, but actually choosing the scenes is our next step. We decided we would brainstorm some ideas down.


The 'Cellar' Scene
In this scene we can see Elisabeth in a low key lit room which appears to be dark and dirty with a sihlouette of a girl watching a TV report. Alice in our group made a mock up of the idea in Photoshop which is below.

Made By Alice Clark (One of the members of our group)

The flashbacks
We have quite a few ideas for the 'flashbacks', but each of these could happen as if the film was starting from her young age rather than flashing back from when she's captured to when she's young.


Young girl with a toy, which signifies the innocence of a young girl before the horrific things which would be described in the rest of the film.

A teenage sleepover with Elisabeth very withdrawn from the group when they talk about boys. This event is described by one of her friends in the documentary we watched.

A Pregnant woman which would be Elisabeth who would have to look very young which is based on the true story.






Time Lapse
The time lapse idea was to try and capture the time scale of how long Elisabeth was trapped, for example filming the sky changing?


The architect drawings
We found out in the documentary that Fritzl got planning permission for the extension, but then illegally extended the extension more (the Chamber). Because Fritzl extended, he would of had to plan his extra build, so a pan over some architectural drawings was an idea.


Opening a safe door
This could be a really effective way of symbolising how Elisabeth was kept.


A Man luring the girl into to the cellar
Apparently, according to our research, he lurred her into the trap by asking her to help lift a door, and then trapping her. This could be an interesting film starting point.




Now we have decided our main ideas, we next week need to start deciding the order and camera angles for each idea and start putting them together before we storyboard!

Josef Fritzl Research

As we had decided to make a film on a specific case, we had to research further on what actually happened to know what we could use in our film opening. We did this by all three of us logging onto a computer and researching what he was really like and the actual events which lead to the capture of Elisabeth. We watched documentaries of what happened and read reports which described the poor conditions which Elisabeth was kept for so long.

(This documentary has other parts which carries on)
This is The Documentary which we watched. It explains in detail about how Josef fritzl got away with the hostage for 24 years, it also shows a 3d remake of the eight passages and doors to get to where Elisabeth and her children were kept.


On Wikipedia, we found a timeline which best describes the sequences of events:

1977	Fritzl begins sexually abusing his 11-year-old daughter, Elisabeth.
1981 to 1982	Fritzl begins to turn the hidden cellar into a prison cell.
August 29, 1984	Fritzl lures Elisabeth, now 18 years old, into the basement and imprisons her.
November 1986	Elisabeth has a miscarriage in the 10th week of pregnancy.
1989	The first child, Kerstin, is born, and lives in the cellar until 2008.
1990	Stefan is born. He, too, stays in the cellar until 2008.
1992	Lisa is born. In May 1993, when she is nine months old, she is discovered outside the family home in a cardboard box, allegedly left there by Elisabeth, along with a note asking for the child to be looked after.
February 1994	The fourth child, Monika, is born.
1994	Fritzl enlarges the prison for Elisabeth and her children from 35 m² (380 sq ft) to 55 m² (600 sq ft).
December 1994	Ten-month-old Monika is found in a stroller outside the entrance of the house. Shortly afterwards, a phone call is made to Rosemarie, apparently, from Elisabeth. The caller asks Rosemarie to take care of the child. However, it is assumed that Fritzl was able to use a recording of Elisabeth's voice to make the call. Rosemarie reported the incident to the police, expressing her astonishment that Elisabeth knew their new and unlisted phone number.
May 1996	Elisabeth gives birth to twin boys. One dies after three days; Fritzl removes his body from the cellar and cremates it. The surviving twin, Alexander, is taken upstairs when he is 15 months old. He is "discovered" in circumstances similar to those of his two sisters.
December 2002	Felix is born. According to a statement by Fritzl, he kept Felix in the cellar, together with Elisabeth and her two eldest children, because his wife was not able to look after another child.
April 19, 2008	Fritzl arranges for the critically ill 19-year-old Kerstin to be taken to a local hospital.
April 26, 2008	During the evening, Fritzl releases Elisabeth from the cellar along with her sons Stefan and Felix, bringing them upstairs, informing his wife that Elisabeth had decided to come home after a 24-year absence. Later that evening, after an anonymous tipoff during a visit to the hospital, Fritzl and Elisabeth are taken into police custody where she reveals her decades-long imprisonment during questioning.
March 14, 2009	After a 4 day trial in the town of St. Pölten, Fritzl pleads guilty to the charges of the murder by negligence of his infant son/grandson, Michael, as well as the enslavement,incest, rape, coercion and false imprisonment of his daughter, Elisabeth, and is sentenced to life imprisonment.

From all the research we did, we decided that Josef Fritzl was definitely the case we would like to base our film opening on. Once we had carried out the research, we felt much more confident about getting it right, and choosing the right themes throughout the opening!

Initial thoughts and feelings about The Opening Sequence

In this post, i'm going to describe our thoughts and feelings about each brief and explain why we picked the brief we did, and our first inspirations about carrying out the brief. 

We recently found out the choices of briefs we have to choose from. The 4 briefs have all been to challenge us and to take us out of our comfort zone. The Briefs are:

Film Brief 1

'A mainstream action film that will appeal to 15-25yr old males Your film should appear to be based on a "fictional" comic book.'

Our thoughts on this brief:

The initial reaction to reading this brief is that it would be quite fun to produce, and would challenge our skills, however it is a film appealing to 15-25yr old males, which we agreed that none of our group have much interest in.

Film Brief 2'A supernatural thriller that will appeal to female audiences Your film should appear to be an international co-production.'

Our thoughts on this brief:

Initially, this is the brief that stood out to us the most seeing as all of our group were into horror films. This was a good option for us to do, and we were considering this one as our chosen brief.

Film Brief 3'An independent movie featuring a young protagonist Your film should appear to be financed through regional funding.'

Our thoughts on this brief:

At first, this brief also sounded quite  interesting, and we definitely had a lot of choice of actors/actresses with us being at a school, but we weren't too sure about many ideas for this one, so we left it as a possibility.

Film Brief 4
'An art house feature to appeal to adult audiences Your film should appear to be based on an actual event in the last 2 years.'

  

Our thoughts on this brief:

Our thoughts for this brief were overlooked at first for this brief as its not an obvious choice. Although, when we started researching the brief, we found that it could be a really effective opening sequence because there has been so many interesting events within the last two years.

The Decision
After some considering and research into each brief, we decided we would expand upon film brief 4. Our reasons for choosing this one is because we all seem to have good ideas about how we could carry out the film opening and also what event to do. 

The first thing we decided to do was to brainstorm events from the last two years. We had some ideas straight away, and we also searched on the internet some events. This is the list of events we came up with:

·         Swine flu

·         Haiti

·         Deaths in fordingbridge

·         Raoul Moat case

·         Josef Fritzl

When we had thought of Josef Fritzl case, we decided that this would be a really interesting film to make. We decided to research more into the case and what happened. When we started reading about the case, we were really interested in it because it was such a terrible thing.

As we researched more into Josef Fritzl and what happened, we started to think of Film names. if we thought of a name, we would write it down on a list. This is the list so far!

The Names for the film ideas:

Beneath

The unknown

Secure
Seven
Below
Under the house
Chained

Host

Lock and key

7 (there were seven children)

7+1 (seven children + Elisabeth)

Father

Amstetten (the town name of the house)

The Tyrant of Amstetten (His nickname)

when we started to think of names and look at the information, we also had some inspiration about how we could go about making the opening scene. This is also some initial ideas about what we could do in the opening:

Initial thoughts of opening scene:

Architech drawings- When Fritzl extended the house, he also illigally extended the house more than was given permission. This is where he kept Elisabeth.

A child playing- This could be Elisabeth as a child?

Lullaby song tune/spooky- By having spooky music, it would keep the creepy feel to the movie.

Time lapse- We could do a time lapse of the outside world with day and night flashing to give an illusion of days passing.

A teddy- Having a teddy bear as a key character of the opening symbolising how young the children were and all the years that Elisabeth missed out on through childhood.

Opening a safe like door- This could be like the enterance to the chamber.

 Thats all thats been happening in the early stages of pre production, i'l keep posting every week to record whats happening!

I Am Legend analysis

Our task was to analyse a film opening of our choice and think about the way that the director has achieved different atmospheres. We tried a few film analysis' in class together, then we were set our own one to do. I thought about what film that I thought had a good and interesting opening to analyse and decided 'I Am Legend' had an interesting chase scene but without choosing something obvious to analyse such as romances and horrors because a lot of them are very similar. It took me about 20 watches and pauses of the video before i knew what i could write, and then I print-screened all the interesting scenes and began to analyse them.

Heres the final Analysis! :