Our Film ‘A pebble love story’ is a tragedy about, well, pebbles. The basic Idea was to have a stop motion animation where we used googly eyes and marker pens on pebbles to effect emotion on the pebbles. My particular inspiration for this came from a picture where people had put faces on fruit and made a story out of them, the way this was done made it very emotive and I thought If we followed a similar tack we would be fairly successful in our aims.
However the actualities of filming were very different. We had very limited equipment as there were no tripods available in the hub and all the best cameras had been taken. Also trying to hold a camera steady in the wind is a tricky thing to so it’s not quite stop motion. Also we couldn’t use markers to draw faces on as it would not have been logistically possible since for the most part it was raining....
The actual filming took place on location at a beach and it was freezing cold and also very windy. This made sound recording hard since the wind distorted the sounds and they are nowhere near as crisp as we would have liked. The pebbles ‘voices’ however were recorded later and sound much better.
We had the idea of making little squeaky kind of noises to add to the comedic effect of the piece, as without the humour it is fairly sad. The ‘voice’ noises worked in achieving a comedic effect I feel and in particular made the ‘pebble sex’ scene funnier. Originally we were toying with the idea of having sounds of pebbles hitting one another or making some form of cheesy 80’s porno sound track for it but I think what we went with was funnier.
It’s not as good as I would have hoped and next time I would like to have had better and more equipment. It would have been nicer with a warmer place to film but the location and the weather add so much to the film I feel as the grey and cold looking beach adds to the sombre tone that we wished to create.
Thursday 17 December 2009
Wednesday 2 December 2009
MEDI 118 (Critical Evaluation)
Critical Evaluation:
My Film is an adventure film that explores fantasy and reality from the views of a role player. It is light hearted and playful with the switch between character and person. It focuses centrally around one battle and in specific an interaction between two friends.
The storyboard is not as complete as I would have liked it to be because I couldn’t find photos to fit all the scenes. I used this method originally to compensate for the fact that I feel I am bad at drawing. However I think given the end result of this method I may try and improve my sketching for the next story board I work on. Also maybe I shall experiment with different techniques so that I have a wider range of story boarding options. Alternatively I would try and organise a photo shoot but since this is such a complex film storyboarding it for anyone without a considerable amount of sketching skill would be hard.
The Script I am quite happy with and although it had its teething problems it eventually worked out ok. I feel I have found a style that is comfortable for me and easy to understand. I feel that I have covered and conveyed the story successfully by this and that the story board only adds a feel for the colour of the film and not the description or action.
Considering I’m more practised with storyboards than scripts I am a little surprised at how this turned out. However I feel it was valuable to experiment with the technique I used for story boarding since it has let me explore new ways of approaching it.
My idea hasn’t been inspired by anything other than LARPing or Live Action Role Play itself, which I think is a plus point as this makes for a somewhat original movie. I am pleased with the overall idea of it however given more time I would have expanded on the ‘it wasn’t really real’ theme and maybe have polished or rounded it off a little better, perhaps even developing it further.
I have consistently developed my story up to a script level and the end result is I think a true reflection of the story but has been made a little more interesting. Given more time I feel I would have fleshed out the plot perhaps a little better and also expanded upon the story taking it farther than one encounter.
I have included character descriptions in the script as I felt it would make the script as a whole easier to follow, having already been given a background on the characters, also I feel it helps set the scene and to the readers ability to picture the battle knowing what people are dressed like and armed with.
The actual use of pictures from the events in the storyboard I think helps as it is showing you what it looks like there and would help the costume and location be replicated. I would maybe next time for the models use actors and that way ensuring that I get the facial expressions I want.
I have enjoyed this project but would have liked more time to explore different techniques and methods.
My Film is an adventure film that explores fantasy and reality from the views of a role player. It is light hearted and playful with the switch between character and person. It focuses centrally around one battle and in specific an interaction between two friends.
The storyboard is not as complete as I would have liked it to be because I couldn’t find photos to fit all the scenes. I used this method originally to compensate for the fact that I feel I am bad at drawing. However I think given the end result of this method I may try and improve my sketching for the next story board I work on. Also maybe I shall experiment with different techniques so that I have a wider range of story boarding options. Alternatively I would try and organise a photo shoot but since this is such a complex film storyboarding it for anyone without a considerable amount of sketching skill would be hard.
The Script I am quite happy with and although it had its teething problems it eventually worked out ok. I feel I have found a style that is comfortable for me and easy to understand. I feel that I have covered and conveyed the story successfully by this and that the story board only adds a feel for the colour of the film and not the description or action.
Considering I’m more practised with storyboards than scripts I am a little surprised at how this turned out. However I feel it was valuable to experiment with the technique I used for story boarding since it has let me explore new ways of approaching it.
My idea hasn’t been inspired by anything other than LARPing or Live Action Role Play itself, which I think is a plus point as this makes for a somewhat original movie. I am pleased with the overall idea of it however given more time I would have expanded on the ‘it wasn’t really real’ theme and maybe have polished or rounded it off a little better, perhaps even developing it further.
I have consistently developed my story up to a script level and the end result is I think a true reflection of the story but has been made a little more interesting. Given more time I feel I would have fleshed out the plot perhaps a little better and also expanded upon the story taking it farther than one encounter.
I have included character descriptions in the script as I felt it would make the script as a whole easier to follow, having already been given a background on the characters, also I feel it helps set the scene and to the readers ability to picture the battle knowing what people are dressed like and armed with.
The actual use of pictures from the events in the storyboard I think helps as it is showing you what it looks like there and would help the costume and location be replicated. I would maybe next time for the models use actors and that way ensuring that I get the facial expressions I want.
I have enjoyed this project but would have liked more time to explore different techniques and methods.
MEDI 127 (Ideas for the film)
Tuesday 1 December 2009
MEDI 118 (Script)
Script:
Characters:
WIDE FIELD – Midday
Opens to a mass of people, focus is on main character fighting her way through the battle dodging to not be hit.
The music of an epic and fantasy-style nature and is also fairly fast paced to match the battle there is also the woodland and battle sounds.
Main character is of a larger than average build yet seems to notice the physical exertion of her running. She is absorbed and concentration on what she is doing intently.
She is searching for something.
The camera dips violently to match her as it pulls back up with her dragging a man in a tartan kilt up off the ground.
She gets the man to his feet and places her hand on his chest and chants as she drags him back.
She chants this around four times.
Once they are out of the battle a little way she stops and he gets to his feet; thanks her and heads back into the battle.
Close up of her face with an expression of slight sadness and guilt.
Music softens and calms yet retains a fantasy feel.
Panning shot from her POV of vast rolling green fields broken here and there by trees and also a lake in the distance.
You can hear her sigh in a contented manner but then the camera snaps back to look at the battle and again panning shot in her POV.
Eric walks up panting and puffing.
He flops his left arm at her to further show her it’s broken. Dangling it like it’s jelly.
The girl walks up to and places her hand on him mumbling a few words and then nods.
She has a look of extreme guilt and shrugs when she says this.
However she then picks up a booklet looking thing from around her neck and opens it to show him two blue cards and a load of others ripped halfway up.
He nods with an understanding expression.
She looks for a moment at his two handed axe and frowns.
She wiggles her left hip towards him where the stick in a leather holder. He does so.
He looks shocked when she very quickly unsheathes both short swords faster than he could react too.
The fantasy music stops and all you can hear is the actual sound around them.
She sticks her finger in the air and he follows suit. She leans in and speaks very softly.
They then put their fingers down and each nod and dart into the battle in separate directions.
Music starts again.
Close up of her face smiling.
Wobbles into a campfire at night, in a dream sequence manner.
Fionn is singing round a campfire and drinking. Many others round it.
The music now is her singing and the popping of the fire, talking of people around it and forest night sounds.
Ends on a mid shot of the fire.
Characters:
FIONN/GIRL
Plump and short, dressed in a fur vest top and baggy trouser/shorts with red tartan sash at waist, armed with a long stick.
ERIC
Skinny and tall, dressed in green tartan kilt and white top with sleeves ripped off. He is armed with a two handed axe and a pair of short swords.
MAN
Fairly average build and height, dressed in a blue tartan kilt and a black top. He is armed with a sword.
Plump and short, dressed in a fur vest top and baggy trouser/shorts with red tartan sash at waist, armed with a long stick.
ERIC
Skinny and tall, dressed in green tartan kilt and white top with sleeves ripped off. He is armed with a two handed axe and a pair of short swords.
MAN
Fairly average build and height, dressed in a blue tartan kilt and a black top. He is armed with a sword.
WIDE FIELD – Midday
Opens to a mass of people, focus is on main character fighting her way through the battle dodging to not be hit.
The music of an epic and fantasy-style nature and is also fairly fast paced to match the battle there is also the woodland and battle sounds.
Main character is of a larger than average build yet seems to notice the physical exertion of her running. She is absorbed and concentration on what she is doing intently.
She is searching for something.
The camera dips violently to match her as it pulls back up with her dragging a man in a tartan kilt up off the ground.
She gets the man to his feet and places her hand on his chest and chants as she drags him back.
FIONN
By the grace of Bronwyn I cure your wounds
By the grace of Bronwyn I cure your wounds
She chants this around four times.
Once they are out of the battle a little way she stops and he gets to his feet; thanks her and heads back into the battle.
Close up of her face with an expression of slight sadness and guilt.
Music softens and calms yet retains a fantasy feel.
Panning shot from her POV of vast rolling green fields broken here and there by trees and also a lake in the distance.
You can hear her sigh in a contented manner but then the camera snaps back to look at the battle and again panning shot in her POV.
Eric walks up panting and puffing.
ERIC
I think you better look at this Fionn, it feels broken
I think you better look at this Fionn, it feels broken
He flops his left arm at her to further show her it’s broken. Dangling it like it’s jelly.
The girl walks up to and places her hand on him mumbling a few words and then nods.
FIONN
Sorry Eric... All healers low on power have been given the order to save it for fatal wounds... I only really have about two shots left.
Sorry Eric... All healers low on power have been given the order to save it for fatal wounds... I only really have about two shots left.
She has a look of extreme guilt and shrugs when she says this.
However she then picks up a booklet looking thing from around her neck and opens it to show him two blue cards and a load of others ripped halfway up.
He nods with an understanding expression.
She looks for a moment at his two handed axe and frowns.
FIONN
Your arms broken so you can’t use it. Take my stick and I will swap you your short swords, you can have more range that way.
Your arms broken so you can’t use it. Take my stick and I will swap you your short swords, you can have more range that way.
She wiggles her left hip towards him where the stick in a leather holder. He does so.
He looks shocked when she very quickly unsheathes both short swords faster than he could react too.
The fantasy music stops and all you can hear is the actual sound around them.
She sticks her finger in the air and he follows suit. She leans in and speaks very softly.
FIONN
I’m really bored and I want to hit go hit things, Fionn has had enough she can be angry now she’s not much use as a healer anymore.
I’m really bored and I want to hit go hit things, Fionn has had enough she can be angry now she’s not much use as a healer anymore.
They then put their fingers down and each nod and dart into the battle in separate directions.
Music starts again.
Close up of her face smiling.
Wobbles into a campfire at night, in a dream sequence manner.
Fionn is singing round a campfire and drinking. Many others round it.
The music now is her singing and the popping of the fire, talking of people around it and forest night sounds.
Ends on a mid shot of the fire.
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