Our Stop motion

We wanted to use a human-like figure when attempting our stop motion as it would allow us to shape the model into poses that could reflect that of a superhero. We did originally think about possibly using plasticine for our stop motion. We've used it before and know it has the capabilities to be transformed into a number of shapes and positions. In the end we decided against it we liked the look of the model we discovered through a friend. I'd never seen anything like it being used in stop motion before, and we wanted to be the first to use it within a film. The model it's self is made of wood and is constructed of 16 body parts (head, legs, arms and torso) that are connected together by smaller wooden parts which are carefully shaped to allow the model to moves it's limbs in movements that replicate actual human movement. 

To make the link between the model and superhero references we used an old one of Jack's socks to create a makeshift cape for the model. The idea with this was also to make it look like the model had crafted the cape himself through things he'd found in the bedroom. 

When carrying out the stop motion I found that using tape was vital to hold the model and the camera in position. If the camera or base of the model is moved at any time, the whole sequence has to begin again so as not to get any jittery movements when we combine all the shots together.

I took photographs of the small set we used before and after shooting, so that if we need to come back and shoot again, we would know exactly where everything was placed. This helps us reduce potential visual errors in the film.

My favourite pose was the 'superman flying' pose which looked quite effective with the cape.

Teaser Poster

Our teaser poster is something we wish to capture an audience's attention visually. We have achieved this by putting the photograph in greyscale, cutting out the background, and placing the photograph on a black background.

By changing the colour of John's eye we add a layer of mystery to the picture, as well as something that stands out to draw attention. Changing the eye colour to red transcends a feeling of power that couldn't be produced effectively if the eye colour wasn't edited. 

We decided to have the Film title along on the side of the poster running parallel with John's face. We tried having it horizontal but it made the text look cramped. Having the title vertical makes the poster look almost streamlined, and again is something different that isn't usually done. The release date features in the bottom right hand corner. We did consider adding the production company name, but again we thought this would make the poster look cramped. I believe teaser posters look best when they are as simple as possible; only releasing subtle hints to the audience about the nature of the film.   

Taking steps to gather potential actors

We have the actors to play John, Neville, and one of the council members, but we need three more actors between the ages of 30 and 60 to play the other council members. We need two men and one women. We wanted to find actors who were enthusiastic about acting, could do a job, and are of the right age and look for our characters. We have contacted an amateur acting group in Wymondham called Wymondham Players who perform productions in Wymondham. http://www.wymondhamplayers.org.uk/



I firstly called the group then exchanged email addresses to discuss the details in further detail.

Hi Alan, Patrick here. We spoke on the phone earlier about the possibility of using 3 of your actors for our A2 short film piece. Ideally we would like two men and one woman to play the parts. We're shooting Sunday 11th November at Tacolneston village hall. Flexibility could be a possibility, but that date is best for us and our other actors. Let us know whether you can help us.

Kind regards, Patrick and Jack

Alan's response to my email was encouraging as he seems keen to know as much about the production as possible. We exchanged a few more emails, and have talked a few times on the phone to better explain exactly what we want from each actor.

Hello Patrick

I assume you mean December!

As it’s a Sunday, I think we need to know the time commitment for the day – are we looking at an hour, two, four…?

And what time of the day please?

Are there scripts available in advance, and what about dress requirements?

Any more information you can let us have would be helpful.

Thanks

Alan Carpenter

Wymondham Players

Concept drawings - Gathering visual ideas

We have used concept drawings as a way to visualise the ideas we've gathered about the characters so far. They work really as they allow Jack and I to sit down, discuss and come up with how we want the characters to act, and most importantly how we want them to look.

The picture to the right is a simple silhouette. Oil pastel on black paper. This picture is of a particular shot that Jack and I have discussed and wish to include in our short film. The shot is of John, and displays him standing in front a window with the light shining behind him, creating a silhouette. This silhouette highlights his superhero-like pose (Large, broad, athletic). In doing this we aim to push the audience towards thinking that John is the Superhero/Vigilante the authorities are looking for.

When developing our ideas about how we wish to present Neville in our short film we had to consider what we want to the audience to think. Neville should be the last person the audience suspect to be the Vigilante, and therefore shouldn't have the stereotypical look of a superhero. Neville is a slim build; athletic, but not broad and muscular. We want Neville to be a figure of authority, so we decided to depict him as a businessman. He's strong minded and knows how to present himself. He gains respect from colleagues and fellow council members who recognise him as a professional who takes his job seriously. To convey some of Neville's personality into his costume I have drawn Neville in a suit with glasses and a briefcase. The tailored suit and smart shirt say a bit about his financial situation, and that he likes to look his best and professional whenever he's working. His glasses are a cover for his secret identity and his hair is neat and stylish.





This is the first drawing I did of John and clearly shows his broad muscular physique. He is seen in this drawing wearing a workman's overall. He works as a grounds and maintenance officer for the council, and is responsible for looking after council property, and in particular, the parish hall.


The drawings below are of two shots we had in our heads about the position of the council and Neville within the parish hall. They clearly show Neville as the head of the council and the voice of authority among  the council.

Finished Script

FADE IN;

INT. BEDROOM – DAY

Early morning. Curtains are closed. Lights are on. John is sitting on the computer, finishing a blog post. His room is plastered with superhero posters, newspaper articles and fan mail.

                        

He walks over to closet, grabs clothes, and dresses. Picks up action figure, plays with it, and places it back down on the table. Picks up the car keys next to it, and exits the room, shutting the door behind him. Lingers on action figure.

INT. COUNCIL HALL – DAY

Neville is the head of the town council. He stands at the head of a council table. He addresses his fellow town council members as they enter the room and take their seats. He waits until everyone has sat down, before taking his own seat.

NEVILLE

Welcome fellow council members

Neville queries local issues with council members, Each member has a meaningless and irrelevant issue and speak simultaneously, the volume in the room increases, and a ruckus occurs.

NEVILLE

So, does anyone have any prominent issues to discuss with the council today?

CM 1 (female)

I’ve got a few significant matters that I’d like to bring to the councils attention. Firstly, Mrs Stevenson on church lane insists on more oatmeal-baked cookies being made for the upcoming bake sale…

CM2 (male)

…I think there are more pressing matters to be discussed than home baked goods

CM3

Yeah, like housing development…there has been a rising number in unauthorised building activity, and this is against the law, and must be addressed. If I had to apply for planning permission for my conservatory, when the hell should people get away with building extensions on to the side of the house with absolutely no approval from the council!

CM4

No no no! The obvious issue is illegal parking. Am I the ONLY person in this town that is taking notice of this preposterous lack of respect for local authority?!

CM5

Housing development?! Illegal parking?! Are you serious? *laughs* Youth deviance!! Something all of us would agree is a problem at the moment, Mr Fletcher had his shop windowed smashed by yobs, houses all along Regent street have been vandalised or burgled. It’s all down to parenting! I can tell you that right now!

Silent Neville reaches under the table into his briefcase, pulls out a recent issue of the local newspaper, and throws it down the centre of the table. The council falls silent. Lingers on newspaper headline.

INT. BEDROOM – DAY

Lingers on the same newspaper issue that features in the council hall. Transition from newspaper to action figure on the opposite side of the room. Action figure twitches…

INT. COUNCIL HALL – DAY – CONTINUED

Council members are discussing prominent issue of superhero vigilante scandal.

CM1 (female)

I’ve heard he’s a government experiment that went wrong… very wrong.

CM4

Yeah.. That’s exactly what it is, he’s a government experiment.. *under his breath* stupid cow..

CM3

My mother used to say that if you poke a cow, and stroke a sheep twice in the same week, strange things be occurring.

Just sayin..

The rest of the council stare at CM3. Perplexed looks on their faces.

Neville as head of authority brings the council to order, to bring reasonable explanations to the council’s attention.

Neville

Enough of this pointless squabbling. We need to consider what we actually know before we make sweeping assumptions and wild theories. He’s obviously a youth who’s been reading a little too many comic books, and the thought of bringing his comics to life has resulted in these outlandish events.

John enters the council with mop or broom in hand. Dressed in an overall. He begins to sweep/mop as the council continues their discussion in the background.

INT. BEDROOM – DAY

Action figure replicates the movement of character 1 in the council hall. Action turns head towards corner of the room..

INT. COUNCIL HALL – DAY

John turns his head to face council in a movement that matches that of the action figure. Council continue to discuss specific details of supernatural events occurring in the town.

Focuses on John from behind, as he imitates a superhero like pose (chest pushed out, fists on hips). He appears as a silhouette against the backlight.

INT. BEDROOM – DAY

Superhero figure is in a flying pose. OR in a single arm gun show pose (arm up, and tensed, hand rotating from front to back).

INT. COUNCIL HALL – DAY

Council talking about the description of the vigilante/superhero. Neville describes a person that sounds very similar to what John looks like and a detailed profile of the vigilante’s height, statue, build, hair and facial features are put forward.

Neville

Police reports estimate him to be around 5ft 9” with Dark hair. From analysis of his crimes, police have also gathered that he is both fast and strong, and suggest he must have a large athletic build. 

Council fall silent yet again, and draw their attention towards John, as he continues to sweep. John becomes aware of the silence, stops sweeping, and looks up at his audience in a confused manner. Focus draws back to each council member as they each in turn convince themselves of the stupidity in their assumption.

CM3

He looks like a sheep stroker to me..

CM4

Nah forget that..

CM1

Can’t be.

CM2

Well I’ve got a 6’o clock doctor’s appointment. I hate to leave at this moment of supreme enlightenment, as we seem so close!

This causes the meeting to adjourn, with each member peeling away for other commitments, leaving John and Neville alone in the room.

John finishes his shift, and undoes his top button on his overall slightly revealing a suspicious looking garment beneath. He says farewell to Neville..

John

I’ll see you next Tuesday

..and heads for the door turning his back to Neville. Neville picks up on the unusual garment as he’s walking away and questions John on it.

Neville

What’s that beneath your overall..?

An awkward silence follows.. *sound effects – dramatic piano note.* John replies confidently.

John

Oh this? It’s my costume for tonight. Got a party straight after work. Going as the vigilante. I’m a huge fan.

Neville

Quite short for a superhero aren’t you? What are you? 5ft 9”?

John

Something like that..

John leaves, attention is brought back to Neville (facing the audience), who is packing his papers back into his briefcase, sat at the end of the table, closes his briefcase, slowly looks up, eyes flash red, and our superhero is revealed…

Rough Script

As a way of accumulating our thoughts and ideas on our short film together, we have written a rough script. The script does not contain any dialogue at the moment. It allows me to properly visualise what the story will be like, and is important because it enables us to think about the characters more, and therefore who to cast.

FADE IN;

INT. BEDROOM – DAY

Early morning. Curtains are closed. Lights are on. Character 1 is sitting on the computer, finishing a blog post. His room is plastered with superhero posters, newspaper articles and fan mail.

He walks over to closet, grabs clothes, and dresses. Picks up action figure, plays with it, and places it back down on the table. Picks up the car keys next to it, and exits the room, shutting the door behind him. Lingers on action figure.

INT. COUNCIL HALL – DAY

Neville is the head of the town council. He stands at the head of a council table. He addresses his fellow town council members as they enter the room and take their seats. He waits until everyone has sat down, before taking his own seat.

Neville queries local issues with council members, Each member has a meaningless and irrelevant issue and speak simultaneously, the volume in the room increases, and a ruckus occurs.

Silent Neville reaches under the table into his briefcase, pulls out a recent issue of the local newspaper, and throws it down the centre of the table. The council falls silent. Lingers on newspaper headline.

INT. BEDROOM – DAY

Lingers on the same newspaper issue that features in the council hall. Transition from newspaper to action figure on the opposite side of the room. Action figure twitches…

INT. COUNCIL HALL – DAY – CONTINUED

Council members are discussing prominent issue of superhero vigilante scandal. Neville as head of authority brings the council to order, to bring reasonable explanations to the council’s attention.

Character 1 enters the council with mop or broom in hand. Dressed in an overall. He begins to sweep/mop as the council continues their discussion in the background.

INT. BEDROOM – DAY

Action figure replicates the movement of character 1 in the council hall. Action turns head towards corner of the room..

INT. COUNCIL HALL – DAY

Character one turns his head to face council in a movement that matches that of the action figure. Council continue to discuss specific details of supernatural events occurring in the town.

Focuses on character 1 from behind, as he imitates a superhero like pose (chest pushed out, fists on hips). He appears as a silhouette against the backlight.

INT. BEDROOM – DAY

Superhero figure is in a flying pose. OR in a single arm gun show pose (arm up, and tensed, hand rotating from front to back).

INT. COUNCIL HALL – DAY

Council talking about the description of the vigilante/superhero. Neville describes a person that sounds very similar to what character 1 looks like and a detailed profile of the vigilante’s height, statue, build, hair and facial features are put forward

Council fall silent yet again, and draw their attention towards character 1, as he continues to sweep. Character 1 becomes aware of the silence, stops sweeping, and looks up at his audience in a confused manner. Focus draws back to each council member as they each in turn convince themselves of the stupidity in their assumption.

One of the council members breaks the silence by declaring he is late for his 12 o’clock doctor’s appointment (open to another excuse to leave, etc) and this causes the meeting to adjourn, with each member peeling away for other commitments, leaving character 1 and Neville alone in the room.

Character one finishes his shift, and undoes his top button on his overall slightly revealing a suspicious looking garment beneath his overall. He says farewell to Neville, and heads for the door turning his back to Neville. Neville picks up on the unusual garment as he’s walking away and questions Character 1 on it. An awkward silence follows.. *sound effects – dramatic piano note.* Character 1 replies confidently that it’s a fancy dress costume, and he’ll be going as the vigilante. He’s a massive fan. Neville replies with a witty phrase.

Character 1 leaves, attention is brought back to Neville (facing the audience), who is packing his papers back into his briefcase, sat at the end of the table, closes his briefcase, slowly looks up, eyes flash red, and our superhero is revealed…

Stop motion - Plasticine snake

After learning about different forms of animation, we decided to have a go at stop motion! Although the process took a lot of time (lots of patience needed), the effect does look great, and is definitely something I wish to incorporate in our piece. Because of it being so time consuming I am glad we have decided only to use stop motion for a small proportion of the short film. 

Short film - Mockumentary.

A mockumentary is a term used to describe documentary styled film portrayed in a comical way. An example of a feature film mockumentary would be Borat. If done well, doing a short film in a mockumentary style format, can be funny and interesting to watch.

As an example of a mockumentary used in short film, one of the best I've come across is 'The Crusader'. The film is seven minutes long, and is a documentary on a middle aged man called Lee Philips, who is in the process on suing Warner Bros for mis-interpretation. Lee believes he is Batman, and that Warner Bros based their character on his life. It is the perfect example of a mockumentary, as it's very funny and clever, whilst maintaining a documetary style format, with actors providing characters who are completely serious in their actions. This way of presenting a ridiculous idea in a very serious way (as a documentary) is what makes a mockumatary comical and entertaining to watch.

This style of short film is something I want to explore a little more. I did this by creating a very basic short film.  The idea of the film is a short and ridiculous one (something every mocumentary needs). The documentary is on the strange life of a boy at Wymondham high school, who has for many years, had an obsession with a chair. The obsession is so extreme that he takes it everywhere he goes. The documentary includes both scenes of Patrick partaking in activities with his chair, interviews with fellow students, and an interview with Patrick's teacher.

Initial Idea

We have decided we want to do a short film based around a superhero. This story is about weird happenings in a town that have been brought to the attention of the town council. The town council concludes that these supernatural disturbances are the work of a super-powered vigilante. The film opens with a shot of someone's room. The room is covered in posters, newspapers clippings and fan mail. We seem a computer on and the screen shows the blog of our mysterious vigilante. The owner of the room is the caretaker of the town hall (yet to be named so I shall refer to him as character 1 for now). the council will throughout the film discuss and attempt to formulate a profile of this superhero. During the film there will be indications pointing towards Character 1 being the superhero, and that working as a caretaker is his way of covering up his secret identity. The aim of the film is to completely convince the audience that Character 1 is the superhero, so that when the hero's actual identity is revealed.. the audience are surprised. This is the killer twist I hope to pull off!

Accumulating Ideas

To begin with Jack and I set out to do a standard interview. Interviewing one of us explaining what we plan to do with our idea. This developed into a short comedy. Admittedly it didn't end up being the long and detailed interview we were planning on originally, but it did give us the chance to experiment using camera angles that break the fourth wall. We did this in a manner similar to that used in shows such as 'peep show' and 'how not to live your life'. These two comedy shows were what we had in the back of our minds when we were shooting this piece. Using this style of filming enables the actor to directly communicate with the audience. This is something that works very well in a relaxed and comical show.

Peep Show

Mindmap - initial thoughts

Initial thoughts.

Having watched a few short films to gather ideas on the styes of short films, I have decided with my partner (Jack Gould), that a short film gives us the possibility to create a fantasy storyline without thoroughly explaining characters. Short film has the advantage of taking an interesting idea and displaying it to the audience in a way where setting, characters and the storyline don't have to be fully explained like you would do in a feature film. Not being prevented by these barriers allows short film directors and writers the opportunity to be more creative. This can include mixing up the narrative, doing something unpredictable,  or leaving the audience to fill in the gaps. This idea of doing something unpredictable and  leaving the audience still guessing at the end of the film is something that appeals to me, and something we wish to incorporate in our piece.

Difficulties with short film

Although short film allows for a greater variety of narratives and filming styles, it also comes with difficulties and limitations. What I believe to be the main difficulty with shooting a successful short film is not having the time to establish good characterisation. As I've said before, characterisation is the process of conveying a character through speech, thought or through the character's actions. Displaying a character's background and personality through speech and actions takes time and lots of dialogue. This is a luxury that is not available when shooting a short film. The minimal characterisation that is used in short film has to be basic, as anything detailed needs to time and multiple scenes to develop. This will be a problem when shooting my piece as well. With only 5 minutes, there is minimal time to establish characters, and so maybe I need to concentrate more on creating an interesting storyline than displaying good characterisation.

Short Film: in a nutshell

A short film is something that isn't considered long enough to be classed as a feature film. A short film is defined as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits". Short films have been around a lot longer than feature films. Partly to do with the time, money, and resources needed to produce a feature film. Short films lent themselves to early directors who wanted to experiement with different genres, narratives, camera angles and other effects. Short films are easier to make, don't have to conform to the structures of a feature film, and have the capabilities to do something that is unlike something that has been done before.