Casting the voiceover

I have asked two people if they would be willing to speak in the voiceover who I feel fit the part. The character's voice needs to be deep because the character is mid 20s and I want my character to have a strong masculine presence because he is not on screen. I have asked people who's sounds close to this. The first person, who was closely to the age sounded good and dramatic but the character is coming from a working class background and has a rough voice. But the voiceover sounded more like upper class.

So I decided to use the other person his voice fit really well with the character. I was able to edit it the crackle and static of the radio straight after recording using the voice recording software, also I added a echo so it seems to be coming out a radio and isn't completely clear.

Filming Review

I felt overall filming went really well. I got most of all the shots I needed and I wasn't in a rush at any of my locations I feel like I tried to use a variety of camera angles while filming which really shows in my opening sequence. One thing that definitely helped was using the monopod; it meant I had a lot more flexibility and movement. Unfortunately at my first location the camcorder ran out of charge so I had to switch to my camera, this was not as easy to use as the camcorder but worked just as well. Also at one location I didn't have a monopod so my original footage was rather shaky but once I stabilized it the footage isn't any different.

Location 3

This location was an old RAF base, it had so old brick buildings which were perfect for another location. While editing I was able to mix these shots with the other footage from the other locations. There was a lot of rusted objects I was able to film like the wheelbarrow and milk bottles.

Props

I don't need many props for my opening location, apart from a radio all the other props I will find on location as they are part of the setting. It was important the radio looked old and used so I found one at home which had the glass screen missing and paint splashes on it so it fitted with the caravan setting.

I used a old car radio and bought a CB radio microphone online to use for on the main set. It was important it looks old a tatty because it's going to be in the close up of many shots and it needs to match it with the setting of a uncivilised world.

Location 2

Another location I used was this, its a old, left caravan surrounded by a lot of junk and a rubbish heap. The broken bath and sink was perfect for close up shots to show certain details. I also did some shots around the caravan. The inside of the caravan seemed pretty in tacked but obviously uninhabited. This is a perfect second location in my opening for the person receiving the broadcast and I filmed with the radio in the caravan. I can put some good distortion effects on these shots when editing.

Location 1

This was an old barn I found near a farm. I t was great because it was a big building which had many falling down outer building I could film. I was able to get a variety of shots from panning to close ups, zooms and point of view. The broken glass windows created a great shot as well as the falling side wall. I could get some good shots inside the buildings on top of the outside shots which was useful.

Location scout

 I went in search of locations for my opening sequence that had a abandoned, overgrown feel to them. I found this place along an old railway line of an unused bridge and a fallen down shed which was perfect to fill a few seconds of my opening. Its important in a post apocalyptic genre that a strong setting is established, so I will find more of these types of locations. The bridge is perfect to show how nature has taken over from man. On this shot I plan to edit in graffiti as if it has been written on the bridge.

Another location I looked at to possible use was the beach. Because its the winter and when the tide is out the boats left stranded on the sand can look old and rotten. However  I decided against using this because using too many different settings might seem confusing to the viewer and it would be hard to link this in with the other settings.

Voiceover - final draft

This is the final draft of the voiceover to go in my opening sequence. I 've used mainly short and sharp sentences to add effect and make it seem dramatic, I intend to have long pauses to create some tension. Also add some audio effects to make it seem like a radio broadcast.

*breathes out*

My name is Martin Johnson.

Two years today the first outbreak of the kilo-virus was recorded.

Since then death, destruction and chaos consumed out planet

Humanity, lost.

Civilisation, turned to rubble and ruin.

 

Those left believe God is cleansing the Earth, but instead of a flood he sent a killer virus,

Rather than building an ark, he granted us immunity. 

Some thank God for blessing their souls

Others cursed him for abducting their family and burning their worlds.

Every man now lives for himself, all alone

I won’t give up hope, our lives are meant for more than scavenging and death

 I believe we were spared for a purpose

We just have to find out what purpose

So I’m broadcasting this.  To any fellow immunes.

 

You are not alone.

Character

Name: Martin Johnson

Aged:  28

Profession: Police Officer in London

History: Dad was a commander in the army. Both parents died in a car accident when he was 5, was raised by his Aunt. Left School at 17 and joined the Police academy. Joined the police force at 20 is now an assistant chief Constable. Got Married last year.

Hobbies: Takes part in the London marathon every year. Does boxing and combat sports. Travels a lot with his wife. Has a passion for American muscle cars.

Current situation: Lost his Aunt during the virus outbreak, travelled around Britain alone though, bumped into several groups of people. Has returned to childhood town in hope of finding his wife.

Audience Research Feedback

From my audience research I received lots of positive feedback about my idea. They said that I was introducing a strong sense of setting and I was hinting at, but not giving away the storyline. However they did say that the introduction of a character is very important in an opening. This is why I decided to add the clip at the beginning where the characters hand and mouth are seen; I feel this will add a stronger presence to the character. They all agreed that post-apocalyptic fiction is aimed at a younger audience mainly teenagers, so I know my products aimed at the right section of the market. They also said they would expect to see action in a post-apocalyptic opening, which I haven't included in my opening but will definitely be in the rest of the film.

Research and developing my ideas

Looking at different post-apocalyptic short films and scenes to see how they have shown setting. This will help with my own film ideas and ideas about props and camera angles.

My ideas so far...

For my opening I have decided to do a post-apocalyptic style film. My idea is to have a radio broadcast which will be a voiceover in the opening. This voiceover is how I'm introducing my main character. On screen I'm having setting shots showing a derelict, abandoned objects and buildings to show the setting and hint at the storyline.

Location Scout

 I've been looking at locations which would suit with my plot synopsis, that I could use to introduce the setting in my opening. I want an abandoned, derelict and run down look, which this location seems to fit well. 

 

 

Inspiration for my Opening Sequence

This contains the main components that I want to include in my opening scene, the narration and setting is what I would like to recreate and I really like the mood and atmosphere which we feel due to the combination of the music and narration. The main character is introduced which I also intend to do but not a lot of the storyline or plot is given away.

Plot Synopsis

My plot idea is to have a future set film, in a fantasy world where there has been an event which has taken out most of the population. For the beginning I would like to do lots of establishing shots to get a strong sense of setting and then introduce the main character with either narration or a monologue.

Target Audience

A particular group at which a product such as a film or advertisement is aimed, normally separated by age so children and adults.

Comedy - would be aimed at probably teenagers or young adults if its films like American Pie or Step Brothers as they tend to contain adult humour and sexual references. However a film like grown ups are more aimed at family as the filmed is centred round several families.
Horror - Mainly horror films are aimed at teenagers. As above, so below and cabin in the woods use a complete cast of young adults which will definitely appeal to teenagers, also they are a group of friends which can be related to by teenagers who watch horror films with their mates.
Action - This is definitely family orientated films like the golden compass, Indiana Jones contain and variety of ages in their cast and have a lot going on to interest everyone, they are seen as typical movies you would watch as a family.
Drama - This can be a teenager and adult aimed genre, they tend to be more complicated and try to be parallel to life so are more relatable to an older audience. Drama can be based on relationships between characters so hard to understand by children.
Romance - Can be aim at young adults and mainly the female gender.
For my target audience I was thinking of a young audience of teenagers.
I'll attract my target audience by using young actors so they appeal to teenagers and using appropriate music.

Narration

Narration is a form of commentary that accompanies a movie clip or story.

Dark Comedy - Submarine uses narration at the start of the film, it really sets the mood and creates an atmosphere which is kept through the film. I t also gives us an incite into the main character.

Horror - This can use narration to set a scene in a horror, a detailed description can set a dark, tense scary mood that can be maintained by music.

Action - May use narration during a flashback scene to state times, day and location. The film Avatar uses narration for the beginning of the film, this is to set the mood of the scene which is very serious and essential to the rest of the film.

Romance - narration is normally used to explain a characters thoughts as if they are doing a monologue for example A to Z. Narration can also be used to explain the story to the viewer as done in summerhood a romcom which features a summer camp, narration is used all the way through to enhance the story and the boys feelings so its more funny, but also because it's aimed at a young audience.

I would consider using narration in my opening, as long as you can find the right voice and use it to create the right atmosphere to fit with the genre of my opening, I think narration is very effective.

Character Profile - Lara Croft

Lara Croft is an iconic because she is a strong independent female competing in a male dominated role. We she her as strong, a completely badass and very good looking making her an instance role model for the female sex. This is added to by the fact she defeats the villains and comes out on top. Lara is almost a female version of James Bond, she is just as confident and has the same cool  and strong presence. She is fearless and determined while remaining calm and composed, showing her female dominance surrounded by male characters. They make the narrative and storyline very unpredictable because she's a closed off character. She is unpredictable, mysterious and has high barriers so we don't learn much about her in the opening but eventually they breakdown as the film goes on.

Character Profile - James Bond

James Bond is an iconic character because he represents the high class British male and appeal to women as well as being a role model for men. He is presented almost as a God and made to be perfect he's fit, charming, confident and a womaniser this makes him a role model and an idol for men. He is the hero in the story who always defeats the villain and gets the girl. His excellent physique mixed with his confident charm makes him desirable to women and therefore likable. The villain is always presented in a bad light making James seem better and means most people forget his out of line behaviour. The way Bond is always with an elegant, sophisticated and strong woman can make him seem even more Godly and of high status. They add excitement a humour to the narrative by being able to charm the audience and being confident means his cheeky one liners have more impact. We discover the first layer of James Bond in the beginning, he is always introduced first and shown in the thick of action, doing what we expect. It's not until later on that see the true depth of his character.

Character Profile - Jack Sparrow

I don't think characters are important for the first 2 minutes of a film. Many films characters aren't introduced until later on and the first thing many films will focus on is introducing a setting. However an audience likes to follow a character through the film and the earlier they are introduced the better connection and understanding the audience have. If characters are introduced it is the beginning its very important how they are presented, as the audiences' first impression can effect their opinion of the character for the rest of the film.

Jack Sparrow is such a iconic character because he is able to connect to the audience, the humour, charm and lack of sense in the characters actions make him enjoyable to watch. Jack is very much alone through the films so empathy is created with the audience. He is unusual and mysterious on screen and very likeable as the protagonist of  the films.  His sense of humour in dealing with tricky and dangerous situations makes him a likeable and admirable character but also how he is with other characters he is often betrayed by them and isolated that it creates sympathy. As the main character the audience can build a bond with Jack and understand the depth of his character compared with other characters in the films. He reacts differently to certain characters with the female ones there's a flirty relationship, most characters use Jack for their own personal gain as Jack has his own purpose and aim making the other characters seem like the villains in the story. We learn a lot of about the character from the start and instantly like him as he grabs our interest.