Task 2
Synopsis
In the opening we will see the main character Zara wake up and start her day, trapped in the house, which we would later learn is because she was behind at school and had been told off by her teachers and parents. And was being sent off to boarding school at the end of the summer. While attempting to do her work at her desk, she looks over at photos, memories from the Summer and other good times. We then see these memories come to life and see short sections of video for each of the photos that she looks at. As this is happening there is the diegetic sound of laughing, however little to no dialogue. Over the top there will be non-diegetic music, “Sweet Disposition” by The Temper Trap. After all of the memories take place Zara stands up, texts her friends and leaves the room in a hurry. The film continues with Zara and her friends trying to make even more memories and get into even more trouble before she goes off to school. However, in the end her parents don’t force her to go as she promises to work hard at school.
Idea Generation
I began thinking of my ideas by mind mapping the conventions of the teen genre and using these to create ideas that would make the film opening scene instantly recognisable as a teen film. I thought of multiple ideas and combined them to create the story that I have.
Locations
Location one – My bedroom
This is where the character is presently. The features of the room such as the bed and furniture will establish that this is where the character lives. The room will be somewhat messy, implying that the character is not a perfect and organised person. And could also show that that they are bored and unhappy. There is lots of natural light in this room, which matches the lighting that I wanted in this scene as the sunlight coming in from the window could show happiness outside, whereas the character is bored and unhappy inside. This setting is suitable as it would be easy for the actor to come to as they do not live far away. This means that if any shots need to be retaken it would be simpler as they are not far away, and the scene wouldn’t be difficult to recreate. The opening setting of a teen’s bedroom is heavily linked to the teen genre, so it would make the audience assume that this is a teen film opening. Little of the bedroom itself would be shown as most of the focus would be on the character, using close ups and mid shots. There will be little diegetic sound however the microphone will work clearly as there is no wind our other noises. There won’t be any clear risks of filming here as filming cannot be denied and there will be no disruptions in filming.
Limitations of filming in this location could include the lighting, as I want to use natural lighting for these shots. However, this lighting is dependent on the weather, so it must be filmed on a bright and sunny day, around midday, when the sun and lighting are strongest.
Location two – UEA lake
This location is close to my house and is not too far from the actor’s houses, making it suitable in terms of accessibility for the actors. There are open areas of grass which will be good for filming is there is a lot of space. The architecture will be shown using wide shots and will help establish a urban and contemporary feel, which is a convention of teen films. The lake itself will make an interesting backdrop and will reflect the natural light, which will look effective. The location is also known as an area where there are lots of young people and teenagers, which will add to the idea that it is a teen film.
Some issues that may occur when filming here may include the sound of the wind which will muffle the audio. This can be minimised by filming on a day when there is no wind and by layering non-diegetic sound over the top. There may also be other people there, so when filming we must choose a location where it is quieter and is not too close to other people. We must also be careful to be safe when filming close to the lake.
Location three – Norwich cathedral
Norwich cathedral provides a more grand and impressive setting for the opening of the film, due to its extravagant architecture. This contrast in locations could suggest to the audience that the characters go to lots of different places, emphasising that they, especially Zara, are adventurous and love to travel. Despite the shots here being short in length, wide shots can be used to show the location, as well as the characters. Filming here will be on a bright, sunny day so the colours are bright, such as the green grass and blue sky. This will mean that they stand out more from the grey and brown of the cathedral, making a more visually interesting shot. The bright colours also show the happiness felt there and the good weather lifts the mood. The arches around the cathedral will make some interesting shots such as the one above. This will make it stand out more from the other shots.
While filming here we must be respectful and aware that it is a religious building. This also means that we must have permission to film here. We must also make sure to keep our distance from other members of the public so that we don’t disturb them and so they don’t affect the shots or audio of this sequence.
Location four – Winterton beach
Here, wide shots will be used to show the setting as well as mid shots and over the shoulder shots to show Zara and her friends. This will be a suitable location as it is closer than many other beaches and is less busy, which may mean that there will be less disruption while filming the shots and there would be less noisy than other, more busy beaches. The beach location fits with the carefree theme of the characters and is heavily linked to summer, which is what the scene is trying to achieve. Here, the lighting will be bright, which will provide a good source of natural light for the lighting of the scene.
Issues that may occur while filming in this location include disruption, which includes noise from members of the public that I don’t want to have in the scene. If we go on a sunny day, which we will need to, it may be busier so there could be issues with finding an area of the beach where there aren’t other people. Other issues may include noise from the wind in the microphone, however this is less of a problem as the scene will mostly have non-diegetic music playing. It could also cause some issues if the actors aren’t all able to come.
Location five – my garden
Similarly to the location of my bedroom, this is a suitable place for filming as it is easily accessible to me and the actors, and it will also be easy to retake shots is necessary. This will also be easier to film in than some of the other public areas as it will not be affected by other people as it is not a public place. This means that filming is more likely to go smoothly. Throughout the whole day, my garden gets direct sunlight, and in the evening the sun sets opposite it, which will be suitable for this sequence as I will film in more low light conditions, with warm, natural lighting. This will show that the sun is setting.
Difficulties filming here may include the noise of the wind in the microphone of the camera. This can be resolved by filming on a day when there is little wind to disrupt the audio. The audio of these sequences will also not be very prominent, as there will be non-diegetic music playing over the top. There could also be difficulties with the lighting as it can be hard to film in the evening, with less natural light and it can compromise the quality of the shot. To avoid this, it could be filmed in the early evening while it is still light enough to be clear on camera, but dark enough to have the same atmosphere.
Character Profiles
Zara
Zara is aged between 16 and 18 years old and represents a normal teenage girl. She is a very social person, thriving and feeling most comfortable around her close-knit group of friends. She is not much of an academic and often finds herself getting bored and not paying attention when in school, which lands her in some trouble. Her fun-loving personality and love for the outdoors means that she is never in the house, and instead, is always out with her friends, having an adventure somewhere new, enjoying their teenage years. However, this side of her personality also means that she is known for being mischievous and sometimes causes trouble with her friends. After her recent phone call home from one of Zara’s angry teachers, she has been confined to the four walls of her bedroom until she completes her work, which to her is like torture. After continuously trying to stay concentrated, she finds herself daydreaming and wishing she could be out in the sun outside, where she craves to be as she is an adventurous and extroverted character. Through a series of flashback shots, we see her, with her friends and enjoying the summer, as she thinks that teenagers should be.
Zara’s friends
Liv
Liv is the same age as Zara and is the most similar to her as she is more mischievous and adventurous. She helps Zara in causing trouble and is also less academic, like Zara. Unlike the others, she is more focused on her looks and likes to wear more makeup and dress up more. She likes having fun and organises and finds new places for the group to explore. She enjoys partying and is always the life of the party, due to her being confident, popular and very extroverted. Although the whole group is very close, she is Zara’s best friend due to them being most similar.
Megan
Megan is also aged between 16 and 18 and is a student at school. She is a creative character, who is very artistic and fun. She is also adventurous and enjoys being outside and takes part in activities such as camping and is also very sporty. Her style is very comfortable and casual but is always stylish.
Fleur
Also aged 16-18, Fleur’s character is a little more reserved than Zara and is a little more introverted, however she still enjoys socialising a lot and being outside with her friends, having fun. Also, unlike Zara, she is more academic and focuses more on school and her education, while still finding time to have a good social life.
Casting Justifications
Zara - Poppy Walker
I have cast Poppy as Zara as she takes drama and is confident in front of the camera. Her personality also somewhat matches the character as she is extroverted and confident. She also doesn’t live too far away so is able to travel to the different locations of filming.
Liv - Amy Moses
I have cast Amy as Liv as she is already close friends with Poppy, matching their characters. This will mean that the scene will seem more natural, and they will feel more comfortable while acting. I am also close friends with Amy, and she doesn’t live too far away, so she will be able to travel to the different locations of filming. Amy’s personality somewhat matches that of the character of Liv, so the scene will come across as more natural.
Megan - Lucy Curtis
I have cast Lucy as Megan as she is confident in front of the camera as she takes drama and is an outgoing person. She also lives very close to me so would be able to film easily and it would be easy if we needed to redo any shots. Her personality also matches the character of Megan.
Fleur - Esme Greenwood
I have cast Esme as Fleur as, like the character of Fleur, she is a little bit more reserved that the others, however is still comfortable on camera. I also see Esme a lot as she lives not too far away so this would make filming easier.
Props List
Photos
These are important as they are what trigger the flashbacks. They create a sense of sadness for the character as they are missing this time however they also make her happy as they were good memories. These flashback memories cause her to get up and leave, determined to see her friends, despite her being in trouble for her schoolwork.
Camping chairs
These chairs are associated with being outside and having them could show that they are often outside, and they are comfortable outside.
Marshmallows
Roasting marshmallows is a stereotypical thing for camping and being outdoors, showing that they are normal teenagers. It could also show that this is something that they often take part in and are often outside. The inclusion of the sweets could show that they are still quite young though.
Alcoholic drinks
The inclusion of alcohol bottles in places such as the UEA lake could be used to show that they are having fun and are like regular teenagers.
Phones
This establishes that it is a contemporary film as there is new and modern technology. Phones and social media are also things that many associate with teenagers, further showing that it is a teen film.
Homework/stationary
This provides a contrast to the fun activities and still shows that she is a normal teenager in school. It will be messy, with some scrunched up to show that she is not organised and could be finding it difficult.
Costume List
Pyjamas/loungewear
These shows show that she is comfortable in this initial location, so we assume that it is her house. It could also show that she doesn’t focus on her looks and always dressing up but instead wants to feel comfortable.
Casual clothing for all of the characters
When we see Zara and the other characters in the flashbacks, they are wearing casual clothing, presenting them as normal teenagers. It also shows that they are out to have fun and to socialise rather than to dress up nicely and go out. This also shows that they want to be comfortable.
Storyboard
Script
Bedroom – Current day - Morning
Following her alarm clock going off, Zara wakes up slowly, yawning and still looking tired. The room in somewhat messy and rather dark, due to the curtains being closed.
She brushes her teeth, still looking tired and continues to get ready for the day, brushing her hair and doing her makeup.
She opens the curtains, making the room brighter.
She places a bowl of cereal on the table and eats it.
Slowly, she walks past the wall in her pyjamas and then continues walking after changing costume, this time more lively and upbeat.
Looking rather frustrated she pulls out the chair at her desk and sits down, sighing.
A downwards view on the desk shows her rearranging her already organised stationary, procrastinating beginning her work. Her facial expression grows more bored and upset.
Another downwards view on the desk shows her doodling on the paper, still not doing any work. Focusing on the bin, many scrunched up pieces of paper are thrown in it.
Zara looks even more frustrated and bored, turning her head towards the wall of photos beside her, looking at one in specific of her and her friends laughing in her bedroom.
Bedroom – One year before – Evening
Zara, Liv, Megan and Fleur all laugh, clearly having fun as they sit on Zara’s bed with drinks in their hands.
Bedroom – Current day - Morning
Zara focuses her attention on another photo.
Winterton Beach – One year before – Evening
Zara, Liv, Megan and Fleur are laughing on the beach, paddling their feet in the cold water, shivering due to the cold weather.
Bedroom – Current day - Morning
Yet again, Zara focuses on a different photo.
UEA lake – One year before – Midday
Zara, Liv, Megan and Fleur laugh and dance beside the lake as a speaker plays music loudly (not audible).
Bedroom – Current day - Morning
She looks again at the photos on the wall and looks at another one.
Norwich Cathedral– One year before – Midday
Zara and her friends sit on a picnic blanket, chatting and taking photos.
Bedroom – Current day - Morning
Once more, she looks at another photograph.
Garden – One year before - Night time
Zara, Liv, Megan and Fleur all smile, cheersing drinks before sitting them while sat in camping chairs in front of a warming fire, illuminating them in the dark night.
Bedroom – Current day - Morning
Zara looks out of the window, where the memory took place, looking longingly as she reminisces on the good times.
She grabs her phone eagerly, texting her friends to meet her quickly, before she hastily stands up, leaving her school work behind her. She picks up her keys and swiftly leaves the room, slamming the door behind her.
Filming Diary
I will film in the early springtime as it allows for the bright, summer-like conditions such as it being sunny, with blue skies. This also means that it will not be filmed too late. Many of the shots rely on strong, natural light so it will need to be shot on days when it is sunny. This will create a bright and uplifting feel to the film. Filming must also adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines.
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