MEST2: Print Brief - Research Planning and Sketching

Research

1) Key conventions. Look over the magazine cover key conventions notes sheet and ensure you can confidently identify the key aspects that are found on a magazine cover.
2) Write an analysis of this BFI Film Festival programme front cover. How many of the 12 key conventions of magazine covers can you see? In what way does this print product differ from a traditional magazine cover? How have the designers made this programme visually interesting?

BFI London Film Festival front cover.

3) Find at least 5 arts centre or cinema programmes/brochures aimed at a similar target audience to your project (arthouse cinema). For each one, pick out one design idea that you could use in your own print work.
4) Find at least 5 contents pages from arts programmes or magazines. How are contents pages designed? How do they use a combination of text and images to create an effective design?

2. For the BFI Film Festival Programme front cover has many key conventions of magazine covers that are matched with many other magazine covers, the key conventions that they have used in this magazine is the title of the publication, this key convention compliments the rest of the magazine techniques and allows the audiences to get a hint of what the magazine can be about. The magazine also includes convention like the logo, this is an important convention as it allows the audiences to know which company has published/made this article. Effectively the central image is used in between the title of the magazine, this allows the magazine to be different from the others and allows the magazine to stand out from the others simply because of their layout of the design, as the full image can not be seen, it still meets the requirements of the colour scheme that has shown throughout the magazine, this something that allows the audiences to want to read and pay attention to the article it self, hence why the colours of the blue, red and orange - the consistency gives the clean and professional look that allows the magazine to attract and meet the standards of the company itself. Something else that is typical to have within the magazine in a cover is the date, this key convention is something that is typical to have, just so then the audience are aware of when the magazine was given and maybe in this case of how long the BFI london Film Festival would last for. 

3. 

- The use of the central being the main attention, but smaller pictures at the side to let the audience know what else is involved in the magazine. 

- Logo at the left corner 

  - colour scheme 

  - Collage of the different images behind the central image. 

  - smaller text at the bottom 

  - in some way the colours seems to fit to each other - used sensibly

 - use of words within the central image 

 - Black and white colour scheme 

 - Texture that is along with the images

 - simplicity 

 - the use of the texture/heading

 - landscape theme. 

 - consistent use of the layout 

 - images along the side. 

- central images takes up most of the front cover 
- Writing on the bottom of the page. 












4. The content pages:

The use of the content pages have the images in the centre of the images in mini boxes and the actual text of the pages are set to the right side. 
Consistent use of colour. 
- font. 

- images overlapping the double page spread
 - black and white theme just for images 
- landscape style. 

- centre image of the person not shown 
 - text are smaller and similar sizes - use of the bold in the 'topics'
- smaller text at the bottom of the page with a promotion sign at the bottom. 

- images that could be inside the actual article 
- page numbers are within the shape of the stars 
-  use of other information added into the content pages
- different fonts - importance to the information they are addressing. 

- use of the colour scheme: compliments the article itself along with the font writing.
- use of colour for the different numbers and the text 
- set of images lined at the bottom of the page. 
- one image is bigger than others whilst other are in boxes. 
- images gives the audiences an insight to what it could be involved in the article. 








Planning and sketching

1) Create a spider diagram or bullet point list of all the things your target audience might be interested in. How can you use this information to create a main feature about your film that will appeal to your target audience?
- celebrities 
- latests movies 
- gamings 
- Latests technology 
- TV shows gossips. 

With the listings I have said above could be something that may appeal and be in the interests of the target audience, i would try to use this information by mentioning them as side information either on the double page spread or the side of the content page - on whichever page it will be on - its going to be at the side of the image because it can be something that acts like a little note or information the audience can have a glance or a read at before turning the page. 

2) Produce an A5 sketch of your front cover including the key conventions and design tricks you have studied in existing programmes and then planned in planning task 1 above.

3) Produce an A4 sketch of your double-page spread contents page. In terms of the text for your contents page, you will need to find out the names of the films of other groups in your class. The other films in the class will make up the rest of your contents page.

4) Create a spider diagram or bullet point list of ideas for your double-page spread feature. Write a list of potential headlines and sub-headings for the article you choose to go with.
- quotes from either the production itself that have been used or from the text. 
- how the production went - the process
- the deeper meaning of the movie - what made us choose the topic that we did
- my understanding/interpretation of the production. 

5) Produce an A4 landscape sketch of your double page spread design now you have chosen the subject matter.
                                    

MEST2: Print brief - Photoshoot

Photoshoot

1) Which of your main characters will appear on the front cover of your programme?

2) What image or images do you need for the contents page?

3) What image or images will you use for the double-page spread?

4) Write a shot list for the photoshoot. Make sure you plan a variety of camera shots you will look to capture - medium shots, close-ups etc.

5) What costume, props or make-up will you require for the photoshoot?

6) How will you make sure you have everything prepared for the photoshoot on Wednesday 20 January?


1. The main protagonist: Katie 

2. The images that I would have or i am thinking to have are: 
   -  Katie having her back against the camera, slightly out of forced with a spotlight shinning towards her.
   - Katie looking straight in to the camera with a slight pose
   - Katie facing on her side 
   - Having Katie at far distant into the shoot. 

3. having Katie at far distance into the shoot 
    close up shot of Katie looking directly at the camera
    Katies shadow sitting side ways/ darker shadow. 
    Flowers in Katies hair and she's looking straight into the camera

5. - Long shot of Katie in the distance
    - medium close up shot of Katies' back against the camera 
    -close up shot of Katie concentrated face but calm 
    - medium close up of Katie's face 
    - low angled shot of Katie pushing her hands to towards the camera so the face can't be seen 
    - medium close up of katie sitting side wise whilst looking away from the camera 
    - close up shot of Katie looking into the camera whilst she has flowers in her hair.  6. 
   Black eyeliner 
   Red lipstick 
   Mascara 
   grey hoodie
   booties / converses 
   bracelets? 
   lose open hair 

Pre-Production

Project Schedule & Mise-en-Scene: 

The script: 

The shot list: 

The Storyboard:

 

Feedback/ Targets for Pre-Production

- Update script 
- Update storyboard 
- Update shot-list
- Upload everything on the blogs
- Mise-en-scene - take own shots

Audience research focus group

The focus group involved each groups to present their idea towards the class as the audience were the target market we were all focusing on. During the presentation of presenting our ideas towards our target audience we received feedback from both the audience and teacher. Within the group that i am working with, we had to present our 30 minute narrative that we thought of as well as the 3 minutes we are going to shoot, furthermore we had to share our film pitch, which involved things like the title of the production, tagline, characters, target audience, genre and what's the main reason behind our production thought. 

When pitching to our focus group, we received great feedback that allowed us made changes and help us think of a tagline as we had two and weren't sure which one to pick, the focus group helped us choose and make the final choice of having the tagline as 'shh, all the voices in my head need to stop' as one of our peers had said "yeah I think the voices in my head is a better tagline than the other one"; which was I've always loved falling, even if that means in and out of love, using our focus group feedback we decided that we made changes according to the feedback we received as it would be for the better and can be suitable to the audience we are targeting for our production. 

Key quotes that i gathered from the focus group were from both peers and teacher both good things that they liked from our pitch but also things that we need to look out for as well as enhance; things like acting or some of the ideas that could be included more. One of the things as a group that we need to look out for is making our 3 minute, "providing a little bit of it to give a bit of a recap of what has been done before the 3 minute extract, without making it patronising it to the audience" - this was a key advise that we received in my point of view as we would try to give give the audience hints what had happened before the 3 minute is small shots. As our 3 minute is "3rd act, final act known as a denouement which means to unravel of the plot like the most structure of movies particularly thrillers" through this feedback given, we need to make sure that we don't leave enigma codes and confession that the audience may have through the narrative we had said before the 3 minutes they are going to be watching. In addition, another feedback/advise we received is "communicate the illness - jump cuts would work well.. having a contrast of sound and colour would need to have a balance" through this feedback, we would try to include the different techniques to make our production as realistic and professional to make our audience also engaged and connect with the plot, as it something import that we do. We were given advise to look at "dream sequences, research their camera work" due to this feedback, we can look at this as a group and see what camera works we can put in our production to make it look profession and fit the purpose of our production. 

We also received good feedback which was the plot "fits the art-house audience and it is something that teenagers, as this would be something that they audience would be interested in this production - 16 to 18 years old is a period of time where they have the worst illness" this feedback made us a group confident with our narrative and the plot idea as it did fit the art-house brief. Furthermore, we also received feedback towards the idea of our main character having schizophrenia, which was "as there are negative stereotypes - challenge this in your production; do it creatively" receiving this feedback, we would try to see how we can challenge this stereotype and not reinforce the stereotype in our production as well as give awareness to our audience.  

One of the key feedback we got from one of our peers was that "you guys would need good acting skills" to have a good production, the key is to have good actors, and to make sure we are taking this feedback on board, we will go see the head of drama, and ask him advise to how he thinks our actors should act and what is going to be a good way of the actors to act good - any specific techniques. Another great feedback that we received was - "emotional power, a lot of emotional intensity needs to used" this feedback can help us develop and make sure that our 3 minute of the plot reinforces the emotional impact on the audiences and the actors can really show that towards them. 

Regarding target audience, we had told our focus group that our targeted audience is going to be teenagers from 16+, the focus group had agreed that this is appropriate to start our audience from there as they would be at a age where they can truly understand the plot and the concept of it. Furthermore as I spoke about that the teenagers are more likely to be affected by mental illness it is another reason to why the target audience is appropriate to have, as they would be more likely to watch the production, and as also understand the narrative. As illness can effect both genders, it would be right to say that both genders would be interested to see the production and we want to target, as we also have equal numbers of both genders being played in the production too, however, it would be more likely that females would be targeted more because of the idea of having a female as the main protagonist and lesser male audience being attracted to watch it, so i think it would be suitable to say that 58% of females and 42% of males. The audiences would be middle class/working class that would be attracted, as the characters themselves elements for the audiences to create an identification with as well as some of our locations would be located like tubes, where the middle class and the working class can easily connect and engage too. The class would be AB social class and in both employment/graduated would be attracted to watch the production. The psycho-graphic group would be required mainstreamer because they seek knowledge and explore issues which would involve them to be attracted to this production because it would allow them to explore the human brains as well as the illness we are going to challenge the stereotype off in our production.

From this discussion i have learnt how we can develop the techniques like camera work to make the production and the narrative stand out and engage the audience but as well it would be a good idea to challenge the stereotype of mental health, so audiences who we are targeting; teenagers, can make their own minds about illness instead of being dragged in the stereotype that the media or even people in general have reinforced. I have learnt that through this narrative, we can use emotional intensity, through the narrative and the scenes to engage the audiences but as well has having the typical art-house environment - few of the elements can be untold for the audience to make their own minds and conclusion to what they think should have happened. 

MEST2 Film Pitch

Title:

  Kiss of death

Tagline: 
 I love falling, even if it means falling in and out of love. 

Topic from brief (e.g. Modern-noir, Urban Life etc.):
  Modern-nior, romance. 

Genre (and sub-genre if applicable):
  Drama/Horror 

Logline – one sentence that sums up the film and hooks people in (25 words or fewer):

  A girl that has schizophrenia, showing the challenges she faces with the love of her life's death. 

Other successful films that are similar to yours:

   A beautiful mind
   The soloist 

Narrative structure for full 30-minute film – what happens and in what order (max 100 words):

  Firstly, the two characters go on a date where the girl is already being unstable, and shows her date (the boy) signs of her schizophrenia where the boy feels on edge of her behaviour. We then have many scenes of her developing further and more into her schizophrenia – the reason why the tragedy happens of her boyfriend cheating on her. The main protagonist (girl) she manages to confessions her craziness and has a flashback of her past of what happened to her and her love, and she has gone deeper into the her illness and her crazy side kicks in as she kills her boyfriend by kissing him a goodbye… kiss of death. The end of the story she kills herself as she commits suicide.  

Main protagonist, their desires, the conflicts they encounter etc.:
Main protagonist is a girl with schizophrenia.. conflict and tragedy's happen because of her craziness. 

Other characters and their role/audience appeal:
 boyfriend - 17 - typical guy that every girl would go out with. 

the girls best friend - 16 - the smart, goofy best friend 
the boys best friend - 17 - quirky best friend that is always relaxed. 

Target audience for your film (age, gender, social class, interests etc.):
15+, targeted for both genders and anyone who is interested in horror and drama genres as there is a lot of sense that scream out horror or just craziness. The social class would be working class as the characters are similar class and it would be easier for the target audience to create an identification with the characters within the production, this would be something that helps the audience to keep engaged within the production as the production would be made were the audience could see similarities in their everyday lives that they do that we have put in the production.

The three-minute extract you will make and where it would appear in the film:
In the 3 minutes extract, we will be looking at the middle part of the section where the girl confesses her craziness and remembers her past as in what her boyfriend did to her, this would make the character move more into schizophrenia where it can cause a lot of harm to herself physically but also mentally and emotionally. 

MEST2: BBFC Institution research

1) Research the BBFC: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government?
2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.
3) Read this BBFC outline of the issues faced when classifying a film. Summarise the debate in 50 words.
4) Read this BBFC section on controversial decisions. Why did The Dark Knight generate a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate? Do you agree with the 12A certificate The Dark Knight was awarded?
5) What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?
6) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Choose one 15-rated film from the BBFC case studies section and summarise the classification the film was given and why. 

1. The The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an independent, non-governmental body which has classified cinema films since it was set up which was in 1912, the videos/dvds was since the Video Recordings Act in 1984. BBFC do not receive subsidies from the government nor the film industry, they are not a profit organisation, and their fees are adjusted to only cover its cost. The income is from the fees they charge for its services, calculated by meassuring the running time of films and DVDs they submit for classification. 

2. Films are rated through examiners watching films in the BBFC's cinemas, to see the effect that sound levels and special effects have on the cinema audience who watch at the cinemas. DVD's are viewed then in the BBFC's viewing room in plasma screens, this is so they can then reconstruct the home viewing experience. Furthermore, films and dvd's are then sent in different languages so examiners with linguistic skills watch the movie and see if it is right. Lastly, when rating the film examiners look for things like, the general context of the film, timings on key moments which include camera angles, type of shots, one and off the screen moments and most importantly bad language, sex and drugs etc. When looking at the movie and designs can not be made the senior team are then involved to deicide, they see both of the issues and as well as benefit to support the recommended age rating. The distributor then requests the age rating they think its the most suitable for the movie. If work contains material which is illegal or unacceptable under the BBFC's Guidelines, Examiners will make a list of cuts which will be sent to the distributor. If a work as a whole is unacceptable, it can be rejected.

3. The BBFC works on major principles in determining the age rating whether the material: 

• is in conflict with the law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence..
• Alone, or in combination with other content of a similar nature, may cause any harm at the age rating concerned. This includes harm that may result from the behaviour of potential viewers, but also any ‘moral harm’ that may be caused by.
• The availability of the material, at the age group concerned, is clearly unacceptable to broad public opinion. It is on this ground.
• The context in which an issue is presented is central to the question of its acceptability. The work's target audience is also taken into account.
• The tone of work may affect the final decision. While the presentation of issues such as sex and violence may not be problematic at a particular rating, if the work has a unsettling tone that may disturb the audience at that level, it receive a more restrictive rating. 

also Issues that need to be taken into account include: 
 - Violence  
 - Sex and nudity 
 - Sexual Violence 

 - Drugs 
 - Language 
 - Discrimination 
 - Adult humour

4) BBFC awarded The Dark Knight the 12A rating, they were many issues and complaints being made by the public, who thought that their was too much violence, and the age rating wasn't suitable for the young viewers. Although the Dark Knight was not submitting in the cinemas, the media and the public's attention was quickly caught on, due to the death of the character, The Joker who was played by Heath Ledger. 

The BBFC's decision to award The Dark Knight the 12A rating resulted in much press coverage and complaints from members of the public, who thought the violence, was too strong to be contained at that category. Before the film was even submitted, it attracted significant media attention, much of it due to the sudden death of actor Heath Ledger, who played The Joker.

When classifying the film, the issues were mainly about violence and the threats seen in the movie, the BBFC guidelines for 12A at the time did say "violence must not dwell in detail. There should be no empathises on blood as well as injuries' when the examiners classed the film, they agreed that it had met the guidelines. In the public's eyes the main problem was that the film was not suitable for the younger audience like children, as they also has adult nature themes and 'unhappy endings made it not suitable for the movie to be certificated at a 12A. Furthermore, many people found that in some of the senses characters were to gory and scary for the younger audience to see, such as the facial injuries played by the Harvey "Two-Face".  The death of the film's heroine, arguably the film's only sympathetic character, was unexpected and felt to be too disturbing for a 12A fantasy film.
I think that the movie should have been rated 15, as there were scenes that could be disturbing for a younger audience to pick up and see. The movie should have been rating 15 as there were many scenes that were appropriate for the audience to see and as it would be also more suitable for them to see watch. 

5) The guidelines for a 15 rated film are:

• strong violence
•  frequent strong language
• portrayals of sexual activity
• strong verbal references to sex
• sexual nudity
• brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
•  discriminatory language or behaviour
• drug taking

6) Adulthood is an drama genre with the classification of 15. BFFC guidelines at 15 allow for strong violence producing in ones not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, otherwise the various actions on attacking and beatings are just not detailed and the weapons used are seen as dangerous and not attractive. This film was also rated 15 and not lower because the film would not be suitable at lower categories as it contains strong language, strong images of violence and drug dealing, and a strong scene of sex. In terms of language, the street slang spoken by many characters in the movie influences the movie to be rated at a 15, furthermore, as there is a strong use of bad language, that would only be acceptable at 15, words like the c word that has been used many times during the duration of the movie, which made is appropriate for the movie to be rating at 15. 
The BBFC guidelines for sex allow 'strong verbal references to sexual behaviour'.