Friday 22 January 2016

Double-page spread


La Sombra
Human trafficking
Spain is currently grappling with its Human Trafficking problem with an estimated 12,000 victims earning the gangs $6 million everyday. 62% of all victims transported by the gangs are women and are mainly used for sexual exploitation elsewhere in Europe. 25% are forced into labour whilst 14% are victims of organ removal which are subsequently sold on the black market. Many of the victims do not wish to speak out against the traffickers in fear for their own lives however one woman last September did and was granted asylum in Spain and Traffickers were punished, however the punishment for human trafficking is a mere 5-10 years in prison. This sentence should be greatly increased for the crime being committed although human trafficking wasn’t a crime in Spain until 2010. Helena Maleno is an expert in this field and said, “To raise society's awareness about what is happening, it has to be made clear that trafficking is not prostitution or irregular immigration, but that there are undocumented immigrants and people who are sexually exploited who are victims of trafficking,”

Shadow of a doubt…
Have an insight into the complex and conflicted mind of a ‘Sicario’ and the even more twisted mind of his boss. La Sombra may be the silent type but his mind is very active and something which he iterates frequently is ‘"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men” La Sombra has an unconditional hatred for his boss however, in a world full of fallen angels you must shelter under the broken wings of one of them. Over a  prolonged period of time La Sombra has acquired a certain set of skills which make him a nightmare for certain people but he’s as much of a danger to himself than he is to anybody else.  With traumas suffered as a child and a lethal drinking habit, not to mention the several undiagnosed mental health issues he suffers with it’s a miracle he has found love in his shadowy world. But then again it’s a small world and little does La Sombra know he is in love with his bosses daughter.

Facing demons

This can be used literally and figuratively in the film. Everybody has their ‘demons’ and the film explores the problems faced by the individuals in greater detail. Don Javier, the human trafficking boss may seem like he has everything but is seriously damaged inside. You could argue he his a psychopath by showing no remorse for his crimes and to do what he does to people he must be hiding a secret of insane magnitude. Moreover, Maria Don Javier’s daughter must live with the thought of knowing what her father does and what he did to her mother many years ago. The silence of La Sombra is him facing his demons by suffering in silence but at the end when he is faced with the bill for his mistakes he must pay…

MEST 2 progress report

  • Work completed since 6 January
-All preproduction tasks have been completed including the script in both Spanish and English translation, a film pitch delivered to the class was also completed and a review of this was typed up. Furthermore, several pieces of research on the BBFC and other things. Also, producing a film schedule but this will need to be adapted.

  • Any incomplete pre-production tasks
The storyboard and the shot-list need to be placed into my folder and posted to my blog but other than that everything else is complete.

  • Next steps/Action plan
The next step for our group is to begin filming and this will take place on 23/01/15 and continue every other day from then, after filming is completed editing will start but this wont be until February and should take a week or two.

  • Date filming will be complete
Filming should be completed within the first week of February so to begin editing promptly.

  • Requirements for photoshoot next week
Photoshoot requirements are on a previous blog post.

Tuesday 19 January 2016

Research and planning/sketching

1) The title is placed within the top third section and the company is well-known so the title is partially covered by the central image, also a simple colour scheme of mainly primary colours is used with red and yellows but also an effective black background.

2)From looking at this programme i can see that it is very different from what a normal, mainstream magazine looks like. It doesn't include most of the 12 key conventions of a magazine cover, however it does include the language aspect of it being snappy and economical and it states exactly what the event is about. To an extent it does use the rule of thirds, for example the logo of the BFI is positioned in the top left hand corner of the leaflet and along with other important symbols such as the symbol of its partner is in the bottom right of the leaflet. These are important positions that catch the eye of the reader but do not interfere with the main piece of text on the screen which stands out from all of the text.
3) From this film promotion I could take the idea of having more than one image on the front page but still having significance. This also features the title as well as a quote from the film.


From this I could use the effect of having the same image continue from the front to the back. Also I like the background being black with smoke flowing across it and I think this could be appropriate for my films front page.


This is interesting because it uses simple colour schemes which could be adopted and things are spread out clearly. This also gives a quote from the film and a very clear title but edited in a unique way and this could be implemented into the print brief.


The use of the collage in this print brief is an interesting way of presenting it and although I may not use this on the front cover the idea of a collage could be used with the double-page spread.

4)This contents page uses a selective colour scheme with the page numbers larger than other pieces of text to grab the readers attention. Moreover the smoke drifting in the background could be a reoccurring theme within the print brief and happen on every page.



This contents page is similar to the previous one however it uses more images from whatever it is advertising. Also the logo continues on each page of the booklet and this should definitely be used in the print brief.


This contents page is from Empire again but this includes one central image including a well-known actress to entice the reader as well as the numbers being the larger than the other text.

This contents page features some advertising of other magazines relating to the film. also the text is in its own space with enough room for the picture which doesnt cover up any of the numbers or the text.

planning/sketching
.People could be interested in the main character so he could be on the front cover
. Subtle things could stand out such as the hipflask to emphasise the problems faced by the main character
. small element of violence with syringe could appeal to younger end of the spectrum of the target audience
.news of human trafficking 


all sketches completed on paper and double page spread ideas.



Booklets (re-do)


From looking at this programme i can see that it is very different from what a normal, mainstream magazine looks like. It doesn't include most of the 12 key conventions of a magazine cover, however it does include the language aspect of it being snappy and economical and it states exactly what the event is about




This film booklet is colourful and the dialogue fits the sci-fi genre well, the picture in the background of an astronaut looks as though she is fixed on something wonderful. Although it doesnt have a date on the front of it.


Another one from the BFI shows a simple colour scheme of black and a vibrant orange. This booklet also gives information about where to buy tickets from and the sponsors of the event as well as social media links and the name of the event.

Friday 15 January 2016

Pre-production, Mise-en-scene and project schedule

Pre-production





Project schedule








Mise-en-scene


Casting details
Khalid Abdillahi – will be doing La Sombra’s voiceovers as he’s had sufficient experience in actually speaking Spanish. Not only this, but he'll also be the unintended victim that ends up getting killed by our main protagonist at the mask party
Callum Louis – will be acting as La Sombra since he fits the role of the character from a racial/ethnic standpoint
Mr Halsey – could potentially be cast to perform as the cartel boss to make the film appear more authentic
Deepak Marok - will be cast as the bouncer for the mask party by the lecture theatre doors
Callum's dad - will be cast as the taxi driver for the cab scene
Range of people from Year 12 - a range of people from the year will be cast as the partygoers at the masquerade


Location scouting with photographs




Grand Union Canal – While we had originally planned for our setting to make use of Brighton Pier as a primary location for the film, we considered things like timing issues and weather and realised that going to the nearby canal would be a much more viable option. Not only is it more local, but it’s also a location that has many aspects to it that could help in making our film come across to viewers in the exact way we want it to e.g. the more murky tinge to the water could help contribute to the darker undertones the production is supposed to have.



Drama studio – this location will be used for the party scene to take place in where La Sombra plans to take out his target discussed with him by the cartel boss (Don Javier). It would make for an effective setting for this to take place in as with the studio being quite large, if presented well enough with different props, it could pass off for being the location of a party.



(Outside) lecture theatre – this location will be used for the scene that involves La Sombra’s interactions with the bouncer at the door of the party since the completely opaque double doors of the lecture theatre, look like something you might see at the entrance of a (private) party.
Props
(Fake) phone – will be used by La Sombra to communicate to the cartel boss
Briefcase – contains the details about the target La Sombra is pursuing
Hip flask - contains the alcohol La Sombra constantly consumes
Masks – the party is a ‘masquerade,’ so each of the attendees will be shown wearing masks
Syringe – will be used by La Sombra to take out the target
Target details – sheet of paper that’ll be found in the briefcase detailing the characters of the target


Costume and make-up
La Sombra – will be wearing somewhat of an ‘ill-fitting’ suit with undone buttons on his shirt just as a way of suggesting his more unkempt and rough nature being drunk a lot of the time
Partygoers – casual shirt and trousers
Incorrect target – may have to use make-up as a way of showing his pain while succumbing to the lethal effects of the injection




Lighting
Natural light – will be used during the canal scene just due to the fact that it takes places in an outdoor setting
Low-key lighting – will be used in the party scene as way of making the location look all-the-more glamorous as well as mysterious

Thursday 14 January 2016

Photoshoot/print brief

1) The main protagonist that will be featured on the front cover is La Sombra however it will not explicitly show his face but rather half of his body with a prop from the film.

2) The images needed for the contents page will consist of props from the film but close-ups of them and possibly in a monochrome colour with shadows created which relate to the title of the film. For instance the hip-flask will be positioned on the left side of the page with the shadow extending to the right.

3) For the double-page spread a full body picture of La Sombra will be used of him at the canal in monochrome or b&w with his suit being the only selected colour.

4) Shotlsit
-mcu of La Sombras body and holding the mask from the party scene, b&w background but suit being the only selected colour

-cu of La Sombras face with mask on

- cu of discarded mask on floor with shadow behind it

- cu of hip flask 

-ovs of La Sombra starring down canal 

-cu of a spilled hip flask

5) Costumes...
- La Sombras suit

-mask from the party

-hip flask

-syringe

6) By making sure all of the props are ready and delivered on time, also working out a time the main protagonist is available.




Wednesday 6 January 2016

SHOT LIST

CANAL
Shot No.
Shot
Filmed?
1
OVS of La sombra starring at canal

2
MS of La sombra  searching for and picking up phone

3
Split screen between MS of la sombra answering phone and OVS shot of don Javier talking on phone from elsewhere, and hanging up phone.

4
OVS of La Sombra throwing phone into river

5
MS of La Sombra walking away then into LS as he fades away

6
TS of La Sombra arriving at location of briefcase

7
POV of La Sombra opening and inspecting contents of briefcase

8
POV of La Sombra closing briefcase, cuts to black

9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18


19




TAXI AND PARTY

Shot No.
Shot
Filmed?
1
HA/MS of La Sombra entering taxi

2
Continued HA/MS throughout taxi journey and when exiting taxi

3
TS of La Sombra approaching bouncer and entering party

4
POV from La Sombra inside party and putting mask on 

5
POV of La Sombra preparing syringe and approaching 'target'

6
LS of La Sombra injecting 'target' with syringe

7
MS of 'target' on floor and mask taken off and people rushing to his side

8
LS of Don Javier whispering to Eduardo

9
CU of La Sombras face before he runs

10
TS of La Sombra running and disapperaing into night

Pre production work-SCRIPT


La Sombra
By
Abayomi,Callum,Ra'eesah,Mamduh

1.
   INT.BEACH.DAY
LA SOMBRA STANDS ON THE PAVEMENT STARRING AIMLESSLY ALONG THE CANAL, WHILST WAITING FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTION FROM A PHONE HIDDEN SOMEWHERE NEARBY.
DON JAVIER
(PHONE RINGS)

HOLA BUENAS, ESPERO VIAJAR
CON LOS INMIGRANTES NO ERA
DEMASIADO INCOMODO,
 TENGO TRES BARCOS MÁS DE ELLOS
QUE LLEGAN ESTA SEMANA
(SIGHS AS IF RUSHED OFF FEET)
Y PERDON POR
EL TIEMPO,ESTO ES INGLATERRA.VALE
QUIERO QUE SIGA HASTA A LO LARGO DE CANAL,
ENCONTRARA MAS INFORMACION SOBRE EL
OBJECTIVO ALLII. LA VERE EN LA FIESTA
MAS TARDE. EL OBJECTIVO ESTARA TAMBIEN
CON NOSOTROS ASI QUE NO ME DECEPCIONO!
(HANGS UP PHONE)

LA SOMBRA
(THINKS TO HIMSELF)
POR QUE TRABAJAR PARA ESTE PENDEJO TRAFICO DE
SERES HUMANOS!
(DRINKS FROM HIP FLASK)

LA SOMBRA BREAKS PHONE AND THROWS INTO CANAL, TAKES ONE LAST GLANCE AT CANAL THEN PROCEEDS TO LOCATION FOR MORE INFORMATION.
FADE AWAY.

2.
INT.SPECIFIC LOCATION UNKNOWN.DAY
LA SOMBRA FINDS BRIEFCASE AND OPENS IT.

LA SOMBRA
(READS CONTENTS OF BRIEFCASE TO HIMSELF)
OBJECTIVO: ARNE SCHAFER
AGE 42, HEIGHT 6FT
OCUPACION: EL CONTADOR
Y UNA JERINGA CIANURO.
(DRINKS FROM HIP FLASK)


3.
INT.LOCATION OF PARTY.NIGHT
LA SOMBRA IS SEEN ENTERING TAXI AND TRAVELLING TO VENUE WHILST LISTENING TO STRANGE SONG.
LA SOMBRA WAITS OUTSIDE PARTY VENUE AND THINKS TO HIMSELF.

TAXI DRIVER
(IN NO RUSH)
WHERE ARE YOU OFF TO TONIGHT?
HELLO?

LA SOMBRA SCRIBBLES THE ADDRESS ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND PLACES IT IN THE TRAY. LA SOMBRA NODS HEAD ALONG TO STRANGE SONG, CREPA PELADA

TAXI DRIVER
(RHETORICALLY)
AHH NOT MUCH OF A TALKER THEN?
THE TAXI REACHES ITS DESTINATION

TAXI DRIVER
THAT’LL BE £6.40 PLEASE

LA SOMBRA PLACES LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN TRAY.
LA SOMBRA NOW WAITS OUTSIDE PARTY.

LA SOMBRA
(THINKS TO HIMSELF)
ESPERO MATAR A ESTE HOMBRE
RAPIDAMENTE ASÍ QUE PUEDO VOLVER
 A MI AMOR.

SEES MAN THAT VAUGLEY FITS DESCRIPTION, VISION BLURRED FROM DRINKING, APPRAOCHES BOUNCER AT DOOR.

BOUNCER
NAME PLEASE?
LA SOMBRA LOOKS AT THE BOUNCER BLANKLY.

BOUNCER
(ANGRILY)
NAME PLE…

THE BOUNCER HAD SVERAL HUNDREAD POUNDS PLACED INTO HIS POCKET WHICH SILENCED HIM. HE LETS LA SOMBRA THROUGH TO THE PARTY.

LA SOMBRA
(THINKS TO HIMSELF)
Fiesta de la máscara.
 como si yo ya no estaba enmascarado.
4.
INT.INSIDE PARTY.NIGHT
LA SOMBRA REALISES THIS IS A MASK PARTY AND FINDS ONE AND PLACES ON FACE. GREEN ONIONS PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND AS HE LOOKS AROUND FRANTICALLY FOR THE TARGET BUT CANNOT ACCURATELY IDENTIFY HIM. LA SOMBRA, STILL INTOXICATED APPROACHES SUSPECTED TARGET AND PLACES SYRINGE INTO THE BACK OF HIS NECK. THE MAN FALLS TO THE GROUND AND IS UNMASKED NOT TO BE THE TARGET.

LA SOMBRA
(THINKS TO HIMSELF)
MIERDA!
DON JAVIER NOTICES WHATS GOING ON AND IS SEEN WHISPERING TO EDUARDO.

LA SOMBRA
(DRINKS FROM HIP FLASK
AND THINKS TO HIMSELF)
ALGUNOS INCLUSO MATAR PARA ÉL…

LA SOMBRA SIGHS AND THEN DISAPPEARS INTO THE NIGHT. FADING AWAY THE FURTHER HE RUNS. MUSIC PLAYE OVER, MANY MEN?
CUTS TO BLACK.



ENGLISH TRANSLATION

HELLO GOOD DAY, I HOPE TRAVELLING 

WITH THE IMMIGRANTS WASN’T TOO

UNCOMFORTABLE, I HAVE 3 MORE 

BOATS OF THEM ARRVING NEXT

WEEK! AND APOLOGIES 

ABOUT THE WEATHER, THIS IS ENGLAND.

OKAY, I WANT YOU TO PROCEED ALONG THE CANAL.

YOU WILL FIND MORE INFORMATION ANOUT THE 

TARGET THERE.I WILL SEE YOU AT THE PARTY LATER.

THE TARGET WILL ASLO BE JOINING US, SO

DO NOT DISAPPOINT ME!


WHY DO I WORK FOR THIS ASSHOLE 

HUMAN TRAFFICKER?

2.

TARGET:ARNE SCHAFER

AGE 42 HEIGHT 6FT

OCCUPATION:ACCOUNTANT

AND ONE CYANIDE SYRINGE.

3.
WHERE ARE YOU OFF TO TONIGHT?
HELLO?

AHH NOT MUCH OF A TALKER THEN?

THAT'LL BE £4.04 PLEASE



I HOPE KILL THIS MAN QUICKLY

SO I CAN GET BACK TO MY LOVE.

NAME PLEASE?

NAME PLE…

A MASK PARTY.
AS IF I WASNT ALREADY MASQUERADING

S**T

I WONT BE GETTING PAID FOR THIS…

END.

Tuesday 5 January 2016

Focus group.

Our focus group involved us pitching our film 'La Sombra' for the 30 minute extract and also the 3 minute extract we would actually be filming. We also had to give things like the tagline ect... after pitching our film we were open to questions from the focus group, whether that be support or suggestions on where to improve things. Between the four people in our group we explained to the focus group each element of the film and our choices for it. Here are a few quotes from the focus group:

.'The ending doesn't relate to the tagline'
.'cliff hanger great for this genre, gives it an arthouse twist,'
.'I think you should research into the psychology behind it,'
.'maybe having spanish drug dealers[...] using channel tunnel.'
.'love idea of anti-hero, very good for arthouse film.'
.'lots of research needed on dialouge'
.'I personally think the tagline is good because it focuses on him running away,'
.'dont just rely on hollywood models check arthouse films featuring hitmen aswell.'
.I love this idea of coming to the UK because you could also touch on one of the biggest issues of our age which is immigration.'

From the focus group many suggestions will be taken on board, especially the idea of changing the ethnicity from Mexican to Spanish to keep it 'closer to home' also by incorporating the idea of immigration (illegal) to gain access to the country and peoples views on it. Also, the tagline will remain 'i will pay for my mistakes but not with my life' despite some criticism on it because in context and with the arthouse genre we think it works quite well. Moreover, we will try to include the psychology of the hitman as suggested in the focus group but granted that it is only a 3 minute clip it might be difficult to compress as something as complex as the  psychology of a hitman. Something else that needs to be addressed is the role of women but originally in the 3 minute clip there wasn't much planned for it but that might need a re-think.#

The target audience for the film with start from 15 and go to around 40, this is because the intensity of the film will keep a younger audience interested and for an older audience the foreign language element and also the deeper meaning to things like whats going on in the hitmans mind will keep them hooked. This film could appeal to a working/middle class person because of the reasons listed above. Also, this would appeal to any race as it will be mentioning immigration, also this film would appeal more to people who have a the intentions of continuing school beyond gcses and to those who have already continued mainly because of the foreign language element.