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

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.

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.

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.

Film pitch

MEST2 Film Pitch

Complete the following film pitch in time for your audience research focus group in class.

Title and tagline:  La Sombra

‘I’ll pay for the mistakes I’ve made, but not with my life’

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

Modern-noir

Genre (and sub-genre if applicable):

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

A fatal mistake proves to be the game changer, and now it’s the hitman with the target on his back.

Other successful films that are similar to yours:

Sicario, Agent 47, red,

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

Takes shot of vodka, and kills people on hit list- to emphasise drinking problem (in Mexico).

Also in secret relationship with Cartel bosses daughter.

Learns of accountant taking bribe from police to sell out the cartel and go on the run to Europe.

(3 minute extract)

After failed mission, using skills acquired over time to stay on the run and stay in the shadows from the cartel whilst fighting against ‘demons’ (drinking problem).

La sombra meets with secret lover, Cartel bosses daughter but still isn’t aware of this. Plans to run away with her and is ready, waiting on boat to ‘disappear’ for good and waiting for Maria to come. After waiting for hours Don Javier comes on to the boat with his entourage and holding his daughter at gun point. La sombre realises and must choose which one of them dies.

Main protagonist, their desires, the conflicts they encounter etc.:

la sombra-the shadow. Money is irrelevant, to a man who takes so much. The thrill is the drive and the money is the bonus. ‘Silent’ protagonist doesn’t talk throughout film but has independent narrative and thoughts in his head.

Other characters and their role/audience appeal:

Don Javier  Sanchez -Cartel boss who orders the killings of his enemies.

Accomplice to Don Javier- Eduardo Sanchez-loyal to a fault –cousin to Don Javier

Victim (intended)   Arne Schafer – Angered cartel boss, Former cartel accountant

Maria Angel - Daughter of Don Javier  but took mothers name

Target audience for your film (age, gender, social class, interests etc.):

Young adults 18-45, middle class, people who travel-

The three-minute extract you will make and where it would appear in the film:

This will appear just after the beginning scenes in Mexico.

La sombra waiting on beach in England and picks up phone buried on the beach, Don Javier on phone giving orders about next kill-accountant. Breaks phone and throws into the sea.

Heads to location to pick up tools and more information about next kill.

Heads to location of kill and realises it is a mask party, don Javier is also attending the party.

La sombra kills wrong person by mistake and accountant gets away and now La sombra goes on the run.

BBFC research

The BBFC was made to classify films into specific age ratings so that it can be aimed at certain age groups in cinemas based on how violent and what references it has in the film. They get their funding from the distributors that pay them to review the film.Normally DVD's are submitted and are viewed by one single person in a room set up to be like a home to understand the home viewing feel. If it is a foreign language film a translator will be called in to help but films are usually viewed alone. If issues are raised then it is debated at weekly meetings. Issues could include-general context- plot, characters, outline of individual scenes timings of key moments, including camera angles, type of shots, on- and off-screen moments bad language, sex and drug references and so on Issues raised over classifying a film are as follows; Violence, Sex, Sexual Violence, Drugs, Horror,  Imitable Behaviour,  Discrimination,  Language.

The dark knight was hit by a lot of controversy because of its 12A age rating which many people thought was too low. This was because of its excessive violence. 12A guidelines allow moderate violence as long as it can be justified by the context. However, many people thought that the dark knight should have been a 15 age rating or even 18.

Guidelines for a 15 rated film:

strong violence

 frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***')

  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

Sean of the dead;

This title was given a 15 age rating because of its strong bloody horror and strong language.