Production Plan with consideration for visual and special effects
I have chosen to make a film trailer for my production. The reasoning behind this is because I believe a film trailer will be a great way to showcase an array of visual and special effects because I can include several different scenes from within the film. Whereas if I was going to create 'a sequence within a film' it would limit me more, as it would most likely be just one scene.
Running Time
As I'm planning my piece to be a film trailer, the running time will therefore most likely range from 1.5-2 minutes. I think this a great amount of time, especially for a film trailer, because it is certainly enough to peak the audiences interest, but it will hopefully leave them feeling unsatisfied and wanting to watch more.
What I intend To Make- Brief Synopsis
The trailer is for a sci-fi/ fantasy film about a dangerous wizard from another planet reeking havoc with his dark magic in the mortal world. There will be one actor in my sequence and each shot will be a mixture of action and sinister things. It will be of sci-fi thriller genre, as I’m planning it to be intense, dark and exciting. Mortals are not safe on planet earth anymore, as this satanic wizard has crawled from the depths of hell on a rampage of causing nothing but death and disaster amongst the human race. This angry beast is ready to bring forward the end of the world with noting more than his wand and his magical powers. Never has a wizard so bad as him walked the soil we walk on, breathed the air we breathe, and destroy the place we call home. Nothing can stop this merciless beast as he tears apart everything we know. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. Not anymore.
Target Audience
My target audience is definitely sci-fi/fantasy fanatics. A film trailer shedding a little light on the dark side of the wizarding world, the trailer will include action, magic, drama – basically everything this specific target audience would wish for in a production. The character is a teenager and there is a youthful feel to it although it is rather dark and so I’d say my sequence would also appeal to teenagers and young adults particularly. Although the character is male, there is definitely appeal to both men and women, and so there is no specific gender that this would appeal to. I’d say that the target audience demographic would be C2DE category people. Maybe people that are interested in gaming e.t.c as the fantasy aspect of the trailer is very imaginative. They'd definitely be a fan of films like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, because they share the same mix of action, and fantasy that my film trailer expresses.
I'm planning to use several computer generated imagery effects in my piece for the visual effect. I would really like to have some sort of fireball effect in my production that my character forms in between is hands, and then grows and controls with his mind. I think this will look very good in my production because it will really add a professional look if its done well, and increase the believability of the piece as a whole, as it will essentially look like magic. I'd also like to include some sort of effect that seems to be magic shooting from a wand, much like in the battles between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter films. I'd really love to include an explosion in my film trailer too. This would add an extra depth of drama to the piece as a whole and really make it intense and exciting.
Planned Special Effects
It has taken me quite a long time to decide what special effect I could use that would really fit with the whole idea of my piece. But I've decided to do prosthetic make-up. I plan to create some make-up prosthetics on my actor, including a supernatural mask. The purpose of this is to make my character appear as non-human as possible, and so by changing his face completely I can really emphasis this.
These are all of the pictures I took when conducting my reconnoitre. They showcase all of the different locations I have chosen to film in.
For the first scene of my sequence I am planning to film against my house in order to have a brick wall background. I thought this to be the ideal place for my opening scene because i wanted somewhere plain so that the majority of the focus could be on the actor himself, and so that the background didn’t distract. But I also was weary that I didn’t want a simple background to spoil the mis en scene of the piece. Therefore I have opted for the brick wall so that it can add an industrial cold feel whilst also keeping the majority of the focus on the actor. Because I’m planning on filming on property that is privately owned i sent an e-mail to ask for the owners permission.
Later on in my sequence I’m planning to film some scenes in a local park. This is ideal for the shot I want to create. I require the use of a swing in an eerie setting so that the ambience of the scene is correct and it would be the ideal location for this, as surrounding trees and foliage create the setting I desire. In order to film here I have asked permission from Sawston Parish Council.
Budget Considerations
My production is incredibly low budget because I am a student and do not have the same funding as that of a company or a higher status production. There is the potential possibility that i'll have to be quite creative with certain things to achieve the effects that I want in order to keep it with in my budget.
My friends and class mates are very willing to act as my crew for the production of the sequence, and most likely for free. Because of the fact friends from my class are studying media production, they know what they’re doing and how to work equipment e.t.c. Therefore my crew will cost me nothing yet still help my to produce a good quality product.
Equipment will be free for me as I own a camera that can shoot very good quality film, and lighting and sound equipment can all be supplied through my media course.
My boyfriend has a lot of experience in acting, and is a member of a professional acting company as well as doing some on screen acting for companies such as ITV. Therefore I am planning to use him as my actor. This should also be free.
All of my chosen filming locations are either public or my own property, and I have already been granted permission to film in these locations. Because I am not using anywhere commercial or private property location should cost me nothing.
The special effect that I have chosen to do for my production is prosthetic makeup. I don’t previously own any of the stuff to create the look I want and so I have purchased some online.
Evaluate the feasibility of the visual and special effects
Risk assessment
A risk assessment is crucial to have to hand on set and during the construction of the production. It is important to have a risk assessment to insure that the whole process runs as smoothly and safely as possible. I do not want any accidents or problems when it comes to shooting my sequence. Therefore, in order for my production to run smoothly, I have produced a risk assessment to help eliminate any possible risks.
My first risk I have mentioned is filming at night in low visibility, especially to drivers and pedestrians. This means it could be hazardous in several ways because filming in a street in low visibility could cause accidents involving pedestrians and/or traffic. This however can be easily avoided as I have analysed and a evaluated hazards that could occur by filling in a risk assessment. I think this is a feasible risk because it isn't uncommon not to see someone in the dark until you're right up close to them, especially when you are in a car. In order to prevent any accidents related to this, I thought the best control measure would be to make sure all cast and crew are wearing reflective materials or lights. I also made it clear that no one should stand on roads at anytime under any circumstance, and also to stay to well lit areas.
The second risk I have addressed is filming in cold winter weather. I mentioned that people could slip due to icy paths. I don't think this is very feasible because it is not likely to be icy. It could however be frosty, which could potentially mean that the ground is slightly more slippery than usually so that is probably a more feasible risk. However i think it would have been more feasible to address the risk of tripping over equipment, as this is much more likely due to tripods e.t.c. sticking out in the dark.
The next risk I have addressed is using chemicals such as spirit gum glue and liquid latex on my actors face, which could potentially cause an allergic reaction. Although this is probably just over cautious, it is still feasible because its not unlikely. The control measures I noted on the risk assessment were to first ask the actor if they have any known allergies, and then to do a patch test at least 24hrs before shooting begins. This would therefore flag up any allergies or reactions to the prosthetics, thus preventing any injury.
The final risk on my risk assessment is obstructing paths and roads. I don't think this is very feasible because we will not be filming on any roads. We will however be filming on public footpaths so it could be seen as feasible, however due to the time of filming I very much doubt that the obstruction of paths will be an issue. There is however always the possibility that obstructing the path could cause an accident/ inconvenience, so the suitable control measure would just be to make sure everything is easily movable and make sure that all personnel and equipment are highly visible.
I'm happy with the risk assessment that I have produced and I believe that it is reasonably suitable for filming because it doesn't state any extravagant risks or anything that is unlikely to happen.
Permission to film
It is feasible to ask to film on my chosen locations because the first location I am filming is outside of my house. Therefore I just have to be granted permission by the rightful owners (my parents) in order to film here. I asked for permission via email so that I had written proof to be filming there, and it is also a quick, way and convenient way of gaining permission to film at this location.
I am also planning to film at a local park. Because this is public property and owned by the council I had to ask permission from Sawston Parish council. Because it is a park, I had to be careful of child protection, and this would obviously effect where and when I can film.
Legislation
There are a lot of legal issues to consider that are involved with filming a production.an example could be 'Invasion of Privacy'. Invasion of Privacy is a legal concept that deals with intrusion into an individuals private life. It states that people have the right to be left alone, or the right to be free from publicity. Therefore, if i was to film someone, or even accidentally include a member of the public in the background of a shot without their permission, I could be in a lot of trouble legally and even get sued. This is because it could be classed as intrusion into their private life. This law allows the person whose privacy was invaded to file a lawsuit against the person intruding upon his or her privacy. However, because I am filming late at night, and I require a completely deserted setting, it is highly unlikely that I could accidentally film someone. I feel that it would be more feasible if I was filming in the middle of a busy street in the middle of the day, but because this is not the case, it is less feasible.
Evaluate the viability of special and visual effects
Time Code: The viability of my risk assessment -Will everyone be safe? 00:06 -Is anyone really in any danger? 00:30 -What did you discover about risks when on the recce? 00:50 -Did you think about the risks during the recce? 01:00 -Do you think you have realistic and viable solutions to your risks? 01:50 The viability of the resources you have -Do you have everything you need to make it? 01:58 -Do you have any way to check you have everything? 02:20 The viability of the costs involved and whether you can afford them -Have you considered the costs properly? 02:23 The viability of your permission -Is it likely that you have missed something? 04:00 -Do you have any concerns that someone might be annoyed at your presence? 04:05 -Have you done everything you possibly can to make sure you have all the right permissions? 04:41 The viability of production team and whether they have the skills to carry out the shoot. -Have you really assessed everyones skills? 05:40 -Do they all know what they are doing before the shoot starts? 06:11 -Do you have any concerns about anyone? Will they meet your expectatations? 06:30 -In what ways are you going to communicate with your actor so she understands what she is doing? 07:17 -Will you gather everything you need from your crew and actors for your finished product? 08:00 The viability of whether or not your sequence is feasible to make look realistic -Will it look realistic? 08:45 -Do you think it will look believable to your audience? 08:52 -Have you thought about what your film will look like? 09:10 -Will it be fit for broadcast? Will it meet the clients brief? 09:27
The viability of the aesthetics -Will it look pleasing enough? -Do you think it will look amateurish? -Do you think you have given enough thought to your aesthetics? -Will it be good enough quality? The viability of fitness for purpose -Will it meet the requirements of the client? Will it meet your expectations? -Will it be believable for a paying client or audience? The viability of the footage you intend to collect -Will you have everything you need? Will it cut together? -Have you thought about what your end product will look like? -Are you worried about the fact that you don't have a clear vision of what your end product will look like?