Process Update

Recently we finished filming all scenes at Yulia's house, however after watching the footage we noticed that Jack's costume looked too modern and unconventional of the noir genre. Therefore decided to reshoot the scenes and change the costume i.e. black blazer instead of the coat.
When we were filming for the second time, we decided to add a few extra scenes in order to make the storyline more clear and the opening more effective. Originally, Jack was against the wall during the telephone scene, however when we were reshooting we decided to place him next to the window (which had venetian blinds). We decided to do this because Jack could then look out of the window as he was talking on the phone, making it seem as though he suspected the caller to be outside. Furthermore we added a new scene where Jack puts the telephone down and the camera follows him as he leaves the room and slams the door.
On the following day we filmed the murderer scene. When we were on location we decided to flicker the lights when he was walked towards the sink and past the femme fatale in order to create an edgy atmosphere.
Apart from these changes we kept the rest the same.

Posted by Yulia

Powerpoint Presentation

This is the Powerpoint Presentation we used when we pitched our film opening idea to the class.

Scarlett

These are the notes that helped us while we were presenting:

Script

This is the script to the opening of our film "Scarlett". It has details of everything that will be happening in each scene, including the music and dialogue.

Shooting Schedule

This is the redrafted version of the shooting schedule after we finalized the murderer and did a reccy on each location to see whether it was suitable for our opening sequence.

Audience Research

In order to learn more about the preferences of our target audience, we conducted survey of 10 people aged 17-22 , asking them various questions that would help us during our planning.
8 out of 10 people have previously watched a film noir some time during their life, meaning that they are aware of the genre and its common conventions. All those that have watched it said that they enjoyed it, with 7 people saying that they would like to see more noirs produced. From these two questions we learnt that film noir is popular amongst our target audience , giving us confidence about targeting our film to such an age group.
When asked the question "What did you like most about film noir?", we got the following results:
2 people : tone/mood
4 people: storyline
2 people: characters
2 people: lighting
The storyline of film noirs seemed the most appealing element to our target audience, making us re-evaluate our initial idea and develop it further so that it would captivate our audience more.
The question : "What do you think is the most important element of this genre" produced these results:
1 person : non linear storyline
1 person : femme fatale
2 people : low key lighting
3 people : ominous shadows
3 people : male protagonist
With the two most popular answers being ominous shadows and male protagonist, we have decided to focus on those two elements the most. Our detective's character has evolved after conducting this research, we have come up with new shots revolving around the detective which highlight his importance in the storyline. We will try to create ominous shadows where possible and use low key lighting to create an eerie atmosphere.

Locations, Cotumes, Props and Actors

Actors:
Jack Harris will be playing the hardboiled cynical detective. As well as being available and reliable, he has Media experience which we think will help us when we are filming the detective scenes.

We have casted Alex Johnstone as the murdered. As we are only him from the waist down, we won't see his face. As he's in our Media class he is reliable and eager to make an appearance in our film

Kate will be our captured femme fatale. She fits the conventional femme fatale look i.e. has curls and the body figure.

Locations:
After doing our reccy we have decided to film certain scenes (the murderer walking and washing his hands & the femme fatale tied up) in an old bathroom in our school.
We think that this location is suitable because:

• We will have access to old fashioned taps
• This toilet is no longer used, therefore we will not be interrupted whilst filming
• The room also has terracotta tiles which will produce echoing footsteps when the murderer is walking, creating a eerie atmosphere.

The rest of the scenes will be filmed at Kate's house and Yulia's stairwell. It's possible to do lots of interesting shots in the stairwell for example a low angle of the detective's hand gliding on the banister.

Costumes:

So that it's easy to identify the detective, he will be wearing a trench coat, trilby hat and braces as this is the typical style of clothing an investigator wore in the 1940's era. The costume of the femme fatale is quite simple ; a short revealing dress and high heels. We are going for the more obvious look so that the target audience recognizes her straightaway and will question why the dangerously seductive woman has been kidnapped. The murderer will be wearing trousers and shirt, his outfit is plain because we wanted him to look ordinary so that the audience is shocked when they see him washing blood of his hands.

Props:

For the scenes with the detective the props we will need are:

• Old fashioned telephone
• Notepad
• Pen
• Roll up

Red food colouring will the used when the anonmous stranger is washing his hands. To show that the femme fatale has been kidnapped we will use a rope to tie up her hands and a white band to put around her mouth.