On set: Meeting minutes

On Monday, I planned all things I needed to be done for the next day. By doing this, it allowed me more time to focus on filming efficiently.

 This is where I was shooting, just off Portobello Road. It suited the ideas in my head perfectly, I needed an estate / run-down and rough area to emphasise the poor conditions my protagonist lives in.





This is who's playing, "Ruby". The outfit indicates her urban attitude and look, wearing boots and a parka.























Today, Monday, 16th February, I have gone to North Kensington Library in order to write up a plan and as it's near my desired location, I was able to look around and take pictures. (see above).

So Today, (Tuesday 17th, February). I started off the day with packing my bag with the equipment. Ensuring everything is working, charged and ready-to-go. Leaving my house at 12pm, I got to my setting around 1pm. Staying there for an hour and a half, I was able to shoot 4 shots that include a POV shot, low angle and a panning left close-up. Compared to my first draft, I see a major improvement. Although, last time I didn't bring a tripod and unfortunately, it broke whilst shooting therefore I had to improvise immediately and use railings and concrete sides to support a steady shot. Nevertheless, the quality is adequate enough for my final piece.

Further planning for "Fixated"

I started filming on January 30th, this is where I produced mock-up shots. I wanted it to be very amateur/handheld so I didn't use a tripod; however, after watching back the shots I realised this wasn't for me. I wanted it to be shot properly and steady. On my re-shoot, which I am planning to do during the half-term. I've thought of a production Schedule: 

• Monday: - Plan exactly the settings I would like to shoot, by googling how to get there, researching facts about it to see whether it's most suited for my movie. Look at many places that have a run-down environment. 

Ensuring I remember all items.

• Tuesday: Morning - Prepare for the shoot, ensure both camera batteries are fully charged. Tripod and camera is packed in a bag, safely. Storyboard and production brief is also packed to stay related to it.  Midday - Go out and shoot, until around 4 o'clock I will see whether the shots that I need to have a day-time setting is perfected, if not I will still have time to redo it. Taking many shots, in not just one setting to maximise the variety of work i'm able to work with. 
• Wednesday: Morning - see what shots will need redoing, and go up London to reshoot. Also to try different camera angles. 
• Thursday: A week ahead, I have asked if my actor will be free on these dates, unfortunately she isn't on Thursday. So in the meantime, I will shoot the shots that doesn't need an actor. Such as scenic shots of the city's skyline as well as trains. 
• Friday: This will be my last shooting date of the half term as my actor is busy for the weekend. Finally, after looking after the weeks shoot I will see what looks the best and what doesn't. Sorting them into files as I do not want to delete the not-so good shots. 

I will want all my filming to be completed by Saturday as I will want to have as much time with post-production.

Genre Change

After continuously researching movies similar to the films I seek influence from: Juno and Submarine, I realised a "Feel-good" drama wasn't for me. From developing plans I discovered I want to alternate from a "Feel-good" to a "Coming Of Age" story, however keeping the a "feel-good" atmosphere.

The reasoning for my change was down to my narrative, although in fact both genres correlate with with my narrative but I believe a "Coming Of Age" suited it more although, I will still want the "feel-good" atmosphere being produced in the title sequence; down to the fact that you aren't going to "feel-good" throughout the movie because I want to have a sympathetic and sad tone at the beginning of the movie. Moreover, it'll be less of a challenge trying to convey a "feel-good" atmosphere just from a title sequence, as a "coming of age" story will be far more easier as her journey from rags-to-riches symbolise this.

Soundtrack ideas

I gathered what soundtrack, because in my feedback I got told to work on it. I wanted for my title sequence, however, I have been told I am not allowed to use copyrighted music.

Consequently, I am currently trying to find a perfect soundtrack that will be most suitable for my title sequence. Although, in my animatic, I will use the song I desired so in the mean time I can spend longer with searching:

I chose this song due to the atmospheric and textual tone throughout the song. Although it's only 2 minutes long I believe it's almost perfect to my title sequence. In an ideal world where copyright laws weren't an issue, this would be my go-to song. I think a song similar to this will suffice because I don't want no vocals removing the attention from the visuals. However, I do want the audio to compliment the visual aesthetic that I will produce. Having an instrumental and atmospheric audio leaves the whole concept questionable and open into interpretation. Having no dialogue and lyrics, I will want the audience to interpret my title sequence concept and fit it into their own experiences and personal life. So in the mean time, I will be spending a lot of time scouring the internet for the most suitable song for my title sequence.

Credits: First Look

Order of credits:
{[{
1 - [Studio logos]{

2- - Film 4 Presents
A Pathe Film Production
 3 –  Fixated

4 - Red Madrell
Geraldine James
Freya Mavor

5. Casting:
 –Tommy Mahoney
Jade Northen

Production Designer:
Tommy Mahoney

Costume / Make-up:
Gemma Hancox

Special Effects:
Laura Woodburn 

Music / Sound Editor:
Chris Martin 

Photography:
Sofia Coppola

Producer / Writer: 
Richard Ayoade

Director: 
Richard Ayodade


    

First Draft

This is my first draft for my film, "Fixated" or "Livingstone" I still haven't decided on a title just yet. The first draft is terrible, spaced out and contains no soundtrack as it's my first time using Final Cut Pro and i'm also working alone.

Throughout, my positive feedback where my cinematography, framing and setting. They went into further detail verbally, stating my "Setting  and colours matched my genre" and that my "framing" was excellent. However, my not-so-good feedback that I need improve on it making my narrative more vivid, also that there's no soundtrack or credits.

I am currently struggling to find a soundtrack at the moment, especially one that's copyrighted. I really want an upbeat dreamy song as I believe it will make the genre seem more clearer. People didn't understand the genre as the shots were all scattered and did not make sense, I will be working on this. 

Treatment

I'm going to follow the guidelines of, coming of age / rags to riches story but with a twist.

The journey of self-discovery and determination is what Ruby Livingstone thrives off. Throughout her story, you see the constant darkness she lives in, often labelled of the "black sheep" from her family and even her society. She's an introvert who grips onto her dreams to rocket out of the poor conditions she's living in. Wanting to become significantly successful in London's centre of finance, she goes one step further to be as close with her dream; by constantly putting herself in that environment she dreams of. A life without struggle. Although, she is a "fish out of water" and much different than the people she desires to be around. Her full urban look doesn't match the 3-piece suit elegance that is out there. The heart-warming journey of how a dream can completely allow a girl to seek solace from.

Brief:
A girl wants to escape her poor life and break into a life without struggle.