Planning For Our Children's Film

Throughout our planning of the project we experienced minor difficulties with creating out first idea so then had to often re-think our ideas as we went along. Therefore our original planning doesn't really fit the theme of our final piece. Our final piece is set in a school and is about a new girls first day and the difficulties of making friends. It is a chick-flick genre and we were inspired by the TV program  'waterloo road'. 

Photo's - these were taken around site to inspire our thoughts and creations, we have lots of colourful photos to represent children's colour's and how we might decorative our background in the film. 

this is the green room were we will be filming our story. 

Initial Ideas -

- who ate the smarties
- Little girl playing with her toys but then they come alive when she goes for dinner and eats her smarties
- making it a fantasy world
- using a green screen to change the location background (disney land)
- PG film
- Voice overs for the toys
- Jewellery box noise (music) in background softly
- Names and title created in sweets
- She is having a tea party with her toys feeding them smarties

Props and Costumes -
- Teddy bears
- Barbies
- Little children toys

Genre -
- Fantasy

Shot list -
- Close up shots
- Mid shots
- Tracking shot

Editing -
- Parallel editing
- Effects
- cut transition

By Saffron Osborn and Jake Page

Group 20 - Daisy Dunnett, Vic Pryor, Saffron Osborn, Jake Page

Preliminary Task and Storyboard

Storyboard -

Analysis -

While filming our preliminary task we had a certain amount of shots to be included. We began by filming a establishing shot this was to introduce the location of the sequence, we created this by a character walking down the hallway. The next shot we used was a close up of the characters hand opening the door as well as that we had to create a match on action shot this is when you cut during an action to another camera angle but showing the action from the same point in time that you left from the previous shot, we incorporated this shot by showing the character opening the door from both sides, this is important as it shows the flow of the scene. The plot of our task was a character walking to meet to talk to another character, the next shot we needed to use was a reaction shot this is to introduce the second character, this is another important shot as it encourages the audience to believe the characters are in the same location. The long shot is the other shot we needed to include this shows the two characters in the same location, this informs the audience of the characters positions relative both to one another and to their surroundings. The final shot is filming a conversation over the shoulder, allowing both characters to remain in the scene. The conversation we used was general conversation. Overall our preliminary task was a success as we included all the shots needed.

Daisy Dunnett

Children's Classification.

'UC' - Films suitable for under 5's.

'U' (universal) - universal films should be suitable for 4 year olds and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.
A Universal film may not contain discriminatory language or behaviour, any references to illegal drugs, any potential dangerous material that a child may copy however a universal film can contain mild scary sequences, mild infrequent bad language, occasional nudity, mild sexual behaviour such as kissing, mild violence and problematic themes.

'PG' (parental guidance) - Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
A parental guidance film may not contain discriminatory language or behaviour, no detail to potential dangerous behaviour that a child may copy however there may be references to illegal drugs only if it is an anti-drug message, frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense, mild bad language is accepted, natural nudity is also accepted, sexual activity may be implied and moderate violence.

'12/12A' - Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them. The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In a 12/12A certificated film discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed and illegal drug use must be infrequent however moderate physical and phycological threat may be permitted, dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied, moderate language is allowed and so is nudity, sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed, mature themes are acceptable and moderate violence should not dwell on detail.

Case Studies of Controversial Films.

JUNO
Juno was submitted to the BBFC with a 'PG' request. The key classification issues in the work and what examiners discussed are infrequent strong language, moderate sex references, film’s tone, likely appeal and audience, and the treatment of the theme of teenage pregnancy. Though strong language is not permitted at ‘PG’ the BBFC Guidelines do allow for infrequent uses of strong language at ‘12A’. The one sex scene in the film is very brief and discrete – we see a pair of knickers fall to the floor when Juno and Paulie are about to make love, but the act itself is implied – as indicated by BBFC Guidelines at '12A'. Juno was passed ‘12A’ and received critical acclaim and Oscar nominations.

By Daisy and Vic.

Children's Film Genre

Acton is a genre that is a class of creative work characterised by more emphasis on exciting action sequences than on character development or story-telling. There are many sub-genres, including martial arts action, extreme sports action, car chases and vehicles, suspense action, and action comedy, with each focusing in more detail on its own type and flavour of action. It is usually possible to tell from the creative style of an action sequence, the genre of the entire creative works. For example, the style of a combat sequence will indicate whether the entire works is an action adventure, or martial arts. For example Spiderman 2. The characters are usually fictional in a naturalistic world. Spiderman himself has props which include his costume weapons. There is a lot of editing and special effects involved in making Spiderman such as Pyrotechnics, prosthetics, wire work, stunt doubles, sugar glass and computer generated imagery. The sound is non-diegetic which creates a tension filled atmosphere. Spiderman 2 is set in New York city and mainly involves the sky scrapers. The film is fast paced and reflects the rush and panic of the action. The film contains continuity and parallel editing while having cut transitions to create a sense of narrative reality and suspension. There is a lot of cinematography which involves most types of camera shots.




Fantasy is a genre that uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting. For example Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets is full of characters with magical powers. They all have a variety of props including flying broom sticks and wands. The location is set is a far away land in a magical castle in a forest which is isolation from the real world. Throughout the film there are special effects to show when the impact of their powers are arising, including pyrotechnics and wire work. There is also a lot of prosthetics, sugar glass, stunt doubles and non diegetic sound. There also tends to be a character theme and sound bridge which runs throughout. The film contains parallel and continuity editing with cut transitions which creates a magical filled atmosphere.



Adventure is a genre were major characters are consistently placed in dangerous situations, and a fictional character who lives by their wits and their skills is often called an adventurer.For example Pirates of the Caribbean is an adventure film because there is a goal to achieve through adventure and findings were all characters are a risks of loosing their lives. Its also a comical film with funny moments. The characters are all fictional and have their individual props like Captain Jack Sparrow has his compass at all times and hat. The location is set at sea most the time on a big pirate ship although the do visit beaches/land at certain points in the film.



Science fiction is a sub-category within the broader context of the science fiction genre as a whole. An example of a science fiction film is X-Men.




By Saffron and Jake.

The Goonies

In the beginning of the film the story introduces a treasure map which is found in the main characters attic. They then decide to go on an adventure to find the treasure to save their houses from being demolished and turned into a golf course. The map first takes them to a run down restaurant where they met the Fratellis, which are a family of fraudsters and murderers, here they discover that the map will take them to there next destination which is underground. One of the Goonies is then kidnapped by the Fratellis. The Goonies then go on to follow the different deathly task to find the treasure. The Fratellis soon catch up to them but in the end the Fratellis get caught  by the police and the Goonies find the treasure and save their houses with the treasure they found.
The Genre of the film is adventure. We find this out by the storyline and the elements such as fast music throughout the adventure and the location as it is in a hidden cave.
The main characters in the film are Mickey and his crew of Goonies, The Fratellis and Sloth. The Goonies are a group of friends that are there to save the day. Followed by the stereotypical bad guys, The Fratellis. In the group of Goonies there are a wide range of personalities and we can relate to this by ourselves having many different people in our group of friends.
In the Goonies there are many different camera angles such as long shots, close ups and tracking shots. The editing were manly all cut which shows continuity however there was parallel editing to they fratellis chasing after the Goonies. When the Goonies slide down a water tunnel they used a tracking shot and they also used close ups of each of their faces to show the reaction to what was happening. The costumes worn by the Goonies was casual dated clothing back to the 20th century. Due to the cave the lighting of the film was always quite dark except from the lanterns. The map and the treasure were the main props in the film.




By Vic, Daisy, Jake.

Opening scenes analysis GROUP 20

Up 
- From the start of the clip it suggests that the film will be based on an adventure genre.
- You are introduced to the main characters.
- At the beginning of the film it shows charles the adventure man (carls idle), this shows that the film may be about adventure.
- Carl meets a little girl called helen who shares the same interest for adventure as him and when you watch them both meet you can tell that their relationship may continue in the film.



Nanny McPhee
- At the beginning of the film, it shows a chair which may be explained further in the story.
- Also the narrator explains the background of the story by using a voice over, this gives you an idea of the story.
- You are introduced to the location by a long shot which shows the main characters house which is a historical castle, this may suggest that the film is based in a historical period.
- The characters personalities are quickly established when you see them causing chaos.
- Nanny Mcphee comes into the story by the father of the children looking for a nanny and there is none left, the letterbox opens and there is a voice over from nanny mcphee, this gives a sense of magic and fantasty.



By Daisy and Vic.

Opening sequence - A Bugs Life

Opening sequence - Stardust

When watching the opening sequence of Stardust within the first few moments a voice over begins narrating the film. This guides us through the history and provides us with the knowledge we need to know to help us understand the plot. An advantage of a voice over is that it engages the audience and makes us aware, it also highlights key points for example it uncovers the events of the wall and stars. The opening sequence also introduces a few of the main characters and establishes the location. We also get to know the genre of the film and see that it is an fantasy adventure/action while also seeing the time period which is set many years ago.

Jake and Saffron