Sci-Fi Elements

Since my film is sci-fi I have a lot of power to play around with stuff, such as flying cars and laser guns.

However what level of sci-fi do I go is the question?

The Star Wars Saga is full 100% sci-fi therefore I don't think it would be wise to go full sci-fi because this would mean a lot of props and other CGI elements to use.  I mean this would be awesome however I don't have the crew or the time to create something like this.

The next film which has less Sci-fi but still loads of CGI is Elysium

I loved this film for the balance between props and CGI animation which became flawless, I think it would be possible to create something which contains this level of CGI, however the props will suffer as I have a low budget and have no team in which to create it however looking into this shows I don't have to go full blown CGI stuff with little props but just make the background believable.

FInal one to look at is blade runner which is set in the not to distant future?

 This will be useful for my Intro scene of the city being panned down!
But being able to reference real world and manipulate it into the sci fi world would be the best move for my film.

Another thing to note is video copilots VFX sci-fi tutorial which I'm following, sadly they don't have the full assets for you, instaed they have only given me the footage of the guy shooting, which I prefer because it makes the footage become mine as I add the VFX for the blast coming out of the gun.

I believe this will be awesome for my Sci FI guns in the film.

Risk Assessments

Risk Assessment Lecture Hall
Location Leeds collage of Art

Hazard: people tripping over in the dark room.
Risk: people can easily hurt themselves when they can't whats infront of them because of the dark setting as it's an interrogation scene.
Rating: Medium
Action required: Place all equipment into one area where people know the location of it then set the scene into darkness for the interrogation scene.

Hazard:Lighting equipment
Risks: Tripping over the cables for the lights. Dazzled by the lights when they are switched on.
Rating: Medium
Action Required: For the cables all of them will be duct taped down to the floor therefore people can't trip over the cables to the lights. Before any lights are turned on the lighting people shall shout out "Sparking" which will indicate to us they are turning on the powerful lights.



Risk Assessment Rose Bowl Car Park
Location Rose Bowl

Hazard: Cars
Risk: Crew members getting hit by cars or equipment getting damaged.
Rating: High
Action Required: Need 3/4 people to look out for cars while we are filming so as soon a car is heading our way we can move quickly out of it's way and resume film.

Hazard: Track and Dolly
Risk: camera op falling off the tracks and hurting themselves.
Rating: High
Action Required: Have a operator controlling the speed of the dolly and can make it stop before the camera op runs out of track to run on.

Hazard: Actors hurting themselves during the takes (Action sequence)
Risk: During takes actors hurting them selves while rolling/dodging.
Rating:Medium
Action Required: Crash mats will be ready for if the actor is making a big movement.

Hazard: Visibility in the underground car park to cars and other pedestrians.
Risk: A car not noticing someone until the last minute and a accident happens.
Rating: High
Action Required: All crew to be wearing High Vis Jackets at all times, Actor to remove them only when a take will happen then straight back on.

Hazard:Gun Prop
Risk: someone/ a memeber of the public could think it's a real gun and call police
Rating:Medium/High
Action Required: Notify the local police and security at rose bowl saying we will have a gun prop and that its a toy painted black on that day!  Hopefully this won't happen as we are wearing film crew on the back of the high vis jackets.



Risk Assessment DFGA Office
Location Leeds Collage of Art

Hazard: Small space
Risk: Someone tripping and getting hurt as there is no space to move.
Rating: Low
Action Required: Sets of crew to enter then leave we have a maximum of 5 people in at a time including actors.

Hazard: Cables
Risk: Catching a cable as we are walking in and out of the office.
Rating:Low
Action Required: Notify all crew be careful of wire/cables as we set up the scene.

Hazard: Sensitive material
Risk: We students see something that we shouldn't have to do with the collage.
Rating Low
Action Required: Tell the member of staff when we are using the room and notify all crew to not go sticking their noses where they don't belong.


Risk Assessment Flat
Location 5A Blenheim View

Hazard: Small Place
Risk: bumping into each other and knocking something over
Rating: Low
Action Required: only people needed on set will be here shooting the scene the rest will be next door.

Hazard: Cables
Risk: Crew tripping over cables which are lose
Rating:Low
Action Required: Duct tape them down.


Hazard: Slipping
Risk:Floor will have been cleaned before hand for the scene and could still be wet.
Rating: Low
Action Required: Clean up and dry floor plus notify crew if the floor is still wet.

Prop sci-fi guns

One of the most needed props is the sci-fi guns.  I had a look around the internet but some are costly for pre-done guns which look really good however by looking at the shape of these guns it seem to be a nerf gun which kids use by spray painted black and then has added led lights in it, therefore instead of the pre-done sci-fi guns I'll get a normal nerf gun and spray paint it black.

The nerf gun is called "retaliator"

From here I've looked at many tutorials on how to spray paint the gun black to make it look realistic, however the downside to do this is that someone could easily mistake it for a real gun if they are far away and call the police which in turn could have us pointed at with real guns.  Therefore to prevent this I'll need to call the local police department tell them what I'm doing and tell then it's a nerf gun painted black to look realistic

examples below

For people who don't have much gun knowledge they could mistake one for a real gun.

Animatic of Act 3 no sound as not final.

Act 3 final scene rough version to see how it plays out. Without sound as final script is on the way.

Actors for the Film

Chris Hallas to play Jake (C1)
I've chosen Chris as he has a good sense of humour and comedic timing and like to do acting casually in his spare time.  Secondly he has read the first version of the script and loved it and wanted to be part of it.

Naj Modark to play Chief (C2)
I've worked with Naj at IPM studios and he is a good actor and I asked him about this and he said yes to helping as it would be good for him on his CV actor videos, however he has said if a actor job does come up which is paid he might leave to do that therefore will need a sub for C2

Greg Shackleberry to play Sir Ellesworth (C3)
when writing this script as making this character and his lines, he felt like I was writing Greg into the story and I think if I have any one else to play this character it wouldn't feel right.

Production design

Questions to myself about this Film.

What is the film's theme?
It's a Comedy within a police force style set in the future.

What are it's mood progression?
Serious to start as the start is a interrogation scene which breaks down into more of a comedy feel, with action at the end to round the film off.

What kind of location should each sequence have?
The locations to match the scene and the atmosphere e.g. interrogation scene is in a dark large hall unknown to how large it is.

What statement should each location make towards the film's premise?
 ???

How should each set be lit?
Fairly bright as this is a comedy, so that it doesn't be dark at any point which would change the theme of the film.

What kind of props go with the set?
For Police areas wanted posters, files with case/investigation on them to add the aesthetics.

What kind of belongings do the characters keep around them?
Only the main character with a coat which is recognisable to the audience.

What kind of clothes do each character wear and what do the clothes tell us?
For Jake (C1) he wears the famous coat and he dress smart casual however when he's in act 2 the coat is on the sofa and dress casual.
For Chief (C2) very smart stuff e.g. shirt and tie gear then for Act 3 an overcoat.
Sir Ellseworth (C3) Very business type cloths with a hit of casual and the staff which is his iconic prop.

How does their wardrobe vary from scene to scene?
Since Jake (C1) is aways in the scene at different points his clothing changes from dective clothing to the couch potato and then back for the final event.

What colour Palette and progression would promote the film's thematic development?
Serious noir feel at the start with the 3 colours of black white and yellow into the bright happy colours of a comedy, then for the final scene fair neutral colours as the VFX from the sci-fi guns will add a lot of vibrant colours into the scene.

Locations

Location 1
Student Lecture Hall
Available light: there is no natural light in this area however there is a lighting rig above and there is plenty of space to use 2k lights.
Size: This location is very big therefore can have a track and dolly for the interrogation scene.
As far the locations has plenty of access for equipment and power supply for lighting.
Stuff: There is no furniture in this room therefore the chairs and tables will have to be brought into the area.
Sound issues: the main access doors are by a car park therefore could be problem if we catch a car moving around.
Location has been secured for the 23rd to the 28th however there is a lecture on the 25th morning therefore must be weary of this.

Location 2
DFGA Office
Available light: natural light coming in from the door onto the landing area outside. secondly lights to light the room during the evening therefore not powerful ones, however this scene will be shot during the day therefore shouldn't any problem.
Size: fairly small and limited space therefore very little crew is needed on set but before and after we will have to be efficient as it is a office with sensitive material, plus mustn't hold up tutors from access in and out of the office.
Availability: There will be a quick scene in this area of 1/2min scene time but over all it should take 2 hrs if we are quick.
Sound issues: Road outside which is a main road to the inner ring road of leeds therefore a road mike on top of a camera plus a boom mike will be needed to focus the sound just to the speaking, note it would be good to get a ambient of this the have in the background therefore not making the scene extremely quiet.
Stuff/furniture: the desk and chairs are already there so it will be just posters which say animation will need to be taken down and other background material to add to the setting.
Location Secured between 23rd to 28th march


Location 3
My Flat
Available Light: Natural from windows however since the setting id for it to be a montage of time passing with the actor in different positions making a funny montage.
Size: Avaerage enough to get one/two 2k lights in if needed for the location however need the tv to produce different colours so that it looks like the actor is watching tv so having powerful lights might not be the way to go on this shoot.
Sound issues: Live by a car park which does have lorries coming inn and out therefore will need to keep a eye on this factor and since they last for about half an hour this will eat up time.
Furniture: All furniture is in the correct places the only thing which might have to move is the table slightly so it becomes inline with the sofa.
Location secured between 23rd and 28th


Location 3
Rose bowl car park
Available light: None natural as it's underground however the lights in there are high powerful ones therefore won't need a 2k light.
Size: it's a huge car park but we a sectioned off to one "small area" plus this will be shoot at night therefore there isn't many cars around which makes things easier.
Availability for stuff: there isn't much power supplies therefore everything must be charged fully before heading out. Limitations will be the cars depend on how many are left down in the car park as not everyone will have left at 5pm so it could still be fairly full.
Sound Issues: Echo of the footsteps or speech of the actors as the ceilings are low and everything is stone which can make the voices bounce back or crew talks quietly and gets picked up.
Location secured between 25th and 26th.

Animatic of Act 1

Quickly put up a animatic to see how the film would run trough the first act, to get a visualisation

Review of Script - subconscious influences

As nothing can be truly original, just has reference to other things.

Firstly this is straight up slap stick comedy, but not done in a cheesy or cringey way, it is good humor with it being almost in your face but enough that it's not overpowering and trying to hard to get a laugh from the audience.

Other influences are Archer (TV) however i'm not a major fan of Archer because of it's style but after just listening to the speech of each character I can see how my script is similar to the TV show with it's adult humor.

Second it the Adult Swim. A American show aired at late night, it's target audience is Adults and it's very interesting how they manage to get away with many comments, however it's funny and doesn't over step it's boundries.

Next one was Egoraptor, with his brutal humor of Awesome Series which I find hilarious, I believe this has the most influence as one part in my script goes "Whhhaaaaaaaaattt! who me na"  which is sarcasm but makes it awesome which is what he aims for.

    

Act 3 Scene reference

For the final act with the show down, I need to keep the action up but not lose the comedy of the script, therefore the first film which comes to mind is...

Hot Fuzz

In the final action sequence of Hot Fuzz, especially in the supermarket they were able to keep high levels of action up then add the one liners, or the puns into the action to break it down so the tension rose and lowered quickly and efficiently throughout the scene.  From this I think it would be best to change the script slightly with the script editor to make this happen and then actors to pull off this role well.
Another reason for choosing Hot Fuzz is that this film is really funny to me because the comedy is fast and entertaining, as for the opening section which makes no-nonsense as to why it's there it sets off the rest of the film in a classic way and prepares the audience for the rest of the film.
Simon Pegg's role as SGT Angel his timings and visual reactions to a lot of the odd things has a major effect upon the audience.  It's also fair to say that this film is homage to the police force and Simon Pegg's skill to keep a serious face throughout and make it believable film.
Finally the direction of Hot Fuzz wouldn't be possible with the director Edgar Wright.  His timing, energetic and dynamism really makes this film come to life in it's blitz of humour and action.  He also managed to coax the best out of his actors to amplify the brilliance of this film.


Second film which has similar comedy in the middle of battle is 21 jump street.
House party fight
In this it has the subtle tension building up and then the fight breaks out with the break of the character "Smit" hits back and breaks to say "That hurt more than, when he hit me"
Throughout the scene it keeps the action high and entertaining but has the break for the one liner.
Overall while the laughs work in the majority of cases, it is quite a rough story. This film has the story which feels like it was done in a few hours and pieced together at the end.  The best actor in this was Channing Tatum who I didn't know could act funny since I've only seen him in serious roles which shows how important choosing the right actor is for certain films.




Hopefully with a talk/discussion with my editor we can find a way to make this possible however it will also be on the actors to show the emotion.

Pre-production Scene reference Act 2

Act 2 is planned to be a montage of days passing and the main character Jake being lazy and its just meant to be a funny montage of time passing.

For this I thought it would be best to look at different funny scenes from films and shift it into the scene.  I intent to have 5 different shots
First to have him enter and just sit down
Second to have him gaming
Third have him react to a romantic film
Fourth where he reacts to the phone call

Sadly I can't find much to use as a reference here apart form looking at funny movies.

Pre-Production Scene references Interrorgation

At the start of the script it's in a interrogation room, I had a faint idea of what I would like this to look like as I have studied the camera angles on this scene.

I,Robot
Throughout this scene the camera tells you who is in power.  The set is very dull and the actors are highlighted therefore we keep focus on them.  From this I will need to implement this into my scene at the start.


Frozen Ground
Interrogation scene seems to use a 50mm lens to get a nice depth of field and focus pulling between the deceives and the suspect.  It uses a lot of cuts making the scene become tense.  I really like this scene however I believe it won't work as this is half way though the film making the action build and plot revealed to the audience.


Now you see me
Atlas Interrogation.
This happens at the start of the film, in this scene it focus on each of the main characters (Detective and Magician) then the focus stays fully on the magician until it cuts to a wide where action has peaked.  I think I will use something similar in my scene as I have the reveal of the Muffin Button where the other actor reacts to it and this could be a peaking moment in the scene?


From these Films with the interrogation scenes I have decided to use the beginnings of "I'Robot" with establishing shots which lead into action peaking of "Now you see me" into the cocky smug attitude from the main character!

Pre-production COSTUMES + PROPS

Costumes
Jake: Smart/Casual gear and the most noticeable thing about him will be his JACKET!

Chief: Smart therefore a grey suit or something of equal smartness

Sir Alistar: Fairly smart, however he will be in a action scene therefore will need a major look at!!!

Supporting actors

Keith: rough clothes

Alice: Shirt with black shirt and black shoes.

Dave: Casual with jeans.


Props.

Sci-Fi guns for Jake and Sir Alistar
Plan to have Nerf guns and spray paint them black

Muffin Button Machine.
A push button switch in a box not connected to anything with a cable to a square.

Pizza Box stacks
Just going to collect/ask at a shop if I can buy 5 of them.

Shades Aviators for ending punch line.

Developing Characters

Character 1
Main lead
Name: Jake Baxter
Attributes: Smart Sarcastic and witty


Character 2
Support/mentor role
Name: Chief  John Pierce
Attributes: Leader, Smart and Level headed


Character 3
Villain
Name: Sir Alistar Ellseworth
Attributes: Smart, Egotistical


Supporting Actor 1
Captured henchman of villain
Name: Keith Blackwood
Attributes: Angry, Resistant


Supporting Actor 2
Female Officer
Name: Alice Walsh
Attributes: Teachers pet, Smart

Supporting Actor 3
Male Officer
Name: Dave Smith
Attributes: silly, Here for the comedic effect

Script V1 (before editors notes)

Script

(untitled)

Not in script format as Blogger can't interpret.

C1=Character1

C2=Character2

C3=Character3

SA=supporting actors

Act 1

Scene 1

(Wide Shot, Panning left to right)

Landscape view of Leeds, combined with CGI Buildings and possibly flying cars. Location and year in bottom corner.

Transition to by black building blocking camera shot into next scene

Scene 2

(wide shot, close up on each character as they speak)

Characters in scene Character 1 (C1) and supporting actor 1 (SA1)

The set is a table with both characters on each side. The room has dark grey walls with lights from above.

C1 :

Character is standing, hands on table.

“You drug baron, who is he? Just give me his name!”

SA1 :

”Never”

Sitting in the back of the chair, relaxed.

C1

gives a heavy sigh of disappointment.  

 “You give me no choice”

C1 lifts a strange square box with a button connected to it.

SA1

“This can’t be the…”

 Sits forward in his chair

C1

“Oh yes, the only prototype left!”

He smirks after knowing he’s won.

SA1

(hesitantly)

“you… you are something else”

 Looks away to the floor and slowly back at C1

: “His name is…”

Scene ends.

Scene 3

As scene 2 ends C1 walks into a new room. The room is very modern office style Nothing else to add.

Character in scene Character 1(C1) and Character 2 (C2)

C1

“ (Character 3’s name here) he’s the one running the show, no need to thank me”

acts like he’s on top of the world.

C2

“Thank you detective (C1) you are dismissed”

C1

Looks very confused “ I’m sorry, (witty comment here)

C2

 “Detective, … After what you did…”

Flash Back to C1 and SA1 walking away from a building which blows up behind them.

C1

”Yeah, which was awesome”

C2

:” what you did was against the rules”

C1

 “Pfft, rules are just guidelines”

C2

” You blew up the building on purpose”

C1

”WHAAAAAAAAAAT …” sarcastic tone “ no I would never”

C2 looks unimpressed

C1

 “You can’t say that wasn’t ‘awesome’”

(higher pitch on awesome)

C2

 ”hmm well detective, since your methods are too… awesome I’m afraid the other detective will be jealous and have to suspend you”

C1

 “but sir with all due respect I got a suspect and got a name”

C2

“And may I ask did you convince him to talk”

C1

 “erm… well you know because I’m awesome”

C2

“Detective”

C1

 “ Muffin button…”

C2

 “you are off the case, now leave”

C1 walks away out of the office.

SA2 (support actor female) standing outside the office

SA2

 “Too bad you won’t be able to finish the case due to suspension, and I ‘really’ hope it doesn’t take too long!”

C1

 “Funny, but I ‘really’ hope it doesn’t take too long! is the name of your sex tape”

Walks off the scene to the right

End of Act 1

Act 2

Flat of C1

scene 1

Montage of the actor bored in different positions throughout the scene.

Scene 2

Incoming call from the chief (C2)

C1 slicks back hair and prepares for the call

C1

”Hey, how you doing? Because I’m just having the time of my life, not bored at all.”

 Pause

“ Got it no problem sir I’ll be on my way”

Phone call ends

C1 dances then knocks over object to stop.

End of Act 2

Act 3

Night Time Location outside the Rose bowl,  C1 comes in with black combat gear or normal gear.  The chief C2 is observing the assault on the building

C1

”No need to panic, because I’m here, (C1’s name)”

enters heroic pose

C2

”yes I’m glad your here”

Turns to C1

C1

”exactly… wait what!”

C2

 “ at this moment in time all of the moves we’ve made are ineffective, therefore need all the help we can get… Even Dave is here”

Camera blur to Dave sitting like a small child, with a happy meal and pulls out a toy.

Cuts back to C1 shocked in awe

C1

”I want one”

C2

“NO”

C1

”WHYYYY!”

C2

”because I’m your commanding officer!”

C1 sticks out tounge

SA2 (female) enters and says

SA2

”everything is ready for the second assault

C2

”good lets get everyone to speed

SA2 and C2 leave

SA3 enters (officer)

SA3

”sir your weapon is ready”

Passes Nerf gun spray painted black

Camera runs from the base of the barrel along the shaft then up to C1

C1

”Lock and load” (needs something better here!)

Over Com : “All units prepare for Assault”

bottom hand of screen “1 hour and 37 mins “ camera looking at the Rose bowl build

Cuts to C1 and Dave wide shot looking unhappy

C1

 “Why has nothing happened yet… I mean we’re just sitting here doing nothing at all… You agree with me don’t you Dave?”

Dave

 “peew peew”

Fake gun sounds

C1

“I’m out”

C1 walks around the rose bowl to the the entrance to the underground car park.

He walk down to the under ground car park from here the car cuts to a lift CGI it opens and C3 (really got to name these guys) walks out

C1

“Freeze, NYPD! (C3’s name)”

C3 raises hands

C3

 “ What the.. wait NYPD New York Police

C1 lowers gun

C1

“No it’s the New Yorkshire Police Department”

C3

“doesn’t quiet work does it”

C1

“I know… I tell them that”

C3

“Best do” begins to walk off again

C1

“Okay thank for feedback… and where do you think your going?”

C3

“Oh please ”

C1

“(C3’s name), I will defeat you”

C3

“39”

C1

”Huh?

C3

“Sorry please continue with your monolog, my plane isn’t here for another (Looks at watch) 2 hours, so please continue”

C1

“I, (C1’s name) will bring you to justice”

C3

“27”

C1

“seriously what are you doing!”

C3

 “32 and it’s the amount of times I’ve heard the cliché lines from ‘heroes’”

C1

“Well… “

C3

“this will be good”

Thinking really hard for C1

C3

“Don’t think too hard dear…”

C1

“Fuck you!”(change this as inappropriate)

C3

“Ha 73”

C1

“ right, I’m handcuffing your ass”

C3

“oh…”

Pauses to think

“2”

C1

“Annoyed grunt”

C3

“this is where this game ends…”

shoots a blast from his staff

C1

dodges

 “Ha missed, try again for a…”

interrupted by blast

C1

“Now that’s rude”

C3

“I’m sorry I didn’t realise”

C1

“It’s okay I know it’s diff…”

Another blast

“Seriously…”

C3

“Sorry my hearing must be off because I hear kill me please”

C1

”that’s it I’m fighting now”

C3

“Thank god”

Fight begins Storyboard this stuff

After shooting him a bit

C1

“Man you need glasses”

c3 doesn’t care

C1

“ Er I stopped dodging, you know”

C3

“Exactly”

C1 turns around to find they are homing blasts

C1

 “Oh… Ohhh… Clever DIC….”

Blast hits

Near end

C1 down on the ground and C3 standing tall

C3

“well this was fun, nice playing with you ‘hero’”

C1

slowly begins to get up

C3

“Oh darling, stay down”

   C1

“how’s about no”

c3 looks bit stunned as it wasn’t a cliché line

           

C1

“It’s time to break you”

C3

(in head George tekai “Oh My…”)

C1

“Like a kitkat bar”

C3

Shocked

“Er that’s a new one”

C1

“Eat my load”

           

C3

George Takei Oh My

“not now George”

hits C3 who then becomes lying on the floor in pain

C1 walks up to him

C1

“Time to take you out of the oven”

           

C3

in pain

“Huh?”

C1

“Because your done”

           

Chief enters to this

C2

“well done detective”

C1 pulls a smirk

After 1st set of credits

camera on C1

   C1

“Oh it’s been a while”

Cuts to the muffin button machine

Pushes button

VFX to make a Muffin appear.

Rest of the credits follow.

Extened Practice Script ideas

Creating a script is a interesting to do as this is a part of the skeleton for the film.

So basic plot of my film is a detective solving a case who then gets suspended because of his unorthodox methods and sits at home for a while.  After 3 days he then get called back in as the back up team for bring down the villain.  He wins end of...  So very basic plot of establishing the character followed by dilemma, which gets resolved into the happy ending.

Themes thought out this story:  Comedy, Action

Main focus on Comedy however must try to hard as it won't be funny and will fall flat!
Sub focus is the Action as this is a police type event it will most likely have action.

With this in mind I've created version one of the script, which shall be sent on to a editor to improve this to a new height.


Script Version one will be posted then
Editor Greg Schackleberry a English Lit and Lan Graduate hopefully shall bring the script to a new level.