Final film

Hand painted film experiment reflection

As part of exploring more techniques within film, I have experimented with 8mm film using art techniques. This including the use of ink, pen markers, pencils, pins, etc. to create various types of effects onto the film. I found the experience highly interesting, as I have always had an interest in film overlays and grainy effects, therefore creating this myself was insightful and is something I am considering to use in future moving image projects. I also hope to use this technique in photography form, creating still images out of film or using it as an overlay over other photographs. I would use text, ink and any piece of equipment that creates a scratched effect again, as I feel this gave the most artistic, interesting result. The speed of projection also created an interesting, notable effect. One thing I have also learnt that was not as clear beforehand is the idea of frames per second, which was 18 frames per second, with 50-50 frames within the given film.

Script

Through writing my script, I have changed a few details about my story, also changed by watching Luca Gudanignos films. I have decided to create a certain ambiguity as to whether the two characters are lovers or brothers, considering Luca's weird relationship of showing desire within his films. The bold, underlined text is an indication for my Italian actor, who will voiceover Salvatore. The language within the actual flashback will be English, giving a mix of at least 2 languages in retrospect to the foreign side of Luca's directing. There are two main locations, this being Hainault Forest Country Park and any room found in or outside of college. The initial plan for the room is to use the photography studio, with a black backdrop. The shots within the room are in ode to a music video by artist Troye Sivan, an artist I have previously used as inspiration within my smashing stereotypes project. His music video trilogy "Blue Neighbourhood" has a continuous message, following an LGBT teenage couple that struggle to be together because of their strict parents, eventually causing one of the boys to commit suicide. Within the first video, we see one of the boy's eyes closed. Within the last video, we see the boy's eyes shut to symbolise him jumping off a cliff. The jumping is even more dramatic, considering the boys had been "jumping off the jetty" since they were young. 

Location scouting & risk assessment

Location -
In terms of filming, I have chosen an area used in my previous year and final FMP, where there are open fields and cinematic shot opportunities at sunset.  Many branches and trees make it possible for experimentation in framing, linking to Luca Guadanigos experimental, flowing camera style. I have also completed a risk assessment considering I will be filming in a public area -

Hainault Forest Country Park

Examples of framing I could experiment with - My photographs.

Risk assessment -

Public area 
- Ensure people are not within frame without permission
- Background noise and shouting
- Anyone can act any behaviour
- Unattended items increases the chance of theft

Outdoors 
- Wind affecting noise
- Can rain and be slippery especially in the mud / camera and other equipment may get damaged
- Sunlight needed for the golden effect, unpredictable weather

Theory into practice - pre production

Authorship - 

Chosen director Luca Guadaningo, known for:

- Susprisia 

- A bigger splash

- Call me by your name 

- I am love 

Storyline - Title of film, After Death 
- Follows a flashback of Tyrone and Lupita, one day when they were younger and enjoying themselves.
 - Italian voiceover of the last voice message sent from Tyrone to Lupita, the one he sent to

Lupita before committing suicide. He felt alone, especially after the death of his parents.
- We see Tyrone and Lupita spending a day out in their favorite location, a time they were both alone with no parents, but happy.
- The voiceover takes Tyrone's perspective, speaking about he remembered this day - (sound in parallel to what's on-screen) but how he felt also, leading to the tragedy.
- Cinematic shots of them buying coffee, running around - they're slightly younger here. Mention age in voiceover for clarity.

Character profiles - Salvatore

- 20, British, parents are Italian. Studied geography at University with travel ambitions
- Naive, but kind-hearted.

- Had more to offer, wanted to volunteer in his home country. 

Character profile - Evan

- 23,  British but also Italian parents. Intelligent, a part-time job in retail whilst studying masters degree in architecture.
- Big brother's personality considering he takes responsibility a lot.
- More extroverted with many friends likes to party, etc.

Initial editing ideas -
Beings with a black screen and beginning  'please leave your voice message after the tone.' yellow subtitles, Italian voiceover. cut straight to the beginning scene after 1st line. When
Ending with Evan staring around, shouting Tyrone's name. Cut to black, cut to a shot of just Tyrone's eyes (like Blue Neighbourhood music video) then closing his eyes, dip to black.


Script - Some feedback notes in progression and further pointers 
- Include more depth in Mise en scene, including characters' costumes, facial expressions, etc.
- More character descriptions now that the actors are finalised.
- costume
- more character description

Watching Luca Guadaningo's films - notes made 

A Bigger Splash, Call me by your name and I Am Love.
- Subtle subjects that symbolise something bigger, usually with nature.
- The start scene of the man, Paul touching the woman's knee - Marriane so smoothly, the woman giving the man her sunglasses. Action's speaking louder than words - this was how the woman showed her affection to the man rather than - 'I love you,' for example.
- Long-winded shots with no sound in A Bigger Splash, similar to Call Me By Your Name, where the older boy, Oliver, walks down the stairs in appreciation, he just touches the walls and sais nothing.
- The camera stays still with a lot of long shots, lets characters play out.
- Guadaningo likes to explore the beauty of the outdoors. He uses outdoor light to portray a lot, for example in love scenes between both A Bigger Splash and Call Me By Your Name. Both scenes were filmed outside - in appreciation of nature. All 4 main characters in A Bigger Splash are naked outside, rarely inside.
- Also noted that these two films and "I am love" are part of Luca's 'desire' trilogy.
- Stylistic links - framing seems to be very important e.g in Call Me By Your Name where the camera looks at the maid cooking through a perfect square open window into the kitchen.
- Cinematic also when viewing shots that seem to start with the rule of thirds but move in and break it.
- Language speaking in CMBYN, mixing between Italian, French, German and English. The same in A Bigger Splash, English and Italian, and in I am love - Italian. Notable scene in Call me by your name when Elio's mother reads a German book and translates this into English for him and her husband. 

Brecht practical

Final - The Ugly Side of Media