AS Preliminary task - Script

SCREENPLAY FOR PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION 

“THE WRONG GUY” 

BY ABDULLAH ALFADHLI & HUSSEIN HAMUME

1 OUTSIDE CINEMA

PROTAGONIST SITTING OUTSIDE ART HOUSE CINEMA ON THE PHONE WAITING FOR THE FILM. 

ANONYMOUS PERSON MARCHES TOWARDS HIM TO WARN HIM ABOUT OWED MONEY FOR HIS BOSS. 

CONFUSED PROTAGONIST ACTS DEFENCIVELY AND GETS ANGRY WITH THE MESSENGER. 

MESSENGER: 

‘SO HAVE YOU GOT THE MONEY?’ 

PROTAGONIST: 

‘WHAT MONEY? WHO ARE YOU?‘ 

MESSENGER: 

‘MY FRIENDS MONEY… BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DON’T PAY HIM BACK’ 

PROTAGONIST: 

‘WHO ARE YOU MAN? GO AWAY GET OUT OF MY FACE’

MESSENGER LEAVES THE SCENE AND PROTAGONIST ENTERES THE CINEMA TO WATCH THE FILM.

PROTAGONIST WALKS THROUGH CORRIDOR AND RECIVES A PHONE CALL FROM A FRIEND, THE GOES AND TAKES A SEAT.

SUDDENLY SOMEONE FROM BEHIND THE PROTAGONIST HEAD LOCKS HIM AND KIDNAPS HIM TO AN ABANDONED PLACE WHERE HIM AND HIS BOSS INTERGATE THE PROTAGONIST.

PROTAGONIST: 

HE IS GRABBED BY THE GANG BOSS AND THE BODYGUARD AND PRESSED AGAINT THE WALL.

‘WHO ARE YOU? WHAT AM I DOING HERE?’ 

FRIGHTENED. 

BOSS: 

‘PRESS HIM ON THE WALL. ARE YOU LUKE?‘  

ASKING THE PROTAGONIST.

PROTAGONIST: 

‘WHO’S LUKE?’ 

BOSS: 

‘ANSWER MY QUESTION, ARE YOU LUKE OR NOT?‘

PROTAGONIST: 

‘WELL IF YOU’RE NOT LUKE WE KNOW WHAT TO DO…’  

BODYGUARD: 

REPLIES: ‘Yeah…’  

THEY KILL THE PROTAGONIST ON SITE.

THE END.

Audience research focus groups: blog write-up

My production team: Hussein, Hitik & Abdullah

The focus group has helped the team get a greater understanding of what is needed for the film to be an exceptional arthouse movie. Quite evidently, the focus group listened to our with the perception that the overview about the theory of arthuse movies was not being met. The storyline contained a modern-noir detective feel in which there is a typical storyline of good vs evil; the storyline consists of two detectives; one who is intellectually smart and one who is blessed with supernatural powers.

The summary of the key points that was given to improve our film-idea concept:

Play with the narrative structure to entice the audience's minds with enigma codes.

A non-linear narrative will make more intellectual demands on the audience which enhances attenction and creates diversion.

Binary opposition between the two narrative forces to demonstrate clear opposition and to help u the audience to understand who are the antagonists and the protagonists.

Look at Sin City, it has an arthouse element.

Don’t use too many Hollywood key elements as it would lose the uniqueness of the movie.

Research the special effects as it will be an important element to the success of the movie and the professionalism of the quality.

Forget about the franchise because arthouse as a genre is mostly one offs.

He finds out he has a superpower last and the fight seen happens first.

Reset time so you know what happens.

Time is the centre of the whole thing, the narrative will revolve around time.

I believe having discussions would allow a significant improvement in terms of the quality. The discussions that are brought forward will allow information like this to be very useful, as they will bring forward issues and new ideas that were no thought of before. My team initally presented the idea to our classmates, believing honestly that our idea would not require improvements. However we were proved wrong. Firstly, our team explained our concept and the general narrative. linking the subject theme, which is arthouse, and also adding a supernatural effect to the production idea.

There were many elements that were brought up in the discussion that helped the overall understanding of the creation of the movie. One element of the idea that was that one of the characters contains powers that could play around with time and one suggestion was to make the concept of time as the main proposal from the extract. The way our group explained the powers of time is that it would only be used in conflict with the antagonists especially in fight scenes which contained the most danger. What’s also strange is that only one of the protagonists has a supernatural power and his partner is the intelligent role of the two. This gives an opportunity for different audiences of different personalities to relate to either on of the heroes due to the opposite personalities. The role for the superpower character is seen as dominant and powerful in the narrative on the other hand the other role for the detective is seen as wise and as a leader. 

Another key concept is by playing with the narrative structure of the film to reinforce the key concept of time and break the convention rules for continuity; this will be constructed in the postproduction aspect of the project. The ability to break the common conventions is the beauty of the Art house genre, the extract will start will start with the disequilibrium from Todorv’s theory to grab the viewers attention. The overall result of the focus group I believe was very positive as it refined the overall concept as well as brought forward problems taht needs correcting.

Target Audience

The target audience that my group is aiming at is going to be targeting the 15-26 age bracket. In the brief, it states that this film should appeal to the younger audience in terms of young adults. Also, this film will be certified at a 15 rating due to our group trying to reach the largest audience possible. As this is an arthouse movie, there will likely be a secondary audience of 38-55 year olds. We believe there will be a 70/30 split of males to females as the storyline and actors are predominately male and there isn’t currently a plan to include a romance in the clip. We will be targeting the ABC1 class bracket as it is all encompassing however, as it is an arthouse piece, we will likely be getting viewers that typically are in the higher class brackets. They will likely have university degrees and will likely have a job in Central London where they are earning a good salary. 

Arthouse Film Research

Production: Independent film studios

Eternal  Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Focus Features
Other Films that Focus Features produced:

• Fifty Shades of Grey
• Brokeback Mountain
• Lust, Caution
• 9
• Milk

Focus Features success 

Focus' most successful release in North America to date is Brokeback Mountain (2005), which earned $83 million at the North American box office. However, this is not counting the domestic total of Traffic (2000), which earned $124.1 million under the USA Films banner. Focus' most successful international release is Burn After Reading (2008), which earned $163.7 million in worldwide gross revenue.

It Follows - Northern Lights Films
Other Films that Northern Lights Films produced:

• The Brass Teapot  
• High Road 
• I'll See You in My Dreams 

Northern Lights Films success 

Northern Lights films was the 5th highest US Gross Box office of independent film companies in 2015 and making waves in the world wide box office as well.  The projects have won many awards working on  different films and different genres of films. 

United 93 - Universal Pictures, Studio Canal 
Other Films that Universal Pictures produced:

• Jason Bourne
• The Secret Life of Pets
• King Kong
• Nanny Mcphee and the Big Bang
• Fast and Furious

Universal Pictures success 

Highest-grossing films worldwide

Rank	Title	Year	Box office gross
1	Jurassic World	2015	$1,670,400,637
2	Furious 7	2015	$1,516,045,911
3	Minions	2015	$1,159,398,397
4	Jurassic Park	1993	$1,029,153,882
5	Despicable Me 2	2013	$970,761,885
6	E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial	1982	$792,910,554
7	Fast & Furious 6	2013	$788,679,850
8	The Secret Life of Pets	2016	$676,658,314
9	Fast Five	2011	$626,137,675
10	The Lost World: Jurassic Park	1997	$618,638,999
11	Mamma Mia!	2008	$609,841,637
12	Fifty Shades of Grey	2015	$571,006,128
13	King Kong	2005	$550,517,357
14	Ted	2012	$549,368,315
15	Despicable Me	2010	$543,113,985
16	Meet the Fockers	2004	$516,642,939
17	Twister	1996	$494,471,524
18	Bruce Almighty	2003	$484,592,874
19	Jaws	1975	$470,653,000
20	Lucy	2014	$463,360,063
21	Gladiator	2000	$457,640,427
22	The Bourne Ultimatum	2007	$442,824,138
23	Les Miserables	2012	$441,809,770
24	The Mummy Returns	2001	$433,013,274
25	Warcraft	2016	$422,262,155

Other Films that Studio Canal produced:

• Paddington
• The Terminator
• Non-stop
• My King
• The House of Magic

Studio Canal success

The biggest box office hits for StudioCanal have been Terminator 2: Judgment Day which grossed $519 million, Basic Instinct which grossed $352 million and The Tourist which grossed$278 million worldwide.

Buried - The Safran Company

Other Films that The Safran Company produced:

• The Conjuring
• Annabelle
• Hours
• ATM
• Best Night Ever

The Safran Company success

The film company has also produced Paul Walker's movie after his death, Hours. The Safran Company also created both The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2 which collectively grossed over $600 million.

La Haine - Canal+, Egg Pictures 

Other Films that Canal+ produced:

• Blue is the warmest color
• Shut In
• The Intouchables
• Amelie
• The Pianist

Canal+ success

Other Films that Egg Pictures produced:

• The Baby Dance 
• Home for the Holidays 
• The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys 
• Waking the Dead

Distribution: Independent film distributors

1) Research film distribution using this guide from the UK Film Distributors' Association. It's called Launching Film and takes you through the whole process of distributing a movie.

Read the whole step-by-step guide (warning: this is LONG and will take you around an hour)

2) Summarise the 10 steps of film distribution in a list using your own words.

• Step 1 - Introduction: Films are made to inspire, to convey strong emotions and to express what people want to say and the best way to view them is in a cinema with a large audience.
• Step 2 - The role of the distrubuitors: Distributors job is to deliver the largest audience possible for a film. Tailor-made, audience focused distribution focuses on all aspects of a particular film and tries to reach people that are appropriate for the film. Also the end of 35mm film has changed the way in audiences are found because digital film making is different in style. Audiences still choose to go to a cinema to watch a film because of the immersive experience.
• Step 3 - The role of the Distributor In order to reach the right audiences, distributors have to identify the films, consider why people will see a particular film, estimate the revenue, persuade theatres to screen the film and also work with advertisers to reach mass audiences.
• Step 4 - Who are the distributors?: There are 6 major film distributors for Holywood films and several independent ones which focus on Art-house films. 
• Step 6 - Distributors getting the film: Distributors get their films from : 3rd party companies, parent studios, production companies or from a single title acquired at any stage. Many times the rights to film distribution will sold off to the actual distributor so they can generate thier own income rather than relying on the studio to fund them. An example of this Harry Potter which its rights belong to Warner Bros Distribution and they're responsible for the marketing and products of the film. An independent distributor will market the film on a lower scale such as film festivals and online. 
• Step 6 - Making a deal: Distributors sign a formal contract with the producer, sales agent or studio, specifying the rights they hold to the title and also they regions they can distribute in.
• Step 7 - Planning the release: Once both parties reach an agreement and sign all the necessary contracts the distributors will work closely with the production team to make sure they reach the right marketing strategies. They prepare all the plans needed while working with the script of the film and applying their work to the genre and storyline of the film.
• Step 8 :  The distributor will do research about how relate-able the genre is to audiences and will ask questions like 'Who is this film for?' In addition this they will find out how much profit they film is likely to earn because of course their goal is to make a profit.
• Step 9 -Film Marketing: "Marketing needs to lead a horse to water and also persuade it to drink." - Marketing can be done online, on publication or digitally/ socially, eg: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Marketing is always about visibility and about getting the best billboard placement and the amount of views a trailer gets.
• Step 10 - Licensing: This basically legally covers the film in terms of where it can be shown. Examples of exhibitors are: Vue, Odeon, Cineworld, Independent Cinemas, Film4, BBC Films, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and just generally TV or streaming services.

Research Curzon Artificial Eye. Who are they and what do they do?

They are a British film distributor who are associated with the Curzon industry. They screen foreign film with non-english languages and screen them in arthouse cinemas all scattered around the city of London.

Look at the Curzon Artficial Eye YouTube channel. Watch three trailers for recent or upcoming independent films and identify something you can learn from each film to use in your own film production.
Almost Holy: it could inspire to have a normal character talking over a series of different clips parallel to the speech, almost giving the effect of being a narrator. In addition of adding non-diegetic dramatic soundtrack to create tension.

Christine: keep the pace of the clip quick and fast to create tension and suspense and obstruct the shot to create tension.

The Commune: it could help me learn how to create tension and build suspense without too many cuts in post production. It could help inspire some performances as well as acting techniques. 

Exhibition: Arthouse cinemas

The name of the chosen arthouse cinema is called the Everyman Cinema, its a London based cinema in Canary Wharf.

Everyman Cinema screens many independent film that are not really targeted or appreciated with mainstream audiences, however it does not mean that all of the movies shown in this cinema are not screened in multiplex cinemas such as Vue. One film that is screening this week is 'Allied' which is also screening at Vue all over the country. A vast majority of the films they host are rated 15 and above by the BBFC, this is because the arthouse cinemas appealing to a mature audience and are usually appealing to the older generation.

An older film consumer would attend this cinema due to the fact it hosts many films that are rated 15 and above. In addition people of the middle class and upper class would go to this location rather than a mainstream cinema because it is very luxurious and expensive compared to the conventional everyday cinema.

A case study in independent film production: Film London and Microwave Film

Film London: Film London is London's film and media agency - sustaining, promoting and developing London as a major international film-making and film cultural capital. Film London aims to ensure London has a thriving film sector that enriches the capital’s businesses and its people.

Film London’s objectives are to:

• Grow the film industry in London
• Maximise investment in London through film
• Sustain London’s film culture
• Promote London to the world through film

Microwave Film: Microwave funds films, they give development and mentoring support to all of the shortlisted projects, as well as production finance and distribution support to the final commissioned films. Twelve teams are shortlisted for the scheme, and receive concentrated training at Film London Microschool along with mentorship and development funding. From this shortlist, six projects are selected to go on to a second phase of development with further funding. Lastly, two features are appointed and receive additional development, in addition to production funding of £100,000 and distribution funding for finished films.

London Calling: London Calling is open to all new and emerging film-making teams resident in the capital. Run across nine months, highlights of the scheme include: 15 short films are awarded a maximum of £4,000, training and mentoring is provided to all film-making teams, match funding can be sought for any film being produced through London Calling. 

4) Choose three feature films funded by Microwave Film and embed their trailers in your blog. For each film, explain why it fits the profile for an arthouse or independent film and what target audience the film might attract.

5) Watch these top tips for film production. List three things you've learned from these short videos that you can apply to your MEST2 production work.

BBFC Task

1) Research the BBFC: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government?
The BBFC is an independent company that gives out age ratings and classifications to films before they are distributed to the mainstream. The key goal of rewarding certificates for different age ratings is to restrict any possibility of inappropriate content being released to the audience and the rating should target a certain type of group as other audiences may find it inappropiate. It is also non-profitable, as well as non-governmental funded business. which is important especall when only fees for its services is solely what they charge for.

2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.
The BBFC's main idea is to protect children from unsuitable content that adults might find interesting such as violence. They look at issues as they say to try and restrict the children from witnessing graphical content. guidlines such as nudity, brutality, sex and deaths are traced in every film they tackle.

3) Read this BBFC outline of the issues faced when classifying a film. Summarise the debate in 50 words.
The argument begins with the arguement of feedom of content and censorship. It continues to the need of ensuring some form of safety from ‘moral harm’ towards its consumers. They argue that classification provides this. Some films are more challenging than others however it is essential to provide an award of classification to it.

Controversial decisions - The Dark Knight
There is a common debate regarding whether some age ratings produced by the BBFC are correct as it may cause a debate due to some people may think that some content shouldn't be shown for this age group. A distinct example of this query is Batman's film, The Dark Knight. There is a clear issue regarding the movie mainly because people thought it didn't follow the 12A certificate as there was death, crime as well as violence. I believe that the certificate it was given was a decent enough classification due to the fact it requires an adults supervision when watching this extract.

What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?
Discrimination: There shouldn't be any discriminating content including language however there could be slight racist, homophobic references.

Drugs: The consumption of drugs is allowed to be there for viewing although not allowed to encouraged through instructional detail.

Imitable behaviour: Behaviour which may contain self harming or committing suicide many not be shown, but the use of weapons such as guns is allowed.

Language: Strong unacceptable language can be used although in extreme cases may be prohibited.

Nudity: Nudity can be shown for educational purposes but must not contain strong detail and shouldn't be shown for sexual voyeuristic pleasures.

Sex: Sexual references and sexual acts may be portrayed but to a minimal level where it isn't out the to be spotted.

Threat: There can be strong horror acts although not sexual threats such as rape.

Violence: violence is allowed to be previewed except for the strong violent acts where it provides threat and sexual acts.

The movie 'A Clockwork Orange' was given an 18 certificate as it included strong violence which was inappropiate, they had reports of copycat violence which led to threats to Kubrick and his family, as a result, the film was removed from the UK. However, The BBFC didn't reject the film and was re-released in 1999.

Existing Product Research

This scene starts with the camera changing and tilting up onto who is believed to be the main character or at least a prominent character. The use of books in the library to restrict what the actors are doing is cleverly used to show tension. Then there is a visible straight cut to an establishing shot of both characters in the library. This is used to let the audience sense what the scene is about; sets the atmosphere. This clip is concluded using a profile, long shot of the two actors. This further reinforces the genre of romance. The high key lighting reveals the character’s facial expressions. It also uses lighting in this scene to accentuates the feeling of admiration and hope. The pace of the video seems to have quicker cuts which is effective as it makes the video more interesting as there is no static shot/reverse shot to slow the pace of the clip.

The movie is classed as an arthouse film as well as being categorised as a science-fiction, comedy-drama film. The film is ideal towards an ABC1 demographic due to the genre and the policies within the movie tends to be more enlightening and educational. The film is rated 15 under the BBFC classification. I believe that this rating is suitable as the movie contains some vulgar language and sexual content. The demographic of this movie would include 15-30 year olds. I believe that this film appeals to this age group most as people around this range are most likely to be experience new relationships or ending them. However, this kind of emotion or depth may not be relatable to young children. Romance as a genre that attracts a more female demographic as a whole. According to Young and Rubicam theories, this film is aimed at reformers and explorers as a psychographic audience mainly because Arthouse is a genre that attract people that appreciate the work of film.




This clip makes clever use of the editing as it shows a change in pace as the drama started to intensify. This clip initially began in slow motion, intentionally used to start the first stage of the process of diversion. The interesting use of shaky camera movement was used in this instance in order to disorient the audience. The lighting used here is red which further emphasises the threat the protagonist faces because red connotes danger.

The movie is classed as an arthouse film as well as being categorised as a super natural, thriller based genre which is ideal towards an ABC1 demographic due to the genre and the policies within the movie tends to be more attention-seeking and captivating. The film is rated 15 under the BBFC classification. I believe that this rating is suitable as the movie contains some vulgar language and explicit content. The demographic of this movie would include 15-30 year olds. I believe that this film appeals to this age group most as people around this range are most likely to be experience new relationships or ending them and this film has elements of that. However, this kind of emotion or depth may not be relatable to young children. Thriller as a genre that attracts a more male demographic as a whole.

The use of transitions allows the video to become effective and ideal. A transition also makes the music video move smoothly as it allows the video to be shown in its highest quality. This is important as it lets the audience see the activities that is shown throughout the video and become immersed.




This scene starts with the camera changing and focusing towards the passengers who is believed to be the characters in stress. The use of a handheld camera is important as it gives a rigid feel which coincides with the overall meaning of the movie. The use of angles here is also significant as it portrays who has the power in that situation. This clip makes clever use of the editing as it shows a change in pace as the drama started to intensify. This clip initially began in normal motion, intentionally used to start the viewing of the conversation between passengers. The interesting use of shaky camera movement was used in this instance in order to disorient the audience due to the drastic predicaments that lie ahead or the passengers.

The movie is classed as an arthouse film as well as being categorised as an action, thriller based genre which is ideal towards an ABC1 demographic due to the genre and the policies within the movie tends to be more dramatic and captivating. The film is rated 15 under the BBFC classification. I believe that this rating is suitable as the movie contains some vulgar language and the extreme content regarding culture. The demographic of this movie would include an older generation between 20-45 year olds. I believe that this film appeals to this age group, as well as other age groups as people around this range are most likely to be experience the hardship to this fatal attack. However, this kind of emotion or depth may not be relatable to young children. Action as a genre that attracts a more male demographic as a whole.

The use of transitions allows the video to become effective and ideal. A transition also makes the music video move smoothly as it allows the video to be shown in its highest quality. This is important as it lets the audience see the activities that is shown throughout the video and become immersed.

This clip makes interesting use of the camerawork in a short space to work in. This clip begins in slow motion of the person looking up at the coffin. As well as this, the lighting was used cleverly to show the dimly set lighting which increases the tension. This clip makes clever use of the editing as it shows a change in pace as the drama started to intensify when the captive is struggling. This clip initially began in normal motion, intentionally used to start the first stage of the process of entrapment of the coffin. The interesting use of shaky camera movement to match the situation the character is under was cleverly used in this instance in order to disorient the audience. The lighting used here is low-key lighting which further emphasises the threat the protagonist faces because darkness connotes mystery.

The movie is classed as an arthouse film as well as being categorised as an action, thriller based genre which is ideal towards an ABC1 demographic due to the genre and the policies within the movie tends to be more dramatic and captivating. The film is rated 15 under the BBFC classification. I believe that this rating is suitable as the movie contains some vulgar language and the extreme content regarding culture. The demographic of this movie would include an older generation between 20-45 year olds. I believe that this film appeals to this age group, as well as other age groups as people around this range are most likely to be experience the hardship to this fatal situation. The use of transitions allows the video to become effective and ideal. A transition also makes the music video move smoothly as it allows the video to be shown in its highest quality. This is important as it lets the audience see the activities that is shown throughout the video and become immersed. 

The movie has different uses of media terminology as there are certain aspects that attract the attention of the audience. A gun signal was evidently shown however the character may be using this weapons as a device to hurt the person held captive;this may represent that he is part of the crime community which automatically gives him in the antagonist's role. The theory raised by Mulvey's about the female gaze was applied during the scene with the female viewer; this would find the character appealing and feminine. The next clip was of a neighbourhood presented by a transition which reinforces the gloomy mood. The characters are fighting against each other which further reinforces the idea that there is evident use of action codes to entice the viewer and be diververted from reality due to the film.

The movie is classed as an arthouse film as well as being categorised as an action, thriller based genre which is ideal towards an ABC1 demographic due to the genre and the policies within the movie tends to be more dramatic and captivating. The film is rated 15 under the BBFC classification. I believe that this rating is suitable as the movie contains some vulgar language. The demographic of this movie would be between 18-35 year olds. I believe that this film appeals to this age group, as well as other age groups as people around this range are most likely to be experience the hardship to this fatal situation.

The use of transitions allows the video to become effective and ideal. A transition also makes the music video move smoothly as it allows the video to be shown in its highest quality. This is important as it lets the audience see the activities that is shown throughout the video and become immersed.

Film Review: Boyz in the Hood

Boyz n the Hood – Review
Boyz N the Hood observes ‘urban America’ with far more depth and compassion than many of the like-minded films that was made before this film. Due to the lack of films highlighting this emotional area, in terms of American films, gave the necessary push that was needed to spread the important message.

The "Boyz" in the title are three kids looking for very dissimilar goals as they exit out of their teens:

• University
• Doing nothing yet and unclear in their aspirations in life.
• A career on the football field.

The "Hood" is often symbolised as the area to involve gang-law killing and gun crime. The main reason why I was fascinated by the movie was due to the expression of the truth that was kept hidden by the government and authorities.

This film is given no special treatment as the characters had to experience the normal fantasies about their possible futures. Interestingly, the series of minutely detailed everyday incidents opens participants' lives to the point which makes them feel part of the action. It gives the audience a sense of identification. One strong scene is when a girl's concentration on her homework is repeatedly broken by gun fire; the helicopter searchlights light living rooms as families watch TV; and unfamiliar cars prompt panic on porches. These scenes highlight the challenges that residents had to live through their lives.

The most emotional scene is when tension finally spills over into the inevitable pointless murder as the attention is focussed not on the act but on the immediate effect on the family of the bloody death of a 17-year-old boy. This has a major effect on the overall appeal which is why I believe the film will always be classed as one of the greats in American film history.