Tuesday 24 February 2009
Polarity
Just been thinking today of whether i want to have the film the same at the start but played in reverse, or have the film played forward to meet the same end.....
Monday 23 February 2009
Project Proposal
PHVP 2406
Research & Practice
In Still & Moving Image
Production
NEGOTIATED PROJECT PROPOSAL
Your Name…Richard Westlake
(Please Print Clearly)
De Montfort University
Department of Imaging and Communication Design
_______________________________________
February 2009
1. What is the idea behind your project?
You need to consider and discuss the theme, topic, focus or perspective of your project and why you are interested in it.
The idea for my film is to demonstrate parallel universes. The idea of parallel universes is that each time we are given a choice it alters our path. For my film I will show this over a short period of time, no longer than a day, by using multiple frames in the screen. Each frame I will start the same, so in each frame these is the same character taking various paths over the same period of time. For example if I was using 9 frames on screen then in 8 frames my character would get out of bed but in the remaining frame you will hit the snooze button going back to bed, and this was the first choice which has already altered the path for the character. So as the film progresses more changes occur so we will see more and more change in the frames. The plan at this point is to play the film in reverse so the frames all begin different yet work back to identical screens. I like the idea that you slowly recognize frames becoming identical. I am able to approach the theme of the story in a number of ways as I am able to have 9 outcomes, one version can be violent and the other can be comical. Below I have listed some potential story points; all of these are intended to induce a time lapse.
· Makes a discovery
· Abduction
· Finds a secret path
· Conversation
· Trip over causing time lapse
· Character injured or killed
· Finds money, buys something
· Paint spilt on clothes
· Choice of transport
2. What do you want to achieve through this work?
Discuss your artistic and personal aims of your project and comment on how you think it is likely to affect the people who experience it.
My reason for directing this short film is that I have yet to produce my own film where I have planned the whole piece on my own. I want to create a thought provoking film which confuses at the beginning but by the end you discover what is happening, I think with my concept of the multiple screens I will find it interesting finding out when the viewer discovers what is happening. I imagine it shouldn’t take too long though once a few screens start replicating each other.
3. What is the context of the project?
You need to consider how your project relates to contemporary and/or historical theory and practice in the subject area.
My project is exploring a theory of parallel universes, the film will work due to the edit and multiple frames, alone the stories may be basic and rather obvious yet this is the not the point I am trying to push with the film.
4. What research and development strategy have you defined for the project?
How will you set about achieving the goals you have set for your project including your working methods, artistic, technical and ethical considerations?
For this project I was produce a blog along with a sketch book to maximize keeping track of my progress. I will look into multiple and split frame works for inspiration to see how they work for the first 5 or 6 weeks whilst I write and story board my film. I aim to film in a week and edit in the following week. I will use one camera and possibly dolly and roller equipment for certain shots. I will require help from a crew in this to aid with equipment.
5. How feasible is the project?
Identify the risks/problems that might arise in the development of you project and provide a proposed timetable of activities. This will enable both you and your tutor to monitor progress.
Problems may arise with this film as it depends on a variety of things. Firstly I will be using actors and any problems encountered with these can delay filming, I aim to film over a short period of time to ensure I minimize the actors being ill or injured. I aim to give them plenty of notice to make sure they are available. Problems may occur with equipment and also weather may cause certain scenes to be pushed back. Overall at this stage I find my concept very feasible, and see no real risk in the filming and editing stages.
Timetable
Week
Activity
1
Project Proposal, R & D
2
R & D, Story ideas
3
R & D, Storyboard
4
R & D, Film Schedule
5
R & D, Film
6
R & D, Finish Filming
7
R & D, Edit
8
R & D, Tidying up for presentation
6. What are the influences that have helped you in thinking about the project?
Provide a bibliography of reference materials in an alphabetical list. This can include but is not limited to:
· Written material from books, journals, articles and conference contributions or interviews.
· Digital and broadcast media.
· Performance and or live presentations.
· Artefacts, designs or exhibitions.
· Films, videos and other presentations.
· Advisory reports.
· Archival or specialist collections.
I was initially inspired by this film during conversation with a friend where we got onto the topic of parallel universes and the idea of choice. After this we began to discuss split screen films and where the idea of split screen has been used before. The first film I looked at was the music video “Cibo Matto – Sugar Water” by Michael Gondry, after this I continued looking at his work and found him inspirational. I have also looked at the film rules of attraction where they use split screen where is it really well done. At this stage I need to research more in order to progress with this project.
7. Additional information
Include any further details, which you feel are relevant to the successful completion of your project that havn’t been covered in the previous sections.
I look forward to producing an interesting piece of work
Research & Practice
In Still & Moving Image
Production
NEGOTIATED PROJECT PROPOSAL
Your Name…Richard Westlake
(Please Print Clearly)
De Montfort University
Department of Imaging and Communication Design
_______________________________________
February 2009
1. What is the idea behind your project?
You need to consider and discuss the theme, topic, focus or perspective of your project and why you are interested in it.
The idea for my film is to demonstrate parallel universes. The idea of parallel universes is that each time we are given a choice it alters our path. For my film I will show this over a short period of time, no longer than a day, by using multiple frames in the screen. Each frame I will start the same, so in each frame these is the same character taking various paths over the same period of time. For example if I was using 9 frames on screen then in 8 frames my character would get out of bed but in the remaining frame you will hit the snooze button going back to bed, and this was the first choice which has already altered the path for the character. So as the film progresses more changes occur so we will see more and more change in the frames. The plan at this point is to play the film in reverse so the frames all begin different yet work back to identical screens. I like the idea that you slowly recognize frames becoming identical. I am able to approach the theme of the story in a number of ways as I am able to have 9 outcomes, one version can be violent and the other can be comical. Below I have listed some potential story points; all of these are intended to induce a time lapse.
· Makes a discovery
· Abduction
· Finds a secret path
· Conversation
· Trip over causing time lapse
· Character injured or killed
· Finds money, buys something
· Paint spilt on clothes
· Choice of transport
2. What do you want to achieve through this work?
Discuss your artistic and personal aims of your project and comment on how you think it is likely to affect the people who experience it.
My reason for directing this short film is that I have yet to produce my own film where I have planned the whole piece on my own. I want to create a thought provoking film which confuses at the beginning but by the end you discover what is happening, I think with my concept of the multiple screens I will find it interesting finding out when the viewer discovers what is happening. I imagine it shouldn’t take too long though once a few screens start replicating each other.
3. What is the context of the project?
You need to consider how your project relates to contemporary and/or historical theory and practice in the subject area.
My project is exploring a theory of parallel universes, the film will work due to the edit and multiple frames, alone the stories may be basic and rather obvious yet this is the not the point I am trying to push with the film.
4. What research and development strategy have you defined for the project?
How will you set about achieving the goals you have set for your project including your working methods, artistic, technical and ethical considerations?
For this project I was produce a blog along with a sketch book to maximize keeping track of my progress. I will look into multiple and split frame works for inspiration to see how they work for the first 5 or 6 weeks whilst I write and story board my film. I aim to film in a week and edit in the following week. I will use one camera and possibly dolly and roller equipment for certain shots. I will require help from a crew in this to aid with equipment.
5. How feasible is the project?
Identify the risks/problems that might arise in the development of you project and provide a proposed timetable of activities. This will enable both you and your tutor to monitor progress.
Problems may arise with this film as it depends on a variety of things. Firstly I will be using actors and any problems encountered with these can delay filming, I aim to film over a short period of time to ensure I minimize the actors being ill or injured. I aim to give them plenty of notice to make sure they are available. Problems may occur with equipment and also weather may cause certain scenes to be pushed back. Overall at this stage I find my concept very feasible, and see no real risk in the filming and editing stages.
Timetable
Week
Activity
1
Project Proposal, R & D
2
R & D, Story ideas
3
R & D, Storyboard
4
R & D, Film Schedule
5
R & D, Film
6
R & D, Finish Filming
7
R & D, Edit
8
R & D, Tidying up for presentation
6. What are the influences that have helped you in thinking about the project?
Provide a bibliography of reference materials in an alphabetical list. This can include but is not limited to:
· Written material from books, journals, articles and conference contributions or interviews.
· Digital and broadcast media.
· Performance and or live presentations.
· Artefacts, designs or exhibitions.
· Films, videos and other presentations.
· Advisory reports.
· Archival or specialist collections.
I was initially inspired by this film during conversation with a friend where we got onto the topic of parallel universes and the idea of choice. After this we began to discuss split screen films and where the idea of split screen has been used before. The first film I looked at was the music video “Cibo Matto – Sugar Water” by Michael Gondry, after this I continued looking at his work and found him inspirational. I have also looked at the film rules of attraction where they use split screen where is it really well done. At this stage I need to research more in order to progress with this project.
7. Additional information
Include any further details, which you feel are relevant to the successful completion of your project that havn’t been covered in the previous sections.
I look forward to producing an interesting piece of work
Wednesday 18 February 2009
Potential Story Ideas
So as this film is a multiple frame idea I have been brainstorming in my sketch book for possible scenarios to happen in the film;
- Character Dies
- Phone Call
- Bike Ride
- Feed Ducks
- Dog Walk
- Makes a Discovery
- Abduction
- Finds a secret path
- Conversation
- Drop Item
- Lose/Forget Something
- Trip over
- Paint spilt on Character
- Finds Money - Buys Something
- Choice of Transport
All these are ideas intended to provoke a time lapse in the film. The choice porvided by each scenario will cause the character to change time paths in the 9 different frames. Some of these may be part of the main idea yet i am trying not to finalise the main story yet.
Tuesday 17 February 2009
Film Idea
so my idea for my negotiated project is to produce a short film. i have been looking into split screen films and multiple frame films as my research so far, such as a scene in 'rules of attraction' seen at the web address http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-new-cult-canon-the-rules-of-attraction,2290/. I plan to have multiple frames in my short film where the film starts with each frame the same, yet scene by scene one of the frames will change so over time the screen will go from having all identical frames to all different. It demonstrates the idea of having parallel universes with the different outcomes from our choices we come in contact with over a period of time. At this stage i am thinking the final film will be played in reverse so all the frames (9 or 16 frames) will all start different yet all come back to the same footage right at the end of the film. I am finding it hard to put this idea into words at this stage so will hopefully post a clearer explanation of my thoughts in the near future.
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