Font Research

As our film is based in 1888 we found it very hard to find a font which suits the time period we are trying to capture and to try and find a font which we feel as an element of fear. We searched through many different fonts using iMovie, however we felt that there was none that we felt suited our film except from Papyrus. We then decided to download other fonts we may be able to use this website http://www.1001freefonts.com/. Using this website we downloaded a variety of fonts that appealed to us and we thought that would suit our film. Even though we later saw that the fonts looked different such as the S looked like an F and when we viewed the fonts with our films we felt that some of them were too contemporary for our film. Below is the fonts that we researched and our original fonts for our credits:.

The font Papyrus from iMovie is what we was going to use this font originally. However, In our opening we changed the colour is red is symbolise blood and death as our film is in night mode as well we need our font to stand out from the shots. Our initial idea was to have this font as it seemed like a knife could of been seen to have been used, we felt that this did not suit the movie as there was no explanation as to why we wanted this particular font in our opening and it seemed too contemporary, so we decided not to use the font in our final of Ripper.

We downloaded the font A Charming Font from the website above, we really liked this font as it is really creepy and scary. I really like that the letters overlap.However, the font is too contemporary and too Gothic as it seems it is more relevant to a vampire or a horror movie instead of a thriller/horror. When we saw the font in our opening it did not seems to suit the film and it did not fit with the emotions and plot.

We liked the font Arrr Matey as it reminded us of the Olden writing in 1888. I really liked that the capital letter is bigger than than the rest of the word and it is placed in the middle. However, it seems like it should be in a pirate film so it does not fit in with the style of our opening.

Originally, we all really liked the font Slammer Tag as it seemed like it could of been carved with a knife and it seems very creepy as the letters are overlapped in which I really like the technique of as it seems rushed and reminds me of a murder. When we experimented with the font on our opening we felt it did suit the context but the 'E' seems too modern, so we then decided not to use this font.

The font Deportees I found very scary and it reminds me of horror movie credits. The font seems like it as been craved which we all found very interesting and we agreed that it may look good with our film. However, when we used the credits we felt that it was too contemporary and as our opening is of a women walking and Jack the Ripper stalking her, the font seemed to scary for an opening which is trying to dramatise and build tension.

The font Nerd Proof reminds me of the credits from Saw and the font reminds me of the credits from Horror movies as it seems intimidating and creepy. I do not think that this font suits our film as it seems too scary and it suits more of horror movies like Saw and Blair Witch Project and it seems too contemporary.

The font Rap Jack is very similar to Slammer Tag only bolder which is why I think it caught our attention. The font seems like it has been carved which reminds me of murder. However, it seems too contemporary and childlike, so we decided not to use the font in our opening of our two minute film.

I really like the font Pillar Opaque as it seems very Olden and it seems like it has been written in fountain pen. Originally in our credits we wanted to make blood droplets in the background of the title or to make the title seem that it was written in blood, we felt that this font seemed like there was blood around the title. We then thought that the writing seemed too olden for the film, when we added the font to the opening we really liked the effect as when Jack the Ripper turns his head the shadow of the title was still there. But sadly it did not fit in with the historical context of the film so we decided not to make the font the title.

Finally, we found a font that we all agreed suited our film and we all thought it looked good with our opening as it suited the social historical context of our film. We also thought that this font suited Jack the Ripper hand-writing which is shown on the right which is a letter from Jack the Ripper to the head of police. This is the font that we have decided to use in the opening but we will change the colouring to red so it will stand out in the opening.

Audience Review- 23/02/10

In Wednesday's lesson we asked one of our class mates to watch our film and comment on it. In general she said that she liked our opening and she especially liked the shot where we edited the frame so the whole shot was red as the knife had blood on it, the red in the shot symbolises death, pain and vengeance which is all implied. Below is the shot that she thought was the best:She also said that she liked the quick shots of Jack the Ripper and they shocked her. We was all very pleased that she liked our opening and our attempt of a thriller/horror opening succeeded. However, she also expressed that she did not understand the credits as some of our names are bigger than others even though they are all of the same size which is 50 we will need to make the shorter names are smaller than the longer names. We would have to resolve this by making the shorter names slightly larger. I am very pleased with her reviews about our opening but I think we need to show a wide range of audience such as teenagers above the age of 15 and adults to help us decide who the target audience is to our film and who we are mainly targeting to watch the film.

Film Classification For Our Film

When making a film it has to be seen be the BBFC to see which age certificate the film will be categorized as. For our film we have decided to categorize it as a 15 as our films contains violence and language which is usual for a 15 movie. However, it could be argued that our film could of been seen as an 18 if we did keep the rape/assault scene, if the film was a 15 it would attract a broader audience. From Hell which is about Jack the Ripper is an 18 as it contains drug use, strong gory violence and language which is why I'm concerned that our film may be an 18 as it contains violence and language. Which is why I feel that I should research both 15 and 18 guidelines so decide whether the film should be classified as an 15 or an 18.

Below is the 15 guidelines from the BBFC Website:

Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language
There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year old's.

Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence, but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

And Below is the 18 guidelines from the BBFC Website:

In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s publicconsultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally over ride the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category. In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Sex education at ‘18’

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works at ‘18’

Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex
works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated

images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.

After researching both the age 15 and 18 guidelines we have decided that our film should be categorized as a 15 as it contains language and violence. However, our film does portray sexualised violence but it is implied and the audience does not see the attack except a shot of Jack the Ripper standing above the victim and grabbing a knife which is implied violence. Our film being certificated as a 15 it can be viewed by a wider audience than if it was an 18.

Film Certificates

Looking at the different film certificates there is U, PG, 12, 12A, 15, 18 and R18, each age restriction differates. This is copied from http://www.bbfc.co.uk/downloads/pub/Guidelines/BBFC%20Classification%20Guidelines%202009.pdf

U Universal – Suitable for all. It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.

PG Parental Guidance – General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. 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.

12A/12 –Suitable for 12 years and over-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 such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.

15 –Suitable only for 15 yearsand over. No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema.No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

18- Suitable only for adults. No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.

R18 - To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years. The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be
supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. ‘R18’ video works may not be supplied by mail order.

Screams

In the two minute opening the assault scene is implied and we were going to have music played over the top of the opening and we may have the church bells. However, I defiantly think we should include the woman screaming which we could do using an external microphone. I feel the scream should be placed in the opening when the assault scene is taking place and the camera could cut away of the road name 'Chapel Street' which is as seen on our preliminary exercise, if we did use this shot we would have to edit the shot using iMovie to darken the shot to make it seem like it is at night.

Another idea is to have a wide shot of the assault taking place and the scream can then be in that shot or we could include the scream to a cut away close up shot to the blood on the pavement and the blood will pour on to the pavement which represents death and it alerts the audience. The scream will dramatise the opening and it shows the victims fear. This is an example of a women screaming in which we could use.:

The Church Bells

This is the sound of Church Bells in which our group was thinking about including in our two minute opening:

The sound of the Church Bells would make the opening dramatic as the loudness of the bells is spine chilling and intimidating. The use of the church bells would fit in with the movie as there was the White Chapel Church near where the murders took place. The irony of the church bells which is leading up to the assault scene which is death and religion. The use of the bells could represent Jack the Ripper's feelings about the murders as he believed that he was right, it could be seen that he was playing the role of God as he decided when the victims will die, as Jack the Ripper was thought to be a surgeon and he helped save life's.
The Church Bells could be used when the victim is walking as there is juxtaposition as she has just finished her job as she is a prostitute and religion. The Church Bells will fade as the assault gets nearer as it will create tension and drama.

Paper Heart

I recently watched the film Paper Heart and I loved the film as I found it a brilliant, light hearted and witty comedy about love. I found the camera shots and techniques interesting as the film is meant to look like a documentary with a fictional storyline. Some shots were by hand held and the film crew and the director is shown in the film as they are talking normally to each other and they discuss how they should film the scene. The use of an unknown actress Charlyne Yi and the lead women falling in love with an actor Michael Cera which tricked the audience in to thinking it is a documentary and it gives the audience an emotional bond with the movie as the film is about love, I thought this technique of tricking the audience in to thinking it was a documentary an excellent technique to attract an audience.
I loved the film as Michael Cera is an amazing actor and I loved how the film tricked me in to thinking it really was a documentary as the characters played themselves. The camera shots used in Paper Heart reminded me of our opening as we use many mid and wide shots.
The film used the same technique as my group did in our opening of using implied scenes for example, near the ending there in an implied scene Charlyne where the enters the door to talk Michael and the camera does not go in, however Charlyne's microphone is still on so the audience can hear there conversation and then the sound cuts so the audience does not know if the couple worked their differences out.
If I was the director I would of left the ending implied so the audience could of used their imagination if the couple solved their issues. However, it was still a good ending and I would recommend the film for people who enjoy light hearted humour, Michael Cera fan and a love story with a twist.
This is the trailer for Paper Hearts:

My Bloody Valentine Opening

The opening to My Bloody Valentine contains newspaper articles which reminds me of my groups film opening as we also used newspaper articles relating to the murder and Jack the Ripper. However, in My Bloody Valentine opening the newspaper articles are shown differently as the newspaper articles use editing element such as superimpose.
This is the opening to My Bloody Valentine 3D:


From 0.19 seconds to 0.37 seconds there is a range of different editing and camera skills used which I find very interesting. In 0.19 seconds the headlines pan to different headlines, news articles or photographs relating to the story and relating to the victims which is superimpose over a shot. The shot will stay for an average of six seconds before panning to a different shot, the shot will then change as it zooms out to reveal another headline and then the camera zooms on to a picture of a man which could show that he is a main character the shoot has a picture of the man with writing which seems like it may be a story. The camera then passes a headline, a lamp and another headline but slower which shows ther audience that it says 'Forgot to Bleed Lines' which seems like it is a line taken from a story or article. The camera then zooms in to a picture of men walking in a mine which shows that they are miners but the shot makes the audience feel like they took the photograph of the miners. In the clip 0.54 the headlines get bigger so the audience can see the word 'Murder?' and then the headline is sliced which shows the murder weapon. The editing is usually zoomed in or out as the film is in 3D so the headlines will pop out. The opening also has a voice-over which is a man sounding like he is stressed and worried and he is talking to an audience 'Calm down folks' and then there are crowd noices.

The Assault Scene

Originally, our group thought that having an assault scene would suit our opening and it would add more tension and drama to the opening. However, when we was editing our film we decided to have the assault scene implied as it leaves more to the audience imagination and the audience will want to find out what happened to the victim and watch the film. Having the assault scene implied it is possible to have the age certificate as a 15 as it has horror and violence, our film can then reach to a wider audience in comparison to if our opening contained the assault/rape scene it would have to of been an 18.
This is the assault/rape scene in which we have decided to cut on our opening.:

Watching the assault scene we all decided it was too graphic which it did not need to be in the opening as the opening is suppose to entice the audience and in thriller films the opening is suppose to introduce the story and build up the tension and drama for the audience to want to watch the film. Watching the assault scene I also released that we did not stick to the 180 degree rule as it was our first time filming.
I am very glad that we cut the assault scene from the opening as I feel in a thriller film there is always that one moment which sticks in the audience's mind and I do not want the most gripping scene in the opening as the audience may not watch the rest of the movie.

Classification Research

Student Guide to Bbfc

Colour Font (Credit Research)

The other night our group finished our credits, we originally wanted to add our names in to the newspaper scene. However, we were told that there was a possibility that it may not work well and with the lighting issue the names would not of stood out. We have chanegd our names to a fade in then a fade out, we have used Papyrus font to make it seem olden and we our names are now red. For example, one shot of the actors the name appears on the hat but when he turns the name fades. We need our names to be on the shot for at least three seconds.

Garage Band at the CLC

On Wednesday 20th January we attended a Garage Band session at the CLC. We decided that we needed the training even though we did experiment with garage band whilst editing, but we found the software confusing and hard to use.
Personally, I felt very excited about learning how to figure out how to make the music with garage band, I felt anxious to see if my group could make the elements of our music research we really liked and apply the elements in the film, worried if when experimenting with garage band we would not find anything we could use due to the fact that our two minute opening is set in 1888 and I felt happy to finally learn about garage band and for our group adding and finding music that we all liked was hard and we all wanted to find the 'perfect' piece that suited our film.
I found it difficult because we did not have our film with us, so making our music we had to constantly think about our film and remember the main points and the timing they occur. However, once I started garage band I found it really enticing and interesting. I found myself looking through every sound and mixing about five sounds together to create a 2 minute and 25 seconds music.
I am looking forward to applying our sound to our film, but we will probably have to create the music as a group as we all worked as individuals.