Unit 3: Analysis of "Elliot on Adderall"

I have chosen the clip 'Elliot On Adderall' from the TV Show 'Mr Robot'. I chose this clip because it is filmed very like conventional film but also because it features drugs and the effects drugs are having on a character. This is useful for me because in the film we are making there is a scene that will take place very like this. I hopefully be able to take some inspiration from this clip when filming my own 'drug scene'.

Mise En Scene

Almost everything in this scene in 'Mr Robot' has been placed to show the effect of drugs and what life is like for a drug user. Flat/cool colours are used throughout the scene setting an ominous and dark setting - representing the emotional state the character is in, struggling with mental problems and insecure in himself. It represents that things are not normal but actually very bad. 

The power of the drugs is portrayed in the way the scene is set out, all of the sets in this short clip are very minimal with very little furniture. This exaggerates how the drugs being used are very much in control of the characters life, they are all that matters - nothing else is really required for stimulation. All of the scenes also have a grey colour theme - again showing the darkness of the characters situation.

The main character, Elliot, always wears black clothes and often has his hood up. This contrasts in the scenes with other characters who usually where bright colours. This again is done to make him stand out amongst the others. Drug user in mental state who relies on drugs to survive vs your average normal person?

The lighting is always focused on the characters with almost no lighting on the background scene, I believe this is done to focus the viewers attention on the facial expressions of the characters as these are very important to the viewer so they see any slight effect that the drugs are having.

Camera

Extreme close-ups and a very shallow depth of field are used throughout this clip. This is emphasise the main objects being shows in the clip and make sure the user can see them with clarity. When we see ECU's on Elliot's face this is done to clearly show even the small effects the drugs are having on him. Even at times giving us clues to his emotional state.

The camera also looks at the character from different angles at different times. Before Elliot takes the drugs the camera looks up on him (showing that Elliot is in control of himself). However, after he has taken the drugs the camera looks down on him, showing how he is not in control anymore, that it is the drugs in power.

 



The camera movement is this clip is minimal. The camera is largely fixed in position throughout the film - I believe showing how the main character is quite lonely. It is like nothing there, almost we are watching him from a 'whole in the wall'.

The camera does track or zoom towards the character at times, usually as he is about to take the drugs. I believe this is done to exaggerate the moment, almost make the viewer think "Oh no, he is doing it again".

Sound

Non-Diegetic sound is used throughout this clip. The main character speaks in a voice over frequently, this is done so we know what is going in his head, especially how he is feeling at different moments. This works very well as it helps to build an emotional connection with the viewer and the character.

A Non-Diegetic sound track is also used very well. At the introduction of the scene quite jolly music is played in the background - this is done to represent the good feeling the drugs are causing the character to feel - the positive effects they are having on him. Later in the clip however, when the negative effects of the drugs to come across and they start to wear off, scary, dark music starts to play. This makes the sudden mood change in the film very obvious.

There is a cut in the scene where a Diegetic sound effect is used while the character runs up the stairs, we hear his feet clapping on the stairs. This also syncs up with the music. I believe this was done in the specific film to show the order that the drugs are making Elliot feel like he has in his life momentarily.

Editing

Early on in the clip Elliot appears on the screen multiple times. This is done by cloning. This would of been done to show the repetition of the event, it is something he does everyday.







The screen also starts to pixelate later in the video. This has been done in editing and is done to show how the negative effects of the drugs are taking control of the mind of Elliot - showing confusion.



Unit 3: Types of Camera Shots

Extreme Close-Up (ECU)

Medium Long Shot (MLS)

Looking Room (Interview shot - interviewee looking away from camera towards interviewer).

Big Close Up (BCU)

Long Shot (LS)

Walking Room (moving object walks into space)

Close Up (CU)

Very Long Shot (VLS)

High Angle Shot (looking down onto subject)

Medium Close Up (MCU)

Two shot (can be CU/MCU/MS - 2 subjects in shot)

Low Angle Shot (looking up toward subject)

Medium Shot (MS)

Over the Shoulder shot

Tilted Frame

Unit 3: Treatment - Live For The Weekend

I wrote the "Treatment" for "Live For The Weekend":

Unit 3: Production Planning Meeting #1

The following is my notes from our first production planning meeting:

We have assembled a team of three to produce a film for the film festival. The team consists of:

- Patrick Campbell (Writer & Director)
- James Bowes [me] (Director of Photography & Sound)
- Alex Hargraves (Editor)
- Music (Alex Hargraves & Patrick Campbell)

The film we have chosen was written by Patrick Campbell and is called 'Live For The Weekend'. We chose this film because it gained the highest vote in the democratic vote in class and also because it is unique (has a very different storyline to other films in the class). We know there will be challenges in filming this film but think if we do it right it will be very, very successful.

The plot of 'Live For The Weekend' consists of a girl who has lost her mother. She attends a party of one her friends on a Friday evening. She has a great time at the party but does over drink a little and ends up being sick in the toilet. After this she heads home in the dark and goes straight to bed (overall she has enjoyed the night). The following day Chloe is invited to another party, she doesn't want to go but gets persuaded into it by her friends. That evening at the party, for the first time she takes some 'pills' (drugs) - she really likes the experience. The following day Chloe wants to party again and asks her friends out. Again, she takes some pills - this time it goes to far and she starts to feel very ill. We switch back to her Dad worrying about her and trying to ring her, then back to Chloe as she starts to stumble towards the road. She ends up stumbling onto the road, and a car comes out of nowhere. We here a crunch, then everything goes black.

We have discussed actors which would suit the roles in the film:

- Chloe - Ellena
- Nicki - Freya
- Joe - Matthew
- Austin - Daniel/Joseph
- Dad - Ian (TBC)

These were chosen by Patrick as he believed each person would be able to play the role of the characters well and understand how to turn Patrick's script into a reality. 

We have also begin discussing potential locations, in our local area, that will be suitable for the production of our film:

- Front Gates - Ilkley Grammar School
- Road - leading away from school.
- Bedroom - Freya's Bedroom
- Train - Northern Line
- Party - Freya's Kitchen
- Fridge Scene - Patrick's House
- Hall - Patrick's House
- Moor - Ilkley Moor
- Road - Moor Road
- Park - Ilkley Park

These are some ideas for locations, we plan on visiting them all to check that they are appropriate and suitable. If there are any issues we will make adjustments as required. 

We have been looking online for film segments to take inspiration from. We came across a few examples for our party scene: 

- 21 JUMP STREET [2012] Scene: House Party - click here to view (this is a rough idea of the kind of party we would be portraying). 

- It's Party Time - Wild Parties In Movies - click here to view (this would be the kind of camera angles, music and shot types we would want to get).

Unit 22: Film Proposal Presentation

This presentation is what was showed to the class to try and gain votes to get my film 'green lighted'. I have renamed the film "The Doctor Will See You Now" from "Part Timer" as I feel this is more intriguing to an audience.

Slide 1:

Slide notes: Intense action film which starts 2 main characters. An evil Loan Shark Doctor and a desperate young Dad who is struggling to get by week to week as he has no source of income.

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Slide 2:

Slide notes: The film starts with the main character, named, Dr Ruilslip dealing with patients in his surgery. He appears very friendly and helpful towards his patients.

Then we see Dr Ruilslip leaving work and going out to his car. In the film the mood would change at this point as sinister, darker music would start to play.

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Slide 3:

Slide notes: Dr Ruislip drives his car out of town away from everything. He ends up in a forest.

He opens the boot and pulls a man out. Alexander Woodstock. Alex has a girlfriend and three children but currently no job and no money. He has come to Dr Ruilslip to borrow some cash. He has not paid him back so Ruislip has got hold of him and is planning a way of reclaiming his debts.

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Slide 4:

Slide Notes: In the forest Dr Ruislip ties Alexander Woodstock to a tree.

He asks him why he has not paid him back on time and Alexander has no response.

Dr Ruilsip gives Alexander Woodstock 24 hours to give the money, that is after he has informed him he has taken his whole family hostage.

Dr Ruilsip then drives off, leaving Alexander Woodstock crying in desperation in a muddy puddle in a random forest in the middle of nowhere.

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Slide 5:

Slide Notes: We then cut to the next day where Alexander Woodstock has broken into a house and is searching through rooms and draws to find any bits of cash he can.

After a few moments he realises the time and runs at the house to head for the meeting point to see Dr Ruislip.

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Slide 6:

Slide Notes: The two characters then meet back in the forest location and the Dr. readies his men to kill Alexander's family as he shows up with less than half the cash required.

This is when Alexander turns the tables in a shocking twist. He discloses to Dr Ruislip that he has accessed his NHS computer system.If Dr Ruislip doesn’t hand over Alexander's family. He will publish files that will ruin the Dr’s career.

Unit 22: D1 - Script Evaluation

Meeting the brief

The Brief:

My screenplay meets the brief as it is a complete script for a short film that runs for 9 minutes. I know it runs for 9 minutes because I wrote my screenplay in standard formatting (meaning one page per minute of film) and total length of the script is 9 pages.

I also have tried to make my film appropriate to my target audience of teenage people. Based on my audience survey results conducted before scriptwriting, I knew my film should be Drama based, have a relatively complex storyline and that it should follow the main character closely (we find things out as they find out). There was a close balance between having a cliff hanger and not, I decided to resolve my story as I believe this would make more sense for this specific storyline. By implementing these into my script I believe that my film (if made) would appeal to the target audience of teenagers. This is because the things above are things that this target market actually voted for when ask, these are the things they want to see in order for them to like, engage and actually want to watch and recommend my film.

The genre of my short film is ‘Crime-Drama’. This is a very well recognised genre within the industry (and also matches what people in my survey voted for) with famous films such as ‘Sherlock Holmes’ following this genre. My film is a crime drama because it follows the story of an illegal loan shark and how one of his victims decide to take revenge in a surprising way.

My film also has a complex storyline with a twist at the end which is totally unexpected, coming a surprise to the audience and to the characters in the film.

When being developed further into an actual short film my script will go through a few further stages.

After the screenplay has been created a storyboard would be produced. This is a visual ‘slideshow’ of the screenplay. It will include snapshots from each scene and key moments in the film. The storyboard will then be used by set designers, costume designers and other production crew to make the film look like it was imagined by the screenwriter.

Then the Director and Director of Photography take the screenplay and convert it into a shooting script. The storyline is adjusted to make it practical for filming and then specific instructions on how the film should be shot are included. Such as ‘close up’ and ‘overexposed’. The film is also divided into dates of shooting so every member of the crew (including location designers, actors and camera crew) what is happening and when.


My Strengths

I believe one of my main strengths during the writing process of my script was the way I laid it out in a proper professional layout. I researched using a website called http://www.screenwriting.info all the different formatting techniques used for different parts of screenplays. I then implemented this into my own script to make it professional. I used the correct formatting for dialogue, action and scene headings. I also researched how to use montage and SFX in my script. All of these combined make my script very easy to read and understand by other screenwriters and people in the industry. This helped me when receiving feedback about other aspects of the storyline.

Another thing I also thought I did quite well in was the Dialogue. I received feedback from other members of the class and teacher. They told me it was very 'convincing' and 'realistic'. This was good because this means that when the actors are performing it it will feel natural therefor when the film is complete it won't feel like the script is being 'acted' or 'scripted'. It will feel realistic - as if it is actually happening.


My Weaknesses

Something that I initially struggled was how to describe how things happened correctly in the action sections. I wanted to describe different camera shots and what we as the viewers were seeing. After discussing with my teacher I realised that this was not something that would be included in the initial script but something that would be added later if a shooting script were developed.

From my survey research I knew that a twist at the end of my screenplay would be the best thing to keep the story exciting and the audience engaged, this was also something that was recommended by my class mates who read one of my first drafts. After this feedback I was really unsure how to progress with this so I discussed with my teacher on how best to re-write the end of my screenplay. He gave me some suggestions and how my secondary character could 'fight back' against my main character. I then managed to develop and re-write this into something that I am now quite happy with.


Opportunities

This first attempt at script writing has given me an insight into how things are done in the real world. When I continue to make more films in the future this will really help me on getting started as I will know the basics, helping me save time researching 'how to' do things and spend more time on actually writing a story. I have also collected valuable experience on what makes a good story and what the audience is looking for in a story, hopefully helping me to write better, more exciting stories in the future.

In terms of the film itself I think there is plenty of room for development. There could be a prequel to the film that follows the storyline of the doctor and how he got involved with the crime in the first place and his journey to the point where he is now. This could follow his experience at university and how the gang approached him when he was vulnerable (showing how he came from a tough background like the person he has targeted) - this would work well as it would give some back story to this film.

It is possible that my film could be made as a TV series also, there are lots of storylines that could be followed and developed (with the script I have written as a finale episode etc. The earlier parts of the series could be used to follow both of the characters leading up to the point they are at. We could see the doctor at university (like described above) and then Alexander Woodstock struggling in his life with no money (and how daily life caring for his family is a real challenge). This would really improve the final episode (what would be my film) as it would make the viewers have keeping feelings for the characters as they know more about them/have built a connection with them.

Threats

When developing this screenplay into an actual film I do have some concerns that could effect me how my work turns out. This is my first time producing a film on this scale (I am just used to 'point and shoot' kind of work) so think it will be difficult managing multiple different people and operating all the different equipment I require.

My film also includes a scene in a car. I will have to make sure everything is done legally and safely in this circumstance as filming whilst the car is moving could become dangerous if not done properly.

I also am also unaware on the level of quality of films that other people will be submitting to the film festival. These people may be professional or semi-professional filmmakers meaning there films will be of a very high quality. The best I can do in this situation is simply product a film that is to the best of my ability and make sure i don't submit it until I feel like I cannot do anymore. Then I know that I have done my best and have at least a good chance of succeeding in the festival!

Conclusion

To conclude I am very pleased with the work I have submitted so far. I think it is of a high quality after I have made all the improvements recommended by my class mates and teacher. I have learnt a lot of things that I can take forward into the rest of the project and into future projects as well. I am now ready to move onto to creating the film itself. I understand there will be some challenges but ultimately am looking forward to getting started.

Unit 22: Second Draft of Screenplay

Second draft of screenplay 'Part Timer':

I have made some changes based on feedback from my teacher and class mates to improve the screenplay.