Pre-production planning: Credits

Our credits will appear on screen when appropriate to the shot, this meaning when the male character is seen the credit "Bradley Hawkes" will appear, this will go for all cast members. The first credit will be "Rumford Roberts Productions" and the final one will be our title "One less hour" as this is a common convention in all films.

They will not slide in or drop down, that will slowly fade in, this also links to the narrative of our film as it is about something coming out form the dark.

Pre-production planning: Typography of credits

We have chosen a typography for our credits, we have chosen it to reflect a typewriter style font. This creates a sense of ambiguity and mystery. 

Below are some of our proposed credits in a typography we thought is fitting.

The font is called Moms Typewriter.

We took inspiration from the opening of David Finchners Se7en.

We did a mood board to help decide on typography.

Pre-production planning: Call sheet

Date and time: 17th January 2015

Location: Daentry

Storyboard scenes: 6-14

Cast and Crew: Joe Rumford, Emily Roberts and Bradley Hawkes 

Props: Watch and planning board. 

Costume: Bradley Hawkes - Black top, black shoes, black hoodie, black trousers
                
Make-up: N/A

Set up: 11am - 11.30am

Filming: 11.30am - 2pm (break between 2pm and 3pm) 3pm - 4pm filming

Pre-production planning: Test shots

To try and establish our shooting location we did some test footage. We used a lower quality camera because this is what was accessible to us at the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f3rgBIsRTM

Pre-production planning: Storyboard

Pre-production planning: Sound ideas

For our female character we need music to represent the archetype, therefor we are using ambient sound of current music in her room, to emphasis her archetype. We have chosen a song called "Steal my girl" to play in the background.

As well as this we approached our friend, Lucas Fisher, who is a talented musician and studying A-level music, to write a non-diegetic score, this is useful as we can make it how we would like. We and him intend to create a tense score that builds suspense.

Another non-diegetic sound will be the ticking of a clock, which will be constant throughout.

Throughout the

Pre-production planning: Health and safety risk assessment.

Pre-production planning: Location permission

Due to the fact that the majority of our shots will be filmed at our own houses so permission is not entirely needed, however we need to ensure that there are no people passing being in our shots in our street shots. However the climax of our film will be a kidnapping, so we need to alert people in the area so they will not be too alarmed.

Initial planning: Communication

In order to communicate with both my co-director and our actors,  we decided to use a Facebook group chat, on here we will post times, meet ups and other necessary points. This we thought would be the most efficient to communicate as it will be easy accessible to everyone, as well as everyone getting constant notifications, these medium also allows us to post pictures, videos and polls.

Pre-production planning: Classification

Stereotypically crime thriller films have a high classification around 15/18, this is due to the icons
involved.  These are usually violence, swearing and frightening elements. We used the BBFC website to help make our decision,

 For a 15 rated film:

• strong violence
• frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***').
• portrayals of sexual activity
• strong verbal references to sex
• sexual nudity
• brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
• discriminatory language or behaviour
• drug taking      

For an 18 rated film: 

•   very strong violence
•   frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’)
•   strong portrayals of sexual activity
•   scenes of sexual violence
•   strong horror
•   strong blood and gore
•   real sex (in some circumstances)
•   discriminatory language and behaviour

We have concluded that our film will be in the 15 classification, as it fits the requirements. And doesn't exceed into all of the 18 requirements, our opening does not include and sexual scenes or violence, discriminatory language or very strong language.

Initial planning: Make up

Only one of our characters will have make up, the victim. This will relate to audiences, only a small amount of make up will be used to give a natural look to the character.This will include things such as eyeliner and foundation.

Initial planning: Props

A watch will be used to link our two narratives together, this prop will use the ticking sound to create tension as well as being used to show a transition between the two narratives. The watch will have dark colours to reflect the tone of the opening. The watch will also show the meticulous nature of the antagonist, the watch is a leather watch and not digital this connotes the antagonists "Old school" style of his crimes

Another prop used will be a notice board that will be key in the opening, this board will contain images and notes on a strategic plan. The board will be tattered and worn, and will be used to link the narratives together. The board will give a preferred reading of a antagonist with a strategic plan and maybe that he is a serial offender as the the board appears to be worn.

Finally we will use a bag for the final shot, it will be used to cover the camera. It will be concealed by the antagonist then revealed at the end.

Initial planning: Location

The majority of our opening will be set in the village of Middleton Cheney, this is because it is easily accessible to us as well as being ideal towards are narrative. Furthermore we chose this location because it is a stock location of thrillers, as there are conventions such as alleys, corners and it is in a ill lit area.

Initial planning: Costumes

Based on our knowledge and research on thriller films we have concluded that the antagonist is usually seen in darker clothing, this is what audiences will expect to see in thriller films. Therefor our protagonist will be seen wearing dark clothing.


Below is the costume our antagonist will be seen wearing:

Our victim will be seen wearing clothes that are stereotypically associated with the teenage girl archetype. These will be black jeanes, a red cardigan that subtly connotes danger, as well as a top.

Pre-Production planning: Target Audience Research

To further solidify our idea we decided on doing some research into wether or not our idea will appeal to our target audience. To achieve this we conduct a series of interviews with people within our target audience. We will ask them a series of questions relating to their interests as well as their views and opinions on our current idea.

Pre-production planning: Target audience research