Ideas

 IDEAS

when it comes to building an idea it takes a lot of thought. Throughout my FMP's I have always pushed myself to try new ideas out and see how I can learn to create something different. I have been thinking incredibly hard about what I would like to make.

I have always liked the idea of creating a short film and I have never really attempted to make one. I would always try and develop my skills through other types of projects such as music videos and documentaries. Now I would like to take on the world of short films and how I can produce a strong plot that is not rushed.

I considered looking at all aspects of genres in film and how I could make a short film that has a good plot and is not completely rushed; I did not want to make a comedy because I find it can come across sometimes a little cheesy. Throughout my ideas, I always liked the idea of creating a short action film. Not full-on action for approximately 5 minutes but a good plot and good filming.

IDEA 1

I was certain that I wanted to make a short film. and this is definitely something I first thought of. Like I spoke about before I wanted to make a short film and I had specified certain genres that I think I could execute well. Making a short Horror film is something i would be incredibly interested in doing. I really am trying to think about how I can make it unique and different. What i mean by this is there are too many horror films nowadays where they are just the same and you know what you are going to expect around the corner. 

I had a small plot that I felt I could work on and it was about a teenager alone in his house at night because his parents are out and he notices that the garden shed light is on, he checks to see and when he goes back into the house the back door is open. It then turns into a tense 6-7 minutes where he is almost looking for this '' thing'' and in certain bits, there are things behind him and whatnot. The one key technique I wanted to add to this film was to make it all in one shot. It would include invisible shots that the viewer wouldn't possibly notice however I thought that would really add to the short film and keep a sense of danger to the audience, it would almost feel like you are in the situation with the character. 

I was thinking about how I could research this project if i was to do it. I wanted to make sure that my short horror was innovative and unique. I was going to analyse the likes of Jordan Peele and Ari Aster as they have both directed very distinctive Horror films.

I really thought about this idea and especially throughout the second lockdown because I personally believed I wouldn't be in college. This is my plan B and it will remain the second plan. I had even watched a fifty-minute interview with Ari Aster to really understand his vision. 

IDEA 2

The idea of creating a short action film really inspired me to do some early research. I was really inspired by the likes of Guy Richie who has directed films such as lock stock and two smoking barrels and snatch. I felt like I could create a short film using his techniques and style. Something i really liked about Richie's style is that he is iconic for quick cuts, this allows Ritchie to show a character performing an action that may not be that important to the plot, but is useful for building context or to help the audience better understand the character. Snatch is a great example as it shows a quick cut of someone coming to America. This was perfect for a short film I believed because I could create a good plot but use Richie's techniques to get the story to the audience in a unique way. 

I had already started planning how the plot could go. I wanted the story to be about a man reciting about how a person had got in his boot. He would talk to the '' head guy '' or the ''boss'' and would talk about how this person has ended up in his boot. I thought it would be a really cool way of making a short film. And because he was reciting it; it wouldn't be too long-winded. 

However, I decided that I didn't think it would be the best choice. When analysing the techniques of Guy Ritchie I noticed that he has a lot of character development in his films, I feel like I want to make it too much like one of his films that it would be rushed and the plot would be messy. Developing a character in a short film is not easy at all. And to have a good gangster film like a Guy Ritchie type film you will most probably need a lot of character development.

IDEA 3 

My third idea came from the ongoing development of idea 2. I was certain that I wanted to make a short film that was based around gangsters and money. However, over time I became influenced by Nicholas Windings' Drive that starred Ryan Gosling. He is a getaway driver that is paid to do the driving in heists. My idea just kept developing and developing and its essentially now merged with idea 2 about the person in the boot. 

The plot needs to be more structured and that will be processed throughout the script making and storyboard designing. The idea of the film will be that a man explains to his workmate how a man ruined the heist they were planning on doing. He claims they have messed up and then begins to recite what happened. Within the explanation he will talk about how one of his bosses planned a heist as he was owed money, this was completely behind the bosses back who is being told this story. Within the heist which will be shown in the short, a civilian manages to get hold of the money that will be in a bag. This then will show a chase scene and try and hunt him down which leads to him being run over. It will end with the boss who was being told the story putting money into a safe. The boss knew the story all along because of the getaway driver and when one of the robbers go to hand over the money in the car the window comes down to the boss who proceeds to shoot him. 

The story will need fixing together however that is the general outcome at this current time. The film is packed with stories and links however because it is being explained by a person you have time to include this information without rushing it. The shot types are already in planning and the opening scene is almost planned. 

With the influence from Snatch, Dark Night and drive I personally believe that is idea is achievable with the right resources. 

I knew this was my firm idea. So 

Swot analysis 

Now I have finalised my idea, I need to gather what My swot analysis may be. the SWOT analysis is a classic strategic planning tool originating from business and marketing analysis that encourages groups (or individuals for me) to reflect on and assess the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of a particular strategy and how it can best be implemented. I need to briefly highlight what i need to do in order to make this film successful. 

STRENGTHS

For me, I think my strengths lie in editing and cinematography. I am able to challenge myself with each project and try and further my learning. I understand the difference between a piece that needs editing and one that only needs certain touches and personally, I do not believe that's because I am talented in that area but I have just learnt by watching videos on YouTube and films, which means I understand the balance of editing.

Cinematography is something that I aspire to become. By watching the likes of Roger Deakins explaining the theory of the camera I have become somewhat eager to learn more and also apply this to my own work. My vision for this film is incredibly visually based. I have an idea that is starting to be put on paper on each scene in the short.

I will never stop learning the theory behind the film spectrum and I am eager to learn more. However, with the experience and techniques that I have learnt so far, I believe these are my strengths. 

WEAKNESSES 

My weakness is sound. I appreciate music and movie sound and I understand when it is needed to put in. However, i am worried about how i can produce quality sound for my film. 

- story?

-skills?

-graphics you will use ?

-mise en scene ?

-location ?

-audio?

-video editing ?

- lockdown?

- timing ?

- crew?