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Professional Project Evaluation

“WOODCOTE: EVIDENCE OF A HAUNTING”

Evaluation

I will try and do my best to do this evaluation but I haven’t finished the film yet as there’s a

few pick up filming days to do and I’ve got to do post production.

When the project was set to work for a client and create a professional project, the first thing I thought of was completing my current contract with feature film distribution company ‘Celebrity Video Distribution’ in Los Angeles. I have already given them one film ‘Slaughter’ and the second was ‘No Direction Home’, which is awaiting release and ‘Slaughter’ is already available on DVD, so a third feature film would complete the contract. I pitched a film to them (a drama about a death in a close group of friends) and they rejected it but were interested in capitalizing on the popularity of ‘Paranormal Activity (2007)’. So I worked on a story based on a TV news team investigating a haunted house in a small town and film it in a faux documentary style, which they liked and said they would distribute it.

Usually when I make a film, I write and direct it and produce it with my producing partner Scott Castle, this time Scott and I shared both producing duties and wrote the screenplay together, which was a different way of working for me and a way I enjoyed because I could bounce ideas about and we both could act out the film as writing it and imaging the right scenes and dialogue. We wrote the script in a comfortable month giving us time to redraft. We sent the script to the distribution company, and although they don’t give input in the script or anything like that, we were just able to show them what the film will be and what to expect in terms of marketing and how to market the film.

Producing is always my favorite part of making a movie. I enjoy organizing something to

the smallest details and making sure things run smoothly. However, I do struggle to produce a film as well as keep up with other work. I found myself too involved in dealing with actors, finding props, choosing the right equipment, securing locations ECT that I forgot about essays also set as part of the course. I feel like if I’m making a movie, especially one that’s going to be released on DVD that I need to put all my attention into it to make sure it’s a smooth production. I know my films aren’t usually technically brilliant but I do concentrate very hard on story. If a film doesn’t have story then its not worth the disc it’s on. Producing this film was strangely difficult compared to my other films. Casting for some bizarre reason was difficult when I’m at a university with a huge acting course. Scott and I eventually found the principle actors and cast them and signed them onto the film. Props and locations were easy and didn’t take long. Equipment was another no brainer where I simply got a camera used commonly in documentary film making and the look was exactly what the film needed and was easily booked at the film store on campus.

Production was split into blocks, A,B,C,D. This was to break the film into easily filmed chunks. Block A was all voice overs and just audio, Block B was the investigation part of the film with is about the last 40 minutes of the film. Block C was the first part of the film and structured more like a conventional documentary and D is pick up’s and B-roll footage.

Block A I filmed with Scott easily and it was a breeze, done in two days. Block B was the more film making and directing bit where I acted as one man crew as there was no one else to help out, and there were 3 actors (Scott also acting). This was slightly harder but was easy once the actors understood the type of film I was trying to do and understood my type of directing. We filmed for two nights from 6pm until 2am and both nights were on schedule and on budget and we filmed what was required for the night. We were able to create a very loose style of filming where I explained to the actors I would film it exactly as you would a real documentary so I told them to do whatever they wanted in the scene as long as they reached a certain conclusion at the end of the scene and I would move around them, this gave the actors great freedom to do whatever they felt their characters would and because of this every take of a scene is dramatically different. I edited together the footage from these two days and locked them after a week of editing.

Tomorrow (4th of May) I will be filming Block C with Sam Grierson, who signed on a producer and Dommi Kerley as an Assistant Director, Alana Armstrong (the female lead) and Scott. The plan is a long day. However we’ve already been delayed because the camera we rented from Uni doesn’t pick up sound, the microphone doesn’t work at all, so I need to find a replacement camera.

In conclusion, I am enjoying this project more then any other project I’ve done at university. This is what I came to university to do. I think I’m very good at producing films and making films and although I do it and get paid for it I still have a lot to learn and have been able to learn more and more on each film. On “Woodcote” I’ve been able to use top line equipment and been able to use actors and basically had a base hub where everything I need is there. I will again try and pursue making a fourth feature film in my third year where I will pursue film making as my specialty.

Professional Project Budget

“Woodcote: Evidence of a Haunting”

Budget

(Based on supplied Rate Sheet)

This Budget goes up until the 3rd May 2011, with still about 20 days left of post production

14 days of Pre-Production and 4 days of Production

Role Cost Pre Day Total Cost

Project Manager £50 £900

Screenwriter (x2) £160 each £5760

Camera Operator £140 £560

Sound Recordist £140 £560

Director £200 £3600

Director of Photography £160 £2880

Storyboarder £140 £0 (Not used)

Producers (x3) £160 each £8640

Assistant Producer £140 £0 (Not used)

Actor/Actress (x10) £150 £6000

Photographer £140 £2520

Expenses £150 £150

Total Cost: £31,570

Silver Scream – Future Cinema

Just noticed there was no link to my future cinema project…

http://silverscreampictures.wordpress.com/

Learning Agreement

Synopsis of study

“Woodcote – Evidence of a Haunting” is my third feature film independently produced by my company ‘Straw Lane Productions’ with my producing partner and co-writer Scott Castle.

The film follows a local news team during an investigation of a reputed haunted house, filming in the style of a documentary.

When I sold my first feature film ‘Slaughter’ to Celebrity Video Distribution, I signed a contract for distribution for an additional 2 feature films with the possibility of continuing the business relationship.  This film would complete that contract. So my client for this project is the distribution contract and the letter I received from them for intent to distribute.

My role in the film is as writer, producer and director with the possibility of camera operator. With my producing partner Scott we wrote the screenplay together and are currently in pre production, he is also playing a role in the movie and will oversee editing with me. I will do the majority of pre production, directing and post production, as well as after film completion sorting out the distribution (IE: DVD covers and posters ECT)

 

Aims

A1 To develop your creativity and your knowledge and understanding of professional practice.

A2 To develop and produce a professional standard of creative work in response to a ‘live’ or simulated brief.

A3 To prepare you for employment, freelance work or further study.

A4 To develop your understanding of costing and invoicing in preparation for business.

A5 To encourage students to see critical reflection as a key element of creative thinking and practice.

 

 

Learning outcomes:

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

LO1 Demonstrate a professional standard of creativity and practical ability, including:

Work that is technically comparable to that made within a specified genre.

Work that shows an awareness of contemporary trends, styles and subject matter, within commercial contexts.

Work that shows a high degree of creativity and aesthetic judgement.

LO2 Respond appropriately to the demands of a professional/self initiated brief, including:

Appropriate creative outcomes to industry/work related briefs.

LO3 Demonstrate readiness for employment, freelance work or further study with confidence in the level of your creative, practical and professional knowledge and skills.

LO4 Demonstrate understanding of relevant costing and invoicing procedures, including :

The various costing and pricing scales and structures within relevant commercial contexts.

Timescales for payment.

Legal requirements, copyright and syndication rights.

VAT, National Insurance etc.

LO5 Reflect critically upon work and to use this as a springboard for the further development of ideas and creative practice

Assessment Requirements

Body of professional creative work as identified in a learning agreement 100%

Each assessment requirement must be passed at a minimum grade of 40% to successfully complete the unit.

Assessment Criteria

Evidence of knowledge of concepts and contexts (a) – Project work that shows creative maturity and direction within a commercial context (LO1,LO2)

Evidence of understanding through research and analysis. (c) – Extensive research, and the application of it, used for the underpinning and final conclusion of project work (LO1,LO2,LO4)

Evidence of realisation through presentation (f)- Work is placed within a commercial context and appropriate methods of presentation used. (LO3)

Evidence of understanding through critical evaluation and reflection (e) – The objectives of the research have clearly been identified and used to inform project work. (LO5)

Evidence of realisation through technical application and skills (g) – A synthesis of creativity and professionalism is demonstrated in the conclusion of the project work (LO1)

 

References

I will be able to provide a list of references upon finishing filming and post production.

Action plan/time plan

January – Write Screenplay

Feburary – Pre Production

March – Filming

April / May – Post Production

 

Industrial Images

 

Electrical City Damage

Richie Havens

Richie Havens is a folk singer from New York who’s been active since 1965. He is well known for his guitar playing.

Instead of the traditional guitar playing of using the finger tips to make chords usually in standard guitar tuning. Havens plays with his thumb using it as a bar and plays in open tunings, therefore he can make a chord just by baring certain strings. I find this an interesting way of playing and haven’t seen anyone else play like this. Richie is kind enough on his website to explain how he plays guitar.

*(From www.richiehavens.com)

How I play

I learned how to play in order to sing the songs I heard in Greenwich Village in the late 1950′s into the early 60’s. They were a different kind of song than the Doo Wop songs I sang in Brooklyn with my friends. They were songs that made me think and even confirmed many of my own theories about Human Beings and what we were supposed to be. So I wanted to learn fast. I wanted my friends in Brooklyn to hear these songs, I thought they might hear what I heard and felt them, And many of them did. Through the years many young people have asked if I teach the guitar, but being on the road since 1967 and still going, I didn’t have the time. So this page is dedicated to all those young guys out there wishing to sing their songs in a couple of days. In most of the songs we like, there are very few chords being played. So, you could and should only start with songs you love… that’s the fastest way to learn to play you will ever find. There are pictures to help you make the necessary sounds for you to start singing your favorite songs. Just follow the instructions and I’ll be in the audiance seeing you on stage in the near future. so you could be playing the songs you love in a matter of hours. TUNING YOUR GUITAR There are many open tunings you could experiment with but they require you to use your fingers as in normal tuning, this method is very simple and does not require learning countless positions. My way of playing requires very few fingering positions and very little time to learn them so you could be playing the songs you love in a matter of hours. HOW I TUNE I tune my guitar in an open D tuning, which is in the structure of an E chord, of a correctly tuned guitar. I tune down to the key of D… D A D F# A D …from top to bottom Use a tuner or a pitch pipe to help you tune if you do not know anything about musical notes, or a piano will do. Once you have achieved this you are ready to be the next singer/songwriter on your street. Your friends won’t believe it. That’s the way it happened to me. The main thing is that you have fun doing it. I have found many of the chords I play by looking for sounds I liked, you too should not stop at just learning what is on this page. You will discover sounds I have not& i’m sure… With the following few chord configurations you will be able to sing thousands of songs… if you want to know that many But for now, just learn how to put your fingers to get the sounds.