We have been given groups and met up when we've had time to put into perspective what it is we want to achieve the 48 hour film project this week.
I led by saying with the time we have we can't write a very detailed script, and in a 48hfp you need to have something simple which is technically speaking 'good'.
I feel we need to concentrate on shooting well, having effects and sound quality to as high a quality as possible, with clear storytelling through simple cinematic techniques (such as pure cinema editing) and a simple enough premise.
Other important thoughts and discussion points were the best locations and equipment for the time we have. Luckily I have a car, which should work.
We have cleared up a lot of things, and I introduced a character I was developing which fits in well to most things we discussed. It seems to have all pieced together quite naturally. But, obviously there is a lot to consider, and I have made a point of bringing them all up. I have even contacted individuals who have done well with the 48hfp in Dundee in the summer. It also seems I have volunteered myself for acting.
By cutting down on actors and the demand on them you allow a less-amateur film to be produced. In theory. I better get into my new role as a homeless man.
Here is my roughly written synopsis. I am writing the script at the moment. Then tomorrow we are going to discuss equipment and scheduling, etc.:
Synopsis
The homeless man sits in a busy homeless shelter. He sits still as people rush around him, acting like idiots, gesturing about fights they were in. Looking straight into the camera/audience's eyes.
Led by a voice over, the homeless man takes us into his
thoughts and opinions. His opinions may be wrong or misguided/not in
perspective. Only in opening.
He speaks of the worst homeless shelters to stay, and his
philosophy on money.
He finds himself in the mountainside looking for a homeless
shelter/institute – completely lost. Expecting to see a large city surrounding it. His sister drops him off. He has no money.
He speaks of winning a young offenders prize in photography.
His visual mind is overwhelmed by the extraordinary scenery.
He is short sighted/minded and first of all the depth of focus is short for shots of the landscape.
He gets further lost through woodland areas looking for this
building. His sight begins to blur and he slightly loses consciousness. He is
looking too close-in to see anything of value or what he is looking for.
He goes a little mad in a sense that it is all too much for him as he
is so used to the city scenery. Everything is so natural, and there is hardly
any concrete. As he goes mad it intercuts and layers up with shots of the city, such as busy roundabouts when he is lost and walking around in 'circles'.
After a while of searching, and opening is found in the
woodland. He finds a spot to rest on a log or rock. After resting he opens his eyes to
see a fuller spectrum of the scenery. He gets up and walks a few paces to find
the large building he was looking for.
This is intercut with the drab indoor environment of a
fairly poor quality homeless shelter, with him sitting disillusioned and bored,
staring forward, still as a statue, as people move around him (long
exposure/sped up), as well as other things happening.
It ends with a relieved face, or beautiful things and
colours around him. The realisation is meant to be that money isn’t all that is
important once you take yourself out of the urban environment and the
character, whom the audience has began to know has grown or learned something
new which is valuable to many, for free.
Style
Shot in pure cinema style (Hitchcock took pride in employing), where we get to know the
character through his reaction to what he sees in that environment, and in turn
having a sense of place for the audience as well.
Concentrate on good, cinematic, technical shots, with sharp
sound quality. Simple storytelling, simple acting, good quality storytelling…
Fairly fast paced cuts, intercut with longer, more
thoughtful ones. As well as visual effects. Generally an appealing watch for
audiences. The character should lead the film well by expressions and the way
they are edited with the things he is looking at. Clear storytelling. Very
visual.
Colour correction to make high contrast, low saturation,
even vignette.
