The Knife That Killed Me case study introduction

Genre/type of production:
Teenage drama, crime, thriller, 15-rated independent film, small low-budget British production

Plot:
Memories of a teenager called Paul Varderman as he reflects on the events leading to his fatal death. He becomes involved with 'the freaks' after moving to a new school, and defends himself against a bully. The bully then asks him to join his gang and Paul is drawn into a rivalry between the two gangs, and must take a critical decision on who he should be loyal to. Themes of change, belonging, gangs, friendship, youth, life/death and insecurity are present.
York University
YouTube Trailer
Official Website

UK release dates:
Screened at London Independent Film Festival on 18 April 2014
Screened at Rome Youth and Independent Film Festival
Screening at Coventry Literary Festival screening in June 2014
Premiere at Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry on 15 July 2014
Screening at York Picturehouse Cinema followed by Q&A on 27 July 2014
Charity event at Notting Hill Picturehouse
Screening at Frank's Cafe in London
24 October 2014 DVD and VOD release online
No theatrical release
BBFC
Kickstarter Campaign
IMDb
Screening Event

Nationality:
British (produced by Green Screen Productions set in York) (actors, crew and producers are well-known in Britain for TV series or other independent films) (All shooting locations set in York, UK) (use of British slang and culture) (typically small production, localised, low-budget)
Director's Blog
Director's Blog 2
Yorkshire Evening Post

Institutions behind production:
Green Screen Productions (based in York, North Yorkshire)
Stealth Media Group (bought rights to DVD and release) is a distribution company that assisted in the financing of the film and national and international marketing. They also organised film festival distribution (based in Brighton, London, LA)
Matador Pictures financed the film (based in London)
Premier Picture is also an independent film finance and production company (based in Brighton)
£20,000 fundraised through Kickstarter campaign
Green Screen Productions
Stealth Media Group
Matador Pictures
Premier Picture
Wikipedia
Kickstarter Campaign

Production budget:
Approximately £3 million
Wikipedia

Connections:
Based on the novel 'The Knife That Killed Me'
Similarities to 'Sin City' - stylised, produced on green screen
Amazon
Facebook
YouTube Trailer

Directors:
Marcus Romer (an actor, director and playwright that also wrote the screenplay for the film)
Kit Monkman (known for Dead Man Running
Director's Blog
Director's Blog 2
IMDb

Producers:
Alan Latham
Thomas Mattison
Assisted by graduates of University of York's department of Theatre, Film and Television
York University
IMDb

Starring:
Jack McMullen (Paul) - known for Waterloo Road
Reece Dinsdale (Paul's dad) - known for Coronation Street
Jamie Shelton (Roth) - known for Emmerdale
Oliver Lee (Shane)
Charles Mnene (Goddo)
Rosie Goddard (Maddie)
Haruka Abe (Serena)
IMDb
Wikipedia

Core Audience:
Young people, both genders, those accustomed to or interested in cultures of Yorkshire, fans of British films, independent film fans, fans of Waterloo Road/Coronation Street/Emmerdale, fans of Sin City or other stylised films

Secondary/tertiary markets:
Adults, those interested in British culture in general
Facebook
Film Review
YouTube Trailer

Big Hero 6 case study introduction

Genre/type of production:
Animated, superhero, comedy, action, family, adventure, PG Cert, a high concept blockbuster, an event movie
Wired Magazine Article
Official Website

Plot:
In a fictional metropolis in which a young robotics prodigy called Hiro Hamada and his robot, Baymax, uncover a criminal plot and pull together a team of inexperienced crime fighters to solve the mystery surrounding the crime.
Wikipedia
YouTube Trailer
Marvel

Global release date: 23 October 2014 at Tokyo International Film Festival in 3D
US release date: 7 November 2014
UK release date: 30 January 2015
IMDb

Nationality:
Set in a fictional and Americanised San Fransokyo (mostly American but incorporates Japanese culture)
Directed and produced by American directors and animation studios
Starring American actors/comedians
Wikipedia

Institutions behind production:
Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios (vertically and horizontally integrated institution based in New York)
Inspired by Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name (rights to characters owned by Disney)
Marketed on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube (200,000 Facebook likes)
Distributed and financed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (based in California with offices worldwide)
Wikipedia
Disney

Production budget:
Unconfirmed (estimated around $200 million)

Connections to other films:
Created by the same company as 'Frozen' 'Wreck-It Ralph' 'Bolt'
Includes a theatric short, 'Feast'
YouTube Trailer
Twitter

Directors:
Don Hall (known for The Princess and the Frog)
Chris Williams (known for Bolt, The Emperor's New Groove, Mulan)
John Lasseter (known for Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Cars)
Wikipedia
IMDb

Starring:
Ryan Potter (Hiro Hamada)
Scott Adsit (Baymax) (known for We're the Millers, 30 Rock)
Jamie Chung (Go Go Tomago)
Damon Wayans Jr. (Wasabi)
(Most are recognised from American TV and comedy)
Wikipedia
IMDb

Core Audience:
Youngchildren, superhero fans, Disney fans, Marvel fans, families with children, Americans
YouTube Trailer

Secondary/tertiary audience:
Parents, older children, fans of Japanese culture

Preliminary exercise evaluation

1. Who did you work with and how did you manage the task between you?

For the preliminary exercise, I worked with Serena, Iggy and Alistair. The task was shared between us, Serena and Alistair were acting while Iggy was directing and I filmed the shots. To plan the sequence, we discussed in our group, thought of an appropriate genre and narrative, then allocated tasks for each of us on the day of shooting. During the planning process, each of us contributed ideas towards the order of shots and how it could achieve continuity as well as direct the audience to the narrative.

2. How did you plan your sequence? What processes did you use? What theories did you try to take into account?

We drew a storyboard and shot list of the narrative which helped us to achieve continuity and follow the match on action theory. It also assisted in the framing of each shot to create implications for the audience. Additionally, we made a shooting schedule to make it more convenient to shoot and avoid wasting time. Also, we used some of our own props and costumes appropriate to each scene which was effective in establishing character. Some theories that we considered in order to achieve continuity were match on action, shot/reverse shot, and the 180-degree rule, so that the narrative of the scene flows. We planned using a storyboard which helped to visualise the angles of the shots and whether they would match the previous ones. We also wrote a script with the intention of matching the dialogue in every take so that there would not be match on action errors, however this was ineffective as it did not include sufficient stage directions.

3. What technology did you use to complete the task, and how did you use it?

We used a Canon Legria HF G30, tripod, microphone, headphones and we set up the camera and tripod in each location appropriately in order to achieve different framings of shots and different angles to view the shots from different perspectives. The software we used to edit the sequence was Premier Pro and we uploaded each take, and then cut the good clips into appropriate lengths and added them to the sequence in order of the narrative. We placed the camera in 9 different locations in the room and corridor so that there was a variation in camera angles to establish the setting.

4. What factors did you have to take into account when planning, shooting and editing?

While planning the exercise, we had to consider the 30 degree rule as well as the eyeline match so that two shots following each other were matched. Other theories such as match on action and shot/reverse shot were taken into account as they assisted the continuity of the sequence and allowed different angles of the scene to be included while matching at the same time. While shooting, we had to consider background noise as well as keeping the script and action exactly the same in each take so that every scene matched the previous one. We had to clear the room and corridor so that there were no other people in the shot which would affect the continuity. During the editing process, we considered the match on action theory as each shot had to be cut at the correct time for the sequence to flow. We also considered timings as it was necessary for each shot to be cut to an appropriate length and match the next shot in the right place. Furthermore, we had to film scenes longer than we intended them to be, as we could cut them during editing rather than having to repeat the filming of scenes that were too short.

5. How successful was your sequence? Please identify what worked well, and with hindsight, what would you improve/do differently?

I think our sequence was successful in many places in achieving continuity, especially the final conversation, in which the 180 degree rule was implemented as well as the shot/reverse shot during dialogue. Also, the switch of the angle of the shot while opening the door was a match on action and effective in demonstrating continuity of the sequence. However, on several occasions, the background of the shots was inaccurate, for example, shot 2 in which Serena was not sitting in the chair that she was in in shot 3. Also, some dialogue was different in each take and the actors' movements were not matched in some takes which affected the continuity and overall flow of the narrative as it confused the audience. Another aspect which I would do differently is making sure that there are no other people visible in the shot (in reflections or in background) as it distracts the audience from the main action and is not a match on action. The planning hour was useful and effective as it gave us ideas of the framing the order in which to shoot the scenes as efficiently as possible. The first establishing shot was effective at displaying the setting and entrance of the first character into the room. We also used a variation of frames according to the narrative, (close-ups of actors speaking and wide shots of walking along the corridor), which was significant in conveying the atmosphere of the scene. In order to achieve better continuity, I would have used shorter clips and demonstrated more of the 30 degree rule in which each shot is varied from the last.

6. What have you learnt from completing this task? Looking ahead, how will this learning be significant when completing the rest of your foundation coursework?

From completing this task, I have learnt the importance of several theories such as match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule and how they affect the continuity of films and allow the genre and narrative of the film to be displayed. I have also learnt the significance of planning shots and taking shots from many angles in case of error. The editing techniques I learnt will be useful for completion of the rest of the coursework as we can cut and order shots correctly for the narrative to flow. The task was effective as a practice, and I have learnt from continuity errors made (such as different action/dialogue) and will be aware of this on the next task. Also, I have learnt the importance of not wasting time during shooting so that there are sufficient shots from several angles in case of error during editing.

Film still

Genre:

It is a drama/comedy as the characters are laughing, portrayed as genuine, set during daytime, soft camera focus, relaxed facial expressions, modest clothing.

Character:

The camera angle is slightly tilted to make Forrest look smaller, shows significance of other character and that he is respected, Forrest looking directly at him suggests his sincerity, hand gestures shows that he respects him and does not perceive himself as superior, dirty, old-fashioned clothing suggests that the two characters are not superficial.

Narrative:

A reunion between the two characters is implied through the handshake, they are pleased to see each other, the man has recently arrived to be greeted by Forrest, Forrest is the main character as he is displayed more clearly in the shot.