Second Script

Here's another one of my Scripts...

Moving Out

A relationship drama about a mother and son on the brink

Charlie is sitting at the table on his own, his mum in the next room, with the look of something playing on his mind.

INT. HOUSE – KITCHEN/KITCHEN TABLE - DAY

Mum walks in

MUM

What’s wrong?

CHARLIE

Why is he always here, has he not got his own home to go to.

Charlie says through gritted teeth.

MUM

Oh not this again!

Charlie’s mum says raising her voice

CHARLIE

Nobody likes him and he’s pushing everyone else away.

MUM

It’s nobody else’s business, I let them do what they want so I can do what I want

CHARLIE

Nobody comes around anymore because he’s here and I’m uncomfortable in my own house

MUM

I’m capable of making my own decisions.

Charlie talks over his mum not caring what she is saying; still very angry.

My Own Stuff

I just thought it would be nice to share my own screenplays so you can see my writing style, I still have a lot to learn. These are some of my earlier scripts.

A young boy has the opportunity to live the same day twice.

Fix You

SCENE 1: INTERIOR BEDROOM

 CU on alarm clock, it’s 07:57, it changes to 08:00. The shrill alarm goes off.

 From right of frame a hand hits the surface around the alarm clock, it fumbles around looking for the ‘OFF’ switch; it finds its target and hits the alarm off.

 Cut to a MS of Pearse. He sits up on the bed, rubs his eyes and runs his fingers through his hair. Cut to a LS, Pearse gets up out of bed and walks out of frame.

 

SCENE 2: INTERIOR BATHROOM

 High angle MS, Pearse grabs either side of the sink and wearily leans towards the mirror. He fills the sink with water.

 Cut to a CU of the tap as water flows. Cut back to a high angle MS as the boy splashes water over his face.

 A fast paced edited sequence leads to a CU from an angle behind the boy as he brushes his teeth.

 
SCENE 3: INTERIOR BEDROOM

 Cut to a low angle CU. Pearse is back in his bedroom where he puts on a jumper.

 

SCENE 4: INTERIOR STAIRWELL

Cut to a bird’s eye view of the stairs. The boy’s mother walks into the frame, looks at camera and shouts up.

 

MUM:

“YOU’RE GOING TO BE LATE!”

 Cut to MS as Pearse comes out into the landing, he looks past camera then glances at his watch. Cut to a CU of his watch. Cut to a MS, he runs back into his room to collect his bag. He passes a calendar on the wall. The date is the 23 March 2012.

 He grabs his bag and he runs down the stairs.

The camera ‘follows’ on as Pearse runs out through the front door into the world.

Here We Go Again

Here's an easier way to view my two minute documentary 'Something Different'

Something Different

Last week I shot, directed and edited a short two minute documentary I was commissioned for for Action Cancer Trust.

I had help with two others in my class with setting up the set.

The short is named after the shop, 'Something Different'.

Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GipfvRjg6Ng

Documentary Blog

So I had to make a new blog for my documentary class... so without any further ado here it is
Check it out if you have time.

Making a C.V

Today in class I had to make a C.V about what I want to do once I graduate, in no way did it have to be realistic; as long as it's what I wanted to do.

Then I had to make a step by step of how I plan to get there, surprisingly it was tough (but I did it). We started by what we think we would be doing on a Tuesday (today) afternoon, then we had to come up with steps that would get us there, next we talked about what would get us there or "our body of work", getting known is what we discussed next; who we would target and finally we went through what our stagey after leaving was.

P.S. I tried to vlog but was unsuccessful...better luck next time

First day back

So today was my first day back of my second year HND Multimedia and Film Studies course and we started it off with a bang…we watched movies (I love my course!)

We started of with a Research Techniques class where we were told what we'll be doing for the year and it turns out quite a lot. We'll be making a number of films a documentary a comedy film with no dialog and writing our own script for our own movie which will be getting shown in the cinema.

We discussed in length about comedy films which went all the way back to ancient Greece and what you probably didn't know is that all comedies our actually tragedies with a happy ending at the end (trust me) we then wrote what we think a comedy is.

After we had a Sound design class which, you guessed it! Is all about sound in films and it is pretty important. We had these photos on the screen of a computer which we had to add audio clips to to make it sound like a real scene in a movie, like ascend in real life…it was pretty fun.

And lastly I volunteered to do a short 2 min documentary on Action Cancer Trust which should be fun and I'm excited together involved in and at the end it will be shown at some fancy event where I'll be invited and getting fed.

**Side note I'm thinking of starting vlogs**

2nd Year!!!

So I start my second year on the 16 September 2013 (tomorrow) and I intend to step up the blogging and blog about everything.
Stay tuned…

'The Dog' Rehearsal

Once we got the set ready and we were prepared; we started our rehearsals with the actor, Peter...

First we had to make sure he knew the script before we could start any type of run through (he did) so we asked him just to do a read through to see how he prepared it. Once we were happy with the way he preformed the monologue we started blocking out the script.

This was the longest part of the process as we tried numerous things and experimented with the character and positioning and props until we found what worked and flowed well with the script.

After that we tried a few run-throughs of what we rehearsed. It took a while to shoot what we wanted as nothing matched the energy of the first 2 run throughs but by the 5 or 6 run through we were happy and started recording.

As an over all I was extremely happy with the finished product.

Mamet shoot 'The Dog'

First off, I said I would post about my studio shoot and how that was going and didn't, so sorry.

First thing we had to do for the script was come up with a concept to set it around (it was a monologue about a man talking about his dog, so not that difficult).There were a lot of ideas in the group for the concept; whether he is has an OCD and likes things to have his place, whether he is an untidy/scruffy person (which I think gave it a sense of irony), and there was even an idea to give him a mental disorder and that he was imaging the dog the entire time.

We decided on the concept to be that the man is going through a split up with his wife and we kind of split the set in two; in the type of way that her belongings are on one side and his on the other. Also we didn't set a particular time period, we wanted it to be more contemporary, more modern so it didn't limit us or the actor... so we kind of went for a tidy and organised house with out bordering on the obsessive compulsive.

We painted the set white (we wanted a bit of colour i.e. cream or a hint of peach, just to give it a bit of personality but ran out of time due to timetable mix ups) with props and belongings from the wive that added little hints and pops of colour which I feel gave it a little personality, we also put in photo frames and divorce papers which I feel gave the set a story and history of the character.

Editing Post

(It's been a while sorry!!)
So I'm going to blog about my editing assignment for my film I done, 'Moving Out', which I surprisingly got a Distinction for. (Sorry enough of bragging)

For my edit I tried to make it as simple as possible and just make a good film with the emotion coming from the film and the editing techniques.

It was difficult to keep continuity with the edit as simple thing like the placement of the hand, where a cup is, where you looking is all real vital to keeping the film looking as real as possible, in fact I had some problems with this.

I tried switching from a different camera angle if there was an error and I think this would keep the audience's attention.

The editing process was a long and trying process but worth it and highly rewarding and I learnt a lot which will help me in the future.

What's Coming Next

My next blog posts will be of editing the location shoot and posting on our studio shoot of David Mamet's 'The Dog'.

Shooting

Myself and Victoria Wilson started shooting early in the morning, at first we had the crew call at around  09:00, this was so that the crew could all set up before the actors came and ran their lines.

The actors then came at 10:00, already knowing their lines but we gave them a quick rehearsal while me and Victoria discussed what we should do first.

We then started shooting our first scene, which was the third scene in the script. It was a relatively short scene to shoot and it was shot in my bedroom. It took us 3 or 4 takes to get that scene.

The next scene we shot was the fourth scene or "The Goodbye Scene" which was directly just down stairs, we choose that one next because it would take less time to set up and we didn't have far to move, it to was a short scene to shoot.

The scene we planned to shoot next was the first scene; which was the longest scene so we thought we'd try to get as much done as we could before we went for break. There was a lot to think about for this take because the mood in the scene changes so quickly and we didn't want it to just be explosive or out of the blue so we had to take our time and build up. We also had to get pick up shots and tried a few different shots: one shot that worked was the kettle shot which is of a boiling kettle and it kind of reflects the scene nicely because the kettle represents the characters emotions; calm and still at first but then boiling and ready to over flow, one shot that didn't work was the window shot which was a shot from outside the window capturing the mum Ellen; but we couldn't get it because the window was too reflective with the sun so we couldn't use it.

We then had a 45 min break...

Then we started shooting our last scene the second scene, because I was key director for the first few scenes we decided that Victoria should be the key director and i would take over the role of camera operator. The last scene was in the living room, it's where Ellen and Charlie have a heart to heart and Charlie tells his mum, Ellen, that he's decided to move out. We did a lot of different takes from a lot of different angles to get good coverage of the entire scene. As soon as we got all the shots we needed and finished the scene that was us, we wrapped up our first ever HND Moving Image Location Shoot.

We then all congratulated and thanked each other, and then it was the wrap party!

Location Reccy/Preperation Work

I met up with Victoria Wilson and we did a little 'prep work' for our short film 'Moving Out' to set up and practice a few shots of our scenes to see how we would do it and how they would look, this also helped us come across any problems we might incounter instead of incountering them on the day and being stumped and looking like fools on the day.

One example would be reflective pictures. There is a framed painting in the living room and if the camera man were to stand in and have the camera shooting, depending on what angle they were shooting at, you may be able to see their (the camera person's) reflection in the painting through the camera.

There weren't that many problems we encountered during the reccy but the problems we did find we simply sat down and figured out a soloution for each one.

Our Actors for 'Moving Out'

Quick post - It's Caroline and James

Casting Call #3

The third person to show up was James, (auditioning for the role of the son) again we gave him a monologue and a script extract to perform for us

James' performance was a mixture of strength and venerability and we thought he was perfect for the role of Charlie. We loved how he could literally change emotion in a snap, as well that he looked the part.

For more news on the film check out or follow Victoria Wilson's blog

Casting Call #2

The second person to show up to the casting call was Rachel. I really liked Rachel from the moment she walked in, like Caroline we gave her a short monologue and an extract of the script to perform.

I found Rachel's performance excellent; it was very vulnerable and endearing and exactly how I imagined the mother to be. Everything from her facial expressions, gestures, even down to every precise movement was so in tune to the character

The only problem was; did she look the part of the mother and could we make her look the part?

Casting Call #1

I had casting calls for mine and Victoria Wilson's short film 'Moving Out' a while back, and planned to upload the videos to the blog but the video files are too big! (and I'm not the best with computors) so I'm just going to talk about it instead.

With that out of the way...

The first person to show up was Caroline and my initial thoughts on Caroline were that she looked great for the part. We then gave her a short monolouge to perform for us and a short extract from the script. For the first person to show up for the casting call we were very impressed with her perfomance and good easily see her as the mother role.

Caroline came of very strong willed in the casting which is a bit of the opposite of the role of the mother as she is very caring and nuturing, but we thought that with a little bit of direction we could make her more like the mother on the day of the shoot.

For more news of the film why not check out or follow Victoria Wilson's blog!

Film Location

One of the biggest questions of filming is where is the film set? And following that question is, can we get the right location to match where the film is set?

My film is set in a house where a mother and son live and, to the annoyance of the son, the mothers boyfriend. We need a home where we can shoot. Funnily enough we decieded to shoot at my home. (Where I'm typing this up right now)

Casting Call

I held a casting call for my location shoot and I felt a sudden swarm of professionalism come over me.

Me and my co-producer/director held the call, for the script I wrote ('Moving Out' a short about a strain on a mother-son relationship when the mother puts a boyfriend before her family. Relatable I think.) in a radio room where we gave the auditionees a short monologue to read to loosen them up and then a short extract from the script to see how the related to the character, and I must say I was impressed by all!

We recorded the casting also (and might upload the footage) now we jus have to pick

Finding Actors

Probably one of the aspects which was the main cause of worry for me for this shoot, I had to find a teenage male and a female actor who could play the role of his mother; and I didn't know any actresses around this age to play the role.

So what did I do? I took to twitter of course, but to much my dismay that didn't pay off as much as I would have liked it to, compared to my other class mates (annoyingly) so I decided I'd post an add on Gumtree (UK version of greg's list to any readers who might be from the States) and to my complete surprise it worked!

So now I have casting calls tomorrow (4 March); which I am extremely excited about. I'll let you know how it goes.

Movie Making

Have you ever wondered what it feels like making a movie or short? Well I'll tell you, it's both stressfull and breathlessly exciting but all that stress you may (or may not) decide to put yourself under is worth it when you see it all fall together and see the final piece.

I'm going go be shooting 2 shorts in 3 weeks time, 1 being a monologue from David Mamet's 'The Dog' and the other from a Script I wrote myself.

As part of the journey I am going to blog about what is happening with the 2 shorts as it happens. This will include: preparing for the shoot, looking actors, shooting on set, photos and editing, so to summarise; it will conclude the entire movie making process.

All coming soon…

Interview Success!!!

So on Tuesday 19 February I had an interview on what role I wanted for a film project of mine and depending on how good I was I'd get the part (or I'd be given the part of what the interviewers feel I would be good at). I went up for the role of 'FLOOR MANAGER'.

Basically a floor manager is someone who is responsible for giving information from the DIRECTOR in the CONTROL ROOM or 'GALLERY' to the crew on the studio floor and then back to the director. He makes sure all what the director wants is happening on the studio floor to get the end product he wants.
I'm assuming since I got the role that my interview was a success. (Yayyyy!)
We were interviewed by 2 people Joe McKinney, the co-ordinator of HND Moving Image at Belfast Met and Kieran Doherty, the Development Executive of Wild Rover.

They asked me 3 questions to do with the role: question 1) "What is a floor managers role?" To which I responded "A floor managers role is to communicate between the gallery and the studio floor and to make sure everything is in order for the director i.e. everything is clear and tidy and the equipment is set up and working etc.
Question 2) "Can you give us a moment in which you were put in-charge of something?" "I have helped many pupils with their AS and A2 level films for Moving Image with co-directing helping then with camera shots and movements as well as appearing in and acting".
The last question I was asked was "Who do you think a floor manager works with closely in set?" My answer, "Well I think a floor manager works mostly with the director and other crew members in the gallery to get what the director needs whether it be on camera or quiet on set, get things organised or give the actor direction".

So with a bit of self belief, confidence and presenting one right I think this is why my interview was a success and why I got the role I was after.

Also on another note, I'M SO EXCITED!!!

Playing with Light 2

How devilish looking

Playing with Light

Goofing of with some lights and a camera :)

Behind the scenes of LE#2

This is like a little behind the scenes still of a method we used for Lighting Exercise 2 ;)
Anya holding a reflector next to Ryan.

Lighting Exercise #2

This exercise had the same premiss as the last accept we were trying to set up a mini set with a character to tell a story.
We where trying to show an old woman (played by a guy) alone in the winter months with a fire and a drink to keep warm.

Lighting Exercise

This exercise was to get us to think of creative ways in which to use lighting and how the cinematography effects a scene.
We had to pick an object and light it in a way in which it tells a story (we picked a fan).
We recorded it first without lighting to show the fans loneliness as its only used 3 out of 12 months, in the Summer, and that it's waiting out the coldest moths to be used again. Then with our lighting we recorded it again making it look happier and it being used in the summer.

Direction in Life

So I had one of those important disscussions today about my future career aspect in the media industry and this is the result...

I've found out that I'm quite good at the physical aspects and performing well with the stuff that's infront of me... very well actually.

That's why I've decided with my future career I will be working in something like vision mixing or directing as I exceed at these things, I also enjoy them and really isn't that all what it's about?

What I am not as good at is scriptwritting, thats not to say I cant do it, I can; I've done it before! It's just something I have to work at.

I am also great with camera work, lighting and stage or floor managing so I could also move into a career with these but for now the GOAL is to DIRECT or to VISION MIX.