Equipment list

I have made a check list of the essential equipment I will need before filming tomorrow. Before filming I will ensure all of this is available and ready to be used.

- Charged Camera
- SD card
- Microphone
- Costumes
- Prop gun
- Furniture (table and chairs)
- Car
- Fake blood

Music choice

I have chosen to use segments from three tracks within my film, although this may be reduced to only two due to lack time.

Here are various song choices I have to play throughout sections of the film:

Intro:

Mid:
Al Green - Let's Stay Together
Smokey Robinson - You Really Got a Hold on Me

Outro:

One dilemma I am faced with is whether or not to use the song 'Let's Stay Together' within my film. I will use it as reference in my first draft, but am exploring other music of the same genre which may fit the film the same. The reason for this being that the song is famously used in Quentin Tarantino's 1994 classic 'Pulp Fiction'. As I am already taking heavy inspiration from this film, I do not want to be seen as copying the song from that film.

I first realised this issue after viewing the latest Suicide Squad trailer which uses the song 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen, which I immediately associated with Wayne's World. This connection lessened my immersion somewhat. This is also a problem I have with the use of 'Be My Baby' by the Ronettes in Dirty Dancing. I personally find the use of this song in Mean Streets to be very powerful, so when it is used in Dirty Dancing it sounds out of place and disappointing.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Mexican standoff analysis)

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly', directed by Sergio Leone in 1966, is arguable the most prestigious Western ever directed. The film is categorised in a sub-genre of Westerns called 'spaghetti Western', being directed by an Italian directed in the late 60's. Although this is not a crime-thriller, I feel that aspects of this genre, particularly this film, can be very influential in my making of this short film. I have not yet planned how to construct my films ending, however I feel that with the influence of Sergio Leone's Mexican standoff direction, I will be able to build suspense through music and camera work despite lacking dialogue. I believe this is necessary as an overuse of dialogue can be deemed as uncreative and boring for the audience- aesthetics are far more appealing.

Before starting this analysis, I have already considered the fact that my short film will only last 5 minutes, and it is unlikely that I will be able to build up a similar level of suspense within a segment of that time.

The idea of using conventions from Spaghetti Westerns arose to me after viewing 'Reservoir Dogs' in which Tarantino includes a torture scene contrasted with happy music; similar to one in 'the Good, the Bad and the Ugly'.

(The actual standoff begins at around 2.40)

This scene is constructed using multiple conventions in order to build suspense- most Western-defining conventions were first used within this film amongst other by Sergio Leone. The use of extreme long-shots cutting to closer shots such as medium-shots and extreme-close-ups lead to a far more intense tone. This is partly due to the images of guns and shifting eyes featured in the close-ups used towards the end, but also due to the shots beginning to change faster as the suspense grows, building pace. The finale of the standoff cuts to an extreme long-shot that is inclusive to all characters, clarifying the conclusion, as well as expressing a tone of relief.

Accompanied by a score from Ennio Morricone, transitions and builds and declines in tension are perfectly cued through multiple instruments. Classical music in reflects the epic scale of the event. However, other works by Morricone, such as 'The Man with a Harmonica', have used instruments such as electric guitars and harmonicas. I therefore feel I can use almost any genre of music with a scene like this, so long as it is exclusive of vocals, and builds to a crescendo.

The scene takes place in a large open area with not much detail in the surroundings, other than gravestones. This lack of detail allows for the viewer to focus heavily on the only thing in frame- the characters. Therefore immersion is maintained throughout the standoff. Although it unlikely I will be able to film my final scene in an open area like this, I believe I could somewhat replicate the tension and immersion built through various other conventions.

The final aspect of this film I would like to talk about is costume design amongst other character aesthetics. Blondie wears a draped cardigan featuring colours of gold and brown- reflecting his good morals. Tuco is dressed in scruffy clothing with a mix of colours from red to brown- he has bad interns and is not as 'sharp' as the other two characters. His scruffiness also reflects that of a greedy scavenger, who wants all the treasures to himself. Angel-eyes is dressed in all black- he is clearly the bad with immoral intentions. Furthering this, both Blondie and Angel-eyes are wearing hats accompanied with other smart clothing which reflects their purity of good/bad, and sharpness. Tuco is excluded from this as he is just a middle-man, not a serious contender like them, this is reflected by the plot of the film. I believe I can possibly recreate similar costumes to play homage to these characters, but with a far more modern and simplistic take.

Ideally I would like to feature a standoff-like scene within the last minute of my five minute-short; the first four minutes building up to this point. 

Poster templates and inspiration

Horror thriller poster template

Western template

Snatch poster 1

Snatch poster 2

Filming update

Unfortunately over this past half term I have not been able to film. After already delaying from the 22nd of December to the 24th and eventually to the 29th, I have been delayed again. This problem has occurred due to other cast and crew being required for other people's projects, as well as the filming location not being available for a period of time.

I now plan on filming my first draft on Sunday the 10th of January. All props and costumes as well as a storyboard and script are still in my hands and I am ready to film.

(Edit: I have since been delayed again and had to reschedule for the 19th of January)

Location scouting

Over the last few weeks I have planned to film in three different locations:
- Uxbridge
- Little Britain (a park road in Iver)
- Coppins farm (an abandoned barn in Iver)
- Inside of a car

The main problem I face with these locations is the fact that all locations are more or less outside. In the summer this would not be a problem, but due to the early sun set times these locations will be difficult to light. However, in some ways this benefits my project- I plan to use low-key-lighting which will be achievable by the initial dark setting, using mostly adjustable lamps as a light source.

Another problem I face is the fact that the areas will be cold and open, so the cast and crew may not want to shoot for long periods of time. This can be avoided by visiting the location myself and planning all shots and set-up beforehand.

Research summary

At this point I am very happy with my research and just finishing off my planning before filming next week. The overview of various short films and short films posters has given me good ideas which I have incorporated into my planning. The ancillary task is one which I will complete over the Christmas holidays, but I feel the research of that side of the task is already enough to plan and create that poster.

My short film itself is almost fully scripted and storyboarded, inspiration from other films in the crime-thriller genre and short films have each heavily influenced my ideas and script. The art of film-noir is also planned to be featured in my final piece, due to research done at the start of the year.

One component of research that I am lacking greatly is customer feedback. So far I have not received enough responses in my survey to help benefit my planning. This is something I do plan to complete, but it will mean continuing the planning aspect throughout the filming period.

If there are any films or other pieces of media that I see within the next few weeks, I will add it to my research and planning section in order to refine it further. There is still work to be done, and it will be completed by the end of the year.