Film Session 3

Despite the fact that I was shooting 1 scene I was aware of the difficulties in shooting this one scene such as the distraction of people walking past, the possibility of maybe being caught when filming as I never had the film permit ect.

When we arrived at the precise location, I was not ready to shoot as there were a small number of people walking past such as kids, parents, runners. When the coast was clear we began to shoot, I was able shoot shot number 69, 70 and 71 with ease.

However the worst possible incident happened, the site officers of the park saw as filming he came to us and asked weather we had a permit to shoot we said no. He said we were only allowed to shoot with the camera but not with the tripod because of health and safety issues.
Once he left me and Dylan had to decide whether we wanted to film with just the camera in my hand. I felt that this wasn’t a good option as the tripod was a beneficial tool; it enabled me to shoot in a stable and fixed position. Also as it was a running scene I needed the tripod to do pan shot and a mid shot zoom from a long distance, plus it was a windy day so shooting all these shot hand held would have clearly ruined the quality and meaning of my film. At first we decided to try to do the hand held option we did it for shot number 72, 73 and 74 but when I watched it back it never looked as a good I imagined. At this moment the site office was gone, we had to go for it and shoot with the tripod it was a risk as it might get caught again, we had to take the risk.
This risk meant that we had to shoot quickly and not waste any time. However this wasn’t the case there were various problems the first problems was the tripod. When shooting the first low angle mid shot I wasn’t able to move the tilt lock (shooting this shot meant that the camera had to be tilt upward) it was in a fixed position and I tried to loosen each part but for some reason I wasn’t able to loosen the tilt lock. This was time consuming with the possibility of the site officers coming back I had to hold the camera in this low angle position.
After shooting this shot the camera fell, luckily after resisting it it worked.
The last problem was shooting the running scene, shot number 74 was a mid shot of Dylan running the camera had to be in front him (long distanced) and zoom in into face as he’s running towards the camera. The camera had to be in an exact position to see he’s entire face in the camera frame, as he was running I wasn’t able to achieve this straight away – after many takes it was made possible.




When doing this shot, loads of people were walking up the hill and out the gate. This wasted a lot of time.








This shot continued from the 360 degree signifying what he’s thinking about, in the dialogue he says ‘I know I can bit this’.
Then I tried I tried to recreate this part in the fix you song from 2:25 to 2:28 (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skUJ-B6oVDQ).

It’s just a pan shot, but since the tripod couldn’t get as high as he’s head I had to do it hand held, but within the shot I had to make sure you could see he’s shoulders and head whilst he was running in order to create an uplifting atmosphere, when filming it took time to perfect since Dylan was running I had to keep up with he’s pace, we eventually got a good shot and you can see he's shoulder and head, as shown in the image.

Film Schedule for Film Session 3 / Shot List

Film Schedule for Film Session 3

Location: Queens Park
Scene: 7 (the Running Scene)
Date: 20/11/10
Start: 10:30

10:30 to 10:45 - Meet Dylan at Kilburn Park Station, at wait for the 316.

10:45 to 11:25 – When the 316 comes stop at Queens Park. Then walk to the Park of Queens Park, walk to the exact film location (the far end of the park).

11:30 to 12:45 – Begin to shoot the scene. Shoot shot number 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77, 79, 80. Once done, days over.

Shot List

Film session 2

It’s vital that we get this scene and shoot these shots as they give us insight into the character and he’s journey. I knew that they will be many issues that would confront us, such as not having a traveling permit and finding an empty carriage, however I had the belief that we would eventually be able to overcome all these challenges.

Me and Dylan (who plays Mark) met at Cricklwood station the train took 15 minutes, within this time Dylan suggested that I should shoot a shot of him waiting for the train, it was brilliant idea as through this shot we were able to highlight he’s loneliness, this was also reinforced through the raining weather which gave this shot a more miserable and depressing atmosphere.
The train finally arrived and we knew before we got on the train that there should be an empty carriage (as people wont be fond of us filming then) I saw an empty carriage, but however I was wrong the carriage was filled with 3 passengers it was stupid mistake and it costed us a lot of time.
We had no choice we had to leave the train we got at the next stop which was West Hampstead, I felt that waiting for another train at the stop will just limit the amount of time and shots we could do as it will give us the time length of 2 stops instead of 3 stops.
I therefore made the decision to get the train on the opposite side heading towards the opposite direction, and shoot scene 6 (the journey home). It was a good idea as it will allow us to get a scene done, I felt that doing this we give us the time (from west to Cricklwood) to shoot the one shot in the scene and enable us to be at our original place of shooting (so we could eventually find an empty carriage) My plan worked the train came and we found an empty carriage we were therefore able to shoot the long shot in scene 6.

Once this was over we were back at our original shooting setting Criklewood. The train took approximately 5 minutes to come; I suggested to Dylan that we should get on the first carriage as there usually empty. The train eventually came before we get on we learnt from our mistake, we took a proper look at carriage 1 there’s was luck even though there were some people on the train there was a section full of seats which was literally empty. We got on the train. I tried opening the door of the empty section it was lucked for some reason, Dylan pointed out to the sign and it was in fact only for 1st class passengers. We had not prepared for this and it will be stupid to get of again. Therefore we had to be pragmatic instead of shooting him sitting down I had no choice but to shoot him standing up. We had to make a decision between choosing to shoot nothing or choosing to be pragmatic, I chose option B it was the most sensible decision.



This was a pragmatic shot we used when we were in location. Since the rain was taking its time Dylan (who plays Mark) advised me to take this shot. It beneficial for two reason, firstly he happens on a rainy day this creates a more gloomy and dull atmosphere which adds to the depressing and miserable life of Mark. Secondly it will enable me to extend the voice over (as I’m using another shot), it would advantageous as in the voice over the audiences are able to gain a deeper understanding of the character.



This was another pragmatic shot. As you can see in the storyboard, this shot (shot number 18) was meant to be a shot of Mark sitting down. Since the all carriages were full, and because of the lack of time we had no choice but to change our plan and shoot this shot standing up instead, we did this because Mark standing or sitting down will have no affect on the film or would change anything.

Film Schedule for film session 2 / Shot List

Film Schedule for First Film Session

Location: Train
Scene: 2 and 7 as they both contain train footage.
Date: 9/11/12
Start Time: 11:00


The plan for the film shoot is to get on the train and shoot whilst on the train. It will take us around 2 to 3 stops to film, from Cricklewood to West Hampstead to Kentish Town if we need more time we will add an extra stop so up to ST Pancras international.

11:00: Arrive at Cricklewood Station (First Capital Connect), and buy train tickets for me and protagonist character.

11:20: Train arrives

11:20 to 11:23: In train get on find a free carriage with not passengers once found set up tripod and camera.

11:25 to when we finish shooting scene 2: It will take us around 15 minutes if we stop at Kentish town and 20 if we stop and ST Pancras. Within this time we will shoot shot 18, 19, 20 and 21.

11:25 to 11:45: Because of the numbers of shots used I believe that we will stop at St Pancra and therefore it will take us 20 minutes to film. Once the shots are done we will get of the train and get on the opposite side of this train station (the opposite direction, the journey to home) and shoot scene 7.

11:50 to 11:53: The train should come around 11:50, we get on the train and find and free carriage and set up tripod.

11:53 – 12:00: Shoot shot number (?) because we use one shot it won’t take us that much time. Once we shoot the shot we pack up our equipment and wait for out stop Cricklwood.

The Film Pitch

Film Pitch

1) Describe your Film in detail – Give an Outline of the Story

‘Why Me’ is about an adolescent student who suffers from severe depression. He’s inability to overcome the illness forces him to write a suicide note. However he fears death and accepts that he’s not ready to carry out such an action, and puts aside the thoughts of suicide and gives life one more chance. At school he tries his complete hardest to be normal, and eradicate he’s pessimistic feelings and thoughts of suicide, but he just can’t. Finally, inspiration comes and whilst looking for a novel in the library he finds a book called ‘how to overcome depression’, he now has to make a choice which he dreads, either to commit suicide or triumph over his depression.

The film in simple terms is a journey through the characters life, from the moment he writes the suicide note to the moment inspiration comes, and between this journey we come to understand the symptoms of depression, its affects and how the illness has defined who he is; a lonely miserable person with a pessimistic attitude.


There are three acts in the film. The first act is about the nasty symptoms of depression such as finding it hard to read and watch TV. It also explores he suicidal feelings, he has recently been thinking about suicide and he now believes that he’s ready to commit it, however whilst trying to write a suicide note he finds it difficult and painful and he gives up.

Act 2 explores the affect of depression and the he’s suicidal feelings. Depression clearly affects he’s school life as he feels and look lost, useless and worthless. In the exam he cant write the essay as he hears the painful scribbling of the suicide note.

In act 3 inspiration comes and when looking for a novel he finds a book called ‘How to overcome depression’, he believes it was fate and begins to read it whilst reading he feels therapeutic and realizes how easy it is to overcome it, he falls to sleep but the audiences don’t know. Whilst sleeping he dreams about overcoming depression and he performs the steps of overcoming it such as running and seeing a therapist. At the end he wakes up and he hears the scribbling which is a reference to suicide, we never knew whether he commit suicide or whether he triumph over it the last words are ‘I guess I have to decide’.

2) Location of the film and key characters

The film is set in various locations. It’s mainly set in school; this location plays a crucial role in the film, I use this location as it enables us to explore the disastrous affects of this illness. The fact that it’s a school gives us an insight into he’s isolation and furthermore how it has affected he’s work and grades.


I also choose to use his bedroom we here see the symptoms of depression, everything which happens in this scene has a meaning and has been carefully chosen, for example he’s inability to read, choose a channel and concentrate are all symptoms of depression.
The park location plays a significant role in the film, up until this stage the film is very gloomy and dark, but the scene in the park is the uplifting even though it’s a dream the audiences don’t know this, its moves us as he’s in the process of triumphing over this illness.
I also a use a therapist office to reinforce this victory it also a dream but the audiences don’t know, even though we only see a glimpse of this it enriches us as we are now aware that Mark is seeking help, and therefore we believe that overcoming depression is inevitable.

Character - The protagonist characters Mark suffers from severe depression. He’s a typical everyday student. He lives a life of isolation and misery. The character relates to those who are depressed and he justifies the reasons for being depressed and not seeking help, as it’s the easy option (but not the right one).
In school he acts as a normal individual, but in reality and deep down he suffers from depression and he hides this fact, the depression has become part of his life and has undoubtedly made him who he is.

We don’t show why mark is depressed, by not showing he’s past and how he has become depressed we able to appeal to all those teenagers who are depressed. All teenagers are depressed for very different reason its impossible to create a film which depicts all these problems as there is so many such as death of a family, drugs, poverty ect the list goes on and on. This film however stays in touch with the core of depression which is not how you have become depressed but the symptoms, its affects and how to overcome it.

3) The Message – What message is being communicated in film?
Is it obvious?
Why will people want to watch your film?

The message of the film is to create awareness on the issue of depression, stats show that those who suffer from depression hide it. Thus this film encourages, motivates and inspires people to break out the trap of depression and seek help.
The film communicates the need to seek help if you are depressed, as it can worsen. The need to obtain support by seeing a therapist or reading about how to overcome it.
It will educate those who may not know about depression and the symptoms of it.
Many people who watch the film will judge the character and maybe remark on how stupid he is for not being able to choose a TV channel. This film promotes the need to limit the sense of judgment, and make people want to put themselves in other people shoes before they judge them.
Therefore when people watch the film and come to understand the reasons for his misery at the end of the film they won’t be so judgmental.
The target audience is predominantly teens, as they are the major group who suffer from depression. Teen will want to watch the film as they can relate to it, and want to seek help afterwards. It needs to be made for its own sake, its different, there is no film out there which depicts such an issue explicitly.
The story line is very appealing, moving, and addresses such a real issue with such validity and truth. The truthfulness of the film and its education it offers will satisfy the audience as once they watch the film they wont feel sad after watching a depressed film, they will in fact know what depression is (plus extra bonus) and watch it in an entertaining form.

4) Target audience
Who is the film aimed at?
Who is your target audience and explain how this film will appeal to them.

The film is aimed at people who suffer from depression, people who want to learn about it and its nasty affects. Its major target audience is teens as they are the group who are more likely to suffer from depression. For this reason it intends to explain the effects of depression and the urgent need get help.
Having said this it appeals to young adults and adults as they too suffer from depression. In simple terms the main target audience is those who suffer from depression.
Try
‘Why Me’ attempts to have a universal target audience it aims to create awareness and educate people from all age ranges about depression. For this reason everyone over the age of 13/14 should watch the film
The film certainly appeals to this target audience. This is achieved in many ways; it’s achieved by the theme of the film ‘depression’ this will generally appeal to them as many teens suffer from it. The character and location creates a sense if realism as the protagonist character is a student and its set in a school.

5) Your opinion
Justify why your film needs to be made, what sets it apart from other dramatic short films

The film needs to be made in order to benefit people. Many people view depression as a mood swing which leads to people being unhappy or dull for a short period. What people don’t know is that it has serous affects, and can make living normally impossible, it can most notably lead to suicide, it’s not a talked about issue. This justifies why it should be made, people are uncomfortable about talking about depression because its so depressing. I strongly believe that we need to create awareness on depression, as it can cause various risks and problems. I believe that creating a film in a way that teaches people, advises people to obtain support and presenting it in an entertaining way which will hopefully encourage people who are depressed to go and seek help, and furthermore provide people with an insight into depression.

Target Audience for 'The Edukators'

Genre

This film isn’t really a social realist. It doesn’t fit into a single film genre, in many ways it has a triangulation genre combining three genres which include Drama, Crime and Romance. The reason why I put it under social realist is because it stays in touch with many of the conventions in social realist such as the people in this film are rebellious in this case politically active, it depicts young teenagers who are marginal from society, they are drug addicts, live in poverty, in debt and resort to crime in order to survive and get what they want.

Age rate

The film has an R rating meaning that is targeted to the age 17 and in cinema it requires an accompanying parent, this is because of scenes of nudity, the use of drugs and violence. Also the film requires knowledge. A real understanding of the world and it addresses a strong political message therefore young teens and children won’t be able to fully grasp or understand the film.


Target audience

According to Marc Klocker, Head of Marketing at X Verleih, the target audience for the film was the following:

Primary audience: 22-40 years old

For this reason the target audience appears to be the young activist who are portrayed un the film, they may be representing the new generation of youth activist. Young adults is a clear target in the film especially those who are suffering from debt. The film also offers a realistic depiction of the young adults who are now in today’s society becoming more politically aware, engaged and active.

It also appears to be targeted to those who had anti materislstic ideals who have now become conformist. This is clearly shown in the film when the the wealthy Hardenberg doesn’t change as he calls the police on the young activist, he’s a clear example of how ‘some people never change’.

Secondary audience: School children

For this reason the target audience appears to be students who are politically active. A key reason why the film is targeted to this group is because it intends to educate them about the flaws in society and in capitalism, and inform them about the difficulty faced by those marginal and deprived groups.
The target audience in this case is the group that doesn’t know enough about the capitalist system, and the film is set out to teach them about it.

Typical Target Audience For Social Realist

Typical target audience for social realist:

Kidulthood

Kidulthood – target specifically to teenagers, and is directly targeted to an ‘urban’ youth market. This means the 15-24 age market, it implies a

The film attempts to represent the serous issues faced by some teenagers in today’s society such as drugs, alcohol, murder, imprisonment and growing up in poverty. The realistic depiction faced by working class people predominantly the black community appeals to those who actually experience similar situations and problems; this explains why the film attracts the urban youth group as they can relate to it. It also depicts the black, white and Asian community living in west London location, this further develops the point that the film relates to people’s life experiences, this in many ways encourages people who live similar lives to watch a film which in many ways is about them.

The distributor the UK Film Council advertised specifically to the teenage target audience. From watching the film I was able to suggest that the film can also be targeted to the elites (the middle and upper classes) and those in power this can have a positive effect as they can see the suffering and struggles faced by these kids and therefore be willing to support them.
The film gives rich insight into lifestyles of the black working class community and what they have to go through on a daily basis. It in many ways educates us about the issue of ‘peer’ pressure and the need to commit crime in order to live. Like may social realist films the film educates us, therefore when the urban youths are watching the film and realize the wrongness of getting into drugs and crime it may encourage them to change their way of life.

Images







All these images depict the struggles and problems confronted by these young teenagers. All these images reinforce the urban youth target audience. It emphasizes that the film is targeted to those who are able to relate to it such as those struggling to live, have strong drug addiction, and experience violence on an everyday basis.

Age rating

The age rating of the film is 15 because of issues explored in film like sexes, drugs and also the use of strong language.
The film was seen by a team of examiners who conformed its 15 age rating, they made it clear that the film was not suitable at the lower categories ‘U’ ‘PG’ ‘12A’.

There were some controversy about whether the film should be a 15 or whether the issues were so strong that an ‘18’ category would be the most suitable classification for the film.
BBFC guidelines showed that the use of language was acceptable to an age 15.
The film contained scenes of oral sex; the examiners felt that this was suitable to a 15 as there was no ‘strong sexual detail’. There were scenes were teenagers were snorting cocaine and smoking week. The drug guidelines states that the film ‘must not encourage or promote drug misuse’. This however wasn’t the case in the film so therefore it was suitable for a 15.
This film aimed to deal with issues surrounding disenfranchised and deprived teenagers in London who faced serous problems and in doing so was naturally aimed at that age group. Had the BBFC passed this film ‘18’, younger audiences would have been denied access to the film and the lessons to be drawn from it.

Target Audience

What is a target audience?

A target audience is the people to whom you cater a particular product or service, in this case a film. It’s the primary group of people that something is aimed at appealing to, the main group that your product is trying to reach to, or the group who will be interested in your product. In simple terms it’s the intended audience. The group of people that an advertising campaign is trying to sell is called the ‘target audience’.

The importance of Target audience in film.

A vital part in marketing your film is making certain that your film is being heard and talked about by people who will mostly likely want to watch it, your target audience.
This will be beneficial as once you’ve found your target audience you can focus your marketing efforts and money on those likely to generate a profitable return.
You won’t target Paranormal Activity to 5 year olds, therefore the more precise and accurate you are in defining your audience the better the chance of creating a movie that they will want to see.

How to identify your target audience?

A target audience is determined by many characteristics, despite the fact that a target audience is defined primarily by gender and age range, a film company will consider the: socioeconomic status, race, family status, occupation and geographic region that will be most interested in the film.

They could also base the target audience on the group that will be more eager and keen to watch the film because of its ability to relate to and appeal to people. This type of targeting is determined by the subject in the film which can include religion, society, politics, novels, music or health issues such as depression, where the subject in the film matches the target group. For example Kidulthood is targeted to the urban youth market because their able to relate to the subjects and issues explored in the film.

This is a smart way of targeting and their various examples of films which do this such as The Chronicles Of Narnia this was originally a novel aimed at children, because this book was meant for children the film would also be targeted to children because of the storyline and the fact they were the original target audience.

Film session 1 / Shot List

Shot List



















































Filming
On the 12th November I planned to film scene the walking scene (Mark walking in and out of school), the library scene, and the class room scene. I was given the opportunity to film with a film maker and I was given a specific time which was period 3, 4, 5.

The classroom scene was the difficult scene, as it had to do the lapse. The problem with doing this scene was that most of the extras were only free at lunch time and had lesson period 5. Tunji (the film maker) had to get lunch so we couldn’t do this scne at lunch time, however I asked him he we could do the class room scene at lunch and he could have lunch period 5, he said yes, he was kind enough to miss lunch and film instead.

There were various issues whilst filming. The main issue was time; I believed that it would take me 1 hour to shoot every scene. I was however wrong Tunju (the film maker) told me that every shot will take 10 minutes to shoot, therefore the plan wouldn’t work.

The walking scene had 14 shoots so there were some issues about whether I was able complete my plan within the time I had. Before we filmed the walking scene I had a shot list, which contained all the shots in chronological order from when the audience will see it in the film. Tunji told me that sticking with this chronological shot list will be time consuming. Before we began to film we created a list of the shots which were relevant and in order for surroundings, for example instead of shooting the shot of him walking up a pavement and then shooting the shot of him walking into the reception and then afterwards shooting the shot of him walking down the pavement (as it this is what the audiences will be seeing) it would be more easier and less time consuming if we shot him walking up the pavement and then walking down it, which is what we did.
(here scan and upload this planned work)

It was a great idea and even though it took us around 20 minutes to create, overall is saved us a lot of time. During this scene we managed to shoot it in around 1 hour, this was because we cut some of the shots I planned which was for example doing a shot in a long shot and then in a mid shot. Time was also being wasted because of traffic, there were many cars and buses walking past whilst we were filming so we had to wait until they went by. If I had done more preparation and had the opportunity to do this again I would have shot is some where quieter or earlier.


Another issue within the scene was shooting the he reception doors (shot number 27 and 28), because it wasn’t automatic doors. The receptionist controlled the doors, so it when we pressed the button an alarm will alert her office and she would then pressed the button to open the reception doors, when she pressed it the doors would open for a limited amount of time and it would close straight away. This clearly effected us, and it meant that when shooting these shots, I had to knock on her window (from outside so to not disturb the shooting) which was a sign for her to open the door, when she pressed the button the door would open Tunji would have to press record and shout action, and then Dylan would have to walk through it quickly before it closed. It wasn’t difficult but it was time consuming, and required a lot of organization.

Once this one done, we had to shoot shot number 30 (the most time consuming shot). The shot required us to shoot from the sixth form common room, and Dylan had to be outside and near the front cage, we were distant from Dylan he was outside and we were nn the top floor of a building. So we had to communicate with Dylan through mobile, before we did it I told him that when I call him it means action, before it was an extreme shot the and he was walking at the same time and all near us when shooting it was difficult as it he had to be seen in the frame, when we did it the first time the camera was too zoomed, the second time we did it was too zoomed out, the 3rd time we did it Dylan was walking to far right, the 4th time we did people were walking past Dylan (I never wanted this because I wanted to highlight he’s isolation and the fact that know was near him), the 4th time we did it was an success. It was a difficult shot because it required mobile communication, and required the camera to be in the right frame and Dylan to be in the right position, we were lucky to have done the shot. However it was time consuming. The time we lost meant that we weren’t able to do the library scene since we only had 30 minute to it, instead I’m going to this scene another day. Instead we began to organize the class room for the class room scene, we had to bring more chairs and tables, a board, line papers, pens and a board marker. Once we organized the room, we were ready to do the class room.

All the extras arrived on time, however another problem confronted us, the teacher could not give us her entire lunch time because she was busy. So we had to shoot here scene first, as it was lunch the extras had to get their lunch, two of extras had already had their lunch, and for her bit I only needed two extras, as you can see this in the image. So I told the extras to get lunch whilst I did her part, we was shot number 33 and 45.
All the extras had come back after they had eaten their lunch, we had 15 minutes to finish this scene. Only shot number 32, 34 and the time lapse required the whole class, we did shot number 32, and 34 with ease and I also added another shot which is the one with him coming on the class.

However we weren’t able to do the time lapse because lunch was over and all the extras had time, It was a major blow because I needed tunju to help me to the time lapse.

In period 5 one the extra sitting next to Dylan was free period 5, so we were able to do shot number 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 38, 42, 43, 44 with ease.

We did the best we could within the time we had, the major blow was not being able to do the time lapse I should which could only be achieved with Tunjis help, I asked him for his email so he could email me how to do it. This means I have to do the shot again, and get the extras back this mat create some continuity problems.




Teacher – she wasn’t able to give us her entire lunch so we did her bit first. (this is shot number 33)




Extras: All these extras were free at lunch time. Because of the many shots used I needed to use the full amount of time planned, this was made impossible because of the time wasted when planning, doing the extreme close up and having to do the teachers bits first, this had a major consequence it prevented me from doing the time lapse, this would effect the film as there might not be continuity (the extras might wear different clothes), also I have to find out when their free (some might not be in school at lunch), also I have to make another film session so delaying the final production.





I here used a two shot in order to make it seems as if she’s talking to the whole, when in reality she’s talking to these two extras,
When I found out that she wasn’t able to give me her entire lunch this benefitted me as I could do her bit first and allow the extras to have lunch, these two extras had already had lunch meaning that I could do her bit and this shot.

Lesson with film maker

Lesson with film maker

Friday 5th November we were given the opportunity to discuss our films with a professional film maker, Tunji. He began his career as a photographer, and through travelling in Africa he was inspired to create documentaries addressing issues and creating awareness, within the production he dealt with the camera work.

Before the session I had a few questions which I was unable to gain answers to, such as how to manage and control the time length of a film within a script and storyboard?, would people want to watch a film about depression?, whether the ending was powerful?. Therefore we were lucky to have the chance to speak to a professional film maker who had so much experience and knowledge about film and film production, and who was able to give me answers to my questions.

Within the lesson he looked through my script, and liked the way I structured it. However he pointed out a flaw within the script, he urged me to remove the camera info from the script, he advised me that it is better to explicitly detail what happens in the script, and remove the cameras shots, angles and movements instead of talking about both, he said that this saves time , he told that this is because every filmmaker only want to know what happens in the script, in the script they don’t care about the camera info he said this info should be put on the storyboard not the script.
We then talked about our ending, and I told him that in my film I create and uncertain ending by not telling the audience what happens. He claims that in a film it is much better to end the film rather then creating uncertainty; this is because audiences are engaged in the character and the film, therefore it is pointless if we were not to end the film, as the audience will be wasting their time. I tried to undermine his claim by suggesting that an uncertain ending will address the theme and issue in the film more powerfully, such as not knowing whether he commits suicide or overcomes depression, during this conversation the film ‘inception’ came about I suggested how that this film is an outstanding example of a successful film with an uncertain ending.

He then began to look at my storyboard, he liked the way I mentioned time, camera movement and shot in storyboard, I was lucky to have a profession film maker look over my storyboard.
I asked him about how to manage the time for the film, i was aware that the film was much longer then 5 minutes. He told me to cut out all the nonsense bit in the film, the ones which aren’t important in the film, for example when he’s school over and he’s walking back home there not point showing all these shots, because the waste time (and in a 5 minute you need to show the most significant parts), and secondly the audiences get no satisfaction for watching it.
The last thing we talked about was how to do a time lapse shot, he told me that it was a really difficult shot. He also told me that there two ways to do it, to either shoot normally and do the time lapse in post production, or do it whilst shooting. Because I lacked editing experience, the second option was the most suitable one. He told me that when shooting it I should just hold the camera, and ask the extras to get off frame and then get back on, I would just have to speed it up in post.
I took he’s advised into consideration, and began to think about my film, the script and whatever it would work

Synopsis

Synopsis

‘Why Me’ is about an adolescent student who suffers from severe depression. He’s inability to overcome the illness forces him to write a suicide note. However he fears death and accepts that he’s not ready to carry out such an action, and puts aside the thoughts of suicide and gives life one more chance. At school he tries his complete hardest to be normal, and eradicate he’s pessimistic feelings and thoughts of suicide, but he just can’t. Finally, inspiration comes and whilst looking for a novel in the library he finds a book called ‘how to overcome depression’, he now has to make a choice which he dreads, either to commit suicide or triumph over his depression.

The three act structure

Act 1

Mark is severely depressed, and is suffering from the symptoms of depression, which includes finding it difficult to concentrate and make simple decisions. In his bedroom he tries his hardest to read his English novel but he finds it extremely difficult as he can’t think clearly and stay focused. He then tries to watch TV, however he’s pessimistic thoughts and mentality makes watching TV impossible. He doesn’t give up and comes back to the desk and tries to revise for his Biology exam but he’s feeling of hopelessness and worthlessness yet against makes this simple task literally impossible. Since the last few months the thought of suicide has always been on his mind, he now believes that he’s time has come and his ready for death so he attempts to write a suicide note. However the noise of the scribbling whilst he’s writing is unbearable, when it reaches it climax he stops writing and he closes the note pad forcefully,
Act 2

It’s a new day and as Mark has gotten used to the routine of going school when he realizes that today is when he commits suicide the prospect frightens him, and this therefore forces him to put aside the prospect of suicide and come back to it afterschool.
As a student at Hampstead School the depression undoubtedly affects his school life. He comes late to lesson, and during a lesson his extremely unfocused and through his thoughts he continues to remind himself that he’s a failure and doesn’t deserve to be in the classroom. He’s thoughts of pessimisms is the key factor which drives him into this zone of despair. In the class he has to do an exam, when doing an exam he hears the scribbling of the suicide note which creates havoc in his mind; this forces him to give up,

Act 3

Inspiration comes, and whilst he’s looking for an English novel in the library he sees a book called ‘How to overcome depression’, he believes it was fate and he was destined to overcome depression. However throughout the last few months he has cognitively accepted that he’s a failure and worthless and accepted that suicide is inevitable, this makes it hard for him to accept that this is fate and makes him believe that is was just a coincidence. He eventually comes to a decision and grabs the book. Whilst reading the book he realizes how much he relates to it, and this makes him feel therapeutic. In the libary he dreams of overcoming depression; he’s running and seeing a therapist simultaneously in order to eradicate depression and triumph over it. The dream is ended when he wakes up. He’s left with a choice he dreads; death or life, in the last shot he says 'i guess i have to decide', were left with the choice of deciding whether he commits suicide or triumphs over depression.

Key characters

Protagonist character - Mark

In the past he was:
- Joyful, fun, enthusiastic and funny and full on life and laughter
- He was popular
- In a band called ‘The resistant’s’
- Family boy, loved by everyone
- He knew he never had the latest games consoles or toys but he valued what he had life.

Now:

Mark suffers from severe depression. This suffering has continued to destroy the essence of his teenage life. Mark is unable to overcome and defeat the symptoms’ of depression.
He constantly has a pessimistic attitude, where he lacks belief and determination. The negative thoughts has made living life impossibly, where his unable to do simple things like read a book or watch TV and the depression has made him believe that he cant do it. The depression has undoubtedly affected his school, and therefore his grades and he finds it extreme difficult to concentrate in lessons and think clearly, as there is so much on his mind. Mark experiences isolation and feels lonely, we don’t see his family life not because he doesn’t have any, but to just highlight the nasty symptoms of depression and to also make us feel more sympathetic towards him.

Location

Classroom

In ‘Why Me’, I only use the sixth form class room, a small room with windows showing an amazing view. As I attend the school it will be easier to film.
Hampstead School is used in order to explore the characters school life. In in the class room scene, we see how unfocused Mark is, whilst hears peers are doing work, he’s thinking about how useless and worthless he is, he also has thoughts of suicide.
The school is placed in a lower/middle class are; this is extremely beneficial as the protagonist character comes from the same social class. It's a multi racial school, with a diverse range of pupils ranging from all ethnic, religious and class backgrounds.
The school is typical; it’s a multi diverse school like many others in the borough. This will the film a sense of realism, also stay in touch with the conventions of social realism because its comprehensive school in a lower/middle class area.



Bedroom

The bedroom is where we a firstly introduced to the character. It is in the bedroom that we understand and see the characters depression, we see how severe it is, and how it has made him vulnerable and made living normally impossible, as in the bedroom he can’t choose a TV channel, watch TV or even read a book.

In many ways the bedroom acts as a foundation in the film, it is were the journey begins from when he is depressed and writes a suicide note, then on we explore he’s journey and how the depression has affected him and whether he ends up committing suicide.




Park

The park plays a crucial role in the film. The park scene is the uplifting part of the film. The character runs through a pavement, as in the book exercising is way to triumph over depression. Whilst he’s running there’s no sound, this showing how therapeutic it is, as throughout the film the character is thinking about he’s worthlessness and eagerness to committing suicide.
The park scene moves us in the film, as we believe that he’s overcoming to illness, however the reality is that he’s dreaming about overcoming depression, this scene isn’t real it is just a dream.



Psychiatrist’s office

This scene is short lasting, we only see a glimpse of him going in a therapist office and talking to a therapist. In this scene we see him entering a therapist office, and then talking to one, there’s no dialogue, there inspirational music. Both the running scene and the Psychiatrist’s scene are happening simultaneously, making it more uplifting highlighting the fact that he is I the process of overcoming depression, even though in reality it’s a dream.