Weather Forecast and Filming Plan

Thursday 3rd February 2011
Thursday we plan on filming from 1:45pm to 2:30, during this time we will be using the school drama room to film the letter sequence with our actor Ash Coombs so we don't need to check the weather.

Saturday 5th February 2011
On Saturday we will be travelling to Sandwich to film. We plan on being there from 10am till 2pm. The weather forecast for Saturday is shown below:

As you can see from above the weather during the day is 'Light Rain'. We hoped for the weather to be slightly damp and the sky to be grey as this will set the mood for our film.

On Saturday morning the rain and wind had picked up and the weather forecast had predicted 'heavy rain'. Due to this we were not able to film out in the weather conditions and had to reschedule the other half of our filming for the 12th March 2011.

Rescheduled Filming Date
Saturday 12th March 2011
We will be travelling to Sandwich to film during the hours of 12:30pm till 3pm.
We hope to film the sequence where Billy gives the letter to the maid.
The weather forecast for Saturday is shown below:

As you can see from above the weather forecast above we will have no trouble shooting from 12:30pm till 3pm as the weather is going to be sunny and relatively warm.

Tuesday 22nd March 2011
We plan on filming the sequence where billy travels to the house to hand over the letter to the maid from 1:15pm - 2:30pm. I have checked the weather forecast and the weather is ''Sunny'' all day with the temperature at 14 degrees and low wind levels, this means that it should be perfect conditions to film.

Friday 25th March 2011
We plan on filming some of the flashback sequences with Ash Coombs and Nicola Tee during the hours of 11pm - 12:15pm. I have checked the weather forecast for Friday and the weather is ''Sunny Intervals'' during the times we wish to film.

Wednesday 27th April 2011

We plan on finally finishing our opening sequence from 1:30pm until 3:30pm. I have checked the weather and although strong winds are forecasted its sunny with a temperature of 18 degrees making it suitable weather to film in.

Audience Research

For us to be able to create a well-executed period drama film we decided that we needed to find out from our fellow pupils, teachers and parents what they expected our outcome to be.

We designed a questionnaire that we gave to a variety of different people, I have displayed the results below.

1. How often do you watch films?

"Once a week"

- Jack Johnson, 16, Media Class.

"One every other day''

- Leanne Clarke, 17, Media Class.

"Once a week"

- Rachel Emery, 43, Parent.

"Once a week"

- Rachel Stupples, Teacher.

2. Favourite film genre?

3. What do you expect from the content to be in a period drama?

''High quality standard filming, acting and editing. Authentic sets and props which match that of the time period''

- Jack Johnson, 16, Media Class.

"Extravagant costume, romantic storyline, expensive looking set, sophisticated language and script''

- Leanne Clarke, 17, Media Class.

''I expect the storyline to be about how people lived, worked and played''

- Rachel Emery, 43, Parent.

"Romance and Tragedy"

- Rachel Stupples, Teacher.

4. What do you expect the characters to be like?

''Quite posh, well spoken, dress smartly. They should conform to social hierarchy''

- Jack Johnson, 16, Media Class.

"To have a social divide and for it to be apparent in their costume and dialogue''

- Leanne Clarke, 17, Media Class.

''Characters would depict different classes - upper class/lower class, servants, they would have colourful personalities''

- Rachel Emery, 43, Parent.

"Stereotypical "Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet" Characters, for the leading roles."

- Rachel Stupples, Teacher.

5. What do you expect the locations/set design to be like?

''Grand Manor Houses, with extravagant props inside''

- Jack Johnson, 16, Media Class.

"To appear expensive, with reasonably bright colours''

- Leanne Clarke, 17, Media Class.

''Old fashioned, cobbled streets, horses, grand houses, slums''

- Rachel Emery, 43, Parent.

''Expensive. Posh. Elaborate designs for house and surrounding gardens and landscapes."

- Rachel Stupples, Teacher.

6. What sound/music would you assume to hear within the film?

''Gentle music which fits the mood of the film''

- Jack Johnson, 16, Media Class.

"Classical music with the use of instruments such as piano and violins''

- Leanne Clarke, 17, Media Class.

''Classical''

- Rachel Emery, 43, Parent.

"Relaxing string music, for example violins, cellos and harps"

- Rachel Stupples, Teacher.

7. What type of costume do you want to see within this genre?

''Suits, Dresses, Posh Costumes''

- Jack Johnson, 16, Media Class.

"Suitable for the time period and to be very extravagant''

- Leanne Clarke, 17, Media Class.

''Grand dresses, long skirts, long sleeved tops, men's suits, shirts, jackets''

- Rachel Emery, 43, Parent.

"Upper classes - suits (Men) and dresses (women). Generally pastel colours for the women's dresses, such as pink, white, yellow and light blue.  These colours usually become more elaborate in evening dresses, becoming deeper purples and dark greens."

- Rachel Stupples, Teacher.

Key Words

Devotion Soundtrack

The music we are going to use in our film we are going to make ourselves on GarageBand. By doing this all the music within the film will be free to use and not copyrighted.

The music we have created I have attached below. We used a variety of different soft piano sounds to create our soundtrack. The music is not overpowering and subtle which makes its fit in well with the romantic first sequence of our film. I feel as though this music fits in well with our titles with the music mirroring the action on the scene and suits the 'Period Drama' genre of our film.

Letter Sequence Music


Title Sequence Music

Walking/Flashback Music

Foley Sound

Foley Sound
''Foley sound effects are sounds that synchronize on screen. Footsteps, the movement of hand props (e.g., a tea cup and saucer), and the rustling of cloth are common foley units.''


One example of foley sound within our film is the use of bird sounds, as our original sound track was interrupted by the sound of a tractor we had to find bird sounds to add over the top. We found a youtube track (below) and imported it over the top of our footage.



Another example of foley sound is the dropping of the letter by the maid in the end part of our opening. As it was really windy the sound of the letter hitting the floor was muffled.
To correct this issue we recorded the sound of the dropping of the letter separately and added it on over the top of our footage, making sure that it mirrored the moment when the letter hit the ground.

Sound Analysis

To get inspiration for our own Devotion soundtrack we firstly listened to a selection of period drama soundtracks on youtube.
When researching sound we found that the instruments used were mainly strings (violins, harps), pianos, flutes and other soft sounding instruments which all contributed in creating a calm romantic composition.

Pride & Prejudice

I really enjoyed the romantic feel of the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack, the way the music starts of soft and calm creates a romantic atmosphere. The instrument used is a piano which is what we plan on using for our devotion soundtrack. I liked how the piano music builds up and gradually becomes louder and the pace of the music changes continuousness from slow to fast. When creating our music we want to capture the emotion as done by this piece of music.

Emma

I enjoyed this piece of music in the film 'Emma'. The music is quite dramatic and suits the period drama era, very much like the first piece it gives off a romantic feel. I liked the instruments used within this soundtrack, mainly a violin and piano is used to help create a dramatic atmosphere.

The Duchess

The Duchess music is emotional and sad, the music builds up creating an emotional atmosphere. The instruments used are violins which help to create the dramatic feel to the song. We hope to try and create some dramatic music and will take inspiration from The Duchess soundtrack.

Letter

Billy's Letter

"Sweet incomparable Elizabeth, what a strange effect you have on my heart! I look back, and in every one point, every word and gesture, every letter, every silence, you have been entirely perfect to me, I would not change one word, one look. 

God knows I wish you happy, & when I quit you, or rather when you from a sense of duty to your husband & mother quit me, you shall acknowledge the truth of what I again promise & vow, that no other in word or deed shall ever hold the place in my affection which is & shall be most sacred to you, till I am nothing.  

You know I would with pleasure give up all here & all beyond the grave for you.  I was and am yours, freely & most entirely, to obey, to honour, love & fly with you when, where, & how you yourself might. 

Forever, Your Billy"

Within our film the character Billy writes a letter to Elizabeth, we wanted the letter to look and sound suitable to the period. We decided to create draft letters to get us used to writing in a old- fashioned cursive way and also practice the 'stamp' that we needed to seal the letters with. The stamp was made from a red candle which is what they would use to seal letters in that time period.

Elizabeth's Letter (Won't appear in film)

"My dearest Billy, I write to tell you that my brother, Robert, is at least a little better this morning. We had a long conversation yesterday that has helped him to come to terms with his grief. He knows that I wish for a divorce. Yet, he is still reluctant to give us his blessing.

Robert has asked if you will visit us soon. He wishes to meet you, dearest, and he is very much on our side. I know that my brother would stand by us if we chose to leave England together. If you are certain that you feel able to leave everything behind and seek a new life together please come to me here soon.

Robert has urged me to do what will bring me happiness in life and I believe that I can never be happy without you. However, I could not leave my brother until he is able to cope for himself. I know you have been patient with me and I beg you to remain so until we can take our happiness at last.

Your own Elizabeth"

Storyboard - Final

Below I have re-drafted our animated storyboard as we have changed a couple of the scenes, we no longer will be filming with a horse therefore had to change the open sequence, instead of having horse riding scenes we have now included flash-back sequences instead as demonstrated in the animatic below.

Storyboard - First Draft

Below is a animated version of our first draft storyboard attempt, it briefly shows the shots we are going to use and how our opening sequence is going to play out.

Our Film Credits

We decided that after watching and analysing some period drama's such as, Pride & Prejudice and Emma to not include all of our titles at the beginning of the film. They spaced their credits out, playing some at the beginning and others later. For this reason we decided to space our credits out, only mentioning our actors/actresses names at the beginning along with our production company and our names and leaving the rest till the end.


First Draft






Second Draft

Each film credit will fade in and last three seconds on screen before fading out.

Timed Film Credits

The Tudors


00:07: ''Showtime Presents'' Fades in
00:09: ''Showtime Presents'' Fades out
00:10: ''In association with'' Fades in
00:12: ''In association with'' Fades out
00:16: ''THE TUDORS''
00:18: Title fades out
00:22: First actor name
00:25: Actor name fades out
00:27: Second actor name
00:30: Actor name fades out
00:32: Third actor name
00:35: Actor name fades out
00:37: Forth actor name
00:40: Actor name fades out
00:42: Fifth actor name
00:45: Actor name fades out
00:47: Sixth actor name
00:50: Actor name fades out
00:52: Seventh actor name
00:55: Actor name fades out
00:57: Eight actor name
01:00: Actor name fades out
1:05: ''Created by...''
1:09: ''Created by...'' fades out
1:15:       END OF TITLES


Little Lord Fauntleroy


00:00: Production Company name
00:01: Production Company name fades out
00:02: First Actor name
00:05: First Actor name fades out
00:05: Second Actor name
00:07: Second Actor name fades out
00:07: Third Actor name
00:09: Third Actor name fades out
00:09: Pans into film name
00:14: Film name disappears
00:14: ''By..''
00:18: ''By..'' fades out
00:18: ''Adapted By..''
00:22: ''Directed By..''
00:33:       END OF TITLES

Script - Final

We changed our script as we no longer could film with a horse and our location had changed from Goodnestone, instead we decided to add in flashbacks to make the sequence more interesting and help develop the overall narrative.

Letter Sequence

Black screen fades up in a circle to show the candle, and continues to expand until we see the full screen

Close up of candle. Complete darkness around - Camera zooms out and shows Billy writing a letter - Narrative of what Billy is writing. 

BILLY:

Sweet incomparable Elizabeth,

Mid shot of letter from behind Billy's shoulders.

BILLY what a strange effect you have on my heart! I look back, and in every one point, 

every word and gesture, every letter, every silence, you have been entirely perfect to me, 

I would not change one word, one look.

Close up of Billy's face.

God knows I wish you happy, & when I quit you, or rather when you from a sense 

of duty to your husband & mother quit me, you shall acknowledge the truth of what I 

again promise & vow, that no other in word or deed shall ever hold the place in my 

affection which is & shall be most sacred to you, till I am nothing.

Camera is in front of Billy's desk. 

BILLY:

 You know I would with pleasure give up all here & all beyond the grave for you.  

I was and am yours, freely & most entirely, to obey, to honour, love & fly with 

you when, where, & how you yourself might. 

Forever, Your Billy.

Shot fades out

(Title Sequence)

Mid shot of sky, pans down to a long shot of Billy, walking towards the camera.  Medium close up of Billy's face, camera pans round and follows Billy walking past.  Close up of the letter in Billy's hand. Long shot of Billy walking towards the camera, fades to white.

Long shot of couple sitting under a isolated tree.

Billy is laying down next to Elizabeth, who is sitting up and concentrating on reading her book, trying extremely hard to not get distracted by Billy.

ELIZABETH:

You continue to be a distraction.

BILLY:

Stop reading then.

ELIZABETH:

I am doing this to improve my mind.

BILLY:

(Taking her book)

Your mind doesn't need improving.

ELIZABETH:

(Holding out her hand)

Give me my book...

BILLY:

(Laughing)

No...

ELIZABETH:

(Reaching over Billy to get her book)

Give me my book....

Elizabeth reaches over Billy and goes to grab the book. Billy moves it out of her reach.  They continue to laugh.  (Fades to white).

More walking shots of Billy.

Fades into another flashback sequence.

Long shot of Elizabeth walking over a bridge. She reaches half way, when Billy catches up with her. He grabs her hand and pulls her round to face him.

BILLY:

Don't go. Stay with me.

ELIZABETH:

I can't...

BILLY:

You can. We can be happy.

ELIZABETH:

I can't. We can't. This, us. It can never happen.

Elizabeth then turns away from him and walks away, trying to stop herself from crying. Billy is left alone on the bridge, looking at Elizabeth walk away.

Cross dissolve to present time.  Billy walks the final road to the house.  Mid shot of Billy's face, pans  down to the letter in his hand. 

Delivery of the Letter

Mid shot of letter in Billy's hand which pans left as he walks towards the maid.  CLOSE UP OF Letter in BILLY's hand.  Camera pans right from cobbled floor to the letter in Billy's hand. BILLY goes to give the Maid the letter.  Medium long shot of maid from over Billy's shoulder. 

MAID:

I'm not giving it to her.

Mid shot of Billy's face.  Close up of Letter in Maid's hand.  Mid Shot of maid.

MAID:

Stop wasting your time... She's not going to read it.

Mid shot of Billy's face. Billy remains still for a second.  He then walks away.  Medium long shot of maid reaching out as he passes to give him the letter back.  Billy does not take it.  Mid shot of Maid watching him walk away.
Long shot of Billy walking away.   When BILLY is no longer in sight, the maid looks at the letter, medium long shot of letter in her hand, and then  throwing the letter away.  Close up of letter dropping into shot.  High angled shot looking down on letter.  Camera zooms in on "Elizabeth"

Fades to white.  

Script - First Draft

Letter Sequence

Black screen fades up in a circle to show the candle, and continues to expand until we see the full screen


CLOSE UP OF CANDLE. COMPLETE DARKNESS AROUND - CAMERA ZOOMS OUT AND TILTS DOWN ONTO BILLY WRITING A LETTER TO ELIZABETH - Narrative of what BILLY is writing.

BILLY

"Sweet incomparable Elizabeth,"

WHEN QUIL GOES IN THE INKWELL, CAMERA FOLLOWS BILLY's ARM AND ZOOMS OUT TO SHOW A MID SHOT OF LETTER FROM BEHIND BILLY'S SHOULDERS.

BILLY
" what a strange effect you have on my heart! I look back, and in every one point, every word and gesture, every letter, every silence, you have been entirely perfect to me, I would not change one word, one look."

MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF BILLY'S FACE.

"God knows I wish you happy, & when I quit you, or rather when you from a sense of duty to your husband & mother quit me, you shall acknowledge the truth of what I again promise & vow, that no other in word or deed shall ever hold the place in my affection which is & shall be most sacred to you, till I am nothing."

CUTS TO A TRACKING SHOT. CAMERA IS IN FRONT OF BILLY'S DESK. CAMERA PULLS SLOWLY BACK TO A LONG SHOT.

BILLY

 "You know I would with pleasure give up all here & all beyond the grave for you.  I was and am yours, freely & most entirely, to obey, to honour, love & fly with you when, where, & how you yourself might. 

Forever, Your Billy"

BILLY picks up the letter, seals it with wax and goes to leave.


CLOSE UP of BILLY blowing out the desk candle.


TITLE SEQUENCE
Camera is showing a light grey sky.  The Camera then TILTs downwards to show the fields of Goodnestone. The camera then PANs to the left slowly and smoothly.

Cross dissolve

Camera is then at the top of a row of trees - LONG SHOT.  The camera tilts down, following the tree's height, and then focuses on BILLY on his HORSE.


BILLY is riding towards Goodnestone Park Gardens, the home of PHILLIP JEFFORIES and his new wife ELIZABETH HARDING.


The camera pans round, following the Horse while it Gallops down the road. LONG SHOT - EXTREME LONG SHOT

Opening Sequence

BILLY continues to ride quickly through the fields of Goodnestone.


Close up of letter and reins in Billy's hand - camera pans to a MEDIUM CLOSE-UP of Billy's face.
CLOSE UP of HORSE's feet, which cuts to CLOSE UP of BILLY's face.
Extreme Long Shot of billy riding through field. Camera pans to follow Billy (stays in middle of shot)Stops when he goes behind trees


LONG SHOT of BILLY riding towards the camera.

Delivery of the Letter

MID SHOT of BILLY dismounting his horse. Tracking shot. CLOSE UP OF Letter in BILLY's hand.  CAMERA TRACKS BACKWARDS AS THE LETTER TRAVELS TOWARDS CAMERA. CAMERA THEN LIFTS AND SHOWS A MEDIUM CLOSE-UP OF BILLY'S FACE. BILLY goes to give the Maid the letter.  CAMERA FOLLOWS THE LENGTH OF BILLY'S ARM, AND CONTINUES TO PAN ROUND TO SHOW THE MAID.

MAID

You know I can't take that.  He won't allow it.

MEDIUM CLOSE-UP OF BILLY'S FACE. BILLY continues to hold out the letter steady. CAMERA GOES TO A CLOSE UP OF THE LETTER

MAID

She won't read it... you know that.

MEDIUM CLOSE-UP OF BILLY'S FACE. BILLY remains still.  Another CLOSE UP of the Letter

MAID

Ugh, you stubborn sod! (reflects) Alright, gis it here. Well, common!

MID SHOT OF BILLY handing over the letter to the Maid. MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF THE MAID

MAID

Now go on, get out of here! Go! Before he sees ya!

MID SHOT of BILLY getting onto his hore. LONG SHOT of BILLY riding out of shot. When BILLY is no longer in sight, the maid looks at the letter, CLOSE UP OF LETTER IN HER HAND. Maid then drops the letter to the floor. CAMERA GOES FROM HER HAND AND TILTS TO THE FLOOR. IT THEN FOLLOWS IN THE DIRECTION THAT THE LETTER FALLS, AND TILTS SO IT IS STRAIGHT AND SO IT IS floor level, AND THEN  TILTS slightly upwards to show the maid walking away in the distance.  The wind gets under the letter, and lifts it from the ground.  The Maid turns round to find the letter in the air.  The letter is out of reach.  It curves in the air and then Covers the camera's view.


Black Screen