Film title
We decided to call our film Devotion. We came to this decision after researching other period drama films, we noticed a pattern in simple one word titles which hint at the film narrative, examples of this being Atonement (2007) and Persuasion (1995).
The film title appears at 1:16, not straight away, this is also a convention of the period drama genre as when researching film titles we found almost all period dramas to wait between 1-5 minuets before the title appears.
Title font & style
We researched other period dramas to find out what type of fonts they used. We found that most period dramas used very cursive, elegant text or strong spaced out powerful lettering. We wanted to use an easy-to-read but also cursive font so that the element of romance within our film was hinted at.
The font style we finally decided to used for our titles was Apple Chancery.
Our research and reason for the final font choice can be viewed here.
Narrative
The narrative is very stereotypically period drama. The majority of real period drama films revolve around a love story and often they revolve around the struggle and discovery of a ''decent marriage''. Often the ''true love'' is not eligible for the other. This means our production narrative fits in perfectly with real life films.
how does the opening sets up the narrative?
how does the opening sets up the narrative?
The opening sets up the narrative as we begin to see the troubles of Billy and his efforts to contact Elizabeth after she tells him he can't ever be with her again. The audience begin to connect with Billy and want to know why this has happened to him and if anything will develop again between him and Elizabeth.
Genre
how does the opening suggest the genre?
The genre is suggested within the opening as we have used a number of conventions of typical period drama. The first shot of Billy writing a letter with basic equipment, the only light coming from a candle is an immediate indicator that our film is period drama. We then hear Billy talking in archaic language, this is the second big hint of the genre of our production. All throughout our production the characters are dressed in old-fashioned clothing and talk in a well-spoken manner suitable to our period drama genre. The music is another big indicator at our genre as soon as our opening begins and throughout our production the audience is greeted with soft classical piano songs and music which is a key convention of the period drama genre.
how does the opening suggest the genre?
The genre is suggested within the opening as we have used a number of conventions of typical period drama. The first shot of Billy writing a letter with basic equipment, the only light coming from a candle is an immediate indicator that our film is period drama. We then hear Billy talking in archaic language, this is the second big hint of the genre of our production. All throughout our production the characters are dressed in old-fashioned clothing and talk in a well-spoken manner suitable to our period drama genre. The music is another big indicator at our genre as soon as our opening begins and throughout our production the audience is greeted with soft classical piano songs and music which is a key convention of the period drama genre.
Settings/locations
Pride & Prejudice Devotion
Pride & Prejudice Devotion
One of the shots within the first sequence involves Billy walking through a forest path with his letter. We took inspiration for this shot from Pride & Prejudice (Above). We decided to try and re-create this sequence as I enjoyed the romantic feel of this shot and the beautiful open landscape. The shot is very picturesque and depicts the period drama genre. Filming in outside locations is key to the period drama genre as back in the regency era as there was no technology people normally used to pass the time outdoors.
Characters
how are the characters are introduced?
how are the characters are introduced?
Billy, the antagonist is introduced straight away, much like within the opening of Pride & Prejudice where Elizabeth is introduced. We felt that this suggests that Billy is the main character for the audience to be emotionally connected with. We wanted to imply that his story and emotions/thoughts were the most important to follow.
Elizabeth, the character of Elizabeth is first commented on within Billy's letter, she is introduced as Billy's love interest. We first see Elizabeth within Billy's flashback, firstly flirting with Billy suggesting that they are together then her telling him they cannot be together, this suggests a sense of confusion to the audience, they want to know why she has changed her mind so suddenly. Elizabeth develops the narrative.
Maid, the maid is introduced when Billy hands her the letter to give to Elizabeth. She tells him she won't read it and drops the letter, letting it fly away. This suggests that the maid is an antagonist.
Elizabeth, the character of Elizabeth is first commented on within Billy's letter, she is introduced as Billy's love interest. We first see Elizabeth within Billy's flashback, firstly flirting with Billy suggesting that they are together then her telling him they cannot be together, this suggests a sense of confusion to the audience, they want to know why she has changed her mind so suddenly. Elizabeth develops the narrative.
Maid, the maid is introduced when Billy hands her the letter to give to Elizabeth. She tells him she won't read it and drops the letter, letting it fly away. This suggests that the maid is an antagonist.
Costume and props
To view all the costumes used within our production please click here.
We did lots of research into what specific characters wore in other period drama films and generally in the regency period.
We found it important to channel our period drama genre into the characters costume as its a big and immediate signifier to the audience as to what the genre is.
Candle, the first prop used was the candle. The candle is significant as it was the only form of light back in the regency era and so this suggests our genre.
Billy's Letter, the letter which Billy gives to Elizabeth has a wax stamp sealing it together. This hints at the genre of the film as nowadays we use stamps and no longer have to seal letters with wax. We also chose to have a crรจme coloured paper, this is because white paper was rare to come across at this time this meant that it would be very unlikely for Billy to have it in his possession. The writing on the letter also suggests the period, and is written in calligraphy, we used this to suggest the period, and also to suggest that Billy is making the effort to impress Elizabeth.
Elizabeth's book, one of the main forms of entertainment was reading in the regency period. The type of book also hints at the genre as its old and looks worn out. We took inspiration from Pride & Prejudice when in the opening shot Elizabeth is walking and reading an old-fashioned book (see picture under settings and locations).
To view all the costumes used within our production please click here.
We did lots of research into what specific characters wore in other period drama films and generally in the regency period.
We found it important to channel our period drama genre into the characters costume as its a big and immediate signifier to the audience as to what the genre is.
- We had many inspirations for Billy's costume the main ones being Mr Darcy from Pride & Prejudice and Angel Clare from Tess of the D'urbervilles.
- Inspiration for Elizabeth's costume, based on Cosette, from Les Miserables.
- Inspiration for the Maid's costume, based on the maids which appear in Downtown Abbey.
Candle, the first prop used was the candle. The candle is significant as it was the only form of light back in the regency era and so this suggests our genre.
Billy's Letter, the letter which Billy gives to Elizabeth has a wax stamp sealing it together. This hints at the genre of the film as nowadays we use stamps and no longer have to seal letters with wax. We also chose to have a crรจme coloured paper, this is because white paper was rare to come across at this time this meant that it would be very unlikely for Billy to have it in his possession. The writing on the letter also suggests the period, and is written in calligraphy, we used this to suggest the period, and also to suggest that Billy is making the effort to impress Elizabeth.
Elizabeth's book, one of the main forms of entertainment was reading in the regency period. The type of book also hints at the genre as its old and looks worn out. We took inspiration from Pride & Prejudice when in the opening shot Elizabeth is walking and reading an old-fashioned book (see picture under settings and locations).
Camera-work and editing
By using cross-dissolves and slowing clips down we have created a soft, slow opening which is typical of a romantic period drama. For example, the letter writing sequence we took inspiration from Mr Darcy's sequence (shown below), we slowed the sequence down making it seem romantic and give Billy a sense of longing.
Pride & Prejudice Devotion
Special Effects
We didn't use any special effects within our production. Special effects are not a typical convention of period dramas as they are normally used within the Ski-Fi category. We did consider using some sound effects for the transitions between real life and flashback but we felt this made our production look too modern so we chose to stick to typical genre conventions.
By using cross-dissolves and slowing clips down we have created a soft, slow opening which is typical of a romantic period drama. For example, the letter writing sequence we took inspiration from Mr Darcy's sequence (shown below), we slowed the sequence down making it seem romantic and give Billy a sense of longing.
Pride & Prejudice Devotion
Special Effects
We didn't use any special effects within our production. Special effects are not a typical convention of period dramas as they are normally used within the Ski-Fi category. We did consider using some sound effects for the transitions between real life and flashback but we felt this made our production look too modern so we chose to stick to typical genre conventions.
