The pre production of my short film

1. YOUR NAME HERE

2.  This template PowerPoint presentation includes all the relevant
elements you need to cover your film production.
 It is suggested you save this PP in a different name so you
always have a copy – some sections require you to delete the
information on the slide and replace with your own work
 Add more pages to each section where necessary [you should be
doing this!]
 Add visuals as you see necessary
 This document will be added to as you progress through the pre-
production phase.
 Remember, you need to give as much attention to your
sound planning as you do to your visual planning

4.  Use the story development resource to help structure your short
film with more detail
 Not all the aspects have to be followed verbatim, use the
resource the plan out character, motivation, stakes and the arc of
your film, this will help to ensure that it works structurally
 Proforma is on bb
 Add a structural breakdown of each scene once you have done
this

5.  Short Film Story Development
 Title: Unfocused
 Genre: Dramatic, silent film, black and white
 What 3 visual conventions of your genre will you include?
 Black and white visuals.
 Complex characters.
 Heavy themes
 What will you introduce early in the film to make the audience
like/care about your character?
 A sympathetic backstory, featuring a tragedy affecting the main
character. Probably the death of a loved one.

6.  What is the ending to your film?
 The main character smiles as he decides between moving on, and giving up. After seeing a person in colour,
to contrast the grey, unfocused world around him.

 Why is that your ending? What reaction are you hoping to elicit in the audience?
 This is my ending because I want to end on a subtle, ambiguous note, with the chance for the character to
have a happy or sad ending. I want the audience to debate on which choice the main character made
afterwards.

 What are the stakes for your character? What will happen if they don’t get what they want?
 The main character risks never recovering from a depression due to being ignored by his peers. If he doesn’t
receive some encouragement and support, he may consider suicide.

 3 Act Structure; Define each act
 Act 1 The backstory and apathy of the main character is established. His unhappiness is shown through
his facial expressions and sad music.
 Act 2 The main character is ignored or chastised by those around him, he is shown suffering emotions of
complete isolation.
 Act 3 The main character considers killing himself. But is surprised when one person takes notice of him.
Film ends with him ready to jump from a height, smiling at the camera, causing it to become ambiguous as to
whether one person finally caring for him was enough for him to start moving on.

7.  Breakdown your film into it’s basic sections [e.g. via scene
breakdown or similar] and apply broad visual ideas to each
section. You should list the shots required
 You can use this as the master template for your production, then
add more shots to each section when you develop your full visual
plan
 From this you could work on a conventional script if you want, but
using the scene breakdowns should be enough

8. Scene No. or
section (e.g.
beginning, middle,
end, etc)
Approx timing What happens Visual notes Audio notes
Scene 1 0.01 minutes Film opens,
shows main
character in
graveyard,
title appears,
grieving over
a death.
Black and
white film,
scene fades
in to intense
close-up on
main
character’s
eyes.
Music is
slow, light
and sombre,
probably
piano.
Scene 2 0.10 minutes Teen is
shown in
classroom,
bored and
isolated.
Shots are
mostly close
up, wide
shots are
unfocused,
shown from
teen’s P.O.V
Faint sound
of ticking in
the
background,
any dialogue
is heavily
muffled.

9. Scene No. or
section (e.g.
beginning, middle,
end, etc)
Approx timing What happens Visual notes Audio notes
Scene 3 0.20 minutes Close up on a clock
ticking, teen is
ignored by his peers
and shot cuts
between his
interactions and him
walking towards a
high ledge
Shot cuts rapidly
between teenager
attempting to talk to
peers and walking
sullenly to a ledge.
Music becomes
more powerful, as
teen gets close to
edge, line “Time is
running out” is said
in voiceover.
Scene 4 0.35 minutes Teen stops at the
edge of a high drop,
close up of how
high it is. He is
obviously
considering
jumping.
Long shot from
behind the teen,
slowly zooming in
as he makes his
decision.
Music is cut off as
he reaches ledge.
Silence, but for the
ticking clock and the
breaths of the teen.
Scene 5 0.45 minutes Teen looks and
sees one person, in
colour and in focus
smile at him.
Shot is finally in
focus as teen sees
person smile at him.
Slow motion to
emphasize
importance of it.
Music starts up
again as the teen
looks at the smiling
stranger. Much
lighter and happier.
Scene 6 0.52
minutes
Teen looks back to
ledge, much more torn
and expressive now.
Film ends with him
smiling at the camera,
having made his final
decision.
Intense close up of the
teen’s face as he
smiles and makes his
choice. Film starts to
come into focus and
colour fully. Before
fade out and credits.
Music is fairly quiet,
ticking and breathing
noises stop,
ambiguous music as
credits roll.

10. Visual Planning

11.  This section is concerned with the visual planning of your film
 You should use this section to develop the sequencing or your
video, establish the visuals look and sequencing of your film and
create a structure for you to follow when filming
 It is important that you ‘pre-visualise’ the film before you make it; it
will make filming and production a more streamlined process
 The following tasks are part of your visual planning
 Pre-visualisation and concept boards
 Storyboarding
 Shot list

13. STORYBOARDING.

16. Organisational Planning

17. Name: Role(s): Contact info:
Rhys Sadler-Scott Director, actor,
cameraman
rhys-sadler-
scott@yorkcollege.ac.
uk
Liberty Whitehorn Actor Liberty-
whitehorn@yorkcolleg
e.ac.uk
Leah Ellis Camerawoman leah-
ellis@yorkcollege.ac.u
k

18.  My film will have a very minimalist cast. Just myself as the main
character and Liberty Whitehorn as a kind stranger. I decided to
portray the main character of this film due to my own experience
with depression and anxiety, which will allow me to convincingly
portray his thought process.
 I have chosen Miss Whitehorn as the kind woman, this is due to
her availability and genuine smile, which will allow her to portray a
kind bystander convincingly.
 I have not currently secured any backups, but I am confident in
being able to quickly recast should the need arise.

19. LOCATION INFORMATION
All of my filming will take place within York college. Most of it will be set in a
single corridor and balcony. Some filming will also be done in the green screen
studio, and the first scene will be shot in a classroom. It is extremely unlikely that
all the applicable corridors I could use to film will become unavailable for use,
however, if the studio is unavailable, I will simply cut and/or replace the scene I
was going to film there. I have been given permission to use a classroom during
lesson time, in order to get the shot I want. I have also booked out the studio at
the earliest convenience. The cast for the film includes just myself and one other
student, who will only be needed during the balcony scenes, the rest of the
scenes will be shot with myself and another student as camera operator. It is
possible that we won’t be able to film in the classroom due to last minute issues
with availability, in which case, I’ll film in the lounge or seating areas instead.
Which will serve the same purpose to the story of the film. If myself or the student
that has agreed to appear in the film are unavailable to film last minute, I will try
to have standby’s in place.

20. RISK ASSESSMENT
Risk Control Measure
Slips, trips and falls while using
equipment/looking through
viewfinders.
• Ensure you are familiar with your
surroundings, any planned
movements and that the location
is safe.
• Any camera movements should
employ a spotter for the camera
operator, directing the movement
safely.
Manual handling carrying
equipment
• Do not carry/move equipment
beyond your comfort level.
• Request help when transporting
equipment/share amongst crew.
• Adhere to manual handling
methods for carrying items.
Lost/stolen equipment • Do not leave any equipment
unattended.
Electrical equipment,
extension/data cables and plugs-
electric shock
• Do not touch any equipment that
appears faulty and report it to the
tutor/technician.

21. CONTINGENC
Y PLANNING

22. Tuesday- Finish pre production, start
filming.
Wednesday- If necessary, finish
filming, begin editing film.
Thursday- Finish editing film,
proceed with post production
Friday- Complete post production.

23. CALL SHEETS

25. I obtained clearance to use the 2F066 classroom in York College
for my filming from both my tutors, therefore a clearance form was
not required.
The only other actor appearing in the film besides myself, has given
her permission in a verbal contract for her appearance and
participation in the film.
I did not need permission for the rest of my filming locations, as it
was all done in the york college corridors, which are free for anyone
to film in.

26. I will need almost no props
whatsoever for my film, just
an analog clock to focus on.
Many of which are available
for usage all throughout York
College. Therefore, locating
and applying my props will be
no issue at all.

27. Soundtrack Planning

28. I will need the sounds of a ticking clock and some background
ambience in my film, as well as the sound of raindrops. The ticking
clock will be easy to record, as there are many analog clocks
scattered around York College, where all my filming will take place.
The ambience for the film will have to be quiet, as there will be
some fairly loud music playing during the whole film.
The sound of raindrops will have to be taken from the internet,
since I can’t wait for the next rainfall to record the sound for my film.

29. The only non-diegetic sound I will use in the film will be the music
in the background, I have already secured the soundtrack off of the
sound library on YouTube so locating the music will not be an
issue.
I will need to make sure that the music is not too overwhelming
though, so that it doesn’t drown out the pre-existing sound effects.