AS media coursework

1. PLOT
BLOCKING
Completed by Beth Ross

2. As previously stated, our film will be based upon
the main character in our opening sequence
slowly going insane. We have decided to portray
this by bringing aspects of their past in to the
present day and showing the effects through all
aspects of making our opening sequence.

3. Our opening sequence will open with an establishing
shot based in the present day, which we have decided
will be a panning shot of an averagely designed
kitchen, with the main character stood at the sink. This
will most likely be a still, while the camera moves, as
this will give an unsettling vibe to the audience, as well
as setting the scene and featuring the main character.
The second scene will feature a mix between close up
and extreme close up shots of the main character
completing every day tasks around the kitchen, such as
turning the kettle on, or the gas on, and finally beginning
to wash up. This will introduce the audience to the
setting, and present the real life aspect of our film.

4. Next we will show the title sequence. This will be where
we display the actors, camera-work, sound and directors
names. We have chosen to place this here as from looking
at existing opening sequences, we have found that this is
commonly shown at this point in a film opening, we have
not yet decided if we will present these over the footage
we filmed or on a different screen.
The title of our production will continue on from our
title sequence. Here we will display the name of our
film, which we have not yet decided on. This will
most likely be presented in bold, and in a contrasting
colour to the background to make it stand out. Such
as white writing on a black background.

5. Following on from the title, the screen will cut to a
medium close up of the main character washing up
at the sink. We have chosen this specific task as it
allows us to continue on from the scene which came
before the titles, which will present continuity, as
well position props in the shot to help our narrative.
From this shot, we will then use an over the shoulder
shot in shallow focus, shifting from the main
characters face, on to the childhood photo in a frame
on the windowsill. We believe that this will be an
effective shot as it will allow us to show that the
main character is solely focusing on the photo, as
this is a main aspect of our opening sequence.

6. The camera will then cut to a close up of the
main characters face again to add emphasis
and show detail of the fact that she zones
out. This is the beginning of presenting to
the audience that the character is troubled.
We believe that this will be effective and
draw attention to the photograph.
We will then introduce the use of flashbacks to the
audience. This first flashback will be of a happy time
in the characters life. At this point the character will
be around the age of five years old, and will be
presented to be running in a cave holding a toy in her
hand. The audience will also hear giggles and her
footsteps. For this, we will use hand held camerawork
as this will be more realistic and draw the audience in.

7. The scene will then cut back to the reality of the
present day. In this medium close up shot, the
main character will be shown to stop washing
up, as she reaches for the photograph on the
windowsill in front. This will denote to the
audience that something to do with the photo is
causing her to have flashbacks of her as a child.
We will then proceed to present a close up of
the photo, to confirm to the audience that the
photo has a significance. This will then most
likely fade in to a close up of the eye of the
main character to show emotion. This will have
the effect of connoting the emotional connection
between the photo and the character.

8. Another flashback, and also the final one of our
opening sequence will then be displayed. This will
contrast with the previous flashback which contained
an idyllic vibe. We intend for this to follow on from
the previous flashback, of the child running, and in
this one show the child to immediately stop running,
as we then use a point of view shot to show a large
silhouette standing in the cave with her.
The screen will then cut to another close
up of the main characters facial expression,
showing her in a dazed look. We have
chose to do this as we believe that it will
draw in the flashbacks with the present day
effectively and emphasises the connection
between the two scenes.

9. We will then continue showing the falling photo frame as it
decreases in speed to fall in slow motion. We will do this
through editing. We have chosen to put this in action for a
more dramatic effect. Whilst this is on screen, we intend to
also link back to the dystopian flashback, and show the child
dropping the toy she is holding from the same point as the
photo frame is being dropped. We believe that this will be
dramatic and show the audience that it is the same person in
both the flashbacks and present day.
The screen will then cut to a close up of the photo
naturally slipping out of the characters hands. This
will denote to the audience that the character is
traumatised and losing touch with both her senses
and reality. We will portray this in a naturally paced
motion which will show lack of control, however, we
will only use this pace for about half way of the fall.

10. The screen will then switch back to a close
up of the main characters face in the
present day, as she returns from being in a
daze. We have chose to do a close up again
here to emphasise the character almost
being in a trance and then her confusion of
when she comes back to reality.
The final shot of our opening sequence
will be an extreme close up in shallow
focus of the cracked photo frame on the
floor. This shot will connote the damage
caused by the past as well as holding the
audience in suspense of how the story will
unravel to show the characters past.