Props

It is important to consider the props we will need to use and get hold of for our film opening, so i have created a list of the props i believe we need and why they are necessary.

-Tea pot, tea cup and saucer
A tea pot, tea cup and saucer will be used at the start by the hippie character. This shows how laid back his character is, it also has connotations to how sophisticated he is. In the opening sequence, we will use these props to display credits, this will add a different and quirky feel to our opening. These are props that are easily available and so Lauren has offered to provide these for us.


-Fold out table and three camping chairs
For most of the opening, our characters will spend their time sat in a camping chair, this shows the audience how content and comfortable they are in the field. The table continues this theme, and portray to the audience  how they have almost made the field into their home. Lauren has some tables and chairs that we will be able to use and they light enough to carry onto our location.

-Tent
Tents symbolise camping, which has connotations to the countryside, helping to establish a setting for the film. People can live in tents, so it can also shows that the rural superheros have been there for a long time, and are not planning to move on. The tent sets a community in the field and brings the groups closer together. Once again Lauren has suggested that we use the tent she has, even though Amy has a tent, but we will probably go for Lauren's tent as it is easier to take with us onto the set.



-Sign on tent
There will be a sign on the tent explaining that there is a rural superhero meeting in progress. This shows the audience straight away, quite how serious they are about the meetings. They are in a situation that the audience would find funny and stupid, the sign is the way in which the characters can tell the audience that to them, this is not a joke. We plan that the title of our film will be written amongst the writing on the sign, giving the movie title an impact on the audience. Sian will provide the sign on the tent and will also bring Blu Tac or something else to stick the sign to the tent.

-Guitar
A guitar will be used and played by the farmer in our opening. He tries to play the guitar, but he is not very good, this symbolises to the audience that he does try to fit into society, but it is not working. Having the guitar is important in our piece as non-diegetic music will be molded around it. It will also be used to display a title in our opening. Lauren has an old guitar she has offered for us to use.



-Register
The register is used to show how official the group is, and how seriously they take their meetings. It is also very important, as it introduces us to the characters names for the first time, as it is read out. For this we are going to buy a notepad and pen to use and look out specifically for a type of notepad that may be more suitable for the character's roles as opposed to a plain one.

-Old fashioned mobile phone
This phone that belongs to the nerd, will be used at the end of our opening, it is very important as it is the transition between the opening and the beginning of the film. The fact that the phone is old fashioned, shows us that the nerd lives in the past and he is not up to date with modern technologies. It also shows us that he doesn't use his phone a lot, showing that he not social, and just has it for the sake of having it. Amy has an old fashioned mobile phone we can use that is ideal for our opening.



-Amy Bowman

Target Audience

For our film opening, we have had to consider our target audience in every stage of research and planning. Using information from things such as our audience expectations questionnaires, knowledge of the comedy genre and other factors we have to come to a final conclusion on who our target audience should be.

Certification

Our main target audience for our film opening has been decided as being teenage boys aged around 13 to 18, but this doesn't mean that the film would have a 12A certificate- this is just a preferred audience. This is generally due to things such as male teenagers being the main group of people within fandoms for comic books and superheroes- linking straightly to the main content of our film. With this in mind, using conventions of the comedy genre and we would like to use our film opening to appeal to this audience. We will also leave room for other audiences to enjoy the film opening as our target audience and certification is not just limited to this range.

Demographic Group and Cross Cultural Consumer Characteristics

The demographic group we will be targetting is demographic group E and D, mainly focusing on students. This is because people around the age of 13 to 18 are students, although may be in part time employment which covers demographic group D.

With regards to 'The four C's, (Cross Cultural Consumer Characteristics, devised by Young and Ribicam) which is an alternative to demographic groups, we believe that our target audience can be categorised under the mainstreamers category. This is because mainstreamers cover 40% of the population and do not have status and control (like succeeders or aspirers) but they may also be reformers that seek self-esteem and self-fulfillment.

However, this does not mean that our film opening's audience is fixed to these categories- it may appeal to other demographic groups or types of consumers.

Audience Theories

The audience theory that will be most likely to suit our film opening is the hypodermic needle theory- meaning that our audience will passively accept what's going on- and the uses and gratifications theory- having an active audience that want certain gratifications of the film.

The reason the hypodermic needle theory will apply to our film opening is because the film is a comedy- this doesn't necessarily require much active thought in order to understand what is going on, and can be passively taken in. However, the hypodermic needle theory applies more to mainstream, mass media films and our film is to be independent- so this theory doesn't totally apply.

The uses and gratifications theory will apply to our film opening as our film opening will be of a niche subgenre- rural comedy. It will also be an independent film, which arguably requires more active thought when watching than a mainstream film that uses the hypodermic needle theory by appealing to mass audiences. Our film opening may apply to the needs of an active audience, such as personal identity (comparing their lives with that of characters, which could be linked to the stereotypes of our characters), entertainment (to escape real life) and personal relationships/social interaction (insight into other's lives, indentification with characters). This theory isn't necessarily as applicable as the hypodermic needle theory because of the storyline and characters that will be in our film- it won't be an entirely serious, realistic depiction of everyday life and so won't be taken too seriously by the audience, but will still require some active thought.


As our film is planned to be a British independent film, by attracting such an audience to the film opening it perhaps creates more market for the independent film industry as well as breaking certain conventions of what comedy is, as rural comedies are not usually found.
-Sian Hayler-Magenis, Amy Bowman

Potential Filming Locations

In preparation for filming our movie opening obviously it is very important to consider the location our film is set. We each went out in search for potential filming locations in our local areas, we are mainly focusing on fields as that was our initial idea for the setting.

Below the pictures, we have written why it would be a good location or why it would not.

Lauren's locations 

Location 1

I do not think this would make a good location as it is primarily a farmer's field where crops grow, so the owner would probably not allow us to film upon it as the process would be damaging to their livelihood.  Also, we envisaged a grassier, more meadow-like field of which the opening will be set.

Location 2

This was a very large, open field with a house in the far right-hand corner of it.  There was also a telephone pylon in the centre of it which is not ideal and would damage the authenticity of the characters being completely isolated within their field location away from contradicting urbanised towns and cities.  By using different camera angles effectively, we could ensure we didn't include the power cable in any of the shots, although this would make filming more difficult.

Location 3

I think this location would be ideal for our film opening as it is fairly secluded with hedges surrounding it on either side.  It is very meadow-esque with long, yellow grass.  This field is not regularly used by members of the public (with the odd dog-walker) so filming will not be iterrupted often but we know we will be able to set up the scene here.

Location 4

Obviously, this location has a public footpath running through the middle of it, which may make filming difficult with the amount of walkers passing by.  It is also not a very large field and has a fence running around the outside of it which is not what we ideally wanted our field setting to be like.  However, I do like the small lake to the right of the field, which would add to the rural atmosphere.

Amy's locations

Location 5

This field is of a good size for our opening, and it has trees and a nice backdrop to it, making it more appealing to us. A problem would be that sometimes this field can get quite muddy, which would create an issue. Another downside would be the road next to it, it is only a quiet road, so i don't think it would be a huge interference for us.

Location 6

This field is in a good location and it is a nice size, but there is not many tree's and it's quite bleak. The main problem, and what would stop us from being able to film there, is the fact it is a farmers field, with crops growing. This means we can not use this location. 

Location 7

This field would not make a good film set due to the amount of mud there is and lack of green. This would mean our film be based in a muddy filed, and this is not the desired look we require. It would also make it very messy to film there. On the upside, this field is completely isolated, so the rural theme would be portrayed well.   

Location 8

This is my favourite location out of the four i have visited. The field is in a good location, away from busy roads, it doesn't get too muddy and the grass is a colour which will work well on camera. The surroundings for the field, like the trees and the pylon, add to the effectiveness.

-Amy Bowman, Lauren Tween

Consideration of Film Titles

The first impression anybody gets of a film, is the films title, therefore it is key to gain success for us to have a good, catchy and exciting film title. Below are some ideas we have for our film title and the possitives and negatives of them.

Hero in your field:
Pros:

• To the point
• Get the jist of film
• Good play on words

Cons:

• Cheesy
• Not short and snappy
• Not very enticing

Super-wannabes:
Pros:

• Get the jist of film
• Describes the characters
• Fairly short
• Quite comedic and entising

Cons:

• Gives way too much
• Targets female audience more than male and we want more male audience 

RuralSuperheroes:
Pros:

• To the point
• Short and snappy
• Get the jist of the film
• Shows our specific type of comedy (rural)
• Looks and sounds entising
• Seems exctitng
• Doesn't give too much away
• Attracts all comedy audience types

Cons:

• Urban city people maybe put off by the 'rural' as they think it would not apply to them
• Is potentially cliché

Recreation:
Pros:

• Seems sophisticated
• Links to plotline 
• Makes the audience question what the film is about 

Cons:

• Doesn't necessarily suit comedy genre
• May be too vague in regards to the main content of the film

Overall we have chosen to go for the title 'RuralSuperheroes' as it is a clear depiction of the type of genre, (rural comedy) doesn't give too much of the storyline away whilst still giving the general jist of things, but still makes the audience question what the film is about.

-Lauren Tween, Amy Bowman, Sian Hayler-Magenis

List of Scenes

To create our film opening, it is important to understand what would unfold in the rest of the storyline of the movie, if we were to make the whole film.

Below is the mind map we created, it consists of our initial ideas for the start, middle and end of the whole movie. 

here is a rough storyline I have made from the mindmap above, which Gemini created.

Beginning

In the beginning of our movie, the audience are introduced to the three main protagonists and we learn about their lives and personalities. These are the rural superheros, who will appear in our opening sequence. Once the audience are fully established with these characters, we then introduce the three antagonists, the urban superheros. As an audience member it is easy to tell that this group are the opposite and enemy's of the rural superheros. 

Middle

In the middle of our movie, the action starts. The rurals soon realise the urban's wicked plan to build an Internet cafe for one of their nans, in a peaceful field, which angers the rural hero's. This starts a conflict between the two teams,which builds up to a physical fight. One of the protagonist is close to death, when he calls a truce, and offers a game of tiddlywinks, between the teams to decide who should get the land. 

End

The ending starts with the end of the crucial game of tiddlywinks. We watch as the close match comes to a finish and the rural superheros beat the urban hero's. Although the urbans are of course very angry and upset and know their plan for an internet cafe can no longer be followed up, they understand that they have been beaten, and start on the long trip home. The rurals being the kind people they are, felt sorry for the urban's, and they discuss what they could offer to them to help their nan. Out of money they have raised from running stalls at village fates, the rural's give the urban's a USB dongle as a gift for the nan so she can access the world wide web. This is an emotional scene which ends in the two sets of superheros becoming best friends, and they live happily ever after.  

-Amy Bowman

Animatic Storyboard

This is our animatic storyboard which shows possible sounds we will use as well as our final storyboard.  It is important so we know, when it comes to filming, how long shots are going to be for and what order they come in when editing.

-Amy Bowman, Lauren Tween, Leyla Cindil and Sian Hayler-Magenis 

Our Film Brief

For our film it is important to have a film brief of around 25 words to help promote the movie. This should be short, snappy, intriguing and most of all, make our target audience want to watch the film.

Below is the film brief Gemini have made for Rural Superheroes:

Three social outcasts try to save their world - one field at a time.  Urban villains threaten their livelihoods wanting to build an Internet cafe - but can they save their land? Probably not.

-Amy Bowman

Draft Script

FADE IN and MUSIC FADE IN.

OUTSIDE TENT ON FIELD

GUITAR MUSIC PLAYING IN BACKGROUND and PEOPLE ARE SITTING on camping chairs relaxing in A FIELD.

SIGN ON TENT and TEA SLURPING NOISES and BIRDS IN THE BACKGROUND.

HIPPIE drinking tea out of teacup

NERD cleans glasses

Guitar strumming  by FARMER.

HIPPIE (DOOBIE)

Duuuuude, spare my ears, my soul is crying inside of me. The flowers are weep-

NERD (EUGINE)

-Please stop now, PLEASE! You need to take the register now.

MUSIC stops SUDDENLY.

Sad FARMER.

NERD hands register to FARMER.

FARMER (MAC DONALD)

Doobie Journey?

DOOBIE puts hand up.

FARMER (MAC DONALD)

Eugine Snodgrass?

EUGINE puts hand up.

FARMER (MAC DONALD)

Mac Donald? …Present.

Y’all here, as solid as the ground we stand on.

FARMER carries out register

Phone rings in NERD'S pocket.

NERD is shocked and pulls phone out of pocket.

NERD (EUGINE)

What’s it doing?! Why’s it doing that?! IT NEVER DOES THAT!

NERD SHOWS DISTRESS

HIPPIE TAKES PHONE OFF NERD

EVERYBODY LOOKS ON.

HIPPIE ANSWERS PHONE AND PUTS PHONE TO EAR.

HIPPIE (DOOBIE)

Heeeeeeeeey man, what’s up? what’s down?

….

Uh-oh.

….

Oh.

HIPPIE PUTS PHONE DOWN WITH EXTREMELY WORRIED LOOK ON FACE.

CUT TO BLACK.

-Leyla Cindil, Lauren Tween and Amy Bowman.

Draft Storyboard

This is our draft storyboard which will help us have a rough idea of how various shots in the film opening will look whilst we plan various things such as character profiles, costumes and props involved in the opening.



-Sian Hayler-Magenis

Costume

Before we begin filming, in order to be more organised, we need to have an idea of the costumes our characters will wear. 

Eugene Snodgrass

-Short trousers pulled up to waist

-Socks pulled up

-Glasses

-Slicked back hair

-Bowtie and braces

As a group, we thought the character of Eugene, should be the most stereotypical of the three, to his type of character as a nerd. We thought that using the stereotype to the extreme would be a good idea, as from research we know that many existing comedy films do this to their advantage. We want to show that he is an outcast in the wider community, we do this by making the costume something which socially average teenagers do not wear. By the costume including glasses, connotations are made to the character's high intelligence and the excessively smart dressed clothing (braces and bowtie) suggests he has little knowledge of what clothing is suitable in social situations.

Doobie Journey

-Necklace

-Green t-shirt

-Baggy trousers

-Trainers

Originally we thought about giving this character the appearance of a 'classic' hippie but decided it would suit better as being more modern. By giving this character a casual and laid back appearance that still has aspects of the 'hippie' or 'environmentalist' stereotype, they are still identifiable as such without it being too garish or over the top.

Certain aspects of this costume which still allow him to stand out as following a stereotype are things such as the design on his shirt and the peace sign necklace he will wear.

Another reason we decided to choose a more modern look for Doobie is that these clothes are also easier to get than the previous hippie costume.

We also decided that this character would be the most socially accepted out of the three, therefore by making him wear almost average clothing, this point is indicated to the audience.  

Mac Donald

-Check shirt/ shirt

-Dungarees (if possible, if not, baggy jeans)

-Wellies

-Flat cap/straw hat (if possible)

As our film is a rural comedy, we felt it necessary to include a farmer stereotype amongst the three main characters. To show the type of character he is, we have chosen Mac to dress in symbolic farmer clothing, such as wellies and dungarees. It also shows us about his personality type, that he doesn't mind what he wears as his clothing would often become dirty working on a farm anyway. Although his clothing does not make him a social outcast, his clothing is still different from other people of his age, showing that he cares more about his job and lifestyle, than he does popularity.

In order to get this costume pieces we will first ask our chosen actors if they have any of these items. If not, we will supply our own things or buy them if necessary and changes to the costumes may be made if needed. Some items of clothing we already own, such as parts of the hippie costume and the nerd costume (such as the bowtie and braces).

-Lauren Tween, Amy Bowman, Sian Hayler-Magenis