Restrictions of the drama

When i was first set this drama unit back in 2009, i was unhappy and frustrated by the limiting restrictions to locations, characters and also the rule that we cannot use sync dialogue. It frustrated me that we were so limited before we had even begun to make our stories and scripts, but now a year on after attempting then failing the unit, I'm now starting it again and see from experience its a wise move to stick within the rules.

They may seem limiting, but attempting to make a high quality five minute drama is no small task and its best to take small steps than think you can create a complicated epic. They allow you to concentrate on character building and strengthening of your character, rather than having 3 or 3 weak characters you will have one of two very strong precise characters to create your film around. It also means that limiting you to a smaller number of locations means you wont over do it and take on more than you can handle with shooting, its always good to be able to go back and do retakes of scenes and with a large number of locations this could prove to be a problem. My biggest worry was the rule about no sync dialogue, but i think its wise as it means we will be concentrating more on whats going on in the film and on screen and therefore develop our cinematography and directing skills as well as sound and editing. It also gives you the opportunity to creatively think of ideas and ways of telling a story with out using dialogue.

Things i need to do when writing my script...

- Keep the film based around one or two central characters and develop them well

- Make the locations easily accessible and good to film in as well as looking good

- Create a very simple and visual story which can be told through image rather than the need for words to explain whats happening on screen

- Make sure its and idea that you and your group can relate to so that you all have the passion to work hard for it

The Brief

CONTEMPORARYFILM&VIDEO LEVEL ONE

SCREEN DRAMA

START: Monday 19th April 2010 DEADLINE: Monday 7th June 11.00 am Rm 223 ASSESSMENT: Thursday 10th June all day WORK FORMAT: · 5 MINUTE SCREEN DRAMA MOV DATA FILE (1 FILM PER GROUP), and a film synopsis

Working in production teams, students will develop an original idea into a short film drama. The unit introduces dramatic story telling through a script. Students also will have the opportunity to cast and direct actors. THE BRIEF Working in groups (of five), we would like you to generate an original idea to produce a dramatic piece no longer than five minutes. - You are limited to no more than two actors. - Do not use sync sound with dialogue - Restrict locations to a maximum of three - Apply Directorial techniques - Apply image composition principles - Build up sequences applying Shot construction techniques - Apply lighting techniques. The style of film you produce should explore and innovate, narrative structures. You don’t have to emulate the traditional dramatic forms. Members of the group will have particular roles (Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Sound designer, Editor) and will have the responsibility for their particular aspect of the final project. Each film needs to be storyboard before shooting. It is essential that all the films have good quality sound and well composed images - films will be marked down otherwise. What work will you produce to demonstrate the development of your practice? 1. Three to five minute Drama. No more than five minutes YOU WILL LOOSE MARK OTHERWISE. 2. Self and peer-assessment form 3. FILM SYNOPSIS TO BE HAND IN WITH THE DATA DVD (as word document, burn in the data dvd) 4. 400 words critical evaluation of the film production process. IMPORTANT when making dramatic films using actors, the quality of the film is dependant on a number of factors. Often the aspect which lets student productions down most of all is the quality of acting. Poor acting can make an otherwise excellent film un-viewable. It is for this reason, that we want to restrict your project to body language and voice over only…. i.e. no spoken words with lip synch. UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to: SUBJECT SPECIFIC SKILLS AND ABILITIES • Engage with using film making and other means of visual and aural expression to communicate and develop ideas • Appreciate the ways that ideas can be taken through to a final conclusion • Appreciate that the creative process requires responsibility for its management • Comply with all health and safety requirements or guidelines GENERIC SKILLS AND ABILITIES SELF MANAGEMENT • Evaluate their effectiveness in managing workloads and meeting deadlines • Appreciate that the need to respond to situations that are unfamiliar and bring about uncertainty CRITICAL AWARENESS • Engage with the processes involved in analysing and evaluating both information and events associated with learning the subject INTERPERSONAL AND SOCIAL SKILLS Appreciate the dynamics involved in working with others

Levy Edmond, - Making a winning short : How to Write, direct, edit, and produce a short film, - New York, Henry Holt, 1994, - An Owl book Film Directing Shot by Shot : Visualizing from concept to screen / by Steven Katz, Publish by Studio City, Calif 1991 The art of technique : an aesthetic approach to film and video production, Douglass John S, Boston, Mass, London Allyn and Bacon 1996 http://www.filmunderground.com/ http://www.dependentfilms.net/files.html http://www.mediacollege.com/video/camera/tutorial/01- terminology.html ‘

The drama unit...

Its an exciting project, almost certainly the most exciting of the programme so far but also the most challenging. Its not the first time I've approached it, last year it was one of the two film units that i had failed, thus leaving me in the situation I'm in now repeating certain units. Last year I didn't show enough commitment and passion to this project at all, it overwhelmed me and my group, we where massively under prepared, and created a very low quality piece which i was quite embarrassed about.
What Ive learn t about this project and what you need to complete it to the best of your abilities, is to find a good team you an work well with and to work strictly within the roles of Director, editor etc. It allows everyone to not only see how it feels to create a properly and also allows everyone to handle the workload that comes with creating a film. Another thing that will be vital for me is to find an idea that i not only love and want to make but also one that the whole group will love.