Job Seeker: Evaluation
Overall, I have mixed feelings about this film. As I would have preferred to have made the original idea, rather than this one, I think that I may be being cynical about it. However, I think that there is a lot that could be improved and changed.
Firstly, I think that we could have cast a much better actress for the role of Mrs Saunders. As lovely as Linda was, she arrived unprepared and quite unfamiliar with the script, which we sent her a week before. Maybe it would have been more beneficial to give them more time to learn it, which I will consider for the next film. I also think that as the director, I should have got a better performance out of her. I think her delivery on a lot of lines was quite flat and poor, and I could have helped to improve that by going through it with her a lot more, on set.
Secondly, I think that the edit itself could be a lot stronger. Although the flow and feel of the film is much better than the rough cut, I would like it to be a bit shorter and cut down on some of the office scene. I know that this was difficult for the editor as a lot of crucial lines would have been chopped, but I feel it would have improved it.
I was very disappointed with the original laser quest scene being unusable. I think that the camera settings should have been revised by the cinematographer, and Josh who owns the camera that we used. For the next film, I will be sure to have lots of camera tests and discuss the equipment and set up with Ed a lot more in depth.
However, there are still some strong points in the film. I think that the replacement for the laser quest footage, with the ridiculous 'censored' scene works quite well. I had an input into the sound design for that scene, prefering to do a rough mix of it myself, to ensure that the right material and sounds were in there, as I felt it was quicker and more efficient to do this myself than to try and explain to Tom what I wanted it to sound like.
I also like the music choices for the scenes. I think they work well and create a silly atmosphere which is what this film is all about. They are cheesy and farcical and make the scenes tacky which I think works well in this situation.
I also like the delivery of some of James' lines, in particular the sudden "Roast beef.", which was perfectly delivered. I think that had I been a stronger director, the finished product would be a lot more like the version I had in my head, which was a lot more effective and comedic. For our final film, I will really try bringing out the best of the actors' abilities in order to get the best result.
Working Relationships With Other Group Members
During the production of our 3rd production, which would eventually become Job Seeker, it was crucial to have a lot of group meetings to develop our idea, and also a lot of work with individuals, particularly as the director.
Producer
I met and spoke to Dan a lot during the pre-production of this film, as we discussed the ideas I had for the script, and about the locations that we would be able to use. It was Dan's decision to not go with the original idea that I came up with, which although disappointed me as I would rather have made it, seemed sensible as it would have been quite a challenge to make. However when we make our final film, I am going to be quite insistant on having certain ideas done no matter what, because I think from his producing point of view, some of it will be quite a pain in the bottom.
Cinematographer
Ed and myself discussed what sort of shots we would like for the film, and discussed what sort of angles and styles that we would be using. During this time, we created storyboards, mine being very poorly drawn and his being far better, and more finalised. For the final project I will work a lot more closely to Ed, as we discuss what type of equipment he should use, and the lighting set up. We will also be sure to do a lot of camera tests before shooting, as it caused problems this time around.
Sound Designer
Doing the sound specialism myself, I was able to work quite in depth with Tom on the sound, and we came out with a lot of good ideas. During the shoot for one of the scenes there was a series of problems with the sound recording equipment. At this point I temporarily stopped the shoot, and got him to change all of his equipment round in order to be able to get good recordings, because I know how important it is to get decent sound on a film.
Editor
Josh and I discussed what sort of style to we would go for, for the project prior to the shooting taking place. After the shoot and with the rushes, I supervised Josh while he made the first cut, asking him to make certain bits flow in a certain way. Not wanting to be too controlling, and considering he studies editing far more than myself, I left him to it. However, when I was dissatisfied with the rough cut, I asked for it to be re-edited as I felt that it could have improved a lot, which I think it did.
Art Director
I worked with Harry a lot, and we discussed what sort of props and location we should use within the film. I gave some input into the design of the props, and we devised some very subtle bits of humour into the props themselves, such as the leaflets for one of the companies being called "Hot Doggin'", which is a very silly play on words. Also the job centre in the film being called 'Job Worths', an obvious play on the word 'jobworths'. I personally think this added to the film, but requires multiple views to notice.
Producer
I met and spoke to Dan a lot during the pre-production of this film, as we discussed the ideas I had for the script, and about the locations that we would be able to use. It was Dan's decision to not go with the original idea that I came up with, which although disappointed me as I would rather have made it, seemed sensible as it would have been quite a challenge to make. However when we make our final film, I am going to be quite insistant on having certain ideas done no matter what, because I think from his producing point of view, some of it will be quite a pain in the bottom.
Cinematographer
Ed and myself discussed what sort of shots we would like for the film, and discussed what sort of angles and styles that we would be using. During this time, we created storyboards, mine being very poorly drawn and his being far better, and more finalised. For the final project I will work a lot more closely to Ed, as we discuss what type of equipment he should use, and the lighting set up. We will also be sure to do a lot of camera tests before shooting, as it caused problems this time around.
Sound Designer
Doing the sound specialism myself, I was able to work quite in depth with Tom on the sound, and we came out with a lot of good ideas. During the shoot for one of the scenes there was a series of problems with the sound recording equipment. At this point I temporarily stopped the shoot, and got him to change all of his equipment round in order to be able to get good recordings, because I know how important it is to get decent sound on a film.
Editor
Josh and I discussed what sort of style to we would go for, for the project prior to the shooting taking place. After the shoot and with the rushes, I supervised Josh while he made the first cut, asking him to make certain bits flow in a certain way. Not wanting to be too controlling, and considering he studies editing far more than myself, I left him to it. However, when I was dissatisfied with the rough cut, I asked for it to be re-edited as I felt that it could have improved a lot, which I think it did.
Art Director
I worked with Harry a lot, and we discussed what sort of props and location we should use within the film. I gave some input into the design of the props, and we devised some very subtle bits of humour into the props themselves, such as the leaflets for one of the companies being called "Hot Doggin'", which is a very silly play on words. Also the job centre in the film being called 'Job Worths', an obvious play on the word 'jobworths'. I personally think this added to the film, but requires multiple views to notice.
Lost Highway - Final Project Inspiration
Lost Highway is another film that has inspired the idea for our final film. The David Lynch masterpiece has the character of Fred Madison being incredibly paranoid about the people around him, especially his wife who he suspects is being unfaithful. The people around him such as the Mystery Man, Andy, and the mythical Dick Laurent make him noticably uncomfortable and he has a problem with them at the mere mention of them.
As a result of his paranoia, he envisions a fantasy world for himself, something he desires to escape the reality of his actual life. In this world he is a renewed character, and the events that happen around are bizarre.
This seems to ring true with my idea for the final project with Chesters wanting to escape out of the situation he is in because of his feelings towards the fellow passengers. In Lost Highway Fred/Pete's fantasy world ends up as a dystopia, to some extent. This will be similar in the final film as it will become evident that the imaginary worlds are in fact more like nightmares.
As a result of his paranoia, he envisions a fantasy world for himself, something he desires to escape the reality of his actual life. In this world he is a renewed character, and the events that happen around are bizarre.
This seems to ring true with my idea for the final project with Chesters wanting to escape out of the situation he is in because of his feelings towards the fellow passengers. In Lost Highway Fred/Pete's fantasy world ends up as a dystopia, to some extent. This will be similar in the final film as it will become evident that the imaginary worlds are in fact more like nightmares.
Taxi Driver - Final Project Inspiration
As well as being one of my absolute favourites, I think that the classic Taxi Driver by Martin Scorsese is huge inspiration into one of the key themes of our final film: paranoia.
In Taxi Driver, Travis Bickle appears to be very sceptical of the people that surround his life. When he is driving around the streets of New York City, we see how he has negative perceptions of almost everyone that walks the streets. He calls them scum and parasites, and believes that there is a huge amount of people that need to be removed. This is enhanced by the fact that he works the night shift around the crime-ridden areas.
As well as the people he sees in the streets, there are the passengers that enter his taxi. There are very few times that he communicates with them, and feels that they are inevitably unpleasant, whilst checking them out in the mirror in his cab.
In terms of the influence this has on our film, our main character Chris Chesters is placed into a socially awkward situation in which everyone he surround by has, at least within his mind, some kind of horrible history or personal life. It is a similar paranoia that Travis Bickle has, although less violent and more fearful.
Chesters will barely, if at all, speak to any of the fellow passengers and instead we will hear his thoughts about them in his head, much like Travis in Taxi Driver.
Hopefully the characterisation of Chris Chesters will be even a hundredth as good as that of Travis Bickle...!
In Taxi Driver, Travis Bickle appears to be very sceptical of the people that surround his life. When he is driving around the streets of New York City, we see how he has negative perceptions of almost everyone that walks the streets. He calls them scum and parasites, and believes that there is a huge amount of people that need to be removed. This is enhanced by the fact that he works the night shift around the crime-ridden areas.
As well as the people he sees in the streets, there are the passengers that enter his taxi. There are very few times that he communicates with them, and feels that they are inevitably unpleasant, whilst checking them out in the mirror in his cab.
In terms of the influence this has on our film, our main character Chris Chesters is placed into a socially awkward situation in which everyone he surround by has, at least within his mind, some kind of horrible history or personal life. It is a similar paranoia that Travis Bickle has, although less violent and more fearful.
Chesters will barely, if at all, speak to any of the fellow passengers and instead we will hear his thoughts about them in his head, much like Travis in Taxi Driver.
Hopefully the characterisation of Chris Chesters will be even a hundredth as good as that of Travis Bickle...!
Scripting the Final Project
Within the attached materials that I have included, will be the original script for our final project. This is subject to a lot of change, which I shall be doing over the Christmas break. I have recently read an interesting feature in a book called Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics by Michael Rabiger, which enlightened me somewhat with regards to interpreting my script to actors.
Here is the section that I found incredibly useful:
Here is the section that I found incredibly useful:
The bits that I have highlighted are handwritten notes, with a sort if 'inner mind' of the character. It is translated as though it is what the character is thinking at the precise moment in the script, and therefore gives an insight into what the line should be acted like and how the actors should have the characters reacting.
I think this will be particularly useful in our final film, as a lot of it will be reaction based, with no dialogue. By making these notes on the side of my script, it will allow the actors to easily recognise what I want them to react like at a certain bit of the film, especially if their reaction is not what you would usually expect from the situation that they are in.
I feel this exercise will be more useful for the actors when they are away from set and learning their lines, as it will tell them immediately what I want them to act like, from the off, without the need for me to explain to them on set what their character should be doing. Then when it comes to the performances in front of the camera, I will be easily able to fine tune any minor points that need altering.
Some Notes On Storyboarding For Final Project
Whilst reading a book named Directing Fiction by Robert Edgar-Hunt, I came across some bullet points about the uses of a storyboard. I was already aware of their importance, but seeing this list made it a little clearer as to what other uses they can be used for.
The points that I have highlighted are the ones that I already associated with the use of a storyboard. However, the ones I have not are new ideas to me and will be something I will use in the future.
For our final project, I will use the storyboards primarily to:
Create a strong vision for the cinematographer to envision whilst producing his own plans in pre-production.
To allow the rest of the crew and possibly the cast to envision what the idea in the script will look like.
To allow the sound department to consider their positioning and the type of microphones that they will use whilst on set.
To inform the producer what sort of schedule he will need to be thinking of when it comes to shooting the project.
On top of this, I will use it for my own reference and keep it to one side to remind myself of any shots that I may otherwise have omitted. The essential shots could also be highlighted in order to ensure that they are made, and not cause the need for a reshoot, or something worse.
For our final project, I will use the storyboards primarily to:
Create a strong vision for the cinematographer to envision whilst producing his own plans in pre-production.
To allow the rest of the crew and possibly the cast to envision what the idea in the script will look like.
To allow the sound department to consider their positioning and the type of microphones that they will use whilst on set.
To inform the producer what sort of schedule he will need to be thinking of when it comes to shooting the project.
On top of this, I will use it for my own reference and keep it to one side to remind myself of any shots that I may otherwise have omitted. The essential shots could also be highlighted in order to ensure that they are made, and not cause the need for a reshoot, or something worse.
Script For Updated Scene
The change in scene from swimming pool to laser quest has proven to be quite successful. I much prefer it, as I think it gives a better insight into his character and isn't quite as slapstick as the original, which I think is better.
During the shoot at laser quest, I want to make the colours to really stand out, whilst they are playing. Having these against a dark background will look lovely, and by having very detailed sound of pandemonium, it will be quite amusing, especially as the audience will not know what is going on. I have written Edward has being a bit of a power freak in this scene to emphasise his insecurities more so.
During the shoot at laser quest, I want to make the colours to really stand out, whilst they are playing. Having these against a dark background will look lovely, and by having very detailed sound of pandemonium, it will be quite amusing, especially as the audience will not know what is going on. I have written Edward has being a bit of a power freak in this scene to emphasise his insecurities more so.
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