Evaluation

Q1. What were the aims (purpose) of the script & 9 key frames? 

Outline the purpose of the script which was to create a disruption or resolution scene for sequel or prequel for [which one of your films?] that explored [discuss your specific study proposal/thesis statement] of [your MACRO] . The purpose of the 9 Key Frames was to select key moments in the script that would be filmed to construct [your MACRO study] through [discuss your decisions regarding location, costume, props, character] & camera angle/shot types 

Q1 - The main purpose of my script was to try and show the different perspective of the character from first person to get across the MARCO style in my case study films, Shutter Island and Inception. I chose to do a reboot scene for Shutter Island to get the point across. I had to make sure that I shot each shot from a first person perspective to get it to make sense, but for a couple of the pictures I did not do this and had it from a different person perspective instead of the main character. The script was used for me to get more idea of changing the film up to get my 9 key frames, this worked well as I changed the ending of the film by showing how a schizophrenic man with problems from the war, has just been in a sleep and he’s been dreaming all that has happened. It finished where I had him waking up question himself and having the scene bright from the first person to make it look like he’s opened eyes from the hurt and hatred he was feeling when in the dream. This whole dreaming idea came about from my second film Inception, so I joined in the bits about dreaming and limbo from the film. With all of my 9 key frames I had to think about the composition of the actors, the lightening and props mainly. But with the lighting I also edited them to make them look better.

Q2. What codes and conventions (genre, character & narrative threads, how films use mise-en-scene, camera & sound to create meaning), identified in the textual analysis essay were used in the script & 9 key frames?Analyse & make connections, what aspects of genre & narrative/character threads did you continue in you prequel/sequel?  

Examine the links to your textual analysis MICRO points in your essay - reflect on how this influenced your decisions for your script scene & 9 key frames (Terminology: mise-en-scene, location, costume, props, actors, camera angles, composition, shot type] used meaning from your film analysis

Q2 - In my reboot of Shutter Island, my scene breaks the main convention of the hero being victorious at the end of the film. It most films a hero would go through the film fighting and winner and then at the end would be rewarded in some way, but not in my film. The main reason for this is that my film doesn’t necessarily have a defined hero or villain, the main character isn’t ever set up to look like one or the other, so he’s there just like a narrative.  So of course this would break the stereotypical conventions of a thriller film where the hero in it would go through the film winning and then at the end is rewarded, but because of the breaking of rules the character in Shutter Island does all the work but then is rewarded in death that he brought upon his self. The breaking of the rule can give evidence that this is a film that is needed be thought through and maybe even brought into real life situations that there are no specific labels of calling someone a hero or villain. But other than the number 1 rule being broken, this film does follow the key aspects of making a thriller, a thriller. Such as having low-key lighting scenes, which could make a character, look more mysterious. Also this can create suspenseful environments for characters that are in tense scene. With the costumes and location there were quite stereotypical of a thriller where they are out the way and small to try and build up the mystery of what is going on.

Q3. How was the location report used in the construction of the 9 key frames? 

Explain the connections, how scouting & reporting for locations was used to create the 9 key frames or revisions to the script, what influences did it have on your ideas for the script or vice versa?

Q3 - For my location I didn’t have enough time to focus on where I did my key frames because I did left my pictures quite late. However I made the best of what I had and I got my key frames done. It didn’t fit the full description of what I was looking for but they still manage to turn out ok. I still manage to make them look reasonably good due to editing effects and filters, to make them look more like a thriller and give them the unstable mind look by editing them to look darker. Because my thesis was about the first person being a schizophrenic character with an unstable mind set, I changed the filter of first person images to look like a shaky image and to look as if the character had an unstable mind set. If I had done my key frames in my ideal location in my location report, the images would of no doubt turned out better than they did. This was me not using my time wisely but also the room I wanted to use was not always a reliable one that I could keep walking in and out of. The room in my location report would have fitted my desired room because it looked like an interrogation room with the small space, the one table in the middle, and when the lighting is dropped in filters the space became more mysterious, which is what is needed to make a successful thriller.

 Q4. How successful was the script & 9 key frames in achieving the aims (its purpose)? 

Justify the strengths & weakness by being critical of your work, reflect on it's success as a sequel/prequel (look again at the as films we have seen) suggest improvements

Q4 - With all of what’s happen with my location and my key frames, I feel that they were still successful in presenting my MARCO. Although some of the key frames weren’t completely right and the angles were off, the effects and filters that I put on top of the key frames made the key frames more into what my MARCO was trying to represent in the fact that my character has that unstable, schizophrenic mind set. Having the key frames with all the filters of the screen looking shaky and out of focus is reinforcing that unstable feel that the character is meant to be going through. With my script that helped me with the completing and organising what my key frames had to be, and from that I can say that they were successful in the way of working out what to do with my key frames. Yes there were negatives to my key frames but although the actually image didn’t turn out like I wanted, I made the most and I can say that the filters and effects were a strong point in my keys. If I were to do this again I would mostly change the location on where I originally took my key frames, and move to the location that I posted on in my location report. Also I could have brought my second film (Inception) into the story of my reboot to try and change  up the story and incorporate some of the themes and messages that the film was trying to say. 

Location Report

My location for my 9 key frames was just a small plane room. This was used because it had to try and look like an interrogation room where the three characters I have were all talking. Being a small room I had to have low key lighting so for that I had to edit my pictures to bring down the contrast of images to give them more of a suspenseful look about them, and to make then look more like a thriller film. It had to look like the scene in Shutter Island when the three characters were talking together and then the main character questions him. The way the set would be dressed should of been plane walls with no things such like posters and pictures, and should look quite lifeless to give it the mysterious look. I could not get the pictures for my actual location due to not having access to the room at the time.

These images here were meant to be my ideal location for my 9 key frames, but due to a lack my lack of time usage, I didn't have enough time to change from my original images. This location would have been perfect for my key frames as it is a small, enclosed room and had the right look about it being an interrogation room. When the lighting is dropped as well it gives it the mysterious effect that brings the pictures to life more. This wasn't a very reliable room to use due to it being in a school, there was others that used it such as teachers for meetings. The room was very safe as well but the door lock didn't work 100% so it was again unreliable. This room links in with my MACRO only when effects and lighting have been used to give it more of an effect and the unstable mind set feel about it as that is what my character is.

Key Frame Pictures

Shot 1 -

This shot from an over the shoulder view is showing that both characters were waiting for the arrival of Teddy. This shot should of been shot from the point of view (POV) of Teddy and him looking up at the two of them to give more of that unstable look about him and have the picture all static and shaky. If the shot was at a low angle then it would give the impression that Teddy is being seen as the smaller character due to his unstable mind set and that the other two have more power and dominance over his life.

Shot 2 -

This side by side shot is meant to show the different types of emotions that the two characters, Teddy and Dr Cawley, are going through. The emotional state and face that Teddy on the left should have would look quite confused and worried because he doesn't know what is going on, and Dr Cawley on the right should have a more focus and serious face to show he has the power over Teddy. Although this looks like a normal side by side shot it would actually be from the POV of Chuck. The filter I would use to show the difference is brighten image to shot how his mind is clear and settled.

Shot 3 -

This shot is an over the shoulder shot from Dr. Cawley's perceptive of him looking down at the files of Teddy. This will have a filter over the top to make it look screechy and still having the style of an unstable mind of the character. Because this is not from the perceptive of Teddy the style is a little different but because it is still about him it will still look a bit shaky. The angle used is to show Dr Cawley having more power over Teddy.

Shot 4 -

This shot needs to have a static focus for it to show my MARCO through Teddy's eyes. As he is an unstable minded character, the static filter shows that his vision and mind isn't clear and how it shows off who he is in the film. Other than just putting a filter on the pictures, I need to put the characters in the correct costumes, and edit some of the angles and location to make them look better and more professional.

Shot 5 -

This shot would be Teddy looking at himself at a mirror and the reflexion that he see's would be both shaky and bright to show how there would be the two differences between the scene right there and then and how the ending of the scene would be.

Shot 6 -

This POV shot from Chuck's prospective is showing how much different the style of vision Teddy and Chuck have, Chuck being the normal but also imaginative one form Teddy's mind, his vision is still clear but because is just from the mind, the shot is filtered with a brightened area from where he see's the punch coming.

Shot 7 -

This image should have the character pointing the gun more towards the camera because this is to show how it is seen from point of view of Teddy. To make the scene look like it is being seen from Teddy's eyes, the filter used is to show the unstableness of the vision of Teddy and how his prospective of the world effects his ability of focusing. Also the use of the low angle looking up at Dr Cawley, shows how he has the dominant power over him and also because he is holding a gun.

Shot 8 -

This shot is here to represent the event that just happened where Dr Cawley killed Teddy to wake him. Having it at a low angle from the POV of Teddy and having the image with a brightened tunnel of light around the edge is showing that Teddy life is now becoming a blur and lightening up. To improve this I would change the location of the characters.

Shot 9 -

POV of Teddy waking up with the camera shot clear to symbolise how the story has changed in his eyes. Having the picture filtered with a bright and more happier shot is showing that Teddy's life is more calm and that he isn't the unstable minded character that he is turning out to be. Having him wake up in such a secluded room with no one there and the brightened up picture is showing off that there is no one that he was thinking of in his life and that everything that he was thinking of wasn't real and that his life was just an image of something bad that happened.

Screenshots of Script

9 Key Frame Ideas

All still camera shots and from the first person character in some of the shots.

Picture 1 -
Over the shoulder shot from Dr. Cawley and Chuck's shoulder looking down at Teddy who is on the floor from falling through the door.

Picture 2 -
Side view of Dr Cawley and Teddy talking from Chuck's P.O.V. Dr Cawley has an unexpressed face whilst Teddy has an angered, confused look.

Picture 3 -
Over shoulder shot looking down at files Dr Cawley is reading from.

Picture 4 -
P.O.V shot from Teddy looking at Chuck who is pointing at Dr Cawley.

Picture 5 -
Close up on Teddy's face as he looks confused into a mirror

Picture 6 -
P.O.V from Chuck's perspective as Teddy lunges forward at him

Picture 7 -
Low angle on Dr Cawley pointing a gun at Teddy

Picture 8 -
Low angle of Chuck and Dr Cawley looking down whilst Dr Cawley still has the gun in his hand. Chuck has an angered look on his face and Dr Cawley is looking serious.

Picture 9 -
P.O.V shot from Teddy in a bed sitting up right in a small empty room.


Because of my case study being on Shutter Island and Inception and showing how there style can challenge if it is an independent or hollywood film, and also how the story is told from a 1st person view but not shot that way. By shooting my key frames like this it shows a different perspective of the film and how the story is being told. Each frame will see how everyone else reacts but not how the main character, Teddy, is feeling, until there is a shot where he looks a mirror that is in the room and then makes the question of he doesn't know who he is.

Coursework Essay

How do the two films Inception and Shutter Island break the rules of Classic Hollywood Narrative (CHN) and independent (Indie) through there style. Both the films are similar in many ways with there style. Inception is the Hollywood film directed by Christopher Nolan, this should follow the rules of the CHN and have a clear cause and effect, and have no questions left at the end, but towards the end it starts to leave the rules of the CHN and starts to become an indie film. Indie films are meant to ask more questions and leave the audience questions at the end and have the audience creating there own ending. The two films are in a 1st person narrative with one character being a schizophrenic and one who is caught up in dream world. Although my main thesis is about style, narrative will come in and help justify and backup the point that the two films juxtapose in that they need to be CHN and Indie films.

A point of comparison for how the two films protagonist help present the style of film it is, is by giving them similar back-stories. The scenes too compare are from Inception, Cobb’s wife is about to jump off a building, and in Shutter Island, Teddy’s dreaming of his wife’s slow death. Both these scene help link the two characters of a dream world nut and schizophrenic to how they both have someone in their lives who has been killed. In Inception the death of Mal is heart braking for Cobb's, the problem with that is that as she is always in the back of his mind, she can come out of his subconscious and cause problems, which is what happens. The style of the scene is quite dark, the main lighting is only by the light in the hotel room, and they are also both wearing dark clothes, linking to death with the darkness that will overcome everyone one day. This scene is here to help drive the protagonist forward and try and overcome the death of the wife. Compared to Shutter Island when Andrew is dreaming of his wife's death, the scene is completely different. The lighting of the scene and say a lot of what is going on. The beginning starts with them in the room with the city in day light, and then Dolores walks over to the other window and then the lighting outside goes all dark and grey because it is then starting to show her slow, possibly painful death. Style helps more in this case of getting how each scene is either CHN or Indie because the way a scene is presented, the scene could be answering or questioning the rule of CHN or Indie, this is a good example of a challenging representation of style.

Both the endings of the films summaries how they are either a CHN film or an Indie film. The point for when Cobb’s is in limbo trying to get Saito back, is the point where questions are answered. Same as Shutter Island, when Teddy finds out that he is who he really is. Both the near endings of the film sum up on how each film is either CHN or Indie. It's because of the way that they have finished it off, have they either answered all the important questions or have they left a cliff hanger and want the audience to create an ending. By doing this it has complicated the films and makes in harder to tell whether or not it is a Hollywood film or independent. In the final scene of Inception it shows Cobb getting off of the plane that they were in and getting picked up from his dad, it's the very last bit that when he gets home and spins his totem, his children walk in. At this point the camera has zoomed in to the continuous spinning totem and then cuts to black. A Hollywood film ending with probably the biggest question of all isn't normal, it doesn't follow the general CHN rules, and the question that’s being asked is if Cobb is in reality or exactly still up in limbo. Going to Shutter Island this scene is where Teddy Daniels has just found out who he really is and finds out that the women who's life that they got background on, was his life, he has just found out that he has been giving parts for people to play in his life story. This part acts out as if it is a CHN film, answers all the question like who is the woman and girl that he has been dreaming of? Probably the biggest one would be who was the 67 patient? He found that it was him. Both these scenes in there style are different, in Shutter Island the lighting and colouring is bright, having it bright could be having Teddy excepting and having his eyes opened to what has happened. In Inception, when it is looking at the totem, the colours are quite dark, blacks in way showing the darkness. Having it show darkness could be saying that he is in limbo, and that the totem will continue spinning.

The disruption in both Inception and Shutter Island determine the point being made. Is it Hollywood or Independent? The styling of how they have done this helps back it up. The two scenes of comparison will be the one where the train comes through the middle of the streets and no one knows why, that’s the Inception clip, and the Shutter Island clip is when Teddy and Chuck are discussing what there plan was and why they were on the island in the first place. These scenes here help display how the style can help discuss what the disruption and what kind of questions it is lining up. The disruption for Inception would be when starting there perfectly planned out plan and then having Cobb's subconscious come into play with what they are doing. The scene is raining and the sky is quite dark and blue, giving the sense that something bad is going to happen. When Ariadne gets into the car, out of no where, a train comes flying down the road, and you look at the expression on Cobb's face and you can see that he knows where that is from, it’s in the back of mind because it's a memory from his wife. Not just that bit but when Fischer is in the taxi and has a gun put at him, he gives the style that he just doesn't in a way. He gives them money and his wallet and just says: "'Might as well drop me off at my stop'", just not caring. Asking the question of does he actually know what is going on?  But then with all those dark colours showing that there could be conflict, a shooting scene evolves. The colouring and lighting of this scene is very important to the style of how it presents CHN, there’s always meaning behind their style of narrative. Now the Shutter Island scene starts off dark as to say that they have no idea what they are doing there. Chuck is discussing all the factors what they could be doing there and then the door opens up and the bright lights from the car light up the scene. Lighting up the scene at that moment when they have discussed why they are they, gives the impression that its hit them and they know what they must do. Linking this to the style of CHN and Indie films these are quite typical of having the colouring and lighting etc. helping disassemble the meaning behind everything that happens in a scene. It helps us determine how a scene can challenge or re-enforce the rules of both CHN and Indie films.

Overall, both of the films use their style and also their narrative to break the rules of CHN and Indie films. Both the films show how the protagonist is seeing everything in a different light, a different style. This is showing how they could have an unstable mind set. Now although Inception is a Hollywood film and is produced by a Hollywood company, it shows greater signs of being an independent film from the way the disruption and ending are presented. Style is a big factor in showing the difference between CHN and Indie, and these films are two great examples of how the style can change the rules and give different prospective. In Shutter Island being the Independent film, the style of how both the disruption and ending sum up how it breaks the rules of an Indie film and then moves towards more of a CHN film. Main aspects that show this is the lighting and colouring. These two factors are most important because it can show how certain characters are feeling and can get across the messages trying to be determined either through a Hollywood approach or an Independent film approach.