Analysis of children's film.

i think that our childrens film and our preliminary task went rather well however there were some things that could have gone better. For example:, in the editing process of our childrens film it could have gone a lot better if we had spent more time making more frames in i-stop motion making the footage look a lot smoother and not so robotic. even though it was rather jumpy and robotic like we still managed to gather enough images to gain the sense of the story line.

One thing we feel was a success for the childrens film was the music, which fitted the sequence very well, helping set the the mood and atmosphere in the scene. The music suited the genre of the film as we did research of other similar s films with childrens films using CGI.  Over all,  we had a final result of an acoustic orchestra like song to our film. it fit rather well as it helped give the impression of the genre and managed to help give the sense of the surroundings. the music itself was made completely separately and was then cut down to fit the film footage and we made minor adjustments to fit the footage nicely and fluently.

The mise en scene in our children's film helped set  he genre. For example the spaceship shows

Our personal views on our project.

Marlon:

I enjoyed making the film along with my friends and team. The creation of the film was created with good teamwork and good co-ordination, everyone had their own separate parts in the making of the film. i had the job of creating a song to suit the film from scratched, i was able to create the song with help from my team giving idea's and with them showing what the story line/theme would be like. therefore i was able to create the suitable song for the film... on an overall i enjoyed the film and i believe if we had to do another we could make it twice as good.

Alex:

i feel that the music and editing in our film worked well, i also feel that our animation could of used more frames to make the movement of the characters smoother. The narrative worked well with the music adding drama to the scene, but i also think that the script could have been longer because there was alot of pause between each piece of speech.

Personal Views (Chris and James)

Chris:

The music and editing worked well, but the animation needed more frames per second to make it smoother. If we had more time we could have green screened it and made a more detailed plot. 

James:

I feel that with enough time, we could have expanded on the plot and made the script for the voiceovers of a much higher quality than the one we finally used. The music worked well with the narrative, adding the right about of tension and drama, but also for the credits it was calm and peaceful, which added a good effect that I feel worked very well.

Editing wise, I feel that it was good. A lot of time was spent on final cut making sure that all loose ends were tied up, and nothing was out of time. Unfortunately, we didn't get enough time to green screen like we were planning to, which meant that we did not have a concrete setting for the characters. We had the images and ideas ready, but time was not on our side so we could not add the final touch to our childrens film.

Peer Feedback

1. Conventions of an opening sequence

.All conventions were displayed clearly
.Credits were cool
.Introduced characters

2. Specific genre conventions

The alien and space ship indicate that it's sci-fi

3. Variety and quality of camerawork

Good, but simple.

4. Use of special effects - animation

iStopmotion. Animation was really well done

5. Sound quality and effectiveness

Use of garage band and voiceovers
Good use of music
Voice overs set scene well
Use appropriate sound effects

6. Use of mise en scene

lego and playdough
dont really get a feel of the surroundings

7. Editing

Stop motion and cut transitions
good transitions ie. "Week earlier" ect.

8. Best features
aeroplane credit.
the bunny
credits - every one was different, keeps the viewers interested.

- Alex Long, Chris Woods, Marlon Huseyin -Sharp, James Doughty

Script for 'Moonshine'

Narrator: This is a story about a young boy’s dream of going to the moon…

However, Sam's dream soon becomes his worst nightmare when he finds himself stranded on the moon.

With the help of his best friend, Chip (the rabbit), and of course his new alien friend. Together, they will conquer evil to get Sam and Chip back home to earth… 

Opening Scene Credits

Produced by: C-Jam Studios
Directed by: James Doughty, Chris Woods
Cinematography: Chris Woods, James Doughty, Alex Long
Sound: Marlon Huseyin-Sharp
Editing: Alex Long, Chris Woods, Marlon Huseyin-Sharp & James Doughty
Animation: Alex Long, Chris Woods & James Doughty

Company Name & Logo

Our companies chosen name is C-Jam Studios

This is our logo below:

Outline of what info needs to be in an opening of a film

Within all the opening of films, the director and producer ect must show:

Genre: The genre must be shown to the audience to help them understand the film. The understanding of the genre allows the audience to make better judgements on the characters and story line.

Characters: within the opening sequence the film introduces presumably the main characters first for the audience to know immediately they are going to become a significant role later on in the film. the characters within a film are easily the most vital role within the beginning and opening sequences of a film as they create the emotion and setting of what that particular film is about.

Opening credits: opening credits are the less of importance in a film, however, they do play large roles, the credits tell the audiences and companies who made the film i.e.. directer, producer and a few other people who contributed to the creation of the film.

Mise en scene: Music within the opening sequence is not always played however, when music is played, it allows the film to be shown its genre... for example, a jazzy american could be from a film like the blue's brothers.

- Marlon

Call Sheet

We are going to shoot our opening sequence in our Media classroom by using iStop Motion and a backdrop as the set. Our filming will start on filming on Wednesday 20th October and finish filming on Thursday 21st October. By using plastercine and lego models, we will film the opening sequence to our short film and edit it in iStop Motion too. 

- James

Prop List

Prop List:

Chris: Plastercine 

James: Make/design background for iStopmotion

Marlon: Lego

Alex: Fish wire

Our Storyboard

Group Photo

(From left to right) Chris, James, Marlon & Alex

Initial Ideas for Children's Film

Technical Details:

For our children's film opening we would like to use the Apple program iStop Motion. A white backdrop will be used for the background and lego will be used to create the set we need to shoot with. A house, scenery and a rocket ship are what we need to create out of lego for our opening. As for the characters, we are going to use play-dough or plastercine, just like they do in films like Wallace & Gromit.

The Narrative:
Our film is about a ten year old boy who's ultimate dream is to fly to the moon. So, he proceeds to try and build a rocket ship in his back garden. Eventually, his Uncle finds out of his plans and, after relating to his nephews dream of visiting the moon, he agrees to help and conceal the rocket ship. When they finally finish building it, the boy attempts to fly in it, and after a short while succeeds. However, when he arrives, he is shocked at what he discovers, and his once amazing dream becomes a shocking reality where he fights to return home to his family.

Certification:

We are going to classify this film as being a PG because it will contain mild swearing and scenes of an upsetting nature to some children. Parental guidance is not necessary, but advised.

Genre:

The genre of our children's film is Children's adventure, and the main theme is the boys quest to achieve his ultimate dream.

- James, Chris and Alex

Information on Film Classification

Film Classification

Film certifications. Every since film that is released onto our Cinema screens and DVD's has to legally have a 'certification'. Film certifications can range from 'U', which is suitable for anyone over the age of four to '18', which of course is not suitable for anyone below the age of eighteen. However, childrens film only falls into three to five catorgories. The five being: 'Uc', 'U', 'PG', '12A' and '12'. Details on the four main certifications are below...

The information about these certifications is from the website: http://www.sbbfc.co.uk/ - the British Board of Film Classification.

'U'

A "U" film should be suitable for children aged four and above and have a positive moral framework.

• Discrimination: No discriminatory language or behavior unless clearly disapproved of.

• Drugs: No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless there is a educational purpose or anti-drug message.

• Horror: Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to upset young children.

• Imitable: No potentially dangerous behavior which young people are likely to copy.

• Language: infrequent use of very mild language.

• Nudity: Occasional natural nudity, no sexual content.

• Sex: Mild sexual behavior (kissing) and references only (making love)

• Theme: While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.

'PG'

Any child accompanied by an adult may watch. A "PG" film should not disturb a child aged 8 or older.

• Discrimination: No discriminatory language or behavior unless clearly disapproved of unless used for educational or historical context.

• Drugs: No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless there is a educational purpose or anti-drug message.

• Horror: Scary sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy sequences may be a mitigating factor.

• Imitable: No potentially dangerous behavior which young people are likely to copy.

• Language: Mild bad language only.

• Nudity: Occasional natural nudity, no sexual content.

• Sex: Sexual activity may be implied but should be infrequent and brief. 

• Theme: Where more serious issues are featured (domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should be condoned unacceptable behavior.

'12' & '12A'

Exactly the same criteria are used for both "12" and "12A". These categories are awarded where the material is, in general, only for children aged 12 and above.

• Discrimination: Discriminatory language or behavior must be endorsed by the work as a whole.  

• Drugs: Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and must not be glamorised or give instructional detail. 

• Horror: Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

• Imitable: Dangerous behavior(hanging, suicide and self harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised. 

• Language: Moderate language is aloud. Use of words like "Fuck" must be infrequent.

• Nudity: Nudity is aloud but sexual context must be infrequent.

• Sex: Sexual must be brief and discreetly portrayed. Sexual references should not be beyond what is suitable for a teenager.

• Theme: Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

• Violence: Moderate violence is aloud, but should not dwell on detail and keep it brief.

- Chris & James

 CONVENTIONS

• Props: The props included mountain equipment, flares, rope, torches, backpacks and a book.

• Themes: The theme(s) of Journey to the Centre of the Earth include: Quest/Exploration, family relation ship and science. 

• Location: The locations are an American city, Iceland, Italy, Mountain side/Volcano(s) and underground (centre of the Earth). 

• Cinematography (Camerawork): The cinematography includes: Point of view shots and panning 

• Sound: Different sounds in the trailer include the sounds of a plane, lava and a waterfall (watery sound), explosions, dinosaurs and different weather types including lightning.

• Editing: The editing included 3D editing, CGI's and continuity editing.

• Story Type: The story type was childrens adventure, mixed in with a bit of comedy, science fiction and action too (sub-genre's).

• Character Types:The character types included the hero of the film, who saves the day at the end. The funny character(s) and the paranoid ones too.

- James, Marlon and Alex

The Goonies Analysis

Opening Scene:

The opening scene introduces the villains of the film, the beginning of the narrative and also shows you the time period and location of where the film is set. It is set in the 1980s in a small town that is being threatened with being bulldozed to make way for a golf course.

Genre:

The genre of the film is children's adventure because it is a tale of a group of youngsters who follow the legend of 'one eyed willy' and his buried treasure and take it upon themselves to find the treasure and save their homes from being destroyed to make way for a golf course.

Mise-en-scene:

The language that they use in the film indicates that it is American culture in the 1980s. They use curse words and slang from that era as well as wearing clothes that were fashionable in the 80s.

 - James & Chris

Monsters Inc. intro.

The intro of monsters inc allows the audience to gather enough information about the genre which is, animation, comedy and family. The comedy factor comes in because there is a few humorous parts during the opening like when the screams come in when the door opens and when the monsters coming in and out of the doors are scaring one another. the credits are shown during this 1min and a half opening sequence. the credits are easily and fluently shown during this sequence and gives a big hint in the genre of the film.

The sound during the opening sequence is also a huge factor when the genre is trying to keep the comedy/family sub genre going as the film does. the sound includes a fun and calm song. the song consists of jazzy trumpets and drums making it seem less of a scary film and more of a fun comedy.

- Marlon & Alex

Opening Sequence Analysis

Up:

 The opening sequence to Up includes the introduction to characters, location and date + time it's set in. It also gives you a sense of adventure, the balloon he holds has 'Spirit of Adventure' and the first scene shows him in a theatre watching a film on an explorer who he personally aspires to be like - this gives away the genre of the film. It also subtly shows the credits throughout the opening scenes.

Nanny McPhee:

 It starts off with a voice over, who you eventually find out as the scene progresses is the Father of the family that it is set around, setting the scene for the entire film. It also introduces the characters and gives an idea of the genre. The credits are thrown in with the voice over at the beginning, which also introduces the films back story.

Stardust:

 The opening starts off with the credits and the introduction to the main narrative by using a back story, which sets the date, time and location and also introduces the characters. The genre is also made clear in the opening (Fantasy).

- James, Chris, Marlon & Alex