Case Study - The Hillywood Show

Subscribers: 1,016,452

Biggest hit: Breaking Dawn Parody - 29,725,630 views.

The Hillywood Show started out as a low budget bit of fun between two sisters; Hilly and Hannah Hindi with their imitations of celebrities, especially Johnny Depp.

With more and more views, the sisters became more and more popular. With the increase in technology and people donating to help them create more parodies with a bigger production value, they became viral.

Hillywood still have a 'donate' part of their website and 'raise-a-thons' on their channel to boost views and make more videos. 

This parody is my favourite made by them as it is my favourite TV show and they even got all the cast to appear in it! How awesome is that?! Now watch the two video's embedded. The difference is huge!

How this relates to me

This example shows that anyone, no matter how small a production can become internet famous, from a free to use site. Gives us hope for our advert!

Job Roles - Sound/Boom Operator

http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/629319-fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them-photos-released#/slide/1

Boom Operators assist the Production Sound Mixer and operate the boom microphone. This is either hand-held on a long arm or dolly mounted (on a moving platform). If radio or clip microphones are required, Boom Operators position them correctly around the set or location, or on actors’ clothing. 

Boom Operators are responsible for positioning microphones so that Sound Mixers can capture the best quality dialogue and sound effects. If this is done well, a great deal of money can be saved by not having to re-record (post-sync) the dialogue at a later stage.

Boom Operators are also responsible for all the sound equipment, ensuring that it is in good working order, and carrying out minor repairs where necessary.

Boom Operators begin work on the first day of principal photography. They have to read the script and familiarise themselves with the characters and their lines of dialogue. Members of the Sound Department arrive half-an-hour before call time, in order to unload and set up all the sound equipment.

Boom Operators are given “sides” (small booklets of pages from the script that are to be shot each day. They have to memorise all lines of dialogue and anticipate when to move the boom during filming. During rehearsals Boom Operators carefully note all planned camera movements and lighting requirements. They have to make sure that the microphone does not accidentally fall into shot or cast shadows.

Boom Operators are on set virtually all day. They work very closely with the Camera Crew. They are often asked to move slightly because of lights or camera angles and Boom Operators may also make similar requests. They finish work when the film wraps (is completed).

Most film sets are challenging environments for Mixers because there are often unwanted noises to deal with, or the required camera shots hamper the placing of microphones.

Approximately two weeks before the first day of principal photography, Production Sound Mixers meet with the Producer and Director. They discuss their creative intentions, (is the sound naturalistic or stylised, etc.), technical requirements and budgetary issues. They also meet with the Costume Department and Visual Effects Supervisors to discuss the placement of microphones on or around the actors, and visit all locations to check for potential sound problems. 

When filming begins, Sound Crews arrive on set half-an-hour before call time to prepare their equipment. During rehearsals, the Production Sound Mixer and Boom Operator plan where they should place microphones to get the best possible sound quality. After each take, Production Sound Mixers (who are situated off set, but close by), check the quality of sound recording and, if necessary, ask for another take.

Production Sound Mixers work with the Boom Operator to select suitable types of microphone. They carefully reposition these microphones for each set-up, to ensure adequate sound coverage.

If music is required in a scene, Production Sound Mixers also set up playback equipment and speakers for the actors. At the end of each shooting day, Production Sound Mixers may send the day's sound recording files to post production. They also hand over originals to the Camera Assistant, who packages them up with the camera rushes. Production Sound Mixers finish work when the film wraps (is completed).

Production Sound Mixers work on a freelance basis on features and drama productions. The hours are long and the work often involves long periods working away from home.

http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles_and_stories/job_roles/3845_boom_operator_film

http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles_and_stories/job_roles/3836_production_sound_mixer

Case Study: Fright Night

Fright Night (Tom Holland, 1985)

Budget: $9 mill
Box office: $24.9 mill
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Accolades: Saturn Award for Best Horror, Supporting Actor, Writing
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%


Fright Night (Craig Gillespie, 2011)

Budget: $30 mill
Box office: $41 mill
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios
Accolades: Fangoria Chainsaw Awards- Best Wide Release Film. IGN Best Horror Movie 2011.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 72%

Differences/Similarities 

• Remake- Peter Vincent more sexualised
• Original- more a romance
• Remake- action straight away. We know it's a vampire/horror straight away. Gory-er?
• Remake- brighter lighting. More Americanised? Establishing shots of LA.
• Remake- find out people are missing with school absences. Original- news stories. Remake more school central- more a teen movie.
• Remake- more music. Original more quiet and dramatic.
• Remake- Ed not as annoying.
• Remake- Jerry more muscular. Changing masculinity.
• Remake- Ed jumps to the conclusion Jerry's a vampire. Original- Charley does. 
• REMAKE- WHY DID ED STALK JERRY? HE COULDN'T HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN HE WAS A VAMPIRE. 
• Original- Amy more sexualised. Remake- Amy more feminine in context. Changing femininity. Remake more sexually open (ish). Original raped by Jerry on camera. Original more darker?
• Remake- new technology. Peter Vincent advert, phone app, LA skyscrapers. More SFX/green screen.
• Remake- Jerry keeps victims alive. Darker?
• Remake- Peter Vincent stage show. Original- TV show.
• Remake- Peter Vincent alcohol and sex problem. Normal in original.
• Remake- more action and fast cuts. 
• Remake- club more sexualised and busy.

Job Roles - Director

http://topyaps.com/top-10-hollywood-movie-directors

Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film's written script into actual images and sounds on the screen. They are ultimately responsible for a film's artistic and commercial success or failure.

Directors may write the film's script or commission it to be written, or they may be hired after an early draft of the script is complete. They must then develop a vision for the finished film and work out how to achieve it.

During pre-production, Directors make crucial decisions, such as selecting the right cast, crew and locations for the film. They then direct rehearsals and the performances of the actors once the film is in production. 

They also manage the technical aspects of filming including the camera, sound, lighting, design and special effects departments. 

During post production, Directors work closely with Editors through the many technical processes of editing, to reach the final cut or version of the film. 

At all stages, Directors are responsible for motivating the team to produce the best possible results. Directors must also always be aware of the constraints of the film's budget and schedule and manage the expectations of the film's financiers.

http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles_and_stories/job_roles/758_director

Job Roles - Editor

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/02/video-the-history-of-editing-eisenstein-the-soviet-montage-explained

Editors are one of the key Heads of Department on feature films, responsible for First Assistant Editors, and on bigger productions, Second Assistants and Trainees.

The Editor works closely with the Director, crafting the daily rushes into a coherent whole and a story. To ensure that the story flows effortlessly from beginning to end, each shot is carefully chosen and edited into a series of scenes, which are in turn assembled to create the finished film, giving the film a 'vision'.

Editors work long, unsociable hours, often under pressure, in an edit suite. They are employed on a freelance basis by the Producer (sometimes with the approval of the film's financiers), based on their reputation and experience. 

The Editor works closely with the Director before shooting begins, deciding how to maximise the potential of the screenplay. Editors check the technical standards, as well as the emerging sense of story, and the actors' performances.

Because scenes are shot and edited out of sequence, Editors may work on scenes from the end of the film before those at the beginning, and must therefore be able to maintain a good sense of how the story is unfolding.

Editors select the best takes and edit them together to create scenes. In some cases, an improvised line or an actor's interpretation of their role may create some on-screen magic that can be developed into a new and exciting scene.

http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles_and_stories/job_roles/2940_editor 
http://www.bectu.org.uk/

Case Study - YouTube

Founded: 14th Feburary 2005

Available content: video clips, TV clips, music videos, video blogging, short original videos, and educational videos.

Founders: Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, Jawed Karim

Bought by Google for: $1.65 billion

Platforms

Most smartphones can access YouTube either through the app or via the web, but not all of YouTube's videos are available on the mobile version of the site. 

A TiVo service in July 2008 made it possible to watch YouTube videos on TV. In 2009, YouTube launched 'YouTube for TV', a version of the site tailored for set top boxes and other TV based media devices, such as PlayStation 3 and Wii.

YouTube Red

YouTube Red is YouTube's premium subscription service. It offers advertising-free streaming, access to exclusive content, background and offline video playback on mobile devices, and access to the Google Play Music "All Access" service. *only available in the US at this current time*

Technology

How we will use this in our work

For our advert, we want to hyperlink the main advert using them boxes you get on YouTube. 

We want to put videos online of the interviews and the different pathways like this so it will be like a 'choose your own adventure' book and people can click on what they want to see more of. 

MM&I - The Almost Final Version

This video is my almost final version; I completely forgot to put my narrator in the credits (sorry Jamie) and I need to put the Super 8 in. 


I am also under the timings I need for it: I can be 10 seconds under but no more. I am currently at 2 minutes 25 seconds, so I need to find something to fill it with. The super 8 and the narrator credit might cover some of it. Someone suggested I extend the poem but I like the pace like it is at the moment: any slower and viewers may get bored. Plus I still have no footage to fill it with (plus I have used my 30 seconds of found footage). But I had an idea of putting bloopers at the end of the credits.



I was thinking I could do something like the end of the Supernatural gag reels (skip to 7:50), with all the production stills of the crew and cast. It would also be fab if I could get copyright clearance for the song used (or the other song used would also be great, just as an Easter Egg for the Supernatural fans (the show has also inspired a bit of the film and is my favourite TV show so it would be nice to have a homage)). 

MM&I - The Fig Rig

For some of my shots in my Me, Myself and I, I used Richard's fig rig so I could get stable tracking shots without the tripod and also for ease (e.g. carrying a tripod to difficult locations). The fig rig was really simple to use (but also hurt a bit when holding it for a while) but adds extra stability to tracking shots rather than using a tracking dolly (didn't really fancy using that on the beach with all the sand). Special thanks to Richard for letting me use it!

MM&I - The Cards

History

The first known documented tarot cards were created between 1430 and 1450 in northern Italy when additional cards with allegorical illustrations were added to the common four-suit pack. These new decks were originally called carte da trionfi, triumph cards, and the additional cards known simply as trionfi, which became "trumps" in English. The first literary evidence of the existence of carte da trionfi is a written statement in the court records in Florence, in 1440. The oldest surviving tarot cards are from fifteen fragmented decks painted in the mid 15th century for the Visconti-Sforza family, the rulers of Milan. -Dummett, Michael (1996). A Wicked Pack Of Cards. p. 25. ISBN 9780312162948. By the nineteenth century, many oculists were working with tarot and it was firmly established around the world by the late twentieth century.

That tarot is the most popular form of divination today. Unlike other methods of divination, which usually requires years of practice, anyone can learn to use the tarot after only a few weeks of practice. It is based on choosing cards randomly from a deck of 78 cards and laying them out in various patterns ('spreads'). An interpretation, called a reading, of the cards in the spread gives answers to the questions that have been asked.


Spreads

For my MM&I I will more than likely use the Past, Present and Future three card spread. It's the most simple and widely known spread and focuses on my past, present and future, just like my MM&I with my various flashbacks and flashforwards. 

When shuffling the cards, cards can be reversed, or the wrong way up. The interpretation for these can vary when reversed. I could list all the card meanings but this blog would go on forever!

My Prediction

X - The Wheel of Fortune (reversed)

You are reaching the end of an easy phase in your life and are about to embark on a more testing time. This will help you to build strength of character and you will be pleased by the way you cope with the challenges that are just around the corner.

VII - The Chariot

A struggle will test your character and stamina, requiring great reserves of energy. Nevertheless, the outcome will be positive and you will gain a great deal, both mentally and spiritually, from the experience. A relationship may be undergoing a testing time, in which firm control and steady nerves are needed. Sometimes this card refers to a financial difficulty, with the questioner trying to defend their position, keep their head above water or reclaim what is rightfully theirs. However, all will be well in the end.

IX - Nine of Cups (reversed)

Be careful because something that seems wonderful on the surface will not live up to expectations. Beware of chasing after impossible dreams or trusting someone who is known to be unreliable.

My Interpretation

The past card seems true, with me just leaving college which is relatively easy compared to the work we have to do at Uni and testing my confidence and skills working in a team (A levels were way more independent). Challenges just around the corner is more than likely my MM&I!

The present card again refers to Uni with it testing my confidence and skills working in a team, but the work we put into it will be worth it. The relationship one is slightly wrong as I am no longer in one but the part about control in my last relationship is true. Financial difficulty speaks for itself (Uni and student finance).

The future card links to my MM&I and the verse in the poem about the future ('darkness, lies') which is really spooky. Trusting someone who is unreliable has happened before so that also rings true. The dreams one I have no idea about.

MM&I - The House

One of my shots in my MM&I requires a Gothic house. I have researched many different houses in the North East I could film and it has been harder than I thought! My first best bet was Tunstall House in Hartlepool. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanhowe/7659271668

However, when I researched it further, it looks like it has been demolished!! Such a shame for such a lovely building. I am also wanting a building that has a 'lived in' feel so yeah not ideal!

I then remembered the place I could have moved into for Uni but someone else bought the flat. It is Park Tower also in Hartlepool. 

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-29864646.html

It has history and is an idea but it is a bit too big and industrial. I want it in the countryside surrounded by forestry. I might use it as a backup idea.

I then found this beauty of a house in Newcastle. It is called The Banqueting House.

http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/the-banqueting-house-4863#tabs=Overview

You can even stay in it! I absolutely love it. The only possible trouble is asking permission to film and also getting there. Otherwise it is perfect. This is my main favourite! 

I then thought about houses in Sunderland (which I can get to on my bus pass). I found a very strange building called The Elephant Tea Rooms.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_Tea_Rooms

I would obviously just film the top of the building and not the bank. It's a very strange building and is an idea. Even though it could be argued that it is not gothic, it has been described as 'Hindu-Gothic'. 

There also seems to be another like it in Sunderland. I'm not quite sure where this picture was took though.

https://knoji.com/high-victorian-gothic 

https://knoji.com/hindu-gothic-the-bizarre-architecture-of-the-elephant-tea-rooms

Apparently this one has Gothic gargoyles and niches on the building, but also with Indian elephants. I will definitely have to find out where this is first-hand!

I then remembered Cherry Knowle Asylum in Ryhope. I have been there once but never saw this building! It has been described as the most haunted hospital in the UK.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn/2106093779

I have just found out it has been demolished. What a shame.

I also remember this. This is the Sunderland High School.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/theunderstudy/2581463895 

The only issue with this building is filming there since it is a High School and full of children. 

UPDATE: I have got permission to film here! :D Yay!

I have also found the Sunderland General Post Office.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davewebster14/2674670401

Again, I'm not quite sure where this is so I will have to try and find it one day. However it looks like good news!

MM&I - The Poem

My Mam wrote me a poem just for my MM&I (I didn't ask for it but I'm not complaining!) So I had an idea of having someone to read it as a narration throughout the film. The poem has one line with an ellipsis at the end. I could read that line and someone else (preferably male) would read the rest. It sounds great in my head but I just need someone male with a nice reading voice now. I have sent an advertisement on Facebook looking for one so fingers crossed!

18

18 feels...

Like stepping stones, borders and decisions.

Put away childish things.

Alcohol, voting.

Responsibility, choking. 

We live in a world...

Where nothing is shocking.

Not injustice or gore.

They want to see more.

The future is...

Seen through a colour filter.

Joy, success.

Heading towards some happiness.

We cannot predict...

What will become of tomorrow.

The cards, the dice.

Promising paradise.

We are victims of...

Our own successes.

Applause, adulations.

Fulfil their expectations.

And first love...

Like a punch to the heart.

Something lost, something found.

See you around.

But the music though...

Is ours to perfect.

Dance Dance, drum and sing.

The voice, the lyric, everything.

Childhood...

Potential we should store in a flask.

Wasted energy, shyness device.

Why isn't everybody nice?

What is left to be dreamed...

A house, gothic, warm with cats.

Money earned and stored.

Effort, reward.

And what of the soul...

Souls tell stories.

Pointy shoes and thieving magpies.

Darkness, lies.

The last word...

The world wants to be filmed.

Make your own movie.

I will film you, filming me.

Create, be.

- Ruth Maher

I have recorded it to see if I could get it within the three minute mark. I have managed to get it to 1:53 which is about perfect as I will add credits at the end. I have managed to find someone at CCAD who would do the verses and I am waiting for him to quickly send me one of the verses to see what he sounds like.

MM&I - The Pitch