Script- Final Re-Write

This is the final re-write of our script, we think that now we have an effective narrative that will appeal to our target audience.

Act 1 Scene 1
EXT. COLLEGE FOOTPATH – NIGHT
An unidentified girl is seen walking down a footpath, she hangs a unique looking necklace on the stump of a tree and slowly walks away.

Act 1 Scene 2 EXT. BUS STOP - DAY Ruby Fox is seen standing near a bus stop. The world around her moves on while she is left isolated and alone. The scene ends with her getting on a bus to college.

Act 1 Scene 3
EXT. COLLEGE FOOTPATH – DAY
Ruby Fox is walking down the footpath; she is listening to her iPod. As she walks further down the path she notices a glistening object caught in the trees.
Intrigued she walks towards the object that is now revealed to be a necklace. Ruby removes it from the tree, examines it and then places it in her bag.

Act 1 Scene 4
INT. COLLEGE – DAY
Ruby walks towards the college entrance, at the doors she seems uncomfortable but enters anyway. Inside she wanders around college; eventually she stops and sits down.


Act 1 Scene 5 (Flashback)
INT. COLLEGE – DAY
Ruby begins to walk upstairs but is confronted by two bullies.
BULLY 1
Rubbbyyy
Ruby ignores the taunt and carries on upstairs.
DANIEL COOPER
OI, she was talking to you! (Blocks Ruby’s Path)
BULLY 1
Yeah, whats up you deaf or summat? (Pushes Ruby into Bannister)
RUBY FOX
Upset - Just leave me alone (Pushes passed Daniel)

Daniel trips Ruby, Grabs her and angrily pushes her against the wall.
DANIEL COOPER
Don’t you ever talk to me like that again (Disgusted) - you’re nothing.

He lets go of Ruby and he and his friend walk away laughing down the corridor.
Ruby now alone, slides to the floor and begins to cry. The story moves back into the present.
(Present) Ruby wipes tears from her face and begins to look in her bag for a tissue, as she does she finds the necklace. She examines it intently and puts it on. Ruby then remembers the time and rushes to meet her friend.



Act 2 Scene 1
INT. COLLEGE CANTEEN - DAY
An un-named girl is sat alone at a table in the canteen, Ruby enters hurriedly.

RUBY FOX
Hey Em', so sorry I'm late, how are you?

Emma doesnt reply.

RUBY FOX
Em'?, Em'? - why are you ignoring me?

Emma's phone beeps, she answers it

RUBY FOX
If you're just going to text someone else, Im not going to bother!

Ruby Gets up to leave, Daniel Cooper enters.

DANIEL COOPER
Hey babe

RUBY FOX
(Shocked) Emma how could, how could you do this to me! You're supposed to be my best friend.

Ruby runs out upset.

Act 2 Scene 2

INT. COLLEGE TOILETS – DAY
Ruby looks at her reflection in the mirror.
RUBY
What is happening to me? Why can no-body see me!
Ruby raises her hand to her face and slowly watches her reflection disappear. In shock, she moves her hand down to touch the necklace- slowly she lifts it around her head and is amazed to see her reflection re-appear.
RUBY
Oh my god, the necklace!
With a new sense of determination Ruby grips the necklace tightly in her hand.

Act 2 Scene 3
EXT. POND – DAY
Ruby is stood alone at the side of a large pond, holding the necklace out over the edge. Slowly she lets it fall into the water. Relieved she watches the necklace sink into the water.
FADES TO BLACK

Photo Storyboard

Shot List- EDIT

(Click to enlarge/Click to zoom in)

After re-drafting our story idea and re-writing our script we re-planned the shots that we are going to use in our film. This is the shot list I completed after our new idea.

Shadow Script- Re Drafted

Act 1 Scene 1
EXT. COLLEGE FOOTPATH – NIGHT
An unidentified girl is seen walking down a footpath, she hangs a unique looking necklace on the stump of a tree and slowly walks away.

Act 1 Scene 2 EXT. BUS STOP - DAY Ruby Fox is seen standing near a bus stop. The world around her moves on while she is left isolated and alone. The scene ends with her getting on a bus to college.

Act 1 Scene 3
EXT. COLLEGE FOOTPATH – DAY
Ruby Fox is walking down the footpath; she is listening to her iPod. As she walks further down the path she notices a glistening object caught in the trees.
Intrigued she walks towards the object that is now revealed to be a necklace. Ruby removes it from the tree, examines it and then places it in her bag.

Act 1 Scene 4
INT. COLLEGE – DAY
Ruby walks towards the college entrance, at the doors she seems uncomfortable but enters anyway. Inside she wanders around college; eventually she stops and sits down.


Act 1 Scene 5 (Flashback)
INT. COLLEGE – DAY
Ruby begins to walk upstairs but is confronted by two bullies.
BULLY 1
Rubbbyyy
Ruby ignores the taunt and carries on upstairs.
DANIEL COOPER
OI, she was talking to you! (Blocks Ruby’s Path)
BULLY 1
Yeah, whats up you deaf or summat? (Pushes Ruby into Bannister)
RUBY FOX
Upset - Just leave me alone (Pushes passed Daniel)

Daniel trips Ruby, Grabs her and angrily pushes her against the wall.
DANIEL COOPER
Don’t you ever talk to me like that again (Disgusted) - you’re nothing.

He lets go of Ruby and he and his friend walk away laughing down the corridor.
Ruby now alone, slides to the floor and begins to cry. The story moves back into the present.
(Present) Ruby wipes tears from her face and begins to look in her bag for a tissue, as she does she finds the necklace. She examines it intently and puts it on. Ruby then remembers the time and rushes to meet her friend.



Act 1 Scene 6
INT. COLLEGE CANTEEN - DAY
An un-named girl is sat alone at a table in the canteen, Ruby enters hurriedly.

RUBY FOX
Hey Em', so sorry I'm late, how are you?

Emma doesnt reply.

RUBY FOX
Em'?, Em'? - why are you ignoring me?

Emma's phone rings, she answers it

RUBY FOX
Why is my mum ringing you?

EMMA
Hello Angela, No I havent seen her either today. I'm getting quite worried about her now aswell. Ok Thanks, Bye.

Emma gets up and leaves, leaving Ruby alone and confused.

Act 2 Scene 1
INT. COLLEGE CORRIDOR - DAY
Ruby walks down the stairs and finds Emma sat alone on the floor, she is talking on the phone.

EMMA
(Laughs) Yeah, hahah - god I can't believe how much she irritates me.

Ruby walks over and crouches down beside her.

RUBY FOX
Em', who are you talking to?

EMMA
Yeah, she thinks im her friend- little does she know.

RUBY FOX
Em' whatever I've done to annoy you I'm really sorry!

EMMA
Ok, I'm at the bottom of the stairs, see you in a minute. Bye.

Both of the girls stand up.

RUBY FOX
(Angriy) Emma! Tell me, who are you meeting!

The girl, seen earlier bullying Ruby enters.

BULLY 2
Hey we off then?

Ruby distraught by seeing her best friend meeting up with the bully, runs into the nearby toilets.

Act 2 Scene 2
INT. COLLEGE TOILETS – DAY
Ruby looks at her reflection in the mirror.
RUBY
What is happening to me? Why can no-body see me!
Ruby raises her hand to her face and slowly watches her reflection disappear. In shock, she moves her hand down to touch the necklace- slowly she lifts it around her head and is amazed to see her reflection re-appear.
RUBY
Oh my god, the necklace!
With a new sense of determination Ruby grips the necklace tightly in her hand.

Act 2 Scene 3
EXT. POND – DAY
Ruby is stood alone at the side of a large pond, holding the necklace out over the edge. Slowly she lets it fall into the water. Relieved she watches the necklace sink into the water.
FADES TO BLACK

Call Sheet - Further Filming Shedule

After rewriting the script to add a few more effective scenes, I decided to continue writing the call sheet via the medium of Google Calender, as it is the most efficient way to contact everyone, and it enables us to be organised as a production team. All cast, crew and director should be present on the following days to complete the filming process;

Please click images to enlarge.

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It is imperative that all the production team are present at each of the alocated days, as the filming can then be completed by the end of December, and we are then able to spend January cutting and editing the film together. The film is due to be completed in February.

Costume Replan - On Actor

After redeveloping the sketched of the initial final design for Ruby Fox, I found the outfit which would be suitable for her to wear. Here is a short video of the protagonist in her costume:



As you can see from the previous costume design, I have kept the red and pink cardigan, as it is both suitable for the weather, but the red of the jumper connotes anger, and danger. This could represent how the protagonist feels about the world, as she feels lonely, and isolated due to the issue of bullying. The red jumper also has a rough element to it, as it it looks quite rugged. This denotes that she is going through a rough stage in her life, and that the effort that she used to put in her clothes, has disappeared; symblising that she has lost her hope.
The dress is much more efficient for the winter weather, as it it long sleeved, and it of a velvet fabric, which is warmer than the previous boob-tube fitted cotton maxi dress - appropriate for the summer season. The velvet makes the outfit stand out, as it is vibrant, and has a shine. The dress mid-long, as it doesn't show much skin, showing how the character perhaps hides behind her clothes. The character should then wear flat shoes, with thick tights to remain warm during outdoor filming, but also to prevent her skin from being shown on her legs.
Overall, I am pleased with the redevelopment of the costume, as it is more comfortable for the character to wear, more efficient for shooting the film in, but also is unique in the sense that not many people have these particular clothes.

Narrative Theory

After choosing a treatment for our film, we must now decide upon the narrative of the film. I looked at Tzvetan Todorov’s theory of narratives having five stages and tried to build a narrative based around this theory. Here is a breakdown of how our film should be:

Stage 1 – A state of equilibrium is defined.

• We plan to do this with a long shot of the protagonist at the bus stop, waiting to go to college. It should be edited using final cut express, and fast paced editing. This gives the sense that the character neutral with the person that she is. She is neither happy, as she is currently tackling the issue of bullying, but she is not sad, as she is confident with the person that she is, she is just misunderstood.
• By doing this we are hoping that the audience understand that the character feels alone

Stage 2 – Disruption to the equilibrium by some action or crisis.

• We're hoping to achieve this by shooting the protagonist finding the necklace on a tree, and placing it around her neck, whilst non-diagetic music is playing to add tension
• This should show that the necklace is a dangerous object, that should not be meddled with, and therefore they will hopefully engage with the darker tones of the music.

Stage 3 – The character(s) recognition that there has been a disruption, setting goals to resolve the problem.

• This should be presented through the protagonists flashback, after she recalls her bullying period, and tried to restore her faith in herself, by speaking to her friend. It is then revealed to the audience that the main character Ruby Fox's friend, is actually one of the bullies herself. She feels betrayed, and runs away to try and gather her emotions.
• We feel that this scene should be one of the most dramatic, and tension building, as it the moment of realisation for the protagonist, but also for the audience too.

Stage 4 - The characters attempt to repair the disruption, obstacles need to be overcome to restore order.

• After the disruption in the narrative of the film, the protagonist runs to the toilets, where it is revealed in the mirror that she herself is invisible. After this realisation, she rips the necklace off her, and leaves immediately to dispose of it.
• Although initially the character mentally feels invisible to the world, the realisation that she is physically invisible turns her life around, and powers her with the motivation to turn her life around.

Stage 5 – Reinstatement to the equilibrium. Situation is resolved, conclusion is announced.

• We wish to challenge this convention, as although we wish the audience to feel happy when the character finally disposes the necklace, being metaphorical for her throwing away her sadness, and her oppression, we want the film to have a loop, which links the beginning and the ending together. Therefore in the opening, we should present a character perhaps placing the necklace upon the tree, for the character to find it. This not only adds tension, but insights the audience into knowledge which the protagonist does not contain.
• We want the audience to feel shocked, and mellow at the end of the film, thinking about who will find the necklace again.

Vladimir Propp identified 8 character roles which apply to all kinds of narratives. The three character roles which apply to our short film are as follows;

Daniel Cooper (played by Jonathon Beeley)
Under Propp's theory, Daniel Cooper would be the villain of the film, as he disrupts the equilibrium, and bullies the protagonist. The audience should feel resentful towards the character, and sympathy with Ruby Fox

Ruby Fox (played by Emma Mitchell)
In accordance with Propp's theory, Ruby Fox is the hero of the narrative. She takes the audience on a journey of self discover, an belief. She also represents the themes truth and illusion, and is able to show the audience that you shouldn't always believe what you are being told, as you aren't able to trust everyone.

Unidentified Girl (played by Giorgina Parker)
This is the donor of the narrative, who provides an object with some magic property. It could be argued that perhaps she is the key to the whole film, as she provides the narrative with a twist, which is used to engage, and add tension to the film.

Film Risk Assessment Replan

After rescheduling the filming process, and changing the scenes and locations, it was primitive to recreate the risk assessment to ensure that everything was accurate, and the cast, crew and director would be completely safe whilst filming. Here is the risk assessment, please click to enlarge the picture;

Music, Sounds and Effects

Music will play a vital part in our film, therefore we need to get the right pieces in order to set the right mood and atmosphere, we need music for the following scenes:

-Opening, (Unidentified girl on footpath, Credits)

- Ruby walking to college/Finding necklace

- Ending- (Ruby throwing the necklace off of a bridge)

I am going to try and find separate pieces for each scene as I feel it would give the film more substance and feeling. However it could be possible to use the same track for the opening and closing scenes as it would link the two together. I will use the sites-

www.youtube.com

www.jamendo.com

and the college CD collection to find suitable tracks for these scenes.

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Our film doesn't require a lot of sound effects, there are only a few places that I may use one for.

These are:

- Ruby's final disappearance

- Ruby's phone call/alarm

- The necklace snapping

- The necklace hitting the water

I am going to use the effects available in the editing programme Final Cut Express or record the sounds on a zoom recorder, this will make them more prominent and effective in the film.

Shadow - Re Plan

After starting our filming, we have decided to re-write our script and change how the storyline of our short film is shown. We have replaced a few weaker scenes in our film and decided to use a few more complicated and creative shots. We have decided to cut the following characters; - College Tutor - Ruby Fox's mother and father We found that the characters were not longer suitable for the narrative film, and therefore the costume design for the following characters are also no longer of importance.

Costume Replan - Sketch

After deciding that the script needed changing, in order to make the film more exciting, and interesting for the audience, I have decided to change the costume design for the protagonist. I believe that the costume design featured earlier on the actress, isn't appropriate fr the winter weather, or her personality. Although I want to portray the characters fiery personality through her costume design, it has to be appropriate for the weather, as it is imperative that the film is as realistic as possible. Therefore, I re-sketched the design, to how it should be for the winter weather, but to also reflect her personality, and make her stand out.

Here is the sketch which I have redeveloped:

The new costume design consists of:

• Woolen Red/Orange Jumper - The colour red connotes danger, suggesting that the character has an active roll in the drama of the film, but also represents fire, reflecting her heated emotions, and showing the she is perhaps not as innocent as she appears.


• Burgundy Velvet Dress - This should be preferably long sleeved to reserve heat for filming in, particularly in outdoor scenes, but also should be a maxi dress, so that barely any flesh is showing on the character. This represents that she is a reserved person, perhaps trying to hide herself through the clothes which she wears. Furthermore the velvet is a rare fabric, and not worn very often in the present day, therefore is also presents her unusual eccentric style.


• Pink Ballet Shoes - These are both practical and comfortable, but also suitable to match the outfit. The pastel colours presented through her costume show how she is an innocent girl, with a kind heart, and the red represents her anger from her oppression from the world. The shoes are also suitable for outdoor activity in for walking in.

Overall, I am happy with the redesign of the costume, and I feel that it will be more appropriate for the certification of the film, the target audience, and effective in representing the characters emotions.

Shadow Film - Live Pitch

Final Costume Design - On Actors

These are the final costume designs which we will be using on the actors during the film. The research into costume, and initial sketches helped the costume design to be developed into an idealistic design. The following videos present each character in their costume design.
Unidentified Girl


Click to play

Ruby Fox


Click to play

Daniel Cooper


Click to play

Shot List

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