FMP IDEAS
REVIEW.
My chosen pathway for this course is Film, however, I will be using Photography for much of the research, and for the video itself. I want to learn more about both of these in the production of this video.
One of my strengths that I have identified in this course is Image analysis, which could be very useful for research and for both creating and contextualising ideas.
A specific and realistic Smart target for now could be more intensive research into the codes and conventions of each idea that I have.
I already have Three major ideas, with the possibility of Six.
I need to Specify what these ideas will involve, be it Film, Photography or Graphic Design.
Two of these ideas could work well, one being a short horror story involving a babysitter and the other being a mock martial arts scene. These could be unrealistic to achieve however, as getting the right people to perform in front of camera, as well as locations to film seem to be quite difficult. Some back up, or alternative story-lines may be required.
Towards the end of this first FMP week, I need to narrow the ideas to Two, and disregard some of them. Some ideas can possibly be merged.
I will measure these ideas by researching each briefly in the next few days, writing down each idea and deciding which ones will be realistic to do and also which grabs my interest the most.
Each idea should have Key and Relevant research that is easy to access. Some of this research I could already have.
This Final Project will hopefully make it clear what exact career path I want to take. Film Making is the most likely, and I need to be confident in myself that I can be Multi-Skilled in other area, such as Photography during the Film Making learning.
PROJECT CONCEPT.
IDEA 1
HORROR/HORROR COMEDY VIDEO
This will be a short film, with photographs mixed in. Possibly influenced by The Blair Witch Project movie.
Having Photographs, perhaps Flash photographs, like in the Black Lodge sequence from Twin Peaks Season 2, or computer games like Forbidden Siren and Project Zero Crimson Butterfly. (Regarding the audience, for Health & Safety, flashing images, although being part of my idea, I need to be careful displaying this to people with Epilepsy. I need to discuss this idea with a teacher and get feedback from students).
I have recently come up with a second horror story-line involving a babysitter, alone in a house, being plagued by creepy phone calls and knocks on the door. The You Tube link below shows a scene from ‘When a Stranger Calls (1979), featuring a babysitter, very similar to the Storyboard I have drawn up.
https://youtu.be/HVy-TSs7Gio (When a Stranger Calls, 1979).
This story, or the first 17 minutes of it was told many times at parties when I was very young, although I do not know where the original story comes from.
My idea for the short horror for this project came from a different story, ’10 True Demon Encounters’, told by you tube narrator ‘Let’s Read Creepy’ who I listen to frequently.
https://youtu.be/tZsYzwgW0Vs (10 True Demon Encounters, 2016).
This story has a phone call sequence 3 minutes into it where a distorted demonic voice demands “Let Me In!” through the telephone.
I spoke to the narrator via Twitter recently and he was happy for me to use this as an idea although he was unsure where the original story came from, probably Reddit.
The voice saying, “Let Me In!” could be re-created by fellow student Sulley, who is good at these voices. I will speak with him.
I will need a DSLR camera that does Video, perhaps the Canon EOS 700D from college Ae Least, plus a memory card with a lot of Memory on. I could also borrow a Tripod. I will also need a microphone and some kind of sound editor.
Crystal, another fellow student would be ideal for the lead role here, although she is unlikely to do it. Omar could play the male character, but I may need to ask around.
My friend Dave Evans who I do music promotion with said I could use the front of his parent’s house to film some of it.
IDEA 2
MOCK KARATE
MOCK KARATE
Based on fight scenes between Inspector Clouseau and Cato (Peter Sellers, Burt Kwouk) in the Pink Panther movies, I am thinking of staging Karate katas/bunkai, in the same comedy style.
I got the idea from this scene in ‘A Shot in the Dark’ (1964).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk_2-ib3ENc
here to edit.
I got the idea from this scene in ‘A Shot in the Dark’ (1964).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk_2-ib3ENc
here to edit.
This will be a Comedy scene, much like in the movie, involving real-life Karate between Me and another student dressed in Karate Gis. There will be interruptions during the fight scene, such as random phone calls, which will be part of the Story/Scene.
This will need a Storyboard.
I will need the Studio and some other students/teachers to help with the filming.
I will need my two old Karate Gis.
I will need to think about and research Health and Safety regarding Fight Scenes and displaying Karate with an out of date licence. Perhaps the Karate moves will be limited to arm movements?
A bit far-fetched, being that I haven’t done Karate for two years. It could depend on what space I create, probably at college, plus have a willing partner.
The first thing I will do is try to remember a Karate Kata, pick my favourite one, probably Pinan Shodan, learn it again and see what Bunkai goes with it.
Having studied Karate for several years, there is plenty of research here for me.
PINAN SHODAN (Demonstrated by Tatsuo Suzuki)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2lxAT4Tp4
This could target Any audience, but some Peer Feedback will clarify this.
IDEA 3
PSEUDO CRIME
Based on a Pinhole photograph I took of my Wellington Boots, together with a Fake Hand, next to some Garden Tools, the idea was to do a load of Still Photos of Fake or Pseudo Crime Scenes. This was part inspired by Wee Gee.
WEE GEE
Photographer and Photo Journalist Arthur (Usher) Fellig, AKA Wee Gee, followed the emergency services around during the 1930’s/40’s, taking pictures of crime scenes. By listening to radio broadcasts, he often beat the emergency services to the scene. Pinhole image of my Wellies, with fake hand. |
FORENSIC FUNDAMENTALISTS
https://www.manfrottoschoolofxcellence.com/2017/07/forensics-fundamentals-part-one/
This website could help. It appears to be real life, Forensic, Crime Scene investigators being trained to photograph for the real event.
I will need Props from a Fancy-Dress shop or a Car Boot Sale plus DSLR/Tripod.
More staged crime scene photographs from the Forensic Fundamentalists website.
More staged crime scene photographs from the Forensic Fundamentalists website.
CSI CRIME SCENE INVESTAGATION
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/csi
This fan site includes all the original cast, including Gil Grissom, the most famous and popular character, played by William Peterson.
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/csi
This fan site includes all the original cast, including Gil Grissom, the most famous and popular character, played by William Peterson.
Being a big fan of the tv series, the Las Vegas one, this could be more inspiration and ideas for a project.
Possible video project? The Wee Gee idea could be limited to photography/typography.
**NEED TO LOOK AT CONVENTIONS FOR CRIME DRAMAS**
The You Tube link below, ‘Basics of Crime Scene Photography mentions Not using digital photography in Crime Scene photography, because it is too easy to manipulate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phd2vbGw1LI
The video mentions approaching the crime scene in a zig zag pattern taking pictures, then circling the evidence.
Possible video project? The Wee Gee idea could be limited to photography/typography.
**NEED TO LOOK AT CONVENTIONS FOR CRIME DRAMAS**
The You Tube link below, ‘Basics of Crime Scene Photography mentions Not using digital photography in Crime Scene photography, because it is too easy to manipulate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phd2vbGw1LI
The video mentions approaching the crime scene in a zig zag pattern taking pictures, then circling the evidence.
IDEA 4
A video Documentary about Henry’s Blues House/Black Sabbath.
This will be based on the re-opening of Henry’s together with research/interviews and footage of people/musicians involved.
The audience will probably be older people, which I could discuss with the managers and get feedback from public.
The first idea I had was making a video documentary of Big Bear Music who I sometimes work for.
It will either be based on Jazz music, or Henry’s Blues House, which gave birth to Black Sabbath.
Below are some links that the manager Jim Simpson sent to me for ideas.
1)BIG BEAR OFFICE
This is where it all began in 1968 with Jim starting his record company Big Bear Music. The office is now the hub of the Birmingham Sandwell and Solihull Jazz Festival which is now in its 34th year.
https://youtu.be/OwYgYw6P2kc
2)BLACK SABBATH
Jim goes on to explain how he managed Black Sabbath in their early years, who then went on to be a world-famous heavy metal band.
https://youtu.be/M-kCR25E6Fc
3)BIG BEAR OFFICE 2
More at the office on the Hagley Road.
https://youtu.be/0-qLWKZhO4U
4)SABBATH AT THE CROWN
Black Sabbath played their first ever gig at Henry’s Blues House, now The Crown on Navigation Street, which is closed down.
https://youtu.be/E2_P28knKxU
5)SABBATH AT THE CROWN 2
Jim talks more about Black Sabbath with some more footage.
https://youtu.be/E2_P28knKxU
6)RED RED WINE
Jim talks about the Birmingham music scene, including world famous reggae band UB40.
https://youtu.be/oOT3UOOQGmI
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
For the Horror/Comedy video I will research via short You Tube films, plus Codes and Conventions.
I will use the College Library to look at making Short Films.
Researching stories and TV Programs I already know about, such as ‘Borley Rectory/Church’, ‘Most Haunted’, ‘The Enfield Haunting’, and the ‘Blair Witch Project’ and even some Stephen King short stories.
I will visit some Haunted Houses and Horror Museums.
Stephen Gill ‘Night Procession’ photography plus Vic & Bobs Haunted Room with Static on Tv have given me ideas.
For the Karate video I will watch all of the Pink Panther movies with Clouseau/Cato fight scenes, plus Jackie Chan movies.
I will speak to my old Karate instructor about the possibility of videoing some of the Karate Katas and use of ‘Licence’ for Health & Safety.
For the Pseudo Crime Scenes, I will visit the True Crime Museum in Hastings.
I will re watch CSI Las Vegas episodes, probably focusing on Gil Grissom’s character.
I will be researching Real Life Forensic Photography online and, in the Library, plus more research in Wee Gee’s photography and any other relevant photographers.
For the Henry’s Blues House video, I have already spoken to the manager about possible interviews with him. He has sent me Fansworld video links with very useful footage of Big Bear Music, plus Black Sabbath, UB40 and the Birmingham music scene.
I will visit the Jazz Centre UK Museum in Southend On-Sea, which is linked to the Jazz Festival.
There will be a huge amount of research material for this idea.
EXHIBITION OUTCOMES
If I am to do a Video Project, I need to look into ways of displaying a video in Public, probably somewhere in the college.
Perhaps asking about the Projector that displays just outside the Art Block in the Corridor.
For a Photography Project, there are gaps in the walls in the classes we are using, Poster Size, which could be looked into.
If it is Horror Related, I need to consider the Audience and how much I need to Censor it. The same goes for the Pseudo Crime Scenes.
There should be plenty of Corridor spaces to display work, although setting up a display would have to be done safely when it is quiet.
A video Documentary about Henry’s Blues House/Black Sabbath.
This will be based on the re-opening of Henry’s together with research/interviews and footage of people/musicians involved.
The audience will probably be older people, which I could discuss with the managers and get feedback from public.
The first idea I had was making a video documentary of Big Bear Music who I sometimes work for.
It will either be based on Jazz music, or Henry’s Blues House, which gave birth to Black Sabbath.
Below are some links that the manager Jim Simpson sent to me for ideas.
1)BIG BEAR OFFICE
This is where it all began in 1968 with Jim starting his record company Big Bear Music. The office is now the hub of the Birmingham Sandwell and Solihull Jazz Festival which is now in its 34th year.
https://youtu.be/OwYgYw6P2kc
2)BLACK SABBATH
Jim goes on to explain how he managed Black Sabbath in their early years, who then went on to be a world-famous heavy metal band.
https://youtu.be/M-kCR25E6Fc
3)BIG BEAR OFFICE 2
More at the office on the Hagley Road.
https://youtu.be/0-qLWKZhO4U
4)SABBATH AT THE CROWN
Black Sabbath played their first ever gig at Henry’s Blues House, now The Crown on Navigation Street, which is closed down.
https://youtu.be/E2_P28knKxU
5)SABBATH AT THE CROWN 2
Jim talks more about Black Sabbath with some more footage.
https://youtu.be/E2_P28knKxU
6)RED RED WINE
Jim talks about the Birmingham music scene, including world famous reggae band UB40.
https://youtu.be/oOT3UOOQGmI
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
For the Horror/Comedy video I will research via short You Tube films, plus Codes and Conventions.
I will use the College Library to look at making Short Films.
Researching stories and TV Programs I already know about, such as ‘Borley Rectory/Church’, ‘Most Haunted’, ‘The Enfield Haunting’, and the ‘Blair Witch Project’ and even some Stephen King short stories.
I will visit some Haunted Houses and Horror Museums.
Stephen Gill ‘Night Procession’ photography plus Vic & Bobs Haunted Room with Static on Tv have given me ideas.
For the Karate video I will watch all of the Pink Panther movies with Clouseau/Cato fight scenes, plus Jackie Chan movies.
I will speak to my old Karate instructor about the possibility of videoing some of the Karate Katas and use of ‘Licence’ for Health & Safety.
For the Pseudo Crime Scenes, I will visit the True Crime Museum in Hastings.
I will re watch CSI Las Vegas episodes, probably focusing on Gil Grissom’s character.
I will be researching Real Life Forensic Photography online and, in the Library, plus more research in Wee Gee’s photography and any other relevant photographers.
For the Henry’s Blues House video, I have already spoken to the manager about possible interviews with him. He has sent me Fansworld video links with very useful footage of Big Bear Music, plus Black Sabbath, UB40 and the Birmingham music scene.
I will visit the Jazz Centre UK Museum in Southend On-Sea, which is linked to the Jazz Festival.
There will be a huge amount of research material for this idea.
EXHIBITION OUTCOMES
If I am to do a Video Project, I need to look into ways of displaying a video in Public, probably somewhere in the college.
Perhaps asking about the Projector that displays just outside the Art Block in the Corridor.
For a Photography Project, there are gaps in the walls in the classes we are using, Poster Size, which could be looked into.
If it is Horror Related, I need to consider the Audience and how much I need to Censor it. The same goes for the Pseudo Crime Scenes.
There should be plenty of Corridor spaces to display work, although setting up a display would have to be done safely when it is quiet.
FMP CAMERA BORROW
For this project, I am borrowing a JVC HM620E video camera from the college. This is the first professional video camera I have used.
I have bought a 64GB SD card and will be going to Wales over the weekend to film but am not clear what.
I spoke to Neil Mabbs about some ideas and he suggested using a torch outside at night to see what images I could create, whilst thinking about films like ‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999) and ‘Paranormal Activity’ (2007). These two films are low budget and use suggestion to make the viewer think rather than rely on special effects.
Stephen Gill’s photography and Vic & Bob’s haunted room sketch were other ideas we looked at.
This research could help, as the ideas I have come up with could be difficult to do, and I wouldn’t have to rely on other people to do them (Mock Karate/Babysitter horror).
https://youtu.be/zMtFj4xprWA (JVC HM620E & JVC HM660)
https://youtu.be/Fg6499GmpRc (JVC HM620E)
https://eu.jvc.com/pro/pro-camcorders/handheld-camcorders/GY-HM620E/