Friday 26 October 2012
Plot Responses
Here are the plot responses from the people in my media class;
Aimee - really like the idea, especially how you then zoom out and see the real life story behind. Do you mind that the stop motion would be a bit unclear? and do you think you have enough time as it's a lengthy process? Also, how do you plan to get the barbie and ken dolls to stand up on their own as they can't? Have a look at Katy Perry's 'your so gay' music video, she did this with barbie and ken and it really worked!
Martha - I really like your idea! Its very simple, but that's what makes it so nice. Its very creative and I think a lot of people would be very interested in watching it. Have you thought about how long it may take? Its so brave of you taking this on. Also, have you thought of the character that's going to play the real like barbie lookalike, do you have a suitable actor?
Farah - I think that this is a very good idea! It is original and creative - The use of dolls is humorous and stop motion is really effective. The irony of it being someone playing with the dolls is an effective ending to the plot and will engage the audience. I know that this is just a trial - but it's slightly shaky, so planning and using a tripod will be really good! :D
Nicole - Initial idea is very good, particularly the zooming out onto a real life person/character who resembles Barbie. Have you thought about whether you want to include dialogue, narration, or simply just music? And are you going to use the same Barbie and Ken dolls, or ones from different ranges? (Because obviously the regular Barbie doll doesn't have a baby!)
Ben - The idea is great as it is something that most people can relate to, at some level, and with the qwerky twist of being with Barbie dolls makes it slightly comedic along with the final event, the audience will have a greater emotional connection to the piece. The stop-motion is a good idea that can either make or break a piece, do you plan to work on the technique of stop-motion production to make it the best it can be?
Aimee - really like the idea, especially how you then zoom out and see the real life story behind. Do you mind that the stop motion would be a bit unclear? and do you think you have enough time as it's a lengthy process? Also, how do you plan to get the barbie and ken dolls to stand up on their own as they can't? Have a look at Katy Perry's 'your so gay' music video, she did this with barbie and ken and it really worked!
Martha - I really like your idea! Its very simple, but that's what makes it so nice. Its very creative and I think a lot of people would be very interested in watching it. Have you thought about how long it may take? Its so brave of you taking this on. Also, have you thought of the character that's going to play the real like barbie lookalike, do you have a suitable actor?
Farah - I think that this is a very good idea! It is original and creative - The use of dolls is humorous and stop motion is really effective. The irony of it being someone playing with the dolls is an effective ending to the plot and will engage the audience. I know that this is just a trial - but it's slightly shaky, so planning and using a tripod will be really good! :D
Nicole - Initial idea is very good, particularly the zooming out onto a real life person/character who resembles Barbie. Have you thought about whether you want to include dialogue, narration, or simply just music? And are you going to use the same Barbie and Ken dolls, or ones from different ranges? (Because obviously the regular Barbie doll doesn't have a baby!)
Ben - The idea is great as it is something that most people can relate to, at some level, and with the qwerky twist of being with Barbie dolls makes it slightly comedic along with the final event, the audience will have a greater emotional connection to the piece. The stop-motion is a good idea that can either make or break a piece, do you plan to work on the technique of stop-motion production to make it the best it can be?
Alice - Love your idea, I think its fab how you go from stop motion to real life. I think the use of barbies then using a "real life" barbie is really cleaver, and will make it flow between the stop motion and real action good. Have you thought about what setting you are going to use for the stop motion? are you going to build the set yourself etc? x
Lily - A very interesting concept, stop motion can be very effective and the ideas of a kind of grim life for Barbie is very original. However, try keeping the camera still and in focus when filming. A tripod perhaps?
Beatrice - I think you have a really good idea and it would be fun to do and I like the twist at the end, but it could take a long time, but would be definitely worth it. Next time really work on getting the camera in exactly the same place as you left it as it tended to jiggle around a lot which made it look less fluent.
Lizzie - Your idea is very unique, the idea works really well with the combination of film and stop-motion. It's great that you have already tried out some animation and clearly have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Will you be able to find an actor that looks like the doll?
Evie - Heard your idea and it sounds like a really original and creative concept. Sounds great and I'd love to watch something like that which totally goes against the stereotypical story of a character like Barbie. I hope the stop motion goes well because it's quite difficult but done well it can be really effective. Have you given some thought to the kind of music you might use to emphasise the emotions of the doll more, as obviously you won't be getting much variety in the way of facial expressions.
I also interviewed a couple who weren't in my class, to see their responses to my idea.
I also interviewed a couple who weren't in my class, to see their responses to my idea.
Tuesday 23 October 2012
Examples of Stop Motion Short Films
Above is the stop-motion film - "Gulp".
Here is a lego stop-motion film called "The Brick Thief"
This is a stop motion film by Pes, called "Game Over"
Barbie's Careers
The premise of my film is that the Real life Barbie just wants to be Barbie and doesn't think she needs an education as she just has her looks and feels she can rely upon those for the rest of her life. However, upon further research the Barbie doll has had numerous careers.
Such as;
Spanish teacher,
Special Education teacher,
Doctor, Dentist,
Plastic Surgeon,
Vet,
Army Officer,
President of United States of America,
Firefighter,
Life guard (Baywatch),
Astronaut,
Paleontologist,
Pilot,
Tour guide (Toy Story 2 Special Edition),
Babysitter,
Cat Burglar (Christian Louboutin edition),
Cowgirl,
Superhero edition,
McDonald's cashier,
Bus driver,
Waitress and many more.
Such as;
Spanish teacher,
Special Education teacher,
Doctor, Dentist,
Plastic Surgeon,
Vet, Army Officer,
President of United States of America,
Firefighter,
Life guard (Baywatch),
Astronaut,
Paleontologist,
Pilot,
Tour guide (Toy Story 2 Special Edition),
Babysitter,
Cat Burglar (Christian Louboutin edition),
Cowgirl,
Superhero edition,
McDonald's cashier,
Bus driver,
Waitress and many more.
Friday 19 October 2012
Rough Draft of Script
This is a rough outline of the script, I still need to add speech between the Real Life Barbie and the girl trying to talk to her. I also need to add some narration as well.
INT SCHOOL - DAY
BARBIE is at school, sitting doing her nails, not paying attention to what's going on. She doesn't pay attention to what the teacher is saying.
Narrator - This is a story of a young girl, Barbie. As you can see, she doesn't really pay attention at school. Barbie believes that she doesn't need to get an education, she's a pretty young girl and she can just rely on her looks.
INT BAR2.0 - NIGHT
Narrator - This was the night everything changed for Barbie, the night she met Ken.
BARBIE is at the bar getting a drink with friends, she is being approached by a man, KEN.
BARBIE AND KEN HAVE A CONVERSATION HE BUYS HER A DRINK, THEY FLIRT, SHE GIVES HIM HER NUMBER.
FLASHFORWARD TO A FEW DAYS LATER THEY ARE TOGETHER AND IN LOVE
EXT. FIELD - DAY
BARBIE and KEN run towards each other in a field,
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
BARBIE sitting on the floor, crying, next to her is a pregnancy test, it's positive
INT. WEDDING - DAY
BARBIE and KEN'S wedding, she is heavily pregnant. She is really happy, KEN not so much
INT. HOUSE - DAY
BARBIE and KEN are standing over a crib, with their newborn baby
INT. BARBIE AND KEN'S ROOM - NIGHT
BARBIE walks in on KEN with another woman (this would either be an updated version of Barbie such as Malibu Barbie or it could be another man such as G.I. Joe or Action Man.)
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
BARBIE is passed out on the sofa holding a Jack Daniels bottle, there are lots of cigarettes surrounding her and a line of cocaine on the table.
INT. REAL LIFE LIVING ROOM - DAY
Zoom out to see someone holding the BARBIE doll and is playing with them, another girl is there also, she looks exactly like a REAL LIFE BARBIE.
GIRL PLAYING WITH BARBIE TRIES TO TALK TO THE GIRL CONVINCING HER TO GET AN EDUCATION AND NOT JUST RELY UPON HER LOOKS BECAUSE THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEONE PRETTIER OUT THERE.
REAL LIFE BARBIE DOESN'T REALLY LISTEN AND IS JUST PLAYING WITH HER HAIR NOT REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO HER
INT SCHOOL - DAY
BARBIE is at school, sitting doing her nails, not paying attention to what's going on. She doesn't pay attention to what the teacher is saying.
Narrator - This is a story of a young girl, Barbie. As you can see, she doesn't really pay attention at school. Barbie believes that she doesn't need to get an education, she's a pretty young girl and she can just rely on her looks.
INT BAR2.0 - NIGHT
Narrator - This was the night everything changed for Barbie, the night she met Ken.
BARBIE is at the bar getting a drink with friends, she is being approached by a man, KEN.
BARBIE AND KEN HAVE A CONVERSATION HE BUYS HER A DRINK, THEY FLIRT, SHE GIVES HIM HER NUMBER.
FLASHFORWARD TO A FEW DAYS LATER THEY ARE TOGETHER AND IN LOVE
EXT. FIELD - DAY
BARBIE and KEN run towards each other in a field,
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
BARBIE sitting on the floor, crying, next to her is a pregnancy test, it's positive
INT. WEDDING - DAY
BARBIE and KEN'S wedding, she is heavily pregnant. She is really happy, KEN not so much
INT. HOUSE - DAY
BARBIE and KEN are standing over a crib, with their newborn baby
INT. BARBIE AND KEN'S ROOM - NIGHT
BARBIE walks in on KEN with another woman (this would either be an updated version of Barbie such as Malibu Barbie or it could be another man such as G.I. Joe or Action Man.)
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
BARBIE is passed out on the sofa holding a Jack Daniels bottle, there are lots of cigarettes surrounding her and a line of cocaine on the table.
INT. REAL LIFE LIVING ROOM - DAY
Zoom out to see someone holding the BARBIE doll and is playing with them, another girl is there also, she looks exactly like a REAL LIFE BARBIE.
GIRL PLAYING WITH BARBIE TRIES TO TALK TO THE GIRL CONVINCING HER TO GET AN EDUCATION AND NOT JUST RELY UPON HER LOOKS BECAUSE THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEONE PRETTIER OUT THERE.
REAL LIFE BARBIE DOESN'T REALLY LISTEN AND IS JUST PLAYING WITH HER HAIR NOT REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO HER
Tuesday 16 October 2012
Narration
I intend to use narration in my short film so I did some research into it, I wanted to see different examples of narration in feature films.
A Narrator is, within any story, the non-fictional or fictional, personal or impersonal entity who tells the story to the audience. When the narrator is also a character within the story, he or she is sometimes known as the viewpoint character.
"American Beauty" this film is narrated by the main character Lester Burnham, although he looks back over his life because as he reveals in the opening scene (seen below) he is in fact dead whilst narrating this.
"Kick-Ass" This film is narrated by the main character, there is a scene within this film where he is being beaten up and he is narrating it. Speaking directly to the audience acknowledging that as he is speaking over the action now he must survive it.
"Perks of Being a Wallflower" based on a book, the film follows Charlie who narrates the film through letters to a friend.
A Narrator is, within any story, the non-fictional or fictional, personal or impersonal entity who tells the story to the audience. When the narrator is also a character within the story, he or she is sometimes known as the viewpoint character.
"American Beauty" this film is narrated by the main character Lester Burnham, although he looks back over his life because as he reveals in the opening scene (seen below) he is in fact dead whilst narrating this.
"Kick-Ass" This film is narrated by the main character, there is a scene within this film where he is being beaten up and he is narrating it. Speaking directly to the audience acknowledging that as he is speaking over the action now he must survive it.
"Perks of Being a Wallflower" based on a book, the film follows Charlie who narrates the film through letters to a friend.
Friday 12 October 2012
Characters - Short Film
In my film I want several characters: the Barbie doll, Ken doll, the real life Barbie and the person who is trying to convince the real life Barbie to get an education.
When developing my idea for the film, I have done a lot of research into Barbie. But when thinking about the real life Barbie and the other character trying to convince her to become her own person and not just become a real life Barbie who doesn't think for herself and just wants a man to provide for her. When I thought of who the other character is, trying to get through to the real life Barbie, I imagine an older sister or someone who has an education and tries to convince "Barbie" to do the same and not just rely on her looks as they will fade.
Below are the character profiles for my characters
Barbie Doll - This character is the typical Barbie doll, falls for Ken and doesn't bother getting a job or anything just becomes a housewife for Ken and raises their child. This pregnancy was unplanned therefore neither of them are ready in their relationship to raise a child together and are forced into a marriage of convenience due to the impending baby. When Barbie finds out that Ken has been cheating on her something breaks inside her and she goes down a dark path of drink and drugs. She becomes really strung out and begins to look nothing like she did and what the stereotypical Barbie is supposed to look like.
Ken Doll - This character is again the typical doll, he represents the stereotypical male going to provide for his family. He is shocked by the unplanned pregnancy so then feels he has to marry Barbie although they may not love each other and aren't ready to be married. He feels as though their relationship has moved too quickly and wasn't ready for such a serious relationship. He then rebels against this marriage and cheats on Barbie. (In my original idea he cheats on Barbie with Cindy, although when doing some audience research it was suggested that he in fact cheats on Barbie with another Ken doll or an Action Man, or a G.I. Joe, this would indeed shock Barbie so much she turns to drink and drugs. So I may use this idea instead although it still is in the planning stages. There was also the idea that it could be a "Malibu Barbie" a younger model of the classic Barbie.)
Real Life Barbie - This girl isn't actually Barbie but she acts like her; she is all plastic and is obsessed with Barbie. She doesn't care about her education and is obsessed with her looks and doesn't feel she needs to get a job or anything like that as she just wants to get married and be provided for by her husband. I have an actress to portray this Barbie, she would be really good to play her as she looks like Barbie and I feel she can come across as a Barbie look-a-like and act like someone who doesn't care about school.
Real Life Barbie's friend - I don't really know much about this character yet, but she is an educated female who is trying to get through to Barbie that she needs to get an education so she can provide for herself and get a job instead of letting "Ken" provide for her. This character tries to get through to Real Life Barbie by trying to impart her wisdom through the only medium Real Life Barbie can understand - through Barbie dolls. Although she doesn't care about her looks as much as Real Life Barbie she doesn't give up on them completely, she looks slightly bookish and she wears clothes to make her look educated and not clothes that a "Barbie Girl" would wear.
Narrator - I'd like a narrator over the top of the film, this would be a man with a deep voice something like that of Morgan Freeman or James Earl Jones. Or I was also thinking that it could be the voice of Real Life Barbie's friend, I want the Narrator to give a sort of fairytale feel to it.
When developing my idea for the film, I have done a lot of research into Barbie. But when thinking about the real life Barbie and the other character trying to convince her to become her own person and not just become a real life Barbie who doesn't think for herself and just wants a man to provide for her. When I thought of who the other character is, trying to get through to the real life Barbie, I imagine an older sister or someone who has an education and tries to convince "Barbie" to do the same and not just rely on her looks as they will fade.
Below are the character profiles for my characters
Barbie Doll - This character is the typical Barbie doll, falls for Ken and doesn't bother getting a job or anything just becomes a housewife for Ken and raises their child. This pregnancy was unplanned therefore neither of them are ready in their relationship to raise a child together and are forced into a marriage of convenience due to the impending baby. When Barbie finds out that Ken has been cheating on her something breaks inside her and she goes down a dark path of drink and drugs. She becomes really strung out and begins to look nothing like she did and what the stereotypical Barbie is supposed to look like.
Ken Doll - This character is again the typical doll, he represents the stereotypical male going to provide for his family. He is shocked by the unplanned pregnancy so then feels he has to marry Barbie although they may not love each other and aren't ready to be married. He feels as though their relationship has moved too quickly and wasn't ready for such a serious relationship. He then rebels against this marriage and cheats on Barbie. (In my original idea he cheats on Barbie with Cindy, although when doing some audience research it was suggested that he in fact cheats on Barbie with another Ken doll or an Action Man, or a G.I. Joe, this would indeed shock Barbie so much she turns to drink and drugs. So I may use this idea instead although it still is in the planning stages. There was also the idea that it could be a "Malibu Barbie" a younger model of the classic Barbie.)
Real Life Barbie - This girl isn't actually Barbie but she acts like her; she is all plastic and is obsessed with Barbie. She doesn't care about her education and is obsessed with her looks and doesn't feel she needs to get a job or anything like that as she just wants to get married and be provided for by her husband. I have an actress to portray this Barbie, she would be really good to play her as she looks like Barbie and I feel she can come across as a Barbie look-a-like and act like someone who doesn't care about school.
Real Life Barbie's friend - I don't really know much about this character yet, but she is an educated female who is trying to get through to Barbie that she needs to get an education so she can provide for herself and get a job instead of letting "Ken" provide for her. This character tries to get through to Real Life Barbie by trying to impart her wisdom through the only medium Real Life Barbie can understand - through Barbie dolls. Although she doesn't care about her looks as much as Real Life Barbie she doesn't give up on them completely, she looks slightly bookish and she wears clothes to make her look educated and not clothes that a "Barbie Girl" would wear.
Narrator - I'd like a narrator over the top of the film, this would be a man with a deep voice something like that of Morgan Freeman or James Earl Jones. Or I was also thinking that it could be the voice of Real Life Barbie's friend, I want the Narrator to give a sort of fairytale feel to it.
Tuesday 9 October 2012
Final Plot Idea
The main plot line for my short film is how Barbie and Ken meet, fall in love, have a baby, get married and are supposed to live happily ever after. But Barbie finds out Ken cheated on her with Cindy, so she turns to drink and smoking and her life goes downhill. She becomes really strung out and tired and goes down a downward spiral. You then zoom out to see that it is actually people playing with Barbie and Ken dolls, with a real life person who looks exactly like the real life Barbie. They are trying to explain to her what her life may end up like if she doesn't get a proper education and find a good career, skating through life on her looks.
Real Life Barbie
There have been lots of new articles about the "Real Life Barbie", many women have tried to emulate the doll by getting different plastic surgery procedures to try and look like her more and more. Here is an article about one of these women Valeria Lukyanova, who has made it her life aim to look exactly like the doll. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/wanderlust/barbie-ukrainian-woman-mattel
There have also been lots of different studies into whether it would actually be possible to be the real life Barbie, taking Barbie's measurements and applying them to a real live woman. The picture below illustrates the effects. Many women want to look exactly like Barbie even paying up £500,000 for plastic surgery like self proclaimed real life Barbie Sarah Burge.
Steph will also feature in the both of the posters. I will either use the poster of her all "Barbied up" or the poster where she is strung out on alcohol and drugs.
Sunday 7 October 2012
Breaking the Fourth Wall
The fourth was is the screen in front of you in film, television and theatre, when you break the fourth wall the person speaking speaks directly to the audience.
An example of breaking the fourth wall in TV is the TV show, "Miranda" , also in the TV show "Modern Family"
There are many other examples of films in which the characters break the fourth wall and either talk or gesture directly to the audience; "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang", "Fight Club", "The Rocky Horror Show", "Annie Hall", "Rubber", "Amelie", "Austin Powers 2", "High Fidelity", "Spaceballs", "Wayne's World".
An example of breaking the fourth wall in TV is the TV show, "Miranda" , also in the TV show "Modern Family"
There are many other examples of films in which the characters break the fourth wall and either talk or gesture directly to the audience; "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang", "Fight Club", "The Rocky Horror Show", "Annie Hall", "Rubber", "Amelie", "Austin Powers 2", "High Fidelity", "Spaceballs", "Wayne's World".
I don't think I will be using this method in my short film as I plan to be using dolls. However, to a certain extent Real Life Barbie would be breaking the fourth wall in talking to the Narrator.
Saturday 6 October 2012
Character Profiles
In today's lesson we made different character profiles of either someone you'd like to be stuck in a lift with and someone who you'd HATE to share a lift with.
I did a character profile of someone I wouldn't want to be stuck in a lift with. A really creepy man with no sense of personal space.
Below is the character outline that I gave the actor playing this character so he would know how to act and what to say.
"Hi Big Brother! I'm ...... I live at home with my mum but I live in the basement so it's my own space! I have lots of friends although I've never actually met any of them they're all on World of Warcraft, I love playing role play games online it's sooo fun! It's where I met my future wife, Dragonbreather82 they're the love of my life although we've never met. I don't believe in personal space it's overrated! I also don't like being quiet so when I'm not talking I like breathing really loud so people know I'm there!"
Below is the video of Adam doing the character.
We also did another character who is seen below, played by Lizzie, she is very... enthusiastic
I did a character profile of someone I wouldn't want to be stuck in a lift with. A really creepy man with no sense of personal space.
Below is the character outline that I gave the actor playing this character so he would know how to act and what to say.
"Hi Big Brother! I'm ...... I live at home with my mum but I live in the basement so it's my own space! I have lots of friends although I've never actually met any of them they're all on World of Warcraft, I love playing role play games online it's sooo fun! It's where I met my future wife, Dragonbreather82 they're the love of my life although we've never met. I don't believe in personal space it's overrated! I also don't like being quiet so when I'm not talking I like breathing really loud so people know I'm there!"
Below is the video of Adam doing the character.
We also did another character who is seen below, played by Lizzie, she is very... enthusiastic
Tuesday 2 October 2012
Final Cut of recreation of "My Beast Friend"
This is the final cut of our recreation of "My Beast Friend"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)