Problems With Filming

During the course of filming and Editing we were faced with a few problems.

Firstly our story line was limited to only 1 actor (Micheal). This is due to the timing, many people who we asked were unavailable due to the many school trips happening during the filming time, for example the Cambridge and Birmingham trip.
However, although I took the main role of the "Camera Man", as a pair we have both contributed with the directing of the whole film.

In Addition, As we have not used the camera before we have had trouble with the settings, therefore some of the footage taken may be pixilated and in low definition, also, for 1 shot the focus was not adjusted right and gave us blurry footage, although we didn't want to use this, we thought that this shot was necessary for the fluidity. We then changed the settings for the 2nd half of the short film, giving us a better high definition shots, this really emphasised the colours in the shots, and overall creating a more professional finish. However it was too late to film the 1st half.

Another issue is the timing. We both feel that if we had longer to do this project we would have created a better final outcome. We would have extended the story line, by having a 2nd actor who then reveals what was inside the envelope. Which would have gave our short film more, in terms of story and emotion.
However not revealing what was inside the envelope added to the ambiguity which was our main aim to achieve before filming.

As a pair we were both new to the software we used to edit (IMovie).
It took us a couple of minutes to get used to it. One problem we had was adding our title board at the beginning our film. After figuring out how to add the photo for a couple of minutes, even with the help of youtube videos, Imovie was rejecting our photo, for reasons we still yet to know.

Our story line was changed and adopted to what locations we were allowed to film on. Unfortunately we did not get permission to film on one of the corridors at the Jr Hospital, we also got denied access to one of the hospital beds. As an alternative we filmed on one of the lifts at the Jr to still have the hospital environment.

The Final Narrative

The man walks to deliver an envelope to his family, telling them of his cancer *cut to a shot of the letter* he then walks to the hospital, goes up a lift, exiting the lift in hospital garments. Then collapses, *cut to a shot of him under a sheet in the medical room*, sounds of a non-existent heart beat and then to the graveyard.

Potential Short Film Endings - Mind Map

As a pair we have had various good ideas for the ending, however, we have found it difficult to settle on an idea, therefore we have created a mind map to make it easier to choose from.
Issues contributing to the delay of our desicion with the ending include the lack of actors available for filming, as most people have had several trips with school, and also not being convenient with the timing. In addition, the location was also an issue. Our initial idea involved filming in one of the wards in the hospital and using a hospital bed, however, we did not get the permission needed for this, hence we have had to change our story line.

Stotryboard Part I

The first half of our short film will involved several shots showing the journey of a man delievering an envelope. We plan to execute this by using several angled shots which will create a sense that the character is being followed, a sense of paranoir, which will hopefully build up tension and adds to the ambiguigity of the story line, which is our main aim. There are also a lot of close ups, this will be use to engage the audience and attract thier attention.
As the ending is not yet decided due to the access issue in the hospital, we have not yet decided on the ending of our short film.

Mise-en-Scene

'The Envelope' is a short film in minimal use of props and various other equipment. The main focus of the film will be the human; with very little need for much mise-en-scene. However, we will need some props, including:

- Toy Gun
- Flowers

Locations

This housing area emphasises the normality of the situation, being in a domestic area. This sense of tranquillity adds to the character's ambiguity and heightens the idea that he is vulnerable from past events returning. This area will be used as part of the 'real life' at the beginning of the film.

The choice to use a cemetery was undertaken as many spooky connotations are attached with the environment. We are hoping this will add a sympathetic aspect to the film and reveal more about the Man's character. This area will be used for the shooting of the 'real life' part to the story, the final scene in the film.

The other locations we are currently undecided on, this is because we are torn between two story lines for the flashback scenes. 

Creating Tension and Ambiguity

After watching various short films containing both dialogue and no dialogue, we have decided the films with the more poignant tension were the ones without. Therefore our short film will contain no dialogue. It is very important that the choice of non-diegetic sound is suitable and relevant to the narrative, creating the desired tension.

The envelope is at the centre of our short film, the audience never know what is written on the envelope, leaving it open to interpretation, leaving the audience in a position where they create their own version of events. The ambiguity is further emphasised in the clip as the protaganist is nameless, leaving him in a position of mystery, this is also used to emphasise his past, secret life.

The Envelope - Narrative

The story consists of a man, leading an ordinary life, who then unexpectadly receives an envelope slid under his front door. This provokes memories of the past, dangereous life he used to live. When looking back on his past life he is driven to the edge as he feels once again threatened by what is written within the letter. Flashbacks are then seen of the life he lived previously. The man, frightened, then escapes as fast as possible, making his exit by train.