Planning

Target audience for Butterfly manor.

My audience is aimed for the rating of 15 plus, the production will not have any ‘horrific scenes’ or include any blood, as it may be disturbing for younger viewers. I have not included any ‘major’ swearing with in the piece, as I do not think its necessary for my film. Also I want to produce a lighthearted piece rather then something people find unpleasant/crude. However as it dose involve some sinister and crude nature (Such as alcohol abuse, minor swearing and a ‘clean’ death scene) I decided not to aim for a PG or 12a.

The genre of my film is a detective mystery; this specific genre is commonly aimed at quizzical minded people of both genders, who like to put their attention into finite detail. The detective mystery can cover many aspects of film, such as traditional detective films were majority dialogue driven as the speech reveals twists in the film and less action. However some recent films such as the newest ‘Sherlock Holmes’ evolves more on action appealing to a wider target audience (as it can be watched without great amounts of concentration), Making a double barreled genre of detective mystery/ thriller.

I aimed to fall between the action and dialogue; this has proven to work effectively, appealing to a wider range of audience, yet still hold the original ideas and methods used in traditional, detective mystery. 

Synopsis

In my media, I want all action to lead up to one ultimate occurrence, the death of ‘The Billionaire’. The film will open out with establishing shots of a grand manor house with vast lands, informing the viewer of the location and class of which they are opening to. The first shot of my characters will be the ‘Billionaire’ arrogantly splayed on a fine winged leather chair, out side his magnificent house in the vivid sunshine. He will be on the phone to his accountant, and he is informed of his father’s recent passing. Rather then the suspected remorse, which is commonly associated with death the man is jubilant with excitement. The reason for his excitement is he inherited the recently shown estate and the family wealth; this is made clear to the viewer. The man excessively drinks to his newfound fortune, in this course he shares dialogue with three other characters, all members of the billionaires staff. In some form or manor he manages to offend them, and ultimately fires his butler for the minor blunder of spilling a drink. Before the Butler leaves he is demanded on serving a final drink. On his route to the (now drunken) Billionaire he is stopped by the Body Guard, taking the drink and smells it. The butler is allowed to pass and places the decanter of whiskey on a side table and hurriedly leaves the scene. Finally the maid approaches and pours the Billionaire a generous glass and stands aside as it is chucked back. However with in seconds of the consumption of the drink it is shown all is not well. The man begins to twitch, progressing to violently thrashing in the chair, then finally laying still and arises the film’s title ‘Butterfly Manor’. All the while thought the whole beginning sequence classical music will be played, under toning the conventions of his wealth. The titles will be in a cursive font adding to class representation involved with in the film, it also fits with the forms and conventions of the genre. I will try my hardest to stick to the brief by keeping the piece at a maximum of two minutes long.

Equipment needed.

Technical equipment needed.

 Record Camera: Firstly I will need a digital camera; this is purely for practicality as digital films at a higher quality and is easily uploaded to a computer compared to reel cameras. However if I wanted to make a rustic or ‘old-fashioned’ film I would use reel to give that iconic look. For my project I would need more then one camera, for practicality. In that I would be able to produce multiple shorts quickly and manage my time. I already own a hand cam’ and it would be easily able to acquire one from school. 

Editing software: The editing software I will be using is ‘Final Cut Pro’; this is professional standard equipment and will be perfect for what I aim to do. I have had some experience with this software when working on my preliminary project, thus I shouldn’t face any basic problems that may occur.  However it is still a complicated piece of equipment and I shall have to give my self plenty of time to use it to make the high quality standard of work I am aiming to achieve.

Lighting: Although though my piece will be done during the 

daytime, know extra lighting will be acquired. However If the weather is unfortunately bad or not to my liking and I am forced to film inside I may wish to highlight facial expressions or cause shadow, for which I will bring spotlights.

Tripod: Tripods are essential for making your product look professional, as a shaky product looks armature and is vital in producing a top quality product.

Mis-en-scene.

Essential items to meet the forms and conventions for the rich Billionaire and make the film look more convincing are.

The Leather chair: I think this is a vital prop, in showing of the Billionaires wealth, its stereotypically related to British old wealth. The positioning of the chair also exacerbates his power and authority, rather then using an outdoor bench.

Whiskey: The whiskey is important as it again is related to wealth, age and the stereotypical ‘Toff’, which was the image I was trying to create. As well as this the extent of the Billionaires drinking shows his un-appreciation for his privileged life style.

Costume: The costume within the film is important in showing the positions of each individual character. The expensive suit enhances the billionaires’ wealth. I’d like to make the ‘Body Guard’ wearing a well-worn shabby suit, which, is referenced to in the dialogue highlighting his clear position with in the scene. 

         
         






             Time Schedule.

         When working with film in the media industry, time schedules are extremely important as I have learnt from previous media projects.

          My research and planning has to be completed by the 7^th of March so I will need to make sure that its completed to a high quality before moving on to my main task on the 8^th. On the 9^th I will send my script of to the actors making sure lines are well learnt before final filming. If I were making a full length feature film I would give a considerable length of time, for the cast to rehearse. 

          I’d like to film my main project on the 24^th of March, this gives me plenty of time to plan and organise my cast, and secure the location. On the 21^st and 23^rd of march I will need to go through the script with my actors making sure any errors can be corrected and all is clear with my cast. As I can only have limited access of one day in the location I will need to work quickly and efficiently, whilst still making sure I have captured enough good quality footage.

          If for any reason I can’t film on the 24^th I have left aside the 31^st just in case; however this would leave little time to edit and finish the final touches to my film.

          After the 24^th I will have until the 18^th of April to final deadline, however I will have to take into consideration, our two week Easter holidays, meaning I won’t have access to editing software. Thus I should have my project on the verge of finishing before the 31^st of March, however if needs must I will have two days from coming back from holidays to deadline giving me some time to making any finishing touches.  

Human Resource Planning

During my piece I would need four actors to perform during the opening. In the casting I chose older actors as they are proven to be reliable compared to my peer group. As well as this for the roles I want acted an older performer would prove better realistic and look professional. Compared to actors in my peer group, as a 17-year-old bodyguard wouldn’t have the same effect as a fully-grown man.

The actors I have chosen suit the specific age range required and all have had previous experience in performance. From ‘Music Hall’ to the ‘Theater Royal Bath’ thus I am expecting committed and professional performances. I also chose people who I know on a personal level so I am hoping they will prove to be reliable.

The Body Guard – will be acted by Jeremy Gilmer (my step father). He fills the stereotypical conventions of ‘The Body Guard’. In that he has a stern face, broad shoulders and will be able to show through stature and facial expressions. He has performed in many theater productions and I have seen him show good quality performances in the past.

The Butler- Rodger Allin has said he will act for my project. I have seen him perform the role of a ‘Butler’ before and he was very convincing. He to has pervious work with perforce, such as the armature music hall. He is a close family friend and should be reliable to work with, which is exactly what I’m looking for.

The Maid- The Maid will be performed by my oldest sister (Alana Turnbull-25), she would easily fit the conventions of the maid. I would like to make it clear she was hired for her looks by the crude Billionaire. She has been in many professional theater productions such as ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and she played a lead role of ‘Mary Magdalene’, in the ‘Theater Royal Bath’. Again I can expect professional reliable results, which is key in making a professional production.

The Billionaire- My final and main character is the Billionaire; he will be played by Matthew Graham. Matt is a successful writer and has written episodes of doctor who and the creator of ‘Ashes to Ashes and Life on Mars’. He has good knowledge of the media world and the production process. He to is a creative character who has performed as well as written. I’m confident he will provide a very convincing performance. Reliability is important this is another factor in why I chose Matt, as he is a family friend and knows the importance of deadlines and schedules.

Script

Establishing shot (Grand house/Lands/layout of cast)

Billionaire - "lordishly sitting outside the house, jubilant in excitement, whiskey in his hand."

Billionaire - "Ha-ha! The old man’s finally popped it!"

(Jumps to his feet)

Billionaire - "It’s mine all of it!"

(Chucks back whiskey)

Billionaire - "Another!"

Butler walks on to scene with a decanter full of whiskey, places on table maid pours glass and puts cigar in his mouth.

Billionaire - "We can share a bottle later my dear!" (Laughs/snorts)

Maid looks disgusted

Billionaire - "ahhh... Life is good! 2.8 billion!! Ha-ha!"

(Sips on drink, drunkenly walks to body guard) what’s it like.. Being on a £25,000 salary?"

(sneers)

Body guard - "Brilliant sir"

Billionaire - "Good! Because you’re not getting a pay rise... there is a recession on! mawhah"

(Finishes off the whiskey) "More now!"

Butler Hurries on to set with a fresh bottle

Billionaire- "Hurry up man!"

(spills drink) "God damm it you idiot_! wasting a fine malt!

Butler- "sorry sir"

(clears up mess)

Billionaire - "Now go get me another bottle then leave your fired!"

Butler - "But sir.."

Billionaire - "No excuses! You shouldn't be so Clumsy now go!"

Butler returns with a new bottle (slow walk)

Stopped by the body guard - smells bottle

Butler continues, places on table

Maid picks up glass and pours passes to Millionaire who chucks it back in one

(Dramatic death)