Advertising 'Exceptional'

To help draw in a larger audience for our test screening, we put up posters around the school. We specifically targeted the sixth form area as 17/18 year olds were nearest to our average target audience age of 20, in addition to the fact that our friends were more likely to attend to support our project.

In the poster displayed in school, the top line is, actually, in one line - apologies for the technological distortion.

Exceptional Poster Group 3

Final Script

This is the final script for the opening minutes of our film 'Exceptional', a superhero film aimed primarily at men and women aged between 15 - 25. Over the course of pre-production and production the script underwent many ammendments as the film was adjusted, but the premise remains the same: an unpopular male teenager is shown to be a social outcast, but it is revealed that the has the power to move things with his mind. He is almost caught by his love interest, and procedes to have an awkward conservation with her in which she is shown to not know who he is.

Our action and dialogue had been agreed on before shooting commenced, but due to a voice-over that we needed to add in post-production, a couple of ammendments were made during our editing time. These were done to fit the voiceover in well with our filmed footage, in addition to recommendations made to us in feedback during editing. The final result can be viewed below.

Exceptional Script

Shoot Schedule

Shoot Schedule 1

Shoot Schedule 2

Shoot Schedule 3

Final Treatment

This is our final treatment of the film, following advice from others and bearing in mind issues that arose, such as cast changes.

final treatment

Final Storyboard

Although this is our final storyboard, the shots went through revision before reaching the state shown in the film opening.

Shot Lists

Group 3 Shot List for Love Interest Scene




Group 3 Shot List for main shoot

Possible Soundtrack

During Friday's lesson we found a possible soundtrack for our piece that we like as it builds tension and also connotes the superhero genre.

The track can be found at the link below:

http://www.audionetwork.com/production-music/style-genre/film-styles/epic/results.aspx?&order=10&page=2

The name of the track is the 'Course of History'

Dialogue References for the Test Shoots

GROUP 3 Test Shoot Dialogue references

For the test shoot concentrating on the second half of the clip, we used prompt lines to help us match the sound to the action, which enabled us to rough-edit the test footage while the script undergoes final adjustments.

Test Shoot

A series of shots from our first test shoot, in which we started working with our actors, lighting and location.

Narishma, Eoin and Frank looking over final preparations

Setting up the Clapperboard

Positioning the master Shot and lead actors

The first take of the shoot

Framing the opening shot

The 'animated drawing' shot

Experimenting with Low Angles

Rehearsing the Paper Throw

Original Treatment

This is our original treatment for our film opening.

initital treatment

Shot List Draft

OUR INITIAL DRAFT OF THE SHOT LIST

shooting schedule

Plan of Action for Week 3

Now that we have the green light our plan of action for week 3 of the project is:

• To complete the required paperwork (i.e. equipment release form)
• To complete our screen (actors), technical (camera, lighting, post-production) and location tests
• To complete the script and storyboard for the final idea of the opening sequence
• To organise and carry out audience focus groups to get their reactions and ideas about the proposal.

Group Meeting: Pre re-pitch

Group Meeting

This meeting took place at 11:00 am, 28th January.
Our ammended pitch will take place on the afternoon of the 28th.

Current Alterations to our initial pitch

1. Removal of opening scene in Angus's bedroom.
2. Angus is drawing during the lecture scene, the class mock him but Jessica tells them to stop.
3. Character of Luke is gone.
4. Removal of the coming home/mugging scene, and the following bedroom scene.
5. To be replaced with a Canteen scene, in which Angus reads a comic - a typical action v/o reading out the captions.
6. Angus realises everyone else has gone to class, and, irratated at himself, swipes away the comic & glass of water with his mind.
7. Makes like he plans to move the table, but regains composture and walks out.
8. Title Card, with new title

Pitch Feedback

Pitch Feedback

ISSUES THAT NEED WORK

1. The style of the opening needs to reflect the genre
2. Use Unbreakable as an influence
3. Work towards realism, so drop the comic book style transitions
4. There is too much going on the montage
5. Too many location changes
6. How to clearly portray characteristics of Savant Syndrome in 2 minutes?

OUR CURRENT PLANS

1. Remove opening scene set in the bedroom
2. Restructure and lengthen lecture hall to emphasize social awkwardness of main character
3. Remove comic book style transitions
4. Use muffled sound at beginning and with the mugging to show social divides
5. Possibly give love interest a boyfriend
6. Merge classroom scene and lecture scene

Savant Synopsis

A young boy with autism discovers he has strange new abilities. Scared of being further alienated from his peers he hides his ability and runs away from home. After being thrust into the public eye for being seen stopping various crimes and then sought after by many gangs, media and even superhero fanatics, he is confronted by a popular TV figure who is desperate for the chance to be special. Escaping his clutches, freeing the girl he loves and saving the world from a power crazy celebrity, the boy accepts his position as the protector of the city and returns to the shadows of the streets. Only venturing out when needed; to avoid the inevitable confrontation of the very people he protects.

Our Target Audience

CORE TARGET AUDIENCE

• 20-30 Year Old Males
• Techy
• From around the comic book generation
• Interested in the realistic aspect of superheroes - e.g. Dark Knight

What aspects/features of our film appeal to this audience?

• Different and more believable superhero
• Instead of the same old comic book, standard superhero action comedy our film will be more in line with superhero drama (similar to Misfits)
• Offers escapism

SECONDARY AUDIENCES

Due to a number of factors our film could appeal to a wide range of audiences because there is something for everyone, we tried to use the idea that 20th Century Fox had with Avatar (2009) in order to ensure that the film has a wide reach.

The factors are:

• Love Interest/ Romance storyline = appeal to teenage girls
• Action = appeal to the fans of action films
• Realism/Unsuspected Superhero = those who want to see something different
• Mise-en-scene (locations and costume) = anyone can relate to how he is feeling at some point during the film

Soundtrack

Music

Orchestral Music - a dark spin on conventional superhero theme tunes.

A level music students to compose on composition software available in music department.

Alternatively, we can use free tracks from music websites.

Effects

Effects

Bed to Street Transition - Green Screen in Media Dept - confirm with Chris before finalising storyboard.

See clip below for examples of greenscreen effects, also used in a superhero context.

Moving glass Options to explore:
 Thin wire edited out in post
Tipping table
Under table magnet

 

An option for pencil levitation scene

Health and Safety
Gloves for production assistants
Goggles 
Mat to catch glass on

Titles
Made to come up during opening sequence – comic book effects to be found on computer

Props

Props

School Equipment - books, pens, rucksacks etc: All members of team carry on a regular basis

Digital Alarm Clock - Eoin

Stack of comic books - Team to gather collection from friends

Glasses of water - Olivia

Mattress - Drama Dept

Duvet and pillow - Eoin

A* homework - Frank

Location

Locations Required


One male bedroom (Eoin or Frank)

Seward Studio – speak with co-ordinator to book slot during/after school

Classroom (Maths corridor) speak with Mr Pannel about after-school use

Albert Road Recreation Ground
- Need to experiment with lighting faces, will they show on camera with just streetlight?
- Torches or Paglight may be needed
- Near Olivia's house so meeting point available.
- Family Park - not too busy in the evenings

The view of the path on the rec