Evaluation

Q1- What were the aims of the script and 9 key frames?

The aims of the script and 9 key frames were to provide a resolution to a sequel to the film 'Four Lions'.  The aim of the script was to show my MACRO theme of themes and messages, which is the modern day theme of terrorism. The script attempted to find humour in an exaggerated stereotypical terrorist character and put him in a scenario where he accidentally stops a terrorist attack on England. The script showed my MACRO because it used the theme of terrorism as a basis for comedy. The location I picked was a traditional british countryside, which contrasted with my terrorist character's anti-english beliefs. I picked traditional english costumes like football tops and countryside apparel for my english characters and stereotypical terrorist costumes for my muslim terrorist and the terrorist at the end of my script. This was to create a contrast between the english and the terrorists. The audience themselves would be english and the humour would come from how the terrorists are different to the audience. My main props would be bombs, which is a key stereotypical prop of the terrorist characters I am presenting. The characters in my frames are typical of comedy films, we have one group, the terrorists who are exaggerated and ridiculous compared to the normal and straight-headed british people.

Q2- What codes and conventions identified in the textual analysis essay were used in the script and in the 9 key frames?
The codes and conventions that I used in the script and 9 key frames were the characterisation of the terrorists. In other films, terrorists are portrayed as ruthless killing machines who want to destroy all western culture whilst in my film and the original 'Four Lions', the stereotype and audience expectations  for the terrorists are subverted and they are shown as stupid and useless in their terrorist attempts. My character also has this audience expectation subverted. Another convention used was the location. Most films about terrorism take place in urban areas whilst my film takes place in the countryside. I chose this because it subverts the stereotype of terrorism whilst also making the concept of a terrorist running round the countryside funny because it wouldn't be something that would realistically happen. Another convention used were the costumes and props. I kept stereotypical costumes and props of a terrorist like the ethnic costume of a white outfit and black robe and the use of a backpack bomb. I kept these conventions because I wanted to make the character conform to the convention of terrorists slightly so the audience recognise he is a terrorist and that the stereotype isn't completely subverted.  Linking back to my textual analysis, another theme that I wrote about was the theme of redemption. In my 9 key frames and script, we see the terrorist character unintentionally redeem himself from being a terrorist by uncovering an actual terrorist who planned to do actual damage. This theme is used ironically which links to the genre and original theme of the first film, 'Four Lions' which is a comedy.

Q3- How was the location report used in the construction of the 9 key frames

The location report was useful because it allowed me to pick which side of the field had the best view and which looked more traditionally british. For example, behind my shots, the field was facing a motorway so the location report helped me prepare for that specific angle. The location itself was easy to get to for all my actors and myself, there was a car park near the field. The location was useful in my 9 key frames because it was used to show how I broke the convention of a terrorist being in a urban area, and instead having him in a rural area. Another use of the location in the 9 key frames was to create a juxtaposition between the terrorist and english countryside, making it ironic for the audience to have someone who hates England in a traditionally british area. I did encounter some problems with my location because their was no shed in the field which was needed for a narrative point in my 9 key frames. To solve this I photoshopped a shed into the background of my locations. However, before this I thought of changing the location if necessary but in the end, I didn't need to.

Q4- How successful was the script and 9 key frames in achieving the aims?

The script and 9 key frames achieved the aims of my MACRO because it showed my understanding of the themes and messages used in the original 'Four Lions' which was the modern day theme of terrorism. I felt that the script was well written and appropriate to the previous film's style of comedy. I also made it darkly ironic, by dealing with a controversial topic like terrorism in a light hearted way. However I felt that it's success as a resolution to sequel isn't as resolved as the original 'Four Lions'. The ending to my creative artefact is quite open-ended, maybe asking more question than it answers. I also feel that some of my costumes could have been better, and particularly the shed scene in the last two frames, which heavily relied on Photoshop. I should have found a dark room or a actual shed to shoot with my actors. If I had done this, it would have made it more clear to the audience about what the scene is trying to show.

9 key frames unfinished

Location Report

Location- Darenth Country Park. This field would be suitable for my 9 key frames because there would be few people there and minimal background distraction. This is important considering the plot of my 9 key frames.

Shot of Darenth country park. In this picture you can see the car park which is how
myself and the actors accessed the area.

Picture facing the north. Flat ground and lots of trees, ideal example of rule of thirds.

Southern view, shows a pathway, where my characters entered the field in the narrative.

How does this location relate to my MACRO: My macro of themes and messages deals with the theme of terrorism. By having my teenage terrorist dressed up in ridiculous stereotype terrorist wear, running round a traditional british field, it subverts the expectations of terrorism that the audience would expect and create humour in the situation.

Accessibility
The location is accessible by car and after a short walk. It is a field frequented by dog walkers but there would be space to shoot appropriate frames.

Health and Safety
The weather should be okay for my shooting. There is a potential risk of slipping on rocks or on mud and falling over but this will be very unlikely.

Things to consider
. The weather on the day may be problematic because if it is very sunny, there may be problems with the white balance of the picture. If it rains, it will be very hard to shoot, with the field getting very muddy.
. Due to the field being a public area, there could be people walking around, particularly dog walkers. It is very unlikely anyone will cause any disruption in the background or foreground of the shoot.
. Myself and my actors will have phones incase of any emergencies or problems filming. If required the council may needed to be contacted.

9 key frames descriptions

1-George and his dad walking through the field, carrying bags.
(medium shot, from the front)
Meaning of the image is the contrast between George, wearing his white robe and stereotypical muslim gear next to his dad wearing a west ham kit, embodying british culture.

2- Dad and land owner talking, laughing smiling, whilst in the background, we see george walking away, looking over his shoulder nervously.
(medium shot, George positioned on the far left whilst the dad and land owner are positioned on the far right. )
meaning of the image is to show that the dad, who embodies british culture, familiarises with the land owner who shows similar patriotism, he wears a british badge or a poppy. Shows to the audience that the land owner is going to conflict with George.

3- George digging with his toy spade, bomb resting on the bag, bags open on the ground. Landowner walking over far distance in the background
(medium shot from the front
Shows ludicrousness of terrorist plot.

4- George hiding toy spade behind him as the Landowner looks curious
(medium shot from behind george, so we can see his spade, whilst the landowner points at his bag)
Shows terrorism trying to hide from english authority.

5- The landowner grabbing george by his robe and holding the bomb, look of fury on his face
( close up of the two fighting)
shows englishman prevailing over terrorist threat.

6- Shot of the dad setting up a tripod, holding his camera, whistling. in the very far distance, we can see the george and the landowner struggling. he has headphones on and can't hear them.
(medium shot of dad on the far right whilst we see the fight on the far left)
this image shows a symbolic image. Englishmen turning his back and unaware on the terrorist threat happening in clear view behind him. reflects modern day theme of people being unaware of terrorism and it's status as a taboo. People either don't talk about it or confront it straight away like the land owner.

7- landowner on phone calling police whilst dragging george behind him, george cant get up because of his sandals. in the background, there is a shed.
(medium shot of the two of them from behind.)
meaning is shed resembles prison, englishmen taking terrorist to prison.

8- we see the two people standing in the doorframe of the shed, visibly shocked at what they have seen.
(low angle shot of george and the landowner from the front.)
meaning is that this image sets up the next one.

9- we see Anders, the actual terrorist, with his compost bomb, and knife on the desk, looking awkard, not knowing what to say.
(room darkly lit, medium shot so we can see his costume.)
shows an actual lone wolf terrorist, giving a dark sense of irony that by planting a bomb, George has inadvertently exposed an actual dangerous terrorist, making george the british hero.