Happy Birthday to Sam!

Happy Birthday to fellow Six String Studios member, Sam Kay! He's 18!!!

Devices in "The Lost Ones"

Finished writing the script for our project yesturday so today in Sainsburys Cafe, over a "Big Breakfast" comprising of bacon, sausage, egg, beans, tomatos, hash browns and a large Apple Tango, I wrote this analysis sumarising some of the main artistic & scriptual devices! Enjoy <3 

PM x
Six String Studios

An analysis of the script for ‘The Lost Ones’.

by Patrick McCallion

In writing the script for The Lost Ones, I have tried to add certain artistic elements and features that I believe will give the film more depth and merit. In this analysis I hope to summarise many of these elements.

Who is the Lost One?

One of the questions I’ve tried to address whilst writing this script is “in this situation, who actualy is the lost one?”. On paper, it would appear obvious that Violet is the mans “lost one” having been taken from him prematurely, however you could also argue that the man is the one who is lost within his own emotions, and the ever clinging presence of Violet, thus giving the title of the film dual meaning. A trend I’ve tried to continue throughout the script.

Dual Meaning of the Script.

I have tried to write this script in a style that can give the text multiple meenings. The dialogue when heard the first time round, sounds like the couple are preparing for a wedding  but also Violet has moved away to pursue a career and the man misses her. However, on a second viewing, the dialoge takes on a completely different meaning. For example, take the line “You’ll get used to it. Atleast its all over now. You can relax!” If you were unaware of the twist ending, you would think the man was referring to Violets new job, however on a second viewing it can be enterpreted as a statement about Violet’s passing and how she can finally rest in peace. These dual meening lines are dotted around the script in various forms – “I can’t believe it’s coming around so soon” could mean either the couples wedding day or the anniversary of Violets death. “I wish we had more time, you know, to sort out the flowers” could mean Violet wishes she could have more time to sort the flowers for a wedding, but it could also mean she wishes the couple had more time to be together, and to sort the flowers for a rememberence service. These are just a few of the dual meanings in the dialogue.

Cut Scenes

I have written some surreal cut scenes into the script, where we see characters in various guises stood against a black background. This is a technique I first saw in Oliver Stones film Natural Born Killers. I have used these cut scenes to show hidden emotion within the characters that you may not see on the surface and also to hint at Violets ultimate end. The bulk of the shots show hidden emotion (see Scene 4) however I have used some of the latter scenes to add film noir influence to the project.

Film Noir Influence

In some cases, I have used typical Film Noir writing techniques to drop hints about the twist ending. The first main example of this is when the man starts to light a cigarette, in black and white which is remenent of old American detective films. I wrote this in to show that the man is on a quest for something (in this case to dismiss the memory of his girlfriend). The most important use of film noir is at scene 6 when in black and white, Violet holds a cigarette to her lips. I felt this would identify her as a femme fatales character and would suggest she is leading someone (in this case the audience) astray.

Colour

I have tried to use colour in my script to portray certain emotions. Whenever red light is written in the stage direction, It is at a time when the man is longing for Violet, or remembering her, acknowledging she is dead. However when the pub is in a blue light it is a time when the man is pretending Violet is still living, and reliving the times they spent talking together.

Script Draft 1

This is a blog sensitive version of the first draft script. Analysis to come soon.

PM
Six String Studios


“The Lost Ones”
Draft 1
Created by Patrick McCallion, Nathan Crossley & Sam Kay
Written by Patrick McCallion
Six String Studios 2011


01 INT BAR – NIGHT
A fairly busy bar/club at night flooded with red artificial light. A man stands at the bar waiting to be served. He’s off in a world of his own, watching the television. The barman finally approaches him.


BARMAN
Evening sir. What can I get you?
Unsure, and not particularly bothered, the man replies,
MAN
Oh sorry, I’ll have a bottle of … erm… whatever, surprise me.
BARMAN
Right you are!


The bar man leaves to get a bottle from the fridge. While he does, the man looks back to the television across from the bar. Archive footage of the 9/11 attacks is shown on the screen, with the caption “9/11 – One Year On”. The man rubs his hands together and presses them to his face. A crescendo in the music. The barman reappears, but the man is fixed on the screen.


BARMAN
Here you are sir…


The man doesn’t acknowledge the barman’s presence. He continues to keep his eyes glued to the television. The bar man interrupts again.


BARMAN
Sir?


All of a sudden, the man snaps back to reality.


MAN
Oh sorry. My minds in a million different places at the moment. Put it on the tab.


The man delves into his pocket and produces a packet of cigarettes. He takes one and strikes a match. The camera fixes in on the flame, black and white, subtly Film Noir as it gets pressed to cigarette, crackling. The man turns away and leans against the bar. As he does, Violet walks in through the doors. She is wearing a bright blue dress with matching shoes, standing out from the drab background. We see the man smile, and he immediately drops his cigarette to the floor again in black and white.


MAN
Violet! Grab a seat! I’ll be there in a moment!


Violet smiles and turns to go get a table. The man swivels back round to the bar with a new found confidence and calls to the barman.


MAN
‘Scuse me!


The barman turns to look at the man and makes a noise to show he is listening.


MAN
Sorry, could I get a blue WKD please.


The barman looks slightly taken aback, but says.


BARMAN
Sure!


An almost unreal cut, out of time, and the man is sat at the table opposite Violet, sliding the drink over to her. She leaves the drink where it is on the table.


02 – INT DARK ROOM – T.I
Violet stands with her eyes closed smiling, her hair blowing in an eerie breeze. The scene is over almost as soon as it has started
(CUT TO.)




03 – INT BAR – NIGHT
Violet looks up at the man, before smiling and chuckling. The man also begins to chuckle.
(CUT TO.)




04 – INT DARK ROOM – T.I
The man stands looking directly into the camera with his hands on his head. We hear no voices.
(CUT TO.)




05 – BAR – NIGHT


We return to the chuckle. The man looks down at his hands before looking back up to Violet.


MAN
How’s work going then.?
VIOLET
God, it’s madness. It’s just so surreal, you know!
MAN
Really? Ah well. You’ll get used to it. At least it’s all over for now. You can relax!


Violet looks unimpressed.


VIOLET
You call this relaxing? When you asked if I wanted to meet up with you, I thought you meant like a restaurant or a coffee shop or something, not the flaming pub!


The man looks around.


MAN
It’s not too bad here, is it?


Violet smiles to herself.


VIOLET
No, I’m just being a pain.
MAN
Don’t worry about it. You’re alright.


The man looks down at his hands again and the camera focuses in on the engagement ring on his finger. He keeps looking at it as he talks.


MAN
I can’t believe it’s coming around so soon.
VIOLET
Yeah, I know! It seems like just the other day…
MAN
Yeah. Time just sails by. It’s unbelievable.


The man takes a drink from his bottle of beer. He looks slightly upset, but Violet doesn’t seem to notice.


VIOLET
I just wish we had more time, you know, to sort out the flowers, it’s all been a little rushed, with me being away. I’m used to doing all the organising really.
MAN
I know. I wish you’d come back home…


The man regrets saying this when he sees Violets sadness.


MAN
Look, I’m sorry. I know this new jobs great for you, but it’s just so fucking far away. I miss you.
(CUT TO.)




06 – INT DARK ROOM – T.I


Violet looks purposefully into the camera, with a cigarette in her mouth and holding a black rose.
(CUT TO.)




07 – INT BAR – NIGHT
VIOLET
Sorry.
MAN
It’s okay. I understand.


He takes another swig from his bottle of beer. The bottle is verging on empty.


MAN
But soon, everything will be fine! Just wait a few more months, and the day will finally be here! And then, that’ll be it! They’ll be nothing we can’t do!


Violet smiles.
VIOLET
Yeah. It’s going to be nice.


The bar man approaches the table and talks to the man.
BAR MAN
Are you finished with that sir?
MAN
Yes cheers.


Violet looks down at her watch.


VIOLET
Oh my God, is that the time! We better make a move soon.


The mans phone begins to ring. The ringtone is Street Corners by One Stop Railway. “I’m standing on Street Corners. Waiting for my time.” He looks at the phone.


MAN
One second, Violet.


He answers the phone.
MAN
Hello.




08 – INT DARK ROOM – T.I
Violet smiles straight into the camera.
(CUT TO.)




09 – INT BAR – NIGHT
MAN
Yes of course… Red Spider Lily’s, that’s correct. They were her favourite… okay… Goodbye.


The man looks up from the phone slowly, with tears in his eyes. Violet is no longer there. He quickly looks back down at his hands. We once again focus in on the television, which is still airing 9/11 footage. The bar is flooded with red light. We close in on the man’s hands as he slides the ring off his finger, places it on the table in front of him and slides it to the middle. He pauses, takes a deep breath, stands up and walks away from the table. For a few seconds we watch the empty table in silence, before fading to black.




THE END

Another thought! Film Noir Influence?

Having just posted about Natural Born Killers, I've had another idea. Some of the cut scenes in Stones film, in very round about ways portray subtle concepts. I was thinking of maybe trying to include some film noir influence in the film. I thought if in one of the cut scenes, 'the man' was smoking his cigarette wearing a 1930's style hat in black and white, perhaps it might make the audience think that Violet is perhaps a Femme Fatales and isn't all she actually seems on the surface.

Will bring this up with the group tomorow :)

PM x
Six String Studios

Natural Born Killers - Cut Scenes

Just had an idea for The Lost Ones. I recently acquired a new favorite film, Natural Born Killers written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Oliver Stone. After watching a few times over, I've noticed a couple of really impressive visual effects that we could maybe mimic in our film. The first one is the cut scene.

One of the many cut scenes from Natural Born Killers 
showing protagonist Mickey covered in blood.

Cut Scenes

Mickey walks through a pharmacy, covered in bright
green light.

Several times during the film, the camera cuts away from the narrative and for less than a second, shows a picture of the character (see left) expressing their inner emotions. I feel this may be a nice effect to use in our film as it could show the mans happy exterior when talking to Violet is actually covering up his inner emotions and his ultimate realization that Violet is no more.

Colour

In some of the later scenes in the film, noticeably the dungeon scene and the pharmacy scene (left) very vivid colours are used to express emotions and themes (being trapped etc). I like the thought of using blue lighting to represent the innocence of Violet and the couples love, and vivid red to express the mans ultimate anger and sadness.


PM x
Six String Studios

David Ford - I Don't Care What You Call Me - Inspiration

Summary
This 5 minute music video is filmed in one shot and shows singer, David Ford, singing about his relationship problems to a woman (his girlfriend) in a carpark, who throws a glass of water in his face, slaps him and walks off. Another woman aproaches and does the same. The camera pans out to show a huge line of people queuing. He then walks off slowly into the distance.

Why it relates to The Lost Ones
This film is obviously a music video and not a short movie, however I think some of the artistic devises and storylines in this project are transferable to what we hope to achieve with The Lost Ones. The video shows a very distinct and emotional relationship between two individuals, a trait obviously used in our concept.

What I Like
I'm very fond of a lot of the stylistic elements in this music video. I really love the use of shadow and how a dark and bleak atmosphere is created using very few resources, (hopefully we can use different shadow effects in our work to create contrasting atmospheres.) I also think the acting in this video is very powerful, how very volatile emotions can come across with very little actual dialogue. I also really like the use of just one shot. I think this is a very powerful effect, and shows how life can pause and the world can feel to fold in on one little moment. However, we will not be using this technique in our film, as we want to demonstrate our editing skills :D

Missed - Inspiration

Summary
'Missed' is a 5 minute short film by Guy Ducker. In the film a man is sat working at his laptop in a cafe. One of his friends walks in and informs him a woman has died. The man is shocked, when he sees the woman in question walking past the window. The sit down and chat about how shocked he was when he thought she died, and how he'd wished he'd got to know her better. The woman fades away to nothing and the man continues working.

Why it relates to 'The Lost Ones'
Missed was actualy the main inspiration behind our film. The content of the movie is obviously similar except we like to think the way we film our movie will be very different and contrasting. The concept of meeting up with a person who is just a memory is one that appeals to all of us at Six String Studios.

What I Like
There's a lot to be said about Duckers film. Although it doesn't delve into any majorly traumatic issues (we want our project to deal with terrorism and lost love) it concentrates very well on the particular topic at hand, and through a varied length of shots effectively creates a subtly beautiful film. Generaly, I think this project works very well as a short film as you get a real sense of character development and narrative in a very short space of time.

Last Day Dream - Inspiration

Summary
Last Day Dream is a 42 second short film Written & Directed by Chris Milk. The film is shot from the perspective of a man, watching his life flash before his eyes and reliving fond, distressing and mundane memories.

Why it relates to The Lost Ones.
Although on the surface the two films are very different, both share the similar element of people reliving memories.

What I Like.
I love how Chris Milk has shown that some of the mans most memorable moments are fairly irrelevant and things people take for granted, (ie. catching a baseball). I think we should try to mimic this in the production of our film, because one of the main points I want to try to get across is that memories are very precious and should stay with you forever, no matter if its a big memory (organizing a wedding) or a small one (being nagged at for not tidying up toast crumbs).

Watch 'Last Day Dream' - http://youtu.be/GtyIZNBzrok

Survey

Quick update. I've devised a survey to determain what our target audience wants. More details soon :) Patrick M

Quick Update - Presentation Feedback

Well today we presented our ideas (the concepts adressed in this blog) to our Media Studies class, and got a bit of feedback. People seemed to like the gist of the film, particularly the use of flower symbolism. We also recieved a few films we may be interested in like David Lynch's Mulholland Drive.

So yeah! Pretty productive sort of day!

Patrick M
Six String Studios

The Sixth Sense - Influence & Colour

Although the bulk of our inspiration has come from the film Missed, I'm very keen on using concepts that I have seen used by M. Night Shamylan in his cult classic, The Sixth Sense. 
 
(SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT READ ON IF YOU DO NOT WANT THE END OF THIS TRULY AWESOME FILM SPOILING FOR YOU!!! (UNLESS OFCOURSE YOU'RE AN OCR EXAMINER JUDGING MY COURSEWORK, IN WHICH CASE I'M SORRY I'VE SPOILED IT FOR YOU :/)

The Sixth Sense follows the story of child psychologist Dr Malcom Crowe (Bruce Willis), who works closely with disturbed young child Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) who claims he can "see dead people." Towards the end of the film it becomes apparant that Crowe has been dead the whole time, and has actualy only being interacting with Cole because he can talk to the deseased. 

This film is obviously of substancial interest to us, due to the shock ending of The Lost Ones which has similarities to Shamylan's film. 

Throughout The Sixth Sense, hints are dropped to the ending that we hope to try and replicate in our film. Firstly, throughout the film Willis never directly effects his suroundings. For instance, he will only ever talk to Cole and get a genuine responce, and if he sits down at a table, he will make sure he doesn't move the chair or allow the table to wobble. We hope to include this feature in our project, making sure that Violet doesn't ever touch her drink once she's sat down.

A red tent from 'The Sixth Sense'

The most interesting way that Shamylan dropped hints in this film, however, is through the use of colour. Red is used throughout the movie to show "anything in the real world that has been tainted by the other world" and to "connote extremely emotional moments and situations". We plan too use the colour blue (dress and drink) to show Violets heavenly presence and drop subtle hints.

PM