Proposal and Research

For my final artefact, I would like to create a film using a multi screen effect, similar to those taught during the lesson that focused on Triptychs. Having completed a mini brief creating a short film using split screen earlier in this module, I feel I have good knowledge on how to create such an effect and would like to tell my story using this.

I propose to create a five minute film that will use split screen to expand the narrative even further and engage the audience more. I would like my film to have a gritty feel to it, much like the work of Shane Meadows' 'Dead Mans Shoes, 2004' and Lynne Ramsey' 'Morvern Callar, 2002' that I have thoroughly researched. I very much like the dark style both directors have portrayed throughout these particular films and want my film to have a similar style. I also enjoy the style of many Channel 4 documentaries such as Skint in which this documentary details how people survive without work. The style is gritty and raw and true to real life and so I propose to keep this in mind when shooting my own film. Click on the link below and take a look at the first episode of 'Skint'. You can see the reality style in which the directors wanted to portray:

Skint - Episode 1 'Family' aired Monday 13th May 2013

A particular scene stands in the film 'Movern Callar' which can be seen below. In this scene, I particularly like the way in which the camera is shooting from outside the bathroom door, as if spying on her. I like the close ups to portray the isolated feel she has at this point in the film:

After having researched into various films and documentaries, I have came up with an idea for my final artefact. I propose to create a film that shows the true struggles of parenthood and the lengths that some parents may go to in order to support their young children. Fortunately for me, I have a willing friend and her young child whom are able to act in my film. 

I would like my film to focus on the daily and mundane chores in which a parent cares for her child, starting right at the beginning of the day:

I want her to wake up, run a bath and sink under the water as if she is getting away from it all (at this point in the film you are not aware there is a child involved) and her to awaken quickly as is snapped back into reality. From there, I will follow her getting her child up, dressed and ready for the day. Throughout I aim to focus on his happiness as opposed to her worries.

I want to focus on her not being able to pay bills and having hardly any money, in which case she decided to do what every parent wishes they never do, prostitute herself. 

My aim is to use split screen throughout the film to portray stories all going on at once, just simple things such as running a bath, brushing teeth, putting on the kettle, right up until the prositution and her getting ready. I want to contrast her thoughts throughout the film with her child's and will be able to do so through the use of split screen. 

I am to devise a shoot schedule and storyboards so I am aware of exactly what it is I need to shoot because I am doing this solely alone and so I would like the day/days to run as smoothly as possible. I would also like to add here that there will be a one year old running around all day so I propose to film all of his shots first so we can put him to sleep to get on calmly with the other scenes!

I will also check all equipment is ready to use as to not loose any production time. Hopefully this will all go to plan...