Analysis of of the Film 'Thirteen"

The film 'Thirteen' has been very useful to analyse because it has a great deal of links and themes to the short film we are going to create. I was very interested into looking at how they portrayed these themes and how they were shot with what camera angles, lighting and sound. 

Here we have a scene where a young teenage girl tries alcohol for the first time much like a scene that we will have in our own film. We can take a lot from this because the protagonist is also a teenage girl who enjoys the party atmosphere and life much like in our film. The setting is in the streets away from parents. It lets off a mood to the audience that tells us what the girl is doing is wrong. The lighting in the scene is dim which creates a sinister mood, the whole atmosphere created makes the audience feel like what is going on is wrong. The shot used in this scene is mid close up. For us as an audience we feel like we're in that moment, but not too close where we would lose other character expressions which influence what's happening in the scene. The camera movement used is very clever - they use a handheld camera so there's some movement but it makes us the audience feel more apart of the scene.

This section of the scene is also very helpful to look at because the girl is in a drunk state which we will have a similar scene in our film. Using a medium close up again we the audience feel more like we're in the scene with the actors. The lighting is once again dim but with the bright lights of the street. Here the film makers have lit the scene very well, one so we can see the actors and two, they have managed to make it look realistic, like they're in the street. There isn't any harsh light which loses the effect of the city at night. The camera here moves with the actors in front of them which also helps us the audience feel like we're part of the scene and creates the feeling of walking. The costume for the girl in this film is quite party like, make up, hair done up nicely, going out clothes. We will try to achieve a similar thing for when Chloe is at home. We will need to be able to show two sides to her character. Going out and lounging at home.

The drugs scene in our film is very key because it is the cause of the protagonists downfall. As shown in the film the lighting is darker than before, the girls are being quiet. The lighting links to the fact the girls don't want to be found out. The shadows can hide their actions. The film makers have used a mid close up to keep the focus on the girls yet the door can be seen behind them telling us that they may get found out or that is what they're trying to avoid. This also links to the setting and how the girls are doing it in a dark empty room away from people. This is similar to our film in the way that the kids in our film will take the drugs on the moor away from civilisation and the law. In this scene the camera is still which mirrors how the drugs are effecting the girls and also how they have to be to not get caught. Their movements are minimal due to the drug consumption so the camera also stays still because there isn't a very wide angle to film.

This scene I found particularly helpful because in our film we have a conversation between daughter and father. In this scene the film makers have used an over the shoulder shot. They have also positioned the camera so that the mother is looking directly at her daughter and not down on her which would show power and control in the situation. The fact she is looking her eye level shows the parent does not have full control and is struggling to control her reckless daughter. Another factor is that the daughter is facing towards the door at the end showing that she doesn't want to talk to her mother who is blocking her way. The film makers have shown character intentions just through where they are stood without the need of dialogue. The lighting and setting here is also a comparison to the setting of the street where the girl goes out and is a different version of herself. It shows more of a warmth to the home having subtle and also natural light and not dim moods and dark lighting. It shows how the daughter is in a safe place. I would like to try create a similar atmosphere in my film between the father and daughter relationship.

Different Types of Camera Shots

Here we looked into the different types of camera shots that we will be able to use in our short films

Extreme Close Up

Medium Shot

Looking Room (Looks into space in the frame)

Big Close Up

Long Shot

Walking Room (Moving Subject Walks into Space)

Medium Close Up

Very Long Shot

High Angle Shot

Medium Close Up

Two Shot

Low Angle Shot

Medium Long Shot

Over the Shoulder Shot

Tilted Frama

Early Stages of Film Production

We have assembled a team of three to produce a film for the film festival. The team consists of:

- Patrick Campbell (Writer & Director)
- James Bowes [me] (Director of Photography & Sound)
- Alex Hargraves (Editor) 
- Music (Alex Hargraves & Patrick Campbell)

The film we have chosen was written by Patrick Campbell and is called 'Live For The Weekend'. We chose this film because it gained the highest vote in the democratic vote in class and also because it is unique (has a very different storyline to other films in the class). We know there will be challenges in filming this film but think if we do it right it will be very, very successful.

The plot of 'Live For The Weekend' consists of a girl who has lost her mother. She attends a party of one her friends on a Fridayevening. She has a great time at the party but does over drink a little and ends up being sick in the toilet. After this she heads home in the dark and goes straight to bed (overall she has enjoyed the night). The following day Chloe is invited to another party, she doesn't want to go but gets persuaded into it by her friends. That evening at the party, for the first time she takes some 'pills' (drugs) - she really likes the experience. The following day Chloe wants to party again and asks her friends out. Again, she takes some pills - this time it goes to far and she starts to feel very ill. We switch back to her Dad worrying about her and trying to ring her, then back to Chloe as she starts to stumble towards the road. She ends up stumbling onto the road, and a car comes out of nowhere. We here a crunch, then everything goes black.

We have discussed actors which would suit the roles in the film:

- Chloe - Ellena
- Nicki - Freya
- Joe - Matthew
- Austin - Daniel/Joseph
- Dad - Ian (TBC)

These were chosen by Patrick as he believed each person would be able to play the role of the characters well and understand how to turn Patrick's script into a reality. |

We have also begin discussing potential locations, in our local area, that will be suitable for the production of our film:

- Front Gates - Ilkley Grammar School
- Road - leading away from school.
- Bedroom - Freya's Bedroom
- Train - Northern Line
- Party - Freya's Kitchen
- Fridge Scene - Patrick's House
- Hall - Patrick's House
- Moor - Ilkley Moor
- Road - Moor Road
- Park - Ilkley Park 

These are some ideas for locations, we plan on visiting them all to check that they are appropriate and suitable. If there are any issues we will make adjustments as required. 

We have been looking online for film segments to take inspiration from. We came across a few examples for our party scene: 

- 21 JUMP STREET [2012] Scene: House Party - click here to view (this is a rough idea of the kind of party we would be portraying). 

- It's Party Time - Wild Parties In Movies - click here to view (this would be the kind of camera angles, music and shot types we would want to get).

Film Pitch Presentation

Audience Survey Results

Here I can see that the types of themes people like to see in drama's is on a wide scale. Everyone is different and enjoys different story's

A lot more people prefer to see a multi stranded story with many characters over a single protagonist. This could be because people could get bored following the story of just one character, an audience likes to see lot's of different types of characters

From this we can see that the majority of the audience prefer a sad ending. Probably because they gain a large attachment to characters after getting to know them after how ever many series. A resolved ending might not leave as big an impact on you as a sad ending

Once again we see that an audience enjoys a wide range of things in drama's. Everybody enjoys their own personal aspects.

Its nice to see that the audience doesn't mind what gender the protagonist is. Either male or female can make a brilliant drama

The high majority of people would prefer to see a drama over a comedy, this could be because people feel like a drama is more gripping, a comedy can sometimes drag on and not be funny

Everybody prefers a series drama over a film drama. I think this is because an audience gets more tome to get to know characters. In a series you can build up tension more and leave cliff hangers and help an audience to really get to know a character they can really warm to or hate.

Mind maps - Creating a film/ideas

Job Roles

Producer -The Producer is often the first person to get involved in a project. Or they may be the agent-style Producer who focuses on the deal. The many responsibilities of the Producer span all four phases of production. In the Development stage, Producers are often responsible for coming up with the idea for a production, or selecting a screenplay. Producers secure the rights, choose the screenwriter and story editing team. They raise the development financing and supervise the development process. In pre-production, Producers bring together the key members of the creative team. This includes the Director, Cinematographer and Production Designer and key cast members. They help the Executive Producers to raise money for the production. Once the initial finance is in place, they select other key production office workers and Heads of Departments.


Director - Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film's written script into actual images and sounds on the screen. They are ultimately responsible for a film's artistic and commercial success or failure. They may write the film's script or commission it to be written, or they may be hired after an early draft of the script is complete. They must then develop a vision for the finished film and work out how to achieve it. During pre-production, Directors make crucial decisions, such as selecting the right cast, crew and locations for the film. They then direct rehearsals and the performances of the actors once the film is in production. They also manage the technical aspects of filming including the camera, sound, lighting, design and special effects departments. During post production, Directors work closely with editors through the many technical processes of editing, to reach the final cut or version of the film.


Camera Operator - Camera Operators carry out the director of photography's (DoP) and director's instructions for shot composition and development. They are usually the first people to use the camera's eyepiece to assess how all the elements of performance, art direction, lighting, composition and camera movement come together to create the cinematic experience.Camera Operators usually start at the end of pre-production and attend technical recces with other Heads of Department. They work closely with the Director of Photography and are responsible for the First Assistant Camera and Second Assistant Camera. After the Director and DoP have rehearsed and blocked the shots, the Camera Operator and DoP decide where to position the camera and what lenses and supporting equipment to use. Camera Operators work with Heads of Department, and keep them informed about how the position and movement of the camera might impact on their work. During shooting, operators are responsible for all aspects of camera operation, allowing the DoP to concentrate on lighting and overall visual style. They make sure the camera and equipment are prepared for the required set-ups and ready for any last-minute changes.


Storyboard Artist - Storyboard Artists get the screenplay and from this turn it into lots of drawings like a comic book. This helps the director get a clear idea of exactly what they want to achieve and shows what’s needed, e.g., prosthetics for make-up, Computer Generated Images (CGI) for visual effects, props for the art department etc. Storyboards are mostly needed for films that have large amounts of action and CGI, where complex chase, fight or battle scenes need to be visualised and planned before being filmed. Many big budget feature films are storyboarded before shooting begins.


Sound engineer - A sound engineer works with the technical aspects of sound during the processes of recording. Audio engineers often assist record producer and musicians to help give their work the sound they are hoping to achieve. For example, an audio engineer will piece together parts of audio, use auto-tune on a recording, and/or add synthetic sounds to a track. Audio engineers are different from producers. However, some audio engineers go on with their careers to double as producers or assume the role of producer.


Set Designer - The set designer works with the director and tries to achieve their image of the film., They will design what a director wants a set to look like and how it will function. The set needs to function to work with the actors and what happens in the script. They are a big part of the designing process because what they design will appear on film so it needs to suit the era and style of the film and make it look professional and realistic.


Actor - Actors interpret others' words in order to bring a script to life, and to put flesh and blood on the characters they portray. Theirs is the public face of a production, representing many others' work and efforts. The actor in the film is hired by the producer and is selected from auditions by the casting team. The actor needs to suit the criteria of the film and the character they play. They will rehearse the lines and work with the director on the script. They will try to achieve what is written down but the director will ultimately be responsible of how they want an actor to deliver a line or act in a scene.