AS Level Film Studies Production Planning: Location Report For my AS film studies project portfolio, following a textual analysis

s of two chosen romantic comedy films, One Day (UK 2011: Lone Scherfig) and The Vow (US 2012: Michael Sucsy) in which I have both researched and studied how both directors, Richard Curtis and Will Gluck, manage to show the use of the generic convention meet cute all the way through their films. I have steadily developed my portfolio by producing a production recreated from the ideas presented in my textual analysis, using both scenes involving the meet cute convention as a base to create my own. Furthermore, my aim is to create a two minute extract in the Romantic Comedy genre supported by my location report shown below, showing six images both in-house and outdoor that show the environment I will be locating my filming at, for my making, where I will also create a motion of romance and affection between the characters and through the surrounding atmosphere as well as the use of Diegetic and non-dietetic sound.

My first chosen location was a teenage males bedroom located in Chadwell Heath, Essex. To begin with, I intend to involve cinematography - angles, shots, positioning and movement to illustrate what is happening in the scenes. I will use a wide shot which will reflect on both the main protagonist Dylan, played by (Elliot Fernando-Day) and his best friend, Antonio (Anwar Stephenson) connoting their level of comfort towards each other and will also give the audience a brief outlook of Dylan himself as the role of the main male character in the romantic film but will also show the subject of the scene in this case, Dylan and Antonio spending time together in his room watching TV before Dylans girlfriend Melanie, main

female protagonist played by (Emel Tabeahmadi) calls him to reveal his surprise date. An extreme close up shot will be involved to show Elliot on the phone to Emel, showing his emotions and facial expressions whilst in the moment of talking to her allowing the viewers to grasp an understanding of his feelings towards her and the surprise she has planned for him. This will create a warm and joyful atmosphere towards the audience showing a variety of procedures and attitudes representing the Romantic genre. When introducing my two minute sequence, the sound will be diegetic as it will be reflecting off the TV which both male characters will be watching in the first scene as well as the dialog delivered by them too. I will be using the normal camera angle, which means the position of the camera will be at the same level to the subject of the shot. Referring to movement, Focus will be used in order to keep the frame still whilst showing the boys at the time of filming. It is evident from my textual analysis that the use of a variety of shots and sound gives an effect towards the meet cute convention as it sets the mood of the environment. The colour blue presented on the walls and duvets will enhance the romantic characteristic of the film. It reflects the sky and the ocean and is often associated with intensity and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, confidence and faith, which fall under the romantic genre elements. The lighting itself will be slightly bright in the moment of filming showing the surroundings to be calm and relaxing as well as showing the audience that Antonio has been at his house for hours, reflecting on the level of comfort between them as mentioned above. Furthermore, the room is slightly empty with only a bed, chest of drawers and TV, which reflects on his expression, connoting that he is a simple young man who is not a complicated individual. Finally, as we were using my household, this meant that the availability would be flexible as well as not needing permission as I am the person producing the production with my own authorization preventing any delays or problems whilst filming the scenes. In addition, this also means that the weather will not interfere with the filming as we will be inside and nowhere near is the rain, being beneficial as it means there are no risks of the camera getting wet or damaged. Location two -

My second location was the kitchen, which I considered would be a good location to use for my romantic scene. To begin with, I intend to use a variety of shots whilst Melanie is preparing the dinner for Dylan. For this particular scenario, a wide shot will be used as she enters the kitchen heading towards the oven. By using this shot in particular, it will show her body language towards planning the evening as well as giving the viewers an idea of her surroundings and what will be taking place. Following this, extreme close up shots will be used to show her activities and details of the food and layout of the table, making it obvious to the audience that the scene is reflecting on a romantic genre. This will be creating a positive outlook on their relationship showing that both protagonists are at good terms with each other as well as exaggerating the level of effort put in to her meal to provide him with happiness. Alongside this, when editing I will involve a montage of different moments taken to create her meal. This will create a larger effect on the film as it will show she has used her time wisely as well as fulfilling the factors of the meet cute convention, producing a romantic meal which will then lead to the flash back of the meet cute convention being shown. I will use a shot reverse shot when the characters will be sharing dialogue with each other in order to show both individuals points of view in the situation and what they feel towards each other within that time of sharing the romantic dinner. When introducing this scene, I will include non diegetic sound, which will be a romantic song when you say nothing at all by Ronan Parks. As this is a slow love song, it will create a romantic atmosphere which is what I am planning to create for my two minute sequence. It will also emphasize the love both characters have for each other as the lyrics of the song will reflect on their emotions even though they will not hear this behind the scenes. Another micro element I am aiming to use is the involvement of the normal camera angle, which means the position of the camera will be at the same level to the subject of the shot. Referring to movement, Focus will be used in order to keep the frame still and focused on both of the boys at the time of filming. It is evident from my textual analysis that the use of a variety of shots and sound gives an effect towards the meet cute convention as it sets the mood of the atmosphere. I decided to use this location, as I know it will be the best place to film at without any problems occurring as listed above, due to poor weather or any charging difficulties/emergencies etc. This meant that the availability would be flexible as well as not needing permission as I am the person producing the production at my own household., preventing any delays or problems whilst filming the scenes. In addition, this also meant that the weather will not interfere with the filming as we will be inside and no where near the rain, which is beneficial as it means there is no risks of the camera getting wet from the rain.

Location 3: For the final scene, I decided to use this location specifically as it is what will reflect on my Meet cute scene. As the picture shows, this location only involves one bench, the place Dylan and Melanie meet due to dropping his oyster whilst taking his phone out of his back pocket to show Antonio something right in front of Melanie. To show these actions occur, I intend to use an extreme close up shot when filming Melanie sitting on the bench doing her work in order to show the subject that has led her there in the first place to represent that the meet cute scenarios are always unexpected. Alongside this I also intend to use an establishing shot when introducing the scene in order to illustrate to the viewers that both protagonists are most likely to meet each other due to a cheesy moment happening whilst they are in the same area in this case, at the park. This will cause the audience to feel positive towards romance, in regards to the uses of gratification theory; the target audience tend to watch these romantic films to gain an insight of love and to increase their level of self worth, which is my main aim of this two minute sequence representing the meet cute convention. When leading in to this scene, in regards to the involvement of sound, my objective is to contain diegetic sound of the children running in the park playing, whilst people talking to replicate on natural surroundings and the impact they will be giving towards the scene in order to make the meet cute scene look more realistic and organic, similar to the two films I have studied in this AS film unit. Also, as the previous scene was non diegetic sound, I thought I would alter my ideas to show a variety rather than having dull ideas. For Mis-en-scene, I will be filming when the natural lighting reflected from the sun and clouds, starts to fade. This will show the length of time both characters have managed to communicate, connoting a strong level of bonding between them without any issues or

interruptions. This will cause the viewers to gain an impression of the atmosphere being very cute, reflecting on the romantic gesture between the two characters and showing that the meet cute convention gives a good introduction to a film just by unexpected occurrences. In expressions of the narrative, my intentions are to have an involvement of narrative in the scene between the two characters. This will happen when Dylan drops his oyster on the floor, causing Melanie to bend over and pick it up, showing their facial expressions when looking at each other in the eyes properly. When this occurs, I will use a shot reverse shot to deliver both protagonists emotions on the one another rather than one point of view. This will encourage a good view of the meet cute convention and its reliability of love occurring unexpectedly being most effecting after developing majorly over the years. During the process of editing my sequence, I will make sure the eye line match technique is involved too. This will be used when the camera focuses on the oyster card to exaggerate that it was the main subject to why both characters met and how one little object or scenario can make such a difference. Overall, I decided to use this location as I thought it was something different and a unique way of showing the audience how a couple can meet rather than using a common scenario such as being located at a party or at school. The thought of a park being involved narrows the location down to look more calm and simple rather than complicated and offers no complications towards the filming as location permission isnt needed. All my chosen locations have an effect towards my two minute extract and will signify the generic convention meet cute relating to my textual analysis and how the directors managed to include it themselves.