Project Evaluation - SCRIPT TO SCREEN

Opening Statement - Beginning the first project on scriptwriting was very different and sometimes quite challenging for me with the visual side to it when coming up with a story/ plot. This was a project that gave me the realistic aspects of making a script for a short feature in the film/ television industry. Starting from a film pitch, making the first draft of the script and concluding by editing a rough and final cut of a two minute extract. 

1. FILM PITCH

When i got used to knowing what a film pitch was, i came up with catchy and interesting words to grab my audiences attention from my film's pitch and particularly when i had to present "Water Under the Bridge" the twenty five word pitch. 

I personally felt nervous standing up in front of an audience and i did struggle to speak out my words and sentences to my tutors and peers. When i was asked questions, i once again sometimes struggled to speak everything out. To improve for future film pitch's i shall do a rehearsal in front of an individual and i need to feel very relaxed and speak in a formal but relaxed manner. I need to remember as well the film pitch task is to start my process for the entire production of the film and not to think it's my final piece or best work to present. 

2. SCRIPT

When i was shown Final Draft for the first time, i felt very comfortable and confident using the software. With very simple instructions and tools, i managed to complete my first and second draft. I was using the right transitions, understanding exterior, interior dialogue and character being present itself in the right position when making the script. After being given my feedback on the first draft and with the opinions being conflicting, it supported my continuous process to solve the issues the script had and how to improve on the second draft.

With the negative side of making the script, i did struggle to sometimes think deeper and more visually for when i was creating the plot of Water Under the Bridge. I think the problem was i did over think quite a lot about the plot of the film, that caused complications and issues when making the first draft of the script. I believe though the most difficult for me was trying to show the sentences, languages of the film instead of telling it. To improve on that aspect i will try not to over complicate, over think and cut down the action sequences on the script to not over complicate the information of the plot. 

3. PRE - PRODUCTION

The pre - production process went very well, with a lot of independence and patience. I was more focused when i was creating the storyboards, shot lists, risk assessment and getting together my cast and crew. In terms of patience, i had to wait for quite a while to receive confirmation from my cast members if they could participate or not. After persistent contact with the cast members, i got all my cast members to accept the roles of the characters for the film. I took the risk assessment process very seriously and i made sure i answered the questions with utmost honesty. 

Personally i think the pre - production process was the most successful stage in the production. In terms of issues and how to improve, i think i could have informed and sent over to my actors only the scenes of the script we were going to film, instead of the whole script. To not make them think and practise the whole script before the day of filming, but only focus on the pacific shots or acts on the present day of filming. 

4. FILMING

After experiencing being a director for the second time, i felt that i had more control over the production then my previous experience. I directed and guided my actors to get them into character especially with their personalities from their characters in the script. I also directed and kept my crew members occupied as best as i could, mainly the sound technician individual. The overall successful process was capturing the targeted scenes to submit as the two minute extract. 

I think i could of got more coverage when myself, the cast and crew were filming outside the front of my house. I personally think we could of filmed a few tracking shots of my main actor walking on the pathway towards the house. We had a small technical issue on the microphone of the camera trying to get communicated sound through the camera. My DOP (director of photography) and sound technician tried to solve the issue, they could not find the solution. Instead we used my own camera, Rode microphone and shoulder rig when we filmed through the hallway/ front door of the house. However a sibling who is a qualified sound designer, solved the issue and the problem was about a very small switch on the microphone we may of mistaken turned it off when we concluded filming the previous scene and were putting away the equipment to move on to the next scene. For the next project, we shall make sure to not switch anything off from the microphone before any more complicated problems could occur. 

5. POST - PRODUCTION

My independence has been at the utmost strength when editing both the rough and final cut of the short film. I kept focus very well on the different stages before exporting as an MP4 such as checking all of the colour grading was appropriate to suit the tone of the film. Then i showed it to Simon before moving on to develop the extract from post - production. From Simon's feedback both from the two different cuts, i was very satisfied, proud and i agreed with Simon's opinions about how to support the further development of editing the short film by making a short list of improvements which i then added to my final draft and ticked off what was done.  I have shown both the rough and final cut of the extract to some members of my peers and i was given some really satisfying feedback as well. 

I think i could of gone into more in depth with the audio process in post - production. It's a editing aspect that i should develop more for future projects and making the editing of the short film more realistic and entertaining. Before beginning the audio process next time i should research and watch some video tutorials on the video software i am using and take notes for guidance for further, improvement and developments.   

Summary: Conclusion Statement

In conclusion of the Script to Screen unit, this has been a project that has taken myself outside my comfort zone. 

By trying to think visually about story making, scriptwriting, trying to understand the language of the different stages of scriptwriting and of course directing a cast and crew with equipment that is very new to me. I have very much appreciated been given a brand new workshop once and twice a week to make me feel confident and comfortable using the studios equipment and of course learning more about the tools on the editing software, Adobe Premiere Pro. The majority of this project has been about giving me the opportunities to learn the different stages of making a short film.