Princess Pictures is a film and television production company that has forged a reputation for producing projects with some of the most innovative talent in the country.
Princess looks toward new ideas, stories that haven’t been told or ways of telling stories that make audiences look at the world in a different manner. The company has already gained a powerful reputation in this area, having acted as a link between the vision of intensely creative talent and the practicality of distributors and networks.
Princess was started in 2003 by Laura Waters, an experienced producer with credits not only in current affairs and documentary television, but also entertainment and narrative comedy. Born in the United States, Waters trained and worked in Boston, London, Washington, DC and Los Angeles before settling in Australia. This unique history infuses Princess Pictures with a broad view of where ideas can fit within the creative and international spectrum.
Princess Pictures’ has a ‘quality vs. quantity’ philosophy toward ideas, developing fewer projects with more time, resources and energy. We are convinced that a well-developed idea supported by a bottomless pit of commitment will always find a home.
Because Princess loves these projects and the talent behind them, we have developed ways of protecting both the creative ideas and the people who are financing them. Acting as a bridge between these two very different parties but understanding that they both want the same thing – reaching an audience with an exciting new idea – is the driving force behind Princess Pictures.
I believe this company would be suitable for our mockumentary. In the past it has supported such series as 'summer heights high', a mockumentary by Chris lilley. similar to ours, this show combines the ridiculous with the everyday normalities, creating an even greater humour. We support their ideology to promote untold stories, highlighting the originality of our subject.
within many of the mockumentary's I have observed, it is apparent that a lot of filler is necessary. compilations of the characters actions to be used where appropriate, instead of merely showing an entire structured interview. Here are some potential filler scenes we hope to include:
first driving lesson - establishing shot of car in large space, panning to follow.
washing up - over the shoulder shot, conveying intensity and difficulty of the task
brushing his teeth - in the mirror shot, head and shoulders
playing in goal during a football match - tracking shot of football. or shot from behind the goal.
playing hockey - establishing shot showing space around him, connoting he's not safe to be around when in possession of a hockey stick.
playing guitar - medium shot, perhaps not showing his hands, adding to hilarity that he can actually play.
writing - shortcut shots of numerous pencils breaking
typing (prodder) - long shots with a zoom, conveying hilarity and lonliness
making a sandwhich - fixed shots, complimenting dry humour within.
taking things from the oven - close up on the gloves
These sort of shots will add to the verisimilitude of our film, conveying how these filmakers really are following him everywhere. It is important to consider Simons clothing during these shots, and also lighting may affect the quality of some shots that are necessary to be done outside. It will be important to schedule appropriate times to film and ensure theses shots represent a fly on the wall sort of view - not a well rehearsed and planned scene.
This poster perfectly conveys the nature of Borat. He is a naive character, conveyed in his lonely position. The photo is taken from a high angle connoting a vulnerability within the character, slthough this contrast to the enthusiastic and joyus expression upon his face, this merely supports his emmence naivety. The font of the text supports the foriegn and dated theme that resounds within the bland colours he not only wears, but is surrounded by.
Our character is similar to Borat within his naivety and lonliness, therefore this could a potential style for our poster. However within our actual film, we hope convey several different sides and moods to our character, therefroe perhap we could find a style that allows a viewer to notice different traits to this character.
trainspotting is a popular british film, it concentrates on the toils of addiction and a mans struggle to quit heroin.this poster reflects the emmence variety of characters that occur within the film, each with a different pose and facial expresssion to convey their general attitude. For example, 'begbie' uses the effect of a strong gesture to portray his aggressive and short tempered nature. perhaps we could use this device to capture the varying moods and feelings of Simon, a compilation of photos, each connoting a different side to our character.
I also like the use of bold colours, capturing the audiences attention; i think this effect could be obtained with the presence of the oven gloves. This would connote how the gloves are the only source of colour and perhaps happiness within his life, even though they restrict his day to day life.
Here are a collection of posters that single out a particular character. The locations and level of zoom differs allowing for altered perceptions of them. It is clear that colour is an important factor when designing these posters, it gives an idea as to the themes that will be included and the general mood of the feature. Several od these characters are straight on to the camera - connoting an awareness and willingness to be involved. Whereas, those characters not looking staraight convey a mysterious attitude, as if the photo taken was from a covert perspective.
This is the mood board we created. we chose images that expressed such feelings as fear and lonliness. We contained many images of hands showing how they are always on our characters mind. We chose to cover the page with words such as 'fear', 'alone', and 'phobia'; showing how the phobia completely controls his life. the colours are varied showing his altering emotions, we will also convey this throughout our film, with the use of high/low angle shots, tracking shots to convey ergency etc. We also feature several images of oven gloves; we feel this object defines our central character: a means of safety, and a guard from real feelings.
Our final idea is to create a mockumentary. It will contain very similar traits to an ordinary documentary, and be shot in a completelyserious way, however about a completely ridiculous subject. In this case, our film is about a boy with a phobia of hands. Originally we planned on the character having no hands, however we were worried this could cause offence to people with disabilities. Instead we have decided that the character should wear enormous oven mitts/ large gloves. This would mean our film can no longer be seen as offensive, and still maintain a comic outlook.
Scenes we hope to include:
Interviews with Simon. these will involve afixed shot, headand shoulders, portraying the character in a relaxed environment; School/home/work etc.
following simon as he shows his way through school and his house, using actors as sound men for mise en scene. help make it seem like more of a gorilla film.
Showing Simon struggle with day to day tasks, which in the edit will be used as filler, probably voice over used.
Interviews with close relations, friends and colleagues of simon. fixed shot with a title labelling the character. These will also be in particular locations linking them to their role, or relation ship with simon.
This is an award winning short film. it is inspired by the story of batman. it surrounds the dull and secretive life and mind of a man called wayne. Elements such as lighting is low, connoting the sense of dark thoughts and desires. The use of little dialogue relates to the characters lonliness and isolation, the collection of shots almost seems like a montage of his life which compliments his dedication to his work and goals. the lack of eye contact is highlighted with the use of a close up on the characters showing the little emotional connection between them. Close ups are also used on the sewing machine whilst he works showing his attention to detail. the interesting use of a voice over being asyncronous adds an identity to the otherwise silent character. The colours are dark and sinister similar to the general theme of the sequence. He is seen wearing red at one point which connotes blood and pain. I like the way the film is almost documentary style, showing once again the characters isolation. It allows for a collection of more interesting shots and you can learn far more about the actions of the character. I think this is a style that would interest me, as it would be very difficult to actually convey an entire story within 5 minutes.
strangers is a short film set in the underground subway. It gives a modern take on the threat of the neo nazi's on the jewish community. The use of the lighting being very bright, and of unnatural colour gives the sense of it being unnatural and sinister. the character who is already sat on the train is clearly of ethnicity with long black hair. He seems almost afraiad and gives a sense of vulnerability through his silence. The use of tracking shots are effective as the man wanders down the train giving heightening the sense of a journey. a low angle shot is used as the train arrives showing the power and size of the train; the way it shows the train coming to a stop, raises tension and signifies the importance of the train. the lack of dialogue throughout builds tension, and gives the sense that their obvious identity is enough of a story. The white men have shaved heads and plain t-shirts. the have tatoos and piercings, giving them a stereotypical look of aggression and intimidation. They maintain eye contact, connoting hatred and showing power within the situation. Several close ups are used to portray the enormous tension, and small panning shots to convey the closeness and awkwardness of the situation. They often use the sounds of the underground, which give the unnerving sense of mechanics and machinery, the sound even continues as the credits occur on a black screen, leaving the image to the imagination, but still making the viewer aware of the location.
Sign Language.
Sign language is an award winning short film. It focused on a day in the life of a sign holder, although a very simple idea, it is shot and performed in a completely serious manner, an effective way to even highlight further the ridiculousness of the situation. The first person aspect in which the main character is telling the story is a very popular technique used throughout many short films and one that I feel our group may look into as at the moment we are leaning towards a mocumentary sort of short film. This would mean that the narrative would be more important and would get the point across alot more than the visual which should be suttle and humorous at the same time. Short scenes and a fast tempo are vital for the success of short films and sign language utilises these alot. I like the style of the narrative by the narrator style voice over with the person talking in the first person as if it is their life. This would add to the mise on scene of a documentary as well as the varied shots that would be needed such as wide pan and long tracking shots along with voiceovers giving the viewers the idea that they are actually watching a sad story when really the idea and narrative is extremely bizzarre and the audience feel sympathy for but at the same time a little humour at the expense of the main characetr or person in the documentary. Another good example of this is the louis Theroux dicumentaries in which he follows strange people and their lives on a day to daybasis.
The office is a very popular and successful mockumentary written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. It was the first of its kind, shot in a mockumentary style, creating loveable characters that are able to communicate and form relationships with the viewer. The style allows sililoquies that would not make sense in other shows, and can convey more about the character, as they can speak whilst alone. The office also contains conventions of a serious documentary, it features silent shots of the characters working within the environment adding to the mise en scene. this style does add boundaries, for example, shot reverse shot cannot be used as continuity would not be relevant. It also creates high demand for the actors, as their characters must be as believable as possible when talking alone, and not always conversing with another character.
Summer heights high is a mockumentary created by Chris lilley. It is a follow on series from a similar mockumentary, 'We can be heroes'. Summer heights follows 3 individuals through a term at a comprehensive in Australia. Chris lilley humorously and incredibly portrays all 3 of these characters.
Ja'mie - A private school girl on an exchange, twice nominated for Australian of the year.
Jonah - A year eight troublemaker from newzealand, suffers from adhd, with a love of break dancing.
Greg Gregson - A flamboyant drama teacher, director of the latest school musical, Mr. G the musical.
Summer heights incorporates interviews with a fixed shot, and other scenes are filmed in an interesting gorilla style. Often shot through windows or from a distance etc. These are all conventions of a regular documentary. The humour within this series is far more obvious, it focuses on the ridiculousness of the characters and their actions. A trait that is similar to ours.
