Monday, February 04, 2008

Soundtrack Update

The reply I got sent back from my email simply asked me to call the MCPS directly to inquite baout what sort of license I would need. I was told that I simply needed to buy a Limited Manufacture license for this as the project is a non-profit/ self-promotion tool. When me and Tony next meet, I plan to sort this license out (Tony has already promised to finance this).

More information about Limited Manufacture licenses, which will cover copyright for all non-profit products can be found here.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

PRP

After a long string of problems,I finally have editable copies of News programs. The initial idea for my artifacts was to attain clips of News and popular culture programs which featured presenters and then show them to an audience of varying ages. Then I'd quiz them on the shows they just watched to give me a good impression of which presenters they remembered the most accurately i.e. which presenters were more effective in presenting their narrative.

My first idea to attain editable copy was to connect my computer to an aerial directly through a piece of hardware called a DVB (digital video broadcast) made by ODYS. This connected through a USB port and should've brought digital TV to my computer...it didn't. I still have no idea why it didnt work because I seemed to have everything set up perfectly, computers eh?

The second idea was to record the programs directly off the TV onto a hard-drive/DVD player connected to the TV. This seemed promising as I had access to all the freeview TV channels and I could record whatever I wanted, I just had problems transferring the data away from the hard-drive/DVD box. Writing back up DVD's from the Hard Drive didn't work because of compatibility issues; the DVD's would only play on the player that recorded them, and seeing as though it belongs to my parents, I couldn't use that option. As for recording straight off the TV onto DVD despite having set it up perfectly to the instruction manuals guidelines, it still just recorded onto the Hard-Drive instead. DVD recorders eh?

My final approach actually did work. I installed a Video Card in the back of my PC and connected it to an aerial, this meant I could access an analogue signal and watch/record all the terrestial channels. Now although this had a few drawbacks, such as medium video/audio quality and the fact that I could only record a few of the shows I'd orginally intended to use, it's certainly better than nothing. Back up plans EH!?


Here is the clips, along with the questions, if anyone has a spare 5 minutes, it's only 18 questions long and I'd appreciate your input!

News Research

There are two clips I’d like you to watch in succession, then to answer the below questions. If you do not know the answer to a question, please state so to make it a fair test. Don’t be tempted to cheat as the more honest your answers are, the better my research is!

The first clip has been taken from Newsround:





The second has been taken from BBC News:





Please watch both clips before answering/looking at the questions; this will ensure a fairer test.


Questions

Name:
Age:

Newsround

1. Where had the plane flown from?



2. What were the three suggested theories as to why the plane crashed?



3. What type of plane was it?



4. What celebrity musician is featured, and what has happened to them?



5. What is the rabbit called and where was he found?



6. How many rabbits are at the shelter at the moment?



7. What are the three main things that rabbits need?



8. What new sport did some politicians think should be introduced at schools?



9. Name some of the pro’s and con’s of teaching this sport in school




BBC News

1. How many protestors were shot dead in Kenya?



2. How many western governments have issued statements denouncing the violence in Kenya?



3. At what age did former world chess champion, Bobby Fisher die?



4. How did Fisher become controversial?



5. How long has it been since Kevin Keenan was the manager of Newcastle Utd?



6. Who did Keegan suggest he would ‘love’ to have work with him at Newcastle?



7. Which county was suffering dreadful floods?



8. How many flood warnings were in operation across the UK?



9. What did the summary of the weather look like?

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Soundtrack

I now have a full list of the music which will be used in the Radio Play & the Documentary. I have contacted the MCPS and am awaiting final information about costs for copyright to use the material. Here is the full list of music along with the cover letter i sent to them:

Dear Sirs,

Myself and my colleague, Tony Marshall are currently producing a radio play based on the two seventies films ‘That’ll be the day’ & ‘Stardust’ starring David Essex, it is called ‘That’ll be the Stardust’. Accompanying it will be a short film documenting the making of the radio play.

We intend to use a selection of songs from around the era of the original films to accompany both the radio play and the short film, but would like to receive copyright permission before doing so. Both the radio play and short film are completely non-profit and will solely be used for the promotion of Stardust Reflections. Once our website is completed (www.srgunlimited.co.uk), the media will be uploaded to it and this will be the primary source for Stardust Reflections’ Productions.

The music that I require permission to use is as follows:

1.STARDUST - David Essex
2.WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS - Joe Cocker
3.LAYLA - Derek & The Dominoes
4.ONLY WOMEN BLEED - Alice Cooper
5.LONG TRAIN RUNNING - The Doobie Brothers
6.TALK TALK - Talk Talk
7.STRAY CAT STRUT - The Stray Cats
8.HEARTACHE AVENUE - The Maisonettes
9.DROP THE PILOT - Joan Armatrading
10.BOXERBEAT - Jo Boxers
11.MAD WORLD - Tears for Fears
12.RISE - Public Image Ltd. (P.I.L.)
13.IMAGINATION - Belouis Some
14.HEART & SOUL - T’Pau
15.LOVE RESURRECTION - Alison Moyet
16BETTE DAVIS EYES - Kim Carnes
17.ROMEO & JULIET - Dire Straits
18.SWEET HARMONY - The Beloved
19.ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL (PART ONE) - Pink Floyd
20.BREAK MY STRIDE - Matthew Wilder
21.THEME FROM ‘ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK’ - John Carpenter
22.A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE - Sailor
23.MAD WORLD - Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules
24.AFTERNOON DELIGHT - Starland Vocal Band
25.MY EYES ADORED YOU - Frankie Valli

The tracks will not be changed in any way nor will it be used to miss-lead, slander, or bring the author into disrepute. The work and the record label will also be properly attributed on both the radio play and the short film.

Many thanks & I look forward to hearing back from you,

Mike J Spicer
Stardust Reflections

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

storyboards

There are a few parts to this documentary which require more planning than others. Break my stride is a scene used to develope a ficitional character spoofing Tony Marshall, developed by me and Tony. Although I'm yet to get accompanying images for this, I've written a draft version of Break my Stride for the proposal.


That’ll be the Stardust
Break my Stride: Storyboard & Shot list


Break my stride is a scene within the documentary designed to introduce a comedic fictional character played by Tony. Originally this scene was going to be used to show Tony’s day-by-day routine for the documentary, but has been developed by me and Tony to look more like a comedy sketch to provide some comedic relief for the documentary. This part of the documentary will be set to the song ‘break my stride’ by Matthew Wilder.

It is based around a simple premise, that Tony is in an interview, yet everything he says in the interview contradicts the next scene.


Interview
Shot type: Mid shot
Location: Waverly Studios (pending approval)
This part of the scene will tie all the other shots together and the dialogue and direction will be as follows:
Tony
“Since we started the work on this radio play, I’ve been very busy. My day by day routine is so hectic I barely get a chance to sit down, or have any time to myself you know (cut to the ‘air bass scene’). So yeah, its been really crazy this week, I’m quite looking forward to some, you know ‘Tony time’ *laughs*’
Me
Could you tell me a bit about your daily routine?
Tony
Well I walk everywhere now (cut to ‘bus stop scene’). I’m trying to lose a bit of weight for the part so thought if I walk everywhere, then that would help. Other than working on this radio play, (cut to ‘bar scene’) I also do a lot of work for the community too, and I make an effort to help out at my local salvation army when ever I can.
Cut back to the interview
Me

Are you religious at all?
Tony
Never miss a Sunday! *laughs* (cut to ‘Church scene’) But seriously I am pretty religious, I always take time on a Sunday to praise Gods name, I always have done, (cut to ‘bar scene’) ever since I was a young boy. My parents were very religious so I always have been too, so yeah, every Sunday *laughs*
Cut back to the interview
Me

Well it seems that you’ve definitely…
Interrupted by Tony’s ‘girlfriend’ entering the room
Tony

Oh hi babe, didn’t know you’d be getting here this early, we’re just filming an interview at the moment!
Tony’s girlfriend
Sorry! Am I interrupting anything?
Me
Well we..
Tony (at the same time)
Not at..
Well, I mean, its up to you really
Cut to ‘the adulterous kiss scene’

Air Bass scene
Shot type: Mid shot
Location: TBC
Tony plays air bass to the song ‘break my stride’ by Matthew Wilder.

Bus Stop scene
Shot type: Long shot
Location: Long Row/Friar Lane
Filmed from across the road, you can clearly see Tony waiting for a bus.


Bar Scene
Shot type: Close up/mid shot
Location:
The Approach (pending approval)
Friar Lane
Nottingham
NG1 6DQ
Tel: 0115 950 6149
Filmed from outside the bar, you can clearly see Tony sitting at the bar and buying himself a pint of beer.

Church scene
Shot type: Mid shot/Long shot, hidden camera
Location:
St Nic’s Church Office (pending approval)
79 Maid Marian Way,
Nottingham,
NG1 6AE
Telephone: +44 (0)115 952 4600
Fax: +44 (0)115 952 4624
Filmed with two cameras, the first one (mid shot), Tony will be visibly aware of smiling and talking to it as he walks up to the door of the church and waves goodbye. A second camera (long shot), picks up the footage from further away and watches Tony wait till the first camera has gone and then walk away from the church.


The Adulterous Kiss scene
Shot type: Mid Shot
Location: Waverly Studios (pending approval)
This is basically the interview scene continued with Tony’s girlfriend sat next to him now.
Me
So how long have you guys been together?
Tony
A few months now, time flies when your having fun right!
Tony’s girlfriend
I really care about Tony, he’s so wonderful and handsome, and perfect! I wouldn’t change a thing about him
Me
So, you guys are very happy then?
Tony & girlfriend Together
Yeah, very
The couple then kiss
Tony
Right love, I best be off, It’s getting late and the wife’s cooking fajitas Mmm!
What follows is a smartly directed piece showing Tony leaving the building. The shots will looks as follows:

TBC


The Corner Walker
Shot type: Long Shot
Location: Hampden street/Gill Street
Shows Tony Walking around the same corner numerous times, wearing different clothes each time; this is to represent Tony’s busy life and the days passing by.



more to come...

Saturday, January 19, 2008

First Days of Filming

Tony invited me to one of his production team meetings last Tuesday to do some interviews and to do some preliminary filming of Tony introducing the background of the radio play: That'll be the Stardust, as well as exhibiting some of the connections he has had personally with people involved with the original films (Stardust & That'll be the Day). The interviews were quite informal, and will probably be updated & developed throughout the duration of filming. The footage I got on Tuesday has been sufficient for a short (1 minute) pilot/trailer for the radio play (see below).







I have another meeting with Tony on Tuesday to discuss one of the segments of the documentary called 'Break my Stride', this will develope a fictional character based on Tony within the documentary to throw in an element of comedy to the film.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Client Project Proposal

I've done some informal planning of the client project to get a better idea about what order I'm going to film and edit this documentary in, here is what i've done so far:


The Making of…That’ll be the Stardust
Documentary Structure


Introduction

An Introduction to the two films that succeed this prequel to put the radio play in perspective and giving the audience a clear view of what era it is set and where it follows on from and progresses to. Also including a clear & detailed synopsis of the radio play.
Interviews with members of the cast discussing past experience, thoughts & opinions on the project.

The Making Of

The order of the following is to be confirmed.

Break My Stride

An insight into the daily routine of Tony Marshall as he prepares to voice the character James Maclaine Jnr.

Provisional comedy idea: To the music of ‘Break my Stride’ by Matthew Wilder with scenes intertwined between an interview with Tony detailing his regular good deeds and gruelling routine and shots of Tony enjoying himself in such a way that contrasts the previous interview statement. E.g. ‘I then help out at the salvation army’, followed by Tony getting himself a pint.

Ounce for Ounce

Further development of the character, following Tony’s great attention to detail by losing weight for the radio play.

The Team

Further interviews with members of the cast discussing past experience, thoughts & opinions on the project.

A short performance by the team.

Development of the characters by the team, trials and tribulations, problems and solutions; the development of the radio play.

Dea Sancta: The Jim Maclaine Legacy

More background to the character and the history of Jim and the Maclaine family/legacy built by his father.


A Glass of Champagne (music video) – A celebration of woman

Inspired by the Marks & Spencer’s TV advert, a short musical video representing the celebration of the female characters in the radio play.

That’ll be the Stardust

The production of the actual radio play performance and final piece.





Interview Questions

Neal
Rhona
Patrick


How did you get involved?
When/how did you meet Tony?
How long have you been doing this?
What other current projects (if any) are you working on?
What interested you about this project?
Do you take an individual connection/interest to it?
What do you think of Tony/Tony’s work?

Louise

As above &
The character James Maclaine Jnr. Suffers with mental health problems, working with mental health groups, have you ever come across similar cases? *REVISION NEEDED
Will Tony be well suited to play a character who’s losing his mind?


Charlotte

Madeleine


What made you take an interest in this project?
What do you think of Tony’s work?
Is there a personal connection or special interest you take in this particular radio play?
What previous work have you been involved with?





A Glass of Champagne

Locations


Town Hall
School Grounds
Internal staircase – Revision needed
Nottingham Castle
The Park
Salvation army
The Tram/a Car
Arkwright Building
Arboretum
Shots

Drum Shot – A clip of the girls, playing the song on the drums in time to the music. This shot will be achieved by either switching between each girl in quick succession throughout a few bars of the song or by mixing shots of them drumming in throughout the video.

Stairs shots – Taken from various angles and heights/positions, showing the girls smiling and walking/running/dancing down the stairs.
Day to Night – The progression of the video should start in bright lighting i.e. the morning and run straight through to the evening.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Demo

So I've filmed all the relevant scenes for my client project advertisement. Although the last couple of scenes aren't exactly how I imagined them, i'm happy overall with the results. I've edited together a rough version so I can test it and acquire feedback for the final edit which I should have finished by the weekend, this is the demo edit:









ANY comments/suggestions will help a lot