Research into film distributors and film festivals.

UK film festivals. 

There are several UK film festivals that specialise in the exhibition of comedy films. To name a few these are, LOCO, cofilmic and comedy festival.

 It would be great to have our film shown here as it would reach it's desired audience straight away, receive valuable feedback from our target demographic and also reach out to any company willing to distribute our film. Lots of film makers and talent would also be present so we could, in theory, expand our production company. If our film was successful at one of these distributors would come to us instead of us going to them. 

Distributors. 

Left films

They are independent film distributors based in the UK and boast to be dynamic and forward thinking. They specialise in sci-fi comedy films that are adventurous and rather niche. One of their films is called Ninjas vs Vampires. This illustrates what they like to do.

Icon films

Icon films is an independent UK based film distributor that was formed in 1999 and boasts such titles as The transporter 3, 30 days of night and Paranormal activity. They generate £150 million at the box office with their films so they are at the forefront of UK film distribution. They don't specialise in any genre in particular as they have had success in all films and work with anyone who has premise to do well. 

What goes into a title sequence?

As well as creating my own short film I will also be making my own title sequence which will be played before the film. As this was before the film it needs to be interesting and keep the audience gripped as it sets the tone for the main film. The title sequence helps to reflect the film and shows what could be included in the film. 

 

The main thing a title sequence should do is to reflect the main film as this will give the audience knowledge of what the film may be about. By doing this they can see if they're interested in the film. Also, if the title sequence doesn't match the film it could lead to confusion from the audience which wouldn't make the film very successful.

When researching title sequences online all the title sequences I saw had sound in them. By adding sound it allows the audience to have something to concentrate on allowing them to be more involved in the film. Some of the sound was music which had no words and reflected the genre and overall mood of the film. For example, I found a sequence for a horror film and the music created tension and suspense so that it keeps the viewers interested and guessing what will happen next. Another title sequence was one for a romance film. Unlike, the horror sound this was a lyrical piece which was upbeat and catchy. This again suits the genre and also makes it more memorable for the audience. By having a song that is easy to remember it gives more chance for them to spread  word of the film if they enjoy it. Although music is an option to include in the title sequence there are other sound formats which could be considered. There could be asynchronous sound which could reflect part of the topic within the film. However, if there is a setting in place for the title sequence there could be synchronous sound reflecting the actions of the characters. Lastly, there is dialogue which could be used to tell part of the story as a brief introduction or to help build character profiles which would be handy as the film I will be making is a short film. 

 

Another thing to include within the title sequence is listing/presenting the names of the main characters and roles of the people in the film. By using this recognition method it allows actors and directors and producers to get the credit they deserve from the film. Although can seem unfair on the other people involved their name will be mentioned on the credits at the end of the film as they won't have put as much effort or time in as those who have been mentioned in the title sequence.

 

Ways to promote our short film

Ways to promote our short film

One way we could promote our short film is through social media. This is free to use and easily accessible. We could use a range of social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Vine. Using these different social media sites we will attract a larger audience as some people may use twitter and not Instagram, therefore we are reaching out to a wider range of people. People that see advertisements for our film might like or re-tweet us and this will then be seen by even more people as there friends and followers will see it, this is know as viral marketing and is a successful way to promote our film as we have a low budget and due to technological convergence and proliferation more people have access to the internet and social media sites.

At the moment my Facebook and Twitter feeds are full of The Hunger Games Mocking-jay Part 2 advertisements and trailers. This is because the new film comes out in November so the film is been advertised in the run up to the release. This creates more of a hype before the film is released as people see the trailers and posters leaving the fans waiting in anticipation for the film release. As these adverts come up on my page I see them and like the post, this will then be shown on my friends feeds causing them to see the post and spread it further.

Another option we could use to promote our short film is to create a teaser trailer. This could then be shown through sites such as YouTube and Vimeo but also have links to it on social media such as Facebook and Twitter. This is an effective way to promote our film as it gives the audience a taste of the film, e.g. the genre and characters involved, but it doesn't give too much away. This then leaves the audience waiting for the film to be released to find out what happens in the end. For big films such as The Hunger Games Franchise there are often more than one teaser trailer, on YouTube there is three 'Join The Revolution 'We March Together 'and 'For Prim'

Another option we may be able to use would be to sent our short film to a short film festival. This would help the film gain recognition among other short film producers. I am not sure that this would be the best way to promote our film as it may not meet our preferred audience.

Distribution and certificate of short films.

We need to look how to advertise and promote our film so it reaches it's target audience as well as a large viewerbase. There are several ways to market a short film;

• Viral advert
• Film festival 
• Webiste
• Email adress/ social media. 
• teaser trailer.
• Online film sites. 

The most appropriate methods for us would be a teaser trailer, social media and possibly submitting it to a film festival. But to qualify for these methods our film needs a rating out of the following.

Certificate 

For our film to be suitable to show we must give it a rating so the viewers know what they are getting into when they watch it. All our films are rated by the British Board Of Film Classification (BBFC) and they deem what is suitable to show in the United KIngdom.

U 

U stands for Universal and is the standard for a film that is suitable for ages over 4, but it is impossible to predict what a certain child might dislike so parental controls still may be needed.

PG 

PG stands for parental guidance. This essentially means that children can watch the film and the film shouldn't upset a child under 8 but for more sensitive children it could cause some issues with mild fight scenes and language.

 12 and 12A. 

12 and 12A are films that are suitable for a viewers aged 12 and over. 12A means that you must be at least 12 to watch the film in cinemas with an accompanying adult. For reference the use of words like "bitch" and "twat" is acceptable in the catorgory as long as it's not used aggressively.

 15

15 is where the content of the film is allowed a lot of freedom. For instance the films may contain, frequent strong language of the F*** variety, sexual nudity and references to sex, drug taking and strong violence. The behaviour in these films must not be endorsed as "cool" or impressionable teens could copy it.

18

18 rated films are allowed lots of freedom with content, they can contain strong language such as c*** as well as frequent use of other words like f***. These films can even contain real sex in some circumstances as well as strong horror and graphic close ups of gore.They can even contain discriminatory language and behaviour which isn't allowed in 15 rated films.

R18

R18 category is filtered out from the main public and is legally restricted. Only liscensed cinemas and shops may sell these works with the customer having to legally be 18 years of age. The films are really only sex and contain very adult themes.

Research into similar films

In order to get an accurate representation of the characters and the sort of settings and storyline I wanted I decided to go online and see if I could find any films that were similar to mine. As our story was original it was hard to find one with the complete same story line. As I couldn't find one with the exact same story I took aspects and themes throughout our film and found films with a similar set of themes.

The first film I found was "The note". This wasn't the exact same as my film but it has certain aspects and features that could be related and seen as similar in theme. I chose this particular film as it has the aspect of the note which is a key component in my film. The note in this film has a mind of it's own and tries to make the man follow the instructions which are presented on the note. They do this to try and get him to talk to a woman on the other side of the train station. The man holds onto the fact he may end up talking to this woman and is optimistic as to what may or could possibly occur between them. This could also be related to my film as there is no spoken dialogue in this film between the man and woman and this would be the same in my film also. It's also a relationship which wasn't expected to happen the way it did which could be a similarity in mine as the man and woman in my film were not planning on arguing the way they did. In this film it ends with two men on a platform and the note has gone to a new man. We don't see what the new note says which means we are left to interpret the film in whatever way we want. At the end of the film I will be creating there is a twist at the end with a comedic thought in mind. Like "The Note" the film keeps the focus on communication between the note and by it ending that way it emphasises the key role the notes have played.  

From looking at the film it has helped me decided what features and aspects could be changed to make my film more interesting to watch. In this film there is non-diagetic sound throughout the whole film. The music created suspense and tension which kept the audience interested as there was no dialogue to communicate between the characters. As this music created suspense and tension I think if I used sounds which did that I could build tension when the couple are arguing in my film.
As the film was on YouTube it allows the public to comment to see what they like and disliked about the film. I chose to look at some of the reviews and comments to see what people thought were good ideas in the film. This way I could add features which would be something the audience would want to see. As people who comment have profiles on YouTube I could see what sort of people were watching the film which would contribute to me finding out the best target audience for my film. The main comments about the film I got were:  

People found the ending complicated and didn't understand what happened   
I also wanted to leave my film open to interpretation as the audience could then end the story the way they wanted. In this film it confused some people as to what the note said and why it was there in the first place. In order to ensure I don't get similar comments I will have to make the plot clear and concise so that a wide audience range will be able to understand the film.

Found it funny
As my film has a comedic theme in it I have to ensure that the jokes or puns used in my film are understood and found funny by the majority of the audience I am aiming for. I could do this through questionnaires and research.  

Wanted more of an ending after the build up 
As people saw a lot of build up through the characters and emotions in "The Note" they were let down with the ending as they didn't think it had enough plot to it and found it simple. In order to try and prevent this from happening to my film I will get people to read my story line and give their opinion so I can please as much of the audience as I can.

They liked it had a concept of sexuality representation
As they were let down with the ending in the note they liked it had a back channel story as there was a homosexual relation towards the end of the film. By having this at the end it added more of a plot which kept the audience interested and confused as to what the man was doing and what sort of person he really is.

Possible distributor for my film

In order to make sure that I got the most out of my film I wanted to find a distributor who would showcase the film to it's highest potential. After I researched what should be considered when distributing short films I set out to find one who met the criteria specified. I looked online through search engines such as Google and Bing to see what it had to offer. I wanted a UK film distributor as they would be easier to organise meetings with and I also think they would have more understanding of the film I had created. By it also being in the UK there is lower cost as well which means I could have a smaller budget. It would be cheaper as there would be no travel expense. Another thing is that I wanted my film distributor to be independent as this again would be cheaper as it is not part of the "Big Six" film companies. 

Candella film logo

I found a film distributor called Candella Films. This originally was only in the UK but as they became more successful and well exposed they branched out globally to offer new films the best success rate they could. They have clients and festival collaborators in cities throughout the UK including London and Manchester. By having two different festival contacts in the UK they can reach a wider audience and make the film more exposed which could then be spread by it's audience through word of mouth.

They aim to promote all British films with up to 10 independent films being distributed in a year. By them having background and understanding of independent films and distribution it makes me aware that they know what they're doing so they could offer the best service they can when distributing my film. Also, as the films they have distributed have had success so I know that they could offer the same to a film that I have made. The films are selected by professional industry representatives which means they have experience and can help when my film is being exposed and they can help suggest the right target audience. The company also offers classes to teach things such as filming, production and cinematography. As they can offer classes to teach these sort of skills it shows that they are qualified to do the job needed.

Not only do they offer distribution to independent film makers they also produce films for themselves. This shows me they have an understanding of different aspects in the film industry. By having this they know what has gone into my film and they can suggest advice professionally to improve my film. This shows they have the certificates and eligibility to do what I need them to so then I don't have to worry about the legal side of everything and the distributor would sort this our for me.

Their website offered a contact form where you can enter queries which you may have about their service and what they do. I found this a useful feature as before you travel for meetings you can see what they offer you and compare it to other possible film distributors you may consider to use.

Research into similar films

Research into similar films

One film that is similar to our film is the short film Notes on Vimeo. In this film a man lives alone and leaves notes for himself as he suffers from a split personality disorder. He leaves notes for himself throughout the house in order to tell his other self what he has been doing and what he can eat etc.


This film uses the same method of communication between 'people' as our film will. Notes are left throughout the house, mainly in the fridge, and then stored in a locked draw in the kitchen. The short film is shot fully in the home so could be classed as a domestic comedy as it also has a 'funny' twist at the end when the man with the spilt personality disorder murders his house guest.


Another film that is similar to ours is  A Short Film Made With Sticky Notes. This short film tells a story through yellow sticky notes. This is similar ton our film as the notes ae key to pass on information and tell the story.




The Note is another film that is similar to ours. This film has a similar theme to ours as it uses notes as a main component of the film. Throughout the film the note changes in order to tell the man to follow and talk to a woman on the other side of the train tracks. The note gives the man optimism as he believe the note is meant for him and that the woman loves him. By the end it turns out the woman already has a boyfriend and the man has no chance of getting with the woman. This is similar to our film as the note plays a key part in the film and is showing that there is no communication between the two, just like in our film as the only communication is through the notes.The film is easily accessible to the as I found it on YouTube.

How to distribute a short film

When it came to looking at possible distributors of my film I wanted to know what should be considered in order to ensure I could get the best film distributor possible as this could add more success to the film. I researched the steps to follow when thinking of distributing a short film and these were the steps to follow: 

 

Step 1: Cast & Crew/Industry Screenings 

Once the film has been produced they should organise a screening with the cast and crew so that they can ensure that they are all happy with the film and then they can add opinions and input to the film which could lead to improvements.

 

Step 2: Prepare a Press & Publicity Kit

Before the distribution or showcasing the film to industries they should think about how they are going to present their press materials.

 

Step 3: Press and Industry Promotion 

You should research the best PR companies in order to get the most out of your film. You can send them to places such as TV where you can send movie trailers and advertising agencies. This would then reach a wide range of people which could help to grow the target audience. These companies can give constructive feedback which would help to improve your film.

 

Step 4: Festivals & Awards 

Some independent film companies send their films to festivals where a variety of audiences can see their film where they could potentially win an award and get their film distributed. By sending a film to a film festival they can figure out their target audience and find out the best way to present their film.

Step 5: Get a Distributor, Agent or Self-distribute

A distributor will help market and produce sales for the film you have made. However, an agent can help to represent you as a film maker. However, some film makers tend to go independent so they can keep the rights for their own film without sharing as much credit.

Step 6: Cinema, TV, Screenings, DVD & Online

Depending if people want to make a profit or gain exposure the film is distributed in different ways. For example, for people wanting exposure they may post onto free movie websites so they can get exposure without having to spend a lot of money which is good for people with a low budget. However, if they are wanting to make money they will have to discuss strategies with their distributor to discuss things such as possible contracts.

Step 7: Plan your next project

From working close with industries on your first film if they really like your idea they may be interested in a second film which may open doors for you gain more exposure and well known within the film industry.

History of Comedy

Comedy Through The Ages 

The comedic plays can be dated back to the as far a 425 BCE. Arisophanes, a comic playwrighter of the ancient Gree theater wrote 40 comidies. In ancient Greece, comedy originated in bawdy and ribald songs or recitations apropos of phallic processions and fertility festivals. Aristotle states a comedy is about the fortunate arise of a sympathetic character. Aristotle divides comedy into three categories: farce, romantic comedy and satire. Comedy in Elizabethan time had a very different meaning from modern comedy. A shakespearean comedy is one that has a happy ending, usually involving marriage between the two unmarried characters. In early 19th century, comedy evolved into a pantomine style which included slapstick comedy and British comedians who honed their skills in music hall sketches. The invention of cinema in the late 19th century, and later radio and TV in the 20th century broadened the access of comedians to the general public. Charlie Chaplin became one of the best known faces on the earth.

Studies on the theory of the comic

The phenomena connected with laughter and that which provokes it has been carefully investigated by psychologist. They agreed the predominant characteristics are contrast in the object and shock or emotional seizure on the part of the subject. It has also been held that the feeling of superiority is an essential factor.

Similar comedy films

Similar comedy films from WogeyBear

Research into film certificate

Research into certificate of film:   
There are many different film certificates which are aimed towards different people. These certificates restrict and allow people to watch films. They are in place as some content may be inappropriate for some viewers. The restrictions are in place in order to protect viewers who shouldn't be exposed to some content.

 One of these Ratings is a U. A U means Universal and it is aimed at children of four or more years. However, certain things upset different people so the makers can not predict how a person young or old may react to a particular film and storyline. The film will only have mild language so this doesn't reflect onto a child's behaviour. Mild language such as "damn" is seen as appropriate for a child film as it isn't seen as a bad word. The likes of sexual and violent behaviour will also be kept as a minimal as no anti-social behaviour will want to be copied. This rating allows minimal fight scenes where there are no strong emotions attached and the issue is resolved quickly. The rating U is generally associated with child films but there are films with a range of themes that are interesting to adults. The guideline is not for a specific age it is based on the content of the film. 

 

 

 

PG Next there are PG films which means parental guidance. This means that it is an okay for children but some scenes may upset the younger children. The producers allow parents to make the choice as to whether the film is suitable enough for their child. Like the U rating not all PG films are just made for children, it means they are made with a different audience in mind. However, they've probably made it like this in order to widen their target audience which could make them a larger profit. Although there are no scenes which are unsuitable for a child viewing there are serious topics which are looked into to give a moral to a story. These films can explore things such as bullying and racism. Sometimes they may also look at sexuality however, there are no explicit scenes which may upset children. Furthermore the language on these films are not as mild as  a U film they can use words such as bitch. Violence is also mild as the viewer will be exposed to blood but the film will not focus on the attack itself.

 

12&12A
Although it doesn't or may not seem like there is a difference between 12 and 12A there is. Generally 12A is used in the cinema which means that when a child goes to the cinema they must be accompanied by an adult. However, 12 is normally used when purchasing DVD's. These rating of films allow more serious and visual images such as hangings and suicides but there will not be a huge focus on the action when it was done it will focus on before and after more. Drugs will also be exposed on the film such as misuse as it is an important message to get across and it may put children off drugs. Again the films made are to suit a range of audiences and not just 12 year olds. Horror films are also made for this age group as it is something for the younger and more scared audience. The violent scenes will also be in there but it will be gory and not to a huge extent.  Weapons may also be used. As 12 year olds can still be immature topic such as bullying will not be showed or condoned as they can go out a repeat this without realising the upset it may cause. Despite this sexual activity can be included in these films as it has to be done discreetly. There are explicates used with words that some parents may not want their children to say. However, this language will only be used to emphasise the anger of a character. 

 

 

15 
The film rating 15 restricts anyone under the age of 15 from seeing the movie. These films allow more severe topics and sections to be used in order to fit the target audience of their films. There is strong language and violence, sexual nudity, portrays of sexual activity and drug use along with other topics which would normally be unsuitable for the younger views. Phrases which may offend homosexuals and foreign people will be able to be used in these rated films as these are topics to which people of this age have already witnessed and been exposed to. Self harm and suicidal topics will be kept to a minimal and details should not be gone into with great detail as this behaviour can be copied by teenagers on a regular basis. Drug use can also be shown or used as a topic for the movie but it can not be encouraged or condoned in anyway as this may lead children or teenagers astray. Strong language is used within this rating but it is normally just done to emphasise anger or pain from characters emotions. They are also exposed to nudity which is only portrayed in a short manner as they don't want too much detail and focus on it as it may increase the restriction to an 18. They will also focus on genders as equal in order to prevent people thinking that one gender is more superior than another.

 

 

 

18

There is also another film license which looks the same as the 15 age restriction but this one has the number 18. When this symbol is used it means that nobody under the age of 18 should be watching the movie. There is no theme restriction of what content is allowed in the movies as the adults can choose freely what to watch without other people's consent. There are not many restrictions of a film which are rated at an 18 as they are an adult and they can expose themselves to what they choose. Although there are not many restrictions of a film at this rating the creators may decide to cut some scenes which may lead to viewers potentially harming themselves. 

R18 

The last rating is R18 which is legally restricted to content. This type of film is generally sex related around the theme of adults which may seem inappropriate for younger audiences which is why it is related at the rating it is. These films can only be shown in cinemas which have the licensing to do so and the videos can only be sold in legal sex shops. These videos can only be retrieved this way things such as mailing the videos won't be allowed as anyone could get to them who may be under the legal age. 

Domestic comedy evaluation

By researching the chosen genre (domestic comedy) to get more knowledge and understanding it has given me ideas on how I can adapt my storyline to make it more interesting for potential audiences. I have looked into things such as:

• Setting
• Story Lines
• Characters
• Examples of domestic comedies

Looking at the topics from the list above I was able to see patterns and differences in various films to see if there were any features which had a habit of working well. I could also see parts which I didn't like as then I could not include these features to make my film better.

As the film won't be long as it is a short film I have learnt typical settings in which domestic comedies are set. By seeing this I could use one of the typical settings in my film as then it could be easily recognised without having to go into too much detail. I also wanted the setting to show off the characters as then I won't have to spend too much of the film trying to develop the characters. By doing this I want to keep as few characters in the film as possible as then the audience will find it easier to relate to characters. Setting also play a key part in the film if you're wanting to make it seem realistic as I want the characters to be related and attached to their setting.

The characters tend to be families or have emotional connections which make it easy for a domestic to occur. I have seen characters already created when I have looked at examples of domestic comedies. This gave me ideas to how I can develop the characters in my plot.

Domestic comedy research-Setting

When making a film the setting can help the audience associate and understand the plot more easily. This is because the setting can suggest different things such as time period, background and the sort of people the characters are. It could also give away key elements which help to tell the story. 

 

 

Classic family home

In domestic comedies the main characters tend to be family oriented which means that a lot of the locations/ settings are houses. By using a house as a main setting location for a family it makes it seem more realistic as they are in the environment where you would normally find the characters. By adding realisation it allows the audience to relate to the characters and see their sides to aspects of the film. The house can also reflect the characters and what sort of people they are as they have their belongings around them which means we could see their interests and what things they do. 

 

 

New York

Another setting which could take place is if the family is going on holiday. For example, in the film Home Alone the youngest boy gets stuck in New York on his own as he accidently boards the wrong plane when he's at the airport. The film is oriented around the family trying to find the boy and get him back to his family but there are two criminals who are out to get the boy. By having them in two different locations and separated we see two different settings which can help to develop the plot.

By looking at typical and possible settings for domestic comedies it has given me an idea of what sort of setting I would like my film to be shot it. It has also made me want to use the setting to reflect the characters as it could help develop the plot and make it easier to understand. As it is only a short film by using setting to reflect the characters it allows me to build up character profiles in attempt to get their personality across.

Domestic comedies research-Characters and storylines

By researching into typical characters in domestic comedies I could then see what type of people were used in the films. This would then allow me to develop the character profiles for my film which would help to put the rest of the film in place and create a setting for the audience to clearly visualize and understand.  

In domestic comedies families tend to be the most common characters within the genre. This is because they can relate it to real life events that the audience can relate to making the film more realistic. The families can consist of both or one parents/adults who have/haven't got children. The main characters tend to have association with each other which is the basis for the plot or story line of the films.

Brothers

In step brothers all the domestic arguing goes on within the family due to personality clashes. The brother Brennan and Dale have child like minds creating the comedy aspect of the film. The two characters quirky and unique personality is what makes the film as successful as it was as it gave the film a unique point making it something an audience could be interested in.

Family support 

Within Daddy Day Care the family are not arguing and the conflict is external. This is an alternative story route rather than the family causing the argument themselves. By taking this way of story methods the family stuck together and attempts to resolve the issues as a family. The children in the film all have some skill which could be developing and the main child called Ben struggles to make friends. By having a flaw the father wants to help overcome this so they attempt to help him grow up and make friends. Another support is from his wife when the husband is struggling with his career. By showing that the family works well together a family like this one could relate to the situation that they are in and make the film appeal to a wider audience.

Unlike the other two sets of characters mentioned above the domestic side of this film is more complicated. Their is conflict within the family as the biological father wants the woman but not the child and she is not willing to give her baby up. However, the new man on the scene is interested in both and this angers the father. The plot thickens when you see the movie through the child's thoughts and eyes. By having a domestic between the family but they don't live together makes it a complex situation but allows you to take the story in different directions. This is also a common situation in these times and it allows the audience to relate to what they characters are going through which will make people more interested in watching the film.


I have learnt that the way characters are presented is just as influential as the what the characters say and act. The character costume and make up through mise en scene can make us as an audience presume or predict what sort of people the character are. For example if they are wearing tatty clothes we will see them as poor straight away which could suggest what the story is about and why they have found themselves in the predicament that they are in. Characters can also be represented through things such as stereotypes to ensure the characters get across in the right way and make them easily understood and acknowledged in a certain way.

From looking at these characters and storylines it has allowed me to see the typical set up of a domestic comedy. I have seen that most are based around realistic situations which make it easier for audiences to relate which can make them gain interest. I think that by doing this you can reach out to a wider audience, which would make the film get more publicity.

Domestic comedies research- Examples

As our film is a domestic comedy I decided to research more into this genre. This is so I could see what effects and tone suit the film and potentially structure my film in the same way. By doing this I could make my film more suited to the target audience of our film. 

Daddy Day Care: 

One example of a film in the domestic comedy genre is Daddy Day care. The main setting for this film is in a family household with a family consisting of a mother, father and a child. Ben (the child) is starting school and is struggling to choose one where he fits in. As his dad is not content with his  career so leaves and decided to run a day care center from his home with his best friend and old work colleague. However, all does not go to plan when they don't fit all the regulations needed to run a day care center. Also, they're in competition with a popular private school and in order to try and move to a larger space hey begin fundraising. Meanwhile, the father has to decide whether risking his marriage is worth giving his son what he needs and leaving his day job.

Step Brothers: 

This film is about two people that get married and move in together along with their 40 odd year old sons. Originally, the two step brothers hate each other and refuse to get along. However, through a mutual hate of another sibling the pair realize they have more in common than they thought. From this they spend every minute of every day with each other until the father decides they need to grow up and get a job. When this doesn't go to plan they come up with their own business which the parents didn't think highly of. The brothers fall out and go their separate ways finding their way back to each other by the end of the film. 

We're the millers: 

Another film supporting the domestic comedy genre is we're the millers. Uncommonly they are not a real family and are put together by the father role as he wants to snuggle drugs out of Mexico back to America. By doing this he believes they will look less suspicious which would make them less at risk when crossing the border. However, throughout the film we forget they're not a real family and imagine they are through the way they act amongst each other. The family argue continuously through the film and disagree with almost everything that occurs on the trip. As the film reaches it's ending the fake family are looking out and protecting one another. It ends with them living together as if they were a real family.



Look who's talking: 

This film is based around a woman who has fallen pregnant and is now longer with the man who is the father to her baby. The plot develops however when she meets a new man who helps her out and begins to fall in love with her and her child. The film is shown through the child's point of view and how he sees the two men who play a key role in his life. His biological father is uninterested and the child takes more of a liking to the new man (James). Although the child can't speak we hear his thoughts and feelings through monologues. The film also has a comedic, love story going on through the woman and her new love interest.


By looking at examples of domestic comedies it allowed me to see what generic conventions work better than others which could help me to improve the story line of our film. By getting ideas from the films I've researched it has allowed me to start thinking about the audience our film should suit and what it should consist of.

Research into Domestic comedy

Domestic comedy

A film genre characterized by humorous events often centred around the members of a family or a small and familiar group of people.

Our film is a domestic comedy due to the plot and the practical joke scene at the end. There have been many famous domestic comedies: Home alone; Meet the Fockers; The Simpsons Movie and Step Brothers.

The typical comic plot of a domestic drama is 'boy meets girl', then something obstructs their relationship, often in the form of the boy's or girl's family. Problems are cleared up and the boy finally gets or marries the girl.There is often a joke running throughout the film                                          that keeps repeating.

Research into short films

Short films can be presented and viewed in differenet ways. There are a lot of websites online where there are a variety of films for different ages and different genres. However, they don't have to just be viewed online. 

Film festivals: 

Short films could be viewed at places such as film festivals. A film festival is where independent film makers showcase a film they have made in front of audiences and they get feedback on their film and what they have produced. If voted one of the best films of the festival they can get funding to produce and showcase the film. If shown at a film festival the film will already have an audience which would help when releasing a movie.



YouTube: 

Another obvious way of viewing short films is on YouTube. This can be easily done as anyone can acces YouTube if they have an internet connection. Also, youtube is a free way of being able to view these films which means it can be accessed by a wider audience. As YouTube is commonly known and on the internet it can be accessed by people worldwide. Due to this they will get a bigger response to the film which could lead to it being a bigger success. It is also easy for people to share videos as they can do it through a computer which they may have at home.



Films Short: 

Films short is another website on the internet where people can view short films that have won awards such as Oscars and Baftas. By being able to see award winning films other independent film makers can get inspiration and make films which could result in the same award winning way.This method is also free which would then appeal to a wide audience making the films more well known. They are also available to access worldwide reaching out to more people.

Short of the week: 

This is again a website which allows people to upload short films for people to watch for free. Evry week they pick a short film which they think is good and this again allows individual film makers to get there film recognised. By being able to pick out a film a week this could encourage people to upload and distribute their film as they may think that there film could be recognised and become successful.

 

Research into genre: domestic comedy

Research into domestic comedy

A domestic comedy is centred on a family unit or small and familiar group of people. They are generally characterised by the stereotypical nuclear family protagonists. Humerous events often happen to one character and usually take place in the family home.

Meet th Parents, Meet the Fockers and Meet the Little Fockers are an example of domestic comedies. The films are mainly based around Ben Stillers character meeting his girlfriends family and then introducing them to his family. This ties in with the description of a domestic comedy as the humerous events take place within the extended family unit.



Domestic comedies often have similar characters in them that are relatable for modern characters. This usually includes the parents and children. Often the parents are over protective even if their child is now an adult. There is a rebellious teenager causing stress for the parents and kind granparents.


There is often a running joke throughout the film(s) that keeps reoccuring. In the Meet the Parents series this is Ben Stillers characters name, Gaylord Focker.

Our film is categorised as a domestic comedy due to the close relationship between the characters and the comedic twist at the end. There are lots of films and TV series that fit into this category including films such as Meet the Parents, Step Brothers, Home Alone, The Other Woman, Family Guy and Mrs Browns Boys.

Not all domestic comedies are set in a family home. Films such as home alone and the other woman are classed as domestic comedies but contain other locations. The other woman has scenes in the work place, an office, but also on the beach and at a hotel.

By researching other domestic comedies I can take ideas to improve our film and have a better understanding of the typical set up of a domestic comedy. This research has helped me to seee the similarities and differences between the domestic comedy films to make our film more realistic and true to life.

Research into domestic comedy.

Domestic comedy. 

With us deciding our film is going to be a domestic comedy due to the content and gag at the end I am going to research this genre. There have been many hugely popular films in this genre such as Home Alone, The Simpsons movie, Juno and Meet the Fockers.

Conventions:

• Usually in a house setting.
• Usually a family involved.
• Often a relationship between the chracters.   
•  Physical and spoken jokes/ gags. 

Typical storylines. 

• Boy meets girl. 
• Usually some sort of complex relationships between characters. 

Short Film Analysis

Short Film Analysis

 Wings

Wings; is a short film about a boy who believes he can fly. One night his parents hear something on the roof which turns out to be there son. He tells them he can fly and that he’s going to jump. When he does he develops what looks like angel wings, suggesting that he is either already dead or that he died when jumping off the roof. 

Beginning

The film starts with a black screen and dialogue. This then fades in to show a medium close up shot of a man and woman waking up in the dark. This suggests that it is still night time and that something has disturbed the, waking them from their sleep.  This is also an establishing shot as it implies that they were at home sleeping in bed, when a disturbance occurred.  They man and woman exchange conversation about the disturbance, clarifying that it is coming from the roof. At this point there is diegetic sound as you hear something that sounds like footsteps coming from above. 

A medium long shot is used to show the man grab his dressing gown from the door as he goes to investigate the noise on the roof. The low key lighting helps set the scene as we can tell that it is late so the noise they are hearing is out of the ordinary.

 


We then see a medium close up of the woman left alone in bed as she watches the man leave the room. This is followed by a close up of the back of the man’s head as he walks through the house. This is also a dolly shot as the camera is following behind the man. A medium close up is then used to show the man as he scratches his head. This shot is used to show the man thinking and realising he should check on the child.

A medium long shot is used as the man enters the childs bedroom. This is used to show the things on the childs desk. We see a toy bird, a lamp, an open book and some folders. This creates an image for the audience as to how old the child might be.  It also gives us some clue as to the childs interests. 

 

A close up shot of a model plane, as the man reaches down to pick it up, is used to give the audience another clue as to the childs hobbies ans also what might happen further on in the film. Low key lighting is still used, representing that it is still night time and the child should be in bed. 

The next shot used is a medium long shot as the man stands and places the plane on the desk. As he does this we can see he notices something on the desk and leans in closer to it. A point of view shot is then used to show what he is looking at, the camera also movers closer to the object, which is an open book.  On the page is a picture of a boy flying on one page and the words ‘to fly too close to the sun’ on the other. 

 

The scene then cuts back to the medium long shot as the man turns his head towards the chils bed and says ‘Charlie?’ It then cuts to a point of view shot showing the childs bed, which is empty. This implies that it’s the child making the noise on the roof as he should be asleep in bed but he is not. The shot also zooms in on the bed.

 

 







The scene then cuts to a  pan shot outside the house. The pan shot movers frome behinde the tree to show the portch and the ladders leaning against the house, then continues as a dolly shot when the man exits the house and rushes down   the drive. There is then a tilt shot used to show the roof of the house. The child is stood at the edge of the roof wearing what look like his pyjamas . The woman then comes rushing out of the house wrapped in a pink blanket to keep warm as she is only wearing a night gown.

  






 
A high angle shot is then used to show the parents on the ground looking up at the child. This is also a point of view shot from the child’s eyes. The high angle shot is used to give the child higher status over the parents as he knows that there is nothing they can say or do to stop him from jumping; the parents are helpless in the situation. The child is seen as superior.  

Shot reverse shot is then used; also as high and low angle shots, as the parents exchange conversation with the child. This is used to show facial expressions as the parents are worried about their child’s safety. There is then a long shot of the child stood on the roof as he talks about his ability to fly. Using this shot shows the audience that Charlie is just an ordinary boy so cannot fly.  


  

 A close up of the man is then used as he talks to Charlie, trying to convince him that he can’t fly so should just come back down. Shot reverse shot is used again as the conversation carries on, showing close ups of each parents in turn but still showing the child in long shots.   

Another high angle shot is used to show the father walk closer to the house with removing his dressing gown, intending to climb up to the roof and prevent the child from jumping. A close up of the child is then used as he prepares himself to jump and extends his arms.

 


As he jumps his mother rushes forwards and screams, this shows that she believes the child cannot fly and so will fall. This leaves the audience unsure of whether he will fly or not.  

 

 

We then see what looks to be a point of view shot from the child as he jumps, craning down and tracking closer to the parents. We then see the child descend slowly, his legs first then the rest. As we get to his back, we see a pair of wings.  The camera seems as though it is hand held as it is slightly wobbly to show that the child is flying.

A medium close up is then used as the parents come round to hug the child in relief that he is still alive. A close up of the boy is then used as he sinks slowly to the ground and the screen fades to black. This implies that the child is actually dead and the whole thing was just a dream reliving what the parents hoped would happen that night.