Delilah's Media Blog 2

Script abracadabra draft 2 from mediastudiesf1n34rts

There are immediately shots of a man doing a magic trick, which is relevant to the main aspect of the short film. Then there is another man, who is referred to as "magic man" is going to go on stage. There is a shot of the man before, who was doing a magic trick, suggesting they might have a rivalry. The man goes on stage, and seems to do a trick, and gets an applause. He then does other tricks, and continues getting an applause. There is a shot of the other man, who is backstage, getting the cards thrown at him by the other one, and looking annoyed. This suggests he feels inferior to him. The "magic man" is asked if he can really do magic, and then there is voiceover singing.  This voiceover singing is supposed to be humour. The music basically expresses that it is not real magic, and the "magic man" isn't actually happy doing this. There are shots throughout the music, that show different situations, connecting to the music. He explains that the tr...

Here is a short film I found on "Short of the Week".  It links very closely with my idea I had in mind, however it focuses more on comedy than I want to in my film, as I want to create a darker vibe. The character they have constructed is nerdy/geeky he still lives at home even though he's a grown man, he does magic and doesn't have a girlfriend, immediately making us feel sympathy for him. However he is likeable and the majority of the audience watching can relate in some way to him. His parents lack of enthusiasm is another tool used to make us feel sympathy for him but also to create comedy. We admire his efforts in charming the girl next door as he does so successfully even though making a fool of himself whilst doing so. This is part 1 of the overall short film which is around 20-23 mins long. This is a great example of how to construct character and I will take it into consideration when developing and casting my actor...

A teenage boy, Ben is an aspiring magician. It is first made clear that he is not good at it, yet he doesn't give up and even wants it as a career. He is shown attempting a few different tricks, and failling. His parents are disappointed and worried, because of his determination to have a career in something he isn't talented at, and wouldn't be realistic, even if he was talented. They are reading an email from his school, stating that he hasn't been doing his homework. He attempts another trick, and fails. His parents lecture him about not doing well in school, and that he is a bad magician. They take away all his magic things, except his wand, which they cannot find, as he has it hidden in his pocket, under his shirt. Ben goes into his bedroom, and sits on his bed. He looks at his poster, of "The Invincible Ian", who is a famous magician, who Ben looks up to. Ben stares at the poster and sighs. Ben notices how "The Invincible Ian" is holding his wa...

These are the five stages of the production process. Development - The first stage in which the ideas for the film are created,  and the screenplay is written. Financing the project has to be sought and obtained.  Pre-production - Arrangements and preparations are made for the shoot, such as getting the cast, and selecting locations.  Production - The raw footage and other elements for the film are recorded during the film shoot.  Post-production - The images, sound, and visual effects of the recorded film are edited and combined into a finished product.  Distribution - The completed film is distributed, marketed, and released.  This is important to know so that I can use this for my short film.

In class, we had a production meeting. This was so we would be aware of all the things we would have to organise for the production of our short film. Here are a list of things that will be necessary/useful for my film. Sound recording - I will need to learn how to use this.  Tascom DR70D is the sound recorder I have access to.  Microphone  Pistol grip  XLR lead  Boom pole  Camera  Tripod  Lens  Charger  Batteries  Memory card  I will also need to create mood boards. I will need a mood board for my location. My location will mainly or entirely take place inside a house. Part of it might take place in a classroom. I will also need a mood board for a the costumes. Ben, the main character, who is an aspiring magician, will be wearing a cloak and a top hat. His parents will be dressed in ordinary clothes. And I will need a mood board for the props. Ben will definitely have a wand, as he wants to be a magician. ...

In my short film, Abracadabra, I want the conventional lifestyle to be made clear. I think that will make the main character, Ben, more relatable as he doesn't want to be a part of the conventional lifestyle, and wants to persue his dream of being a magician, so that he will stand out. In the short film, The Black Hole, the (only) character in it, is shown to be a part of a conventional lifestyle. He is working in a typical office, and seems to be unhappy. This makes the existance of the magical black hole have more effect. In Ferris Bueller's Day Off,  Ferris lives in a safe, house, and has a typical family and goes to a typical highschool. Despite having a conventional lifestyle, he is a free spirit. In, Edward Scissorhands, the neighborhood is conventional. This contrasts with the location of where Edward came from.

After getting feedback on the first draft of my script for my short film, Abracadabra, I have more of an idea of how to improve my idea. Although, my film is a joke structure, so the twist at the end (Ben making his parents disappear with magic, despite not being able to do magic tricks before), I have been adviced to have it make more sense, so his sudden ability to do magic, isn't too out of the blue. Him making his parents disappear will be unexpected to the audience, but there should also be an instance of him finally being able to do a trick, after previously failing. Although, I'm not sure about the idea of Ben having a magical dream, which guides him how to do magic. I think the twist at the end would have more of an effect if everything was conventional and realistic, before.