Conventions of a Children's Film Opening

Our film conforms to the conventions of a children's film opening. This is done through the introduction of the macro-elements in our film opening. The macro-elements are narrative, setting, characters and genre.

Narrative-a narrative is established in our film opening. This was created when we made our storyboard. Having a narrative helps to engage the audience and makes them want to keep on watching the film to find out what happens.

Setting-a setting is mainly established when we used the green screen, this is because you are able to see more of it unlike the wooden table on which the rest of the opening was filmed. This connotes that it will be the most important/most used setting in this film.

Characters-there is only one character introduced in our film opening. This helps to connote that he is the main character as he is the first that audiences see.

Genre-a genre is established when the man walks into the pencil case and comes back out in a fantasy setting. This whole process suggests to audiences that it is of the adventure genre.

We feel that we managed to incorporate these conventions quite well into our children's film opening, but we also feel that there is room for improvement (include more to make these conventions stronger within our film)

Character comparison

We decided to compare our character to Woody from Toy Story as we feel that they are quite similar-both adventurous toys that get into trouble/mischief. They are both animated as well.

Both our character and Woody take the main role in the films. We can tell as they appear on screen most connoting that they have the highest importance in the film. Both of these characters could be role models for children as they encourage them to be brave.

Target Audience

Looking at the classification lists we decided that our film should be classified as a 'PG' This is because we have included a fantasy setting in our film opening. This comes under the horror section when classifying films. It states that fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor when considering horror.

Another factor that should be considered when classifying this film is when the toy man gets shut inside the pencil case. This is because it may create a sense of fear in some children as the character is trapped.

Evaluative points

Overall we are pleased with this film. We feel that we were able to use the software well, which enabled us to make a good quality children's film opening. During the process of making this we did have a few problems.

One of these problems was trying to get the plastercine into a shape that resembled a human, we also found that it was hard to get it to stay in the same shape and to get it to stand upright and not fall over. To get over this we decided to use a toy man as we found it was easier to get it to move. 

Another problem that we came across was green screening the last part of our film. The piece of paper that we used was not a bright enough green meaning that it was hard to merge the background image into the footage that we had. We also had some areas of shadow in the footage meaning that the overall effect of the green screen was not as good as it could have been.

Alice, Morgan, Jazmine

Final Film

19th October 2011

This was the first day of filming. We decided to film in chronological order as we thought it would be easier to note what we had filmed and what we still have to do. During this day of filming we shot our opening sequence using iStopMotion. 

We positioned the camera at a birds eye angle. We chose to do this as we thought it would be easier for the audiences to read/see the information that was being given to them. The bright colours used of the pieces of paper was used as a way to attract our target audiences attention and draw them in, making them want to continue watching.

Props used

Schedule for filming

The first thing that we will film will be all of the shots that include the plasticine man (including the part with the pencil case). This is because we want to keep continuity, meaning that we will only be able to make him once otherwise he will look different. 
The next thing that we will film is the part that is set in the mystical land. This is because we may also be using plasticine for this as well, so once again this all has to be filmed in the same day to keep with continuity. 
The last thing to be filmed will be the shots of the paper. This is because it will take the least amount of time to film.

Storyboard

Costume and Props research

We will not be needing any costumes as it is not a live action film and our only character will be made of plasticine. 

The main the prop we will be using this film is plasticine. We will be using this for the main character and also possible some of the setting e.g. trees etc. 
Another prop we have chosen to use is a piece of paper. We will be using this for the beginning and end credits. We used this idea from a past students film opening and will be scrunching it up and opening it up for each seperate piece of information. 
We will be using green paper for the background and floor around our character and this will help us in the editing stage when we decide to put the setting in. 
We will be using a pencil case as this is the "transporter" that will take our character from an ordinary day to the mystical land he encounters. 




This is the idea that we will be using from past students work.
http://53childrensfilm09.blogspot.com/

Recce research- locations

We will only be using one location in our film opening and that will be the classroom. We will only be using the classroom because it will be easier as the iStopMotion software can only be used from the computer, so we will have to be close to a computer the whole time. We will be using the desk when doing the "paper scrunching" and we will use a piece of green paper when doing the setting so we can green screen the setting into the film using the software on the computer. 

We will be using a setting similar to this one. 

http://firecat-a-go-go.co.uk/__oneclick_uploads/2008/05/18052008084.jpg

Script

We will not be using a script as we are not planning on having dialogue in our animation. If anything, it will be just noises like the child's program character, Pingu. 
We chose not to use dialogue because the quality of our equipment is not very good meaning the quality will not be as good as it could be. Also, the classification of our production will be a PG so it will be less complicated for the young child to understand. 

Initial Brainstorming- Final Idea

We decided to do an animation film in the adventure genre. 
We decided to make a plasticine man and have him walking into a pencil case. He will come out in a mystical land. The idea was inspired by the already existing film, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. 


The only characters in our film opening will be a humans hand and the plasticine man. 

Ideas For A Children's Film Continued...

One idea we have is about a little petite duckling that comes across a huge danger that could threaten their home and its up to the duckling to find help and build up enough courage to confront it.
we thought we could name it "Little Ducklings Danger".


Another idea we have is 


a short animation based on a plasticine figure going to school with real people. all the other children think the plasticine figure is really cool as he can change shape. 



Morgan and George

Ideas For A Children's Film

A few ideas we have for making our children's film, we need to make it unique so its different from the rest but simple enough so children are not sidetracked from the show. Here are a few ideas:

• very colourful atmosphere, making a children's film with fluorescent lighting, very colourful for the children to watch.
• animated maybe with a wide variety of animals not your ordinary animals.
• maybe make a film with very childish humour e.g. like the program 'Chucklevision'.

it needs to be very catchy for the children to draw them in, and make them want to watch it, but it also needs to have things happening constantly in order to keep our audience interested.

Morgan and George

12p1-03

U rated film - Toy Story (Lasseter, 1995)

• No discriminatory language/behaviour
• No reference to drugs (illegal) or misuse
• swearing/only mild language
• horror sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. the outcome should be reassuring.
• imitable behaviour = no potentially dangerous behaviour, which children are likely to copy
• infrequent use of very mild language
• nudity - occasional natural nudity
• sex - mild sexual behaviour
• theme - problematic themes must be sensitive 
• Violence - mild violence only - occasional mild threat or menace only

Toy Story includes all of these factors in the film certificate.

PG rated film-Matilda (Devito, 1996)

• Discrimination = Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of in an educational or historical context.
• Drugs = references to illegal drug or drug misuse - or carry an anti-drug message
• Horror = Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor
• Imitable behaviour = No detail or potentially dangerous which young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily weapons. 
• Language = very mild language only
• Nudity - natural nudity - no sexual context
• Sex = sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references + innuendo only
• Theme - where more serious issues are featured nothing in their treatment should come condone unacceptable behaviour
• Violence - moderate violence without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy)

Matilda follows all the guidelines for a PG.


Elena, Harry and Robert.

Analysing an opening sequence-The Lion King

The setting is established through the use of long shots. They enable the audience to see where the film is set. Mise-en-scene also helps to establish a setting in this film. This is because the audience are able to see the environment in which the characters live or are. 


The status of the characters is established through mise-en-scene, in particular. one of the lions (King Mufasa) is always shown in the light, connoting that he is a good character. Another of the lions, Scar, is always shown to be in the shadows. This connotes that he is the evil character in this film. Another way in which we can establish the status of these two characters is the colours that have been used. Mufasa appears to be golden in colour connoting that he is majestic. It also connotes that he has a higher status. This is because the colour gold is usually used to represent money/wealth, and if you have these things it is said that you have a high status. The other character, Scar, has a darker colouring. This could connote his lower status within the film. This is because audiences may associate his colouring with him being poor and not very well off, connoting he has a lower status. 


The narrative of this opening sequence is explained through the use of dialogue. This is a form of diegetic sound. The dialogue tells the audience extra information about what is happening, on top of images being shown. It also allows the audience to establish the relationships between characters. 


this film has a few different genres. One of the genres, animation, can be seen through the mise-en-scene. This is because all of the images that the audience see have been sketched. Another genre that this film is, is a musical. One other genre is family. The audience can establish this genre through the characters. The characters are animals that children are fond of, meaning that it helps to attract audience appeal. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_wmjk1SSNc

Alice, Morgan, George, Jazmine

PG- Parental Guidance

Unaccompanied children of any age may watch.
Should not disturb if 8 years or older.
Discrimination-discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an educational or historical context. Discrimination by a character with which children can readily identify is unlikely to be acceptable
Drugs-references to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message
Horror-frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor
Imitable behaviour-no detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons
Language-mild bad language only
Nudity-natural nudity with no sexual context
Sex-sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infreqent. Mild sex reference and innuendo only
Theme-where more serious issues are featured (e.g. domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should condone unacceptable behaviour
Violence-moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context (e.g. history, comedy or fantasy)
Alice, Morgan, George, Jazmine

Certificate Classification - U (Universal)

Suitable for ages four years and over
Set within a positive moral framework should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror
Discrimination-no discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of
Drugs-no reference to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent or innocuous, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children
Horror-scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring
Imitable behaviour-no potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons
Language-inferquent use only of very mild bad language
Nudity-occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context
Sex-mild sexual behaviour (e.g. kissing) and references only
Theme-while problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children
Violence-mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only
Alice, Morgan, George. Jazmine