How will I use my research in my production?

From the research I have carried out while studying period drama, I have discovered the conventions of period drama including the stereotypical characters, the elaborate locations and sets and the type of music that appears within such productions.

We plan to use these conventions within 'Devotion', yet make it appealing for a modern audience.  I will do this by using styled shots and editing that will make the film engaging and interesting to watch.  Quick cuts and stylish colour schemes, and shots such as the tracking shot through the house of the Bennet's in 'Pride and Prejudice' (2005).  I plan to make each shot like a picture, similar to the Director, Tim Burton.  I have watched much of his work, and feel that each of the shots he produces look like  piece of art.   From watching the opening sequence of 'Pride and Prejudice' (2005)  I feel that the same theory is used, and have the same effect on the audience.  I feel this is effective in engaging a modern audience visually.



(Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland [2010]:  I feel this clip is a great example of how Tim Burton works.  Each shot is visually engaging, because of the use of extravagant colours.)

Storyboard

Character Development

Character Development

Billy Walters:


(Image)

Billy is a young farm boy, who is a helpless romantic.  He falls in love with Elizabeth, and continues to write letters to her throughout the film.  She does not reply to any of his letters.  As an audience we know that the staff of Goodnestone Park, and Elizabeth's husband are keeping each letter from her.  However, Billy cannot understand why she will not reply, and his constant paranoia will change him as a person.

He has light brown hair, that is scruffy and out of place.  He will wear a white baggy shirt, with a working, brown jacket.  This colour is a warm, country colour, and will emphasis the fact the characters background.  He will wear riding boots and trousers, which would have been the correct equipment to use whilst riding a horse.

Maid:


(Image)

Billy delivers his letters on of the maid's at Goodnestone Park.  Elizabeth trusts this maid above all others, and so Billy trusts the maid to deliver his letters to Elizabeth.  However, Jeffories (Elizabeth's husband) has instructed all his staff to dispose of the letters Billy sends.  In the opening sequence, the maid lets the letter blow away from the house.  This introduces the fact that the staff cannot be trusted.

The maid will wear a brown, ankle long skirt.  Plain black, working shoes.  A black shirt, with a dark brown apron.  She will wear a bonnet, which will keep her long brown hair away from her face.  She will wear a shawl to protect her from the cold.

Age Ratings

Age Ratings

U - It is hard to predict what may upset a child.  But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

PG - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.  Unaccompanied children of any age may watch.  A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

12A + 12 - Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.

The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.

The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.

15 - No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

18 - No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video work.

After researching my chosen genre, I have seen that most ratings for period dramas are PG or 12.  We have decided that the content within U and PG are suitable for our production.

Script

Letter Sequence

Black screen fades up in a circle to show the candle, and continues to expand until we see the full screen

CLOSE UP OF CANDLE. COMPLETE DARKNESS AROUND - CAMERA ZOOMS OUT AND TILTS DOWN ONTO BILLY WRITING A LETTER TO ELIZABETH - Narrative of what BILLY is writing.

BILLY

"Sweet incomparable Elizabeth,"

 

WHEN QUIL GOES IN THE INKWELL, CAMERA FOLLOWS BILLY's ARM AND ZOOMS OUT TO SHOW A MID SHOT OF LETTER FROM BEHIND BILLY'S SHOULDERS.

BILLY

" what a strange effect you have on my heart! I look back, and in every one point, every word and gesture, every letter, every silence, you have been entirely perfect to me, I would not change one word, one look."

 

MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF BILLY'S FACE.

"God knows I wish you happy, & when I quit you, or rather when you from a sense of duty to your husband & mother quit me, you shall acknowledge the truth of what I again promise & vow, that no other in word or deed shall ever hold the place in my affection which is & shall be most sacred to you, till I am nothing."

 

CUTS TO A TRACKING SHOT. CAMERA IS IN FRONT OF BILLY'S DESK. CAMERA PULLS SLOWLY BACK TO A LONG SHOT.

BILLY

 "You know I would with pleasure give up all here & all beyond the grave for you.  I was and am yours, freely & most entirely, to obey, to honour, love & fly with you when, where, & how you yourself might. 

 

Forever, Your Billy"

BILLY picks up the letter, seals it with wax and goes to leave.

CLOSE UP of BILLY blowing out the desk candle.

TITLE SEQUENCE

Camera is showing a light grey sky.  The Camera then TILTs downwards to show the fields of Goodnestone. The camera then PANs to the left slowly and smoothly.

Cross dissolve

Camera is then at the top of a row of trees - LONG SHOT.  The camera tilts down, following the tree's height, and then focuses on BILLY on his HORSE.

BILLY is riding towards Goodnestone Park Gardens, the home of PHILLIP JEFFORIES and his new wife ELIZABETH HARDING.

The camera pans round, following the Horse while it Gallops down the road. LONG SHOT - EXTREME LONG SHOT

Opening Sequence

BILLY continues to ride quickly through the fields of Goodnestone.

Close up of letter and reins in Billy's hand - camera pans to a MEDIUM CLOSE-UP of Billy's face.
CLOSE UP of HORSE's feet, which cuts to CLOSE UP of BILLY's face.
Extreme Long Shot of billy riding through field. Camera pans to follow Billy (stays in middle of shot)Stops when he goes behind trees

LONG SHOT of BILLY riding towards the camera.

Delivery of the Letter

MID SHOT of BILLY dismounting his horse. Tracking shot. CLOSE UP OF Letter in BILLY's hand.  CAMERA TRACKS BACKWARDS AS THE LETTER TRAVELS TOWARDS CAMERA. CAMERA THEN LIFTS AND SHOWS A MEDIUM CLOSE-UP OF BILLY'S FACE. BILLY goes to give the Maid the letter.  CAMERA FOLLOWS THE LENGTH OF BILLY'S ARM, AND CONTINUES TO PAN ROUND TO SHOW THE MAID.

MAID

You know I can't take that.  He won't allow it.

MEDIUM CLOSE-UP OF BILLY'S FACE. BILLY continues to hold out the letter steady. CAMERA GOES TO A CLOSE UP OF THE LETTER

MAID

She won't read it... you know that.

MEDIUM CLOSE-UP OF BILLY'S FACE. BILLY remains still.  Another CLOSE UP of the Letter

MAID

Ugh, you stubborn sod! (reflects) Alright, gis it here. Well, common!

MID SHOT OF BILLY handing over the letter to the Maid. MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF THE MAID

MAID

Now go on, get out of here! Go! Before he sees ya!

MID SHOT of BILLY getting onto his hore. LONG SHOT of BILLY riding out of shot. When BILLY is no longer in sight, the maid looks at the letter, CLOSE UP OF LETTER IN HER HAND. Maid then drops the letter to the floor. CAMERA GOES FROM HER HAND AND TILTS TO THE FLOOR. IT THEN FOLLOWS IN THE DIRECTION THAT THE LETTER FALLS, AND TILTS SO IT IS STRAIGHT AND SO IT IS floor level, AND THEN  TILTS slightly upwards to show the maid walking away in the distance.  The wind gets under the letter, and lifts it from the ground.  The Maid turns round to find the letter in the air.  The letter is out of reach.  It curves in the air and then Covers the camera's view.

Black Screen

Title Sequence - Second Draft

Ideas for titles

The main object and focus within 'Devotion' will be the letters that Billy sends to Elizabeth.  I decided to try and make the footage within the title sequence like a letter.  The image will have a drawn effect, and the font will be like handwriting.  Example below;