Classifications are put in place to let viewers know the suitability of a film for the director's target audience.
There are two types of classifications which are suitable for children under the age of twelve; U and PG.
U Classification
Films which are rated U are deemed suitable for all (children aged over the age of four or of nursery age should the consumer guidelines allow). Films rated U are usually required to be set within a moral framework and lessons should be learned by the characters at the end of the film.
Any violence, threat, or horror should be mild and contrasts against these actions should be included. There should be no discrimination amongst the characters unless disapproved and an educational purpose should be in place in the case of referencing to drug abuse.
Young children are impressionable and could be influenced to copy any dangerous behaviour or stunts and so those should not be included.
Any language or nudity should be mild, infrequent and natural and should not be considered to be sexual. The plot of the film should contain appropriate issues for young children and should be sensitively handled.
PG Classification
The rating of PG should show that a film is suitable for children aged over the age of eight, parents of children under this age should be aware that some scenes shown may be unsuitable.
Violence included in the film should be moderate and idealy be included in a historical, comedy or fantasy background. There should be no idealism of realistic weapons and no potentially dangerous behaviour which could be easily copied by children. Discriminatory language is not liable to be acceptable unless set in a historical or educational background, or used mildly by a character not idealized in the film. Horror scenes should be short and unintense, and set within understandable situations.
Any language or nudity should be conducted in the same way as in a U and any sex references should be mild. Serious issues (such as domestic violence) should be approached and conducted in a way that isn't condoned or considered by the characters to be acceptable behaviour.
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Children's film, the first day of filming
We filmed the first part of our footage on Monday, using our story-board as a plan.
Before we began filming we set up the characters and props in the way we wanted them to look in the film. Our main character is a nerd who gains the ability to read minds after an accident, we gave Reece a combover to accentuate the look we wanted to give him. We also gave him large glasses and a psychology book (both provided by Vicky) to use as props. Our next character was the antagonist of the film, and therefore we wanted him to look as mean as possible. He looks like the opposite of Reece. For props Michael had his skateboard and headphones.
We tried to film in chronological order so that it would be easier to keep track of the footage that we had filmed. Our establishing shot was one where Michael is coming round the corner on his skateboard, but because of errors due to the wind which was blowing that day (making it harder to communicate) and because of people passing the pathway which we were using; we had to film it nine times. However our most complicated shot was the important collision which happens at the start of the film. In order to film the shot we had to coordinate two actors at a time. Which was hard because Dan had to tell Michael when to skate towards the doorway and Vicky had to tell Reece when to walk out of the automatic doors next to the refectory; for practical reasons we never planned to film the collision. After five goes, we eventually got the shot we needed and were able to continue onto other more simple tasks.
The task of filming was made even more difficult by interruptions to the footage and if we had planned to shoot in sound the dialogue would have been ruined by people trying to disturb our filming. Overall, we got the shots that we needed and most are good quality because we persisted and kept re-shooting until we were certain that we had a really good clip.
We are currently editing our footage to check if we have the shots we need or if new shots will need to be filmed to fill the timeframe which we have been given.
Before we began filming we set up the characters and props in the way we wanted them to look in the film. Our main character is a nerd who gains the ability to read minds after an accident, we gave Reece a combover to accentuate the look we wanted to give him. We also gave him large glasses and a psychology book (both provided by Vicky) to use as props. Our next character was the antagonist of the film, and therefore we wanted him to look as mean as possible. He looks like the opposite of Reece. For props Michael had his skateboard and headphones.
We tried to film in chronological order so that it would be easier to keep track of the footage that we had filmed. Our establishing shot was one where Michael is coming round the corner on his skateboard, but because of errors due to the wind which was blowing that day (making it harder to communicate) and because of people passing the pathway which we were using; we had to film it nine times. However our most complicated shot was the important collision which happens at the start of the film. In order to film the shot we had to coordinate two actors at a time. Which was hard because Dan had to tell Michael when to skate towards the doorway and Vicky had to tell Reece when to walk out of the automatic doors next to the refectory; for practical reasons we never planned to film the collision. After five goes, we eventually got the shot we needed and were able to continue onto other more simple tasks.
The task of filming was made even more difficult by interruptions to the footage and if we had planned to shoot in sound the dialogue would have been ruined by people trying to disturb our filming. Overall, we got the shots that we needed and most are good quality because we persisted and kept re-shooting until we were certain that we had a really good clip.
We are currently editing our footage to check if we have the shots we need or if new shots will need to be filmed to fill the timeframe which we have been given.
Thursday, 13 October 2011
List of Props
Prop list
Skateboard - Michael
Nerdy glasses - Vicky
Comb - Vicky
Paper - Anyone
Stickers - Dan (If I have any >_>)
Sellotape - Dan
A pen - Reece :D
Scissors - Michael
Dictionary - Dan
Headphones - Michael
Highlighters - Vicky
Stones - Long Road (Michael will skate past them, some of the credits ☺ )
Smartboard - Dave (?)
Skateboard - Michael
Nerdy glasses - Vicky
Comb - Vicky
Paper - Anyone
Stickers - Dan (If I have any >_>)
Sellotape - Dan
A pen - Reece :D
Scissors - Michael
Dictionary - Dan
Headphones - Michael
Highlighters - Vicky
Stones - Long Road (Michael will skate past them, some of the credits ☺ )
Smartboard - Dave (?)
Genre Conventions of KiKi's Delivery Service (U Rated film) *Michael's post*
The following is an analysis of an animated children’s film (Kiki’s Delivery Service), the idea of the reviewing of such a genre of film is because we needed to get in the frame of mind of how to create such a film.
Colours
The colours used in the animation tale are very bright and warming from the moment the film starts. Sunny weather helps in creating a friendly atmosphere for young viewers.
Characters
The main characters are friendly and seem to be happy all the way through the opening of the film; this I feel is to get young viewers to build a positive relationship with the main characters from the begging.
Settings
The film opens on a lake surrounded with green fields on a sunny day and then moves on to Kiki’s home with again is a pleasant place and every character seems positive.
Sound and Music
The music used is the opening is in a very positive and fits well with the whole presentation of the characters and the surrounding.
Dialogue
The dialogue through out is very easy to understand, which is so that young viewers and older ones are able to understand what is being said. There is also no use of language that is in anyway offensive or demeaning throughout the whole of the film. (which is why the film is rated at U).
Colours
The colours used in the animation tale are very bright and warming from the moment the film starts. Sunny weather helps in creating a friendly atmosphere for young viewers.
Characters
The main characters are friendly and seem to be happy all the way through the opening of the film; this I feel is to get young viewers to build a positive relationship with the main characters from the begging.
Settings
The film opens on a lake surrounded with green fields on a sunny day and then moves on to Kiki’s home with again is a pleasant place and every character seems positive.
Sound and Music
The music used is the opening is in a very positive and fits well with the whole presentation of the characters and the surrounding.
Dialogue
The dialogue through out is very easy to understand, which is so that young viewers and older ones are able to understand what is being said. There is also no use of language that is in anyway offensive or demeaning throughout the whole of the film. (which is why the film is rated at U).
Planning for filming part 2
Our planning for the children's film started with a mindmap to collect ideas. This mindmap is the source of our final idea, and is the second picture in the post below. After about 20 minutes of brainstorming we examined the ideas. Taking small pieces of all the ideas, we came up with our final plan. Our movie is going to be about a boy who gets in an accident, and can then read minds. Reece is going to play the main character, while michael will play the person who causes the accident.
After establishing an idea, we then worked out the storyboard. The clip will begin with Michael skateboarding, while credits will be made of real life objects. Reece will be speaking in a voice-over during this clip, while a song would also be played at a low volume. Eventually Michael and Reece would collide, which is the 'accident' that will cause reece to develop his 'special abilities.'
Michael, Dan and Reece looked into music for the opening sequence, while Vicky began to work on the storyboarding of the idea. In terms of music, we have decided we're going to use 'Stay away - Nirvana' for the opening scene. The beginning of this song seems perfect for the portrayal of Michael's character.
The storyboard is not yet finished, but will be finished in time for us to film next week. :)
After establishing an idea, we then worked out the storyboard. The clip will begin with Michael skateboarding, while credits will be made of real life objects. Reece will be speaking in a voice-over during this clip, while a song would also be played at a low volume. Eventually Michael and Reece would collide, which is the 'accident' that will cause reece to develop his 'special abilities.'
Michael, Dan and Reece looked into music for the opening sequence, while Vicky began to work on the storyboarding of the idea. In terms of music, we have decided we're going to use 'Stay away - Nirvana' for the opening scene. The beginning of this song seems perfect for the portrayal of Michael's character.
The storyboard is not yet finished, but will be finished in time for us to film next week. :)
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Analysis of a Children's Film
Five Children and It (2004)
Rated U
"Five children and It" is a film about four children whose discovery of a grouchy and ancient sand fairy leads them into a world where wishes are always granted, but at a cost. Set in World War One the film is a heartwarming comedy about the mishaps and adventures of the children, as they learn to be careful of what they wish for.
The film rating of U was given because of the moral messages included in the film, and because of the positive lessons the children learn throughout.
Editing / Camera Shots / and Angles
In the first sequence clips of articles are shown, and these fade to reveal a simple title, “Five Children and It” and then fades again to reveal the scene of a crowded train station in 1917. The shots have then been cut so that the target audience can follow the action easily.
Mid-shots are used so that the main character is in the centre of the screen from the beginning and, although he is not seen at first because of passers-by, the camera is always in line with his head. Mid-shots are the only shots used to establish the setting so that the audience is aware of how crowded the station is, because the camera is always being blocked from view.
Sound/Music
The opening music is a light hearted orchestra piece and plays underneath the narration, alongside the sound effect of an aeroplane propeller (which links in with the idea of war) and another, wand like sound effect which suggests that the film will contain magic.
Setting / Colour and Filters look
From the character’s narration and from the backdrop of newspaper articles, which layer up and overlap and fade over each other at the beginning of the film, the audience learns that the setting is at a time during world war one.
The first few seconds of the film are in a sepia tone but gradually fades into colour. The lighting is soft and natural because of the setting.
Characters / Narrative / Dialogue
One of the main characters provides the narration at the beginning of the film and introduces the dilemma of the parents going away to work or to fight in the midst of WW1, revealing that the children are to be sent away to stay with their “mad” uncle.
The main character is shown to be deeply upset about being sent away, and acts out against his older brother who bosses him about from the outset. However the dialogue is not inappropriate and no words are exchanged between the characters in an angry or violent way and the arguments between the children are glossed over by the kind words of the mother as she takes control of the situation.
Costumes / Props
Costumes are typical of the era the film is set in and all of the characters and extras have been dressed appropriately for that genre. The trains used in the film are old fashioned steam trains and the set which has been used fits in well with the genre. A newspaper from the decade is in the hand of an extra and items such as brief cases and stereotypical tweed suits, carried and worn by the extras have been incorporated into the background to paint a small picture of what life is like within that time.
Rated U
"Five children and It" is a film about four children whose discovery of a grouchy and ancient sand fairy leads them into a world where wishes are always granted, but at a cost. Set in World War One the film is a heartwarming comedy about the mishaps and adventures of the children, as they learn to be careful of what they wish for.
The film rating of U was given because of the moral messages included in the film, and because of the positive lessons the children learn throughout.
Editing / Camera Shots / and Angles
In the first sequence clips of articles are shown, and these fade to reveal a simple title, “Five Children and It” and then fades again to reveal the scene of a crowded train station in 1917. The shots have then been cut so that the target audience can follow the action easily.
Mid-shots are used so that the main character is in the centre of the screen from the beginning and, although he is not seen at first because of passers-by, the camera is always in line with his head. Mid-shots are the only shots used to establish the setting so that the audience is aware of how crowded the station is, because the camera is always being blocked from view.
Sound/Music
The opening music is a light hearted orchestra piece and plays underneath the narration, alongside the sound effect of an aeroplane propeller (which links in with the idea of war) and another, wand like sound effect which suggests that the film will contain magic.
Setting / Colour and Filters look
From the character’s narration and from the backdrop of newspaper articles, which layer up and overlap and fade over each other at the beginning of the film, the audience learns that the setting is at a time during world war one.
The first few seconds of the film are in a sepia tone but gradually fades into colour. The lighting is soft and natural because of the setting.
Characters / Narrative / Dialogue
One of the main characters provides the narration at the beginning of the film and introduces the dilemma of the parents going away to work or to fight in the midst of WW1, revealing that the children are to be sent away to stay with their “mad” uncle.
The main character is shown to be deeply upset about being sent away, and acts out against his older brother who bosses him about from the outset. However the dialogue is not inappropriate and no words are exchanged between the characters in an angry or violent way and the arguments between the children are glossed over by the kind words of the mother as she takes control of the situation.
Costumes / Props
Costumes are typical of the era the film is set in and all of the characters and extras have been dressed appropriately for that genre. The trains used in the film are old fashioned steam trains and the set which has been used fits in well with the genre. A newspaper from the decade is in the hand of an extra and items such as brief cases and stereotypical tweed suits, carried and worn by the extras have been incorporated into the background to paint a small picture of what life is like within that time.
Planning stages of children's film
This is the mind map of our first ideas yesterday (On Wednesday) The writing that has been highlighted in green is the ideas that we decided to keep.
Monday, 10 October 2011
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