Evaluation pictures.

These are screenshots of the different programmes we used during our project that we will use in our evaluation.

Comparison of our lead character with another lead character.

Our main character is an often bullied and shy kid who turns out to have an extraordinary gift, just like... Harry Potter.

There are many comparisons to draw between Potter and our character.  An example is both characters' escape into a magical world where their problems stop. However our character realises that this world is not the honourable path and chooses to face his fears at the end of the film.

What we are Happy and not Happy with in our Film opening

The things that we are happy with in our childrens film opening are as follows: how smoothly our characters were animated, i.e, their walking animations and the fighting sequence. For walking animations we drew individual walking movements so that the animations didn't look stiff and lazy. We also added blinking to the close-up shots of our protagonist, we did this to add to the realism. We are also happy with the vibrant colours that we used in the backgrounds and the colours of the characters, we used vibrant colours because its will attract the childrens attention and keep them interested in watching the film.

But there are some things that we are not so happy about; such as the fact that we couldn't use recording equipment for some parts due to time contraints due to the animation process. We also didn't leave enough time for music so we had to use loops which we don't think sound that professional.  

What Could Our Target Age Group Learn & Enjoy From Our Film?

Our Target Age group would enjoy the adventure that the main character goes through as they would be able to relate with him as they are of a similar age. We think they would enjoy the animation and would find parts of the film funny, for example the last scene with the flagpole. The viewers would sympathise with the main character and feel sorry for him, which would make them feel that bullying is wrong, which is a good moral message. Our character would also learn to face their fears as our main character does this near the end of the film.

Garage Band

We made all our music on Garage band, this was a lengthly process that took about 3 lessons to do. however we did not have any major difficulties while doing this.

Editing

In the editing we put in all the credits and title scenes and used video transitions such as fades and dissolves. We also put the soundtrack in and cropped some off the scenes to remove the table we filmed on from the scene.

Flag Post Scene

In this scene we drew one image and then zoomed out with the camera to create the effect we desired. We did not have any particular difficulties whilst filming this scene.

First Scene, "Main character walking"

This picture shows the set and the characters for the first 5 seconds of the film. As you can see we made 6 cutouts of the main character and used them in the correct order to make it look as if the character is walking. This was important to us, as when we viewed past work, we saw that the character just "floated" across the screen and we didn't think that it looked very good. 

Bully's First appearance

In this scene we drew the background set and then, we drew 3 copies of the main character each one with different facial expressions. This was so that we could make our character blink. The character on the left has eyes with no pupils and we created separate pupils so that we could move his eyes around. We drew the bully's shadow and moved it into the scene gradually.

Bully "hero Shot"

In this scene the bully appears for the first time. We drew the background and then we drew the bully on a separate piece of paper. Then we used blu-tac to stick the bully onto the set. When we did the stop-motion we moved the sheet of paper to make it look as if the main character was looking up at the big, intimidating bully.

Running Scene

In this scene where the main character runs from the bully, we drew the scene and the character in different stages of the running motion.  

Dolly Shot

In this scene where the main character runs from the bully, we drew the scene and the character in different stages of the running motion.  

This is our dolly shot where the child is trapped, we drew everything out and ingeniously used paper and Blu-Tac to keep the character in position. 

Fight Scene

For the fight scene, we made the characters go behind a bin so that the children do not see the fight. We drew the set and the characters and cut the characters up as the moved behind the bin. For the part where the bully comes out from behind the bin, we cut the set, so that we could just move the bully without cutting him up, we realised that this is also what we should have done for the whole scene.

 

For all the scenes that we filmed, we put the camera on a tripod and put the scene on the table as this enabled us to move the characters around easily.

Test Footage

This is test footage of our scene, deciding how the characters will move, how the shadow (in this case played by a pen) will appear, and the child's reaction.

This is test footage of our dolly shot, we found that there were some potential challenges with this scene as it was difficult to keep the character still, however we managed to overcome this by using Blu-Tac.

Credits

In the opening sequence to Monsters Inc there are lively credits made out of animations of doors, while some upbeat jazz music is playing. This keeps the opening sequence interesting and the children do not get bored.

For our opening sequence, we will fade in credits onto the frame during the sequence so that the credits are not boring for the viewers. The information that will be displayed is JOCA productions and the names of all who created the film.

Potential target audience

The potential target audience for our childrens film are young children, around 3-9 years old.
This target audience watch a lot of cartoons and animations, and that is partly why we have decided to create a stop-motion animation. We believe that young children of both genders would enjoy watching our film but because the main character is a young boy it is likely that boys would be more interested in watching it than girls would be. 

Basic Walking-Stop Motion

When we watched other students stop motion videos, we noticed that they werent making it seem like the character was moving, therefore one of our main aims in our childrens film, was to make it look like the characters are actually moving. This video clip is a preliminary clip of how we are going to make the characters seem like they are moving.

Preliminary and Final Character Designs

In this picture, we have going from left to right our preliminary designs for our main character, on the right is our final design. As you can see we are going for the typical vulnerable school child who is picked on. 

In this picture we have our preliminary  designs for our "bully" character, going from our first idea, far left to our final design far left. We have gone for your typical "jock" type american style bully.

Shots and Props list + Location planning, scripts and costumes

Shots:

• Establishing shot- Main character walking down the corridor, establishing the scene.
• Over the shoulder shot- Long distance shot form over the top of the bullys shoulder to show he is closing in on the main character.
• Mid shot- Main character is shown walking down the hall, with a smile on his face, until he realises the bully is behind him and his expression changes.
• Long shot- Main character is shown at the dead end of the hall, trapped by the bully.
• Close-up- Bully is shown in extreme detail from boots to head.
• Two shot- Main character and bully.

Props: 

• Most of our props are drawn, including sets, characters etc. Therefore we wont need to bring in any additional props besides paper and pens. All props will be drawn in accordance with the scene and what its needed.

location planning:

•  We will capture the stop-motion footage in the classroom with the set and the characters all that is visible in the frame.

Scripts and comstumes:

• There is only one bit of speech during the opening sequence, when the main character says "That's what I wish had happened, but this is what really happened."  As the film is animation there are no costumes.

Storyboard Draft 1

We have chosen plot idea 2, because we came up with more ideas in terms of cinematography and sound design, in contrast to the others which we felt were a bit basic and unoriginal.

As you can see we have drawn out all the scenes in the animation and included details of what happens within the scenes.

Plot Idea 3

Synopsis: A character believes there is treasure in some far off place and goes on an adventure there.

Plot: For example, the character travels to the north pole to find Santa. There turns out to be trouble in wherever the character goes and they must sort it out before they leave (and possibly before christmas is ruined).


Characters: The main group of protagonists would be young children, while a secondary character could take the form of the "leader" of wherever they go (eg. north pole = Santa Claus).


The main antagonist would be trying to ruin the place the children arrive in.


The Opening Sequence: The protagonists find an advertisement or map to the place with the "treasure".

Plot Idea 2

Synopsis: A character with an overactive imagination is given the chance to make his daydreams come true.

Plot: A character is often bullied and other bad things happen to them, which they deal with by daydreaming of situations in which they come out on top. One day they are given powers that enable them to make their visions into reality (maybe by a fairy godmother type character, or otherwise for some unknown reason which they must find out)

Characters: The main character could be a young teenage boy, who likes a girl. The girl would be a supporting character, and in a relationship with a bully (the antagonist). The "fairy godmother could turn out in the end to be an antagonist.

The Opening Sequence: Opens with a scary chase scene where the main character gets chased by a shadowy figure, which turns out to be the bully. He overcomes the bully, but a voiceover reveals it was actually just a daydream.

Plot Idea 1

Synopsis: A character gets lost in another world and must find his way home.

Plot: A character is sent to another world via a household appliance that has somehow become a portal to another world. This could be a fantasy or science fiction film. The other world could also be another time period, with a time travel element.

Characters: The main character could be a normal, young boy who the audience would empathise with.
There could be a supporting female character, to give the film gender balance. The two would not get on at first but by the end would be good friends. (They would not fall in love as this is only a children's film and they are only children.)

The main antagonist could be a bully who follows them into the other world, or an evil mad person who wants to take the space/time travelling device and use it for their own nefarious purposes.

The Opening Sequence: The sequence follows a normal day for the protagonists (eg waking up going to school, getting home), except a mysterious parcel arrives. The female character gives moral guidance ("Don't open that, it's not addressed to you!") but the main character does not listen and opens the package. causing them to travel to the new world.

Live Action vs. Stop Motion

Live Action - Live action takes less time than stop motion and allows for more camera effects. However factors such as weather or location can cause problems. Also continuity could be an issue due to clothing and background elements changing from day to day.

Stop Motion - Stop motion animation gives us more control over what we put in the final product. Even though this will be more work, we think it will result in a better overall opening sequence.

For these reasons we have chosen to produce our children's film opening in stop motion.

Classification for our children's film

We have decided to make our children's film a PG as this will give us more freedom in what we choose to display within the film. This gives us a wider variety of potential story lines to choose from so we can teach the children some more moral values. The PG classification gives us more artistic merit to express ourselves.

Classification Criteria-Universal

Universal Classification:

• Suitable for anyone over 5.
• Positive moral framework, children should be introduced to good moral values through the message of the film.
• There must be reassuring counterbalances to any threats on the screen, so that the children do not get too scared.
• Suitable for children to view alone, they should be able to understand and follow the film without parental help and should not feel threatened in any way.
• There should be no bad language, drugs, sex/sexual references or discrimination as this may potentially upset the child or influence bad behaviour.

Universal classified film: The Lion King

This film fits the criteria of universal as there is no bad language, sex/sexual references, drugs or discrimination. It is a film that is suitable for anybody over 5, children or adults alike. Anyone over this age can understand the film, even children, without having an adult near them in order to ask what is happening and why. Any threat that is posed in the film is balanced out in the film, for example when Mufasa dies the lion cub is there to balance out the threat. There is a positive moral framework given by this film such as when Simba is nursed back to health.

Classification Criteria - PG

PG (Parental Guidence):

• Films that are suitable for children 8 and over, and is also the parents responsibility to decide if their child can understand the content within the film.
• The film can contain discrimination if it is used for educational purposes only.
• The film can contain mild references to sex and drugs but can not show these events.
• The film can also contain mild horror sequences if it resolves itself quickly and in a light-hearted manner.
• Can also contain mild bad language.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit:

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is rated a PG for a number of reasons. There are a few sexual references, for example, the emphasis on Jessica Rabbit's outfit and her continuous flirting. There is also some Mild Language, for example, when Daffy calls Sylvester a pussy which has a sexual inuendo. Cartoon violence is also implimented into the film when a piano is dropped onto someone.

Opening Sequence Conventions

The opening sequence of a children's film will generally contain the following conventions:

• Sets the scene - This can be via establishing shot or by subtitles explaining the location. It can also be referenced bycharacters in the film, widening our understanding of the setting.
• Meets the characters - Usually the main characters appear in the first scene, but sometimes they are only mentioned by other characters, and often not every main character appears.
• Establishes the genre - Various on-screen elements will tell us what subgenre the movie falls into.
• Introduces themes and morals - The main plot of the film is generally alluded to, as well as guiding the children to see the morals of the film.
• Music & Colour - In children's films, music needs to be upbeat and fun, while colours need to be bright and interesting, to catch the child's attention.
• Credits and Titles - So that we know who made the film. These need to be interesting as well otherwise children will be turned off by the amounts of text.

Sci-Fi Children's Film Opening Scene Analysis - Wall-E

This film is a CGI animition film which makes it appeal to kids, but the interesting storyline means that it is enjoyable for adults to veiw as well. Before the opening scene the audience are shown the pixar lamp animation. The opening scene is an image of space, showing us the different planets and galaxies, meanwhile the credits are appearing on screen, letting us know it is a pixar film. Then the opening scene zooms in on a ruined planet earth that is covered in debris and rubbish. The dust and wind are visually stunning helping to truly capture the feeling that is conveyed through the powerful imagery.

There is a soundtrack in the background whilst the scene is showing us space and planet earth. This soundtrack contrasts to the runied planet earth as it is a upbeat song, the lyrics used are showing hope for example it says "there's a lot of world out there" this shows the complete contrast between the lyrics and the actual scene. As well as the lyrics this is a very old song, which is another contrast with the imagery which is a futuristic earth, in comparison with the song which is from a time when earth was not a barren wasteland. The fact that the setting is a large city with multiple skyscrapers helps to highlight the fact that the earth is deserted as you would expect there to be many people and lots of noise there.

Then in the scene we see Wall-E, a solitary lone figure which serves to and emphasise the deserted nature of this ruined, futuristic earth. The deserted earth hooks the viewers imagination as you are left wondering what has happened.

Fantasy Children's Film Opening Analysis - Monsters Inc.

Monsters Inc. opens with a credits sequence animated in a non-cgi style, with bright colours and fast paced action. It has a jazzy upbeat soundtrack which keeps children entertained but also interest adults who might have to take their children to see the film.

Then it goes into the opening scene which is scary but quickly resolves into a humorous situation, keeping children engaged. The setting of a factory within a world of monsters is revealed quickly but not instantly, as The use of mise-en-scene such as props really give us the impression we are in a child's bedroom originally. This means that children can relate to the fear of the child. The theme of scaring children to power the monster's world is quickly established, as well as the idea that leaving a door open could let a child enter their world, which scares the monsters.

The film is CGI-animated which adds to the fantasy element because almost any scenario can be created in animation. Each monster is a different colour and has different features, adding interest to all of them. while they are highly stylised and clothed like people to take away the fear factor. The 'boss' character is introduced as important through low angle shots and close-ups, and the main character is introduced by name only - said by the boss with a zoom-in close-up, which adds to the belief that the character is very important to the film.

Action Children's Film Opening Analysis - The Incredibles

The Incredibles opens with a mock interview which introduces us to the main characters - superheroes. The camera and sound replicates old analogue equipment, showing us the "interviews" were filmed sometime in the past. The main theme, which is that the superheroes have gotten older and raised their own families, is alluded to in the interviews, but not actually mentioned. There are barely any title credits in the opening sequence but when they do show up, they are simple black and white title cards, yet again following the theme and time period. This means that when the full colour, modern style title appears, it catches the viewer off guard and has more power.

There is no music during the interviews, which emphasises the change of the titles, which have a strong stereotypical "superhero-movie" style.

Jumanji - Special Effects

We studied the special effects in the opening scenes of Jumanji. There were weather effects such as fog and lightning to indicate an eery atmosphere. Later, when the young boy gets beaten up, there is fake blood (squibs) and bruises on his face.

Analysis of Childrens Film Opening Sequence - Toy Story

The opening sequence of Toy Story:

• Sets the scene by showing us Andy's room and then the rest of the house.
• Introduces us to some of the main characters within the film.
• Establishes the genre as a children's animation with the upbeat music and colours and the appearance of Andy and his toys.
•  Adds opening credits so we know who was important in its creation.
• Introduces the idea of friendship through the theme song.

Preliminary Work - Filming and Editing

filming was an easy task but we didn't quite grasp the concept of the 180 degree rule so we had to add a next day segment to our film. Editing was also easy to do.

Prelimary task

Our scene: Adam runs down a corridor into a door and Ollie sees him and has a conversation about why he ran down a corridor and into a door. Later, fist pumps.

Establishing Shot: Adam runs down the corridor in one long shot, taken from slightly below and to the right.

Close-Up: Adam slams into the door in slow-mo, filmed at eye-level from the front.

Match-On Action: Adam slams into the door, filmed from behind and as a long shot.

Reaction: Ollie REACTS.

Two Shot: Both characters appear in the frame, Ollie above, Adam below

Conversation: featuring the 180 degree rule.