PRE-PRODUCTION: 23rd February Casting

Unfortunately our male actor playing Jamie is unable to fulfill his commitment as an actor due to health reasons. Due to this last minute drop out we have replaced him with our team member
Lucy Abbott:

PRE-PRODUCTION: 20th February Storyboarding improved

PRE-PRODUCTION: 14th February: Characters and casting

Character Profiles

Jamie

Age:18
Gender:male
Character attributes: This character has anxiety

Actor: James Unsworth

James has previously acted before at school and is very interested in doing more drama, he seemed enthusiastic and a very believable and real actor. 

Contact details :07784695353

Sophie

Age:19
Gender:female
Character attributes: This character has an eating disorder. She doesn't see what she really looks like in the mirror. This is called body dysmorphia


We are using 2 actress' one will be Jessica and the other the figure she sees in the mirror

Actress:Emma O'Brien

We have decided to use members of our group for this disorder. We know that eating disorders are very common with girls and that many females wouldn't have been confident acting this role and revealing their bodies. Therefore to avoid someone feeling uncomfortable while we film we have chosen to use Emma and Izzy as our actress' for this character.

Contact details :07435146566

Actress: Izzy Cooper

Contact details: 07522953810

Jessica

Age:19
Gender:female
Character attributes: This character will have OCD.

Actress: Stacey Symons

Stacey also has previously acted and she was very eager to act in our film. She is very organised and always on time, so we know she will be a very reliable actress. We also asked her to act out a few shots we would need and she took direction and acted very well.

Contact details:07904272332

PRE-PRODUCTION: 14th February:Script Development

My Sources

http://www.healthyplace.com/insight/quotes/quotes-on-anxiety/

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/anxiety.html

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/ocd

http://themighty.com/2015/10/l7-quotes-that-prove-ocd-ls-so-much-more-than-being-neat/

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/eating-disorders

http://thoughtcatalog.com/erin-cossetta/2013/12/25-heartbreaking-quotes-that-explain-what-having-an-eating-disorder-is-like/

Quotes from people living with OCD

I get unwanted thoughts all through the day, which is very distressing and affects my ability to interact with others and concentrate on my studies and work.





Getting ready for each day involves so much hand washing, mental rituals, and doing things in the same order everyday... Sometimes, I feel like staying in bed and avoiding the day.




OCD means that I miss out on things because I [stay in] to try to protect myself from the stress. It’s sunny outside and I want to go out, but I know I probably won't.






Obsessions are unwelcome thoughts, images, urges or doubts that repeatedly appear in your mind; for example, thinking that you have been contaminated by dirt and germs, or experiencing a sudden urge to hurt someone.






These obsessions are often frightening or seem so horrible that you can’t share them with others. The obsession interrupts your other thoughts and makes you feel very anxious.




"I couldn't do anything without rituals. They invaded every aspect of my life. Counting really bogged me down. I would wash my hair three times as opposed to once because three was a good luck number and one wasn't. It took me longer to read because I'd count the lines in a paragraph. When I set my alarm at night, I had to set it to a number that wouldn't add up to a 'bad' number."






"Getting dressed in the morning was tough, because I had a routine, and if I didn't follow the routine, I'd get anxious and would have to get dressed again. I always worried that if I didn't do something, my parents were going to die. I'd have these terrible thoughts of harming my parents. I knew that was completely irrational, but the thoughts triggered more anxiety and more senseless behavior. Because of the time I spent on rituals, I was unable to do a lot of things that were important to me."






"I knew the rituals didn't make sense, and I was deeply ashamed of them, but I couldn't seem to overcome them until I got treatment."






“I put gloves on before I put gloves on, so I don’t get my gloves dirty.” 

Quotes from people living with Anxiety

"It's like when you trip and the moment where you don't know if you are going to catch yourself or not is how I feel all day long."

"The feeling you get when you tap your pocket to get your wallet, and it is not there, but all the time" 
"I've always thought of it more like when you see police lights in your rearview and you know you did something worthy to get a ticket"

Eating disorder

"The headache. Constant pounding, all day long, even in your dreams. If I ever needed to take my pulse, I wouldn't have to touch my wrist. I could simply count the heartbeats in my temples.


"Then there is the feeling of constant lightheadedness combined with a spacey am I really here? feeling of disconnection. Dizzy spells from time to time, but you learn to anticipate and manage them."

PRE-PRODUCTION: 12th February: Storyboarding-(IMPROVED IN LATER POST)

On the 8th February we met up as a group and began storyboarding we each drew out different shots but ensure we were all happy with eachothers and checked that they all flowed together.


These are the storyboards which I drew, Firstly I have focused on the shots at the beginning of our short film including Jessica

Next I focused on some shots when all three characters are in the lecture theatre:

Next I have drawn some shots which I think could be used during the middle of our film when it is fragmented.

Other members of my groups have done their own storyboards for the other sequences in our film. We feel a lot more confident now that we have draw out the shots and can't wait to start filming !

PRE-PRODUCTION: 11th February: Audience Research

We have decided to create a questionnaire to allow us to carry out audience research. This will allow us to gather our targets audiences thoughts on the theme of our film.

Izzy and I created the questions.

 We then created the questionnaire using Survey Monkey and used social networking to send out the questionnaire.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JDT3LGC

From these responses I can conclude that majority of people don't think there is enough help. Due to the lack of education on mental health many people don't have enough knowledge on the subject and view it negatively. This highlights the need to educate people on this subject.

Over 75% of people thought that health services generalize conditions and don't tailor to peoples needs. This represents how sufferers must feel that they aren't listened to enough or doctors aren't giving them enough individual time to adhere to what they specifically need.

These answers highlight the stigma that sounds mental health, and due to this stigma people with conditions feel embarrassed to speak up. This also represents that many people view mental health negatively and that people should be educated on this subject.

Most people state that they are in some ways isolated or ostracized from society. They are generalized as being unsociable people and outcasts. This once again is due to lack of knowledge on the subject.

Most people agree that the media create an ideal beauty which many people want to obtain. People have the view that being slimmer/skinny is positive and bigger is negative. Many of the media's portrayal of the female body isn't even obtainable as they have been photoshopped.

Majority of people agree that being skinny is the ideal, and the only way to be beautiful. However there are negative connotations towards these skinny models, people see them as too thin and unhealthy. Society should make every size and shape positive, not try to empower or demoralise a certain type.

Majority agree that curvy or plus size women are portrayed negatively and undesirable. It is the body type that people don't want. However some people in the media are representing their curves positively such as kim kardashian and Nicki Minaj.

It was interesting to see who described an actual body shape and size and who spoke more about how they feel and about confidence. Majority of people want to be slim but still with a big bum for example. However some people described being healthy, or someone who feels good and comfortable with their body, and another states their is no perfect body.  People need to stop comparing how they look outside and focus on how they feel and their health.

PRE-PRODUCTION: 10th February: Research into mental health

I have looked up about the mental health disorders which we are portraying on the NHS websites.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Anxiety/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Obsessive-compulsive-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Eating-disorders/Pages/Introduction.aspx


This will give us reliable and accurate information which will help us when producing our film, here is what I found:

Symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder 

Mental Symptoms:

• restlessness

• a sense of dread

• feeling constantly "on edge"

• difficulty concentrating

• irritability

• Avoid social contact

• find work difficult and stressful

• lack of self esteem

Physical symptoms:

• dizziness

• tiredness

• a noticeably strong, fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

• muscle aches and tension

• trembling or shaking

• dry mouth

• excessive sweating

• shortness of breath

• stomach ache

• feeling sick

• headache

• pins and needles

• difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive activity.

Most people with OCD realise that compulsive behaviour is irrational and makes no logical sense, but they cannot stop acting on their compulsion.

• cleaning and hand washing

• checking – such as checking doors are locked, or that the gas or a tap is off

• counting

• ordering and arranging

• hoarding

• asking for reassurance

• repeating words silently

• extensively "overthinking" to ensure the feared consequence of the obsession does not occur – for example, if you fear you may act violently

• thinking "neutralising" thoughts to counter the obsessive thoughts

• avoiding places and situations that could trigger obsessive thoughts

• fear of deliberately harming yourself or others – for example, fear you may attack someone else, even though this type of behaviour disgusts you

• fear of harming yourself or others by mistake or accident – for example, fear you may set the house on fire by accidentally leaving the cooker on

• fear of contamination by disease, infection or an unpleasant substance

• a need for symmetry or orderliness – for example, you may feel the need to ensure all the labels on the tins in your cupboard face the same way

Eating Disorder

A person with an eating disorder may focus excessively on their weight and shape, leading them to make unhealthy choices about food with damaging results to their health.

• missing meals

• complaining of being fat, even though they have a normal weight or are underweight

• repeatedly weighing themselves and looking at themselves in the mirror

• making repeated claims that they've already eaten, or they'll shortly be going out to eat somewhere else and avoiding eating at home

• cooking big or complicated meals for other people, but eating little or none of the food themselves

• only eating certain low-calorie foods in your presence, such as lettuce or celery

• feeling uncomfortable or refusing to eat in public places, such as at a restaurant

• the use of "pro-anorexia" websites.

PRE-PRODUCTION: 6th February: Storyline Development

Storyline:

• Shot a 3 characters waking up with half empty glass on side table.        
• We will have 3 characters, each with their own different struggle/issue.
• One character will have an eating disorder, another OCD, and another anxiety.
• They will all begin in their rooms waking up. Each room will have a carefully planned and thought out set design to reflect them and their struggles.
• We are considering using a 3 way split screen to show them all getting up at the same time.
• We would like to use props such as alarm clocks. show the glass
• Then we will have a sequences of each character representing their struggle.
• For example OCD, will be tidying and obsessively washing and cleaning, straightening, wonky board,  etc.

• Eating disorder, we could show their body and what state they are in, show their obsession with looking in a mirror or looking at models in magazines, posters on wall, comparing. meal plan on the whiteboard, cards saying love who you are, fitness plan, diet plan, anorexic website https://theproanalifestyleforever.wordpress.com/
• Anxiety-will be biting their nails etc
• There will be a fragmented sequence, it will feel cluttered and stressful.
• We will use different props, Non verbal language and lighting to create an emotional sequence.
• You will then see the characters each leave there rooms.
• They will then come together and all help eachother out in someway.
• They will meet in a lecture theatre, OCD character will walk in first.
• eating disorder in next.
• stressing before going in.
• anxiety last.
• anxiety picks up OCDs pens which they have dropped
• OCD character will compliment the character with an eating disorder
• Ant the character with an eating disorder will help anxiety by offering them a seat.
• We want to represent that they are all people and they are no different to someone that has a different issue or struggle.
• Throughout the film we would like to include statistics to do with their struggles which will appear on screen.
• Also we would like to have quotes from people about their struggles so that they can be voice overs during the film to evoke emotion from the audience.
• The last shot will be a repeat of the first shot of the glass, however it should make the audience percieve the glass as half full and not half empty as these characters are no less of a person then someone who maybe doesnt have their certain issue.

PRE-PRODUCTION: 7th February: Copyright

I went onto the website www.copyrightservice.co.uk to look up what copyright is and how it works, here are some of the importat points which I learnt about.

"Can I copyright an idea?

No. Copyright may protect a work, drawing or plan that outlines the

idea, but copyright cannot prevent the idea itself from being used elsewhere.

Obtaining Permission

If you are not sure if your use is fair dealing or covered under a

licensing scheme always check with the publisher/copyright owner

and obtain permission if needed.

When obtaining permission to use a copyright work it is normally best

to contact the publisher. In some cases the publisher may be able to

act on the copyright owners behalf, alternatively they may direct you

to the appropriate licensing organisation or pass your request on to

the copyright owner directly. In the case of material published on the

Internet the best place to start is normally by contacting the web site

owner.

When seeking permission, you should put your request in writing and

specify:

• The material you wish use (include the title of publication, author

name etc.)

• The exact content to be duplicated (i.e. page numbers, section

names, etc.)

• The number of copies you wish to make.

• How the copies will be used (i.e. for an event, course work, etc.).

• Who the copies will be distributed to (i.e. students , parents,

general public).

You should allow adequate time for the copyright owner to provide

permission. Also bear in mind that the copyright owner is not required

to give permission and may refuse or simply not respond to your

Rights of the copyright owner

Copyright is an automatic international right that gives the creators of

literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works the right to control the

ways in which their material may be used.

The rights cover: Broadcast and public performance, copying,

adapting, issuing, renting and lending copies to the public. In many

cases, the creator will also have the right to be identified as the author."

What have I learnt from this:

• We need to ensure when we create our film that we  avoid copyright. We need to ensure that we don't accidentally include background music which could be playing when we are filming somewhere.
• We need to ensure that if we do need to ask permission for something we leave enough time, and also specify exactly what you want permission for.
• Do not inclue any artistic works such as photos.

PRE-PRODUCTION: 7th February: Location Recce

Pathway to Library

This is the second location recce of where we can film our sequence

We are considering using these paths by the library to film a sequence of our character with anxiety. We need somewhere which will be busy and if we time our filming correctly this will be the ideal path to film.

This is the other path leading to the library which would also be suitable.

•  This busy public environment will be ideal to convey his social anxiety. We plan to use this location just when lectures are starting or ending to ensure that it is very busy. 

• We can then show people knocking into Jamie, and demonstrate how uncomfortable it makes him feel. 
• This location will allow us to be more flexible with our camera shots. We can incorporate LS’s and ELS’s as well as tracking and pans from far away. It will allow us to be creative in a different way to the bedroom and bathroom.  
• This will make our piece more versatile and interesting which will then capture the attention of the audience more. 
• As this sequence is outside we will have the time constraint of when the weather is good. Filming in the rain would be tricky and this might mean there are less people walking about to create a busy atmosphere. So picking a day with clear skies will be needed. 
• As we are using a public footpath it means that we don’t require permission to film here.

Lecture Theatre

We would use the lecture theatre for the part of our film when all the characters meet.

We chose this lecture theatre as we thought the lighting was very good and it isn't too big either.

• The lecture theatre is a vital location as it is where all the characters interact with each other. It is a very familiar setting to young people who attend university and it will convey our message that these people with a mental illness are no different to people who have different issues, and they shouldn’t be viewed negatively. 
• This therefore conveys our logline: ‘Struggles do not define you’. 
• This large room will allow us to film from many different angles and distances. 
• We will have to ask the university’s permission to use the lecture theatre and ask when it is free to use as obviously we can't film during any meetings or lectures. 
• The lighting in the lecture theatre is good bright white lighting and we can easily take in extra lighting if needed. 
•  Sound could echo as the room is very large however we aren't using any dialogue, we are only using voice overs so this will not be an issue. The lecture theatre is relatively safe, only danger is tripping up the stairs which we will just have to be careful about.

PRE-PRODUCTION: 6th February: Research

They have created the characters as feeling isolated and alone by using a slow tracking out shot while they provide a voiceover on there negative opinion of themselves:

They have used props such as tablets to represent they have a disorder:

At the end of the film they repeat the shots tracking away from the characters where they are speaking empowering words such as: 'i'm not an illness i am someone' 

This is a very powerful statement and will move an audience, we must make sure that the script for our voiceover is also very emotion evoking and true.

I love one of the starting shots, it uses shallow depth of field so that the background is blurred and she is in focus, this means the audience will feel connected with her and it also shows her as feeling quite isolated.

This film has used fade outs to transition between shots, it makes the transitions look very smooth and calm.

They have used CU and shakey camera movements when the girl in the film feels anxious and uncomfortable, a very easy way to convey her inner feelings through camera movement.

Her non verbal language was very clear in communicating her anxiety, such as this shot where she is biting her nails:

Also she was very fidgety moving her feet and rubbing her legs with her hands:

The use of high angles made her look weak and helpless to her anxiety:

Sound has been very cleverly used in this short film, as her mood changes so does the pitch and tempo of the different background tracks. They have used sound to their advantage, it is quite subtle music nothing to over empowering, I think using music similar to this will also work well with our short film. As well they haven't used any dialogue which means the audience's attention is fully visual which made me notice the tiny details of the sequence such as camera work.

PRE-PRODUCTION: 5th February: Location Recce

We have chosen to do our first location recce in a bedroom and bathroom. Here are some pictures I took:

• We have chosen to use a bedroom as our location as it is a very private place where the characters can be alone and truly express how they are feeling.
• It has a built in mirror which will be useful for certain shots.
• Don't have to worry about whether conditions, therefore we have more time and keeping continuity will be easier.
• The lighting is good with bright white lights and a large window.
• We will be able to change how the bedroom looks very easily and can be creative with our set design.

Problems and Solutions

• Bathroom may not be safe due to the floor being slippery so we would have to be careful.
• Not a massive amount of space so shot will have to be closer rather than further away.