Jack and I are still working on the editing. Today we focussed on making the audio sound fluent and even, equalising sound and using audio transitions to smooth out gaps in the audio. We have finished cutting up the shots, we are now refining audio and video tracks, transitions, colouring, etc... The music looks good with the opening title scene, as does the voiceover, which is good.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Post-production- Music
Jonjo and me have written and recorded the music for the opening title scene. We did so in one night, using Garageband for Mac at my house to do so. We were happy with the end result, and when we gave it to Jack to listen to, he was also happy with it.
We used more modern instruments than are perhaps conventional to 1940s/50s soundtracks, but we attempted to bring in conventional styles, timings and genres to the soundtrack, so that it would not appear out of place despite its modernity. An example of a soundtrack that has also used Film Noir conventional soundtrack styles but with modern instruments is the Sin City soundtrack, composed by John Debney, Graeme Revell and Robert Rodriguez.
The instruments we used were: electric guitar, bass, tambourine and keyboard- using a wide range of keyboard voices to construct a Noir inspired modern piece, such as strings, slow strings, trumpet, flute, piano and tenor sax.
I also recorded the voiceover with my brother, the actor who plays Hunter, which I added noise, grain, compression effects and EQ’d it to make the voiceover sound both old and authentic and clear and understandable.
Below are some pictures from the music writing process
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Post-Production- Editing II
Editing is going well, the only problems we have had so far is a stray microphone in the bottom right corner of one of our best shots, but we have managed to get around this by cropping the shot. The editing is being done mainly by Jack and me.
We shot the scene using two cameras, so one of the hardest decisions we have had to make it which shots to use where- considering which work best for framing and stylising; portraying the power struggle between Hunter and Riley- the conveying of meaning; and which shots are most conventional for Film Noir, whilst paying attention to filmmaking rules such as making sure we don’t cross the line- arranging shot order so we avoid doing so.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Post-Production- Editing I
Editing is underway. We managed to successfully sync the audio recorded on the various microphones with the footage, which gives it professional sounding audio- I was worried that this would not work, as it is the first time I have tried to take separate audio recordings.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Production- The Shoot in Pictures
‘The Shoot’ took place on 27th February. Everything ran pretty smoothly, we ran over the scheduled time by about half an hour, but this was predicted. There were no breakages/arguments/disasters, and so it was successful in nearly every respect. Below are some pictures taken on the day of props, cast and crew.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Pre-production- Review
So far, in terms of pre-production, we have:
- Written the synopsis of the opening and a brief overview of the story
- Written the script
- Written the character profiles
- Written the shot list
- Decided the name
- Assigned actors
- Set a film date
- Issued actors with a production schedule, detailing the film date, what they need to bring, when they need to be there, what they will need to do and how long it will take.
- Issued actors with script and character profiles
- Rented out equipment for the date of filming
- Set a location and carried out a recce and risk assessment for the location
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Pre-production- Shot List
Shot list:
1. INT. DARK ROOM- NIGHT
- Black screen
- Mid shot of Esmeé holding a smoking gun, framed centrally in shot
2. INT. HUNTER’S STUDY- DAY
- Fades into a close up of Hunter’s fingers typing
- Close up of smoking cigarette in ashtray
- Close up of pages of his book on table
- Close up of the whisky bottle on the table
- Close up of Hunter’s hand taking the cigarette
- Close up of lips taking a drag of cigarette
- Mid shot of newspaper articles
3. INT. HUNTER’S STUDY- DAY
- Mid to long side on shot of Hunter smoking at his typewriter
4. INT. HUNTER’S DOORWAY- DAY
- Cuts to an over-the-shoulder shot of Reilly as Hunter opens the door
- Shot reverse shot of Hunter and Reilly’s conversation, over the shoulder of Hunter and Reilly
- Long shot, through the lounge doorway of Hunter and Reilly walking back through to the study, pans around to show them in the study
5. INT. HUNTER’S STUDY- DAY
- Mid shot of Hunter as he asks if Reilly wants scotch
- Mid-close up of Reilly as he replies
- Reverse shot back to Hunter, as he begins to pour scotch
- Cutaway back to Reilly as he begins to speak
- Mid shot of Hunter as he turns around with the scotch
- Two shot of the men as Hunter gives Reilly the scotch
- Close up of Hunter’s hand as he puts the pages back down on the desk
- Low angle shot of Reilly as he begins to speak
- Shot reverse shots from the low angle shot of Reilly, with an over-the-shoulder shot of Hunter
- Close up of Reilly in the last rant ‘now listen here...’
- Mid side on shot of the two
- Close up of Hunter ‘I’m not here to make friends...’
- Mid shot of Reilly as he walks out
- Mid shot of Hunter, as in Scene 3, as he lights another cigarette
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Pre-production- Script Revisions
Revisions to the Script:
- All scenes after scene one now read ‘DAY’ due to the availability of actors and when we can film
- ‘Scene 5’ added in as Hunter and Reilly move location at the end of Scene 4
- The line ‘That’s your lookout is it?’ has been removed because Jonjo didn’t like it
- Stage directions changed: Reilly no longer stays in the lounge while Hunter pours scotch, but they both walk into the study
- Instead of gesturing at the typewriter, Reilly picks up the draft pages of the book
- When Reilly picks up the pages, Hunter walks over, hands him the scotch then, and takes the pages from him, placing them back down on the desk
- Alteration to the Voiceover: ‘considering I had been in new York for two years’ changed to ‘considering I left London two years ago’, as this establishes that Hunter is English, hence the accent, while the next line ‘no more can be expected from the NYPD’ establishes that he is now in New York
- The series of shots has been altered slightly so that it begins with Hunter’s fingers on typewriter, and he no longer picks up the cigarette
- Small typing and spacing adjustments
- Name added
Pre-production- Shooting Script
WORDS ON A MURDER
By
Tom Leatherbarrow, Jonjo Murphy and Jack Newman
FADE IN
1. INT. DARK ROOM- NIGHT
Black screen S.F.X Gunshot
A young woman stands with a smoking gun in both her hands, pointing it at the camera. A strip of light illuminates her face and the gun- the background is in darkness. She looks scared. The scene fades out, the music begins over a black screen
2. INT. HUNTER’S STUDY- DAY
Titles superimposed over series of shots:
- Fingers on typewriter –
- Smoking cigarette on ash tray –
- Black coffee on table -
- Draft pages on table –
- Whisky bottle on table –
- Hand taking Cigarette -
- Lips taking drag of cigarette –
- Newspaper articles on the wall of Esmeé -
END titles
3. INT. HUNTER’S STUDY- DAY
HUNTER is smoking at his typewriter.
HUNTER V.O
It was November 1952 when the detective arrived at my door. To be honest, I’m surprised he showed up so soon, considering I left London two years ago. But I suppose no more can be expected from the New York Police Department.
There are three raps on the door, O.S. Hunter pauses for a second, and then puts out his cigarette, and stands up. The camera cuts to Hunter opening the door.
4. INT. HUNTER’S DOORWAY- DAY
REILLY
Are you Mr Hunter Phoenix?
HUNTER
Apprehensive
Yes…
REILLY
My name is Detective John Reilly.
REILLY flashes his badge at HUNTER
I was wondering if I could ask you some questions, about the case of Esmeé Amé-Libre.
HUNTER
Right. Well, you’d better come in
HUNTER opens the door wider, and walks into his study. REILLY steps over the doorstep, closes the door and follows him in. They walk into the study
5. INT. HUNTER’S STUDY- DAY
HUNTER O.S
Scotch?
REILLY
Sure
REILLY
There’s been a rumour that you’re writing a book about the criminal Esmeé Amé-Libre.
REILLY picks up the draft pages
Con’t
Is this it?
HUNTER
Yes. I’m just adding the finishing touches
HUNTER hands REILLY a small glass of scotch, and takes the draft pages from Reilly’s hand and puts them back on the side
REILLY
Let’s get to the point here, Mr Phoenix: Is it true that your book suggests that the murder of Mayor Jack Manning wasn’t committed by his mistress Esmeé Amé-Libre?
HUNTER
That is one of the theories I’ve explored, yes
REILLY
Well who do you think it was then, Mr Phoenix?
HUNTER
As I say; it’s just a theory
REILLY surveys him for a moment, his eyes narrowed
REILLY
Another of your theories says that Amé-Libre was wrongly convicted- that she was framed BEAT by the NYPD
HUNTER does not reply but takes a sip of whisky
Con’t
You can see how these claims would be pretty damaging to New York Police?
HUNTER remains silent
Con’t
For someone so good with words you sure are quiet. BEAT You moved to New York
HUNTER
That is correct
REILLY
The case had been closed for over a year. Why move so late?
HUNTER
Dismissively
Oh you know, news travels slow, the details of the case didn’t reach England
There is a pause. The men consider each other
REILLY
Jack Manning was the most popular Mayor New York city
He gestures towards the typewriter
Cont’d
Will not go down well with the people of New York. The case has been closed, Mr Phoenix, Amé-Libre did it. I’d think twice before you try and publish this book of yours. It will make you an unpopular man in this city, Mr Phoenix
HUNTER
I’m not here to make friends, Detective.
HUNTER does not reply
REILLY
We’ll be seeing you again, Mr Phoenix
The detective walks out. HUNTER sits down at his desk and lights a cigarette.
FADE OUT
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Pre-production- Location
The location of Jonjo’s house has been decided. We shall use his front doorway for the doorway scene and his office/piano room as Hunter’s office. We shall recce soon and start collecting props so as to make it look 1950s-esque
Pre-production- Name
We have decided on the name of the film: ‘Words on a Murder’. It came down to a choice between ‘The Conviction of Esmeé Amé-Libre’. In the end we decided that ‘Words on a Murder’ was more fitting as that is essentially what the film is about, whereas the conviction of Esmeé (the fake one) happened before the action, and the real Esmeé is never convicted. We have decided to use the name ‘The Conviction of Esmeé Amé-Libre’ for the title of Hunter’s book, which are the words on the murder, essentially, and will feature in the opening in props (draft pages)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Pre-production- Costume
The costume for each character in the opening, as given in the production schedule, examples of such costume in past Film Noir, and who is providing each piece of costume
Hunter (provided by Jamie, playing Hunter)
- Smart white shirt
- Smart dark trousers
- Brogues
- Black socks
- Tweed jacket
- Glasses
Riley (provided by Paul, playing Riley)
- Smart white shirt
- Braces
- Smart trousers
- Smart black shoes
(Provided by Tom, Director)
- Trench coat
(Provided by Jonjo, Producer and Camera Operator)
- Hat
Esmeé (provided by Hope, playing Esmeé)
- An elegant red dress
Pre-production- Suggested Names for the Production
We came up with some possible names for the film- the emboldened titles are our favourites at the moment...
The Many Faces of Esmeé Amé-Libre
Esmeé
Hunter
Words on a Murder
The Conviction of Esmeé Amé-Libre
Corruption
The Double Life of Jack Manning
The Life of Hunter Phoenix
The Death of Jack Manning
The Esmeé Delusion
Fleeing New York City
Lies and Deception in New York City
The Lies of New York
The Other Woman
Shadow In The Big Lights
A Phoenix in the Ashes
A Heart of Stone, A Smoking Gun
Hunter In The Night
Monday, February 14, 2011
Pre-production- Revised Production Schedule
Production Schedule
Roles, Cast and Crew
Director Tom Leatherbarrow
Producer Jonjo Murphy
Editors Tom Leatherbarrow and Jack Newman
Lighting Tom Leatherbarrow and Jack Newman
Camera operators Jack Newman and Jonjo Murphy
Costume/Set Design Jonjo Murphy, Nicky Murphy, Tom Leatherbarrow and Jack Newman
Music and Sound FX Tom Leatherbarrow and Jonjo Murphy
Hair and Makeup Darcy Murphy
DVD Menu Design Jack Newman
Actors
- Hunter Phoenix Jamie Leatherbarrow
- Detective Riley Paul Kime
- Esmeé A-L Hope Murphy
Contact Required Equipment
Jack 07865670186 Cameras 2
Tom 07792927550 Tripods 2
Jonjo 07837913686 Clips 2
Jamie 07891102681 Lighting Kit 1
Hope 07739360838
Paul 07540555394
Filming Date- Sunday 27th March 2011
Filming Schedule
- Crew to arrive on location at 10:00
- Actors to arrive on location at 13:00
- Filming commences at 13:30
- Filming ends at approx 16:00
Required Costume Required Props
Hunter
- Smart white shirt Books
- Smart dark trousers Typewriter
- Brogues Cigarettes
- Black socks Whisky bottle + glasses
- Tweed jacket Cigarette case, lighter
- Glasses Coffee, mugs
Riley
- Hat Police badge
- Smart white shirt Notepad and pen
- Braces
- Smart trousers
- Trench coat
- Smart black shoes
Esmeé
- An elegant red dress Gun
- Silver jewellery
Other props
- Rug
- Pictures on wall
- Newspaper cuttings
- Draft pages
- Pens and pencils
- General clutter
- Ashtray
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