Fiction Adaptation: Tutorial feedback

During my tutorial this morning with Simon, we spoke about my ideas for my Fiction Adaptation unit. We spoke about how the poem talks about London, what it shows, and how its represented.

We discussed the idea of identity and belonging within the poem and that my film should have some sort of ownership when it comes to the narrative. The possibility of having a character would make the film more engaging to the audience.

Simon liked the fact that I wanted to try something different by filming landscapes and scenery, and we also discussed the length of the poem and how this may be a problem for a 5 minute film.

I like the text I have chosen and do feel confident about the way in which I will adapt the piece. I'm going to organise a trip to London, look for some inspiration, and see if i can find the character that I need.

Studio Production: Emails

Here is a copy of an e-mail we have sent to some companies which cast comedians across the UK and Ireland.

To Whom it may Concern,

We are currently looking at casting 2 comedians/comediennes to star in a 20 minute pilot TV program filmed at Maidstone TV Studios by Broadcast Media Students at the University for the Creative Arts.

The Program will be filmed between 13th-16th May 2013 and is called 'Funny People' (working title) and will be shown online using Youtube and Vimeo which will be set up by our promotions team.

To give you a basic idea about the show... It is a comedy stand-up/improvisation show which challenges two comedians against each other with a variety of comedic tasks in an attempt to battle for the title of 'funniest person' focusing on 'on-the-spot' improvisation alongside stand-up material. The comedians would also be needed on other days (undecided dates) to film on location for several VTs to be used within the show. There will also be a live studio audience and will be filmed using professional rigs and sets which will be designed for us.

The roles of the comedians will not be paid, however, we are able to provide a full showreel to each of the comedians with all footage from the show for their portfolios. This is a fantastic opportunity for any young & up-coming comic to show off their work and get noticed. If there is any chance that you may be able to help us finding two comedians for our show, we would be extremely grateful and would be more than happy to credit your website and yourself within the show. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any more information on the show!

Thank you for taking time to read this email, We look forward to hearing from you,

Regards,

Sam Wilder (Producer)

Ashley Kay (Director)

Zarah Kemmenoe (Assistant Producer)

So far, we've had contact with a man called Geoff Whiting, a former comedian and director of the company 'Mirth Control' - http://www.mirthcontrolcomedy.com/welcome.html. Geoff emailed me saying that he believes that he may have some comics who would suit our show and what we are looking for. We are waiting back to hear from any comics that are interested in being part of our show.

Studio Production

So after our pitch results lasts week, we then had to apply for which roles we would like to do on the two productions.

I am really pleased as I am now the Director of Punchlines (was FUNNYPEOPLE) with Sam Wilder as my producer. I really like the concept of this show and think that it really does have to potential to be a fantastic production.

We now have all of our team...

Sam Wilder - Producer
Ashley Kay - Director
Zarah Kemmenoe - Assistant Producer 
Gemma Whipp - Production manager
Sam Ellis - Producer/Director for VT Package & Chief Camera Op
Neill Morris - Promos Team
James-Pepe Ogden - Promos Team & Vision Mixer
Scott Fisher - P.A. & VT Package Team
Ashley John - Floor Manager & VT Package Team


We had our first production meeting yesterday to discuss plans. The VT Package team are looking at locations. The production team, Sam, Zarah and I are all looking at casting talent. The promos team are busy designing logos and looking at ideas for posters and trailers, and as a group, we are discussing set ideas for the show.

We have a meeting tomorrow morning with the CAFT team at UCA Rochester to discuss possibilities concerning set design, then later tomorrow afternoon, wil; be back at the studios to look at our ideas with the teams for both productions.

Fiction Adaptation: Final ideas

‘Upon Westminster Bridge’ – William Wordsworth

This is a short poem by William Wordsworth, which was written in 1802.  The poem looks at a view of London in 19^th century England from Westminster Bridge. 

I studied the poem at GCSE level and believe that this would be good to revisit as I know the text so well, having previously compared it to ‘London’ by William Blake.

I looked at both of these poems, one of which is a negative view ‘Blake’ and the other a positive view ‘Wordsworth’, of London at the same era.  I have chosen o use Wordsworth’s positive view of London and would like to compare this with modern day London.

I have taken some of the points and places mentioned within the poem to see if they are still there today and surprisingly, there are many of the same sites today, as there was in the 19^th century.

My Film

This will be filmed from Westminster Bridge. I’d like one establishing shot of the bridge, and then, with clear narration of the poem, I’d like to capture the images from the poem in as much detail I can.

‘Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie

Open unto the fields, and to the sky,

All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.’

This quote taken from the poem highlights some of the sights I would like to capture. The poem was written looking at London early morning. It highlights the calmness of the river, and how the sun comes up over the tops of the buildings. I’d love to film early morning for this project, to capture the city at its quietest time, on a sunny day, as morning breaks.

I think this a good opportunity for me to be adventurous with my camera work. I’ve never filmed landscapes before and would love to give it a go.  Id like to create a real comparison between what William Wordsworth saw from Westminster Bridge, and what can be seen today.

I would still like to film this in a positive light, and capture the beauty of the city, especially when it is calm in the morning. I also have a friend who is a landscape illustrator. She may work with me whilst I film to draw some of the view from the bridge. If possible, I’d love to include some of these drawings into my film, to give it a cosmopolitan/arty edge, which is something I would really like to do with this project, to take a classic piece and adapt it and give it a new light.

Studio Production: Pitch Review

So today i made my pitch for my idea for the studio production unit. I was pleased with the information I'd put into it, and was confident that I covered all areas with enough info to make my idea clear and understandable.

I think my pitch went well and was given good feedback. My power point really helped me outline my ideas and the handout that i prepared helped me cover any information that i didn't in my pitch.

I was asked a few questions about my idea, concerning the name and set, and also about the presenters and puppeteers. My tutors seemed impressed with my idea which was great and liked the diversity of the subject. The only helpful criticism that I received was that I spoke too fast and rushed myself (which I know is what I do when Im nervous!). This is something I will be careful to change when I next present myself or my ideas in a pitch situation.

Overall, I was pleased with my idea and my pitch and look forward to hearing the results tomorrow!


Heres a copy of my hand out which I presented alongside my PP Presentation...

Welcome to My World

This is a new 20minute pilot Children's TV Programme that focuses on religion and culture within the UK. The set for this programme will consist of a basic studio child-friendly design.

The main attraction of this production would be the two presenters, Ideally, a female presenter to work alongside a puppet, which would be either a male animal or monster/muppet type character.

The programme would consist of VT's and guests (adults) from different religions and cultures talking about their lifestyle. It would contain VTs on location in either homes or religious places of interest to inform children about different cultures within our society.

Each episode would look at a different religion or culture and would base the whole episode to that one subject. The presenters would talk to any specific guests e.g. - an English shop owner, an African dressmaker, an Indian chef for example. The pilot episode would focus on a specific culture look at how the lives of children are different from other cultures, what is a 'normal' day in the life of that culture and interviews with an adult of that culture to talk about what they do.

The programme will focus on the way in which that certain culture affects children and look at their lives (VT). The target audience is pre-school/ primary school (years 1,2 &3) and Children with special needs.

The show will look at every day life, for example, food, clothes and lifestyles of every culture and also touch on any religious/ cultural celebrations.

'Welcome to My World' would air on children's channels for either early morning 6am-8am or after school times 3pm-5pm.

Studio Production: The Pitch

So now I have chosen my idea, I've finished preparing my pitch for my Studio production.
I have decided to pitch a Children's TV Programme which focuses on religion and culture within the UK. The set for this programme will consist of a basic studio child-friendly design. The main attraction of this production would be the presenters. Ideally I would like a female presenter to work alongside a puppet, which would be either a male animal or monster-ish type character. The programme would consist of VT's and guests (adults) from different religions and cultures talking about their lifestyle. It would contain VTs on location in either homes or religious places of interest to inform children about different cultures within our society.

Each episode would look at a different religion or culture and would base the whole episode to that one subject. The presenters would talk to any specific guests e.g. - an english shop owner, an african dress-maker, an indian chef for example.The pilot episode would focus on a specific culture look at how the lives of children are different from other cultures, what is a 'normal' day in the life of that culture and interviews with an adult of that culture to talk about what they do.

I specifically want to focus the programmes on the way in which that certain culture affects children and look at their lives (VT). My target Audience is pre-school/ primary school (years 1,2 &3) and Children with special needs.

I would like the show to look at every day life, for example, food, clothes and lifestyles of every culture and also touch on any religious/ cultural celebrations.

The show will be called 'Welcome to My World' and would be made to air on children's channels for either early morning 6am-8am or after school times 3pm-5pm.