Locations and Props

Location

As a group we decided to go to our first 2 scene, main locations to make a vlog. Using my car, we demonstrated roughly what we would like our shots to look like, and to get used to the location we would be filming in, before going and filming in the dark. This trip proved very useful in the final pre-production of our film opening - Hightail.

Little Miss Sunshine Film Opening Analysis

Little Miss Sunshine

Director: Jonathan Dayton , Valerie Faris

Year: 2006

Production Co: Big Beach Films 

Budget: $8 million

Box Office: $59 million 

Little Miss Sunshine is a 2006 American come-drama road film and the directorial debut of the husband-wife team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. The screenplay was written by first-time writer Michael Arndt. The film stars Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin and Alan Arkin.

Opening Shots

The first shot that we see is a central composition shot, where we can see a young girl. Immediately, from the mis-en-scene of the shot, especially from the characters attire (e.g. glasses) the representation of a 'nerd' is made to the audience. She switches on the TV.

This next shot is an extreme close up, where we see a reflection of what the young girl is watching (the shot below of the TV). From context knowledge, i know that a focused theme in this film is 'Dreams' and following them; the close up with this specific reflection gives the impression that the girl through the lens of her glasses is looking at what she wishes to become.

This middle shot, uses the contrasts to present the idea that the young girls dream is far from being achieved. Her age, attire and basic mis-en-scene (what looks like a living room) is a large contrast to the glamorous women that she can see on the TV. The idea that the TV is an artificial picture also develops this idea.
The woman on the TV is continued to be represented as a role model in two shots that shot the young girl imitating the women.

Sounds 

There is also sounds used throughout this film opening; a piano melody is being played. The mellow sound of the piano, links in with the idea of a dreamy idea in the young girls head. The piano is also played sharply which gives an excited atmosphere. 

We can then hear a TV presenter announcing the winner of a beauty pageant - that we can see on the screen.

Anamatic

Using iMovie, I cropped down the story board into seperate shots. I then recorded a voice over; a basic description of what was to happen in each shot. In the first scene I have added a 'driving car' sound effect, followed by a 'car crash' sound effect. In the next scene, and then continuing until the end of the film opening, I have added the soundtrack that we hope to use.

Character Profiles / Cast

Protagonist - Molly Smith 

Played by: Molly Cheetham

Age: 16

Physical Appearance: Blonde, Blue eyes, short (in height)

Characteristics: Socialite, whos trauma has left her unable to continue her high interaction with the outside world. Emotionally unstable, anxious and an introvert. 

Paul Smith - Father of Molly

Played by: Nick Hewitt 

Age: 45

Physical Appearance: Grey, well groomed haired, muscular and presentable

Characteristics: Short-tempered, traditional and firm (in terms of parenting), frustrated with Molly's reoccurring disappearances.

Sonja Smith - Mother of Molly

Played by: Georgina Rose

Age: 43

Physical Appearance: Blonde, attractive, smart 

Characteristics: Caring and understanding, the diplomat in situations. She wishes to help Molly, without loading her with negatively (unlike her husband)

Audience Polling

We used the website 'SurveyMonkey' to create a survey about Psychological Thrillers as part of our audience research. After researching in other ways, as a group we already had an initial idea of what to expect our audience to be (their gender and age). We were intrigued as to if this survey would produce the outcome we expected. We also took into consideration that the survey would be bias due to the fact that we were posting the link on our social medias, that did not allow a massive range of people to take the survey. However with about 100 responses, we were confident that the survey would definitely help us in some way.

Our Survey - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BK5MG58

Most of the people who took the survey had watched, and enjoyed a psychological thriller...

We then saw many responses that fitted with our target audience research. Here are a few examples

Primary Audience - Female 16-25

Secondary Audience - Male 21-35

Storyboard

This is the story board for our film opening, involving the key shots we will use. In our final cut we are sure that extra cut away shots, and establishing shots will be used. However at the moment we are unsure on what these will be...

Screenplay

Hightail

Screenplay by George Stott,

Kathryn Sammon and Harrison Lambert

EXT. ROAD – NIGHT

MOLLY, PAUL and SONJA in car. Paul is driving, Sonja in the front seat and Molly in the back. Paul and Sonja are angry at Molly for not telling them where she is. 

PAUL

So are you going to tell us where you

were?

(Molly ignores)

SONJA

Don’t ignore your father Molly. 

Why didn’t you tell us where you were?

MOLLY

My phone died.

PAUL 

Don’t bullshit us. Tell us the truth.

SONJA

We give you so much responsibility. The

least you could do is tell us the truth.

(Molly ignores)

Paul turns around to look at Molly. Car comes from a perpendicular road. Hits the car the family are in. Screen goes black; audio continues.

MOLLY

Mum?!

Pause

MOLLY

Dad?!

Pause

MOLLY

Please!

INT. MOLLY’s BEDROOM – DAY

Molly wakes up. Starts playing voicemails. Starts to pack her belongings. She packs all her clothes and places funeral brochure on top of belongings. Molly closes her suitcase and then the title appears on a reveal.

Voicemail #1

Hey Molly, hope your okay, where were

you last week? I didn't see you at school,

ring me when you can.

Voicemail #2

Good Afternoon Molly, its Mr Smith,

I hope you are well. We are concerned

of your attendance in the past week,

would you kindly have your guardian call

us back, to discuss the reason for this.

Thank you.

PAUSE

Voicemail #3

Hi darling its Grandma, hope you’re up

and packed, let me know when you are

safely on the train, me and Grandpa are

excited to see you, we have everything

sorted for your new school. See you soon.

INT. LEEDS TRAIN STATION – DAY

Molly is sat in train station waiting for her train. She gets on the train and sits down.

INT. TRAIN – DAY

Molly is sat on the train. Puts headphones in and puts on music. Puts her head in her hands.

FLASHBACK STARTS

EXT. CEMETARY – DAY

Molly stood on her own at grave. Crying to herself. Puts flowers on the grave and walks off.

FLASHBACK FINISHES

INT. BURLEY TRAIN STATION – DAY

Molly arrives at the train station. The tannoy announces she’s arrived at her destination. Gets off the train.

TRAIN TANNOY

The next station is Burley. Please take

all your belongings with you. 

Molly gets off the train and starts walking down an alley. The train doors close whilst she is walking down.