8 Key Questions to answer before you start filming your coursework

1. The action: identify the event your idea is based around; what actually happens (discovery of a body, an illicit meeting, a witness seeing a crime being committed, a criminal act taking place, a telephone call, a chase, a short journey etc)?
2. The theme(s): what should it make the audience think about or feel, what ‘issues’ will it raise (revenge, sexuality, voyeurism, stalking, obsession, greed etc)?
3. The narrative: how is it structured - classic narrative pattern or break with convention, real time or different time zones, flashbacks/forwards, dreams etc. Will there be dialogue? What about diegetic/ non-diegetic sound?
4. The character(s): who are they, identify their roles, what are their characteristics, including gender, appearance etc?
5. The setting and choice of location: where is it set?
6. The mise-en-scene: identify colours, lighting, dress codes, the overall visual look
7. The camera work: the style you are aiming for
8. The editing: edited as a continuous sequence, use of cross cutting, use of montage, or combination?

8 Planning Questions for your film

1. Is it practical?
2. Is it an idea that works to the strengths of the group?
3. Will it show off the skills you have learnt so far on the course?
4. Is it something you can reasonably shoot and edit in the time available?
5. Can you get access/ permission to shoot in the chosen location at the chosen times?
6. Can you organise lighting to use in that location?
7. Have you included dialogue? If so, will it work to shoot conversation in that location?
8. Do you have guaranteed high quality reliable actors to play the characters?

AS Coursework Research and Planning - mark scheme

Marking Criteria for the Presentation of the Research and Planning

Institutions and Audience-Warp Films and Working Title

Working Title and Warp Films Media