A2 Media Studies: Locations & Forms

Location 1 - Alleyway

This is an alleyway located a short walk from me. My group and I chose this location for the fast-pace chase scene where Anon is after Eve, holding a gun. We chose it both because of how easily accessible it is and because the location looks the part; there is graffiti on some of the fencing and walls, so we could potentially pose some of our characters there for a conspicuous-looking drug deal. In addition, it is fairly well-lit by streetlights so our footage wouldn't be too grainy, however further lighting such as torches or other external light source may be needed. Below is a short video tour of myself going to the location in the daytime: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbzSTwNUJws&feature=youtu.be)

Location 2 - The Park

This park is where we plan to have the characters George (played by myself) and Alice (played by Reannah McNee) discussing the dubious disappearance of Eve (played by Dominika Malina). The scene will intercut between a chase scene of Anon going after Eve and their conversation, with the conversation being present day.

We chose this location because we think that although a playground or park might typically seem like a place for children, it isn't rare to see teenagers or young adults using them as a place to meet up. In this scene the two characters will also exchange a small packet of drugs (fake cocaine shown in my costume & props research and planning post) to signify to the audience that they are drug dealers, hence their connection to Eve. In the image above are the swings drawn in our trailer's storyboard and animatic. The park is a realistic setting considering our theme and budget because it is easily accessible and a public place, meaning there won't be any special permissions needed to film there. However, of course, we will need to be mindful of our surroundings and any people that might be around as they may not want to be in the recording.

Location 3 - RAF Upwood

RAF Upwood is a disused military base a relatively short drive away. It has many abandoned buildings and as you can see from the preview image on the map above it has graffiti'd and vandalised, which is good for our theme of crime as it would be familiar iconography for the audience to recognise. In our storyboard my group and I decided to feature the character Alice inside an abadoned building or druggie base smoking (although due to complications with props, we may switch to showing her taking pills and perhaps acting as if she's high). However, since the location is disused there may be issues with permissions to film. We have decided to go to the location as there is no formal way to request permission as far as we are aware, and see if we can find an official person to escort us. If not, we will find an alternative location or create our own makeshift druggie 'shack'.

Location 4 - The Studio

Our fourth location is for our character Anon's scene where they record their threatening message. For this we want to use the media studio at Nene Park Academy. We have previously used this studio for photoshoots for other projects and so we know that permission will not be an issue. The studio includes professional lighting and camera equipment so we can ensure our footage is of the best quality possible. The scene will show Anon typing so that in post-production we can use a voice-over to read out their speech. The image on the left shows the set-up we used during our photoshoot for the magazine and poster for Illicit Obsession.

Other Location Idea

If time and expenses weren't a limiting factor, my group and I would love to travel to other cities where there are more opportunities and location possibilities, such as more notorious abandoned places for the ultimate realistic crime feel. After some research on abandoned places in the UK, one I particularly like the look of is "Lock Keeper's Cottage, Stenwith (near Grantham)" - pictured left and below.

I think this location would have been great because it looks rough, has plenty of graffiti and even has damaged furniture inside that could be used to display the prop drugs on, making for appropriate and realistic mise-en-scene that could definitely attract our target audience. Our characters could sit together around the table pictured below, for instance, in an arc shot that shows each of them emptying pills from bottles. However, as with most abandoned locations, obtaining permission is an issue because otherwise it could count as trespassing (this house also appears to have been residential), so unfortunately the likelihood of my group being able to use this location is low.

(Source and image credit for Lock Keeper's Cottage: http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/rural-sites/34269-lock-keepers-cottage-stenwith-near-grantham-december-2016-a.html?s=512213018265812df998896329de47eb#.WGW-EVy81_k)

Permission Forms

Before we can shoot, risk assessments have to be performed and schedules created for each location, as well as model release forms and a recce. Below are these items.

Shooting Schedule:

Shooting Schedule Illicit Obsession from GeorginaGilbey

Recce:

Recce - Illicit Obsession from GeorginaGilbey

Risk Assessments

Risk Assessment The Park from GeorginaGilbey

Risk Assessment RAF North Witham from GeorginaGilbey

Risk Assessment NPA Media Studio from GeorginaGilbey

Risk Asessment - The Woods from GeorginaGilbey

Risk Asessment - Alleyway 1 from GeorginaGilbey

Model Release Forms