Final Piece

Here is our A-Level final piece which is called 'Them and Us'.

Final Piece Evaluation

Here is my evaluation for my A-Level final piece 'Them and Us'.





Some of my evaluation is also on Prezi which can be opened here:

Preliminary Piece

Here is my AS level preliminary piece which is called 'Behind Closed Doors'.

Production

We have been very busy working on our final AS project which is called 'Them and Us!' As described in previous posts it is based around the recent troubles here in Northern Ireland. Production is well underway as I write this, and we are working on the editing of the film. We first filmed at a location in West Belfast called Casement. It is a GAA stadium which has a bar in it. We filmed the IRA meeting here as they sat in the bar discussing an upcoming attack. Myself and two other friends acted in this scene. We went through it repeatedly until we got it to look and sound realistic as possible. We then ran through it on camera at numerous different angles which was very effective when it came to editing. Mise en scene was perfect as the bar is quite old and not very modern, therefore looks very similar to how it did during the time frame which our filmed is based. Our costumes were also very effective as we dressed how we imagined people would have during this period, which was helped greatly through our research and watching multiple films based on the troubles. As well as filming from many different angles, we used a lot of different camera shots including mid shots, medium shots, and zoom up shots. The camera shot was dependant on the dialogue, for instance if the actor was saying something quite serious then there would be a zoom up shot of him, I believe this made it very effective for the audience and help them understand the importance of certain parts.
We then filmed the UDA meeting, which we shot at the side of an old building which had caged windows. We thought this was effective as we wanted it to be very different to the location we shot the IRA scene. We used a lot of different angles once again, one of which we used was over the shoulder shot which was good when focusing on a particular character if they are saying something important. Chris, who is my media studies partner, acted in this scene, as well as two of my friends. Our mise en scene was very effective here also as the building behind was very old, and the windows had cages over them which would have been very common in the period it was set. Our costumes in this scene were realistic which once again were based around our research of what people might have wore during the time. For both the IRA and UDA scene, we filmed in excess the amount needed, which was initially a problem as the film was far too long, however after a lot of editing and work, we managed to cut the size immensely. It also ended up being a good thing, as we had a wide range of filming to pick and choose from.
Finally we filmed separate shots of murals around Belfast, this was very useful in creating an atmosphere in the film. We took different angles of each mural, as well as slowly scrolling along them which was quite effective. We tried to incorporate the murals to relate to the piece of dialogue being spoke, for instance when the IRA speak of 'entering enemy territory' there is a loyalist mural which states "Loyalist Sandy Row - Stay Out!" This created a very powerful image for the viewer. We recorded a total of ten murals, however we decided it would be best to not use them all as it would result in the viewer seeing very little of the two paramilitary groups which the film is based on. We used the same amount of Loyalist and Republican murals, once again, to keep everything equal.

Script

The IRA are having an important meeting in which they are about to discuss the killing of a senior UDA man. They are in a dark confined room, which is filled with smoke. The camera slowly moves along, showing each of the men, before anyone speaks.

Ciaran (IRA) - Right men this is it. No backin' out now do ye hear me?

The camera then moves slowly along the men, giving the viewer a good chance to see them all. It stops on Ryan at a close-up shot and he begins to speak.

Ryan (IRA) - Of course not Mick, iv been waitin' my whole life to get one of these fenian rats.

The men all begin to look very pumped up. They look at eachother reassuringly. There is then a close-up shot of Spud and he says his line in anger.

Spud (IRA) - So have I, this fella is gonna pay for what happened in Lurgan on Saturday.

Camera Switches to UDA meeting. They are sitting in a similar room, which is dark and misty. There are a few drinks placed on the table. They are discussing the revenge killing of a Catholic due to take place that night.

Chris (UDA) - Well said there James, the only sad thing about Lurgan is that they didn't kill more of the scumbags.

The camera turns to Cricky who is looking fed up with the way the conversation is going. The camera focuses on him in an over-shoulder shot.

Cricky (UDA) - Right enough about that.. whats the plan for tonight?

Camera switches to IRA meeting. The dialogue is interlinking and the two groups are answering each others questions, showing how similar the men actually are - same morals, different beliefs. There is a close up shot on the IRA man then the camera begins to zoom out, adding a serious effect to the chilling statement he makes.

Ciaran (IRA) - We wanna take him out, but remember we are entering enemy territory tonight, so if we slip up we are dead.

The camera switches to Conor who is looking slightly worried. It is a close-up shot. He trembles his words slightly.

Conor (IRA) - I don't think its a good idea going to his home.. what if..

The camera switches back to Ciaran who is looking quite annoyed and serious! He speaks in a firm tone! Once again, this is a close-up shot.

Ciaran (IRA) - Listen Raymond, theres no time to be freakin' out, your either in or your out! Now what is it??

The camera switches back again to UDA meeting. All the men are looking at Jordan awaiting his answer. The camera glances along them briefly before focusing on him in an over shoulder shot.

Jordan (UDA) - You've known me long enough to know i wouldn't back out from anything, do you think i'm scared of the taigs?

The camera turns to Chris who is looking quite reassured. It is a mid-shot, which shows him and all the others too.

Chris (UDA) - Right thats good, just needed to make sure I have everyones word that they're going through with this. Theres too many eejits about these days saying there gonna do this and that.

The camera turns to Ryan who is nodding his head. It is a close-up shot.

Ryan (UDA) - Too right Jackie, all talk no action.

The camera switches to IRA meeting. The camera is focused on Spud as he nervously asks a question. It is a close-up shot.

Spud (IRA) - This may sound like a stupid question but.. whos gonna pull the trigger?

The camera then switches swiftly to Ciaran, who does not look amused at the 'stupid question'. It is a mid-shot which slowly zooms into a close-up throughout the line.

Ciaran (IRA) - Your right, it is a stupid question, whoever needs to, when the opportunity arrives.. take it. Hopefully its me though (laughs).

The camera switches again to UDA meeting. They are all laughing. The camera focuses on Cricky as he says his line. It is an over-shoulder shot.

Cricky (UDA) - Id be more than happy to pull the trigger on one of them vermin scum.

The camera turns to Chris who has stopped laughing and has a serious look on his face. It is a close-up shot of him. The smoke of a cigarette is blowing infront of the camera.

Chris (UDA) - Lets not get carried away.. we have a job to do!

The camera slowly glances among the men which shows them sitting up straight, and wiping away their laughter as they become serious. It then stops at Jordan who begins to speak, this is a mid-shot.

Jordan (UDA) - If we are sticking to the plan then the attack is supposed to be carried out in just over an hour. So we may get the show on the road.

The camera switches to IRA meeting. They are all looking very pumped up. They begin to finish their drinks. There is a medium shot which zooms into a close-up when Ryan begins to speak.

Ryan (IRA) - Happy days! Im ready when you are, lets do this!!

The camera turns to Ciaran. It is a medium shot and he is looking round the table at all the men.  He then begins to look at each man as he tells them their role. He speaks firmly and confidently throughout.

Ciaran (IRA) - Right we've been through it before but just so yous are all sure.. Paddy your behind the wheel tonight, Raymond and Sandsy will be keepin' dick on each side of the house.. and me and Marty will break in and shoot him dead. But listen fellas, if anything was to kick off or something goes wrong, don't hesitate to shoot. Its either kill or be killed in these circumstances.

The camera turns to Campbell who is nodding his head in agreement with Ciaran. It is an over-shoulder shot.

Campbell (IRA) - Micks right, ya' can't take no chances.

The camera switches to UDA meeting. Chris is talking very confidently with a serious tone, showing his authority. It is a close-up shot which zooms out slowly.

Chris (UDA) - Yes, just be careful though, and no women or kids. The UDAs under enough scrutiny at the minute.

The camera turns to Cricky who looks at Chris then to the rest of the men. It is an over-shoulder shot. He speaks in a serious tone.

Cricky (UDA) - You have our word Jackie. No women or kids.

The camera switches back to IRA meeting. Ciaran is now speaking quicker, in a more ecstatic tone. It is a medium shot. He finishes his drink then slams it down on the table.

Ciaran (IRA) - Right in that case, we are ready to go. Sandsy get four handguns and one automatic from the stash and bring them to the car.

Campbell (playing Sandsy) gets up to walk out then stops and says his line. It is a medium shot which begins to zoom into a close-up. He sounds quite sentimental and almost like he is having second thoughts about it.

Campbell (IRA) - Alright will do. I just hope this cause we're fightin' for is worth it.

The camera switches back to UDA meeting. There is a close-up shot of Chris. He puts out a cigarette then begins to speak. He once again speaks in a firm confident tone to raise the moods in the room.

Chris (UDA) - Nows not the time to get sentimental. Keep your head screwed on would ye... right its time, lets go.

The camera for the final time switches back to IRA meeting. There is a close-up shot of Ciaran who looks at Paddy and nods. He seems quite excitement but also nervous as they are about to embark on their task.

Ciaran (IRA) - Your right Paddy we don't wanna be late. Lets go boys. Oh and remember, shoot to kill. Leave no casualties, casualties are witnesses, and witnesses are jail sentences.

Members of the two groups get up and begin to change into paramilitary gear - they put on balaclavas, army jackets/black coats, and gloves. They then exit the room.

Cast

There will be around six people acting in our project. Three members of each paramilitary group. The IRA scene will be shot in Casement Park on the 20th of March 2013, while the UDA scene will be shot on the 12th of April 2013 at a location in South Belfast.

Cast:
-Ciaran McCourt - IRA Commander
-Sean Campbell - IRA
-Spud McAllister - IRA

-Chris McIlvenny - UDA Commander
-Christopher McLarnon - UDA
-Dan O'Hanlon - UDA

Planning

Plot:

Our film is set in 1976, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It follows the story of two families from different communities who lose loved ones in two separate sectarian attacks. These families are affected negatively by these events and become bitter against the other communities. Although these families are very different, in their culture and their way of life, they are very similar in the way they feel about the people of different religions who live in Northern Ireland. The brothers of the two dead men who were attacked, meet in an unusual situation after both leaving Belfast to find a better life for themselves in New York. They end up getting jobs together in a bar and become good friends before finding out they are from separate communities. They begin talking about their past and realise they were both affected by their brothers' killings on the same day, they realise that their history with Nothern Ireland could help reshape the future of it.

Location:

For the IRA meeting we thought the best location would be an old empty irish pub. We could film in casement social club because its decor and atmosphere that would be perfect for what we want for our movie. We also wanted a pub that wasn't modern in anyway, and looked like it was from our time period, which Casement is perfect for.

For the UDA meeting we had an idea to just film this scene in a street alleyway or at the outside of an old building as this would contrast completely with the other meeting, this is our aim. When filming we need to make sure no modern cars are in the shot because this would ruin our continuity of the film.

We will then film shots of murals around Belfast, with an equal amount from each side. We plan to get these shots from the Falls Road and Shankill Road as there is a lot of choice here.

Costume:

With costume we want all of our actors to wear clothes that represent both their low social class and their communities. To do this we want realistic old clothes to give a believable feel to our film. This would include very simple costumes with leather jackets, jumpers, white shirts and jeans.

Mise en Scene:

Our mise en scene and props should be realistic and create a believable scene for the audience. The props we need are just guns, but if these do not look genuine our film won't get the audience response we are aiming for.

Lighting:

For the lighting of our film, we want a very dark and misty look. Using only natural or available light we can get this look on the film and this will give a realistic sense of the scene. Also as we are working on a very limited budget, using natural light is the ideal thing.