500 Days of Summer Evaluation:

Question 1: What was the aims (purpose) of the script and 9 key frames?

The aim and purpose of my script and 9 key frames was to explore the macro within my textual analysis which focused on the narrative between my two chosen studies Frozen and 500 Days of Summer. My script and 9 key frames are based upon my chosen study of film - 500 Days of Summer and explores the way in which the stereotypical way a male and female act. The purpose of my script and 9 key frames was to recreate a flashback scene for a reboot to the film 500 days of summer this was done by having Tom looking back on his relationship with Summer in a way that has no flaws. The flash back represents the male and female relationship between Summer and Tom in a non stereotypical way.

Question 2: What codes and conventions identified in the textual analysis essay were used in the script and 9 key frames?

The codes and conventions used within my script and 9 key frames follow the stereotypical characteristics from a typical romantic comedy film. The scene is set in a domestic house like setting this gives a realistic feel towards the scene however still gives the sense of it being fake due to it being set in IKEA - a setting which is almost too perfect to be true. The scene explores Summer and Tom living a perfect relationship within their perfect 'home', we know that they are in love due to their body language towards each other and having them both in bed together. This whole scene shows a dominant male lead throughout; one example of this is when Tom was shown carrying Summer into the scene in a 'just married' like style. This shows Tom the male within the scene to have the typical masculine characteristics and traits you would expect. Another convention used was the costumes and props. The costumes I kept as a typical girl and boy outfit as I wanted it to have a sense of realism and add to the normality of the scene; Summer is shown to be wearing a bright, floral feminine top and Tom to be shown in casual everyday clothes. The only props used throughout were based within whatever department of the house they were in for example when Tom was cooking Summer dinner in the kitchen he was using kitchen utensil props. I have used codes and conventions to express a love interest and explore further the typical boy meets girl, boy gets girl and happy ending that every romantic relationship based film commits too.  

Question 3: How was the location report used in the construction of the 9 key frames?

The location report was very important in the construction of my 9 key frames due to it enabling me to achieve the best possible location available to fit and link back to my script. Although within the film 500 Days of Summer the scene I have chosen to reboot is set in IKEA I was unfortunately unable to access this location therefore I had to adjust and use alternative locations which in the end worked really well for the 'too perfect to be true' image. The two locations I ended up using for my 9 key frames was B&Q and NEXT Home. The two stores are located within the same retail park which was convenient and easy to access. B&Q was used for the kitchen scene due to them having display kitchens set up which meant you have the feel for a house but at the same time you still know that it isn't real and somewhat fantasy due to it being set in a shop. NEXT home was used for the bedroom setting; NEXT was kind enough to let us use their location and beds in order to take these photos. NEXT was a perfect bedroom location as it gave the feel that it had just been taking straight out of a catalogue it looked so perfect and all in place. 

Question 4: How successful was the script & key frames in achieving the aims (its purpose)?

I feel as if my script and 9 key frames have been very successful and I have fully achieved the aims I set out to achieve. Pictures 1-6 taken in B&Q: I feel as if these 6 pictures went really well and expressed the hyper reality of the scene. I feel as if the balance between the reality of the store surroundings and Tom and Summer in the kitchen works really well together and gives the feel of them being in their own little bubble oblivious to everything going on around them - the world is moving but right there in that moment they are still. However; to improve I would ensure that all pictures are taken from the same distance for example in picture 3 the island is more to the right hand side and you don't have the view of the isle compared to picture 1 and 2. Also I would straighten up some of the pictures slightly as a couple are slightly off but its hardly noticeable and doesn't make any difference on the pictures or the affect it gives out. Pictures 7-9 taken in NEXT home: I am very pleased with the way in which these pictures have turned out, you get the real sense that they have been pulled straight from a catalogue. However, again similar to pictures 1-6 I would improve the positioning of the camera purely just to make sure the same props/surroundings and the amount of them shown is the same throughout every picture. It's only a slight tweak to the images but overall makes no difference to the image and the messages the pictures are giving out. Also, the cigarette prop that Tom is smoking in bed I would ensure that it was real if not more realistic. 
Overall, I feel as if I have achieved well in bringing across the messages and explored the macro and narrative well. All photos are in focus and the dull edges with an illuminated centre point of attraction works effectively in showing it is a flashback of a memory. I believe that it has achieved its purpose successfully.

500 Days of Summer: 9 Key Frames

Location Report:

Location:
B&Q and NEXT Home. These two locations will be ideal for my 9 key frames due to the two stores having aspects set up in an IKEA style of house like rooms. This is key to my 9 key frames as it is about a couple living their fantasy life in any style they like where everything is pristine and perfect.

                                                     B&Q:

 

                                                NEXT Home:

Accessibility:
My chosen B&Q and NEXT Home store are both easily accessible as it is situated in a retail park in the town center. It is easily accessible by car due to its large car park attached, a short walk or by bus as there is a bus station just a down the road by the train station.

Contact Information:

Address 1:

B&Q,

Prospect Place Retail Park,

Westgate Road,

Kent,

DA1 1DY

01322 228383

Address 2:

Next Dartford - Home Only Store,

Unit 4a Prospect Place,

Prospect Place Retail Park,

Dartford,

Kent,

DA1 1DY

03330055055

Health and Safety:

The overall location of each store is safe due to each store having its own health and safety regulations so there is nothing to worry about in that sector however; due to the two stores being located in a fairly busy car park which is set on a pretty main road this can be an issue with cars. So the only health and safety precaution to take into consideration would just be the awareness of cars situated around us. 

Things to consider:

- Although we will ask the manager of the store to use their location and set ups for example the use of the beds in NEXT we may not get this permission therefore we will not be able to shoot in that location and will have to re think the situation and re locate to a different store/place.

- Due to it being a public location (place for shopping) this could mean that people may be seen in the background or foreground. It is highly unlikely that it will cause a disturbance or we will come in contact with any public issues that may occur. 

500 days of summer reboot script:

9 key frame test shoot:

Shot 1:

This shot shows Tom carrying Summer into the kitchen in a honeymoon happy vibe. It shows their romance and sets the scene. 

How to improve:

- I will shoot it from a long shot that way I will have the full scene and location in the same shot

- Tom will be holding Summer in a more romantic way

- Tom and Summer will be placed more to one side as he is carrying her into the kitchen 

Shot 2:

Shot 2 is a scene that shows Tom cooking Summer a romantic dinner. This shot will be a mid shot which still enables both characters to be seen. Tom is standing up cooking for Summer which gives him more dominance and power.

How to improve:

- Tom will be more centered to show that it is focused on him being the one to cook dinner

- Summer will be set sitting at a table looking back gazing at Tom whilst he cooks.

Shot 3:

This shot shows Tom washing up and Summer glancing at him in romance. Again Tom has more dominance due to him being at a higher level than Summer and also he is more central to the shot.

How to improve:

- The shot will be taken from a slight side angle to enable the view of Tom washing up as currently you can just view his back

- This will be taken in a mid shot

Shot 4:

This shot represents Tom being the masculine man that he is and fixes the broken sink. Summer is by his side gazing at him once again. This is also a mid shot.

How to improve:

- Make the shot into a long shot so you can see Toms whole body

Shot 5:

This shot is a close up of Summer holding herself towards Tom both looking into each others eyes. 

How to improve:

- Have Tom hold Summer back

- Have Tom and Summer look directly into each others eyes

Shot 6:

This shot shows Summer chasing Tom through IKEA. I have used a mid shot in order for both characters to be seen together.

How to improve:

- Have more people around them have it in a more busy environment 

- Possibly shoot it in a long shot to show summer running

Shot 7:

This is the scene where Summer and Tom have just jumped onto the bed in IKEA and looking at one another.

How to improve:

- Take the shot from more of a birds eye point of view in order to capture their facial expressions

Shot 8:

This shot is the scene after Tom and Summer have been in bed. 

How to improve:

- Again the shot will be taken from a more birds eye point of view to show their expressions and to have their faces as a more dominant feature

Shot 9:

This shot celebrates Toms success and the cigarette Tom is smoking also represents a phallic object.

How to improve:

- The shot will be taken more at eye level to Tom and Summer

500 Days of Summer reboot mind map:

500 Days of Summer reboot plan.

- non-typical gender message
- re-make from Summer's point of view (when she leaves Tom to when she meets back up with him this time married)
- fill in the gaps of the new relationship
- started off independent, sexual and non committed 
- once married she became more dependent and committed
- possibly re-making the IKEA scene from Summers point of view - what she wants 
- re-make it from Summers point of view - the way she remembers her relationship with Tom not Tom remembering Summer
- re-make the beginning break up scene from Summer's point of view not Toms ; expressing her feelings
- start with Summer's ending looking back on her relationship with Tom after bumping into him after a few years - by now Summer is married and moved on so has Tom
- show how Summer changed since her relationship with Tom