Sam Sporle 970185 The Henley College 62441

F
‘Orange Heart’
by Sam Sporle

IE
Early Deadline: 27th April 2018
Regular Deadline:18th May 2018
Late Deadline: 1st June 2018
BR
WAB Extended Deadline: 8th June 2018

Rules:
• No reference to drugs, no swearing and no nudity.
• All practical work must be your own
• Only 10% of the production can be found footage (downloaded) and only if a
factual programme is being produced
• No footage or written work from previous units may be used or resubmitted
• All written work must be your own and any sourced work must be Harvard
referenced properly
• The work submitted must follow the brief created at the beginning of the project.

Sam Sporle 970185 The Henley College 62441

‘Orange Heart’ Proposal

Specialism - Editing

Rationale
The Creative Media Production Extended Diploma has developed my film making abilities hugely compared
to what I knew before I started the course. I have learned all sorts of skills valuable to the industry from script
writing to portfolio development. A good script is the backbone of any production and thanks to this course I
am comfortable developing one that is structured professionally for the actors and production team to follow.
Creating an attractive portfolio is also essential in giving the potential client an idea of your style and
structure of your work. They can make or break a job opportunity so ensuring your portfolio transcends your
approach to the specialism is vital. In my second year I have moved from Final Cut Pro to Adobe Premiere

F
Pro as my primary editing program which has helped me develop my key-framing techniques as amongst
other editing skills. I think it is important to refine your skills in video editing programs because once you
have them down, the next step is to apply those techniques to create a production that conveys your ideas.
With this knowledge, the filmmaker can identify in earlier processes whether the idea is possible in post
production, meaning the concept can be visualised before editing takes place. My strengths are
cinematography and video editing. I chose editing as my specialism because it is an element an ordinary
viewer does not always notice, but has a huge impact on the structure of your narrative. Filming on camera
and creating successful shots is a very visual task and I like to think of editing as being those details
between the visuals. It is as if the editor has to read between the lines and I think that comes as more of a

IE
challenge. So while successful cinematography is a crucial in a production, so is the edit. Throughout each
unit in year 2, I have conducted my own secondary research in regard to the project I was working on. In unit
12, I created a video essay style documentary on the history of visual editing and its development into the
21st century. I got to research film movements such as French New Wave and Russian montage which
produced against the Hollywood film format developing new film and editing techniques that changed the
way filmmakers told their stories. This had a large influence on me investigating how editing can be used to
suggest themes, emotion, thoughts and meaning; something I had not considered last year. In unit 9 I
learned how different editing conventions applied to footage can define genre. This gave me the opportunity
to look into films from the same genre and how the editor uses cuts and transitions in harmony with pace to
gain a reaction from the audience. My research showed me how diverse filmmakers are in their approach to
get a certain reaction or create a certain message. This has given me an open mind in starting my Final
Major Project because I want to explore how I could tell my story in a want that stands out to my audience.
BR
Project Concept
My concept for my Final Major Project follows the character of Dave, who previously working for the Royal
Army now living a rough uneasy life. He left the army because he was overwhelmed by the things he saw
and ashamed of the things he had committed. Dave’s family are lead to believe he is still fighting abroad so
he lives in a village far away, but cannot seem to accommodate an ordinary life. He shows symptoms of
post-traumatic stress dissuader and suffers from drinking and gambling issues. Short for money, Dave
borrows money from a wealthy loan shark, Mr Jones, who is fully aware Dave will not be able to pay back.
Like all of his victims, Mr Jones forces Dave to rob from small businesses around the area to pay back what
he owes - Dave is brought back into a world of terror and violence he has been trying to escape. In his own
time, Dave visits a quiet cafe he spends the majority of his free time in. He meets a quickly, friendly new
employee, Emily who approaches Dave like no one has in too long. Dave acknowledges this as if a light has
shone upon him and he hopes to see her again. He pays a visit to Mr Jones who assigns him another target,
Emily’s cafe, he has to make a decision.

Evaluation
Evaluating my actions and work is really important in tracking the progress both my idea and myself will
make on this unit so I should devise a method to do this. To evaluate my work I will be writing a weekly blog,
where I will talk about what my aims were for the week, the work I have done, what I have learned, areas I
think I could improve on and how what I have learned will consequently take effect on my work. This is a
really effective method in tracking my progress and reflecting on the work I have done. I want my weekly blog
to show how my idea develops with evidence of content that has influenced my decisions. I will include any
extra media I may have used to contribute towards my idea in that present week.
Sam Sporle 970185 The Henley College 62441
Plan of Action
Date Week beginning Plan of action Evaluation /
behind the
scenes

12th Feb Complete proposal + find client. This will consist of reasons Weekly Video Blog
as to why I am creating the production and what I want to
Proposal achieve from it.

19th Feb My professional brief will be devised consisting of a clear Weekly Video Blog
outline of the idea and target audience with client
Proposal information (deadlines) as well as rules and regulations that

F
should be followed.
26th Feb This week I will compile a collection of secondary research Weekly Video Blog
into Storytelling, genre, film movements, target audience
Research and editing techniques. The analysis of content will be
mainly based on the editing decisions the creator has made.
I will then create an infographic to summarise each piece of
research.
5th March

Research

12th March

Pre-production
IE
This week I will compile a collection of primary research into
Target audience, character development, genre and editing
techniques. I will use various methods of primary research
such as face to face interviews, vox pops and surveys. This
research will give me an insight into what my target
audience wants to see.
This week I will firstly create my production schedule for
filming each scene. I will contact my actors to gain an
understanding of when they are available in the weeks that
follow. I will then spend the rest of my time devising the
Weekly Video Blog

script for my production as well as choosing the correct

locations for each scene. As soon as a first draft of my
BR
script is completed, I will send it off to my actors so they
can establish the narrative and their characters. The
likelihood of the script being changed is high, so i will
ensure my actors have the most recent copy as soon as it is
finished. It is important I find these locations close to time I
write my script because I want to ensure the location is
available, practical and suited to my production. By the end
of the week I plan to be starting my storyboard.

19th March At the beginning of this week I will finish my storyboard and Weekly Video Blog

pre-production booklet before heading to each location to PITCH IDEA

Pre-production test shoot. This will mean if I run into any problems, I will
have time to work my way around them to a solution. Test
shoots are really important in making sure time is not
wasted filming the actual production. I will also confirm the
exact dates my actors will be available and make final
improvements to the filming period of my production
schedule. These may need to be rearranged depending on
the whether in the follwing which I will investigate at before
filming starts
Sam Sporle 970185 The Henley College 62441

26th March Following the test suits I will make changes to the location, Weekly Video Blog
time of shoot or the equipment I use depending on the
Pre-production / Film problems faced. I will also send out reminders to my actors
of which days they will be needed to ensure they turn up on
the day. I have considered that the actors I choose will be
college students so the majority of the scenes they are in
will be filmed in half term. With that considered, I plan on
filming the scenes where they are not needed in the second
half of this week. This will ensure I have the entire half term
to work on the scenes with my actors which are likely to
take more time because I will be directing them.

F
2nd April Depending on my actors availability, I plan on having the Easter

more than half of my production filmed in this week so I Weekly Video Blog
Film have time to re-shoot any unsuccessful scenes. Between
filming, I will organise and label all of the footage recorded
from my camera to an external usb stick into scenes and
shots. This will make my editing process more efficient as
will know where each shot is. I will also copy all the footage
from the usb stick to an external hard drive to avoid

9th April

Film
IE
reshooting lost clips I was happy with.

In this week I will contact my actors and update them on the Weekly Video Blog
productions progression and how much more is needed. I
will also start editing in this week to maximise time for
improving as well as to establish whether my film is meeting
my concept. I will start by just cutting my footage and
assembling into order before I take any other steps. This is
because I want to edit the production in stages to avoid a
contrast in shots. Once the pace is establish I will then start
introducing video effects as well as colour correction and
grading. This will also benefit my computer because it won’t
have to render clips stacked with effects alongside clips
BR
being cut and rearranged which means the Adobe Premiere
is less likely to crash or freeze. I will also contact my actors
if I need them for reshoots.

16th April This week is dedicated to reshooting any shots I don’t feel Weekly Video Blog
fit the standard of my production. I will try to get them filmed
Film / Edit as quickly as possible to allow a greater timeframe to edit in.
If I am satisfied with the shots collected over the past 2
weeks, I will continue to edit my production. An area
particularly important to me is the colours identified in my
short film. I will spend a large amount of time colour
correcting my footage as well as colour grading it based on
my secondary research into editing techniques. I plan on
having a first draft edit completed before Friday so I can
gain feedback from my peers for improvements.
23rd April Once the story is established, I will begin to integrate music Weekly Video Blog
I have chosen to be suitable for my production. I will finish
Film / Edit editing in the week before my teachers review the
production.
30th April My teacher will identify what they do and don’t like about Finalise Evalution

the production and point out areas that need improving. I Weekly Video Blog
Improvements will spend this week responding to the feedback by
improving my production.
Sam Sporle 970185 The Henley College 62441

7th May This week I will begin my evaluation of my Final Major Weekly Video Blog
project. I will identify what went well, what did’t, what I wish
Evaluation / I had done, as well as how my short film is a product of my
submission for interim research.
deadline

14th May My teacher will identify what they do and don’t like about
the evaluation and point out areas that need improving. I will
Improvements spend this week responding to the feedback by improving
my evaluation.

21st May On this day will complete the Creative Media Production

F
Extended Diploma.
Final hand in
Primary Research
My primary research will consist of online surveys, vox pops, interviews and focus groups that investigate the
topics:
• Character Development
• Colour in film
• Dialogue in film
• Editing in film
• Theme
• Narrative structure IE
I will be interviewing class mates, family members, work colleges and friends to ensure I gain a broad
collection of opinions to contribute to my final major project.

Plan
Secondary Research

For my final major project I will be producing and edit driven, short film will be the product of research into :
• Narrative theory - I will look at different story structures and establish what work best for my production.
• Character development - I will use multiple sources to create and develop realistic characters. I can
BR
then use this exploration to give my actors a real insight into the characters they are playing.
• Genre - My film is both a drama and a romance so I will need to research the conventions of these
genres.
• Film Movements - This will be an effective way of discovering editing techniques used by film
movements that were non traditional in Hollywood in the early years of cinema that we see as the norm
today.
• Editing techniques - For this I will look into editing methods, colour correction and grading techniques
as well as how to get your production to move at a suitable pace.

Bibliography
Books / Magazines

Book Name Reference

Youtube Clips

Clip Reference
Sam Sporle 970185 The Henley College 62441

Codes and Conventions of Short Films Owen Maers. (2016). Codes and Conventions of
short films. [Online Video]. 18 September 2016.
Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=LbMnZVmjg2o.

Film Narrative - A key concept TM Damns. (2014). Film Narrative - A key concept.
[Online Video]. 6 January 2014. Available from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-XIaz6zbBQ.

Film Narrative - Structuralist theories TM Damns. (2014). Film Narrative - Structuralist

Theories. [Online Video]. 6 January 2014. Available
from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

F
v=VAIUWwTSk6w.

How To Create Character Profiles Film Riot. (2017). 6 Rules for Cinematic Editing.
[Online Video]. 7 September 2017. Available from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_KOfYrxcF4.

Screenwriting: The Six Stages of Character Julien Melanson. (2015). The Psychology of Film
Development - IFH Film School - The Hero's Editing | Creative Post Production Techniques.
Journey [Online Video]. 11 March 2015. Available from:

The Drama Genre

IE
Why Opposites Attract - Essentials For Writing a
Romantic Comedy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FinhQb3jiAs.

Surfaced Studio. (2016). Premiere Pro Advanced

Colour Correction Tutorial. [Online Video]. 18
September 2016. Available from: https://
www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ZCA0MX6RtvE&t=608s.

Cinecom.net. (2017). The Complete COLOR

GRADING Tutorial for Premiere Pro: CINEMATIC
FILM LOOK. [Online Video]. 17 February 2017.
Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=_m-9R1oqvh0.
BR
Breaking the Rules - French New Wave. Channel Ciswell. (2015). Breaking the Rules -
French New Wave. [Online Video]. 28 May 2015.
Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=0R7R0JHvvgo&t=140s.

The Top 10 Most Important Film Movements of all CinFX. (2015). The Top 10 Most Important Film
Time. Movements of All Time. [Online Video]. 17 August
2015. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=L0Qbn_T5p5U

6 Rules for Cinematic Editing Film Riot. (2017). 6 Rules for Cinematic Editing.
[Online Video]. 7 September 2017. Available from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_KOfYrxcF4.

The Psychology of Film Editing - creative post- Julien Melanson. (2015). The Psychology of Film
production Techniques. Editing | Creative Post Production Techniques.
[Online Video]. 11 March 2015. Available from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FinhQb3jiAs.

Editing: Theory and Practice Misteramazing. (2017). Editing: Theory and

Practice. [Online Video]. 11 July 2017. Available
from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=yDLbwuXiCek.
Sam Sporle 970185 The Henley College 62441

Premiere Pro Advance Colour Correction Tutorial.
Surfaced Studio. (2016). Premiere Pro Advanced
Colour Correction Tutorial. [Online Video]. 18
September 2016. Available from: https://
www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ZCA0MX6RtvE&t=608s.

5 principles of Editing Amateur Hour Productions. (2017). 5 Principles of

Editing. [Online Video]. 11 March 2017. Available
from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=rqTmzjgTTd0.

Complete Colour Grading Tutorial for Premiere Pro. Cinecom.net. (2017). The Complete COLOR

F
GRADING Tutorial for Premiere Pro: CINEMATIC
FILM LOOK. [Online Video]. 17 February 2017.
Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=_m-9R1oqvh0.

Websites

Website

No Film School - Homepage

IE
(useful articles on filmmaking and storytelling)

Lift off festival - Perfect short Film Story Structure

Raindance
Reference

No Film School. 2018. Homepage. [ONLINE]

Available at: https://nofilmschool.com.

Admin . (2016). Perfect short film story structure..

Available: http://www.lift-off-festivals.com/short-film-
story-structure/.

S. Joalland. (2012). 7 Rules for Writing Short Films.

BR
The Script Lab - Creating Characters category
(articles surround character creation)
Available: https://www.raindance.org/7-rules-for-
writing-short-films/
Schilf, M. (N/A). Creating Characters category .
Available: https://thescriptlab.com/category/
screenwriting/character/creating-characters/.

Writing World - Creating Character and English, E. (2002). Creating Character and
Characterization Characterization in Screenplays . Available: http://
www.writing-world.com/screen/film3.shtml.

The Writing Studio - Genre and Genre Conventions

Dercksen, D. (2015). Genre and genre conventions.
(Drama and Romance) Available: https://writingstudio.co.za/what-type-of-
story-are-you-writing/

Amazonaws - Genre and Generic Conventions
/A. (2014). Genre and generic conventions.
Available: http://
resource.download.wjec.co.uk.s3.amazonaws.com/
vtc/2016-17/16-17_1-14/
Section%201%20Generating%20ideas%20for%20st
ories/Resource%201%20Exploring%20Genre/
Activity%202%20Add%20example%20films%20to%

No Film School - 10 Film Movements That Changed Renée, V. (2015). 10 Film Movements That
Everything
Changed Everything. Available: https://
nofilmschool.com/2015/08/10-film-movements-
changed-everything
Sam Sporle 970185 The Henley College 62441

Taste of Cinema - 18 Important Film Movements Crossland, A. (2015). 18 Important Film Movements
Every Movie Buff Should Know Every Movie Buff Should Know. Available: http://
www.tasteofcinema.com/2015/18-important-film-
movements-every-movie-buff-should-know/.

Empire Online - Movie movements that defined
cinema: French Impressionism
Semlyen, P.D, Freer, I, Wybrew, A. (2016). Movie
movements that defined cinema: French
Impressionism. Available:https://
www.empireonline.com/movies/features/french-
impressionism-movie-era/

Videomaker - An Editing Theory Primer Zunitch, P . (2015). An Editing Theory Primer.

F
Available: https://www.videomaker.com/article/
c10/18020-an-editing-theory-primer.

Pudovkin's Montage: 5 Editing Techniques That Renée, V. (2013). Pudovkin's Montage: 5 Editing
Speak Louder Than Words. Techniques That Speak Louder Than Words.
Available: https://nofilmschool.com/2013/10/
pudovkin-montage-5-editing-techniques.

7 Tips for HD Colour Correction and DSLR Colour Vashi. (2012). 7 TIPS FOR HD COLOR
Correction.

Film Narrative

What is Narrative?
IE CORRECTION AND DSLR COLOR CORRECTION.
Available: http://www.thehurlblog.com/
cinematography-online-7-tips-for-hd-color-
correction-and-dslr-color-correction/

Jones, S. (2006). Film Narrative. Available: http://

www.medienabc.org/page5/page23/page41/
page41.html. Last accessed 26th Feb 2018.

Bitesize. (2018). What is Narrative?. Available:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zqdhrdm/
revision/3. Last accessed 26th Feb 2018.
BR
Narrative Techniques Bitesize. (2018). Narrative Techniques . Available:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zgydhv4/
revision/1. Last accessed 26th Feb 2018.

Visual storytelling and the Grammar of Filmmaking Stuart Poyntz (2002). Visual Storytelling and the
Grammar of Filmmaking, Part I . N/A: Open
Learning Agency. Last accessed 26th Feb 2018.

Camera Angles Wilson,K. (2000-13). Camera Angles. Available:

http://www.mediaknowall.com/camangles.html. Last
accessed 26th Feb 2018.

Storytelling Techniques for Video and Cinema Hockrow, R (2014). Out of Order: Storytelling
Editors Techniques for Video and Cinema Editors. San
Francisco : Peachpit Press.

Genre and generic conventions Dercksen, D. (2015). Genre and generic

conventions. Available: https://writingstudio.co.za/
what-type-of-story-are-you-writing/. Last accessed
28th Feb 2018.
Sam Sporle 970185 The Henley College 62441

The French New Wave Bat, . (2014). La Nouvelle Vague. Demythologising

The French New Wave.. Available: https://
medium.com/hope-lies-at-24-frames-per-second/la-
nouvelle-vague-demythologising-the-french-new-
wave-30abb736d200. Last accessed 28th Feb
2018.

Defining Film Narrative N/A. (2018). DEFINING FILM NARRATIVE.

Available: http://www.filmreference.com/
encyclopedia/Independent-Film-Road-Movies/
Narrative-DEFINING-FILM-NARRATIVE.html. Last
accessed 26th Feb 2018.

F
A Short History of Cahiers du cinéma French, P. (2010). A Short History of Cahiers du
cinéma by Emilie Bickerton. Available: https://
www.theguardian.com/books/2010/mar/14/cahiers-
du-cinema-emilie-bickerton. Last accessed 29th Feb
2018.

Competition

IE
For my Final Major Project I will be entering the product into the Raindance Film Festival under the category:
‘Narrative Short’. Raindance Film Festival invites UK and International producers and filmmakers to submit
their films to its 26th edition that will take place from 19-30 September 2018 in central London.The Festival
accepts feature films (over 45 min.), short films (under 45 min.), music videos (under 6 min), VR and AR
experiences (under 25min) and web series. Projects of all lengths and genres are welcome. This means my
production will be under 45 minsTo be eligible for Raindance 2018 your film must have been completed after
1 January 2017. These are the rules displayed on the website, so clearly it is down to Raindance to decide
whether the production is acceptable.
BR
Selection Criteria
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
• Quality of narrative and production values.
• Independent nature of the production.

From the selection criteria, we can see Raindance and looking for quality of narrative, production values and
independent nature of the production. This shows I need to research more than just editing techniques to
create a successful short film. I think the topics I have chosen will be really beneficial in developing my idea
because I have lots of sources to gain inspiration from ad create something that is my own. When it comes
to analysing examples, I will pay most attention to the editing, but I think analysing other elements that make
the example effective is important in developing my filmmaking and storytelling skills to create a production
that meets Raindance’s selection criteria.

Raindance Film Festival Figures

Sam Sporle 970185 The Henley College 62441
I think I could win this competition because I want to integrate non-
tradition editing techniques into a modern day short film. The fact that
I want to use images to draw the viewer away from the narrative to
create meaning/emotion shows my independent nature and different
ideas. I believe if I produce work of quality, and keep up with the tasks
we need to complete, my final major project will be really effective and
unique. The main areas I want to excel in my production is pace and
consistency. To get that result, I need to research and pick this idea
apart to ensure I produce a short film I am happy with.

F
Idea
Idea generation
Before I came up with my idea, I knew I wanted to use imagery to
transcend my main character life, thoughts and emotions. So I started
by mapping out a character profile to establish what those thoughts
and feelings are and where they have come from.

IE This was a brief brainstorm and it helped me determine

Dave’s motivation, relationships, hobbies, favourite
places which all contribute to his mentality. I thought a
way to get him out of his depressing state, something
had to pull him out. As the story unfolds Dave’s
motivation is Emily. I want to show Dave’s transitions
by contrasting the images associated with his life at the
start of the film with the images at the end of the film. I
want my project to teach the viewer about putting the
ones you love first over work or friends. This is
because people who love you are closer than the
people you work for.
BR
Story Summary 20 words: Higher powers force a man’s escape from violence back into a terror where
choice is not an option.

Detailed Concept
Dave, a mentally unstable ex-veteran suffers to adjust into normality after escape from the violence and
terror he witness abroad. He is ashamed of his actions as a soldier and cannot face his family, so he lives
alone in a small village. Gambling and drinking issues have lead Dave to take out a loan from Mr Jones, who
intends on entrapping Dave into his business. Dave cannot pay back the loan so Mr Jones forces Dave into
robbing cash from small business and shops to pay back what he owes. Mr Jones is a rich corrupt
businessman who thrives off power. His reputation is extremely high so no one ever crosses him and he love
manipulating and humiliating vulnerable people he knows he can make money off. In Dave’s own time, he
meet Emily, a bubbly, friendly character who has just been offered a job at the cafe. Emily often says things
without thinking but always with the best intentions. She is the first person in the town to approach Dave in a
friendly way and he notices these characteristics immediately and takes interest. Dave enjoys their
conversation and hopes to see her again. He later visits Mr Jones, who torments Dave before giving him his
next target - Emily’s cafe. Dave doesn’t know what to decision to make because for once in his life he’s met
someone who takes interest in him but if he doesn’t rob the cafe, he may lose his life. I want the audience to
both sympathise for Dave because of his position, but then again hate the fact Emily knows nothing about
him. The audience will be left to make the decision based on those factors. I will use various images that
transcend Daves character at the beginning, through to the end of the product. My primary and secondary
research will influence the structure, conventions and ascetics of my film so an extensive compilation of
investigations with give me lots of ideas to explore. I would like to add that the narrative may alter due to
investigations I make into storytelling. This is because I may discover a narrative theory I feel would suit my
aims of the production and thus alter the storyline.
Sam Sporle 970185 The Henley College 62441
Why my project should be made
My project should be made because I want to combine editing techniques from throughout the ages of film to
create a well paced non-traditional narrative that is unlike most other short films on the internet. I think my
production will clearly demonstrate the product of an investigation into narrative, character development and
editing techniques and show I have explored extensively to produce a film that is truly my own. I also think
my production will address the future of filmmaking and encourage the audience to question how individuals
will find new ways to tell their stories. This project is also a great opportunity for me to explore movements
that changed the film industry and what they wanted to achieve during their time period. I would like to apply
their methods to the present day and see what effect it has on my work. I think Raindance may recognise
this as a unique way to approach a production and identify my research as an effective way of broadening
my creative mindset.

F
IE
BR