Locations

Ballet Studio
The first location in Flight will be the ballet studio. We will film this scene at Sandwich Technology School, in the dance studio, as it will be an appropriate location. The lighting in this scene will be airy, and has numerous mirrors along a wall. The setting will look professional to establish the social class within which her family belongs to.

Sophie's bedroom
The second location in our short film is the protagonists' bedroom. We will use Hannah's - my co-workers - bedroom in Sandwich to do this. Sophie's room must be personal to her, so we have decided to include many photographs of her younger self in the location. We will also have numerous medals, trophies and certificates from her ballet dancing located throughout the room. This shows how much ballet dancing means to her past self and her mother, and the skill which she possesses.

Street
The third location in Flight is the street. We will film in Minster. We will range from shooting in the high-street to the darker alleyways of the village. This will begin to show the contrast between her two lifestyles. The lighting throughout these locations will be dark, and the colours will relate to the urban setting.

Public Toilet
The final location will be the public toilets, also located in Minster. This location will be run-down, dark and grimy, which is in direct contrast to that of the ballet studio.

Script for 'Flight' - first draft

Scene 1 – Ballet studio

The scene begins with an establishing shot of the dance studio. This sets the scene for the viewer. It then cuts to a shot of Sophie, the protagonist of the short film, stretching. We only see her feet initially as this offers a sense of enigma and also shows that she is a ballet dancer. The camera then pans across Sophie's body as she prepares to dance. We then see Sophie's mother press play on the radio, as soft piano music begins to play. This is an extreme close up. We then see Sophie's mother saying, quietly, '1, 2, 3.' - counting as to provide a rhythm for Sophie's movements. This shows that Evanna is more of a mentor to Sophie than a mother. The camera then pans backwards as Sophie begins to dance. Numerous shots then follow of Sophie dancing. The shots will primarily consist of close ups. When Sophie has finished dancing, we see a close up shot of her Sophie's hand pressing the light switch. There is darkness for numerous seconds.

Scene 2 – Sophie's bedroom

The second scene begins with a long shot of Sophie's bedroom. This cuts to a downward tilt shot of Sophie taking off her ballet shoes and changing into high heels. This then cuts into a upward tilt shot of Sophie full-dressed, ready to go out. There is then a close up of Sophie's face reminiscing as she looks through her old dance medals and photographs. The audience focus on a photo of Sophie as a baby as she slips it into her pocket.

Scene 3 – The street

Camera is stationary as Sophie walks down a dimly-lit street. There are several jump cuts as she walks, symbolising her impending detachment. This cuts to a medium close up of Sophie drinking from an alcohol bottle. These jump cuts continue until she reaches an alleyway. There is then a long shot as she walks. The alley-way is dimly lit. Sophie approaches a dark figure and they make contact via their hands – the exchange of money for drugs. The audience cannot see the drugs and instead just see their hands by the use of close-ups. The drug dealer remains anonymous, and there is no dialogue between the two.. There are then numerous jump cuts as Sophie walks into a public bathroom.

Scene 4 – The public toilets

The final scene opens with a close up of Sophie's feet as she walks into the the public toilets. The public toilets are dimly lit and have a 'gritty' feel to them. There is a mid shot of Sophie at the sink, splashing her face with water and looking into the dirty mirror. There are several close ups as Sophie looks at the picture of her as a baby, reminiscing in the past. There is an over-the-shoulder tracking shot as the camera follows Sophie into one of the cubicles. The camera then pans outwards and it is suggested that she takes the drug she purchased earlier, yet nothing is seen.

Film Ratings

 

Universal 

Films which are rated as being Universal are suitable for everyone to watch and enjoy. However, it is advised that only children aged over the age of three watch Universal rated films, due to children being quite unpredictable as to what upsets them. There is typically very little, if any, trace of violence or threat, and if there is it is handled tastefully. These films are typically animated and aimed at children. Films include: Toy Story 3 and Up.
     
PG (Parental Guidance)

Parental Guidance is for general viewing of films. Children of any age can watch a PG film without an adult's accompanment, although guidance is to be adviced if the child is young or sensitive. PG films are generally for children aimed eight years of age or older. These films are desgined to portray morality for children to follow. Films include: Star Wars and Shrek 2.

12

  No-one under the age of 12 years of age may rent or buy a '12' rated video work. These films contains elements of violence and danger, which may upset some children under the age of 12. Films include: Australia and Vertical Limit

    

12A 

This certificate is given when the work at hand is only suitable for those aged twelve years and over. 12A applies for films in the cinema: no-one under twelve years of age may see a 12A film unless accomplied by an adult. Films which were rated 12A at the cinema include: Mean Girls and The Help.

 

 15

No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work. Films rated 15 normally have some element of violence and danger, and often sexual under-tones, yet this cannot be too graphic. There may also be undertones of drug-taking, yet to qualify to be a 15 it would either have to be discreet or show the consequences. Films include: Black Swan and 127 Hours.

18

No-one younger than 18 may see a ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy a ‘18’ rated video work. These films are considered to be very graphic: only mature audiences may watch these films. Films include: Saw and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo


We have decided that our film, 'Flight', will be rated '15'. This is because there is a hinted element of drug-taking, yet it is not too explicit. We also decided to give it this age rating as other films which are similar to our own production have this age rating, such as 'Black Swan'.