Script

1. INT. NIGEL’S bedroom

NIGEL is sat in his bedroom reading a comic book.

NIGEL

(In his head)

If only I could be as super as this

NIGEL finishes with the comic book and puts it down on his bed side drawers.

NIGEL

(In his head, sighing)

Maybe one day

2. INT. College

NIGEL is walking through college alone reading his comic book again, whilst everyone else is with their friends. He goes and sits down at a table.

NIGEL

(In his head, sighing)

There’s no wonder I don’t fit in here, no one gets it.

Superheroes are cool, not childish at all!

I’ll prove it to them one day!

3. INT. NIGEL’S house

NIGEL is running up his stairs frantically holding a newly bought comic book. He reaches the top of the stairs and slams his door closed behind him, and goes over to sit on his bed. He rips open the comic book and begins to read it.

NIGEL

(Excited rapid speech)

I can’t believe I finally got it

NIGEL finishes reading the comic book and closes it; he stares down at the cover.

NIGEL

(In his head, sighing)

Aahh if only I could be who I was destined to be

I just need a sign, and then I’ll know that it’s my time

NIGEL quickly stands up, and puts his hands on his hips whilst pushing out his chest and looking slightly up.

NIGEL

(Loudly)

To be a hero!

4. EXT. The Streets

NIGEL is walking down the street, hoping for a sign, when he see’s someone fall over and he goes over and helps them up off the floor.

STRANGER

(Gratefully)

Thank you

The stranger walks off and leaves NIGEL stood in the street. NIGEL grins excitedly to himself.

NIGEL

(Loud and excited)

The sign!

5. INT. Bedroom

NIGEL

Hmm, I’m definitely going to need a costume if

I’m to be a superhero. Idea time!

NIGEL decides to try drawing out some ideas for his costume and superhero names. NIGEL finally comes up with the perfect superhero name, and improvises with his costume as only temporary, depending on crime.

6. EXT. The Streets

NIGEL goes walking in the streets looking for any crime that is happening that he can fight.

NIGEL

(Inside his head)

I don’t think I thought this all the way through

Where does a superhero actually look to find crime?

Maybe I should start out small, no knife crimes or anything, don’t want to get hurt.

NIGEL suddenly sees a man attacking and trying to mug a girl.

NIGEL

This is my chance, I can help, I can do it.

Hey, you leave her alone.

VICTIM

Oh thank god, please help me

ROBBER

Why don’t you mind your own business and stay out of this.

Before someone gets hurts.

Now get out of here. Go

NIGEL hesitates, but he looks at the ROBBER, then at the VICTIM and back at the ROBBER. And he runs away.

 

Animatic

Storyboard

Influences: Clip 2

For my own film I would like to feature a scene a little like this one, but opposite, such as with the over the point of view shot of the character realising his vision is blurry with the glasses than without, with my character I would like to have his vision blur when he takes his glasses off. Just like this clip and the previous clip the characters are looking at themselves in the mirror, which is something I would like to try and interpret within my own film, showing the character being self conscious.

Influences: Clip 1

I am influenced by this clip and would like to feature this style of superhero within my own film. Just as in this clip the person who chose to be a superhero is a geeky sort of person and likes to read comic books, of which is the characteristics of my own character. I would like to have the use of the glasses with my own character, being an example of having two different identities. I would like to feature the fast cut shots that are featured within this clip, it can represent fast action within a superhero genre, and I will feature this especially at the begining of my film.

Marvel Sequence

At the beginning of Marvel comic films they usually feature a fast cut sequence of comic strips from a comic book, like this sequence above, on the films they usually are slightly different to this as they are a little slower and sometimes track the comic books story.

I would like to try and feature this aspect in my own introduction of the film, but I would use a comic book that the character is reading and inbetween each shot I would place and extreme close up of the characters eyes, to show him reading the comic book, this sequence will consist of fast cuts, while a superhero style tune will be playing along with the sequence. I feel this will also help define the genre of my film to the audience, as well as feature more conventional aspects of the genre.

Locations

Bedroom:
This will be, in superhero terms, Nigel's secret lair, his base etc. Where he will plan his costume, a place where he will switch between his real identity and his hero identity. And be his place of safety. 

I will be taking into consideration the mise-en-scene of this room and will customise the room like the character would have it. for example, comic style bedding, comic books around the room, superhero posters on the wall, this will tell the audience more about the character, ensuring they understand that he is a big lover of comics and superheros.

College:
This will be where he feels least comfortable, he goes for his education but he hates it there, he has no friends here despite trying to fit in, here he will be on his own, while everyone else has friends around them. Instead he will be reading his comic book.

I will be shooting some of the film within the college, there wont be a great deal that I could do or will need to do in terms of the mise-en-scene; setting, as the college already looks educational and how it would need to look. I will be ensuring I get the correct cinematography that I want, as well as trying to arrange the people around into groups, and ensuring the main character will be on his own.

Alley:
This will be somewhere that the main character will try to save someone who is being robbed/mugged, it will be a place where it is fairly quiet, somewhere that the character wouldn't usually venture into.

I will ensure that I choose a place that looks quite secluded from other places, somewhere that would just look like the type of place that would have crime happen.

Props List

- Comic books (showing the characters a collecter of them and likes to read)

- Posters (showing the characters dedication and idolisation)

- Comic book bedding (further showing the characters likes/hobbies/loves)

- Laptop (On a computer desk, with computer chair)

- Other computer towers ( this will show that he is a usually a very 'stay at home' boy, fixing and building alongside reading comics etc)

Costume

- T-shirt with comic heroes on
- Comic strip hoodie
- Jeans
- Glasses
- Trainers
- Cape
- Underwear (e.g superhero on)
- Socks (e.g pow, kapow)
- Comic style bag

Cast List

Nigel - Matthew Stipetic
Robber - Ben Mattock
Victim - Joe Norris

Comic strips

For my film I would like to display hints of the comic strip style, such as having the framing around the image with a small caption in the top left hand corner, for e.g Meanwhile, Later on etc. This will help me define my genre to the audience and to conventionally achieve a comic book styled film.

Superhero

The superhero is conventionally in costume/disguise and works alone, such as Spider-Man who has no help at all from other people, a secret only he has and are the protagonist of the films. 

My character which is also the protagonist will be like Spider-Man in the fact that he will be doing everything on his own with no help from other people, as well as having no one else knowing his 'secret' which is a conventional aspect with superheroes as it keeps their true identity a secret and unknown.

Aims and Context

My aim for this project is to target the audience of comic book/superhero film lovers which could fit into the mainstream audience, and of any gender, it will aim to interest those who like the concept of idolising people due to their actions, abilities and appearance. It will also aim to entertain the audience.
I aim to create a short film which is based on the genre of superhero/comic book. It aims to focus on a young teenage boy and his quest to try become a superhero but fails miserably.

I will take on the role of director and editor, I will also be in charge of mise-en-scene, sound and lighting for my film.

An issue from my previous study was to achieve the exact mise-en-scene that I wanted, such as the setting which I couldn’t get exactly what I wanted. Costume was difficult to be exactly what I wanted due to not owning everything I needed. I also had some trouble in getting the shots I wanted for cinematography due to the lack of equipment that would be required to achieve my high angle shot effectively, which meant my shot wasn’t as intended.

I will use the knowledge and experience I acquired from my FM1 and apply it to my film, such as getting correct cinematography, creating the correct and desired mise-en-scene as well as editing, lighting and sound.

Character

Nigel - A 17 year old boy, who tries very hard to fit in, with his clothing etc, but still has no friends, people dont tend to notice him. He hates college due to this, he's always got his head in a comic book and prefers to keep to himself.

Todorov Structure