Whilst researching I came across this story written by a person who used to fly kites. Although it doesn't primarily link in with my film story, I really liked it and thought it was nice how people can get attached to kites and it can make relationships.
When I was younger (5 or 6 years old), I remember we (myself and some
of the neighbourhood kids) used to go to the local candy store called
"Lucky Louie's", and we each would buy a paper diamond kite and ball
of cotton string. We would then go to a small parking lot next to the
store and send them up, letting all the string out. We would tie our
lines on the fence and go back and buy more string. Returning and
adding on to the existing line, we would continue to do so until you
had to strain to see that there was a kite at the end of the line.
Of course it then came time to bring the kite back in, seemed to take
all evening to wind it back in.
As I got older I used to build what ever kite plan I could find. My
last project was a 12 foot delta that I call my "Lumbering Giant",
complete with two 80 foot long tails.
Since that project of almost 10 years ago I was seriously injured at
work and have become disabled. I do still get out to fly, but with the
assistance of my son.
Thursday
Script Sample
Below is a short sample of speech from the children. This part is when they are arguing about whether Jess saw the monster or not.
OLIVER rolls his eyes.
OLIVER-
Stop lying, you big lier. You're so stupid!
OLIVER picks up his kite.
JESS-
I'm not! It was really loud and it was stomping around on the ground below the tree house. It was stomping right here!
JESS mimics the stomping of the monster.
OLIVER-
You believe everything Jess, you're a little baby! You were probably just dreaming. How come I never heard it? Eh?
JESS-
Well. . .
OLIVER-
Exactly, you need to stop day dreaming and stop living in your own little world! I bet mummy and daddy would laugh at you for this!
JESS-
No they wouldn't!! It happened! Stop being like that!
OLIVER-
Whatever, are you coming to the moor then?
JESS turns away
JESS-
No! Go away!
OLIVER rolls his eyes.
OLIVER-
Stop lying, you big lier. You're so stupid!
OLIVER picks up his kite.
JESS-
I'm not! It was really loud and it was stomping around on the ground below the tree house. It was stomping right here!
JESS mimics the stomping of the monster.
OLIVER-
You believe everything Jess, you're a little baby! You were probably just dreaming. How come I never heard it? Eh?
JESS-
Well. . .
OLIVER-
Exactly, you need to stop day dreaming and stop living in your own little world! I bet mummy and daddy would laugh at you for this!
JESS-
No they wouldn't!! It happened! Stop being like that!
OLIVER-
Whatever, are you coming to the moor then?
JESS turns away
JESS-
No! Go away!
Sound Ideas
The soft sound of the countryside will be used throughout the countryside scenes. By choosing to use subtle tones and calm sounds of the rain splashing against the leaves on the trees, will achieve a dreamy, tranquil mood whilst the children are living happy in their tree house. When the children are in the house during the opening scene, the muffled sound of their parents arguing along with the television blaring in the background will help set up the mood for the beginning. I want the opening scene to contrast with the countryside shots. I almost want the audience to feel hostile and unsettled, just like the children feel.
Editing
In terms of editing I would like to use quick edits when the children are escaping from their house and climbing over the garden fence to the train station. Also when Oliver is searching for Jess and he falls over the monster. Slow edits will be apparent in the scenes where the children are content and flying the kite on the open moor. This will portray happiness and tranquility.
Wednesday
Lighting Ideas
I would like to use natural lighting in my film, throughout the scenes of the children in Grindleford and leaving home, for example the sun light creeping through the trees. I want the light from the sun to make it visually look soft and dreamy. I will use soft lighting in the opening scenes where they are at home playing in their shared room. The use of 3 normal household lamps will be used. I want it to be as natural and exactly how it would be in real-life. When the children creep down stairs and past the living room, the only lighting will be of the glare from the television.
Oliver's Kite
Oliver has a yellow kite. I chose yellow as it is a loud colour and stands out nicely against the colour of the sky, no matter what the weather. It also links in to the colour scheme in which I want the film to have; a soft golden palette.
Costumes- Jess
Jessica will be wearing light blue jeans and a yellow t-shirt and a light pink zipped hoodie. She has a dark green duffel coat and red woolly mittens.
Costumes- Oliver
Oliver will be wearing murky green corduroy trousers, stripey blue t-shirt and drak blue rain jacket. He will also be wearing a red and blue woolly hat which he gives to Jessica to keep warm at the beginning and the end of the film.
Monster Illustrations
Here is illustration of the monster. Although I think to make him look soft and friednly, he will be furry and have larger feet.
The Monster
Above are images of what I would like the monster to look like. The creatures from the film 'Where the Wild Things Are' are visually how I would like them to look. I want them to look large but friednly, shown by their furr.
Grindleford Train Station
This video is at Grindleford train station, I will use this exterior 3 times in the film.
Exterior Locations in Opening Scenes 2
To continue are the exterior train station images where the children go to to get the train to Grindleford. They wait at the platform scared.
Exterior Locations in Opening Scenes 1
Below are examples of what the back garden and fence of the childrens house will be like, although in the scene while the children are running down the garden, climbing over the fence to run to the train station it will be night time.
Oliver and Jess' Bedroom Interior
The opening scene shows both children playing in their shared bedroom, legs crossed on the carpet playing with their toys. Below is the style of bedroom they would have. It would have wooden furniture which would look dated. It will be cluttered with toys and trinkets, along with paintings and pictures frames on the wall. They will have a bunk bed, which also contributes to their closeness. Having to share a bedroom mean they are naturally close.
Family house- Location for opening scene
I just came across of what the house the children live in with their parents will look like. It is a 3 bedroom terraced house. When the parents argue and yell at each other, the next door neighbours can hear it.
Tuesday
Running Away Stories
Whilst reaseaching, I came across a few short stories about running away. Some are serious and upsetting, however some were light-hearted and ended happy.
Here is a short opening of one I found.
'An Educational Escape
The girls had planned to meet up by 6:00am outside Beth's place and together proceeded to walk up to the highway. The frosted grass glistened with the sunrise, and while Shelly and her best mate chatted, it was so brisk that each word spoken was exhaled in a foggy mist. The two sixteen year olds looked like professional back packer's and rather cute ones at that. They had been planning to run away to join their friends for Schoolies Week' on the Gold Coast for the last five months and believed they had covered every detail. They performed odd jobs, like walking neighbours dogs and helping out at the servo washing cars on weekends all to raise some extra money.'
Here is a short opening of one I found.
'An Educational Escape
The girls had planned to meet up by 6:00am outside Beth's place and together proceeded to walk up to the highway. The frosted grass glistened with the sunrise, and while Shelly and her best mate chatted, it was so brisk that each word spoken was exhaled in a foggy mist. The two sixteen year olds looked like professional back packer's and rather cute ones at that. They had been planning to run away to join their friends for Schoolies Week' on the Gold Coast for the last five months and believed they had covered every detail. They performed odd jobs, like walking neighbours dogs and helping out at the servo washing cars on weekends all to raise some extra money.'
Kite Festival
The following extract is from http://kitefestival.org/ about the 44th Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival.
With the sun shining in a cloudless sky, Sat., March 27 proved to be a perfect day to go fly a kite—on the National Mall. Throngs of enthusiastic kite flyers (and watchers) descended on the Washington Monument grounds for the 44th annual Smithsonian Kite Festival to enjoy a day of kite competition and craft.
The festival’s theme--CRAFTed for Flight—was a celebration of the art and joy of kite-making and kite-flying. Family-oriented activity tents helped guide festivalgoers through the intricacies of kite-making and the craft of getting their creations to fly. Among the sponsors of this year’s tents were The Drachen Foundation, West Indian American Kiters Association, the National Aquarium, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. For those who preferred to fly pre-made kites, our lead sponsor, the Smithsonian Women’s Committee, graciously sponsored a giveaway of 1,000 mini-kites to children at the festival. There was also a display of dozens of handmade kites that were a tribute to craftsmanship.
Hundreds of kite makers of all ages came out to display and fly their homemade beauties and enter them into the various competitions. Children entered the contest in one of two age groups: 11 and under or 12 to 15. Amateur kite makers were given a chance to showcase and fly their homemade creations while judges from the Smithsonian Kite Committee chose the best of each category. Noteworthy contestants were honored with special-recognition awards including most artistic, most humorous, and most patriotic. Additionally, kite flyers, participants, and spectators were invited to vote for their favorite kites throughout the day, and the winner was named the Peoples’ Choice for 2010.
Kite Poetry
Below are some poems I found about kites. I like the simplicity of them and the chil-like innocence they share. I would like this style and genre to be apparent in my film.
Flight Fun
The shiny kite with arms outstretched,
Soared high above the trees,
It swerved and turned and circled 'round,
And danced upon the breeze.
If, when I put my arms outstretched,
A breeze would lift me high,
I'd flip and soar and circle 'round,
And race the birds that fly.
Martin Shaw
I often sit and wish that I
Could be a kite up in the sky,
And ride upon the breeze and go
Whichever way I chanced to blow.
Unknown author
Flight Fun
The shiny kite with arms outstretched,
Soared high above the trees,
It swerved and turned and circled 'round,
And danced upon the breeze.
If, when I put my arms outstretched,
A breeze would lift me high,
I'd flip and soar and circle 'round,
And race the birds that fly.
Martin Shaw
I often sit and wish that I
Could be a kite up in the sky,
And ride upon the breeze and go
Whichever way I chanced to blow.
Unknown author
Camera Shots and Techniques 2
I have also been looking at what kind of shots I will be using and also how they will be crucial in representing the children and their brother and sisters relationship. I want to show they are close and work well together, however I want the audience to relate to them both. I want to portray their child-like qualities. To achieve this I will change between P.O.V shots from the children only. I think this will allow the audience to relate to the characters and feel on the level of the children. I think it will especially be effective when I am showing the children venerable and small. This will be apparent in such scenes as when Oliver fall over the big creature and looks up at it. It was also be apparent when the children are climbing up the robe ladder up to their tree house.
Camera Shots and Techniques 1
I have been thinking a lot about the style in which I would film Misguided in, in terms of camera shots and the type of camera I shall use.
Firstly, I think the use of a Steadicam in my film will work well and in some sense add to the child-like, playful atmosphere in the film. I looked at originally filming handheld, however it can sometimes feel quite erratic in some ways. I didn't want to create an unnerving atmosphere until the crucial climax of the film, instead the use of the Steadicam will add a smooth flow, giving the effect of handheld but in a controlled way. It will mainly be effective in the scene where the children are running up the hill through the woods to the top of the tree house. The idea of the camera winding through and around the trees I feel will give a gentle but pacey impression. I also want my film to be poetic in terms of visuals. The use of the Steadicam will help this approach.
The Kite Runner
This film as also influenced me. I love how poetic the kites look in the sky and the camera angles used to show them flying.
Monday
Influences and Inspirations :)
One major influence and inspiration is from the film, 'Where The Wild Things Are.' The colours, the scenary, the characters and story are all beautiful. Above are images and a video from the film.
Sunday
Synopsis
Below I have written clearly what happens through the whole film. It is a detailed synopsis;
M I S G U I D E D
Brother and sister, Oliver and Jessica run away from home after they hear they have to move to France because of their dad's job. Their parents are strict Christians, however do not practice what they preach. They argue over everything, leaving no time for 12 year old Oliver and 9 year old Jessica. One evening the children are playing in Oliver's bedroom whilst their parents are screaming and yelling, slamming doors. They both play quietly. The screaming gets louder. Oliver suddenly gets out his rucksack and begins packing his tent, his kite, blankets etc. He gives Jessica a bag and she packs her stuff too. They hear Julia, their mum storm out the front door. Oliver opens his bedroom door slightly, peering out into the landing. He grabs Jessica's hand and they run down the stairs and out the back door. They run up to the back of the garden, where they climb over the little picket fence. It is starting to rain. The children run towards the train station and get on the train to the place their grandmother used to live, a small rural town called Grindleford. They have always felt at home there and it was a place they could feel comfortable and be free. They arrive in the dark and cold. Oliver gives Jessica his woolly hat to keep her head warm. Without talking, they run up the big hill behind the little house their grandmother lived in. They come to a small woodland, where they run together through trees and branches. They suddenly stop. Oliver gets out his torch and shines it at the top of a tall tree. There glows in the night, their tree house they built 3 years ago. Their rope ladder still hanging from the tree, they climb up excited, out of breath. Oliver steps into the tree house first, putting his bag on the creaky floor made of old pieces of wood and sticks. It's 11 o'clock. Both children sit against opposite walls of the tree house looking at each other. Oliver is holding his torch. It is one of the quietest nights they've had. No parents fighting. No door slamming. With this comfort, the children fall asleep.
The next day, the sunshine peaking through the trees wakes up the children. They are eager to begin the day. They run to the open moor, covered in lilac heather. the wind picks up and Oliver starts to fly his kite. Jessica runs along the side of it, as if chasing the kite. The children play with the kite for hours, until they get tired. They lay on the grass next to each other looking up to the almost cloudless sky. They stay there until the sun begins to set.
Whilst walking back to the tree house, they collect kindling to make a campfire. For dinner Oliver opens two tins of beans he took from their kitchen cupboard at home. After dinner they tell each other stories. Jessica tells Oliver one about mystical creatures who live at the tops of trees.
That night whilst asleep, Jessica wakes up to a loud stomping noise beneath her on the ground. She stays still in her sleeping bag, holding her breath. She then hears something scrambling carelessly up a nearby tree, then the rustle of branches and leaves. A loud grunt follows. The creature sounds big. Jessica hears it breathing. She sits up slowly in her sleeping bag, looking through the caps in the wooden walls of the tree house. She sees a big figure, lit up by the moon light. It is large with lots of fur. It is lying on the top of the tree. An echoing sound of branches snapping is heard, the beast falls and lands on the leafy ground below, making an almighty thump. Jessica jumps and hides under her blankets. The beast runs off far into the wood.
The next day Jessica tells Oliver everything. He laughs at her and rolls his eyes. He doesn't believe her. They have a petty argument and Oliver runs off leaving her in the woods alone. Oliver runs to his favourite place where he flies his kite.
Jessica starts to walk through the woods, picking up sticks. She looks up at the tops of the tall trees, scanning them of mystical creatures. With no luck she slowly walks back to the tree house fed up. She is starting to miss home. The warmth of it. Her mums home cooking. She looks out at the woods and feels lonely. She begins to get upset. She thinks what Oliver would do it her situation. She jumps up and starts to pack her bag. She clambers down the rope ladder and runs out of the woodland and towards the deserted train station.
It begins to rain heavily whilst Oliver is on the moor. His kite falls from the sky and lands drenched on the ground. Oliver looks around him. He is by himself, cold and wet. He starts to think of Jessica back at the tree house by herself and runs back clutching his kite. When he gets back to the tree house, she is no where to be seen. He discovers her bags are gone. He yells her name. He panics and runs around the wood, searching for her. Whilst frantically looking for her, Oliver falls over what he thinks is a large rock. He picks himself up and turns around. There is a loud grunt. Oliver jumps, starring at a large, furry creature, with huge claws. The beast looks tired and unaware of Oliver's presence. Oliver scared, runs out of the woods, dropping his kite behind him. He sprints down the big hill past his Grandmother's old house and towards the train station. He sees Jessica standing at the platform in the rain. He walks over to and gives her his woolly hat.
M I S G U I D E D
Brother and sister, Oliver and Jessica run away from home after they hear they have to move to France because of their dad's job. Their parents are strict Christians, however do not practice what they preach. They argue over everything, leaving no time for 12 year old Oliver and 9 year old Jessica. One evening the children are playing in Oliver's bedroom whilst their parents are screaming and yelling, slamming doors. They both play quietly. The screaming gets louder. Oliver suddenly gets out his rucksack and begins packing his tent, his kite, blankets etc. He gives Jessica a bag and she packs her stuff too. They hear Julia, their mum storm out the front door. Oliver opens his bedroom door slightly, peering out into the landing. He grabs Jessica's hand and they run down the stairs and out the back door. They run up to the back of the garden, where they climb over the little picket fence. It is starting to rain. The children run towards the train station and get on the train to the place their grandmother used to live, a small rural town called Grindleford. They have always felt at home there and it was a place they could feel comfortable and be free. They arrive in the dark and cold. Oliver gives Jessica his woolly hat to keep her head warm. Without talking, they run up the big hill behind the little house their grandmother lived in. They come to a small woodland, where they run together through trees and branches. They suddenly stop. Oliver gets out his torch and shines it at the top of a tall tree. There glows in the night, their tree house they built 3 years ago. Their rope ladder still hanging from the tree, they climb up excited, out of breath. Oliver steps into the tree house first, putting his bag on the creaky floor made of old pieces of wood and sticks. It's 11 o'clock. Both children sit against opposite walls of the tree house looking at each other. Oliver is holding his torch. It is one of the quietest nights they've had. No parents fighting. No door slamming. With this comfort, the children fall asleep.
The next day, the sunshine peaking through the trees wakes up the children. They are eager to begin the day. They run to the open moor, covered in lilac heather. the wind picks up and Oliver starts to fly his kite. Jessica runs along the side of it, as if chasing the kite. The children play with the kite for hours, until they get tired. They lay on the grass next to each other looking up to the almost cloudless sky. They stay there until the sun begins to set.
Whilst walking back to the tree house, they collect kindling to make a campfire. For dinner Oliver opens two tins of beans he took from their kitchen cupboard at home. After dinner they tell each other stories. Jessica tells Oliver one about mystical creatures who live at the tops of trees.
That night whilst asleep, Jessica wakes up to a loud stomping noise beneath her on the ground. She stays still in her sleeping bag, holding her breath. She then hears something scrambling carelessly up a nearby tree, then the rustle of branches and leaves. A loud grunt follows. The creature sounds big. Jessica hears it breathing. She sits up slowly in her sleeping bag, looking through the caps in the wooden walls of the tree house. She sees a big figure, lit up by the moon light. It is large with lots of fur. It is lying on the top of the tree. An echoing sound of branches snapping is heard, the beast falls and lands on the leafy ground below, making an almighty thump. Jessica jumps and hides under her blankets. The beast runs off far into the wood.
The next day Jessica tells Oliver everything. He laughs at her and rolls his eyes. He doesn't believe her. They have a petty argument and Oliver runs off leaving her in the woods alone. Oliver runs to his favourite place where he flies his kite.
Jessica starts to walk through the woods, picking up sticks. She looks up at the tops of the tall trees, scanning them of mystical creatures. With no luck she slowly walks back to the tree house fed up. She is starting to miss home. The warmth of it. Her mums home cooking. She looks out at the woods and feels lonely. She begins to get upset. She thinks what Oliver would do it her situation. She jumps up and starts to pack her bag. She clambers down the rope ladder and runs out of the woodland and towards the deserted train station.
It begins to rain heavily whilst Oliver is on the moor. His kite falls from the sky and lands drenched on the ground. Oliver looks around him. He is by himself, cold and wet. He starts to think of Jessica back at the tree house by herself and runs back clutching his kite. When he gets back to the tree house, she is no where to be seen. He discovers her bags are gone. He yells her name. He panics and runs around the wood, searching for her. Whilst frantically looking for her, Oliver falls over what he thinks is a large rock. He picks himself up and turns around. There is a loud grunt. Oliver jumps, starring at a large, furry creature, with huge claws. The beast looks tired and unaware of Oliver's presence. Oliver scared, runs out of the woods, dropping his kite behind him. He sprints down the big hill past his Grandmother's old house and towards the train station. He sees Jessica standing at the platform in the rain. He walks over to and gives her his woolly hat.
Jessica's Character Bio:
Name: Jessica Green
Age: 9 years old
Hobbies: Playing and dressing up with his brother Oliver, drawing,reading
Loves: Dressing up
Dislikes: Ghosts and monsters. Hates it when her parents argue.
What does she want the most?: To be able to play forever. Her parents to get along.
Age: 9 years old
Hobbies: Playing and dressing up with his brother Oliver, drawing,reading
Loves: Dressing up
Dislikes: Ghosts and monsters. Hates it when her parents argue.
What does she want the most?: To be able to play forever. Her parents to get along.
Oliver's Character Bio
Name: Oliver Green
Age: 12 years old
Hobbies: Kite flying, camping, walking, reading fantasy stories.
Loves: The outdoors
Dislikes: His parents, school; he gets bullied.
What does he want the most?: To run away. To be free from his broken family. To be happy. To do what he likes.
Age: 12 years old
Hobbies: Kite flying, camping, walking, reading fantasy stories.
Loves: The outdoors
Dislikes: His parents, school; he gets bullied.
What does he want the most?: To run away. To be free from his broken family. To be happy. To do what he likes.
Characters
The imagery of kites I feel, had a child-like innocence about them. This youth feeling inspired me whilst planning my film characters. I am going to have two main characters, a 12 year old boy called Oliver and an 9 year old girl called Jessica. They are brothers and sisters. From inspiration from the images of kites, both characters love the outdoors and going on adventures. They love making up fantasy story and day dreaming.
I have decided to use the idea of a brother and sister, as the audience watching the film will be able to empathise with them and will be able to follow their relationship through the story. It will also make good characters, as the older brother will be portrayed as the more adverturous sibling, but who also loves and looks after Jessica his little sister. He protects her. I like the idea of the audience becoming attatched to both characters.
I have decided to use the idea of a brother and sister, as the audience watching the film will be able to empathise with them and will be able to follow their relationship through the story. It will also make good characters, as the older brother will be portrayed as the more adverturous sibling, but who also loves and looks after Jessica his little sister. He protects her. I like the idea of the audience becoming attatched to both characters.
Saturday
Misguided-
During my visit to Grindleford, I listened to a song called 'Misguided Ghosts' by the band Paramore. Straight away I knew I wanted to use the song somewhere in the film. I also liked the idea of the word 'misguided.' I like this word and think it can describe a lot of people and their lives. Since coming back from the visit I have decided to use the word Misguided as my film title. This has also helped me in development of my film and characters. As I now know the theme of someone being lost or confused will be apparent. The song from Paramore is above.
Kites
I have done some research on kite images. This has really helped me on how I would like the film to look visually and what the style may end up being like. The idea of it being poetic and almost 'dreamy' has been inspired from the photos I found on the internet of kite flying.
Development
By taking the colour palette of the scenery in Grindleford and the light blue, cloudless sky, it has allowed me to further my development of my film idea. I am really interested in the sky. I love the idea of how beautiful a bird can look flying in the sky. From this I got thinking how this could be incorporated into my story and how it can be used and developed. I then went on whilst thinking about how the weather can affect situations that I would to use the imagery of kites in my film. Kites need the strength of the wind to work to be the best. As a child I loved flying kites and still think now they conjure up poetic imagery. I would really like this to be a starting point in my film development, to allow me to work characters and a story line around it. I feel really happy about this starting point.
Misguided Grindleford Story
Since going to Grindleford, one major thing which stood out to me was the colour palette of the scenery and environment. It has really inspired me with my film ideas. I would like to use soft colours, such as lilacs seen in the heather on the moors in my film. The blue sky was also something I took interest in and would like to use as a recurring theme in my story. I like the idea of how weather can change moods, emotions and feelings and would like to demonstrate this.
Above are some photographs I took at Grindleford which highlight the use of colour in my film.
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