'Dear Auntie Babs' - StoryBoard

Task Checklist : Before Filming

Today, Sophie was absent, so Beccy and I were not able to continue on storyboarding. Instead, we completed 3 of the tasks that we need to complete before we are allowed to begin filming. Firstly we compiled a Props List;

Props List

-2 pairs of Glasses
-Laptop or Computer
-Paper/Files/Folders
-Pen and various other Stationary
-Work Phone/Mobile
-Pictures of family and friends
-Keys
-Mug
-Chocolate/Cake, or some form of breakfast
-Handbag/Tablets/Nose Spray

This prop list mainly contain items that make the office more personable to the character, and certain items we listed are there to enhance her quirkiness. Also, some items are on there because they would need to be, considering the environment she is working in.

Next we compiled a Costume List;

Costume List

'Auntie Babs'
-Scarf, Shirt, Cardigan, Trousers/skirt, Trainers, Glasses, Sweatband/Ankle bracelet

'Paolo'
-White Shirt, Smart Trousers, Smart Shoes, One Earring.

'Office Worker(1)'
-White Shirt, Skirt, Tights, Shoes.

When it comes to the protagonist's outfit, we were discussing giving her a basic office outfit, but adding some peculiar accessories to what she was wearing to portray her personality and how she is different to all the other generic workers. These accessories such as something like a sweatband, or wearing trainers with a skirt connote that she is a unique character, and also connotes that she is important.
With 'Paolo's' outfit, we wanted to portray him as someone who is aware that women find him attractive, but not as someone who is narcissistic. So, even though his outfit seems boring, we are going to have him with a ridiculous amount of buttons undone on his shirt, and one earring etc to suggest he takes his appearance seriously and tries hard to seem even more attractive than women already believe he is.
With the costumes, we are aiming to make it clear who the main characters in the footage are, and we also want to try and convey the most about the characters personality as we possibly can through costume.

The last task we completed was a letter that is to be sent to the people that own the location we wish to shoot in. It was basically addressing what times we would like to use it and when, we have to then send this off and await a reply with written confirmation.

Lastly, we printed off the scripts for our actors-which was the first task. We have now completed 4 out of 7 of the tasks, and I feel that our group is progressing through the tasks and the coursework very well. I also feel that with the way things are going at the moment, we will be fully prepared and ready to film by next week.

Screenplay - 'Dear Auntie Babs'

INT. OFFICE – DAY (MORNING)

JEN is at her desk reading an EMAIL from a fan called LUCY.

V/O JEN

Dear Auntie Babs, I know this is my 800th letter to you but I really don’t think you realise just how much you have changed my life. If it wasn’t for you and your incredible advice, I wouldn’t have met the man who I intend on spending the rest of my life with. I can only hope that one day my life will be as fulfilling as yours- and the huge mansion would be a bonus!

JEN

They don’t have a clue.

V/O JEN

Hope all is well with the girls… and your famous husband PAOLO, of course. All the best, LUCY.

JEN begins to REPLY to LUCY.

JEN

Dear LUCY, all is well in Babs world. I’m glad my advice

helped you. It’s nice to hear that my advice really works. The girls are doing great and mine and PAOLO’s relationship is stronger than ev-

PAOLO appears at JEN’s doorway interrupting her reading aloud.

V/O JEN

Oh my god! It’s him. I could so f-

JEN

PAOLO!

PAOLO

JEN, was wondering if you could work the weekend?

JEN gazes at PAOLO and begins to imagine an idealic flirtation to ask the hunk out. She imagines what she wants to do.

JEN

Only if you are… Baby!

In her imagination JEN acts SEDUCTIVELY towards PAOLO. She throws her GLASSES off and taking out her HAIR then walking towards PAOLO when the embrace.

PAOLO

JEN?

JEN then snaps back into reality and realises she has to try being seductive with PAOLO.

V/O JEN

Right, come on JEN. You need to do this, you are a sex goddess, come on! Just try because he is gorgeous!

JEN tries to remove her GLASSES but they get caught.

V/O JEN

1,2,3… and throw the glasses!

They fly out the WINDOW, now she can’t see where PAOLO is so begins to talk to the WALL. CATS are heard from the street below.

PAOLO reacts to her actions.

V/O JEN

Now go for the big finish! NOW!

JEN

Well… I need to attend a reprographics meeting because the company’s configuration system is becoming rather problematic.

V/O JEN

What the fuck!? Smooth JEN, reallllll smooth.

PAOLO is standing confused as JEN is now trying to locate him by scaling the wall.

JEN finds PAOLO standing near her door as she feels his body.

JEN

Yeah… the weekends fine.

PAOLO is a bit overwhelmed by JEN’s performance but decides to nod and exits.

JEN slowly turns round and slaps her forehead then melting to the ground in utter embarrassment.

V/O JEN

I am Auntie Babs! (title appears, she walks down a street) Ok, my name is Jenny Parker but in my virtual life I am Barbara and this is my world.

Media Final Piece-RomCom Treatment

Working Title-'Dear Auntie Babs'

There is a woman who secretly runs a rather popular 'agony aunt' website, which specialises in love, romance and relationship problems. Although she gives out amazing advice, and resolves everyone elses love problems, she just can't seem to sort out her own problems-when it comes to love. She spends her time haplessly seeking advice from other people, and trys out unusual techniques that are supposed to help her overcome her awkwardness when she is with a man. She trys out all the techniques she can possibly try, but none of them are successful-and so she ends up being back at square one. She then returns to work one day, recieves a typical email from someone seeking her advice, and infact the person seeking her advice has the same issues she does. She replies, then has an epiphany-resulting in her re-reading the advice she had just given. She reads it, and realises that the best advice she can take, is her own. The man at that appeared at the beginning of film then reappears, asking the same question. Yet, this time, she decides to try out her own advice and ask the guy out. Therefore showing how she has developed from the beginning of the film, and leaving the end of the film, actually becoming the beginning of her blossoming love life and new found confidence.

RomCom Research

In todays lesson we watched various films in the genre of 'RomCom'. We watched RomCom films that are classic, typical examples of films from this genre. We watched; 'Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason', which showed a female protagonist going through the stages of a relationship, haplessly. The comedy element remains throughout this film, and even the most serious of scenes make you giggle at times.
The next film we watched was 'About a Boy', which was a good choice to watch after 'Bridget Jones' as in this film, there was a male protagonist. So instantly we go to see how the two different genders are portrayed differently in similar situations. Even though this film had a male protagonist, it still had many common traits of a conventional RomCom film.
After this, we watched 'Music and Lyrics' and I found it to be quite a disappointing RomCom. This was because, in the previous two i had watched, during the opening minutes, you instantly knew the genre, but in this film, they used an unconventional opening-which was very good, as it was different and got the comedy element in there straight away. But, even after the initial opening sequence, the plot and script was poor already.
Then lastly, we watched 'Rumour Has It.' Which immediately had a common convention of a typical RomCom, and the audience were informed of the genre straight away as the romantic element was shown immediately-mainly through script. Out of all of the films, i found this one dragged on a bit at the beginning, and the opening sequence simply continued on too long.I found the opening to this RomCom a bit more serious than others also.
There were three main similarities found in the four RomComs we watched. We believe, that these three similariities are essential conventions of a traditional RomCom film. The first similarity, and probably the most obvious, and most important in terms of getting both elements of the genre across to the audience straight away, would be a sort of hypocritical, contradictory commentary that is similar, and acts like a thought track to the main protagonist. Not only does this convention provide comedy, but it is a way of letting the audience into the mind of the main character. This convention, makes the audience feel as if they all know things that they shouldn't, or aren't meant to know-giving the audience a real sense of involvement in the film. Also, even if the protagonist is just talking, and the commentary isn't acting as a thought track, they talk in a very chatty, informal way-as if they had known the audience for years. In addition, the protagonist at times advises the audience, and almost speaks to them as if they are speaking 'words of wisdom.'
A second convention that we picked up on, is a sort of sarcastic mock of the worlds ideallic view of love. This provides a comedy element also, as it is mocking what the audience, supposedly, believe love will/could be like. This convention is normally placed at the beginning of the film, generally in the open sequence, where it is made clear this isnt accurate. This element also involves the audience as the protagonist and other characters are mocking what the audience's views are supposed to be. This convention, i feel, is important as it shows the audience that even though the RomCom is most likely to have an ideallic ending, it isn't a smooth path all along the way. This convention connotes that, although they show it to a 'perfect extreme', as perfect as it is-its seriously nothing like real life.
The last similarity that we all notifed was the credits, and how they remained the same throughout all the RomComs we watched. The credits seem to unassumingly appear and dissapear on the screen, not distracting from the action at all. They are simple,aren't anything special as nothing 'flashy' is displayed through transtitions and other editing techniques. I feel that this editing style is used so the audience pay attention to the opening sequences, which seem to be rather important in this genre, in terms of grabbing the audience as soon as possible-generally by making them laugh. If the editing of the credits were made into a big deal, then the audience would have to take notice of them, and the action would instantly become irrelevant.
As a group, we have made a decision that these three conventions are like rules we have to stick to, and are elements that need to be included at one point in our final piece. There are certain elements of the films we viewed that we would like to incorporate into our piece- the majority of them being comedic moments. But, also, one of the RomComs used alot of music which is an aspect we are really, really keen on using-to hopefully provoke emotions amongst the audience. (Mainly laughter.)