Evaluation

Final Film: Surf School

New Storyboard

New Script

INT. SURF SHOP

Audiences watch the scene from the point of view of the unknown CHARACTER. CHARACTER walks into a surf shop.

(NARRATION) PETE ABELL

Okay, I remember hiring my first board at Polzeath and going out chest air quarter and I probably rode the wave for about 10 seconds but it felt like 5 minutes. It was one of them, that was the moment.

CHARACTER begins browsing the surfboards.

(NARRATION) PETE ABELL

There’s so much about the surfing that I love. One, the fitness element, you just feel really fit and healthy. Two is the social element. I’ve met so many people doing it.

CHARACTER appears in another shop and browses the wetsuits and surfboards.

(NARRATION) PETE ABELL

I love being a surf instructor. It would be the honest truth to say I get up in the morning everyday, and I'm never upset about my job.

INT. SURFBOARD SHAPERS

Surfboard shaper NIGEL uses stencils on a surfboard and begins by sanding down the edges. NIGEL then saws off the edges and starts shaping the top of the board.

CUT

EXT. WATERGATE BAY

Unknown character surfs a wave down at the beach.

CUT

INT. SURFBOARD SHAPERS

NIGEL starts layering the resin on the board.

CUT

EXT. WATERGATE BAY

Another clip of a pro surfer surfing some waves at the beach.

CUT

INT. SURFBOARD SHAPERS

NIGEL continuing to layer the resin on the board.

CUT

EXT. WATERGATE BAY

Again another surfer is shown surfing a new wave.

(NARRATION) YOUNG PETE

 I think I was fourteen and Pete taught me to surf. He was responsible for all this. (laughs)

Surfer falls off board.

END

New Shot List

After receiving lots of audience feedback and thoroughly watching our film back, Sam and I came to the mutual decision to go out for a few more shoots down at Watergate Bay, King's Surf School and Ocean Magic Surf Factory. Our audience felt we lacked variation in terms of media language, and we wanted to ensure that our target audience are fully satisfied with the end result and that our film stays interesting and varied. We agreed to keep some of the original footage from the surf shop as it remains relevant to the genre and works effectively for an opening by representing our target audience and the use of a POV shot really brings audiences in as they can feel a part of the scene.

For this I then had to draw up a new shot list: 

*(shot #10 is meant to be a MCU)

Second Draft

BFI Craft Skills Residential

My attendance at the BFI Cornwall Film Academy provided me with assistance when applying for a residential course up at the National Film and Television School (NFTS), also funded by the BFI. My application was successful in getting me a place there as a producer, and only 66 out of 400 people were able to achieve a position on the course, due to the fact it was highly competitive. I was the only person from the Cornwall/Devon region, which made travelling up to Beaconsfield an extraordinarily nerve wracking experience. We had a pre-residential weekend in March where we got to know each other and were introduced to our scripts- mine was called Look at What the Cat Dragged In. For an intense 12 days over Easter (hence why I was unavailable for the third shooting day of my coursework project) I was given the opportunity to work closely with leading industry professionals who gave me a unique insight into the filmmaking business and guided me along the way. I also received a numerous amount of master classes from people such as Asif Kapadia, Rachel Robey, Nik Powell, Rienkje Attoh, Destiny Ekaragha, Ben Roberts, Marimba Kabalika, Pawl Fulker and lots more, all of which were extremely interesting and insightful into successful people's journeys into the film world. We practised green light meetings and marketing presentations as well which is felt was very beneficial, particularly as I wish to go down the producing route in film.
It was an incredible experience working with so many people my age who shared the same passion for filmmaking and were extremely talented in their specialisms, who were also able to teach me so much about the entire process of filmmaking. I'm still in contact with them all and although they live a great distance from myself, they're useful contacts to have for housing in London etc. This programme also gave me the chance to network with alumni from previous years at the NFTS and other people working in the industry. It also helped solidify my decision to aim towards being a film producer in the future, as I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of my job.
My role as a producer taught me a great deal more about the pre-production process and although I learnt all these new skills after my project was near enough completion, it will definitely come in use for further projects like A Level coursework I will begin later this year. I learnt about the importance of planning and scheduling and more about the role in general, and the residential helped solidify the decision that I wish to be a producer in the future. I thoroughly loved every aspect of my job and I also got the opportunity to work as a 3rd assistant director on set, another job role I now know I consider enjoyable.