Mise En Scene: Bedroom

CDs: Originally our group liked the idea of placing posters (e.g. music/bands) on the wall as homages to the themes and the story plus perhaps as subliminal messages. As this would have been expensive to buy all originals, we considered printing our own using pictures from the internet. Eventually, we decided to use CDs as this would be cheaper and easier to make as the pictures would be smaller. Amy provided the empty cases and filled them with album/single artwork of the selected tracks from printed Google images. Album artwork included:
Cobra Starship - Good Girls Go Bad
Rihanna - Good Girl Gone Bad
You Me At Six - Sinners Never Sleep
Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot


The different music genres suggests the different sides to her and the way in which the cases are arranged reflects the chaos and lack of order involved in the riots. Music is a very influencing factor specifically linked to the younger generation, with many disputes leading to conclusions of controversial music causing bad behaviour amongst youths.


When filming the shots to contribute towards scene setting, we tried shooting from different angles to achieve the right framing of the shot which clearly showed the objects plus indiscreetly displaying the foreboding messages. As well as this, we had to adapt the lighting, as there appeared to be glare from a nearby window on the cases.


Camera: We chose to include the camera in the shot as we felt it represented her wealthy/well-off upbringing and lifestyle as these types of cameras are expensive. This object also reflects the riots: the technology that the events relied on and the how they were documented.

Wallpaper: One wall of her bedroom is decorated with pink and white patterned wallpaper. The pink suggests young and girly which contrasts with what the character is wearing in the scene. This could mean that the decoration isn't her choice (much like aspects of her life perhaps which is why she rebels) or it is not from recently (showing how she has changed - referencing the contrast between Laura Johnson's actions and how she was previously seen to be). The pattern is sophisticated which can relate to her family life representing her foundations and surroundings. It is only one one wall however meaning this could be only one side of her.

Bookcase: We chose to try shots of the bookcase as a means of showing the character is educated in a way that she likes literature. This could be thought of as a suggested hobby. We specifically chose to feature the French language dictionary as it is known that Laura Johnson studied French at A Level and had an interest in languages. This also shows her commitment to her studies.

'Jack Petchey's "Speak Out" Challenge!' Award: Using this as mise en scene in a shot could suggest that the character is a good public speaker, showing she knows and feels comfortable with voicing her opinion due to good confidence levels. This also shows an academic achievement of hers. The fact that it's extra-curricular show her commitment to her studies and education.


Mirror: The mirror is central to her rooms insinuating self-image is important to her, especially as it is surrounded by make-up and beauty products. The ornate frame reflects those around traditional family portraits and aristocracy but as she's the only one in the frame, she only thinks about herself.


Garden View:This view out of the bedroom window gives a sense of peaceful ambiance and surroundings as well showing she's well-off from the space. This is an optional shot as we could not see Cally very well from this angle.



Laptop: The character's laptop is pink, giving the same effect as the wallpaper as this shows her life is due to her parents especially the things that are quite expensive and so are influenced by their preferences rather than hers. This is another example of technology also mixed with academia and education.


Phone: We specifically chose to use a Blackberry for our main protagonist as this make of mobile was specifically used in the events of the London riots. It also shows her type of lifestyle and that she follows trends. As well as this she finds socialising and her friends important. The phone we chose was Amy C's as she owns a Blackberry Bold.


Magazine & Shoes: The variety of shoes and the style magazine also suggests that image is important to her. The fact that there are a large amount and the magazine is specialised could denote that she is wealthy and can afford nice and luxurious things.


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Shooting Day 1: House and Street Scenes

Events of days

1. Establishing shots
2. Cally's makeup, costuming and briefing
3. Shots of props
4. Bed scene
5. Stair scene
6. Road scene

Shots filmed:

• establishing of house from across street
• establishing shot of station down road from top of hill
• shots of around room (props) such as CDs, bookcase
• standard shots of Cally typing on bed and being bored (+ over the shoulder)
• low angle as phone vibrates and Cally checks
• bird's eye view of Cally packing bag
• standard shots of Cally leaving room
• high angle of running down stairs and putting on shoes
• standard tracking shot following Cally out of the door
• Panning shot of Cally leaving house
• standard shot of Cally walking down road from opposite side

Problems encountered & solutions:

• Light glaring on props (CD shots) --> experimented with lighting to reduce reflection
• Continuity issues with bed shots --> re-filming 
• Bed scene too slow paced --> re-filming + new shots introduced

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Misfit's Deconstruction (Focusing On The Character Nikki)

Misfits is a British television drama (urban/scifi/teen) which breaks stereotypes through using unruly teenagers on probation. It has the same gritty type of feel as our film aims for. This deconstruction looks at an episode involving Nikki,  who our group chose to focus on as she is similar to our main character. This is due to her involvement with the group of probation seems unlikely at first and is slightly similar to the storyline in our film.

Nikki is an un-likely member of the Misfits group. Originally seen in a flash-forward during episode two she enters into this scene when the Misfits break into her flat. Unlike the 'asbo' gang, Nikki  has committed no crimes but becomes involved in their adventures through Curtis. She has a heart condition and needs a heart transplant. This sad storyline is not typical of most teen dramas and gives Nikki’s character an alternate dimension.

Nikki’s costumes  in this episode are neutral colored and casual wear: jeans and an ordinary T-shirt.  Her clothing is low-key and typical of a young woman. Her clothing is a good use of inspiration as we want to dress our character in stereotypical casual clothing creating a bit of enigma when she decides to join the riots.

Like the other characters she has attitude and seems rude when she first meets the group but she also seems more mature and less likely to make trouble. In this way she’s similar to the main character (played by Cally) in our film.

The non diegetic narrative at the opening of the scene showed that Nikki’s character  is straight speaking  and stubborn. She confronts the group asking “what are you doing here?”

The moment it dawns on Curtis that this is the girl from his flash forward the jump cuts to Nikki. The use of this technique suggests a relationship between the two is about to begin as they become the focus of that section of the episode. A medium shot of Nikki shows that she is an ordinary woman; casually dressed making her seem unassuming and contrasting with the vision Curtis had of her dressed as a super human on the edge of a roof.

In the episode there are connotations of her super hero outfit in contrast to her everyday clothing. In her super hero outfit she seems strong as though she also has a power, similarly to the other Misfits. Perhaps she’s there to help Curtis? The outfit is tight and shiny showing her sexuality.   Whereas in her everyday clothes she is represented so she appears unremarkable; the plain, simple style of her clothes suggesting she’s not outgoing. Her clothes are in dull colors such as beige and grey perhaps reflecting how she doesn’t take risks and her illness. It’s improbable she’ll become part of the gang. This where she is similar to our main character; her clothing and upbringing challenges the stereotype of the rioters.
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Above is a fan video made of Nikki, it shows sides of her character which we are not trying to portray in our protagonist i.e. being overtly sexual. However it also shows her looking doubtful and how her social choices have put her into difficult and sometimes dangerous situations. 

Music Research (Riot Dubstep)

Members of the group have researched into music which we would like to feature in our film opening, specifically looking at dubstep which samples and is of relation to the London riots. We would be looking to use this music during the montage scene of London riot clips. We would like the music to reflect the chaos and apathy of those involved in the summer incidents. We feel that using music which samples riot related audio will be effective through enhancing the shock of the montage clips. The majority of the clips shown do not make clear of any copyright protection

London riots DUBSTEP remix!

This video is a good example of the harsh but not overpowering sound we were aiming for. The song also samples the rants from a woman in Hackney about the incidents taking place. She talks about what the people are rioting for and what they should be about - fitting closely with the theme of our film opening as the audience are not told why the main protagonist is rioting. 

London Riots 2011 The Answer is Love Dubstep remix

This video is more calm, and has a beat that'd fit well as background music. This track also samples audio: firstly of teenage girls rioting to rebel and also some news interview footage. This represents how serious the riots were, how everyone had an opinion about it, plus the types of people who were involved and what their frame of mind was when participating.

London Riots 2011 - Dubstep

This video also features the sample of the women from Hackney, however this has been edited well into a simple track with a strong bass for a hard-hitting effect which could even be used also for background music.

England Riots Dubstep Beat

This video also features samples from news, rioters and David Cameron with sound effects to remix the sounds into the beat (giving a subliminal edge to the speech). It also features the sounds of siren, adding more ambience to the music. 

CoCoPoPsM3 - English Riots Dubstep

Featuring fast paced dance and dubstep, this video also contains more news audio clips. The nature of this music reflects the chaos involved in London at the time. We are unsure however if there is any copyright protection. 

Here are some tracks on Soundcloud which could be considered for the background music at the beginning of the scene where the main protagonist gets ready and leaves her house to travel to London. We'd like a heavy beat with a hard-hitting drop for a gritty, urban tone that'll surprise the audience from when the main protagonist 'changes' and goes rioting. 

Jackknife - Didgeridoom

Inact - First Trip

Phigure - Murkey

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