Pre-Production: Location Scouting

Introduction

Now that Kate and I have established our narrative and beginning to start casting for our show, we thought it would be vital to view the locations of our shoot. This is primarily beneficial for me as it enables me to know the locations for when I'm writing the script, and in future, help me to work out what types of shots can be used, making sure we maximise the use of each location.

Below are some images of the two locations (the school stage and my flat) plus some captions describing a bit about each picture and what can be filmed in each image. The quality of the images are very rough and poor as these are only beneficial for Kate and I so we can visualise our story into these locations. For our pre-production package, high quality professional images will be used for both locations.

School Stage

This is our dominant location and around 80% of the shoot will be based here. For example, this location will include the following:
   - Auditions & Interviews
   - Introduction of the episode and the ending (including what the theatre is)
   - Where we see Chantelle bribe John
   - How everyone finds out about the bribe (because of the janitor, B)

A general shot of the school hall. You can see that the hall itself is quite lengthy providing us enough room
for when we are doing our mini interviews/introductions of the characters. There is plenty of room for us to
position it so you can see other auditions in action in the background. 

This shot shows a hallway leading to the rear end of the hall. This is where Chantelle's interview
will be, as she will need to glance around to see Jordan gazing at Maddie's interview, as this annoys Chantelle.
As well as this, it helps to show that the stage is quite large, meaning we can use the rear of the stage to an advantage.

This shot shows the changing room, allocated to the side of the stage.  This extra room can also be used for another location for interviews. If we only had one or two rooms for the mini interviews, it may seem quite repetitive
and begin to look boring.

This is the view of the hall when standing on the stage. As you can see, the hall is very lengthy. Additionally, to the left
hand side of the image is a set of steps and a purple hallway which too can be used for interviews. This location in particular will be used to announce who got each role after the auditions.

Linking to the previous image, this is the hallway which leads from the previous image. This hallway goes round to the back of the stage which is very convenient, and  we are planning on using this hallway for when Chantelle bribes John.

This shot shows the inside of the lighting room. Allocated to the rear end of the hall, this lighting box overlooks the hall and stage which too can be used for an advantage. Additionally, this room will be used for a couple of interviews, such as
for Jordans and Rubys. 

This shows what the view is inside of the lighting box. As you can see, it provides a clear overlook of the hall and the stage, making it very useful for an interview location

A view looking at the outside of the lighting box. Although quite small, this location can help add a sense of privacy when
interviews are held inside, which is useful for when Ruby has her introduction interview.

Flat

Now for the second location - my flat. Used for the remaining 20% of our production, this location is used primarily for the climax of our episode. Here, you will see the following:

   - Chantelle confront Jamie and Maddie

   - Find out that Ruby and Jamie like each other/are 'hiding something'

   - How Chantelle isn't a likeable character

   - That Jordan isn't happy with Chantelle.

   - Also helps to build up for the final climax of the episode.

Below are some quick images which show you the layout of the flat, and how it will be used.

This is the staircase which leads from the front entrance. This will be used to introduce the flat as the camera
can then quickly pan up to see people in the kitchen and hallway. This will also be used for when Ruby
flees the scene after people find out about her and Jamie

A quick view of the bedroom. This will mainly be used for a couple of interviews of the characters to help introduce
this new location and to enable the narrative to flow easier. This is the room Jamie and Ruby will leave
and when everyone finds out that they have been spending a little 'too' much time together.

A view of the kitchen. Here, I feel that the narrowness of the kitchen makes it seem much more awkward for the characters. For example, here, Maddie, Alex and Jordan have to squeeze at the end as they talk to each other.
Additionally, Jordan has to lean over Maddie so he can get he's drink, and because the kitchen is narrow, he has to lean
over her more, making it seem more realistic that they could be flirting to Chantelle.

A reverse shot showing the entrance to the kitchen.

A view of the living room. A beer pong table will be centred in the middle of the room (the room will be cleared out
to give more room) and for the shot showing Chantelle singing karaoke. Strobe lights will be added and the room will be
darkened to make it seem more of a party scene.

This is the hallway which leads from the kitchen up to the living room. This too has worked to an advantage as a long
zoom shot can be used from the kitchen to show that there are people in the living room dancing.  Just after the stairs,
there is a door which leads into the bedroom. Meaning this shot exactly will be very effective for when
Jamie and Ruby come out of the bedroom, as it also enables al the characters in the kitchen to see.

In  my opinion, I feel this locations will be effective. They are both easily accessible for both me and Kate, are within a decent distance from one another, and we don't have to rely on any weather issues as they are both indoors. The key problem we may face is the lighting in the party scene, however, due to easy accessibility, it will enable us to spend more time on what we can do with the lighting.