Analysing Audience Research
1) Gender
I asked this question to help me understand some of the other responses to later questions, especially when it comes to who would watch this genre of film. A large proportion of the responses came from females (62%), possibly just because women are more willing to take the time to fill out the survey, whereas only 27% were male. We have to keep this in mind when analysing later responses because the main character of my screenplay is male and so may be different to how the majority of the respondents would think.
2) Age
Again, this question is to help understand the demographic of the respondents. For this screenplay, I had in mind an audience aged between 15 and 35. In the survey, over 50% of those answering were over 35, so they may have different opinions with some of the themes I hint towards later in the survey. The other three categories combined make up 49% of respondents, which is still a substantial amount within the target audience.
3) Those who Enjoy Spy/Action Films
Although I wouldn't necessarily consider my screenplay idea to fit within the genre of spy/action, it is probably the closest, and well recognised, genre to it. A strong 65% of respondents said they enjoyed watching films of this genre which means whichever way you look at the demographics of respondents a majority would enjoy my film as well.
4) When Those Last Watched a Spy/Action Film
Out of interest, I wanted to judge roughly how frequently the respondents watched films within the genre of spy/action. 1 in 5 respondents had watched one within the last week, roughly 2 in 5 had watched one in the last month, compared to another 1 in 5 for both the last year and over a year. This means that about 60% of the respondents had seen a spy/action film recently, which is promising, although it may be bias towards the fact that the new spy/action Bond film Spectre had been released within the last month. In the UK, Spectre topped the box office for the first three weeks following its release, which could mean it is unlikely such a high amount of people had recently seen a spy/action film so recently.
5) Those Likely to Watch a New Spy/Action Film
Following the speculation of bias regarding the previous question, comes a slight correlation in the data. When asked how likely they were to watch a new spy/action film, 60% gave a positive response of either 'very' or 'maybe'. This suggests that although it could be coincidental with Spectre coming out in the last month, the same amount of people - quite likely to be the same people - would still watch a new film. Although over a quarter of people gave a negative response of 'probably not' or 'never', a majority would probably watch my film.
6) Characteristics of a Protagonist
When writing the screenplay, I am unsure about some of the characteristics my protagonist - Dave - should have. I was also keen to find out what people thought were the necessities of such a character. I intentionally added 'quiet', 'geeky' and 'shows weakness' to describe my initial opinions of Dave when coming up with the framework of the screenplay. The most popular responses were 'shows strength', 'uses gadgets' and 'uses guns'. Obviously, I have ruled out using guns in my screenplay because it does not fit in the theatre setting, however I have re-considered some of my protagonist's characteristics. I want to have more an emphasis on gadgets (being wireless microphones for spying), and show Dave as having some physical strength on the lighting rig in addition to his mental weaknesses.
7) Attempted Suicide
I asked this question to gauge the necessary sensitivity around the issue of a character attempting suicide on film. The strongest response (44%) was strongly against watching a film which involved attempted suicide, closely followed by 41% of respondents who said it needs to be done tastefully. When combined with those who thought they had seen worse, a majority would be okay to watch this happen in my film. However, it has made it very clear to me how sensitive the issue is and how I need to be very careful when writing the screenplay. On the other hand, there is a correlation in the data where 10 of the 13 respondents who said they wouldn't want to watch it are in the over 35 age category. This helps my case for including it in the film, because these people are not exactly within my target audience.
8) Other Features of a Spy/Action Film
I asked this question because I was unsure about putting comedy into the scenario in the screenplay. 40% said they enjoyed comedy as part of a screenplay, which will encourage me to make the film slightly more humorous. I think this will also help take some focus away from the darkness of the attempted suicide. I added other categories as possibly answers to the question simply to not lead the respondents too much towards the idea of comedy. As a result, 33% said 'drama' and - I think surprisingly - 15% said 'fantasy'.
9) Other Films About Lighting Technicians
Purely to test the uniqueness of my idea, and potentially give me some inspiration from other films, I asked the respondents if they had watched or heard of another film about a lighting technician. The answer was a clear 100% 'no'. Although this helps my confidence in writing this screenplay because I know it will be unique, it doesn't particularly help me because it is difficult to find other films to research.
[January 2016] EDIT: The film changed significantly in terms of genre and themes during the screen-writing process. Although this has made some questions slightly insignificant, it will be aimed at the same audience.
Analysing Existing Scripts
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Pages 2-3, above)
The 2011 film's opening scene, albeit this script extract is an early alternative draft to the film's actual opening, follows two main characters who we are led to believe are important and mysterious. We find them walking down a busy street, before peeling off into an arcade where they sit outside a cafe and order something to eat whilst enjoying some small talk. One of the characters becomes on edge after the waiter appears nervous, and he spots an old woman watching him from above.
There are three key characters in the extract. The first is Jim Prideaux: the script gives very little description of him, adding to the mystery of which character the audience is meant to be looking at in scene two. Throughout the extract we learn that he has some sense of humour, at first appearing quite nonchalant but later is on edge. He chooses not to eat his sandwiches, showing he is there for a purpose, possibly an impatient man. The Magyar (a term for a Hungarian person, adding mystery to the scene by the fact we don't learn his name) is simply described as wearing a checked shirt. Initially he is clumsy, and makes a few jokes, demonstrating his 'wry smile'. Similarly he comes across as very calm throughout. Additionally there is the waiter. He is described as sweaty and overweight, dressed in a 'grubby shirt' and presenting 'wizened' sandwiches. Although this has all the signs of showing a poor man, it is the writer's first proper character description which suggests he may be of some significance later.
All of the dialogue is spoken in Hungarian, although written in English. We join Prideaux and the Magyar halfway through their conversation about food. The dialogue feels natural and although likely irrelevant it is not boring. The line 'all the pigs have gone to Moscow' is particularly humorous and interesting. The scene direction is very good - especially during scene two where we first meet two of the characters. It is written in multiple short sentences so that, even when reading, there is some degree of tension and mystery. Despite this, the writer is still quite vague about the exact location and the important characters which gives the director a lot of freedom when shooting the scene.
Casino Royale (Pages 4-6, above)
Regarded as one of the best Bond film openings, Casino Royale sets up the character of Bond from the beginning: his first two kills to try to earn his 007 title. This script, which changed slightly for the film's release, contains a conversation between Bond - played by Daniel Craig - and Dryden, with flashbacks to another scenario in Pakistan.
There are three key characters in this extract, the first obviously being James Bond. He is shown as being calm, moving purposely, with dry humour. This is true until the restroom fight scene where he is desperate to beat his opponent. There is a distinction in his character between the two killings, after the first he seems tired and exhausted but, true to Bond, immediately ready for another fight. After the second he is far calmer and satisfied. Dryden is a male spy who we learn also works with M, but has been selling secrets. He appears to be in a rush to do something before he meets Bond, not even turning the lights on in his office. Upon seeing Bond he is calm and confident, believing he has the upper hand; when he discovers he does not, he shows some admiration for Bond ('has to smile'). Fisher is a third character, who is Bond's first kill. He is anxious throughout the extract until his death, from spotting Bond he immediately runs suggesting he does not believe he can win the fight. At the end he tries to take Bond by surprise, but underestimates Bond who will always have the upper hand.
A good example of dialogue from the extract is Dryden's confidently delivered speech: 'If the theatrics are supposed to scare me you have the wrong man, Bond.' Soon after, Bond mutters 'Yes. Considerably' having cut off Dryden by killing him. All of the dialogue is short and to the point, which helps develop the plot quickly and create tension. The scene direction feels very much like a narrative from a story book, with written pauses and comments which seem to come directly from the writer as they try to portray what the audience should be thinking. Simultaneously it is quick and fast, with very little description.
Themes, Locations & Characters
Analysing Short Films
To cover the theme of loneliness, which is prominent in my screenplay, I searched for other short films covering this key theme. This short is about a man who is so lonely that he goes to the extreme of kidnapping a woman to keep him company in his apartment. I like this screenplay because it shows these extremes people will go to, how loneliness can cloud somebody's judgement to the point where they do something terrible. Despite the man's actions in the film, the audience should still sympathise with him at the end because of how his character is initially set up - we root for him because we appear to be the only one noticing him. The technicalities of the film are also good. It is nicely shot and well lit for the most part and the soundtrack, composed specifically for the film, is excellent. Some of the scenes do feel quite awkward as the loneliness seems forced, the acting of many of the other characters feels stiff and unmotivated, and the one small bit of dialogue is fairly awful - personally I don't think the film needed it at all, it could have been portrayed visually very easily. Despite this, I do like this short film and will use it to help develop my characters in terms of showing their loneliness in the script and (hopefully) on screen.
To research how I could attempt to bring some comedy into my screenplay, despite it being around a serious topic, I watched a short comedy film by YouTubers Jack and Dean. Ghost Fighting Corporation is a supernatural drama/comedy, involving an apartment inhabited by a ghost which Jack and Dean try to find a way to get rid of with the help of a so-called specialist.
The main reasons I like this short film is because it has good humour, which comes from the awkwardness of the characters rather than the forceful nature of slapstick or silliness. The film does not shy away from using stereotypical action and supernatural scenarios, instead using them for its own comedic advantage. A good example of this is the scene in the tube station where the detective tries to be subtle, but Dean ruins the moment for comedic effect. The casting is great (even if two of the characters do play themselves!) especially with Doc Brown as the detective, and Milo Panni as the young boy, Billy. The performances are very realistic, with fantastic comedic timing. Regarding the technical side of the film, it is very well shot, lighting is good and the visual effects are impressive.
The main negative point I would have about the film is simply how basic the plot is. Upon watching a second time, there doesn't appear to be much substance to the story, which makes it feel far quicker than its 17 minute running time. There is very little character development (although it is part of the Jack and Dean series so arguably their characters do not need much development), and the performances of Sophie Wu as Lucy and, at times, Doc Brown are unfavourable to me. Nonetheless, it is a very well made film considering the comparatively small budget it was produced on.
Please finish this. James
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