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[lucysfilmproject]

Festival strategy

The themes of KEEPER are mental health and abusive power on the younger generation, particularly in men.

Mental health is a main concern in the modern day, with how we can support the wellbeing of our children, friends and family. Since I have played football most of my life and coached it as well, it is a subject that I am passionate about and a sport that is close to my heart.

This is the core message of our film and why I believe it was important to pick a mental health festival.

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival as I felt this would be a perfect festival to submit to regarding the themes of the film.

In their work, they explore the arts and how the creativity of people can help prevent mental health issues and help people explore healthier lives. With engagement in the community, this festival has expanded globally. They celebrate the artistic achievements of people suffering from mental health problems and challenge the perceptions and stigmas.

The festival is led by the Mental Health Foundation. I feel like showing our film in this festival would help engage an audience to know that they are not alone.

They strive towards a mentally healthy society for everyone, focusing on those who are the most at risk of harm.

The final deadline for this festival is June 6th 2024.

For the short film category and we plan to submit it for then.

Other festival options in the UK and Ireland:

Cambridge, Edinburgh, Bolton, Toronto, Cork, Norwich, Aesthetica (York), IndieCork Foyle Film Festival, London Short Film Festival, Leeds, Raindance, Glasgow, Belfast, Oska Filmic Galway Film Fleadh.

[lucysfilmproject]

Post Production

Notes for Jake:

Regarding the absence of leg cuts at the end, it's advisable to either delay the reveal of the legs until after the cuts are made or introduce Malcolm earlier in the scene to divert attention. This adjustment would enhance continuity and attention to detail.

There appears to be a technical glitch as Will exits the changing room at the conclusion. Rectifying this issue is crucial to maintaining the professional quality of the production.

While the initial cuts serve their purpose, there's room for improvement. Exploring alternative camera angles or adopting a swifter editing pace could enhance the flow and engagement of the opening sequence.

The ending indicates its effectiveness in resonating with the audience.

The shaky camera work during the entrance onto the pitch. Consider stabilising techniques or equipment for smoother shots.

The absence of the bedroom scene, including this scene could add depth to character development and narrative progression.

The pitch scenes are fast paced building tension which underscores their effectiveness in capturing attention and creating memorable moments.

Notes for Rosie:

Consider toning down the overall sound mix when Graham, the coach, is shouting at Aaron. This adjustment aims to amplify the emotional impact of the scene, directing the focus solely on their interaction. By reducing ambient noise or other distractions, the intensity of the moment can be heightened, allowing the audience to fully engage with the characters and their dialogue.

To enhance the intensity of the walk-up to the pitch, consider adding louder football bashing and shouting sounds in the background. These sounds should gradually increase in volume as the characters approach the pitch, building anticipation and energy for the upcoming scene. The bashing sounds could include the thud of football boots hitting the ground or the impact of players colliding during a game. Meanwhile, the shouting sounds could consist of shouting from teammates. By incorporating these elements, you can create a dynamic audio landscape that immerses the audience in the atmosphere of the football match.

Notes for Alex:

The yellow on Will's top changes slightly in different scenes because of the warm and cool tones of light, try and adjust it so it is as similar as possible in each scene to remain consistent.

There is a couple glitches with the zoom in and it has adjusted the aspect ratio. Just some slight technical glitches.

The warmth of colour and lighting in the last scene ties in nicely with the theme of a supportive dad at the end and looks visually pleasing.

[lucysfilmproject]

PRODUCTION!!

Day 1: The first day of shooting, focused on the changing room scene, ran smoothly overall despite some unforeseen challenges. I was prepared with risk assessments and filming-in-progress signs, ensuring a safe and professional environment. However, issues arose regarding production design, such as goalkeeper gloves not fitting the actor and unexpected tattoos on players' arms. Quick thinking and teamwork helped resolve these issues, with my last-minute trips to sports direct for gloves and providing black under armour to cover tattoos. Despite these challenges, the production stayed on schedule and finished on time, resulting in a successful day overall.

Day 2: The second day, featuring the bedroom scene, proceeded without major setbacks. However, the location originally secured for the scene fell through, requiring the team to find a backup location. Fortunately, a crew member offered their house, which better matched the vision for the scene. While this change caused some stress, it ultimately improved the authenticity of the setting. However, I had to do more administrative tasks, such as updating the call sheet and risk assessment, which ensured a smooth transition to the new location. Despite these adjustments, the shoot remained on schedule, showcasing the team's adaptability and resourcefulness.

Day 3: The first day of shooting on the pitch presented challenges due to adverse weather conditions and a tight schedule. Continuous rain and wind posed discomfort for the cast and crew, necessitating provisions such as hand warmers and hot water bottles which the production team and I provided. Concerns arose regarding scheduling dinner during daylight hours, potentially limiting shooting time in the darkness. After my discussion with Ben and Katie, adjustments were made to the schedule to optimise longer time shooting by eating dinner in the daylight instead of darkness. Despite falling slightly behind schedule, the team successfully navigated these challenges, demonstrating resilience and effective communication.

Day 4: The second day on the pitch was intense, with a heavy workload and tight schedule. Despite the pressure, the team managed to capture all planned shots efficiently. However, a longer shoot day or an additional day on the pitch may have provided more opportunities for multiple takes and enhanced flexibility during editing. Nonetheless, the team's cohesion and professionalism ensured the successful completion of the day's objectives.

Day 5: On the final day of shooting, logistical challenges arose regarding the availability of the green room. Negotiations with regular users of the space resulted in a compromise, allowing the shoot to proceed without significant disruption. However, time constraints led to rushed production design, resulting in some continuity errors that may be noticeable in the final film. In hindsight, budgeting for an additional shoot day could have helped mitigate these issues and ensure a smoother production process.

[lucysfilmproject]

Final Rehearsal

I managed to gather a few male friends and players from Heriot Watt to serve as extras in our film, so we arranged and paid for a rehearsal at Peffermill on Pitch 6. Ben got to know the extras, and they familiarised themselves with each other, aiming to present a more authentic team dynamic during production. Alex brought the camera to test movements, and we ran through all the pitch scenes of the film. An actor friend stood in as Graham. This rehearsal was beneficial because I succeeded in having each participant sign a contract. Rosie also conducted sound tests during the various drills. However, since we conducted the rehearsal during the day, the other pitches were empty, resulting in an atmosphere different from that of the evening, thus affecting sound accuracy. Additionally, Alex lacked the correct lighting as the floodlights were not on, leading to inaccuracies in the shots. Nevertheless, the rehearsal proved highly beneficial for refining shot movements and pitch positioning. As a result of this rehearsal, Alex was able to make adjustments to his shot list.

[lucysfilmproject]

Sourcing Production Design, extras hunting, Craft plans etc.

James and I attended a Napier Football Women's training session to familiarize James with the requisite props and costumes utilised during drills. Graciously, they provided us access to their equipment, including balls, cones, and bibs, for our filming purposes. Additionally, I've liaised with Carolyn at Spartans, securing the use of their balls, better aligning with the aesthetic James envisions for the scenes. Furthermore, I've enlisted the assistance of various friends and family to secure football boots for our extras and arranged for suitable storage containers for our materials.

In the pursuit of securing extras for the final film, despite initial setbacks with Spartans and other clubs, we've extended a call for participants through selected Facebook groups, garnering interest. To streamline the process, I've devised a Google Form to gather their measurements for kit orders. Having finalized James's design for the kit, I've placed an order with KitKing and secured expedited printing services from an embroidery shop in Edinburgh to ensure timely delivery for the shoot.

In addition to our logistics, I've recruited Rachael and Orla as craft runners. Rachael's mum, who owns a coffee shop, graciously offered catering services for a nominal fee. The dietary requirements from the cast and crew, the allergies are nuts, shellfish, and certain fruits, Rachael and I have curated a menu:

Friday: Lentil soup, broccoli soup, and sandwiches

Sunday: Sausage rolls, cheese rolls, pastas, salads

Monday: Baked potatoes with cheese, beans, and tuna

Wednesday: Lentil soup, broccoli soup, and sandwiches

Thursday: PIZZA!

This meticulous planning ensures the smooth execution of our production, with consideration for the comfort and sustenance of all involved.

[lucysfilmproject]

Aaron and Will - Final Decisions

We auditioned Andrew and Adam for the role of Aaron and Will. We felt that Andrew was exactly what we pictured for the role of Aaron. He had a calming presence and his acting was very natural. We felt that Adam was more mismatched, he looked like what we would picture for Will, but his acting performance was more catered to Aaron.

Andrew (17):

Introduction: Andrew has a background in youth football and has played multiple positions. He is relatively new to acting but is eager to gain more experience. He is interested in the Ken Loach style of filmmaking.

Audition: Andrew delivered a great audition, appearing natural and comfortable. He drew on his experiences from youth football to inform his performance.

Questions: He relates to the character of Aaron and understands the pressures and dreams associated with football. He also shares his own experiences with football and the pressures he felt from family and coaches.

Second audition: Andrew demonstrated natural improvisation skills and took directions well. He struggled slightly with eye contact and stillness but maintained a good attitude throughout.

Adam Robb (16):

Introduction: Adam used to play football for his school but quit last year to pursue acting. He prefers TV over theatre due to the environment it provides.

Audition: Adam's audition was natural but slightly fast-paced and nervous. He portrayed the character of Will as uncomfortable speaking with people.

Questions: He shares his experiences with football and expresses a connection with the story of "Keeper."

Second audition: Adam's second audition was also strong, with good improvisation and a natural awkwardness that added tenderness to the scene. However, he struggled with maintaining eye contact and occasionally appeared confused.

Overall, both Andrew and Adam showed potential in their auditions, with Andrew demonstrating confidence and drawing on personal experiences, while Adam displayed naturalness but struggled slightly with nervousness and maintaining eye contact. They both have areas to work on but show enthusiasm for acting and a willingness to improve.

In the end, we have decided to pick Andrew for the role of Aaron and Stanley for the role of Will. We believe they both suit the roles the best. Andrew with the calm and collected yet insecure presence of Aaron, and Stanley the nervous ambitiousness of Will.

[lucysfilmproject]

Casting and Auditions continued

Ben I and have gone through several rounds of auditions searching for the role of Aaron and Will. We have rejected a lot of potential candidates solely for the reason that they seem too old. I have looked through spotlight and reached out to Andrew and Adam for these roles. As I believe they look most like what we are looking for.

These are the stand out performances so far for the role of Will:

Stanley:

Introduction: Stanley has a background in playing football and is enthusiastic about merging his love for the sport with acting in the film. He resonates with the character of Aaron and is interested in exploring the challenges faced by youth football players.

Audition: Stanley delivered a simple and thoughtful performance, providing a backstory to his character and showing understanding of both characters in the scene.

Questions: He is motivated by finally discovering his passion for acting after trying various paths, and he is eager to learn and improve in his craft.

Second audition: Stanley took directions well and showed improvement from his first audition, although some improvisation could have added depth to his performance.

Notes: Stanley hasn't done much improvisation but is open to it, and he ultimately wants to work on different projects and help tell meaningful stories.

Jedd:

Introduction: Jedd has experience playing youth football and understands the dynamics of working with coaches. He is interested in the style of the film and enjoys improvisation.

Audition: He portrayed his character as sweet and shy, with a focus on breaking the distance between the characters. He didn't develop a backstory as much as Stanley did but still gave his character purpose.

Questions: Jedd is motivated by the challenge of proving people wrong and uses it as motivation to succeed.

Second audition: Jedd took directions well and showed improvement from his first reading, although some improvisation could have enhanced his performance.

Notes: He believes that characters are an extension of oneself and is comfortable and natural when acting, showing confidence during auditions.

Overall, both Stanley and Jedd demonstrated potential in their auditions, with Stanley showing deeper understanding of the characters and Jedd exhibiting confidence and naturalness in his performance. They both have areas to work on, such as improvisation, but show enthusiasm and commitment to their craft. We are struggling to find anyone we believe would fully suit the role of Aaron and we are hoping that Andrew or Adam will give a good impression.

[lucysfilmproject]

Analysing the crowdfunding data

We managed to raise £2675 out of our £3000 target. With the sponsors providing £500 and extra coverage of kit, that places us beyond our total budget which we are thrilled to see. These extra costs will go towards any unexpected problems that may arise on production.

February 13th, 2024: 14 pledges, raising £425.

February 14th, 2024: 9 pledges, total amount raised now £855.

February 15th, 2024: 2 pledges, total amount raised now £895.

February 16th, 2024: 4 pledges, total amount raised now £1035.

February 17th, 2024: 4 pledges, total amount raised now £1205.

February 18th, 2024: 4 pledges, total amount raised now £1260.

February 19th, 2024: 2 pledges, total amount raised now £1350.

February 20th, 2024: 1 pledge, total amount raised now £1370.

February 21st, 2024: 2 pledges, total amount raised now £1430.

February 22nd, 2024: 3 pledges, total amount raised now £1495.

February 23rd, 2024: 2 pledges, total amount raised now £1645.

February 24th, 2024: 3 pledges, total amount raised now £1680.

February 26th, 2024: 3 pledges, total amount raised now £1750.

February 27th, 2024: 1 pledge, total amount raised now £1950.

February 29th, 2024: 3 pledges, total amount raised now £2050.

March 1st, 2024: 3 pledges, total amount raised now £2080.

March 3rd, 2024: 4 pledges, total amount raised now £2470.

March 4th, 2024: 5 pledges, reaching the final result of £2675.

From this data, I can observe several trends:

Variation in Pledge Numbers: The number of pledges fluctuates daily, ranging from as low as 1 pledge to as high as 14 pledges.

Continuous Increase in Funds: Despite fluctuations in the number of pledges, there's a consistent increase in the total funds raised throughout the campaign period.

Increased Pledge Rate: Towards the end of the campaign (March 3rd and March 4th), there's a notable increase in the number of pledges, leading to a significant spike in funds raised.

Overall Success: The campaign appears to have been successful, as evidenced by the steady increase in funds and the growing number of pledges, especially towards the end.

Possible Peak: There seems to be a peak in pledges around February 13th, with a high number of pledges compared to other days. After that, the number of pledges decreases temporarily before picking up again towards the end of the campaign.

Overall, this analysis suggests that the crowdfunding campaign experienced an initial spike and interest, followed by a lull in mid-February, and then a resurgence in excitement leading to a successful end in early March.

[lucysfilmproject]

Auditions and Decisions

Having had a few interested parties for the role of Malcolm, Ben and I decided to sit down and review their self-tapes. We whittled it down to 4 potential candidates for the role. I sent out a Google form to the auditionees and offered them some dates and times for auditions. I booked a room and organised for a couple of people to stand in for the role of Will and also to film the auditions.

My notes on the auditions:

Gordon J Miller:

Introduction: Gordon resonated with the character due to his personal connection as a parent with a son who plays football.

Audition: Initially, he portrayed the character with a comforting and empathetic tone, quickly establishing an emotional connection with the audience. However, during the second audition, he appeared more nervous and less connected with the character and audience.

Questions: Gordon measures success in life by a sense of fulfillment and contentment, and he learned to trust his instincts after setbacks. He relates personally to the character of Malcolm, understanding the importance of being there for his son while allowing him to make his own mistakes.

Notes: Gordon has significant experience in film productions but was not offered a biscuit during the auditions.

Liam Hughes:

Introduction: Liam seemed knowledgeable about football and demonstrated confidence during his introduction.

Audition: He delivered a strong performance, exuding confidence and control over the character's space.

Questions: Liam measures success by ensuring his kids' basic needs are met, and he returned to acting to fulfill his childhood dream.

Notes: Liam expressed interest in previous works and demonstrated a calm and comfortable demeanor throughout the audition.

Mark Harvey:

Introduction: Mark appeared calm and comfortable during his introduction, although his phone use was slightly distracting.

Audition: He created a natural and controlled performance, displaying good pauses and a soft-spoken demeanor.

Questions: Mark measures success by achieving stability in life and has overcome setbacks, such as a divorce, to pursue acting.

Notes: Mark demonstrated a warm and comforting portrayal of the character, showing interest in understanding the character's backstory.

Ian Plunkett:

Introduction: Ian was attentive and connected with the story due to his personal experiences with his son.

Audition: His performance felt rushed and lacked clear enunciation, but it was still natural.

Questions: Ian measures success by finding happiness and comfort in life and has learned from setbacks such as the passing of his fathers.

Notes: Ian's second audition also felt rushed, but he maintained control over the scene and displayed a good switch in emotion.

We have decided to cast Ian for multiple reasons. When Ben directed him to slow down his speed and take another approach on the role he followed the directions easily and well. He had a calming presence even though he has a more intimidating appearance which we believed suited the role of Malcolm well. As a guy who at first glance wouldn't be someone you would want to mess with but when he smiles you know he has a kind soul. He looked closest to what Ben and I believed the character of Malcolm would look like (essentially a football dad stereotype). We believe this would resonate with our audience more. We are really happy with our decision and we are excited to see him perform.

[lucysfilmproject]

Casting and Extras

Initially we were looking to have kids under the age of 16 to play the main roles and supporting roles within our film. However with the amount of restrictions on the child film work laws I felt that it wasn't feasible for the production. We only had a limited time at Peffermill and with the night time hours and the selected during the week days they offered us it would not work with the restrictions.

These are some of the child work rules I discovered:

Child Performance License: In Scotland, child performers usually require a license to participate in film productions. This license is typically obtained through the local authority or council where the production takes place. The license ensures that children are not overworked, that their education is not compromised, and that their welfare is safeguarded.

Working Hours and Rest Breaks: Child performers are subject to strict regulations regarding working hours and rest breaks. These regulations aim to prevent overwork and ensure that children have adequate time for rest, recreation, and education. Typically, working hours are limited, and children are entitled to regular breaks during filming.

Education and Tutoring: Child performers are entitled to continue their education while participating in film productions. Productions are often required to provide access to tutoring or schooling to ensure that children receive adequate education during filming periods.

Parental Consent and Supervision: Parents or guardians of child performers must provide consent for their participation in film productions. They may also be required to accompany their child on set and oversee their welfare during filming.

Health and Safety: Film productions must adhere to health and safety regulations to ensure the well-being of child performers. This includes providing safe working conditions, adequate supervision, and access to appropriate facilities such as rest areas, catering, and first aid.

Child Protection Policies: Productions may be required to have child protection policies in place to prevent abuse, exploitation, or any form of harm to child performers. These policies outline procedures for reporting concerns, handling complaints, and ensuring a safe and supportive environment for children on set.

Representation and Advocacy: Child performers may have representation, such as agents or guardians, who advocate for their rights and interests throughout the production process. This can include negotiating contracts, ensuring fair treatment, and addressing any concerns related to their participation in the production.

We have now decided to cast over the age of 16 with performers that could pass for that age range. I also reached out to youth football teams around Edinburgh, for example, North Merchiston football club, Hibs pro youth, Boroughmuir football club and Spartans community youth football team for football player extras. So far Carolyn from Spartans has got back to me, so we shall wait and see. We also reached out to stage coach and the MTA and sent out a casting call, also to multiple facebook casting groups to look for the roles of Aaron and Will. We have also sent out casting calls for the role of Malcolm, Will's dad. The fact that the characters are related is something we need to take into consideration, to cast actors who look similar in terms of face and ethnicity. I am currently browsing spotlight to see if there is anyone of interest.

[lucysfilmproject]

Tech Recce at Peffermill

Pitch and changing room Evaluation:

We inspected the condition of the football pitch and changing room, considering factors such as surface evenness, lighting, and power sources for technical equipment.

Ben and Alex walked through the shot list in the space and camera positions were determined to capture the action effectively during rehearsals and performances.

Lighting setup was reviewed to ensure proper visibility and atmosphere during scenes filmed on the pitch and the changing room.

Sound equipment was tested on the pitch to ensure clear audio recording, with Rosie utilising sound files of football sounds, kicking, screams and rustling to enhance the scene's realism.

Rehearsals and Preparation:

Given the time constraints for production, I felt it was important to conduct tech rehearsals to familiarise the crew with the locations and technical setup.

Alex positioned lights on the pitch scene and changing room scene, adjusting them according to the requirements of the scene and rehearsing shots with us as stand ins for cast.

James organised props and costumes, laying them out against the locations and communicating with the director, Ben, to ensure they were placed appropriately for scenes.

Overall, the tech recce allowed us to identify and address technical and logistical considerations, ensuring that everyone involved, including Rosie and Alex, felt confident and prepared for the filming day. The collaboration between team members facilitated effective communication and coordination, hopefully contributing to the success of the production.

[lucysfilmproject]

Putting together the CrowdFunder and securing sponsors

I have built up a relationship with Highland Spring over many years having helped them with some marketing previously. Highland Spring's USP is sport, wellbeing and hydration. I felt that our film would be appealing to them. I reached out the the director of Highland Spring and pitched them our film. I sent them the breakdown of our budget and asked if they could potentially sponsor our campaign in any way. In return, their bottles would be in our film along with a credit. They got back to me and said that they would contribute £500 to our crowdfunder which gave us a good starting point ahead of our campaign.

Ben and I also spoke to another company up north called HM parcels and Distribution who were also intrigued by our project. They offered to pay for all our football kit and embroidery. In return, we would need to have their logo printed on the kit as well as a credit in the film. Since normal football teams have logos on their kits it helped with the authenticity of our film. We therefore did not need to worry about those costs.

I managed to secure all the biographies from the HOD's and began filling in the information.

Information I put into the crowdfunder:

Why your involvement is so important?

KEEPER is a film that focuses on the wellbeing of kids in a professional youth football team. Mental health is a main concern in the modern day, it is a subject that is constantly being discussed on how we can support the wellbeing of our children, friends and family. 

A lot of young players are suffering in silence, within such a competitive system. They feel like they are weak if they speak up or that they have failed in some way. Whether it is due to the belittling power of coaches or they feel that they cannot approach their parents.

Now, as people are shedding more light on these issues, the stories of these young players should be told, so that our kids know that they are supported. Raising awareness of these issues would mean that sports can continue to be a fun and comfortable environment for them, with promises that they feel heard and seen. 

Furthermore, your donations impact the quality and substance of the graduation film. Any large or small donation is an investment into filmmakers who want to bring these social issues to light, to help make a positive change in our society. 

What your money goes towards:

Making a film can be costly, since we are students we do not have the financial capabilities to achieve this project without the outside support of you. With your support, Keeper can create a fair work environment that focuses on cast and crew wellbeing. Due to our limited budget, crew are offering their free time as a large amount of our budget is dedicated to other aspects of production. 

Since most of our shoot is outside and we have a younger cast, we wanted to spend more on a comfortable location with the proper facilities to cater to cast and crew. Aspects contribute to transportation and catering for our cast and crew. The rest of the money is split into our crew departments, our largest being costume, make-up and set decorating. 

With all our budget costs in mind, our target is £3000 so we hope that we manage to reach our goal come close, which we should do with our sponsors.

Rewards:

£10 or more

Featured 

Player of the match reward

The cost of a meal for a cast and crew member. Also a thankyou credit on our socials.

£20 or more

Goal of the year reward

A thank you credit on our socials. Access to our behind-the-scenes private story or an exclusive behind-the-scenes video given at the end of the shoot. Also a Link to the final film.

£35 or more

Player's player of the year reward

A digital production workbook. Access to our behind-the-scenes private story or an exclusive BTS video given at the end of the shoot. Also a link to the final film. A thank you credit on our socials.

£50 or more

Coach's player of the year reward

A thank you video from the team. A digital production workbook. Access to our behind-the-scenes private story or an exclusive BTS video given at the end of the shoot. Also a link to the final film. A thank you credit on our socials.

£100 or more

Top goal scorer reward

Football top from the film (limited supply). A thank you video from the team. A digital production workbook. Access to our behind-the-scenes private story or an exclusive BTS video given at the end of the shoot. Also a link to the final film. A thank you credit on our socials.

£200 or more

Goalkeeper of the year reward

Invited to a screening of the final film. Football top from the film (limited supply). A thank you video from the team. A digital production workbook. Access to our behind-the-scenes private story or an exclusive BTS video given at the end of the shoot. Also a link to the final film. A thank you credit on our socials.

£500 or more

League Trophy reward

Credited in the final film. Invited to a screening of the final film. Football top from the film (limited supply). A thank you video from the team. A digital production workbook. Access to our behind-the-scenes private story or an exclusive BTS video given at the end of the shoot. Also a link to the final film. A thank you credit on our socials.

[lucysfilmproject]

A meeting with Annie about Crowdfunding

These are the notes that I took during Annie's meeting. I will refer to these when I am putting together my crowdfunder.

Set Clear Goals: Define specific, achievable goals for your campaign, including the amount of funding you need, the duration of the campaign, and the desired outcomes. Make sure your goals are realistic and align with the scope of your project.

Craft a Compelling Pitch: Create a compelling and concise pitch that clearly communicates the purpose, significance, and unique aspects of your project. Use storytelling techniques to engage your audience emotionally and convey why your project matters.

Choose the Right Platform: Select a crowdfunding platform that aligns with the nature and goals of your project. Consider factors such as platform fees, audience reach, and campaign features. Popular platforms for creative projects include Kickstarter, Indiegogo, crowdfunder and GoFundMe.

Offer Attractive Rewards: Design enticing rewards for backers at various contribution levels. Offer exclusive perks, such as behind-the-scenes access, limited edition merchandise, or personalized experiences, to incentivize higher contributions.

Build a Strong Network: Cultivate a strong network of supporters, including friends, family, colleagues, and followers, who can help spread the word about your campaign. Engage with your network early and often, and leverage their influence to reach new audiences.

Create Compelling Visuals: Use high-quality images, videos, and graphics to enhance your campaign page and capture viewers' attention. Visuals can help illustrate your project's story, showcase its potential impact, and convey professionalism.

Develop a Marketing Plan: Develop a comprehensive marketing plan to promote your campaign across multiple channels. Utilize social media, email newsletters, press releases, and partnerships with influencers or media outlets to reach a wider audience. Consider running targeted ads to amplify your reach.

Engage with Your Audience: Actively engage with your audience throughout the campaign by responding to comments, answering questions, and providing updates on your progress. Foster a sense of community and involvement among your backers.

Create a Sense of Urgency: Create a sense of urgency by setting a realistic but limited timeframe for your campaign. Encourage backers to act quickly by highlighting time-limited rewards or milestones that need to be reached.

Be Transparent and Authentic: Be transparent with your backers about your project's progress, challenges, and how their support will be used. Authenticity builds trust and credibility, which are essential for attracting and retaining backers.

Follow Up and Thank Your Backers: After your campaign ends, follow up with your backers to express gratitude for their support and provide updates on your project's development. Foster long-term relationships with your backers to turn them into advocates for your work.

[lucysfilmproject]

Our collaboration with North Merchiston for our social media campaign

Since I had already built a relationship with North Merchiston football club, I felt that I could reach out to them about shooting our social media campaign there. Sean my contact was more than happy to let us access the facilities for a couple hours as long as we credited them on our socials. These are the positives I hope to convey within our socials building up to our crowd funder.

By maintaining a positive relationship with the football club, we secure continued access to their facilities. This provides us with an excellent backdrop for our crew photoshoots, adding authenticity and vibrancy to our social media content. North Merchiston Football Club is likely deeply embedded within its local community. By collaborating with them, we tap into their existing network of supporters, players, and fans. This can help amplify our social media reach and engagement, as their audience becomes interested in our content through association.

The football club's facility offers diverse settings for photoshoots. From the pitch to the changing rooms and other amenities, we have the opportunity to capture a wide range of visuals. This variety keeps our social media content fresh and engaging, appealing to different segments of our audience.Partnering with a respected local institution like North Merchiston Football Club lends authenticity and credibility to our social media campaign. It shows that we are actively involved in the community and fosters trust among our followers.A strong relationship with the football club opens up avenues for mutual promotion.

We can feature the club in our posts, showcasing their facilities and activities, while they can share our content with their followers, exposing us to a wider audience. Building and maintaining a good relationship with the football club lays the foundation for potential long-term collaboration opportunities. It communicates to our audience that we value community partnerships and are committed to supporting local initiatives, which can positively impact brand perception.

I also found that having the proper backdrops on the location would entice backers to want to know more about the project as well as come across more professional.

[lucysfilmproject]

Location Recces for World of Football and Peffermill

WORLD OF FOOTBALL

Location Details:

World of Football

Contact: Ian or Susan Campbell

Purpose of Recce:

Assess the suitability of the venue for football film, considering the provided details.

Accessibility:

Parking: Available

Safety:

Hazards: Evaluate potential hazards on the football pitches, using the risk assessment. slips/trips.

Infrastructure:

Floodlights: can confirm availability and control for each pitch.

Facilities: Assess condition and accessibility of changing rooms and green room, can access the party room, the wall can come down.

Plug Sockets: 8 plug sockets in each room.

Permits and Regulations:

Permits: Discuss any required permits for venue usage. - no permit needed only permission from Ian or Susan Campbell.

Environmental Considerations:

Alarm Impact: alarm goes off every 30 minutes

Sound Levels: Consider adjustments during busy hours which are usually on Mondays

Aesthetics and Suitability:

Green Room: Assess suitability for parties; note cramped space.

Changing Rooms: The mens is more busy than the women's during the day. They will give priority to people needing to use them, which would disrupt filming.

There is only two changing rooms which is a problem.

Logistics and Support Services:

Parking: Confirm availability for players, staff, and attendees.

Amenities: Discuss restrooms, concessions, and equipment storage.

Budget and Cost Considerations:

Assess associated costs for venue usage. £70 per hour if we want to film in the evening.

Follow-Up Actions:

Obtain permission from Ian or Susan Campbell.

Address concerns/requirements with venue management.

Confirm availability for desired dates and times.

PEFFERMILL

Location Details:

Name: Peffermill

Contact: Kirsty and Ollie (for permission)

Purpose of Recce:

Evaluate suitability for the film, considering provided details.

Accessibility:

Parking: Available

Safety and Security:

Hazards: No major hazards observed during initial assessment.

Security Measures: To discuss with Kirsty and Ollie.

Infrastructure:

Lighting: Control available in all changing rooms.

Air Conditioning: Control available.

Plug Sockets: Available in changing rooms.

Permits and Regulations:

Permits: To confirm with Kirsty and Ollie.

Regulations: No specific regulations noted.

Environmental Considerations:

Sound: Pitch 6 is isolated, suitable for sound and camera work.

Lighting: Control facilitates optimal filming/photography conditions.

Aesthetics and Suitability:

Meeting Rooms: Infrequently used; potential for green room setup.

Green Room: Inquire about access to meeting rooms for green room use.

McArthur Room: Inquire about availability and suitability as a green room.

Logistics and Support Services:

Parking: Confirmed availability and capacity.

Amenities: To verify restroom facilities and other amenities.

Equipment: Assess availability of necessary equipment.

Budget and Cost Considerations:

Discuss associated costs for venue usage and additional services.

Documentation:

Photos/videos taken; key features and potential areas of interest documented.

Discussions with Kirsty and Ollie recorded for reference.

Follow-Up Actions:

Confirm access to meeting rooms and McArthur Room for green room use.

Discuss access to other areas of the venue as needed.

Address any outstanding questions or concerns with Kirsty and Ollie.

From reviewing both places and taking notes, I believe that Peffermill's aesthetic matches closely to what we were looking for in terms of the brick in the changing room. It feels like you are trapped in a prison aswell as the cage of the pitch, almost like you are suffocating, which is the tone we were looking for in our film.

In terms of feasibility Peffermill is our best option because we have more freedom of the facility as well as time. However our main issue is that we only have access to the facility till 10pm which affects the amount of nighttime hours we can have for shooting. Due to the number of changing rooms that they have we will unlikely be disturbed by the public. We have easy access to lighting and aircon which helps with camera and sound and the parking is available. The total costs to use the location is a lot less than the other locations and more within our budget. Everyone seems happy with the decision and we are ready to tick our main location off our list.

[lucysfilmproject]

Considerations for a football pitch location

I emailed North Merchiston Football club the location of my test shoot about the possibility of using the location for my final film, my other options were; World of Football, Edinburgh University and Herriot Watt University. Since Ben and Alex wanted to film at night, we would require floodlights during the filming. With the availability of floodlights, Edinburgh University Peffermill Playing Fields, World of Football and Herriot Watt become an even more attractive option. It would allow for more flexibility in shooting schedules, particularly if you need to film at night. However, it's crucial to verify that the floodlights are powerful enough and that they won't interfere with the quality of the footage. Also, ensure that the university permits the use of floodlights during filming and that it's not an additional cost.

Below I have created a pros and cons list as I decide what would be the most suitable location for our filming to take place.

North Merchiston Football Club:

Pros:

Cost: Likely to be the most affordable option compared to the other two.

Availability: They might have more availability and flexibility in terms of scheduling.

Local Community Support: Potential for building a relationship with the local community.

Possibility for Negotiation: As it’s a local club, there might be more room for negotiation on terms and conditions.

Cons:

Quality: Might not have the same quality facilities as the other two options.

Amenities: May lack some amenities like changing rooms or sufficient seating.

Accessibility: Could be less accessible in terms of transportation and facilities compared to the other two options.

World of Football:

Pros:

Quality Facilities: Likely to have high-quality facilities.

Amenities: Expected to have full amenities such as changing rooms, showers, and possibly even a cafeteria.

Location: Could be more centrally located, making it easier for both the crew and participants to reach.

Professionalism: Better infrastructure might lend an air of professionalism to the production.

Cons:

Cost: It may be the most expensive option.

Availability: It might have limited availability and may already have bookings.

Flexibility: Could have less flexibility in terms of scheduling and negotiation.

Edinburgh University Peffermill Playing Fields and Heriot Watt:

Pros:

Quality Facilities: Like World of Football, it's expected to have high-quality facilities.

Amenities: Full amenities such as changing rooms, showers, and possibly even a cafeteria.

Location: Could be centrally located, making it easier for both the crew and participants to reach.

Professionalism: As with the "World of Football," better infrastructure might lend an air of professionalism to the production.

Cons:

Cost: It may be the most expensive option.

Availability: It might have limited availability and may already have bookings.

Flexibility: Could have less flexibility in terms of scheduling and negotiation.

General Considerations:

Local Regulations: Consider any local regulations or permits you might need for filming.

Transportation: Consider the ease of transportation to and from each location for both the crew and cast.

I reached out to all these facilities. North Merchiston was offering to let us use their pitch for free at Harrison Park. This would require us to apply for a permit from the council. It was estimated £50 for a student project permit at Edinburgh City Council. I received a response from World of Football highlighting that they would be able to offer us one of their 5-a-side football pitches for free during the day. Edinburgh University 5-a-side pitches were all they were offering in terms of availability. The normal rate for this would be £22.80 per hour. We are planning to film on location for eight hour days for four days. Which would cost £729.60 on its own before accessing other areas of the facility for example a changing room and green rooms. I emailed Heriot Watt as their facilities looked the most professional and appealing for what we were going for. However, the costs were more expensive than Edinburgh University. They were offering their 7-a-side pitch minimum for £75 per hour, which was not feasible with our budget and they were not willing to negotiate. I managed to negotiate with Edinburgh University and got them to give us a student discount. They were willing to offer the pitch for £583.80 in total, including the green rooms (Chainey room, McArthur room) changing room and access to all the facilities. I brought these offers to my team and we deliberated. Alex and Ben wanted to set the film at night to make it realistic, ominous and intense for the tone of the film. So that left mostly two options from our list, World of Football and Edinburgh Napier University. I email other facilities around Edinburgh and Schools but they weren't willing to offer as much access as them. We are planning to do a location recce at both places and then make a decision.

[lucysfilmproject]

KEEPER Post Production Reflection

Initially, our meeting focused on devising an optimal post-production workflow. During the discussion, Jake, the editor, and Alex, the cinematographer, deliberated on file preferences and the required time for editing and color grading the test shoot scene. Due to Rosie's busy schedule managing sound for two distinct projects, we engaged in a conversation about her editing timeframe. Our collective observation was that the University did not allocate sufficient time for us to execute a thorough post-production workflow. Acknowledging the constrained turnaround time, we devised a more flexible plan for Rosie to work.

Jake

I did not have a huge amount of feedback to give to Jake as he had a similar vision to ours. I booked a room out for him to work for a few days. Through his editing process, I found that he skillfully constructs tension and effectively conveys Graham's presence and influence over Will to the audience. In the full-length film, I believe the additional context from other scenes will heighten the tension in this particular moment, providing insight into why Will is treading carefully and readily bending to Graham's will.

Rosie

I think Rosie was too hard on herself when it came to sound. I thought the insert of laughter was a nice touch to show how the team does not respect Will. But I believe we would have benefited from more sound inserts on the day for more tools to build up tension within the scene as well as some ADR. In the future, we plan to invest more time in preparation and research to avoid encountering these issues, as it hindered her ability to experiment with the sound. Our aim is to provide her with the freedom to infuse her unique style and creativity into the project.

Alex

Ben and I discussed our thoughts on Alex's colour grading, this was our feedback - When deciding on the colour grade for the test shoot we experimented with various looks, incorporating vibrance in some and taking out some colour in others. Preserving the red shirt was crucial as it symbolized the connection between Will and Graham, serving as a focal point. After exploring visual references, we settled on a grainy old school film aesthetic reminiscent of "The Damned United." The selected color palette aligns with the tones of a gritty drama, drawing parallels to Ken Loach's film "KES" as Ben intended and effectively communicates the intended mood.