WAR of the Roses

5 Minute Drama

Roles

Producer: Alex Potter Director: Danayet GezaieCinematographer: Noah ChebouliSound Recordist: Victor MihaylovEditor: Oscar BernsteinSound Editor: Elliot Carroll-Dunn

War of the Roses is a short dark comedy, which takes the concept of rivalry from the historic civil war in England between 1455 and 1487, known as ‘The War of the Roses’. It incorporates the rivalry

of house Lancaster and house York, but these are instead represented as rival florists rather than armies.

This Dark comedy involves two opposed Florists who are the top two florists in England. When the news that the annual award for the best florist in England has been awarded to the rivals house

Lancaster, greed and ambition overcomes logic for house York, as they decide to kidnap the son of the owner of the Lancaster florist and make them bankrupt through ransom. The film focuses on the relationship of the two main kidnappers and how they react to the

situation.

Basic Plot

Journey

We wanted to use the theme of journey very loosely in our film. We wanted it to be the journey of the situation and the character's. From the florist to the mistaken kidnapping. And how they deal with the situation at hand.

Style/Influences

Fargo (1996) Dir. Joel and Ethan Coen

As we want to create a character based film, the relationship of the characters is essential to the piece, even more so that we want to create an element of comedy. Fargo is the perfect example of what we intend to create, with Carl and Gaear, played by Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare finding comic elements in the most sinister of scenarios. We intend to use this relationship as a basis to write the script. The entire scenario of a kidnapping gone wrong roots to this film very closely, as we watch the dramatic events unfold in a black comedy style. The film begins with a Thriller feel to it, which slowly transcends into a black comedy, almost creating two films in one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqIGiVLOY4E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qWFhDvURLg

Style/InfluencesCinematography-The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Christopher Nolan

The Dark Knight Rises-The History Of The Pitshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulWeKWA3zro

The Dark Knight Rises-Talia Al Ghul's Storyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p7vDQUnqjs

Actors Process

The biggest problem we encountered with the actors was their schedules and getting two decent actors, preferable a third to play the victim, and be available to shoot on at least two days together.

• Posted two adds on StarNow and began to message people on there directly.

• We tried to avoid Hallam’s drama department as we wanted more mature actors.

• We eventually found two who could do it on the same day and organised a script read through.

• Script read through went really well (James and Wayne).• Could no longer film on the planned days on Teusday the 8th and

Wednesday the 9th. • Tried to use at least one of them and match them up with someone else,

but we couldn’t find anyone.• We found several other actors who agreed and seemed enthusiastic, but

then stopped contacting.• We eventually found Michael and Declan, and changed the filming date

to Thursday 10th and Friday 11th.• Only problem was, Michael found it difficult to learn lines and Declan was

younger and not a charismatic in a creepy way as we hoped.

Location Process

Warehouse-The second location we found was through a blog site for casual photographers recommending nice locations. We couldn’t find any contact information so couldn't get permission.

Warehouse-The first location we looked into was an abandoned warehouse on Troutbeck Road. Denied permission because of health and safety.

Warehouse-The third location we looked into was tac-ops, The Stan. Which is an airsoft company that rents the building out mon-fri. They were too expensive.Warehouse-The forth location we found was CADS. Who provide rooms and create spaces for filmmakers and photographers. The best room was booked up on the days we planned to shoot, but there was another dark basement room.

Problems We Encountered

•The banner•Editing-following the script•Actors in general•Finding the location•Transporting the equipment

What Could Be Improved

• The performance of Percy’s character could be better.

• Would be better with extra cutaways.

• Would be better if it was longer.

Equipment

 Camera· 1x Canon 600D-18-55mm lens· 1x Canon 550D + 55-250mm· 1x 24mm lens· 1x 50mm lens· 1x 85mm lensGrip· 1x Tracking Dolly· 1x TripodSound· 1x 1/4" Jack· 1x 1/4" Jack Lead· 1x Aquarian Audio H2A Hydrophone· 1x Audio Technica AT8015· 1x Boom Pole & 1x Marantz PMD 661Lighting· 1x Extension cable· 1x Dedo DLH4

Prop List

Warehouse· 2x Balaclavas· 1x Metal Pipe· 1x Chair· 1x Sack for victim· 1x Pack of Cable Ties· 1x Masking TapeFlorist· 2x Red Aprons· 2x Red Roses· Banner ‘Best Florist in England’· Step Ladder

Costume List

Warehouse· 2x Pairs of Black shoes· 2x Pairs of Black Trousers· 2x Black t-shirts/shirts· 2x Leather Jackets· 1x Black JumperFlorist· 2x Pairs of Black Shoes· 2x Pairs of Black trousers· 2x White shirts· 2x Red Aprons