The original death that Daniel (Character) was going to die from was meant to be a gun, however myself and Naomi had issues attempting to find a fake gun as they did not look realistic, we then decided to use the next big thing which was a knife. We picked this as our main weapon because although guns is a major issue within gang culture knives also play a major role. Statistics show more than a dozen young people have been killed by knives in London alone this year and A UK study found that males who had been convicted of violent crimes between the ages of 10 and 21 tended to be troublesome, difficult to discipline and dishonest at 8-10 and to be frequent truants, liars and bullies at 12-14 and by the age of 18, they report to drug use, heavy alcohol use, gambling, drink-driving and sexual promiscuity, the study found.
Experts blame the breakdown of family life for the rise of gang culture. the gang has replaced the family unit and provides youngsters with a structure and a sense of belonging which generates the 'post code pride' which leads to murder. Many are loose affiliations of friends from the same area intent on controlling a 'turf' or territory, often defined by a post code. the penalty for straying into the wrong area is to be robbed, beaten or stabbed. Many teenagers now routinely carry a knife out of fear, in order to defend themselves if attacked.
We took turns filming different angles of scenes, we didnt use a tripod for every shot that we took but always made sure that our hands was not shaking, this is pictures of us recording the scene where marlons older brother leaves the house in where he gets killed.
They seem to be very popular in the UK, typical British gang culture films, based around knives, guns and youths mainly males where the majority of them end up in prison or dead, everyone's seen them for example Kidulthood, Adulthood,Bullet Boy and more. However you never really see one that stands out, one where you think oh that's different to that one because of this and so on. Me and Naomi intend to produce a film that falls into that genre but instead of sending out a negative message it sends out a positive message to its target audience, we want to add twists and flashbacks so the audience don't think its the typical youth film that they usually watch.
The Synopsis of "A New Ending" its a cold day in October, a few hours earlier Marlon just took part in a race where he came first and qualified to be in the Olympics 2012 something that he has dreamed of ever since he was a young boy. He should be celebrating, going out with his friends, or his family, an older brother maybe?, but no, Marlon cant afford to waste any time his going to train and train with his coach as much as he can. Its late and the coach is congratulating Marlon in qualifying but is letting him know that, its only the beginning, many people qualify but then give up because they cant seem to handle the pressure. Marlon's coach tells him that he needs to stay determined no matter what, he needs to think of something that he knows for sure will motivate him when he feels like giving up. From what the coach says Marlon reminds himself why he is doing this, and starts to reminisce about what happened years ago that had a major effect on his life since. Whilst he is training he is going over the event that took part in the past.Does Marlon's reminiscing help him strive for success or does it bring him down with the belief that he would never make it in life?
Instead of having a usual script for our film, me and Naomi decided to do a voice over, where the main character will be saying a monologue over the images. Below is the final monologue that we will record the actor saying. However at the beginning we will have his coach talking to him fading in and out and sometimes during the film
SCENE 1.
"Determination is my key to success (Coach - "First of all I wanna say well done, you did well"), qualifying for the Olympics makes me feel like I've taken a step even though I cant see the whole staircase (Coach - "but qualifying that's the easy part, there's still a lot to work on like your acceleration for one") I don't even care that I have to train till mad hours and run in jeans because I cant afford tracksuits that don't rip (Coach - "You need to think whats going to motivate you, what is it that's gonna get you across the finish line before everyone else") Only thing is I'm not just doing it for myself, am i"
SCENE 2.
"A certain day in a certain year seems to be my motivation, i just wish she didn't care about crack cocaine more than she did about us, i mean is it fair for a three year old to listen to his mum and brother scream at each other on his third birthday, but you did look out for me buying me food and clothes you know acting like a father since our real one didn't want us, you bought me the same rusty cake for three years in a row (Laughs) i never complained it made me happy you know, i remember before you ever went out you would lift me high up and tell me "Your gonna be as tall as me one day" and then you would say your gonna be back soon, little did I know that would be the last time I would see you"
SCENE 3
"You tried didn't you, to stay out of trouble with the hood rats around the area, you told me you need to focus on looking out for me more, i even found old letters that you use to write for me until i could read, telling me that how i am gonna get further than anyone in this family and (Coach - "3 2 1, useless stop!)" how mum does love us but she just doesn't show it, i don't even know why I'm calling her mum i cant stand her, if it weren't for her you would still be here. if it weren't for her you wouldn't have gotten into trouble with Taylor and that about owing him money for drugs, drugs that she bought and said you were gonna pay for her,(Coach - "Not only are you wasting your time but your wasting mine" )if it weren't for her you wouldn't of had to run that night knowing that your life was in danger... if it weren't for her you wouldn't have walked straight into that knife and realized that you was... you was dying"
SCENE 4
"Whenever i feel like giving i remember why i have held on for so long in the first place, (Coach - "Much better, go again.. Come on!" clapping hands) bringing you back is something i cant do but making you proud is something i know i can. Running means the world to me I've had people around the area call me an amateur because they only see me run in the park and to school, these clowns don't seem to realize that professionals are amateurs who didn't quit, I'm not going to stop now, its been 13 years since you left this world but somehow i feel like your always with me, so if your watching me now here is me returning a favor and giving you this letter, your life didn't end the way it was meant to so I'm doing this for you to give you a new ending. oh and P.S just so you know we might not be there yet, but were closer than we were yesterday right?"
“ I am going to prove to my mum that although she didn’t act like any normal mother I was still able to make something of myself, I am going to prove to my dad that I am nothing like him, that I am not a coward, and that I never needed him to begin with. I am going to prove to my brother that everything he said to me has been my motivation for the past fifteen years everything he done for me was the reason why I am successful today and everything I do now is to thank him”.
Daniel says:
“I don’t care about him and I don’t care about her as far as I am concerned I'm an orphan because not once have I felt like I have parents. All I care about is my little brother not going through and seeing the same crap that I did he don’t deserve it he might be young but I just know that he is a smart boy. I have always been there for him when he needed me and taught him stuff that my deadbeat of a father should have. My life is all about my little brother and how I bring him up. But what happens when my life gets taken away? How would he cope facing this corrupted society alone?”
Rita says:
“What do you expect me to say? That I’m an embarrassment and a failure as a mother? I already know that, but what else can I do now? If I could turn back time I honestly would. I fell pregnant at the age of 16, the man I devoted my entire life to walked out on me when I had my second child and I couldn’t even handle my first kid. No one should turn to drugs at a time of struggle but that was the only thing that kept me happy, the only thing I woke up for, the only thing that was on my mind but it should not have been like that, the only things that should have been on my mind was my beautiful sons Marlon and Daniel but of course its too late for that now…”
For the running scene’s we decided to film them at Sutcliffe track in Eltham because it will make the film seem more professional and we don’t have to worry about how the running tracks will look. Also it gives us a chance to do long shots and establishing shots due to the fact that it’s such a big area to use.
Arsenal Football Club
Highbury House
Drayton Park
London
Our film is based around the main character competing in the 2012 Olympics 100 m race and having flashbacks about his past life, but in order for him to race in the 2012 London Olympics he has to qualify, although the scene that we are going to be filming is not him competing in the actual real competition we still however need a really big crowed cheering. Me and Naomi had to find an event to go to where it will be the same atmosphere that Olympic games usually are, we came up with the solution of attending a football game and filming the crowd but blurring the image so we don’t see any faces due to the fact that it is illegal to publish videos of people without their consent.
Charlton
Maryon Road
Woodlands
London
There are scenes where the main characteduring his race, begins to think of his brother getting killed, so whilst Marlon (Main character) is running his also having flashbacks of his older brother getting chased and shot, the location that we are going to film these scenes is going to be in Charlton near council estates because it connects with Marlon’s past life and where how he grew up. We are hoping that the image of this location in a way connects with our target audience.
The media has played a major role in revealing the development within British youth culture. It’s been said that it exposes violence in a number of ways through TV, video games, and even the news. We see so much violence through the media so some people believe that we have become laid back to it. The generation involved with gun crime is getting younger and younger to a point where boys as young as 13 are drifting in and out of the ‘gangster’ lifestyle.However I and Naomi feel that nowadays the media is used as an element to send out positive messages towards youth culture. There’s films and TV shows that reveal why gun crime is rising and how it can be avoided. Artists that have had close experience or even affected by gun crime in London use their music to send out positive messages and inspire people.
Inspiration Through TV Shows
Ross Kemp did a TV series supported by sky one where he looked into gang culture where shootings, stabbings and assaults have been effecting society. Despite several tragic events, the availability of guns and knives on the streets of London continues to be a major problem, but more alarming is the willingness of youths to use them with fatal intent. Ross Kemp got close to some of the gangs on the streets of South London to find out how they have evolved, why the situation has become as serious as it currently is and what can be done to bring things back from the brink. Looking at different sides of the problem Ross he spoke to both members and victims of the London gang scene. This show revealed the lives of London’s gang members and the communities affected by them, and offered viewers unique insights into how and why so many young lives are being consumed by violence in Britain’s capital, and how people have generally been involved in gangs and are trying to get out, or people lucky enough to have gotten out and are now trying to help deter people in their community from joining gangs.
Clip from one of the episodes
“Childhood? That’s dead man, died a long time ago” - Quote from one of the Gang kids
Inspiration Through Music
Grime is a genre of urban music which has been developing in London's underground since the early 2000s. With its combination of influences from UK Garage, drum'n'bass, to hip-hop it is the latest style to evolve from the UK garage scene and plays a big part to youth culture. It has been criticized that grime artists were helping to create a culture "where killing is almost a fashion accessory and deeply racist,” Government officials’ referred to popular artists and crews as "boasting macho idiot rappers”. Although the government has one point of view, the artists and listeners point of views are completely different. Their lyrics are capturing, encapsulating, and preserving the life that they have lived on the streets every day.
So Solid crew was one of the leading artists to bring garage music to a mass audience however their gigs often ended in violence. Although So Solid Crew was criticized for their violent content they still attempted to send out messages through songs such as ‘Broken Silence’ which spoke out about government prejudice which they felt they had faced. A former member quoted “the thing that makes artists’ great worldwide is when you can go through things like that and come out and still have a smile on your face."
Giggs is a current UK grime artist that the majority of today’s youth culture looks up to. He is known for rapping slowly in a low voice, which he described as "something different, enough to separate me from all the competing others" he released his debut independent album “Walk in da Park” which received mainly positive reviews, and was very successful, selling out in most HMVs in the first two days of release. Giggs also has his own clothing brand, SN1 wear, including T-shirts, jackets and caps quoting previous lines from his songs.
However Giggs recent UK tour was canceled due to police intervention and has been said that the police do not like him because he is one of the UK's few genuine rappers, having served two years in jail on firearms offenses. On his debut single, “Don't Go There”, Giggs raps about leaving a life of crime but that he's still prepared to murder somebody with a gun, should the need be. Teenagers like to listen to him because he reminds them of their older, tougher brothers while other people admire Gigs for his raw storytelling. I think instead of the police canceling his shows they should invite Giggs to do an anti-gun concert or sign him up to talk to teenagers about preventing the growth in gun crime because kids actually listen to him and see him as a role model. Giggs is using his past life experience involved with gun crime and youth violence and is making a positive impact out of it, by sending out a message that even when you have been through a lot of things which will affect you for the rest of your life you should not just forget all about it, you should use it as motivation to be successful in life.
Bashy is another UK grime artist seen as a positive role model who has been bought in today’s modern society. He uses his music and personal experience to inspire and motivate young people He has been very vocal about time as a bus driver, in order to promote the idea that working is cool to teenagers. He was still a struggling independent musician but still did all he can to be successful. His involvement in popular films such as Kidulthood and Shank has helped him make a phenomenal impact between mainstream media and the business community.
In 2007 he released the song "Black Boys" for black history month. It was this track that propelled Bashy into the nation's consciousness, catching the imagination of a country suffering from many incidents of violence amongst its inner-city youth. With frequent reports of shootings and stabbings on news bulletins, and with the media continually focusing on the lack of role models in certain communities, he felt that the nation’s inner city youth needed a reminder that they had a number of positive role models they could look to for inspiration. His debut single provoked controversy, as some people called the track racist. This prompted the governing body Ofcom to investigate. Rumors soon began to circulate that the track had been banned from T.V. Certain sections of the black community were outraged; groups were set up on the social networking site Facebook in order to fight the ban. This prompted people of many races to get behind and support Bashy, in a united stand against racism. It was as a result of this publicity and grass roots action that Bashy was invited to perform at the Love Music Hate Racism Rally in 2008 at Victoria Park, to a crowd of 100,000. He was asked to take the main stage alongside Damon Albarn. Bashy persuaded various British artists share their views on the subject and feature on the track.
Although Grime music is portrayed as the reason why gang culture is a rising issue in London, others might think differently. Grime music has allowed young artists to produce creative and innovative musical style and has also given them a reason to move away from violence. It’s allowed grime artists such as Dizzee Rascal to increase the popularity and fame of grime and grime artists internationally.
Inspiration Through Films
Bullet Boy is a 2005 film set in London, starring Ashley Walters (former member of so solid crew) about a family in crime ridden east London, the eldest son's involvement in gun crime, and the effects of this on his younger brother. BULLET BOY tells the story of two brothers growing up in one of London's most volatile neighborhoods, where a minor street clash escalates into a cycle of
violence that has tragic repercussions. The key classification issues in this film were language, violence, sex, sex references, drugs references and drug use. It was perceived as a serious film with a naturalistic style and clear points to make about contemporary issues such as gun crime and other criminal activities.
Bullet Boy Trailer
The narrative of Bullet boy is shown in a very basic manner through voice overs and texts shown throughout the trailer to back up and go with the voice overs. This consists of young males involved in violence and crime by the use of guns which results to them getting into trouble with the police. The narrative indicates the target audience of the film as most of the characters shown are mostly males and the only main female character is portrayed as a sexual object. Throughout the trailer, there are many props used such as guns, handcuffs, cigarettes, torches, and baseball bats. This connotes that the film will be based around crime as there are many scenes in the trailer which show the males in the characters being arrested or put at gun point. This allows the audience to be familiar with the genre and also have an idea about the narrative of the film.
Bullet Boy inhabits an impulsive world where friendships and loyalty are tested to the extreme, the transaction of fate and circumstance seems as casual as a coin toss, and the slightest flare of emotions can set off a devastating ripple of events.The film takes these two boys, their friends, families and enemies through an eventful and emotional three days as one gun changes hands leaving in its wake a trail of destruction. The title BULLET BOY doesn't just refer to one person. It could apply to any of the younger male cast: during the course of the film a gun passes between all of their hands. This film was based on a subject that wasn’t really explored in a British cinema during the time, the generation of kids growing up in areas where guns have become a fact of life, where boys attempted to become men before they even reached teenage years. The film ends by asking what will become of the younger brother, whether he would follow his brother’s footsteps or follow a path that could avoid him ending up like his brother.
Kidulthood is a 2006 British drama film about the life of several teenagers in west London based on real kids and real stories. It was directed and written by Noel Clarke who also stars in the film. It’s just another day at school for West London teenagers Trife, Jay, and, Moony: fights and bullying in the classroom, sex on the playing field and drugs in the schoolyard. But things are about to flip sharply for this crowd with school canceled following the tragic suicide of bullied a girl, the teenagers are all forced to face their own responsibilities and blame for the situations they have got themselves into.Kidulthood takes all the violence, sex and intoxication experienced in a teenage year and condenses it into a single day. Kidulthood gives information about the issues and lifestyle that certain young people experience and provides emotional release through close identification with the characters and tragic outcome. We can identify Propps sphere of action where Trevor is the hero and Sam is the villain.
Music used in this film falls into the genre of grime and hip hop attracting the target audience of youths who experience similar situations as the characters. Costume worn by the actors is clothing that is usually worn by an average teenager living in London. Much of the acting takes place on the streets or flats which gives the text authenticity. The film does not represent the glamorous side of west London but the youths who are portrayed using negative stereotyping. Although Kidulthood will mainly appeal to those of a young age group, it could possibly appeal to those of the older generation due to the actors and actresses. The way in which the film will be able to attract those of an older generation is if they were able adapt to the older characters or directors even. The film touches on some very noticeable issues without trying to pretty them up. The storyline might be a bit shocking for some but, unfortunately, it is very real. Films that tackle teen gangs or cliques are the backbone of modern independent cinema. The best examples of the genre communicate with teenage audiences in a language that they identify with, while also reminding adults what it was like. They are also a wake-up call to conservative adults.
Clip from the film where bullying occurs
Someone who grew up where kidulthood was set made a statement saying “Kidulthood is a deeply shocking film. It reminded me of my childhood in a lot of ways. There were fights in our morning assemblies almost daily. My brother's best friend was suspended for beating up the headmistress's husband. The previous headmaster left within two years of joining. His background was in the Salvation Army but this was one social challenge too far. And this was primary school.I moved to another area of London in my teens, but I kept in touch and I hear terrible stories. Friends who became drug dealers. The friend I made at an evening class who confided that he slept with teenage girls in flats near the Tube station, Friends of friends who were stabbed. The plot of Kidulthood may be exaggerated but the heart of it rings true”
Kidulthood closes with a big teenage party in one of those chichi, double-fronted Victorian London houses hosted by someone who was desperate to impress his peers whilst his parents were away. This is where unacceptable teenage behavior occurs and violence rapidly results to death of another teenager. Kidulthood is able to educate those who watch it as it gives the audience an understanding into what people who live this lifestyle have to go through on a daily basis. The audience gets an inside look into how peer pressure can affect teenagers and how some can be persuaded into living a dangerous lifestyle; this is represented by the crimes they commit and the things they get up to. By viewing the trailer alone you will be able to identify the overall message which is telling the audience that you should not be a follower or maybe even a leader but that you should choose your own path into how you wish to live your life.
Britain has developed into a society where the younger generation are stereotypically viewed as a threat everyday life. Issues are mainly raised in areas such as; Gun crime, underage sex/teenage pregnancy, drugs and education which have all been a big part of the media. Status seems to be really important in the UK which leads to street gangs. Teenage boys from the age of 14 are stereotyped as criminals and threatening, although some points are true within youth culture, it can be highly over exaggerated on how teenagers are ‘rebellious’ and has been criticized that the media does not pay attention to the positive activities that the younger generation brings to society and focuses on the negative points. Crime within the youth culture seems to commence from broken homes, poorer backgrounds and ethnic minorities.
The target audience for mine and Naomi’s short film is mainly aimed at wide audience that seems to be affected by the problems that occur in today’s modern society, to narrow it down we are hoping that it connects to boys and men aged 15-25. I and Naomi will attempt to represent teenagers that get involved in gang culture and what influences them to get involved. We want to make the approach towards our short film realistic by using typical locations such as council estates and actors that will also be viewed as the target audience.Our film will be focusing on society and youth culture. We are going to explain where gang crime and the use of drugs can possibly come from and we are going to use through a storyline of ‘broken homes’. I feel that I have witnessed youth culture in London from personal experience so it has inspired both me and Naomi to make drama based around that. Most short films that represent today’s younger generation only focus on the bad and violent points, however me and my team member have decided to focus on both sides hoping to send out an inspirational message towards our target audience.
SYNOPSIS.
It will be about 5 minutes long and is based on a story where a boy is taking part of a race to qualify in London 2012’s Olympic events (Sport is a big inspiration for teenage boys in the UK) however just before his about to run he gets flashbacks of him growing up on a council estate with a drug addict as a mother and how gang culture and drugs contributed to a tragic event in his life where his older brother who was someone that he looked up to and loved, gets shot and dies. Throughout the narrative voice of Marlon (Main character) he talks us through the film in order for us to understand the images that we are viewing this way the audience will get a better understanding of his life events and how he succeeded to where he is now.
Target Audience Profile's.
Ive picked at least four people that I would expect to be in the target audience for our film.
Cameron Jahansi , Age 17
I currently live in west London with my mum who works as a nurse in a local hospital. I am in my final year of college and hope to go to university next year to study business and financial computing. I am an only child but my mum still makes me work for my money and claims that ‘everything is so much easier for young adults these days which makes them take advantage and not appreciate anything’. I did go through a phase where getting in trouble by the police and in school became part of my life but I realized that I was not helping myself and just putting my mum threw things she didn’t deserve so it was up to me to make things right and I chose to live my life the correct and safe way.
David lockett , Age 23
I just graduated from City University with a LLB in law hoping to start my legal practice course. I have a five year old son who has changed my life drastically in a positive way because I know everything I do right now is for him. I have a younger brother who is 16 and is currently serving 9 months in youth offenders for handling stolen goods and contributing towards criminal damage, I hope that when he gets out he follows my footsteps and start to approach life in a positive way. I enjoying experiencing new things and living each day as it comes. I have had a fair life and have tried to stay out of trouble and get jobs that would occupy me. Although I am a young father I try my best to teach my son the things my father taught me which helped follow dreams and not pay attention to what individuals can do to try and bring you down, sadly my father passed away a few years back which effected the whole of my family but I think it hit my younger brother the most.
Natalie Wilson , Age 43
I have five children the younger two who are twins aged 5 live in foster care, one aged 7 lives with me and the older one aged 14 lives with her boyfriend and his family. I have a history of being an alcoholic and addicted to drugs which made me neglect my children making life for them hard and difficult. Doing this was the worse thing any mother can do and I am ashamed that i put my own flesh and blood through this. Although I don’t have the best relationship with my kids I am trying my best to make it up to them. I have a job at the local supermarket Iceland’s which has helped me with my role as a mother tremendously. I promised my children that I would never fall back into that route again and I am going to stick by that promise. Ever since I got diagnosed with breast cancer I have realized that I am only affecting the people that mean the world to me. I am on patrol at the moment by the social services who are watching to see if I am capable enough to have custody of my two little beautiful boys.
Laurence shenton, Age, 33
I have two kids one boy aged 6 and one girl aged 4 , I currently work full time and do voluntary work every now and then in a youth centre. I enjoy having a laugh but spending time with my family is when I appreciate life the most because I know many people will do anything to be in my position. Recently I have been promoted at work to the job title as a ‘Student Service Officer’ which has never made me happier, young people come and speak to me when they need help with anything, or just need someone to talk to because they don’t have anyone else they can turn to, this has allowed me to get closer to the younger generation and actually talk to them about how they see things. I must admit it has taken me a very long time in order for students to trust me but it has been worth it, they seem to teach me more than I actually teach them. What society needs to understand is that these kids are not animals or what people make out to be; they just want to be listened to. Working with youths has made me despise of the stereotypical view towards the youth in the UK.
Target Audiences are set to focus on different groups: Adults, teens, children,mid-teens, and preschoolers. It is essential to become familiar with your target market, their habits, behaviors, likes, and dislikes. we have decided to try and reach not just our target audience but everyone else that will possibly connect to this because of life events
