Screen Test

I had the idea that we could film a screen test to see who had the best on screen chemistry with Joe, our lead actor. The idea came about because we couldn't decide who would be a better fit for Joe and we wanted to get our film just right; if the chemistry was not right between the two actors then the whole film could look wrong and it may have been hard for us to get our point across. We needed the two to get along and seem as if they had genuine interest in each other, however we needed them to be slightly awkward around each other as well as we need to portray a first date situation realistically and this would not be possible if the two were completely comfortable around each other and seemed like friends. For instance, we would like there to be a few awkward pauses or shaky conversation moments in our film so the conversation could not flow perfectly.
We used a TV studio to film our screen test and created a small section of a script to set the conversation between the actors off; it was literally a basic script that was a few lines long and then we tried using improvisation to see how natural the actors looked on screen, so that it didn't look fake or forced. We decided that the prospective actresses should encounter a date like situation similar to the film in which they invited Joe in and sat down to have a chat with him and explore how well they got on. This idea worked quite well as it mimicked our film and gave us a good picture of how our film might look in terms of acting.

Jen and Joe
Jen and Joe had the awkwardness that we needed in our film, they looked good together and it was believable that they could be in this situation and that they could be these characters. I also think that Jen looks more like an Emma than me and that I would not be able to give the desired effect in terms of her character as Jen is more down to earth and rooted than I am. They looked as if they really were in a first date situation and as the clip progressed their chemistry and conversation began to flow; yes they had awkward moments but they seemed to click and get on well. I think it looks as if they are developing their relationship and this is what we really need. They seem happy in each others company and look comfortable together towards the end. All in all, they give off the desired effect we want to produce with Jack and Emma as they have the right amount of friendship and distance; they seem similar but yet so different.

Me and Joe
With me and Joe, things seemed more friendly, as if we had known each other a while. We didn't have as many awkward moments but at the same time we didn't look comfortable with each other. We seemed as if there could be nothing more than friendship between us. I don't think I would fit the part well as I am quite a jokey, loud person and this is not what we want Emma to be. I don't think that me and Joe looked physically right together either, he definitely suited Jen better on screen. It didn't really seem as if we were on a first date either which is the main staple that we need for our film; for it to seem like a date situation. It looked as though Joe was just coming round for tea with a friend or something which is bad if we want it to seem as though these two belong together despite their differences. Me and Joe seemed too similar on screen to carry off the intended contrasts between Emma and Jack as one is meant to be a joker and talk too much while the other is meant to be more quiet and level headed; I therefore do not fit the criteria for the part. We both had our arms crossed at some point in the clip which showed that we weren't as comfortable with each other as the characters are meant to be. Overall the chemistry just wasn't right and we decided that it would be better if Jen acted as Emma in our film as her and Joe are a better match.