Putting together the first draft

I used a combination of powerpoint and the second rate online photoshop 'sumopaint' to put together the first draft. I first off used sumopaint to cut out charectors from a whole bunch of screenshots. At the time I has something in mind with the charectors all gathered around with Joe caught in the middle perhaps with Michael just behind him as the film is really about his inability to socialise and be comfortable around anyone but Michael.

Once I'd cut everything out though and brought it into powerpoint with the background that idea didn't seem to be working. What was working was using a couple of Matt's more extreme expressions from the montage either side of him with his head in his hands. I liked this because it drew distinct attention to Joe as the protagonist and the obvious struggle he'd be expiriencing throughout the film:

After adding some place-holder text for the title and 'a film by Xanthe Z. Young' which seemed standard for most of these lesser known independant films (they very rarely advertise the actors) I was left with the remaining cut-out charactors to fill the gaping gap at the bottom of the page. I tried a couple of things but one thing I really liked was use of the 'threshold' tool on the minor charectors. When I put them next to the picture of Joe and Michael on the sofa it gave a distinct impression of Joe being caught amongst strangers that he was obviously uncomfortable and him and Michael standing out as a pair. It's an idea I've been trying to enforce throughout the film so I went with it.