Thursday, 26 November 2009
Filming.
We have tried filming twice now, but our actors have had to cancel due to over commitments. This has caused problems as it is preventing us from filming and stoping us from geting the film done.
Director.
The Director of our group decided he no longer wanted to carry on his education at Wyke so he left, leaving us Directorless. This didnt cause us a huge problem or set back as we had finished planning the film, so me and Sean have decided to both take the role of the Director during filming, as well as our other roles.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Prop list, Cast listing, Location and Possible name.
Props list-
white tshirt- We chose a white shirt to represent Alexs innocence, as the film progresses the shirt will become dirtier and blacker, showing his corruption and growing evil.
Mirror - Alex looks at himself in the broken mirror in the building, the mirror is cracked and will show his face several times, showing his changed and distorted personality's.
Red and Black clothing - Kirsty wears a red and black on the date, we chose a red and black to show that she is a love interest and also to represent her dangerous side. We wanted Kirsty to come across as a 'Femme Fatale' character.
In our short film, we are only using two characters, Alex and Kirsty. Alex has the main Focus but Kirsty starts it.
Location- Alex's house, Marina and an abandoned building.
We didn't want to choose a name to early on in case we later decided against it.
We wanted something simple, as the film is about a Virus, a word associated with Virus would be fitting.
Here is our list of possible names- Virus, Virulence, Regressive, Host, Degenerative,morbidus, WRITE MORE.
A name that I made up that might work is Virlent. Its the first three letters of Virus and the last letters of violent. I thought of it as the Virus caused people to turn Violent. We aren't sure is we are going use it yet but it might work well.
Other possible names that aren't Virus related that would work that we thought of are- Bitten, Hate, Misanthropist, Burden, Distress, Abnormality, Deviant.
white tshirt- We chose a white shirt to represent Alexs innocence, as the film progresses the shirt will become dirtier and blacker, showing his corruption and growing evil.
Mirror - Alex looks at himself in the broken mirror in the building, the mirror is cracked and will show his face several times, showing his changed and distorted personality's.
Red and Black clothing - Kirsty wears a red and black on the date, we chose a red and black to show that she is a love interest and also to represent her dangerous side. We wanted Kirsty to come across as a 'Femme Fatale' character.
In our short film, we are only using two characters, Alex and Kirsty. Alex has the main Focus but Kirsty starts it.
Location- Alex's house, Marina and an abandoned building.
We didn't want to choose a name to early on in case we later decided against it.
We wanted something simple, as the film is about a Virus, a word associated with Virus would be fitting.
Here is our list of possible names- Virus, Virulence, Regressive, Host, Degenerative,morbidus, WRITE MORE.
A name that I made up that might work is Virlent. Its the first three letters of Virus and the last letters of violent. I thought of it as the Virus caused people to turn Violent. We aren't sure is we are going use it yet but it might work well.
Other possible names that aren't Virus related that would work that we thought of are- Bitten, Hate, Misanthropist, Burden, Distress, Abnormality, Deviant.
Monday, 2 November 2009
Group Meeting notes.
We still don't have a title for our shirt film, but we are each making a list of possible film titles which are suitable for what happened in the film. We would like to have a big selection to choose from.
We also decided we are going to use a camera that isn't great, just a average camera for the scenes where "Alex" is going through the stages of turning in to something, and a good camera will be used when it will be the scenes with Alex and kirsty.
We have also decided that it isn't going to be clear what Alex turns into after he is bitten. We don't want him to be a "Zombie", but to become really violent and hate fellow human beings like in films like "28 Days/Week later" and "REC".
Friday, 9 October 2009
Script
Zombie Alex sat in the corner of the building – As Winter Burns White editing*. Slowly zoom in on him.
Alex: Over the last few days something’s been happening to me, I’m not sure what it is, but I know it’s taking over. I don’t remember much of my old life, the last real memory I have is of how I became this, this thing.
As Alex says “thing” it cuts to a close up as Alex looks at the camera, breaking the fourth wall.
NEXT SCENE
On the phone to Kirsty
Alex: I was just wondering what time you wanted to meet up tonight - pause – Ok, I’ll see you then. At marina right? - pause - Alright, I’m looking forward to seeing you, bye.
“Kirsty end call shot” Alex starts getting ready, using the camera as a mirror, breaking the fourth wall again. Does his hair, chooses a shirt (white), picking up his keys, phone, wallet & putting his shoes on. Walks out the front door to his car (match on action) humming to himself, or something to show he is happy. Shots of Alex getting in his car (Another match on action) and turning the ignition. Fade out as Alex sets off to show the passage of time.
NEXT SCENE
Fades back in as he pulls up to marina. Alex steps of the car and walks over to a bench to wait for Kirsty. After a few seconds of waiting Kirsty comes up behind him and playfully covers his eyes. (This shows how close they are) He gets up and they greet each other properly. They start to walk up the marina whilst having a conversation. Montage of the date with “A Day to Remember – You had me at hello” playing over the top of it. (Holding hands walking towards the camera shot)
Alex gets a phone call.
Alex: Hello? Right calm down I can’t understand what you’re saying. Ok ok, ok I’ll be there soon. Bye
Alex (speaking to Kirsty): I’m sorry, I have to go, my Dad’s been in a car accident.
Kirsty: I’m sorry to hear that, I hope everything’s ok. I guess you’d better go then, good job as well, I’m starting to feel a little bit ill.
Alex: Oh really what’s wrong?
Kirsty: I’m not really sure, my head hurts and my body aches, my vision’s been acting up. Been feeling like this for a few days though, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
Alex: Ok, well, ring me tomorrow and we can sort out another date seeing as though this one’s been cut so short.
They say goodbye and start to kiss when all of a sudden Kirsty bites Alex on the neck. Alex pushes Kirsty away and puts his hand to his neck.
Alex: What the hell was that about?!
Kirsty: I’m, I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.
Alex: Whatever, I’ve got to go
Kirsty: Alex, wait!
Alex storms off to his car rubbing his neck, he gets in (match on action) and sees Kirsty in the reflection of the rear view mirror, he adjusts the mirror to see the cut on his neck and when he puts the mirror back, Kirsty is gone. Alex looks guilty for losing his temper with Kirsty and rings her phone, the number is not recognised. He starts to drive off but he has a flashback of the bite and pulls over and stumbles out of the car (Double exposure cantered angle) and sees an abandoned building. He stand in front of the building.
NEXT SCENE
Alex wakes up in the in the building looking disorientated - Flashback of the date. He tries to leave but the sun is too bright and hurts his eyes - Flashback of the date. He goes back inside and sits down in the dark - Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten. Sees his car, door still open - Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten. Looks at the mark on his neck -Flashback of the bite, you see the whole bite sequence this time. Fade to black, fades back in at night.
NEXT SCENE
Alex: Over the last few days something’s been happening to me, I’m not sure what it is, but I know it’s taking over. I don’t remember much of my old life, the last real memory I have is of how I became this, this thing. Now I just have an overpowering urge to corrupt and destroy others. Just like she did to me.
Over the shoulder shot of Alex looking towards the city centre. Fade to black.
*- this edit is a note for ourselves so we remember what it means. As Winter Burns White is a band, and we are planning on using editing in the music video in our short film.
Alex: Over the last few days something’s been happening to me, I’m not sure what it is, but I know it’s taking over. I don’t remember much of my old life, the last real memory I have is of how I became this, this thing.
As Alex says “thing” it cuts to a close up as Alex looks at the camera, breaking the fourth wall.
NEXT SCENE
On the phone to Kirsty
Alex: I was just wondering what time you wanted to meet up tonight - pause – Ok, I’ll see you then. At marina right? - pause - Alright, I’m looking forward to seeing you, bye.
“Kirsty end call shot” Alex starts getting ready, using the camera as a mirror, breaking the fourth wall again. Does his hair, chooses a shirt (white), picking up his keys, phone, wallet & putting his shoes on. Walks out the front door to his car (match on action) humming to himself, or something to show he is happy. Shots of Alex getting in his car (Another match on action) and turning the ignition. Fade out as Alex sets off to show the passage of time.
NEXT SCENE
Fades back in as he pulls up to marina. Alex steps of the car and walks over to a bench to wait for Kirsty. After a few seconds of waiting Kirsty comes up behind him and playfully covers his eyes. (This shows how close they are) He gets up and they greet each other properly. They start to walk up the marina whilst having a conversation. Montage of the date with “A Day to Remember – You had me at hello” playing over the top of it. (Holding hands walking towards the camera shot)
Alex gets a phone call.
Alex: Hello? Right calm down I can’t understand what you’re saying. Ok ok, ok I’ll be there soon. Bye
Alex (speaking to Kirsty): I’m sorry, I have to go, my Dad’s been in a car accident.
Kirsty: I’m sorry to hear that, I hope everything’s ok. I guess you’d better go then, good job as well, I’m starting to feel a little bit ill.
Alex: Oh really what’s wrong?
Kirsty: I’m not really sure, my head hurts and my body aches, my vision’s been acting up. Been feeling like this for a few days though, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
Alex: Ok, well, ring me tomorrow and we can sort out another date seeing as though this one’s been cut so short.
They say goodbye and start to kiss when all of a sudden Kirsty bites Alex on the neck. Alex pushes Kirsty away and puts his hand to his neck.
Alex: What the hell was that about?!
Kirsty: I’m, I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.
Alex: Whatever, I’ve got to go
Kirsty: Alex, wait!
Alex storms off to his car rubbing his neck, he gets in (match on action) and sees Kirsty in the reflection of the rear view mirror, he adjusts the mirror to see the cut on his neck and when he puts the mirror back, Kirsty is gone. Alex looks guilty for losing his temper with Kirsty and rings her phone, the number is not recognised. He starts to drive off but he has a flashback of the bite and pulls over and stumbles out of the car (Double exposure cantered angle) and sees an abandoned building. He stand in front of the building.
NEXT SCENE
Alex wakes up in the in the building looking disorientated - Flashback of the date. He tries to leave but the sun is too bright and hurts his eyes - Flashback of the date. He goes back inside and sits down in the dark - Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten. Sees his car, door still open - Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten. Looks at the mark on his neck -Flashback of the bite, you see the whole bite sequence this time. Fade to black, fades back in at night.
NEXT SCENE
Alex: Over the last few days something’s been happening to me, I’m not sure what it is, but I know it’s taking over. I don’t remember much of my old life, the last real memory I have is of how I became this, this thing. Now I just have an overpowering urge to corrupt and destroy others. Just like she did to me.
Over the shoulder shot of Alex looking towards the city centre. Fade to black.
*- this edit is a note for ourselves so we remember what it means. As Winter Burns White is a band, and we are planning on using editing in the music video in our short film.
Screenplay.
Beginning
- Black screen, voice over while Alex is getting ready – Alex bedroom or bathroom – Shots of Alex to introduce him( medium shot).
- On the phone with his date, washing his face – various shots of Alex getting ready (Montage editing, close up, medium shot, over shoulder shot).
- Shot of Alex leaving the house (Match on action, panning shot).
- Getting in car (Match on action)
- She rings again while he is driving, doesn’t answer – Picture of girl on his phone (close up on phone, tilt up to his face).
- Shots of him in the car listening to music(medium shot).
- Shots of objects in Alex’s car, shows you what his personality is like (Scruffy, messy, unorganized, medium shots, pan and tilt shots).
- Pulls up to the marina, sees the girl, from inside the car
Middle - Alex and Kirsty walk up and down the marina, Alex gets a call and says he has to leave( medium shot, two shot).
- At the end of the date the girl kisses Alex then bites him on the neck(close up, two shot).
- Kirsty apologizes and says she doesn’t know what came over her(close up on kirsty’s face, over shoulder shot from Alex),
- Alex gets mad and leaves to his car, he looks in the windscreen mirror and sees her stood where he left her, he moves the mirror to inspect the bite mark, when he moves the mirror back to it’s original place Kirsty is gone.
- He tries to ring Kirsty but the number is not recognised
- He starts to drive off but he has a flashback of the bite and pulls over and stumbles out of the car (Double exposure cantered angle) and sees an abandoned building.
- He stands in front of the building then walks in.
End - Alex wakes up in the in the building looking disorientated.
- Flashback of the date.
- He tried to leave but the sun is too bright and hurts his eyes.
- Flashback of the date.
- He goes back inside and sits down in the dark.
- Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten.
- Sees his car, door still open.
- Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten.
- Feels at the mark on his neck.
- Flashback of the bite, you see the whole bite sequence this time.
- Fade to black, fades back in at night, see Alex running towards a crowded area with the intention of infecting others (Red filter).
- Fade to black.
Synopsis
The story starts with Alex, sat in the corner of an abandoned building explaining that over the last few days he has been turning into something and that he doesn’t remember much apart from the day that the transformation began. The majority of the story is a flashback to that day. Alex is on the phone with a girl (Kirsty) He is organizing what time to meet her for their date. They agree to meet at the marina. Alex gets ready and leaves the house and drives down to the marina. He meets Kirsty and after a brief date and walk down the marina Alex receives a call from a relative telling him that his Dad has been in a car accident. Alex and Kirsty say their goodbyes and begin to kiss, during their kiss, Kirsty bites Alex on the neck. Alex pushes her away and angrily asks her why she bit him, she explains that she doesn’t know what came over her. Alex storms off to go and see his dad. He looks in his rear view mirror and sees Kirsty, he re adjusts it to see his neck, when he puts it back, Kirsty is gone. He feels bad for shouting at her and tries to ring her but the number is not recognised. As he starts to drive, he has a flashback in which he sees himself being bitten and pulls over and stumbles out the car. He staggers over to an abandoned building in which he spends the night. When he wakes up he tries to go outside but the sun is to bright and forces him to retreat back into the building. Over the next few hours he has several flashback to the date & to the moment when he was bitten. At night time, the opening scene is revisited and Alex explains that he is going to spread this disease throughout the city. The final shot is of Alex looking to the city, which then fades to black.
Group Meeting-9th October.
Now we had the basics of the plot, script and storyboard.
After the meeting, we went and did our own work, on the script, synopsis, storyboard and thinking about a possible title. We put our ideas together and completed the script and storyboard.
After the meeting, we went and did our own work, on the script, synopsis, storyboard and thinking about a possible title. We put our ideas together and completed the script and storyboard.
Group Meeting-6th october
On our First meeting we discussed ideas we had thought of and if they would/could work.
We felt we couldn't discuss much more as we had to draw the storyboard and plan the script. Our next meeting will be on the 9th October.
We felt we couldn't discuss much more as we had to draw the storyboard and plan the script. Our next meeting will be on the 9th October.
Research on Horror Genre.
My chosen genre for my production is Horror. Horror has various conventions which have put the characters in different situations, it could be a mass murderer chasing his latest prey, a horde of zombies rising from their tombs or a possessed child’s doll seeking revenge by killing whoever he can.
Horror films came about around in the late 1800’s. The first horror film was titled Le Manoir Du Diable, meaning the house of the devil and it was made in 1896. Early Horror movies were often adaption’s of gothic/horror style books such as Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Phantom of the Opera and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Most of these old films are cult classics in their own right. Over the years, themes included in the genre have changed a lot. Some films are about monsters, like the first horror movies, but some are about Armageddon and the end of the human race, being lost in a desert or forest and a family of cannibal inbred hillbillies looking for their next meal or the offspring of the devil being born into our world to cause pure evil and havoc.
As the horror genre has progressed they have been more hybrid films written and produced as the concepts can be endless. Even though the same ideas of films have been used over and over again, like George A. Romero zombie films, 100s of zombie films, not always successful, have been made that have all been born from George A. Romero’s creations. Other genres incorporated in horror films are science fiction, fantasy and black comedy.
Most Horror movies follow a linear structure, meaning the sequences of events are easy to follow. The narrative used in horror is very similar to the ones used in other films: Equilibrium – Disruption- New state of equilibrium. Horror movies tend to introduce the family or group of friends (the victims) or the antagonist during the opening scene. The following scenes will then show the group of victims going through their plans or every day life, it will then cross over to the antagonist either watching the group of friends and planning what he/she is going to do to them and when.
Within the group there will be characters with different attributes, brave, coward, jock, smart, beautiful, nerd. One hero who will take control of the remaining group members or have no option since his/her friends have been slaughtered. The antagonist (murderer/monster) causes the disruption by attacking/kidnapping/killing somebody. They may be a helper who gives the hero some information on where to find the villain or follow them on the quest. They are often more then just one victim. All of the character’s who are or become a hero/villain/helper/victim are all equally important to the story.
Horror films MUST evoke feelings of terror, horror and fear, the feelings we are all familiar to. Horror films conventions include blood/gore, death, killing, monsters or a psychopath, dark scenes, chase sequence and violence. All of these things cause the feeling of uneasiness which for some reason, makes viewers want to see more films under the genre, or scares them to their wits end and gives them nightmares.
Editing is and has been a major part in the horror genre. During the editing process sound is added. In horror films, it’s the eerie sounds that makes the film scary and causes an immense amount of tension and makes the viewers cringe as they know what is going to happen but the victim doesn’t. I think if the sound wasn’t included, all suspense and shock would dramatically decrease. In most films, but especially horror films, the music tends to be orchestral music. With the open-endedness, powerfulness and dynamic range from this style of music allows the film to have more depth, feeling, emotion and mood. Another important technique used in editing it fast cuts from scene to scene to give the feeling of uneasiness and produce fear within the viewers.
Lighting, or the lack of it, is one of the most important conventions in horror films as it creates more fear because of the fact the viewers and the characters don’t know what it could be hiding. Light and darkness are used to make a contrast from scene to scene, for example a brightly lit scene which has characters sunbathing to a dim, blacked out room where the antagonist is butchering their newest victim.
Low and high angles are used a lot to show superiority and inferiority. Close ups are used to show facial expressions. To cause more fear, a hand held camera will be used to give the effect of someone running away as its easier to move. Point of view shots are also used to show what a character looking at through their eyes.
Mise-en-scene has changed over the years. When horror films first started, the films would be set in a “haunted house” or Dracula’s mansion or a cave. Now a days, there are in laboratories, forests and tombs. They have changed because the films have changed and evolved.
As the same with Mise-en-scene, costume has changed, but more because of fashion then film styles changing. Costumes in Early horror films for the antagonist where sometimes dirty and had holes in it, take Frankenstein for example, where as Dracula’s costume would be very smart and suave as he was very classy. The protagonist’s costume would also smart and classy. Theses days the protagonist’s costumes would be popular clothing at the time of making it, where as the antagonist’s costume has almost stayed the same.
Horror films came about around in the late 1800’s. The first horror film was titled Le Manoir Du Diable, meaning the house of the devil and it was made in 1896. Early Horror movies were often adaption’s of gothic/horror style books such as Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Phantom of the Opera and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Most of these old films are cult classics in their own right. Over the years, themes included in the genre have changed a lot. Some films are about monsters, like the first horror movies, but some are about Armageddon and the end of the human race, being lost in a desert or forest and a family of cannibal inbred hillbillies looking for their next meal or the offspring of the devil being born into our world to cause pure evil and havoc.
As the horror genre has progressed they have been more hybrid films written and produced as the concepts can be endless. Even though the same ideas of films have been used over and over again, like George A. Romero zombie films, 100s of zombie films, not always successful, have been made that have all been born from George A. Romero’s creations. Other genres incorporated in horror films are science fiction, fantasy and black comedy.
Most Horror movies follow a linear structure, meaning the sequences of events are easy to follow. The narrative used in horror is very similar to the ones used in other films: Equilibrium – Disruption- New state of equilibrium. Horror movies tend to introduce the family or group of friends (the victims) or the antagonist during the opening scene. The following scenes will then show the group of victims going through their plans or every day life, it will then cross over to the antagonist either watching the group of friends and planning what he/she is going to do to them and when.
Within the group there will be characters with different attributes, brave, coward, jock, smart, beautiful, nerd. One hero who will take control of the remaining group members or have no option since his/her friends have been slaughtered. The antagonist (murderer/monster) causes the disruption by attacking/kidnapping/killing somebody. They may be a helper who gives the hero some information on where to find the villain or follow them on the quest. They are often more then just one victim. All of the character’s who are or become a hero/villain/helper/victim are all equally important to the story.
Horror films MUST evoke feelings of terror, horror and fear, the feelings we are all familiar to. Horror films conventions include blood/gore, death, killing, monsters or a psychopath, dark scenes, chase sequence and violence. All of these things cause the feeling of uneasiness which for some reason, makes viewers want to see more films under the genre, or scares them to their wits end and gives them nightmares.
Editing is and has been a major part in the horror genre. During the editing process sound is added. In horror films, it’s the eerie sounds that makes the film scary and causes an immense amount of tension and makes the viewers cringe as they know what is going to happen but the victim doesn’t. I think if the sound wasn’t included, all suspense and shock would dramatically decrease. In most films, but especially horror films, the music tends to be orchestral music. With the open-endedness, powerfulness and dynamic range from this style of music allows the film to have more depth, feeling, emotion and mood. Another important technique used in editing it fast cuts from scene to scene to give the feeling of uneasiness and produce fear within the viewers.
Lighting, or the lack of it, is one of the most important conventions in horror films as it creates more fear because of the fact the viewers and the characters don’t know what it could be hiding. Light and darkness are used to make a contrast from scene to scene, for example a brightly lit scene which has characters sunbathing to a dim, blacked out room where the antagonist is butchering their newest victim.
Low and high angles are used a lot to show superiority and inferiority. Close ups are used to show facial expressions. To cause more fear, a hand held camera will be used to give the effect of someone running away as its easier to move. Point of view shots are also used to show what a character looking at through their eyes.
Mise-en-scene has changed over the years. When horror films first started, the films would be set in a “haunted house” or Dracula’s mansion or a cave. Now a days, there are in laboratories, forests and tombs. They have changed because the films have changed and evolved.
As the same with Mise-en-scene, costume has changed, but more because of fashion then film styles changing. Costumes in Early horror films for the antagonist where sometimes dirty and had holes in it, take Frankenstein for example, where as Dracula’s costume would be very smart and suave as he was very classy. The protagonist’s costume would also smart and classy. Theses days the protagonist’s costumes would be popular clothing at the time of making it, where as the antagonist’s costume has almost stayed the same.
A2 Film Studies Coursework.
For my A2 film studies coursework i am working within a group to produce a short film which will last between 3 to 5 minutes.
our chosen genre is horror/thriller. i have under taken the role of cinematography.
Myself, Sean, and Will have been discussing the idea we came up with and have been working on how everything could fit together and make sense. we have now got the idea completed but are still undergoing changes of ideas.
As a group we are undergoing writing the script and drawing the story board up.
our chosen genre is horror/thriller. i have under taken the role of cinematography.
Myself, Sean, and Will have been discussing the idea we came up with and have been working on how everything could fit together and make sense. we have now got the idea completed but are still undergoing changes of ideas.
As a group we are undergoing writing the script and drawing the story board up.
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