Storyboard - The POST-IT version!

This is our initial method of storyboarding, we used post-it notes to draw the pictures on and then move around. This made it much more flexible when we were making the storyboard. We drew all the pictures for the post-its then arranged them how we wanted. This meant we could see what shots we had and what shot types we were missing and whether we needed any cutaways in between certain shots.

Made it MUCH easier to draw out the final version of the storyboard!

Group Meeting 3 - Notes

We decided our shoot times and dates as shown in the post named 'Shoot'. We also pinpointed the people we wanted to act for us as killer and victim, who we managed to chase up afterwards and ask. This was successful so we now have our actors and just need to finalise their parts with them and their responcibility in taking up the roles. We talked about the props we need to find ourselves and split up these between us to find over the weekend. Anything we do not have we will sort out on Monday the day before the shoot, but we are confident this will not be the case. We also talked about how we could manage time on the day of the shoot and realised we all have a free period 6 after lunch, in which we could grab one or two willing helpers and clear out the space as well as set up lights and camera (we would have to let the caretakers know what we were doing and not to move the setup - obviously saying we would clear up thoroughly afterwards that evening). This raised the issue of helpers and we discussed who out of our friends would help, so we now have a few names lined up (one who we have asked and is yet to confirm). All this left us to clear up was much of the paperwork for the shoot such as storyboard, shot logs, shot lists, shooting scripts, shooting schedule and actor scripts. We quickly agreed on what we would do in the double media lesson in the afternoon (friday) - mostly this paperwork and finalisation, which we successfully completed in a very productive lesson in our edit suite.

Kris

Actors

Playing the part of the victim...

Name: Robert Demont

Age: 16

Gender: male

Size: short-ish

Hair Colour: blonde (short)

Eye Colour: blue

Acting Experience: 'Mickey' in Latymer School production of 'Blood Brothers', 'Magwich' in Latymer School production of 'Great Expectations', drama student.

Playing the part of the killer:

Name: Matthew Doyle

Age: 16
Gender: male
Size: massive

Hair Colour: dark brown (long)

Eye Colour: blue
Acting Experience: part of the chorus in Latymer School production of 'Great Expectations', drama student.

Shot List

Scene 1 - Victim waking up and struggling (try from different angles)
- ECU victims eyes
- BCU victims eyes and nose
- CU victims face
- MCU victims head and neck
- MCU victims head and neck (from behind)
- MS victim struggling
- MS HA victim struggling (behind over shoulder)
- MS LA victim struggling (behind over shoulder)
- MLS victim struggling
- LS LA 360 arc victim struggling
- LS 360 arc victim struggling
- LS HA 360 arc victim struggling
- LS victim struggling
- LS HA victim struggling
- LS LA victim struggling
- VLS crab victim struggling
- VLS crab victim struggling (from behind)
- CU victims left hand chained
- CU victims right hand chained
- CU victims waist chained (padlock)
- CU victims feet chained (metal tray)
- CU tilt or crane up from feet to shoulders and head
- Steady zoom out from CU face to LS victim struggling (could tilt to one side slowly)
- Crash zoom in from LS victim struggling to CU face

Scene 2 - Killers entrance
- POV handheld track of killer entering basement to victim
- Track following killer entering basement to victim (over shoulder)
- CU of killers feet walking down stairs
- CU of killers last step onto puddle
- CU of killers feet walking on level ground
- POV LS killer spying on victim through gap in shelves (not showing victims face)
- OTS LS killer spying on victim through gap in shelves (not showing victims face)
- LS killers shadow on wall (walks towards then turns right)
- MS killers shadow on wall (walks past)
- LA VLS killer walking past camera, looking around corner to victim (fully blacks out screen for split second)
- VLS killer walking past camera, looking around corner to victim (fully blacks out screen for split second)
- CU killers nose, mouth and neck as he zips up his jacket or zips down his jacket slightly
- CU killers fingers tapping against sides
- CU killer stretching out hand or cracking knuckles

Scene 3 - Killer/Victim conversation
- POV LS light flash with nothing in room ahead (from victims POV)
- POV LS light flash revealing killer (from victims POV)
- POV MLS light flash revealing killer (from victims POV)
- POV MS light flash revealing killer (from victims POV)
- POV MCU light flash revealing killer (from victims POV)
- HA OTS LS killer walking towards victim
- LA LS killer walking towards victim (from bottom left)
- LS mastershot of conversation (side on)
- MS OTS victims whole conversation (over killers left shoulder)
- MS OTS killers whole conversation (over victims right shoulder)
- CU killer chosing weapon and picking it up
- Quick pan down from victims face to weapons
- Handheld shot following killers weapon towards victims gag
- MLS Crab behind victim as killer speaks
- MLS OTS HA killer speaking (so weapons can be seen behind on ground)
- MS killer putting victim to sleep (side on)
- CU victims face falling to sleep
- ECU victism eyes falling to sleep
- POV room going blurry (from victims POV & going out of focus)
- LS of victim asleep and killer walking away

Scene 4 - Killers exit
- POV handheld track of killer exiting basement
- Track following killer exiting basement (over shoulder)
- MLS other victim chained to wall
- MCU other victim moaning
- CU bloody hand on door pane as lights go out

Cutaway Shots
- CU drainpipe dripping water onto puddle
- CU pipes near ceiling
- CU lights flickering
- MS blurry lights shimmering (out of focus)
- CU saw swinging from side to side hung up on peg
- CU sinister object on shelf
- CU scattered paper
- CU weapons lined up on ground

Kris

Script Final (edited)

Killer enters the corner of the room, walks towards the victim in the chair, takes his weapon of choice and uses it to ungag him instead of kill him, to the surprise of the audience. The victim gives a confused moan.

Killer (calmly and reassuringly): Theres no need to be frightened, we're gonna take good care of you.

Victim (bewildered): What? No, please -

Killer: I said theres no need to be frightened... we try to accomodate all our new guests as best we can.

Victim: But -

Killer: Trust me.

The killer begins to feel inside his coat pockets.

Victim (in confusion): Who are you? What am i doing here?

The Killer takes a sympathetic look at the victim.

Killer: Hmm you look a little dizzy... would you like a drink?

Victim (more anger): Who are you?!

Pause.

Killer (with more charm): It would be aweful of me not to offer you a drink. I'll bring you down some water on my next visit.

Victim (in desperation): Your NEXT visit? Wha - Whats going on? What am i doing here?!

Killer (with sudden frightening anger, quickly desceninding into calm): PLEASE - be quiet. If you wouldn't mind. We've been recieving alot of complaints recently...

Victim: What? Where am I?! Who the hell are -

Killer (suddenly): I SAID BE QUIET.

The killer grabs the victim by the jaw. The victim moans in pain and desperation. The killer thinks to himself and regathers his calm state of mind.

You seem terribly confused. I recommend you catch some sleep now.

The killer ignores the desperate moans and plees of the victim and forces him to sleep with a drug. The victims eyes roll and eventually he slumps into his chair asleep.

Killer: Better, thanks. Its greatly appreciated.

The killer smiles to himself and begins to walk out the room quietly humming to himself the tune of the lullaby 'go to sleep'. As he walks down an aisle between some shelves the sounds of other men screaming becomes more evident. Another victim chained to a wall starts to moan out to the killer as he walks past.

Killer: Now, now Mike. You take good care now.

The killerwalks towards a door where there is the sound of someone moving. The killer opens the door and walks through it.

Killer: And you Jack. Good night.

The killer shuts the door forcefully. A blood stained hand can be seen making an attempt to grab the handle but simply thumpingon the door palm first before smearing helplessly down the glass. The killer stops in his tracks and faces the door with a look of inconvenience on his face.

Killer: Ah, another job for the cleaner.

The killer laughs subtly in a sinister way before murmering something to himself.

Killer (almost secretively): She'll be dead pleased...

The killer laughs again to himself and leaves the basement to the sound of his footsteps and his "oblivious" humming.


Kris

Script Draft

Killer enters the corner of the room, walks towards the victim in the chair, takes his weapon of choice and uses it to ungag him instead of kill him, to the surprise of the audience. The victim gives a confused moan.

Killer (calmly and reassuringly): Theres no need to be frightened, we're gonna take good care of you.

Victim (bewildered): What? No, please -

Killer: I said theres no need to be frightened... we try to accomodate all our new guests as best we can.

Victim: But -

Killer: Trust me.

The killer begins to feel inside his coat pockets.

Victim (in confusion): Who are you? What am i doing here?

The killer kneels down with a torch, ignoring the question.

Killer: I'm just going to check your eyes, you might be feeling a little dazed.

The killer forces the torch towards the victims eyes and checks his pupils.

Victim (with more anger): Get off me!

Killer: Hmm you look a little dizzy... would you like a drink?

Victim: Who are you?

Pause.

Killer (with more charm): It would be aweful of me not to offer you a drink. I'll bring you down some water on my next visit.

Victim (in desperation): Your NEXT visit? Wha - Whats going on? What am i doing here?!

Killer (with sudden frightening anger, quickly desceninding into calm): PLEASE - be quiet. If you wouldn't mind. We've been recieving alot of complaints recently...

Victim: What? Where am I?! Who the hell are -

Killer (suddenly): I SAID BE QUIET.

The killer grabs the victim by the jaw. The victim moans in pain and desperation. The killer thinks to himself and regathers his calm state of mind.

You seem terribly confused. I recommend you catch some sleep now.

The killer ignores the desperate moans and plees of the victim and forces him to sleep with a drug. The victims eyes roll and eventually he slumps into his chair asleep.

Killer: Better, thanks. Its greatly appreciated.

The killer smiles to himself and begins to walk out the room quietly humming to himself the tune of the lullaby 'go to sleep'. As he walks down an aisle between some shelves the sounds of other men screaming becomes more evident. Another victim chained to a wall starts to moan out to the killer as he walks past.

Killer: Now, now Mike. You take good care now.

The killerwalks towards a door where there is the sound of someone moving. The killer opens the door and walks through it.

Killer: And you Jack. Good night.

The killer shuts the door forcefully. A blood stained hand can be seen making an attempt to grab the handle but simply thumpingon the door palm first before smearing helplessly down the glass. The killer stops in his tracks and faces the door with a look of inconvenience on his face.

Killer: Ah, another job for the cleaner.

The killer laughs subtly in a sinister way before murmering something to himself.

Killer (almost secretively): She'll be dead pleased...

The killer laughs again to himself and leaves the basement to the sound of his footsteps and his "oblivious" humming.


Kris

Group Meeting 3

Things we need to discuss:
- Who's bringing what from checklist.
- What we need to buy before shoot.
- Helpers/actors.
- Shoot dates/times.

Shaun

Check List

Stuff we need to bring ourselves:
- Ingrediants for fake blood (Jack's writing it out)
- Make-up
- Fake scars
- Black tape
- Small torch
- Bottle to carry water
- Trench coat
- Black boots
- Gloves
- White polo top
- Jeans (x 2)
- Trainers
- Any clothes for other victims i.e. hoody, jeans, shirt...

Stuff we need to get from media department:
- White sheet/throw
- Studio Lights (x 3)
- Blue filter gel (x 3)

Shaun

How to make BLOOD!

Need:
Corn Syrup
Red Food Colouring
Blue Food Colouring
Flour

Step 1

Measure 1/8 of a cup of corn syrup into a small bowl or measuring cup. You may use light or dark corn syrup, but light corn syrup may require a bit more food coloring.

Step2

Add about 20 drops of red food coloring to the corn syrup and stir well. If you are going for a nonrealistic, super gory fake blood effect, bright red may be just what you are looking for to complement your monster makeup. If you are going for a more realistic look, add blue food coloring one drop at a time until you reach your desired shade.

Step3

Thicken your fake blood for easier application by adding about 1 tsp. of sifted white flour. Stir the mixture as well as possible and let sit for 10 minutes. After the mixture has set and thickened a bit, the extra flour will float on top where you can easily remove the clumps. Adding flour will also make your fake blood less transparent and more realistic.

This tutorial was taken from http://www.ehow.com/how_2191800_make-fake-movie-blood.html

Jack

Character Appearances

Victim 1
Plain white t, jeans, trainers, black eye using make up, messy hair, water on face for tears/sweat

Victim 2
White shirt, jeans, trainers, covered in fake blood

Victim 3
Doesn't matter just dark clothing

Killer
Dark trench coat, black boots, black jeans/trousers, gloves?

Jack

Final Idea (after test shooting)

Title: ?

Slogan: ?

Location: Latymer school basmement

Actors: Kris, Shaun

People on set (need helpers): Kris, Shaun, Jack, Barney?

Characters (need names): 1 - victim who wakes up chained in chair gagged up, moans and tries to free himself, is sent to sleep, 2 - killer who spies on victim, then sends him to sleep before walking out of the basement, 3 - one or two more victims, one covered in blood who grabs for the door before the killer walks out, one maybe banging a spade or trying to escape in some way

Equipment we have: camera, tripod, headphones, 3 lights, blue filter gel for each, white sheet

Props we have: weapons, chair, chains, rope, padlock, metal tray, any sinister objects in basement, pipes, electric lights, shelves etc

Props we need: fake blood, black tape

Other things we need: water source, something to clean up fake blood

Storyline: victim wakes up in chair, killer spies on him before walking in, killer looks like he will kill him with a weapon but instead rips off his gag, he talks to the victim reassuringly before forcing him to sleep with a drug, killer then walks out of the basement to desperate plees for freedom from other victims, he slams the door as a victim tries to escape - their hand imprinting on the door in blood

Techniques to use: starts with CU's of victim waking up, flash cutaways using motivated cuts to show he is chained up, then long shots and cutaways shots establishing where he is, POV shot showing killer spying on him, parallel editing between victim and killers footsteps as he enters, match on action as he enters, shot/reverse shot for conversation, POV tracking shot for killers exit, fade to black at end revealing title of film, cutaway shots of dripping pipes/flickering lights/random objects throughout sequence with titles/credits appearing alongside

Sounds to be added after: unsettling sounds such as banging/rustling/echoing etc, buzzing lights, dripping water, faint male screams and moans, maybe some unnerving music?

Shaun

Props

For our real shoot we will need a bunch of props to make the affect of a killer's cell full of victims.
We will need:

• A saw / circular saw
• A mallet/hammer
• A chisel
• Nails
• A crowbar
• Black tape
• Chains
• Pad locks
• Fake blood
• Chair
• Metal tray (for feet)

Shaun

Test Shoot

Our test shoot went very well and we got some great footage. We worked for 5 hours down in the basement. It took nearly an hour just to set up the location though with moving a lot of boxes and mops as well as seting up the lights. We then tested the lights for a good amount of time testing which ones looked best and recorded some different gels and intensities. After this we tried a few different shot types and came up with this idea of a really long POV track shot. We did this a few times each time adding extra things in till the end where we had a great shot. This was the best bit of our test shoot as it helped us come up with the idea for our whole film. Getting feedback from Ms Blackborow gave us loads of great ideas, and now we've basically got a final idea. However, there were problems with the shoot, most involving the lack of spacve in our location. Our shoot involved a lot of time spent on moving equipment, clearing space and removing objects which did not look right in the shot. The location wasn't perfewct as there was so much clutter and we didn't even remove it all. A lot of it we left and we also had to use a sheet to cover a lot. In the real shoot we plan to get helpers to help us clean up and make space for us.
Shaun

Test Shoot - Monday 24th November

Here are some photos I took to show what we did on our test shoot.

A window in the basement we could use as a spy hole.

Where the victim will be sitting in the basement (once removing all the clutter).

Close up of the chair.

Testing out lights at low intensity.

At high intensity.

Filming some initial test shots.

Using the blue filter gel on the lights for cold metallic effect.

Using the orange filter gel on the lights to create a dangerous effect, in contrast to the blue.

Filming from the victims point of view.

Using the chain and padlock as props.

Close up of the chain and padlock.

Close up of a hand chained up.

Using the metal tray to chain the victims feet to.

The chair fully set up with chains, rope and metal tray (just missing the victim).

The weapon line up.

Close up of where the victims feet will be.

Low intensity lighting with blue filter gel (our final lighting setup).

Stairway for killers entrance.

A possible close up of the killers feet on stairway.

Point of view shot of killer walking into basement.

Killer looking through door where blue light shines through.

Our favourite shot of a victims hand on the door.

A hole in the door glass which could be exploited for shock.

What the killer sees as he enters.

The killers shadow as he walks.

Pitch black in hallway between the two light setups, disorientating the audience before the killer reaches the victim in the chair.

A gap in the shelves which the killer can look through and spy on the victim.

What the killer will see (with victim sitting in chair).

Kris

Treatment

1. The action: identify the event your idea is based around; what actually happens (discovery of a body, an illicit meeting, a witness seeing a crime being committed, a criminal act taking place, a telephone call, a chase, a short journey etc)?
A man is bound and gagged, in a chair in a basement. The character wakes up and is very dazed. A new character walks down to the basement. He appears to be the killer but holds a reassuring conversation (if not ironic) with the victm. Instead of killing him he ungags him before sending him to sleep again. The killer then exits whilst other victims in the basement can be seen pleeing for mercy and trying to escape.

2. The theme(s): what should it make the audience think about or feel, what ‘issues’ will it raise (revenge, sexuality, voyeurism, stalking, obsession, greed etc)
Revenge, murder, torture, claustrophobia, trapped, watched, cold, psycho, irony, possible obsession?

3. The narrative: how is it structured - classic narrative pattern or break with convention, real time or different time zones, flashbacks/forwards, dreams etc. Will there be dialogue? What about diegetic/ non-diegetic sound?
It will be real time in a continuous sequence. It will be structured in a way to not establish the location of the victim until about 30 seconds in, not reveal the killer until about 1 minute in, and not reveal the actual situation (more than one person being kept there) until the end of the sequence. It will have dialogue in the final minute but most sounds will be added on over the top despite being diegtic. The only possible non-diegetic sound will be any music we make to build tension.

4. The character(s): who are they, identify their roles, what are their characteristics, including gender, appearance etc?
The victim is male and normal looking with plain clothes such as a white polo top. His personality is unclear except for the fact he is terrified and wants to break free. He could be fairly well built and tall to scare the audience that such a male is powerless to the killer. He will look bruised and battered with black eye, cuts, dirt and messy hair. His clothes could be ripped and slightly dirty or blood-stained. The killer is male and suspicious until he begins to talk. He wears a dark trench coat but other than that is fairly normal looking despite him being tall. He seems normal as he talks but holds tones of twisted irony. As he walks away he murmers and sings to himself and it is clear despite acting normal and charming around his victims, he is a bit of a psycho. He is also strong, ruthless and powerful in occasional sudden movements such as forcing a victim to sleep. He could be pyschotic and seems to pretend he is running some sort of hotel, looking after his "guests".

5. The setting and choice of location: where is it set?
The location is the school basement. We have cleared out some space in a corner for the chair, with a white sheet covering alot of boxes that will add clutter. Here there are pipes and a flickering lights. We also will set up a light with blue filter gel here to give it a cold, metallic look. The rest of the basement is dark and it could be any basement - this is unclear to the audience. There is a stairway and then a door where we will set up another blue light behind to create the effect of this cold light coming from the doorway. This will also show another victim covered in blood in the blue light. Between this door and the corner of the room with the chair, there is an aisle between some shelves. This will be nearly pitch black to not show the clutter and to disorientate the audience by not showing so much perspective in the room from location to location. We may shine one more blue light behind one of the shelves to cast half the aisle in shadow, but being able to see little glimmers of the corridor.

6. The mise-en-scene: identify colours, lighting, dress codes, the overall visual look
We are using low key lighting using 3 standard studio lights with blue filter gel. The overall look will be blue, metallic and cold like many modern horror films. There will be lots of shadows and darkness to add to mystery and tension. This is not hard in a basement with no naturl lights on. It will create an eery atmosphere boosted by the sounds we will add. The dress code will be plain to keep focus on the situation and setting (plain such as white polo tops, jeans etc). The killer will where a dark trench coat to set him apart from the others.

7. The camera work: the style you are aiming for
The fist minute will show the character waking up, using CU's at first (a montage of different angles) to show his reaction. Next we will establish the scene using motivated cuts (the actor looking down followed by flash cutaways showing his chains etc) and then LS establishing shots. We will then parallel edit between shots of the victim and POV shots of the killer spying on him (shot framed by shelves) and his footsteps. Next a shot/reverse shot and continuity editing will show conversation between the 2 and reveal the character and situation. Finally, a long POV tracking shot will show the killer leave the basement and reveal that there are more victims trapped in the basement. The final shot will be of a hand coverd in blood smeering down the glass on the door as the killer closes it and says something ironic before his footsteps are heard leaving. This will fade to black revealing the film title. The whole sequence will be cut up by random cutaways establishing the basement feel of the scene and eeriness, accompanied by credits. The style will be disorientating and as if we are spying on the victim. LA's will make him look small and powerless, with CU's amplifying his terrified expressions.

8. The editing: edited as a continuous sequence, use of cross cutting, use of montage, or combination?
A combination of montage (flash montage), cutaways, some continuity edting (dialogue and conversation) and a long POV tracking shot.

9. Has your idea been ‘tested’ against the key criteria (the 8 questions)?
We tested the 8 questions on test shoot and now can say the idea is practical and uses the strengths of the group and the location (the darkness and lighting). The combiantion of camera techniques will show off what we have learnt this term and we can definately shoot in the time and available and using the resources we have in the media department, as the test shoot was successful and we are filming at school. We have gained permission to the basement for the next 2 shooting weeks and we have access to the 3 studio lights and blue gel filters we need. The sequence will include conversation and dialogue and we are most likely to act ourselves so are extremely reliable as it is for the benefit of our own projects. The only issue we have is space in the basement as we have to move lots of things, and we would like the blue lights to be flashing (flickering) so we need one person on each light. 2 to 3 helpers maybe recquired to help on lights, play extra victims and their sounds, and to help clear out the space before shoot and put everything back. We have reliable friends who are willing to help out and be part of the project by helping out in such a way.

10. Group responses?
We have gone through many ideas and after test shooting we have cut our ideas down to this last idea. We have realised it will be hard to get quality actors to play a completely psychotic killer, so have changed this to make the killer almost normal-like. The discovery of the long POV tracking shot has boosted our idea and the lighting is perfect for this idea. We have come up with this final idea through the props and resources available to use in the basement.

11. Teacher responses?
Miss blackborow wanted us to not make our idea so complicated so we have avoided a time change, more than 2 main characters and too much going on. She also suggested we build up tension for the first minute and not introduce too much action. She liked the idea of the killer being normal and suggested he be charming whilst being ironic, as if seeing to guests. She decided the long POV track would be better with the killer leaving as to not establish there is more than one victim until the end. With these changes we have come up with this final idea with which both we and the teacher are happy will work.

Test Shoot Times

Possible Times:
Monday 24th Nov: Inset day 9-5
Tuesday 25th Nov: 4-8 half shoot
Friday 21st Nov: 4-8 half shoot

We decided to shoot on the 24th November.

Jack