Setting
We have two settings we plan to use for our thriller opening:
(1) Woods
A woodland area with a path (big enough to comfortably run on, but small enough to still look confined). At this stage we are thinking of filming in a public woods/footpath in East Grinstead.
(Pictures to come)
(2) Machinery Workshop (flashback)
Unlike the woods, the shots used are going to be less based on the setting and more close ups of significant actions, props and characters. Therefore, the actual setting of this isn't a massive issue. However, if we are going to film the woods section In East Grinstead, we plan to film the flashbacks in a workshop that is owned by my parents which contains machinery; lots of metal, dirty setting, loud noises etc.
(Pictures to also follow)
Sound Planning
Beginning:
We plan to use both non-diegetic and diegetic sound to create suspense in our thriller opening.
The first few shots of the opening will be some establishing shots of the woods where the women will be running. Here we want to have no non-diegetic sound, just an eerie silence to create suspense as the shots set the scene. In the short cuts of the women running, (place between the establishing shots) we will again just have diegetic sounds (ei, footsteps, panting, sound of crunching on frosty floor - these may need to be enhanced by using Foley sounds).
On the second shot of her running (this will be a full body shot - audience realize it is just a women on a run and not a chase scene - anti climax) we will bring in some kind of happy music as a non-diegetic soundtrack to accompany her running.
Middle: Women starts hallucinating/getting dizzy
To accompany the shaky camera work, and mysterious appearance of a dark figure in the woods, we want to add some kind of eerie, hypnotizing kind of music to play while the happy soundtrack quietens. An example of the kind of eerie sound I mean is below:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTtMDwLamdY)
This music will occur every time she begins to loose balance/ hallucinates.
The women is then going to stop at a cross section in the woods and take her earphones out, this is where we plan to transfer the happy running music from non-diegetic to on-screen diegetic sound leaking from her earphones.
As she looks around (shown by a panning 360 POV shot & a POV shot from the perspective of someone watching here from behind a bush - suggesting she is being watched), we plan to cut out all the music and return to the eerie silence from the beginning establishing shots. Our hope is that the contrast from loud, running music to the eerie silence will create suspense for the audience, expecting something bad to happen.
Costume
Over all we want the costumes of the characters to be representations of young people today, creating realism for the opening and therefore making the characters relatable (especially the young women)
The Women (Running):
We plan to dress her in a stereotypical running/fitness outfit. For Example:
-Fitness Trousers
-Matching jumper with a basic top underneath
-Running Trainers
-Her hair will be tied back in a simple ponytail
-Visible trainer socks
-Headband (hold hair out of face)
-Sweatbands
Additionally we could add to this costume items such as:
-One of those arm bands/hip belts that can hold a mobile phone.
The Women ( In Flashback)
We additionally see the women in the flashbacks. However, we don't want to reveal completely in the opening, that she is the women from the flash back. Therefore, we will not be filming any shots of her that will be in focus enough to resemble her.
But we will most probably dress her up in dark clothing, maybe ripped.
The Man (Unknown):
We want there to be significant mystery around this character. Therefore we plan for him to be in all black (or dark clothing), this alongside some low key lighting should create the mystery that we are hoping for.
In addition we want him to swear some kind of cap (still keeping to the dark colours), this is to ensure there is always some kind of shadow hiding his face and therefore creating enigma.
So so far, our plan is:
-Black jumper/big coat
-Black/dark trousers
-Black boots - Dr.Martins (these need to be distinctive, as we will use aspects of costume like his shoes to reveal him in the present day from the flash backs)
-Black baseball cap.
Beginning:
We plan to use both non-diegetic and diegetic sound to create suspense in our thriller opening.
The first few shots of the opening will be some establishing shots of the woods where the women will be running. Here we want to have no non-diegetic sound, just an eerie silence to create suspense as the shots set the scene. In the short cuts of the women running, (place between the establishing shots) we will again just have diegetic sounds (ei, footsteps, panting, sound of crunching on frosty floor - these may need to be enhanced by using Foley sounds).
On the second shot of her running (this will be a full body shot - audience realize it is just a women on a run and not a chase scene - anti climax) we will bring in some kind of happy music as a non-diegetic soundtrack to accompany her running.
Middle: Women starts hallucinating/getting dizzy
To accompany the shaky camera work, and mysterious appearance of a dark figure in the woods, we want to add some kind of eerie, hypnotizing kind of music to play while the happy soundtrack quietens. An example of the kind of eerie sound I mean is below:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTtMDwLamdY)
This music will occur every time she begins to loose balance/ hallucinates.
The women is then going to stop at a cross section in the woods and take her earphones out, this is where we plan to transfer the happy running music from non-diegetic to on-screen diegetic sound leaking from her earphones.
As she looks around (shown by a panning 360 POV shot & a POV shot from the perspective of someone watching here from behind a bush - suggesting she is being watched), we plan to cut out all the music and return to the eerie silence from the beginning establishing shots. Our hope is that the contrast from loud, running music to the eerie silence will create suspense for the audience, expecting something bad to happen.
In the shots in the second setting (the flashback) we will have a mixture of diegetic noices to accompany the images on screen. For example, machinery, metal scrapping against each other, quiet wimpers (from a a women/late teens), footsteps etc.
There is going to be no character dialogue throughout out opening, apart from the women panting (from running).
The non-diegetic sound, either me or Alex (music students) will create something on garage band, although we will all contribute towards ideas as to what we exactly want it to sound like.
Costume
Over all we want the costumes of the characters to be representations of young people today, creating realism for the opening and therefore making the characters relatable (especially the young women)
The Women (Running):
We plan to dress her in a stereotypical running/fitness outfit. For Example:
-Fitness Trousers
-Matching jumper with a basic top underneath
-Running Trainers
-Her hair will be tied back in a simple ponytail
-Visible trainer socks
-Headband (hold hair out of face)
-Sweatbands
Additionally we could add to this costume items such as:
-One of those arm bands/hip belts that can hold a mobile phone.
The Women ( In Flashback)
We additionally see the women in the flashbacks. However, we don't want to reveal completely in the opening, that she is the women from the flash back. Therefore, we will not be filming any shots of her that will be in focus enough to resemble her.
But we will most probably dress her up in dark clothing, maybe ripped.
The Man (Unknown):
We want there to be significant mystery around this character. Therefore we plan for him to be in all black (or dark clothing), this alongside some low key lighting should create the mystery that we are hoping for.
In addition we want him to swear some kind of cap (still keeping to the dark colours), this is to ensure there is always some kind of shadow hiding his face and therefore creating enigma.
-Black jumper/big coat
-Black/dark trousers
-Black boots - Dr.Martins (these need to be distinctive, as we will use aspects of costume like his shoes to reveal him in the present day from the flash backs)
-Black baseball cap.
There is good evidence of aspects of planning here, but you need more illustration to meet the expectations for presentation of the blog. Continue to use terms where possible. How are the animatics going? These need to be here for the end of Wednesday deadline, along with all of the other aspects of planning. Audience research?
ReplyDelete