Lighting during filming

As lighting was an important aspect to consider during the filming - and will be during the editing - of my media product. I used dim lighting and lamps, and created shadows wherever possible in order to create a mysterious tone, as these are all elements common in real media products such as current Thrillers. Thrillers typically use dark lighting and shadows, and by using these in my media product I will be using conventions of real media products and making my product easily classified by the audience into the thriller genre.

For example I used dim lighting under a sheet in order to create a silhouette of William as he was under the bed, this shot emphasises the suggestion of William being watched, which is a suggestion I aim to demonstrate with the final opening sequence.

I had to start filming early and therefore the opening shots I took were in daylight, yet I aim to detract from this by using dark mise-en-scene.

Animatic

Filming, Timetable and Location

Sunday 17th October

Location : Highgate, Rosey and William's House

Within this location, there are two main filming locations:

-William's room.
-The guest room (which is the room with the cupbord).

We are going to start filming early, as I am aiming to get all of the filming done in one day in order to ensure the continuity in my opening sequence.

9am - 10am : Opening shots of Rosey and transition shots to Williams bedroom.

10:30am - 1pm : Shots in William's bedroom.

2pm - 4pm : Shots in the spare bedroom.

After this time I aim to review my footage and re-take any shots I feel may be better with the darker natural lighting. I have also arranged the possibility of an additional filming day, Monday 18th October to ensure that in the event that some shots need to be re taken, I will have this opportunity.

Lighting

Lighting is a very important aspect for me to consider when filming my opening sequence. As most of my filming will be done during the day in order to get the best out of the actors, I will use dim lighting, lamps, and try to create shadows as the shadows help to create a mysterious and sinister atmosphere and dim lighting and shadows are common amongst thrillers, for example in the opening sequences I have analysed.

Analysis of The Ring

Mood Board

These are some visual ideas of themes shots and props that will appear in my Thriller opening sequence.

The clown picture in the left top corner is the representation of the toys that I want to demonstrate through my opening sequence as although similar to the jack in the box toy shown, it portrays a creepier more dark side to what may seem innocent. The bright colours shown in both the clown image and the jack in the box toy are representative of the bright colours I want to use in my opening sequence in order to contrast with more dull surroundings such as the clothes that Rosey and William will wear, the dull lighting, and bed sheets etc, in order to emphasises their importance and relevance to the concept. The emphasis on them will create themes of mystery as bright colours and toys are initially associated with happiness and lighter themes, yet this is not the case.

The music notes represent the part that music will play in my opening sequence as the nursery rhymes will draw Rosey to the cupboard and get louder as she opens it. They will also be played every now and then throughout in order to raise suspicions.

The cupboard although different to the one I will be using from my filming location represents the idea of the contrast between the toys and more dull surroundings, and demonstrates the idea that things are not always what they seem. The cupboard seems dull and normal, yet conceals something opposing this.

The two images of hands over the face symbolise a similar shot that I will be using, point of view of Williams hands infront of his eyes, it also symbolises hiding which is an aspect of my opening sequence as William and Rosey are playing hide and seek.

The image of an eye represents the idea of being watched, as this is a feel I am aiming to achieve with my opening sequence with strange angles and shots thorough objects and in reflections.

The boy hiding under a bed is similar to what I want to re-create in my own media product as I have included William hiding under bed sheets in my planning.

Location

I have decided to do my filming at Rosey and William's house, as they will both be comfortable in their surroundings which I feel will reflect in the final media product.


This is the cupboard that William will hide in and that when Rosey opens, will be filled with brightly coloured toys and a collage of photographs of William. As the cupboard is white I am hoping that the contrast between its dull exterior will emphasise its contents and give them a greater impact when shown.








This is the inside of the cupboard, that will be emptied and replaced with scary items such as creepy toys and the back of the larger part of the cupboard will be covered in pictures of William.

This is William's bedroom door and I feel that this is a benefit of using his own home as the name on his door fits with the toy/clown theme within the concept. It also demonstrates how young he is which emphasises his vulnerability. The colours of the name are bright which contrasts with the dull colours that I will dress Rosey and William in in order to show a difference between these to emphasise the toys and bright colours are of importance in the concept.

These above two images are of Rosey walking as there will be many transition shots like these with strange angles and obstructions in order to build the suspense.

The colours of the walls  and carpets are blue, these are quite dull colours which along with the black/grey/white clothes I will dress Rosey and William in will keep the majority of the sequence dark which I feel is in keeping with the genre as the theme is dark which is supported by the visuals, yet the toys shown will be brightly coloured as shown in the mood board in the next post, in order to contrast with the dull colours of the majority of the sequence and emphasise their relevance.

The fact that the toys are brightly coloured yet represent/suggest darker themes is a juxtaposition and could be seen as a red herring - common amongst thrillers - as toys and bright colours are usually associated with lighter, happier themes.

Casting

This is Rosey Stones, and I have decided to cast her as the babysitter, as she is Williams older sister and he will therefore be more comfortable working with her, which is important as as he is young he may be uncomfortable and un cooperative with someone he does not know. She has also done drama a-level and is therefore more likely to be cooperative and comfortable infront of a camera than someone less experienced which is important to bring an industry standard feel to my media product.

Character Synopsis:
Rosey will play William's babysitter who will initially be used as a red herring, seeming suspicious and demonstrated as 'evil'. She has been William's babysitter for a while and the two are familiar with each other which becomes apparent when they are playing hide and seek, after the first time Rosey finds William and it is confirmed that she is not 'evil' as they laugh together and continue playing. Their familiarity with each other again becomes apparent as Rosey's genuine fear and concern is shown when William is lost and things are uneasy.

Update

I have started my story boards and will soon be uploading my Location pictures and final casting pictures in order to complete pre production planning before my filming which I have scheduled for 17th October.

Analysis of The Others

I have been looking at the others as I wanted to research further into the effect of children in Thriller movies.

The Others has two young children in the cast, that are often put in dangerous and vulnerable situations - heightened by their already assumed vulnerability that comes with young age. As a convention of the Thriller genre is audiences being put into dangerous situations, in order to achieve 'the thrill' I feel that the use of young children is an effective way to conform to characteristics of the genre in my own media product and I am therefore happy with my casting choice.

This screenshot from the trailer is a moment where I feel that the vulnerability of the child is heightened as children are often considered as innocent yet this idea is challenged here where the child is demonstrated as dangerous or evil.

Casting

Above on the left is a picture of William Stones. I wanted to use a young boy for my opening sequence as I feel that the vulnerability of young children emphasises a sense of danger and anxiety - aspects that I feel will help to categorize my opening sequence into the Thriller genre.

I have also posted a picture of the boy from 'The Sixth Sense' as although this movie is more of a drama, I feel it is a good example of the use of children in emphasising a sense of vulnerability and danger. The use of young children in dangerous situations causes anxiety and encourages 'the thrill'.

Treatment

The film will begin with a couple leaving their child with a babysitter, a game of hide and seek between the woman and the child turns bad when after a few hiding places the babysitter does not find the child in the cupboard but instead photographs and creepy nursery toys in his place. She is plagued by eerie nursery rhyme music and false clues as to the child's where abouts and is tormented by the force that is keeping him away from her.

My initial ideas for the opening sequence are:

-A bricolage of shots from throughout the whole movie in order to give a glimpse into what is to come, with the idea that was the movie to continue, the shots and events from the opening sequence would unfold as the movie progressed.

-Opening shot of the child hiding - so that it looks like a scary scene yet is harmless. Similar shots of him hiding and being found.

-Shot of the child being drawn to a cupboard by music - creepy nursery rhymes.

-I will use a fast pace and point of view shots in order to gain suspense in the opening sequence and give a glimpse into the whole movie but not a clear outline of the events so that it would encourage viewers to watch on.