A Mood Board For Our Opening Scene

I feel that this mood board really captures my vision for our opening scene. It features the location on either side of the image as the opening scene would be set in the woods. Moreover, the cross of St Peter in the bottom left and corner and the pentagrams in the mud and depicted in black show the satanic backdrop for the scene. The blood on the floor nods to the mutilated body and the destruction that we will show on the set. To conclude, these images capture the horror genre and hint to the rest of the narrative. 

Independent Research 2

Independent Research

For my second independent research task, I researched satanic symbolism. In our opening scene, we have decided to feature ambiguous symbols to foreshadow the imminent doom for the dog-walker. So, my group and I concluded that we would need to create these symbols to make the scene seem realistic and add to the harrowing horror genre. The satanic symbols would link to the idea of the devil's presence and hint to the killer. 

First, I searched the foundations of Satanism. In a short summary, Satanism is an ideology that worships Satan. Throughout history, Satanism has been regarded as the height of evil as it is predominantly anti-christ in a mostly Christian world. The philosophy is split into two groups: Atheistic Satanism and Theistic Satanism. The latter believing that Lucifer is a spiritual deity worthy of worship. The former has been developed by Anton Levay. Levay, is considered to be the Father of Satanism and has spread his beliefs through literature, music and spoken word. The Satanic philosophy is followed in the largest part by young males, specifically in the United States of America. 

Along with researching the history of Satanism, I watched an interview given by a modern satanist from the United States.

The following symbols are associated with Satanism: 

The cross of St Peter (depicted left) highlights the fall of mankind and the Christian Church. The pentagram and goat depict Baphomet, both associated with Satan. I think that if we were to include these symbols in our scene we could add to the horror elements and symbolise the killer. 

 Independent Research

Once the group decided on our concept and further developed the notion, we decided to utilise our resources and carry out some independent research. In the scene, the main subject of the scene comes across a mutilated body. So, for my research, I investigated how to make fake blood in order to make the scene believable. Film is unforgiving and so the massacre had to be realistic. 

I watched a tutorial with over 300k views by a channel on youtube that specialises in fake blood called 'RealFakeBloodFilms'. The video taught me step by step how to make the blood. The ingredients consisted of corn syrup, fairy liquid and food colouring. To make the blood you need to put the corn syrup in a bowl and then red food colouring. The red food colouring will sit on top of the syrup so you must stir the colouring into the syrup. Next, you should add a small amount of blue food colouring to the solution as real blood does not look as artificial in its hue as red food dye. As you continue the process, you should test the solution on a white paper towel or kitchen roll to ensure it is the correct colour. From time to time, the blood will not appear solid on skin and look almost like it's condensing, if this happens you should add a small bit of fairy liquid to solidify the mixture.

Another option, if you want to alter the opacity, you may add cornstarch to thicken the mixture. I feel that this research task really helped inform me of the elements of special effects makeup and will benefit the group when it comes to filming. 

Reflecting On Our Test Shoot

 Reflecting On Our Test Shoot

Now, our test shoot has been edited we have had time as a group to reflect on the project and gain a realisation of what worked and what did not work so well. The shoot was our first time filming the idea so naturally, not everything worked and these things need to be identified and fixed. For example, the symbols we hastily made on the ground looked silly and cheapened the scene. In addition, the group agreed that although the scene had good bones for us to work with, at times it was a little boring and our aim is to grip the audience from the beginning. So, we have discussed how to make this seem more realistic and harrowing therefore engaging the audience. First of all, the symbols will be moved to the trees and painted on with black spray paint. Secondly, we will decorate the area with blood and organs collected from a butchers in order to really engage the audience from the outset. The shocking visuals of the meat and organs will draw the audience in and give the scene a better shape. 

Another aspect of the scene which we need to work on is the length, the scene was shy of two minutes by about 15 seconds so this will need to be increased. We will increase this by focusing more on the killing of the dog walker to add length to the scene and also add a dramatic climax. On the day of the test shoot, we did not have a dog and we believe that the dog will add so much more to the scene. The additional meat and blood will add tension to the scene far better than the dog walker just walking through the woods. I believe that the narrative was fairly clear to the audience but it could be improved upon as for the first half of the scene, it is likely the audience would be unsure what is going on. 

Something that did work well was the camera angles we used, we were able to gather various shots and angles giving us more freedom during the editing process and this is something we hope to carry into the real filming. 

Our Test Shoot

Test Shoot

 Attached is the result of our test shoot. We learn a lot from this experience and it helped to develop our concept. 

Preparation For Our Test Shoot

Preparation For Our Test Shoot 

To improve our filming skills, the group decided to have a test shoot this week. So, today we planned the shoot and decided what were the necessary elements in our opening scene. As a group we decided the location for our test shoot would be the woods at the back of campus behind the psychology classrooms. We decided on this location because it is easily accessed and is a vast area where filming will not be disturbed. 

The next element that needed to be decided on was the cast. As this is a rough test shoot, we quickly decided who would play who. Ollie will be playing the dog, Jemma will play the mutilated body, whilst I will be playing the dog-walker. So, Lola will be directing and filming.  Due to the fact that we have such short notice we will need to make some substitutions for example the dog. We will call for the dog and use sounds rather than an actual dog. 

Jemma 

Ollie 

Lola

Now we have done the shoot, it is clear changes must be made in order to make the scene more believable.  As a group we will spend time revising the symbols as we believe they were not up to the standard we would like to present. So, this test shoot helped the group to discover what translates well on film and what does not.  Overall, I was pleased with the test shoot and felt it went well considering we were only filming for an hour. The project helped enhance our editing skills and provided practise before the real shoot. 

 Developing our group concept

Upon consultation from our teacher and head of production, the group decided to develop and simplify the concept. We decided to evolve the idea in order to create a more polished final product. Our new and improved idea is as follows:

A man and his dog are walking in the woods, the dog's demeanour begins to change which the man notices. The dog sniffs and barks, pointing the owner toward an area in the near wood. The man focuses on various symbols depicted in the woods and finds a mutilated body. The man goes to touch the mutilated body, but a undistinguished noise behind forces him to jolt in fear. The dog barks once more. Then the camera is shot from the killer/creatures point of view. The man runs and trips leaving him vulnerable. There the opening scene will end. 

Group Concept

 Here is our group presentation we collectively created. 

Camera Workshop 2

 

Camera Workshop

 

Class Feedback On Film Concepts

 Upon deliverance of my concept, I received feedback from the class and teacher in order to improve my proposition. In the coming days, I will use the feedback I have received and revisit the work I presented to the class. The main piece of advice which I will use to shape the project include establishing the genre in either a thriller, or a slasher horror. Upon reflection I have decided to chose the thriller genre. We established in class, that filming at night in the forest would be more difficult than necessary therefore I have decided to change the time of day to the morning. Allowing myself an easier time of filming. A question was raised referring to a soundtrack and whether one would be used. I have decided that in order to make the opening more thrilling, minimal use of soundtrack would benefit the project as it makes the film seem more realistic, immersing the audience within the narrative. Initially, I proposed the body to be covered in flies however, this is incredibly difficult without the use of CGI. So, I have suggested that the body only be recently dead so flies would not have begun settling on and around the body.  

In the new narrative, the idea of a female psychopath will be embraced. However, the scene will flow as follows. A detective arrives in the carpark at the glade in Holmbury St Mary, blocked off as a crime scene. The detective will then pass two policeman/policewomen and arrive where the body has recently been found, attached to a rope around a tree. The body will be positioned like a puppet, as if the killer is an attention seeker (a common trait for a psychopath). As the detective approaches the body, the camera depicts a hand in front of the detectives mouth. The screen cuts to darkness and all the audience will hear is screaming from the detective. 

Opening Scene Idea: 3

 

For my final idea for an opening scene, I have revolved my idea around this sign depicted above. The drama will be entitled ‘The Woman’s Guide To Love And Lasting Relationships’, the opening scene will establish the film as a drama as it reflects dramatised life. The titles in the scene will be the same font as the sign in white, contradicting the theme of innocence. 

The opening scene will run like a series of five speed dates, and the dialogue will feature the actress as the sole voiceover over the scenes, establishing her as the protagonist:

“The woman’s guide to love and lasting relationships. 1. Find a man who makes you laugh. 2. Find a man who has a good job and can cook. 3. Find a man who is honest. 4. Find a man who will pamper you and give you gifts. 5. Find a man who is awesome in the bedroom. And 6. It is very important that these men never, ever meet.” 

With each section, we will meet each male character and feature them doing the subject of the line. 

Throughout the film, the audience will see how she manages with ease the five men until the men cross each other and turmoil breaks loose. 

Opening Scene Idea: 2

 

Another route for an opening scene to a film could feature a hospital room, introducing the drama genre. This opening scene could be filmed in the medical centre, a setting that would highlight and emphasise the conventions of the genre. The titles and font would help reflect this to a further extent. In some examples, acting can be far more powerful than dialogue and so, I would keep the scripted dialogue to a minimum showing the impact acting alone can have on an audience. 

The scene will begin with a black screen and the title, the title then would be removed and the sound of a heart beat would replace the text. Slowly, the length of each interval would increase until it falls, dead. The scene would then begin to take place in it’s entirety. A woman would lay her head on a hospital bed, while a nurse places a sheet over the bodies head. As the nurse leaves the room, the woman raises her head allowing the audience to see her eyes, ensuring the actress can communicate the pain she is feeling in this moment. The scene quickly transfers to the woman getting in her car, pausing and then starting the engine. Once more, the scene will transition to the character unlocking her front door to reveal her three children ranging from the ages of 17 down to 10. I believe the simplicity and universal themes in this scene will evoke an emotional response from the audience and ensure the opening scene is successful. 

The film will follow the woman as she embarks on the challenge of single parenthood. The storyline will showcase a raw and realistic story featuring the remaining family. Within the course of the film, the audience will see how the loss of their father fuels them to succeed in their own lives. 

Opening Scene Ideas: 1

 

In this opening scene, the horror genre will be established through the font and colour of the titles along with the content. The film will be set on Holmbury Hill, filmed on the paths above the village hall. Within the scene, dialogue will be kept to a minimum in order to convey mystery engaging the audience and enticing them to watch more. Many of the audience’s questions will be left unanswered. The scene will take place after dusk in order to highlight the dark storyline and adhering to the conventions of a horror film. 

The scene will feature a group a lone man searching for something. Soon he finds a rope within the bracken, the man pulls the rope yet it does not budge and so he follows it further into the wood. A rustle and the man becomes more and more startled, shining his torch at the surrounding vegetation. Silence. The man whispers a name, “Lucy?”. There is a gap between his next call, and he progressively gets louder. Then another rustle and he walks forward toward the movement. The sound of flies buzzing begin to resonate, the man looks around a tree and finds Lucy’s body riddled with flies. Suddenly, a hand covers his mouth and he is pulled into the darkness. Finally, the screen is completely black and muffled screaming turns into violent screams of agony. 

In the course of the film, the killer is revealed as a female serial killer. Her elusive nature and methods mean she is difficult to track and when confronted, deadly. In the conclusion of the story, the killer is found to be a doctor and smuggling the bodies into the local hospital. Yet she escapes custody. 

The horror genre will be integrated in the first scene using a dark ballet and limited lighting. The killer is not disclosed in the initial scene, creating a sense of danger and obscurity. The working title will be ‘Esoteric’ referencing the unknown that is portrayed in the opening scene.