Story-boarding

Story Boarding

Story-boarding- draft

This is the first draft of my story board but changes must be made including making the board look more professional and adding the length of each shot to know how the opening will work. The story board I feel need to be white to make it seem more professional and remain the audiences focus on the process of the opening rather than the pretty border. 

Planning- shots list

Shots list-

1.     Blank screen, with a transition of the title coming up in white, and a certain font (creepy bold looking).

2.      Fade into her turning on the bath tap, close up shot. Halfway through the shot the title fades out.  

3.      Mid shot of back of character taking off her top.

4.      Mid shot of character taking off her trousers.

5.      Close up of character undoing her bra at the back.

6.      Close up of character grabbing a towel out of the cupboard.

7.      Over shoulder shot of character pouring in red bubble bath.

8.      Close up of view of her getting into the bath of her feet.

9.      Bird’s eye view of character in the bath with tap still running.

10.  Close up of tap running, then characters hand turn it off but leave it dripping.

11.  Pan up characters right leg.

12.  Link to arm due to her sitting position, up to her shoulder

13.  Pan up to her chest, to her nose.

14.  Extreme Close up of nose and mouth.

15.  Pan around bathroom to show mirrors and scenery-mirrors create effect.

16.  Zoom into a mirror using a low angle and mid shot.

17.  Long shot of the woods.

18.  Pan around the woods.

19.  See character from panning and we zoom into her face.

20.  Close up of characters face, she then looks into the camera.

21.  Close up of characters face in the bath.

22.  Mid shot of character lifting her arm in the bath.

23.  Mid shot of character in the woods lifting her arm.

24.  Close up of character dropping her arm in the woods. Camera on the floor so we see the hand fall.

25.  Close up in the bath of her hand hitting the water.

26.  Close up of her feet in the water twitching.

27.  Go back to the woods where her hand will be on the floor from last wood shot, then zoom out to a mid or long shot to show her getting up from the floor.

28.  Zoom out to a long shot of main character in the middle of a circle of four people.

29.  Close up of one of the masks with the text of what they represent.

30.  Close up of the next mask.

31.  Close up of the next mask.

32.  Close up of final mask.

33.  Camera in the middle of the circle panning in a circle of characters taking off their masks and throwing them to the floor.

34.  Camera on the floor of shot of all five sets of feet and masks on the floor.

35.  Mid-shot of character in the bath sinking under.

36.  close up of one of the ring members.

37.  Close up of second member.

38.  Close up of third member.

39.  Close up of fourth member.

40.  Zoom out of last ring members face to show the circle again.

41.  Close up of character clenching fists.

42.  Mid shot at bath level, so it looks like no-one is in it then her arms come out holding onto the handles.

43.  Extreme close up of hand gripping onto the handle.

44.  Back to woods as main characters point of view, panning around the circle again as the dialogue begins.  

45.  Extreme Close up of one of the ring members.

46.  Extreme Close up of the next ring member.

47.  Extreme Close up of the third member.

48.  Extreme Close up of the final member.

49.  Close up of main characters face, with ghost effect.

50.  Long shot of main character trying to run out of the circle but she can’t escape.

51.  Mid shot of main character moving head around under the water trying to escape.

52.  Mid shot of main characters feet trying to get out of the circle.

53.  Close up of main characters hands trying to push her way – pushing one of the members.

54.  Mid shot of main characters point of view, trying to push her way out, we then see her fall to floor, turning into worms’ eye view of the sky.

55.  Close up of characters face coming out of the water gasping for air.

56.  Zooms out to mid/long- shot of character sitting up in the bath grasping onto the handles.

57.  Main characters point of view looking around the bathroom panning.

58.  Close up of characters face in the bath.

59.  Pan down to the medication. 

Before we started our mood-board we decided to create a list of the initial shots and  a step-by-step plan of each in order to show exactly what angle we want to show the point of view from. This created a basic structure and  floor plan of how the filming would run. Overall, this shot list formed the body of the opening scene and gave use of the room to think of any ideas before we made any final decisions. 

Inspiration- What lies beneath (bath scene)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irr4b40Ok7E 

The way in which we have used what lies beneath bath scene as influence is by looking closely at a variety of elements which include mise-en-scene, camera angles, sound and editing. However, the mise-en-scene, mainly the setting and significance of white has been a huge influence when creating our idea. We have taking into account the use of the white bathroom and this creating natural light as well as clarity for the character; it also heightened the focal point which was the character. However, when observing this clip it is clear to address that the scene is very minimalistic as the room lacks items that would associated with a bath. We have transferred this in our ideas of only using red bubble bath to illustrate the danger and sense of blood but also a bottle of pills to show her mental illness clearly. We have also managed to get hold of a white bathroom to transfer this idea into our work but also the bathroom is very impacted and small which will show the idea of the character feeling isolated and suffocated from her thoughts but also her surrounding to fully apply this idea. Having a small bathroom will also take the audience away from the location and focus intensely on the character, plus the way her emotions are taking control.

Furthermore, the uses of the shots within the scene are very much focused on mid shots and close ups with the other shots occasionally placed within the sequence. Therefore, focusing on the true fear and emotion portrayed through her facial expressions. The uses of these shots also create the intense atmosphere that is needed to place the audience on the edge of their seats. The shots the scene also flicks back and forth from the main characters face and the actions of her foot at the end of the bath. This takes the audience away from the main action and drama, causing the audience to want more of her facial expression to display her emotions. However, flicking back and forth creates tension and the unpredictable actions of the character. The way that we have used this being having many close-ups of the main character and a few long shots of the character, although we have used pans of parts of the character to add our own twist to this creation; making the work we have created slightly unique.

The sound that is portrayed in the scene is very much running water and the use of the characters discomfort as well as struggle and fear. Within our scene we have included shots of running water but decided not to add lots of moans and noise from the character, but rather the shots take focus of the character; using her facial expressions as she is her own fear. The background sound that is also involved is used by transitioning from the water and drowns into the next simplistic music. The music is slightly high in pitch but very elegant as the sound is rather a tune instead of lyrics being blurted out. This will be recreated in our work as minimal music won’t take the focus away from the scene but assist alongside the scene. Sound effects however, will be a key part of exaggerating elements like the tap running and dripping once off.  This will create the idea that the water is a sacred place but also her point of exposure for her mental health. The echoing of the water is transferred into the background noise until her mouth and nose emerge above the water, her eyes can be seen to remain focus and eye contact at all possible times. We will also have the character submerge under the water as if she is using the water as a barrier but when she emerges her breathing is exaggerated, showing her struggle for breath.

The editing within the scene actually is very subtle and to be honest the whole film lacks editing apart from the ghostly figure being placed within the scene. However, the clip at hand only really portrays the character and her fears, using sound in such a clever way that the audience feel on edge and the idea of will this figure appear, will they drown her or is this just in her head. The music is a great way to also assist actions and motions but in this clip we focus heavily on what she is doing with her foot and her face, the way her emotions show what is happening in her brain and her general reactions. Overall, we use this scene as a major influence as it shows a simple scene that is performed and crafted in such a great way to put the audience on edge of their seats, as well as the sound assisting many of our ideas. 

British board of film classification

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/15

Official age certificate rating sign 

These can be found on the covers of DVDs, on billboard advertisement of the film for cinemas and often in the opening credits within the idents. 

BBFC is a term that refers to British board of film classification, evolving in order to create a set or guidelines and rules for which anything that is broadcasted in terms of films must include. Therefore, allowing the audience to know what is appropriate for their age. This restricts anyone under that limit from proceeding to watch the contents of that specific film. When research into the idea of having an age limit we found that a 15 rating would be most suitable for the idea in which we want to portray. However, when looking directly at the age 15 band, a structured format has been designed elements that would make a film a 15 rating, this includes: 

From this we decided that the use of a 15 would be most suitable in what we feel we want to portray. This is due various reasons which include the recurring reference to mental health which younger viewers may find upsetting, scenes of skin being on show and possible glimpses of nudity, as well as the use of prescribed drugs. The use of each of these subject are minor but the idea of surrounding the opening with mental health ideas that maybe too complex for younger viewers to grasp and understand the complexity of the mental health. 

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/12a-and-12

https://vimeo.com/101286399

A 12 or 12a rating is material that isn’t suitable for anyone under the age of 12, and must not see the film in cinemas. However, a 12a means that they can see the film only if they are accompanied by an adult. A 12 rating states that strong language e.g. f*** could possibly be passed as a 12 rating depending on its frequency of use and in what context that this word is used. Sex may also be used but briefly and discreetly portrayed, but in a 12a nudity maybe used but also very briefly which is also the same of sexuality. Finally, dangerous behaviour can be used including hanging and suicide could be passed but specific details that could be copied by children should not be shown. Anti-social behaviour must not be shown and infrequent use of drugs could also be present but not glamourized and be a step-by-step guide. 

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/18

An 18 rating is for those who are 18 or over depending of a variety if elements in the film which include no limit on the number of swear words included in the film. The use of foul language can aggressive, frequent and accompanied with strong violence. They may be the uses of homophobic language, racism. The film could also have strong and detailed images of sex, including full nudity, as well as very crude and explicit sex references but also containing real scenes of sex. The use of drugs can be used but shouldn’t promote the misuse of drugs.  

What makes it 15 rather a 12 or 18

The reasoning for which we chose to precede our opening scene to be a 15 rating was primarily 3 factors which include the use of prescribed drugs, the recurring reference to portraying mental health throughout which younger viewers may not understand the portrayal of mental health. They may find it upsetting as the main character is only a few years older than them so they may become concerned that this will happen to them. As well as , scenes of skin on show first the start of the opening until the end, they are not crude scenes of her, but glimpses of skin that may  affect the way that teens see themselves and feel about their body image. These are part of the reason why it isn’t a 12 or 18 but mainly not an 18 due to the lack of foul language as there is none. There are some references to drugs; prescribed drugs that the audience can’t predict will be seen as a recreational drug or to help her through the tough mental health, it’s how she uses the drug can’t be predicted, will she them to end her life or not. A 12 maybe too young due to elements that hint fear and terror in the character such as the red bubble bath and the characters wearing masks may scare younger viewers. Overall, the scene has parts and elements that wouldn’t be suitable for younger viewers and there isn’t enough violence and foul language to be 18 and over, more gore and horror would be needed to fit the 18 and over category.   

Deadly sins research

Lust: Terminology that relates to “is an intense and uncontrolled desire. It is usually thought of as uncontrolled sexual wants. However, the word was originally a general term for desire. Therefore, lust could include the uncontrolled desire for money, food, fame, or power.” “unforgiven souls of the sin of lust are blown about in restless hurricane-like winds symbolic of their own lack of self-control to their lustful passions in earthly life” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins#Lust Relating to the idea of having meaningful thirst and wants to another or even an object or subject such as money and  power. In contrast, the way in which we shall be using this sin is through it being the ring leader of the group, lust will be her main weakness and this is what shall control the rest of the feelings. Further, the character will be the onset for the rest of the feelings that are causing her mental health issues.

Anger: This means “A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility” http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/anger. Furthermore, the way in which this shall be used is through the colour red and the character who shall portray this, trying to show anger and the way her emotions react to anger. This will show the transfer in feelings for that emotion to the main female character; increasing the stress and pressure to her mental health. 

Gluttony:  This is the term that refers to “to gulp down or swallow, means over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or wealth items to the point of extravagance or waste.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluttony . Therefore, referring to being greedy, not always in terms of food but also, in what they want e.g. expensive items and thirst for wealth. Not having the necessary items but the items that they have wanted. However, the way in which we shall use gluttony in our opening thriller sequence is through her thoughts and feeling, the fact that these are controlling her and changing her mental health, including the way she perceives herself. 

Envy:  This idea revolves around “greed and lust, is characterized by an insatiable desire. Envy is similar to jealousy in that they both feel discontent towards someone's traits, status, abilities, or rewards. The difference is the envious also desire the entity and covet it.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins#Envy . This will be used to envy what others have and the way her mental health affects the way she sees and feels. Overall, these sins collectively will create pressure on her and cause her lose herself altogether. 

We will be portraying these sins through the characters by them wearing masks that represent their individual sin. Each mask shall have the sin painted onto the forehead of the mask and I shall let the paint drip slightly to display danger and create a slight odd approach. However, each sin shall be painted in their own colours: anger will be red and lust will be pink, envy will green and gluttony is yellow. By incorporating the characters with masks it creates a sense of hidden identity, and secrecy that can be revealed when we decide. It will also keep them hidden, building tension for the audience as they cannot see the predators but only make assumptions and judgement. The characters shall also be wearing black in order to look like a collection of thoughts have been placed in the same category. They will be wearing black as it will create the idea of being a group in unity with each other. The characters will also be chanting specific lyrics we have chosen from poems. They will say each of their lines clearly first but then chanting over each other, creating messy lines and confusion that the character feels within her mind. Overall, these elements have been used and designed to build up and upon her thought, progressing and worsening as the scene continues further on.

Representation of Envy

Representation of lust

Representation of anger

Representation of Gluttony

Sound effects

Purpose of sound/effects

http://www.infoplease.com/cig/movies-flicks-film/sound-effects-functions.html 

Stimulating reality

The idea of reality can be implied by something small but this can be distinguished easily as for example an opening and closing door on a spaceship is extremely complex as well as a pretend language for the star wars cast of ‘Ewoks’. However, the reality that sounds is so mesmerising that even we know officially that the sound isn’t necessary real we believe it to be true anyway. Guns shot sound in sequences are not naturally long and loud but this is used to create drama, and the realisation of a gun actually being shot from. Overall, many of the singers who sing for film you will find to be unknown singers or those who don’t necessary look the part as they create a sense of fear in a thriller as people don’t know who they are a wonder and question as they do with the activities being presented on screen. 

Adding or creating something that is not there

Sound tracks that amplify or incorporate sound are not easily accessible as ambient noise. However, sound sometimes can be added after or to a film from a library of sound as well as sound effects. Although for more particular and idiosyncratic sounds a production room in which everything available is a basic sound prop. Even the floor can be involved in the process, which can supply a variety of different footsteps. The film rolls of the screen, with the artist matching the sounds that the director wants for the image that can be seen: including horse clopping off to the distance, crowds cheering, echo effects and etc.

To help the director create a mood

To test the ability of the mood. Here is a shot:

Music:

A. Driving, shrill string music leading up to discordant screeches.

B. Slow, stately full-orchestra music, filled with pomp.

C. Five-piece jazz combo playing something with a slow, bluesy beat.

Psycho (1960) sound effects are implied to place you on the edge of your seat from the word go of their most famous scene, the shower scene. The terrifyingly screechy violins in Psycho when used in more expressive and comedian effect when used a background sound in the film High anxiety (1977) when the character stabs another with a newspaper.

Although sound can set the scene, it can also create a mood; it can introduce important elements to a plot or even mislead the audience or confuse them. Because the voice of transvestite Dil in The Crying Game (1992) is masculine, and she in singing the song for the opening titles this create a feminine touch, making audience believe the main character is a woman rather that a man. This is disguised through a full-frontal shot. Sunset Boulevard (1950) is a film that he narrates as he is the films hero, but we don’t learn until the end that the character is narrating from beyond the grave. Narrative can also reflect a film meaning through other ways. For example, documentaries have traditionally been narrated by male voices, implying that history is actually a man dominant idea.

Another idea is cinéma verité: it suggests that ambient sound is most appealing due to its authentic and realistic traits. . If, like the French New Wave filmmakers, you are trying to create a "slice-of-life" film school you allow not so perfect artists fails remain on the soundtrack to contribute to the believability of that movie. The new wave filmmakers were famous, for example, for allowing street noises to remain in the final cut, although it made the dialogue hard to hear. But many tragic uses of ambient sound look at François Truffaut's The 400 Blows (Les Quatre cents coups, France, 1959) or Jean-Luc Godard's Masculine Feminine (Masculin/Feminin, France, 1966).