Props And Costumes For Film Opening

I want this film opening to be very minimalistic. This means I do not want to include too many props in one scene. I want to give off a 'clean slate' look. This deprives the audience of clues as to who the woman (Quinn Wakely) is and why she is in a mental institute. Lack of clues helps the audience to make up their own theories as to how the film will play out, getting their brains interacting with the plot.

From this props board I can now keep track of every single detail within the film. Nothing must be out of place otherwise it could ruin the whole effect of the film and/or mislead the audience in the wrong way.

Settings Board

These two images show the buildings we would want (if making the whole film) to use for the mental institute (top image) and Francis' cottage (bottom image). I want the top building to be the mental institute because it looks old and run down, as though neglected. This gives the place a miserable look. Windows are left broken or half repaired as though they were smashed by patients and the grounds are unkept. It is barred off by a metal gate to show isolation.

Francis Denver's cottage is covered in graffitti and grime. The graffitti on the door says 'DANGER KEEP OUT' which misleads the audience into believing that the inhabitants of this cottage is also dangerous. Just like the institute, this building is unkept and neglected. At first glances, the cottage looks deserted, as though Francis is a ghost. This building is also barred off by a big, metal fence to show isolation.



As shown in the previous test shots, I have chosen to film the mental institute scene inside my unfinished workshop. It is clean and white, just like an institute should be. But it also has elements of danger and neglect as wires are showing where there should be sockets. The floor is dusty and a picture frame lies in the corner, on the floor. I would have liked to use the top image to film the institute scene, but unfortunatly permission was not granted.

Actor Profiles



Storyboard

Storyboard from Holly Jones on Vimeo.

A storyboard is the most crucial part of the planning stages. Without a storyboard directors would not know what camera angles, shots and parts of the script are meant to be used and when. The first time my partner and I set out to film, we left our storyboard behind by accident. It was impossible to film anything without a plan.

This storyboard gives you an idea of what the film should look like. What shots will be used, when they will be used, how they will be used. What accompaniment will come with each shot (dialogue, sounds, music)?


With this storyboard I can film shots in order and in effective time. It will help me all the way through to editing, when I need to decide which sounds and music go where.

Script

INT. EPPING FOREST MENTAL INSTITUTE – DAY

Quinn Wakely is sat in an empty room on her own. Her face is expressionless and she is sat up straight; her clothes are very plain and simple. We can hear lots of faint voices over the top of each other. We then hear footsteps getting closer as a smartly dressed Inspector Hodges and a worried nurse walks into the scene. Quinn does not react as the Inspector attempts to communicate; his voice slightly muffled by the voices of Quinn’s thoughts.

NURSE

She has not spoken since we found her in the forest.

     (Pause)

I’ll leave you to it.

INSPECTOR HODGES

          Thank you, nurse.

Inspector clears his throat and stands slightly uneasily as we hear the nurse’s footsteps vanish out the door. The door slams shut.

INSPECTOR HODGES

Good afternoon, Miss Wakely. I’m wondering if you could answer a few questions for me on the Epping Forest murders. Any information you may give will be used as evidence and a thorough investigation into your statements will occur. Do you accept these terms?

Long pause. Voices are getting gradually faster and louder. Quinn does not move, but her eyes dart around the room. Inspector Hodges eyes follows hers. After a while, the Inspector kneels down in front of Quinn and sighs. He speaks in a pleading, sympathetic voice.

INSPECTOR HODGES

I know its hard – reliving terrible memories. But people are dead and we need to stop the monster behind these attacks. That’s what you want too, isn’t it? You want it to end?

Pause. Quinn’s thoughts get louder and more confusing. Inspector Hodges pulls out a photograph from inside his blazer pocket.

INSPECTOR HODGES

          Do you know this man, Quinn?

At the sound of her name, Quinn’s eyes flicker to look at the photograph. The voices come to a loud but abrupt stop. There is a slight hum of a light bulb in the background. Quinn starts laughing hysterically as the scene around her flickers and blood appears on her face. Next minute she’s sobbing, and then she starts laughing again. The scene halts at the janitor’s closet and the light bulb is on the brink of blowing a fuse. We see the shadow of a figure hanging from the ceiling and then the light bulb explodes.

Institutional Research

Producing my film is one of the most crucial steps within the industry. Choosing the right institution for my film is very important so I must choose one who has produced films of a similar sort. I have considered Dreamworks (The Ring), Columbia Pictures (The Grudge), Toho (One Missed Call), and Dimension Films (The Others).

I feel that Dimension films would be the best company to produce my film as they have created many movie franchises within the horror genre, such as; Scary Movie, Scream, Halloween and Children Of The Corn. These movies are very well known and are classic examples of different horror sub-genres. My film ends on a cliff-hanger, and I feel that if my movie was successful, there would definitely be a sequel. Dimension being experts in those areas, would be very useful.

Dimension Films are part of The Weinstein Company. This label was taken with the Weinstein brothers when they split apart from Miramax (owned by Disney) in 2005. Dimension Films produce and distribute many films, mostly franchises and horrors.

Dimension Films has distributed and produced The Others - a very similar film to mine in the way of characters and settings. It includes old, secluded houses and a psychotic, confused female lead. There is a lot of emotional confusion and tension in both my film and The Others, too. The audience sees the events through the confused, main character's eyes, much like my film.

I would expect a production budget of 20 million in the 'real world' as The Others had a 17 million budget in which they did not use any special effects or very well known actors except for Nicole Kidman. If I was creating a real media text, I would use high profile actors and special effects for gore.

I would expect my film to be quite high profile like The Sixth Sense, meaning they'd be in most mainstream cinemas across the UK and hopefully the US. I would also ensure an official website for the film in which people can watch the trailer and be updated on news specific to that film. This will increase hype when the film is released in cinemas and on DVD/Blu-Ray. To create more hype through means of the Internet, I would make profiles for the film on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

This research into a sufficient producer/distributor means I can see the scope for my film and predict how successful it could be when working with the right companies. It also allows me to make plans for ways of distribution.

Regulations - The BBFC

The BBFC is the biggest regulator for British media. They are trusted to filter out any harmful content that may be included in films and classify that certain text to a suitable age group. This helps protect the public, mainly children, from witnessing inappropriate matter. They also bare in mind the freedom adults have over what they and/or their children should view. The BBFC regulate not only films but games and programmes released on DVD, also.


The main issues the BBFC have to take into account would be horror, drugs, language, sexual activity, criminal behaviour, discrimination, nudity, themes and violence. The regulation of these issues are then split up into the different age classifications: U, PG, 12A, 12, 15,18, R18.


U- Universal

These films should have a 'positive moral framework' and should balance out any violence or horror in a way that is reassuring and justified. these are usually aimed at 4 year olds and over.

PG - Parental Guidance

PG films advise parents to decide as to whether or not their child can watch these films. There may be a few upsetting scenes that would not be suitable for 8 year olds or younger. The makers of PG films need to leave out any scenes that would be considered as disturbing material for 8 year olds.

12A/12 - Suitable for 12 and over

These films have violence and other such factors that anyone below the age of 12 may find upsetting. 12A films are for cinema use only, so there is parental supervision.

15 - Suitable for 15 and over

For these films, no one below the age of 15 may view, in any circumstance, the material being shown. This is due to a stronger use of violence, sexual activity and language.

18 - Suitable for 18 and over

18 films are usually a lot more explicit and for adult viewing only as many of the main issues within these films will upset and disturb younger years.

R18

Too explicit to be shown in regular cinemas. Only to be shown and sold in licensed cinemas and shops to 18+.

I have read through the BBFC specifications and guidelines, and I have come to the conclusion that my film will be classified a 15.


Guidelines Of A 15 Rated Film

Discrimination

No discriminative behaviour or language should be used at all.

Drugs

The usage of drugs may be shown as long as the substance is not glamorised or encouraged. Easily accessible drugs are unlikely to be accepted.

Horror

Threatening behaviour is acceptable as long as it is not sexualised or sadistic.

Dangerous Behaviour

Behaviour that can be easily copied, such as self-harming, suicide and hanging should not dwell on the action of which can be imitated. Any weapons used in the act should not be glamorised.

Language

Frequent use of strong words, such as 'fuck', can be used. However, stronger words can only be used if justified in context. Aggressive use of very potent language will not be accepted.

Nudity

Nudity is allowed in education or non-sexual context, baring in mind that any nudity in a sexual context is slightly censored.

Sex

Sex will not be accepted if it's the work's primary theme. However, sexual activity can be shown without strong detail and verbal reference to sex is allowed. The strongest of verbal, sexual references are unlikely to be accepted.

Theme

No theme is allowed unless it is strongly suitable for 15 year olds.

Violence

Sexualised, sadistic or the strongest gory images is unlikely to be allowed in a 15 rated film. Any violence included can be strong but should not dwell on infliction of pain or injury. Detailed, verbal reference to sexual violence may be allowed alongside discreet portrayal of sexual violence with strong contextual justification.

As my film is primarily a horror, I have to take into account any issues relating to violence or imitable behaviour. My film will not dwell on pain, injury or dangerous acts. Strong language may be used, but I will not use the strongest of language that may be upsetting. My film includes strong stereotypes, but I will make sure that there is no discriminative material. Keeping to the guidelines of this classification, my target audience will be a lot wider and at the same time, allows for more freedom of shown material.

Audience Research

Audience Research from Holly Jones on Vimeo.

For this task, I wrote a survey with a number of different questions. I then went out into my school and found a number of people around our target audience age and interviewed them. From the number of different people I interviewed, I chose the most popular and helpful answers for each question and animated each idea.

This has helped me pin point exactly what the target audience of my film wants and expects. I know that the audience like to watch horror movies quite a few times per month, showing that they are quite devoted to that genre. They feel that a good psychological horror should be realistic in a way so it stays with you even after the film has ended. My audience are not scared easily, so I doubt there would be any complaints about my film. My target audience does not like to watch psychological horrors alone; but they do not want a big, distracting group of friends with them either. Gore seems to appeal to the younger section of my target audience; even though my movie is not a slasher, I can incorporate some more gruesome seens into it.