For my project, i have decided to do a short horror/thriller film about a witch.
Short horror films can have a powerful impact on the audience by creating a sense of suspense, fear, and unease, all in a short period of time. They leave a lasting impression on the audience by invoking fear, in a impactful manner.
The main reason i have put my film idea underneath the genre of horror/thriller is because my ideas for this aren’t particularly scary, but they can be seen to be unpleasant.
The research that i am taking inspiration from is different short films and different witchy supernatural productions. I watch quite a lot of short horror films on youtube and i think its very effective how they use colour grading in their videos, as they’re always seen to have dark tones around the edges of the videos, which brings the dark horror impression that a horror film should give.
I have decided to use this as research as i think using a darker creepy tone will give the film the witchy effect and show the audience exactly what type of film they’re watching.
Short horror films are often compared to romantic films as they both have the ability to evoke strong emotions in a short amount of time, but they tend to generate different feelings. Horror films can be intense and scary, while romantic films are often heartwarming and emotional.
With short horror films, they are colour graded a lot darker using colder tones and harsher shadows, whereas romantic films use more of a lighter tone to show the happiness and cheerful effect that romantic movies give unlike horror films.
Horror Films typically revolve around a threat, supernatural or otherwise, that endangers the protagonists. The story often follows a suspenseful and frightening trajectory, exploring themes like survival, the unknown, and the darker aspects of human nature.
Romantic films primarily focus on the development of a romantic relationship. The story many involve obstacles or conflicts that the couple must overcome, exploring theme of love, trust, and personal growth.
Impact and Aftermath: Horror films often leave a lingering sense of unease of fear after watching. Memorable scenes and scary imagery can haunt viewers, sparking discussions, and analysis of the film’s deeper meanings or psychological impact. Romantic films can evoke a sense of hope optimism, and romanticism. They may leave viewers feeling uplifted, inspired, or nostalgic, and can serve as a catalyst for conversations about love, relationships, and personal experiences.
Audience Intentions : Horror films cater to audiences seeking thrills, scares, and a heightened adrenaline rush. Fans of horror films enjoy the suspenseful buildup, shocking moments, and the excitement of being scared within a controlled cinematic experience. Romantic films appeal to viewers who enjoy stories about love, relationships, and emotional connections. These films offer escapism, fantasy, and the opportunity to experience a range of emotions, from heartwarming moments to tearful revelations.
Directors:
Directors play a crucial role in shaping the artistic vision, storytelling, and overall cinematic experience of a film. Their creative decisions and directorial style can greatly influence the narrative, visual aesthetics, and emotional impact of a movie. One important aspect of a director’s work is their visual style. This includes their use of camera angles, composition, lighting, colour palettes, and overall visual aesthetics. Some directors have a distinct visual signature that can be recognised across their body of work, while other adapt their style to suit the specific needs of each film.
Directors have different approaches to storytelling. Some may favour linear narratives, while others experiment with nonlinear or fragmented storytelling techniques. Understanding a director’s narrative approach helps in recognising their storytelling strengths, thematic interests, and unique perspectives on the human experience.
Directors have varying degrees of control over the filmmaking process. Some directors are known for their meticulous attention to detail and complete creative control, collaborative environments. Understanding a director’s level of control can shed light on their ability to shape their vision and execute it with precision.
Equipment:
When making a short film, various types of equipment are utilized to capture high-quality visuals, record clear audio, and enhance the overall production value.
Camera: The choice of camera greatly impacts the visual quality and aesthetic of a short film. High-end digital cameras like RED, ARRI, or Blackmagic are popular choices, as they offer superior image resolution, dynamic range, and color reproduction. DSLR cameras and mirrorless cameras with video capabilities are also commonly used for their versatility and affordability.
Tripod provides stability and allows for steady shots. It is essential for static shots, panning or tilting movements, and maintaining a consistent frame. Tripods come in various sizes and weight capacities, catering to different camera setups.
Lighting Equipment is crucial for setting the mood, creating atmosphere, and highlighting equipment includes various types of lights, such as tungsten lights, LED lights, and HMI lights. Additionally, light modifiers like reflectors, diffusers, and flags are used to shape and control the lighting conditions.
Microphones: Clear and high-quality audio is essential in a short film. Different types of microphones are used based on the recording needs, such as shotgun microphones for capturing dialogue, lavalier microphones for individual actors, and boom microphones for capturing audio from a distance. Audio recorders and mixers are also employed the capture and monitor sound effectively.
Editing Software: After capturing the footage, editing software is used to assemble and refine the shots into a cohesive short film. Popular editing software includes Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer. These software tools allow for trimming, colour grading, adding visual effects, and integrating audio elements.
Types of shots:
Different types of shots in film contribute to the overall visual storytelling and can evoke specific emotions or convey important information.
Wide Shot, also known as an establishing shot, a wide shot captures the entire scene or location. It provides context, setting, and establishes the spatial relationships between characters and objects. Wide Shots are often used at the beginning of a scene or to show the grandeur of a landscape of environment. They create a sense of scale and help orient the viewer.
Medium Shot, frames the subject from the waist up, allowing viewers to see facial expressions and body language more clearly. Medium shots are commonly used in dialogue scenes or to focus on a specific character or action within a larger setting. They create a sense of intimacy and connection with the characters.
Close-up shot zooms in on a specific part of the subject, typically the face or an object, filling the frame with detail. Close-ups are used to emphasize emotions, reveal details, or create a sense of intensity. They can convey subtle expressions, heighten tension, or draw attention to important visual elements.
Tracking Shot involves moving the camera alongside or following the subject. It can be achieved using a dolly, Steadicam, or other tracking equipment. Tracking shots add dynamism and fluidity to a scene. They can be used to follow characters, create a sense of movement, or showcase action sequences. They immerse the viewer in the scene and provide a cinematic experience.
Point of view shot represents the perspective of a character, showing what they see or experience. It immerses the audience in the character’s viewpoint, making them feel as if they are experiencing the events firsthand.
Long shot shows the subject from a distance, typically emphasizing their full body or capturing a significant portion of the scene. It can be used to show the characters actions or interactions within the environment.
Extreme Close-up zooms in even closer that a close-up, often capturing a specific feature or detail. It is employed to draw attention to minute details, gestures, or expressions with a high level of intimacy or significance.
The movie idea is inspired by some of my favourite witch series like Chilling adventures Of Sabrina. I think that using the style of colour from this show would be useful as it really highlights the witchy aesthetic to the production. A few scenes would be inspired from this as it’s my most favourite witch tv series exist.
The main inspiration for the story and the plot is from another tv series called “i’m not okay with this” on Netflix. It is about a young girl who lives with her mum who never has any time for her, she discovers that she has these special abilities that she cant explain and seems not to be able to control them.
Most of the scenes will be inspired from this tv series as the story line is similar to the story line that i am going with in this short film. I will be taking inspiration of the tone and the colour filters that are used in these series as they are dark toned and brings the witchy supernatural effect to the shots.
Bibliography
KinoCheck.com (2020). I AM NOT OKAY WITH THIS Trailer (2020) Netflix. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQVQHLEPZQM [Accessed 14 Feb. 2022].
Pre- production:
The script
StoryBoard
Cast:
Kelsey Collinson as ESME
Henry Mulligan as MAX
Maddie Scott as JENNIFER
Leon Whiting as ADAM
Callum Jefferson as MUGGER 1
Harley Lyons as MUGGER 2
Kian Romani as MUGGER 3
McKenzie Duncan as FRIEND 1
Shumona Motin as FRIEND 2
Camera Operators:
McKenzie Duncan
Shumona Motin
During shooting, we will have to shoot the scenes at least 3 times to get different shots at different angles of the scene. This will show the effect of a movie as this technique is used often.