Idea Generation
I started with brainstorming ideas of what to do for this project using a mind-map. I had the idea of doing a talk show with a quest star, talking about different movie genres and what genres interest them and why. The strengths of this idea are that it has good communication skills behind it and helps practice more on camera work. The weaknesses are that it could be seen as boring and not entertaining as it is a conversation and for the my target audience, it wont be as eye-catching to them.
Doing a Movie trailer would be good as i could use different scenes from different sequel movies that include the same character and make them look like they are in one scene for a trailer. This would make it look authentic but it wouldn’t be my own work and it would be copy written as the scenes and shots won’t be shot by me.
The documentary idea would be good for entertainment, as some people like to listen to other peoples thoughts and would like to see that in the form of a documentary. The weaknesses are that i don’t really find an interest in documentaries as they kind of bore me and don’t give me the excitement i would want to feel whilst watching something.
I decided to chose a short film for the final project as i feel that a horror/thriller film is more amusing and entertaining to my target audience being teenagers. I chose this for the project i think that i have more experience in short movies and films as i watch a lot of movies and short films. Short films are mainly horror and that is the main reason why i chose to do this as for my final project as i watch horror/ thriller films all the time. The idea of my movie being about a young being capable of unexplainable abilities is a good idea as i have an interest in supernatural movies and tv shows that show a misunderstood character trying to figure out who they are and what they are actually cable of.
I have decided to do a short film about a shy, edgy teenage girl discovering her special abilities and how to control them.
Presentation
Presentation Feedback and evaluation:
The feedback i was given was mainly positive, which made me feel more confident with the project. But it was suggested that i don’t use two or more cameras for different shots and only use one. This is helpful as if i use more than one camera for different shots, it wont be accurate and the same in every shot as different cameras have different quality.
Proposal:
Research
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
Proposal
Risk Assessment
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.
Production
During the production, a lot of changes happened. The cast changed as i asked a student from the performing arts course, but she cancelled on me the day before filming. I didn’t know what i was going to do so i started panicking and, i asked a good friend of mine Kelsey Collinson to play the main character. She wasn’t too keen at first but we got there in the end.
Week 1
We started to film during the easter holidays as i thought it would be easier for cast as they were more available during the holidays. The cameras we used were Panasonic 151, which i think was an effective as they have great quality and they are pretty easy to figure out how to use them and the functions of each feature. We started to film in Ravenscliffe at my Mum’s house to use as “Esme’s house”(which was so helpful that my mum allowed us to use her house). The more we filmed, the more Kelsey was taking the role as “Esme” more seriously and she seemed to actually enjoy it more than she thought.
When we started to film, i had mixed feelings about it as i wanted it to be all done within a week or two. I realised that it was gonna take a lot more time than expected. At first everything was running smoothly with film, Cast was enjoying their time on set, shots and scenes were shot perfectly.
Week 2
Second week of filming did not go as planned at all. I didn’t have an SD of my own (as i was using Henry’s) and Henry was shooting his film, so i booked out the cameras for no reason and had to collect and take them all on my own as i had no one to help me. The process of filming started getting stressful for me as i had planned to have everything filmed during the holidays and to get editing done when college reopened. When we went back to college Henry was sooting scenes for his film which i helped him with. One thing about shooting the first scene was the cup. In this scene i had Esme and her mum argue and as her mum is shouting at her Esme is concentrating on a cup on the kitchen side and she makes it fall with her mind. I had this idea imaged in head so differently, my mum wouldn’t let us a glass cup in her kitchen just in case it smashed so we improvised and use a plastic batman cup.
I started to edit the footage that i already had instead of waiting until it was all filmed.
With editing i was going to use Adobe AfterEffects as i have it on my MacBook at home but, it wasn’t really working as i kept on glitching and i don’t really know how to use AfterEffects it was too complicated.
I decided to use Adobe Premiere Pro at college instead as it was so much easier and running smooth without glitching.
Progress update
This is my progress update that i filmed after the easter holidays.
Week 3
The week after, we shot the classroom scene, which wasn’t as stressful as the other days. The reason i had the film shot in college and my mum’s house to capture the effect of Esme being a regular teenage girl. This scene was to show how Max reacts to seeing her use her powers and he is figuring out that there is something strange about Esme.
My character in this scene was to be having. a one-sided conversation with henry’s character as he is concentrated on Esme. I had trouble with this because i hate being on camera, so i found it hard to figure out what to talk about to as Max pays attention to Kelsey, so i started talking about the Aruba Trip.
We finally had everything shot except from the last scene. Filming the last scene took two days to do though. The camera battery died halfway through filming and we all pretty much had enough so we called it a day and i charged the batteries over night.
The night before shooting this scene i had made changes to the script as i changed my mind about giving Henry’s character a backstory.
For it to be easier for Henry and Kelsey i sent them the updated script and they read it from Kelsey’s phone.
I was super excited to shoot the last scene as we finally got to put fake blood on Henry’s face. I wasn’t happy with the blood as i imaged it to look more realistic and to roll down his face from his eyes as the idea was that his brain has been exploded from the inside. This was mainly my fault as i bought thick fake blood and it wasn’t as watery as i had in mind. We improvised with all the flaws in production with editing.
Editing
I was finally done with the stressful part of production and had the easiest part to do, as i thought, turns out editing was even more stressful as filming. If i didn’t have Henry co-editing with me and helping, the whole project would have been a lot worse.
I stuck to using Premiere Pro even though i don’t fully understand how to use After Effects. Premiere Pro is so much smoother and quicker without any glitches. With editing, me and Henry both edited it together as some features i do not know how to use like Henry does so he was very very helpful.
With colour grading, the main idea was to give it a darker tone, to give the horror film effect, but by the time editing came up to colour grading i had only a little amount of time to get the movie done and edited ready for the Premiere. So i just used the auto colour correction for every clip, but i did it for each clip individually.
For the classroom scene, i wanted like a flashback of the mugger scene fading in to this scene as it gives the effect that Max the previous events are on his mind other than Adam’s conversation. Henry edited the fading in as i am not 100% confident on how to use all of the Adobe Premiere Pro features.
Final Movie
Evaluation and Reflection
The project overall was a exciting new experience.
The process of conceiving the idea for a short film came to me quite quickly, even before the Final Major Project was introduced. The concept had been brewing in my mind, indicating my natural inclination towards filmmaking and storytelling. The inspiration for the film, centered around a witch, was attributed to the previous projects. The theme of witches in those projects captivated my interest and imagination a lot more.
Task 1.The idea of the movie didn’t take too much planning as i already had the thought brewing in my brain. I just thought of a witch film because i watch a lot of supernatural witchy Tv series and movies all of the time and i find it very fascinating how witches are portrayed as powerful, unstoppable women who stop anyone who gets in their way of whatever it is they seek. I thought it would be magical if i could create something similar to that.
The presentation of the Film Idea made me very nervous as i hate talking in front a big group of people, so i had a one on one presentation instead which was a lot better as i was as nervous. The feedback was good about the idea, positive feedback made me feel more confident within my idea and how i was going to pursue it.
Task 2.Whilst researching, i decided to look at the different types of short films and compare them with short horror films, which helped as i now understand the differences between different genres and how they’re correctly portrayed. Looking at the differences with colour grading helped me understand how effective tones are in colour grading are as it gives it the horror effect it. This was important so i know what to do in future opportunities The main inspiration my idea was from was the Netflix series “I’m not okay with this”. I used this as inspiration as it is about a young girl who discovers these unexplainable abilities that she has no idea about and it shows her journey of trying to control and overcome them. That is exactly how i pictured Esme, a young, misunderstood girl who is discovering new things about her self and it exploring her way through them but they get out of her control.
Planning everything was super as i’m the director it was quite easy to be persuasive. I had all the locations planned out, i was super greatful to my for letting me use her house as the set of “ESME”. I had. asked a friend of mine from the performing arts class (Serish Dunne) if she would be the main character for the film, she saiid yes but the day before filming she cancelled on me, so i had no choice but to ask a few of my female friends, so i asked Kelsey Collinson and she wasn’t too keen with it but she soon warmed up to the idea.
Task 3.Filming was when things started getting difficult. It started off very smooth and everything was as i wanted it, it was the second week everything started stressing me as i booked out the cameras to film and we didn’t even end up filming as we had problems with SD cards as i didn’t have any and i was using Henry’s and he needed them so i had to take the heavy cameras all the way from Ravenscliff to Bradford college all on my own. I feel like this should’ve gone better than it did.
Editing was the most easiest thing in the production part of the project, as i had Henry’s help. Editing was easy and it was a very smart move to switch editing programmes. I feel like it could have been better with the jump cuts and as they weren’t as clean and smooth as i wanted. The whole time throughout the project, my thoughts were all negative as i’ve realised that i tend to criticise my own work and think negative thoughts about it. I had this constant feeling that the film will be really bad and embarrassing only because i made it.
Now the project is done and the film is published, i still feel like its bad and embarrassing even though i’ve had so much positive feedback from it. But i am very glad i chose a short film for this project and very glad that i went through with the concept and the story line idea because if i chose a total different topic, i would have regretted it.
Presenting the film at the Film Showcase in Bradford Science Museum, i had felt as mine was going to be the worst film showing, turns out it was better than most of them. I was nervous because i still had the constant feeling in my head that anything i do just doesn’t go well and i’m just bad at everything i do.
Overall, this project presented me with an amazing opportunity to step into something new and different, allowing me to discover more about myself and my capabilities. Through the challenges and triumphs encountered along the way, i had the chance to identify and understand my strengths and weaknesses as they played out in real-world setting. Collaborating with friends added an extra layer of enjoyment and fulfilment to the project. Being surrounded by individuals who understand my journey, share common goals, and have a vested interest in my success boosted my motivation, resilience, and overall satisfaction with the project.
Through this project, i gained a valuable lesson about managing stress and its impact on my friendship. The experience of feeling overwhelmed and stressed due to the pressure of completing the film nearly caused me to lose connection with my friends. This realization has taught me the importance of finding a balance and not allowing stress to consume me entirely.
Reflecting on my experience, i have gained valuable insights into how i would approach a similar opportunity in the future. If given the chance again, i plan to adopt a more measured and mindful approach, avoiding rushing through the process and overwhelming myself with stress. I intend to take it one step at a time, prioritize self-care, and recognise the importance of taking breaks when needed.
Like the last project, i think i need to improve on my confidence with being in charge of things, being more confident within my own work and work on my anxiety on presenting as i feel like that effect the processes of the project as i didn’t even want it to be presented. If i ever see my self in this position with a similar opportunity to do something great i need to work on my confidence and my team work and stress.
Reflecting on my experience, i have identified areas for improvement regarding research and explaining the production aspects of my project. Improving my approach to research and production explanation involves developing a more balanced perspective.
Peer Assessment:
What was good about the film?
Kenzie: ‘Good story line, good camera shots, good music choice but you could have been less stressed during the production’
Shumona: ‘The length of the film was appropriate, and i like the creativity of the story’
Henry: ‘I really enjoyed the storyline, it was really well written and was a great concept executed well.’
What could have been improved?
Kenzie: ‘ the acting and director could’ve been more in control of the cast and crew’
Shumona: ‘The directing could have been more clear, filming could have taken less time’
Henry: ‘In some scenes, the audio seemed to be a disrupted.’
How would you rate the quality?
Kenzie: 7/10
Shumona: ‘8/10 because the quality and editing was good but could have been better’
Henry: ‘I’d give this project a 8/10 because for a first time making a film it is incredible what you have accomplished, especially with no prior experience.’
By soliciting and listening to feedback from others, i have gained valuable insights and an outside perspective on my creative ideas and directing skills. Being self-critical demonstrates a level of introspection and a desire to continuously improve.
Acknowledging the feedback provided by Shumona, Kenzie and Henry regarding my directing and audio quality, i recognise areas where i could have improved during the project. Specifically, i agree with Kenzie and Shumona’s comments about the need to be more in control as a director and command respect from the crew members. Additionally, i concur with Henry’s observation that certain scenes had choppy and unclear audio, highlighting the importance of maintaining consistent sound quality throughout the film.
I agree with Shumona and Kenzie with the directing comments as i feel like i could have been more in control in directing as i didn’t really have respect as a director by the crew members. I could have been more demanding and in charge with everyone to get the work done how i wanted. I agree with henry as some scenes the audio seems a bit choppy and not as clear as other scenes.
Overall this project was been stressful, hard work and also confusing but it was a once in a life time experience with lots of unforgettable memories made. If the opportunity came up to do another project like this one i would definitely, 100% pursue it.
This project has been a rollercoaster ride filled with stress, hard work, and confusion. The challenges and obstacles that i faced along the way tested my limits and pushed me to my fullest potential. However, despite the difficulties, the overall experience has left an indelible mark on me.
Looking to the future, my enthusiasm shines through as i express my unequivocal desire to pursue similar projects if given the opportunity. Given this opportunity again, i would improve on my directing skills and try to engage my thoughts and what i want with the crew and cast. I would improve by having more knowledge of the editing programmes being used.
In summary, while acknowledge the stress, hard work, and confusion, i view this project as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Its impact on my personal and professional life, coupled with the unforgettable memories created, has left an indelible impression. The willingness to pursue a similar opportunity in the future shows my passion and dedication to challenging myself and embracing new experiences.