Shooting practice; horror scene recreation

 This post contains a mini project that helped us learn how to shoot a cinematic scene. We did this as a group. (Maxine, Bamz, Kenneth and me )

My teacher told us to find a scene from a movie and in our groups case a horror movie. Our groups task is to recreate it. We choose a scene from Jennifer's Body 2009. 

This is our story board ⬆️ (this was done by me)

This is our finished video ⬆️ edited by Kenneth & Max

Camera

Problem : The camera was sometimes shaky in the middle of recording due to constant imperfections within the camera angle or movement which can make some scenes with no sense and context ( character wasn't in the camera angle thus, talking to nobody or the camera movement was too far from the characters to be seen clearly )

Solution : We could possibly use a stabilizer or a tripod for the recording part to prevent
shake or weird angles within the recording session.

Next time : Most likely practice for the camera stillness because, purchasing a stabilizer or a tripod can be too far out of our current budget and we might need another cameraman that has a stable arm just incase for the camera movement.

Editing

Problem: Lip-syncing to the original audio was a bit abnormal due to the characters while recording can be either nervous, embarrassed or not good at acting for the sound to be synced to the audio.
 

Solution: Retake many shots to see if we can perfect it the original audio or get actors that are good at acting like doing a Screen Test with various actors we picked out that could be good within the context of our video to prevent weird lip-syncing to the audio.

Next time: Remember to take as many shots as possible to have a higher possibility that the lip-syncing wouldn't be as abnormal or off-synced.  

This part in green was written by Bamz 

Mise en scene 

Problem: We couldn't control the lighting as we were filming outside the classroom. The lighting for a horror movie especially for this one requires mostly low key lighting and since it was sunny today we didn't have access to that. 

Solution: Our teammates Max and Kenneth decided to adjust the video's lighting using the video editing apps to get the same feel as the clip from the movie. 

Next time: We will find a place with artificial lighting so we can easily control the lighting without much help from the video editing app to give it a more natural look instead of artificially increasing something. However, if this is not possible we will use the solution mentioned previously. 

Problem: In the first scene an actress looked at the camera. It's a subtle detail but our goal is so it would match perfectly to the scene we are trying to recreate. 

Solution: Our team tried to edit the video. However they couldn't fully fix that scene so we didn't find the right solution at that time. 

Next time:  we will rehearse and practice many times before we actually film the scenes. If not we can do multiple takes at the time and carefully look at the footage before deciding on another take. However, if all these repercussions fail then we can figure out how to edit it out. 

Sound 

Problem: We didn't have any problems with the sound as we use audio from the original clip which is very clear. 

Next time: I think we will continue doing this and for our upcoming project we will pre record the audio for the dialogue so we can get a clear sound. I also learned it's best not to record audio while we are recording a scene 

 This was done by me ⬆️

Self reflection:

This is my first time doing a shooting practice and I think it is quite fun to do. The hardest part is the fact that our group had to find a scene from a horror movie which is quite complicated due to our limitations. However, through our practice I learned that we need more practice and better team synergy (as we forgot to do the behind the scenes).  Overall, I think this shooting practice help me and my group learned many valuable lessons. 

 

Film schedule

 This is our film schedule for our film opening. We did this as a group  

Scene	Date/Time	Location	People	Equipment	Other
All	18 January 2024, 16:00	Taman Festival Bali	Maxine, Shannon, Kenneth, Bams ( possibly another dude )	Drone, Camera, Phones, Laptop, Car	Few other actor props to make it more immersive like cards

Self reflection:

This filming the movie opening scene will be all in one location. As such we decided we were going to film every single scene in one day since we all thought editing this movie opening will take more than a week. However if like for example it rained on the day of the shoot we plan to move it to monday after school. Hopefully we are able to finish it in a day but if there are re shoots we plan to go there maybe the next day or so. 

Screenplay + Script

 This is my group's screenplay for this term's project. 

The screenplay and script is done by Maxine & edited by me & Mr Nick

Actors: Max, Bams, Kenneth

Characters:

Max: Max

Bams: Greg

Kenneth: Kenneth

Killer: - 

Screenplay

This is our first iteration of our screenplay. It had complete information however the format didn't match the conventional screen play and as such we decided to change it. 

 

here is our newly edited one that follows all the conventional standards of a screenplay 

Script

Kenneth: I'm hungry, i'm gonna get a snack real quick

Max: it's been like 10 minutes, where is he?

Bams: what the-

Update on script and screenplay 

We decided to not use the script because 

• We wanted our characters to appear mysterious and hidden as the main dominant reading. 

• Another reason is because we also  change our film introduction from a plot catalyst which is the climax / what is the conflict to just follow genre introduction which is a great opportunity to implement this no dialogue film opening to make our film opening seem more ominous and mysterious. 

Self reflection:
The script seems very short but I think it's enough to make the scenes work and implement the message into the film opening. I'm also very grateful mr nick was able to help us with the text and format of this project. I also tried to help by editing some parts to adhere to my teacher's standard. In summary, I learned how to make a conventional screenplay with google docs thanks to my teacher which will greatly help me in the next big project. 

Screen test

 This is the screen test we did in class for our groups project 

In this screen test we read lines from various genres such as horror, thriller, etc. I will be putting the advantages and disadvantages of doing this screen test this way 

Advantages 

• It allows us to pick from a wider range of actors and actresses. Since we are able to see everyone's performances including members from other groups and as such we are able to pick from a wider range of actors and actresses compared to if the screen test was done per group. 

• It's easier to get feedback. Because this screen test was filmed with a teacher present, our group can ask for his recommendation on the actors best fit for the role in our movie / film opening or other groups for their own opinion on the suitable actor/ actress. 

•  It's more accessible and easier to assess. Because the class screentest was uploaded to social media our group members can access it anytime, anywhere, making it convenient to review the performance and discuss potential casting choices together, allowing us to revisit the fotage, compare different actors and make a more informed decision. 

Disadvantages 

• Some people who aren't use to crowds could get performance anxiety. An actor or actress can feel comfortable on camera with minimal people but if the same person is on camera and perform in front of a crowd it could disrupt their performance. 

• It's a less accurate representation on the filming process. Unless the genre their doing is a 90s sitcom which requires a large crowd to react, doing a screen test in a class setting doesn't accurately represent how the group will actually do their filming and will only provide as an obstacle for those with performance anxiety. 

• There is also a risk of casting bias. Actors or actresses who stand out and get the class's attention that could potentially lead the casting choices based on popularity instead on the other important factors that would best fit the role.

Self Reflection:

I think we are going to take some of the actors and actresses from this class group project which is Bamz, Kenneth, and Maxine (because of her scream that fits the conventions of a classic horror movie). I think my part would have been good for maybe a family drama movie or action movie and I was definitely affected by some of the disadvantages that would result in my not so good performance. 

Storyboard

 This is our film opening storyboard. 
Done by Me 

⬆️ This is our rough draft of our storyboard before I went into detail and elaborated in each scene. This is important because we needed to visualize each scene on paper and this rough storyboard help guide the storyboard bellow. 

These first few scenes we did it in detail so we can get a better idea of the overall scene which was useful. However, it was time consuming to do both so we simplified it for the next few scenes. 

⬆️ For scene 3 - 4, our group decided to remove the tent and replace it with the forest background instead because in the location we are going to film in I don't think we can use a tent. 

After some discussion with th group, we decided that we wanted to make scene 6 longer and add another scene before the title ecreen as such I replaced it with the scenes bellow 

Update: new storyboard 

After constantly discussing with my group we many things, and shorten it to just this. We decided on these changes because it was unrealistic to use a car for the scene because none of us are within legal age to drive. Setting up a fire in a public place with logs is a hazard and cause a fire so we just opted for a vintage lighter. 

Instead of 3 people only two are in frame yellow n blue 

Self reflection:

It is my first time doing storyboard for a big project like this where I did all of the work. I think next time I should draw simpler characters so I can save even more time to help my friends with other things but overall I'm quite proud of my work. I spent a longer time working on this than expected by my teacher which is quite disappointing since there are many things that I should help my team with but I think I squeezed in just enough time so I could do everything. Overall, this experience has taught me a valuable lesson splitting my time effectively so I don't contribute less than my other teamates. 

Risk assessment + Location Scout

This is the Location Scout and Risk assessment for this term's project.

The location scout will be done by Max and the risk assessment will be done by Bams and Shannon with some revision from Mr Nick for both location scout and risk assessment.  

Location
Address:	Taman Festival Bali, Padang Galak No.3
Scene:	All scenes (camp, chasing, etc)
Advantages of location:	It's abandoned and can give the scary atmosphere that we are looking for. Not very crowded, it will make it easier to film. It is close to the school so we can return to it if we need to reshoot.
Disadvantages of Location:	May rain (There is no roof on the building), may have bugs or snakes. It is public, so while not very busy, we might have to work around tourists.
Alternatives:	one of our houses
Risk Assessment
Risk:	Who is at risk:	How to avoid risk:	High, Medium, Low risk:
1. Dangerous animals	everyone involved	assess surroundings first Have a lookout during filming	low
2. Rain	everyone involved, equipment	Check the weather app before we actually go there,  determining what date we are going to film in.  Use a cover for the equipment that is not in use, take an umbrella	Medium
3. Rocks and pebbles, tripping hazard	everyone involved, especially the camera man who will be focused on the scene	To remove the rocks to decrease the risk of tripping or falling when filming the actors or when the camera person is filming	Medium

Self Reflection:

We are unsure if one of our team mates house will fit theme we are looking for so we are hoping that this location really suits the the movie opening we have discussed in class. I'm grateful that Max, Bamz and our teacher Mr Nick helped and I'm looking forward to the next blog post we are going to make. Also hopefully the risk would not happen because of the "how to avoid it" thingg. 

We eventually changed our location again from a suggestion from neighbouring groups to the parking space in Naga eight which has a forest. 

Statement of intent

 This is our statement of intent for this movie opening

By: Me, Bamz, kenneth and Maxine 

Statement of Intent 

Genre
Horror
Target Audience
Demographic	Females and males, age 15 - 25,  located in urban areas where they can easily access the cinema and other digital devices.
Psychographic	Teenagers that enjoy horror movies with some slashing action and a mysterious but creepy kidnapper/etc.
How we will appeal to this target audience
The whole set, props and costumes were mostly monotoned using black, grey and white as one of their main colour schemes with low key lighting setting the tone for the overall movie and is something audiences are expecting. There will also be red in a form of fake blood when the killer finally strikes and kills something which is what horror movie goers would like to see. We can use diegetic sounds like a screams and non diegetic discordant sounds of which slowly becomes louder the closer the main character is to the figure which builds the suspense of the overall opening.
Main inspirations
Hush, Texas Chain Massacre 2022, Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, The Night
General Synopsis
A detective comes home from a long workday, only to be met by his old nemesis, an escaped serial killer he just put in jail earlier that day. His nemesis brought along members of his gang to finish off the detective once and for all.
Characters
The detective, serial killer and his gang
Representations
(How will people, places, groups be portrayed in the film opening?)
Dominant Reading
Always go home early, never go out at night alone.
Proposed Roles
Script	Kenneth 🎉
Storyboard	Shannon 🙂
Location Scout	Maxine 😀
Risk Assessment	Bams 😣
Screen Test	Max 😲 🤪
Filming schedule	Bameswara 😡
Audience research	Shannon 🙃
Behind-the-scenes	Max 😮
Editing	Kenneth 🎉

Self reflection:

After discussing the task that should be done by each person we finally decided on the roles for each task. Unlike my first statement on intent were 60% of the role were handled by me, this time everyone collaborated on this part of the blog. I'm grateful we already have a solid plan. There might be some changes along the way but it will all be updated here. Overall This task help us pinpoint who is our target audience our general plan / sinopsis.