Planning - 'Lost and Found' & 'The Interview'

So I have been trying to decide on which film to shoot out of two possible ideas. One idea is an interview which is much easier and safer to shoot, as it can be done indoors under controlled conditions. This also fits the brief extremely well, as I can experiment with a range of camera angles and shots associated with conversation. However the other is based on a horror/thriller theme which is something I am hoping to base my final piece on. Here are the two scripted ideas for each video...

This is my potential plan of how I'm going to shoot my short film called 'Lost and Found' - thinking about camera work, Mise en Scene, setting and a script. I am going to film this sequence in the woods, as this setting will give the appropriate edgy feeling I want. It is basically about a little girl who comes across another injured girl while playing by a river. However, using camerawork such as a tracking handheld shots, I can create the feeling that the characters are being watched. I am hoping to achieve a darker feeling as this setting and camerawork will create tension. This is my plan for this task:

Lost and Found – Short Movie

The scene opens with a wide shot of the river with a little girl called Ellen playing by the edge. The shot then changes to a medium shot of Ellen playing and then to a hand held camera movement going towards her from behind. This will give the audience the feeling that she is being watched.

A stick breaking will then cause Ellen to turn around quickly. The shot will then be changed to a medium-long shot of Ellen looking around. She will then begin to wander cautiously into the woods using a tracking shot. The camera will then change to a close up of her face as she looks around.

Ellen: Hello? Is anyone there?

The camera will then use a tracking shot from the side of Ellen as she walks into the woods. Obstacles such as trees will cross over the frame, again to give the audience the feeling that she is being watched. A low angled long shot will then be used with Ellen in the distance. She will stop and look over at the camera.

Ellen: [gasp]

Ellen will then begin to walk towards the camera cautiously to show the audience her reaction and point of view as she gets nearer. This will add suspense as the audience will want to know what she is looking at. The camera will then change to an over the shoulder shot of her looking down at a person lying injured.

Ellen: Are you okay? What happened?

The camera will then use a reverse shot to show the injured person called Madeleine.

Madeleine: Help please.

The camera will then change to a medium shot as Ellen tries to help Madeleine.

Ellen: It’s okay, don’t worry, you’ll be okay.

The camera then shows a close-up of Madeleine’s alarmed face as she whispers

Madeleine: He’s behind you.

The camera will then use a handheld movement to rush towards the characters from behind, as if the camera is the man’s point of view. The camera will zoom to an extreme close-up of Ellen screaming and then the screen will go black.

'The Interview'

This is my potential plan of how I'm going to shoot my short film called 'The Interview' - thinking about camera work, Mise en Scene, setting and a script. I am going to film this sequence in a conservatory, which will give it the relaxed feeling I want. It is basically an interview about film, including favourite movies and genres to give me an idea when planning my final piece. With this video I can explore camera work through conversation in depth, which is something I would be limited with if I was going to shoot the other movie. This is my plan for this task:

The scene will opening with a tracking shot from behind of a woman as she walks towards a door. This will then change to an action shot close-up of the handle as she opens the door. I will then use a medium shot of the door from the other side as she walks through into the conservatory. This will then change to a medium shot of the woman as she sits on a sofa next to a man with a laptop and shakes his hand.

Ailsa: Hello.

David: Hello, my name is David.

Ailsa: My name is Alisa.

The camera will then change to a medium close-up of the mans face.

David: Is it okay if I ask you a few questions?

Then camera will then use a reverse shoot to show a medium close-up of the woman's face.

Ailsa: Yes, that's fine.

Then to a medium two shot of the man and woman sat on the sofa.

David: What is your favourite film, and why?

Ailsa: (Improvisation - answers truthfully)

The camera will then change to a medium shot of the man as he says

David: What s your favourite film genre?

 This interview will continue with questions such as:

1. Are there any genres you dislike?
2. Do you have any favourite actors or actresses?
3. What was the last film you watched in a cinema?
4. Do you visit the cinema often?
5. How often do you buy films?
6. What do you think is reasonable price for a DVD?
7. Who do you watch films with the most?

 

The interview will the conclude with 

David: Thanks for answering my questions.

Ailsa: Thank you, it was nice to meet you.

 

In shooting this scene I will ensure I use a range of camera movement and shots in my work, including 180 degree shots,  action shots, shot/reverse shots and over the shoulder shots. This will give my video depth and fit the brief of experimentation with camera movement using dialogue.

These two film ideas are very different approaches to the task, despite the experimentation of genre 'lost and found' would give me, I feel that the 'interview' is best suited for this task. Therefore I will be shooting that video.