Pre-Production: Keeping It PG

During the pre-production process, it's important to make conscious decisions about how to convey tension, fear, and suspense when working with sensitive subjects without resorting to graphic violence of explicit content. For our film, we've chosen to keep the narrative PG-13 rated, ensuring that the story will remain impactful while avoiding any triggering or distressing content. Our focus is on maintaining realism, which is especially important since we don't have access to professional actors who could safely and effectively portray intense scenes of violence or trauma. 

The Online Connection:

The relationship between the two characters begins digitally, with Eva and the stalker meeting online. From the start, we've made the conscious decision to focus solely on their conversations—no exchanges beyond chatting. Although, we haven't fully decided how much we want to show regarding their talking history online. We wanted the main focus to be of the characters meeting physically, so the online portion shown may be brief.

Meeting in Person:

When the characters eventually meet in person, we wanted to avoid any scenes of violence or aggression. In many films, a dramatic confrontation is normalized when the antagonist and victim come face-to-face for the first time, but we chose to take a different route to keep things as realistic as possible, and to ensure that we're not portraying anything that could be distressing or too intense for a PG-13 rated audience. Rather than focusing on a violent physical encounter when Eva is taken by the stalker, we plan to show her growing a sense of unease and confusion as the situation becomes increasingly tense. When they meet at the parking garage, the moment will be filled with suspense—Eva may feel something is off, but she can't put a finger on it. The stalkers true intentions won't be immediately clear, and the threat will be implied through non-violent ways. We'll use cinematography and sound design to build tension, relying on that rather than any explicit action to build tension

Pre-Production: Shot Ideas

 In our film, we've decided to withhold the identity of the stalker throughout the entire thing, which will create a sense of mystery as well as increase the tension as the story unfolds. A major part of maintaining this goal is using cinematography to hide the stalker's face while still building a connection between him and the victim, Eva. I want to mention that we've officially named the victim Eva, which is a significant decision in helping to further our pre-production process.

1. Close-Ups of Hands and Body Language

Close-Up of A Hand Switching Gears

We want to keep the focus on the stalker's hands, movements, and body language rather than having the audience wonder where his face is. One way we're doing this is by using close-ups. For example, when he switches the gears into reverse while driving away with Eva, we can use a close-up shot of his hand on the gear shift of the car rather than showing the whole car moving. This keeps the focus on the action while still keeping his identity a secret. The choice to focus on his hands rather than his face makes the audience feel his presence without giving away too much. The picture above is similar to what I imagined the shot to be like, but I would prefer it to be more close-up as well as taken from a higher angle. 

2. Over-the-Shoulder Shots of Eva

An Over-the-Shoulder Shot from The Titanic 1997

Throughout the conversation Eva and the stalker have, we'll use over-the-shoulder shots from Eva's perspective when she's talking to the stalker. These shots allow us to focus on her reactions, her growing unease, and her vulnerability, while keeping the stalker out of full view. By showing his figure only from behind, it creates a sense of dread and suspense, since the audience is just as blind to his identity as Eva is at that point. It puts the audience in Eva's shoes, making them feel the tension of interacting with someone they can't fully identify or trust. 

3. Filming from the Back Seat

Shot Idea I found On Google 

Another shot idea I had in mind was the place the camera in the back seat of the car while Eva and the stalker are driving together. This shot would be filmed from behind their heads, keeping both characters in frame but never fully revealing the stalker's face. This shot will give the feeling of being trapped in the car with them, almost as if the audience is a silent passenger. The composition of the shot will create tension by showing the dynamic between the two characters, Eva's unease and the stalker's calm. Since there is no frontality and the characters will be having a conversation, we plan on making this shot very brief to avoid boredom or confusion. 

Pre-Production: Scouting Locations

 Opening Shot: The Antagonist's Dark Room

The first shot of will set the tone for the rest of our film, so we want to focus heavily on it. We want to create an unsettling feeling right from the start, so it's key that the antagonist's environment reflects his own dark nature. In this scene, the antagonist will be stalking the victim on social media. The room will be dark with the computer screen as the primary light source. We want the monitor's screen to be sharply in focus, and as of right now we decided this most likely will be shot in the directors house. We want to use someone in our groups home, whoever has the best computer setup. The thing we're looking for the most is the best monitor and lighting arrangement to achieve the right look.

Phone Call Scene: The Victims Bedroom

For the scene where the two best friends are talking on the phone, we wanted a location that would reflect the personality of the character before her best friend meets up with the antagonist. We want this scene to be very personal which is why we've chosen to shoot in the directors bedroom. The room's girly decor and coziness aligns perfectly with the vibe of the character in the story. We want the audience to feel like they're hearing a conversation between close friends, so the setting needs to feel warm and inviting before the tension builds

The Meet-Up: The Top of A Parking Garage

For the meet up scene between the girl and stalker, we plan to shoot at the promenade which is a local shopping plaza. To capture the moment when the girl meets the antagonist we envisioned it being at the top of a parking garage, so the characters are isolated. The isolated area adds to the tension, and the location increases the feeling of vulnerability and anticipation for the audience. The parking garage also offers us a variety of angles and lighting opportunities, which will help us control the atmosphere. While the girls are on the phone talking, the best friend will be on the other line in her car waiting on the stalker to show up to their date.

Therapy Scene: 

Finally, for the therapy scene, we want to create a sense of calm and safety to counteract the feelings of the victims best friend, who is struggling with the aftermath of the disappearance. We've decided to shoot this scene in the directors living room, since it has a soft, well-lit look that will help establish a soothing atmosphere. This helps put the audience at ease, which will make the depth of the conversation more impactful. 

Using the director's house for some of our scenes allows us to keep production simple and flexible. We won't need to worry about securing an external location, and it gives us complete control over the lighting and setup to match the tone we want.

Pre-Production: Representation

 Representation in Film: Exploring Online Safety and Mental Health

When creating the opening for our final film project, my group and I began discussing the important issues of representation. We decided on the themes of online safety and mental health. Our film's narrative centers around a girl who meets a guy online, agrees to meet up with him in person, and then goes missing. The ending of the opening scene will shift focus to her best friend, who is in therapy, struggling with the aftermath of her friends disappearance. While the first two minutes of our film is focused on the issue of online safety, the rest of the film is imagined to represent mental health, specifically how her best friend copes with the loss of someone she loves. Online safety is a crucial issue especially in todays digital age where social media and dating apps expose young people to potential dangers. This theme is addressed head-on in the opening scene, setting the stage for a narrative about the consequences that can happen when caution is not kept in mind.

The rest of the film (after the two minutes we shoot) will portray representation of mental health issues. The idea is that the rest of the film will follow the best friend's everyday life as she learns to cope the loss of her friend. By showing the best friends therapy session, we aim to show the deep isolating experience of grief and mental health challenges teens face as they try to process trauma and cope with the disappearance of a loved one. 

Researching Our Representation Issue

SEARCHING (2018) - Official Trailer 

To ensure that our portrayal of online safety is realistic, I researched how similar themes have been explored in other popular films. One inspiration was the 2019 film Searching, which covers the issue of online safety and the dangers of meeting strangers. In the trailer of this film, we see how the protagonist's daughter's online interactions lead to her disappearance. This movie relies on a screen-based format. The daughter's interactions were presented through split screens, text messages, and video calls, which draws the audience into her virtual world. For our opening scene, I want to use a similar approach. For example, opening with an over the shoulder shot with a computer being the main focus. On the computer will show things like text messages, pictures of the victim, and other eerie things, all shot through the perspective of the antagonist. 

A Still Image From Ordinary People (1980)

Another film I took inspiration from was Ordinary People. In the film, the protagonist's struggle with grief after the death of his brother. The therapy sessions in this film stand out because they capture the vulnerability in a way that feels real. The use of long takes and close-ups show the emotional distance felt by the character without needing to fully show it. This inspired me in how to create the therapy scene in our film opening. Instead of focusing on therapy as a highly dramatic scene, I want to show the quietness of the best friends grief. She's sitting in therapy, reflecting on the disappearance of her best friend, and the emotions come from the stillness of the moment rather than over the top dialogue.

Pre-Production: CCR preparations

As I prepare for my film project, one key area I want to keep in mind throughout production is my CCR. For the question, "How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media test?" I'm planning on using social media as a core distribution method idea. In particular, Instagram will play a significant role in how I would plan to promote and share my film with its potential audience. For inspiration, I've chosen to look at how A24—specifically their film Instagram accounts—engages audiences through visuals, interactive content, and marketing. 

A Screenshot of the Official Hereditary (2018) Instagram Account

A24 is a great example of good film-specific social media campaigns. The Instagram accounts that A24 makes for individual films serve more than just promotional ideas, they help create the tone for each film that engages with the audience even before the film's release. The example shown above gives viewers a look into the film's dark atmosphere with minimal text and lots of haunting visuals. It doesn't focus on selling the movie directly, but instead it creates an interesting picture that creates talk surrounding the film. This strategy is what I want to replicate for my own film. Since I'm not promoting a production company like A24's main account, focusing on an individual film Instagram account will allow me to focus on the film itself (themes, tone, and story).  

A Screenshot of the Official A24 Instagram Account

Why I'm Not Using A24's Main Instagram Account as Inspiration

The main Instagram account is highly effective for promoting the entire brand and showcasing their films, but it serves a different purpose than the individual Instagram accounts created for each film. For my project, I want to focus on the specific narrative, themes, and tones of my film without the distraction of promoting multiple films at once (although I'm only making one). A single Instagram account also helps build a stronger connection between the audience and the story.

Although my film is still in pre-production, I'm already planning on how to respond to the second question, "How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text". Taking inspiration from A24's film-specific Instagram campaigns, I will focus on creating an account that draws people into the world of our film, using visuals, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive posts to build excitement. 

Pre-Production: Why "Enter the Villain" is the Best Fit for Our Film

When planning the opening of our film, we faced a crucial decision: How can we set the tone and keep our audiences engaged from the start? Different types of film openings are used to set different narrative purposes. My group narrowed down 12 different film openings to two; "Enter the Villain" and "Plot Catalyst"

"Enter the Villain" vs. "Plot Catalyst"

Enter the Villain

Midsommar (2019) Opening Scene 

In Midsommar, the villain is introduced not traditionally, but is instead represented as something disturbing done by the cult in the movie. The opening scene sets the stage for the horror that will unfold, as the audience is introduced to a murder. As the cult's disturbing rituals become more apparent as the film progresses, the initial hints of danger were laid out early. 

How to Apply This to Our Film: In a similar manner, I could introduce the villain through subtle cues. The idea of keeping our villains face anonymous throughout the opening was talked about in my group and everyone seemed to approve. Doing this can create a sense of unease and mystery before the full extent of the antagonists plans are revealed. This can be achieved through lighting and camera positioning to keep his face hidden. 

Plot Catalyst 

Jaws (1975) Opening Scene

The opening scene of Jaws sets the tone for the entirety of the film. There are distinctive camera techniques used to immerse the audience into the perspective of the shark prior to the attack. This perspective mirrors that the threat is hidden, unseen, and always lurking out of view. The shark's view is essential for building suspense, as it heightens the tension while making the audience feel vulnerable. 

How to Apply This to Our Film: In our project we could potentially use the camera to represent the villain's perspective early on, which can create a sense of doom for the audience. Another example would be if the antagonist is a mysterious figure or person, I could use close-up shots of objects or places they've seen to create tension before we fully reveal them. 

After exploring several types of film openings in class, my group and I have decided to use the "Enter the Villain" opening for our project. This decision aligns perfectly with the genres we've chosen for our final film—drama, horror, mystery, and crime—and is inspired by A24's signature filmmaking style. This opening immediately establishes a threat or conflict, which is key to engaging the audience in the beginning. By choosing the "Enter the Villain" opening, we can immediately establish a strong sense of conflict, drawing the audience into the darker elements of the story. By taking inspiration from these films, we can create a visually engaging introduction to our antagonist. This opening choice will ensure that our film starts with a strong hook, laying the groundwork for the narrative to follow, and allows us to build tension and suspense as we move forward. 

Pre-Production: Opening Scenes

When beginning our brainstorming process, my group wasn't sure where to begin. We had talked about ideal genres we wanted (seen in my last post) so, we discussed our favorite production companies. One company we all had in common was A24. This film production company is known for its artistic and original films. A24 is also known for their horror films, including MaXXXine (2014), Hereditary (2018), and The Lighthouse (2019). A24 supports independent filmmakers and gives them a platform to be seen. Knowing this, our group decided it would be best to research their style of filmmaking compared to larger companies like Walt Disney Studios or Universal Pictures. One of the most important parts of a film is the opening, which serves as the audiences first introduction to the characters and their conflicts. Establishing these things can help the audience understand and engage with the further plot developments. 

Hereditary (2018) - Full Opening Scene 

There are specific techniques used in the opening scene of the film which I can tie into our final film. A24 immediately sets a tense, unsettling atmosphere through the use of cinematography. The film opens with a slow pan across the interior of the family's home, specifically focusing on the miniature model of the house. The use of a steady camera tracking from one side of the room to the other creates a sense of unease, which makes the audience feel like they're being drawn into something. This approach to camera movement hints that there may be hidden layers to the characters and the house itself. 

Another technique used by A24 is the use of tight framing, especially during the moments of emotional distress. The camera was shown cutting off parts of the girls body or face while standing in a corner, which can create a sense of isolation. This shot emphasizes the characters emotional distance in the film, and foreshadows what's to come. 

The lighting is soft with muted tones in the first scene. This creates an atmosphere that feels both warm and eerie. The detail of the set design, like the miniature models, contribute to the sense of a larger hidden narrative. In our film, we can use props, lighting, and set design in a similar way to achieve the themes of mystery, crime, and drama. Dim lighting and shadowed corners can suggest danger, with objects in the background that hint at deeper plot elements. 

In my film, I can apply this same style of steady camera movement to build suspense and allow for the audience to linger on important visual elements that may come into play later. Introducing a character or setting through slow deliberate pans or tracking shots can create a sense of mystery or horror which mirrors the tone we're aiming for. By incorporating these techniques- slow pans, tight shots, and actively thinking of mise-en-scene, I can create an experience for my audience which draws them into the world of our production.

Pre-Production: Genres through cinematography

Cinematography plays an essential role in defining the genre of a film. Although my group hasn't finalized our film ideas, we did have a few common genres we wanted to incorporate: Thriller, drama, crime, and mystery. Each genre relies on specific techniques to create the mood. By carefully selecting the shots, angles, and lighting, my crew and I can amplify the emotional impact and engage the audience in our film, whether its the suspense of a crime or the emotional reaction of a character. Through this idea, cinematography becomes not just a technical skill but a way to use storytelling which enhances the genre and connects with the audience on a deeper level. 

1. Thriller 

A still image from Get Out (2017)

Thriller films often rely on fast-paced and high-stakes narratives that build suspense and keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Cinematography is very important in this because certain shots and techniques can enhance the feeling of danger and uncertainty. The cinematographer for this film, Toby Oliver, uses dark, moody lighting and tight close-ups to create an environment of dread and tension. The claustrophobic shots place characters in confined spaces. Doing this amplifies the sense of fear and suspense. 

2. Drama

A still image from Rosebud Lane (2023)

Drama films focus on character-driven stories that can explore deep emotions and human conflict. Cinematography in drama is typically used to emphasize intimate moments, emotions, and the internal struggles of characters. Rosebud Lane uses the techniques of close-ups and medium shots to emphasize emotional intimacy. These shots allow the audience to connect with the characters on a personal level, which effectively makes the audience feel their emotional journey. The lighting also plays a significant role in shaping the emotional tone of the film. The filmmakers used a combination of soft lighting and natural lighting to create a sense of realism and vulnerability.

3. Crime

A still image from The Godfather (1972)

Key shots used in crime movies include Low-angle shots, deep focus, and symbolic framing. The use of low-angle shots gives a character a visual of power and authority, which can visually reinforce their position in the criminal world. Deep focus shots, where both the foreground and background are in focus, are used to highlight important details. The framing of characters in dark or confined spaces often emphasizes their moral isolation or relation to crime. 

4. Mystery 

A still image from Zodiac (2007) 

Key shots include tense close-ups. Tense close-ups of characters' faces during moments of realization or suspicion are often used to capture the psychological states of the characters. This can also be done without even showing the characters face. Shown above is a still image from the film, Zodiac, where the investigator matches the watch to the real zodiac killer. We know this without seeing the expression of the character or other factors. 

Hello World

    Over the past few months, I've had to opportunity to work on a short film before moving to the foundation portfolio. What started with a simple concept focused on the game of chess quickly evolved into a murder mystery, introducing unexpected twists and challenges that pushed me to think creatively and adapt. When beginning this short film, I chose the role as cinematographer which I will continue going into our final film. I learned that the filmmaking process is often unpredictable and requires flexibility, since the original vision tends to shift as new ideas and elements come into play. 

    As I move on to the new film, I plan to apply all of the lessons I've learned through the lens of a cinematographer. One key aspect I plan on carrying forward is the importance of shot selection. In the first film, I experimented with different angles to create tension and highlight key moments, and now I understand how these choices can elevate the narrative of the film. By building on what I've learned, I'm excited to bring a more intentional cinematographic approach to my next project, using every shot and angle to strengthen the film's overall narrative and impact on viewers. 

    Outside of my AICE Media Studies class, I enjoy watching movies and listening to music! 

 One of my favorite movies is Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005).

My favorite album is American Heartbreak, a studio album by Zach Bryan.