Choosing shot types was something I put a lot of thought into, making sure that each shot was motivated and telling the audience something with visual communication. There were only 2 spoken lines in the script, both of which didn't even stay in the edit. The shots also get tighter and quicker as the story progresses to accentuate the tension. The way I visualised the difference between the VFX shots and NO VFX shots was intuitive and made a clear distinction.
I think that I could have done better in making action details more obvious when reading the script. There were a few times during filming where I would really have to read shots before and after in order to remember exactly what each shot was. This wasted time, and could have been easily solved by adding those details and maybe putting them in bold.
Here is the final script that was used for filming...
EXT. WOODS - DAY
1
LONG SHOT - A private investigator, smart-casual clothes. Walking toward the entrance to the woods. Under his arm, he has a paper folder.
2
MEDIUM LONG SHOT - He stops before descending the stairs to the woods. Looks around, surveying the scene. He takes the folder from under his arm and opens it.
3
OTS INSERT - He opens the folder to reveal a number of missing person reports. Photos of the multiple people who are missing.
4
MEDIUM CLOSE UP - On the investigators face, *sighs* at the amount of people missing, yet determined to find them.
5
MEDIUM LONG SHOT - He closes up the folder and places it back under his arm before going down the stairs.
6
HIGH ANGLE LONG SHOT - He is walking through the woods. Paying attention to the ground. Looking for footsteps or signs of disturbance.
7
MEDIUM CLOSE UP - Concerned expression. Looking around for anything. Left, right, up and down to the different levels of the wood.
8
LONG SHOT - The CAMERA pans down from the investigator looking over in the background and focuses on a rucksack in some bushes in the foreground.
9
CLOSE UP - He looks hopeful.
10
LONG SHOT - He quickly runs over to the bag.
11
MEDIUM SHOT - The CAMERA pans up with the bag as he picks it up. Ends on his face as he examines it. His gaze shifts past the bag and he lowers it slightly to see...
12
INSERT - There are signs of a struggle, he has seen some footsteps in the mud and a trail leading away.
13
CLOSE UP - A look of shock passes over his face. Signs that there is something sinister going on here.
14
MEDIUM LONG SHOT - He slowly puts the bag back down to the floor and pulls out his phone.
15
VERY LONG SHOT - The investigator can be seen in the distance, then the creature’s foot steps through frame.
NO-VFX: VERY LONG SHOT - POV from the monster far away, looking through trees and bushes. Kinetic camera to portray the creature.
16
CLOSE UP INSERT SHOT - He turns on the torch on his phone and opens the camera app.
17
LOW ANGLE INSERT - Of his feet as he follows the trail. A grumbling, monstrous sound catches his attention.
18
MEDIUM CLOSE UP - He turns around quickly to see, spinning the phone camera around to point in the direction of the sound. He is nervous.
19
VERY LONG SHOT - He is stood alone, shrouded by woodland. The monster is at the very edge of the frame, just out of focus. The investigator is facing the other way.
NO-VFX: VERY LONG SHOT - POV but it is slowly getting closer and closer to him as he desperately looks around.
Investigator
Who’s there?! ... Show yourself!
20
MEDIUM SHOT - He turns to continue following the trail, however he is now very on edge.
21
VERY LONG SHOT - A view from further down the path as he follows the trail and comes out into the middle of the path.
22
MEDIUM SHOT - He’s frustrated that the trail has disappeared.
23
MEDIUM LONG SHOT - He hears more growls. Turns around in shock. Looking down the path. He’s very nervous now.
24
CLOSE UP - Looking around for the source of the sound. A creature steps into the middle of the path behind him, out of focus. The Investigator is looking the other way. Breathing heavily with fear.
NO-VFX: CLOSE UP - difference being that the close up is obstructing the view down the path. He is really scared. Breathing heavily.
Investigator
Hello?! Stop messing about!
It growls again.
25
VERY LONG SHOT - Showing the investigator further down the path. The creature being in the foreground. The focus shifts from him just as he turns around to see the creature taking a step forwards to the investigator.
NO-VFX: LONG SHOT - POV, the investigator turns around to look at the camera/creature as it slowly gets closer and closer to him.
26
CLOSE UP - He freezes in horror. Puzzled. What is this creature? He’s never seen anything like it.
27
LONG SHOT - CAMERA moving across the path from behind the investigator so that the monster can be seen down the path, though it gets obstructed by his legs.
NO-VFX: MEDIUM SHOT - from side profile of the investigator. He is just staring at the creature trying to work it out. He *gulps*
28
EXTREME LONG SHOT - from the side of them stood staring at each other.
NO-VFX: LONG SHOT - POV, still slowly getting closer. He starts to step away very slowly.
29
CLOSE UP INSERT - His foot slowly steps back in fear.
30
VERY LONG SHOT - The camera moving around them both, the monster lunges.
NO-VFX: LONG SHOT - POV, the CAMERA/creature suddenly lunges towards the investigator.
SMASH CUT TO.
31
CLOSE UP - as he cowers back and screams.
SMASH CUT TO.
32
CLOSE UP INSERT - The phone and folder drop to the floor, the camera moves over the phone (video still blinking) to the folder. Some papers have slightly fallen out. The camera comes to a stop at the words ‘Missing Person’ on the report.
END.
No comments:
Post a Comment