Script!

After drafting and redrafting I am finally ready to present this to you. Behold...the script for Talisman! I tried my hardest to keep it entertaining yet simple. A page of script should be just about equal to a minute of screen time. Therefore, I can expect my film to be just over two minutes long; that's just about within the maximum for the AS coursework. I keep forgetting this is actually for college...it seems way too exciting to be coursework! 

I researched a traditional screen play template and attempted to make my script appear as authentic as possible, including typical conventions of a screen play such as a title, by-line, casting list (this will remain blank until I actually cast my actor and actress), speech (of course!), and detailed stage directions in present tense.

There is reasoning behind the chosen names for my characters, Bonnie and Nate. Both were chosen as they are names of characters from TV programmes popular amongst a young, female audience. Nate is a main character in the show Gossip Girl while Bonnie is a character in the increasing popular TV series, Vampire Diaries. Bonnie is also from the Scottish word "bonnie" meaning "pretty, attractive", relating to my wish to cast a beautiful actress for visual enjoyment. Furthermore, Nate can mean 'God given gift" which could have some links to the supernatural and religious connotations of Talismans. 

Throughout the process of writing my script I was sure to remember my 16-24 year old female target audience. I have added some taboo language ("Shit! Ah!") which is commonly used by young people. I have included some humour, for example when Bonnie opens the door to Nate, dressed in a ball gowned whilst he is dressed casually ("Okay, so, I'm a little over dressed"). I was also sure to make romance a prominent aspect in my film. Bonnie and Nate often become flirtatious e.g. Nate, "I'm not complaining" and "We are completely alone". 

Anyway! I'll just let you enjoy the script. I look forward to storyboarding and thinking about how I might present this through cinematography.

Potential Movie Titles!

I pray that you can forgive me...but today I'm presenting you with a scan of yet another scrap of paper. This time it is my scrawled list of potential titles for my movie.

(click on the image to enlarge it)

The titles I have listed are all very simplistic with nothing too cryptic. Typical Hollywood movie titles tend to immediately give away what the film is about in order to draw the largest audience possible and, therefore, make more money.

I really liked the title 'First Date Jitters'. I felt that it included two ideas that my target audience crave: fear and romance. However, I'm not sure how much of my feature film would actually focus on the couple presented in the opening sequence (unfortunately Bonnie dies, as explained in my synopsis) so this title may not be too relevant to the rest of the movie.

I am thinking that I will probably go for Talisman (this flows much better than 'The Talisman', in my opinion). The name already suggests the supernatural, with it's links to religion and superstition. Let me know what you think in the comments!

Now I'm off to script and storyboard...

A more detailed synopsis!

 After a lot more note taking and sleepless nights...here is my complete synopsis building on from my 25 word pitch. I hope you like it...leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Bonnie, a pretty, blonde teenage girl wonders nervously around her room on tip toes, desperately searching for something to wear. Her stomach is filled with butterflies as she fights to overcome the first date jitters that threaten to develop into a full-blown panic attack. Bonnie ultimately reaches for the delicate fabric of a beautiful black evening dress. She slips it gently over her head and silently studies her appearance in the mirror. Bonnie is not completely satisfied, but she knows it's the best she can do. Slowly taking a seat in front of her dressing table, Bonnie struggles to apply dark, smoky eye make up and a blood red lip stick with unsteady hands. She reaches for her Mother's favourite earrings, savoured only for special occasions. Still shaking with nerves, Bonnie feels a sudden sharp pain as she accidentally pierces her finger tip with the pin of the earring. Sternly she scolds herself, ordering herself to stay calm. Eyes watering in pain, she sucks bead of blood off her finger tip and slides the earrings into her ears silently before fixing the curls in her long, flowing hair.

Sat alone downstairs, every minute feels like an hour. Time could not pass more slowly as Bonnie attempts to be patient, wondering when her date will arrive at her door. Bonnie focuses on her favourite black high heeled shoes and tries hopelessly to erase all thoughts from her mind. She jumps at the loud thumping of a fist on her front door.  He's here. As she crosses the living room, it all begins to feel too real.  Yet she puts on a smile that suggests an air of confidence and leans nonchalant against the wall as she pulls the door open.

Bonnie reveals Nate, a handsome teenage boy with dark hair, odd strands falling out of his black, woollen hat, and a crooked smile. He glances at her mischievously and let's out a little laugh. He stands before her clearly not having taken as much pride in his appearance, dressed casually. Bonnie lets out a laugh too as she looks down at her impossibly high heels, before removing them and stepping into some more comfortable footwear.

Bonnie is confused. She follows Nate cautiously through the bare winter trees. They step through grass as high as their knees and Bonnie struggles to preserve the fabric of her evening dress. Suddenly Nate stops and Bonnie knows that they have reached their destination. She looks around, bewildered for a moment, before noticing the large, crumbling farmhouse looming before her. Bonnie shivers. Yet, next to Nate, she feels safer. He explains the history of the building and Bonnie stands in awe. Not at the old barn, no, about that she couldn't care less, but at Nate. He is animated, in his element as he continues to talk in his thick, Northern accent. Bonnie feels as though what she had been allowed to see today, is something not many girls are given the privilege to see. She likes this thought.

Taking Nate's hand, Bonnie steps through the fence, ignoring the angry red sign warning against entering the dangerous building. Her fear has all but evaporated. She watches Nate skilfully work at the latch on the door, observing his every feature in order to relive this moment later. 

A voice. Bonnie can hear a voice. Whispering. Calling out to her. She can't control her movements. She must turn around. She must leave Nate and step forwards, and forwards again. Then she spots it, the most beautiful locket in the world, dangling lonely and out of place from a tree branch. She grasps it tightly between her fingers. Suddenly, Nate is behind her. He pulls the necklace from her grasp and observes it closely. Bonnie doesn't like this, she feels a sudden surge of anger...I found it first!  Nate, sensing her agitation, lifts her thick, blonde curls and gently places the silver chain around her neck. Bonnie feels at peace once more. She holds Nate, feeling happier than she has in a long time.

At home, Bonnie runs a hot bath. She is looking forward to relaxing and contemplating the events of this day. It's certainly not a first date that she will ever forget. She steps into the water and bathes for a while, a smile on her lips. 

She can hear that voice again. Or can she? It's hard to tell. It has been echoing in her mind ever since she returned home. What is it saying? Then it's gone again and she is sure that she imagined it. She rests in silence for a couple minutes more. 

Bonnie begins to feel out of breath. Is it another one of those panic attacks? It had been years since she'd last experienced the trauma of one. Yet, her throat was beginning to feel tight and she found herself gasping for air. She presses her fingertips against her neck only to feel the metal of the locket. The chain is squeezing, preventing air from entering her lungs. Bonnie begins to panic. She splutters and kicks and bath water is thrown in every direction. The voice is back, louder and more urgent. This time, Bonnie knows it is real. Suddenly, she has no desire to fight. She stops kicking and lies back, letting everything slip away. 

I hope you like it! I think it must be time to get scripting and storyboarding. I apologise for writing a novel...  got a little carried away!  

25 Word Pitch!

If  a film cannot be pitched in just 25 words then it is very unlikely to be given the green light in Hollywood. Steven Spielburg, being the master of high concept cinema, seemed to believe the more simplistic an idea is, the higher the chance of the movie being a success in exihibition. So, after much note taking, here is my under 25 word pitch for my movie opening:

"An old locket or pendant, possessed by an evil spirit, feeds on the life of it's wearers."
(17 words)

Whether or not Spielburg approves...this film is going into production! 

Initial Ideas!

Now it's time for me to finally start considering my own opening sequence in detail! I have gained at lot of inspiration from the openings that I have viewed. I am definitely clear that I would like to create a horror movie opening. I am mainly considering the supernatural and psychological thriller sub-genres as these were highlighted as my popular in my survey.

My aim is to create something appealing particularly to young females (16-24 year olds make up the bulk of cinema-goers). This must satisfy the thrill seekers with jump scares and potentially even a death scene. I must also include attractive actors and actresses to increase visual enjoyment of the film. Of course I aim to conform to the typical conventions of the horror genre in order for my movie to be  convincing and realistic.

 I completed a handwritten (I doubt that you will be able to read this!) mind map including some of my initial ideas. 

I'll let these thoughts simmer for a while. Hopefully I can develop one of these concepts over the next few days. I am so excited to get started!  

Common Conventions of Horror!

After analysing the three opening sequences I noticed some reoccurring conventions found in almost all horror movies. In this short vlog (video blog!) I discuss some common conventions which I wish to include in my own piece. Hopefully you can look past the hideous state of my eyebrows whilst watching this...

When you start to look into common conventions of media texts you really do start to notice a pattern. Hopefully I will be able to emulate the conventional pattern of horror movies effectively! 

Looking at typical movie title sequences!

So, whilst analysing these four opening sequences I  began  to notice that, while there is some variation, their title sequences tend to follow a very similar pattern. Obviously this is something that I wish to emulate in my own opening sequence.

The title sequence of Jennifer's Body  begins by crediting the production companies and studios that worked on the movie. 

After all production companies involved in this movie have been mentioned, the audience are presented with the title of the movie. 

This concludes the title sequence. It is worth highlighting that all typography is layered on top of the moving image. 

The Others opening sequence contrasts significantly, crediting many more individuals. The first title that we see is the name of the movie, fading on screen dramatically in sophisticated white typography against a black background.

After this,  production companies and executive producers are credited. This typography is layered on top of a sketched page of a bible story, flickering in the candle light.

Next the star actress, Nicole Kidman, is name dropped.

The title of the movie is then presented once again.

We are met with the names of Nicole Kidman's co-stars. Almost all main characters are credited, contrasting to short and simple opening credits of Jennifer's Body.

The audience then learn the names of the executive producers (an executive producer (EP) enables and backs up the making of a commercial entertainment product), production designer, director of photography, producer and finally, the name of the writer and director. 

This concludes this opening sequence. 

Red Riding Hood, once again, credits many people involved in the production of the movie. The text is layered on top of the moving image.

We are first presented with the major Hollywood studio involved, Warner Brothers.

After this, we see the name of the director, Catherine Hardwicke. This represents how important the role of a director is in modern Hollywood. The director is credited even before the star actors and title of the movie which fades in shortly after in red typography.

 We then see the names of other actors and actresses involved. 

To conclude the title sequence we also are made aware of the costume designer, visual effects supervisor, music supervisor, music composer, editor, production designer, director of photography, executive producer, producer and writer. The title sequence for this movie is obviously very extensive.

The titles for Black Swan fade in in white typography against a black background for sophistication. No text is layered on top of the moving image. The title sequence further contrasts to The Other's and Red Riding Hood in the sense that, like Jennifer's Body, we only see the production companies involved and the movie title. 

There are clearly no rules on the ordering of credits within a title sequence. I feel that for my opening sequence I will have my titles fade in over some atmospheric establishing shots. I will begin by crediting the production companies and studios, then the starring actors and finally the name of the director  (me!) and the movie title. I do not wish to make my opening credits too extensive in order to save myself more time to present my plot.