Prop List

For the production of my film, I will be needing:

- A red cloak
- Scarlett's basket
- Damien's tour guide badge
- A book
- A blanket

(In addition to props used to make up the set of the witch's house.)

I struggled to find a basket in the right style, so adapted this one below. I wanted it to look quite shabby, worn and fairly traditional - but not entirely conforming to the Red Riding Hood style. I made the handle by attaching a curtain cord and wrapping ribbon around it. I then lined the basket with some checkered patterned cotton and tied fraying fabric and string around the handle. After the basket was finished, I place a rose, a small olden book and an apple within it.

Character Profiles - Damien and Lettie

Character Template (edited) by Kaishos: 

http://kaishos.deviantart.com/art/character-profile-template-123273743

Damien Bohun

 

General Information

First name: Damien
Middle name(s): -
Surname: Bohun

Age: 18
Race: British
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Straight
Current residence: Bohun Estate, Norfolk
Relationship status: Single
Social status: Lord

Occupation: Landowner

Physical Appearance

Eye colour: Brown
Skin colour: White
Shape of face: Oval
Hair colour: Brown
Hair style: Short, neat
Tattoos: -
Piercings: -
Typical clothing: Overcoat, top hat and jacket

Personality

Likes: To be untroubled; to live an easy-going and glamourous life
Dislikes: Having to get his hands messy and involve himself in the concerns of others
Fears: Losing authority or being persuaded in to battle
Personal goals: To take his father's position and continue to gain influence and control
General attitude: Very aware of his social position, and has no patience for those lower than him
Religious values: Believes in God
General intelligence: High; well educated
General sociability: Dominates rather than converses with others

Health

Illnesses (if any): -
Allergies (if any): -
Sleeping habits: Sleeps well; 8-10 hours a night
Energy level: Healthy
Eating habits: Healthy, three-course meals regularly served
Memory: Good
Any unhealthy habits: Smokes

History

Since a child, Damien was provided with anything he vaguely or desperately hoped for. His parents were dearly attached to him, and stayed in closer contact than most in their position. Damien never raised his voice or got angry even as a small boy; he remained calm and collected and expected to get his own way regardless of the way he was to act. He always felt that this was the most promising way to create an impact and project his dominance over the servants that catered for him. Damien never had any interest in toys; he preferred to control and manipulate the people he came across, and was amused by their response. As a teenager, however, he preferred to ignore them entirely.

Damien's mother was a kind woman. Although she did not have the same influence as her husband, she got involved within the community and often attempted to improve the lifestyles of those that worked on her land. As Damien grew older, she noticed the change in his heart as his demands became a silent fight for power. His mother became instantly concerned, and began to sit with him every evening whilst he sat by the fire on an old leather armchair and read a book. Damien was always interested in educating himself; and built his own area within the estate as though he was restricting it at his own private space for learning and relaxing. He allowed others to walk through, but expected them to sit or clean in silence. Damien's mother would try to get him to promise her that he was not cutting himself off from everybody. She asked him to take part in her own activities within the local area to support the lower-class. He gave non-commital answers but assured her that he did not feel cut-off or alone. Damien's father, however, was proud of his son's dedication to his private studies and considered his lack of interest in socialising as due to his above-standard level of maturity for his age.

Damien took part in a great number of activities including reading and writing. He was known to sit for hours analysing the work of various artists. Although he kept himself well constrained within his parents' land, he often paced around the gardens to find the perfect spot before placing his art supplies around him and painting for entire days. When he was sixteen, he began to sell his artwork on, and enjoyed the feeling of making his own money and title aside from his status as Lord. Only at that point did he begin to adventure the land. Damien was extremely motivated, and chose to travel by foot to these new destinations instead of spending his wealth to get him there. He would only allow to be taken if he could arrive in an impressive and empowering manor (once arriving on the back of an elephant) in order to meet art dealers, as he saw this as an investment in to his future. Damien was very interested in the beauty of the items he possessed, and would only exchange money for rare and extraordinary artefacts. This is why he struck such an interest in the cloak.

During his time exploring the world for work, he had various affairs with women that he met along the way, just as a way to amuse himself. Although he has hopes to fall in love, he would never allow himself to become involved with anybody who might risk his reputation. His ambition and drive for success is more valuable to him than anyone (besides his mother) that he has ever encountered. Despite his father's pride in him, Damien never felt a strong connection to him and was disgraced by what Damien saw as a 'lack of commitment' to his status and estate; for allowing Damien's Grandfather to live there despite the fact that he damaged the Bohun name.

Combat

Peaceful or violent: Violent in mind, but peaceful in battle
Weapon (if applicable): Sword
Style of fighting: Mainly self-defence

Scarlett Auvray 
 

General Information

First name: Scarlett (Lettie)
Middle name(s): Grace
Surname: Auvray

Age: 17
Race: British
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Straight
Current residence: A small bungalow in Norfolk
Relationship status: In a relationship
Social status: Middle-class

Occupation: No work at present

Physical Appearance

Eye colour: Brown
Skin colour: White
Shape of face: Oval/heart
Hair colour: Brunette
Hair style: Healthy, straight
Tattoos: None
Piercings: Ears
Typical clothing: Black dress, red cloak, heels and basket

Personality

Likes: Sewing, hair dressing, fashion, architecture
Dislikes: Exploring or taking adventures unguided or on her own
Fears: Illness
Personal goals: To follow her heart and to live a simple but fulfilling life
General attitude: Positive, but a realist
Religious values: Worships and believes in a God
General intelligence: Average
General sociability: Adapts to environment

Health

Illnesses (if any): -
Allergies (if any): -
Sleeping habits: Sleeps well; 8 hours a night
Energy level: Healthy
Eating habits: Healthy, but little
Memory: Reasonable
Any unhealthy habits: -

History

Scarlett admired her parents despite seeing them only a few times within a year. She dreamed of the opportunities that they had; their glamourous lifestyle; and the romantic journey that they had together. Scarlett kept the presents that her mother gave her carefully arranged within her room, and admired them each day. Despite having a very different attitude; like Helena, she was close to her Grandmother and remained extremely grateful for the life lessons that she was able to teach them. When her sister was out exploring in the woods, Lettie would often spend hours mimicking her Grandmother and learning to stitch and prepare garments just like her. Scarlett was uncommonly creative, and had a knack for anything involving art or design. When she was eight, she decorated and weaved a basket to store fruit and vegetables that she brought from the market with her sister. Her Grandmother praised her for creating it entirely on her own, and Scarlett, proud of her achievement, never replaced it.

Although Scarlett did enjoy her time at home, she began visiting the village more and more often as she grew up. For a long time she preferred to watch as children passed by; carefully tucked up and seated in her own reserved corner. As the winter drew in when she was ten, her Grandmother handed her a beautiful scarlet cloak that Lettie had admired every time she gently pulled away the fabric guarding the doors to her Grandmother's dusty ebony wardrobe. She was told it would not only keep her warm, but safe. Scarlett's hands trembled as she took the velvet shield and wrapped it carefully around her shoulders. Although it was far too big, she wore it to the town every day with a huge smile. Feeling confident, she began to approach some of the children she had seen regularly in the area, and found it easy to make caring and trustworthy friends.

When Helena first started bar tending, Lettie watched on at her older sister with pride. She became a regular visiter. Months later, she became smitten by a handsome stranger who had also became a regular at the pub; as well as a good friend of her sisters'. Robin, although appearing shy to no one else, approached her weeks after Lettie had originally noticed him. Both unusually reserved, they eventually broke through their barriers and Scarlett fell almost instantly in love. Robin's love for travelling encouraged Lettie to become more adventurous (a trait of Helena's that frightened her but also made her jealous). She dreamt of living her life with Robin just as her parents had done, but vowed that she would not leave her family just to achieve what she had wanted as a child.

Combat

Peaceful or violent: Peaceful
Weapon (if applicable): -
Style of fighting: Self-defence

Planning for Production - Grandmother's Cottage

As the scene is a flashback, I would like to give it a very different feel from the rest of the film. To change the way that the viewer interprets the scene, I have decided to do it all in one shot (following the characters). The idea is quite risky as it will need to involve a lot of rehearsal and planning in order to create something that will capture the audiences interest for long enough to keep them involved with the sequence. Until I have decided on a location, I will not be able to make a full storyboard of what I intend to capture, as the location will greatly influence the direction of the scene and the format and framing available. 

This technique has been used most recently in Taylor Swift's new music video for her hit We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, and demonstrates an idea of what I am hoping to achieve.

Here is the script for the conversation during the scene at the Grandmother's Cottage. The scene will continue (although not yet scripted) on to the following events; where the Grandmother enchants the cloak, is chased by witch hunters and forced to run away and start a new life.

CUT TO:

EXT. GRANDMOTHER’S COTTAGE – EARLY EVENING

At first the cottage appears only as a model, detached from reality. Figures emerge as silhouettes behind a blank canvas. One, a woman, stands just before a man wearing a cloak. The image could almost resemble what is seen through a window. As the camera lingers in on them, they become real.

Both are young. The woman, Lettie’s GRANDMOTHER has shocking red hair; carefully divided in to ringlets. The ancestor of the BOHUN family is dark and handsome. He appears strong-willed and glaring yet courteous. The cloak he wears is red. He dominates the scene, although the Grandmother holds with her a quiet and secure confidence.

BOHUN

They are coming for you as we speak. And I have great influence over their direction. If you were to do as I say, I could protect you.

He removes the cloak from his shoulders and hands it to her.

Turn the cloak in to an item that exceeds all value. An object that will protect me and my family. A magical artefact that people will fear.

So that they will never hope to cross us.

GRANDMOTHER

They will cast me from my home. I will do as you say, but I warn you of the consequences were you not to follow back on your word.

BOHUN (in a bored, disbelieving tone)

I would expect nothing less.

GRANDMOTHER (nonchalantly)

Then let it be at your own risk.

Music by Drew and Bob

Fairytales are a variation of folktale. My brother Bob has given me permission to use the music from his folk band's EP, These Lonely Nights. To vary between music and lyrics, he has sent me the three songs with and without the vocals, so I can use the lyrics to aid meaning to the film and the music to create atmosphere. Having begun editing the shots from The Green Dragon, I have experimented by using Your Time/Your Love and am really pleased with how well it fits with the scene and its imagery. However, I will still need to find some more Copyright-free music with an eerie twist to use as the film becomes more of a horror.

http://en-gb.facebook.com/DrewandBob

These Lonely Nights

Your Time/Your Love

I Don't Aim to Stay

These Lonely Nights

Character Profiles - Robin and Helena

Character Template (edited) by Kaishos: 

http://kaishos.deviantart.com/art/character-profile-template-123273743

Robin Finlay

General Information

First name: Robin
Middle name(s): James
Surname: Finlay
Age: 19
Race: British
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Straight
Current residence: Norfolk, small bungalow
Relationship status: In a relationship
Social status: Middle class
Occupation: Cartographer


Physical Appearance

Eye colour: Green
Skin colour: White
Shape of face: Oval
Hair colour: Medium-brown
Hair style: Short; slightly curly
Tattoos: None
Piercings: None
Typical clothing: Smart (usual) waistcoat, shirt and trousers

Personality

Likes: Travelling; spending time with friends
Dislikes: Fairly easy-going, but not fond of people who judge too soon
Fears: Being discovered for his past
Personal goals: Self-acceptance
General attitude: Positive, laid-back exterior
Religious values: Believes in a God, but does not worship
General intelligence: Average, but good spatial awareness and mathematical ability
General sociability: Street-wise; good at understanding and communicating with people within usual social environments

Health

Illnesses (if any): -
Allergies (if any): Peanuts
Sleeping habits: Insomnia sufferer
Energy level: High - frequently on the move
Eating habits: Enjoys a good meal; eats somewhat healthily
Memory: Average
Any unhealthy habits: Causes stress through over-analysis of memories

History

As a child, Robin had little money, but lived within a loving family up until the age of five and has fond memories created from the smallest of resources. His parents were deeply in love. The small bungalow he grew up in resembled the workshop of Santa Clause because his father had the ability to produce beautiful toys from almost nothing. He came up with games that would last hours and through his own strength of mind, he taught Robin through observation that anything could be adapted and made in to something meaningful. His mother was unusually kind and caring; she made all of her children feel positive and powerful, and would tuck them in bed each night after cooking them the most elaborate and nutritious food from the ingredients her husband spent hours working for. His siblings were bright and cheerful, and brought life to the area that they grew up in. His two-years younger sister, Evelyn, had shocking blue eyes and dark frosty-brown hair. Robin loved his little sister dearly and protected her even from a young age. His elder brother, Cameron, (3 years older) was mischievous and a rule breaker - unlike Evelyn and Robin - but still very caring and considerate. Cameron was perhaps the most like his father; whilst the two younger siblings took after their mother. As a child, Robin was shy and had only one close friend aside from his family. Despite this, he was accepted by the other children in his nursery because of his friendly nature; and the townspeople approved of his good manners and courteous attitude.


This only changed as the bungalow slowly became damp and crumbled as the building began to collapse in the soggy patch of muddy land. As Robin's father was uneducated (despite having taught himself a great many skills), he found it difficult to find work and could no longer afford to rebuild the house. Although he tried to mend it himself, there was nothing that could stop it tearing apart without new materials. The house caught fire one morning when his mother attempted to prepare breakfast (the condition of the bungalow unbeknown to her). Both parents rushed to take their children outside throughout the panic. His mother got caught in the fire because the shock and worry caused her to lose her strength. Robin watched on in desperation as his home crumbled around his mother. His father ran in and saved his wife in time for her to make a recovery. Although the family were all saved; Robin still had nightmares. Flames erupted in his mind every time he stood still , a reminder of his standing still whilst his mum was in the house (which meant that he learnt to always be on the move). Despite being only five at the time, Robin constantly blames himself for not breaking through the door and saving her whilst his dad was still trying to calm down his sister.

The family continued to live a happy life after moving in with Robin's Grandfather, nearly two years later. The fact that Robin always had so much on his mind forced him to get involved in situations; which meant that he soon began to make friends with the children and school and got used to being within the centre of attention. Despite this drastic change, he still remained the same person. His loving nature meant that he could get on with anyone and found it impossible to make enemies (when he met Damien, he struggled with the feeling of being so hurt and yet not having the ability to blame him. He sensed that Damien never grew up in a family like his own.) 

He met Scarlett at 16, and she was his first love. The connection was instant for them both, although Robin noticed and approached her first. By the end of the first month of meeting each other, they had begun to see each other on a daily basis. On their first year of being together, Robin gave Scarlett a diary that he had kept of the very first time they had met (despite never having written one before); revealing every thought and feeling that he'd kept from her out of fear of how she might respond. 

Although Robin enjoys travelling, he has no interest in his work. He would love to write and perform as a folksinger but doesn't have the confidence in his ability.

Combat

Peaceful or violent: Peaceful
Weapon (if applicable): -
Style of fighting: No weapon, but strength of mind and the ability to maintain as himself

Helena Auvray

General Information

First name: Helena
Middle name(s): Matilda
Surname: Auvray
Age: 18
Race: British
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Straight
Current residence: Norfolk, in a cottage with her Grandmother
Relationship status: Single
Social status: Middle class
Occupation: Bartender
Physical Appearance

Eye colour: Blue
Skin colour: Pale/slight tan
Shape of face: Oval
Hair colour: Light brown
Hair style: Messy/tangled
Tattoos: None
Piercings: Ears
Typical clothing: Dark colours; corset, jacket, medium-length skirt and boots 

Personality

Likes: Winter; being surrounded by busy company, taking a lead
Dislikes: When people spend a long time adjusting the way they look; prefers the company of men
Fears: Not being able to protect her family or losing control of her life (though this goes unsaid)
Personal goals: To be successful in her career and to fall in love
General attitude: Positive, though not overly cheerful; although it's not true, she can be seen as unsentimental and uncaring
Religious values: Believes in God; prays daily
General intelligence: Above average
General sociability: Gets on well with all sorts of people. Comfortable in a social environment

Health

Illnesses (if any): - 
Allergies (if any): - 
Sleeping habits: Sleeps easily, but only for four or five hours a night
Energy level: Reasonable
Eating habits: Eats what is available; enjoys meat
Memory: Good
Any unhealthy habits: -

History


Helena has always been the opposite of her sister. Helena was a typical tomboy whilst Scarlett was a girly-girl. Helena's pet-peeve of people spending a long time on their appearance was partially due to the annoyance she had as a child that Scarlett would never want to explore with her due to being afraid of tearing her clothes, getting muddy and or having her hair fall out of place. Because she has always lived in her Grandmother's cottage, beside an area of woods, Helena would spend almost every second of her childhood going out and running free across the land. She loved the sensation of the cold, misty Winter air hitting her nerves as she took in every opportunity to 'fulfil life'. 

Helena did not live with her parents. Her mother and father never liked to stay in the same area and were never overly sentimental. Although they came to visit their two daughters on most special occasions, they never chose to hang around and preferred for them to be brought up by the Grandmother (from Helena's mothers' side). Helena's mum was a glamourous woman and would come back with expensive and exotic gifts from far-away places. Helena never appreciated the gifts because she never appreciated the person who gave them to her. The fact that her parents were unsentimental, caused her to act the same. However, she was very close to her Grandmother; who was caring, ambitious and creative. Although her Grandmother was a witch, she spent most of her time creating beautiful quilts and textiles without the use of magic. She home-schooled her granddaughters because she was still aware of what would happen if she was recognised in the town; though gave them every opportunity to explore it themselves as she knew it was important for them to make friends and be around children their own age. Although she had an entirely different attitude, Helena always dreamed of being just like her.

During one of her adventures, Helena came across a tiny goblin named Rot. Although goblins were always known to be angry and unkind, Helena saw that this was not the case. She broke through the barrier that Rot had created and became his friend. Rot was the first creature that Helena had learnt to trust besides her Grandmother. As she was so far away from town (and despite being perfectly prepared for the journey), it was nice for her to have a friend so close-by. 

Helena learnt from an early age that she possessed a powerful ability for magic. This was the only way in which her and Scarlett were alike. Both had inherited the strength of mind not only through their genes but through being in such a mystical environment. Helena liked to explore this as a child, but as a teenager she was instructed by her Grandmother to put her abilities behind her before she become unable to control it. She respected her and did as she was told.

At the age of thirteen, Helena met a boy named Carson; with golden hair and dark brown eyes. Helena worked hard to become his friend despite (for the first time in her life) feeling shy and embarrassed. Although she kept her friends from the village far away from her life at home, she grew to trust him and eventually brought him to see the cottage and woods that she'd grown up in. For her, she felt like she was revealing far too much about herself, and preferred to keep a distance so that she could never become vulnerable. At the age of fifteen, Carson became her boyfriend. Helena was the happiest that she had ever been, but struggled with knowing that she had the responsibility for someone else as well as herself. She was so afraid of losing him and getting hurt that she was constantly over-protecting herself and starting arguments. After two months, she told him that she couldn't be with him anymore. Carson refused to speak to her again, and Helena always regretted that she was not strong enough to risk her feelings.

Combat

Peaceful or violent: Peaceful, but would use violence in extreme situations
Weapon (if applicable): Anything available 
Style of fighting: Self-defence

Props - Map

Before my idea was adapted and simplified, there was going to be a focus on Robin (the cartographer) showing his and Helena's way to the Bohun Estate. Here are a few images I drew when planning the prop. The first two photos indicate where I got my inspiration from, and what I was working towards achieving.

How are short films consumed?

Short films are consumed in a number of ways; mostly dependant on their level of success and the status of the filmmaker. Disney is known for creating shorts that are shown before its full-length feature films. Generally, these tend to be a lot less traditional in approach. The Disney shorts have been so popular that a number of them have been combined as a selection on a DVD, which can be brought in most major DVD and music retailers, such as HMV.

Many shorts can be viewed straight from YouTube, as new videos from amateur filmmakers (some that are produced using professional filmmaking equipment and some from basic supplies) are uploaded regularly. Word of mouth tends to be the most valuable source of advertisement; so displaying a video on YouTube or a social networking site might be a great way of getting it shared across the country or the globe. 

Filmmakers can also submit their work in competitions set by short film festivals like Sundance, who select and distribute a number of films produced by up-and-coming directors and producers. Many of these are then uploaded to online sites where they can be viewed by audiences for free. If a filmmaker is successful in having it posted on a well-known film festival website, it is likely to be more widely acknowledged than if it were just uploaded to Youtube. This is taking it to the next step; and leaving the opportunity for it to be seen by a number of professionals who may be looking for new talent. The BBC film network often uploads new and successful short films.

Many films can now be uploaded to transportable handheld devices such as mobile phones, iPods or MP4s. This is an indication of how technology has moved forwards. BluRays are now the modernised version of DVDs. With DVDs potentially being replaced, it is likely that filmmakers on lower budgets may be able to group a number of short films together to be sold at wide on DVDs; where it may not have been possible in the past.

Camera Angles in Short Films

Paperman - Disney

Paperman is perhaps a little more untraditional in its use of camera angles than other short films. A lot of the film uses long shots or frames that show a lot of the location and space around the characters. Shots of the character are never shown close-up; which may have been done to draw attention to the empty space around him and suggest the emptiness of the character as he thinks he has lost the girl. 


Most shorts are fairly similar in approach to full-length feature films; although running lengths of shots are likely to vary significantly just because of the overall film length. Serious Stuff for Runners and Traffic Warden have varying shots quite regularly; as you would expect in most films. Although, the culture of short is different to mainstream movies - using experimental camera angles is a lot more likely in this type of filmmaking.