S C H E D U L E // FILMING

I have my plot basically figured out along with the settings for where I'm going to film which is a bathroom, car, and a house party.

BATHROOM- For the bathroom its a little difficult because of the mirror but I plan on using that to my advantage. Im going to use my bathroom on the second floor of my house which has enough room to move around with a camera without being reflected into the shot by the mirror. The upstairs bathroom is also painted light blue which can assist with Drew's color palate and overall tone during those clips.
CAR- The car directly aligns with the casting of Charlie, for who I've picked as my close friend Natalia, mainly because she has a car and she can drive. The car clips will be taken at night with the highway lights beaming down, hopefully it will rain to give further ambiance. Although filming in a car will be difficult due to its confining spaces, I may be able to set a camera in its place to make sure I get the right shot while not driving dangerously. I also hope to get shots of the action from the windshield or window perspective so most likely we will pull over for those clips.
HOUSE PARTY// second bathroom-  This setting doesn't get much time but its as equally important. I think I will film at my house and empty out the main living room because its quite ominous as it is. Ill have a group of my friends come over and fill up the space while i dim the lights and cast them to a red tone playing into Drew's internalized fear of Charlie and showing how much it affects them.

For casting I'm having some difficulty, I've already chosen the actor for Charlie which will be my friend Natalia Munoz but my issue is who will play Drew. I'm a control freak and want to make sure everything goes completely to plan, because of this I very much want to portray Drew and I know I could do it, although I also have to film as well. Most likely I will have another one of my friends portray Drew so I don't overwork myself and have an outside objective opinion on what i'm doing.

S T O R Y L I N E // MISE-EN-SCENE COLORS & PLOT

Here’s my script so far!...

SCRIPT

Overall slight static in bathroom- when within their head
*Opening on a black screen (echoed voice coming in and out of clarity)* “HEY, HEY YOU READY? ”- Charlie
Opening visual on Drew's face in the bathroom looking at the mirror (his reflection) Slow movements - held back back lit
Series of close ups of face in and out of the mirror (focused on eyes, bloodshot?) Heard unsteady breathing
When drew looks at themselves in the mirror the camera turns into a fish-eye lens but not when its from a mid or long shot
“ You look like shit”- Charlie's voice (illusion of Drew hearing it within his head) Wash face (aggressive) Audio of sink (trippy visual?) <- squeaky Flash between looking at self and washing face
“Yeah, i'm coming” breathy seems annoyed and extremely dull seemingly questioning themselves
Turning bathroom lights off (flicker) seeing body(demonized version of Charlie) quick on and off

Quick and sudden cut to the car


Hearing patter of rain


Charlie is driving Drew in the dark on the highway






Camera is high on drivers side, mainly only seeing Charlie in frame in car, Drew in the passenger seat falling asleep


When Drew speaks a close up is taken from inside and outside the passenger window


Main argument starts


Charlie Drew

“ Im sorry for earlier..(looks over and sees Drew isn't paying attention) mumble curse *HIT* you fell asleep” “you good to come to this? You haven't slept”



“Im fine”


“ I don't understand why you can't give yourself a break”- getting more and more aggressive


“ Im fine”


“ Why do you do that to yourself? Huh?!”


“ What”


“ You let everyone push you around, treat you like a dog”


“ What like you?”

They begin overlapping in conversation


Drew barely raises voice


“ Fuc.. ridiculous, you're really gonna start now? After all I've done for you i'm bringing you to a party for christ sake”


"If it wasn't for me you'd still be on the street!"
"I never asked you to help me"
"WITHOUT ME YOU'RE NOTHING, YOU'VE BEEN NOTHING...

useless piece of trash... ill kill you if you make me look like the bad guy tonight..

you act like I don't love you"

YOU DON'T LOVE ME, don't you DARE tell me that you do!

YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT LOVE IS, EVERYTHING IS ALWAYS ABOUT YOU

.... charlie, charlie, charlie WATCH OUT"


Charlie lunged to hit Drew


Drew sees the demonized version of Charlie in the street

causing them to swerve but it again immediately cuts to Drew alone at the party








Dark lights in the party


Many people


Mid shot of Drew on the couch staring and messing with their drink


They look up and it ranges from the room being full to flashes of nobody


Someone talking to Charlie goes up to Drew

"hey are you okay drew you seem kinda out of it?"


Charlie is spotted by Drew in the crowd and turns around


Drew and Charlie make eye contact


Drew immediately puts head down and friend sees

"Is it charlie? whats going on are you two okay?"


Graphic matches of regular charlie and demon charlie walking over

(demon charlie is cryptically walking)


Static grows



Cuts between Drew and Charlies reactions to each other as the friends voice

who's trying to help gets muffled and echoey


Drew runs into bathroom panicked as they lock the door behind them

Static gets louder again aggressively washing face


Drew looks into the mirror and demon Charlie grabs him as Drew then falls to the ground as screams


The friend bursts in





"HEY whats going on what happened?"

Drew is mumbling and acting "crazy" pointing at the mirror

hysterically sobbing
"what?"

Charlie then also runs

C H A R E C T E R B I O G R A P H Y// COLOR PSYCHOLOGY

Color Theory: 

The psychology of color stems from the mental and emotional effects color(s) may have on sighted people, these can be very subjective but contain some generally accepted and proven effects. Color psychology is important in every film but I particularly hope to subconsciously impact viewers immediately as that would make the opening more powerful in topic and its subject matter. Colors impact how you may think of a person and I want to clearly portray who each character is not only through body language and speech but through what colors are associated with them.

From the reference picture given of basic emotions brought out by color psychology I've based my two main characters personality and appearance on these factors.

Charlie:

In my plot the character Charlie is the abusive partner, due to this I've chosen a striking color pallet which resembles such. The main color associated with Charlie is a dark grey which I'm using to associate them with power and authority over not only Drew but any and everything. The next most outstanding color is going to be a range of red and orange tones which is going to be used to convey Charlies anger and danger they are to Drew. These will be mostly portrayed through the Mise-en-scene of the scene through lighting during Charlies bursts of anger and violence toward Drew. The dark gray and neutral tones will surround his clothing as nobody really knows Charlies dangerous and violent behavior but Drew, so his clothing will act as a mask or barrier from his true self.

Drew:

In this plot the character Drew is the partner getting abused, not for their looks or size, but for their childlike heart which to Charlie is easy to corrupt. Drew is going to be associated with different shades of blue and white portraying the childlike innocence they once held which is now corrupted by the red tones of Charlie, sometimes forming green or becoming overtaken by Charlies orange or red. The surrounding blue tones will portray Drew's sadness and felt helplessness from their relationship with Charlie. 

References:

Deborah, et al. “Color Psychology: The Psychological Effects of Colors.” Art Therapy, 24 Dec. 2012, www.arttherapyblog.com/online/color-psychology-psychologica-effects-of-colors/#.XH6m5IhKjIU.

P L O T// THE DEVELOPING CHARECTERS

Main theme: 

I've slightly strayed away from the idea of isolated dissociation but rather add faces to it, within my plot I want to portray an abusive relationship which makes the abused partner dissociate. Dissociation occurs within many because of people experiencing extreme stress and anxiety which the brain can no longer handle which causes them to "break away" from themselves.

Character plots:

The main theme is going to circle around an unhealthy couple, Charlie and Drew and their everyday interactions. I chose the names Charlie and Drew because I wanted the freedom of using gender neutral names for the sake of finding actors easier and to break the stereotype that only women are abused when in reality any age and gender can become abusive or get abused.

Charlie: Born January 7th, 2001. Abuser

Charlie is honest, reserved, circumspect, honorable and strong-willed. Quietly ambitious within the realms of the possible, likes and takes on responsibility. 

Weaknesses: a sometimes bitter and mistrustful mind.

Drew: Born November 24th, 1999

They are good, idealistic, enthusiastic and warm-hearted. Drew is independent, has a taste for travel and freedom. Very curious and fair-minded.

Weaknesses: Drew is too adventurous and leaves things to chance: takes risks which cause problems: Drew is also rebellious and sometimes tactless when offering opinions.

References: 

“Birth Chart.” Free Astrology Birth Chart Report, astro.cafeastrology.com/natal.php.

R E S E A R C H // INSPIRATION FROM HORROR GENRE

         I want to involve a series of "horror" dynamics from real life situations and experiences, which may seem like horror to some but everyday life for others causing a rift in audience relation and reaction.
Through this aspect, I hope to involve the theme of mental illness -specifically dissociation.
Techniques I plan on using are somewhat heavily inspired by Billie Eilish's music video "Bury A Friend"- I'm not the biggest fan of her but the video introduced a lot of new concepts I admire which circle around more explicit themes, harsher lighting and movements.

Dissociation is a special altered state of awareness in which a persons consciousness is split into two components: the hypnotized self and the hidden observer, often feeling like you feel trapped inside of a fishbowl. Focusing on dissociation throughout my opening the change in lighting and slight visual change is extremely enticing and an exciting technique to use in my opinion. These slight changes in lighting and visuals add new dimension and meaning to the film itself- creating an opening with visuals not all of the audience may understand completely but have a visual comparison to become educated.

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUHC9tYz8ik

R E S E A R C H // HORROR TECHNIQUE IMPLEMENTATION

      SUSPENSE!- Hundreds of films have influenced my paradigm of the genre of "horror" due to it being my favorite to consume- both visually and audibly.
My two favorite horror movies consist of "Get out" and "Silence of the Lambs" with an obvious love for cult classics like "The Exorcist" and "The Shining".
The basis for a horror movie includes darkness in color and lighting, as well as audio cues of a jump scare, although I mainly hope to focus on timing and vulnerability.
Timing within any film is extremely important- but for horror, it can make or break the built suspense and reaction. To this, I look to a short film titled "lights out" who has a movie remake of the same name.

The movie is alright but the short film utilizes the proper techniques in a more efficient manner. The plot of the short film surrounds a woman in her home, whos then haunted and ultimately killed by some sort of demon. The killer scene within the film is the conceptual confrontation of a human vs. a demon and Innocent vs. Evil. The timing of the main scare of this film is why that particular moment is so scary- it's long and uncomfortable.
Vulnerability is also important- within a short film, you have to quickly get the audience to relate to what's going on, even if they've never experienced it. Meaning you must rely on an empathetic bond between audience and your characters, in the short film the women is getting ready for bed-seemingly weaker and unsuspecting. Due to this, said confrontation is built upon in suspense which again completes the aspect of relation and impact.

Reference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPRppNlfaX8