I created my storyboard based on the idea of fairy tales, with use of the little girl visiting Grandma (Little Red Riding Hood), the stranger at the door (Snow white) and the box (Pandora's box). The idea around this was to take something childlike and innocent and add the theme of fear and intrusion to turn it into something darker. An admired director who has already done this, is Tim Burton and he does it very well and makes his work beyond fantasy and really exaggerates characters. However, my take on it was more realistic and the reason I did this was because my purpose was to evoke fear for the viewer on behalf of this little girl.
Sticking to the codes and conventions of a genre is very important for the maker and viewer, as the conventions are the primary source of meaning. The genre I used was thriller, which goes from having a light to dark atmosphere in order to build tension and fear throughout a film.
The first convention being the use of a child, similarly used in thrillers such as Polson's 'Hide and Seek' and also Amenabar's 'The Others.' This adds an innocence and naivety to the film, as did the use of a female victim, which is another convention. Secondly, the idea of using a darker lighting after the incident, is almost a foreshadowing of the events to follow. I wanted the end shots to have a darker feeling so that the viewer knows something bad is happening.
The reason behind the use of many close-ups and medium shots was to really a get a sense of intrusion and privacy invasion. I wanted everything close up and personal so that the viewer could feel the limited space, throughout the shots.
The use of props was important and for me worked quite well as the box was a strange object that would usually be used in a fantasy and definitely would have people thinking, 'What's in the box?' ' Why does the Grandma need this?' and the opening scene really leaves room for reasoning of the box. However, the use of the knife was to add a sense of violence and bring it back to reality, that the girl is in danger.
I didn't want alot of non dietetic sound, just to keep it real and not heightened by dramatic sound in every scene, however at focal points such as shots 9,22,23,24, where sound would be used to heighten the dramatic atmosphere. Most of the sound is conversation and TV and the sounds of doors and shuffling, to keep the realism.
Overall, I am pleased with the final product of the opening sequence. I think it portrays my ideas quite well, as well as allowing room for interpretation. Although I stuck with codes and conventions of the genre, most films would start with a establishing shot or long shot. However, I think my use of close ups and medium shots for meaning, breaks the barrier for films as well as making it personal to the little girl and tells a gripping story, shot by shot.
Thursday 12 May 2011
Tuesday 10 May 2011
Shot 1 - Knock Knock, Grandma
Shot 1. This is the first shot, where we are introduced to the protagonist, Rosalie. We are introduced to her appearance as we hear the diegetic sound of two knocks on the door twice - which is relevant to the film title. The shot is well lit to symbolise happiness and youth.
Shot 2 - Opening door to Rosalie
Shot 2. This interior shot shows Rosalie's Grandma opening the door to her. The opening of the door has significance throughout the film, which is why we are shown this from the inside.
Shot 3 - Locking the door
Shot 3. This shot shows Rosalie's Grandma locking the door. During this shot there is a conversation between them, whereby she is warning Rosalie to not open the doors and she will be home shortly.
Shot 4 - Chillin'
Shot 4. A shot showing Rosalie relaxed, while her Grandma has popped out - this adds realism to the film.
Shot 6 - Grandma's home already?
Shot 6. We are shown a close up of the expression on Rosalie's face after she hears a knock at the door.
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