Diary of Shooting Combined with Location Hunting

November 25th - Jack and I decided it would be a good idea to look at one of the potential locations of our film. Although local to the school we feel it is fairly remote and will in-turn create that creepy, isolated feel we are going for with our film.

After visting the location Jack and I were extremely impressed with the potential of shots we could use. I took multiple pictures using the camera on my phone in order to show the members of our group who were not present, and to also refer back to in giving ideas for potential shots.

Upon walking towards the location we were shocked at how creepy the thin pathway was that we were walking down, with a somewhat dark entrance into the woods. We thought that there is a lot we could do in this pathway and anything could jump out from anywhere. This is something we could use in our film, whilst it still being surrounded by trees meaning it fits well into the location and in turn wont confuse the audience.

When we finally arrived to the potential location we were pleased at how open it seemed, notwithstanding all the tall creepy trees where almost anything could hide and jump out from, giving us plenty of ideas. The branches also seemed to be at different heights, giving an uneven feel to the location and thus giving the audience the impression that something isn't quite normal.

Jack and I also noticed the high amount of changes in terrain, from completely flat surfaces to hills and multiple humps in the ground, there is a lot we could do with this. All this supported with the light coming through the trees and leaves giving the ominous feel to the shots we use, perhaps giving an impression that something is trying to escape this place but instead is trapped and surrounded by the barriers of trees.

I stumbled across a tree covered in barbed wire, I feel it worthwhile to use this as an enigma for our audience. It also reinforces the idea that the character is trapped, as you would be if you were trying to escape a place surrounded by barbed wire. Also, the fact that it's there could make the audience wonder if someone has been to this place before, and if so who tormented the people here with the wire.

Jack and I also stumbled across a piece of metal laying on the ground, we felt it a perfect object for the main character to wake up on. Our initial idea was to use a beaten up mattress but we feel this metal works well in indicating this is a harsh place providing no comfort or luxury, only suffering. Jack proceeded to willingly carry the metal up the hill and placed it in front of a tree, after viewing it from a different angle we noticed where it has been place looked somewhat like a tombstone, which in many ways supports the ending of our film. We look to use this exact shot and hope the audience notices this.

On the walk back we noticed a rather eerie looking stream at the bottom of a hill, the stream had a broken branch of a tree over it. Jack and I decided that we could somehow squeeze this shot into the film, with the broken branch it symbolises some sort of destruction in this overall peaceful area with the water trickling down. We could also create a shot using the reflection of the water and something subtlety walking past, without drawing too much attention to it we create a large talking point and something memorable for our viewers.

Overall, we were extremely pleased with this location and will think very seriously about making this the ideal location of our A2 Media Studies Film.

By Anthony Wilson