Depict - ideas, moodboard and research

Mind map

Moodboard 1

Ideas:

1. A character finds an entrance into a new world, he explores and learns about it. I could use the green colour and technique of keying to show someone finding freedom.
2. Using green paint on skin I could key out the colour and make someone look as if they are transforming into metal or stone.
3. A character could discover a box which the person reaches into, it could be filled with paint which I can key out and make it look like the person is turning to stone. The character could find a magical object which transforms him.
4. Someone looking at photo frames with video memories playing inside with a narration of a poem.
5. Person who walks past televisions and every time he does it turns on and something relating to him plays, like memories. Technology picks up the characters thoughts.

Moodboard 2

Ideas:

1. A man who has an evil version of himself deep within which can only be seen through reflections.
2. A character is haunted by demons through shadows, reflections and paintings.
3. Someone who can enter the mirror world or dream world.
4. A man witnesses his wife been murdered by a burglar who broke into his home, he is haunted by this past through reflections in mirrors, glass and water.

Research

The Black Hole – Short film directed by Phil and Olly. From ‘Future Shorts’

http://youtu.be/P5_Msrdg3Hk

This video sort of started of all my ideas for this project, I love the colour tones of the office making it seem so dull and boring. I also love the idea of discovering something that can be his escape from his reality, in this case being a black hole in a piece of paper. It’s an interesting short that has morals behind such as greed getting the better of him as he ends up trapping himself in a safe. I want to go for similar colour tones in my film showing how his day to day life is dull and that he is suffering inside. I think the work costume is quite like how I want my main character to look, I might show his shirt a bit creased where he hasn’t ironed and he tie not done quite right, showing he doesn’t really care that much about it because of what he’s been through. For the end scene where the character meets a girl in the café will have different colour tones to show a better mood and change to his life for the better.

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) Directed by Albert Lewin. Novel written by Oscar Wilde

Murder scene

I really like the idea of a painting that changes depending on his actions, revealing how he has become corrupt and evil. I like how an object can be used to reveal what emotions and secrets lie within a character without having them express it themselves. I first watched the 2009 version called ‘Dorian Gray’ and I instantly loved the story. I then watched the 1945 version, which I preferred. I think it’s because it was in black and white which seemed to make the story more intense and dark. I also loved the lighting especially the scene where he murders and there is a swinging lampshade casting a huge shadow that look like sharp teeth showing how evil he is. I was inspired by ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ for my idea, I want a character who is living his day to day life behind quite quiet and not talking about his emotions but will use reflections to show how he is really feeling and how he is haunted by a traumatic incident. I like the idea of having little dialogue but show it visually, presenting memories and emotions. Using the right colours can create a mood and certain shadows can represent emotions or have a really good effect in showing the character’s personality.

Edvard Munch – The Scream

I have always liked this painting because it’s a very powerful piece of work. The colours are vibrant, the brush strokes show lots of movement and it’s a very abstract, surreal piece of work. For my film I want to create something that is a bit surreal, showing this character’s mind through what he sees in reflections like he every time he sees a reflection he is seeing himself inside, his emotions and memories. I had an idea to create abstract screaming faces from his wife but I think it’s not really necessary and is a bit over the top. I find sometimes the more subtle things work best. I want to show memories of her face which are invaded by the image of the burglar who broke into his home and murdered her. I would quite like to add some animation and art into this film like this painting but it would be too complicated and difficult to achieve for this project but could definitely be something I could try in the future. I found this work inspiration because of the elongated face and how intense the scream is which makes a big impact, combining this kind of work with film could be rather interesting.

‘Mirrors’ (2008) Directed by Alexandre Aja. Written by Sung-ho Kim (Korean Original – ‘Into the Mirror’)

Although I’m not a huge fan of this film I liked the idea behind it of reflections that can kill you. I have recently become interested in using the green screen and mirrors; showing characters look at a distorted reality, nightmares, memories or new worlds. I found this film interesting as they are looking at reflections which they believe to be them but is actually an evil spirit controlling them. Their reflections become like a puppet which can be used against them.  I liked the part showing reflections in water, I would like to achieve a reflection in a puddle but I’m thinking of filming the burglar in front of the green screen and then add him over the top of the puddle when I’m editing, changing the opacity.