Evaluation of Auditions

Throughout the first audition the actor didn't fit the role of Timothy as he had a strong accent which isn't what we are looking for. Relating to this the actor doesn't fit the image of as he was missing a lot of unique characteristics that we are looking for. Also we are looking for a shy timid character who is slow talking however this actor was very confident and outspoken which could be due to the type of script.

The second audition was okay, although appearance wise this actor was smaller than we hoped and seemed very well groomed. We are wanting the role of Timothy to be tall so that when filming we can get effective shots of his height. Also, again this actors accent has restricted the chance of getting this specific role of Timothy. 

Finally in audition four (on the tape)the actor of Rachel was extremely good and well spoken although unfortunately this role the character doesn't speak therefore we were really looking for her to show her emotion through her body language and acting. She fit the stereo typical girly girl image however lacked stage movement therefore we will not be using her. 

Auditions

Locations

 

The film will have a lot of low level lighting to create a sense of mystery. Also, I may change the lighting when different characters are shot so that it represents their personality.


When Tim is in the bedroom there will be diegetic sounds like a door creaking and heavy breathing to show how quiet this characters life is.

Then in the park the swings will make a high creaking sound giving a sense of danger but also the idea of being old and neglected.
In the cafe there will be lots of murmuring but it will fade out into silence so show that something may be wrong also to make the audience feel like they are in Tim's shoes, overcome with emotion causing him not to focus.  When Tim walks down the street, you will be able to hear the wind as well as creepy non-diegetic  music. This will build up the tension and perhaps the fear within this scene.

Costume/Props/Makeup

Costumes: In the past Tim will wear orange, this colour can be associated with imprisonment as in American prisons cell mates always wear an orange jumpsuit. However, In the present day he will wear all black to signify his secrecy and lack of emotion. The long black coat will highlight his creepy nature and imply  that he may be hiding himself and his Insecurities. He is hiding more than just his appearance but maybe his sexuality and personality too. The orange top will suggest or foreshadow that he may do something he will regret or that is dangerous which creates a sense of uncertainty in which he will end up in prison. 
Ben will wear a blue t shirt to signify normality and happiness. It implies he is a very trustworthy character who is stable with who he is and appreciates those around him. The tshirt is a usual everyday top which means this character assumed he is going along with his everyday routine.
Rachel will be seen in stereotypical pink dress/clothing witch is a delicate colour and implies tenderness, sweet and playful attitude which is what we want our character to portray. The colour pink is the colour of universal love of oneself and of others. The character Rachel needs to be seen as this character so when the audience see her she is seen as a contrasting character which is useful as this may leave a sense of mystery within the opening. 

Props: Timothy- Glasses (intellectual) 
Timothy- Phone with password (secretive) 
 Ben- Phone without a password. This shows how he is not as secretive in   comparison with Tim.
 Rachel- Lipstick. This shows she is very feminine and girly. 

Makeup: Tim- Will look more pale and unwell, to give the impression that he stays inside and doesn't interact with others usually.
Rachel- She will wear a lot of makeup and appear very girly. The makeup will make her appear older and more mature than she really is.
Ben- He will appear very healthy and bronzed. It will give the impression that he is a very social character and is outside on the daily. This will contrast to Timothy's appearance.

Location Recce

Our film will be shot in three main locations: the park in Middleton Cheney, the cafe and Timothy's bedroom. There will be an establishing shot of Timothy walking down a dark street (Church Lane, Middleton Cheney) to show the audience the location this actor is usually found. This scene will be shot at night where there will only be street lamps for the lighting, perhaps other lights if needed. 
The shot in the cafe will start of with an establishing shot so that it is obvious that the two characters are now in a different location and throughout the cafe shot there will be over the shoulder shots so that it feels as though the audiences are more involved. Also it conveys a secretive vibe to the shot as part of the shot is obstructed with a characters shoulder. To reinforce the amount of time spent at this location there will be a wide shot from outside of the cafe as well, this will be a time lapse; showing how time has progressed without using to much of the films time.  The finishing shot of the cafe will be at night and the sky will represent the amount of time spent in there.  The camera will follow Timothy face on, coming out of the cafe. This will reveal a lot of the characters in-emotions and create a sinister feel. 

The shot of the street will be quick, an establishing shot to create a mysterious effect, there will be a sense of horror with the church and grave yard being next to the street as these are seen to be quite scary to some people. The next shot will be a dolly shot following Timothy walking down the street so that the audience gets the concept of him being followed, swell as there being a shot of his feet and face. This street is very small, appearing quite creepy as the church makes it appear even smaller. The light will be limited because there are not many street lamps, this will make Timothy appear to be very sinister and dark.

The shot in the park will be a flashback, the swings will be very significant as in many horrors or thrillers they are seen swinging without any one on them. Also there is a specific high screeching noise that is usually connected to this image of empty swings, creating a creepy and intense feeling. We will recreate this shot, but it will be done during the day so the audience are left guessing on what might happen and we are not wanting this recreation to be scary. The park will be empty, this connotes loneliness and that no one has much care for it. This will confuse the audience when they see two/three children playing in it, implies maybe something dangerous may occur to one of the children as there are no adults 
around. 

The bedroom shot will have dark interior and a dark neutral light which connotes secrecy and dullness. The bedroom will be relatively clean and empty looking which could suggest that timothy may also have weird habits or disorders. This will give the audience an immediate impression of the character of Timothy. It will have low level lighting to further emphasize his lack of emotion.  

Casting Planning

This is the mind map of our planning ideas and requirements we have for actors to fit the roles we need.

Call For Actors

The character of Timothy will be required to be sinister and creepy. He will need to have dark hair that will be parted in the middle. A dominant character who is secretive and mysterious. You must be willing to hold a creepy act throughout the film. Be ready to act as a young teenager for part of the film, but keep the characteristics. A 17-19 year old is required to play this role, perhaps younger if you an older/mature appearance. You will need to have your hair greased into a middle parting and perhaps be asked to wear makeup (please be clean and shaven) also must be quite tall. A secretive character willing to interpret murderous traits into their characterisation. The image below is the kind of person we are looking for; tall, dark with relatively long hair.

The character of Benjamin (Ben) needs to be average height, looking smart and business like. You will be required to do a stage kiss with a girl. Also, you will be required to act as a young teenager, this is where the stage kiss will occur. An average 17-19 year old is needed to play this role, keeping up with style trends and have a hard stereotypical manly exterior. You will need to have a smart hairstyle and clean/shaven appearance. In the image to the right, the character will have blonde hair or a light brown and strong facial features. 

The character of Rachel will be a typical girly girl, she will only be seen in the past

(flashbacks) therefore you must be willing to act childish and young. A stereotypical girl wearing pink clothing or very childish clothing. Also, you will be required to do a stage kiss with a boy. A girl between the age of 15-17, minimal makeup and braided hair. You will have a relatively small role in the film but it will be very important in the conclusion. The character of Phoebe is the kind of character you will require to play. A young ditsy girl, willing to be extravagant and girly. 

Narrative

At the beginning/equilibrium of the film there will be a lot of flashbacks of the two boys when they were younger this is showing their old friendship and how it broke down. Their friendship breaks down due to jealousy over a girl, for Timothy the jealousy gets too much and spends his teenage years plotting to kill his friend. The audience will understand this by showing scenes of a wall with information, showing how he is plotting to kill him.


The disequilibrium is where it skips to present day, Timothy is planning on meeting his old friend. They end up spending the day catching up at a café, we follow Timothy out of the café in a dark alley. This shows mystery, he will have no emotion on his face. The audience will recognise not everything is as it seems and as the night ends, its mysterious foreshadowing something may occur. 
The resolution of Timothy's hate towards Ben and the ending of the film opening, is when Timothy's mum calls him late at night explaining that Ben (his old best friend) has been murdered. He stumbles to the bathroom with a diegetic sound of breathing. As he enters the bathroom, it pans around revealing a bloody hand print and a pile of clothing in the corner. The blood will be splattered everywhere. The screen goes black with a voice over of a news report describing the the murder. The rest of the film will then clarify to the audience what has happened and will go back in time. 
The Todorov theory is where everything balances out in the end, the audience will understand the reasoning behind the killing and how it actually happened late on in the film. The audience will have an idea of what will happen in the film because in the flashbacks, it will foreshadow what is to come. However, the audience will have lots of questions concerning Timothy's motive and how he actually committed the murder. It allows the audience to make assumptions and all will be revealed at the end. The opening to the film will hopefully be quite misleading and want the audience to continue watching to find out everything. The rest of the film will clarify everything and will show what will happen to timothy as a result of his actions. 
The equilibrium of the film ending is where Timothy has admitted to everything. It takes place in an interrogation room, there will be graphic scenes showing the murder. It will essentially go back in time, go back in 24 hours. There will be a voice over from Timothy, like a narration, describing the events. It will be very revealing to the audience but a sense of confusion because he is admitting everything. This however, emphasises Timothy's struggle and how he is mentally unstable. It will be done in such a way, keeping the audience guessing and they should be surprised for the result. It is not the same as the beginning equilibrium as there he has different motives and ideas. There will be a flashback to how it all started. Timothy will end up in a confined prison where he will get mental help. 

Representation

(Costumes, Setting, Camera, Mise en Scene, Lighting, How are these used?) 

Costumes: The protagonist will be wearing everyday clothes with mainly blue and yellow colours as these colours are usually associated with happiness and this character is emotionally happy.  The antagonist in the flashbacks will be wearing the colour orange as this is associated with the american prison overalls colour however it is also bright which suggests that the character isn't all bad. In present day shots the same character is seen wearing black which suggests that he no longer has any emotion and is completely emotionless. 

Setting:  The film opening will  be located in a bedroom, Café, a street and a park in past scenes. The reasoning for only setting the past scenes in a park was because parks and playgrounds connote childhood and our characters in the past scenes are children. We are filming from a cafe because it is a public place where two of our characters are seen rekindling their friendship over a cup of tea. Later, we will be shooting a scene in Timothy's bedroom where all seems well however there will be a sudden danger to various people. We are setting this particular scene in a bedroom as a bedroom represents sleep and a peaceful place which is why it contrasts and becomes unexpected.

Camera: There will be a lot of P.O.V shots because this camera type is from a characters view and involves the audience a lot more in the opening. Also, over the shoulder shot will be included as it gives the audience the same impression however it makes us feel as we are hiding meaning there is more tension within the scene. Also, theres a track shot following Timothy which emphasises he is the main characters and it allows the audience to see in to his life.

Mise en Scene: In the past scenes Timothy will be seen wearing an orange t-shirt as a child, this has connotations of prison and criminals which foreshadows what is to come. Ben will be wearing everyday clothing and a blue shirt which shows happiness. Rachel will be in pink which is a stereotypical girly girl. When we get to present day Timothy only wears black which connotes having no emotion and being dull. Also, there will be minimum props as timothy has a phone but keeps it private which links to his personality.

Lighting: The film opening will be filmed with mostly low level/dark lighting which will link to the mood of dull and gloomy witch relates to the theme of the film opening. The dark lighting promotes a sense of fear which keeps the audience intrigued.

Planning