Actor Recruiting

Today I have posted a message on the Sheffield Hallam Drama society Facebook page to try and find a few actors/ actress’s to be in out film. This is the message I sent:

'Hi guys, I’m a Visual Effects student and my group are in the process of making a short film, we are looking for a few actors/actresses to star in it. The end product will be about 10 minutes long and we would require availability for a few days filming after Easter, if you are interested or would like any more information or a copy of the script, please message me. Thanks'

First Draft script and progress update

The VFX we plan to include are:

-Dolly Zoom in the casino scene hen the main character loses his hand at poker

-Greenscreen to create a time lapse background behind the subject at the poker table.

Lighting effects:

-Harsh light for interigation

-club style lighting for club scene

We have had a chat about locations for the film 

-casino, ext/int

-club

-house/hallway

-alley way/gutter

-interrogation room 

We plan to film the interrogation scene in the prof. studio in Harmer, and have talked about using 'A-Pod' at the students union for the casino/club scenes, which is bookable and has a club lighting system in place, the union building also owns a number of poker tables.

We plan to do an official location scout this week to assess suitability.

Script

  SCENE ONE                                                      
                                                                         
          INT: Interrogation Room                                        
                                                                         
          The room is in complete darkness, we can hear rustling.        
          The light comes on, A man is sitting under a spot light,       
          tied to a chair. The light shows that the room is small        
          and claustraphobic, with cold black walls.                     
                                                                         
          The man appears to be clean and well dressed, white shirt      
          with jeans. Well groomed and looks refreshed.                  
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                         (Shouting)                                      
                    HELLO!?                                              
                                                                         
          He attempts to free himself by wriggling vigorously, his       
          hands are tied to the chair with cable.                        
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                         (Shouting)                                      
                    HELLO!? CAN ANYONE HEAR ME!?                         
                                                                         
          Billy looks around to see where he is, to see if he            
          recognizes his surroundings, There’s silence                   
                                                                         
          The sound of a door opening and slamming is heard very         
          nearby                                                         
                                                                         
          Billy looks up in surprise                                     
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    Hello?                                               
                                                                         
          Pause                                                          
                    ...Who’s there? Where am I?                          
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    We’ll get to that later                              
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    How did I get here?                                  
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    Tell me what you remember                            
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    I remember going out with my                         
                    friends                                              
                                                                         
                                                                         
          SCENE TWO - FLASHBACK                                          
                                                                         
          EXT: Street - night                                            
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                         (CONTINUED)     

          CONTINUED:                                            2.       
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
          A group of 5/6 guys are walking down the street carrying       
          crates of beer, they knock on the door of a terraced           
          house. Billy answers the door and lets the guys in. As         
          they walk through the door they all cheer and chant.           
                                                                         
          INT: Hall way                                                  
                                                                         
          The guys enter the house, as the last friend enters he         
          knocks over an ornament, it smashes on the floor.              
                                                                         
                              FRIEND 1                                   
                    Ah mate, really sorry                                
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    Don’t worry about it, never liked                    
                    it anyway                                            
                                                                         
          the friend follows the rest of the group into the living       
          room, Billy leans down to pick up the broken ornament, as      
          he stands up and turns around his girlfriend is standing       
          right in front of him.                                         
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    Aw babe, I’m sorry. it was an                        
                    accident                                             
                                                                         
          He holds up the broken chards                                  
                                                                         
                              RUBY                                       
                         (Sarcastic)                                     
                    It’s okay, It’s not as if YOU                        
                    liked it anyway.                                     
                                                                         
          Pause                                                          
                                                                         
                              RUBY                                       
                         (Serious)                                       
                    But I expected you to know how                       
                    important it was to me.                              
                                                                         
          Billy looks guilty                                             
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    I’m sorry Rubes, it wont happen                      
                    again                                                
                                                                         
          the sound of something smashing in the next room is heard,     
          followed by cheering.                                          
                                                                         
          Ruby glares at Billy                                           
                                                                         
                              RUBY                                       
                    I thought myself clear about                         
                    tonight                                              
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                         (CONTINUED)     

          CONTINUED:                                            3.       
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    Ruby, please. It’s just a few of                     
                    the guys and a few drinks                            
                                                                         
                              RUBY                                       
                    A few!? there’s 6 of them in                         
                    there! We’re not all students                        
                    anymore, I think it’s time you                       
                    grow up a bit and learn to...                        
                                                                         
          Billy’s mates burst out of the living room, cheering and       
          shouting. They push Ruby to one side, pick up billy and        
          carry him back into the living room.                           
                                                                         
                                                                         
          SCENE THREE                                                    
                                                                         
          INT: Interrogation room                                        
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    I think that really pissed Ruby                      
                    off                                                  
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    Do you love her?                                     
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    What? Of course I do!                                
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    Then why did you put your friends                    
                    first?                                               
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                         (Shouting)                                      
                    Who are you to lecture me!? Who                      
                    are you!? Why am I here!?                            
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    Tell me about the casino?                            
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    Is that where you know me from? I                    
                    didn’t do anything, why am I                         
                    here!?                                               
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                         (frustrated)                                    
                    Just tell me                                         
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    After Ruby kicked us out, Blaine                     
                    suggested we hit up the casino,                      
                    sounded like a good idea...                          
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         

                                                                4.       
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
          SCENE FOUR - FLASHBACK - CASINO                                
                                                                         
          EXT: Casino - Night                                            
                                                                         
          Billy and his mates are walking towards the casino, as         
          they approach the entrance 3 of them quickly drink up and      
          drop their beer cans on the floor, Billy however drinks up     
          and places his can in the bin, subtly so that they don’t       
          notice.                                                        
                                                                         
          Montage of poker scene - buy in - clock - losing a lot of      
          chips.                                                         
                                                                         
          Billy loses most of his money to the poker game, he stands     
          up and goes to the bar, he then meets Blaine and Geoff         
                                                                         
                              BLAINE                                     
                    Unlucky mate, how much did you                       
                    lose?                                                
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                         (Angry)                                         
                    Everything, Even mine and ruby’s                     
                    savings                                              
                                                                         
                              GEOFF                                      
                    Dude                                                 
                                                                         
          The barmaid passes over 2 shots to Geoff                       
                                                                         
                              GEOFF                                      
                    1 more please love                                   
                                                                         
          Geoff passes Billy one of the shots                            
                                                                         
                              GEOFF                                      
                    You look like you could use one                      
                    of these                                             
                                                                         
          They all down their shots and slam them on the bar             
                                                                         
                              BLAINE                                     
                    Mate, don’t worry about it,                          
                    that’s what your overdraft is                        
                    for. Now let’s just go out and                       
                    get well and truley wellied.                         
                                                                         
                              GEOFF                                      
                         (To the barmaid)                                
                    3 more battery chargers please!                      
                                                                         
          They all take their shots and clunk them together              
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         

                                                                5.       
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
          SCENE FIVE                                                     
                                                                         
          INT: Interrogation room                                        
                                                                         
          Billy is starting to look a bit rough, his hair is             
          slightly messy, his eyes look tired and there’s a spill on     
          his shirt.                                                     
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                         (Frustrated)                                    
                    How could you just throw away                        
                    that much money, especially when                     
                    half of it was hers!?                                
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    I made a mistake                                     
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    Seems like you made a lot of                         
                    mistakes that night                                  
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    What do you mean?                                    
                                                                         
          Silence                                                        
                                                                         
          Billy tries to free himself again. He’s suddenly               
          electricuted through the cables tieing him down, The light     
          flickers and he lets out a scream.                             
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    So you want to be a free man, do                     
                    you?                                                 
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    You’re keeping me here against my                    
                    will. what do you think?                             
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    What happened after you left the                     
                    casino?                                              
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    we just went to a club                               
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    then what?                                           
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    I don’t remember                                     
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                         (getting angry)                                 
                    Yes you do!                                          
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                         (CONTINUED)     

          CONTINUED:                                            6.       
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    No, I don’t                                          
                                                                         
          Billy get’s electricuted                                       
                                                                         
          He let’s out another scream                                    
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    tell me the truth                                    
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    I’ve told you, I don’t remember                      
                                                                         
          He get’s electricuted again                                    
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    You really don’t remember that                       
                    girl in the purple dress?                            
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    Purple dress?                                        
                                                                         
          He thinks for a moment before remembering what happened        
                                                                         
                                                                         
          SCENE SIX - FLASHBACK - CLUB                                   
                                                                         
          Fast montage of the group drinking, dancing and getting        
          with girls. & bum squeezing                                    
                                                                         
          EXT: Outside Club                                              
                                                                         
          Billy has some girl against a wall, they’re kissing            
          passionately.                                                  
                                                                         
          A man exits the club                                           
                                                                         
                              MAN                                        
                    Chloe?                                               
                                                                         
          The man call out for his girlfriend                            
                                                                         
          Chloe, the girl Billy is kissing turns to face him             
                                                                         
                              MAN                                        
                    What the fuck is this!?                              
                                                                         
          The man storms towards Billy                                   
                                                                         
                              MAN                                        
                    Get the fuck of my girl!                             
                                                                         
          Billy turns to face the man                                    
                                                                         
          The man punches Billy in the face                              
                                                                         
          Cut to black                                                   
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         

                                                                7.       
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
          SCENE SEVEN                                                    
                                                                         
          INT: Interrogation room                                        
                                                                         
          Billy looks even more rough than what he did, his nose is      
          bleeding.                                                      
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    At least got what you deserved                       
                                                                         
          Billy sits in silence, he’s thinking hard                      
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    You ruined everything, Look at                       
                    what you’ve destroyed                                
                                                                         
          Billy sit in silence, full of regret.                          
                                                                         
                              MYSTERIOUS MAN V.O.                        
                    I fucking hate people like you,                      
                    treating people like shit                            
                                                                         
          Voices start building up in Billy’s head getting loaded        
          and less recognizable until you can’t make out any one         
          voice.                                                         
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    I know!                                              
                                                                         
          All voices stop, Billy breaks free from restraint, and         
          looks for the door. He then gets slapped twice by an           
          invisible hand.                                                
                                                                         
                                                                         
          SCENE EIGHT                                                    
                                                                         
          EXT: Outside nightclub, morning after                          
                                                                         
          Billy is in the gutter with Ruby stood over him, softly        
          slapping his face (with the intention of waking him up)        
                                                                         
          Billy drifts into consciousness and slowly opens his eyes.     
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    R-r-uby!!                                            
                                                                         
                              RUBY                                       
                    Yer, I’m hear Billy, what have                       
                    you got yourself into now!!                          
                                                                         
                              BILLY                                      
                    I’m so sorry for what I’ve put                       
                    you through...please don’t leave                     
                    me?                                                  
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                         (CONTINUED)     

          CONTINUED:                                            8.       
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                              RUBY                                       
                    Oh Billy, it will take more than                     
                    a night of mistakes to get rid of                    
                    me...                                                
                                                                         
          Ruby leans in to hug Billy                                     
                                                                         
          The camera pulls away from them both as noise of an            
          ambulance gradually gets loader                                

Project Idea

Main Narrative-

-Young Male been interrogated and answering questions from an older male (out of shot).

-Some of the questions asked trigger flashbacks for the younger male, seeming to reveal how he has ended up in this interrogation cell.

-One of the flashbacks shows the young subject in a casino/ at a poker table and he loses his hand and consequently his chips.

-  Flashbacks reveal more and more about how the man has ended up hear

Ending

We discussed two possible endings; both have a twist on the story.

1. Subject is actually laying in a gutter, and the narrative has been happening in his mind.

2. The camera zooms out and the lighting shows all of the room. It turns out the interrogation is actually the subject.

Symbolism- how he is trying to work out what happened last night - relates to how we as students feel after a heavy night.

Lighting Set Ups

In this post i am taking the practical skills learnt in the tutorial and building on them more research to make an accurate diagram and how to guide which i can refer back to when planning shots etc...

3 Point lighting 

Keylight

This is the main, typically set 45 degrees from the camera and should be at the subjects eye-level.

Fill light

This is to even out any shadows caused by the key light. It is less intense than the key light which can be achieved by dimming the light or by moving it away from the subject. This light should also be about 45 degrees at the other side of the camera.

Backlight/hairlight

Should be above and behind the subject in order to pick them out from the background.  Should be a lower intensity than the other two lights. Light should not spill into other areas of the shot.

Background light

To light up the background.

Reflector
Silver = light skin
Gold = dark skin