Last two meetings

On Saturday 18th October, our group met to further discuss the two minute piece. In it we decided to pick up with the fear aspect, and I put forward my framing ideas, due to watching the opening scene of the CSI episode 'stalker' from season two, where the victim is in a similar situation to our main character. The framing and soundtrack both emphasised the character fear, using high angles and wide shots to emphasise the characters body language and the fear of the character. I found the use of the phone sound highly effective as well as its the first thing you hear even before the visuals of the scene appeared. We all came together and agreed on this general framing. Lawrence had to leave at 3 (the meeting starting at 2) and Marcus the director arrived shortly after his departure. We had a conversation on what order to shoot the piece  and how to build it up. their were some disagreements, like he kept asking me to break 180 degree rule, and to go crazy with the shots. he also said we should have some ripped cushions at the end, but I brought up argument that it signifies anger, and he said why not use multiple emotions. This I argued went against the brief of focusing on one emotion, and his argument was that just cause the brief said it does not mean we have to follow it. It got heated some of the conversation, and all the information was beginning to stress me out, mainly due to the constant wave of information.  I left with a plan of structure in which to film this piece. I did like Marcus's enthusiasm for the characters backstory. I originally just thought it would be ambiguous on who the stalker is, but Marcus wanted to know who this character was, and came up with idea that it may be her long lost father. I thought it could work, if it was an abusive, neglectful father, as his voice on the answering machine would instantly terrify her. We had some really good ideas to work with by the end of the meeting.

I remembered late Sunday, that we needed an idea to pitch for the 5-10 minute piece, so I posted on the group on Facebook that we needed to come together and get the 5-10 minute ready. Bryony wasn't able to make it due to the weather conditions but the rest of us met today at 1PM, and Lawrence came up with the idea of a man who cleans crime scenes and finds a photo of the victim with him in it. For nearly an hour before we tried many ways to incorporate where to take it. We went from him being framed for a murder, but this was to similar to a film staring Samuel L Jackson called ''Cleaner'. I suggested that he is the killer, but blacked out so he can't remember doing it, and through the film he gets flash backs on things he touches, but again, this needed more structure. We decided in the end that their would be two cleaners. One being a rookie and the killer being a veteran with the beginning being them in the car, the middle being in the house cleaning and the ending being the rookie finding the veteran in the photo frame.

I have a floor plan of Lawrence's living room to help me create a shot list for the piece.

research reference for 5-10 minute idea

Floor Plan

Lawrence has typed it up in the following breakdown:

5 Minute Film Idea Premis

 

The short 5 - 10 minute film includes 2 main characters, Abe and Duncan. Both of whom work for a niche cleaning company that deals with cleaning murder scenes after forensics teams have taken vigorous evidence. Abe is an older character who has a substantial amount of experience working for the firm and has an almost methodical approach to the daily workings that the job entails. This experience in the particular field of work makes him an ideal candidate to pair up with Duncan. Duncan is brand new to the firm and has an lot of anxieties about the job, it seems an extremely unlikely career choice for him considering his weak stomach. The duo have a list of properties they are supposed to attend and clean extensively on this particular day in time for the families to return and feel less distressed as a result of the cleaning.

 

Duncan is holding the list as they wait is their van suggesting they attend, whilst Abe is engaged in a menial phone conversation with their supposed boss. As he finishes the conversation he informs Duncan that the Boss needs them to urgently attend a property not on their list. Duncan being new to the job accepts this change immediately.

 

The next scene see’s the two characters enter the house and view the murder scene which is truly horrific and becomes unbearable for John to handle. After attempting to stay in the room, John has to leave and it is suggested that he goes to the other room where the struggle started. This allows Abe character to truly express the complexities of his character to the audience. He puts in his headphones and begins the process of applying his gear. This approach to cleaning is methodical and precise there is purpose behind every movement Abe makes his performance suggests a personal fulfilment with seemingly repulsive task.

 

As he is cleaning the remains of the deceased girl on the floor, Duncan is wandering about almost aimlessly. He looks in the fridge and draws attempting to avoid the mess that surrounds him. Items in the fridge have a strong resemblance to Abe’s pack lunch he was eating in the car prior to entering the property. He finally attempts to starts cleaning, wiping up splashes of blood. He is drawn to a picture frame of the deceased, she is with a male figure who cannot be distinguished due to the blood that has hit the frame. Duncan wipes away the blood slowly with his thumb the sound of the rubber glove against the glass screeching and filling the scene. As it is slowly uncovered there is a clear image of Abe with the young girl. The sound of music subtly enters from a pair of headphones as John turns around Abe is behind him with extremely intensive eyes made out through his cleaning suit.

 

Abe - mid late 30’s

 

Duncan - Early 20’s

 

Girl - Early Twenties/Late teens

 

Boss on phone - 40’s

That is Lawrence's breakdown of the idea, it is now down to Marcus to get these characteristics for the characters. We will be pitching the idea to Chris tomorrow.