Due to circumstances, we have had to update our cast last minute. Changing Zara's role to Meadows and having Daisy Jelly join our cast as the female protagonist:
This week, after bringing in our props and costumes into school to check them our as a production group, we have come to the realisation that the costumes we brought for the hunted girls are not feasible for the 'look' that are trying to achieve.
Here are the photos of the original costumes that Cole bought for the girls:
And here are the photos of the costume when it came:
our idea was to spray paint numbers on the back of the jumpsuits as a way to show the girls have been stopped of their identity and are now being identified by a number.
Instead to help the issue, I worked *** and found alternate solutions to use for costume.
I found emergency backup dresses, from our original costume choice in my personal Wardrobe to use for the girls costumes:
The issue with the dresses, however was the risk that wearing them imposed on our actors and due to cold weather right now in March, it is a health risk to film outside using these costumes.
Another option that I found was by messaging our costume department at school and asking to borrow jumpsuits for our shoot:
Thankfully, Elizabeth is able to let us borrow two navy blue jumpsuits for our shoot on the 3rd of March.
It has come apparent that our final location at Furnze farm is no longer applicable to use for our filming. Due to this inconvenience, we have decided to go with our original location: Peaslake woods.
Here are some photos of our new location:
This location is ideal as its In close proximity to school, with less than a 10 minute drive to the location, making setting up and planning the shots out easier and quacking allowing more time for the actual filming:
Our opening sequence is a hybrid genre, a mix of an Action, Thriller due to the themes explored within; we have also identified slasher horror elements In it, classifying it as a sub-genre. During our pre-planning we have identified several films and tv programs that we feel are comparable to our own concept for our opening title sequences which will help our development of our own product; from the mise-en-scene, the characters, themes explored, narrative, props, camera techniques, sound, editing techniques. As our target audiences will be similar to these comparable products, it will enable us to investigate how we would go about to appeal our specific target audiences. Most of all, I will be looking into how these products can inspire our opening sequence.
The The products that are relatable to our concept are: -‘Assassination nation’
-‘The Hunt’
-‘Ready or Not’
-‘The Purge’
-‘Battel Royal’
-‘The Hunger Games’
-‘Saw’
-‘Peppermint’
-‘Squid Games’
However, I will be further researching into: ‘Assassination Nation’, ‘The Hunt’, ‘Squid Games’, and ‘Ready or Not’ to investigate how comparable our products are to one another.
I have chosen to use Same Levinsons, ‘Assassination Nation’ as a product to compare with our own opening sequence; the similarities within the themes, characters and topics are relatable for both concepts. The director Same Levinson released ‘Assassination Nation’ in 2018 produced by Bron Studios and Phantom four and distributed by ‘Neon’ the film explores “After a malicious data hack exposes the secrets of the perpetually American town of Salem, chaos descends and four girls must fight to survive, while coping with the hack themselves.” (Referenced from the IMDB website. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6205872/)”
Assassination Nation involves extremely graphic imagery, involving a glamorization of violence and threat which is what we have involved within our own idea. The themes explored within Assassination nation, regarding the violent aspect of it are largely influenced by the gory and slasher element to the deaths depicted which again relates to the slasher horror sub-genre that we are trying to apply.
We have also used the characters an inspirational aspect of our own characters; the strong female protagonists within Assassination Nation are hugely relatable to our own protagonist, not only through their traits but also the situation that they are in. The female attribution to the protagonists in both products are extremely relevant to the target audience by which we are exploiting, in exploring the popular and modern ‘girl boss’ notion within our concept.
The narrative follows are similar plot, the female protagonists are essentially being hunted down by the large, powerful majority much like in our concept whereby girls have been targeted and kidnaped to be hunt down in a ‘sporting’ manner. However, the way in which political ideologies are common in both narratives indicates the common themes by which we explore more closely within our narrative of the social patriarchy and how it ultimately has the power to provoke violence and crime.
Another aspect which originally influence me when developing this concept idea at the beginning was the use of costume within Assassination Nation; I was extremely motivated by the style of the almost ‘uniform’ trench coats worn by the 4 protagonists, reflecting the unanimity of the group which I was to explore within our concept idea. This is reflected in our opening, however not representing the unison of the hunted victims but to identify them as a group, by stripping them of their identities through the use of jumpsuits.
The props are another key relatable quality within both the products, regarding the violent and graphic nature of both concepts, the use of props that represent this theme are seen in both products. In assassination nation, there is an extreme use of guns, and weapons that are heavily used within the film which is also relevant to our own concept whereby we use graphic props; for example a shot gun, manmade weapon, and an axe all of which depict the violent actions within the sequence.
I have been heavily influenced by the use of camera and editing techniques within Assassination Nation and how they have used to medium to stylize the consent and create visually pleasing sequences. The use of the composition, especially within Sam Levinsons sequences have been extremely influential when developing our shot list; an example of this is in the scene whereby the character Lily is having a struggle with another character, the camera is positioned from a birds eye view, showing a much more visual view of the bloody, gory scene:
I also really liked the use of titles that appear at the beginning of the film, which I will be investigating further when it comes to edit our final sequence:
For another product that shares similarities to our own film opening, I have chosen to use “The Hunt”, directed by Craig Zobel and released in 2020. This film, in particular shares a very similar narrative, characters, themes, setting and location. The film explores: “
Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don't know where they are, or how they got there. They don't know they've been chosen - for a very specific purpose - The Hunt.” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8244784/
The narrative of both The Hunt and our own film opening are extremely comparable and follow the same conventions and themes; the Hunt follows a ‘game’ whereby humans are the prey, taking the place of animals. This is the same as our opening, whereby an English shooting weekend uses girls that they have trafficked to hunt down. This ultimately requires both concepts to follow the same conventions, as an action thriller. And the graphic imagery explored in the Hunt is another attribute whereby we would like our concept to also follow, instantly engaging and shocking audiences. The political aspect in our concept idea is also widely followed in The Hunt, and the use of classism is a huge part of both narratives, being the segregationist factor of the ‘conflict’ if you like. The different classes in both narratives follow the same privileged background; where our own opening follows the British aristocratic shooting weekend regime, “The Hunt” follows this same classism rout, specifically in America.
Another similar aspect of “The Hunt” is the strong female characterizations within the film and the portrayal of femininity; both protagonists in each product are representative of a female strength, aiming to completely subvert the stereotypes and build into the gender alteration within the films very stereotypical genre and conventions. This use of female attribution to both products are fundamental in reaching the target audience to provoke the modern “girl boss” notion that is so popular in products these days.
The location and setting choices of both products are the same; basing our own hunt in a secluded, sectioned off woodland area, ultimately follows the same choices of “The Hunt” and was based off the inspiration of their locational choices. The use of this secluded location in both products, builds upon the notion of the conventions and helps establish the desired mood and atmosphere of the situation. We essentially wanted our own product to follow the same conventions as “The Hunts” and in doing so, we build our idea around the locational choices which we felt inspired our narrative as a whole. As the locations are similar, the use of natural and atmospheric lighting is another comparable attribution of both products and further enhances the natural element that hunts and shooting weekends follow normally, but in a sadistic and violent manner. The color pallet within “the Hunt” also enhanced the natural atmosphere of the concept, using very earthy and neutral tones within costume choices and the overall pallet of the film. This is similar in our own opening using the costume choices, specifically to the Hunters whereby Tweed is used to display such notion.
“The Hunt” and our own product involve the same violent attributions and therefore involve props that capture the essence of this violent behavior: the use of guns and weapons within our own product are also seen in “The Hunt”. The comparable attributes from the use of props used within both products further enhance their similarities and worked to originally inspire our concept idea from the beginning.
Due to the action thriller genre and the nature of these conventions, the editing and filming style of this similar product inspires how we might go about in filming and editing our own product; the fast pace and use of tension purely from how the product is filmed and cut is done in a way that further enhances the films narrative and helps build the conventions even further.
Another product by which we feel share similar concepts to our own narrative: The TV show ‘Squid Games’ written and created by Hwang Dong-Hyuk, produced by Siren Pictures and distributed by Netflix. ‘Squid Games’ is particularly comparable to multiple factors of our own, following similar conventions, genre, narrative, costumes and themes. The TV program follows: “Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits with deadly high stakes. A survival game that has a whopping 45.6-billion-won prize at stake” [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10919420/?ref_=ttmi_tt]
Both products follow the same key concepts within the narrative, specifically the game/sporting element to it; this is a prominent trait in both concepts and is key to exploring the deeper-rooted issues within the narrative, classism. Through both narratives, the difference between the surface level notion being both 'just’ and shooting weekend and ‘just’ a prize gameshow in comparison to the high stakes involved. The use of the classism element in ‘Squid Games’ and the inferior notion of those ‘above’ is a key convention followed in our opening sequence and thus exploring similar themes within our own. This is also noticeable in exploring the cultural aspects of both products, as they follow very similar narratives; in our own concept, the British aristocratic notion and in ‘Squid games’, follows very universal ideologies surrounding monetary gain. Both products share comparable traits in the way violence is a key element in the narrative; ‘Squid games’ present extreme graphic imagery which is a trait where have been inspired in developing our concept idea. The comparable narratives which each products share requires both products to follow the same genre: action-thriller.
The use of costume is another key aspect that is applicable in both “Squid Games’ and our own opening sequence; the use of the uniform jumpsuits worn by contestants in squid games was a contributing factor that inspired the use of them in our own sequence. We really liked how the jumpsuits stripped the characters individuality and further enhanced the cooperation aspect of the game show which is why we choose to take the same approach in building the unanimous group feature within our own product.
The futuristic and abstract use of setting, location and props involved In ‘Squid Games’ was another factor considered within my production group when developing our concept ideas, and the use of set to make similar products was a key conversation. However, the logistical element of the set design for ‘Squid Games’ was not feasible in the development of our opening sequence.
The themes explored in ‘Squid games’ is also shared within our own product which explores classism, violence, inferiority and inequality within societies. The notion of themes both products are extremely comparable, specifically one being the inferior aspect of classist values; for our product, within the British upper-class aristocrats and for “squid Games” the money ideologies that divide the rich and the poor.
‘Ready Or Not’ directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, produced by Mythology Entertainment and Vinson films and distributed by Searchlight pictures and Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture. This product is extremely comparable to our own opening sequence concept, sharing similarities in narrative, characters, themes and costume choices. The film description states: “A bride's wedding night takes a sinister turn when her eccentric new in-laws force her to take part in a terrifying game.” REF: [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7798634/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0]. The narrative in ‘ready or Not’ is extremely comparable to that of our own, displaying similar issues relating to classism and inferiority in particular. Again, this product draws attention towards the exploration of social beliefs, especially towards the upper class as it features that divide between the protagonist and the rest of the characters with their class and the family they were born into. The “blue blooded” characters within each product, are both representative of the upper class, aristocratic element that is a key aspect of the narrative and the context to our concept. The themes of money, privilege, power within ‘Ready or Not’ is also explored in our product, which involves the sadistic and violent aspect of this entitlement. Again, the game element to this product is another key concept to our own narrative as both products almost belittle the high stakes at play by the use of using these individuals as sport or a game to play with.
The strong female protagonist in ‘Ready or Not’ is extremely similar the protagonist within our opening and was originally inspired by Grace from Read or Not. The female attribution to both plots are extremely important in the connecting to our target audience and in doing so, exploiting the popularity of the ‘girl boss’ notion that is so popular. Protagonists in both products are extremely resilient and determined, despite their ‘social’ ranking within their situation. The rest of the characters within both products display extreme similarities; the prestige family and the hunters all display the same privileged and conceited attribute that come with their social status.
Again, the similarities in the narrative and the violence that in includes, is further confirmed through the graphic imagery throughout the film, following the horror genres stereotypical conventions that induce this gore. Like “Ready or Not” our sequence involves very violent imagery and conventions. I would say however that our opening sequence follows the action thriller genre more so than the gory elements in ‘Ready Or Not’. The horror genre relevant in both products highlight this further through mood and atmosphere created by the use of lighting and the color palette of the film; the darker colors and richer tones mostly used within the film are evident in building upon the gothic element. This is a trait that is used also in our own sequence, using dim white balance for our filming outside, we will achieve a more sinister notion that is desired for the nature of the narrative.
The setting and location are another key similarity between ‘Ready or Not’ and our concept; the manor house in ‘Ready or Not’ would be of the same idea within the rest of our opening's narrative, followed by the secluded ‘land’ which ultimately allows these games to be played privately with no disturbance from any other power or authority. The natural setting in our opening is comparable to scenes within ‘Ready Or Not’, when she is being tracked down by the her new family in their large gated off property.
Overall, these different products are extremely comparable to our opening title sequence and all share very similar qualities to each other; each product shares very similar narratives, characters, themes, conventions, and all have traits which follow the same genre; action thriller with a horror subgenre.
Each products narrative are based around the sport/ game element that is so evident in our own openings concept which is enforced by some sort of high ‘power’; in ‘The Hunt’ it is a group of wealthy friends, in “Assassination Nation” it is enforced by the mass older generations, in ‘Squid Games’ it is a ‘bit of fun’ concocted by a man and his rich friends and in ‘Ready or Not’, it is a wealthy family tradition. The common theme in each products narrative areessentially from the power of the wealthy upper class and their social ranking over those beneath them. Another key element that is explored within nearly all of these products are the female protagonists, who end up surviving the violence by using their knowledge, determination, drive and intelligence. This specific convention is extremely notable in connecting to target audiences and exploiting the popularity of this female orientated appeal. The classism involved within each is another key factor that impacts upon the films conventions and target audiences; the very social and even political demanding characteristics are seen as slightly taboo to some audiences but is seen as a challenging and engaging element to the mass majority.
There are, however, some differences between certain factors within each of the products, mainly being the location of each. The natural, secluded element of our own concept is shared slightly with some other products, however it is difficult to distinguish as the rest of our narrative follows many locations. However, all products are set in the same politically social era and therefore understand the conventions explored within all of gender, classism, inequality and money which are all very important and time relevant themes.
All of these products prove to have in some way inspired our original idea and helped develop it further; an example of this inspiration would be from the hunts similar narrative involving the similar narratives to involve the sporting element that is hunting down humans for sport instead of animals, stripping them of their identity.
