Evaluation

Ben created the idea for the project of a serial killer being stalked by possibly another serial killer. I, Henry & Chris decided that this would work as it allowed us to create interesting shots that was required for this cinematography project. From watching Hitchcock’s Rear Window and Vertigo I became very interested with the idea of using fake point of view shots in the film to mislead the audience and surprise them. I came up with the shots in the ally of using a fake tracking shot to fool the audience into believing it was in the point of view of the serial killer when actually it turns out to be the point of view from the stalker. I also created the shot at the end scene when the killer is searching for the source of noise from inside his house, the shot makes the audience believe that the stalker is following the serial killer, only for it to be revealed as a normal tracking shot then the real point of view from the stalker is revealed from the opposite side of the corridor as he attacks the killer.

False POV

False POV revealed

From the idea created by Ben and our entire group coming up with different shot ideas for each scene I created a script which was also more of a shot list with stage directions with the shots everyone agreed on that will work. Although Henry was the main camera man for this project as he has the most experience working with DSLR’s, Ben and myself worked with Henry strongly on the camera, especially on the framing and composition of each shot.

Long track

 Although on time scheduling and planning our group may have been slightly unplanned we did however work very well together. We were all technically proficient and became good problem solvers as there was many problems arising with certain tracking shots and lighting.

Drastic lighting choice add emotion and atmosphere

Some over exposure on certain shots

As one of the requirements was that there had to be a change in lighting, from watching and studying Kieslowski’s Three Colours: Blue I came up with the idea to show an obvious change in lighting colour during the scene in the house when the killer realises the stalker is in the house. I came up with the idea of using close-ups with the lighting colour changing from blue to red which would add intensity but also reveal to the audience the mood and emotion of the killer as we decided not to use sound or dialogue in our film, I created many shots that would easily show the moods and emotions of characters and situations from just the shots and acting.

Equipment List

Dedo lighting kit x3

Kino lighting kit x2

Tripod x1

DSLR camera x1

Red & Blue Gels x2

Tracking kit x3

Early Planning & Storyboard - Killer's House

 

Wide shot static camera centre of room as Stalker hides from Killer.

 

 

Close up of Killer placing tools on the table.

 

 

Wide shot static of Stalker running up the stairs.

 

 

Static mid shot of Killer looking into hallway at noise.

 

Wide shot of Killer going upstairs looking for source of noise.

 

Track shot camera behind Killer - Point of view of Stalker

 

Wide shot static reveals trick point of view.



Early Planning & Storyboard - Alleyway

 

Cuts to Mid shot of Killer leaning on wall watching public walk past chosing his next victim.

 

 

Cuts to long shot of Killer's point of view, fast pans right to left observing people.

 

 

Zoom in on Woman, pan right following her walk into alleyway.

 

 

Cut to close up of Killer's face.

 

 

Cuts to camera central of alley. Static wide shot of Woman walking down alley. Camera tracks down alley following woman down alley, gives effect of Killer's point of view.

 

 

Killer runs into view of camera, grabs woman and drags her out of view. Camera continues to track down. Tricks audience - fake Point of view, not from Killer.

 

 

Camera continues to track down and pan left to reveal Killer stabbing Woman to death.

 

 

Cuts to mid shot of female Stalker watching Killer. Real point of view revealed.

 

 

Cuts to wide shot of alley way. Static, revels charcters positions.



Early Planning & Storyboard - Grindleford

 

 Opens with a long shot camera behind the Killer as he chops up a body.

 

 

Track to close up of killer, gives the effect of somebody's point of view walking towards the Killer. Killer hears noise behind him and turns around.

 



 Cuts to a long shot of Killer across the river, camera in front of Killer. Trick point of view as no one is behind him.

 

 

Cuts to close up of Killer's face searching for source of noise, then goes back to hacking up dead body.

 

 

Camera zooms out to long shot again across the river. Show's woman Stalker hiding, watching Killer cut up dead body.

 

 

 

 

Cuts to static Mid shot of blood flowing down the river.

1st Draft Script

Click pictures to enlarge

 

 

Group's 1st Meeting

During my group's first meeting, Ben came up with the idea of a "cat and mouse" film style film in which he shown us certain scenes from Korean films such as Oldboy and I Saw the Devil for a certain action style he was after. I then decided if it was a cat & mouse film narrative we was going for, we could trick and manipulate the audience by not being sure who's side of the narrative we are following.

I introduced and began to talk about trick P.O.V. where the audience believes the camera is showing the P.O.V. of one character but turns out to be another or no one's at all.

We talked of very drastic theatrical lighting that was obvious but gives it a certain style, such as deep reds to show killers anger etc.

We agreed to make storyboards with ideas of camera shots and lighting.

Cinematography Group

James Mellors
Benjamin Wilson
Henry Vinten
Chris Slater


I'm looking forward to working with my group, I have worked with Ben last year on a drama project and from that I know we share similar shot ideas etc.
I have never worked with Chris and Henry before but I highly like previous work they have created and I highly look forward to sharing ideas and creating something that could come out brilliant.