Post Production: sound

 On the 24th of January, we entered post-production, and there were a few things we had to fix, specifically we needed to fix some of the sounds and add others in. 

The following were-

Dialogue: Recorded and added into the film.

Phone ring tone: Changed from a wired phone to an iPhone ring tone.

Stab sound effect: Changed from the original sound to something more convincing and less squishy.

Footsteps:  Recorded and added into the film.

We also talked about possibly re-editing the latter half of the opening, our team member Leo had some ideas on what she wanted to do.

Production: The filming day

 On the 27th of December, we started filming. We met up around 5 PM at Bang Sue station and filmed at around 7 PM when it turned dark. We filmed at about 10 PM. 

During the filming process, a lot of makeup and effects for the bruises and blood were used. The former, applied by one of our members, Leo, proved extremely effective in simulating bruises and wounds and made the effects for the monster look great, the latter was great as blood but spilt everywhere a lot and was harder to use overall, the being said we still used a significant amount of it during filming. 

We also had clothing prepared for the characters, one of which was brought specifically to be splattered with the food colouring. Because of this, we were able to go all out with some of the effects used as the costume was meant to be dirty anyway. 

Due to the loud sounds of the road and the city, we were unable to record the dialogue in a good enough quality on location, so it was planned that we would dub it in on a late date.

During the filming period, our team member, Anon, acted as a director and a cameraman. He would be the one composing each shot of the film and also the one shooting it. He's the reason why the film looked as good as it does.

Production: Preperation for filming

Prior to filming anything we needed to solidify what we had and finalized both the script and the storyboard. I finalized the script, which was developed across our meetings to see what ideas and opinions each of us had on what to be kept and what had to change. Our storyboard was made by Leo and contained compositions and notes for all of the important shots and other information we would need while filming.

THE SCRIPT

 

THE STORYBOARD

On the 26th of December, we finished the prep for filming. We had one last meeting to finish out everything we needed before filming. The storyboard went through 1 last revision, the script was also finalized around the same time due to the ending change after a long discussion as it was considered a few times before. 

We also talked about what everyone would bring, make-up and food colouring was brought to use as fake blood. We talked about other possible options like acrylic paint or ketchup but we thought those two would work the best in replicating blood and bruises. 

We also discussed alternate locations in case the ones we were going to were unavailable, thankfully we never had to change location but this was a precaution we took. The actress was also in the call so they would know when and where she had to go.

Research: Writing an opening

 For the project, I was assigned as the writer and screenwriter and I wanted to learn about how movies, especially those of the horror genre write their scripts. A lot of things needed to be in it while not overloading the audience with information. Scripts for opening scenes, especially horror movies aren't exactly heavy in dialogue.  

The opening sets up one or more of, the characters, settings, and themes, horror movies in particular usually set up the villains in the opening like in Friday the 13th and Halloween where the characters present are meant to be killed and establish the killer or in A nightmare on elm street where it establishes Freddy's personality. In this, I had to establish how the monster works as a duplicate which was a bit of a challenge. I also had to write stage directions for the actors/actresses which had to be rather specific. 

Research: Creature sound design

For the project, I decided to look into creature sound design to create a growl of our creature. At first, I expected sounds we associated with scary animals would work but after some testing, I realized that the sounds came out as more random, this is because we already associate them with particular animals. For example, if I used lion sounds for a zombie it would take the viewer out of the scene because something human shouldn't be making generic lion roars, it would have more unique sounds. 

With this in mind, I ended up testing other animals instead, specifically whales and birds, animals already associated with having weirder, more complex sounds. After testing out a couple of them I found birds to be very effective in terms of animals as they have the most diverse range of calls as well as many of them sounding unsettling on their own. This resulted in the prototype call.

That one used sounds from Kookaburras and Sperm Whales, it was rather effective but the sound of water in the Sperm Whale sound files was problematic. In the future, I'd probably try to make artificial clicking or find a replication of their sound to use instead, as well as using more sound clips from non-living things.

Storyboard

 

Trying out Storyboards

A cowboy waits for his enemy to draw his pistol in a duel

Shot and angles:

The first shot would be behind the hand of one of the cowboys but still has the other one in the frame. The second should be an extreme close-up, the third should be a long shot.

Camera Movement:

In the first shot, the camera should move to the right of the screen. It should remain still in the other two shots.

Character Notes:

Two people, both wearing southwestern clothing accurate to the time and place. Maybe make them different body types so they look more distinct from each other. Both would be doing the iconic gun drawing pose while staring at each other.

Dialogue:

No dialogue, as it would make little sense for a scene where two people are in a calm and collective state and to increase the intense atmosphere of the scene.

Sound/Music:

Wild western music at a slower pace intensifies the focus of the two cowboys on their opponent. The sound of the tumbleweed should be heard as it rolls by. The sound of wind should persist through the scene.

Todorov's Narrative Structure and Propp's Character Theory applied to Shrek 2

 This is an analysis of Shrek 2 based on the theories above.

Todorov’s Narrative structure

Equilibrium 

1. Shrek and Fiona are married, they and Donkey are then invited to Far Far Away to receive a blessing from Fiona’s father. Shrek goes along with this to make Fiona happy.

1. Far Far Away is established as a new location.

2. Shrek’s goal is established, and that is to make Fiona happy.

Disruption

2. Shrek meets Fiona’s father, John Cleese who does not like Shrek due to him being an Ogre and flights with him at dinner. Shrek begins to feel that he is not good enough for Fiona. Fairy Godmother and her son are also established as manipulators who use John Cleese for their personal gain. 

1. John Cleese is established as opposing Shrek’s vies, while Fairy Godmother and her son are established as the main villains of the film.

2. They drive the point home that Shrek is not good enough for her which leads Shrek to try changing himself.

Recognition of disruption

3. Shrek tries to change himself and finds a potion to turn himself handsome and Fiona back to her human form. Fairy Godmother attempts to stop this by convincing Shrek that even when handsome he’s still an ogre on the inside and that he should give up. 

1. Shrek tries to change himself to be good enough for Fiona.

2. Fairy Godmother tries to thwart Shrek’s attempts t stop her. 

Attempt to repair disruption

4. Shrek realizes Fairy Godmother’s plan and storms the castle to stop her, proving that he would do anything for his wife.

1. The stakes are the highest at this point if he fails to stop her, Fiona and Far Far away would fall under her control.

Restoration of equilibrium

5. Fairy Godmother is defeated, Fiona accepts Shrek as he is, the two turn back into Ogres and John Cleese gives Shrek his blessing. Then they all party. 

1. All the conflicts set up in the movie are resolved. 

Propp’s Character Roles

The Hero seeks something

1. Shrek

1. The main character of the movie, tries to become better for the person he loves most.

The Villain opposes the Hero

2. Fairy Godmother and her son.

1. Trying to take over the kingdom, as well as manipulating John Cleese and Shrek.

The Donor gives something useful to the Hero.

3. Puss in Boots

1. Helps Shrek after he spares his life, he’s the one to find and give the potion to Shrek.

The Dispatcher sends the Hero on a quest.

4. John Cleese

1. The one to start the idea that Shrek isn’t good enough for Fiona, which sends him on his quest to be good enough for Fiona. 

The False Hero seems to be good. 

5. John Cleese

1. Tricked Shrek into almost getting killed by Puss. 

The Helper supports the Hero.

6. Donkey and Puss in Boots

1. Both help Shrek on his quest.

The Princess/Reward is a reward for the Hero, often needing protection from the Villain.

7. Fiona

1. Fiona is the target of the villains as well as the person Shrek wants to be good enough for.

The Father/Mentor gives advice. 

8. Donkey

1. Often gives Shrek life advice or convinces him to keep going.