Pre-Production: Skill Set Group - Scriptwriting

There are a few skill-set groups throughout the pre-production unit. These groups allow people in my year who are either writing, directing, producing their major projects, etc. to get help with any problems we may have in this particular area. It gives us a chance to get advice from others that may be in a similar situation to you.

For me I chose to attend the skill set groups for scriptwriters and directors, as they were the areas I am involved in, for this project.

I benefitted more from the scriptwriting group as I was struggling more with the scriptwriting side of production. My main struggle was with creating supernatural characters. I originally decided to include a vampire and a witch, within these short three films, however I was worried in what ways I could take a supernatural monster like the vampire and make it original without it being linked or similar to films and TV shows that are already out there.

One of the students in the group, Helen suggested maybe not to do about a vampire, etc. as they’ve been used and adapted a lot already.  It would be hard to adapt a vampire in a way that is not stereotypical/copying what has already been created.

I decided to go with Helen’s advice and use different supernatural creatures in my stories. I wanted to make sure that I chose creatures that were roughly known, but have also not been adapted as much. I realized that it would be a risk to change my idea at this point, however I’ve previously done an adaptation of a vampire for a different project and if I wanted to create original short films, this would be a risk worth taking.

A screenshot from my fiction adaptation unit, where I adapted a poem about a vampires transformation. 

I spoke to Sei-Kai and she was happy to change the ideas. We immediately started brain storming  into different supernatural creatures we could use.

Apart from that, another tip I got from the group was that when it comes to writing the scripts, to actually go to the location (or somewhere similar). This would help with visualization for when we came to shoot the films; especially as I will also be directing these films.

Pre-Production: Fables

While looking through the book Sei-Kai brought in, I noted some of the fables that stood out to me, but also what I could possibly adapt into a short film.

Here are the fables I chose and their meanings:

Fable: Giving the seedlings a hand

Meaning: This fable tells that things develop in their own way. It is not sufficient for people to do things just with desire and enthusiasm. Maybe the effect can even be contrary to what they wish.

Fable: Birds startled by the mere twang of a bowstring

Meaning: This fable story means that if one is frightened in the past, he or she might be scared again in the future in a similar situation.

Fable: The Sky would fall down

Meaning: This fable evolved into an idiom. It is used to satirize those who have unnecessary or unwanted anxieties.

Fable: A loss may turn out to be a gain

Meaning: A loss can turn out to be in fact a gain. Equally, a good thing may turn out to be a bad thing.

Fable: Money or life

Meaning: A person who would rather give up their life than lose their money

Fable: Brothers fight for a wild goose

Meaning: Don’t endlessly argue about how to do something, this missing the opportunity to actually accomplish it.

Fable: Breaking arrows

Meaning: The fable tells the fact that unity is strength.

So far I have some rough ideas on the type of supernatural creatures I want to include, as well as some story ideas. The supernatural creatures I'm gravitating towards is a vampire, a witch and a demon. I need to do some more research before deciding to use these beings as characters.

Pre-production: Research on Fables

I firstly wanted to research into fables. I originally heard of fables through a fairytale adaptation, I wanted to make sure that I understood what the original fables were, so that I didn't get confused.

What are fables?

Fables are short stories that are used to teach children a lesson about a particular moral. The characters in these stories are usually animals who act and talk like people, while retaining their animal trait.

How will you be adapting the fables?

Me and Sei-Kai will be choosing three fables and will take out the morals/meanings in them and create whole new storylines. Our fables will be much darker than the ones told for children, and will be for young adults and older. These fables will contain dark fantasy and horror traits and will also have at least one character that is supernatural.

There are hundreds of fable stories to choose from, however to make things a little easier, Sei-Kai brought in a book (image below) that contained some stories. Now we just need to choose our fables and create some story ideas.

Pre-Production: Major Project and Role Research

For my major project, I will be working alongside Sei-Kai. We decided that we would create three short films for a web series. They will be five minutes long each and will have a supernatural theme/element.

My role in this project will be to write and direct these films.

To find out more about my role I researched into writer-directors, particularly ones who touched upon the horror/dark fantasy genre.

Tim Burton

Burton is a director I have always admired. His style is original in the way that most people can be recognise his work. His films mainly touch upon the horror, gothic and fantasy genres, however also successfully pleasing the younger and older viewers. He has directed, produced and co-written many films. One film in particular that I looked at was, 'Frankenweenie.'

Frankenweenie (2012)

'Frankenweenie' was an original idea by Burton. It's a parody/adaptation to the Mary Shelley novel, 'Frankenstein' (1818). I wanted to look at this film in particular, because it was an adaptation and thought it would help me with ideas and inspiration for when it came to adapting the fable stories. This film is a more child friendly than the adaptation I want to create, however there are still dark themes shown throughout the film.

Guillermo del Toro 

Del Toro is a new director that I have discovered. The films he has created have inspired me a lot for this particular project. His main genre is speculative fiction, which is a combination of horror, fantasy and science-fiction. The characters in his films is what I'm most infatuated with, they are creepy and have a supernatural/monster element to them. He has written and directed many films, however the films I decided to look at are 'Pan's Labyrinth' and 'Crimson Peak'.

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Del Toro is mainly known for creating 'Pan's Labyrinth.' This film in particular has inspired me on what type of characters I want to have and is also partly the reason why I wanted to explore fantasy, as a genre. The use of make-up and costume is realistic and very well done, to the point that it would give the audience watching possible nightmares.  The film was inspired by fairytales and many mythologies, which is something I would like to touch upon in at least one of the short films I create.

Crimson Peak (2015)

'Crimson Peak' is Del Toro's newest release. The film is an adult modern take on a gothic romance and ghost story. It is set in the Victorian Era, matching the gothic style. The style of the film was what attracted me the most as well as the use of colours. For example, the poster for the film (image on the right), is quite dark and gloomy, however the red from the dress, the white from the night gown and the yellow from the candles is what stands out most.