Story to Screen: Pre-Production

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TASK
Write a short scene, using the following as an outline. Try not to rely too much on dialogue but aim to create narrative interest.
- Character 1 is already in a room
- Character 2 enters
- They have a very brief interaction in which Character 1 gives Character 2 an object
- Character 2 leaves.

SCREENPLAY



STORYBOARD

This shot opens with a man alone in a room looking out of the window. However. the character's face cannot be seen, thus making the audience feel worried. The long shot provides an extended view of the scene around the character. Therefore, it is important for the audience to acknowledge the character's whereabouts in the scene; which is set in a blue room and may a vital setting in the plot. The fact that the room is blue signifies the character's depression, sadness and gloominess. He is also seen looking out of the window, which acts as a barrier, and thus shows his desperation because the light symbolises hope. 
We can see from this shot that the character could be lost in their train of thought. We can also see the state the character is in, who has a tear streaming down their face. The audience can see from the close up that the character is upset about something and because everything is just a blur in the background, it magnifies the character's expression or feeling. The close up, therefore, allows the audience to be taken into the mind of the character. As well as this, the shot is very intimate and creates a connection with the audience, because in reality, we only allow people who we trust to get that close to our face. Similarly, it could also make the audience feel uncomfortable.
This shot introduces Anna's character, and shows the audience that she is running into the room and slamming the door behind her. This shot allows the audience an insight into what the Casy sees from his point of view. In this case, the audience are aware that another character has entered the room. It also invokes realism as the audience adopt the same view as the character (Casy).
A long shot is used to show that Anna is in the room, but then zooms in on her face. The audience can see, from the zoom-in, the distress the character is in. The zoom-in also allows the audience to see the reaction of the character and also builds tension in the scene as it informs the audience, that from her facial expression, she has either been running away from something or someone, or has escaped. She then looks up and the sees an unknown man (Casy) in the same room as her.          
 
The two shots, above, show the characters (of Casy and Anna), in a situation of bewilderment and confusion as they first see each other. The shot focuses primarily on the character's eyes, and the scenes behind are out of focus. This extreme close-up is used so that the audience can focus their attention fully on the character's facial expression as they react to the situation in front of them in complete puzzlement; thus they are widening their eyes.
We can see in this shot that Casy is walking towards Anna, and her reacting to him approaching her. The use of an over-the-shoulder shot allows the audience to see Anna's reaction from Casy's perspective.
In this shot, the audience is shown that the location of the scene is indoors. In the foreground, the characters are seen having a conversation, but it is clear that Casy has more authority as he looking down on Anna. This mid-angle shot is used so the audience can see the distance between the two characters. This also shows the tension between them as one looks up at the other in fear; therefore this allows the audience to evidently recognise that this is the first time they have interacted or met.
In this shot, Anna is shocked when Casy asks her if he know's her from somewhere. She thinks Casy may know her, so she stutters "I-I-No, you don't". The over-the-shoulder shot allows the audience to see Anna's panic when Casy approaches her, and again, this enables them to gain an insight of Casy's point of view (he is the main character).
From this point of view shot, we can see a family photo in a locket (belonging to Casy). A point of view shot makes the audience empathise with the character as it gives the illusion that they are the character. This also gives the audience an insight of what has shocked Casy when he sees Anna. It is then revealed that Anna closely resembles one of his family members in the photo, which leaves Casy speechless.
In this shot, the audience can clearly see the location, the blue room. It also shows Casy leaving the room and Anna looking astonished. This shot is used to show the audience that a character is moving from one place to another; in this case, leaving the room. This extreme long shot amplifies the distance between the two characters, because Casy leaves the room as he is in awe after seeing the photo from his locket.                                                                                                                              
In this shot, we can see that Anna is now holding the locket, which was given to her by Casy, and is hesitant to open it as she examines it first. When she opens it, revealing the family photo. The point of view shot is used again to indicate to the audience that the image in the locket is now being seen in Anna's perspective.
This shot shows Anna widening her eyes after she sees the photo in the locket. An extreme close-up is a very dramatic shot and it makes the audience to notice the character's emotion.


2 comments:

  1. This is excellent Rica - the individual shots and the detailed explanations of the meanings you want to create in each is really clear!

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  2. I like the way you have layed out this post. Showing the shots by order and then explaining why you used them and what meaning you wanted to create.

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