Planning

I have developed the narrative in detail to get my idea across.

1) A toddler is being filmed by his mum, who then 'faints' as an effect of the illness (the camera drops) and a close up shows the toddlers feet. He is shouting 'mummy' which will had added reverb and echo in order to create an eerie atmosphere. This scene is intended to make the audience feel happy at the sight of a cute child and then suddenly distraught as his mum has fallen ill.  This scene fades to black to bring in the next situation/scene.

2) The next scene shows shots around a girl bedroom (toys, photos etc) whilst the sound of a phone ringing can be heard. The phone then goes on to voicemail, where her boyfriend speaks. I used this element to make the audience develop a interest to the character whom is supposedly in the room. A shot is then shown of her dead (as the voicemail becomes increasingly delayed and echoed). This immediately shocks the audience who have begun to feel empathy or sympathy for the person on the phone, who's girlfriend has died from this grave illness.

3) The middle montage will include many fast shots with various effects and elements. This will describe the situation to the audience and will be a creative device, as I want my thriller opening to be innovative. It will describe the effects of the disease, the consequences on the world and may include breaking news reports/radio reports. 

4) The whole idea of my film was to portray the idea of absolute desolation. This will thrill the audience, as the last scene presents the final 'survivor' of the outbreak. The idea of being alone in the world is ultimately a terrifying idea and I hope this will be effective in thrilling the audience. The camera moves down a deserted road, focusing on bits of debris (which may include some opening credits). Then it pans up to show a man at the end of road with torn clothing and rugged features. Here the title will appear. If the film were to continue, it would show the struggles of a person completely alone on Earth.

To explain the basic story to the audience I intend to include a montage within my opening. To do this I am going to use a selection of images, sounds and clips in order to create an idea of infection/disease. 

This will be in the style of a news report or with a report as the non-diagetic sound. I will include images within this to fit with what the news report is describing. 

e.g the script may say 

"do not travel abroad using any mode of transport to ensure the disease stays domestic"

and a video will show of the inside of a plane (I shot this on the way back from Edinburgh)

LOCATIONS/HEALTH AND SAFETY.

1) Toddler scene will be filmed in a living room. 

I have permission to film this person and their parents will be there at all times.

Whilst doing the camera drop I will make sure it is carried out safely and onto a soft surface e.g a cushion. 

2) Voicemail scene in a bedroom.

All makeup is meant for use on the face.

3) Ill daughter scene will be filmed in a living room and kitchen.

4)All shots for the montage will be taken safely in a secure area without traffic whilst outside.

5) The survivor scene will be taken on a cul-de-sac where there is less traffic. I will ensure that I look out for any cars at all times.

This is the kind of frame and positioning I intend to use whilst filming the toddler scene. The green tinge and low key effect I have created using iPhoto is the kind I am going to use in the real production. This gives it the thriller 'eerie' feel.

This frame presents the bedroom of the dead girl. Using the mirror, more can be seen, although I may try something different in the real production.

These frames are both of the girls shoes to show the audience their personality/age. I think I may use the frame above as I like the close up and the high angle on them.

These are experimental frames for the phone sequence.

( Note: may or may not use phone, it really depends on how it turns out during editing. May only use the phone ringtone or vibration effect)

 I will use some shots to present the innocence of the girl e.g shooting items such as cuddly toys or old photos as shown below. 
(note, this room will not be my chosen one, but I will use the same ideas. I need a bedroom which has darker colours)

 This is the radio I am going to use. The third frame presents the positioning of the radio and the hand within the shot. 

 This is the location for the over the shoulder shot showing the sick girl.

 This kitchen is the location where the radio scene will be placed. The modern look will create verisimilitude within the opening sequence, making it more believable. 

For the dead girl at the beginning of the sequence will need realistic makeup in order to look diseased and dead. I intend to use pale makeup and fake blood, which I have brought from a fancy dress company. I will also us grey eyeshadow for under the eyes to connote an eerie look. She requires not costume (except an old shirt because of fake blood) as she will be lying in bed and the quilt covers will be pulled up to her chin.

For the girl who is sick, I intend not to show her face in the shot, but if I do I will include the same kind of makeup, without the fake blood as the disease has not developed that far yet.

For the last survivor, I intend to make him look rugged and worn, as if it has been a battle to avoid illness and to live alone, in constant fear of becoming ill. His hair will be messy and his face will be dirty. His clothing will be ripped. He will also be wearing some torn cloth or a bandana around his head to portray the feral look. 

Voicemail Scene

For this scene, I wanted the voicemail to get progressively more eerie. To do this, I used 4 of the same tracks (a recorded voicemail I created) and split them all, getting more delayed with added echo when each track plays.

Here you can see the layering of the tracks and also the volume balance at the bottom, which made my track sound more realistic and professional. 

Voicemail: