Thriller intro updates

So far as a group we have created a basic storyline for the intro that we will work on as well as choosing the actors to play the roles and the location.

Location:
Mainly filmed in the car park discussed in an older post, although some parts will be filmed in places resembling the car park (to film the shots of guns which we can't show in a public place) and several places with good views of the cityscape or city. These must look very urban, with the cityscape shots looking brightly lit with coloured signs, and the shots of the city itself looking dangerous and dirty. Places for these shots have not yet been decided.

Characters: We will only use two characters, who are as follows:

1. First is the one we see in the intro who will be played by Tanwyn Meek-Smith. He plays the cocky gangster with a serious god complex. Is never given a name, so will henceforth be referred to as "Character 1"
2. Second is the one introduced in the second half of the intro, acted by Lukman Hussin, who plays the main character of the film, named Smith, one of the more important people in a gang. Kills character 1.

Props: For the mise-en-scene, we will need the right style of clothing for the characters, which will be a suit for Character 1 and a trenchcoat and trilby hat for Smith. We will also need a fake gun, and the problem with this is that we can't go waving a fake gun around for fear of being arrested, so we will need to make some modifications to the script and storyboard soon. We need a video camera and a skateboard to rest the camera on to get a smooth shot of the feet. We need to find out where we can get these items, but they should be easy enough to come by.

Meeting schedule: Our group meets up four times a fortnight to have a group meeting, as well as in lessons, although most planning is done in the four one hour slots where all three group members have free periods. In week one we meet on Monday at 10.00, and Thursday at 11.20. In week two we meet on Wednesday at 9.00 and Thursday at 11.20.

Shooting schedule:

Thursday 27th of November

4.05: End of our last lessons in school
4.10: Leave school in our group
4.50: Meet Lukman outside his house (which is very near the car park)
4.55: Reach location and start filming all the parts which are shot in the car park chronologically
≈6.40: Finish filming for the day

Thursday 4th of November

4.05: End of our last lessons in school
4.10: Leave school in our group
4.50: Meet Lukman outside his house
5.00: Reach first location (the overpass and underpass by Grapes Hill)
≈6.20: Finish filming for the day

Scene 1: Beginning with a black screen, a diegetic song (which has not been decided, but must fit the mood) would begin playing. The black fades away, revealing a street-lit urban environment at night (preferably while raining), the first shot is a low down side on close up of a pair of feet walking towards the left, and the camera would pan at the same walking speed, to signify walking forwards as I thought that walking right gives the idea of walking backwards. The feet would be very well dressed, the viewer would be able to see a pair of expensive black polished shoes and smart black trousers, to show that the criminal world is better dressed and more professional than the rest of the world. One of the themes is that the criminal world is no longer the "underworld", but the higher world, following the "layer cake" idea in the same film. This is why the intro is mainly shot in a high location. The camera at the criminal's feet also tell us this. The shot would fade in and out of various urban settings to seem like time has gone much further than it seems. This could be shown by starting at twilight and ending much later.
After about 30 seconds of seeing the same pair of feet travel what appears to be a long way, the feet stop, the camera moves around and looks upwards, revealing the silhouette of the character looking up at a brightly lit car park. All non-diegetic music cuts out at this point, leaving the character with the sounds of the road. The scene ends, and fades out.

Scene 2: This scene opens with a blurry shot of the man walking down a passageway, made blurry to give the feeling that he is being viewed by a camera, which he is. The camera could be shown at a later time, although this is not yet decided.

Scene 3: The camera rests at the top of a spiral staircase, while Character 1 climbs it and narrates. What he says has not yet been finalised. The problem with this shot is that I think it would get boring, and does not create that "hook" that all good intros have. We could compensate for this by including more shots of him at the top and bottom of the staircase, and cutting down on the dialogue.

Scene 4: The two characters meet, and although this part is very vague so far, Character 1 is killed by Smith. This scene will have a lot of camera changes and will be where all the action happens. This part is likely to take up a lot of the time, as it is the most exiting part of the intro, which we need to make the intro work

So far, we have a lot of issues with the plot, and until we settle on one completely logical plot which makes sense, this is bound to keep changing. The largest issue I have with the film is that it isn't very gripping, and provides little in the way of a hook. This is something that will have to be fulfilled with editing or interesting camera shots. If the film had its own unique style ("A Scanner Darkly", "Sin City"), then this would make up for it.

Script:

INT. CAR PARK STAIRS - NIGHT

JOHN: These days you see too many people complaining about their situation. The way I see it everyone has their chance. Too many people just don’t see it. Now I’ve got my chance. Start when you’re young, and when life moves on, you’ll have no reason to complain.

INT. CAR PARK - NIGHT

JOHN: Smith is it? (SMITH nods slightly) Thought so. (Silence) Well? (Silence) Ok. (Laughs) I’ve brought your stuff, well your bosses stuff. (SMITH Looks away) Hey, you listening to me. Do you speak English mate. You fucking idiot. What’s the matter, are you pissed off cause I’m a bit late. You do know who I am don’t you? (Silence)I’m John Vanik, you know, the son of fucking Harvey Vanik. I’m sure he sounds familiar (SMITH looks up) Yeah that’s right, you know who he is don’t you, one of the most powerful men in this business. You didn't think he’d send his own son to do shitty jobs like this did you? No they normally send little pricks like you to do this kind of shit. As you can see though, I’m still pretty young, this is just practice really, I’m just building my way up, you know. It’s not easy being the boss’s son; no one dares to mess with me though; but at the same time have a lot to live up to. But hey, I’m sure I’ll do fine; one day I’ll be taking my fathers place. Are you not interested in what I’m saying? Look, I could have you fucking killed; dickhead! I’m talking to you; you’re not very polite are you. You’d be better off showing someone like me a bit of respect. (Silence) Fine, fuck you. You’ll regret this. (JOHN throws the briefcase at SMITHS feet then turns around)

SMITH: The money has been wired into your account. (JOHN turns to face him)

JOHN: What?! I know the money’s been wired into our account. That’s beside the point. Why bother opening your mouth now? (Laughing) You’re a cheeky bastard you are.

SMITH: Sorry.

JOHN: It’s a bit late for an apology mate. I’ll have to seen about you. You’d better watch it. (Turns and begins to walk away)

SMITH: (Smirking, he puts his right hand into his pocket and slowly pulls out a pistol, it hangs by his side for a few seconds and then he carefully aims it at JOHN who continues to walk, unaware of the danger he is in. SMITH smiles. Blackout. Bang!)