Riverside

The basic idea of the film revolves around that of a series of murders within a local woodland, these turn out to be connected. The murderer is a mentally ill women who is out to avenge her early patriarchic childhood by killing and disposing of any man who enters her ‘safeplace’ (the woodland). She does this in graphic and brutal ways, but will always keep the head as ‘battle’ trophies. However due to her sloppiness a body is discovered and sparks a full investigation which un-covers plethora of decapitated cadavers, as the story unfolds the detective (Lucas) has an epiphany that the murderer is in fact a woman and then re-visit a woman they once did, which to there surprise they discover her collection and must wait for her return to arrest her.

During the 2 opening minutes we see that of a jogger passing through the woodland at an early time of 7am. She comes to rest on a bridge overlooking a stream, following a brief intermission she continues on her way. Reluctant to the fact that just a few meters down from the bridge lays that of a deceased male, the latest victim of ‘Mary’ besides him lays her calling card, the queen of hearts.

The feedback from the rough draft was as follows; To focus on the calling card and the framing this would allow the audience would be focussed on the connotations of this mysterious sign. It is also imperative that we have a good establishing shots at the beginning in order to entice the audience in as well as setting the scene. Finally we will need to add a few more establishing shots as to let it breathe and thus the story and cinematic scene develop.  

Our changes will include; A Focus Pool ensures that the audiences attention and vision is focussed on what we want it to be most commonly the calling card. Another major change is that the jogger doesn’t find the body but in facts continue running past, we thought this would add more suspense to the film. A shot that we are also adapting is that we will see the jogger through the trees utilising a panning shot. This will add a enigmatic element as well as a somewhat Pov shot of the antagonist. Tilt shots at beginning and the end of the film opening will drop the audience into the action therefore suspending their disbelief.

The production logo will be the first shot seen, this is to portray to the audience the company behind the film. This should be somewhat unique to the film therefore connoting brand identity. The ‘J’ is in read as this best suggests the bloody nature of the following production. This will fade into an establishing shot of the sky, the camera will then tilt down to show the woodland, these can create the effect of the audience dropping into the action. We will utilise the tripod to create a steady shot this will add a clique effect preventing any un-steadiness. Lastly it will be that of extreme long shot to show the surrounding as well as the jogger.

The first shot shows that of a jogger passing over a bridge, this is to show her crossing over from what is a normal life to that of a death and danger like that of the river Styx. The use of a panning long shot ensure’s she's always in the shot and the main focus of the scene. This similar to the forth shot as it requires the jogger to remain in the shot at all time.

These next shots will continue to portray that of the jogger passing through the forest. We will use medium to long shots as these best show the actress and the setting around her. The camera will be steady as to eliminate any jerky movements which will distract from the scene. The audience will see her running towards the camera and then away so the can best see her general demographics and if need be make any judgement, it also allows them to make social connections to the actress. We will incorporate diegetic river sounds as she passes over the river to help suspend their disbelief and drop them in the action.

The first shot shows the jogger passing over the river, we will be using an extreme long-shot as this best shows her environment while still showing her actions. The camera yet again will be steady as we want to show her in the clearest light. Further on we will see a close up of her face, this allows us to see her gestures and mannerisms. There will be the diegetic sound of her panting due to exhaustion from the jogging.

A long shot of her on the bridge will ensue with the body hidden bottom left this will be viewable by the audience however will not attract to much tension due to its discreet location. This can create tension as the audience slowly realise what has happened. The following shot will focus on the body to show to the audience that he’s dead this will shock and horror the audience as due to it being the main focus of the shot it is hard to avoid.

These shots will be taken from within the treeline, it will also be a Point-of-view shot as this can represent that of the killer and thus make the audience feel that they’re the killer, this will unsettle them. It will be panning to ensure they’re always in the shot and therefore looks as if the killer is focussing on them. There will be a non-diegetic crow call to add an air of suspense and drama.

The final in action shot will be that of the sign this will be a medium-steady shot. This will then tilt up towards the sky and then fade to black, this like the first shot will cause the audience to feel like they're being taken out of the action, this can be like that od them being taken in and out of hell. Lastly the title will be shown with a watery background to connote the film and his watery grave.